Robbins Dance & Performing Arts Expands Division

Robbins Sports Surfaces has announced the expansion of Robbins Dance & Performing Arts as a dedicated division, reinforcing the company's longstanding commitment to dancers and performers with the same focus it has long delivered to professional athletes. Leading the charge is James Fayette, former New York City Ballet Principal Dancer, who joins as Vice President of Business Development.

Robbins Dance & Performing Arts is a dedicated division of Robbins Sports Surfaces that engineers precision-engineered, biomechanically informed flooring for dancers and other performers.

This expansion reflects a deeper investment in the dance and performing arts community, dedicated leadership, an expanded go-to-market strategy, and a sharpened focus on the biomechanics of dance specifically. Robbins has spent decades engineering flooring trusted by professional sports teams like the 2026 Champion New York Knicks, and Robbins Dance & Performing Arts brings that same rigor, research and craftsmanship to dancers—artists whose training and recovery increasingly mirror those of professional athletes.

An accomplished dancer and business leader, Fayette began his performing career with the New York City Ballet, retiring as a principal dancer. He was then recruited by the American Guild of Musical Artists, the union representing professional dancers, where, in addition to improving overall employment conditions, he championed health and safety standards, including ensuring union dancers performed on quality, resilient “sprung” dance floors. Fayette's passion for dance continued through leadership roles as Associate Dean of Dance at the Colburn School and as Managing Director for the contemporary dance company L.A. Dance Project.

“I have spent my entire life in service to dance, and I am excited to say that this next chapter will be the most impactful of my career. The dance floors at Robbins are marvels of design, informed by biomechanic study to support both artistry and athleticism unique to dancers. With expertise already earned protecting million-dollar pro athletes, Robbins is now bringing that same dedication to the well-being of performing artists at scale. I get to lead a team built to ensure the safest conditions for dance and performance at every school, studio, university and theater, for generations of artists to come,” said Fayette.

Biomechanics-Driven Floor Design

As Vice President of Business Development, Fayette will manage the go-to-market strategy for Robbins Dance & Performing Arts:

• Precision-engineered, purpose-built floor systems for dance and performing arts
• Uniform surface that reduces ground-reaction force and harmful vibration
• Helps dancers perform longer, recover faster and move with more confidence
• Consistent surface that doesn't degrade and lasts for decades
• Sale, delivery and installation supported across the U.S. and Canada

Trusted by Leading Dance & Performing Arts Organizations

Robbins dance and performing arts floors already protect artists in hundreds of locations around the country, supporting a range of dance genres and disciplines, including ballet, contemporary, modern, tap, jazz, hip-hop, ballroom, dance team and cheer. The floors are installed in theaters, dance studios and K-12 schools, and are trusted by some of the most respected dance organizations in the country, including Jacob's Pillow (MA), Open Jar Studios (NY), Ballet West (UT), Alberta Ballet (AB) and Wonderbound Contemporary Ballet (CO).

“James' history as a celebrated dancer and business leader, combined with his longstanding relationships and reputation for protecting dancers, made him the perfect person to lead this next chapter for Robbins. Paired with the award-winning innovation and design already behind our floors, this division and this new leadership will drive the continued growth of our work with the dance and performing arts community for years to come,” said Todd Braun, President & CEO of Robbins Sports Surfaces. “We're excited for the experienced guidance James brings to Robbins, and together we are setting a new standard for dancer wellbeing.”