DAVENTE GILREATH

2026 DANCER FELLOW

Photo credit: Kameron Herndon

Davente Gilreath was born and raised in Minneapolis. His dance training began at Perpich Center for Arts Education where he was exposed to styles of dance including modern, ballet, jazz, African, and contact improvisation. Gilreath furthered his dance training at the University of Minnesota where he worked with professors such as Ananya Chatterjea, Erin Thompson, and Toni Pierce‐Sands. During this time he was also able to perform and create work with Minnesota‐based companies such as Threads Dance Project and Contempo Physical Dance.

Gilreath Joined Garth Fagan Dance in 2014 and during his 8 years with the company performed numerous key works from the Fagan cannon around the country including new works choreographed by PJ Pennewell, the company director. He was promoted to senior company member and appointed the Director of the Garth Fagan Dance Student
Ensemble. He also taught Intermediate/Advanced Fagan Technique for the Garth Fagan Dance School and for the Garth Fagan Summer Movement Institute.

Gilreath is now a dance instructor at the University of Minnesota where he teaches Contemporary, African Diasporic Movement and Jazz. In the last 4 years, since returning to Minneapolis, he has danced for choreographers Joe Chvala, Darrius Strong, and is in his second
season with Ananya Dance Theatre. He has set choreography for senior students at TU
Dance, Perpich Center for Arts Education, Saint Paul Conservatory, PiM Arts and in his
own solo work Rumination, which premiered in Choreographers' Evening, Walker Art
Center, in November 2024.