Thaddeus Davis

Atlanta Dance Theater (1988)
Indianapolis Ballet (1991-1993)
Fukuoka City Ballet (1995)
Dance Theatre of Harlem (1994-1998)
Donald Byrd/The Group (1998-2002)
Complexions Contemporary Ballet (1995-2005)
Fugate/Bahiri Ballet NY Dance Galaxy (2000-2002)

Thaddeus Davis was born in Montgomery, Alabama. He is the co-artistic director of Wideman/Davis Dance and is currently on faculty as an assistant professor at The University of South Carolina. He began his dance studies with The Montgomery Civic Ballet, Carver Creative Performing Arts Center, and the Alabama Dance Theatre. Following high school he studied and danced with Barbara Sullivan’s Atlanta Dance Theatre and Dyann Robinson’s Tuskegee Cultural Arts Center. Davis has trained with many of the premier schools in the country including: Dance Theatre of Harlem, Boston Ballet, David Howard Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, Atlanta Dance, and Tuskegee Cultural Arts Center. Davis earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Butler University in 1993 and his Master of Fine Arts from Hollins University/ADF in 2011.

Davis has received multiple honors and grants for his work including: 2013 Map Fund Grant to support the research and development of his current project Ruptured Silence: Racist Signs and Symbols; the Jerome Robbins New Essential Works Grant (2011); University of South Carolina Arts Institute’s Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Reading/Dance Collaboration; Balance: Homelessness Project (2009); Canvas: The Master Class (2010); Cultural Envoy to Portugal, US State Department (2007); Highlight of the Arts Season, Commercial Appeal, Memphis (2006); Winner of The New American Talent Choreographers Competition, Ballet Austin (2005); Choo San Goh Award for Choreography (2004); Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” (2002); Best Premiere of the Season, Dance Europe for Once Before, Twice After (2002-03); The New York Times Top Ten Dance Highlights of the season for Once Before, Twice After (2002), calling it “reassuring evidence of New York dance’s promising future;” and Butler University’s “50 under 50” (2004).

Davis’ professional performance experience includes work with the following companies: Donald Byrd/The Group (1998-2002), Creative Assistant to Donald Byrd (2000-02), Dance Theatre of Harlem (1994-98), Complexions Contemporary Ballet (1995-2005), Fugate/Bahiri Ballet NY Dance Galaxy (2000-02), Indianapolis Ballet (1991-93), Fukuoka City Ballet (1995), and Atlanta Dance Theatre (1988). Davis has taught as a visiting professor at the University of Iowa (2008) and for the following professional dance companies and programs: Ailey II (2012), Boston Ballet (2011), Dance Theatre of Harlem (2011), Ballet Quorum in Portugal (2007), Northwest Professional Dance Project (2005-2007), COCA (2005-2007), Ballet Austin (2004-06), Ballet Classical Dominican in the Dominican Republic (2004-2006), Spectrum Dance Theater (2005), and Steps on Broadway (2003-2004). In addition, Davis has taught as a guest artist at the following universities and dance centers: North Carolina School of the Arts (2012), Florida State University (2012), Webster University (2011), Long Island University (2011), Marymount Manhattan (2011), University of Missouri-Kansas City (2011), Goucher College (2007), Auburn University (2006), Alvin Ailey/Fordham University (2005), Butler University (2005), Arizona State University (2004), and The Juilliard School (2003).

Davis and Tanya Wideman-Davis began Wideman/Davis Dance in 2003 and continue to create work together. They have collaborated in the creation of the following works: past-carry-forward, CANE, Etta and James, Balance, Voypas, Bosket Affair, Bends of Life, Based on Images, Fragmentation, and Rock and My Soul. In addition, they have created numerous works for the University of South Carolina Dance Company, Ballet Memphis, Phrenic New Ballet, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Fugate/Bahiri Ballet NY, The Juilliard School, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Reflections Dance Company, and Nevada Ballet. Community engagement is an essential component to the work, research, and integrity of Wideman/Davis Dance. Bends of Life (2006-2008) toured through the public school system of the impoverished “black belt region” of Alabama, sponsored by The Alabama State Council on the Arts and sponsored by The National Performance Network in Cincinnati, OH; Durham, NC; and Austin, TX. Eau Claire High School in Columbia, SC hosted The Recession and its Affect on Teenagers residency in 2010. Wideman/Davis Dance has taught movement classes at the Family Shelter of Columbia South Carolina (2009) and performed multiple lecture demonstrations at the Calhoun School (2005-2010).

Currently, Davis continues to perform, research, choreograph, collaborate, and teach. His current research explores the intersections of gender, class, race, and technology through an African American lens. His research unfolds through the creation of original dance, dance theater, and writing, including: Voypas: Observation, Surveillance, Voyeurism (2011); A Dissembled Life (2011); Commitment to Change; Dance Theatre of Harlem: Modernism, History, Culture (2011); Balance (2009); and Bosket Affair (2008).

Source:

Thaddeus Davis, U of SC Arts and Sciences