Entertainment
Choreographers detail creation of 1980s dance episode for Ryan Murphy adaptation 'The Shards'
Derek Hough and Tessandra Chavez trained actors for a murder-mystery dance sequence inspired by 1980s teen television shows.
The short version
- Choreographers Derek Hough and Tessandra Chavez collaborated with Ryan Murphy to create a 1980s-inspired dance sequence for his TV adaptation 'The Shards'.
- The episode, titled 'Murder on the Dance Floor', drew visual and thematic inspiration from teenage dance shows like 'Dance Party USA'.
- Cast members underwent specialized movement training to deliver deliberately awkward, highly enthusiastic performances rather than polished professional routines.
Key facts
- Ryan Murphy hired choreographers Derek Hough and Tessandra Chavez to train the cast and design dances for 'The Shards' episode titled 'Murder on the Dance Floor'.[The Hollywood Reporter]
- The dance-off storyline and set design were styled after 1980s teen music programs such as 'Dance Party USA'.[The Hollywood Reporter]
- Murphy instructed the choreography team to ensure the dancing looked committed yet unpolished to maintain authenticity for non-professional teenage characters.[The Hollywood Reporter]
- Actors involved in the dance training included Kaia Gerber, Homer Gere, Igby Rigney, Hayes Warner, Graham Campbell, and Daniel Day.[The Hollywood Reporter]
Sources
- How ‘The Shards’ Re-created a Classic 1980s TV Dance-Off (With a Murderous Twist)The Hollywood Reporter metered