Ken Roberson (choreographer) facts for kids

Kenneth L. Roberson, born in 1956 in Thomson, Georgia, is an American choreographer and dancer. He is well-known for his work on the musical Avenue Q. He has also directed and taught dance.

Kenneth Roberson's Early Life and Career

Kenneth Roberson grew up in Thomson, Georgia. He attended the University of Georgia to study journalism. One day, he saw a local dance group perform. This made him decide he wanted to be a dancer.

In 1979, he finished his journalism degree. He then worked at a newspaper called the Athens Banner-Herald. But he soon left that job. He wanted to try out for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. He studied there for two years. After that, he joined a dance-pop group called Fantasy.

Kenneth also learned tap dancing from a famous teacher, Henry LeTang. Mr. LeTang told him about a new musical called Black and Blue. It was going to open in Paris.

Starting on Broadway

Kenneth made his first appearance on Broadway in 1989. This was in the American version of Black and Blue. Broadway is a famous street in New York City known for its many theaters. After that, he danced in other musicals. These included a 1990 show called Oh, Kay! and Jelly's Last Jam. Jelly's Last Jam was a musical about the life of a musician named Jelly Roll Morton.

In 1998, Kenneth helped create the dances for John Leguizamo's play Freak. He was also nominated for an Emmy Award. This was for his choreography on Mr. Leguizamo's TV show, House of Buggin'.

Becoming a Choreographer

Being a choreographer means creating dance routines for shows. Kenneth choreographed the US tour of The Civil War in 2000. He also created the dances for both the Off-Broadway and Broadway versions of Avenue Q. Off-Broadway shows are smaller than Broadway ones. In 2009, he choreographed a show called A Boy and His Soul. Kenneth also directs a show called ETHEL. Terry Burrell wrote and performs in it.

Today, Kenneth Roberson is a Professor of Practice. He teaches theater, drama, and contemporary dance at Indiana University.

Kenneth Roberson's Work

Kenneth Roberson has worked on many different shows. He has been a dancer, a choreographer, and has worked in film and television.

As a Dancer

Here are some of the shows where Kenneth Roberson performed as a dancer:

• 1985 Black and Blue (European premiere)
• 1988 Sophisticated Ladies (European tour)
• 1989 Black and Blue (Broadway premiere)
• 1990 Oh, Kay! (1990 Broadway revival)
• 1992 Jelly's Last Jam

As a Choreographer

Kenneth Roberson has created dances for many musicals and plays. Some of his choreography work includes:

• 1996 A Brief History of White Music
• 1996 In Walks Ed
• 1998 Freak (Musical staging)
• 2000 The Civil War
• 2000 Show Boat
• 2000 Cinderella
• 2001 Guys and Dolls
• 2002 Harlem Song
• 2003 Ain't Misbehavin'
• 2003 Jar The Floor
• 2003 Avenue Q
• 2003 Great Joy!
• 2004 Drowning Crow
• 2005 The Color Purple (Alliance Theater world premiere)
• 2005 All Shook Up
• 2007 Ray Charles Live!
• 2009 A Boy and His Soul

Film and Television Work

Kenneth Roberson has also worked on projects for movies and TV shows:

• 1995 House of Buggin' (TV)
• 1998 Freak
• 2005 Lackawanna Blues (TV)
• 2004 Brother to Brother
• 2005 Preaching to the Choir

Awards and Nominations

Kenneth Roberson has been recognized for his amazing work in dance and theater. Here are some of the awards he has been nominated for:

• 1995 Nominated for Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography for House of Buggin'
• 2003 Nominated for Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Choreographer for Avenue Q
• 2004 Nominated for Lucille Lortel Awards and Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Choreographer for George C. Wolfe's Harlem Song
• 2009 Nominated for Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Choreographer for A Boy and His Soul