Chris Houston - NMU Theatre and Dance

Chris Houston specializes in leadership and adult learning and development in dance and dance  education. He recently served as the artistic director for three Cirque du Soleil world tours as well as the  company manager for Cirque’s first resident show in Mexico. In the United Kingdom, Chris has been  adjunct faculty at leading performing arts universities including the Arts Educational School, Italia Conti  College of the Performing Arts, and the London Studio Center. Additionally, he has been guest faculty at  Chapman University in Orange County as well as an adjunct at Marymount Manhattan in New York City  where he also taught at Broadway Dance Center. Chris’ work and research is supported by a lengthy  performing career with Celine Dion, Cirque du Soleil, Dragone Productions, and Cameron Mackintosh’s  original productions of Miss Saigon and Cats in London’s West End. He earned his BA in Performing  Arts from Saint Mary’s College of California and an MBA with a specialization in leadership and  innovation from Edinburgh Napier University. Chris is currently a doctoral candidate at Teachers  College, Columbia University where he also supports research for the Arnhold Institute for Dance Education Research, Policy, and Leadership.