Wayne 'Crescendo' Ward
- Actor
- Editor
- Choreography
Crescendo is a veteran actor, choreographer, dancer, editor and producer whose numerous credits span film, television, stage and video. Crescendo maintains a constant presence in the world of dance, especially street dancing, embodying an understanding of the street dance culture that cannot be matched. As a producer for numerous video and live entertainment events, Crescendo has an inside track to the latest trends in fashion and nightlife entertainment.
He was the first to capitalize on the exploding popularity of televised street dance competitions as the producer and director of the American Street Dance Championship, which aired on Fox Sports Net in 2001. Later, he also produced and directed the Los Angeles Urban Dance Festival, The Hip-Hop Dance Awards. As a producer, Crescendo has worked with some of the most respected names in entertainment such as executive producers, Kevin Bright (Friends), Chris Bearde (Sherman Oaks), writers Mark Warren & Dennis Rinsler, director Carl Franklin (Devil in a Blue Dress) and television director Paul Miller. A dancer/choreographer renowned in his field, Crescendo has worked with recording artists such as Lionel Richie, Paula Abdul, Jade, The Pointer Sisters, Gladys Knight, Natalie Cole, Diana Ross, and many others.
An accomplished actor, Crescendo's film credits include "Sinbad & The War of The Furies", "Maul Dogs", The Rock Presents: "Ascendance", "Naked Gun 33 1/3", with Leslie Nielsen, "I'll Do Anything", with Nick Nolte and "Cell Block Four", with Chris Rock. Crescendo did double duty as an actor and choreographer for Robert Townsend's film "The Five Heartbeats" and "Earth Girls Are Easy" with Jeff Goldblum, Geena Davis, Jim Carrey and Damon Wayans. In the latter film, Crescendo received rave reviews for the hot dance battle scene he co-directed, choreographed and performed with Wayans. Crescendo left his signature hoofer-prints on several television shows as well. He was featured with James Gandolfini (The Sopranos) in the pilot episode of "Gun". He received praise for his comedic choreography of HBO's "Harry Shearer: The Magic Of Live" and "Shredding Party," a music video spoof of the Oliver North trial. Other TV appearances include "In Living Color", "The George Burns Special", "The New Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour", "The Diana Ross Special" and many more.
Crescendo gained national exposure as a Grand Finalist on "Star Search '85" as half of the popular dance team, "Crescendo & Diamond", which some have said could rival the legendary dance team "The Nicholas Brothers." Spotted by variety show producer Chris Bearde, Crescendo was hired to star in and choreograph the TV series, "FTV", a parody of MTV. Bearde was so impressed with his young star's abilities, he allowed Crescendo to write and direct several sketches for the show, which ran for two and a half years. Crescendo also choreographed and appeared in numerous television commercials including Chrysler, Shell Oil, Taco Bell, Diet Coke, McDonald's, Pepsi and Seagram's Wine Coolers, in which he was paired with Bruce Willis.
In 1999, Crescendo formed Wardance Entertainment; a multi-media entertainment production company specializing in live, video and post production. Crescendo's passion for dance and education is what drove him to establish the Dance For Education Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting education for America's youth through music and dance. "It's important that we all do our share and give back, especially if you're in the position to do so" says Crescendo.
He was the first to capitalize on the exploding popularity of televised street dance competitions as the producer and director of the American Street Dance Championship, which aired on Fox Sports Net in 2001. Later, he also produced and directed the Los Angeles Urban Dance Festival, The Hip-Hop Dance Awards. As a producer, Crescendo has worked with some of the most respected names in entertainment such as executive producers, Kevin Bright (Friends), Chris Bearde (Sherman Oaks), writers Mark Warren & Dennis Rinsler, director Carl Franklin (Devil in a Blue Dress) and television director Paul Miller. A dancer/choreographer renowned in his field, Crescendo has worked with recording artists such as Lionel Richie, Paula Abdul, Jade, The Pointer Sisters, Gladys Knight, Natalie Cole, Diana Ross, and many others.
An accomplished actor, Crescendo's film credits include "Sinbad & The War of The Furies", "Maul Dogs", The Rock Presents: "Ascendance", "Naked Gun 33 1/3", with Leslie Nielsen, "I'll Do Anything", with Nick Nolte and "Cell Block Four", with Chris Rock. Crescendo did double duty as an actor and choreographer for Robert Townsend's film "The Five Heartbeats" and "Earth Girls Are Easy" with Jeff Goldblum, Geena Davis, Jim Carrey and Damon Wayans. In the latter film, Crescendo received rave reviews for the hot dance battle scene he co-directed, choreographed and performed with Wayans. Crescendo left his signature hoofer-prints on several television shows as well. He was featured with James Gandolfini (The Sopranos) in the pilot episode of "Gun". He received praise for his comedic choreography of HBO's "Harry Shearer: The Magic Of Live" and "Shredding Party," a music video spoof of the Oliver North trial. Other TV appearances include "In Living Color", "The George Burns Special", "The New Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour", "The Diana Ross Special" and many more.
Crescendo gained national exposure as a Grand Finalist on "Star Search '85" as half of the popular dance team, "Crescendo & Diamond", which some have said could rival the legendary dance team "The Nicholas Brothers." Spotted by variety show producer Chris Bearde, Crescendo was hired to star in and choreograph the TV series, "FTV", a parody of MTV. Bearde was so impressed with his young star's abilities, he allowed Crescendo to write and direct several sketches for the show, which ran for two and a half years. Crescendo also choreographed and appeared in numerous television commercials including Chrysler, Shell Oil, Taco Bell, Diet Coke, McDonald's, Pepsi and Seagram's Wine Coolers, in which he was paired with Bruce Willis.
In 1999, Crescendo formed Wardance Entertainment; a multi-media entertainment production company specializing in live, video and post production. Crescendo's passion for dance and education is what drove him to establish the Dance For Education Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting education for America's youth through music and dance. "It's important that we all do our share and give back, especially if you're in the position to do so" says Crescendo.
