Nuttin’ but a Word celebrates the essence of hip-hop. Hip-hop is an art form, school of thought and way of life that encompasses four major elements: b-boying/b-girling, MCing (rapping/spoken word), DJing (spinning records on a turntable) and graffiti art.

We sat down with the cast to ask them some questions.

What’s your favorite emotion to express through dance?

Angel Anderson (Principal Dancer):

I don’t have one favorite emotion to express through dance. I allow dance to serve as a portal through which I experience, express and process all emotions that arise. For me, movement is a tool for checking in, settling into what “is” and releasing.

Jihad Ali (Associate Dancer):

My favorite emotions to express in dance are anger and sadness. Dance serves as my release; the emotions of sadness and anger that I keep inside are the first to emerge through my movements and facial expressions.

Roukijah Rooks (Associate Dancer):

My favorite emotions to express are the real ones: the emotions that I’m genuinely living through and experiencing in life and in dance. While dance is a performing art, very rarely am I performing on stage. I’m being myself and sharing myself with the space for a moment. Whatever feelings exist at that time are my favorite to express.

Rachel Snider (Principal Dancer & Rehearsal Director):

I enjoy expressing a plethora of emotions through dance. It depends on the day or what I’m experiencing in my life. Dance is an outlet I connect with simply because I love doing it.

What was your first introduction to hip-hop dance?

Angel Anderson (Principal Dancer):

My first introduction to social dance was early in my childhood, in communal spaces such as BBQs and reunions. At these gatherings, music was always present, and in turn, so was social dancing. I began to study hip-hop proper—its history, music and evolution—in the latter years of my undergraduate education, which is when I was introduced to Rennie Harris. Since then, I’ve been studying under Rennie Harris University to further expand my knowledge and understanding of these histories.

Tyreis Hunte (Associate Dancer):

My first introduction to hip-hop dance was through the U.S. MTV channel, as I watched music videos in Guyana.

Roukijah Rooks (Associate Dancer):

Brooklyn made me, Harlem raised me and I reside in the Stuy. It’s hard to say what my very first intro to hip-hop dance was, because I’m from New York. Hip-hop is everywhere, anytime. I’m one of 11 children, and hip-hop lived in my home, from the dance to the music and everything in between. Block parties are a vivid nostalgic memory. My siblings, cousins, friends and I used to create routines and battle other kids around the way. With age, I graduated to house parties, backyard parties, late night cookouts, clubs and more. You see a lot when you’re from where I’m from. Life is dance, and every New Yorker is sturdy with it. I love being a witness and a daily participant.

Marguerite Waller (Principal Dancer & Company Manager):

One day, one of my studio hip-hop instructors invited me to a kids’ breaking practice at a local dojo/martial arts studio. When I walked in, the teens were finishing up. I walked in to find a sea of headspins, windmills, six steps, cc’s, top rocks, Pumas, Adidas and smiles. I was instantly hooked. From that first practice, I knew the cypher was a home for me.

When did you start dancing, and why have you kept dancing?

Zakhele Grabowski (Apprentice Dancer):

I started dancing at the early age of three, and I’ve continued because it’s my passion/obsession.

Rachel Snider (Principal Dancer & Rehearsal Director):

I began dancing at the age of three at a small town dance studio. I’ve tried many genres of dance; I very much enjoy learning and being a student. I have kept dancing because it’s provided me with a safe space throughout my entire life.

Joshua Archibald (Apprentice Dancer):

I started dancing when I was a kid, around 2008. I kept at it because it became the only form of expression I had when words weren’t enough.

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