Dance On Ensemble: Rethinking Age in Dance – A Conversation with Madeline Ritter and Ty Boomers

The Dance On Ensemble was founded in 2015 with a clear vision: dance should have no age limit. Madeline Ritter, the founder of the ensemble, and Ty Boomershine, its artistic director since 2019, discuss in conversation with Claudia Feest the cultural-political backgrounds and their motivation to give dancers over 40 a stage. “I don’t think anyone should have an expiration date defined by others,” says Madeline Ritter.

The interview highlights the importance of archiving, the restaging of works by Merce Cunningham and Lucinda Childs, and the challenges of copyright.

Additionally, it also addresses a societal shift: Our culture lacks a real concept of aging. . The Dance On Ensemble shows that this must—and can—change.

The conversation was conducted in spoken English, and English subtitles are available.