Danial Shapiro, 48; Dancer and Choreographer Founded Troupe With His Wife

Danial Shapiro, 48, a choreographer and dancer who created strong, abstract works and was a co-founder of the troupe Shapiro & Smith, died Oct. 3 in Atlantic City, N.J.

He was being treated there for prostate cancer, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. Shapiro had been a resident of Minneapolis.

Shapiro & Smith, which he founded with his wife, dancer Joanie Smith, toured in performance this year with “Anytown: Stories of America” set to music by Bruce Springsteen, Patti Scialfa and Soozie Tyrell.

Shapiro was born Jan. 5, 1958, in Syracuse, N.Y., and grew up in Los Angeles. He began his dance career in 1978 with the Murray Louis Dance Company in New York City.

He met Smith, a dancer with the company, and they were married in 1985. Two years later, they started their own dance troupe.

They were known for sharp-edged choreography and a style of movement that was dynamic and full of character.

Dances choreographed by Shapiro and his wife were performed by a number of troupes, including the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater of New York City.