Ted's professional training began in Chicago with Mrs. Shirley Hall Bass and 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, beginning at The Victory Gardens Theater in Chicago.
Mr. Levy made his Broadway debut in the smash hit Black & Blue, then collaborating 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 Outer Critics Circle Award. Awarded an Emmy Award for his television debut performance in the PBS Special Precious Memories, he 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. Ted returned to Broadway as Papa Jack in Susan Stroman & Harry Connick Jr.'s Thou Shalt Not. Ted portrayed the role of The Mikado in The Ford Theater's production of The Hot Mikado, for which he won a Helen Hayes Award, the Old Globe, Leslie Bricusse production of Sammy, based on the musical life of Sammy Davis Jr., Martha Vinyard’s salute to the Tukeegee Airman entitled Fly. The LePetit Theatre production of Jelly’s Last Jam in the Roll of Jelly Roll Morton afforded Ted, two 2018 Big Easy Award Nominations for Best Choreography & Best Leading Actor In A Musical. This NAACP, and three time Jeff Award Nominee’s most recent effort is a production entitled The Last Swinging Black Jew. |
Ted Louis Levy |