Jacob Henss (he/him) is a dancer, producer, choreographer, and teacher primarily based in the Midwest. He currently works at Illinois State University as an Assistant Instructional Professor. In the past, he has been an adjunct faculty member at Millikin University since 2020 where he was awarded outstanding adjunct faculty in 2023. Henss also was a Lecturer for the University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign(UIUC) since 2022. He holds an MFA in Dance from UIUC (2019-22) where he was awarded the Vannie L. Sherry Memorial Award for best graduate performer in 2021 & 2022. He is also a graduate of Webster University (2013–17) with a BA in Dance and Music where he was awarded dance honors and the emerging choreographer award.
Henss has performed with the Modern American Dance Company (MADCO), located in St. Louis, MO, where he was a MADCO2 founding member (2017–18) and later an apprentice for the leading company (2018–19). Work post undergraduate graduation includes becoming the producer and Artistic Director for Space Station Dance Residency, an organization dedicated to presenting experimental dance work in the greater St. Louis area.
Recent Appearances
This is a list of recent shows/events
Press & Reviews
St. Louis Dance HQ (April 5, 2025). Interviewed for “Q & A with Jacob Henss, Artistic Director of Space Station Dance Residency”
Howlround Theatre Commons (April 24, 2024). Featured in “The Speculative Ecologies of The Unreliable Bestiary”
St. Louis Dance HQ (August 15, 2024). “HQ Review: Space Station Dance Residency 2024”
Smile Politely (March 26, 2024). Featured in “Experience the eclectic fusion of Turn Around Music Series with two dynamic shows”
St. Louis Dance HQ (March 13, 2024).“HQ Review: Cloven III SpaceStation Dance Residency Fundraiser”
Smile Politely (January 30, 2024). Interviewed for “A Look at February Dance 2024”
Arts Intercepts (March 9, 2023). Featured in “A feisty and feral Saturday at RADFest”
The News Gazette (November 30, 2022). Featured In “Dancing with the CU Stars: Area celebs to strut their stuff for Boys and Girls Club”
Smile Politely (November 15, 2021). Featured in “November Dance proves that Dance at Illinois hasn’t stopped moving”
Awards
Outstanding Adjunct Award- Millikin University (2023)
A adjunct instructor demonstrating exceptional teaching. Nominated by Tom Robson.
A adjunct instructor demonstrating exceptional teaching. Nominated by Tom Robson.
Vannie L. Sherry Memorial Award (2022)
A dance major demonstrating exceptional performance by a graduate student
A dance major demonstrating exceptional performance by a graduate student
Vannie L. Sherry Memorial Award (2021)
A dance major demonstrating exceptional performance by a graduate student
A dance major demonstrating exceptional performance by a graduate student
Emerging Choreographer Award (2017)
Given to a graduating senior showcasing exceptional choreographic exploration and execution
Given to a graduating senior showcasing exceptional choreographic exploration and execution
