Description

Contemporary Dancer, Choreographer

Marcus Jarrell Willis has worked professionally with RIOULT, Dominic Walsh Dance
Theater, Tania Pérez-Salas Compañía de Danza and Ailey II. Willis performed with
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater from 2008-2016. He has presented
choreographic works in festivals across the United States and Europe.

Commissions include creations for Ailey II, TU Dance, NY Choreographic Institute,
with dancers of New York City Ballet, Company Danzante, Ballet Cymru 2, The
Juilliard School, Purchase Conservatory of Dance, The Ailey School, University of
Minnesota, Lucia Marthas Institute for the Performing Arts, Rubicon Dance, COCA,
Satellite Collective, Dance Gallery Festival Level Up and 92nd Y Dance Introduction
Series, among others.

Willis is the Founder of MJ Willis Project-Inc, which made its debut in Wales in
2017, premiering "My Brother, Dear Sister”. He was named Best Choreographer for
TU Dance creation, Sensible Existence in City Pages 2018 Best of the Twin Cities.
Willis was the 2018/19 Leverhulme Choreography Fellow at Rambert Dance in
London, during which time he completed the solo creation, POM/POM, Portrait of
Man/Pieces of Me and created work with selected dancers of Rambert 2. Currently,
he is in the collaborative creation process of an evening length duet, The
Sanctuary, set to premiere in Wales, Fall 2020.

MJ Willis Project-Inc. is designed as an inclusive umbrella for the many disciplines
of the Arts. Dance performance acts as the primary service and focus of the
company but providing a space for artists to connect and collaborate through all
mediums of Art remains its driving ethos. A place to share and showcase new
voices and visions, where each collaborator is invited to contribute towards a recipe
created by all, for all.

The choreographic practice of Project-Inc. generates a movement vocabulary that
is structured utilizing knowledge and experience of the codified dance techniques,
classical ballet and modern dance as its platform. Furthermore, there is an
emphasis on the exploration of the development of a choreographic voice,
consisting of both gestural and contemporary language.

We, as human beings, face many challenges in the society we live in today. The
one thing that remains true is that art is healing. It is a necessary part of our
existence. Each person has a unique and individual genetic make-up that offers
creativity to the world. Project-Inc. gives a platform for these connections to be
formed and correlations to be discovered.

“Art, Undeniably, is conductive to happiness.”
Unknown

MJ Willis Project-Inc. is a place where we can push the envelope. Try new things. It
is not a place for judgement because there is no right or wrong. The mission is to
explore, create and share. The reality is creating art has no error. Project-Inc. aims
to continue a process of uninhibited and unapologetic exploration.

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and
those who matter don’t mind.”
Dr Suess

MJ Willis Project-Inc.
Engage. Explore. Experience.