Piotr Cholodzinski serves as a Professor in the Department of Performing Arts at the School of Arts, Design and Media, Kristiania University of Applied Sciences, where he contributes to academic programs in theatrical arts and performance studies. His research focuses on embodied expression and interdisciplinary performance methodologies, with core expertise in: Physical Theatre Contemporary Performance Practices Actor Training Systems Non-Verbal Communication in Performance Choreographic Dramaturgy His work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical studio applications, emphasizing the integration of movement and narrative structures in modern theatrical contexts.
Amy Lyn McDonald serves as Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance at Elmhurst University, where she also functions as dance coordinator for the theatre program and designed the curriculum for the dance minor. Her educational background includes: MFA in Dance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Ms. McDonald maintains an active professional profile as a former member of the Actor’s Equity Association with extensive performance credits across major regional theaters including Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre, Drury Lane, Theatre at the Center, and California Conservatory Theatre. Her teaching career spans multiple institutions such as Illinois Wesleyan University, Lake Forest College, and Notre Dame de Namur University. Her creative scholarship centers on dance-theatre integration within musical theatre contexts, demonstrated through her ongoing choreographic and directorial work for the College's productions. As architect of the dance minor curriculum, she emphasizes practical performance training and interdisciplinary approaches to theatrical movement.
Grace Sellwood is an Associate Lecturer in Dance at Falmouth University, where she has taught floor-based technique and Pilates for the Dance & Choreography BA(Hons) program for eight years. She is also a professional aerial performer, choreographer, and the co-founder of Freefall Dance in Cornwall, UK. Education MA Dance Performance, Chichester University (2009) BA (Hons) Dance Studies, Roehampton University (2008) Aerial Pilates Teacher Training, Air Control (2018) Pilates Matwork Teacher Training, Pilates Foundation (2013) Research Focus Her expertise spans innovative movement disciplines, including floor work techniques (e.g., Flying-Low), aerial practices like vertical/bungee dance, and somatic methods such as Pilates for dancers. She integrates cross-disciplinary approaches involving character development, actor movement training, and body conditioning. Professional Leadership Grace co-directs Off The Wall Aerial Dance Circus and serves as Artistic Director for Freefall Dance. She has performed internationally with Wired Aerial Theatre and Yskynna Vertical Dance at venues including Glastonbury Festival (UK) and WOMADelaide (Australia). Her choreographic works include '307' and '24', exploring identity through collaborative dance narratives.
Sarah Ramey serves as Assistant Professor in the School of Dance at Ohio University's Chaddock and Morrow College of Fine Arts since 2025, specializing in dance and healthy aging. Her work investigates movement as a catalyst for physical, creative, and social flourishing among older adults. Educational background includes: BA in Dance, University of Maryland, College Park MFA in Dance, The Ohio State University Her research examines dance's role in combating social isolation and enhancing community engagement for aging populations through community-based interventions. This manifests in programs serving diverse settings from retirement communities to correctional facilities, emphasizing dance as both artistic practice and wellness tool. As founder of Perennial Movement Group (2015), she directs a comprehensive initiative reaching 200+ Central Ohio seniors annually. The program features The Perennials performance ensemble (established 2021), which has created nine original works performed at venues including national dance festivals and care facilities. Strategic partnerships with the Ohio Veterans Administration and Delaware County Jail extend the program's community impact. Her professional foundation includes six years (2007–2013) with Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, where she performed internationally while developing community engagement methodologies. Recent choreographic works like 'See Through' (with 20 dancers aged 25–85) demonstrate her commitment to intergenerational art-making as research practice.
Victor Jones is an Assistant Professor of Instruction and Producing Artistic Director at Ohio University Lancaster, where he has significantly influenced theatre education and performance since 2010. He holds an MFA in Musical Theatre (University of Miami) and a BFA in Theatre (Otterbein University). Jones' research focuses on Theatre Education , Performance , Directing , and Musical Theatre . He has directed 50+ stage productions and 40+ student showcases, founding Ohio University Lancaster's flagship summer community theatre program. His honors include: Professor of the Year Award, OHIO Lancaster Dean’s Special Recognition Award, OHIO Lancaster As Producing Artistic Director, he oversees performance initiatives and mentors emerging artists. He maintains industry ties through the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society and CAM Talent agency.
Ana Paula Höfling is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies for the MFA in Dance and MA in Dance Theories and Practices at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s School of Dance. Her scholarly profile includes affiliations with the National Humanities Center (as a Trustee’s Fellow), Wesleyan University (as a Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow), and leadership roles in the Dance Studies Association and editorial boards of prominent journals like Dance Research Journal . Her research investigates Brazilian dance, capoeira, racial politics in performance, and cultural nationalism. Key themes include: Choreographic representations of Brazilian identity Decolonizing dance archives and methodologies Intersections of race, class, and authorship in folkloric ballet Afro-Brazilian contributions to global dance heritage Her publications consistently engage with socio-historical analyses of Brazilian modernism, pedagogical frameworks in dance, and the global staging of Afro-Brazilian traditions. Recent works (2015–2023) reveal a focus on postcolonial theory, embodied ethnography, and critical race studies in performance contexts. Notable awards include: Oscar G. Brockett Book Prize (2021) for Staging Brazil National Humanities Center Fellowship (2021–22) Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship As Graduate Program Director, she advises MFA/MA students and teaches courses spanning dance theory, history, administration, and capoeira practice. Her lab affiliations and external grants are not detailed in the source text.
Betty Skeen serves as Visiting Assistant Professor of Dance and Director of the Helen McGehee Visiting Artist Program at Randolph College. A South Carolina native trained at the Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities, she holds an MFA from the University of Maryland and brings nearly two decades of professional dance experience spanning New York City, the Hudson Valley, and international stages. Her research interests center on contemporary dance practices, emphasizing embodied learning and creative adaptation . Skeen's teaching philosophy champions "rigorous play" – blending discipline with effortlessness through somatic practices like her "Stretch, Strengthen, and Recover" methodology. She investigates how natural environments influence movement, drawing from childhood experiences in South Carolina's coastal ecosystems. Skeen has received significant recognition including American College Dance Association honors and two Metro-DC Dance Awards. Her choreographic works have been presented across the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, and Italy, often exploring themes of resilience and environmental connection. American College Dance Association Honoree Metro-DC Dance Award (2023) Metro-DC Dance Award (2021) As an educator, Skeen mentors dance students through technique courses and historical studies while directing Randolph's Visiting Artist Program. Her current projects include developing interdisciplinary collaborations between dance and environmental studies programs. Outside academia, she maintains an active performance career as an extended company member with Pearson Widrig Dance Theater. Skeen leads the Helen McGehee Visiting Artist Program, facilitating residencies that connect students with professional choreographers. Her recent initiatives include cross-departmental workshops examining the intersection of movement studies and climate science.
Rose Xinran Qi serves as a Part-Time Lecturer of Dance in the Department of Theatre and Dance at Washington College, bringing over 25 years of professional dance expertise as an independent artist, choreographer, researcher, and educator. Her academic credentials include: BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from ShanXi Academy MFA in Dance from the University of Maryland Her research pioneers methodologies for integrating Eastern and Western dance forms through scholarly investigation of contemporary, postmodern, ballet, and classical Chinese techniques. Recent work emphasizes cross-cultural pedagogical applications both on stage and in classroom settings, reflecting seven years of dedicated exploration into transcultural movement systems. Professionally, she directs RoseQi Dance Arts—facilitating international cultural exchange and educational programming—while having previously performed as lead dancer with China's Huajin Dance Drama Ensemble (2008-2013). Notable productions include the award-winning Opera Warriors (recipient of China's Professional Stage Performing Arts Award) and Fruit Under the Great Wall (Top Ten Dance Drama in China), performed at venues spanning the Sydney Opera House to Beijing's Great Hall of the People.
Molly Claassen serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance at Columbus State University, where she heads the BA in Theatre program and Theatre Internship Program. She concurrently chairs the Directing Committee and leads the Ready to Direct program for the Southeastern Theatre Conference since 2019. Her educational credentials include: BA in Theatre, Math Minor, and Teaching Certification in Theatre K-12 from Baldwin-Wallace University MFA in Theatre, Directing, from the University of Wisconsin, Madison Prof. Claassen specializes in contemporary theatre direction with emphasis on new play development and women-centered narratives. As Co-Creator and Co-Director of The Momversations Project for The National Women's Theatre Festival, she integrates academic work with podcast production exploring maternal experiences in theatre. Her practice bridges professional directing with pedagogy through NYC theatre residencies and regional assistant directorships. Her recognition includes the Fredric March Award for Excellence in Professional Theatre. Professional affiliations comprise Actor’s Equity Association membership and Associate Membership in Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. In academic leadership, she oversees curriculum development for theatre degrees while mentoring students through internship placements. Her pre-CSU career featured new works direction at NYC venues including Theatre Row Studio and The Barrow Group, plus assistant director roles at The Cleveland Playhouse and Atlanta's Alliance Theatre. Current initiatives focus on expanding the Ready to Direct program's regional impact and developing The Momversations Project's podcast-theatre hybrid format, reflecting her commitment to evolving theatrical practice through education and community engagement.
