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Al Blackstone (he/him/his) is an Emmy-winning director, choreographer, and educator. His passion for bringing people together to experience something meaningful drives him to make dances, tell stories, and encourage joyful connection. Born in New Jersey and raised in a dance studio, he has called New York City home for more than a decade. In that time he has created emotional work for the stage and screen, thrown dance parties for charity, and introduced hundreds of people to one another.

He resides in Brooklyn with his husband Abraham and has kept a journal since he’s 12.

Al is short for Albert.

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“Blackstone is a choreographic novelist; he creates character, illustrates intention, and synthesizes subtext as organically as a poet might scribe a sonnet.”

— Dance Informa

PRESS & PODCASTS

Dance Magazine:Choreographer Al Blackstone on Growing Up in a Dancing Family

Dance or die, baby.

Chicago Tribune: Giordano Dance Takes a Dive with a Theatrical New Work by Emmy Winner Al Blackstone

NPR: Isn't This A Lovely Day For A 'Top Hat' Tribute?

Blackstone's choreography captures the yearning to be joyful with moments of desperation from feeling confined.

Playbill:From Broadway’s Wicked to an Emmy Nomination: Al Blackstone Talks Choreographing the Perfect Partner Dance

Nominated for So You Think You Can Dance, Blackstone reveals the philosophy that guides his screen work and his classes at Broadway Dance Center and STEPS.

Dance Magazine:Al Blackstone Opens Up About Being Nominated for an Emmy at Such a Bittersweet Time

“In the studio—it’s always in the studio."

Dance Informa:Al Blackstone: For the love of dance, and Freddie

Choreographer Al Blackstone is taking another foray into the concert dance world, presenting a full-length work at New York’s famed Joyce Theater.

Dancers of New York: Al Blackstone

Just be cool, everybody. Be cool [laughs]. Working with dancers is often times figuring out who to bring in a room with you. I want to work with people that are comfortable in their skin and aren’t trying to prove something to me. Be you, and I think the rest will fall into place.

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recent PROJECTS

Giordano Dance Chicago

RESIDENT CHOREOGRAPHER: AL BLACKSTONE

Entering their 64th Season, the iconic dance company Giordano Dance Chicago (GDC) illuminates beauty and invigorates the world with deep connections. After premiering the joyous 30 minute suite Gershwin in B to rave reviews, Al has since created Sana with live music by Stahv Danker in 2025. He is thrilled to be entering his second season as the company’s Resident Choreographer. Under the Artistic Direction of Nan Giordano, the dances Al creates for this extraordinary company will tour through the United States and abroad for years to come.

Guys & Dolls (ogunquit playhouse)

DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER: AL BLACKSTONE

"Director/Choreographer Al Blackstone's GUYS AND DOLLS is the most satisfying version of this beloved classic I have ever seen, and that includes the fabled Jerry Zaks Broadway revival and The Bridge's immersive London staging." -- Bob Verini, Boston theatre critic

Associate Director/Choreographer: Melissa Hunt

Set/Video Design : Adam Koch and Steven Royal

Light Design: Dalton Hamilton

recent projects

“Dance appears in a flash and then disappears just as quickly; it’s gorgeous that way.”

— Al Blackstone (Dance Magazine)

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