Andrew is the first tap dancer to attempt the piece since his mentor Gregory Hines performed the stair dance in “Bojangles” the Showtime Biopic of the dancer by the same name. I'm surprised because I thought only dancers would get it, but I think a lot of other people also relate to the humor.

Broadway legend Bill "Bojangles" Robinson started his career as a vaudeville performer, transitioning to Broadway and to Hollywood films in the 1930s and 1940s. All of those movies informed my love and passion for film and for dance. Aakomon is just a walking vibe, and he cultivated such a great space for us to rehearse in. Bill Robinson—yes, Mr. Bojangles himself—is, of course, at the top of our list. "

DS: Who is your favorite person to keep up with on social media?

NS: One of my most recent videos, "The dancer you don't want to run into at nationals" was inspired by Caitlyn Reilly (@itscaitlinhello). As I expected when posting a blog on National Tap Dance Day asking for your memories of first seeing tap dance, the majority of responses were those of watching Shirley Temple and Bill Robinson -- hand in hand -- tap dancing up and down a flight of stairs. Along with fighting in the trenches, Robinson was also a drum major who led the regimental band up Fifth Avenue upon the regiment's return from Europe.In 1928, he starred on Broadway in the hugely successful musical revue Robinson's fame withstood the decline of African American revues. Tap dancing on the balls of one's feet hardly seems like a novel idea, but the technique is due largely to beloved hoofer Bill “Bojangles" Robinson (1878–1949). We actually added that scene in as a part of reshoots, after we wrapped on principal photography, so I had to fly back from New York—we spent a full day in the studio, learning the routine, and then shot it the next day, and had so much fun doing it.