Legendary choreographer Garth Fagan stepping away from leadership at dance studio

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Legendary choreographer Garth Fagan is stepping away from leadership at Garth Fagan Dance in Rochester.

On the 53^rd Anniversary of the founding of the Garth Fagan Dance, Founder and Creative Director Garth Fagan announced to his board that while he will continue to choreograph new dances, he is stepping away from leadership of the company, and has hand-picked his successors. Natalie Rogers-Cropper, a long-time principal dancer, has been chosen by Fagan to be executive director and school director.  Norwood “PJ” Pennewell, long-time principal dancer and choreographer will accept Fagan’s invitation to take on the position as artistic director. Both Pennewell and Rogers-Cropper are nationally recognized Bessie Award winners, and served as assistant choreographers and co-rehearsal directors of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, “The Lion King,” choreographed by Garth Fagan.

Fagan stressed that he will remain active with the company in an artistic capacity. His new title will be Founder and Distinguished Artistic Director Emeritus.

Fagan received the 1998 Tony Award, the 2000 Laurence Olivier Award (London, UK) and the 2004 Helpmann Award (Australia) for best choreography in a musical as well as the Drama Desk Award, the Astaire Award and the Outer Critics Circle Award for his work in The Lion King.