Jason Samuels News

In the summer of 2017, The School at Jacob's Pillow, a world renowned center for professional dance training will present Professional Advancement Programs in Ballet, Contemporary, Musical Theatre Dance, and a Tap Program led by Michelle Dorrance.

The Chicago Human Rhythm Project (CHRP), which creates community through American tap and contemporary percussive arts in world-class, innovative performance, education and outreach programs, hosts its 26th Jubalee Gala.

William Peace Theatre opens its 2016-17 season with the beloved Broadway musical, Kiss Me, Kate.  The show runs two weeks, October 20-22 and 28-29 at Kenan Auditorium on the William Peace University Campus in downtown Raleigh.

The Chicago Human Rhythm Project (CHRP), which creates community through American tap and contemporary percussive arts in world-class, innovative performance, education and outreach programs, hosts its 26th Jubalee Gala.

Jersey Tap Fest, NJ's sole dance festival featuring world-class tap faculty and extravaganza, celebrates its seventh year, August 11-14, in Roselle Park and Bloomfield, NJ.

The 17th Vancouver International Tap Festival will once again celebrate, showcase and explore the hot, enduring art of Tap Dance from Sept. 1 - 4, 2016. Internationally recognized as one the premier events of it's kind, its unique and ambitious programs have become VITF's trademark.

Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival presents the world premiere engagement of And Still You Must Swing with three of the world's most celebrated tap dance luminaries—Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, Jason Samuels Smith, and Derick K. Grant—July    6-10 in the intimate Doris Duke Theatre. The program embraces masterful technique, musicality, and improvisation including a live onstage band and a star-studded cast with critically-acclaimed guest artist and 2016 Jacob's Pillow Dance Award recipient Camille A. Brown.

Jersey Tap Fest, NJ's sole dance festival featuring world-class tap faculty and extravaganza, celebrates its seventh year, August 11-14, in Roselle Park and Bloomfield, NJ.

Following the critical acclaim and record-breaking ticket sales and attendance of Festival 2015, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival will soon kick-off a new season of exciting programming featuring international artists, world premieres, an impressive number of engagements set to live music, and more than 200 free performances, talks, and exhibits.

Groove With Me's benefit, Tap & Tapas, will took place last night, April 11, 2016. It was a fun-filled night with tastings from NYC's hottest restaurants, a performance from the hit Broadway musical 'The Color Purple,' honoring Eboni Williams, and more. And, of course, Groove With Me dancers took the stage by storm. Scroll down for photos from the event!

The 2016 Jacob's Pillow Dance Award, a prestigious honor that carries a $25,000 cash prize, will be presented to contemporary choreographer, dancer, and artistic director Camille A. Brown in acknowledgement of her vision and outstanding contributions to the dance field. Regularly garnering acclaim for her 'vividness and versatility' (Alastair Macaulay, The New York Times), Brown holds a New York Dance and Performance ('Bessie') Award, two Princess Grace Awards, a Doris Duke Performing Artist Award, and her work has toured nationally and internationally. The Jacob's Pillow Dance Award was established in 2007 and, in honor of its 10th anniversary, the Pillow has broadened the scope of this honor with a commitment to the artist's growth and future work. In addition to the unrestricted cash prize, this Award also includes a committed engagement for the 2017 Festival and a Creative Development Residency at Jacob's Pillow. Previous recipients of the Jacob's Pillow Dance Award include the legendary choreographer Merce Cunningham; MacArthur Fellows Michelle Dorrance and Kyle Abraham; and John Heginbotham of Dance Heginbotham, among others.

The Joyce Theater Foundation, Inc. (Linda Shelton, Executive Director) is proud to present one of the hottest tickets in tap (and concert) dance right now, 2015 MacArthur Foundation “Gernius” Fellow Michelle Dorrance and her internationally renowned company Dorrance Dance. The company, under Dorrance's artistic leadership and choreography, will perform the world premiere of ETM: Double Downfrom April 26 to May 1 at The Joyce Theater. Tickets range in price from $20-$50 and can be purchased at www.Joyce.org, or by calling JoyceCharge at 212-242-0800. Please note: ticket prices are subject to change. The Joyce Theater is located at 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street. For more information, please visit www.Joyce.org.

Harlem Stage is pleased to present the seventeenth edition of their acclaimed dance series E-Moves. This year Harlem Stage has commissioned four evolving choreographers to create exciting new collaborative works with musicians and visual artists. This year's choreographers include Davalois Fearon, Desiree Godsell, Jason Samuels Smith and Laurie M. Taylor.To further support the development of the commissioned works, Harlem Stage has paired each of the artists with a mentor uniquely positioned to provide guidance and insight. This year's mentors are Ted Louis Levy, who is working with Samuels Smith; Nia Love, who is working with Fearon; Edisa Weeks, who is working with Taylor; and Marya Wethers, who is working with Godsell.

Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT)'s Executive Artistic Director Raymond Bobgan is proud to present DanceWorks '16, an annual showcase of contemporary dance.

Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT)'s Executive Artistic Director Raymond Bobgan is proud to present DanceWorks '16, an annual showcase of contemporary dance.

Following the critical acclaim and record-breaking ticket sales and attendance of Festival 2015, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival announces a new season of exciting programming featuring international artists, world premieres, and an impressive number of live music engagements. This season signals an exciting new era in Pillow history, as the Board of Directors plans to name a new Jacob's Pillow Director in early 2016. Former Executive and Artistic Director Ella Baff stepped down from her role in September of 2015, following a successful 17-year tenure.

Assembling a stellar cast of rising stars in the worlds of R&B, funk, soul, jazz and classical, Thelonious Monk Competition Winner and Grammy Award-winning bassist Ben Williams pays tribute to the musical legacy of Prince at Harlem Stage, December 11 and 12. Drawing inspiration from his iconic discography, Dearly Beloved - The Music of Prince will feature newly imagined arrangements and compositions that celebrate the virtuosity of Prince with a wide range of special guests including vocalists Goapele, Frank McComb and Christie Dashiell, tap dancer/choreographer Jason Samuels Smith, poet/emcee/vocalist W. Ellington Felton and additional surprise guests. A guest DJ will spin for the pre-performance mixer and after-party. As a preview to the December 12 performance of Dearly Beloved - The Music of Prince, Harlem Stage will present an intimate conversation with Ben Williams. He'll share his creative process forDearly Beloved and discuss the art of re-imagining and arranging works of famous artists.

Assembling a stellar cast of rising stars in the worlds of R&B, funk, soul, jazz and classical, Thelonious Monk Competition Winner and Grammy Award-winning bassist Ben Williams pays tribute to the musical legacy of Prince at Harlem Stage, December 11 and 12. Drawing inspiration from his iconic discography, Dearly Beloved - The Music of Prince will feature newly imagined arrangements and compositions that celebrate the virtuosity of Prince with a wide range of special guests including vocalists Goapele, Frank McComb and Christie Dashiell, tap dancer/choreographer Jason Samuels Smith, poet/emcee/vocalist W. Ellington Felton and additional surprise guests. A guest DJ will spin for the pre-performance mixer and after-party. As a preview to the December 12 performance of Dearly Beloved - The Music of Prince, Harlem Stage will present an intimate conversation with Ben Williams. He'll share his creative process forDearly Beloved and discuss the art of re-imagining and arranging works of famous artists.

ROLEX presents Career Transition For Dancers' 30TH ANNIVERSARY PEARL JUBILEE: A STAR-STUDDED RETROSPECTIVE tonight, September 28, at 7:00 pm in association with the Lloyd E. Rigler - Lawrence E. Deutsch Foundation, at New York City Center, 131 West 55 Street (btwn. 6 & 7 Aves) NYC followed by 'Supper With The Stars' in the Grand Ballroom at the Hilton New York.

ROLEX presents Career Transition For Dancers' 30TH ANNIVERSARY PEARL JUBILEE: A STAR-STUDDED RETROSPECTIVE on Monday, September 28, at 7:00 pm in association with the Lloyd E. Rigler - Lawrence E. Deutsch Foundation, at New York City Center, 131 West 55 Street (btwn. 6 & 7 Aves) NYC followed by 'Supper With The Stars' in the Grand Ballroom at the Hilton New York. Just announced, presenters for the Gala include: Michael Douglas, Cynthia Gregory, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Catherine Zeta-Jones!