Jason Wise

Jason Wise (born July 7, 1989) is an American dancer, choreographer, and theatre director.

Early life Born in Elmira, New York, Wise began dancing at age 5 at Filippetti's Academy of Dance Arts in Horseheads, New York, where he won national titles at dance competitions across the country. He also attended and received scholarships to French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts and Stagedoor Manor. Wise attended and graduated from Horseheads High School. Wise also appeared as the Carpet in the national tour of Beauty and the Beast.

In film and television, Wise made appearances on Lifetime's Dance Moms, ABC's Pan Am, NBC's Smash, The Wolf of Wall Street, and The Normal Heart on HBO.

Michael Musto and The Village Voice When Wise was 22, he came to the attention of New York journalist Michael Musto when Wise had written an open letter to The New York Times about Judy Garland. A year later, Musto interviewed Wise in his column in The Village Voice, "La Dolce Musto", featuring Wise's opinions on the gay generational divide. Musto said of Wise, "This guy sounded savvy beyond his years and proved to be the perfect young yin to my old yang."

Wise later discussed Judy Garland in the Netflix Documentary, Judy Garland: Too Young To Die alongside Garland’s son, Joseph Luft, and Grammy Award winner Rufus Wainwright.

Later career With guidance from Thommie Walsh, and ten-time Tony Award Winner Tommy Tune, Wise transitioned into becoming a director and choreographer. He also served as the director and choreographer for National Lampoon's Full House: The Musical, which starred Perez Hilton.

In 2018, Wise served as Choreographer for Mamma Mia!, a stage musical based on the songs of ABBA, Directed by Daniel C. Levine. The show opened ACT Of Connecticut, a new theater in Ridgefield, Connecticut, which operates under the Artistic Advisory of Stephen Schwartz (composer).

Later that year, Wise provided the Musical Staging for Ryan Raftery’s The Obsession Of Calvin Klein, a parody of Black Swan (film) documenting the rivalry of Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren which ran at Joe's Pub at The Public Theater in New York City, before transferring to Los Angeles.

Faculty Wise serves on the Dance Faculty of Broadway Dance Center, The Joffrey Ballet, American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and Peridance Capezio Center, all of which are located in New York City.

Personal life Wise is openly gay, and lives in New York City.