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Acclaimed for promoting the Pan-African experience through performance and education programs, Opus Dance Theatre returns after a three year hiatus for an evening of works by cutting-edge, emerging choreographers including Christopher Huggins, Michael Leon Thomas, Vernard Gilmore and Krystal Hall-Glass.

For more on the company and its history an programs visit www.opusdancetheater.org.

Michael Leon Thomas first danced with the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company in 2000. A performer, director, and choreographer, he made his professional debut with renowned dancer and artistic director Judith Jamison. Thomas continued his career with the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, and was featured in Ulysses Dove's Urban Folk Dance, Donald McKayle's Rainbow Round My Shoulder, and the ballet Beyond a Cliff. His involvement in Beyond a Cliff was the beginning of a choreographic relationship with Dwight Rhoden, a relationship that has lasted over a decade. In 1991, Thomas joined Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Jennifer Dunning of The New York Times wrote, "Michael Thomas scorched the stage with his quiet intensity during his years with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater."

Since his departure from the renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Christopher Huggins has worked as a dancer, teacher and choreographer and has appeared as a guest artist for several dance companies in the US and abroad. in five European countries, Japan and throughout the US. A Boston Native, Huggins attended the State University of New York at Purchase and the Juilliard School at Lincoln Center. He has been a featured performer for the Essence Awards, Broadway's A Few Good Men and Debbie Allen's musical Soul Possessed. He is the 2002 recipient of the Ira Aldridge Award for best Choreography from the Black Theater Alliance in Chicago for his work Emmy Behind the Gates for Philadanco.Christopher is presently choreographing for the New York City Housing Authority, Duke Ellington Hight School in Washington, D.C., The Ailey School, and Eleone Dance Company of Philadelphia.

Vernard Gilmore a current member of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre is a native Chicagoan; his roots were deeply nurtured through great teachers back home. He continues to teach workshops and master classes around the world. Mr. Gilmore is certified in the Zena Rommett floorbarre technique and has taught the Horton technique worldwide. Mr. Gilmore had the honor to choreograph for the Fire Island Dance Festival in 2008. He has and always will be an active choreographer for the Ailey



Krystal Hall-Glass Recognized by the LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts as one its "notable  alumni," Krystal Hall-Glass began her training at Ruth Williams Dance studio in Harlem. She later attended the High School of Performing Arts where she graduated with a diploma in dance. Ms Hall Glass appeared in the Broadway version of "The Wiz" while attending the Julliard School of Music on a dance scholarship. Krystal has worked with choreographers Michael Peters, Otis Sallid, George Faison, legendary actor Ossie Davis; famed jazz musicians Max Roach and Cassandra Reeves. As a dancer she toured nationally and internationally as a principle dancer with Kevin Iega Jeff's highly acclaimed Jubilation! Dance Company garnering a Bessie nomination. The recipient of a choreographic grant from the National Endowment for the Arts her solos have been performed by members of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the Julliard School and Frankfurt Ballet. Ms. Glass has instructed at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, LaGuardia School of the Arts, Newark's Arts High School, Howard University, City College, SUNY Purchase, and is currently a teaching artist for Lincoln Center Institute. She has been cited six times in "Who's Who Amongst Americas Teachers" for her contributions to the art of dance. Ms. Hall-Glass is the first African American graduate from SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance with a MFA in performance/teaching. As an arts administrator Ms. Hall-Glass served as the dance director for Mindbuilders Creative Arts Center and most recently the famed Harlem School of the Arts, where under her directorship over 50 students were accepted into professional performing arts dance programs within a 5 year period. Krystal is the president and founder of Krystal Glass (e) Motion By Design a support company which maximizes the performance, professionalism and presentations of dancers and like organizations.

Opus Dance Theatre’s engagement at Harlem Stage is a presentation of the Harlem Stage Partners program.