Modern Repertory

photo by Gerry Noel

Dive into the creative process with Colleen Thomas, artistic director of ColleenThomasDance. Drawing on the personnel experiences of the cast, Thomas will create movement from emotional seeds as well as abstracted every day gesture. Dancers will explore varied ways of translating movement while developing attention to sensation, initiation, space and weight. Partnering work will be employed as consideration is given to the possible collision between who we are - our beliefs, background, and appearance - and how others perceive us. The cast will explore their own personnel movement voice as well as learn set material.

Colleen Thomas is a New York based choreographer and performing artist. She began her professional career with the Miami Ballet and went on to work with renowned contemporary choreographers such as Nina Wiener Dance Company, Donald Byrd/The Group, Bebe Miller Dance Company, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, and The Kevin Wynn Collection among others. In 1997 a creative collaboration with Bill Young evolved into an intimate company focused on rigorous physicality and dynamic partnering. Their work has been seen throughout the U.S, Europe, Asia, and South America. Now interested in focusing on illuminating her vision of contemporary work, Thomas has formed ColleenThomasDance. Thomas has presented her work in Hong Kong, Estonia, Venezuela, Peru, Brazil, and Russia and in New York at Joyce Soho, Danspace Project, Dance New Amsterdam, Dance Theater Workshop, The Miller Theater, Danny K. Playhouse, and The Kumble Arts Center, as well as at Cal State Long Beach, University of Maryland, Connecticut College, Ursinus College, East Carolina University, and Minneapolis at the Ritz Theater, Southern Theater, and The New Guthrie. Thomas received her BA in psychology from SUNY Empire State College and her MFA in Dance from University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. She has been an adjunct faculty member at Long Island University's Brooklyn Campus, The New School, Barnard College, and Skidmore College. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Professional Practice at Barnard College of Columbia University.