Makin' Moves

We’re not talkin’ about the steps-this trend is about trekkin’. The debate rages on with the second round of our coast-to-coast battle. You saw the perspective through the (gorgeous) eyes of Sena Khoda, NY native who relocated to LA. Now, tapper Christopher Broughton turns the tables. This St. Louis Rams fan broadened his horizons by shuffling outside of his comfort zone studying jazz, hip hop, salsa and West African, and taking on a new city.

What was life like as an LA dancer? Hard. “I’m not going to lie,” says Chris. “LA and Hollywood are more focused on movies and commercials, as opposed to the raw art of tap.” He discovered how to overcome all forms of opposition. “I struggled to balance my roles as student and teacher, but I try to cut hot steps every chance I get.”

Broughton ventured cross country for the first time for a Jared Grimes workshop. (We saw him on stage at the last Broadway Underground… so good!) “I knew I couldn’t stay away for long. I started auditioning the first time I visited because I knew… I wanted to make NY my permanent home.”

When we asked him about first impressions, Broughton said New York City was a whole different world compared to LA. “It was crazy trying to navigate the subway system!” One of his big NY auditions was for a Gregory Hines tribute. He loved meeting the NY tappers and was psyched for the possibility of having the chance to honor such a great legend. How different was it from an LA audition? Not that much. While Sena learned that having an agent is key in LA, Chris said that audition “feelings” remain the same. “I still get butterflies no matter which coast I’m on. But I will say that NY tappers seemed much hungrier for the dance. It was both an inspiring and humbling environment.”

Will the Big Apple be seeing more of Broughton? Already a done deal. And his words of advice ring true, no matter where you are: “Get it in, everyday.”