The Center Will Not Hold is born from “a little room,” a short duet created and performed by Ephrat Asherie and Michelle Dorrance in December 2022. The expanded and reimagined work now features 11 singular performers deeply rooted in one or many street, club and vernacular dances: house, breaking, hip hop, tap dance, Chicago Footwork, Detroit Jit, Litefeet, Memphis Jookin and body percussion.
The Center Will Not Hold features original music composed by Donovan Dorrance with live percussion by world-class drummer and percussionist John Angeles. It premiered as a 30-minute piece at New York City Center’s 2023 Fall for Dance Festival and is currently being developed into an evening-length work that will debut at the Gogue Center in April 2025.
Dorrance Dance is a national treasure! They have re-invented American tap dance for a new generation.
— The Washington Post
Dorrance Dance is a national treasure! They have re-invented American tap dance for a new generation.
— The Washington Post
Follow Dorrance Dance on social media.
Campus & Community Engagements
Body Percussion Workshop
Monday, March 31 / 5:30 p.m.
Led by Dorrance Dance company instructors, the 90-minute workshop will guide participants ages 13 and up on using their bodies as instruments through clapping, stomping and other rhythmic possibilities.
This event is FREE and open to the public. Ages 13+. Space is limited; registration required.
Boykin Community Center
Our sincere thanks to these annual sponsors
2024–25 Season Sponsors
Walt & Ginger Woltosz