Page 148 - TA Magazine Winter 2022

dancing into new chapters
An interview with Mia Michaels about the power of intentionally iterating

Mia Michaels is an absolute powerhouse in the dance world. Though
Mia’s time as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance made her a
household name, her Emmy-winning work actually spans across dif-
ferent forms of art and entertainment. From the Broadway stage to
major Hollywood feature films, Mia’s choreography is innovative and The diversity of your choreography of movement so much more in a younger body.
Now that I have finally embraced my body, I am
inspired. She approaches movement in a way that resonates with the credits is remarkable: You’ve older now and with my knee and back issues it
choreographed Broadway musicals,
work we put in at our studios—celebrating what makes our individ- Hollywood films, hit TV shows, keeps me from moving as freely as I feel inside. On
ual bodies unique. huge concerts, and other specials. the flip side, the older I get, the better I feel in my
What’s your favorite medium to body spiritually, emotionally, and psychologically.
choreograph for and why? We have finally become friends and when I finally
22 You were born into a family of dancers. What was your experience MM: I love doing it all. Every project is found acceptance, love, and respect for my body, 22
Y ANDERSON WINTER 20 closet in the studio so I never had to leave. Other than the dinner table, we spent most an artist. It keeps things alive and keeps create from my heart and brain first and then begin Y ANDERSON WINTER 20
it changed everything from the inside out. When it
growing up surrounded by creative energy?
very different, but that is the fun of it.
came to my work, I never really danced my chore-
ing to say the least. Dance was my life, so I would basically just tolerate school and
changing it up and pushing myself to
so my age or the size of my body never affected my
creative work. I have always been a dreamer, so I
then go straight to dance for the rest of the day. I did my homework inside a broom
138 MM: Growing up in a dance family was definitely fun and a very bohemian upbring- Nothing stays the same—constantly ography—I directed and created it on other bodies, 139
grow makes me continuously evolve as
to develop it through the bodies of my dancers.
of our family time at the dance studio.
it exciting!
choreographers in the industry, what
How did you navigate the decision to leave last year, and what are you most excited
path. How do you stay grounded and creative
C You had an incredibly impactful 5-year journey on So You Think You Can Dance. As one of the most iconic The career of an artist is always an uncharted C
about in this stage of your career?
when the work feels hectic or unstable?
is your take on the explosion of dance
TRA on social media platforms? MIA MICHAELS TRA
MM: I left the show because it had changed quite a bit through the years and it felt as In what ways do you think filmed MM: Being a freelance artist has definitely had its ups and
though it was time for me to move on. I will always hold that very special show close performances for social media have downs. There is no stability or consistency and it sometimes
to my heart. I’m blessed to have had so many years of working with all those brilliant changed the world of dance? go see and experience a performance and you would leave with feels as though one is living their life standing on quicksand.
dancers and experiencing such magical moments I got to live as an artist. After I left, a memory and inspiration. You couldn’t just steal it like what During the times of no work, it’s important to double up on
I decided to explore film and Broadway, which I absolutely loved as well—and then MM: I think social media is a blessing is happening in our time now on social media. When I watch self-care as well as continuing to stay creative and make time
COVID came crashing down on the world! Unfortunately, my industry and the arts and a curse. If one uses it wisely, it can some of my peers on TikTok, I find they have lost their true spiritually as well.
definitely got hit the hardest. It was extremely decemating and the entertainment be a very powerful tool for branding and selves in order to get more likes and build their followers. I
world crumbled which was very hard for me, as for so many. I have since dabbled in creating a successful business. When it have sat back on the TikTok world until I genuinely have some- When you’re dancing all day for work, do you find
different creative genres during the pandemic, but because we are still a bit in it, there comes to the commercial dance world—I thing I want to share from a real place. I am not interested in a way to dance for fun? What kind of dancing brings you joy
was unfortunately no traction. Meeting Tracy Anderson and exploring fitness in a believe it works well to get your name becoming a character or parody of myself like I see so many when you’re alone?
new way has not only been really exciting for me, but also extremely healing. I have and movement out there. For artists that doing. When the time is right, I will jump on, but in a very real
also been writing content for TV shows, children’s books, and doing interior design. I focus on developing their own unique way. Until then, I use my social media to document magical MM: I actually enjoy working out more than just dancing these
am staying open to what is ahead and I believe the next chapter will reveal itself and and authentic voice, I believe it’s very and special moments of my life journey. days. That’s what is speaking to me physically. Working out
be more extraordinary than the last. risky because so many people will just strengthens my body and helps me recover from all the years of
take it and use it as their own. Every- How do you reconcile the art of movement with the dancing and teaching all over the world. I have recently been
thing is accessible and nothing is protect- complexity of body image issues? In what ways exploring combining my contemporary flow movement with
ed. I find that it has all fallen into a big does your personal relationship with your body affect your more of a fitness spin on it and that feels absolutely amazing to
pot of stew so everything now looks very work, for better or worse? my body. How we work out at 55 is very different from 25 and
much the same. The time of legends is it’s all about listening to our bodies. TA
gone unfortunately. [Before], one would FAD BERISHA MM: It’s taken me a lifetime to embrace my big, beautiful,
strong body. I wish I had [embraced it more] earlier on when
I was younger, because I would have appreciated the freedom