So You Think You Can Dance Winner is a Jacob's Pillow Alum

JacobsPillow | Oct 14, 2008 | there are 4 comments 4
Joshua Allen SYTYCD

Joshua Allen SYTYCD

JACOB'S PILLOW ALUM WINS SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE

What:     Joshua Allen, a 2006 alumnus of The School at Jacob's Pillow, was recently announced as this year's winner of FOX TV's So You Think You Can Dance.  Allen attended the Pillow's Cultural Traditions program on Cuban, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rican dance and received rigorous training and guidance from program directors Richard Gonzalez and Rosamarie Roberts during the two week intensive.  

Allen said of his time at the Pillow, "I learned so much here in these two weeks.  Everyone was so nice and helpful and we had so much fun inside and outside the studio.  The campus is so beautiful, I have never seen anything like this in my life."  In September, Allen and the other top ten finalists from the show will embark on a 50 city U.S. tour. He also won $250,000 in cash and a role in an upcoming movie.  

Born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, Allen is also a graduate of the Booker T. Washington Performing Arts High School in Dallas, Texas where he was trained in ballet, modern, jazz, African, Flamenco, tap, and other forms of dance.  

About:    Jacob's Pillow, a National Historic Landmark, is home to a world-renowned international dance Festival, presenting and commissioning works from dance artists and companies from throughout the world. The School at Jacob's Pillow encompasses a professional training program and the Pillow's extensive Archives chronicle over 75 years of the art form of dance in print, video, and more.  Jacob's Pillow's year-round Community Programs enrich the lives of children and adults, and are yet another part of the Jacob's Pillow cultural legacy.  For more information, visit www.jacobspillow.org.

###

Print Print this article Email Email this article Link Trackback

tags Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, Modern, Broadway, Ballroom, Teacher, Enthusiast, Studio, Summer Study, joshua allen, so you think you can dance (all tags)


So You Think You Can Dance Winner is a Jacob's Pillow Alum | 4 Comments | Post a Comment
Display:

Please make correction!

You have Joshua confused with Comfort. Joshua graduated from North Crowley High School in Crowley, Texas. It is a regular high school, NOT a performing arts school. They had a welcome back parade for him during their two week break after the show. Comfort attended Booker T. Washington Performing Arts School, but I'm not sure she graduated from there. She did say she had ballet, jazz, and many other forms of dance while going there and if you remember on the show, she said she didn't cooperate very well while she was going. She was only interested in hip-hop at the time.

user icon kdown | Oct 14, 2008 | rated none by 0 others

RE: Comfort's graduation

I said above that I didn't know if Comfort graduated from that performing arts high school, but her bio on Fox says she did.  She attended the school for 2 1/2 years.

user icon kdown | Oct 14, 2008 | rated none by 0 others

Nice :)

I really hope this is correct! I knew he was a great all around dancer ;-) I never understood why anyone would want to downplay cross training and versatility!(on the show, now or otherwise). I am not sure how Jacobs Pillow (which is an institution) could be mistaken in this press release. There are plenty of excellent dancers in all genres that are accepted to and attend these kinds of schools, intensives, events and festivals. Jacobs Pillow, performing arts high schools and others like them serve to bring the dance community together so that we can share ideas and expand understanding of the art. So maybe he was only trained in one style primarily, however, he def has had significant exposure to other genres. I am a bit disappointed that he (or the producers of the show) were not more forthcoming about it in the first place. Regardless, he is a really talented dancer and I am just saying that I am sure that there a lot of dancers out there who would benefit from knowing that it takes more than a personality, a tv show and a dream to make it. Am I missing something? Is there a stigma that goes along with being a professional quality dancer and having worked for it? Maybe it just does not make for good tv.

Katie Farhat Associate Publisher Dancer Publishing O: (732) 988-0714 C: (732) 768-2791 F: (646) 827-3879 user icon Katie Farhat | Oct 14, 2008 | rated none by 0 others

To Katie Farhat :o)

To make it clear, it is only the bit about where Joshua went to high  school that is in error. You can do a search and find several references to his graduation from North Crowley High School. It is NOT a performing arts school, though I have no doubt Joshua would have jumped at a chance to go to such a school.  He definitely attended at least one 2 week intensive at Jacob's Pillow, as well as intermittent attendance to Debbie Allen's summer intensives. Joshua stated such at the beginning of the show (on air) and numerous times in interviews throughout the season, as early as the Top 20 show (June 10, article in a DFW area news-site, just to name one). His bio on Fox stated that he had formal training.  Why Nigel chose to blather on as he did is anyone's guess, but Joshua made no effort to hide the fact that he'd had some training, though not as consistently as some of the contestants. You're right, the more compelling story is how Josh worked hard to find ways to get his own training, by teaching hip-hop in exchange for other lessons and through such scholarships as Ms. Allen's workshops. I'm sure he felt diminished by Nigel's disrespect for his commitment. Just like Danny Tidwell said last year after season 3 ended, though, (paraphrased by me): all the dancers are aware that they are pawns in the bigger game of making "good" television, and there isn't much they can do about it but dance the best they can.  That's what Danny did and what Will did when he had to stand by and listen to them bash poor Jessica.   And I imagine that's all Josh could do as well.  At least he spoke freely about his training in print interviews.  Once again, my intent is to just set the record straight about his high school.      

user icon kdown | Oct 14, 2008 | rated none by 0 others

[ Parent ]

I see what you are saying

I have seen the Booker T. kids time and again over the years......never disappointing and incredibly well rounded. Are you sure he did not attend the arts magnet and play sports for the "regular school"? Having attended a magnet myself, I know that these types of arrangements are often made. But maybe not in this case.  Either way, I cannot understand for the life of me why the producers think it is ok to present dancers in the way that they have. Have they even entertained the idea that they are not supporting the development of millions of young people that watch this show? I think it is great in the early audition round that they encourage people to seek out more training. But, when you have someone like Joshua who wins the show under the the misconception they they have not been exposed to the dance world at large, that it sets a terrible precedent. No fault of Joshua's by any means.

Katie Farhat Associate Publisher Dancer Publishing O: (732) 988-0714 C: (732) 768-2791 F: (646) 827-3879 user icon Katie Farhat | Oct 15, 2008 | rated none by 0 others

[ Parent ]

Thank you

Thank you for bringing this to our attention, we're attempting to change our post to accurately reflect Joshua's high school (North Crowley High School), however the online system isn't allowing it at the moment.  Please know that it will change as soon as we are able.  We're very proud that Joshua is among many alumni of The School of Jacob's Pillow including artistic director of the Royal Danish Ballet Nikolaj Hubbe; MacArthur "Genius" Grant-winner Meredith Monk; and choreographer and SYTYCD judge Mia Michaels.

user icon JacobsPillow | Oct 15, 2008 | rated none by 0 others

You are not logged in.

In order to post a comment, you must be logged in. If you have a member account, please log in to comment.

If not, you can make an account by clicking right here. It's quick and free.

Recent Blogs

Most Read Blogs

Most Discussed