From Dance Theatre of Harlem to the Joffrey: Linda Swayze’s Journey to Director of Community Engagement

Since taking over the role of Interim Director last February, Linda Swayze has overseen a successful leadership transition, accelerated by the arrival of Covid-19. Her vision for virtual learning has kept our Community Engagement program running full steam, providing hundreds of students with uninterrupted Joffrey programming. She has also been instrumental in the development of our first-ever strategic plan for the Joffrey Academy/Community Engagement, in collaboration with Academy Director Raymond Rodriguez and Joffrey Director Ildefanso Silva and his team at McKinsey & Company. We also look forward to continuing our work with Linda and Eric Schieber (Chair of the Community Engagement Committee).

Linda, a native Chicagoan, has dedicated her life to the arts as a performer, teacher, and mentor, including a prestigious performance career as an artist with The Dance Theatre of Harlem for 17 years. She is beloved by colleagues and students alike, a champion of aspiring artists and the performing arts. 

It became clear early on during Linda's interim appointment that her leadership was indispensable. We are thrilled to share Linda's story in this edition of On Cue.