A Conversation With Ted Louis Levy – Part 1

Ted Louis Levy

Ted Louis Levy has not only been my teacher in tap dance and in life, but my friend.  I recently spent over two hours on the phone with Ted to do this interview.  I have broken it out into two parts to make it a bit easier to digest.  I have been blessed to have Ted in my life and am excited to share our conversation with you!

Ted’s professional training began in Chicago with Mr. Finis Henderson II,  Master Tap Dancer and former manager of Sammy Davis Jr.  Mr. Henderson encouraged Ted to pursue a professional career in the performing arts, which began at The Victory Gardens Theater in Chicago.  Mr. Levy made his Broadway debut in the smash hit Black & Blue.  He collaborated with George C. Wolfe and Gregory Hines on the Choreography of Jelly’s Last Jam, for which he received a TONY NOMINATION, DRAMA DESK NOMINATION  and the 1993 OUTER CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD.  Ted was awarded an EMMY AWARD for his television debut performance in the PBS Special Precious Memories, and appeared in Spike Lee’s Malcolm X for his film debut.  His production of Ted Levy and Friends, directed by Gregory Hines, celebrated Ted as one of America’s premier Tap Dance Artists.  Influenced by Mr. Hines, Ted acquired his directorial debut as Director of Savion Glover’s, Dancing Under The Stars at the New York Shakespeare Festival’s Delacorte Theater.  He also assisted in the choreography of Broadway’s Tony Award winning hit Bring In ‘Da Noise! Bring In ‘Da Funk!  Ted appeared in the movie Bojangles with Gregory Hines, returning to Broadway as Papa Jack in Susan Stroman & Harry Conick Jr.’s Thou Shalt Not. Ted portrayed the roll of The Mikado in The Ford Theater’s production of The Hot Mikado.  For which he won a HELEN HAYES AWARD.  Performed in  Sammy; a production based on the musical life of Sammy Davis Jr. Ted’s most recent venture is his own rendering of a production entitled The Rhythm Of Life.

Listen here:

A Conversation with Ted Louis Levy – Part 1