STAFF
Anna Martine Whitehead in her Selections. Photo by Al Evangelista.
CLARE CROFT
curator
Clare Croft is the creator and curator of Daring Dances. In addition to leading Daring Dances, Clare is a historian, theorist, and dramaturg. She is the editor and curator of the book, Website, and live performance series, Queer Dance: Meanings and Makings (Oxford 2017), which can be found online here, as well as the curator of the EXPLODE! queer dance festival. Clare is also the author of Dancers as Diplomats (Oxford 2015), and is currently at work on the book, A Different Kind of Lady: Jill Johnston’s Political Embodiments. In addition to her academic publications, Clare has contributed writing to The Brooklyn Rail, the Austin American-Statesman, and The Washington Post, among other newspapers and magazines. As a dramaturg, Clare has collaborated with Thomas DeFrantz and Jennifer Harge, as well as working in community engagement with arts presenters including the Fusebox Festival, University Musical Society (UMS), and the TBA Festival.
Clare’s work has been recognized by the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Congress on Research in Dance (Dancers as Diplomats, 2016 Outstanding Publication Prize), American Society of Theatre Research (2010 Sally Banes Biennial Publication Prize). Clare holds a PhD in Performance as Public Practice from the University of Texas-Austin, and is Associate Professor of American Culture at the University of Michigan, where she also holds appointments in the Departments of Women and Gender Studies and Dance.
Sophie Allen is a dance artist and administrator from Chicago, IL. She is also a certified Countertechnique Teacher and holds a BFA in Dance and a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) from the University of Michigan. As a choreographer, she is passionate about engaging in interdisciplinary collaboration as well as blurring the line between live performance and lived reality. In addition to creating and presenting her own work, she has had the pleasure of performing pieces by Sean Roschman/Niko8, Ayako Kato/Art Union Humanscape, Katlin Michael Bourgeois, Rigo Saura, Shannon Gillen/Laja Field and Meredith Monk among others. www.sophieminouche.com
SOPHIE ALLEN
event assistant
Al Evangelista is a performer, choreographer, and dance educator from San Francisco, CA. Al choreographed works performed at Steppenwolf Garage, Links Hall, American Theatre Company, Chicago’s Night Out in the Parks, Bharat Rang Mahotsav Festival, University of Chicago, University of Michigan Museum of Modern Art, and Hill Auditorium.
He also danced in pieces for Dance Exchange, Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, The Inconvenience, Links Hall as well as acted and performed at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Adventure Stage Chicago, Haven Theatre Company, among others. www.alevangelista.com
AL EVANGELISTA
curatorial consultant
MIRYAM JOHNSON
student fellowship coordinator
Miryam Johnson, a Detroit based Dance Artist, is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University, with degrees in Dance Performance/ Choreography and African American Studies. She's performed as a guest artist with The Detroit Dance Collective, People Dancing, and Kristi Faulkner Dance, traveling nationally. She's a third year company member of Harge Dance Stories and was one of the featured dancers in John Sobczak's book "Portraits in Motion." Recently, Johnson curated and choreographed REBELLION, an evening length work that investigates the frustration, strength and resilience that has come with generations of continued rebellions in the Black Community. The work premiered at Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in the Summer 2017, the 50th year anniversary of the 1967 Detroit Rebellion. Also involved in the community, Johnson believes in using her body and her art as protest. mgjdance.com
Molly Paberzs is a graduate from the University of Michigan’s Master in Fine Arts program in Dance. Her work and teaching philosophy focus on investigating ideas through improvisation. Molly received her B.F.A. in dance from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA. While on the east coast, she performed with Group Motion Dance Company as well as several independent artists. Her work was presented through artist grants and festivals in Philadelphia and New York. She is currently a part-time lecturer at Eastern Michigan University and is on staff at the U-M’s School of Kinesiology Office of Undergraduate Student Affairs. www.mollypaberzs.com
MOLLY PABERZS
curatorial assistant