EP 146: Dancing Through Life with BODYTRAFFIC Dance Company - Tina Finkelman Berkett & Trey McIntyre

Ever wonder what it really takes to build a globally acclaimed dance company from the ground up?

In Episode 146 of THE POWER OF RE:INVENTION, we step into the rhythm of Reinvention with two incredible creative forces: Tina Finkelman Berkett, founding Artistic Director of BODYTRAFFIC, and Trey McIntyre, choreographer, filmmaker, and Creative Partner at the company. This conversation doesn’t just hit the beats—it leaps, spins, and lands right at the heart of what it means to build something that moves people.

Tina opens up about her early love for both numbers and movement—how studying math at Barnard shaped her sharp mind, and how performing with Mikhail Baryshnikov lit a fire that led to BODYTRAFFIC’s creation. One moment on a New York subway with her dad helped her choose to build something bold. That choice changed everything.

Trey shares stories from his early days as a visionary choreographer, creating his first professional works while still a teenager. He talks about what drives his art, how he brings clarity to others' visions, and how dance offers a unique way to bring emotion and truth into the world.

We go deep into what it takes to run a company, create lasting impact, and move audiences in every sense of the word.

We talk Buddy Holly. We talk identity. We talk about dancers who carry stories in their bodies and bring them to life on stage. We even explore what it's like to watch your own work unfold in real time, surrounded by people who feel every beat.

If you're looking for inspiration, creative insight, and an unforgettable conversation about passion, purpose, and movement—this one’s for you.

Key Takeaways:

• Your story can be your structure. Tina merged the precision of math with the power of performance to create something original.
  

• Start before the rules find you. Trey carved his own lane by creating boldly and early, with no gatekeepers.
  

• Art is leadership. Building a dance company means showing up with clarity, energy, and deep trust in the process.
  

• Movement holds memory. Every BODYTRAFFIC performance carries emotional layers, cultural rhythms, and lived experience.
  

• Support shapes vision. Behind every leap is the grind—grants, teams, contracts, rehearsal, community.
  

• Collaboration is rhythm. From choreographer to dancer to audience, great work pulses through connection.
  Catch BODYTRAFFIC in action on June 5 at the Avalon Theater in Los Angeles. Featuring new works by Trey McIntyre, Joan Rodriguez, and Jordan Santiago—including Mayday, a bold and breathtaking piece set to the music of Buddy Holly.

 Get tickets now at bodytraffic.com

Tina’s Bio: https://www.bodytraffic.com/company/leadership

Trey’s Website: https://treycool.com/

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DM me if you’re curious about BODYTRAFFIC or want to attend the show—I just might have a few surprise tickets left!