Victoria Marks

Victoria Marks is a Professor of Choreography in the Department of World Arts and Cultures at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she has been teaching since 1995. Prior to UCLA, she was head of choreography at London Contemporary Dance School and led her own dance company during the 1980s.

Marks' research focuses on choreography as a vehicle for social change, particularly through her groundbreaking work with mixed-ability dancers and themes of disability, veterans' experiences, and interpersonal dynamics. Her practice challenges conventional aesthetics in dance, portraying disability as a source of strength and creativity while addressing societal issues such as PTSD and the impact of war.

Her choreographic output from the 1980s to 2008 reveals an evolving engagement with community-based creation and political commentary. Works like "Action Conversations" and "Not about Iraq" exemplify her commitment to using dance for civic dialogue, often collaborating directly with participants to generate material that reflects authentic lived experiences.

Victoria Marks has received notable recognition, including:

• Fulbright Fellowship in Choreography (1987-1988)

Through her Victoria Marks Performance Company and collaborations with organizations like CandoCo, she has cultivated innovative performance models that integrate diverse bodies and perspectives. Her workshop-based approach with veterans and other communities underscores her belief in dance as a transformative tool for both performers and audiences.