LOVE REV 2017 PROGRAM FINAL FINAL

AYODELE CASEL
Ayodele Casel premiered her onewoman
show “While I Have The
Floor” at the Spoleto Arts Festival this
season to rave reviews. She most
recently served as choreographer
for Carole King and Maurice
Sendak’s musical “Really Rosie
being presented at New York City
Center’s Encores! Off Center this
summer under the direction of Leigh
Silverman.
The 2017 recipient of the “Hoofer
Award”, Ayodele is a native New
Yorker and began her professional
training at New York University’s
Tisch School of the Arts and is also a
graduate of The William Esper Studio
in NYC, having studied directly with
the masterful William Esper.
Hailed by the legendary Gregory
Hines as “one of the top young tap
dancers in the world,” Casel has been creating and presenting her work since 1999
and added Spoleto Festival USA to her list of eager recipients this season in her World
Premiere.
Ms. Casel’s television and film credits include “Third Watch”, “Law and Order”, “The
Jamie Foxx Show”, “Bojangles”, “Savion Glover’s Nu York”. Ayodele originated
the role of Yvonne in Nelsan Ellis’ heart-wrenching play “UGLy” to great reviews at
NYC’s Fringe Festival and Santa Monica Playhouse. She also originated the role of
“The Doll” in Derick Grant’s “Imagine Tap!” which premiered at The Harris Theater
in Chicago. Ayodele currently serves on the Artist Board for New York City Center’s
Encores! under the artistic direction of Tony Award winner Jeanine Tesori.
She has earned her commissions from Aaron Davis Hall/Harlem Stage and the
Apollo’s Salon Series, where she presented “Diary of a Tap Dancer”. She was also
selected by acclaimed composer Rob Kapilow to collaborate on a Tap dance
concerto which premiered at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Ayodele
co- choreographed “Tap Into Peace”; a show with the incredible music of Stevie
Wonder as its inspiration and soundtrack. The show has been presented at NY City
Center’s Fall for Dance and PlayhouseSquare in Cleveland.
She has performed at New York City Center, The White House, Carnegie Hall, Radio
City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, and Off- Broadway in Savion Glover’s
Downtown: Live Communication. Ms. Casel also co-choreographed and was
featured on PBS’ “Rodgers and Hart Story: Thou Swell, Thou Witty”
Recent performances include “Broadway For Hillary” Fundraiser at the St. James
Theater in NYC for with Michael Mayer as director. She is on faculty at A BroaderWay,
LA Dance Magic, and Marymount Manhattan College. She is the co-director of
Original Tap House and Operation: Tap.