walter rutledge
1616 HAMMERSLEY AVE BRONX, NY 10469-3145
walterutledge@gmail.com
TEL 917 744 2601 FAX 718 379 4535
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND EDUCATION
Advanced Choreography with Bessie Schonberg at Dance Theatre of Harlem sponsored by the Jerome Foundation, New York, NY 1986-1987
Harkness House for Ballet Arts, New York, NY, full scholarship, 1980-1983
Private Study of Music Theory with Dr. W. Pflugradt sponsored by Rebekah Harkness Foundation, New York, NY, 1981-1983
Private Study in Acting with Dr. Maria Ley Piscator sponsored by the Erwin Piscator Foundation, New York, NY, 1981-1983
Temple University, Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance, Philadelphia, PA 1976-1980
Philadelphia School of Performing Arts, full scholarship, Philadelphia, PA 1977-1980
Dayton Contemporary Dance Theatre, Dayton, Ohio, summer scholarship, 1978
Brooklyn Museum of Art, Brooklyn, NY, 1974-1976
Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, New York, NY,full scholarship, 1973-1976
TEACHING EXPERIENCES
Developed and implemented theatre, musical theatre, dance and interdisciplinary arts programs for the public school systems of New York City and throughout the Southeast. Presents master classes and lecture demonstration series for grades from kindergarten through college. Has taught; theatre technique, dance and theatre improvisation, dance composition, set and light design, and choreography in academies, colleges and universities throughout the United States. Has developed and implemented curriculum for primary, secondary education and college. Developed and implemented syllabi and teaching guide for lecture demonstrations, master classes and performances. Has designed and implemented interdisciplinary Arts in Education presentations for youth, adult professionals and community based senior citizen organizations featuring large groups with up to 1700 participants.
P.A.I.R. Grant Recipient, Staten Island, N.Y.: A six month residency at the Staten Island Children’s Museum. Will design and implement arts-in-education program for youth pre K- age 10. November 2019- April 2020.
Dance of the Village Elders, New York, N.Y.: an exercise and fitness class designed to address the concerns of senior citizens. Originally sponsored by Harlem Hospital Center and Ailey Arts In Education and Community Programs, now a dance cooperative in conjunction with St. Philip’s Episcopal Church. December 2016- present
Casa Grant Recipient (DCA): Children’s Museum Of Staten Island, Staten Island, N.Y.: Teaching Artist-designed and implemented dance and theatre residencies for elementary and middle school students on Staten Island. November 2014- present
SU-CASA Grant Recpient (DCA): Teaching Artist- designed and implemented dance and theatre residency for senor citizens. R.A.I.N. Nereid Neighborhood Senior Center, Bronx, N.Y.: January 2018- 2022 R.A.I.N. Middletown Neighborhood Senior Center, Bronx, N.Y.: January 2017- June 2017. Bronxdale Community Association, Bronx, N.Y.: January 2016- June 2016,
Area Dance Company Atlanta, Ga.: Guest Instructor- performance workshop. July-August 2015.
Children’s Museum of Staten Island, Staten Island, N.Y.: Teaching Artist at P.S. 38, P.S.41, P.S. 60, P.S 65, P.S. 528 designing and implemented the dance component of an arts-in-education program for students grades 3 and 5. November 2014 through present.
Ailey Arts In Education and Community Programs, New York, N.Y.: designed and implemented adult dance/ fitness classes and schools residencies. December 2009- present 2016
Dance of the Village Elders, New York, N.Y.: an exercise and fitness class designed to address the concerns of senior citizens. Sponsored by Harlem Hospital Center and Ailey Arts In Education and Community Programs. December 2010- 2015
Dancers for A Variable Population New York, N.Y.: Instructor/Choreographer a program that provides movement and dance performance opportunities to senior citizens. September 2013- 2015
College of Staten Island, Staten Island, N.Y.: Adjunct Professor- Ballet, Dance History, Dance Composition, Choreography, Modern , Jazz, Improvisation and Jazz. Fall Semester 2010- present
Uptown Dance Academy, New York, N.Y.: Ballet, company class, men’s class, and partnering January – May 2010
Lower Richland High School, Columbia, South Carolina; Two-week dance/theatre and music residency with literacy component for approximately two hundred (200) participants February 2009
Keels Elementary School, Columbia. South Carolina; Two-week dance/theatre residency with literacy component for approximately three hundred (300) participants grades 3- 5 October 2008
Nanette Bearden Contemporary Dance Theatre School, Staten Island, N.Y.: Dance and theater program at P.S. 18 in West Brighton, Staten Island 2006- 2009
Dr. Bobby Jones Bi Annual International Gospel Retreat, Fort Lauderdale, Florida: Dance/Theatre Workshop, Movement for Actors, Dance Composition, Director Genesis Performing Arts Company 2005- 2008
Choir Academy of Harlem, New York, N.Y.; movement for choral performers grades 5 through 12, Choreographer for Boys Choir of Harlem and Girls Choir of Harlem 2000- 2004
Uptown Dance Academy, Manhattan, NY; Instructor for ballet, modern, and jazz dance, 1999.
Benedict College, Columbia, SC; Instructor for ballet, jazz, and modern dance, choreography and dance composition, Director of Harold Odom Dance Theatre. 1995- 1999
Phyllis Wheatley Theatre for Youth, Greenville, SC; Guest Teacher and Choreographer; taught modern and jazz dance; movement for actors, 1993 – 1999, Guest choreographer 2008- 2014.
Theatre Odyssey, Spartanburg, SC; Artist-in–Residence for schools in Spartanburg School District 7; taught modern and jazz dance, acting and acting improvisation 1994 – 1999.
Borough of Manhattan Community College, Manhattan, N.Y. Instructor- ballet 1987
College of Staten Island, Staten Island, N.Y. Adjunct Professor Jazz, Improvisation, Choreography 1985- 1987
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
Has designed and implemented dance, theatre, musical theatre, and movement courses for dance academies, colleges, seminars and community outreach programs. The programs included youth, young adults, professionals, and senior citizens and ranged from international renowned institutions to community-based organizations.
Ailey Arts In Education and Community Programs: Dance of the Village Elders – A dance and fitnessprogram that integrates dance, cardio, strength training and therapeutic/age appropriate based exercises for seniors at Harlem Hospital. The 10-month annual program culminates with performance open to the public. The program is a joint venture between Ailey and Harlem Hospital.
Dr. Bobby Jones Bi Annual International Gospel Retreat: Movement for Actors-Designed and implemented program to increase movement awareness and physical confidence for actors. Each session culminates with a performance before a live audience that is later broadcast on The Bobby Jones Gospel Show (BET and WORD Network).
Choir Academy of Harlem: Movement for Choral Performers (grades 5 through 12)- Designed and implemented a multi-year program for male and female students grade 5 through 12.
Nanette Bearden Contemporary Dance Theatre School: Dance and Theatre Workshop– Designed and implemented a dance and theatre program for youth 8 thru 18 with an emphasis on musical theatre.
CHOREOGRAPHY
Has created over 70 original dance and theatre works for professional dancers and performers in all areas of entertainment. Has choreographed ballet, modern, jazz, dance theatre and various period and popular dance styles for the concert stage, film, television and theatrical projects. Collaborates with internationally renowned recording artists, actors, directors, choreographers, visual artists, hairstylists, costume and set designers.
So Very Sly, Commissioned by Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center (THPAC), Brooklyn, N.Y. June 2018
The Gospel According To THPAC, Commissioned by Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center (THPAC), Brooklyn, N.Y. June 2017
Love In Bloom, Commissioned by Universal Temple of The Arts Staten Island, New York, N.Y. 2015 (stage/production manager and light designer), 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022 (stage/production manager, choreographer, director and light designer)
God Answers Prayers, Dance Of The Village Elders at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, New York, N.Y. June 2017
Motherless Child, Hearts Of Men at Montclair State University, Montclair, N.J. September 2016
Another Cracked Nut, College of Staten Island Dance Dept., Staten Island, N.Y.; December 2015
GIRLS ONLY, Danse4Nia Dance Company, Philadelphia, Pa; 2015/16 (premiere date May 2016)
Sentimental Reasons, Commissioned by Dancers For A Variable Population, New York, N.Y.; June 2015
Echoes From The Past, AREA Dance Company, Atlanta, Georgia; July 2015
Only In the Darkness Can You See The Stars, Dance Of The Village Elders, New York, N.Y.; March 2015
Goin Home, Commissioned by Dance For A Variable Population, New York, N.Y. June 2014
Ramp To Paradise, Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center, New York, N.Y.; November 2012
R&B Blues, Beauty For Ashes Dance Company, Norfolk, Virginia; June 2012 Les Demoiselle D’Avignon (after Picasso) Staten Island Ballet, Staten Island; September 2009
Brothers – American Heart Association, Apollo Theater New York City; May 8, 2009
Harlem Renaissance-A Rebirth, Jackson State University, Jackson, Mississippi; Director, Choreographer, lighting designer 2008
Dr. Bobby Jones Live CD recording Choreographer and performer 2007
A Soldier’s Tale, Staten Island, N.Y. (premiered with the Staten Island Symphony) Assistant to the Choreographer, Co- Choreographer/ Performer 2007
Soulful Noel, Director, Choreographer, Playwright, Set Designer, light designer, Original Gospel Musical premiered 1993 Charleston, South Carolina. Revived Columbia, S. C. 1995- 1998/ 2008, Orlando, Florida 2005, Miami, Florida 2007/ 2008
Tramaine Hawkins live CD recording 2006 choreographer, performer
On The Block (After Bearden), premiered New York, N.Y.; Nanette Bearden Contemporary Dance Theatre 2005
Spiritual Heritage, premiered Nagano, Japan; Dance/theatre work created for Boys Choir of Harlem 2003
Lift Every Voice, premiered Miami Florida, Florida Memorial College, Miami, Florida 2001
Souls—The Calah, (starring Earth Kitt) Benedict College premiered Columbia, S.C., 1997
Bible Stories, (Starring Donald Lawrence) national tour 1997- 1998
(Unabridged choreographic credits available upon request)
PUBLICATIONS
Has been contributing writer/arts critic and editor for both print and online local, national and international publications for over twenty years. Reviews entertainment events (dance, theatre, music, art, literature, film, food, fashion and lifestyle), conducts video and print interviews with artists in all disciplines. Articles range from critiques to historic commentary.
Le Danse Noir, Contributing Writer, 2014- present- Quarterly print and on-line dance publication
Out and About NYC Magazine, Editor In Chief, 2014- present- On-line arts and entertainment publication, which posts daily articles, reviews and interviews.
Attitude Magazine, Contributing Writer, 2010- 2017- Quarterly dance publication, in 2014 the magazine transitioned from print to on-line
Dance Magazine, Contributing Writer, On-line 2012
Harlem World Magazine, Senior Arts Critic, 2009- 2014- Developed the arts and entertainment component, which included identifying additional writers, and generating revenue from area specific advertisers and sponsors. In 2010 the magazine incorporated.
Miami Times, Contributing Arts Critic, 2007- 2009
Orlando Times, Contributing Arts Critic, 2005- 2007
Charleston Post and Courier, Contributing Arts Critic, 1993- 1995
COMMITTEES AND PROFESSIONAL ARTS ASSOCIATIONS
Dunham Institute of Atlanta, Board of Advisors, 2014- present
Clark Center NYC, Steering Committee, 2013- 2020
Danse4Nia: (Philadelphia, Pa.) Advisory Board. 2015- present
Area Dance Company: (Atlanta, Ga.) Advisory Board. 2015- present
Danse Nior Magazine: (Atlanta, Ga.) Advisory Board, contributing writer. 2014- present
New York Dance and Performance Awards (The Bessies): Selection Committee. 2012- present.
Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center: Artistic Advisor. 2010- present
South Carolina Arts Commission, Artist in Residence Lifetime Member, 1995- present
Nanette Bearden Contemporary Dance Theatre: Associate Artistic Director, Choreographer-in residency. 2004- present.
