William Byram ’20 Earns Fulbright Award
The Office for Global Education is pleased to announce that William Byram ’20 (dance) has received a Fulbright Trinity Laban Award in Dance to pursue an MFA in Choreography in the United Kingdom for the 2021–2022 academic year from the U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. Byram will study at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.
Byram’s proposed thesis project is a movement theater piece focused on male fragility and aggression, exploring how they manifest in the body. The narrative for the piece is adapted from a 1999 Human Rights Watch interview on men’s experiences with sexual assault. Upon return to the U.S., William plans to pursue a career in higher education dedicated to deconstructing gender, and as a movement director/choreographer committed to access and exposure to the arts in the American South.
“I can’t think of a more crucial time for the need of forward-looking ambassadors from this country, cultural or otherwise. William is just such a person,” says Professor of Dance Bettijane Sills.
Professor of Dance Rosanna Seravalli is astounded by Byram’s choreography, which she describes as “witty, intelligent, musical, and remarkably original.”
Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected in an open, merit-based competition that considers leadership potential, academic and/or professional achievement, and record of service. As Fulbright alumni, their careers are enriched by joining a network of thousands of esteemed alumni, many of whom are leaders in their fields. Fulbright alumni include 60 Nobel Prize laureates, 88 Pulitzer Prize recipients, and 37 who have served as a head of state or government.
“His improvisatory work as well as his finished creations were revelatory and always engaging, challenging the viewer to think and feel in ways they may have not have had the courage to do before. He is professional and committed to his craft and has a deep understanding of storytelling and the human condition,” adds Conservatory of Dance Lecturer Jill Echo.
Byram was recognized for his talent early at Purchase when he was selected for the Adopt a Dancer program.
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is administered at Purchase College by Anne Kern, Dean for Global Strategy and International Programs, through the Office for Global Education. For further information on eligibility, the application process, and upcoming information sessions, please visit the Office for Global Education page on post-graduation opportunities including the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.