Choreographers

Stephanie Martinez, Artistic Director

Over eleven years of award-winning works, Chicago-based choreographer Stephanie Martinez moves her audiences along a journey guided by the physicality of her movement and honest storytelling. With original creations for Joffrey Ballet, Ballet Hispanico, Luna Negra Dance Theater,  Charlotte Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, Eugene Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Ballet Memphis, Kansas City Ballet, and National Choreographers Initiative among others, Martinez’s versatility expands the boundaries of contemporary ballet movement through her passion for marrying dance and theater as a means to construct intricate visual experiences. Martinez has created over 60 ballets on companies and collegiate programs across the country. In 2010, Martinez assisted Broadway legend Ann Reinking in setting the Fosse Trilogy, and in 2015 was awarded Joffrey Ballet’s “Winning Works: Choreographers of Color” commission and the Chicago 3Arts Award in recognition for her work as a female artist of color. More recently, Martinez was awarded an NEA grant for her premiere Bliss! at Joffrey Ballet. Designated “a chameleon” of choreography by the Chicago Tribune, Martinez’s psychologically revelatory works challenge the viewer’s notion of what’s possible.

Visit Stephanie’s choreographic website here.

Jennifer Archibald

Jennifer Archibald is the founder and Artistic Director of the Arch Dance Company and Program Director of ArchCore40 Dance Intensives. Archibald has choreographed for the Atlanta Ballet, Ailey II, Ballet Memphis, Kansas City Ballet, Tulsa Ballet, and worked commercially for Tommy Hilfiger, NIKE and MAC Cosmetics as well as chart-listed singers and actors. She was appointed as the first female Resident Choreographer in Cincinnati Ballet’s 40-year history. This season she has created works for Cincinnati Ballet, Grand Rapids Ballet, Amy Seiwert's Imagery, Ballet West, Sacramento Ballet and Stockholm's Balletakademien and will create new works for Oregon Ballet Theatre, Richmond Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet, Tulsa Ballet, BalletX and National Ballet of Canada in 2021. She was the acting Movement Director for Michael Kahn's The Oresteia at the Shakespeare Theatre Company.

Archibald’s works have been performed at venues including New York's City Center, Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, Aaron Davis Hall, Jacob's Pillow Inside|Out Stage and Central Park's Summerstage Mainstage. Jennifer was awarded a Choreographic Fellow for Ailey’s New Directions Choreography Lab under the direction of Robert Battle. She is a Choreographic Winnings recipient by the Joffrey Ballet. Jennifer choreographed “Seven”, a biographical work about Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee, which was commissioned by St. Louis based MADCO Dance Company. Arch Dance Company's "Chasing Shadows" was remounted for Dallas Black Dance Theater for their 2018/19 season. She was also the 2018-19 recipient's for the CUNY Dance Initiative Residency.

Jennifer is currently an Acting Lecturer at the Yale School of Drama and was appointed as Guest Faculty Lecturer to develop the Hip Hop dance curriculum at Columbia/Barnard College. Jennifer is also a guest artist at several universities including Fordham/Ailey, Purchase College, Princeton, Virginia Commonwealth University, University of South Florida, Goucher College, Columbia College Chicago, Miami New World School of the Arts, South Carolina's Governor's School of the Arts, Ailey Fordham, Boston Conservatory, and Point Park.

Lucas Crandall

Lucas Crandall joined the Milwaukee Ballet in 1979 and the Ballet du Grand-Theatre de Geneve in 1980. From 1985-1987, Crandall danced with Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT). He has performed in works by Oscar Araiz, Christopher Bruce, Nacho Duato, Mats Ek, Rui Horta, Kylián, Amanda Miller, and Ohad Naharin. In 2000, Crandall joined Hubbard Street Dance Chicago as Associate Artistic Director and taught at the Lou Conte Dance Studio. He has also worked as a guest teacher for Ballet du Grand-Theatre de Geneve, guest Ballet Master for Ballet Jazz de Montréal, Rehearsal Director for NW Dance Project, and Ballet Master for Hubbard Street. Crandall currently serves as the Coordinator and Repetitor for NDT and has choreographed for Hubbard Street, NW Dance Project, Thodos Dance Chicago, Ballet Junior de Geneve.

Current & Former Ensemble Artists

Alicia Delgadillo*

Alicia Delgadillo began her career with Hubbard Street 2 and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. She was a founding member of PARA.MAR Dance Theatre in 2020 and later joined Gibney Company as an Artistic Associate from 2021-2023. Delgadillo
has collaborated with a wide array of choreographers and institutions, including Crystal Pite, Ohad Naharin, Alejandro Cerrudo, The Art Institute of Chicago, and The Second City.

She graduated with Honors from the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program where she was able to foster her passion for arts outreach through JUNTOS Collective, a non-profit dance outreach organization. She has taught through residencies with NYU Tisch School of Dance and Bard College, and also served as Artistic Coordinator for Hubbard Street Summer Intensive, Company Manager for PARA.MAR Dance Theatre, and has produced various artistic projects. She is currently a Rehearsal Director with Charlotte Ballet.

Photo by: Nir Arieli

* Founding PARA.MAR Ensemble

Brian Martinez*

Brian was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, where he started dancing at the age of 14. After receiving his BFA in Contemporary Dance, Brian moved to Chicago to further his training with Hubbard Street's Professional Program (HSPro) under the direction of Alexandra Wells. In the program, he performed and workshopped works by Ryan Mason, William Forsythe, Rena Butler, Robyn Minekos Williams, and Peter Chu; all of whom were able to provide transformative information for Brian's developing performance career.

* Founding PARA.MAR Ensemble

Chase Buntrock*

Chase Buntrock is from Chicago, Illinois. After attending Chicago Academy for the Arts, he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from The Juilliard School. Following graduation, Chase was a dancer with Ballet BC under the direction of Emily Molnar. He has performed works by Crystal Pite, Sharon Eyal, Merce Cunningham, Roy Assaf, and more.

* Founding PARA.MAR Ensemble

Ching Ching Wong*

Ching Ching Wong was born in Manila, raised in Los Angeles, and currently based in Philadelphia. She graduated from the University of California, Irvine studying under the late Donald Mckayle. From 2010 -2017 she was a dancer for NW Dance Project. In 2015 she was awarded The Princess Grace Award in Dance and named Top 25 to Watch by Dance Magazine in 2017. Since 2017, Ching Ching Wong has been assistant and répétiteur to Swiss based choreographer Ihsan Rustem restaging his work in 7 countries. As a freelance artist, Ching Ching is the founder of her own company Carrots Carrying Water and creator of The Experience Workshop & Project Salamat global outreach program. She has performed with violinist Joe Kye, LED, CARLON, Heidi Duckler Dance Theater, SALT Contemporary Dance, Safety Third Productions, YYDC, WHYTEBERG, and Brendan Duggan. Ching is extremely grateful to be a part of PARA.MAR’s inaugural performance!

* Founding PARA.MAR Ensemble

Chris Bloom*

Chris Bloom is from Fredrick County, VA where he began dancing at the Blue Ridge Studio for the Performing Arts and the Vostrikov Academy of Ballet. Chris graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Ailey/Fordham B. F. A. Progam. Chris has performed with Parsons Dance, The Dash Ensemble, The Black Iris Project, and the Peridance Contemporary Dance Company. Chris joined Ballet Hispanico in 2013 and has had the pleasure of originating roles in new works by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Fernando Melo, Michelle Manzanales, Gustavo Ramirez Sansano, Edwaard Liang, and Eduardo Vilaro. In addition he has performed in Nacho Duato’s Jardi Tancat, William Forsythe’s New Sleep and as Don José in Gustavo Ramirez Sansano’s CARMEN.maquia. Chris is performing at the courtesy of Ballet Hispanico.

* Founding PARA.MAR Ensemble

Gabrielle Sprauve*

Gabrielle Sprauve was born in Queens, NY and raised in Savannah,GA where she began her training at The Academy of Dance. She attended Savannah Arts Academy for the Performing Arts, and also studied at the Ailey School and the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance. Gabrielle graduated with her BFA from Marymount Manhattan College in 2017. She has performed works by Larry Keigwin, Alexandra Damiani, Norbert De La Cruz, Paul Taylor, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Adam Barruch, and Jo Strømgren. Gabrielle joined Ballet Hispanico in 2017, where she has had the pleasure of working with choreographers such as Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Michelle Manzanales, Bennyroyce Royon, Eduardo Vilaro, Andrea Miller, and Gustavo Ramirez Sansano.

* Founding PARA.MAR Ensemble

Joseph A. Hernandez*

Joseph A. Hernandez, from Chicago, IL, first began his movement arts practice with Shotokan Karate. He later discovered dance in high school and pursued his formal training at Western Michigan University, where he graduated magna cum laude with a BFA in Dance. He received supplemental training from programs at Springboard Danse Montréal, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, Luna Negra Dance Theater, and Gus Giordano Dance School. Joseph’s professional credits include The Metropolitan Opera Ballet, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Amy Seiwert’s Imagery, LED Boise, ODC/Dance, Kate Weare Company, Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers, River North Dance Chicago, and the Broadway production of West Side Story. In addition to performing, he is also a passionate educator and choreographer, having worked with numerous pre-professional programs and professional companies across the country. In his free time, Joseph enjoys photography, yoga, cycling, rock climbing, and working under the hood of his car.

* Founding PARA.MAR Ensemble

Kelsey McFalls*

Kelsey McFalls is from Syracuse, NY. She has been fortunate to have worked with Amy Seiwert's Imagery, Sacramento Ballet, Dance Theatre of San Francisco, Milissa Payne Project, Company C, Peninsula Ballet Theater, Kambara + Dancers, San Francisco Symphony, American Contemporary Ballet, and American Repertory Ballet. Kelsey's repertoire includes works by George Balanchine, Gerald Arpino, Stephen Mills, Amy Seiwert, Ron Cunningham, Robert Moses, and Liza Gennaro. She spent the last five years co-founding and managing Socos Labs, an artificial intelligence (AI) incubator and media company focused on inventing and researching AI technologies to maximize human potential and inform public policy. Kelsey is dedicated to creating art that has a measurable impact on positive social change.

* Founding PARA.MAR Ensemble

Zachary Gonder

At the age of five, Zachary Gonder started dancing at The Dance Connection, a local studio in his hometown of Grayslake, IL. He then trained at the Chicago Academy for the Arts High School under the tutelage of renowned choreographer Randy Duncan. He graduated from Juilliard in 2018 and performed works there by Austin McCormick, José Limón, Aszure Barton, Pam Tanowitz, Richard Alston, Gustavo Ramirez Sansano and Crystal Pite. Zachary has worked for BODYTRAFFIC in L.A. as well as the Barton Sisters’ Axis Connect Program. He currently dances with Pam Tanowitz Dance, Brian Brooks Moving Company and Zvi Dance.

Noelle Kayser*

Noelle Kayser’s (Atlanta, GA) professional career began in 2011 at Luna Negra Dance Theater with an apprenticeship under the direction of Gustavo Ramirez Sansano - where she performed the company's repertoire domestically and internationally. In 2013, Noelle joined glo, an Atlanta-based collaborative performance platform founded by Lauri Stallings. Other credits include the Proia Dance Project, Erik Thurmond’s Ripple, Gathering Wild, The Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and Scrap Theater Group's one-woman play Leda. Noelle was a member of Visceral Dance Chicago under the direction of Nick Pupillo from 2015 through 2018. While at Visceral, Noelle had the opportunity to perform works by Marguerite Donlon, Danielle Agami, Kevin O’Day, Alice Klock, Stephanie Martinez, and many others. Noelle has also performed with Benjamin Wardell’s The Cambrians and Atlanta’s Fly On A Wall. Noelle has set her own choreography on Chicago’s Cerqua Rivera Dance Theater, Moonwater Dance Project, and Atlanta’s Kit Modus. Her piece for Kit Modus - The Excursion: Realized - was named a 2018 Highlight of the Year by ArtsATL. She has also served as a choreographic assistant to Stephanie Martinez and Wilfredo Rivera. In addition to dance and choreography, Noelle has narrated 16 audiobooks for Listen Up Productions / audible.com, and appeared in industrial advertising for Grey Television, Kitchenaid, and Whirlpool. Noelle has been a member of Northwest Dance Project since February of 2019. Noelle serves as the rehearsal director for PARA.Mar Dance Theatre.

* Founding PARA.MAR Ensemble and Rehearsal Director

Myles Lavallee

Myles Lavallee was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ, where he trained and competed with various dance studios. He won many awards including JUMP’s Teen National Title and NUVO’s Teen 1st Runner Up, before moving away to NYC to focus his studies at the School of American Ballet. In 2011 Myles joined Ballet Arizona where he danced for four seasons. In 2014, he moved to Canada to join Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal and in 2016, Myles joined Hubbard Street Dance Chicago for two seasons. He was commissioned twice to choreograph for Ballet Arizona's Innovations program, and created pieces in both LGBC and HSDC choreographic workshops . Myles now lives in Los Angeles as a freelance artist and choreographer He has recently been seen dancing with Body Traffic, Post Ballet, Ishida Dance, & Heidi Duckler Dance as well as in several music videos and on Netflix and YouTube. He is extremely passionate about teaching, choreographing and sharing his love for dance.

Nathaniel Hunt

Nathaniel “Nate” Hunt (he/him/his) is a dancer, educator, choreographer, model, and creative director. He graduated summa cum laude with a BFA in Dance from Long Island University - Brooklyn under the direction of Dana Hash-Campbell. While achieving his undergraduate degree, Nathaniel furthered his training with Joffrey Ballet, Cedarlake Contemporary Ballet, Jacob’s Pillow, and Earl Mosley’s Institute of the Arts all with partial or full scholarship. 

Nathaniel has been a member of the Metropolitan Opera Ballet, Ailey II, Ballet Hispanico, Company XIV, Zvi Dance, Diversity of Dance, and Adaptations Dance Theater; and has had the honor to perform alongside the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Tony Award Winner Derek Hough, and world-renown singer/songwriter, Stevie Wonder. He was the first Black Nutcracker Prince in Company XIV’s infamous winter production of Nutcracker Rouge, and in 2016, he performed Alvin Ailey’s masterpiece Revelations for President Barack Obama in the opening ceremony of the Hannover Messe in Germany. He has performed works by notorious choreographers Alvin Ailey, Dwight Rhoden, Ronald K. Brown, Lorin Latarro, Alexei Ratmansky, Alexandra Damiani, Matthew Rushing, and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa. Nathaniel is represented by McDonald Selznick Associates talent agency and is featured in LEXXE’s music video “Drink Me” as well as Cold Arizona’s music video “Open Highway Head Start.” He can be seen as the villainous Macavity in the Cats On Tour 2020 TV Commercial. 

Nathaniel’s choreographic and teaching highlights include Ailey II, Bucknell University, Adaptations Dance Theater, Long Island University, FLOCK, and Santa Fe College among many others. As an undergrad, Nathaniel's choreography was selected to be performed at the Kennedy Center at the National College Dance Festival in 2012. His choreography has been showcased at the Manhattan Movement & Arts Center, STEPS on Broadway, Brooklyn Music School, and the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. 

In 2020, Nathaniel co-founded the NOIR 20/20 Experience with Azure Antoinette, an initiative fighting for racial equality centered on Black experience, Black movement, and Black revolution through art, poetry, and action.

Anthony Pucci

Anthony, born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, began his dance training at Studio Dance under Michele Burke. Anthony danced with the NW Dance Project where he was privileged to create new works with renowned choreographers such as Ihsan Rustem, Sarah Slipper, Patrick Delcroix, Wen Wei Wang, Cayetano Soto, Danielle Agami, Luca Vegetti, and James Canfield. Recently, he has danced with Ballare Carmel, Cantankerous Creatures, Tori Lawrence & Co., Open Space, and Post Ballet. Anthony is thrilled to be joining PARA.MAR Dance Theatre and to be on stage in his home state. He attended the University of Iowa, where he received a B.F.A. in Dance Performance and Choreography. Anthony is also a 200-hour certified yoga instructor through the Yoga Alliance.

Melissa Verdecia

Melissa Verdecia is from Miami, FL and received her early training from Mencia-Pikieris School of Dance and New World School of the Arts where she graduated summa cum laude in 2008. In 2012, Melissa went on to earn her BFA in dance from The Juilliard School under the direction of Larry Rhodes. While attending The Juilliard School Melissa performed works by Sidra Bell, Alex Ekman, Nacho Duato and Jerome Robbins among others. In 2008, Melissa was selected as a modern dance Finalist in the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA) YoungARTS competition. She was also featured in the HBO series “Master Class.” In 2012 Melissa joined Ballet Hispanico of New York City and had the joy of being presented along with her Ballet Hispanico colleagues in Lincoln Center at the Movies Great American Dance Series in 2016 where she performed lead roles in works by Gustavo Ramirez Sansano and Pedro Ruiz. During her 9 seasons with Ballet Hispánico she has toured nationally and internationally performing works by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Eduardo Vilaro and Michelle Manzanales among others.

 Melissa has also choreographed for and served as the rehearsal director for the Peter London Global Dance Company in Miami, FL and Dimensions Dance Theater of Miami. Currently, Melissa has completed her 9th season with Ballet Hispanico and has returned to her hometown of Miami where she will continue to perform and serve as a dance educator in the community as well as enjoy raising her son alongside her husband and fellow artist. 

Lyvan Verdecia

Lyvan Verdecia was born in Havana, Cuba. He graduated from the National Ballet School of Cuba in 2013 and joined the National Ballet Of Cuba through December 2014, where he developed as a dancer and choreographer. Along with performing and choreographing Lyvan enjoys sharing the knowledge of his craft by teaching at various companies, schools and summer programs. Among them are the National Ballet of Cuba, Kingsport Ballet, the New Jersey Dance Theater Ensemble, Art Vida Academy and the Ballet Hispanico School of Dance. In 2015 Lyvan joined Ballet Hispanico in New York City where he had the opportunity to impact countless audiences in works by choreographers such as Annabelle Lopez Ochoa ,Gustavo Ramirez Sansano and Pedro Ruiz to name a few. Along with performing Lyvan gained invaluable experience as a teaching artist with Ballet Hispanico by teaching workshops around the country and abroad as part of the company’s outreach initiative. In 2017 Lyvan was awarded the prestigious Princess Grace award and in 2021 he completed his 7th season with Ballet Hispanico. Currently, Lyvan is enjoying his new freelance career in Miami, Florida where he lives with his wife and son.

Taylor Yocum

Taylor Yocum began her dance career in Spokane, Washington studying ballet at Spokane Ballet Studio under the direction of Sara Donnelly. Upon graduating high school, she attended SUNY Purchase and had the opportunity to study abroad in Beijing, China at Beijing Dance Academy. She has supplemented her training at summer programs with NW Dance Project, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Alonzo King Lines Ballet and Springboard Danse Montreal. Throughout her training she has performed in original works choreographed by Micaela Taylor, Rena Butler, Roderick George, Robyn Mineko-Williams, and Franco Nieto, among others. She is currently performing with South Chicago Dance Theatre.

Jared Bogart

Jared Bogart is originally from Crystal River, FL where he spent his early years training at his parents’ dance school. He graduated with a BFA in Dance from Jacksonville University and trained during his summers at the Orlando Ballet School, Archcore40, Florida Dance Masters, and Florida Dance Festival. While in Jacksonville, Jared worked with artists such as Jennifer Muller, Robert Moses, Jennifer Archibald, and Stephanie Martinez. Jared has just finished dancing his 5th season with Ballet Hispánico. While at Ballet Hispanico Jared has worked with world renowned choreographers such as Ronald K Brown, Gustavo Ramirez Sansano, and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa.

Liane Aung

Born and raised in Southern California, Liane received her Bachelor’s in Fine Arts Degree in Dance Performance at the University of California, Irvine. At UCI, she had the honor to perform and learn legendary works from the late Donald McKayle with UCI’s Etude Ensemble, a pre-professional ensemble geared to experience company life in a collegiate setting. 

As a professional, Liane has had the honor of spending six seasons with Whim W’Him Contemporary Dance Company under the direction of Olivier Wevers in Seattle, WA. With Whim W’Him, Liane has had the opportunity to perform and collaborate in original creations with Joseph Hernandez, Ihsan Rustem, Maurya Kerr, Yin Yue, Flockworks Dance, Miceala Taylor, Mark Caserta, Penny Saunders, Banning Bouldin, Annabelle Lopez-Ochoa, Danielle Agami, Brendan Duggan, Zoe Scofield and Sidra Bell amongst others. In Southern California, five seasons were spent dancing with Backhausdance where Liane performed original works and repertoire under the direction of Artistic Director, Jenny Backhaus.

As a freelance artist Liane has had the pleasure to collaborate and create with Flockworks Dance, Yin Yue Dance Company YYDC, Alejandro Cerrudo, Seattle Dance Collective SDC, Schoen Movement Company, Erica Essner Performance Co-Op, KT Neihoff, Entity Contemporary Dance Company and now the honor to work with PARA.MAR Dance Theatre.  

Photo by : Allina Yang Photography

Amanda Sachs

Amanda grew up in New Jersey studying R.A.D. before moving to San Francisco for the Alonzo King LINES Ballet Training Program. In 2014, Sachs joined The Francesca Harper Project in NYC, and in 2017 joined TU Dance in Minneapolis, where she performed Alvin Ailey’s solo Witness and Night Creature, Walking with Pearl: Africa Diaries by Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, and numerous other works. She is an original member of Come Through, produced by Liquid Music in collaboration with Grammy-winning musician Bon Iver and TU Dance. She is featured in Bon Iver’s Naeem and We lyric videos, and has performed at the Bonnaroo and Eaux Claires music festivals. Sachs joined NW Dance Project in Portland in 2021, where she performed works by Ihsan Rustem, Yin Yue, Joseph Hernandez, Sarah Slipper, and Luca Veggetti. Sachs premiered in Ashwini Ramaswamy's Invisible Cities as well as Cold Air Rises by Ben Frost as part of The Great Northern Festival in Minnesota. She made her opera debut at the Lyric Opera of Chicago this Spring in Carmen and is thrilled to be joining PARA.MAR performing original works by Helen Simineau and Stephanie Martinez for their Spring Series in Chicago.

Photo credit: Bill Cameron

Morgan Reed McDaniel

Morgan Reed McDaniel (Buffalo, NY) began dancing at the age of 3 at Buffalo City Ballet and later at Configuration School of Ballet. In 2020, Morgan graduated from the Ailey/Fordham BFA program with summa cum laude honors. While at Ailey, Morgan worked with esteemed choreographers including Francesca Harper, Jae Man Joo, Elizabeth Roxas-Dobrish and Tina Bush. During her senior year, Morgan performed with the Metropolitan Opera in their production of Der Fliegende Holländer.

After graduating, Morgan moved to Chicago to join South Chicago Dance Theatre as an emerging artist. Soon after, she spent a season with Visceral Dance Chicago. Morgan has been a freelance artist since June, 2022 and has enjoyed residencies with Ballare Carmel in Monterey, California where she performed work choreographed by Noelle Kayser, Jennifer Archibald and Ihsan Rustem. Her recent work includes performing with the Lyric Opera of Chicago in Carmen and West Side Story.

Photo credit: Todd Rosenberg

Brandon Talbott

Brandon is originally from Manassas, VA, and trained at numerous studios and conservatories throughout the DMV area. In his competitive dance years, he was featured on multiple episodes of reality TV dance shows. After finishing his senior year of high school in 2017, he attended the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) where he studied concert dance with a focus in contemporary work. At UNCSA he had the opportunity to appear in work by choreographers Doug Varone, Ashley Lindsey, Juel D. Lane, and Stephanie Martinez and worked closely with the ballet department where he appeared in numerous performances including their annual production of The Nutcracker.  Graduating in 2021, Brandon moved to Chicago and joined Visceral Dance Chicago. His freelance works includes AJA Talent, The Candlelight Series, Freckled Sky, Noelle Kayser, and Sancta. 

Kara Hunsinger

Kara Hunsinger grew up in Modesto, California dancing at Juline’s School of Dance under the direction of David Arce. After high school, Kara attended the University of Arizona where she performed works by George Balanchine,  Nacho Duato, Autumn Eckman, Ohad Naharin, Alexei Ratmansky, and Christopher Wheeldon. Upon graduating magna cum laude, Kara moved to Chicago to join DanceWorks Chicago. Kara’s supplemental training includes Alonzo King LINES Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Ballet West, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Ate9, Share Dance Intensive, and San Francisco Conservatory of Dance. During Kara’s time in Chicago she has also worked with Brendan Fernandes, Visceral Dance Chicago, New Dances, and the Lyric Opera in Carmen. Kara is currently a dancer, Artistic Associate, and Rehearsal Director with Boykin Dance Project.

Photo by : Chloe Hamilton

James LaRussa

James La Russa (Atlanta, GA) received his early years of training from Atlanta Ballet. He earned  full scholarships to training programs at the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education, the Australian Ballet School, as well as Boston Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, and Orlando Ballet  Summer Intensives. James earned his Bachelor of Arts in Dance & Movement Studies and a  Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Pre-Veterinary Medicine concentration at Emory University. While attending Emory, James guest performed with Atlanta Ballet, performed with  the Emory Dance Company, captained the Hip-Hop dance crew TrickaNomeTry (TNT), and was  hired into Atlanta's staibdance. During his 8 years as a company dancer with staibdance, James  also staged and rehearsal directed multiple staibdance works across the Eastern United States and  overseas.

In addition, James was recently selected as the RDA/Southeast Emerging Choreographer Scholarship Recipient to attend the National Choreography Intensive for his  original work, "Ascent." Throughout his career, James has also worked with world-renowned  choreographers including Twyla Tharp, Simon Dow, Bruce Wells, and John McFall, as well as  performed with Atlanta's Fly on a Wall and Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre. Following his  eighth season with staibdance, James now freelance performs, choreographs, and teaches full time.

Laura Morton LaRussa

Originally from Maryville, TN, Laura Morton La Russa is an alumna of Appalachian Ballet Company and trained with Houston Ballet’s Academy. She is a former company member with Atlanta Ballet, staibdance, and Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre. Throughout her career, she has worked with world-renowned choreographers such as Jiri Kylian, Liam Scarlett, George Balanchine, and David Bentley, as well as Atlanta’s George Staib, Heath Gill, and Tara Lee. Laura was featured in Ana Maria Lucaciu’s ‘LONG AGO AND ONLY ONCE’ digital and live premiere and originated the title role “Marley” in Heath Gill’s ‘Marley was dead, to begin with.’

In 2021, Laura was named one of Dance Magazine's "25 to Watch” and most recently received the National Choreography Award at Regional Dance America/Southeast 2023 Festival for her work titled “SHED”. As an educator, Laura was the Student Program Principal of Terminus Ballet School for the past three years and is currently Appalachian Ballet Company’s Marketing Director. After 9 years of dancing professionally in Atlanta, Laura is excited to be moving into freelance and project-based work next season as a dancing artist, choreographer, and teacher.

Founding Collaborators

Darryl J. Hoffman

Darryl J. Hoffman Is a Bronx, NY native composer, currently based in Chicago. With his life long love for music, he developed a curiosity for sound and began creating at the age of 13. His resume of compositions include works on Kansas City Ballet for choreographer Stephanie Martinez, in collaboration with cellist, Desiree Miller (2016). Danceworks Chicago with choreography by Owen Scarlet (2016). Visceral Dance Chicago's "Synapse", choreographed by Nick Pupillo (2017). Minnesota Dance Theatre, for choreographer, Darwin Black (2017). Three Philadanco works choreographed by Anthony Burrell & Christopher Huggins (2018-2019). Works for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago & Ballet X, Choreographed by Rena Butler (2018-Present). As well as full compositions for both Ebony Williams’ pieces entitled “Title lX” (2018) & “Victoria”, which premiered at Jacob’s Pillow in August of 2019. Expanding his creative horizons in 2020 by serving as Musical director for Regional Dance America’s National Choreography Summer Intensive, Darryl continues to live in his gift as he intends to shape the culture of dance with his sound, while continuing to contribute in other aspects of the arts.

Amanda Gladu

Amanda is a costume designer, illustrator, and painter working in theater, dance, opera, and film. Recent designs include WALK (PARA.MAR Dance Theatre), SIDE EFFECTS (Parsons Dance), DIRECTOR FEST (The Drama League), DANCE NATION (The Wilma Theater), LAND, LOST, FOUND (Gibney Dance), PATH OF MIRACLES (Spoleto Festival USA), LET'S HAVE A SÉANCE (HERE Arts), THE PUSSY GRABBER PLAYS (Joe's Pub), THE ROOMMATE (Kitchen Theatre Company), HOMEBOUND/ALAALA, ESPÍRITUS GEMELOS & 3.CATORCE DIECISÉIS (Ballet Hispánico), PUEBLA, NAVIDAD & BODA MEXICANA (Calpulli Mexican Dance Company), and EQUIVOCATION (Next Act Theatre). Recent associate designs include LE ROI ARTHUS (Bard Summerscape), ANOTHER ROSE (Virgin Voyages), MAKE BELIEVE, DYING CITY, MARY PAGE MARLOWE (Second Stage Theater), SANCTUARY CITY, HURRICANE DIANE (New York Theatre Workshop), THE NAP (Manhattan Theatre Club), DO YOU FEEL ANGER?, HARRY CLARKE (Vineyard Theatre), and AFTER THE BLAST (LCT3). Amanda received the 2017 Michael Merritt Academic Award for Collaborative Design for Northwestern University. She holds an M.F.A. in Stage Design from Northwestern University, and dual B.A. degrees in Dance and Art History from the University of Texas at Austin. She is currently Assistant Professor of Costume Design at Ithaca College.

Jackie Fox

Jackie is an artist and designer interested in, above all else, telling stories that explore the vulnerability of the human condition and human behavior in the face of conflict. She believes that the best art is disruptive, subversive, and pushes us to examine the most difficult elements of our psyche. Jackie has designed both regionally and internationally. She recently earned her MFA in Stage Design at Northwestern University where she was awarded the Merritt Academic Prize and the John Woodbridge Award. Selected credits include: Kiss (PARA.MAR Dance Theatre), re: CLICK (American Music Theatre Project), Peter and the Starcatcher and Mamma Mia (Wagon Wheel Theatre), Hundred Days (Kokandy Productions). During her tenure at Northwestern, Jackie designed The Cherry Orchard (Louis Theatre), Ascension (Louis Theatre), The Flick (Wallis Theatre), Machinal (Louis Theatre), Legally Blonde (Barber Theatre), and Turn of The Screw (Ryan Center for the Musical Arts). For more information about Jackie's work go to jackiefoxdesigns.com

Cal & Andrew Boyce

Andrew Boyce (Scenic Design) New York credits include: Dana H (Lyceum Theater – Broadway), Lincoln Center Theater, Roundabout Theater Company, Atlantic Theater Company, New York Theater Workshop, Vineyard Theater, Primary Stages, Playwrights Realm, Lucille Lortel, Barrow Street, Rattlestick. Regional credits with most major regional and LORT theaters across the U.S. Opera credits include Lyric Opera of Chicago, Opera Theater of St. Louis, Boston Lyric Opera, Kentucky Opera, Curtis Opera, Philadelphia Orchestra. Dance credits include Ballet Idaho, PARA.MAR Dance Theatre. MFA: Yale School of Drama. Assistant Professor of Design at Northwestern.  www.andrewboycedesign.com

Calder Marcos Boyce (the babiest) NY credits include: mom (Brooklyn), West Coast (Bay Area): dad. Recipient of the 2021 Prince Harry nomination for golden locks.