In the Heights

Choreography Style / Approach

Latin street dance fused with hip-hop, contemporary, and elements of musical theater vocabulary. Movement was rooted in authenticity and community, driven by rhythm, culture, and character. Choreography was designed to capture the heartbeat of Washington Heights.

Choreographed Numbers

• Carnival Del Barrio
• Blackout
• Dance Features for other numbers
  

Challenges / Innovations / Notable Moments

• Cultural Integrity: Movement was built from salsa, reggaeton, merengue, bachata dance forms,  rather than Broadway imitations, to honor culture over caricature.
• Ensemble as Pulse: The ensemble served as the living backdrop of the neighborhood, always in motion, reacting, living, and dancing with purpose.
  

• Spatial Demands: Fast transitions between tight bodega corners, stoops, and streetscapes required spatial precision and inventive choreography flow.
• Freestyle Meets Structure: Performers were given a “vocabulary” to choose from during freestyle moments. This allowed choreography to let individual personalities shine while keeping ensemble cohesion.
  

Show Gallery

Photos by Little Theatre of Manchester