How Do You Do The Theatre Owners Booking Associations Break In Tap Dancing?
The Theatre Owner’s Booking Association (TOBA) break step has a fascinating history attached to it. The TOBA was started by a man named Sherman Dudley. He booked vaudevillian performers, primarily African-Americans, to perform on the vaudeville circuit, mostly in the south. Those hired by Dudley included Bill “Bojangles” Robinson. Legend has it that the TOBA was a tough organization to work for. In the TOBA break, the dancer does a back essence and a back Irish and is required to assume a ballet position. Brush your left foot to the back behind your right foot on the count of “and.” Step down on your left foot behind your right foot on the count of “1.” Step down on your right foot to the right on the ball of your foot on the count of “and.” Step down on your left foot to the left on the count of “a.” Note that you have just done a back essence, which is a step that is associated with the soft shoe. Shuffle on your right foot on the count of “2 and” followed by a hop on your left on th
