Darius Hickman

Darius Hickman began his dance journey at the age of 13, performing in an arts middle school. His early life was marked by instability, and dance became a pivotal way for him to express himself and find direction. He attended Butler University in Indianapolis, completing a year of ballet studies before actively pursuing opportunities in professional dance. His training at Dreyfoos School of the Arts exposed him to various dance styles, including jazz, tap, modern, ballet, and pointe work, which equipped him with a versatile foundation for his career.

Hickman’s career gained significant momentum when he participated in the Fox network series ‘So You Think You Can Dance.’ After an initial attempt in 2017 where he reached the top 100, he returned in 2018 with a clearer sense of his artistic identity and progressed to the top 10 finalists. A notable performance from this season was his gender-bending duet with professional female dancer Taylor Sieve, choreographed by Emmy Award-winning Travis Wall, which garnered widespread attention and praise. This performance, set to Damien Rice’s ballad “It Takes a Lot to Know a Man,” explored themes of societal expectations and self-expression, resonating with a broad audience and accruing thousands of views online.

Following his success on ‘So You Think You Can Dance,’ Hickman embarked on the ‘So You Think You Can Dance Live! 2018’ national tour, which recreated popular routines from the show along with original choreography. This tour provided him with a platform to connect with fans and further establish his presence in the dance community. His career trajectory has demonstrated a commitment to artistic growth and a willingness to engage with challenging and impactful choreography, positioning him as a notable figure in contemporary dance.