Hiplet Ballerinas

Description

The Hiplet Ballerinas are a performance group based out of the Chicago.  Created by Artistic Director Homer Hans Bryant, Hiplet™ is a fusion between classical pointe technique, Hip-Hop, and a variety of other dance styles specifically designed to make Ballet accessible to all people.   After going viral in 2016, Hiplet has been featured in commercials and on runways, as well as national TV shows including America’s Got Talent where they received yes votes from all 4 judges.

The Hiplet tour launched in 2019 to sell out crowds and rave reviews.  Spokane newspaper Inlander wrote: “Hiplet brings you to your feet, makes you whistle in the audience when a dancer drops into the splits or flips into an aerial. Hiplet makes you clap along with the beat, wanting to engage with the dancers, to be a part of the magic on stage.”  Rocket Miner Newspaper wrote: “Watching it was a powerful experience. I genuinely got chills, got choked up, felt my jaw drop in amazement, and cheered — loudly. The dancers put so much heart and soul into their performance, and you can feel the energy in the room, the connection between the audience and the dancers."

Work Sample

This video contains clips of dances from the 90-minute Hiplet Ballerinas touring show, 
an exciting fusion of dances styles mixed with film and visuals to create an entertainment experience.  The tour has been highly successful - filling or selling out audiences at College of Du Page, Marion and CLC Grayslake IL!

Samples:
**“Rhythm The Soul Of Life”  2 excerpts featuring traditional ballet in African print; and traditional African dance mixed with Hiplet and Afrobeats.
**“From Ballet to Hiplet” a play on the Ballet Hip Hop fusion showcasing how two opposites can come together.  Ballerinas and Hip Hop dancers trade moves to classical violin music set to a Hip Hop beats
**"React" (extended version of AGT audition)
**"Missing You" - a departure from typical Hiplet featuring Contemporary choreography with a more mature approach. Chronicling the ebbs and flows of women as they navigate personal relationships, “Missing You” is an emotional journey of love, loss and sisterhood.
**“Welcome to Chicago” Hiplet honors its geographical roots by featuring dances to music by local Chicago artists.  Chicago’s music scene is earthy and diverse, from blues to jazz, rap to house, and everything in between.  Included in this sample are 2 out of 4 dances.

This work sample contains a sample out line of our in-school lecture demonstrations, and clips from behind the scenes at the Quad Cities residencies held in western Illinois and eastern Iowa schools.

The Hiplet Experience is a high energy production that takes the audience on an emotional journey.  The work sample showcases the myriad of dance and music styles we’ve incorporated into Hiplet. In this sample you can see elements, both on flat and pointe, of hip-hop, African, Modern, Jazz, and Latin dance incorporated into our unique brand of ballet. These dances are performed to a variety of music styles that both tribute to and have influenced hip-hop and urban culture in Chicago and across the world, including Chicago specialties like house music.

History

Hiplet was conceptualized as a fusion of ballet and hip hop. The style is a culmination of years of experimenting with the art of ballet to further its reach and appeal to urban communities and younger generations. In doing so, Hiplet has found success showcasing the perspectives of these communities to other demographics. The Hiplet dancers went viral on the internet in 2016 and have since spread this original Illinois artform across the globe, with local media appearances being seen and shared worldwide.  In 2019 the company launched a national tour, performing to sell out crowds across the USA through February of 2020.  

One of the most meaningful and fulfilling parts of the Hiplet Ballerina's tour is seeing the diversity in the audiences. There is always a vast range of people from different racial groups and age groups, demonstrating that Hiplet appeals to a broad demographic base.  Even in places far from home, like in Washington state, Wyoming, and Montana, Hiplet receives an incredibly warm welcome from audiences. Captivating crowds of all ages, ethnicities, and walks of life, the Hiplet ballerinas hope to entertain and inspire more audiences over the years to come.

Artistic Vision

The vision of Hiplet is to create an inclusive space for urban youth to expand their horizons in ballet. It presents ballet from the minds of young black women, adding a unique perspective to the dance world. Through Hiplet, the dancers and choreographers seek to promote diversity and body positivity by creating choreography that reflects the movement and stories of today’s youth.
 
Hiplet’s unique take on Ballet makes all of the artforms included more accessible by presenting them in fresh, fun, and relatable performances. The result is a unique view into the heart of urban Chicago and the richness that its diverse cultures bring to arts and entertainment.

Traditional Folk/Ethnic Artform Statement

Hiplet has a strong appeal to audiences who love and appreciate the discipline of classical ballet, but also crave a more current artistic experience. Historically, classical ballet hasn't had a strong appeal to black and brown communities because of its emphasis on super thin dancers performing to 19th century European music, stories and costuming.  Hiplet bridges the gap by infusing ballet technique with late 20th and 21st century music, and choreography that represents the artistic culture and lived experiences of black and brown people.