Curriculum VitaeNarrative & Highlights

In 2010 and 2011 Harris received an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Bates College and in Arts and Humanities from Columbia College for his work and commitment to Street and Hip-hop dance.

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Rennie Harris born and raised in an African- American community in North Philadelphia. Since the age of 15, Harris has taught workshops and classes at universities nationally & internationally and is known as a powerful spokesperson for the significance of “street” origins in any dance style. Harris founded Rennie Harris Puremovement in 1992. RHPM, a hip-hop concert dance & theater company are dedicated to preserving and disseminating hip-hop culture to the masses. Harris grew up entrenched in hip hop as an African American and Latino art form, in all its forms-music, dance, language- At the turn of the century Harris was voted one of the most influential people in the last one hundred years of Philadelphia history and has been compared to twentieth-century legends, Alvin Ailey and Bob Fosse.

“Rennie Harris is the Basquiat of the US. Contemporary dance scene, Lorenzo Rennie Harris has literally embodied the history of hip-hop dance.” ~London Times~

YEAR 2018-2019 AT A GLANCE
THE NEW YOKER: Revelations was created when hopes were young, “Lazarus” asks why so many of them have not been
realized.
FINANICAL TIMES: “This is the strange fruit of African-American History.”-“he has fashioned a maze of vintage steps more
exhilarating complex than anything you’ll find”
WASHINGTON POST: “Lazarus paints a visceral tableau of the black experience in the south”-“Harris also shows a tenderly
expressive and lyrical side of one of the most beautiful images”

BROADCAST MEDIA INTERVIEWS
ABC Nightline
HBO Vice News
2019-2020 NPR Washington DC
2019-2020 NPR New York City
2019-2020 NPR All Things Considered
2019-2020 NPR Nebraska

RESIDENCY/APPOINTMENTS
2018-2020 University of Austin Texas- Artist in residence in Dance, Spring Semester
2018-2019 University of North Texas
2018-2019 School of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (Artist in Residence)
2018-2019 Lied Center Nebraska

CHOREOGRAPHIC WORKS (new)
2018-2019 Alvin Ailey American American Dance Theater- “LAZARUS” –this the first evening
length work ever created in the history of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
2018-2019 Earl Mosely Institute of Art -“Resurrection I”
2018-2019 University of Austin Texas- “Resurrection II”
2018-2019 New Victory Theater- “Rennie Harris Funkedified” (Evening Length Work)
2018-2019 “Caravan” scored by Jazz Trumpeter Terence Blanchard (Evening Length Work)
2018-2019 Dallas Black 2 “Luv2HateU”
2018-2019 University of Indiana “Home” (originally created for Alvin Ailey 2006)
2018-2019 City Center: A Song For The World (Off Broadway) evening length composed by Jason
2018-2019 Facing Mekka (originally RHPM 2003)- Cal State: license and mounting

MEDIA REVIEW
2019-2020 New York Times
2019-2020 The New Yorker
2019-2020 Washington Post
2019-2020 The Philadelphia Inquirer
2019-2020 Dance Magazine

DISTANT LEARNING (Education)
2018-2019 The Juliard School –Body of work used as educational tool on distance learning

AWARD
2018 Dance Magazine Legend Award

ADJUDICATION
2019-2020 ACDA
2018-2019 ACDA South

TEACHING
2018-2019 Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
2018-2019 Bates College

CHOREOGRAPHIC MENTORSHIP
2018-2019 Rodney Hill Wilson College
2018-2019 Shakia Johnson
2018-2019 Lisa Engleken (choreographer)
2018-2019 Kai Rapelay

WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING
“Rennie Harris is the Basquiat of the U.S. Contemporary dance scene. Lorenzo Rennie Harris has literally embodied the history of
hip-hop dance.” ~ The Times London
“Philadelphia’s greatest cultural export” ~Philadelphia Inquirer
“Harris, age fifty, is the most respected—and, to my knowledge, the most brilliant—hip-hop choreographer in America.” ~ The New
Yorker~ 2014
“Harris the most profound choreographer of his idiom” ~New York Times~ 2015
“Mr Harris is a hip-hop artist, the most profound choreographer of that idiom.” ~The New York Times~
“Rennie Harris’s Exodus, a 21st-century version of Revelations, a spiritual journey of suffering and redemption reinvented for the
hip-hop generation.” ~The Guardian~ (Sadler’s Wells London)
“Revelations remains a highlight of the Ailey program, but in this opening bill of the company’s Sadler’s Wells run it has a strong
contender in Harris’ Exodus.” ~The Stage~ (UK)

YEAR 2007-2015 SUMMARY AT A GLANCE
2015- “Exodus”- Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
2014- Nominated for a Bessie Award in Choreography for Philadanco’s “Wake Up”
2013 – Honorary Doctorate “Philadelphia choreographer Lorenzo ‘Rennie’ Harris receives an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts
degree from Chicago’s prestigious Columbia College
2011 – Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs U.S. Department of State chose RHPM as one of four
companies to represent the USA. Dance Motion USA, a cultural diplomacy program that shares the United States’ rich
dance culture with international audiences, will send four American dance companies on cultural exchange tours to
four world regions beginning in early 2012. Members of Rennie Harris Puremovement will represent the U.S. as
Cultural Ambassadors in Egypt, Israel/ Palestine, and Jordan, where they will engage in workshops, training, master
classes, and performances.
2011 – Creative Ambassador of Philadelphia Rennie Harris was voted “Creative Ambassador” of Philadelphia.
Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation’s (GPTMC) newest initiative for the African American market
spotlights trendsetters—musicians, visual artists, dancers, poets, designers and producers—who are in touch with
what’s cool, hip and hot in the city and region. These Creative Ambassadors use their social networks to build buzz
about Philly as a travel hotspot and encourage a younger, affluent, tech-savvy crowd to visit.
2010 – Honorary Doctorate “Philadelphia choreographer Lorenzo ‘Rennie’ Harris received an honorary Doctorate of
Fine Arts degree at the Bates College 144th commencement ceremony on May 30, 2010. Founder and Artistic Director
of Rennie Harris Puremovement, Harris was one of five honorary degree recipients this year. Honorands included: Dr.
James McCarthy, Harvard professor of biological oceanography; Jane Pauley, veteran journalist and television anchor;
Elizabeth Strout ’77, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist; and Dr. Teresa Woodruff, an obstetrics and gynecology
researcher at Northwestern University.” ~ The Dance Journal
2010 – Guggenheim Rennie Harris was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2010 in recognition of his work as a
hip-hop choreographer.
2008 – William Shakespeare Award Rennie Harris, Peter Martins and Chita Rivera were honored with
the William
Shakespeare Award for Classical Theatre. The Will Award is an annual honor given by the Shakespeare Theatre
Company to a person (or persons) who has made a significant contribution to classical theatre in America.
2007 – United States Artist Fellowship Rennie Harris received U.S. Artist fellowship. United States Artist honors
50 of America’s finest artists with individual fellowships of $50,000.
2007 – Governor’s Artist of the Year Award (Hazlett Memorial Award) Rennie Harris received the Hazlett
Memorial Award for Excellence in the Arts, which recognizes Pennsylvanians who have contributed their creative
talents to their communities.

Faculty Appointments
2018-2020 University of Austin Texas- Artist in residence in Dance, Spring Semester
2018-2020 University of Austin Texas- Artist in residence in Dance, Spring Semester
2018-2019 First Artist In Residence @ School of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
2018 University of North Texas- residency
2017-Spring Colorado College- Artist in residence in Dance, Spring Block
2011-2012 Stanford University -Artist-In-Residence in Dance, University of Colorado Boulder
Instructor of classes in hip-hop dance technique and the history of hip-hop dance
2009 – Present University of Colorado in Boulder-Artist-In-Residence in Dance, University of Colorado Boulder
Instructor of classes in hip-hop dance technique and the history of hip-hop dance
2005- Present University of California Los Angeles-Artist-In-Residence in Dance, University of California Los Angeles
Instructor of classes in hip-hop dance technique and the history of
hip-hop dance
2006-2007 University of California Irvine-Guest Artist-in-Residence in Dance, fall semester,
University of California Irvine Instructor of classes in hip-hop dance technique and
choreography
2006-2007 University of the Arts (Philadelphia) Artist-in residence. Hip-hop Dance History
Technique and Project
2005-2006 University of Michigan- Guest Artist-in-Residence in Dance, University of Michigan
Instructor of classes in hip-hop dance technique and choreography

Fellowships, Grants, Honors and Award/Citations
Dance Magazine Legend Award 2018
First Works Honor “Rhythm of Change” 2017
Alan M. Kriegsman (Residence Grant) 2016
National Performance Network (NEFA) 2016
Pennsylvania Council of the Arts 2016
University of Little Rock Arkansas 2015
Canan Conservatory Award Philadelphia Pa, 2014
Bessie Award Nominee New York City 2013
Honorary Doctorate (Columbia College) 2013
Brizendine Award (Choreography) 2013
Hip-hop Cultural Award (Clutch Fest) 2013
Dance Motion USA 2012
Creative Ambassador of Philadelphia, PA 2011
Honorary Doctorate in Arts and Humanities from Bates College 2010
Recipient of the Guggenheim Award 2010
Black Theater Alvin Ailey Award 2009
Rutgers University Honorary Committee “Launch Pad” 2009
Nominated for the Guggenheim Award 2009
National Endowment for the Arts 2009
New England Foundation for the Arts 2009
Dance Place Honors Washington DC 2008
William Shakespeare Award Washington DC 2008
Master Choreography Kennedy Center Washington DC 2008
United States Artist Fellowship Los Angeles CA 2007
Governor’s Artist of the Year Award Pennsylvania 2007
Philadelphia Rocky Award (Peer recognition) 2007
Kulu Mele “African rooted Dance, Arts and Culture” Award 2007
Ford Foundation/Future Aesthetics New York, NY 2006
Artography Award/Ford Foundation New York, NY 2006
Ford Foundation/Preservation New York, NY 2005
Master of African American Choreography – The Kennedy Center 2005
Awarded key to the City of Philadelphia 2005
Ford Foundation/ Research & Preservation 2004
Pennsylvania Council on the Arts 2004
Awarded key to the City of South Beach 2004
Herb Alpert Award in the Arts Fellowship 2003
Best of Philly, Philadelphia Magazine 2003
Pennsylvania Council on the Arts 2003
Penn Foundation (choreography, research-Grant) 2003
Creative Capital (choreography Grant) 2003
Samuel Fels Foundation (research-Grant) 2003
Stockton Rush Bartol Foundation (research-Grant) 2003
Alvin Ailey Black Theater Award 2002
Alvin Ailey Black Theater Award 2001
Bessie Award for Choreography 2001
Lawrence Olivier Award (nominee), United Kingdom 2001
Voted most influential Philadelphian in 100 years 2000
National Endowment for the Arts (choreography-Grant) 2000
National Dance Project (touring-Grant) 2000
The Philadelphia Cultural Fund-research (Grant) 2000
Dance Advance Pew Charitable Trusts 1999
Ethnic Dance Award New York City 1997
Certificate of Achievement-City of Philadelphia/Mayor 1997
Dance Advance Grant, The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage 1997
Pew Charitable Trusts Fellowship 1996
City of Philadelphia Cultural Fund Grant 1996
Dance Advance Grant, The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage 1995
Philadelphia Repertory Development Initiative Grant 1995
Philadelphia Repertory Development Initiative Grant 1993
Most Exciting Dancer/Choreographer – Philadelphia City Paper (Poll) 1993
City of Philadelphia (citation) Mayor Philadelphia 1988
Best of Philadelphia (citation) Mayor Philadelphia 1984

Special Invitations/Performance Presentation
Listed below are venues/theaters and special events nationally and internationally-ranging from 300-2500
in seating capacity. 90-115 minutes in performance length, each venue presented repertory works ranging
from 30-minute suites to 10-minute solos, quartets and trios, which culminated in an evening of
performance. In addition, we provided education outreach by way of lectures, workshops and mentorship.
Rhode Island College (Company Rep) 2018
New Victory Theater ( Rennie Harris Funkedified) 2018
City Center New York (Rennie Harris Funkedified 2018
South Dallas Cultural Center (LIfTED) 2018
Whitebird Theater Portland Oregon (LIFTED) 2018
Bates College Lewiston Maine (LIFTED) 2018
Intermedia Arts Rennie Harris & Michael Sakamoto 2017
Kean University (New Jersey) 2017
Dance Place Washington DC 2017
LA Music Center/Collaboration RHPM & Black Violin 2016
The Spectrum Festival (Carbondale Co,) 2016
Flynn Theater (Vermont) 2016
Connecticut College 2016
University of Utah 2016
Columbia College (Chicago) 2016
University of Colorado@ Boulder (Colorado) 2016
Rutgers University (New Jersey) 2016
Virginia Commonwealth University 2016
Columbia College Rennie Harris & Michael Sakamoto (Chicago) 2016
VCU Rennie Harris & Michael Sakamoto 2016
Cheney College Pa 2016
ThenKimmel Center (Philadelphia) Philadelphia Experience 2016
University of Colorado (Beautiful Human Lies) 2016
Kazakhtan, Asia US Tour 2015-16
Colorado College Rennie Harris & Michael Sakamoto 2015
The Spectrum Festival (Carbondale Co,) 2015
New World (Miami) 2015
University of Arkansas (Little Rock) 2015
New Victory Theater (New York) 2015
The Apollo Theater (New York) 2015
Lincoln Center Out of Doors 2015
Bluementhol Theater 2015
Duke University (North Carolina) 2015
Dance Place (Washington DC) 2015
Rutgers University (New Jersey) 2015
The Joyce Theater (New York) 2014
The Royal Conservatory (Canada) 2014
Carver Community Cultural Center 2014
Adrienne Arsht Center 2014
American College Dance Festival Association (Texas) 2014
Dance Place (Washington DC) 2014
American College Dance Festival (Arkansas) 2014
South Carolina Dance Association (South Carolina) 2014
University of Madison (Wisconsin) 2014
Painted Bride Rennie Harris/Michael Sakamoto (Phila) 2014
Yerba Buena (San Francisco) 2013
New Victory Theater (New York) 2013
Wesleyan University Ohio 2013
Emelin Theater (Mamaroneck New York) 2013
Rutgers College (New Jersey) 2013
Howard University (Washington DC) 2013
Frostburg University (Pennsylvania) 2013
Smithsonian Nation Museum for the Arts (Washington DC) 2013
Carpenter Performing Arts Center (Long Beach) 2013
Dance Motion USA (Egypt, Israel, Jordan) 2011-12
Dance Place Theater (Washington, D.C.) 2012
Freed Center for Performing Arts (Ada, Ohio) 2012
Dianne Wortham Theatre (Ashville, NC) 2012
Wells Fargo Center (Santa Rosa, CA) 2012
Swarthmore College (Swarthmore, PA) 2012
AsWestern Michigan University (Kalamazoo, MI) 2011
August Wilson Center (Pittsburg, PA) 2011
The Kimmel Center (Philadelphia, PA) 2011
Caine Park (Cleveland Heights, OH) 2011
Wesleyan University (Middletown, CT) 2011
Bryn Mawr College (Bryn Mawr, PA) 2011
Adrienne Arsht Center (Miami, FL) 2011
Freeman Stage (Fenwick Island, DE) 2011
The Kimmel Center (Philadelphia, PA) 2011
Stanford University (Palo Alto, CA) 2011
Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center (MA) 2011
Contact Theater (United Kingdom) 2011
Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival (MA) 2010
The Kimmel Center Philadelphia 2010
Florida State University 2010
Montgomery Community College (Montgomery, PA) 2010
August Wilson Center (Pittsburg, PA) 2010
Artist Collective (CT) 2010
Edinburgh Fringe Festival (Scotland) 2010
August Wilson Center (Pittsburg, PA) 2010
Georgia State University 2010
International Blacks In Dance (Philadelphia, PA) 2009
Yerba Buena Center (San Francisco, CA) 2009
La Pena Cultural Center (Berkeley, CA) 2009
John Michael Kohler Arts Center (Sheboygan, WI) 2009
Lafayette College (Easton, PA) 2009
Reichold Center (St. Thomas, USVI) 2009
Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival (MA) 2009
Kimmel Center (Philadelphia, PA) 2009
Central Park Summer Stage (New York City, NY) 2008
Queens Bridge Park (New York City, NY) 2008
Theatre Royal (United Kingdom) 2008
University of Wisconsin 2008
The Kimmel Center (Philadelphia, PA) 2008
The Kimmel Center (Philadelphia, PA) 2007
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (San Francisco, CA) 2007
Majestic Theater (Gettysburg, PA) 2007
Wells Fargo Center (Santa Ana, CA) 2007
Piedmont Virginia Community College (Piedmont, VA) 2007
University of Virginia 2007
Alabama Dance Council (Birmingham, AL) 2006
Painted Bride Arts Center (Philadelphia, PA) 2006
New Jersey Performing Arts Center (Newark, NJ) 2006
Montclair State University (Montclair, NJ) 2006
Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater (REDCAT) (Los Angeles) 2006
Mryna Loy Center (Helena, MT) 2006
Winston Salem State University (NC) 2006
City Parks Foundation (New York, NY) 2006
Southeast Alabama Dance Company 2006
Overture Center for the Arts (Madison, WI) 2006
World Music Crash Arts (Cambridge, MA) 2006
City Center (St. Louis, MO) 2005
Center for the Arts – University at Buffalo (NY) 2005
Kravis Performing Arts (West Palm Beach, FL) 2005
Queen Elizabeth Hall (London, United Kingdom) 2005
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts (Urbana, IL) 2005
University of North Carolina 2005
Dance & Theatrica (Modena, Italy) 2005
Contemporary Dance Theater, Inc. (Cincinnati, OH) 2005
Moore Theatre (Seattle, WA) 2005
University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI) 2005
Carver Community Center (San Antonio, TX) 2005
Shepherd University (Charleston, WV) 2005
Cornell University (Ithaca, NY) 2005
Jarson-Kaplan Theater (Cincinnati, OH) 2005
University of Illinois (Urbana, IL) 2005
Luther Burbank Center for the Arts (Santa Rosa, CA) 2005
Fort Wayne Dance Collective (Fort Wayne, IN) 2005
Dancing in the Streets (New York City, NY) 2005
Kahilu Theatre (Kamuela, HI) 2005
University Musical Society (Ann Arbor, MI) 2005
FirstWorks Festival (Providence, RI) 2005
Leeward Community College (Pearl City, HI) 2005
New Jersey Performing Arts Center 2005
Scottsdale Center for the Arts (Scottsdale, AZ) 2005
Seattle Theatre Group (Seattle, WA) 2005
Sodra Teatern (Stockholm, Sweden) 2005
The Kennedy Center (Washington, D.C.) 2005
Dianna Wortham Theatre (Ashville, NC) 2005
Blumenthal Performing Arts Center (Charlotte, NC) 2005
Georgia State University (Atlanta, GA) 2005
Madison Cultural Arts Council (Madison, WI) 2005
Dance Theater of Lynchburg (Lynchburg, VA) 2005
Juan Rodriguez, LLC (Houston, TX) 2005
New Victory Theater (Manhattan, NY) 2004
Rhode Island College (Providence, RI) 2004
UC Entertainment (North Ontario, Canada) 2004
Walker Arts Center (Minneapolis, MN) 2004
We Love Dance Festival (Tokyo, Japan) 2004
McCarter Theater (Princeton, NJ) 2004
Colorado Springs Dance Theater 2004
Miami Light Project (Miami, FL) 2004
University of Utah (Salt Lake City, UT) 2004
Lipman Hall (Newark, NJ) 2004
New Orleans Ballet Association 2003
Paramount Center for the Arts (Peekskill, NY) 2004
Kyoto Art Theater (Kyoto, Japan) 2004
Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival (MA) 2003
Performed for the Princess of Monaco (Monte Carlo, France) 2003
University of Maryland (College Park, MD) 2003
Maui Arts & Cultural Center (Kahului, HI) 2002
University of Massachusetts (Amherst, MA) 2002
Oswego State University (NY) 2002
Allegheny College (Erie, PA) 2002
VIII Festival Iberoamericano de Teatro De Bogota (Columbia) 2002
Danse Danse Centre (Pierre-Peladeau, Montreal, Canada) 2002
Texas International Theatrical Arts Society 2002
University of Texas (Austin, TX) 2002
Walton Arts Center (Fayetteville, AR) 2002
Greenwood Cultural Center (Tulsa, OK) 2002
Cuyahoga Community College (Cuyahoga, OH) 2002
STEPS Internationales Tanzfestival (Switzerland) 2002
University of California Davis 2002
On the Green (Omaha, NE) 2002
Hip-hop Theater Festival (NY) 2002
Mann Center (Philadelphia, PA) 2002
Sterngrove Festival (San Francisco, CA) 2002
Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival (MA) 2001
De tit ball va (Spain) 2001
Holland Dance Festival (Netherlands) 2001
Scottsdale Center for the Arts (Scottsdale, AZ) 2001
Philadelphia Fringe Festival 2001
Brooklyn Academy of Music (Brooklyn, NY) 2001
Performed for the Queen of England (London, UK) 2001
Museum of Contemporary Arts (Chicago, IL) 2001
Sadler’s Wells Peacock Theatre (London, United Kingdom) 2001
Lincoln Center (Manhattan, New York) 2001
Mondavi Center (Davis, CA) 2001
California State University (Long Beach, CA) 2001
University California (Riverside, CA) 2001
University California (Santa Cruz, CA) 2001
The Music Hall Portsmouth New Hampshire 2001
Miami Light Project (Miami, FL) 2001
The Egg Center for the Performing Arts (Albany, NY) 2001
University of Connecticut 2001
University of Hawaii (Honolulu, HI) 2001
The Joyce Theater (Manhattan, NY) 2001
Dance Place (Washington, D.C.) 2001
World Financial Center (Manhattan, NY) 2001
Florida Theater (Tallahassee Florida) 2001
Lower Manhattan Cultural Center (Manhattan NY) 2001
Het Muziek Theater (Amsterdam) 2001
World of Music and Dance (WOMAD) (Seattle, WA) 2001
For President Bill Clinton (Washington, D.C.) 2000
NAACP Awards (Hollywood, CA) 2000
Wilma Theater (Philadelphia, PA) 2000
Dance Umbrella (Boston, MA) 2000
Adelaide Festival of Arts (Australia) 2000
New Zealand International Arts Festival (Wellington, New Zealand) 2000
Melbourne Town Hall (Australia) 2000
The Hawaii Theater 2000
Wesleyan University (Middletown, CT) 2000
Bucknell University (Lewisburg, PA) 2000
Davidson College (Davidson, NC) 2000
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts (Saint Paul, MN) 2000
Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN) 2000
Odunde African Festival (Philadelphia, PA) 2000
Flynn Theater (Burlington, VT) 2000
New Victory Theater (Manhattan, NY) 1999
National African American Museum (Wilberforce, OH) 1999
Spoleto Festival (Italy) 1999
International Children’s Festival (Seattle, WA) 1999
Cool Heat Urban Beat alliance (Bremen, Germany) 1999
Cuyohoga Community College (Cleveland, OH) 1999
Kings Arts Complex (Columbus, OH) 1999
Project Artaud (San Francisco, CA) 1999
Country School (Madison, CT) 1999
Shoreline Arts Alliance (Guilford, CT) 1999
Bern Miller Dance Theater (Beaufort, SC) 1999
Summer Stage (New York, NY) 1999
University of Kentucky 1999
Springfield Museum of Art (Columbus, OH) 1999
The Center of Contemporary Arts (St. Louis, MO) 1998
Sushi Performance & Visual Art (San Diego, CA) 1998
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Arts (Washington, D.C.) 1998
Swarthmore College (Swarthmore, PA) 1998
Reichold Center for the Arts (St. Thomas, USVI) 1998
P.S.122 (Manhattan, NY) 1998
Cain Park (Cleveland, OH) 1998
Tide Water (Norfolk, VA) 1998
Bowling Green State University (Bowling Green, OH) 1998
Arts in Education (Buffalo, NY) 1998
Brooklyn Academy of Music (Brooklyn, NY) 1998
Annenberg Center (Philadelphia, PA) 1998
Project Artaud (San Francisco, CA) 1998
Parc De Lavalette (France) 1998
Columbia College (Chicago, IL) 1998
Washington University (St. Louis, MO) 1998
Teatro Comunale dell`OPERA di Genova (Italy) 1998
Nervi Festival (Italy) 1998
Arts Unlimited (Bowling Green, OH) 1998
On the Boards (Seattle, WA) 1998
Edinburgh Fringe Festival (Scotland) 1998
Virginia Museum of Fine Art (Richmond, VA) 1998
Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA) 1997
Aaron Davis Hall (Harlem, NY) 1997
Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival (MA) 1997
Next Move Festival (Philadelphia, PA) 1997
Painted Bride Theater 5/Black Hand Side (Philadelphia, PA) 1996
Gloucester County College (Sewell, NJ) 1996
Temple University (Philadelphia, PA) 1996
Brooklyn Academy of Music (Brooklyn, NY) 1996
Black Choreographers Luckman Theater (Los Angeles, CA) 1996
Institute for the Arts in Education (Philadelphia, PA) 1996
Lincoln Theater (Washington, D.C.) 1996
Spoleto Festival (Charleston, SC) 1996
Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center 1996
Minnesota Arts Alliance 1996
Allegheny College (Meadville, PA) 1995
American Ballet Competition (Philadelphia, PA) 1995
Blacks In Dance (Philadelphia, PA) 1995
Villanova University (Villanova, PA) 1995
Keswick Theater (Glenside, PA) 1995
Temple University (Philadelphia, PA) 1995
Caribbean Festival (Philadelphia, PA) 1995
Philadelphia Dance Projects 1994
City Dances (Philadelphia, PA) 1994
Festival of Four Worlds (Philadelphia, PA) 1994
Walt Whitman Cultural Center (Camden, NJ) 1994
Third Avenue Performance Space (Columbus, OH) 1994
Collaborations Inc, (Philadelphia, PA) 1994
Columbus Recreation & Parks (Columbus, OH) 1994
Movement Theater International (Philadelphia PA) 1993
American Music Festival (NC) 1993
Independent Choreographers’ Exchange (Philadelphia, PA) 1992
Painted Bride (Philadelphia, PA) 1992
Huntingdon Street Music (Philadelphia, PA) 1992
Susan Hess Choreography Project (Philadelphia PA) 1992
Dancing in the Streets (Philadelphia, PA) 1991
Caribbean Festival (Philadelphia, PA) 1991
The Apollo Theater (New York, NY) 1987
Symphony Space (Manhattan, NY) 1986
Performance USA Smithsonian Institution 1986
Fresh Festival (Hip-hop’s first official national tour) 1983

Teaching/Residency/Lectures
Listed below are various hip-hop dance history lectures (Lecture) and hip-hop dance technique (Dance
Technique) classes taught by Rennie Harris (RH) and performances (Performance) by Rennie Harris
Puremovement (RHPM). In addition Artist-in-Residence will specifically indicate 2-3week hip-hop
dance technique, hip-hop dance history courses and choreographic commission.
University of Texas (Austin) 2017 RH
Oberlin Dance Collective RH intensive (San Francisco) 2017 RH
Goddard College 2016 RH
Philadanco Dance Studios (Philadelphia) 2016 RH
Oberlin Dance Collective RH intensive (San Francisco) 2016 RH
University of Iowa RH 2016 RH
Earl Mosley Dance Intensive (Kent Connecticut) 2016 RH
New World School (Miami, Florida) 2016 RH
Earl Mosley Dance Intensive (Kent Connecticut) 2015 RH
Bates College (Lewiston Maine) 2015 RH
Katherine Dunham Certification Program (Tampa Florida) 2015 RH
Illdelph Hip hop Festival Destiny Arts (San Francisco) 2015 RH
University of Texas (Austin) 2014 RH
William and Mary College (Virginia) 2014 RH
Charleston University (Charleston SC) 2014 RH
University of Frostburg (Frostburg Maryland) Dance Technique 2013 RH
New Waves Dance institute (Trinidad & Tobago) Dance tech 2013 RH
Cleo Parker Robinson Summer Institute (Dance Technique) 2013 RH
Earl Mosley Institute of the Arts (Dance Technique) 2013 RH
Bates College (Lewiston Maine) 2012 RH&RHPM
Yerba Buena (San Francisco) Performance & Dance Technique 2012 RH
New Waves Dance institute (Trinidad & Tobago) Dance tech 2012 RH
Earl Mosley Institute of the Arts (Dance Technique) 2012 RH
Alvin Ailey Dance Theater (Dance Technique & Lecture) 2011 RH
Wesleyan University (Performance & Lecture) 2011 RH&RHPM
Stanford University (Semester-long Hip-hop History Class) 2011 RH
Harvard University (Lecture) 2011 RH
International Association of Blacks in Dance (Performance) 2011 RH&RHPM
Colorado University in Boulder (Dance Technique/Lecture) 2011 RH
International Association of Blacks in Dance (Performance) 2010 RH
Contact Theater (United Kingdom) (Artist-in-Residence) 2010 RH
University of Colorado Boulder (Dance Technique/ Lecture) 2010 RH
University of Colorado Boulder (Dance Technique/Lecture) 2009 RH
University of California L.A. CA (Dance Technique/Lecture) 2009 RH
Fullerton University (Fullerton CA) (Dance Technique) 2008 RH
DeAnza College (Cupertino, CA) (Dance Technique/Lecture) 2008 RH
Dance Connections Studio (Los Angeles, CA) (Dance Technique) 2008 RH
Fresno City College (Dance Technique/Hip-hop History/Performance) 2008 RH
University of California Irvine (Irvine CA)(Dance Technique) 2008 RH
Cedar Crest College (Cedar Crest, PA) (Dance Technique) 2007 RH
The Colburn School (Los Angeles, CA) (Dance Technique) 2007 RH
Cedar Crest College (Allentown, PA) (Dance Technique) 2007 RH
DeSales University (Center Valley, PA) (Artist-in-Residence) 2007 RH
Chapman University (Orange, CA) (Dance Technique) 2007 RH
Santa Ana College (Santa Ana, CA) (Artist-in-Residence) 2007 RH
College of New Jersey (Ewing, NJ) (Dance Technique/Lecture) 2007 RH
Sonoma State University (San Francisco, CA) (Performance) 2007 RHPM
Rutgers University(New Brunswick, NJ)(Dance Technique/Perf) 2007 RH &RHPM
Muhlenberg College (Allentown, PA)(Dance Technique/Performance) 2007 RH
University of Colorado Boulder (Dance Technique/Lecture) 2007 RH
University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI) (Artist-in-Residence) 2007 RH
University of Wisconsin (Madison, WI) (Dance Technique/Lecture) 2007 RH
DeAnza College (Cupertino, CA) (Dance Technique/Lecture) 2007 RH
University of California (Los Angeles, CA) (Dance Tech/Lecture) 2007 RH
De Salles University (Allentown, PA) (Dance Tech/Hip-hop History) 2007 RH
Newport University (Newport News, VA) (Dance Technique) 2007 RH
Dance Teacher Summer Conference NY (Dance Technique) 2006 RH
University of California (Los Angeles, CA) (Dance Tech/Lecture) 2006 RH
University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA) (Dance Technique) 2006 RH
The College of William & Mary Williamsburg, VA (Dance Technique) 2006 RH
Long Beach City College (Long Beach, CA) (Dance Technique) 2006 RH
Sam Houston State University (Huntsville, TX) (Artist-in-Residence) 2006 RH
University of the Arts (Philadelphia, PA) (Artist-in-Residence) 2006 RH
Ohio State University (Columbus, OH) (Dance Technique) 2005 RH
State University of New York (Buffalo, NY) (Dance Technique) 2005 RH
Philadelphia Dance Company (Philadelphia, PA) (Dance Technique) 2005 RH
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance (Denver, CO) (Dance Technique) 2005 RH
Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival (MA) (Director/Dance Technique) 2005 RH
University of California (Los Angeles, CA) (Performance) 2004 RHPM
Castleton State College (Castleton, VT) (Dance Technique) 2004 RH
Kyoto University (Kyoto, Japan) (Dance Tech/Performance/Lecture) 2004 RH & RHPM
Bronx Charter School for the Arts (Dance Technique) 2004 RH
New York University (New York, NY) (Dance Technique) 2004 RH
Stanford University (Stanford, CA) (Dance Technique/Lecture) 2004 RH
California State University (Long Beach, CA) (Dance Technique) 2004 RH
Duke University (Durham, NC) (Dance Technique/Lecture) 2004 RH
The Albany Douglas Way (Deptford, London, UK) (Dance Tech/Perf.) 2002 RH & RHPM
Hampton Academy (Westhampton, NJ) (Dance Technique) 2002 RH
Greenwich West Community Arts Centre (London, UK)(Performance) 2002 RH
Bryn Mawr College (Bryn Mawr, PA) (Dance Technique) 2002 RH
The Dance Institution (Washington, D.C.) (Dance Technique) 2002 RH
Colorado Dance Festival (Dance Technique/Performance) 2002 RH
University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ) (Dance Technique) 2002 RH
Philadelphia Art Museum (Performance) 2001 RH
George Mason University (Fairfax, VA) (Dance Tech/Performance) 2001 RH
Delaware County Intermediate (Dance Technique) 2001 RH
Wyomissing Institute for the Arts (Dance Technique) 2001 RH
Bayfront Nato (Erie, PA) (Performance) 2001 RHPM
OMEGA Institute for Holistic studies (Dance Technique) 2001 RH
Cliveden Convalescent Center (Dance Technique/Lecture) 2001 RH
Santa Barbara Performing Arts (Performance) 2001 RH
University of California (Berkley, CA) (Dance Technique/Lecture) 2001 RH
American Dance Festival NC (Dance Technique/Lecture/Performance) 2001 RH & RHPM
Lafayette College (Easton, PA) (Performance) 2001 RH & RHPM
Carpenter Center (Long Beach, CA) (Performance) 2001 RH & RHPM
Stanford University (Palo Alto, CA) (Dance Technique/Lecture) 2000 RH
University of California Riverside, CA (Dance Technique/Performance) 2000 RH
Hopkins Center Dartmouth College (Hanover, NH) (Performance) 2000 RH
Alabama Ballet (Birmingham, AL) (Dance Technique) 2000 RH
Cuyahoga Community College (Cleveland, OH) (Performance) 1999 RH
Rowan University (Rowan, NJ) (Performance) 1999 RH
Bates Dance Festival (Lewiston, ME) (Dance Technique Performance) 1999 RH & RHPM
Lafayette College (Easton, PA) (Performance) 1999 RHPM
New Victory Theater (Manhattan, NY) (Performance) 1999 RHPM
Columbia College (Chicago, IL) (Artist-in-Residence) 1998 RHPM
M.I. T. (Cambridge, MA) (Dance Technique/Lecture) 1998 RHPM
Villanova University (Villanova, PA Dance Technique/Lecture 1998 RH
Dance Critics Association Conference (NY) 1998 RH
Longville College (Farmville, VA) Dance Technique/Lecture 1998 RHPM
Tulane University (New Orleans, LA) Dance Technique/Lecture 1997 RHPM
Delaware Institute of the Arts (Dance Technique) 1997 RH
Philadelphia Dance Exchange (Dance Technique) 1994 RH
Florida Dance Association (Dance Technique/Lecture) 1992 RH
Temple University (Philadelphia, PA) (Dance Technique/Lecture) 1987 RH

Choreographic Works/Commissions
Earl Mosely Institute of Art -“Resurrection I” 2018-2019
University of Austin Texas- “Resurrection II” 2018-2019
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater- “LAZARUS” (Evening Length Work) 2018-2019
New Victory Theater- “Rennie Harris Funkedified” (Evening Length Work) 2018-2019
“Caravan” scored by Jazz Trumpeter Terence Blanchard (Evening Length Work) 2018-2019
Dallas Black 2 “Moved” 2018-2019
University of Indiana “Home” (originally created for Alvin Ailey 2006) 2018-2019
City Center: A Song For The World (Off Broadway) evening length composed by Jason 2018-2019
Looking Glass-Broad Stage Theater Baltimore Maryland 2018-2019
Rennie Harris Puremovement LIFTED (evening length) 2017
Hood Lockers Funkedified 2016
Philadanco & RHPM Collaboration Straight Out Of Philly 2016
University of Iowa Spirit Water 2016
Columbia College FREE? 2016
Rennie Harris Grass Roots Project Beautiful Human Lies 2016
Apollo Theater 100NL 2015
Alvin Ailey Exodus 2015
RHPM Thirty Seven 2015
Rennie Harris Puremovement Nothing But A Word 2014
Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Company Yes Yes! 2014
Cleo Parker Robinson Free? 2014
RH Grass Roots Collective I Loved You 2014
Rennie Harris Puremovement I lay me down to Sleep 2014
Earl Mosley Institute of Arts- Spirit Migrations 2013
Rennie Harris & Michael Sakamoto- Flash (Botoh Hip-hop) 2013
Rennie Harris Puremovement- Nothing But a Word (Suite) 2013
Rennie Harris RHAW Love American Style (Evening Length) 2013
Versa Style Dance Company- A Prayer 4 U 2013
Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Company- Lifted 2011
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater title – Home 2011
Philadelphia Dance Company (Philadanco) – Awake 2011
Rennie Harris RHAW – Another One Bites the Dust 2011
University of Colorado in Boulder – Heaven 2011
Contact Theater Manchester, UK – Voices 2010
Rennie Harris RHAW – 3 B-boys & a Girl 2010
Rennie Harris RHAW -Image 2010
Rennie Harris RHAW – A Man’s World 2010
Lula Washington Dance Theatre – Reign 2009
University of Colorado Boulder – Lavender Lover 2009
Rutgers University – Funky 2009
Gus Giordano Jazz Company – I Want You 2009
University California Irvine – Something To Do With Love 2008
Complexions Dance Co. – Endangered Species (solo Desmond Richardson) 2007
Philadelphia Dance Company – Philadelphia Experience 2007
Dayton Contemporary Dance Company – Jacob’s Ladder 2007
Rennie Harris Puremovement – Pure Dance 2007
William Penn Foundation – Def Jam 2007
Ford Foundation – March Of The Antmen preservation 2007
University of California – Ms. Spellings of Be 2006
Rha Goddess – Meditation of a Goddess 2006
Rennie Harris – PrinceScareKrow Road to the Emerald City 2006
Rennie Harris Puremovement – 100NAKEDLOCKS 2006
Rennie Harris Puremovement – Heaven 2006
University of the Arts – Human 2006
Sam Houston University – Soul 2006
Expressions Dance Company – Soul Believer 2005
Bamuthi Joseph (San Francisco) – Scourge 2005
Colorado Ballet (Denver Co) – Earth Tribe 2004
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater – Love Stories 2004
Rennie Harris Puremovement – Facing Mekka 2003
New Victory Theater (NY) – Legends of Hip-Hop 2001
Ballet Memphis – Dancing Together II 2000
Bates College (Lewiston Maine) – Rome & Jewels 2000
Philadelphia Susan Hess Project – Pan Logo 1998
Annenberg Theater (Philadelphia) – Mr. Campbell Lock 1998
Dance Umbrella (Boston MA) – Jazz, Tap, Hip-hop 1997
Rennie Harris Puremovement – March of the Antmen 1997
Group Motion (Philadelphia) – Sankofa 1997
Pennsylvania Ballet for “Shut Up and Dance!” 1997
Philadelphia Painted Bride Theater – Hip Hop and Holler! 1997
Philadelphia Art Museum – John Coltrane Project 1996
Art Works in Different Places – Rhythm Sound 1996
Philadelphia Museum of Art, John Cage Exhibit – Lorenzo’s Oil 1995
Pennsylvania Prison Society – Fallen Crumbs from the Cake 1995
Chuck Davis – Students of the Asphalt Jungle, 1995
Philadelphia American Music Theater – The Rainbow Connection 1995
Philadelphia Art Museum of Art – Patriots 1995
Ivrim Festival – State of Mind II 1994
Philadelphia Susan Hess Project – Death Becomes Me 1993
Philadelphia Susan Hess Project – 3 Minutes With You 1993
Rennie Harris Puremovement – P-Funk, 1993
Rennie Harris Puremovement – Peace Out to James 1993
Rennie Harris Puremovement – Silent House 1993
Zakir Hussain Painted Bride Theater – Beautiful Human Lies 1993
Rennie Harris Puremovement – State of Dazement 1992
“Mime Now” Festival – Endangered Species, 1992
Movement Theater International – Fresh Fruit 1992
Movement Theater International – Puremovement 1991
Philadelphia Painted Bride Theater – Hip-Hop to Be Bop 1987
Magnificent Force London UK – Private Dancer 1986
Magnificent Force Brooklyn Museum – Nuclear War 1986
Philadelphia Scanner Boys – Africana 1985
Philadelphia Scanner Boys – Oriental Pop 1983
Dancing On Air Scanner Boys – Planet Rock 1982
The International House – Step Master 1978
Philadelphia Cabaret – Cobra 1977

Panels/Adjudication
Knight Choreography Fellowship Adjudication 2017
John Hope Franklin Center (Duke University) Panel 2016
Herb Alpert Award (Adjudication panel) 2016
South Carolina Dance Association (SCDA) Adjudication 2014
American Dance Festival Association (ADFA) Adjudication 2014
American College Dance Association (ACDA) Adjudication 2014
Apollo Theater (Hip Hop Convention) Panel 2013
Rockers Rumble (University of Colorado at Boulder) Adjudication 2013
Wesleyan University Panel 2011
American College Dance Festival Adjudication 2008
Hip Hop 360 Canada Dance Festival Panel 2008
Line Breaks, University of Wisconsin Panel 2008
University of Irvine Panel 2006

Featured in authored Books/Publications and Review
Oxford Handbook of Shakespeare and dance (co-author chapter) 2017 (Pub TBA)
Dance. Studio. Life Magazine (Rennie Harris RHAW featured) 2016
The Fifth Element “Knowledge” (Wesleyan Press)-TBA 2015 (Publish 15-17)
Elephant in Da Room(Essay)-Beyond the Surface Michelle Murray 2013 Published
Letter To Myself (Article) Dance Spirit Magazine 2013 Published
Dance Magazine article by Charmane Warren 2011 Featured
Archeology of Rennie Harris (article) by Halifu Osumare 2008 Featured
Ballroom, Boogie Shimmy Sham (chapter) by Halifu Osumare 2008 Featured
The Express Times article by Susan Kalan 2007 Featured
Philadelphia Weekly article by Leo Beletsky 2007 Featured
Growing Place article by Artist Heidi Henderson 2007 Featured
Total Chaos: The Art and Aesthetics of Hip-Hop by Jeff Chang 2007 Featured
Columbia College article by Jeff Chang 2007 Featured
Further Steps (book) by Constance Kreemer 2007 Featured
Dance Magazine article by Brenda D. Gottschild 2007 Featured
Can’t Stop Won’t Stop (book) by Jeff Chang 2006 Featured
We B Girlz (book) by Martha Cooper 2005 Featured
Dance Magazine article by Sally Sommer 2004 Featured
The Black Dancing Body by Brenda D. Gottschild 2003 Featured
Master of Movement:Portraits of America’s Great Choreographers by Rose Eichenbaum 2003 Featured
The New Yorker article “Off the Street” by Joan Acocella 2003 Featured
Crisis Magazine article by Lori Robinson 2001 Featured
XXL Magazine article by Ben Osborne 2001 Featured
Dance Magazine article by Donald Hutera 2001 Featured
Dance Magazine article by Cari Cunningham 2000 Featured
Dance Magazine article by Brenda D. Gottschild 1999 Featured
Dance Magazine article by Shayna Samuels 1999 Featured
Blaze Magazine article by Floyd Sullivan 1998 Featured
Dance Magazine article by Roslyn Sulcas 1997 Featured
Digging Africanist Spirit in America (book) by Brenda Gottschild 1996 Featured
Dance Magazine article by Brenda Gottschild 1995 Featured
Philadelphia Magazine Best of Philadelphia 1984 Featured

Commercial TV, Video, Opening Act & Various Performances
Listed below are Hip-hop and R&B artists I’ve toured with as a dancer, choreographed and opened for in
concert or on tour. Also, I’ve listed television shows I directed, staged, and/or hosted. In addition, I took the
liberty of listing miscellaneous performances (Hip-hop dance) since the age of 14. Where I indicate
“Performance or Opening Act” it refers to a group performance by one of my childhood dance companies:
The Step Masters, Scanner Boys or Magnificent Force.
Sky Art Dance Documentary for television (International) 2017
Articulate with Jim Cotter for television (national) 2015
Rapper Dice RAW (The Roots rap group) 2014
Vikter Duplaix, DJ & House Singer (choreographer/staged tour) 2001
Will Smith, legendary rapper (featured dancer in video) 2000
Reebok (Special performance invitation Reebok headquarters) 1998
Nike (Special performance invitation Nike headquarters) 1996
The Roots, rap group (directed video and featured dancer) 1993
Madonna, pop singer (opening act for concert) 1990
Cathy Sledge (choreographer & featured dancer) 1990
One House Street (Host of hip-hop dance T.V. show) 1990
One House Street (wrote award-winning theme song/T.V.) 1990
Tuff Crew, rap group (choreographer/featured dancer/tour/video) 1989
Gloria Gaynor, R&B singer (opening act in concert) 1989
The Tramps, R&B singing group (opening act in concert) 1989
Silk Times Leather, rap group (featured dancer in video) 1989
Dougie Fresh, legendary rapper (opening act in concert) 1989
MC Hammer, legendary rapper (director/staging/television) 1989
Big Daddy Kane, legendary rapper (director/staging/television) 1989
The Jets, singing group (director & staging for television) 1988
LA Gear (director & staging for 5-second T.V. promotional spot) 1988
Smalls Formal Wear (director & staging for T.V. promotional spot) 1988
LL Cool J, legendary rapper (opening act in concert) 1987
New Kids on the Block, singing group (director/staging/television) 1987
Paula Abdul, singer (director & staging for television) 1987
Special Ed, rapper (director/staging/television) 1987
Expose, pop singing group (director/staging/television) 1987
Dance Party USA (director/producer/staging) USA Network 1987
Ricky Skaggs, country singer (choreographed/featured group) 1986
New Addition, R&B singing group (director/staging/television) 1986
Swatch Watch, watch brand (dancer/Swatch Watch Breakers) 1985
Harry Belafonte Honor, Special performance invitation 1985
Run DMC, legendary rap group (opening act) 1984
Fat Boys, legendary rap group (opening act) 1984
Whodini, legendary rap group (opening act) 1984
Kurtis Blow, legendary rapper (opening act) 1984
Newcleous, legendary rap group (opening act) 1984
Grand Master Flash, legendary rap group (opening act) 1984
The Soul Sonic Force, legendary rap group (opening act) 1984
Smithsonian Institution (performance) Scanner Boys 1984
Salt & Peppa, legendary rap group (opening act) 1983
Roxanne Shante, legendary rapper (opening act) 1983
Tower Theater, Philadelphia (performance) Scanner Boys 1983
West Street Mob, legendary rap group (opening act) 1982
Dancin On Air (featured dancer) Combined Broadcasting 1981
West Catholic High School (performance) Scanner Boys 1981
Pulsations club (performance) Scanner Boys 1981
La Ferry (cruise) (performance) Scanner Boys 1981
Wagners Ball Room (performance) Scanner Boys 1981
Mayor’s Literacy Program (Philadelphia) Scanner Boys 1981
Kool Mo Dee and the Treacherous Three, Scanner Boys 1980
Hotel Philadelphia (performance) Step Masters 1979
Blue Horizon club (performance) Step Masters 1979
St. Joseph Prep High School (performance) Step Masters 1979
St. Elizabeth High School (performance) Step Masters 1979
Roman Catholic High School (performance) Step Masters 1979
Folk Life Center (performance) Step Masters 1979
Gesu Church (Talent Show) Cobra III 1978

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