{"id":14491,"date":"2022-01-23T14:20:39","date_gmt":"2022-01-23T14:20:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mobballet.org\/?p=14491"},"modified":"2025-04-21T07:16:21","modified_gmt":"2025-04-21T07:16:21","slug":"about-this-orbit-louis-johnson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mobballet.org\/index.php\/2022\/01\/23\/about-this-orbit-louis-johnson\/","title":{"rendered":"About This Orbit: Louis Johnson"},"content":{"rendered":"

About This Orbit: Louis Johnson<\/h2>\n

Director and choreographer Louis Johnson found himself at the famed School of American Ballet, where he was mentored by Jerome Robbins and George Balanchine after being advised by his teachers to move to New York City. These associations led directly to a performance with the New York City Ballet and then on to Broadway shows. His public acclaim in these Broadway performances led to an offer to choreograph Lament<\/em> for the New York City Ballet Club. That success, in turn, led to him receiving an offer to choreograph the Broadway production Black Nativity<\/em> by Langston Hughes. He choreographed for films like Cotton Comes to Harlem<\/em> and The Wiz<\/em>, starring Michael Jackson and Diana Ross. Louis started Howard University\u2019s Dance Department in Washington D.C.<\/span><\/p>\n

Source:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Louis Johnson’s Biography, The History Makers<\/a><\/p>\n

The Metropolitan Opera<\/a><\/h2>\n

Louis Johnson received great acclaim for choreographing operas performed by the Metropolitan Opera. His famous choreographed operas are La Giaconda<\/em>, starring Martina La Rowa, and Aida<\/em>, which starred Leontyne Price.<\/p>\n

Source:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Louis Johnson’s Biography, The History Makers<\/a><\/p>\n

Dance Theatre of Harlem<\/a><\/h2>\n
\"Louis
Louis Johnson and Cassandra Phifer-Moore rehearsing Forces of Rhythm<\/em> at Dance Theatre of Harlem<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As a choreographer, Louis Johnson created works for Dance Theatre of Harlem and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Johnson choreographed one of his most famous pieces Forces of Rhythm<\/em> in 1971. This famous piece was set to classical and contemporary music including Tchaikovsky and Donny Hathaway and became a signature work of DTH.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Louis Johnson, 90, Genre-Crossing Dancer and Choreographer, Dies, The New York Times<\/a>
\nOur History, Dance Theater of Harlem<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Howard University<\/a><\/h2>\n

Johnson oversaw multiple Black arts symposiums at universities and colleges such as Yale, Howard, Morehouse, and Virginia State. He taught the first-ever Black theater course for Yale, and in 1975, founded Howard University\u2019s Dance Department.<\/span><\/p>\n

Source:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Louis Johnson’s Biography, The History Makers<\/a><\/p>\n

Jones-Haywood Dance School<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/h2>\n

Louis Johnson is one of the many notable alumni who began their ballet training at the Jones-Haywood School of Ballet. With exceptional artistic talents, as well as gymnastic and dancing talents, he enrolled when he was in high school.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sources:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

SAB TRAILBLAZER: LOUIS JOHNSON, School of American Ballet<\/a>
\nLouis Johnson’s Biography, The History Makers<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kwamina<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/h2>\n
\n

\"KwaminaIn 1961, Louis Johnson performed alongside several notable Black dancers in Kwamina<\/em> on Broadway. These co-stars included Doris de Mendez<\/a> (New York Negro Ballet); <\/span>Charles Moore<\/a> (Negro Dance Theater, Katherine Dunham Company, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater); <\/span>Ronald Platts<\/a> (New York Negro Ballet); <\/span>Charles Queenan<\/a> (Negro Dance Theatre); and <\/span>Glory Van Scott<\/a> (American Ballet Theatre, Agnes de Mille Company, Katherine Dunham Company, Talley Beatty Company).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Source:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kwamina, Playbill<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

House of Flowers<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/h2>\n
\n

\"HouseBroadway musical House of Flowers<\/em> featured a cast of many familiar faces from the ballet and modern dance world. Louis Johnson performed an ensemble role as a \u201cTownsperson\u201d in the production with Donald McKayle<\/strong>, Arthur Mitchell<\/a> (New York City Ballet principal and founder of Dance Theatre of Harlem), and <\/span>Walter Nicks<\/strong>. The cast also included Alvin Ailey<\/strong> as Alvin, Carmen de Lavallade<\/a> as Carmen, <\/span>Geoffrey Holder<\/a> as The Champion, and <\/span>Glory Van Scott<\/a> as \u200b\u200bMamselle Cigarette. Johnson and Mitchell had performed together previously in a 1952 production of <\/span>Four Saints in Three Acts<\/em> and would work together in the future when Johnson choreographed for the Dance Theatre of Harlem.<\/p>\n

Source:<\/strong><\/p>\n

House of Flowers, Playbill<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Bernard Johnson<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n
\n

Louis Johnson and Bernard Johnson performed together as replacement ensemble members in Hallelujah, Baby!<\/em>, which earned the Tony Award for Best Musical in 1968. By this time, Louis Johnson had been performing on Broadway for over a decade and had been a part of the premiere of Jerome Robbins\u2019 Ballade<\/em>; Bernard Johnson had previously performed in On a Clear Day You Can See Forever <\/em>and with the New York Negro Ballet. The two dancers would have crossed paths in the past, as Louis Johnson choreographed Folk Impressions<\/em> for New York Negro Ballet.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hallelujah, Baby!, Playbill<\/a>
\nWard Fleming Founds Ballet Americana\/New York Negro Ballet, MoBBallet<\/a>
\nBernard Johnson, MoBBallet<\/a>
\nLouis Johnson, MoBBallet<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

James Thurston<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n
\n

Louis Johnson and James Thurston worked closely together during Treemonisha<\/em>, for which Johnson was choreographer. Thurston, previously a dancer with the New York Negro Ballet, a company for which Johnson choreographed, served as assistant choreographer, dance captain, and dancer for Treemonisha<\/em>. The reprisal of Scott Joplin\u2019s 1911 opera premiered October 21, 1975 on Broadway. Joplin\u2019s creation was largely unknown during his lifetime and only officially premiered in 1972.<\/p>\n

Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n

James Thurston, MoBBallet<\/a>
\nTreemonisha, Playbill<\/a>
\nTreemonisha, Wikipedia<\/a><\/p>\n

Arthur Mitchell<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n
\n

Louis Johnson and Arthur Mitchell performed together in several stage productions. Both made their Broadway debuts dancing in 1952 in Four Saints in Three Acts<\/em>. At this time, Mitchell had started studying at the School of American Ballet but had not yet joined New York City Ballet. Johnson and Mitchell may have crossed paths outside of rehearsal and performing Four Saints in Three Acts<\/em>, as Johnson performed with New York City Ballet in Jerome Robbins\u2019 Ballade<\/em> that same year. The two dancers again worked together playing \u201cTownspeople\u201d in House of Flowers <\/em>on Broadway. They would work together in the future when Johnson choreographed for the Dance Theatre of Harlem. Forces of Rhythm<\/em>, one of Johnson\u2019s most popular ballets, was created on DTH and premiered in 1972.<\/p>\n

Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Four Saints in Three Acts, Playbill<\/a>
\nLouis Johnson, 90, Genre-Crossing Dance and Choreographer, Dies, The New York Times<\/a>
\nHouse of Flowers, Playbill<\/a>
\nLouis Johnson, MoBBallet<\/a><\/p>\n

Four Saints in Three Acts<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/h2>\n
\n

\"FourLouis Johnson; Arthur Mitchell<\/strong>, legendary New York City Ballet dancer and founder of Dance Theatre of Harlem; and Helen Taitt<\/strong>, a member of the New York Negro Ballet and founder of the School of Guyana Ballet, appeared in Four Saints in Three Acts <\/em>on opening night and most likely all 15 performances of the opera in 1952. William Dollar<\/strong> served as their choreographer. It is unknown if Mitchell and Johnson met during this production, but it most likely helped solidify a relationship that would lead to Johnson choreographing pieces for the Dance Theatre of Harlem, including one of his most notable creations Forces of Rhythm<\/em> in 1971.<\/p>\n

Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Four Saints in Three Acts, Playbill<\/a>
\nLouis Johnson, 90, Genre-Crossing Dance and Choreographer, Dies, The New York Times<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The Wiz<\/em><\/a><\/h2>\n
\n
\"\"
Louis Johnson and Sidney Lumet on the set of The Wiz\u00a0<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lena Horne<\/strong>, in the role of Glinda the Good Witch of the South, was a member of The Wiz<\/em>\u2019s all-star cast. Though Horne had plenty of experience performing on Broadway, she was not a part of the original stage production, nor was Louis Johnson, who took over from George Faison as choreographer for the film version.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Glory van Scott<\/strong>\u2014member of American Ballet Theatre, the Agnes de Mille Company, the Katherine Dunham Company, and the Talley Beatty Company\u2014performed a bit part in the 1978 film The Wiz<\/em>, credited as the \u201cRolls Royce Lady.\u201d Due to her dance experience, it is likely she worked with Louis Johnson during filming. Johnson and Scott additionally performed together in House of Flowers<\/em> and Kwamina<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Wiz (film), Wikipedia<\/a>
\nThe Wiz, Playbill<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"Princeton
\nVictoria Merengwa
\nNeenah Young
\nNicole Young<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Madeline Crawford<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

About This Orbit: Louis Johnson Director and choreographer Louis Johnson found himself at the famed School of American Ballet, where he was […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":134,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[288,253],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14491","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-louis-johnson-constellation-universe","category-universe"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mobballet.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14491","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mobballet.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mobballet.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mobballet.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/134"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mobballet.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14491"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/mobballet.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14491\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15230,"href":"https:\/\/mobballet.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14491\/revisions\/15230"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mobballet.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14491"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mobballet.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14491"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mobballet.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14491"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}