Ryan Heffington: LA’s Guerilla Dance Pied Piper

Ryan Heffington has been described as the "sweaty love child of Freddy Mercury and Martha Graham." I completely agree; if those two had made babies, their kiddies would probably have the charisma, organic talent, and out-of-control precision Heffington exudes while performing just about any activity. The man commands attention when he’s grilling vegetables, let alone when he’s performing "Dirty Diana" in a packed nightclub. A born superstar dancer, performer, designer, and choreographer, Heffington’s ferocious, uncompromising energy lights up -- think psychedelic high -- before loosening up the world one stage, club, or impromptu street performance at a time. From his arrival in the City of Angels his determination was to simply be himself. Only he is someone, probably the only one, who’s as comfortable in a leopard leotard as he is in a vibrant Rastafarian getup or just some casual low pumps and jeans. Put mildly, he’s like no other.

Heffington’s own curious self-exploration is producing a change and a challenge to the world of dance. This ain’t no stiff highbrow art, and it ain’t no bubble gum pop art dance show either. This is a guerilla in-your-face dance visual extravaganza without limits that’ll leave you wanting more, being more, and expanding your own individual possibilities. As many have said before me and will continue to proclaim after me, thank you Sir Heffington for you being you.

What was the first song you choreographed a dance to, and how old were you?
The Pointer Sisters’ “Neutron Dance.” I was in 5th or 6th grade and we were going off to camp for a week. They had a talent show there. So I gathered some hot chicks and choreographed this high energy techno disco dance. It was so natural for me. I remember working on the dance during recess and being very serious. I would tell my girls, “We are in rehearsal. I don’t care if you want to play. You’ve gotta dance.”

Very serious indeed. I’ll bet you had costumes ...
Of course. They were typical 80s paint-splatter pieces.

Did you make them?
No, I don’t think so. But I did style them of course. Control, control, control!

What specifically prompted you to relocate away from the theater for ”Sex on a String”?
Around ’95 Bubba Carr and I were doing this thing called “Psycho Dance Show,” which is an in-club performance. It was really exciting to me that we could access a different audience. It seemed at that point totally appropriate because what we were doing wouldn’t necessarily fit into a theater setting. It was all very avant garde, very punk rock. We threw shit at the audience—food, liquid. We had guys playing girls getting sex changes to become men.

Sounds like your average night at the theater.
Yeah just your typical theater. It was a party. It was rock and roll. I’ve always been interested in mixing the world of rock and roll with dance and introducing dance to new audiences.