Spencer John Powell has been in the performing arts all of his life. He retired from the professional stage and has only done rare performances here and there. His latest was as Edna in Hairspray. Powell has been teaching for over 30 years. He has been the Education Coordinator for the Head Start program in Utah. Kidz Danz Kompany, founded and Directed by Powell in 1994 and was revived in San Diego. Powell Choreographed his first major work at 19 years old. He has performed in all dance genres from Ballet to Tap. His passion is choreography. In addition to being the Artistic Director of Visionary Dance Theatre, Powell has also joined forces with Mickey Mounarath to create Mounarath-Powell Productions. They focus on producing emerging and professional artists in all art forms. Spencer and his partner were name Power Couple of the year by San Diego Theatre Reviews.

Powell is the former artistic director of Ogden Contemporary Dance Theatre. He was the co-founder and director of Tanner and Powell Dance Theatre. Powell attended Weber State University on a full-ride talent scholarship. He has studied dance and theatre in New York and Houston, TX under the likes of Ben Lokey(director of Santa Monica Dance Theatre), Diane Ramos, and Cliff Keuter. Powell has danced and studied under his mentor Jeanne Travers (Associate Professor School of Theatre and Dance USF), Abbie Fiat, Lisa Roll, Eric Stern, and Patti O’Neal. Powell has also worked with Penelope Dudleston (former dancer with New York City Ballet). He has performed with such institutions as Utah Musical Theatre, Orchesis Dance Theatre, Weber State Performing Arts, Discovery Dance Theatre, Junction City Theatre, and Another Language Performing Arts Company. Powell’s second work Kaffir(1989) won many awards and was commissioned by the Utah Arts and Humanities Book group. Powell’s choreography is in rep. with many dance companies. In addition to being an award-winning Choreographer, Powell is also an award-winning Actor.

Powell has also been a dance and theatre instructor and choreographer for 30 years. He has worked at the Dudleston School of Ballet, Norma Dutson School of Dance. Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, and Kroc Kids junior theatre company. His work has been performed at high schools such as Helix High School and Point Loma High School. Powell has been a guest teacher at North Coast Theatre. He has choreographed and/or directed professional and community theatre musicals such as Next To Normal, The Wiz, Music Man, and Gypsy, to name a few, as well as many musical revues. Powell’s students have graced the Broadway stage and have danced in major Ballet and Modern Dance Companies around the world. Students of Powell have gone on to be teachers, college professors, and other noble professionals.

As a producer, Powell has produced many productions as well as individual artists such as Blythe Barton, Jess Humphrey, Daniel Marshall, Michael Mizerany, Lavina Rich, Zaquia Mahler Salinas, Khamla Somphanh, Gina and Kyle Sorensen, Jeanne Travers, Diana Valero, KO Dance Company, La Diego Dance Company, and [the] movement initiative.

Powell has a passion to empower the youth through the performing arts, especially in choreography. Powell provides a platform for youth to express their voice and talent through choreography.

Contact Spencer at: Spencer.Powell@VisionaryDanceTheatre.org