Love of Dance Theatre
“As a choreographer, I have always challenged my motives & concepts of not just seeing sequences defying gravity or birthing movements. I see the dancer who explores & transforms the musical dynamic vision of the choreography into great heights with desire, control and respect.
My passion has surfaced with a force of determination and purpose to create and design an original Dance Theatre Production based on The Commemoration Anniversary of 400 Years of African American History."
Artistic Director
My Education
A native of New York City, Thomas studied at the Henry Street Music School in Lower Manhattan at the Henry Street Playhouse Theatre.
She then auditioned as a student with the Mobilization for the Youth Cultural Arts Dance program. Each participant received $50 every two weeks. The training required 16 hours of Dance Classes and weekly performances. They traveled to perform in CANADA at EXPO '67 and San Antonio, TX. The dance group performed throughout the five boroughs of NY.
Choreographing Educators Rod Rodgers, Luly Santangelo, Pearl Reynolds, Pearl Primus and Chuck Davis were the core Masters of their craft.
Thomas then completed a successful audition at 'The Juilliard School’. There, she trained with Mary Hinkson, Jose Limon, Alfredo Corvino, Lucas Hoving, Helen McGee, Anna Sockolo, Betty Davis, Anthony Tudo and Sally Stackhouse.
Thomas also studied at The Dance Theatre of Harlem with Arthur Mitchel.
Master Techniques studied were Graham, Limon, Hourton, Dunham, Ballet Jazz and Improvisation.
My Experience
Thomas became a member of the George Faison Universal Dance experience. She toured extensively throughout the US with the company performing major ballets. Mr. Faison casted her as eye of the Tornado in the Original Broadway production of the “WIZ”.
Over the years she danced in other productions such as; The Dance Mobile, Derrick Walcott’s “Ti-Jean and His Brother’s, NY Public Theater, Shakespeare Festival, Houston Grand Opera Company’s World Premiere of Noa Ain’s Opera “The OUTCAST” and most recently danced at Central Park’s Summer Stage at the Richard Rodgers Amphitheater at Marcus Garvey Park In “The Wiz is 40. A celebration of Music and Dance ”.
My Achievements
Professor Thomas received the Bay Area Critics Circle award for the Choreography of “Air Guitar”. with The Lorraine Hansberry Theater. She played the role of the “Women” in Lorraine Hansberry’s play “Les Blac” at the Arena Stage, Washington DC and The Huntington Theater Co in Boston MA. During that time she choreographed “Sweet n Hot In Harlem”, Buffalo NY and Springfield MA.
Dr. Thomas received the Peralta Community College Lifetime Teaching Credential in DANCE. She has taught at Community School of the East Bay, Hope Academy, BEACON School, Shelton Primary. Laney College of Oakland, CA, Debbie Allen Dance Academy of Los Angeles, CA, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Repertory Dance Theater in Trinidad & Tobago, Sharmk Daval Performing Arts Institute in Mumbai India; Hillside HS, & Durham School of the Arts.