Tony-Nominated Broadway Choreographer Chet Walker to Teach Columbia Master Class Series

News Office Staff / Apr 12, 2017

Theatre Department welcomes multi award-winning choreographer and director

CHICAGO (April 12, 2017) – Columbia College Chicago will host multi-award winning director and choreographer Chet Walker, who received a 2013 Tony Award nomination for Outstanding Choreography for his work in the revival of Pippin. Walker will lead a series of master classes for Columbia Theatre and Dance students from April 12 to 14.

The series will focus on teaching and celebrating the style of legendary Broadway choreographer Jack Cole. In addition, Walker will host auditions for upcoming projects with Columbia students.

“We are thrilled that Chet is returning to Columbia for a Jack Cole master class series with our students,” said associate professor of Theatre Amy Uhl. “Chet joined us in 2013 for a series of classes just after he received his Tony Award nomination for the Broadway revival of Pippin. We are honored that he is coming back to share his vision for this project with our students.”

Walker will return to Columbia with the hopes of seeking out new and upcoming talent for future projects through auditions with Columbia students. “Chet would like to be exposed to both the dancing and singing potential for this project,” said Uhl. “We are extremely grateful to Chet for sharing his incredible knowledge and choosing to work with our talented students at Columbia. This will have a great impact on our students’ education and understanding of how to prepare themselves for their careers in the industry.”

Walker is also known for his role in creating and co-choreographing the Tony and multi-international award-winning musical revue Fosse. Walker’s works range from Cirque du Soleil to original dance works created for Compania Internacional de Teatro Musical, the international Jazz/Musical Theatre Dance Company which he co-artistic directs in Buenos Aires, Argentina, as well as serving as the Director of the Jazz Program at Jacob’s Pillow.

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Columbia College Chicago is a private, nonprofit college offering a distinctive curriculum that blends creative and media arts, liberal arts and business for more than 8,000 students in more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Dedicated to academic excellence and long-term career success, Columbia College Chicago creates a dynamic, challenging and collaborative space for students who experience the world through a creative lens. For more information, visit colum.edu.

Media Contact: Anjali Julka, 312.369.7016, ajulka@colum.edu.

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