ATD Spotlight
Honoring Individuals, Groups, and Projects That Contribute to American Civic Life and Public Understanding Through Dance
Bril Barrett is a celebrated tap dancer, choreographer, and educator based in Chicago, Illinois. He is best known as the founder of M.A.D.D. Rhythms (Making A Difference Dancing Rhythms), a group committed to preserving and promoting the art of tap dance. Barrett believes in the power of tap dance, both as a form of artistic expression, and also as a tool for community-building and social justice
Barrett began dancing at a young age and studied under acclaimed tap dancers such as Jimmy Payne and Lane Alexander. With a strong sense of rhythm and an engaging teaching style, he has performed both nationally and internationally. Still, it is clear that Chicago has always been his home. Through the years, he has remained committed to guiding youth and fostering talent in under-served communities.
For Barrett, tap is more than just a performing art, it is a tradition that has its roots in historic struggles for freedom. Through M.A.D.D. Rhythms, he has made it a priority to bring tap back into the communities that first brought it to life.
Bril Barrett’s passion for tap can be boiled down to what he likes to call “the ability to create something wonderful out of something terrible.” This is evident in M.A.D.D. Rhythms performances that reflect contemporary social issues such as economic inequality and racial injustice, while still showcasing the improvisational identities of the style.
Barrett’s work is also about accessibility. He ensures that young dancers have access to affordable training and opportunities to perform and educate. He regularly collaborates with schools and cultural institutions to make tap education available to everyone.
To dive deeper into Bril Barrett’s work and the legacy of tap dance he carries on, here are a variety of resources for students, teachers, dancers, and anyone interested in the intersection of arts and activism:
M.A.D.D. Rhythms Official Website
Bril Barrett Podcast Interview (Tap Love Tour)
Book: *Tap Dancing America: A Cultural History* by Constance Valis Hill
Watch: *No Maps on My Taps* (documentary on Black tap dance history)
Suggested Classroom Activities:
Watch a Bril Barrett performance and discuss how rhythm is used as a form of communication.
Compare and contrast Barrett’s style with other well-known dancers.
Research the roots of tap in African and Irish traditions and its evolution in America.
Write a reflection on what it means to use dance as a tool for activism.
Explore more of Barrett’s work:
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Profile
Image Source: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brilbarrett/
