Bill T. Jones
Eminent-Artist-in-Residence, acclaimed choreographer and director Bill T. Jones will give his keynote speech Friday, Oct. 28, at 4:10 p.m. in the University of Wyoming Fine Arts concert hall. The event is free and open to the public.
Jones is a ground-breaking, multi-talented artist, choreographer, dancer, theater director and writer. He co-founded and is artistic director of the renowned Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, recognized as one of the most innovative and powerful forces in the modern dance world. The dance company recently performed at UW.
UW dance faculty member Margaret Wilson notes that Jones is widely considered to be one of the most important dance artists of the last century.
"When Bill T. Jones and Arnie Zane broke onto the dance scene in the late 1970s, they completely challenged our notions of who should dance, where dance should take place and who can partner with whom," Wilson says. "Jones' agendas have really expanded what the function of dance is in society and how dance can convey meaning and attach importance to issues that affect all of our lives."
Jones' vast body of work includes more than 140 works for his own company and numerous commissioned dance works for modern and ballet companies, including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Boston Ballet, Lyon Opera Ballet and Berlin Opera Ballet. He also has collaborated as a writer, director and choreographer on many works, including the musical "FELA!" on Broadway, for which he won a Tony Award and on projects involving new media and digital technology with OpenEnded Group.
Jones' work in dance has been recognized with the 2010 Jacob's Pillow Dance Award; the 2005 Wexner Prize; the 2005 Samuel H. Scripps American Dance Festival Award for Lifetime Achievement; the 2003 Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize; and the 1993 Dance Magazine Award.
