George Staib

George Staib is a Professor of Practice in the Dance & Movement Studies Program at Emory University. He specializes in modern and ballet techniques, choreography, and interdisciplinary collaborations. He has held faculty roles at Emory since 2001 and advises honors candidates in theater/dance and music departments. His work explores themes of cultural identity, power dynamics, and memory through dance and performance.

Education:

• MFA in Dance and Choreography, Temple University
• BA in Political Science

Research Interests: His choreographic works, such as fence, wishdust, and Moat, critically engage with cultural assimilation, personal history, and global unrest. These pieces integrate music, lighting, and digital design to create immersive experiences, reflecting his Iranian-Armenian heritage and experiences of displacement.

Awards:

• Recipient of Emory’s Winship Award (2011 and 2019)
• Recognition as a top dance educator by Dance Teacher Magazine

Advising & Collaborations: Staib regularly advises honors students and collaborates with musicians, composers, and designers. He has conducted workshops in Sweden and Israel and plans future projects in Berlin, Vienna, and London.

Performance & Teaching: He teaches courses like Contemplate, Create, Debate, which introduces students to art analysis. His work fence was funded by the New England Foundation for the Arts, and wishdust featured collaborations with the Vega String Quartet and Emory music faculty.