A native of Dayton, Ohio, Mr. Rhoden began dancing at the age of 17. He has performed with
The Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Les Ballet Jazz De Montreal and was principal dancer
with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. "Dwight Rhoden... a star of a different type,
one who slyly captures the spotlight, with pristine, clarity, intensity, and passion." (The
New York Times) He has appeared in numerous television specials, documentaries, and commercials
throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe, and has been a featured performer on many PBS
Great Performances specials.
Rhoden has dedicated the past 6 years to the development of the critically acclaimed
Complexions, Inc., which he co-directs with Desmond Richardson. "Complexions is a microcosm
of today's hottest dance talents." (Attitudes Magazine) From the ground up, they have built
an arts organization, produced numerous New York seasons, and toured extensively
internationally with a roster of highly acclaimed artists. Rhoden has created over 30
ballets for Complexions, as well as numerous other commissions. Together, Rhoden and
Richardson have worked with, coached, and created for some of the most diverse artists
spanning the world of ballet and contemporary dance. They have used dance and multimedia
to express their creative passion and universal message of diversity and unity of all art
forms and people.
Rhoden's work has been presented by Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall; The Joyce Theater;
The Brooklyn Academy of Music, Majestic Theater; The New Orleans Ballet Association; The
Paramount Theater in Seattle; Isle de Dance Festival in Paris France; Brazil's "Festival
of Arts"; Maison de la Dance in Lyon France; The Holland Dance Festival; Encore 2000; The
Steps Festival in Switzerland; Festival of Las Palmas of the Canary Islands; Avery Fisher
Hall Presents Lena Home; The Children's Defense Fund Gala, hosted by Hillary Clinton; Italy's
Festival of Dance in Rome and other venues across the United States, Europe and South America.
Rhoden has created works for numerous companies including the Alvin Ailey American Dance
Theater, The Pennsylvania Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet, Phoenix Dance Company, Dayton Contemporary
Dance Company, Philadanco, The Aspen/Santa Fe Ballet Company, The Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, and
the Washington Ballet. He has served as Artistic Director of "A Celebration of Dance"; a company of principal dancers from American Ballet Theater, Alvin Ailey, The Dance Theater of Harlem, and the Joffrey Ballet. "Rhoden's work is post-Balanchinean choreography, a new aesthetic in movement, stage, picture, and performance concepts reflecting a post-modern, techno-savvy worldview." (Dance Magazine)
Rhoden has lectured and served as "Artist in Residence" at universities around the country. His
recent collaboration with The Artist (formerly known as Prince) "Rave unto the year 2000" was
aired on Pay-Per-View. His current commissions include the New York City Ballet Diamond Project
Choreographic Institute, The Dance Theater of Harlem, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and
The Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Company. Rhoden is currently working on a new film being produced by
Patrick Swayze. He enjoys acting, writing poetry and lyrics and performing in new and exciting
productions. Mr. Rhoden is a 1998 New York Foundation for the Arts Award Recipient and is
currently "Guest Artist in Residence" for the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company.
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