Episode 44: How Ayodele Has the Courage to Revive a Black Classical Art Form with Ayodele Casel

It may not make sense to anyone else, but it just shines this light on the thing you love the most. In that moment, you know, this is what you have to devote your life to, and see where it takes you. This is what happened to Ayodele Casel, and her love of tap has given her everything she’s ever dreamed of and more. Ayodele Casel is an internationally acclaimed tap dancer, choreographer, and writer celebrated for her deeply expressive and narrative-driven works. A Doris Duke Artist and one of the New York Times’s “Biggest Breakout Stars of 2019,” Casel has consistently expanded the language of tap dance to explore identity, culture, and legacy. Born in The Bronx and raised in Puerto Rico, she has created several acclaimed works including Chasing Magic (Bessie Award), While I Have the Floor, Diary of a Tap Dancer, and The Remix, which was named a New York Times Critic’s Pick and appeared on its “Best of Dance 2025” list—an honor nearly all of her major works have received since 2019. Casel served as tap choreographer for Broadway’s Funny Girl, earning a Drama Desk nomination, and co-directed, produced, and story edited Rooted, a PBS ALL ARTS film featuring Sherrilyn Ifill and a dynamic group of artists reflecting on history through performance which received a 2025 NY Emmy Award nomination. She received six nominations at the 42nd Annual Elliot Norton Awards—the most of any artist that year—and won for Outstanding Choreography. In 2021, her image was featured on a U.S. Postal Service Forever Stamp commemorating tap dance. Casel is also a Radcliffe Fellow, United States Artists Fellow, a Herb Alpert Award winner, and co-director of Operation Tap and the DLNY Tap Dance Project. She currently serves on the board of New York City Center.In this week’s episode, we’re talking about how Ayodele has the courage to revive a Black classical art form. Tap was once mainstream; old Hollywood loved the sophistication and storytelling that came with tap dancing. And while it has fallen out of fashion, people like Ayodele have the courage to go against the grain and devote their lives to this celebrated art form. Tune in to hear how Ayodele managed to take the road less traveled and what’s new for the tap scene in NYC (here’s a hint, it might be a very nostalgic revival!) Enjoy! And don’t forget to subscribe to the No Boundaries Patreon for exclusive content.Follow Ayodele on:Instagram: @ayolives Website: https://www.ayodelecasel.com/  Follow Anousha on:Instagram @‌anoushanzumeFollow the No Boundaries Podcast on:Instagram @‌noboundariesthepodcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoBoundariesthePodcastSubstack: @noboundariesthepodcast Patreon: NoBoundariesthePodcast Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST, an Afro-Latina-owned boutique podcast production and copywriting studio.