Michael Sheridan

Michael Sheridan is a Philadelphia-based artist, activist, and educator currently serving as a Visiting Faculty member in the BFA Dance Lab at Bennington College for the 2024-2025 academic year. His distinguished career spans over two decades as a performer with Pennsylvania Ballet and Milwaukee Ballet, where he held roles including Assistant to the Artistic Director, and has worked with Damian Woetzel on major projects like the Vail Dance Festival and performances at New York City Center and the Kennedy Center.

Sheridan earned his MFA in Dance from The University of the Arts, where he previously served as associate professor and curricular head of studio practice. His educational foundation informs his current teaching of multiple Studio Practice: Ballet courses in Bennington's BFA Dance program.

Sheridan's research and artistic practice centers on Dance and Ballet performance, Choreography development, Dance Education methodologies, and Arts Activism. His repertoire includes principal roles in works by George Balanchine, Alvin Ailey, Merce Cunningham, and Paul Taylor, reflecting deep engagement with both classical and contemporary dance traditions. His activism manifests through community-focused initiatives like Shut Up & Dance, an annual AIDS benefit he co-founded in 1993.

His significant honors include:

• MANNA’s Lifetime Achievement Award (2017)
• MANNA Gold Apron (2022)
• Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Fellowship for Emerging Choreographers (awarded twice)
• Rocky Award for Excellence in the Arts (2005)
• Outstanding Mentorship recognition (2013)
• The University of the Arts President's Award for Community Service (2021)

Sheridan demonstrates exceptional mentorship through his teaching and choreographic guidance, recognized by the 2013 Outstanding Mentorship award. His community service extends beyond the classroom through sustained advocacy work with MANNA and representation of dance education at international platforms including Ballet Why & How in Stockholm, Dance UK in London, and Montpellier Danse in France.

As a founding member of BalletX's Board of Directors and guest company teacher, Sheridan maintains active industry engagement. He has represented The University of the Arts School of Dance at global forums across Europe and Asia, including workshops in Seoul, South Korea, and continues to influence dance education through his international presence and collaborative projects.