ABOUT CAMRYN
Camryn Stafford, a native of Dallas, Texas, is a NYC-based dancer, choreographer, educator, and artistic producer. She began her training at Dallas Black Dance Academy and Booker T. Washington HSPVA, where she danced with the Allegro Performing Ensemble and Repertory Dance Company II.
A graduate of Princeton University, she holds degrees in African American Studies, Dance, and Entrepreneurship. Camryn's experience in the dance department at the Lewis Center for the Arts included collaborations with Netta Yerushalmy, Christopher Ralph, Peter Chu, Francesca Harper, Urban Bush Women, and Ronald K. Brown. Her senior dance thesis, "There She Is," received the Toni Morrison Prize, the Outstanding Creative Work award, and accolades from Dr. Brenda Dixon Gottschild. She received funding from the Lewis Center of the Arts through The Peter B. Lewis Fund, The Mellor Fund, and the Mallach Fund to pursue creative and choreographic research.
In 2017, Camryn founded Turning Tables Inc., a non-profit organization committed to challenging discriminatory practices in dance and increasing diversity in the field. Through Turning Tables, she has provided platforms for dancers to address topics of diversity and inclusion, offered dance classes to underrepresented youth at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Dallas, and supported aspiring dancers through summer intensives and scholarships.
She has trained at leading institutions such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Gibney, Joffrey Ballet School, and B12. She is a current teaching artist with the Misty Copeland Foundation and Dancewave and has previously taught at Booker T. Washington HSPVA, Princeton University, Joffrey Ballet School, Broadway Dance Center, and Montclair State University. Camryn has participated in several creative processes as a dancer, collaborator, and choreographic advisor.
Camryn's choreographic works have premiered at various venues, including Booker T. Washington HSPVA, Theater Intime, McCarter Theater Center, Mignolo Arts Center, Arts On Site, GIBNEY Arts Center, and Creature Space NYC among others. Camryn is a 2026 Baryshnikov Artist in Residence. She was named a Moving Forward Choreographic Fellow in 2023 and has been a 2024–2025 CUNY Dance Initiative Choreographer in Residence and a 2025 Creature Space 6 Resident Artist. Known for her unique choreographic approach, Camryn engages audiences through visceral and dynamic movement, scene-setting, storytelling, and a profound connection between the dancers and the audience.
In addition to dance and choreography, Camryn is the Production and Company Manager at Joffrey Ballet School. She has previously worked as the Company Manager with Camille A. Brown & Dancers and has held positions with Dance Institute of Washington and A.I.M.
As an artist, choreographer, and creative contributor, Camryn continues to use her platform to advocate for social change and reform in the dance world. With a focus on inclusivity and pushing the boundaries of contemporary dance, she remains dedicated to making a lasting impact on the art form and society at large.
