Joffrey History | Artist Detail | Management
Sam Franke joined The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago in July 1996.
Sam previously was a member of Colorado Ballet (1994), New York Theatre Ballet (1995), and Chicago’s River North Jazz Dance Company (1995/96).
He has also performed as a singer and dancer in numerous musicals including JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, GODSPELL, ANYTHING GOES and CARMEN.
Sam made his dancing debut at age 13 as Seymour the Tap Dancing Alaskan Moose. He studied on full scholarship at Virginia School of Arts (1990/91) and Houston Ballet Academy (1992-94), where he received a dance achievement award.
Sam has appeared in Chicago television commercials for Sara Lee Foundation and White Castle hamburgers. He received his first television commercial credit in sixth grade by dropping a pizza on a rug for J&S Steamway carpet cleaning.