Daryl’s Bio

Daryl L. Foster was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and began his training at the age of 18 as a student at the University of Alabama. He graduated with a degree in Dance and  English, and while studying and training he was able to secure scholarships from Harvard Summer Dance, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, and two full scholarships to the American Dance Festival at Duke University. After leaving Alabama he joined the renowned Dayton Contemporary Dance Company as a Dancer with DCDC2 in Dayton, Ohio. He also began a relationship with musical theater as an ensemble member of  The University of Southern Indiana’s performance company at the Lincoln Boyhood National Monument, where he performed roles in The Music Man, The Sound of Music, and the title shows Young Abe Lincoln. Daryl eventually left the midwest for New York City to pursue bigger dance opportunities. After dancing in an opera about Nelson Mandela, and working administratively for Urban Bush Women his New York time would be cut short by the fateful events on September 11th, 2001. During that dark time in American History, he took the time to contemplate a new path that would lead him to graduate study at Florida State University where he would earn his MFA in Performance and Choreography. He would move on to direct and teach dance at Booker Middle School for the performing arts before moving to Atlanta, Georgia in 2006. Once in Atlanta Daryl began his journey in higher education as an adjunct professor at Kennesaw State University. He continued his academic career with faculty positions at Spelman College, Agnes Scott College, and the University of Georgia where he served four years as the first person of color to hold a full-time appointment. In 2010 Daryl along with Terry Slade premiered LIFT Men. Dance. Life. a showcase featuring male dancers, and choreographers working together to discuss, and create work about men of color and the issues we face. Over the past 10 years, 100s of men have communed, performed, presented work, and trained with LIFT. He also created EMERGING: A New Choreographers Showcase to nurture, develop, and present the work of aspiring choreographers. Twice a year the EMERGING process would take 10 choreographers through a complete, and immersive process that culminated in a fully produced performance with feedback from industry professionals. Currently, Daryl is continuing to write, produce, direct, and is expanding LIFT into an artist management company. 

Daryl L. Foster

347.463.4106 daryllfoster@gmail.com www.darylfoster.com

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EDUCATION

The Florida State University

MFA, CHOREOGRAPHY & PERFORMANCE, 2002-2005

Master’s Thesis

“Examining the lives of Black Men in America through the lens of DANCE: Culture, Class, and Ethnicity.”

PRIMARY ADVISORS

(Dr. Sally Summer and Dr. John O. Perpener)

“My work begins in the gay nightclubs of Atlanta, Georgia. I discovered the art form of J-Sette, which is a sub-cultural adaptation of HBCU marching band dance lines. These men grew up watching the dance teams, and once they became adults, they took it to the clubs to compete with men from other cities. This experience sparked an interest in black men, sub-cultural spaces of expressions, and how we express ourselves as black men.”

The University of Alabama

BA, DANCE & ENGLISH, 2000

ONGOING AREAS OF RESEARCH AND INTEREST

“I am continually interested in the relationship of black men in the arts. The intersectionality of culture, class, and ethnicity and how we navigate our environments as we grow and evolve. I am an avid lover of architecture and urban planning, and I use the built environment as inspiration to inform my work. I also use photography and filmmaking as tools to document my work and as an additional tool of expression.”

SUMMARY STATEMENT ON TEACHING AND INSTRUCTION

“Being an instructor is probably one of the areas of my career where I have been the most effective. I take pride in seeing my students succeed, and go far beyond where I have been able to reach. One of my biggest assets as an instructor is my versatility as an instructor. I am able to teach a wide variety of subjects ranging from Jazz, Ballet, Modern (Horton), Contemporary, Dance History, Dance Appreciation, and more. In addition to the academic experience listed here, I have been blessed to teach in many other venues, including regular classes with my company, LIFT, Moving in The Spirit, Moving In The Spirit’s “Men In Motion,'' “Alternate Roots,” Tri-Cities High School, Northside High School, The Alabama School of Fine Arts, Douglas Anderson High School Jacksonville, Florida, Carver High School, The University of Alabama, The University of Mississippi Oxford, Alabama Contemporary Dance Company, AREA, Gotta Dance Atlanta, Dance 411, and Dance 101.”

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS

University of Georgia, Athens, GA

LECTURER |2010-2014

Dance Appreciation

Jazz Dance Technique

Contemporary

The History of Hip Hop Dance

Integrating Technology Into Your Dance Career

Spelman College, Atlanta, GA

LECTURER & GUEST ARTIST | 2007-2010

Jazz Dance Technique

Modern Dance (Horton)

Contemporary

Dance Appreciation

Ballet

Agnes Scott College, Atlanta, GA

Adjunct | 2008

Jazz Dance Technique

Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA

Adjunct |2006-2007

Jazz Dance

Musical Theater Dance

Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL

TEACHING ASSISTANT | 2002-2005

Jazz Dance Technique

Contemporary

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

National Black Arts and Gibron Shepperd | April 2021

Served as an artistic advisor, consultant, and co-director for “Sabbath Afternoon”, book launch, and reading for Mr. Shepperd’s new book.

The University of The Arts |2020

Served as a professional mentor and academic advisor for The University of The Arts MFA Dance Program.

Dancer CiCi Kelley is an MFA candidate in the University of The Arts MFA low residency program. It is my responsibility to mentor her in the creation of her scholarly work. I have worked with her for a semester and plan on supporting her until the end of her matriculation in 2021.

“This Little Light” Live performance based on the life of Fannie Lou Hamer | 2020

Producer and director of this video preservation project of the poignant one-woman show, “THIS LITTLE LIGHT”, by Dr. Billie Jean Young. I was in charge of producing an electronic format for safe viewing during the C19 pandemic, and archiving for posterity.

LIFTed Media Group | 2020 - PRESENT

Founder and Director.

LIFTed Media Group comprises photographers, videographers, graphic designers, and visual media artists who have come under one umbrella to primarily provide branding services for creatives within and outside the Atlanta community.

LIFT Talent Management | 2019 - PRESENT

Founder and Manager

LTM was founded to manage and support a collective of intergenerational dance artists that I have developed into professionals through the parent company, LIFT Dance, and other creative institutions. LTM works in conjunction with local agents, including Jessica Talley at Aligned Stars Talent Agency. I am currently managing six clients, four dancers, one choreographer, and one fashion designer.

LIFT Men. DANCE. Life. | 2010-PRESENT

Founder and Artistic Director.

LIFT Men. Dance. Life. was founded in 2010 by Terry Slade and myself. We premiered at the Woodruff Arts Center on the Hertz Stage to a sold-out house. Now LIFT continues as a professional dance company, and creates work that focuses on the culture, class, and ethnicity of Black Men. The intention is not about the exclusion of others, however, the creation of an affinity space where black men can work out societal issues, in an effective way, as well as, have a form of expression to be heard, and understood by society at large. To date, LIFT has created 10 years of content/performances, given nearly 80 choreographers a platform to create work, and trained hundreds of men.

The Woodruff Arts Center | 2014 - 2018

Patron Services/Box Office.

Ticketing, member services, and guest relations for High Museum of Art, Alliance Theater, and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

EMERGING Showcase | 2011-2014

Co-Founder and Artistic Director.

“Emerging is a choreographer workshop for new choreographers in the Metro Atlanta area that provides educational opportunities

across dance disciplines. Served as Producer from conception to production. EMERGING has brought together over 50

choreographers and 200 dancers to create new choreography, and work with professional mentors with adjudicated feedback.

Participants were also taught, and responsible for: hanging and focusing lights, programming the lighting board, laying flooring,

hanging, masking, and working sound. The students were also responsible for marketing and promotion of their work. “

Gotta Dance Atlanta | 2010-2015

Contemporary Instructor, Staff Supervisor, Scholarship Director, and Work-Study Director.

“During my time at Gotta Dance Atlanta, I managed the existing work-study program which was the only program in Atlanta, Georgia to offer pre-professionals reduced-cost training with industry professionals. I also created a scholarship program that offered free training for the most talented dancers and has at this point prepared dancers to work in some of the most elite professional jobs in the industry. “

CHOREOGRAPHIC COMMISSIONS and RESIDENCES

“Once on This Island” | Meadow Brook Theater Detroit | JANUARY 2015

“Cell” | CELL FILM HOLDINGS, LLC | JANUARY – FEBRUARY 2014

• Served as movement consultant/choreographer for the film, an adaptation of the Stephen King book, CELL. The film features Samuel L. Jackson, Stacy Keach, and Isabella Furhman

Phases of Love Choreographers Showcase, | 2013 Dir. CICI KELLEY FEB.

Juel D. Lane and Friends, Choreographers Showcase | APRIL 2012

Modern Atlanta Dance Festival | 2010, 2008

Coalition to Remember the 1906 Race Riots| JULY – DECEMBER 2006

“An amazing experience that taught the history of the 1906 Atlanta race riots. As a part of this grant-funded project I was able to use dance and creative art projects to connect with an entirely new generation to ensure that the memory of this historic event was not misunderstood or forgotten.”

Alabama Shakespeare Festival | 2000-2003

“Camp Shakespeare is a program that teaches Shakespeare to children via a weeklong residency that tours to schools in the state of Alabama. The Artistic team includes The director (acting), Choreographer (dance), Stage Combat, Music, and Technical Theater. This was an extremely rewarding experience that took me on tours across Alabama for three years, and taught me so much about children, art and culture, and the importance of keeping people connected to the arts no matter where they live!”

Alabama Contemporary Dance Company | OCT. -DECEMBER 2000

AMERICAN BALLET THEATER | SUMMER 2000

“I was initially a scholarship student to the ABT Summer Intensive and worked up to being a camp counselor. I would later return as a professional instructor and teach Horton and Jazz classes as well as create a work for the ABT Summer Intensive and showcase. “

Dayton Contemporary Dance Company: DCDC2|-MAY 2003

“In 2003 we celebrated 100 years of manned flight, and Orville and Wilbur Wright are Dayton’s very own sons. So as a part of the celebration, I was chosen to return to my beloved home dance company of DCDC to assist Jawole Willa Jo Zollar in the creation of a new work for the “Flight Project” alongside Bill T. Jones, Doug Varone, and others. While in residence I was chosen to create a new work for DCDC2, LIFT about “escaping the gravity of a difficult situation”.

Dance Alabama! | AUGUST 1995 – -MAY 1998

ANTHOLOGY of CHOREOGRAPHIC WORKS

FROM 2000 TO - PRESENT

GET THERE - American Ballet Theater Summer Intensive (2000)

FIRST NIGHT - Alabama Contemporary Dance Company (2000)

JOY - Florida State University- (2002)

LIFT - FSU (2002) Restaged Dayton Contemporary Dance Company: DCDC2 (2003)

NIGHT SHIFT- FSU (2005)

SEXTET- FSU (2005)

UNTITLED Kennesaw State University (2006)

PURPLE - Spelman College (2007)

AFTER Spelman College (2008) Restaged for LIFT: Men. Dance. Life (2011)

GONE TOO SOON - LIFT (2010)

MATING GAME - LIFT (2010)

AZURE - The University of Georgia (2011)

ALL OF THE THINGS THAT I’VE LOST - UGA (2011)

FOSTER CARE- LIFT (2011)

I TOO and AMERICAN MANDINGO (2012)

DHARMA - LIFT (2013)

TOO A MAN and COMMUNITY CIRCLE - LIFT (2014)

FLOWERS FOR THE 13th - GESTURE-LIFT - (2018)

QUARANTINE STUDIES #5 and #10 (2020)

DANCE RESIDENCIES

AVIATION ARTS CENTER. Atlanta, GA

LIFT was awarded a six-week residency to rehearse and complete work on “CITIZEN LIFT” a community show, and master class culminated the experience. | Spring 2018

NEW HAVEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, New Haven, CT.

TEACHING AND CHOREOGRAPHY| 2016, 2017, 2018

FULTON COUNTY DANCE WEEK, Atlanta, GA

Lecture Demonstration, and works in progress performance | Spring 2018

THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI, Oxford, MS

TEACHING AND CHOREOGRAPHY | MARCH 2013

DOUGLAS ANDERSON SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS, Jacksonville, FL RECRUITMENT & MASTERCLASSES | OCTOBER 2010, 2011, 2012

SANTE FE COMMUNITY COLLEGE, Gainesville, FL.

TEACHING AND CHOREOGRAPHY| MARCH 2010

THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA| ATHENS, GA

GUEST TEACHING AND CHOREOGRAPHY | APRIL 2010

MOVING IN THE SPIRIT, MEN IN MOTION

ATLANTA, GA | MAY 2009

“This is Moving In The Spirit’s program for boys ages 9 to 16 directed by Chris McCord. I was able to teach, offer a small performance, and set a short piece.”

NEA FELLOWSHIP/ALABAMA CONTEMPORARY DANCE COMPANY | MOBILE, AL

OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2000

“ This was a large grant that brought to Mobile various talents to celebrate “First Night Mobile” The program brought training performance opportunities, and resources to various underserved communities alongside seasoned artists to celebrate the Mobile, the New Year, and Century!”

DANCER

“KING BOLDEN” | KING BOLDEN MOTION PICTURES, LLC | NOVEMBER 2014

“This independent film project was the baby of Dan Pritzker, and chronicled the life of Buddy Bolden, father of Jazz Music”

BALLETHNIC DANCE COMPANY | AUGUST 2007-MAY 2008

“I was a guest artist for Ballethnic’s signature work “The Leopard’s Tale”

NATIONAL CENTER FOR CHOREOGRAPHY | MAY – JUNE 2004

“I worked with the Center to recreate the classic work “ Dolly Sods, after the Flood”, choreographed by dance veteran DanWagner”

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS | MAY 1999; AUGUST 2002

“The University of Southern Illinois hosted and produced two shows each summer at the 1500 seat amphitheater loathed at the Lincoln Boyhood National Monument. I was a performer in the resident musical, “Young Ave Lincoln” in addition to “The Music Man”, “The Sound of Music”, and “Civil Suite” a choreographic retelling of the American Civil War.

OPUS DANCE THEATER – NEW YORK | OCTOBER 2001 – MAY 2002

RIVERSIDE CHURCH – NEW YORK CITY | SEPTEMBER 2001 – DEC. 2001

“I was chosen as a dancer to perform in an Opera about Nelson Mandela. The experience of dancing in the historic Riverside Church was very spiritual to me”

DAYTON CONTEMPORARY DANCE COMPANY: DCDC2 | AUG 1998 – May 2000

“The Dayton Contemporary Dance Company is one of the oldest historically black dance companies with one of the largest repertoires of any company in America. I was a dancer in the Second Company/ DCDC2 and over the course of the two years that I was in the company I performed nearly 150+ performances.”

SOUTHERN DANCE WORKS, Birmingham, AL | JAN. 1996 - MAY 1997

“I was a guest artist and performed with Teri Wexler and Australian choreographer John McLaughlin. This was one of the first times that I had the opportunities to perform with professionals, and do vastly different types of Modern Dance. “

DANCE ALABAMA!, The University of Alabama| AUGUST 1995-MAY 1998

ALABAMA REPERTORY DANCE THEATER, Tuscaloosa, AL | 1993-2000

DANCE INSTRUCTOR

EAGLES LANDING DANCE CENTER, Stockbridge, GA | 2015 – PRESENT

PRICE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, Atlanta, GA | 2014 - PRESENT

BALLETHNIC DANCE COMPANY, Atlanta, GA | 2007 –- 2008

SOULFUL ARTS DANCE ACADEMY, St. Petersburg, FL, | 2005 – - 2006

ALABAMA CONTEMPORARY DANCE COMPANY, Mobile, AL. | Fall 2000

CITY DAY CHARTER SCHOOL, Dayton, OH | AUGUST 1999 – MAY 2000

DAYTON DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS, Dayton, OH | JANUARY 1999 – MAY 2000

PUBLISHED WRITINGS

LIFT: 10 Years of Men Dancing In Atlanta | January- 2022

A curated collection of photographs, and related essays by Daryl L. Foster

ARTSATL| July 12th, 2010

Foster, Daryl. “Should I Stay or Should I Go”

ARTSATL| January 28, 2015

Foster, Daryl. “Coming to The Rialto, Urban Bush Women Founder, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar Refuses to Stay Put”

ARTS ATL | January 8th, 2011

Foster, Daryl. Review: “Choreographer Ronald K. Brown talks dance, explores ‘love first’ in gay themes onstage”

The Georgia Voice | September 11th, 2015

Foster, Daryl. “Review: EVIDENCE Dance Company steps into grace”

The Georgia Voice | September 17, 2015

Foster, Daryl. “Out choreographers Richardson, Rhoden ‘Complexions’ takes root in Atlanta”

The Georgia Voice | December, 22nd 2015

Foster, Daryl. “Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Returns to Atlanta”

The Georgia Voice | February 3rd, 2016

REVIEWS AND MENTIONS

At the highly anticipated debut of "LIFT," men tell their stories through dance

Cynthia Bond Perry | ARTSATL | May 12th, 2010

Preview: Daryl Foster talks about LIFT, a Southern mecca for male dancers and choreographers

Cynthia Bond Perry | ARTSATL | July 24th, 2014

Review: LIFT’s choreographic reflections on masculinity can’t dance around stereotypes

Kathleen Wessel | ARTSATL | July 23rd, 2012

Preview: Rising Star Juel D. Lane Pays Homage to Friends in a Night of Choreography

Cynthia Bond Perry | ARTSATL | April 2012

LIFT 2011 A Photo ESSAY

Dustin Chambers | Creative Loafing | May 8th, 2011

Daryl L. Foster Creates CITIZEN LIFT to Figure Out Why Black Men Vote or Don’t Vote

Kiplyn Primus | Radio Interview | June 2018

Review: The political gets personal in stunning dance showcase “Citizen Lift”

Andrew Alexander | ARTSATL | June 19th, 2018

Choreographers named for 2010 Modern Atlanta Dance Festival

Cynthia Bond Perry | ARTSATL | December 16th, 2009

The year in review: Dance moves into the spotlight with innovation, boldness, and passion

Cynthia Bond Perry | ARTSATL| December 30th, 2011

Cynthia Perry’s 2011-12 picks: Bold contemporary work could remake Atlanta scene

Cynthia Bond Perry | ARTSATL | August 24th, 2011

Review: Series showcases maturing of Dance Canvas and the choreographers it nurtures

Cynthia Bond Perry | ARTSATL | November 9th, 2010

Review: Modern Atlanta Dance Festival, a showcase of local talent, energized in its 15th year

Cynthia Bond Perry | ARTSATL | March 1st, 2010

Dance - Atlanta's dance scene steps up: A vibrant and singular local movement takes shape

Andrew Alexander | Creative Loafing | September 8th, 2011

Zoetic Dance Exchange Choreographer's Showcase

Announcement | Creative Loafing | June 2010

Phazes of Love Choreographer's Extravaganza

Announcement | Creative Loafing | February 2013

Modern Atlanta Dance Festival

Announcement | Creative Loafing | February 8th, 2010

SEE & Do - Dance: LIFT

Announcement | Creative Loafing | May 07th, 2010

Dance - Juel D. Lane returns home with New York credentials

The Atlanta-born choreographer will perform at the Southwest Arts Center

Rodney Carmichael | Creative Loafing | 2013

RELATED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

THE BATON FOUNDATION

“EnPointe: A Conversation with Ashton Edwards”

A live conversation with the PNB student on gender roles, constructs, and training on pointe.

ARTSATL

CONTRIBUTING ARTS & CULTURE WRITER |2010-PRESENT

ASPIRE TV

“MAGIC IN THE MAKING“

Topic Expert on live Talk Show | 2014

“ I was invited to serve as an expert to discuss Misty Copeland’s promotion as the first Black Principal Dancer at ABT. “

CHRIS WILLIS |INTERNATIONAL TOURING|

Road Manager |2009-2012

“I had the wonderful opportunity to tour to several countries as a road manager for Chris Willis as he performed with multiple artists like David Guetta, and Crystal Waters.”

URBAN BUSH WOMEN

ASSISTANT TO COMPANY MANAGER | 2001-2002

“ I played an integral role as assistant to the company manager, as well as, helping the company through a difficult 990 tax audit while assisting the financial manager. UBW is also where I met an intern that suggested I apply for an MFA program at Florida State.”

AWARDS and HONORS

Mailchimp

$5000 Grant to assist with production cost for Citizen LIFT | 2018

EDGE/PUBLIC

$2000 Grant for the inaugural performance of the OFF THE EDGE FESTIVAL. | 2012

“LIFT performed in the PUBLIC portion of the festival. We performed a site-specific offering that spoke to the economic crisis at that time. The focus was on how the mass firings affected black men.”

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY

GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP [FULL] 2005

THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA SOCIETY FOR FINE ARTS

ARTIST FOR THE NEW MILLENIUM| 2000

AMERICAN DANCE FESTIVAL

FULL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT | 1998

AMERICAN DANCE FESTIVAL

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT | 1997

AMERICAN BALLET THEATER SUMMER INTENSIVE

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT | 1997

CLEO PARKER ROBINSON DANCE

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT | 1996

HARVARD SUMMER DANCE

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT | 1996