269: Tali: Representation, Range, and the Right Job for You
From Words That Move Me with Dana Wilson by The Dana Wilson LLC
May 27, 2026 · 54 min
About this episode
Tali discusses her experiences in the dance industry, advocating for choreographers, and the importance of representation and negotiation.
Tali has spent 20+ years at every level of the dance world, with credits ranging from Rihanna and P!nk to the West End production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. She joined me this week to talk about what it really means to advocate for choreographers, why freestyle is one of the most advanced skills in the room, and how a single conversation got one of her clients double the offer. Spoiler: Productions will lowball until someone teaches them not to. Tali's decided that's part of her job too. We explore: Can we just be storytellers? Tali on representing Black and Brown choreographers in an industry that too often boxes them into Black and Brown stories, and why the chance to choreograph a fantastical world, post-COVID, felt like a gift. The pros and cons of freestylers showing up in more traditionally "choreographed" spaces. Production not batting an eye when she asked for double the rate for one of her clients: What that says about bottom-line culture, and why asking is always worth it. This episode is for anyone who's ever watched an artist undercharge, underestimate themselves, or wait for permission to take up more space. Watch the full episode here. Show Notes…
People in this episode
Host: Dana Wilson
Guest: Tali
Topics covered
- dance advocacy
- choreography
- representation
- freestyle dance
- negotiation
- artist empowerment
Keywords
- dance
- choreography
- representation
- freestyle
- negotiation
- artist empowerment
- Black and Brown choreographers
- industry standards
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Choreographer’s Guild, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER
Books & works: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
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