Stephen D. Hankey

Stephen D. Hankey

Dance Educator, Adjunct Professor, Choreographer, Founder, and Artistic Direcgtor of the Island Reflections Dance Theatre, Inc.

Hankey hods an M.S. in Teaching Leadership from Central Connecticut State University and a B.F.A. with honors from The Hartt School at University of Hartford. Hankey's choreography credits span three decades and range from local grass roots to national television productions. Hankey is Founder and Artistic Director of the Island Reflections Dance Theatre Inc. with a Hartford-based company with a mission to promote high quality Afro-Caribbean heritage dances, infused with modern, ballet, and jazz dance. His love of teaching all students is reflected in his focus on a Culturally Responsive Education which ensures inclusivity in his classes.

Social links

Choreography:

Cultural Dance Troupe of the West Indies, in Hartford, CT. Member of Peter Minshall's Callaloo Company of Trinidad and Tobago, where he choreographed the Company's carnival production Hallelujah and The Monkey Bird for Peter Minshall's presentation Minsall and the Mass at the Brooklyn Museum in New York (1999). J' ouvert (1995), Road March (1997), A Brighter Day (1998), and Red House Fire! Fire! (1989) for the Baggasse Company; Bassman with the Signal Hill Theater Workshop Tobago (1997); Hewanora Story for the St. Lucia Research Center and Jen S. Designs (1997); the Voodoo Ceremony for the ABC television film Production Creature, by Peter Benchley with Trilogy Entertainment North Ltd. (1997); and Ti Jean and His Brothers for Trinity College in Hartford (2000); The Brand New Lucky Diamond Horseshoe Club with the collaboration of Lord Street Theater and Summer Stage for Indiana State University 2004, and Lord Street Theater in Trinidad 2006. Broken Chains, Curtains, and Urinetown for Cooperative Arts and Humanities Magnet High School (after-school program, in collaboration with Yale University (2011, 2015 & 2017, respectively). From the Boat to Obama (2014) at the Bushnell Theater, He also choreographed Cultural Spectacular (2001 - 2010) at the Bushnell Theater, and the Performing Arts Center for the Cultural Dance Troupe of the West Indies in Hartford CT.

Teaching:

Dance Teacher at the Cooperative Arts and Humanities Magnet High School in New Haven from 2009 to present.
Hartt Community Division Dance Faculty from 2006 to 2017.
Adjunct Professor at Central Connecticut State University since 2011 to present.
Hamden Academy of Dance and Music since 2012 to present.

President & Founding Artistic Director:

Island Reflections Dance Theatre Inc. 2012 to present.

Awards & Honors:

The Young Living Legend Award from K’ La Rue December 2016.
The Catalyst Award for Transformational Leadership from the Conference of Churches October 2017.
Lifetime Achievement Award from the Malick Folk Performing Company’s Veterans November 2017.
Excellence in Cultural Exchange Award from The Trinbago American Association of Southern Connecticut September 2018.

Affiliated Programs:

Vice-President Elect of the National Academy of Physical Health and Literacy for the Eastern Seaboard Region.
First Year, “Teacher Participant” in the Connected Arts Network (CAN) with the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO).