Jason Wise

Jason Wise
Born July 7, 1989
Elmira, New York
Education The American Musical & Dramatic Academy, Upper West Side, New York City
Occupation Dancer, Choreographer, Director
Years active 1995 - present

Jason Wise, born July 7, 1989, is an American Dancer, Choreographer, and Director.

Early life

Born in Elmira, New York, Wise began dancing at age 5 at Filippetti's Academy of Dance Arts in Horseheads, New York,[1] where he won National Titles at Dance Competitions across the country. Wise also attended and received scholarships to French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts, and Stagedoor Manor. Wise attended and graduated from Horseheads High School.[1]

Early career

Wise moved to New York City, and attended The American Musical and Dramatic Academy.[1]Upon graduation, he landed a job with The Walt Disney Company, performing in Disney/Pixar's Toy Story, The Musical. Wise then joined the U.S. Company of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats, later performing the show in Canada, Costa Rica, Colombia, Panama, and Venezuela.[2] Wise also appeared as the Carpet in the National Tour of Disney's Beauty & The Beast.

In Film and Television, Wise made appearances on Lifetime's Dance Moms, ABC's Pan Am, NBC's Smash, The Wolf of Wall Street directed by Martin Scorsese, and The Normal Heart on HBO.[3]

Michael Musto and The Village Voice

When Wise was 22, he came to the attention of legendary New York journalist, Michael Musto, when Wise had written an open letter to The New York Times about Judy Garland.[4]

A year later, Michael Musto chose to interview Wise in a full page spread in his famous column in The Village Voice, La Dolce Musto, featuring Wise's opinions on the gay generational divide. Michael Musto said of Wise, "This guy sounded savvy beyond his years and proved to be the perfect young yin to my old yang."

Later career

With guidance from Thommie Walsh, and 10 Time Tony Award Winner Tommy Tune, Wise transitioned into becoming a Director and Choreographer.[1]

Wise has staged shows and musical numbers for stars such as Donna McKechnie, Andrea McArdle, Faith Prince, Leslie Uggams, Maureen McGovern, Paige Davis, Julia Murney, Ashley Brown, Len Cariou, Carolee Carmello, Karen Mason, Howard McGillin, Linda Lavin, Sierra Boggess, Austin Scarlett, Karen Ziemba, Martha Wash, Lee Roy Reams, Brent Barrett, Tovah Feldshuh, B. D. Wong, and Christine Andreas.[3]

Wise served as the Director and Choreographer for National Lampoon's Bayside: The Saved by the Bell Musical which featured original sitcom cast members Dustin Diamond, Dennis Haskins, Leanna Creel, and Ed Alonzo.[5] Wise also served as the Director and Choreographer for National Lampoon's Full House: The Musical, which starred Perez Hilton.[3][1]Both Musicals were written by Bob and Tobly McSmith.

In 2016, Wise choreographed a revival of Cole Porter's Anything Goes, starring Andrea McArdle and Sally Struthers. The show opened at Gateway Playhouse on Long Island, and transferred to Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine. The production featured the Derek McLane sets and Martin Pakledinaz costumes from the 2011 Broadway Revival, which was produced by the Roundabout Theatre Company[6]

Faculty

Wise serves on the Dance Faculty of Broadway Dance Center, The Joffrey Ballet, American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and Peridance Capezio Center, all of which are located in New York City.[3]

Personal life

Wise is openly gay,[7] and lives in New York City

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "'Full House' stage parody in Toronto, NYC has Tiers tie". Elmira Star-Gazette. Retrieved 2015-12-31.
  2. "Jason Wise: Tumblebrutus Speaks About Being a Cat in Cats". Houston Press. Retrieved 2015-12-31.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Jason Wise Faculty Bio". www.broadwaydancecenter.com. Retrieved 2015-12-31.
  4. "22-Year-Old Theater Guy Insists: Young People DO Like Judy Garland!". Village Voice. Retrieved 2015-11-25.
  5. "Home". Bayside! The Musical!. Retrieved 2015-12-31.
  6. Jacobson, Aileen (2016-05-27). "Review: Joyous Energy Fills 'Anything Goes,' at Gateway Playhouse". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-07-25.
  7. "The Gay Generational Divide Is Wider Than Ever!". Village Voice. Retrieved 2015-11-25.
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