Caroline Lewis Jones and son Crews

Before moving to New York City at 18 to pursue a career in dance, Caroline Lewis Jones lived here in Columbia. Now, she’s brought her talents back to her hometown to choreograph Godspell for Trustus Theatre.

Lewis Jones’s big move provided her with some very big opportunities. She performed at the MTV Video Music Awards with NSYNC, at the Latin Grammy Awards, in multiple commercials, in the Britney Spears music video for “Me Against the Music” which also features Madonna, and more. Her passion, however, was working with contemporary dance companies. She worked for Mia Michaels’ company R.A.W., Dee Caspary’s IV Dance Company, Notario Dance Company, A.S.H. Contemporary, Rhapsody and Company, Justin Giles’ Soul Escape, and Jason Parsons’ Parsons Project which gave her the opportunity to perform in Seoul, Korea.

She is thrilled to have the opportunity to choreograph for a Columbia audience again and has very much enjoyed her time working with Trustus Theatre. She says, “Godspell has been amazing. I have never done anything like this before—working with singers and actors. The cast is unbelievably talented and Trustus really is something special here in the city. This specific cast cannot only sing their butts off, but they are awesome dancers also. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started—Would they be strong enough movers? Would they be willing to try new things?…Any concern I had before starting was totally gone after the first night’s rehearsal. I loved doing something new. It challenged me in new ways, which is always fun, and I discovered a new love for theatre.” Godspell opens Friday, March 20th and will be at Trustus through April 11th.

In addition to dance, Lewis Jones has a new love in her life these days, her son Crews. She is now learning how to balance her career with being a parent. She explains, “Caroline was no longer just Caroline. However, I don’t mind at all. In fact, I have loved every second. Every day, every minute, every second, is a new adventure now. It’s not about me anymore, and I love that. Crews has been the best thing to ever happen to Hance and I. I actually feel more creative than ever. I think taking some time away from it all has been a good thing. My heart, soul, and imagination are different now and ready to boogie.”

Lewis Jones is “ready to boogie” in a lot of different ways. Unbound, her Columbia dance company with Susan Dabney Hancock is planning a show in early June that she is very excited for. She is also interested in doing more guest choreography in Columbia, such as for Columbia City Ballet or for USC. She says, “I love nothing more than to work with classically trained ballerinas. Again, it allows me to use my brain in new ways. I like a challenge, and I always like a change.”

-by Abby Davis