Billy Siegenfeld

Billy Siegenfeld is a Professor in the Department of Theatre at Northwestern University's School of Communication. He is the founder and artistic director of the Jump Rhythm Theatre Company, an Emmy®-Award-winning performer, and author of essays and a forthcoming book titled How To Make Gravity Our New Best Friend. His work bridges jazz, funk, hip-hop, and African-inspired ngoma traditions through the Jump Rhythm® and Standing Down Straight® methodologies.

• BA in Literature, Brown University
• MA in Jazz Music and Dance, New York University’s Gallatin Division

His research explores the intersection of gravity-directed relaxation with emotion-driven performance, focusing on injury prevention, body-voice integration, and primal human behaviors. He has created plays like What Do You Want To Be When You Give Up? (2019) and Fortitude and Gentleness (2023), examining themes of self-acceptance and democratic collaboration.

His recent publications include essays on rhythm dancing, pedagogy, and the African-American performance aesthetic. These works highlight his commitment to democratizing movement practices and reconnecting with natural bodily rhythms.

Scientific Recognition:

• Emmy® Award for vocal-rhythmic choreography in Jump Rhythm Jazz Project: Getting There
• Ruth Page Award for Outstanding Contributions to Dance
• Fulbright Senior Scholar designation
• Choreographer of the Year by Dance Chicago
• National Performance Network Creation Award

As Charles Deering McCormick Professor of Teaching Excellence, Siegenfeld has received grants from the Illinois Arts Council, Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation, and Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation. He collaborates globally with institutions like Turku University of Applied Sciences and European Union cultural programs.