Have you ever found yourself sitting at a performance unable to take your eyes off a particular dancer? It’s not ideal, of course, particularly when an entire company of dancers is giving you life. But I must confess, whenever Jeroboam Bozeman is on stage, I simply cannot take my eyes off of him.
When Jeroboam danced with Donald Byrd’s Spectrum Dance Theater several years ago, then Seattle Times writer Michael Upchurch penned the perfect words to describe the kind of allure that captures my attention whenever I witness Bozeman dancing. In his review of Donald Byrd’s 2012 presentation of the insanely beautiful piece LOVE, Upchurch wrote that Bozeman, “never lets the remarkable strength he commands compromise his elegance.” His 6’2” frame and elegance are what keep my eyes on Jeroboam no matter when or where he is dancing, and no matter with whom he is sharing that stage.
Jeroboam Bozeman by Gregory Vaughn (@gregory_vaughn_)
Before joining Donald Byrd at Spectrum, Bozeman had already packed years of dance and training into his young life. My first experience with the grace, power, and beauty of his exquisite and precise movements came over a decade ago when Jeroboam danced in Seattle with Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet Dance Theatre of Brooklyn during performances of Seattle Theatre Group’s DANCE THIS. His megawatt smile accentuated the reach of his gracefully extended limbs and flawless delivery of choreographic storytelling. Jeroboam was the embodiment of star quality.
Reflecting on his time working with Bozeman, choreographer Donald Byrd, remarks, “When I first saw Jeroboam Bozeman I felt that there was something mythic about him. He was like a heroic archer with his bowstring pulled back generating the necessary energy for the bow to spit an arrow powerfully out into the universe. There was grace in his form, efficiency in his movement, and nobility in his stature. In his demeanor has was gentle, kind, compliant, but not obsequious. He was irresistible as a dancer.”
With stops along his dance career with Philadanco and most recently with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Bozeman’s last tour with Ailey in Seattle this past March, and during that visit, we had a chance to catch up a little. While I was bemoaning the impending loss of his elegance on stage with Ailey, Jeroboam shared his future plans with me. He was ready to beat the inevitability of aging out of dance by leaping fully into his next journey – movies.
Jeroboam Bozeman by Dario Calmese (@dario.studio)
Having collaborated often with choreographer Rennie Harris, Jeroboam found himself recommended by Harris for a lead role in a new movie. ONCE AGAIN…for the very first time written by Boaz Yakin, explores love built on recognition and trauma and stars Bozeman in the lead role of a legendary street dancer DeRay. At 34, Bozeman has lived his entire life in the hip-hop era undoubtedly bringing his authenticity to the role. In a recent NY Times article, Rennie Harris says about Bozeman, “I knew he was going to give it something raw. And then I saw him act in a scene, I said, ‘You need to get an agent right now.’ Bozeman believed him, and it seems that this is only the beginning of a successful new career path. After years of performing before live audiences, Bozeman’s irresistibility will now be committed to film!
From the festival circuit where the film has been described as, “A masterful hip-hop fantasy,” “A spectacle of dance movements,” and “Intimate and creative,” ONCE AGAIN…for the very first time, premiered in theaters on October 18th.
Learn more about the film here and check out a trailer below!
Comments