David is a choreographer/writer/director/performer, Magna Cum Laude graduate of Princeton University and a Guggenheim Fellow.

He is known for his dynamic, socially conscious dance/theater that uniquely blends contemporary dance, theater, and multimedia elements to create immersive and thought-provoking performances. His work draws inspiration from the stories of marginalized communities, as it explores complex themes related to identity, social justice, and human connection.

Roussève founded the dance/theater company David Roussève/REALITY in 1988 in New York, and REALITY has since toured throughout the US, Europe, Great Britain and South America, including three commissions and four performance residencies at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Next Wave Festival and two commissions and three performance residencies at Jacob’s Pillow. Roussève’s most recent short film screened at 56 festivals in eleven countries and received ten awards, including four for “Best Film”.

Other awards include a “Bessie”, Creative Capital Fellowship, three Horton Awards, Herb Alpert Award in the Arts and seven consecutive NEA Fellowships. Roussève is Distinguished Professor of Choreography in the department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance at UCLA where he has also served as Associate Dean, Acting Dean, and Interim Dean of the School of the Arts and Architecture