Sam’s CV
Sam Burkett is a UK based choreographer, movement director, teacher, and performer. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, they trained extensively in musical theatre before moving to Scotland to pursue a degree in Politics at the University of Edinburgh. Following their degree, Sam received the international student bursary to train with the Jasmin Vardimon Company as a member of JV2. They have also trained extensively in improv comedy with The Free Association in London where they continue to perform on their queer house team, Summer Camp.
Sam’s artistic and teaching practice is cross disciplinary in nature connecting dance, comedy, and physical theatre. Their choreography has been shown in both the UK and US, and their solo, Crop Tops Make Me Feel Vulnerable, won the Best of Anything Goes Award at the 2018 Houston Fringe Festival. They have also written and choreographed an ongoing series of short dance films, Chats with Pals, which take a comedic look at the trials and tribulations of working in dance. As an educator,
Sam delivers classes and workshops in contemporary dance, theatre, and physical theatre for children and young people, professional dancers, and professional actors and comedians. They have particularly extensive experience in inclusive arts practice and adapting and designing participation projects for disabled and non-disabled participants.
Sam is also known for their hallmark Movement for Comedy workshops which help comedians to develop their physicality and stagecraft by applying techniques and practices from contemporary dance and physical theatre. Sam’s work has been supported by Arts Council England, Scottish Ballet, Dance Base, Yorkshire Dance, Dance Studio Leeds, Leeds City Council, and Chisenhale Dance Space.
Choreography
You’re Alright (2023)
Crop Tops (2022)
Chats with Pals (2021) (12 episodes, ongoing)
It’s Over (2019)
Crop Tops Make Me Feel Vulnerable (2018)
You Think You’re Really Pretty (2018)
It’s Over If He Can Turn Him Over (2017)
Brisé (2016)
Movement Direction
Cult Classick (2023)
Character Comedy Show by Miztli Rose
Yasmine Day: Songs in the Key of Me (2022)
Comedy-cabaret show by Jay Bennett
Straight Jokes (2022)
Stand-Up show by comedian James Barr
Entertainment (2018)
Musical film directed by Adam Castle
Equus (2015)
Directed by Emily Aboud
Teaching Experience
Professional Dancers:
Independent Dance (London, UK)
TripSpace (London, UK)
ProDanceLeeds (Leeds, UK)
Dance Base National Centre for Dance (Edinburgh, UK)
METdance (Houston, USA)
Hunter Dance Center (Houston, USA)
Youth & Community:
National Youth Theatre (London, UK)
Trinity Laban (London, UK)
The Place (London, UK)
Edinburgh University Modern Dance Society (Edinburgh, UK)
University of Houston - School of Theatre and Dance (Houston, USA)
The River Performing and Visual Arts Center (Houston, USA)
Actors & Comedians:
The Free Association (London, UK)
Theatre Deli
Performance Experience
Comedy:
Absurdocles: An Improvised Greek Tragedy
Summer Camp Queer Improv Team at The Free Association
Dance & Physical Theatre:
Horses/Courses Hannes Langolf
Stop Copying Me Teresa Chapman
(In between) Jasmin Vardimon
You Are You Yungkyung Song
Blazing Dust André Rebelo
Maelstrom Anna Kenrick
Parts Jürg Koch
mUTE Errol White and Davina Givan
Stuck in My Throat Anna Kenrick
Awards
Best of Anything Goes award, 2018 Houston Fringe Festival for Crop Tops Make Me Feel Vulnerable
Commissioned Works
You Think You’re Really Pretty, MET Too Youth Company, 2018
Training
Soho Theatre
London, UK — 2022
Completed the Sketch Comedy Lab at Soho Theatre.
The Free Association
London, UK — 2020-2021
Completed all five levels of training in long-form comedy improvisation with the The Free Association.
Intro to Long Form
Scenework & Intro to Game
Advanced Game
Harold
Beyond Harold
ProDanceLeeds Graduate Artist Scheme
Leeds, UK — 2019
Teaching professional class for ProDanceLeeds while receiving mentorship from Gianluca Vincentini (Möbius Dance, Iceland Dance Company).
JV2
Ashford, UK — 2017-2018
The postgraduate apprentice company of the Jasmin Vardimon Company. Received the JV2 International Student Bursary.
Anserinae Choreographic Mentorship Scheme
Glasgow, UK — 2016
Mentored by Kerry Nicholls, delivered by Scottish Ballet
One of five choreographers from across Scotland selected to participate in the first year of the mentorship scheme.
Workshops
Lola Rose Maxwell (Improv Comedy)
Graham Dickson (Improv Comedy)
Leila McMillan (Flying Low & Passing Through)
Hannes Langolf (DV8)
Raymi Rene (Chaskis Theatre) (Meisner)
Geoffrey Colman (Central School of Speech and Drama) (Acting)
Helder Seabra (HelKa VZW)
German Jauregui (Ultima Vez)
Eleanor Bauer (Good Move VZW)
Tomislav English (Ferus Animi/Terra Nova)
Linda Kapetanea and Jozef Frucek (Fighting Monkey/RootlessRoot)