We were lucky to catch up with Topher Benjamin recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Topher thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
I have the absolute joy of producing Dance Fit Flow’s annual Showcase. Clients register to participate in their favorite classes. Instructors experiment with choreography in class, before closed rehearsals. Clients get two rehearsals to learn choreography and formations before tech rehearsals in the Theater. We have 12 hours in the Theater on the day of the show to load in, run rehearsals, do a dress rehearsal with the entire cast, and open the house doors for the audience. It’s always immensely fulfilling to see our clients and staff shine on the stage for one night a year. Seeing their family and friends show up to support them and give them flowers is so special.
Topher, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Topher Benjamin. I grew up dancing at a small studio in Hannibal, Mo. I earned my B.F.A. in Dance from Stephens College in Columbia, Mo. After college, I interned at Broadway Dance Center in NYC. After my internship in NYC, I danced for Missouri Contemporary Ballet (formerly Cedar Lake II). Shortly after I moved to New York, I began assisting Sheryl Murakami at BDC, which led to being signed and represented by Clear Talent Group. After working in the commercial industry, I took a hiatus to perform on Cruise Ships in the Caribbean and the Bahamas. I injured my back while dancing on cruise ships and stepped away from performing briefly to pursue a Management role at Urban Outfitters on 5th Ave.
During this time, I was flying to KC annually to perform for Seamless Dance Theater. I fell in love with Kansas City and was offered a job to teach at the company owner’s dance studio. During my time teaching “the youths,” I was invited to an open house at Dance Fit Flow for local studio owners and instructors. I met one of the co-founders, Lauren, and inquired about teaching Jazz Funk. That spiraled into teaching Lyrical, Musical Theater, and Technique. Not long after, I was on my way to Coachella when I got a call from the other co-founder, Kerri, about stepping into the General Manager position. When I got back from vacation, I hit the ground running. As the business has grown, I was able to step into the role of Director of Operations. It’s been an amazing journey to foster growth in our small business and in the Kansas City dance community. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced in my career.
Dance Fit Flow is leading a movement for adults to keep their passion for dance alive! One thing I think everyone should know is that dance is for everybody and for everyone. The most rewarding thing beyond the dance part is seeing our clients’ personal growth outside of the studio. Our clients find their voices on and off the dance floor. They go for promotions at their jobs, change career paths, get out of toxic relationships, start their own small businesses, find meaningful friendships, etc.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
If society wants to continue being able to consume creative works and see live performances, they have understand that nothing in life is free. Especially in this economy! Pay performers! Pay artists! Dancers are some of the most underpaid professionals despite their decades of training in their field. The number of times I’ve been asked as an artist to perform for free or choreograph for free under the guise of “resumé building”. At a certain point, as an artist, you have to recognize your worth and turn down projects that can’t afford you.
If a local theater can’t pay its performers but it’s charging patrons for tickets, that’s an example of a business model that doesn’t work and needs restructuring. Because the patron doesn’t know the performer isn’t getting paid.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I experienced a horrible breakup in NYC, which resulted in me losing my housing and almost having to move back home. My friend Jonni Lu rescued me from being unhoused and let me stay with him until I got back on my feet. That support led to being signed by my agents at Clear Talent Group and exploring my commercial dance career. I will forever be grateful for that period in my life, as it taught me resilience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dancefitflow.com
- Instagram: @dancefitflow
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DanceFitFlow/
- Youtube: @dancefitflow1551
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dance-fit-flow-kansas-city
- Other: TikTok: @dancefitflow
