Houston Thomas, born and raised in Chicago, began his dance training with the Joffrey Ballet's Outreach Program under Pierre Locket's direction. He later attended the Joffrey Ballet's Academy of Dance while also studying at the Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts) under the direction of Lisa Johnson-Willingham. In 2011, Houston enrolled as a full-time student at the School of American Ballet, and after completing his training at SAB in 2013, Houston joined the Dresden Semperoper Ballett, rising to the ranking of second soloist. After ten years with the company, Houston decided to focus on choreography entirely, and in 2018, Houston created his first work, Moonlit Variants, for the Semperoper Ballett's Young Choreographers evening.

 

In his first work for the New York Choreographic Institute in 2020, Houston collaborated with NYCB Dancers in the film An Afternoon of Angelic Voices. Houston created his second work with NYCI, The Return Studies, for its 2021 Fall Session, featuring NYCB dancers and SAB students. Houston has since created works for Cincinnati Ballet, The Juilliard School, the School of American Ballet, ABT Studio Co., Hamptons Dance Project, Marcelo Gomes, and Ballet San Antonio. In July of 2022, Houston premiered Follow the White Rabbit at the Young Emergent Choreographers Contest in Biarritz, France, winning a commission to create his work, Skywatcher, for the Opera National de Bordeaux.

 

Generously sponsored by Patti S. Eylar.