Our Story
A Closer Look at the Dance Company
Facts about Duwane Pendarvis & Company Dance Theatre, Inc.
Pendarvis & Company, Founder/Director since 2001 made its professional debut concert sponsored in part by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council at the Harold Washington Library in Chicago, IL. The company relocated in 2018, renamed Duwane Pendarvis & Company Dance Theatre, Inc, Jackson, MS. The modern based dance company will educate, entertain and excite you. The organization features up and coming young professionals and the seasoned mature dances who uses experiences to relate to the everyday person; bringing a spiritual and human quality to the company’s repertoire; touching the lives of mankind, uplifting of hearts through our ministry of love and the power of dance.
The company teaches, trains and choreographs in the disciplines of Ballet, Jazz, Modern (Horton-based), Acrobatics, Tap and Hip-Hop dance technique. Continued
The company has performed in Dance Chicago, 2001-2002. In 2002 the company receives first Black Theatre Alliance Award Nomination for its compelling “Four Little Girls”, a tribute to Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, Cythnia Wesley, and Addie Mae Collins killed September 15, 1963, in Alabama bomb blast during the height of the Civil Rights Movement.
That same year, Pendarvis was named Artistic Director of Joel Hall II (second company). Duwane received a 2003 Best Solo Performance in Music/Dance Concert, and in 2004 nominated for its men piece, “Bother Blues”. The company shares with individuals and communities the African American experience of love, pain, and deliverance through spirituals, blues, and jazz music, using dramatic verse, song and movement, provoking man to “Feel the Spirit” (the power of love) “Share the Experience”.
Duwane was born in Jackson, Mississippi and attended Tougaloo College Tougaloo, MS where he majored in music with an emphasis in Voice and a minor in Art. He is a professional vocalist, dances, dance teacher, educator, poet, model, choreographer and actor. His professional travels have taken him across the United States, Europe, and the former Soviet Union, as a principal dances, dance teacher, administrative team, mentor and choreographer for 30 years and Assistant Artistic Director of the Chicago based Joel Hall Dance
where he taught Ballet, Jazz, Performance Workshops, and Modern (Horton based) dance technique for children and adults.
From 1989-1990, toured with the National Touring Company of Sesame Street Live as a Character and Dances. In 1991, resided in Los Angeles, CA, studying and performing with Lula Washington-LA Contemporary. Also was the Program Director and Choreographer for the National Youth Summer Sports Program in Los Angeles, CA.
In October 1991, on the cover of What’s On, Northamptonshire/Buckinghamshire, England, with fellow dances Angel Abcede and Keith Perry.
In 1992, received three grants from the Arts Alliance of Jackson and Hinds County of Mississippi, one of which helped launch a professional choreographic debut with Mississippi Ballet Company, APAC (Academic Performance Arts Complex), Jackson, and Edwards Attendance Center, Ewards, MS. From 1992-1999, Dance and Drama Director of the Department of Parks & Recreation, Grove Park, Jackson, MS. In 1997, Headliner
(lead actor, emcee, lead singer, and lead dances) at the Isle of Capri, off-Broadway production of A Legendary Review, Vicksburg, MS, Bossier City/Shreveport, LA. Also, Mississippi School for the Blind, Jackson, MS.
Returned to teach, choreograph, and to the administrative team, becoming a senior company dances from 2000-2018 with the Joel Hall Dances & Center. In 2001, the company staged its first concert, sponsored in part, by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council. In 2002, two commissioned works for the Black Catholics National Convention Grant; 2002-2004, nominated for three Black Theatre alliance Awards, Chicago, IL; 2003-2004, choreographed and performed for the Tougaloo College Humanities Festival, Tougaloo, MS; 2004-2005, Cultural Affairs Assistance Program Grants; 2004-2006, three Neighborhood Arts Program Grants; 2006-2008, Joel Hall Jazz Camp, Douglas Park, Department of Parks & Recreation, Chicago, IL; 2009, Artist in Residency, Evanston Township Lab School, Evanston, IL; 2011-2015, Washington Park Department of Parks & Recreation (Partnership) Chicago, IL; 2013, Professional Choreographer for Black College Dance Exchange (BCDE) Chicago State University, Chicago, IL; 2016-present, Resident Choreographer for the Montage Theatre of Dance, Raymond, MS; 2018-2019, Jackson State University Summer Camp, Dance Instructor/Choreographer,
Jackson, MS; 2020-2021, Individual Artist Project Grant; 2022-2023, Performing Artistic Fellowship Grant, 2024, Individual Artist Mini-Grant, Jackson, MS. Debuted new company, Duwane Pendarvis & Company Dance Theatre in Jackson, MS, on Sunday, June 5, 2021, at the historic Alamo Theater.
Professional dance training includes African, Ballet, Jazz, Modern (Dunham and Horton), and Tap. Other Performance Experiences Festivals: May-Fest (Glasgow, Scotland), the American Dance Festival (Durham, North Carolina), 1st Midwest Dance Festival (St. Louis, MO).
Industrials: Dances for Luster Curl Model Search, Johnson Products Model Search, Amoco Oil 100th Anniversary Fashion Show, Gay Games, Amoco Oil Anniversary Gala, Bonner Brothers Hair & Trade Show, and Pan American Games.
Musical Theatre: Jesus Christ Superstar as (Jesus), Being Beautiful (Miss Lonette, Actress) The Great Nitty Gritty (with the great Oscar Brown, Jr.).
Television: Dances on Blue Peter (Equivalent to Captain Kangaroo), London, England, Ebony Showcase-Birmingham, England, Essence Magazine, New York, New York.
He has had numerous teaching positions of dance in the idioms of Ballet, Jazz, Modern (Horton-based) and African Dance Technique at Universities, Parks & Recreation, Afterschool Programs, Elementary, Junior and High Schools, Summer Camps, School for the Blind.
