Faculty Bio

Houston, Texas

Travis Prokop currently serves as Assistant Professor of Dance for the University of Houston. Travis received his B.F.A. from West Texas A&M University and M.F.A. from Sam Houston State University. Travis has taught in higher education for ten years, urging dancers to develop ownership of their movement style while exploring their ‘personal brand’ within dance performance. Travis specializes in teaching forms of jazz dance, contemporary dance (with modern dance principles), aerial silks, dance composition, dance history, and the appreciation of dance as fine art. Travis hopes to help dancers carve out their path in the dance industry. 

Many universities have commissioned Travis as a guest lecturer to choreograph original dance works and for theatre productions, such as Safe at Home, and musicals like Urinetown. Professionally, Travis showcases his choreographic work across North America under the name ‘Prokop_Theory Dance.’ This collective focuses on integrating 2SLGBTQIA+ culture and history into concert dance. Travis’ choreography has gained notoriety from many industry adjudicators, who have deemed it “Yummy” (Rosanna Tavarez), “Powerful” (Shani Collins), and “Complex” (KT Neihoff).

Originally from New Mexico, Travis has been dancing for thirty years. His training spans from Los Angeles to Italy, allowing him to combine aspects of concert dance and commercial performance. Travis has been a soloist for Lone Star Ballet and dance captain for TEXAS: The Outdoor Musical. He has performed nationally with numerous dance companies from Houston, TX, and has appeared on multiple national television shows, music videos, and commercials. Travis's performance style encourages authentic and spontaneous movement with personal interpretation, and he continues to engage, educate, and entertain the dance industry.