Royce Zackery

Royce Zackery is a Tenured Associate Professor and Head Coordinator of Dance Arts at Howard University's Department of Theatre Arts, within the College of Fine Arts. He holds a Master of Arts from New York University's Steinhardt School in Pedagogical and Performance Studies, and a B.F.A. from Southern Methodist University.

His research focuses on interdisciplinary applications of dance, including brain cognition and injury prevention through bilateralization studies, alongside contributions to athletic performance and childhood education (STEAM). Professor Zackery boasts over 20 years of professional experience as a dancer and teacher, performing in Broadway shows like My One and Only, Oklahoma!, and Anything Goes, and collaborating with renowned companies such as Ajkun Ballet Theatre and The Alvin Ailey Extension Program.

As an educator, he has taught globally at institutions like Broadway Dance Center, THEARC, and international festivals. He leads community initiatives through MindLeaps, an NGO creating educational programs for vulnerable youth in post-conflict regions, notably in Rwanda. His choreography has been commissioned by entities like the Kennedy Center and White Nights Festival, with works showcased in Germany, Russia, Africa, and across the U.S.

Zackery is a grant recipient collaborating with the Israeli Embassy and Howard University, emphasizing global cultural exchange. His recent interdisciplinary project BABEL premiered at Kigali’s Genocide Memorial Amphitheatre, pairing his choreography with Dr. Karen Walwyn’s musical composition Mother Emanuel. This work addresses historical trauma while mentoring Rwandan teaching artists and homeless youth.