Paul Sanasardo

Paul Sanasardo, born on September 15, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois, is an American dancer, choreographer, and dance teacher of Italian descent. His family traced its roots to Palermo, Sicily. He pursued formal arts education at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and went on to study dance with two major figures in American modern dance, Antony Tudor and Martha Graham.

Sanasardo made his professional debut in 1952 with the Erika Thimey Dance Theater. His early career brought him into collaboration with several prominent choreographers and companies: he performed with Anna Sokolow in 1955, and with Pearl Lang in both 1957 and 1964. He also danced with the New York City Opera. His Broadway work included an appearance in 1955 in the drama Red Roses for Me.

In 1957, Sanasardo co-founded the Paul Sanasardo-Donya Feuer Dance Company, and the following year he established the Studio for Dance school, which later became known as Modern Dance Artists Inc. From 1977 to 1981, he served as artistic director of the Batsheva Dance Company. He subsequently operated a second-story dance studio on 21st Street until disbanding his company in 1986, after which he continued to work as a choreographer and teacher.

Among his choreographic works are Fatal Birds, created in 1966, and Cyclometry, from 1971. His 1994 work The Seven Last Words was set to music by Kancheli. Additional works include Pain, The Path, Bells, Shadows, Consort for Dancers, Children in the Mist, Sleepless Nights in the City, Abandoned Prayer, and Metallics. His choreography has been performed by multiple companies, including the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.