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Kevin Iega Jeff has captivated audiences with his direction and choreography for over 15 years. A New York native, Iega attributes his artistic excellence to training at some of the nation's top artistic institutions including: Bernice Johnson's Cultural Arts Center, New York City's High School for the Performing Arts, Darvash Ballet School, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, and The Juilliard School. In 2005, he was named one of The Juilliard School's 100 Outstanding Alumni in celebration of the school's 100th anniversary. It's an honor he shares with actor Robin Williams and musician Wynton Marsalis, to name only a few. At the age of 21, Iega founded JUBILATION! Dance Company in New York City. The company was created out of a need to provide a forum for African-American artists to be nurtured emotionally, spiritually and physically through the arts. For 10 years JUBILATION! toured internationally, inspiring diverse audiences and communities all over the world. In October 1994 he was appointed Artistic Director of Joseph Holmes Chicago Dance Theater. In 1995 he co-founded Deeply Rooted Productions in Chicago where he continues to serve today as Artistic Director. Iega has served as artist-in-residence at Howard University, the University of Las Vegas, Goucher College, SUNY Purchase and at Purdue University's Black Cultural Center. His work has been featured in several on- and off-screen productions including Spike Lee's She's Gotta Have It and the Broadway shows Comin' Uptown and The Wiz. He performed the role of the Beast in Beauty and the Beast, dancing with prima ballerina Cynthia Gregory, in the 1994 Academy Awards. His credits for direction and choreography include an international tour of Porgy and Bess, choreography for Alvin Ailey American Dance Ensemble, River North Dance Company, Dallas Black Dance Theater, Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theater, and the Wylliams/Henry Danse Theater.
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