James Graham Dance Theatre was created in 2010 to encompass the creative pursuits of Bear Graham. Our focus and organization have shifted into “Bear Graham Productions.” Reflecting the artistic changes that have transpired since Covid. He combines an array of disciplines to realize his artistic visions and engage his community. Graham’s works are built using contemporary/modern dance, improvisation, ritual, theatrical devices, text, and the movement language of Gaga. Graham’s pieces are constructed worlds that illuminate larger life themes, specifically looking at self identification (gender and sexuality), interpersonal relationships/how humans interact, and Western/ American culture…which are filtered through a Queered perspective.
OUR MISSION is to create body-focused works that deal with universal human experiences. We aim to produce performing arts experiences that bring audiences into a deeper connection with themselves and others present.
Our work has been presented at Bates College, Lewiston, Maine, ODC Theatre, the Daegu International Dance Festival in South Korea, Trolley Dances San Francisco, The Nourse Theatre and Davies Symphony Hall (commissioned by the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus), The University of Calgary, Dominican University of California, National Queer Arts Festival, Kunst-Stoff Arts, Too Much! Festival, Movement Research at Judson Church, Joe Goode Annex, UC Berkeley, The Ohio State University, and in the National A.I.D.S. Memorial Grove in Golden Gate Park. Bear Graham Productions also curates the work of other artists, namely in DANCE LOVERS, his annual Valentine’s show of duets. In 2017 Graham received an IZZIE for “Outstanding Performance as an Ensemble” with Sebastian Grubb for their performance in JGDT’s “Homeroom.” In 2015 Graham received an IZZIE award for Outstanding Achievement in Performance for an Individual (for his Entire Season) and was nominated for an IZZIE for Outstanding Choreography (for “Guilty Survivor”).