USD Theatre Welcomes Back Broadway Choreographer Chet Walker
“We are excited and blessed to have an artist the caliber of Chet Walker working with our students. Walker’s creative scholarship is inspiring, relevant, and exciting. He will provide our students with unique, powerful, and significant learning opportunities while he is in residence,” said associate professor of theatre Patricia Downey, who was instrumental in bringing the acclaimed artist back to USD after his first stint as a guest artist in 2014.
Walker’s residency spans 10 days in the Department of Theatre, during which time he will choreograph eight dances for “Cabaret,” conduct dance workshops, and lecture about legendary jazz choreographer and performer Jack Cole.
“Cabaret” director Joe Stollenwerk said he is thrilled at the prospect of working with the renowned artist.
“I saw his choreography in “Pippin” three years ago and was blown away. I think it really speaks to the quality of the theatre program that we have such a talented and in-demand artist returning to work with our students again,” Stollenwerk said.
Walker has garnered acclaim onstage in theaters across the globe, as well as on screen and other media.
Walker originally conceived the show “Fosse,” which won the 1999 Tony Award for Best Musical. In 2013 he received the Outer Critics Circle Award, the Drama Desk Award, the Astaire Award, and a Tony nomination for his choreography of Stephen Schwartz’s “Pippin.” The show garnered 10 Tony nominations, winning four, including Best Revival of a musical.
His work as a director and choreographer has taken him around the world including London, Amsterdam, Mexico City, Madrid, Japan, Argentina, Israel, Brazil, Serbia and many other locales. Some of his recent shows include “A Chorus Line,” “Follies,” “Working,” “Funny Girl,” “The Producers,” and many other musicals, dance operas, and ballets. Walker’s newest project is the musical “Heat Wave,” which he will direct and choreograph for Broadway.
