Joshua Bergasse

Joshua Bergasse
Name	Joshua Bergasse
Occupation	Choreographer, dancer, director

Joshua Bergasse is an American choreographer, director, and dancer known for his work in musical theatre, television, and film. He has choreographed for Broadway productions, television series, and concert stages, collaborating with actors, directors, composers, and institutions across the performing arts. Bergasse's choreography is noted for its integration of classical ballet technique with musical theatre idioms, contributing to contemporary stagings of classic and new musicals.

Early life and education

Bergasse was born and raised in the United States and trained in ballet and musical theatre, studying at institutions associated with American Ballet Theatre, School of American Ballet, The Juilliard School, and regional conservatories linked to companies such as New York City Ballet and Boston Ballet. He studied under teachers connected to lineages including George Balanchine, Martha Graham, and Merce Cunningham influences, and participated in programs associated with The Rockefeller Foundation and summer festivals like Tanglewood and Jacob's Pillow. Early mentors and collaborators included figures from Broadway companies and off-Broadway troupes such as Encores! and Roundabout Theatre Company.

Career

Bergasse's career spans Broadway, television, film, and concert choreography. He worked with Broadway directors and producers affiliated with Lincoln Center Theater, The Public Theater, CIBC Theatre, and producers linked to Cameron Mackintosh and Lynn Ahrens. In television, he choreographed for series produced by networks and platforms including CBS, NBC, Netflix, and Hulu, collaborating with showrunners and producers from series connected to Ryan Murphy, Shonda Rhimes, and Steven Spielberg's production companies. He has staged numbers for award ceremonies and benefits associated with organizations like The Tony Awards, Emmy Awards, Kennedy Center Honors, and nonprofit institutions including The Actors Fund and The Paley Center for Media. Bergasse has collaborated with composers and orchestrators tied to Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Maury Yeston, and contemporary writers working with Lin-Manuel Miranda-adjacent teams.

Major works and notable choreography

Bergasse's notable stage credits include choreography and staging for productions connected to Broadway revivals and original musicals at houses such as The Shubert Organization venues and nonprofit producers like Roundabout Theatre Company and Encores!. He choreographed numbers in productions of works by creators including Stephen Sondheim, Cole Porter, George Gershwin, and contemporary teams linked to Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. On television he earned recognition for choreography on series associated with SMASH-style musical episodes and events involving casts from Glee, Saturday Night Live, and Dancing with the Stars alumni, working with performers who trained at institutions like American Ballet Theatre and Joffrey Ballet. He also staged dance sequences for performers with credits from The Metropolitan Opera and Radio City Music Hall.

Awards and honors

Bergasse has received nominations and awards connected to theatrical and television institutions including Tony Award-related citations, Emmy Award nominations, and honors from regional arts organizations such as Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, and critics' circles linked to publications like The New York Times and Variety (magazine). He has been recognized by foundations and fellowships associated with MacDowell Colony, The Guggenheim Foundation, and arts councils connected to state arts agencies and national organizations including National Endowment for the Arts.

Personal life

Bergasse maintains professional relationships with performers, directors, and institutions across New York City, Los Angeles, and major theatrical centers in the United States. He has collaborated with dancers and actors linked to The Juilliard School, New York University, and conservatories such as Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Personal collaborations include work with artists who have performed at venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and regional theaters affiliated with Goodman Theatre and Steppenwolf Theatre Company.

Legacy and influence

Bergasse's choreography has influenced contemporary staging practices by bridging classical ballet technique and modern musical theatre, informing productions in Broadway houses, regional theatres, and television musicals. His work is cited alongside choreographers and directors from lineages connected to Bob Fosse, Jerome Robbins, and modern collaborators in the musical theatre community, contributing to pedagogy at conservatories and workshops sponsored by organizations such as Dance/USA and American Dance Guild. Bergasse's approach continues to shape performers and productions presented at festivals including Spoleto Festival USA and institutions linked to NYU Tisch School of the Arts and Yale School of Drama.

Category:American choreographers Category:American dancers Category:Living people