The NEW Jack Cole Dancers' CLUB ACT is reminiscent of Jack Cole's original troupe of dancers who, over one hundred years ago, performed in iconic New York venues like The Rainbow Room and The Embassy Club. THE CLUB ACT is hot off of a sold-out inaugural run this past June at The Midnight Theater at Hudson Yards, with roaring audience approval and everyone saying they want one thing... MORE! The COLE JAZZ Team is now developing an expanded version of the show set for a US premiere in 2025, with a West End premiere in 2026.
It was largely Cole’s work on the nightclub stage that led to the commercialization and spread of American Jazz Dance, so it is through this junction in time we now look. ​​​​​​Directed and Choreographed by Cam Loeser, THE CLUB ACT is a groundbreaking new concept and the only existing performance venture of its kind. The Act transports its audience back in time to a roaring, scintillating supper club of the early 1900s, and celebrates the lineage and evolution of Jazz Dance through the lens of Jack Cole's legacy.
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THEN
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Cole made history when he traveled to India and the Caribbean, and immersed himself in the social dance community raging in Harlem, in order to foster an authentic understanding of these cultures and their vernacular styles. With this knowledge, Cole was able to theatricalize these dances for the stage and film, without losing the integrity of their cultural roots. Cole's style soon became the defining style of Jazz and Theater Dance in America, and paved the way for many iconic artists who followed in his footsteps. Before Bob Fosse and Jerome Robbins.... there was Cole.
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NOW
We aim to reflect the care Jack Cole took to instill truth into his work by bringing those who have been historically unrepresented, but have contributed vastly to the identity of Jazz, back to the forefront of the conversation. The COLE JAZZ Team is committed to casting artists that represent the global majority, as well as the many dance and music backgrounds that relate to Jazz. In terms of choreography, we are proud to have Angel Kaba (African Choreographer/Consultant) and Ramita Ravi (Bharatanatyam Choreographer/Consultant) on our creative team. Our diverse company of performers are trained in Jack Cole's dynamic and nuanced style of dance, and collaborate with Cam Loeser, as well as Kaba and Ravi, to ensure that every aspect of the work is actively handled with authenticity and respect.
Though much of our show is a historical tribute to “old school” movement, we are bringing the work into the 21st century by actively challenging the notion that gender determines what roles our dancers are “right” for. Rather, we assign dancers according to their ability to capture the essences that exist within the movement… ie. aloof, feline, cool.
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Jazz is, at its core, a deeply powerful and shared cultural experience. It is more than evident from our audiences’ responses that there is an inherent need for this work. Word is spreading, and performers are itching to be involved in THE CLUB ACT. Continuing to offer accessible art of this caliber, and with such integrity, is sure to once again change the landscape of American Theater and Jazz Dance. THE CLUB ACT has the potential to be the hip and sultry "after hours" show for the theater community, the niche urban gem that locals bring their visiting friends and family to, and any Jazz enthusiast's caviare, all at a far more reasonable price than a Broadway show. The goal is for The CLUB ACT to be a modular production that offers our artists consistent paid work, and can be easily toured throughout the USA and internationally. ​
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SAN FRANCISCO/ WEST END
COLE JAZZ is gearing up for a West End premiere of THE CLUB ACT in Spring of 2026. We plan to develop a unique version of the show that will maintain the immersive element, while also expanding the production for a larger audience. For this vision we are looking into Here at Outernet, an exciting and dynamic modular venue that would allow us this flexibility.
Clayton Howe (Roxedge Entertainment) and Mitchell Reeve (M. Green Entertainment) are on board as our US/London General Management team. For this next iteration, we will engage a dramaturge/ writer to help expand the show to 1 hour and 45 minutes and offer a more cohesive narrative that weaves the show's elements together in an engaging and impactful way.
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In the meantime, we will continue workshopping singular acts from the show and presenting them at stylistically appropriate venues and clubs in New York City. In Fall/ Winter 2025 we are aiming to present a concise version of The Club Act in San Francisco at The Guild Theater (pictures below), a stunning, period appropriate theater space perfect for our vision. As most of the material is already created, and our trained company of dancers familiar with the work, this SF engagement offers a cost-effective and efficient opportunity for us continue shaping our concept, as well as build bi-coastal awareness in anticipation for the West End premiere. We are currently in conversation with CENTRUM in Port Townsend, WA, an Artist Residency program that would allow us resources and space to develop the show before the SF premiere.
The budget for this venture will be approximately $50,000, with the theater space offering us a 3 night/ week run Monday-Wednesday for $12,000. This venture offers the unique opportunity for you to be involved in the beginning stages of the work, with a first right of refusal for the West End production.
With art in the West End being far more affordable, and audiences far less hostile, persuing a London iteration before returning to New York City promises both an artistic and economical pay-off. After fostering international appeal and strengthening our concept, we will then use this model as the foundation for a Broadway production down the line.
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​It is time to bring this titillating and eye-opening production to the next level. We hope to take you on the journey with us.
The evening consist of boundary-pushing work that will stun the NYC nightclub and burlesque scene. The performance includes a live Jazz band of multi-versed musicians, thrilling and unique dance works, and passionate vocals. As patrons enter the space, they will be transported to a time when nightclubs and speakeasies were all the rage and pulsating Jazz music blocked out the rest of the world. Patrons will be captivated by a dreamlike sense of timelessness, and by the time our performance begins, they will already be engrossed in our world.
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THE ACT
The Act takes the viewer on a unique journey through the evolution of Jazz Dance through the lens of Jack Cole's style and legacy. The performance begins with the ROOTS of this art form, showcasing authentic African and Indian modalities, and the cross-pollination of Harlem Social Dance and Afro-Caribbean dance. We see these styles coalescing, breaking into an exciting Big Band Jazz Standard coupled with the Jack Cole-inspired Jazz Dance style we have come to know and love. After we complete this eye-opening Prologue, the space sutbly changes and we melt into the smoky and provocative Nightclub setting where our show takes place.
Our vocalist for the evening, who serenades and charms with classic standards of the jazz age, welcomes our patrons and kicks the evening off. Through various acts infused with elements from Cole's work and the legacy of Jazz Dance, including: a STAR SOLO reminiscent of titillating burlesque numbers performed by beloved icons such as Chita Rivera, Marilyn Monroe, Rita Hayworth, and Gwen Verdon (all of whom were shaped by Jack Cole); a CINEMATIC PIECE that pays homage to the flare and sensuality of numbers seen in Cole's Hollywood films; a bluesy, "after hours" DUET SECTION inspired by Cole's ravishing partnering piece created for Betty Grable and Gower Champion in Three For the Show; thrilling and sleek CLUB ACT FINALE danced by The NEW Jack Cole Dancers to a pastiche of Sing Sing Sing; and culminating with a fresh and exciting new dance work that dives deeper into the future possibilities and social relevance of this art form.
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SPRING/FALL 2026
West End Premiere
Premiere of THE CLUB ACT at Here at Outernet in London's West End.
SPRING 2026
West Coast Tour
A tour of THE CLUB ACT down the West Coast, performing at theater venues and Universities in San Francisco, LA, Irvine, San Diego, La Jolla, and more.
JAN-FEB 2026
CENTRUM Artist Residency
2 week developmental residency at CENTRUM in Port Townsend, WA.
OCT 2025-FEB 2026
Premiere of THE CLUB ACT at The Guild Theater in San Francisco. An initial 3 day run Monday-Wednesday, with a possible extension or return.
The Guild Theater Premiere
FUTURE 2027
NYC Premiere
Premiere of an expanded version of the show to premiere in New York on Broadway or Off-Broadway.
SEPTEMBER 2025
London Training Program
A 3 week training program in London co-presented with House of Jazz. We will use this program to expose more West End dancers to the work, holding an audition for the London production in conjuction with the end of this program.