Somewhere in America, an army of pre-teen competitive dancers plots to take over the world. And if their new routing is good enough, they’ll claw their way to the top at the Boogie Down Grand Prix in Tampa Bay. But in Clare Barron’s raucous pageant of ambition and ferocity, these young dancers have more than choreography on their minds, because every plié and jeté is a step toward finding themselves, and a fight to unleash their power.

Dance Nation—winner of the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, The Relentless Award, and 2019 Pulitzer Prize Finalist—is a ferocious exploration of youth, ambition and self-discovery. Long Center is thrilled to present the regional premiere of this prize-winning piece in partnership with Theatre en Bloc. In line with their mission to produce quality theatre that is relevant to communities and situations in Austin, TX, there will also be Optional Talk Backs regarding ambition, the messiness of growing up, and how women are taught to claim or subvert their power following each performance.

** PLEASE NOTE, this play includes mature themes and content.

ARTISTS INVOLVED:
Starring: Amy Downing*, Sarah Danko, Giselle Marie Muñoz, Dennis Bailey*, Michael Galvan, Katy Atkinson, Whitney Abraham, Susan Myburgh, and Elise Jacobs*
Directed by: Jenny Lavery