David Dorfman

David Dorfman
Name	David Dorfman
Birth date	1955
Birth place	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Occupation	Choreographer, Dancer, Professor
Education	University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (B.S.), Connecticut College (M.A.)
Known for	Artistic Director of David Dorfman Dance
Spouse	Lisa Race

David Dorfman is an influential American choreographer, dancer, and educator renowned for his deeply humanistic and socially engaged dance theater. As the founder and artistic director of the New York-based company David Dorfman Dance, he has created a prolific body of work that explores themes of community, politics, and personal narrative. His career spans several decades, marked by collaborations across disciplines and sustained engagement with major cultural institutions and academic venues.

Early life and education

Born in Chicago, Dorfman was raised in a family that valued both intellectual and artistic pursuits. He initially pursued a degree in biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, an experience that later informed the analytical and structural aspects of his choreographic process. A pivotal shift occurred when he discovered modern dance, leading him to earn a Master of Arts in dance from Connecticut College, where he studied under notable figures in the American modern dance tradition. His formative years were also influenced by the social and political ferment of the 1960s and 1970s, which seeded his lifelong commitment to art as a vehicle for social commentary.

Career

After completing his education, Dorfman moved to New York City, quickly establishing himself within the vibrant downtown dance scene of the 1980s. He founded David Dorfman Dance in 1985, with the company making its official debut at the Dance Theater Workshop, now known as New York Live Arts. Throughout his career, he has held significant academic positions, including a long-term professorship at Connecticut College and a current role as a professor in the Department of Dance at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His professional reach extends internationally, with his company performing at venues such as The Joyce Theater, the American Dance Festival, and the Bates Dance Festival.

Artistic style and influences

Dorfman’s artistic style is characterized by its athleticism, emotional authenticity, and collaborative spirit, often blending rigorous postmodern dance techniques with elements of contact improvisation and spoken word. His work is heavily influenced by the democratic and inclusive philosophies of choreographers like Anna Halprin and the Judson Dance Theater, as well as the raw physicality of Pina Bausch. Central to his aesthetic is a belief in dance as a "civic dialogue," leading him to create pieces that directly engage with issues such as labor rights, LGBTQ+ identity, and environmental justice, often involving community participants in the creative process.

Notable works and collaborations

Among his most acclaimed works is *See Level*, a piece examining climate change and rising sea levels. The evening-length work *Prophets of Funk* celebrates the music and social message of Sly and the Family Stone, while *Underground* explores the legacy of 1960s radicalism through the story of Kathy Boudin. Dorfman has frequently collaborated with his wife, dancer Lisa Race, and composer Sam Crawford. His interdisciplinary projects have also involved partnerships with organizations like the Philobolus company and the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Awards and recognition

Dorfman’s contributions have been recognized with numerous fellowships and awards, including multiple National Endowment for the Arts Choreography Fellowships, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and several Bessie Awards. He has also been the recipient of an American Choreography Award and a United States Artists Fellowship. His company has been supported by major institutions like the New England Foundation for the Arts and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

Personal life

Dorfman is married to fellow dancer and collaborator Lisa Race, with whom he has two children. The family divides their time between New York City and Middletown, Connecticut. An avid reader and lifelong learner, his personal interests in history, science, and social movements continue to deeply inform the thematic content of his artistic work.

Category:American choreographers Category:American dancers Category:1955 births Category:Living people