Catching up with Tina Finkelman Berkett, artistic director of the renowned L.A.-based dance company
By PRIA DAHIYA
Pria Dahiya is currently a Critical Insight fellow at Pittsburgh Public Theater, in partnership with American Theatre magazine.
L.A.-based contemporary dance company BODYTRAFFIC has brought their fun, forward-thinking repertoire to audiences across the globe, from Jakarta to La Jolla.
Now set to bring an evening of exhilarating dance to the Byham Theater on Saturday, February 22, 2025, BODYTRAFFIC is the third performance in Pittsburgh Dance Council‘s 2024-25 season.
Tina Finkelman Berkett co-founded BODYTRAFFIC in 2007 and now serves as artistic director – a role that she uses to foster meaningful social engagement through dance. With Los Angeles emerging from the devastation of January wildfires, BODYTRAFFIC offers free dance classes and studio space to affected LA dancers.
“Dance is the medium we use to connect people,” Berkett said. “It is also the medium we use to connect with people. So it felt that these resources were the right offerings to help.”
Selecting the “right offerings” is Berkett’s specialty. In the nearly 20 years she’s run the company, she has witnessed the creation of more than 50 pieces by more than a dozen choreographers. For this particular performance, she selected three pieces: A Million Voices, Snap, and Mayday.
“A Million Voices and Snap are an introduction to the world of BODYTRAFFIC,” Berkett said, showcasing “versatility of the company and their ability to adapt to different styles within one evening.”
Mayday offers a glimpse into the company’s future. Trey McIntyre’s Mayday premiered this past December, making it the youngest work in the lineup. It’s a big deal to have such a new piece “right out of the oven” coming to Pittsburgh, Berkett said.
Mayday, set to the music of Buddy Holly, marks McIntyre’s first choreographic contribution to the company, where he has also been named a creative partner. McIntyre has begun choreographing the company’s first-ever evening-length work, set to premiere in Los Angeles in early 2026.
“[Mayday] explores the looming specter that life can be cut short at any moment,” Berkett said, “I love it from head to toe. … I’m so excited for Pittsburgh to see it.”
A Million Voices, choreographed by Matthew Neenan, is set to the music of Peggy Lee. Developed in a quintessentially American setting – a dude ranch in Arizona – the piece tackles the challenge of patriotism in America for those who feel underrepresented. The piece asks the audience: How are you going to create the country you want?
“This piece, even though it’s maybe 5 or 6 years old now, still feels relevant, especially at this moment,” Berkett said. “It reminds us to stand up for what we believe in.”
While A Million Voices tackles broader political questions, Snap delves into the personal. The piece is an abstracted autobiography of its choreographer, Micaela Taylor. Inspired by and featuring music from the legendary James Brown, the piece questions social pressure to conform and uplifts the fight for freedom of self-expression.
“It has really become a signature BODYTRAFFIC work,” Berkett said. “It’s been seen all over the world and people are really inspired by it.”
While in Pittsburgh, BODYTRAFFIC will also be participating in Point Park University’s 2025 National High School Dance Festival. They will perform in the opening ceremony at the Benedum Center on February 26 and participate in the conference. Their teaching philosophy centers on building a strong foundation of tools for young dancers to sustain themselves through the challenges of a career in dance.
“Our educational programs for the next generation of dancers are centered around mental health,” Berkett said “how you can build community and lean on the people that care about you.”
Whether it’s the introspective urgency of Mayday, the political resonance of A Million Voices, or the personal rebellion of Snap, this performance will offer something for everyone.
“We want people to love dance.” Berkett concludes, “We have such a reverence and love for dance. We love passing this love along, both to people who are open to it, and people who aren’t. If they aren’t open to it, we get to suck them in!”
TICKETS AND DETAILS
BODYTRAFFIC is presented by the Pittsburgh Dance Council at the Byham Theater, Downtown, of February 22, 2025. Tickets; visit the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust at https://trustarts.org/production/96088/bodytraffic or call 412-456-6666.
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