Bill T. Jones and his dance company, the iconic Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company, have performed in over 200 cities across 40 countries. In January, they will showcase why they are one of the most innovative and powerful forces in the dance-theater world when they take the stage in Hard Auditorium as part of the Schwartz Visiting Fellow program. This prestigious initiative brings world-renowned experts to Pomfret School, enriching the community with their expertise.
An acclaimed American modern dance choreographer, dancer, and artistic director, Jones is known for his visionary works that span a wide range of social, political, and personal themes. His boundary-pushing creations integrate diverse movement styles and explore themes of identity, race, and sexuality, offering a rich and thought-provoking experience. He has choreographed over 140 pieces for his company and other leading ensembles, including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Boston Ballet, Lyon Opera Ballet, and Berlin Opera Ballet.
Jones has received numerous awards, including two Tony Awards for his choreography in Spring Awakening (2007) and Fela! (2010), a MacArthur "Genius" Grant (1994), Kennedy Center Honors (2010), and the National Medal of Arts (2013).
Still/Here (1994), one of Jones’ most notable works, was a groundbreaking and, at the time, highly controversial multimedia piece staged during the AIDS epidemic. The performance, which grappled with themes of life and death, featured excerpts from “survival workshops” Jones conducted nationwide with individuals living with life-threatening illnesses. In the fall of 2024, the performance marked its thirtieth anniversary with a revival at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Howard Gilman Opera House, receiving wide acclaim.
Jones founded his dance company in 1982 with his late partner, Arnie Zane. While Zane died of AIDS-related lymphoma in 1988, the company has continued to innovate, retaining its original name. It has since merged with Dance Theater Workshop and now serves as a New York Live Arts resident company.
During his visit to the Hilltop on January 26 through 28, Jones will deliver an all-school lecture — which will include a performance component by his company — and will participate in a student panel discussion. A community lecture and performance will take place on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in Hard Auditorium, followed by a reception. This special event is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required.
Since 1989, world-renowned experts have visited Pomfret School through the Schwartz Visiting Fellow Program. This speaker series, made possible by the vision and generosity of Michael Schwartz ’66 and Eric Schwartz ’69, has welcomed an impressive roster of past fellows, including animal science professor Temple Grandin, author Bill Bryson, human rights activist Madame Jehan Sadat, historian David McCullough, and journalist, author, and national security analyst Peter Bergen.