by Matthew Dickens, renown Choreographer

Producer/Director/Choreographer Matthew Dickens is back in NoHo, this time choreographing the opening ballet for Jazz Dance LA’s Tribute to Our Friend Claude Thompson at the El Portal. Producer Anne Charmillot has invited Matthew to choreograph along with other esteemed choreographers such as Jaime Rogers, Donald McKayle, Hama, Roosevelt Flenoury and Keith Young. Charmillot is also co-producer of Matthew’s current film project, The War Zone coming in 2009.

“Choreographing in honor of Claude Thompson is a thrill” Dickens explained. “Claude is like the father of dance to all of us. His bio speaks for itself.” Claude Thompson was not only an exquisite Dancer and stylistic Choreographer, he was also an Educator. Many dancers have studied Jazz with Claude throughout the years. With his Horton and Graham based Afro/Jazz-centric style, he would use his strong steady hand claps to keep the beat during his ferocious warm up. Claude would watch each dancer with a keen eye seeing their soul as well as their technique. He not only improved technique, he engaged dancers to embody the very heart and soul of music. He was a master of his craft.

The Opening Ballet will pay homage to some of Claude’s work. “I am a fan of Classical Ballet and I also love Jazz. As a Director Choreographer, I plan to develop a piece that is theatrical incorporating the essence of Claude. His love of Blues Clubs at an early age inspires the story”. Choreography work for Matthew includes the film The Aviator, six seasons with the critically acclaimed Royal Dutch Air Force Orchestra and large stadium events for European Television.

As a young Actor, Matthew was forced to dance by his late mentor, Washington, DC’s foremost Director/Choreographer and co-founder of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Mike Malone. To earn extra money while in college and a member of the Acting Company at Karamu House in Cleveland, Mike and the late Kenneth Daugherty encouraged Matthew to teach Movement for Actors. He immediately decided that it was time for him to study dance too. He took Horton classes and studied ballet at the School of the Cleveland Ballet. Once moving to NY he was awarded a scholarship to the Ailey School. After a few months, the acting bug took over and he left Ailey’s to star in a European tour of Black Nativity. From there he continued his path to Broadway, performing as an Actor, Singer and Dancer in several shows such as Dreamgirls, Miss Saigon, Sunset Blvd, Smokey Joe’s Café and Stephen King’s Carrie. He soon made his way to Hollywood where things didn’t slow down. Having early training as a true ‘triple threat’ led him to perform in all three areas both simultaneously and apart. He danced for years with Debbie Allen and has worked with Michael Peters, Lester Wilson, Kenny Ortega and the like. He worked with Keith Young for months on the film Rent, directed by Chris Columbus and was honored to be cast in Bill Condon’s Dreamgirls, choreographed by Fatima Robinson and AJ. He makes a cameo as a dancing Matrix Agent in the soon to be released mockumentary Confessions of an Action Star directed by Brad Martin and choreographed by Paula Brown. Quite naturally his first film as Writer/Producer/Director is a dance film.

When asked to give advice to young dancers, Dickens replied "I would advise young dancers to find a teacher that fulfills your soul as well as your kinetic ability. A lot of teachers can take you thru ‘steps’, but are they nurturing the ‘you’ inside. This brings out a unique quality that makes you stand out in a crowd. Dancers that ‘dance’, dance for life. There’s a lot of work out there for dancers these days. There are also a lot of dancers auditioning. A good teacher can help you become a commodity in the industry. It is also wise to study Acting and Voice."

“Claude Thompson became the only teacher I would study with in years of late. I had the honor to write music for him, dance for him and sing for him. He always said to me ‘you should create a ballet dahling’”. Choreographing at Jazz Dance LA is an honor. Thank you Claude Thompson, thank you!

Jazz Dance LA’s Tribute to Our Friend Claude Thompson will be at the El Portal Theater for three performances only, June 20 (8pm) and June 21 (2pm and 8pm). Log onto www.jazzdancela.com for details. A limited number of discount tickets are available online at Goldstar Events.