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Every month, a fabulous actor/singer/dancer fills out editor Matthew Wexler’s nosey little questionnaire and offers a glimpse of what he looks like from a bit closer than the mezzanine. We couldn’t ask for a better holiday gift than Tyler Hanes, who will be dancing as a member of The American Dance Machine for the 21st Century at the Joyce Theater from December 21 – January 3.
Tyler Hanes (Photo: Audra Hatch Photography via The Broadway Blog)
Name:
Tyler Hanes
Hometown:
Marietta, Georgia
What is the mission of the American Dance Machine for the 21st Century?
To bring todays audience a living archive of some of the greatest moments in musical theater/dance history, performed by one of the most versatile and talented groups of performers around.
Tell us about your audition for the company:
Nikki Feirt Atkins first approached me about ADM21 after she saw me as Gabey in On The Town on Broadway. Once I knew Wayne Cilento was involved, I was in. I have had the pleasure of working under Wayne’s direction during the Broadway revival of Sweet Charity and am a huge fan of anything he does. His work in Sweet Charity is some of my favorite choreography I have ever danced (especially his Rich Man’s Frug) and I will always jump at the opportunity to work with him again. He is a genius.
Tyler Hanes (Photo: Kristin Hoebermann via The Broadway Blog)
You’ve worked with some of the theater industry’s best directors and choreographers. In one sentence, how would you describe each of the following:
Ann Reinking: The living legend who changed my life forever and taught me what it really means to be an artist.
Bob Avian: One of the nicest, most generous people I have ever met who gave me one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my career.
Susan Stroman: A true visionary who made me discover the art of storytelling through dance.
Tyler Hanes (Photo: Annette Tanner via The Broadway Blog)
If I wasn’t a performer, I would be:
A director or an ice cream man.
Places, Intermission or Curtain Call?
Places. There’s nothing more thrilling to me than the calm before the storm. I love the process of getting into character, hearing the audience in front of the curtain and feeling the excitement that lives in my body before setting foot onstage.
The best post-show cocktail in New York City is at:
I don’t drink but I do enjoy catching up with friends at Bar Centrale.
After you’ve hit all the traditional sites of New York City, you should totally go to:
Chelsea Market, The High Line, or The Cloisters.
If I could live anywhere else in the world it would be:
Amsterdam
My workout “secret” is:
Dance, Bikram yoga (when I have the time)… and a lot of push ups.
Tyler Hanes (Photo: Annette Tanner via The Broadway Blog)
When I’m looking for a date, nothing attracts me more than:
A broad sense of humor is extremely important, as well as compassion, wit, drive, and honesty. And he must be named Van Hansis.
My favorite website to visit that you may not have heard of is:
www.breatheheavy.com
People would be surprised to learn that I . . .
am a diehard Britney fan.
When I was 10, I wanted to be just like:
Mikhail Baryshnikov
Ten years from now I’d like to be:
Performing. Teaching. Creating. Directing. Choreographing. Producing. Married. Kids. The whole package.
Take a sneak peek at ADM21.
