Claude Thompson
| Claude Thompson | |
|---|---|
| Born | William Cord Thompson Jr. November 10, 1934 Brooklyn, NY |
| 💀Died | May 31, 2007 Los Angeles, CaliforniaMay 31, 2007 |
| 🏳️ Nationality | U.S. Citizen |
| 🏫 Education | High School of the Performing Arts in NYC |
| 💼 Occupation | Dancer, Choreographer |
Claude Thompson (November 10, 1934 – May 31, 2007) was a choreographer and dancer. He is known for choreographing The Color Purple (1985 film).[1], Petula (1968 TV Special), and Dancing Star (1977)[2]. He also had his own company of dancers known as the Claude Thompson Dancers[3].
Biography
Claude Thompson was born on November 10, 1934 in Brooklyn, NY. He attended the High School of Performing Arts in New York City. Thompson sang in nightclubs at age 13, and by 18 he was a dancer in the Broadway show My Darlin' Aida from October 27, 1952 until January 10, 1953[4]. Three years later, Thompson performed as a bop musician in the Broadway musical Mr. Wonderful from March 22, 1956 until its closing on February 23, 1957[5]. Later that year, Thompson was cast in Shinbone Alley (April 13, 1957 – May 25, 1957), and Jamaica (October 31, 1957 – April 11, 1959). While working on Jamaica, Thompson also collaborated with Alvin Ailey on his work Revelations. Although Thompson did not perform in the premiere, he later performed with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in the performances Blues Suite (March 30, 1958), and Redonda/Cinco Latinos (March 30, 1958 – December 21, 1958)[6]. Thompson's final Broadway credit was as a dancer in the show Bravo Giovanni (May 19, 1962 – September 15, 1962)[7]
Claude Thompson began his television career when he appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1961[8]. He returned to television as a choreographer in 1968 for the TV special Petula and for Elvis: The Comeback Special (1968). In 1969, Thompson choreographed episodes of This is Tom Jones and The Hollywood Place. In 1970, he choreographed for The Bob Goulet Show (TV Special).
Thompson transitioned to choreographing for film, serving as the choreographer for the 1976 film King Kong. He also choreographed Dancing Star (1977) and The Color Purple (1985).
Thompson also established the Claude Thompson Dancers, a company that performed extensively, and made a guest appearance on The Mike Douglas Show.
References
- ↑ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088939/?ref_=nm_knf_i1
- ↑ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0285063/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm
- ↑ http://www.johnhemmerarchive.org/a-friend-and-mentor-claude-thompson/
- ↑ https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/claude-thompson-103626#Credits
- ↑ https://www.playbill.com/person/claude-thompson-vault-0000041619
- ↑ https://slippage.duke.edu/sites/slippage.duke.edu/files/file-attachments/327910765-Dancing-Revelations-Alvin-Ailey-s-Embodiment-of-African-American-Culture-by-Oxford-University-Press-2004.pdf
- ↑ https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/claude-thompson-103626#Credits
- ↑ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0724543/?ref_=_1
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