Choreographer holds workshop to teach community the dance moves of Michael Jackson
By Joe Ripley
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ATLANTA (WXIA) — With rhythm in every step and every move in sync, choreographer Justin Prescott coaches the community to do the same. Prescott, who grew up in Houston, TX, has been dancing since he was seven years old. He has since sequenced moves for Broadway shows, including Fela, After Midnight, Funny Girl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Moulin Rouge and Cirque du Soleil productions.
“I think it’s a passion of mine, it’s something I discovered very young,” Prescott said. “I was very passionate about it and continued to do that and share it with people around the world.”
Prescott worked on the choreography for MJ the Musical, which is playing at the Fox Theatre the last week of January. Prescott said the King of Pop has a certain style, but anyone can start learning the basics of dance and do so with others.
“Everybody knows Michael Jackson,” Prescott said. “If you saw a silhouette of any move of MJ, you’d be like that’s Michael Jackson. He’s a pioneer, a pioneer of movement, style, singing. On the dancing aspect, performance aspect, the showmanship of it all, Michael Jackson is the greatest of all time.”
Torian Cole took part in a workshop at the Alliance Theatre in which she learned some of the iconic dance moves Jackson brought to his performances. She said moonwalking is a lot harder than it looks.
“I think the most fulfilling part is seeing that everyone else is learning as well,” Cole said. “You don’t feel alone, so you feel ok to make mistakes and feel like you can make it better. I think the most fulfilling part is actually getting it right and hearing everyone cheer at the same time, when we’re all like ‘we mastered it!'”
Mastering the moves is a reminder to Cole to get up and go, because dancing can boost her mental and physical health. She called the lesson rejuvenating, giving her a chance to let loose with her community despite not knowing every dancer around her. She described the environment as a judgment-free zone where people could just show up and have some fun.
“We’re always moving,” Cole said. “We’re constantly moving, but when you can stylize it, when you’re flowing, it’s even better. Even walking down the street, you got the music in, and it makes your day feel better because you’re actually moving with intention.”
Inspired by the King of Pop, Prescott makes it his mission to pass on MJ’s legacy, with the dance fostering community.
“We’ve become so detached because of social media, so when we’re all in a room, but for them to support one another, to feel love from someone you don’t know, it’s different from your family,” Prescott said. “It uplifts people in a way you don’t usually get.”
MJ the Musical runs through February 1 at the Fox Theatre. The show, which follows the lead-up to Jackson’s Dangerous World Tour in 1992, features a couple of Atlanta natives portraying the likes of Tito Jackson, Quincy Jones and part of Michael’s dance team.
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