Alfonso Cervera

Alfonso Cervera is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Dance at The Ohio State University. He holds an MFA in Experimental Choreography and a BA in Dance from the University of California, Riverside. His work focuses on reimagining Mexican American and queer identities through performance, blending Ballet Folklorico, Afro-Latine social dances, and contemporary techniques like his signature Poc-Chuc methodology. Cervera’s research emphasizes community engagement, pedagogy, and the intersection of cultural heritage with modern identity. He co-founded the Primera Generación Dance Collective and the Poc-Chuc Dance Collective, fostering collaborative artistic exploration. His performances have been showcased nationwide and internationally, including at venues like Judson Church Movement Research (NY) and Lux Boreal in Tijuana. He is also a board member of Show Box L.A., supporting BIPOC and LGBTQ+ artists.

Education: BA in Dance (UC Riverside), MFA in Experimental Choreography (UC Riverside).

Research emphasizes the weaponization and reclamation of cultural symbols (e.g., rebozo as both art and resistance), queer futurity, and hybrid Mexican American corporeal expression. His work has received grants from the NEA, Artist Trust, and California Arts Council. Collaborative projects with PGDC and Poc-Chuc Collective prioritize marginalized voices in dance.