ROD RODGERS was a second generation choreographer who has worked extensively in modern dance and musical theatre. Rodgers, who was best known for development of a concert repertoire via the NYC based company, which bears his name, has been described as "...a unique voice in the field of contemporary dance today".

 

Productions by the versatile ensemble under Rodgers direction toured across the U.S. and abroad, including festivals in Mexico, Italy, and via U.S.I.S. (formerly the US State Department), an extended international tour to Senegal, Kenya, Nigeria, Zaire, Zambia, Syria and Portugal.

 

Many of his works explore and celebrate the Black experience. Drawing from his background as a percussionist the choreographer has developed unique signature repertoires including his acclaimed contemporary RHYTHMDANCES, in which the dancers contribute to the musical environment with hand held instruments as they move, and several major works of social commentary, "Victims," "Cameos of Women," and "POETS & PEACEMAKERS” a multi-arts series of tributes to Black Heroes.

 

His most recent works include She Sayings & Soul Songs..., Jazz Fusions, to music by Leon Parker, and Voices... for which his dramatic signature "BOX '71" serves as a prologue and comments on the increasingly widespread incarceration of young Black & Hispanic people across the U.S today.

 

Rodgers developed inter-disciplinary collaborations with a number of noted musicians and designers. In addition to his concert repertoire Rodgers credits include choreography for the Syracuse Opera Company production of AIDA, direction and staging of The Black Cowboys for the Harlem Opera presented at the City Center of Music & Drama, the Brooklyn Academy, and toured internationally.

 

He choreographed A Study In Color by Malcolm Boyd and The Prodigal Sister, an Off Broadway Musical for Woody King, Jr. Rodgers created the choreography and had a lead acting role in a WABC-TV special Like It Is TV based on "This is my Beloved". He has also staged a reading of Ntozake Shanges' Sassafras, Cypress & Indigo which was produced by Joseph Papp at the Public Theatre in NYC. Mr. Rodgers staged and directed several productions for Voices, Inc., including Journey into Blackness and a touring production of a musical tribute to Martin Luther King, which was also presented as a CBS-TV Special. His work was included in the first Dance Black America Festival at BAM, the Brooklyn Academy of Music retrospective on Black Dance.

 

Some of the Fellowships and commissions that he has received include the NY State Council on the Arts, the Rockefeller Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, Creative Artists in Public Service, the Beard Fund, the John Hay Whitney Foundation, and other sources. Rodgers was the recipient of the Spirit of Detroit Creative Award in Michigan; in NYC an AUDELCO for innovative Audience development programs.

 

Rod Rodgers' choreography is included in the repertoires of a number of companies across the U.S. Rodgers served as an arts consultant, a panelist for public and private grants programs and published several articles on dance.

 

As a Master Teacher Mr. Rodgers specialized in helping dancers make the critical transition from studio to stage techniques. He had lectured widely and been in residence at numerous colleges and universities both as a Guest Artist and regular staff member.

 

Rod A. Rodgers passed away on Sunday, March 24th, 2002 at St. Vincent's Hospital, New York.

 

The following is a statement by Kim Grier, Assistant Artistic Director of the Rod Rodgers Dance Company:

 

     "With deepest regret we announce the passing of Rod A. Rodgers. His loss is a tragedy for our Company and the Dance Community at large. Rod Rodgers Dance Company Members, Staff and his Family would like to express their warmest gratitude to our many friends for their support during his time of need."

 

Rod will always be an inspiration to us all, thanks to his passion for the arts and his many outstanding accomplishments.