Choreographer
Danielle Swatzie
bio
Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Danielle Swatzie began her training at DeKalb School of The Arts and later pursued her Bachelors of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance at The University of the Arts. As a professional Creative Director, Choreographer, Filmmaker, and Dancer, she pursues her professional work as a freelancer based in the city of Atlanta.
Through her passion and commitment to the performing arts, her hard work has landed her on Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” list 2024.
Swatzie has received the 2021 BronzeLens Film Festival Award for Best Music and Dance Film for her short film titled “META.” Her short film“growing roots through concrete,” premiered in 2020 and has since been an Official Selection at ADF’s Movies by Movers in 2023 and received an Honorable Mention at the Jacksonville Dance-Film Festival in 2021. Her work has evolved into the musical theater genre contributing movement for the Alliance Theatre’s musical production of “The Incredible Book Eating Boy.” Her experience has extended into collegiate institutions such as Spelman Dance Theatre at Spelman College and The University of North Carolina at Greensboro Dance Program. To continue her growth as a choreographer, she has notably been Assistant Choreographer on major projects in Theatre, Television and Film. Most recently “Damsel” Cabaret Restaurant and Bar, Creative Directed by renowned artist Otis Sallid.
Danielle Swatzie’s dance performance can be seen in STARZ’s Step Up: Highwater, Apple TV’s The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey and performing artist Summer Walker to name a few. Most recently you can watch her on HBO Max’s Doom Patrol. You can also find Swatzie’s performance in her own work online.
”She creates an aura of honesty, thoughtfulness, and fearless compassion combined with a drive to unpack inner emotional landscapes. Her dance films, which illuminate a vision of a more equitable world, have been garnering increasing attention.”
Dance Magazine
Cynthia Bond Perry
Current Project: (seeking support)
eyes are portals to the soul
“eyes are portals to the soul” is an multidisciplinary performance that blends dance, film, music, and literature to portray humanity’s return to love. Guided by author bell hooks’ literary masterpiece “all about love: new visions,” this project delves into hooks’ transformative love strategies, using these themes in each chapter to shape the work. Topics such as American political ideology, childhood trauma’s, biblical and spiritual connections, and our racial realities explored through the lens of the Black feminine experience.
Currently in process
Excerpt Below
Dance on Film: growing roots through concrete
director/choreographer - danielle swatzie @daniswatziee
cinematographer - kamryn harris @kamryynn // @rynproductions
composer - CJ Williams-Inniss @seajayy_
This work is an illustration, depicting the reclamation of individuality and collaboration, through confrontational transparency. It serves as a group embodiment of emotional exchange through physical movement in efforts to understand the meaning of forming a union. While navigating through the complexities of feminist thought and racial circumstances, these women attempt to challenge themselves to find radical connection, and radical love to manifest radical change. How do we seek wholeness within ourselves, in order to achieve a desired wholeness as a people?
Sample Password: Fly01
Latest Staged Work:
AURA & The Cool Collective
Left: “AURA” explores the intersection of movement and improvisational jazz, using abstract scores to guide both narrative and physical expression. I want to create a space where the music and movement flow together organically, inviting play, joy, and spontaneity. I'm drawn to asymmetry and controlled chaos, and I want to lean into that, allowing the work to stretch beyond boundaries and invite new possibilities. Performed to “I Love Music” by the Ahmad Jamal Trio by Emory University’s Dance Company (EDC)
Right: “The Cool Collective,” reenacts social gatherings and celebrates Black expression through jazz music, performed to John Coltrane’s “Blue World.” Drawing from my interpretation of the music, I sought to delve deeper into the complexities of community. Performed on University of North Carolina School of the Arts Summer Dance Program.
PILLARS
Performed by University of North Carolina Greensboro Dance Program 2022
Composed by CJ Williams-Inniss
Press
“Also impressive is the choreography by Danielle Swatzie…One wonders at first how someone even approaches setting movement to something like that…”
— ARTS ATL
in response to choreography for musical “The Incredible Book Eating Boy” at the Alliance Theater
“In the busy town of Atlanta, Georgia, a dance star is rising to prominence. Danielle Swatzie, a dynamic performer from the South, has consistently wowed the world of dance with her outstanding talent.”
— SOFU Lifestyle’s Jada Garner
Let’s work together.
Looking forward to expanding my network! If you would like connect please fill out the message box below. I would love to speak about potential opportunities.