Kathleen Wessel

Kathleen Wessel, M.A., is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Dance Performance and Choreography at Spelman College, where she has been a faculty member since 2016. She teaches courses in dance writing, theory, composition, and technique, and directs the Spelman Dance Theater. Her career spans co-founding Staibdance in 2007, choreography for musical theater, and co-directing HERE: Atlanta, an immersive theater production funded by Mailchimp.

• Education:
  • MFA in Dance Performance and Choreography, Florida State University
  • BA in Psychology, Emory University

Her research and artistic practice focuses on contemporary dance, choreographic innovation, and interdisciplinary performance. She curates the department’s Studio Sessions master class series and collaborates on immersive theater projects.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Phi Beta Kappa
  • Goodrich C. White Scholar
  • Outstanding Choreography award at the New York Musical Festival

Before Spelman, she taught at Emory University and Oxford College of Emory, directing the Oxford Dance Company. She co-created the Staibdance Summer Intensive in Sorrento, Italy, and has performed and taught internationally.