Jasmine Amy Rogers and company in Boop! The Musical. Film courtesy of RPM
Issue 16 – June 2026
My friends, it’s time to break out your jazz hands and tap your troubles away. The RAD has just launched its brand new, all-singing, all-dancing Musical Theatre syllabus – and Dance Gazette is here to celebrate with our best high kicks and Fosse wiggle.
Our cover star is one of Broadway’s emerging draws, Jasmine Amy Rogers – that’s her giving it all the feet and dimples on the cover in a number from Boop! The Musical, for which she was nominated for a Tony Award. Jasmine explains the work that lies behind becoming a triple threat of musical theatre – singing, acting and of course dancing up a storm.
My friends, it’s time to break out your jazz hands and tap your troubles away. The RAD has just launched its brand new, all-singing, all-dancing Musical Theatre syllabus – and Dance Gazette is here to celebrate with our best high kicks and Fosse wiggle.
Our cover star is one of Broadway’s emerging draws, Jasmine Amy Rogers – that’s her giving it all the feet and dimples on the cover in a number from Boop! The Musical, for which she was nominated for a Tony Award. Jasmine explains the work that lies behind becoming a triple threat of musical theatre – singing, acting and of course dancing up a storm.
We also hear about how the new RAD syllabus developed and what makes it so distinctive. And although it should bring joy and sassy techniques to its students, they won’t necessarily pursue a performing career. But as with RAD ballet, there are oodles of transferable skills and a whole range of backstage job opportunities, which we also explore.
We also look back – to Gwen Verdon, an absolute legend of a dancer – and around, to South Korea, where hit shows take on new life. And star choreographer Julia Cheng looks both back and forward, as she reimagines iconic musicals for the 21st century.
And we would love to know more about your connection to musical theatre. What is your all-time favourite dance number from a musical? When did you see it, or perform in it, and why do you love it? Please let me know at gazette@rad.org.uk – and we’ll publish some answers in our bonus feature. Five, six, seven, eight!
David Jays
Editor
Triple threat
Dancing, singing, acting: it’s the pinnacle of musical theatre excellence. Jasmine Amy Rogers, Broadway’s newest star, tells Diep Tran that she is willing to work for it.
Gotta dance!
As the RAD launches its first ever Musical Theatre syllabus, Sarah Crompton learns how it connects to ballet training – and what makes it unique.
Work it
Musical theatre careers involve far more than song and dance. Anya Ryan meets the backstage team from Moulin Rouge aiming to inspire a new generation of young people.
Musicals on the move
Hit musicals travel the world. As Billy Elliot returns to South Korea, David D Lee hears how cast and creatives bring the show alive for audiences in Seoul.
Owning it
Julia Cheng has stepped into some big shoes – choreographing shows associated with Bob Fosse and Jerome Robbins. She tells Rosemary Waugh about authenticity, waacking and remaking the Fosse posse.
Razzle dazzle
Gwen Verdon was a Broadway legend. An electric, ground-breaking dancer, her work with Bob Fosse redefined musical theatre. Veronica Horwell pays tribute.
SHORT READS Issue 16 – June 2026
Motivated in Madrid
How does a school improve results and keep students motivated? For one Spanish school near Madrid, the RAD system provided the answer.
Read more
Lucy Banfield
Lucy Banfield was a classical dancer before moving into musical theatre. Now Head of Jazz and Commercial/Street at Laine Theatre Arts, how does she see the transition between the two styles?
Read more
Ashton at The Fonteyn
Frederick Ashton’s landmark choreography comes to The Fonteyn this year.
Read more
Shamel Pitts
American dancer and choreographer Shamel Pitts receives the Jacob’s Pillow Men Dancers Award this summer. For Dance Gazette, he selects a playlist of infinite possibilities.
Read more
Melissa Hamilton
Make your own judgement calls, says the Royal Ballet Principal, who is curating her own night of dance this summer.
Read more
Pawlet Brookes
The founder of the Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage on dancing with her dad and retaining her optimism.
Read more
Bold moves
Alexander Campbell explains how the RAD’s ambitious Musical Theatre syllabus will offer new opportunities – and produce better ballet dancers.
Read more
MORE ISSUES
ALL OVER THE WORLD
Issue 15 – February 2026
Where are the world’s most northern and southern RAD exams? Plus, dancing on and off pointe – and meet the Wicked choreographer.
WELCOME TO SÃO PAULO
Issue 14 – October 2025
Explore a dancing city and celebrate the first Fonteyn in Brazil.
DANCE DOGGY DANCE
Issue 13 – June 2025
Dancing dogs! Plus: pointe shoes, protest and the dances that changed lives.
AHEAD OF THE CURVE
Issue 12 – February 2025
What is the future of dance? We meet remarkable disabled artists and fresh artistic voices, intimacy coordinators and RAD dancers of all ages.
BRAND NEW DANCE
Issue 11 – October 2024
Creating dance for The Fonteyn. Plus: dance parents, ballet heritage, dancing in prison – and where are the Muslim ballet students?
ALEXANDER CAMPBELL
Issue 10 – June 2024
From the Royal Ballet to the RAD: meet new Artistic Director Alexander Campbell. Plus: catwalk models, breakers and changing language in dance class.
HEAR THE DANCE
Issue 9 – February 2024
A special music-themed issue: hip-hop, problematic classics, music for old and young students, plus the first ever Dance Gazette Top 40.
TAKING THE STAGE
Issue 8 – October 2023
Go behind the scenes of The Fonteyn and enjoy our audio report from the final. Plus: strikes, cinema stunt action and saying goodbye to dance class.
HOLDING ON
Issue 7 – June 2023
How can we protect dancers’ wellbeing and mental health? What connects dance folk from different countries, styles or generations? Dance Gazette stories to remind you that you’re not alone.
BARYSHNIKOV
Issue 6 – February 2023
We pay tribute to Mikhail Baryshnikov as he receives the RAD’s highest honour: one of the 20th century’s defining dancers who continues to explore 21st-century performance.
WHEN CÉLINE MET STEVEN
Issue 5 – October 2022
The RAD has been a thread through the dancing lives of principal dancers Céline Gittens and Steven McRae. Now both RAD Ambassadors, they share hopes and experiences.
HOME
Issue 4 – June 2022
Celebrating the official opening of the RAD’s new London home, we mark this landmark by asking: what makes dance feel like home?
CLASSIC CARLOS
Issue 3 – February 2022
Few dancers delight a theatre audience like Carlos Acosta. The Cuban star is a classical artist and an undoubted charismatic – and although nudging 50, he continues to test himself and to give a frisson to challenging new work.
FACE ON
Issue 2 – October 2021
An issue all about the face we present to the world. Discover portraits, old masters, puppets, an RAD founder and the surprising history of ballet make-up.
FRESH START
Issue 1 – June 2021
The very first fully digital issue of Dance Gazette is all about embracing change. We explore impactful change: on stage, in sustainability, for young dancers entering the profession. Plus, breakdance!