Free movement

best act: 2012, 2016, 2018

Free movement has evolved a lot in its short history. Originally introduced in 2012 as “free running,” the act utilized only a matted floor and each other’s bodies. It included choreographed group parts, break dancing, and tricking. In 2013, it was renamed to the now-familiar free movement and it was framed as a dance battle, with stunts on the ground and flips off of each other to accompany the theme. In 2015, two large blocks were introduced to the act, allowing for new creativity and passes. Troupers have experimented with the placement and orientation of two blocks to trick and flip over, onto and off of, and around. The act has become a place for new ideas to take life, with glow-in-the-dark suits in 2016 leading free movement to win Best Act. In 2018, trouper Kevin Strasser even performed drums on a full kit right in the middle of the act— another free movement Best Act year.

Since its inception, free movement has become a celebration of movement that doesn’t fit into the box of tumbling or gymnastics skills. Although it has become more tricking-centered over the years, unique skills such as breakdancing and jump rope are often highlighted in individual moments.