Working: A Broadway Hit That Defies Genre

Slate Careers

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to Justin Peck, a dancer and choreographer who helped create the hit Broadway show Illinoise, which is based on a classic album with a similar name by Sufjan Stevens. In the interview, Justin breaks down how he adapted Sufjan’s album into a narrative dance piece, with clear characters and storylines. He also talks about his process for feeling out dance moves with his body, teaching those moves to other dancers, and then tweaking them based on the strengths of the performers.

After the interview, Isaac and co-host Ronald Young Jr. talk about the thrill of live performances and what it means to define success for a project.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Justin explains how the show varied in previous iterations before Broadway. Then he talks about his biggest dance influences.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to [e-mail] or give us a call at [phone].

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Working. Sign up now at slate.com/workingplus to help support our work.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices