Phillip Obediah Wright

Director & Choreographer

BABA OBEDIAH WRIGHT

Founder Artistic Director

Baba Obediah Wright, an internationally renowned Creative Director and two-time Honorary Doctorate Nominee, has received numerous accolades for his multifaceted career as a Choreographer, Master Teacher, Director, and Producer, impacting youth and adult cultural development. Hailing from Brooklyn and an alumnus of LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts and Julliard, his impressive journey began with a professional Sears catalogue advertisement at the age of 9.

As a Master Teacher, Baba's influence spans continents, conducting workshops across diverse regions such as Spain, Italy, Sweden, Belgium, Poland, Martinique (French West Indies), Turks and Caicos Islands, Las Vegas, Tokyo, Saga-mihara (Japan), Vassar College, and Alvin Ailey. His choreographic credits include collaborations with Opera Ebony NY, The Bahamian National Youth Choir, Fashion Week NYC, and impactful productions like "Black Nativity" and "Message in the Music," featuring the music of renowned songwriters Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. He has graced stages as a principal dancer with esteemed institutions like the New Orleans Opera, Houston Grand Opera, and iconic productions such as 'Fame' (both movie and TV series) and 'The Wiz' (both movie and National Tour).

Collaborating with influential brands such as MGM, Universal Pictures, Fox Searchlight Pictures, The Bravo Chanel, MTV, TV One, Disney, NHK-TV (Japan), ABC-TV, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, World Financial Center, The West Las Vegas Performing Arts Center, The Schomberg Library for research and Black Culture, and the American Museum Of Natural History, Baba has consistently engaged diverse audiences, reaching up to 15,000 individuals.

In 2003, Baba Obediah conceived, directed, and choreographed “Higher Ground: Still Rising,” an immersive multimedia production chronicling the rich legacy of Black people from pre-slavery to the present day, showcasing his visionary approach to storytelling through dance and performance. With a robust background in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap, African dance, and yoga, infused with spiritual studies, Baba's creative versatility allows him to navigate seamlessly through various entertainment sectors, including Film, Television, Musical Theater, Commercials, and music videos.He has collaborated with esteemed talents including Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, Jenifer Hudson, Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, Ray Charles, Stephanie Mills, The Pointer Sisters, Liza Minnelli, Diana Ross, Phyllis Hyman, Jazz Legend Lionel Hampton, Janet and Michael Jackson, and Chef Carla Hall for the Emmy Award-winning daytime talk show “The Chew.”

Baba's commitment extends beyond performance; in 2005, he founded Balance Dance Theatre, a Brooklyn-based 501(c)(3) intergenerational performing arts organization, dedicated to fostering multidisciplinary art forms and cultivating emerging artists within the African American community.Devoting over 28 years to studying the Eedyi tradition from the Senegal/Mali area.

Baba created the first young men's rites of passage program in America, impacting more than 50 individuals aged 8-25, instilling confidence and values of brotherhood. Witnessing their transformation into upstanding members of society across fields such as education, visual arts, criminal justice, music production, film, television, and real estate stands as a testament to his impactful mentorship. Integrating dance, healing arts, and spiritual studies, Baba developed a technique benefiting diverse demographics, including adults, seniors, young men, children with special needs, and those seeking injury and emotional rehabilitation. Presently, he imparts his expertise, teaching dance to children with special needs, including those with Autism, and conducting healing movement sessions for formerly incarcerated women, showcasing his commitment to inclusivity and social well-being.

A very wise person once said: “When the student is ready the teacher appears”. There is a

strong need for the continued growth, professional development and community involvement of

artists in an environment which fosters free flowing creativity. BALANCE DANCE THEATRE, a

501(c)3, not-for-profit organization, aims to develop artists into well rounded, resourceful

professional members of society able to reach their fullest potential. Through the vision of our

artistic director, Obediah Wright, we provide professional development, educational programs,

youth development and community outreach.

Our Goals:

• To facilitate the development of dancers into well rounded artists, through multidisciplinary art forms
  
• Increase opportunities for artist to become visible, contributing members of the community
  
• Establish educational programs to assist with the development of children, families and the community.
  

BALANCE is rooted in the belief that art and artistic expression are vehicles for the positive

growth of the individual, the community and the world. Our professional artist development,

youth art education, adult outreach programs and other community events, provide opportunities

for each artist to become a functioning member of the collective community.

"Established amidst the vibrant tapestry of July 2003, Balance Dance Theatre (BDT) emerged as a crucible for dancers to forge their talents, refine their artistry, and cultivate not only performance prowess but also invaluable life skills. Under the stewardship of the visionary Obediah Wright, nestled in the cultural heartbeat of New York City’s Bedford Stuyvesant, BDT swiftly ascended as a bastion of diversity and artistic eminence.

Dance, to us, is not just movement—it’s an experience, a communion between creator and audience. The BDT repertoire is a symphony of powerful performances, captivating audiences and commanding standing ovations. With an impressive roster of over twenty-five performances since its inception in 2004, BDT has left an indelible mark on prestigious stages.

From the prestigious Lincoln Center Out of Doors to the dynamic energy of ‘The World Financial Center,’ and from the esteemed New Jersey Performing Arts Center to the venerable halls of ‘The Brooklyn Museum,’ our performances have resonated far and wide.

Venturing beyond the stage, BDT made its cinematic debut with ‘Lifted’ and ‘Harlem Moon,’ two captivating films choreographed by our artistic director, Obediah Wright. BDT’s legacy shines brightly, fostering talents who have carved their own path, establishing dance companies, and gracing the grand stages of Tony Award-winning productions like ‘STOMP’ and ‘The Color Purple’—testaments to their remarkable journey and our guiding artistic vision."

ARTS & EDUCATION PROGRAMS

MUSIC

• AFRICAN DRUMMING
• PIANO
• MUSIC THEORY & COMPOSITION
• MUSIC PRODUCTION
  

DANCE

• MODERN
• BALLET
  
• TAP
  
• HIP HOP
  
• AFRICAN DANCE
  

YOUNG MEN’S LEADERSHIP

YOUNG MEN’S RITES OF PASSAGE PROGRAM INTRODUCING PRINCIPALS OF BROTHERHOOD, MANHOOD, AND REVERENCE FOR AFRICAN HERITAGE THROUGH A TRADITONAL LENS

VISUAL ARTS

• PAINTING
• GRAPHIC DESIGN
• COSTUME DESIGN
  

HERBAL MEDICINE

• TRADTIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE
  

CAPOEIRA (K-12)

• AFRO-BRAZILIAN MARTIAL ARTS/SELF DEFENSE
• BANTU-CONGO HISTORY
• TRADITIONAL CAPOEIRA MUSIC ENSEMBLE
  

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