Motion — Michael D. Medcalf, MFA
Choreography & Teaching

Motion

Thirty years of work in the studio, on stage, and in the classroom. Two reels. More than 80 original works. One through line.

Reel One

Choreography

Concert dance, musical theatre, opera, dance for the camera, and commercial work spanning more than 25 years and dozens of institutions, companies, and stages.

Choreography Reel

Selected works from 1997 to 2023 — concert dance, theatre, opera, and dance for the camera

~14 minutes
Reel Two

Teaching

Studio instruction in contemporary technique, ballet, composition, and improvisation at the university level. More than a decade of teaching across HBCU and R1 institutions.

Teaching Reel

Studio technique, composition, and rehearsal direction — University of Memphis and Alabama State University

~14 minutes
Selected Works

A cross-section of the range.

From HBCU stages to professional companies, from opera houses to Dancespace at St. Mark’s — a sample of what 80+ works looks like across contexts.

Concert Dance

A Healing Ritual

Ballet Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee · 2019
Concert Dance

Let’s Go!

New Ballet Ensemble
Memphis, Tennessee · 2023
Concert Dance

Hearthside

National College Dance Festival
Washington, DC · 2018
Theatre

Dauphin Island

Alabama Shakespeare Festival
Montgomery, Alabama · 2017
Opera

Hansel and Gretel

Opera Cleveland
Cleveland, Ohio · 2008
Concert Dance

rainbows weren’t meant for little black boys like me but i kept them in my pocket anyway

University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa · 2013
Complete Record

Choreographic Works, 1997–2023

More than 80 original works across concert dance, musical theatre, opera, theatre, dance for the camera, and commercial contexts. Listed in reverse chronological order.

Work Type Organization / Venue Year
BloomConcertUniversity of Memphis2023
Let’s Go!ConcertNew Ballet Ensemble2023
When the Day is DoneConcertTennessee Ballet Theatre2023
With You I’m Born AgainConcertUniversity of Memphis2023
Carnival Vitas: Big CatsConcertUniversity of Memphis2022
Life, Love, and Second ChancesConcertUniversity of Memphis2021
Underneath the TreeConcertNew Ballet Ensemble2021
Lest We Forget: I Am Because of YouConcertUniversity of Memphis2020
Across the SevenConcertNew Ballet Ensemble2020
To Build a HomeConcertUniversity of Memphis2019
SerenityConcertGrown Women Dance Collective, Oakland, CA2019
A Healing RitualConcertBallet Memphis2019
Brothers and SistersConcertUniversity of Memphis2019
Ain’t Misbehavin’TheatreHattiloo Theatre, Memphis, TN2019
HearthsideConcertNational College Dance Festival, Washington, DC2018
HearthsideConcertArova Contemporary Ballet, Birmingham, AL2018
Sleeping/BeautyConcertAlabama State University2017
Meditations for a Solo MoverConcertMichael Medcalf/INVENTIONS2017
Dauphin IslandTheatreAlabama Shakespeare Festival2017
The TempestTheatreAlabama Shakespeare Festival2017
MLK, Jr. Citywide CelebrationConcertFriends of the Theatre, Montgomery, AL2017
TodayCameraMichael Medcalf/INVENTIONS2016
Re: Rosa!ConcertAlabama State University2016
MLK, Jr. Citywide CelebrationConcertFriends of the Theatre, Montgomery, AL2016
Detroit 67TheatreAlabama State University2016
CinderellaTheatreAlabama Shakespeare Festival2016
Ain’t Misbehavin’TheatreAlabama Shakespeare Festival2016
A Midsummer Night’s DreamTheatreAlabama Shakespeare Festival2016
Brownian Movement: Variation #2ConcertAlabama State University2015
Until the End of TimeConcertMichael Medcalf/INVENTIONS2015
MLK, Jr. Citywide CelebrationConcertFriends of the Theatre, Montgomery, AL2015
The CreationConcertAlabama State University2014
Love LettersConcertAlabama State University2014
Rhinocero SkinConcertGrown Women Dance Collective, Oakland, CA2014
The ChosenConcertAlabama State University2014
A Place of HeavenConcertAlabama State University2014
EmmaCameraUniversity of Iowa2013
rainbows weren’t meant for little black boys like me but i kept them in my pocket anywayConcertUniversity of Iowa2013
The MeetingTheatreAlabama Shakespeare Festival2013
Ne Me Quitte PasConcertUniversity of Iowa2012
Once There Was SpaceConcertUniversity of Iowa2012
Things I Have Not ForgottenConcertUniversity of Iowa2012
Breath of LifeConcertLinn Mar High School, Iowa City, IA2012
HearthsideConcertUniversity of Iowa2011
(Un)DoneConcertUniversity of Iowa2011
EmbryoConcertUniversity of Iowa2011
YesConcertGreene/Medcalf Movement Project, Cleveland, OH2011
Fame, The Musical!TheatreCMSD / Great Lakes Theater Festival2010
Little Shop of HorrorsTheatreBeck Center for the Arts, Lakewood, OH2009
A Decade of DreamsTheatreCMSD / Great Lakes Theater Festival2009
Caroline, or ChangeTheatreKaramu House / Dobama Theatre2008
Carol of the BellsConcertCleveland Metropolitan School District2008
Hansel and GretelOperaOpera Cleveland2008
DreamgirlsTheatreCMSD / Great Lakes Theater Festival2008
Guys and DollsTheatreCMSD / Great Lakes Theater Festival2007
A Little Night MusicOperaOpera Cleveland2007
La TraviataOperaOpera Cleveland2007
Hymn by the WaterConcertCleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre2006
The Wild PartyTheatreKalliope Stages, Cleveland, OH2006
UrinetownTheatreFirestone High School, Cleveland, OH2006
South PacificTheatreCMSD / Great Lakes Theater Festival2006
Long Story ShortTheatreCleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre2005
The Hot MikadoTheatreCMSD / Great Lakes Theater Festival2005
CrownsTheatreWeathervane Playhouse, Cleveland, OH2005
The Idea Center Opening GalaConcertPlayhouse Square Foundation, Cleveland, OH2005
United Black Fund GalaConcertUnited Black Fund, Cleveland, OH2005
IfConcertCleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre2004
TimespentConcertDancing Wheels, Cleveland, OH2004
Carmen JonesTheatreCMSD / Great Lakes Theater Festival2004
United Black Fund GalaConcertUnited Black Fund, Cleveland, OH2004
BrasillianceConcertCleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre2003
West Side StoryTheatreCMSD / Great Lakes Theater Festival2003
MLK, Jr. Citywide CelebrationConcertAlltel Corporation, Cleveland, OH2003
United Black Fund GalaConcertUnited Black Fund, Cleveland, OH2003
Football Hall of Fame LuncheonCommercialEventworks, Inc., Canton, OH2003
Night Before ChristmasConcertCleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre2002
The WizTheatreCMSD / Great Lakes Theater Festival2002
Football Hall of Fame LuncheonCommercialEventworks, Inc., Canton, OH2002
Love Suite, LoveConcertCleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre2002
AriaConcertCleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre2001
The Bacchae of EuripidesTheatreCleveland Public Theatre2001
CeremoniesConcertCleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre2000
OstinatoConcertCleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre2000
Lovejoy LaneConcertCleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre2000
Lovejoy LaneConcertOhio Dance Theatre, Oberlin, OH1999
South PacificTheatreEast Cleveland Community Theater1999
JoyConcertCleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre1998
Heading Into ValhallaConcertDancespace at St. Mark, New York, NY1997
© 2026 Michael D. Medcalf, MFA  ·  michaelmedcalf.com