Documentary 'The Symphony of Dance' Chronicles Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert's Recovery After Brain Injury
A new documentary follows dancers Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert as they navigate recovery and return to performance after Erbert suffered a subdural hematoma during a December 2023 show. The film documents their emotional journey through her brain surgery and four-month rehabilitation before resuming their touring production. The documentary premiered at the Tribeca Festival and explores themes of love, resilience, and the healing power of dance.
The Symphony of Dance is a 110-minute documentary directed by Jason Bergh that chronicles the real-life medical crisis and recovery of professional dancers Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert. During a December 2023 performance of their touring show, the couple collided on stage, resulting in Erbert suffering a subdural hematoma that required emergency craniotomy surgery. The film documents her four-month recovery period and her return to performing alongside Hough, her husband. The documentary premiered in the Spotlight+ section of the Tribeca Festival and emphasizes themes of love, faith, and the transformative power of dance and performance. However, critics note the film takes an emotionally-driven rather than medically-analytical approach to Erbert's recovery and return to such physically demanding work.
What's missing
The coverage does not include perspectives from medical professionals on the appropriateness of returning to professional dance four months post-craniotomy, nor does it provide details about Erbert's specific recovery timeline, rehabilitation process, or any complications she may have experienced. Additionally, there is limited information about how the couple and production team addressed safety protocols for her return to performance.
How coverage differed
The Hollywood Reporter review takes a critical stance, arguing the documentary prioritizes emotional sentiment and commercial appeal over substantive exploration of medical and psychological complexities. The reviewer suggests the film avoids difficult questions about whether Erbert should have returned to dancing so soon after brain surgery, framing this as a deliberate editorial choice rather than neutral storytelling.
What different sources said
- The Hollywood ReporterCenter
‘The Symphony of Dance’ Review: Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert Hough Find Healing Through Performance in Emotional but Overly Polished Doc
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