Jon LaValle Jackson
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| Birth name | John LaValle Jackson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | November 18, 1954 Washington, D.C., U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Jon LaValle Jackson, of Washington, D.C., is an American thespian, dancer, producer, director, choreographer, stand-up comedian, musician and photographer. He's also a retired Montgomery County, Maryland Ride-On Transit Operator, a United States Navy Veteran, an alumnus of The Juilliard School, a founding principal dancer of The Washington Ballet company, a founding thespian of the former Ebony Impromptu Theatre Company, and a founding featured student of Workshops for Careers in the Arts.
Jon, a graduate of McKinley Technology High School, recieved his initial theatrical trianing in the Workshops for Careers in the Arts Drama and Dance Departments. WCA was the pilot program that led to the establishment of Duke Ellington School of the Arts. While there, Jon was featured in their inaugural musical production of “Fly Blackbird”. Helen Hayes was special guest opening night.
Mr. Jackson was the original “Everyman” in Workshops for Careers in the Arts/Everyman Street Theater Company, and the lead in it's "Estaban" the following year. Jon was also featured in WCA's organic “Gut” and “The Journey”. “The Journey” collaborated with WCA and Artist Chapter One.
While a member of Harry Poe’s Ebony Impromptu Theater Company, Geoffrey Holder noticed Jon. Mr. Holder subsequently spearheaded him a full summer scholarship to Dance Theatre of Harlem via its Co-Founder, Karel Shook. Following that experience, Mr. Jackson auditioned for The Juilliard School and was accepted.
Jon was featured in The Juilliard Dance Ensemble. Dancing leading roles in World Premiere works by Anna Sokolow. Including her “Ellis Island” and “Ride the Culture Loop”. Daniel Lewis’s “Proliferation”. And Kazuko Hirabayshi’s “Nowhere But Light”.
A professional equity summer stock production of “Jesus Christ Lawd Today” followed, in which he was Dance Captain to Debbie Allen’s choreography.
Not keen to return to New York City, Mr. Jackson became a founding principal dancer of The Washington Ballet company in his hometown. He danced in World Premiere and classic works at The Washington Ballet from 1976 to 1979. Including fellow founder Choo San Goh's World Premiere “Fives”, “Synonyms”, and his “Untitled”.
Mr. Jackson was also featured in The Washington Ballet founder Mary Day’s “The Nutcracker”. George Balanchine’s “Concerto Barocco” and “Serenade”. And in James Clouser’s “Carmina Burana”, among others.
Jon was also a principal dancer with Ailey II/Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and featured in Louis Johnson’s “The Ball” with The DC Black Repertory Dance Company as well.
Mr. Jackson's debut as a professional Choreographer came in 1999 with his World Premiere work titled “The Investigation” (a solo) in the Joy of Motion Dance Project Choreographer’s Showcase.
Jon has been a featured actor and dancer in numerous Washington, D.C. regional theatre productions. Including, although not a student there, the Howard University Players. At Howard, he was featured in Garland Lee Thompson, Sr's “Papa B On The D Train”, and danced in then graduating senior Debbie Allen’s concert production of “Chilhood’s End".
Mr. Jackson was also featured in a summer stock theater musical production of "Billy Noname" with The Morgan State University Urban Musical Theater, directed by Joseph Eubanks and choreographed by Andy Torres.
Jon also appeard in the ensemble summer hit musical "Inner City", directed by Harry Poe and choreographed by George Faison.
Mr. Jackson has danced in operas. Among them, “Prospero’s Story” at Catholic University of America. “Antony and Cleopatra” and “Rusalka” while attending The Juilliard School. And “Lily” directed by Tom O' Horgan at the New York City Opera.
“Jon Jackson/Silver City Dance” was in play around year 2000. His dance company appeared with guest artist Nejla Yatkin in Downtown Silver Spring, Maryland and Downtown Bethesda, Maryland.
The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Washington Daily News, Out Magazine (Cover/The Washington Ballet) and Dance Magazine have also cited him over the years for outstanding performance.
Mr. Jackson returned to dance as an adult ballet student in 2005 to accompany his many resurfacing theatrical talents and interest.
In 2018, Jon became a “Certified Field Producer" via Montgomery Community Media. While there, he won a 1st place Montgomery Community Media "Monty Awards" (akin to an Emmy) as Producer/Director/Technician. This, in their Student Project Category. His winning 3 in 1 Project profiling “Audrey Travaglini : Ballroom Dancer”, can be seen on streaming services today.
For continued growth and development in resent years, Mr. Jackson introduced himself to continuing education courses at Montgomery College’s Performing Arts Center. Rekindling his method acting abilities. Acting for TV and Film. Stand-up Comedy. Voice. Tap Dance. Piano. Music Theory and Guitar.
Jon opened one Montgomery College Faculty/Student performance with a dramatic military speech monologue from the epic Vietnam War film “We Were Soldiers”. Receiving wonderful ovations.
Mr. Jackson is a member of The Juilliard School Alumni Association, Juilliard Dance Alumni Association, Juilliard Connect, an inaugural member of the Juilliard Black Alumni Association, The Washington Ballet Alumni Association, Workshops for Careers in the Arts Alumni Association, and the DC Black Repertory Company Alumni Association regarding it's dance company affiliate, founded by Louis Johnson and Mike Malone.
Jon LaValle Jackson | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Background information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Birth name | John LaValle Jackson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | November 18, 1954 Washington, D.C., U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Genres | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation(s) |
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| Instruments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years active |
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Jon LaValle Jackson, of Washington, D.C., is an American thespian, dancer, producer, director, choreographer, stand-up comedian, musician and photographer. He's also a retired Montgomery County, Maryland Ride-On Transit Operator, a United States Navy Veteran, an alumnus of The Juilliard School, a founding principal dancer of The Washington Ballet company, a founding thespian of the former Ebony Impromptu Theatre Company, and a founding featured student of Workshops for Careers in the Arts.
Jon, a graduate of McKinley Technology High School, received his initial theatrical training in the Workshops for Careers in the Arts Drama and Dance Departments. WCA was the pilot program that led to the establishment of Duke Ellington School of the Arts. While there, Jon was featured in their inaugural musical production of “Fly Blackbird”. Helen Hayes was special guest opening night.
Mr. Jackson was the original “Everyman” in Workshops for Careers in the Arts/Everyman Street Theater Company, and the lead in it's "Estaban" the following year. Jon was also featured in WCA's organic “Gut” and “The Journey”. “The Journey” collaborated with WCA and Artist Chapter One.
While a member of Harry Poe’s Ebony Impromptu Theater Company, Geoffrey Holder noticed Jon. Mr. Holder subsequently spearheaded him a full summer scholarship to Dance Theatre of Harlem via its Co-Founder, Karel Shook. Following that experience, Mr. Jackson auditioned for The Juilliard School and was accepted.
Jon was featured in The Juilliard Dance Ensemble. Dancing leading roles in World Premiere works by Anna Sokolow. Including her “Ellis Island” and “Ride the Culture Loop”. Daniel Lewis’s “Proliferation”. And Kazuko Hirabayshi’s “Nowhere But Light”.
A professional equity summer stock production of “Jesus Christ Lawd Today” followed, in which he was Dance Captain to Debbie Allen’s choreography.
Not keen to return to New York City, Mr. Jackson became a founding principal dancer of The Washington Ballet company in his hometown. He danced in World Premiere and classic works at The Washington Ballet from 1976 to 1979. Including fellow founder Choo San Goh's World Premiere “Fives”, “Synonyms”, and his “Untitled”.
Mr. Jackson was also featured in The Washington Ballet founder Mary Day’s “The Nutcracker”. George Balanchine’s “Concerto Barocco” and “Serenade”. And in James Clouser’s “Carmina Burana”, among others.
Jon was also a principal dancer with Ailey II/Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and featured in Louis Johnson’s “The Ball” with The DC Black Repertory Dance Company as well.
Mr. Jackson's debut as a professional Choreographer came in 1999 with his World Premiere work titled “The Investigation” (a solo) in the Joy of Motion Dance Project Choreographer’s Showcase.
Jon has been a featured actor and dancer in numerous Washington, D.C. regional theatre productions. Including, although not a student there, the Howard University Players. At Howard, he was featured in Garland Lee Thompson, Sr's “Papa B On The D Train”, and danced in then graduating senior Debbie Allen’s concert production of “Chilhood’s End".
Mr. Jackson was also featured in a summer stock theater musical production of "Billy Noname" with The Morgan State University Urban Musical Theater, directed by Joseph Eubanks and choreographed by Andy Torres.
Jon also appeared in the ensemble summer hit musical "Inner City", directed by Harry Poe and choreographed by George Faison.
Mr. Jackson has danced in operas. Among them, “Prospero’s Story” at Catholic University of America. “Antony and Cleopatra” and “Rusalka” while attending The Juilliard School. And “Lily” directed by Tom O' Horgan at the New York City Opera.
“Jon Jackson/Silver City Dance” was in play around year 2000. His dance company appeared with guest artist Nejla Yatkin in Downtown Silver Spring, Maryland and Downtown Bethesda, Maryland.
The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Washington Daily News, Out Magazine (Cover/The Washington Ballet) and Dance Magazine have also cited him over the years for outstanding performance.
Mr. Jackson returned to dance as an adult ballet student in 2005 to accompany his many resurfacing theatrical talents and interest.
In 2018, Jon became a “Certified Field Producer" via Montgomery Community Media. While there, he won a 1st place Montgomery Community Media "Monty Awards" (akin to an Emmy) as Producer/Director/Technician. This, in their Student Project Category. His winning 3 in 1 Project profiling “Audrey Travaglini : Ballroom Dancer”, can be seen on streaming services today.
For continued growth and development in resent years, Mr. Jackson introduced himself to continuing education courses at Montgomery College’s Performing Arts Center. Rekindling his method acting abilities. Acting for TV and Film. Stand-up Comedy. Voice. Tap Dance. Piano. Music Theory and Guitar.
Jon opened one Montgomery College Faculty/Student performance with a dramatic military speech monologue from the epic Vietnam War film “We Were Soldiers”. Receiving wonderful ovations.
Mr. Jackson is a member of The Juilliard School Alumni Association, Juilliard Dance Alumni Association, Juilliard Connect, an inaugural member of the Juilliard Black Alumni Association, The Washington Ballet Alumni Association, Workshops for Careers in the Arts Alumni Association, and the DC Black Repertory Company Alumni Association regarding it's dance company affiliate, founded by Louis Johnson and Mike Malone.
References[edit]
- Out Magazine (Front Page Cover), Jon Jackson and Lynn Cote, in Carmina Burana, The Washington Ballet, March 1979
- The Washington Post Style Section, Page B1, August 11, 1970, EVERYMAN, A Morality Play in the Street, By Richard L. Coe
- The Washington Daily News, On The Wing, Page EN, Jon Jackson, Kim Drew, Janice Hackett (photo), May 22, 1970
- The Washington Daily News,'Estaban' translates 'Macbeth' into the language of the city, By Louis Lague, Aug. 6, 1971
- The Washington Post, August 27, 1970, THE ARTS, Theater Notes, Street Theater, By Richard L Coe
- The Washington Post, Macbeth (alias Estaban) on Macadam, By Richard L. Coe, Page B2, Aug. 6, 1971
- The Washington Post, Life In 'Inner City', By Richard L. Coe, Page B6, Aug. 1973
- Daniel Lewis: A life in Choreography and the Art of Dance, McFarland Publishers (May 30, 2020) ISBN 978-1-4766-8191-7
- Dance Magazine, DC Black Repertory Dance Company (review), Page 97, By Noel Gilespie, May 1974
- Dance Magazine, The Juilliard Dance Ensemble, (photos/review) By David Vaughan, Page 20, 21 and 88. July 1976
- The Washington Star, The Nutcracker-Two Versions, The Local Version Is A Treat, Page B9, By Ann Crutcher, Dec. 16, 1977
- The Washington Post, Ebony Impromptu's Collage': Energy, Talent and Skill, By Megan Rosenfeld, Page E4, Dec. 17, 1971
- The Washington Post, An Old Tale Retold, Jon Jackson recreates Shakespeare's Puck. Page D7, By Angela Terrell, May 19, 1973
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