We recently connected with Dre Torres and have shared our conversation below.
Dre, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
One of the most meaningful projects has been working as the Assistant Tap Choreographer on Funny Girl the Musical on Broadway with Lea Michele and Tovah Feldshuh.
As a Gay Latina It was difficult to imagine this is in my future but always wanted to achieve this dream especially coming from a small town in Texas. There were so many obstacles especially at that time and The one thing that always saved me was Tap Dance
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My parents enrolled me in dance classes when I was two years old. Growing up at Melbas School of Dance was challenging and also a huge development for the person I am today. My mentor and National tap historian, the Late Melba Huber, invited me to the historic St. Louis Tap Festival after seeing my interest in tap dance rise over the years. When we arrived she opened up the ballroom doors and in the most influential way, rhythms poured from the greats like Dr Jimmy Slyde, a Young Jason Samuels Smith, Robert Reed and many many more. Melba then said “well go on, get in there” and with her approval I jumped into the circle of mostly men and fell even more in love with this art form. I knew then I wanted to dedicate my life to passing this art form down and doing big things with it.
I would like to acknowledge that it hasn’t been easy and without mentors, friends and family I wouldn’t have made it alone to this point in my career. I think what sets me apart is t that I’ve seen how being mistreated , judged and feeling like you don’t belong can affect a human. When I work with individuals I always try to pass down tap dance with the utmost joy, respect and light. Not just for the dance but for the soul.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
In all honesty, it was the No’s from people in my past that drove me for a long time to prove them wrong. I think now what drives me is the joy I feel putting on my shoes every day, working in this industry and striving to make a positive change everywhere I go especially with the youth.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
In all honesty, it was the No’s from people in my past that drove me for a long time to prove them wrong. I think now what drives me is the joy I feel putting on my shoes every day, working in this industry and striving to make a positive change everywhere I go especially with the youth.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding part about being an artist and creative is affecting lives positively and the joy of new exciting projects like Funny girl.
What an incredible opportunity and dream to work alongside Legendary Tap Choreographer Ayodele Casel with the musical Funny Girl on Broadway. Our goal with the revamping of the show was to teach new lead stars Lea Michele and Tovah Feldshuh all of the tap dance choreography of the show in preparation for their September 6 debut.
Firstly, Working with Lea Michele was exciting and an honor. One of the hardest numbers in the show is a tap heavy ‘Rat Tat Tat Tat’ 6 minute production piece that Lea learned in one to two rehearsals! Determined to learn tap dance for the first time, it was her work ethic and focus that really grabbed my ultimate respect and appreciation. There were many laughs, selfies shared and helpful tips along the way during these rehearsals. These memories will stay with me for a lifetime. Her post on Instagram went viral early August as she stated alongside a picture of Me and Ayodele Casel
“The great honor of having these
two geniuses teach me how to tap
for @funnygirlbwy has been so
unbelievably incredible and inspiring.”
Secondly, Tovah Feldshuh is a wonderful Veteran on Broadway and award winning Artist. With a few tricky tap steps in her duet with tap star Jared Grimes, Tovah worked tirelessly to execute it perfectly! I was there every step of the way and couldn’t be more proud of the work that was done! Tovah wrote me after a rehearsal and shared this beautiful message that I will always cherish.
“You are such a great problem solver and you are so encouraging and I am so enthusiastic because to tap reclaimes my youth so you give me a chance to make quantum leaps backwards in time and it feels marvelous”
Ultimately, I hope to continue working on Broadway and making strides in the community. My dreams continue to evolve from that 2 year old dancer starting classes at Melba’s School of Dance in McAllen, to this New York City Broadway dream. I’m so grateful for the everlasting support of my family, my longtime friends, and my late mentor Melba Huber who I hope to continue to make proud!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.DreTorres.com
- Instagram: DreTorres14
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrea.torres.56808
- Linkedin: Dre Torres
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