From TikTok to the Stage: 3 Reasons to See Jeremy Nedd’s ‘From Rock to Rock’
How does a dance move born in a single neighborhood end up on the screens of millions of people? Or as an “emote” in a video game like Fortnite?
In from rock to rock…aka how magnolia was taken for granite, choreographer Jeremy Nedd takes us on a journey through the life cycle of a viral moment. By blending contemporary dance with the infectious energy of social media trends, the performance explores how Black creativity continuously shapes global culture.
The Story Behind the Name
The title from rock to rock draws inspiration from the philosopher Édouard Glissant, who wrote in his 1969 classic meditation on poetry and art, L’Intention poétique, about how ideas and cultures spread, change, and sometimes dilute as they move across the world. For Nedd, this perfectly mirrors the concept of virality.
The “aka” in the full title is a direct nod to “Magnolia,” the song by Playboi Carti that helped propel the Milly Rock to worldwide fame. It’s a literal and metaphorical journey of a movement traveling from one point — one rock — to the next.
“Time seemed to leap from rock to rock,” Glissant writes. “We gathered small pebbles around those great boulders — from the Trading Post to the Plantation, to the grave urn of illusions where we scraped our feet raw. These little stones tumbled between our toes as much as between our fingers, like crushed sand.”
What to Expect: “A Lot of Joy”
While the show dives into deep themes like the line between inspiration and appropriation, the physical experience is anything but academic. When asked what audiences should expect, Jeremy’s answer is simple: “A lot of joy.”
The performance is “an homage to the way dance travels from person to person, screen to screen, and stage to stage,“ Nedd says. It’s built for those who have joined in on a viral trend, spent hours in the digital worlds of Fortnite, and for anyone who has ever felt the urge to move when a favorite song comes on.
Inspiration, Not Imitation
Because everything is so accessible online, the line between “being inspired” and “taking without asking” can get blurry. Nedd navigates this divide by being as transparent as possible: he views the show as a “participation in the viral hype,” a sincere homage to the creators at the forefront of innovation. By reaching out to the originators of the moves seen on stage, Nedd ensures the performance isn’t just about the dance itself, but about honoring the spaces and people where this creativity starts.
“The actual starting point for me was the dance move,” says Nedd. “I’m fascinated with how a rather essential step allows so much space for complexity, freedom, and play. The case gave a framework to think deeper about how not just dance moves ‘move’ online, but also who ultimately benefits from that ‘movement.’”
Why You Can’t Miss It
From rock to rock is a rare opportunity to see the dances we do in our living rooms and on our phones elevated to a monumental scale. It is vibrant, thought-provoking, and, above all, a celebration of the innovation that keeps the world moving.
About the Artist
Jeremy Nedd is an award-winning choreographer whose career spans from New York to the most prestigious stages in Europe. Nedd worked in NYC before moving to Europe in 2010, where he has collaborated with organizations like the Semperoper Dresden, Ballet Basel, and Schauspielhaus Zürich/ Zürich Dance Ensemble.
Known for his ability to dissect and demystify culture, Nedd has also worked extensively with the South African Impilo Mapantsula collective. In 2023, his innovative approach to movement and cultural commentary earned him the Swiss Performing Arts Award and the Ellis Beauregard Choreographer Award in 2025.
Trade scrolling for the real deal. See the viral dance live and be part of the conversation, Fri-Sat Apr 3-4 in the Power Center.
Tickets start at just $20 (+ fees); $15-20 student tickets available.
