Meet Ashley Wallen, Choreographer of Disney+’s ‘Descendants: The Rise of Red’

When Ashley Wallen got the call from Descendants: The Rise of Red When director Jennifer Phang announced she was the film’s choreographer, he was thrilled. “First of all, it was like, ‘Oh my God, I’m doing something for Disney,’ which is amazing because it was my dream,” Wallen said. Spirit of dance. “And do something for the Descendants It’s also amazing because it’s a huge franchise.

The Australian-born choreographer has had a varied career choreographing musicals, films and music videos, and has even worked with stars like Mariah Carey and Kylie Minogue. But it’s his work as a choreographer for Disney The Greatest Showman which he credits with helping him land the job and preparing him to work on the film, which premiered July 12.

Wallen describes the film’s choreography style as “very classic, old school but super modern.” From musical-theatre pop numbers like “Life Is Sweeter” to more hip-hop numbers like “Red” and K-pop-style numbers like “Perfect Revenge,” it’s clear Wallen drew inspiration from a variety of sources, including Beyoncé and Taylor Swift.

A lot of the choreography was inspired by the characters, he says. “They all have their own language. We have Bridget, who is the kind of optimistic person who says everything is amazing and happy and delicious and beautiful. So she has her own style. And then we have the VKs (Villain Kids), who are a little more down-to-earth and a little more realistic.” rah-in your face.”

The characters’ different styles also influenced the changes Wallen made to the choreography throughout the rehearsal process, which was enjoyable for the film’s stars as they learned their choreography.

“I love choreography, I love dancing and I love that we get to do it and be in our characters and create movements for them,” says “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” star Dara Reneé, who plays Ulyana (Ursula’s little sister). “Being an octopus, I didn’t even know there were certain mannerisms I could do while dancing, so it was really fun.”

Ruby Rose Turner, who plays Bridget (Young Queen of Hearts) and has competed in dance, was excited when she learned there would be intense choreography in the film. She felt like she had “trained for this moment.”

Wallen also enjoyed the experience of seeing the sets for the first time and taking the choreography from the studio to the stage. “Getting all the dancers, all the actors, everyone on set, and then trying to put it all together, it’s a great experience,” he says, adding, “It’s really cool for me, as a choreographer, to come in and have these actors and actresses who can actually dance. It’s made my job a lot easier.”

Turner also enjoyed seeing the dances come to life on set. “That was one of my favorite moments, I think, when the choreography for ‘Life Is Sweeter’ came together and we were on set doing a dress rehearsal. It was like, ‘Oh, my God, this is really happening.’”

So what does Wallen hope viewers take away from the film? The urge to get up and learn the dances, he says.

After The Greatest Showman As soon as it came out, Wallen saw TikTok and Instagram videos of people doing these dances, and he loved seeing dancers and non-dancers alike let loose and use their bodies. He said he hopes dance numbers like “Revenge” and others can achieve that effect, too.

“I would say the dances are fun, visually dynamic to watch, and there are things that everyone can do,” Wallen says. “I think there are dances that people can take with them and try themselves: sing the lyrics, do the moves, and have fun watching them. And that will make me so happy.”