BEEP BEEP! BODYTRAFFIC Brings Dance Showcase to Pittsburgh
Catching up with Tina Finkelman Berkett, Artistic Director of the renowned L.A.-based dance company.
Clean, consistent, strong, decisive: BODYTRAFFIC. Always stylized in all-caps. This L.A.-based contemporary dance company has brought their fun, forward-thinking repertoire to audiences across the globe, from Jakarta to La Jolla. They're now set to bring an evening of dance to the Byham Theater this Saturday, Feb. 22, as the third company in Pittsburgh Dance Council's 2024-25 season.
Tina Finkelman Berkett co-founded BODYTRAFFIC in 2007 and now serves as Artistic Director – a role that she uses to foster great dance and meaningful social engagement. With Los Angeles emerging from the devastation of January wildfires, BODYTRAFFIC offered free dance classes and studio space to affected LA dancers.
"Dance is the medium we use to connect people," Berkett said. “It is also the medium we use to connect with people, so it felt that these resources were the right offerings to help."
Selecting the "right offerings" is Berkett's specialty. In the nearly 20 years she's run the company, she has witnessed more than 50 pieces get made by over a dozen different choreographers. For this particular performance, she selected three pieces: A Million Voices, Snap, and Mayday.
"A Million Voices and Snap are an introduction to the world of BODYTRAFFIC," Berkett said, showcasing the versatility of the company and their ability to adapt to different styles within one evening.
Mayday offers a glimpse into the company's future. Trey McIntyre's Mayday premiered this past December, making it the youngest work in the lineup. It's a big deal such a new piece—"right out of the oven,” Berkett said—is coming to Pittsburgh. Mayday, set to the music of Buddy Holly, marks McIntyre's first choreographic contribution to the company, where he has also been named a creative partner. McIntyre has begun choreographing the company's first-ever evening-length work, set to premiere in Los Angeles in early 2026.
“[Mayday] explores the looming specter that life can be cut short at any moment," Berkett said. “I love it from head to toe. I’m so excited for Pittsburgh to see it.”
A Million Voices, choreographed by Matthew Neenan, is set to the music of Peggy Lee. Developed in a quintessentially American setting—a dude ranch in Arizona—the piece tackles the challenge of patriotism in America for those who feel underrepresented. The piece asks the audience: How are you going to create the country you want?
"This piece, even though it's maybe five or six years old now, still feels relevant, especially at this moment,” Berkett said. “It reminds us to stand up for what we believe in."
While A Million Voices tackles broader political questions, Snap delves into the personal. The piece is an abstracted autobiography of its choreographer, Micaela Taylor. Inspired by and featuring music from the legendary James Brown, the piece questions social pressure to conform, and uplifts the fight for freedom of self expression.
"It has really become a signature BODYTRAFFIC work," said Berkett. "It's been seen all over the world and people are really inspired by it."
While in Pittsburgh, BODYTRAFFIC will also be participating in Point Park's 2024 National High School Dance Festival. They will perform in the opening ceremony at the Benedum Center on Feb. 26 and participate in the conference. Their teaching philosophy centers on building a strong foundation of tools for young dancers to sustain themselves through the challenges of a career in dance.
"Our educational programs for the next generation of dancers are centered around mental health," Berkett said, "how you can build community and lean on the people that care about you."
Whether it’s the introspective urgency of Mayday, the political resonance of A Million Voices, or the personal rebellion of Snap, this performance will offer something for everyone.
"We want people to love dance," Berkett concluded. "We have such a reverence and love for dance. We love passing this love along, both to people who are open to it, and people who aren't. If they aren't open to it, we get to suck them in!"