This story was written by ON Media and will appear this month in programs for Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Arizona Opera, Arizona Repertory Theatre, Arizona Theatre Company and Broadway in Tucson.
The breadth of Duane Cyrus’ career as an artist, producer, curator and educator is kaleidoscopic – always changing, reflective and fascinating.
His current post, as Director of the University of Arizona School of Dance since 2022, is as chromatic. Cyrus has made impressive strides in helping students learn and succeed.
“I’m committed to building a better pipeline for Arizona students to come here, expanding our scholarship program, and creating a traveling dance ensemble to tell the story of the School of Dance.”
The Bronx native began dance lessons at six, saw shows on Broadway (“The Wiz” made a mark on him) with his late mother Audrey, and was trained at The Juilliard School, earning a BFA in dance performance. He performed with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the Martha Graham Dance Company, before moving into academia in 2005 at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro.
Cyrus came to the School of Dance, ranked second among public universities by OnStage Magazine in 2020, for its exceptional students.
“They are amazing performers, proficient in a multitude of techniques, and they have great professional acumen.”
On campus and in the community, Cyrus seems to be everywhere.
In November, he curated “boundary migratory,” a performance at downtown Tucson’s Blue Lotus Art Collective. Comprising three Arizona dancers as moving sculptures who interpreted themes of movement, space and identity, the event merged sculptural movement studies with visual art.
Cyrus co-choreographed a student performance of Bolero with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, and presented at TEDxUArizona: Spirit of Wonder on the societal importance of dance and movement. A high point was hosting ballet dancer Misty Copeland at the school’s inaugural scholarship series.
His official duties span administration, curriculum, development, fundraising and community engagement. Cyrus enjoys providing students with real world experiences, mentorship and preparation for sustainable careers.
“The arts environment is always changing. and I want to make sure I have a finger on that pulse.”