Ayodele Casel Returns to the Joyce Theater with 'The Remix,' Celebrating Tap and Hip-Hop Roots

Ayodele Casel has a magnetic presence that draws the audience in whenever she takes the stage. As she casually stepped onto the Joyce Theater’s stage, dropping her backpack, an excited voice behind remarked, “There she is.” The applause that followed was fitting—not just for a dancer, but for a musician, as Casel creates rhythm and melody through her tap.

With a radiant smile, she greeted the crowd, saying, “What’s up, y’all?”

Casel’s movement is both delicate and dynamic: she sways her hips lightly before letting her feet glide and tap the floor as though playing an instrument. In her latest performance, 'Ayodele Casel: The Remix,' she exhibits a newfound comfort and confidence. Approaching her 50th birthday, she is more in tune with her body than ever before.

Though the show bursts with exuberance, 'The Remix' is deeply reflective. It celebrates the closeness of friendships—especially among artists—highlighting the connection between dancers and musicians. The performance unfolds with a relaxed charm that mirrors Casel’s blend of effortless grace and passionate intensity.

Co-directed and co-created by Torya Beard, 'The Remix' showcases Casel’s ability to balance subtlety with emotional depth. In a concise 70-minute program featuring her choreography and that of her collaborators, she honors a period of artistic discovery.

'The Remix' transports viewers back to the 1990s—a pivotal era when Casel fell in love with tap dance during its revival. In her early days, she devoted countless hours to practice, inspired by the music of the decade, including artists like the Fugees, Craig Mack, and Nas. Through tap, she sought to capture the groove and rhythm inherent in hip-hop.

Opening the segment titled “Q-Tap” (2025), Casel referenced the poetry slams of the 1990s by reciting a poem from her notebook: “I’ve got my backpack and everything,” setting the tone for a vivid exploration of her journey.