Bill T. Jones: FELA! Rehearsal Excerpt August 10, 2011

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Complete video at: http://fora.tv/series/masters_modern_dance

Directing a musical Jones has to think beyond dance choreography to lighting, dialogue, costumes, and set design. Watch an exclusive behind the scenes rehearsal as lead choreographer, Bill T. Jones, and, associate choreographer, Maija Garcia direct the cast of Fela in a rehearsal of the Storming scene from the musical.

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Bill T. Jones has long been recognized as one of this country's leading contemporary dancers and choreographers, known for his mix of athleticism and his willingness to take on big subjects from the world around him. Most recently, Jones is tackling history: Traveling around the country are works about the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln, on Broadway is 'Fela: the Musical,' which is about a 1970s African pop star and political activist. He discusses his work with PBS NewsHour correspondent Jeff Brown. - Macneil / Lehrer Productions

Artistic Director/Co-Founder/Choreographer/Dancer Bill T. Jones is the recipient of a 2007 Tony Award, 2007 Obie Award, and 2006 Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation CALLAWAY Award for his choreography for Spring Awakening; the 2007 USA Eileen Harris Norton Fellowship; the 2006 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Choreography for The Seven; the 2005 Wexner Prize; the 2005 Samuel H. Scripps American Dance Festival Award for Lifetime Achievement; the Harlem Renaissance Award; the 2003 Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize; and the 1994 MacArthur "Genius" Award.