Francesca Harper named new Artistic Director of MIP®

Francesca Harper, the new Artistic Director
of Movement Invention Project®
(photo: Bale da Cidade)

Francesca Harper--an acclaimed multidisciplinary artist with extensive credentials in ballet, theater, film and arts education--has been named Artistic Director of Movement Invention Project® (MIP®), an immersive, contemporary dance summer program for dancers ages 18-23. Now in its tenth year, the three-week program was founded by New Jersey Dance Theater Ensemble's artistic director, Nancy Turano, to support dancers in developing creative voice as well as skills in improvisation, collaboration and cutting-edge technology. Based in New York City, MIP® provides dancers with opportunities to work with a wide range of teachers, choreographers and mentors and take advantage of the resources of venues like Baryshnikov Arts Center and New York Live Arts.

(photo: Veranika Antanavich)

“I have known Francesca for 25 years, and watched her phenomenal career as a brilliant dancer, choreographer, director and mentor to countless dance artists," says Turano. "We are thrilled to welcome her as Artistic Director of MIP® 2018. She has a wealth of information to contribute, and creates a very positive and encouraging atmosphere that enables dancers to develop their own creative vision."

(photo: David Flores)

ABOUT FRANCESCA HARPER

Francesca Harper is an internationally acclaimed multi-disciplinary artist. After being named Presidential Scholar in the Arts and performing at the White House, Francesca attended Columbia University studying philosophy and computer programming.  She soon after joined the Dance Theater of Harlem’s Second Company and the main Company the following year.  Francesca performed soloist roles with the company including the Hostess in Bronislova Nijinska’s Les Biches and as a Soloist in Swan Lake.  She then began working with William Forsythe’s Ballet Frankfurt, where she was promoted to Principal. Performances included leading roles and pas de deux in Herman Schmerman, In the Middle Somewhat Elevated, and Loss of Small Detail, amongst others.  While a member of Ballet Frankfurt, Francesca was chosen to perform with designers Issey Miyake and Gianni Versace in shows in Paris and Milan, and in Miyake’s film Dancing Pleats. As a member of Ballet Frankfurt, she choreographed her first full evening of work, Dark Violet Light Stone, commissioned by The Holland Dance Festival. A vocalist as well, Francesca was invited to record her first single, "Slow Groove," and self-produced her own album, Modo Fusion.

The vastness of her artistry and hunger soon led her to theater and film, working with Anna Deavere Smith on many projects, and to Broadway for productions including Fosse, The Producers, All Shook Up, The Frogs and the Tony nominated treasure The Color Purple.  She was a featured performer in Zinnias – The Life of Clementine Hunter, directed by Robert Wilson, and toured Internationally with the production. Her TV appearances include Boardwalk Empire, David Letterman, and The Oprah Winfrey Show, and Francesca served as ballet consultant for the feature film Black Swan by Darren Aronofsky. Harper has choreographed works for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, Tanz Graz, Hubbard Street II, Dallas Black Dance Theater, and founded her own company The Francesca Harper Project in 2005.

Continuing to pursue her interest of technology and dance, Francesca received a Living History Award in 2013 during Black History Month from Long Island University, and the Innovation and Technology Award for her choreography for Fashion Week with designer Louis Vuitton. She also conceived, directed, choreographed, and produced the dance film M(y)ourstory: Chapter One that premiered at the Triskelion Dance Film Festival in 2017.  Francesca was awarded a Fellowship at The Center for the Ballet and the Arts in 2017, as well as a Choreographic Fellowship from Urban Bush Women in 2017, supported by the Mellon Foundation.  Her latest creations en pointe in 2017 for The Dance Theatre of Harlem in NYC and Bale da Cidade in Sao Paulo has received critical acclaim, being cited as “...revolutionary” by The Chicago Tribune, and possessing “...sensual beauty,” by The New York Times.

Francesca’s mother Denise Jefferson, director of The Alvin Ailey School for over 26 years and creator of the Ailey B.F.A program, served as an inspiration and mentor for Francesca’s teaching work and giving back to the community.  Francesca’s one woman show based on the life of her mother, The Look of Feeling, premiered Off- Broadway in 2014 and was later performed at Impulstanze Festival, The Holland Dance Festival, and Germany’s The Colors Festival.

Harper enjoys her appointment as an adjunct professor at New York University, was an Associate Professor at Barnard College, and continues the vital role of teacher and choreographer for The Ailey School, Fordham University’s BFA Program, and the Susan Batson Studio.  Francesca is a featured actress and singer in Punchdrunk’s Sleep No More each week at The McKittrick Hotel in New York City. She is grateful for the daily opportunity to do what she loves and is passionate about inspiring others to live their dreams.

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