Emmy Award–winning director, choreographer, and educator Al Blackstone is set to make his first visit to Australia for Victorian Dance Festival (VDF) 2026! A former Broadway performer, Blackstone has built an international reputation for creating witty, emotional, and deeply human work across musical theatre, television, film, and concert dance.
He is perhaps best known for his choreography on So You Think You Can Dance, earning two Emmy nominations and winning the 2020 Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography. His work spans celebrated stage productions including Guys and Dolls, Annie, and An American in Paris, as well as original dance narratives and commissions for companies and universities across the United States.
Currently based in Brooklyn, New York, Blackstone is the Resident Choreographer at Giordano Dance Chicago and has taught at leading institutions including The Juilliard School, Point Park University, Pace University, Marymount Manhattan College, and University of the Arts. His weekly classes at Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center in New York have been sold out for over a decade! Known for his passion for connection and storytelling, he brings a collaborative and heartfelt approach to every space he enters.
Ahead of his appearance at VDF 2026, Blackstone shares his thoughts on artistry, teaching, and what Australian dancers can expect.
This is your first time in Australia. What excites you most about connecting with dancers here at VDF 2026?
“I have met so many Australian dancers in New York City over the years – many of them have become friends, assistants, and collaborators. These dancers have inspired me and helped shape my work, so it’s incredibly meaningful to finally experience their country and its rich dance culture. Not to mention, I hear Australia has the best coffee!?!”
Your choreography is known for storytelling. How do you help young dancers develop emotional connection and authenticity in their movement?
“For me, it starts with helping dancers find and trust their own unique instincts. I like to connect who dancers are when they’re in everyday situations – like riding an elevator or standing in a queue – to who they are in the studio.
Pedestrian movement plays a role, but more importantly, it’s about inviting your full self into the dance class or performance.”
As a keynote speaker and instructor at the Vitality Dance Teacher Conference, what key message do you want to share with dance teachers?
“Dance teachers are truly my favourite people on Earth. My parents taught dance, and so did my sister – it was the family business.
My hope is to make teachers feel seen and appreciated, and to help them reconnect with their own innocent and pure love of dance. I want to take care of them for a short while.”
What advice would you give to Australian dancers who aspire to build international careers in dance and theatre?
“Stay open to what a career in dance can look like. There is no single path, and as artists, we are constantly improvising in order to move forward.
Stay curious, be patient, and always remember why you started in the first place.”
What can attendees expect from your teaching style and energy when they step into your class at VDF 2026?
“I love dance so much. It’s usually the first thing I tell a room full of dancers. We already have so much in common.
I aim to unify the class so it feels like we’re working toward a shared goal. I take joy and humour seriously, and I always invite dancers fully into the experience.
We sweat, we laugh, we dance!”
What do you hope dancers take away from your classes at VDF?
“I hope I am able to bring my whole self, and everything I’ve learned over the years, into my classes at VDF. I don’t take any opportunity to connect and share with dancers lightly, and this is certainly no exception.
What an honour it is to be invited into your world!”
Don’t miss your chance to learn from Al Blackstone at Vitality Dance Teacher Conference and VDF. It is such a treat to dance with him! Grab your tickets at VDF.com.au/tickets.
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