Bio
Jōvan Dansberry is a director and choreographer whose work spans theatre, television, opera, and live performance. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, he earned his Bachelor of Arts from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles before making New York City his artistic home. Known for crafting compelling stories through movement, Jōvan combines a passion for innovative production design with a deep understanding of the performing arts.
As a performer, he has appeared on Broadway and national tours in Bob Fosse’s Dancin’, Wicked, MJ, and King Kong. His stage credits also include eight seasons with The Metropolitan Opera, along with productions at Roundabout Theatre Company and New York City Center. On screen and in live television, he has been featured in Saturday Night Live!, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Tony Awards, FX’s POSE, and Hulu’s Up Here.
Jōvan’s choreographic and movement direction credits include Porgy and Bess (The Metropolitan Opera- Assistant Choreographer), The Little Mermaid (Paper Mill Playhouse-Associate Director), Let the Good Times Roll (Phoenix Theatre Company- Associate Director/Choreographer), Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (Goodman Theatre- Associate Choreographer), and The Preacher’s Wife (Alliance Theatre- Associate Choreographer). As an educator, he is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of artists, serving on faculty at Rider University and guest teaching at Marymount Manhattan College and Penn State Musical Theatre. He also serves as Vice-Chair of the Associate Board at Classic Stage Company in New York City.
Jōvan Dansberry’s career reflects a deep commitment to storytelling, a mastery of movement, and an ongoing pursuit of expanding the possibilities of live theater.
Vision
In a world increasingly shaped by technology and artificial intelligence, I seek to reignite a collective appreciation for the immediacy and magic of theatre and live performance. By blending dance, theatrical storytelling, and bold production design, I hope my work transforms “performance” into an EVENT—a shared experience that captivates and connects. Each project aims to engage audiences across generations and backgrounds, positioning theater as a vibrant form of social entertainment that not only entertains, but also sparks conversation, reflection, and a passion for the power of live performance.