Steps on Broadway Hosts Free Town Hall on Dance and Plagiarism

As the dance community navigates the challenges of protecting creative work in the digital age, Steps on Broadway is hosting a timely Town Hall, Inspiration or Imitation? A Town Hall on Dance & Plagiarism, on Sunday, October 20. This free community event will tackle the issue of choreography being misappropriated and profited from without proper credit, as well as the broader concern of safeguarding artistic work in the online world.

The Town Hall follows a recent incident where an instructor in Spain plagiarized and profited from choreography created by Town Hall panelists Josh Bergasse, Richard J. Hinds, Courtney Ortiz, and Sarah Meahl, passing it off as his own. The stolen content, originating from Steps on Broadway’s classes and videos, has sparked frustration and ignited discussions about how to safeguard choreography. As a space where both groundbreaking choreography and content creation thrive, Steps on Broadway is at the center of these conversations, making this Town Hall a vital gathering for the dance community.

Moderated by Wendy Perron, former Editor in Chief of Dance Magazine, the event will feature a distinguished panel of choreographers and legal experts, each bringing their unique perspective to the issue of protecting creative work in an era of widespread online sharing.

Panelists:

• Josh Bergasse: Emmy Award-winning choreographer of SMASH and So You Think You Can Dance. Bergasse will share his perspective on the challenges of protecting choreography across various platforms.

• Richard J. Hinds: An award-winning director and choreographer whose Broadway credits include Newsies, Mamma Mia!, and Smokey Joe’s Cafe. Hinds will discuss his experiences navigating intellectual property issues within the theater world.

• Angel Kaba: Internationally acclaimed choreographer and artistic director, with credits including collaborations with Rihanna and Kanye West. Kaba will offer insights on protecting creative work on a global scale.

• Sarah Meahl: Broadway dancer and Cirque du Soleil performer, featured in Hello, Dolly! and Kiss Me, Kate. Meahl will bring insights from her career in both commercial and artistic dance sectors.

• Courtney Ortiz: A professional dancer and educator whose credits span from In The Heights to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Ortiz will provide a unique perspective on plagiarism’s impact on both performance and teaching.

• Staci Trager: Nationally recognized copyright lawyer specializing in protecting the intellectual property of artists, including choreographers. Trager will guide the discussion on legal protections and the rights of choreographers.

• Gabby Ziccarelli: Award-winning legal advisor and advocate for creators, Ziccarelli will lend her expertise on how choreographers can protect their work in the digital age.

With choreography being shared more widely than ever across social media and digital platforms, protecting intellectual property is critical for choreographers. This Town Hall offers practical strategies and advocacy for artists to ensure their creative work is protected in this rapidly evolving digital landscape.

EVENT and REGISTRATION DETAILS:

The 90-minute Inspiration or Imitation? A Town Hall on Dance & Plagiarism will be held Sunday, October 20 at 7:30pm at Steps on Broadway’s Studio 2. This event is free, and registration is required for both in person and virtual attendance: https://www.stepsnyc.com/classes/workshops/inspiration-or-imitation-a-town-hall-on-dance-plagiarism/

LOCATION DETAILS

 Steps on Broadway located at 2121 Broadway at 74th Street, accessible by the 1, 2, and 3 trains to 72nd Street.

 

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