Actor Spotlight

Invincible Dallas stage fighter Jeffrey Colangelo spars about martial arts and Shakespeare

At this year’s Festival of Independent Theatres, held at the Bath House Cultural Center from July 10-August 1, there’s a good chance you’ll see some pretty sweet swordplay. That's because Jeffrey Colangelo, one of the area’s most respected stage combat experts and movement choreographers, is presenting Renaissance Fighters with Dean Wray and Caitlin Galloway, with collaboration from SCDallas. (It plays on July 11, 12, 16, 25 and 26.)

Colangelo is one of the founders of SCDallas, a company that was formed in 2012 to safely teach and oversee stage combat in Dallas-Fort Worth. He’s also the co-founder of PrismCo, a performance group that presents experimental movement pieces. (Their Galatea was recognized by the DFW Critics Forum in 2014.)

Before he picks up his sword for FIT Fest, Colangelo took the time to fill out our survey of serious, fun and sometimes ridiculous questions.

Name: Jeff Colangelo

Participation in the Festival of Independent Theatres: Actor, fight director and writer of Renaissance Fighters

Previous work in the DFW area: Acting: PrismCo (Prism and Galatea) Shakespeare in the Bar (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Love’s Labour’s Lost, Much Ado About Nothing), Cara Mia (Zoot Suit, Romeo and Julieta). Fight direction: DTC, Trinity Shakespeare, Shakespeare Dallas, Theatre Three, Cara Mia, Water Tower, Undermain and PrismCo. Co- founded PrismCo with Katy Tye, and co-founded SCDallas with Ashley White and Brandon Sterret.

Hometown: Orlando, Florida

Where you currently reside: Dallas

First theater role: First professional role was a Volsce Lieutenant in Shakespeare Dallas' Coriolanus.

First stage show you ever saw: The Lion King on Broadway

Moment you decided to pursue a career in theater: It was in middle school. I was really hoping for a career as an animator or scientist, but then I got hooked by the drama club.

Most challenging role you’ve played: Michael in The Pillowman. Getting inside the head of the character took me basically the moment before opening to even come close to figuring him out.

Special skills: Fight direction, martial arts, juggling, clowning and mime

Something you’re really bad at: I am so, so, so bad at singing. There are professional singers who think that being tone-deaf is just a myth and after working with me, they have quickly changed their minds.

Current pop culture obsession: Any of the Batman Arkham games, Fallout and anything Guillermo del Toro has worked on.

Last book you read: Don’t judge me, but Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is the last book I’ve read cover to cover.

Favorite movie(s): Pacific Rim, Old Boy, Black Swan, Stranger than Fiction

Favorite musician(s): Skrillex, Ludivico, Tribe Called Red, The Avett Brothers, Yo Yo Ma. Basically anything that helps me choreograph movement.

Favorite song: "Short Change Hero" by The Heavy. It sounds like a cowboy ballad, and I respect it for that.

Dream role: Mercutio, Caliban, Old Capulet — just throw me some good Shakespeare roles, and I’m down.

Favorite play(s): Almost anything by Shakespeare, Sleep No More, True West, The Pillowman

Favorite musical(s): Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Stagger Lee, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Spring Awakening

Favorite actors/actresses: Robin Williams, Robert Downey Jr., Jennifer Lawrence. I deeply admire a lot of our local actors and actresses.

Favorite food: Sushi, hummus, pasta, and tortas. There’s this great place on Jefferson that I’m addicted to called Tortas Las Tortugas.

Must-see TV show(s): Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, Sherlock, Attack on Titan, Dragon Ball Z, Arrested Development, Important Things by Dimitri Martin

Something most people don’t know about you: Despite my profession, I’ve never broken a bone in my body.

Place in the world you’d most like to visit: Italy (all of it)

Pre-show warm-up: Trying to forget there’s a show coming up (keeps my nerves down).

Favorite part about your current role: My purple sash, and some of the ridiculous monologues I get to say.

Most challenging part about your current project: It is most definitely doing the sword fight choreography in such a confined space; it requires a lot of precision to make sure the fight looks good and is safe.

Most embarrassing onstage mishap: One time I was onstage as Donalbain, and I bent over and boom, my pants ripped. I had to do the rest of the scene with a huge tear on my butt. It was not fun.

Career you’d have if you weren’t in theater: I would probably be teaching at a martial arts studio, doing stunts for film work or freelance writing.

Favorite post-show spot: It used to be called Nandina’s, but now I think its called Sunny’s. It's open until 3 am and they’ve got amazing Thai teas. Best place to go after a show with your cast.

Favorite thing about Dallas-Forth Worth: There is so much potential here. Space is cheap, and the theater atmosphere is dying for some growth and innovative new ideas. It’s really an exciting time to make theater in Dallas.

Most memorable theater moment: Doing Galatea with the movement theater company I co-founded: PrismCo. That show was just so incredibly magical and fun to do. We knew we were changing people’s lives when they came to see that show, and it was a great way to start off our work as a company.

Dallas stage combat expert Jeffrey Colangelo.

Photo courtesy of FIT

Dallas stage combat expert Jeffrey Colangelo.

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Dance News

Dallas Black Dance Theatre makes interim artistic director permanent

Photo by Aleah Pilot

Richard A. Freeman Jr. became the new artistic director October 24, 2025.

Dallas Black Dance Theatre (DBDT) has officially named Richard A. Freeman, Jr. as its new artistic director, ushering in a new era of leadership for the dance company as it approaches its 50th anniversary season.

Freeman, a longtime member of the DBDT family, has served as interim artistic director through the company’s recently completed 48th and current 49th seasons. His appointment, effective October 24, 2025, marks a natural progression for the former lead dancer, resident choreographer, and artistic project coordinator, whose career within DBDT spans more than a decade of creative and organizational leadership.

“Richard has been an integral part of Dallas Black Dance Theatre's artistic fabric for years, and his extraordinary leadership during his time as interim artistic director made this decision clear,” says Heidi K. Murray, a member of DBDT’s board of directors, in a release. “His dedication to artistic excellence, his deep understanding of our mission, and his vision for the future of contemporary modern dance make him the ideal person to lead DBDT into this exciting new chapter.”

DBDT founder Ann M. Williams echoed the sentiment, calling Freeman’s appointment a full-circle moment for both artist and company. “Richard embodies everything Dallas Black Dance Theatre stands for: artistry, excellence, and a deep commitment to uplifting our community through dance,” she says in the release. “I have had the privilege of watching him grow from a gifted dancer into an inspiring leader and visionary artist. His dedication to preserving our legacy while boldly charting new artistic territory gives me tremendous confidence in DBDT’s future.”

During his tenure as interim artistic director, Freeman guided DBDT through seasons marked by artistic innovation and expanded community engagement, but also staff shake-ups and legal issues.

In October 2024, accusations of retaliation surfaced after 10 DBDT dancers, its entire main company, were fired following their decision to unionize in May and demand better working conditions. This led to an unprecedented "Do Not Work" order by the American Guild of Musical Artists.

Dallas City Council ultimately voted to withhold $248,000 in city funding due to labor violations, and DBDT later settled for $560,000 with the National Labor Relations Board.

In response, DBDT formed a 17-member advisory stakeholder task force co-chaired by Jennifer Scripps, president and CEO of Downtown Dallas, Inc., and Shawn Williams, vice president of public affairs at Allyn. The group has been working with DBDT leadership to review the organization’s policies and practices, propose changes that foster an accountable environment, and put in place safeguards to prevent future concerns related to talent.

In September 2025, executive director Zenetta Drew announced her retirement after nearly four decades with the company. A national search for her replacement will start in early 2026. Williams retired in 2014.

As artistic director, Freeman will oversee all aspects of DBDT’s artistic operations, from performances to educational initiatives, and continue to expand its reach throughout Dallas and beyond.

“I am deeply honored to accept this role and to continue building on the incredible foundation established by the vision of Ann Williams,” Freeman says. “This company has a unique power to move, inspire, and unite communities through dance. I look forward to working with our talented dancers, staff, and board to create unforgettable artistic experiences and to nurture the next generation of dance artists.”

A native of Washington, D.C., Freeman began his training with the District of Columbia Youth Ensemble and the Washington Ballet before graduating from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and Virginia Commonwealth University. His performance credits span acclaimed companies and productions, including Elisa Monte Dance, Houston Grand Opera, Porgy and Bess, and The Wiz.

Freeman’s choreographic works have been featured by leading institutions such as Texas Ballet Theater School, Texas Christian University, and Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. He has also shared his expertise through master classes and workshops nationwide, reinforcing his commitment to DBDT’s educational mission.

Founded in 1976, Dallas Black Dance Theatre is the oldest and largest professional dance company in Dallas and one of the most acclaimed Black dance institutions in the U.S.

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