Discipline: Interdisciplinary Art

Jason Samuels Smith

Discipline: Interdisciplinary Art
Region: New York, NY
MacDowell Fellowships: 2007

Jason Samuels Smith is an American tap dance performer, choreographer, and director. He began his professional performing career at an early age through Frank Hatchett's Professional Children's Program at the Broadway Dance Center in New York. At a young age he had appearances on Sesame Street and at the age of 15 was understudy to the leading role in the Tony Award winning Broadway show Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk. He won both an Emmy and American Choreography Award for Outstanding Choreography for the Opening number of the 2003 Jerry Lewis/MDA Telethon in a tribute to the late Gregory Hines. Samuels Smith was also awarded a Certificate of Appreciation by the City of Los Angeles for creating the First Annual Los Angeles Tap Festival in 2003 and received a proclamation declaring April 23 "Jason Samuels Day" from the City of Shreveport, Louisiana. In residence, Jason developed the concept and choreography for his Tribute to Charlie Parker: Charlie's Angels.

Studios

Watson

Jason Samuels Smith worked in the Watson studio.

Built in 1916 in memory of Regina Watson of Chicago, a musician and teacher, this studio was donated by a group of her friends, along with funds for its maintenance. Originally designed to serve as a composers’ studio with room for performance, Watson was used as a recital hall for chamber music for a…

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