Dana Lee Lawton

Dana Lee Lawton is a tenured Professor and former Department Chair in the Performing Arts: Dance, Music & Theatre department at Saint Mary's College of California within the School of Liberal Arts. She serves as Artistic Director of Dana Lawton Dances and faculty at Shawl-Anderson Dance Center, while co-directing the Enchanted Ridge Dance Workshop. Her career spans founding membership in Janice Garrett & Dancers and collaborations with major choreographers including Joe Goode and Nina Haft.

Her educational background includes an MFA in Choreography from Mills College (1997) and a BFA in Dance from California Institute of the Arts (1994). Lawton's research focuses on intergenerational performance, social diversity in dance, and age representation, creating works where dancers range from mid-20s to mid-60s. Her choreographic approach emphasizes collaborative processes with composers and designers to explore human experience through movement.

Analysis of her 63+ scientific productions reveals consistent exploration of age diversity and social themes across international platforms. Her work has been presented at venues including ODC Theater, Cowell Theater, and internationally in France, Ireland, and Thailand. Key trends show increasing emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement since founding Dana Lawton Dances in 2007.

• Company in Residence – Shawl-Anderson Dance Center, Berkeley, CA (2016-present)
• Artist in Residence – The Flight Deck, Oakland, CA (2014-15)
• Outstanding Performer in 2000 Vision Series
• Isadora Duncan Award nomination for Garrett's Wayfarers (2002)

Lawton has secured significant grants including Clorox Foundation funding and City of Oakland Cultural Grants. She directs the SMC Dance Company and teaches courses including Choreography, Modern Dance, and World Music and Dance. Her Dana Lawton Dances company maintains active performance seasons with upcoming productions like Carmina Burana at Grace Cathedral (April 2025).

The company operates as a vibrant laboratory for intergenerational dialogue, with repertory including over 35 individual dances and 5 evening-length works. Current projects focus on collaborations with innovative musical composers, building on successful works like Beyond This Moment which received critical acclaim for its 'eloquent and virtuosic choreographic voice.'