Tony Winner Miles on Unlearning MJ Through Dance History (Full Transcript)

Miles explains how studying the Nicholas Brothers and other pioneers helps him move beyond Michael Jackson’s signature style and rediscover foundational dance vocab.
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[00:00:00] Speaker 1: Miles, I want you to show me what you showed me earlier. So, okay, is that cool? Okay, so obviously you all know Miles won the Tony for playing Michael Jackson in MJ. Learning how to unlearn MJ was...

[00:00:14] Speaker 2: It's tough, it's difficult, you know. But the answers are there, you know. The answers are there in the history. When you go back into the 40s, you know, and you think about the Nicholas brothers, you think about the Berry brothers, you know. Michael would spin something like this, you know, he does a prep. Whereas Joey Evans would probably spin something like that, you know. Or do a jump spin into a split, you know, come up or something like that, you know. And to be able to use some of these, some of the foundation that are incredible, incredible, you know, dancers from Sammy Davis Jr. to the Nicholas brothers to the Berry brothers that they've set, to be able to have access to that and be able to do some of those movements here, every dancer, especially a dancer who loves to fly like myself. Yeah. Just be in the air and soar, you know, that's what I love.

[00:01:05] Speaker 3: All right, just to get out of your system, give me one MJ kick.

[00:01:09] Speaker 2: MJ kick, all right, you ready?

[00:01:10] Speaker 3: Okay, I'm getting out of the way.

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Arow Summary
A conversation with Tony-winning performer Miles (who played Michael Jackson in the musical MJ) about the challenge of “unlearning” MJ’s movement style by returning to earlier dance history and foundational influences. Miles cites iconic predecessors like the Nicholas Brothers, the Berry Brothers, Sammy Davis Jr., and Joey Evans, noting differences in spins and aerial vocabulary. He emphasizes drawing from these roots and his personal love of airborne, soaring movement. The segment ends with a request for him to demonstrate an “MJ kick.”
Arow Title
Miles on Unlearning MJ by Studying Dance Roots
Arow Keywords
Miles Remove
MJ musical Remove
Tony Award Remove
Michael Jackson Remove
unlearning Remove
dance history Remove
Nicholas Brothers Remove
Berry Brothers Remove
Sammy Davis Jr. Remove
Joey Evans Remove
spins Remove
aerial movement Remove
MJ kick Remove
Arow Key Takeaways
  • Unlearning an iconic style like MJ requires returning to broader dance history and foundational techniques.
  • Michael Jackson’s movement vocabulary drew from earlier Black dance innovators and entertainers.
  • Comparing specific mechanics (e.g., spin preparation and finish) helps dancers diversify beyond a single signature style.
  • Aerial elements and athletic “flight” can be developed by studying dancers known for jumps, spins, and splits.
  • Practical demonstration is used to physically ‘reset’ or transition away from MJ-specific habits.
Arow Sentiments
Positive: The tone is enthusiastic and appreciative, highlighting admiration for dance pioneers and excitement about movement, flight, and learning from historical foundations.
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