About
Susan Rethorst '74 is a distinguished choreographer, dance teacher, and pioneering figure in dance documentation affiliated with Bennington College. Her influential career spans decades with work performed globally at major institutions including The Museum of Modern Art, The Kitchen Center, and international venues like The Holland Festival and Kunsthalle Basel.
Her research focuses on choreographic processes, contemporary dance theory, and innovative methods for documenting live performance. Rethorst's 2012 book A Choreographic Mind: Autobodygraphical Writings was recognized by The New Yorker as one of the year's best publications, reflecting her significant contributions to dance scholarship.
Major honors include:
- New York Dance and Performance Award (Bessie) for Outstanding Achievement (1985)
- Guggenheim Fellowship (1999)
- Second Bessie Award (2008)
- Alpert Award (2010)
She has received sustained funding from leading arts organizations including the National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, and Foundation for Contemporary Performance. Her work bridges artistic practice and academic inquiry, establishing her as a vital voice in contemporary dance education and theory.
