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Juan Michael Porter II

Juan Michael Porter II

Juan Michael Porter II is the Managing Editor and  Critic-in-Residence of BroadwayWorld Dance. He writes and creates with a focus on engaging, entertaining, and educating the reader without being a prick about it. He has contributed dance and theatre criticism to Color Lines, TheBody.com, Dance Enthusiast, Time Out NY, Ballet Review, TDF Stages, HuffPost, and Movement Research.

He has worked with H.T. Chen & Dancers, NYCOpera, Michael Mao Dance, The Martha Graham Dance Company, BalaSole Dance Company, Alpha Omega Theatrical Dance Company, and collaborated as a soloist with Yvonne Ng, Autre Ne Veut, William Hooker, Yasuhiko Fukuoka, Bird Mask, Isaiah Sheffer, Rose Marie Guirard, and Yung Yung Tsuai.  

Behind the scenes, he is the former producer of Nadine Bommer Dance, production partner of Williamsburg Movement & Arts Center, director of dance at Webster Hall, Resident Artist at Sangre de Cristo Art Center, and regional coordinator of The New York City Road Runners. As the the founding artistic director of The Moving Beauty Series, he has advised, developed, consulted, and presented the work of numerous acclaimed artists.






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Georgina Pazcoguin―the Groundbreaking Ballerina, Broadway Star, and Culture Leader―is Leaving New York City Ballet For Greater Heights
Georgina Pazcoguin―the Groundbreaking Ballerina, Broadway Star, and Culture Leader―is Leaving New York City Ballet For Greater Heights
April 19, 2023

Georgina Pazcoguin, the scintillating New York City Ballet soloist, Broadway star, activist, and culture leader is moving on from performing to focus on producing Broadway shows and building a world where Asian American artists can thrive.

BWW Interview: Remember Willy Burmann with Miro Magloire
BWW Interview: Remember Willy Burmann with Miro Magloire
April 3, 2020

Today would have been Willy Burmann's 81st birthday. In celebrating his life, I felt that it was essential to speak with Miro Magloire, the artistic director of New Chamber Ballet. Miro was Willy's friend, confidante, and preferred pianist for class.

BWW Tribute: Willy Burmann, Ballet's Sage Has Ascended to The Stars
BWW Tribute: Willy Burmann, Ballet's Sage Has Ascended to The Stars
March 31, 2020

Ballet's sage, Wilhem “Willy” Burmann died yesterday at 80 from complications linked to the current pandemic. After a lengthy performance career, he devoted himself to teaching ballet, serving as coach to numerous stars including Julio Bocca, Alessandra Ferri, Wendy Whelan, and Herman Cornejo.

BWW Interview: How Dance/NYC & Alejandra Duque Cifuentes Are Fighting COVID-19
BWW Interview: How Dance/NYC & Alejandra Duque Cifuentes Are Fighting COVID-19
March 27, 2020

Alejandra Duque Cifuentes, Executive Director of Dance/NYC reveals how the organization's Dance CRF was established and how you can make sure that your voice is heard during this crisis.

BWW Feedback: Ambivalence, Dance, and Streaming During Corona
BWW Feedback: Ambivalence, Dance, and Streaming During Corona
March 27, 2020

COVID-19 has forced all of us online to connect with each other. Kerime Konor spoke with me about the new reality this situation has created and the ambivalence she feels about the constantly streaming display of dubious information and clueless privilege.

BWW Dance: Worthy Ballets Reveal City Ballet at Its Best
BWW Dance: Worthy Ballets Reveal City Ballet at Its Best
February 24, 2020

​​​​​​​What a difference proper programming can make. February 6th's NYCB Classic's I featured an array of gems and pleasure.

BWW Dance: Strange Programming Makes a Daffy Afternoon at City Ballet
BWW Dance: Strange Programming Makes a Daffy Afternoon at City Ballet
February 19, 2020

Strange programming makes for a daffy afternoon at City Ballet with a curation of pieces that do not go together. 

BWW Dance: Honoring André De Shields for Black History Month
BWW Dance: Honoring André De Shields for Black History Month
February 3, 2020

I am pleased to kick off BroadwayWorld Dance's 2020 Black History Month Celebration by honouring the incredible Emmy, Grammy, Tony, & Drama Desk award-winning, multi-hyphenate creative André De Shields!

BWW Dance: Firebird Redeems a Drowsy Night at City Ballet
BWW Dance: Firebird Redeems a Drowsy Night at City Ballet
February 4, 2020

Hallelujah then for Ashley Bouder in 'Firebird' whose astounding technique combined with Stravnisky's score to dispel the evening's malaise.

BWW Dance: Hottest Men in Dance 2019
BWW Dance: Hottest Men in Dance 2019
January 2, 2020

As 2020 approaches, a new appreciation of male virtuosity demands consideration. Possibilities for dancers have exploded over the last decade as extreme stretching and acrobatics have come into vogue, though not always for the best. While circus tricks and random moments now seem to rule the stage, not all 'innovation' has been destructive for men. Where once trying to play it straight was the norm, this generation of performers gives zero fux for anything other than staying true to their artistry and health.

BWW Interview: Cassa Pancho Diversifying Dance and Eliminating Stereotypes Through Ballet Black
BWW Interview: Cassa Pancho Diversifying Dance and Eliminating Stereotypes Through Ballet Black
December 20, 2019

If an audience is full of Black, Brown, Asian or whatever color people, you as a director will think twice about programming La Bayadere or Petrushka. I really believe that.

BWW Dance: Rebuke to Blackface, Orientalism, and Racist Equivocation in The Guardian
BWW Dance: Rebuke to Blackface, Orientalism, and Racist Equivocation in The Guardian
December 20, 2019

'If you ask me if a traditional Swan Lake at the Mariinsky can have a black girl in the corps de ballet, I can tell you honestly that I don't have the answer. But I feel like telling you no.' JC Maillot

BWW Review: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Salutes The Ailey School with Tremendous Dancing
BWW Review: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Salutes The Ailey School with Tremendous Dancing
December 11, 2019

After experiencing a performance like last night's one yearns for another 1000 years of revelations. In keeping with honouring the affiliated school's anniversary, it feels comforting to know that there is a clear pipeline for keeping the company strong. Here's to a continued vision of strength in 2020.

BWW Interview: Celebrating 50 Years of The Ailey School with Melanie Person
BWW Interview: Celebrating 50 Years of The Ailey School with Melanie Person
December 5, 2019

“Mr. Ailey had this notion that a dancer needed to know or understand multiple techniques and styles,” she explains. “He was ahead of his time in that regard. Without realizing it, he was thinking about the future o

BWW Interview: Nimbus Dance Works Brings Equity Home
BWW Interview: Nimbus Dance Works Brings Equity Home
December 4, 2019

On the cusp of Nimbus Dance Works' 15th Anniversary season, artistic director and former Martha Graham Company soloist, Sam Pott, spoke with me about his company's new building and endless pursuit of fighting for greater support of the arts. The only question I had was, 'Why aren't more people talking about Sam Pott?'

BWW Review: Phenomenal Ballet Hispánico Rocks The Apollo
BWW Review: Phenomenal Ballet Hispánico Rocks The Apollo
November 27, 2019

Watching Ballet Hispánico perform at The Apollo Theatre on November 22nd made one aware of how much there is to feel thankful for in this politically tumultuous time where Latino cultures are frequently maligned by those currently skulking in the White House.

BWW Review: Alpha Omega Burns with DeJesus, Flatlines in Pomare
BWW Review: Alpha Omega Burns with DeJesus, Flatlines in Pomare
November 26, 2019

The company soared in DeJesus' soulful pas de deux from 'Bittersweet'. Perhaps it was Oleta Adams' stirring voice, or maybe it was a relief after having finished Tabernacle, but Mayzik was nothing short of amazing in this sexy pas de deux with Sarita Apel.

BWW Review: Cityscapes & Digital Engagement with Elisa Monte Dance
BWW Review: Cityscapes & Digital Engagement with Elisa Monte Dance
November 26, 2019

Tiffany Rea-Fisher has a command of the company style, an extensive network of connections, and understands how to engage the crucial youth demographic that is the lifeblood of any evolving company (without alienating the longtime, and aging fanbase.)

BWW Review: Celebrating 15 Years & 2 Farewells with New Chamber Ballet
BWW Review: Celebrating 15 Years & 2 Farewells with New Chamber Ballet
November 26, 2019

Fifteen years, two goodbyes, and a reunion of dancers: that's how Miro Magloire celebrated the 15th season of New Chamber Ballet. Those goodbyes included founding member Elizabeth Brown and ten year veteran Sarah Atkins, both of whom have blessed the company with virtuosity and spiritual purity in their dancing.

BWW Review: Carrying Butoh into the 21st Century with The NY Butoh Institute Festival
BWW Review: Carrying Butoh into the 21st Century with The NY Butoh Institute Festival
November 26, 2019

A packed house, even on a rainy Sunday afternoon in NYC, speaks of great success. It also indicates the respect that Vangeline commands as an artist and missionary of Butoh. In recent years her audience and recognition have expanded in appreciation of her efforts to bring Butoh into the 21st century.



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