Fort Worth-native Kurt Froman is currently the resident choreographer of the national tour of “Billy Elliot,” which will perform in the Winspear in June. (Courtesy of AT&T Performing Arts Center)
Kurt Froman understands the struggles of being a boyhood dancer. He knows the frustrations and the insecurities of coming-of-age as a male dancer. Perhaps this is why resident choreographer of the national tour “Billy Elliot” is the perfect fit for him.
A Fort Worth native, Froman has been dancing most of his life. He attended the School of American Ballet and spent more than seven years at the New York City Ballet before making the transition to Broadway and later film.
When he injured himself during “Movin’ Out,” he tried his hand at film and television appearing on shows such as “Ugly Betty” and “Saturday Night Live,” which eventually led him to the position as the associate choreographer for Darren Aronofsky’s “Black Swan.”
“‘Black Swan’ was a blending of both of my worlds,” Froman said. “I think that bringing my experience to the screen made the steps more believable, and also challenged me to be a little more resourceful.”
Froman said that one of the benefits of working on this film was learning how to teach people with very limited dance experience choreography.
“I had to spoon-feed information so that the actresses could understand it and physicalize it,” Froman said.
Now that he’s working with a group of 12-year-old boys on the Tony-award-winning musical, he said the most important aspects of his job are teaching the steps and keeping the boys excited about the show. Froman’s primary responsibility for “Billy Elliot” is to the boys and he said that taking on this mentorship role has not only challenged him, he has also discovered that the show has begun to feel like a family.
“I’m very proud to have this part in the touring company,” Froman said. “I feel like I’m a good fit, because not every one from the dance world is good with children and I’ve been there. I know exactly what these boys are going through.”
“Billy Elliot” is part of the Lexus Broadway Series at the AT&T Performing Arts Center.
Performances will run from June 8 – 19.
For more information visit, attpac.org.
