The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance is thrilled to embark on an array of artistically rigorous processes this semester. Through their engagement in Repertory and Performance, the USC Kaufman BFAs will have the opportunity to work with renowned guest artists and faculty members in the creation of both new works and existing repertory. Each process will culminate in a piece to be performed at the Bing Theatre December 29 through May 2. The BFAs will also perform these works at the 2025 Works-in-Progress performance, an informal showing of their progress at mid-semester. Stay tuned for more details on how and when to catch these showcases of talent and multifaceted choreographic vision.

USC Kaufman is proud to announce that the BFA students will be working with three new Guest Artists this semester:

Jillian Meyers

Distinguished Guest Artist Jillian Meyers will create her first new work for USC Kaufman this semester. An Emmy nominated choreographer and world renowned performer, Meyers’ work encompasses everything from live performance to film, and site-specific experiences. In addition to touring as a lead dancer with Janet Jackson, Meyers has performed live on Dancing With the Stars. Working on a variety of film and television sets, Meyers was the assistant choreographer for the film La La Land. She has also choreographed several music videos for Hozier and co-choreographed numerous episodes of NBC’s Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist. Meyers continues to invite audiences into her world of playful imagination through her collaborative project The Seaweed Sisters, embodying humor within animation and breathing life into the unusual.

Elizabeth Auclair

Former member of the Martha Graham Company, Elizabeth Auclair, will facilitate the staging of Graham’s Acts of Light on the Class of 2027. As a young dancer, Auclair trained with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the Martha Graham School. In addition to her extensive performance career, Auclair has worked as the Associate Director for Graham II, Rehearsal Director for the Graham Company, 360 Dance, and Pearl Lang Dance Theatre. Following the events of 9/11 in NYC, Auclair served as the Director of the school outreach program, Expression of Emotion Through the Art of Dance. She is determined to ensure that children have the opportunity to discover themselves within the unique physicality of the Graham language. Auclair continues to share her passion for teaching with universities, professional companies, and dance institutions around the world. 

Jakevis Thomason

Jakevis Thomason graduated from USC Kaufman in 2020, and is now set to create his first new work on the current BFAs. Thomason has gained international recognition for his work as a teacher, choreographer, and creative director for stage and screen. Thomason recently choreographed for Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour. He has also choreographed for musical artist Brandy as well as for the concert dance company Whim W’him. His performance career extends to include dancing alongside artists including FKA twigs, Jack Harlow, Lil Nas X, and Kali Uchis. 

Kyle Abraham

Kyle Abraham, USC Claude and Alfred Mann Endowed Professor in Dance, will create a new work with the combined talent of the Classes of 2025 and 2026. Notably, Abraham has been commissioned to choreograph work for several prestigious dance companies. In addition, he is continuously developing new work for his own company, A.I.M by Kyle Abraham. Over the course of his professional career, Abraham has received numerous awards recognizing his outstanding work in the field of contemporary dance. He is an internationally acclaimed artist of countless strengths and a limitless capacity for creation.

Audition Based Work

This semester, the BFAs had the opportunity to audition for three new artistic processes in addition to their cohort based repertory creations. 

Early this semester, USC Kaufman BFAs from across all cohorts will be joined by Thomason. He will work on the premiere of a new Hip Hop piece inspired by Graham’s Lamentation Variation. Simultaneously, Professor Josette Wiggan will set a new tap work infused with knowledge from her robust background in jazz dance. Additionally, select BFAs will have the opportunity to be involved in a ballet process with Professor Ebony Haswell Frazier.

Cohort Based Repertory

The Class of 2028 will be engaged in the process of learning Jiří Kylián’s esteemed Un Ballo repertory. The work will be staged by Professor Fiona Lummis and Professor Bruce McCormick. Concurrently, the Class of 2027 will be engaged in an artistically rigorous process with Elizabeth Auclair, who will stage Graham’s Acts of Light. The process will be guided and facilitated with the support of Professor Holley Farmer. Combining in a shared celebration of their artistic talents, the Classes of 2025 and 2026 will be split amongst two unique processes this semester. Jillian Meyers will work with select members from these classes in an exploration of creative possibility and vivid expression. Meanwhile, Abraham will work with various upperclassmen in the creation of a new house influenced contemporary work.  

Supporting Our Artists

Join us in supporting these guest artists, faculty choreographers, and BFAs through a week of performances this May. Visit the USC Kaufman Website for further details regarding tickets to the 2025 Spring Showcase.