Department of Theatre, Drama, and Contemporary Dance

Justin Sears-Watson is a dance activist who uses contemporary dance movement and collaboration with artists to tell the stories of those whose voices have gone unheard. His socially conscious dance works stimulate conversation and encourage action that transforms communities. As an artist-educator, Justin delivers programs that examine our identity and its impact on our communities' intersections' social and emotional well-being.

Justin spent most of his formative training with companies in Chicago, IL, and trained under Alexei Kremnev and Anna Reznik, The Cincinnati Ballet School, and Giordano Jazz Dance Scholarship Program. He has worked with Eddy Ocampo, Ron de Jesus, Francisco Avina, Stephanie Martinez, Keisha Lalama, Christopher Huggins, Tony Powell, Anne Reinking, David Hochoy and a myriad of the best choreographers from around the globe. While performing on the stage he danced with Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago II, Thodos Dance Chicago, Inaside Dance Chicago, Dance Kaleidoscope and Liz Shea Dance . He has taught with Edison School of Performing Arts, Indiana University Ballet Department and New York Repertory School for Performing Arts. Justin is the co-founder and artistic director of Phoenix Rising Dance Company, co-owner/artistic director of Phoenix Rising Dance Studios and adjunct faculty at The Indiana University Department of Theatre Drama and Contemporary Dance. Most recently, Justin was part of the Jacob’s Pillow Curriculum in Motion Institute and presented research on how movement and dance is essential in a post-covid world.