Biography choreographer louis johnson

Louis Johnson was born in Statesville, North Carolina, and spent most of his childhood in Washington, D.C. After initial study at the Doris Jones-Clara Haywood School of Dance he moved to New York in 1950 to accept a scholarship at the School of American Ballet.
Director and choreographer Louis Johnson was born on March 19, 1930, in Statesville, North Carolina, but moved with his parents to Washington, D.C.
Louis Johnson was an American dancer, choreographer, teacher, and director whose work spanned ballet and modern dance.

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Louis Johnson

STAGE CREDITS

Hallelujah, Baby!

[Broadway]

Original Broadway Production, 1967

Ensemble [Replacement]

Tap (Understudy)[Replacement]

Tip (Understudy)[Replacement]

Kwamina

[Broadway]

Original Broadway Production, 1961

Dancer

House of Flowers

[Broadway]

Original Broadway Production, 1954

Ensemble/Other Roles

Townsperson

Productions

Play On!

[Broadway, 1997]

Creative Consultant

Daddy Goodness

[Broadway, 1979] [Replacement]

Choreographer[Replacement]

Purlie

[Broadway, 1972]

Choreographer

Purlie

[Broadway, 1970]

Choreographer

Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 1970 - Best Choreography

Louis Johnson , Purlie

News

THE WIZ Will Return to Broadway in 2024 Following National Tour
by Stephi Wild - Dec 1, 2022

An all-new production of the Tony Award-winning musical The Wiz, adapted from The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, will embark on a national tour before returning to Broadway for a limited engagement in the 2023/24 season.

Alpha Omega Celebrates 50th Annive

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Louis Johnson papers, 1930-2020, bulk 1950-2020

Access and use

Restrictions:

Two folders in this collection are restricted: Box 14, Folder 4 "Student Essays" (restricted until 2084) and Box 24, Folder 6 "Letter of Recommendation" (restricted until 2104).

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About This Orbit: Louis Johnson

Director and choreographer Louis Johnson found himself at the famed School of American Ballet, where he was mentored by Jerome Robbins and George Balanchine after being advised by his teachers to move to New York City. These associations led directly to a performance with the New York City Ballet and then on to Broadway shows. His public acclaim in these Broadway performances led to an offer to choreograph Lament for the New York City Ballet Club. That success, in turn, led to him receiving an offer to choreograph the Broadway production Black Nativity by Langston Hughes. He choreographed for films like Cotton Comes to Harlem and The Wiz, starring Michael Jackson and Diana Ross. Louis started Howard University’s Dance Department in Washington D.C.

Source:

Louis Johnson’s Biography, The History Makers

The Metropolitan Opera

Louis Johnson received great acclaim for choreographing operas performed by the Metropolitan Opera. His famous choreographed operas are La Giaconda, starring Martina La Rowa, and Aida, which starred Leonty