A Biographical Glimpse
Employment History: Dance Artist
TANZ THEATER MÜNSTER | 2014 - 2021
Solo Dance Artist | Choreographer | Rehearsal Assistant | Teacher | Hans Henning Paar, Director
Performed works by Gustavo Ramirez Sansano, Thomas Noone, Toula Limnaios, James Wilton, Tiago Manquinho, and Hans Henning Paar
Choreographed five works for the Tanz Theater’s Dance Lab Series
Acted as Assistant Choreographer/Rehearsal Director for Anything Goes and Frau Luna
Taught classical and contemporary company class
Served as Artist Representative
Spearheaded Theater Münster’s initial cooperation with Björn Wolff Physical Therapist Clinic
Served as Dance Ambassador for Theater Münster’s Employee Health Management Committee
ALONZO KING LINES BALLET | 2006 - 2013
Company Artist | Artist Representative | Alonzo King, Director
Engaged in 14 collaborative creations
Taught company class
Served as Artist Representative and negotiated Artist Contracts
Spearheaded the engagement of Dr. Sonia Bell and Avanti Sports Medicine and Fitness
Developed partnerships with individual and institutional funders
SUZANNE FARRELL BALLET | 2006 - 2008
Corps de Ballet | Suzanne Farrell, Director
Don Quixote | George Balanchine, 2006 Edinburgh International Dance Festival
Scotch Symphony | George Balanchine
Slaughter on 10th Avenue | George Balanchine
Romeo and Juliet | Maurice Béjart
QUIXOTIC PERFORMANCE FUSION | 2004 – 2006
Co-Founder | Artistic Director | Chief Executive Officer | Curator | Company Dancer
Established the company’s nonprofit 501(c)(3) status
Secured over $500,000 of individual, foundation, and in-kind contributions
Managed a roster of over 70 Artists, Production Staff, Stage Technicians, Public Relations
Oversaw the Curatorial, Finance, and Production Committees
Acquired Rehearsal and Performance venues, Media, Lighting, Sound, and Carpentry Materials
KANSAS CITY BALLET | 2001 - 2006
Principal Company Dancer | Artist Representative | William Whitener, Director Staff: James Jordan, Karen Brown, Lisa Thorn Vinsant
Stravinsky Violin Concerto | George Balanchine | Coached by Bart Cook and Maria Calegari
Concerto Barocco |George Balanchine | Coached by Victoria Simon
Square Dance | George Balanchine | Coached by Victoria Simon
Afternoon of a Faun | Jerome Robbins | Coached by Bart Cook
Jardi Tancat | Nacho Duato
Duets | Merce Cunningham
A Strange Hero | Daniel Nagrin | Coached by Daniel Nagrin
Sentinel | David Burke
Lambarena | Val Caniparoli
Fotos: RS Muna, Andy Mogg, Kenny Sehnssa, Monty Sohl
“The third movement ushers in Keelan Whitmore. He is possessed of a LINES-iconic power quotient, and brings to the contemporary stage the kind of poetic ramp-up that Carlos Acosta has brought to classical ballet.” ~California Literary Review November 2012
“Seeing him stretch his limbs beyond the physical realm, Keelan Whitmore often reminds me of how the founding Alvin Ailey dancers could convey a long history of both intense suffering and redeeming joy. He moves as if his life depends on it.” ~Dance Tabs 2012
“…Whitmore has a solo in which the light traces his muscles and turns him into a single body sculpture. Whitmore, on behalf of the group, sums up the search in “Homo Sacer” not only in movement, but in touching personal expression.” ~Wa-De (Germany) January 2016
“…jaw-dropping flashes from Keelan Whitmore, a powerhouse with considerable quickness and finesse…” ~DIY Dancer May 2012
Awards
- 2019 Special Prize for Artistic Achievement | Society of Music and Theater Friends of Münster and Münsterland
- 2013 Professional Student Dean’s Award | Saint Mary’s College
- 2005 National Choreographic Recognition Award | Regional Dance America
- 1994 Annual C.A.P.A.bility Award | Rockford Public School, District 205
Performance, Choreographic, and Educational Video
Repertory Class Discussion for Alonzo King LINES Ballet Summer Intensive on “Zoom”
“Children of Bhakti” – A piece choreographed in 2012 by Whitmore in response to the death of Trayvon Martin (00:45)
“Quiet Tongues” – A piece choreographed in 2020 by Whitmore for Tanz Theater Münster’s Dance Lab Series (1:05)
Artist Introduction for “Room to Room” – A collaboration with more than 70 dance artists from around the world. (00:45)
Artist Highlight from Alonzo King’s “ Moroccan Project” (00:18)
Artist interview with former LINES Ballet Mistress Meredith Webster and Metropolitan Opera Mezzo Soprano Maya Lahyani (00:57)
Languages
- English
- German