Alum of the Month

August 2012

August 2012
Larry Keigwin

B.A. ’07

Q & A:

  • What was your favorite class, professor, or fondest memory of Hofstra?
    All the dance classes were my favorite. I was a sponge for anything dance-related. There really was such a diverse faculty and class experiences. I loved my dance professors equally. With that said, I remember a creative project that Stormy Brandenberger assigned to the class – a site-specific assignment. I took my audience to the 10th floor of the Axinn Library (the top floor), and I rollerbladed around campus in a choreographed fashion, in and out of buildings with an orange tracksuit on. Hofstra really has a tight community of dancers; backstage is always a lot of fun, too.
  • What was your first job after graduating from Hofstra, and what was the most valuable thing you learned there?
    After graduating, I started dancing for a choreographer, Mark Dendy, and then became an assistant chorographer for him. It was an interesting and eye-opening experience. It taught me how to handle many different tasks at once. I learned a sense of responsibility and commitment.
  • What is your field of specialty, and how did you come to work in the industry?
    My field of specialty is dancing and choreographing. I started dancing when I was 16, which is a little late in life to start dancing. I was in a high school musical and someone suggested I major in it, which I didn’t even know was an option. I auditioned at Hofstra and received a scholarship.  Socially I enjoyed dancing, and Hofstra gave me the tools to make it happen.
  • What advice would you give current Hofstra students?
    To soak it all up and commit 100 percent to school, but to also stay completely engaged. If the opportunity doesn’t come knocking, create the opportunity.
  • In one word, how would you describe Hofstra?
    Fun.
  • How has your degree from Hofstra helped your line of work?
    My degree has given me a wealth of knowledge and background – a truly stable base and foundation for what I do and love.
  • What has been your favorite play/show to choreograph?
    I really enjoyed creating my dance company. I love working with other dance departments and schools.  But, my favorite show to choreograph was the musical Rent. I just did the off-Broadway revival of Rent as well.
  • Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
    I see myself choreographing and directing on Broadway. I’d like to create my own ballets for ballet companies and tour my dance company internationally.
Larry Keigwin

Larry Keigwin (B.A. ’07) founded KEIGWIN + COMPANY (K+C) in 2003 and, as artistic director, he has lead the company through performances at theaters and dance festivals throughout New York City and across the country. In addition to his work with K+C, recent commissions include Works & Process at the Guggenheim, The Juilliard School, The New York City Ballet's Choreographic Institute, and the Martha Graham Dance Company, among many others.

In 2010, Mr. Keigwin was named the Vail International Dance Festival’s first artist in-residence, during which time he created and premiered a new work with four of the ballet’s most prominent stars. Also in 2010, he staged the opening event of Fashion Week “Fashion’s Night Out: The Show” which was produced by Vogue and featured more than 150 of the industry’s top models. In 2011, Keigwin choreographed the new musical Tales of the City, at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, as well as the new off-Broadway production of RENT, now running at New World Stages. In February 2012, he was commissioned to create a new ballet for the Royal Ballet of New Zealand.

Mr.Keigwin’s other choreographic credits include work with the pop band Fischerspooner and comedian Murray Hill, and serving as an associate choreographer for both The Radio City Rockettes and the off-Broadway musical The Wild Party. He has also created Keigwin Kabaret, a fusion of modern dance, vaudeville, and burlesque presented by the Public Theater at Joe's Pub and by Symphony Space. He is a co-founder of the Green Box Arts Festival in Green Mountain Falls, Colorado, a multi-disciplinary festival designed to increase cultural opportunities in the region as well as provide creative residencies to young, emerging choreographers.