Numerous Hartt Alumni Collaborate in Dance Dads Film

The feature film Dance Dads will debut at The Hartt School on March 5, at 7 p.m. The piece is a joint venture of Jared Bonner ’08 and Brock Harris ’10, who both produced, wrote, and starred in the film. Harris is also the director, and both he and Bonner majored in music theatre at Hartt, where they also met.  

The collaboration and connections to the film and Hartt run deep, as six of the other cast and crew are also Hartt alumni. Ralph Perkins, associate professor of dance and music theatre at Hartt, also stars in the film. Casting Perkins as the main character in the film was an obvious and important choice, Harris and Bonner said, and the connections forged at Hartt were also due to the inspiration that Perkin’s infused in his teaching. As Bonner says, he “not only made us laugh in class, but he motivated us in school. He spoke directly to us as peers and helped me (not the best dancer)…to get better. What a cool way to give back to a mentor.”

The film follows a recently single father, Marco (played by Perkins), on a unique journey to use his love of dance to mend his relationship with his only son. Marco is willing to do anything, including forming a dance squad, to get his family back together. Set as a comedy, the dynamic cast showcases so many talents in musicality and creativity that were keys to the success of putting the film together.

Creating the film was a collaborative and unique process that largely stemmed from the network Bonner and Harris had formed in their time at Hartt, as well as their experiences working in the entertainment industry on both sides: as a performer as well as in the production sector. The film’s concept was initially a passion project and originated as an idea for a TV series. To pitch to networks and production companies, Bonner and Harris created a pilot. When the pandemic started, they knew they had to pivot their initial plans in order to keep their project alive, and moved forward with producing the feature film with very little funds. As Bonner says, “Work with people you know and trust, and your concept will come to life in ways you never dreamed.”

The film is currently working through the festival circuit and is in the midst of sales both domestically and internationally. Accolades include Best Comedy Audience Award at the Austin Film Festival, as well as inclusion in the Berlin Film Festival lineup.  Now, the University of Hartford community will have a sneak peek at this film on March 5. Tickets are free for those with a UHart ID; the general public can also obtain their tickets for $10 via the box office.