We acknowledge our talented and dedicated artists who inspire us and give life to ADM21…now and forever.
We acknowledge our talented and dedicated artists who inspire us and give life to ADM21…now and forever.
We acknowledge our talented and dedicated artists who inspire us and give life to ADM21…now and forever.
ABOUT ADM21
Photo: Kyle Froman
Welcome
Welcome to the American Dance Machine for the 21st Century (ADM21)!
In February of 2012, I founded American Dance Machine for the 21st Century in order to continue and advance the legacy of the late Lee Theodore, founder of the original American Dance Machine (1976-1987)) whose vision was to create a "Living Archive" of great musical theater choreography preventing such works from becoming obsolete.
ADM21 strives to continue Lee’s exceptional vision to ensure that significant musical theater choreography, and the techniques that propel these masterpieces, are preserved, studied, and shared in the 21st century.
Our goal is to present iconic choreography exactly as it was intended. Although choreography began being filmed in the late 1960's/early 1970's, reproducing the steps within the choreography is only part of the story.
Renowned dance artists such as Donna McKechnie, Chita Rivera, Carmen de Lavallade, Robert La Fosse, Dianne Walker, Gemze de Lappe, Marge Champion, among others, have generously coached our dancers in the nuance and intent of the choreographers with whom they worked.
This personalized 'handing down of the works with the full depth and story of the choreography is the essence of the mission of ADM21, a legacy which is not able to be learned when works are merely videotaped.
Since its inception, ADM21 has reconstructed work by many renowned choreographers. To review our list of reconstructed work to date,
The School at ADM21 has been established in order to unite the work of musical theater's founding choreographers and teachers with today's emerging dance artists for the purpose of honoring and advancing the musical theater dance genre.
We are thrilled and incredibly grateful for all the support from our generous donors and for the enthusiasm our work has received from the dance community as well as the community at large, enabling us to advance our mission to preserve these great works of musical theater choreography.
Please join us to help support the preservation of our musical theater dance heritage.
With sincere gratitude and great appreciation,
Nikki Feirt Atkins
Founder and Producing Artistic Director