Each of the MFA dance performances feature a collection of original work in performance and/or choreography by current Hollins University MFA dance candidates. As part of the thesis capstone research project, performance and dance work featured in these concerts highlights a diverse approach to contemporary dance practices, research and making.  Faculty/Staff works were also included in a separate concert during the 2018 Summer.  

Photos: Orfeas Skutelis

Each of the MFA dance performances feature a collection of original work in performance and/or choreography by current Hollins University MFA dance candidates. As part of the thesis capstone research project, performance and dance work featured in these concerts highlights a diverse approach to contemporary dance practices, research and making.  Faculty/Staff works were also included in a separate concert during the 2017 Summer.  

Photos: Orfeas Skutelis

2017 MFA Choreographers included: Audrey Baran, Julius Brewster Jr., Courtney Colon, Sumin Jung, Naimah Kioski, Key'Aira Lockett, Leslie Parker, Keith Saunders, Steven Vaughn, Paris Wilcox

Each of the MFA dance performances feature a collection of original work in performance and/or choreography by current Hollins University MFA dance candidates. As part of the thesis capstone research project, performance and dance work featured in these concerts highlights a diverse approach to contemporary dance practices, research and making. Hollins Alumni and Faculty/Staff works were also included in separate concerts during the 2016 Summer.  

Photos: Carly Vanderheyden Photography and Emma Voorhes

2016 MFA Choreographers included: Leonides Arpon, Rainy Demerson, Jennifer Kelbe, Alisyn Glasco Hurd, Maurya Kerr, Rachel Miller, Nekeshia Wall

Con Moto is a multidisciplinary performance ensemble. Founded by oboist Courtney Miller, dancer/choreographer Kristin Marrs, and lighting designer Peggy Mead-Finizio, Con Moto’s work is grounded in a non-hierarchical creative research process, in which the artists have equal participation and input.

Con Moto is committed to expanding the boundaries of traditional concert settings, bringing movement, music, and design into non-traditional performance spaces, providing community outreach, and inviting artists from myriad genres into the collaborative process.

University of Iowa Department of Dance

Choreography Lindsay Fisher

An MFA Thesis concert at Space/Place Theatre

Exploring self-objectification and objectification theory in the female body.

University of Iowa Department of Dance

Choreography Jeremy Blair

An MFA Thesis concert at Space/Place Theatre

An examination of gender performance, with specific attention to performance of masculinity.

University of Iowa Department of Dance 

Choreography Jessica Anthony

An MFA Thesis concert at Space/Place Theatre

"The Lyric I was created out of and in response to Jessica Anthony's experience of taking eight undergraduate dancers to facilitate a nine-week dance workshop to girls at the Iowa Juvenile Home and collaborating with them to create and perform a dance there.  Seven of the ten dancers performing in The Lyric I she co-facilitated the dance workshop at IJH and contributed their written and danced reflections to the process of creating this dance." - Quote from the Obermann Graduate Institute website

University of Iowa Department of Dance

Choreography Zoe Bennet

An MFA Thesis concert at Space/Place Theatre

An exploration of the experience of being a woman. Their strength, their ability to face adversity, their bond.

University of Iowa Department of Dance

Choreography Jennifer Weber

Link to University of Iowa's MFA experience article

In casting her work, Jennifer looked for dancers who were willing to “wear their individuality on their sleeve.” She wanted those willing to “take the same type of risk that I was willing to take as a choreographer.” Stepping outside of her comfort zone, Jennifer decided to not predetermine the outcome of her piece at the outset. She wanted to “let go of being in control of every step of the process, and…trust the process to shape the final product.” She also challenged herself to make choreography that was movement rather than meaning based. - Quote from MFA experience article