Dance Revolution

An Interview with #CamerasandDancers creator Jacob Jonas

- Abby Draper

On Jacob Jonas’ resume, you’ll find accolades like “Semi-finalist in Paula Abdul’s “Live to Dance” competition, National Performing Artist of the Year award winner, a prestigious choreography mentorship as Artistic Director for Spectrum Dance theater and most impressively, owner of Jacob Jonas and Company, a 21st century company with a focus on creating dance both for a live audience and for the camera.

In 2014, Jacob Jonas and Company debuted its first full-length work at the Ailey Citigroup Theater and earned the company high praise through reviews in The New York Times and a mention in The Los Angeles Times’ “Best of 2014”. Since then, the company has partnered with the likes of Dance Camera West at the Palace Theater, United Talent Agency, the 2015 Arts Summit at Culver City Hall, Jacob’s Pillow Inside/Out Festival and this year, Jacob Jonas and Company self-produced five sold out evenings of the Side Door Series, for which the LA Times noted the company’s “explosive display of the company’s vitality and range.”

It is Jacob’s goal, through performance, collaboration, technology and education, to raise the consciousness of the art form of dance to be appreciated to its fullest capacity by society. A unique approach his company has taken is to employ the power of social media through an innovative and beautiful Instagram series he’s titled #CamerasandDancers.