Thomas Ford, MFA, is an interdisciplinary dance artist based in Los Angeles who has collaborated with artistic partner—and husband—Steven Atwater since 2016. Currently, they are interested in how otherness can be reconciled in the speculative landscapes of science fiction, exploring alternative frameworks for understanding the personal, cultural and political.

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Choreography (commissions, residencies and projects): The Joyce Theater, Next@Graham (Martha Graham Dance Company Choreographic Series), Ailey Citigroup Theater, STEPS Performance Lab, Peridance APEX Showcase, Kaye Playhouse, Joffrey Ballet School, Apollo Theater, Symphony Space, USC Kaufman, Boulton Center, KnJ Theater, Capezio A.C.E. Awards, White House National Christmas Program, "The Today Show" (NBC). Upcoming: Sierra Madre Playhouse (May 2025)

 

Teaching: BODYTRAFFIC, José Limón Dance Foundation, Joffrey Ballet School, USC Kaufman, Marymount Manhattan College, Hunter College/CUNY. Thomas' pre-professional students have been accepted to BFA/dance programs at Ailey/Fordham, Marymount Manhattan College, New York University, SUNY/Purchase and PACE University, among others, and summer programs at American Ballet Theatre and the Rock School

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Performance: The Kennedy Center Honors, "The Today Show" (NBC), Debbie Allen’s “Dreams,” A Capitol Fourth (PBS), The Radio One Music Awards, soloist with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, national tours with Mike Minery’s “Tapaholics” and the renowned D.C.-based troupe Tappers With Attitude, Darvejon Jones' "Blacklash" at La Mama Experimental Theatre Club and the Kraine Theater

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Writing: ELLE, Dance Magazine, Movement Research Performance Journal, the Brooklyn Rail, Dance Spirit (contributing editor), Dance Teacher, the Dance Enthusiast and CultureBot. Chapter in forthcoming anthology, edited by Sherrie Barr and Karen Schupp, to be published in 2024. Currently: Co-editing special collection for the Journal of Dance Education

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Awards and service: National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA/YoungArts) Presidential Scholar, Assistant Editor of the Journal of Dance Education, university-wide and department committees

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Thomas holds a Bachelor of Arts from Marymount Manhattan College and a Master of Fine Arts in dance from Hunter College/CUNY.