Reggio “The Hoofer” McLaughlin, tap dancer, instructor and choreographer started his artistic career in the subways of Chicago, where he had developed his unique style of tap dance hoofing, characterized by raw form of African American Tap. The combination of African foot stomping, Irish step and his lengthy experience contributes to the world of tap dancing. Reginald “The Hoofer” Mc Laughlin performed in various theatre shows and he worked with the pioneers of tap dance. As a principal tap dancer he was seen in two Duke Ellington Musicals: "Jump for Joy" and "Beggars Holiday". In the theatre version of the "Sammy Davis Jr. Story" he played the role of Sammy Davis' father and choreographed the tap numbers. At the Marcus Center of the Performing Arts in Milwaukee he was the featured tap dancer and choreographer of a production called "We are the Drum". For the 150th anniversary for the Chicago Tribune Reggio was brought in as a specialty act with the Chicago Jazz Ensemble. Reggio has been featured on educational television programs such as Art Safari, Art Beat Chicago, and Inside Kentucky Schools. His feet are featured dancing to the documentary narration about the famous singer, Nat King Cole, he also appears in “Gallery 37 a portrait of Chicago Youth” and “Vanishing Act”. He has also been featured in JUBA- Masters of the tap, a tap documentary that has aired on PBS where he danced with his partner Ernest “Brownie” Brown, a legendary tap dancer who died in 2009 at the age of 93. There is currently being filmed an instructional video and a new documentary highlighting his friendship, dance relationship with the Ernest "Brownie" Brown and the spectacular return to the Chair Dance routine, one of the classics of the 1930s. In 2004 Reginald “the Hoofer” obtained the prestigious Master Apprentice Award of Illinois Arts Council. Reggio the Hoofer is currently the principal Tap Dance teacher at Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. He is the producer and writer of his annual Christmas Show called “The Nut Tapper”, a unique, spirited, exhilarating and multicultural percussive variation of the classic ballet from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite. The Nut Tapper is a swinging recreation of this popular holiday classic with fascinating rhythms of Tap, Spanish Gypsy Flamenco, Mexican Zapateado, Appalachian Clog etc. Reginald McLaughlin creates special artistic programs for children in difficult environments and performs in children hospitals.
