Michael Leon Thomas is the creative director of his company MOTION THEATER LAB, dedicated to creating dance theater programming for television and film. Mr. Thomas made his professional debut with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1991, where he received praise for his performances in Alvin Ailey's Love Songs, Billy Wilson's Winter in Lisbon, Jawole Zollar's Shelter and Dwight Rhoden's Frames. Mr. Thomas was also featured in Judith Jamison's Emmy Award-winning PBS special A Hymn for Alvin Ailey, performing a solo to his own words as interpreted by actress/playwright Anna Deavere-Smith. Mr. Thomas has performed principal roles with companies including the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, Zvi Gotheiner & Dancers, Dance Brazil, and in Donald Byrd/The Group’s The Harlem Nutcracker, in addition to a decade of touring and choreographing with Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson of Complexions. Mr. Thomas has a BFA in Dance from the North Carolina School of the Arts, where he was a recipient of the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence.

"Michael Thomas scorched the stage with his quiet intensity during his years with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater."  -Jennifer Dunning, The New York Times

"In even the briefest passages, he evinces prodigal virtues - control, suppleness, speed and unfailing elegance of line." - Charles Jurrist, The Daily News