Jumaane Taylor is the essence of a Chicago tap dance legend supreme lovea masterpiece that pushes the best of the best to their limits. Andrew Carr was just 11 years old when he joined the original cast in 2015. Universe 4 IIfeaturing members of MADD Rhythms. Carl’s insatiable attention to detail and instinctive musicality push the boundaries of his experienced, unparalleled excellence.
company: Crazy rhythm
age: 19
hometown: chicago
train: Mayfair School of Art, MADD Rhythms Tap Academy, After School Matters, The School at Jacob’s Pillow
Do some quick research: Carl started dancing at the age of 4. Before graduating from high school, he was a senior employee of the company. “One of the things I learned is to recognize fire,” said artistic director Brielle Barrett. “I know Andrew has.”
Coeducational life: Carl is currently a student at DePaul University, where he carefully manages his classes. Everything—from his choice of school to his class load and major—was geared toward dance. “With a marketing degree, I feel like it will allow me to advocate for myself in a professional way and go into different areas that I may not have opened up in my career,” Carr said. “Even though I’m minoring in sociology, I’m using tap dance and art to understand and navigate these spaces.”
First up are the musicians: Carl is programming his first major concert for the 2024 Chicago Tap Summit in October. Love you with all my strength Tap dance as a love language will be explored, with several dialects including infatuation, affection, dance love, and self-love. While subject matter is his barometer, the music — a mix of live jazz, R&B and a cappella rhythms — is his guide. “Whatever the music expresses, I try to choreograph a dance that retains the author’s intention. Choreography and improvisation affirm each other. In order to choreograph, you have to improvise yourself.
Out of the office: Carl loved action movies and comics and deliberately planned time away from school to dance with friends. “My friends and I had a shed — it was like a garage with a couch and a bunch of faucet boards,” he said. “We would hang out, dance, play cards and just spend time together. Quality time is what I value.
