Audition
AUDITION
Virtual audition
Mutual Dance Theatre seeks skilled and creative Modern Dancers for its 2024-2025 season.
Mutual Dance Theatre is formerly known as MamLuft&Co. Dance and Contemporary Dance Theater.
Preferred submission deadline: February 28, 2024. (Earlier, if possible, is better!)
Company orientation and start of season: Thursday, August 1, 2024.
ABOUT MUTUAL DANCE THEATRE (briefly)
Mutual Dance Theatre is formerly known as MamLuft&Co. Dance and Contemporary Dance Theater. MDT is the resident company of the organization, which also presents outside artists from across the country (see mutualdance.org/season). The resident company works with local artists and national artists commissioned by the organization. The Artistic Director is Jeanne Mam-Luft.
We invite you to explore the rest of this website, the information below following the audition instructions, as well as our social media platforms, to learn more about us. (Facebook and Instagram)
VIRTUAL AUDITION GUIDELINES
Mutual Dance Theatre strives for an equitable audition process with minimal financial strain on the applicant.
Thus, we invite audition materials to be submitted virtually. We ask that you send us the two components below in a single email to jeanne@mutualarts.org. Please feel free to upload your videos through any platform that is convenient for you (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.).
While not required due to the costs it may incur, dancers may also attend an in-person class. See “Open MDT classes” here and notify jeanne@mutualarts.org prior to your participation. Please make sure to choose an “MDT Modern” class that is noted as an open company class and one that lasts 75 minutes long.
The earlier we can receive your video materials, the better! We hope to make decisions no later than April 30, 2024.
— We regret that we are unable to provide specific feedback to each dancer. —
BIPOC persons strongly encouraged to apply!
1) Learned Phrase
Please learn and record the phrase below. TIP: You can utilize the YouTube speed controls and rewind as needed.
Please make sure to show us:
- Range in all meanings of the word — whether it be low-high, strong-delicate, light-heavy, fast-slow. (THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE'D LIKE TO SEE.)
- Performance qualities / full-bodied dancing.
- Nuance.
- Expression.
- Precision and release at the same time.
Music for the learned phrase:
“La Digitale Pourpre”
by Marsen Jules
REMINDER: Range is the most important aspect we want to see, so please do not let the music adversely affect you. By ‘range,’ we mean it in every sense of the word.
2) Choreography
Choreograph a variation on or extension of the phrase that Steven taught you in the video above. Your creation can be in contrast to his, just imagine you're creating the next section of the work, not a repetition of his work. Again, please demonstrate all forms of range: dynamics, expression, levels/height, accents/phrasing, speed, and so forth. Take this as an opportunity to also demonstrate your physical facility.
3) In-Person Class
While not required, it may also be helpful for the dancer to attend an in-person class. See "company classes" on our adult classes page and notify jeanne@mutualarts.org prior to your participation.
4) By invitation: Application
An application will be sent to you if we are interested in learning more about you. Please add jeanne@mutualarts.org to your address book to avoid having the messages go to spam.
Important Information to Consider
Are Company Members paid positions?
Company Members are paid for performances, payable in either a lump sum or via a monthly honorarium.
We are absolutely upfront that the fees are not enough to make a living. However, our rehearsal hours and expectations are formed such that dancers can find work. (Rehearsals are 3 days a week for 12 hours total including Company Class. While we maintain professional expectations for rehearsal attendance and timeliness, we are very sensitive to work arrangements.)
Our goal from the formation of our company has always been to create paid opportunities for dancers, as well as stable, regular training and artistic practice. One of our current top priorities is to build to sustainably fund wages. We do have many teaching positions available and pay our teachers well. We never charge our Company Members for training (this is NOT a pay-to-play arrangement). We will work with Company Members to find other solutions.
What is Mutual looking for in a Company Member?
RACIALLY DIVERSE.
The ideal vision of this company is very racially diverse. We fully recognize the conflict this value has in respect to the section above regarding pay. The Director is a person of color: she has (and continues) to experience the extreme difficulty of being a part of a dance company whose funding does not yet support living wages. Her life experiences in facing barriers to dance fuels this organization’s priority to advance opportunities for people of color in the field. We work to create as many paid opportunities as possible.
THOROUGHLY ENJOYS THE REHEARSAL PROCESS. CREATIVE AND COLLABORATIVE.
We believe strong work (especially new work!) most often demands a long process of discovery. Company artists must love process work and understand that our mode of working is usually not to come in with 5, 6, 7, 8 choreographed and ready-to-go.
Our creative process always involves each ensemble member in a collaborative sense. We prefer to work with dancers who are not asking for what exactly to do, but interested in offering their own explorations.
ADAPTABLE. QUICK LEARNERS.
Things can change in just moments. We prefer to work with dancers who deal with change well.
And while we love process, we often have to learn quickly, particularly because of limited rehearsal time. (That rehearsal time is limited so that you can go out, work, and have a life!)
Also, the company is a repertory company, wherein visiting guest artists will set work on the Company. The re-setting of pieces can happen very quickly in just 1-2 sessions.
DEEP-DIVERS.
Learning quickly doesn’t mean you can’t dive deep! We love thinkers who really go deep into their creation and performance process!
TECHNICALLY STRONG.
We are seeking dancers with strong Modern technique of the more progressive variety, including release, somatic-based styles and Contact Improvisation-based partnering/weight-share and inversions.
ENJOY NON-TRADITIONAL PERFORMANCE.
We are known to perform in non-traditional arrangements, such as in studio settings in-the-round. We prefer dancers who embrace this rather than those who only value the proscenium.
THANK YOU! We know it’s a lot! We encourage you to apply even if you don’t know if you are everything described above.
ADULT Modern Dance Summer Intensive
Adult Summer Modern Dance Workshop / Intensive
JUNE 10-14, 2024
WITH CINCINNATI’S RESIDENT MODERN DANCE COMPANY, MUTUAL DANCE THEATRE
Formerly known as MamLuft&Co. Dance and Contemporary Dance Theater
YOU ARE VIEWING THE ADULT INTENSIVE: JUNE 10-14, 2024
000 days 00 hours 00 minutes 00 seconds
days until the late registration pricing begins
REGISTER EARLY FOR A DISCOUNT
An immersive week of Modern Dance studies
A week of Modern Dance studies with Cincinnati's Mutual Dance Theatre and esteemed guests from notable companies.
17
courses
28
class meetings
12
faculty members
1
amazing week
Early Bird Rate
$369
Register by March 31st to receive this discounted rate
Regular Tuition
$419
Register between April 1-30 to receive this rate
Late Rate
$469
This rate applies when registering on May 1 or later
Day Pass
$129
5-Class Mix and Match
$129
MDT Tee
$20
REFUND POLICY
$50 of your registration fee is a non-refundable deposit and will not be returned for any reason, including withdrawal, illness, or injury.
In the case of withdrawals, a written request must be submitted no later than 14 days prior to the start of the intensive, sent to hello@mutualarts.org.
Refunds cannot be provided due to absenteeism, injury, illness, doctor’s appointments, or other reasons.
ADULT SCHEDULE
*Subject to change. Note: On a desktop, if course names are cut off, you may mouseover the block to see the whole name.
Monday, June 10, 2024
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MODERN DANCE TECHNIQUE with HANNAH WILLIAMSON of Mutual Dance Theatre
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MODERN DANCE MATERCLASS with ROSE SUNILA of Cincinnati Ballet Academy and Miami Valley Ballet Theatre
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LUNCH BREAK - BYOL, ICE BREAKERS AND INTRODUCTIONS with JEANNE MAM-LUFT, Artistic Director of Mutual Dance Theatre
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MODERN FLOOR WORK with ANA HART of Mutual Dance Theatre
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SKILLS WORKSHOP: INVERSIONS with CLAIRE DIERINGER of Mutual Dance Theatre
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REPERTORY with JASMINE SNELLEN of Mutual Dance Theatre
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
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MODERN DANCE TECHNIQUE with HANNAH WILLIAMSON of Mutual Dance Theatre
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MODERN DANCE MASTERCLASS with COUNTESS V. WINFREY of Dayton Contemporary Dance Company
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LUNCH BREAK - Optional Group Outing to Gabby's Cafe
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YOGA VINYASA FLOW with ROSE SUNILA of Cincinnati Ballet Academy
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HISTORY OF MODERN DANCE IN A NUTSHELL with JEANNE MAM-LUFT Artistic Director of Mutual Dance Theatre
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REPERTORY with JASMINE SNELLEN of Mutual Dance Theatre
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
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MODERN DANCE TECHNIQUE with HANNAH WILLIAMSON of Mutual Dance Theatre
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MODERN DANCE MASTERCLASS with TREZON DANCY of InPulse Dance
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LUNCH BREAK - Optional, BYOL - Modern Dance Trivia (prize to the highest scorer!)
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SKILLS WORKSHOP: PARTNERING AND WEIGHT SHARE with ANA HART of Mutual Dance Theatre
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INTRODUCTION TO LIGHTING DESIGN AND PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT with LARRY CSERNIK of Vincent Lighting Systems, Northern Kentucky University, and Mutual Dance Theatre
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REPERTORY with JASMINE SNELLEN of Mutual Dance Theatre
Thursday, June 13, 2024
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MODERN DANCE TECHNIQUE with HANNAH WILLIAMSON of Mutual Dance Theatre
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CONTEMPORARY MASTERCLASS with IHAIAH MILLER UC Adjunct, formerly of Cincinnati Ballet Academy, North Florida Ballet Theatre Academy
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LUNCH BREAK - Optional Group Outing to The Arepa Place
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IMPROVISATION with JEANNE MAM-LUFT, Artistic Director of Mutual Dance Theatre
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INTRODUCTION TO GRANT-WRITING with JEANNE MAM-LUFT, Artistic & Executive Director of Mutual Dance Theatre and Arts Centers
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REPERTORY with JASMINE SNELLEN of Mutual Dance Theatre
Friday, June 14, 2024
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MODERN DANCE TECHNIQUE with HANNAH WILLIAMSON of Mutual Dance Theatre
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MODERN DANCE MASTERCLASS (LIMON TECHNIQUE) with ROWAN SALEM, Artistic Director of Synergy Series
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LUNCH BREAK
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Good-Bye Ice Cream Party
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COMPOSITION with HANNAH WILLIAMSON of Mutual Dance Theatre
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HOW TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL DANCE PHOTOSHOOT with JEANNE MAM-LUFT, Artistic Director of Mutual Dance Theatre
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REPERTORY with JASMINE SNELLEN of Mutual Dance Theatre
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END OF INTENSIVE SHOWING (open to friends and family)
2024 FACULTY
Click on the faculty member's name to reveal their bio.
COURSE: “INTRODUCTION TO LIGHTING DESIGN AND PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT”
Larry Csernik is a lighting designer for theatre, dance, and opera. Originally from Louisville, KY, Larry stayed in Cincinnati after earning a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre at Northern Kentucky University. He has designed many shows for his alma mater including Mud Nostalgia, The Divine Visitor, The Wedding Singer, Birds, Years: A Musical, As You Like It, The Heidi Chronicles, Angels In America: Part I, and several dance concerts (DANCE ‘14/15/18/19). For the past four years he has designed for both The Commonwealth Theatre Company (The Games Afoot, The 25th Annual Putman County Spelling Bee, Some Enchanted Evening, The 39 Steps, Burgertown, The Odd Couple, Churchgirls) as well as Contemporary Dance Theater (Performance and Time Arts Series, and ‘16/17/19/20/21 Area Choreographers Festival at the Jarson-Kaplan Theater). Other credits include Don Giovanni, La Cenerentola, Iolanta, Der Freischutz, Fidelio (Queen City Opera); The Full Monty, Willy Wonka, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Joseph…Dreamcoat (The Carnegie in Covington); the premiere performance of Soldier’s Christmas (Blueline Editorial); and numerous shows at Thomas More College (Almost Maine, Macbeth, Frankenstein, Godspell, Little Women, The Crucible, Urinetown).
COURSE: “MODERN DANCE MASTERCLASS (INPULSE TECHNIQUE)”
Trezon Dancy, who hails from Hartford, Connecticut, is a choreographer, performing artist, and educator. Dancy has worked with numerous artists including Travis Gatling, Kim Stroud, Nathan Andary, Earl Mosley, Ronald K. Brown, Kyle Abraham (A.I.M.), and many others. Dancy graduated high school from Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts in Hartford, Connecticut. He received his bachelor degree in Dance: Performance and Choreography from Ohio University in 2017. Upon graduation, Dancy accepted a first company position with the world-renowned Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. Currently, Dancy resides in Columbus and is the Artistic Director of InPulse Dance Company, as well as the Operations/Program Manager for OhioDance. InPulse Dance Co. is a freelance repertory company that upholds Dancy’s mission of self-expression through mind, body, and soul. The company’s vision is to support self expression through genuine and visceral movement, inspired by familiar life and human obstacles.
Dancy’s dance works have been presented at OhioDance Festival at Ohio University, Athens, Ohio (2015); Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, Harford, Connecticut (2015 – 2017); Battery Dance Festival, New York, New York (2017); West Fest Dance Festival at Martha Graham Dance Studio, New York, New York (2017); American College Dance Association, Kent, Ohio (2017); Project Jericho, Springfield, Ohio (2018); the International Conference and Festival of Blacks in Dance, Dayton, Ohio (2019); Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (first and second companies, 2017-2021); and the Ohio Dance Festival at Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio (2015-2023).
COURSE: “SKILLS WORKSHOP: INVERSIONS”
Claire Dieringer is a 2016 graduate of Kent State University, from which she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Magna Cum Laude. Claire also studied at American Dance Festival in Durham, North Carolina with numerous teachers in multiple styles from all over the world. Claire has worked professionally as the Director of the Dance Program at Lake Bryn Mawr Camp in Pennsylvania. In 2017, Claire joined Mutual Dance Theatre (when it was MamLuft&Co. Dance) after training in New York. She was hired full-time as the organization’s Education and Outreach Coordinator and now holds the role of Studio Director and Programs Manager. She recently performed in Géographie, a multi-week installation by French choreographers Annie Vigier and Franck Apertet (les gens d’Uterpan) at the Contemporary Arts Center, as well as in the Area Choreographers Festival (Contemporary Dance Theater).
COURSES: “MODERN FLOOR WORK” and “SKILLS WORKSHOP: PARTNERING AND WEIGHT SHARE”
Born in Osijek, Croatia, Ana Hart graduated magna cum laude from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a Bachelor of Arts in Media Arts & Design with a concentration in Interactive Design. In the summer of 2019, Ana attended the American Dance Festival and studied with Shayla-Vie Jenkins, Ray Schwartz, Maayan Sheinfeld, Noa Zuk, and Ohad Fishof. She was also cast in work by international choreographer Chien-Kuei Chang. Ana has also performed in works by Matt Pardo, Ryan Corriston, Christian Warner, Gregory Dolbashian, Stephanie Liapis, and Darla Stanley. Ana danced with Virginia Repertory Dance Company from 2019-2021. Ana is passionate about dance in the community and has been a volunteer with JMU’s Dance for Parkinson’s Program, later completing Dance for Parkinson’s Professional Development Training from the Mark Morris Dance Group under a grant from JMU’s Gilliam Center for Entrepreneurship.
COURSES: “HISTORY OF MODERN DANCE IN A NUTSHELL,” “IMPROVISATION,” “INTRODUCTION TO GRANT-WRITING,” and “HOW TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL DANCE PHOTOSHOOT”
Jeanne Mam-Luft is the Artistic and Executive Director of Mutual Dance Theatre and Arts Centers, which she partly founded as MamLuft&Co. Dance in 2007 (later merged with Contemporary Dance Theater, founded by Jefferson James in 1972). Mam-Luft holds a Master of Fine Arts in Dance from Texas Woman’s University and a Bachelor of Architecture from Carnegie Mellon University. Mam-Luft studied at both American Dance Festival and Bates Dance Festival on full scholarships, as well as Carnegie Mellon’s acclaimed School of Drama, Pittsburgh Filmmakers, and Point Park University. Her training includes Sarah Gamblin (Bebe Miller Dance Company), Mary Williford-Shade (Dance Alloy), James Caton (Ballet Metropolitan), Melissa M. Young and Nycole Ray (Dallas Black Dance Theatre), Ming-Lung Yang (Trisha Brown Dance Company), Tatiana Baganova (Provincial Dances Russia), and many others. Mam-Luft was the Assistant Director of Contemporary Dance Theater for 4 and a founding member of Greater Cincinnati Dance Alliance. She is certified in Labanotation from the Dance Notation Bureau (NY) and is also a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional. As an artist-producer, Mam-Luft has produced 18 evening length and 61 shorter works (35 of which she was lead choreographer). She was the first and only dance artist to be named a Cincinnati Arts Ambassador Fellow in support of an original dance-for-camera she choreographed, filmed, and edited. She served on the board of OhioDance (the state-wide organization for dance) for 6 years. She has been a grant panelist for both the Ohio Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. She was raised in Texas after her family escaped the Khmer Rouge genocide. Most of her works are inspired by her family’s experiences. As a choreographer, her interests lie mostly in human connections and how that is portrayed through spatial relationships. She has guest-taught and/or set work on students at Texas Woman’s University, University of Cincinnati, Wittenberg University, Northern Kentucky University, University of Kentucky, Tarrant County College, and Kent State, where she was an artist-in-residence in 2016.
COURSE: “CONTEMPORARY MASTERCLASS”
COURSE: “MODERN DANCE MASTERCLASS (LIMON)”
Rowan Salem is a choreographer, performer, and teacher originally from Massachusetts. As an artist, her interests lie in compositional improvisation and philosophy’s links to movement. Her teaching is influenced by Humphrey/Limon technique, contact improvisation, and contemporary forms. Rowan earned a Masters of Fine Arts in Choreography and Performance as a Teaching Fellow/Gretchen Moran Scholar at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. Her teaching affiliations include Amherst College, Smith College, and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Rowan recently relocated from Denver, Colorado, where she held faculty positions at Colorado Ballet Academy (the official school of the Colorado Ballet), Aspen Academy, Colorado Academy, and Metropolitan State University of Denver. She has recently collaborated on and performed in the work of Chris Aiken, Angie Hauser, Kate Speer, and Tara Rynders. Rowan’s work has been presented at Redline Contemporary Arts Center, Counterpath Exhibition Space, Green Street Studios, and Art Gym, Denver where she was the 2017 recipient of the Create Award Residency.
COURSE: “REPERTORY”
Jasmine Snellen began her dance training at Louisville Youth Performing Arts School where she studied Martha Graham’s technique and classical ballet. Snellen earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Shenandoah Conservatory and University where she trained with equal emphasis in Ballet, Jazz (classical, contemporary, & commercial), Modern (Graham, Limón, & Horton), composition, and pedagogy. Snellen has had the honor of training with Alan Arnett, Tiffanie Carson, Ting-Yu Chen, Maurice Fraga, Elijah Alhadji Gibson, Erica Helm, Linda Miller, and Lisa Startsman among others, including mainstage features by Mike Esperanza of Bare Dance Company NYC, Company | E of Washington DC, and Brussels-based artists Katie Vickers and Albert Quesada.
Jasmine has performed at Peridance Salvatore Capezio Theater in NYC, trained with LA Contemporary Dance Company and Sidra Bell Dance New York, and presented work at the Kentucky Center for the Arts. Snellen is currently dancing, teaching, and choreographing as Company Director with Mutual Dance Theatre in her third season. Recently, she conceptualized, choreographed, and edited a five-part dance-for-camera entitled FFIFF (2020), which explores society’s rapidly shifting polarity, clashes of beliefs, and the tethers of groupthink.
COURSES: “MODERN DANCE MASTERCLASS” and “YOGA VINYASA FLOW”
Rose Sunila is a movement educator, performer, and choreographer who holds an M.A. in Dance from the Theater Academy of Finland. In addition, Rose is RYT500 yoga teacher, certified Prenatal yoga teacher and Breathwork facilitator. “My journey in life has taken me to living on three continents, and I have been collecting my craft of dance and movement from these corners of the world. Whether teaching dance in the rural school system in Northern France, studying in Amsterdam, experiencing Flying Low-technique with David Zambrano, or trying to grasp the cultural richness of Capoeira Angola in Brazil; all these experiences have formed me to be the mover and teacher I am today.”
COURSES: “MODERN DANCE TECHNIQUE” and “COMPOSITION”
Hannah Williamson, a 7th year performing member of Mutual Dance Theatre (formerly MamLuft&Co. Dance), is choreographer, Rehearsal Director, and performing member. She is a 2017 graduate of Wright State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance – Magna Cum Laude. She has performed in works by Dwight Rhoden and Clifford Williams of Complexions Contemporary Ballet and the Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre in Carmel, IN. Williamson is currently on the faculty of Wright State University.
Through her passion for choreography, she strives to communicate eternal truths where mere words come up short. Her prior works have been selected for such presentations as Columbus Modern Dance Company’s January 2018 Emerging Choreographer Residency, The Area Choreographers Festival (Contemporary Dance Theater), and Yes! Virginia Dance Festival (Richmond, VA). Williamson also received a commission from MDT for the creation of “Variations in a Brainstorm” (premiere 2021), which was heralded by many audience members as their favorite MDT work.
COURSE: “MODERN DANCE MASTERCLASS”
Nashville native, Countess V. Winfrey, currently serves as a performer, teaching artist, choreographer, and rehearsal director for The Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. She began her training at the age of 11 at Wharton Arts Magnet Middle school, Dance with Stacey Dance Studio, and Nashville School of the Arts. She later attended the University of Memphis, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in Health and Human Performance, and a minor in Dance. Post-graduation, Ms. Winfrey joined Dayton Contemporary Dance Company’s pre-professional ensemble, which then led into a professional dance career with DCDC. Ms. Winfrey has danced professionally with DCDC and has also danced one season with ClancyWorks Dance Company (Washington, D.C.). She has performed nationally and internationally in Bermuda, China, Kazakhstan, and Russia. She has performed works by Ulysses Dove, Donald McKayle, Ray Mercer, Dwight Rhoden, Ronald K. Brown, Abby Zbikowski, Dianne McIntyre, Donald Byrd and more.
Nominate a future faculty member
Please use our Contact Us form to nominate a professional living near the Cincinnati area. Self-nominations welcome!
COURSE AND ACTIVITY DESCRIPTIONS
Click on the activity name for a description. Listed in alphabetical order.
Together, participants will explore compositional frameworks and experiments as used within the Modern Dance genre.
We strongly believe that dancers should have an understanding of Modern Dance history. Prompted by the startling realization of the limited knowledge of dance history among university and post-graduate dancers, this intensive seminar aims to provide participants with a concise and illuminating overview of Modern Dance’s origins, spanning up to today’s developments. Our goal is to instill participants with a deeper appreciation for the rich diversity within the field, reaffirming the plurality they may have previously perceived.
Workshop participants will work with Jeanne as she shares over 20 years of experience in photographing and staging dancers for exciting and flattering photography that captures emotional concept, technical facility, and motion. Students will be able to take turns in front of the camera while putting into practice various principles that will assist students in maximizing their precious time with photographers.
This concise workshop in Modern Dance Improvisation will draw from both Contact Improvisational Technique, as well as other contemporary structures, both borrowed and original. Participants will learn the difference between “improvisation” as the term is used in the progressive Modern Dance community, which contrasts fundamentally from “freestyle” in other genres.
What can dance artists expects when it comes to grants and funding? How does one find opportunities? Or, write a successful grant application? Mutual Dance Theatre’s Director provides a helpful introduction to grant writing for dance artists and explains some of the common misunderstandings of grants.
What are your options? How does one develop an idea and articulate it to their lighting designer? What information does a lighting designer and stage manager need from a choreographer? These questions and more will be addressed during a quick crash course for dancers by MDT’s lighting designer-in-residence.
During lunch time, participants are free to do as they please! We encourage you to take a breath of fresh air outside on our 1.2 acres or to explore Cincinnati and the adjacent charming neighborhood of Wyoming. However, we have scheduled special activities for those who wish to partake! Dancers are to bring their own lunches OR they can purchase lunches where noted on outing dates. We do have refrigerator, microwave, hot water kettle, and toaster oven available for use.
Please see the schedule for the date of each activity.
BYOL: GETTING TO KNOW YOU
Bring your own lunch and get to know your fellow workshop mates in a fun hour led by MDT’s Artistic Director.
BYOL: ICE CREAM PARTY
A send-off on what will surely be a hot day: eat lunch together one last time followed by an ice cream party and exchanging information to stay in touch.
GROUP RESTAURANT OUTINGS
Sign-ups will be posted in the lobby. We encourage students to get out, carpool, and explore some local eateries. Each day will feature a different local restaurant.
BYOL: MODERN DANCE TRIVIA
Bring your bagged lunch and your Modern Dance history knowledge! (Oh, and a device to play the game on!) Participants will compete in a game of dance history trivia to win a prize!
The Masterclass Series features special guests with national repute, focusing primarily on Modern Dance with some additional Contemporary. Mutual Dance Theatre proudly shares with its workshop participants esteemed professionals from the field. Participants will experience a breadth of styles — both in the dancing, as well as the teaching style itself — in order to expand each dancer’s palette.
Please see the schedule for their assigned dates.
ROSE SUNILA’S MASTERCLASS:
This class evolves from floorwork to upright position. In the process it explores smooth inversions in search of a functional movement flow. Rose is interested in exploring a sense of weight and how it shifts, as well as relating to the three-dimensional body and breath. Improvisational elements are added to the technical material to embody individual expression. Expect to express yourself in a manner that feels most authentic to you.
In this floorwork workshop, we will reimagine our connection with the ground, exploring groundedness and how we can sequence the edges of our own surface to create fluid transitions. Through this journey, we will challenge ourselves to interact with the ground in ways that redefine our spatial perception and body awareness. What if our movements could transform the very environment around us? Join as we embark on dynamic, energetic, and creative explorations of space in community. This class is grounded in skill-building, providing the essential foundation for you to reach new heights.
Through daily study with MDT’s Rehearsal Director, Hannah Williamson, students will gain intimate experience with the company’s pluralist approach to dance, seamlessly drawing from traditional and progressive Modern Dance styles to build a whole dancer.
Learn Mutual Dance Theatre repertory from Company Member and Choreographer Jasmine Snellen.
As the last gathering, workshop participants will perform in a live-streamed and open showing to which they may invite friends and family. Participants will share their Repertory work and a phrase from their daily Modern Technique class.
Struggling with being upside down or on your hands? No worries. This skills workshop will work on fundamental concepts to help you become more comfortable with inversions, using both Modern Dance and gymnastics principles.
Weight share is vastly important to Modern Dance performance. Strong partnering technique is necessary for safety and aesthetics, especially if performing non-traditional lifts (such as women lifting women or men). Learn from one of MDT’s finest partnering technicians during this skills workshop.
Vinyasa yoga is a creative form of yoga where poses are linked together in a flowing sequence. The class starts with breath awareness to experience how the breath moves the body in a subtle manner. All movement grow from this awareness. There is no standard sequence in Vinyasa yoga, and the class explores a variety of movement passages challenging the balance yet experiencing groundedness. The class ends in a brief resting pose to practice stillness and silence in the body.
Mutual Arts Center
HARTWELL Location
8222 Monon Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45216
Convenient to I-75, Kroger (just a block away!), Country Fresh Market, charming small business district of Wyoming, and more conveniences. Located in a somewhat secluded area with pine trees and large yards on 1.25 acres, with plenty of free parking. Doors are locked at all times with video surveillance.
hello@mutualarts.org
513.494.6526
We also accept text messages
FAQs and OTHER POLICIES
Please scroll up for the refund policy.
This workshop/intensive is best suited for adults with prior dance experience. Many of the classes will move very quickly; however, we will never shame any dancer for having less experience. Most of the students are currently dance majors, recent graduates, or professionals.
Dancers with a foundation in Ballet or Jazz will also do well in our workshop! We highly encourage it for dancers who do not specialize in Modern: it is great cross-training.
There are no auditions! Like American Dance Festival or Bates Dance Festival, we do not audition students.
As an organization, we do not have a strict dress code, per se, for adult dancers. Individual instructors may vary in their opinions. In general, we encourage Modern Dancers to wear movement that assists in their flow and does not impede footwork. We ask for no mid-driffs and for full bottom coverage to at least mid-thigh. We ask dancers not to wear shorts other than “bike shorts” due to the amount of open-leg floor and inversion work we do. Chinese kneepads are encouraged. Floor work is extensive: please have coverage for backs, arms, and legs available at all times.
We are unable to provide housing. However, we have some trusted families in the area who may be able to host a student. Please email hello@mutualarts.org for an introduction. Be aware that we advise that students keep to certain hours and bring absolutely no guests to hosts’ homes.
For the summer of 2022, we can provide two partial work-study scholarships. Please contact hello@mutualarts.org for more information.
Many people reside in Cincinnati without a car and use the public bus system. It will add considerable travel time to many areas of town; we thus highly recommend staying as close as possible to 8222 Monon Ave, 45216.
If you are interested in auditioning for us, please consult mutualdance.org/audition. We also sometimes extend invitations to join the company when we see exceptional dancers.
We ask that you do not arrive at the Center earlier than 15 minutes before the first class of the day, as the doors may not yet be opened.
We advise you bring the following:
- Lunch if you don’t want to leave the Center campus. We have a microwave, fridge, how water kettle, and stove available. However, within walking distance are: Kroger, Wendy’s, UDF, and Gold Star. Within driving distance are: Dragon City, La Casita, Penn Station, Country Fresh Market, Wyoming Community Coffee, Half Day Cafe, Wyoming Pastry Shop, Station Family + BBQ, Pollo Shaddai, Amma’s Kitchen (all-vegetarian Indian), We do BBQ, Song Long (Vietnamese), and more.
- Reusable water bottle. The drinking fountains are out of commission due to COVID. We will have filtered water coolers available.
- Layered clothing. The studio may get warm, but we recommend items to cover legs, arms, and backs for floor work. All of our floors are Marley. The lower level studio is cushioned Marley.
- Chinese knee pads. You may find these helpful.
- Note-taking materials. Our seminars will contain great information. Writing it down helps you remember!
TEEN Modern Dance Summer Intensive
Teen Summer Modern Dance Intensive and Pre-College
JULY 22-26, 2024
WITH CINCINNATI’S RESIDENT MODERN DANCE COMPANY, MUTUAL DANCE THEATRE
Formerly known as MamLuft&Co. Dance and Contemporary Dance Theater
YOU ARE VIEWING THE TEEN INTENSIVE: JULY 22-26, 2024
000 days 00 hours 00 minutes 00 seconds
days until the late registration pricing begins
REGISTER EARLY FOR A DISCOUNT
An immersive week of Modern Dance studies
A week of Modern Dance studies with Cincinnati's Mutual Dance Theatre and esteemed guests from notable companies.
We know that when dancers go to college, they’re likely to study Modern Dance. And for so many college freshmen coming from studios, the experience can be completely foreign to them.
Whether or not your child is considering going to college for dance, our Teen Intensive is also just a great time to be exposed to a slew of teachers and styles in Modern Dance, to broaden their horizons and challenge them.
18
courses
29
class meetings
11
faculty members
1
amazing week
Early Bird Rate
$319
Register by March 31 to receive this discounted rate
Regular Tuition
$369
Register between April 1-30 to receive this rate
Late Rate
$419
This rate applies when registering on May 1 or later
Day Pass
$100
5-Class Mix and Match
$100
MDT Tee Shirt
$20
REFUND POLICY
$50 of your registration fee is a non-refundable deposit and will not be returned for any reason, including withdrawal, illness, or injury.
In the case of withdrawals, a written request must be submitted no later than 14 days prior to the start of the intensive, sent to hello@mutualarts.org.
Refunds cannot be provided due to absenteeism, injury, illness, doctor’s appointments, or other reasons.
TEEN SCHEDULE
*Subject to change
Monday, July 22, 2024
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WELCOME with MARCELLUS HOWIE, Intensive Facilitator from Mutual Arts
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MODERN DANCE TECHNIQUE with KC LYPHOUT of Mutual Dance Theatre
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LUNCH BREAK (BYOL) AND OPTIONAL DANCE FILM OR VIDEO ARCHIVE SHOWING
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MODERN DANCE MASTERCLASS with CHRISTOPHER RYAN, MFA of NKU Faculty and formerly of Emotions Dance and numerous musicals in Europe
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MODERN-JAZZ FUSION with MARCELLUS HOWIE of Mutual Arts
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REPERTORY with SUSAN HONER formerly of Mutual Dance Theatre
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
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MODERN DANCE TECHNIQUE with KC LYPHOUT of Mutual Dance Theatre
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MODERN DANCE MASTERCLASS with ELIZABETH RAMSEY of Dayton Contemporary Dance Company
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LUNCH BREAK (BYOL) AND OPTIONAL DANCE FILM OR VIDEO ARCHIVE SHOWING
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SKILLS WORKSHOP: TURNING TECHNIQUE with EVELYN LACKNEY of Mutual Dance Theatre
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INJURY PREVENTION with MARCELLUS HOWIE of Mutual Arts
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REPERTORY with SUSAN HONER formerly of Mutual Dance Theatre
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
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MODERN DANCE TECHNIQUE with KC LYPHOUT of Mutual Dance Theatre
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MODERN DANCE MASTERCLASS with HANNAH WILLIAMSON of Wright State University and Mutual Dance Theatre
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LUNCH BREAK (BYOL) AND OPTIONAL DANCE FILM OR VIDEO ARCHIVE SHOWING
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MODERN-JAZZ FUSION with MARCELLUS HOWIE of Mutual Arts
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MODERN DANCE IMPROVISATION with ROWAN SALEM, Artistic Director of Synergy Series
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REPERTORY with SUSAN HONER formerly of Mutual Dance Theatre
Thursday, July 25, 2024
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MODERN DANCE TECHNIQUE with KC LYPHOUT of Mutual Dance Theatre
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MODERN DANCE MASTERCLASS with TREZON DANCY formerly of Dayton Contemporary Dance Company
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BYOL & General College Q&A with grads from James Madison University, NKU, Carnegie Mellon, Texas Womans, and Kent State
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SKILLS WORKSHOP: JUMPING TECHNIQUE with EVELYN LACKNEY of Mutual Dance Theatre
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PILATES FOR DANCERS with MARCELLUS HOWIE of Mutual Arts
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REPERTORY with SUSAN HONER formerly of Mutual Dance Theatre
Friday, July 26, 2024
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MODERN DANCE TECHNIQUE with KC LYPHOUT of Mutual Dance Theatre
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CONTEMPORARY MASTERCLASS with IHAIAH MILLER of University of Cincinnati, formerly of Cincinnati Ballet Academy, North Florida Ballet Theatre Academy
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LUNCH BREAK (BYOL)
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ICE CREAM PARTY
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MODERN-JAZZ FUSION with MARCELLUS HOWIE of Mutual Arts
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ROLL MODEL METHOD with SUSAN HONER formerly of Mutual Dance Theatre
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REPERTORY with SUSAN HONER formerly of Mutual Dance Theatre
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SHOWING - Family and Friends and invited!
2024 FACULTY
Click on the faculty member's name to reveal their bio.
COURSE: “MODERN DANCE MASTERCLASS (INPULSE TECHNIQUE)”
Trezon Dancy, who hails from Hartford, Connecticut, is a choreographer, performing artist, and educator. Dancy has worked with numerous artists including Travis Gatling, Kim Stroud, Nathan Andary, Earl Mosley, Ronald K. Brown, Kyle Abraham (A.I.M.), and many others. Dancy graduated high school from Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts in Hartford, Connecticut. He received his bachelor degree in Dance: Performance and Choreography from Ohio University in 2017. Upon graduation, Dancy accepted a first company position with the world-renowned Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. Currently, Dancy resides in Columbus and is the Artistic Director of InPulse Dance Company, as well as the Operations/Program Manager for OhioDance. InPulse Dance Co. is a freelance repertory company that upholds Dancy’s mission of self-expression through mind, body, and soul. The company’s vision is to support self expression through genuine and visceral movement, inspired by familiar life and human obstacles.
Dancy’s dance works have been presented at OhioDance Festival at Ohio University, Athens, Ohio (2015); Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, Harford, Connecticut (2015 – 2017); Battery Dance Festival, New York, New York (2017); West Fest Dance Festival at Martha Graham Dance Studio, New York, New York (2017); American College Dance Association, Kent, Ohio (2017); Project Jericho, Springfield, Ohio (2018); the International Conference and Festival of Blacks in Dance, Dayton, Ohio (2019); Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (first and second companies, 2017-2021); and the Ohio Dance Festival at Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio (2015-2023).
MDT STAFF / INTENSIVE ASSISTANT
Claire Dieringer is a 2016 graduate of Kent State University, from which she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Magna Cum Laude. Claire has worked professionally as the director of the dance program at Lake Bryn Mawr Camp in Pennsylvania, and as a dance educator at several studios. In 2017, Claire joined both MamLuft&Co. Dance and Seven Dance Company. She is now MamLuft&Co. Dance’s Education and Outreach Coordinator, as well. As a student, Dieringer was a member of the Kent Dance Ensemble and performed in faculty-choreographed concerts. In 2014, she performed at American College Dance Association and also studied at American Dance Festival in Durham, North Carolina, studying with numerous teachers in multiple styles from all over the world. Dieringer previously served as the President of the Student Dance Education Organization of Kent State. Claire was recognized on the Dean’s List every semester of her college career while also receiving many accolades such as the Dance Faculty Award for Service to the dance division and Outstanding Achievement Award as an Emerging Artist Award.
MDT STAFF / INTENSIVE ASSISTANT
Born in Osijek, Croatia, Ana Hart graduated magna cum laude from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a Bachelor of Arts in Media Arts & Design with a concentration in Interactive Design. In the summer of 2019, Ana attended the American Dance Festival and studied with Shayla-Vie Jenkins, Ray Schwartz, Maayan Sheinfeld, Noa Zuk, and Ohad Fishof. She was also cast in work by international choreographer Chien-Kuei Chang. Ana has also performed in works by Matt Pardo, Ryan Corriston, Christian Warner, Gregory Dolbashian, Stephanie Liapis, and Darla Stanley. Ana danced with Virginia Repertory Dance Company from 2019-2021. Ana is passionate about dance in the community and has been a volunteer with JMU’s Dance for Parkinson’s Program, later completing Dance for Parkinson’s Professional Development Training from the Mark Morris Dance Group under a grant from JMU’s Gilliam Center for Entrepreneurship.
COURSES: “REPERTORY” AND “ROLL MODEL METHOD”
Susan Honer resides in Dayton, Ohio where she owns Present Body Pilates. She received her MFA in Dance from Hollins University/American Dance Festival and her BA in Dance and Creative Writing from Hollins University. Ms. Honer collaborated with Mutual Dance Theatre from 2010-2019 as dancer, choreographer, and company director. In 2016, Susan choreographed The Double, based on the novella by Dostoyevsky. In 2018, with support from the NEA, Honer created Iceman 3000 which premiered in partnership with Contemporary Arts Center. She toured with Mutual for dance festivals, led master classes, and set repertory works. Honer’s independent work includes original choreography and masterclasses for Northern Kentucky University, Randolph College, University of Cincinnati, Northwest Florida Ballet, and Southwest Virginia Ballet. She proudly performed in the inaugural Synergy Series in Cincinnati. Susan regularly works with musician Sean Simon who creates original musical scores for her choreography.
COURSES: “MODERN-JAZZ FUSION,” “INJURY PREVENTION,” AND “PILATES FOR DANCERS”
Marcellus was born and raised in Louisville, KY. He graduated from Northern Kentucky University with his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre and Dance performance. His dance training concentrations are Modern, contemporary arts, and Jazz Dance: studies include Graham, Horton, Limón, Fosse, and vernacular dance. After graduating, Marcellus developed an interest in the health, well-being, and longevity of others. He trained comprehensively as an apprentice for two years in classic Pilates repertoire which encompasses Pilates Mat, Reformer, chair, trapeze table, ladder barrel, and tower. Post-rehabilitation, injury prevention, and exercise physiology are his areas of focus. Currently, Marcellus utilizes Pilates as tool for out patient rehabilitation under the guidance of Physical therapist. He is looking forward to meeting you. Let’s dance!
COURSES: “SKILLS WORKSHOP: TURNING TECHNIQUE” and “SKILLS WORKSHOP: JUMPING TECHNIQUE”
Evelyn Lackney received her Bachelors of Arts in dance and communication studies from Western Kentucky University. Originally from Danville, KY, Evelyn danced with the WKU Dance Company and had the opportunity to work with various choreographers across various styles. During her time in Bowling Green, KY, Evelyn was trained by artists at Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre, New Dialect, and Mutual Dance Theatre. Additionally, Evelyn has choreographed multiple modern works that were adjudicated and presented. Her choreographic pieces are known for their emotional storytelling, inspired by the belief that art exists in everything. She is thrilled to be joining Mutual Dance Theatre!
COURSE: “MODERN DANCE TECHNIQUE”
KC Lyphout joined Mutual Dance Theatre as a resident company member in 2023 after performing for two seasons with Dayton Dance Initiative, of which she is currently serving as DDI’s Company Manager, Choreographer, and Dancer. Originally from Toledo, Ohio, KC began her formal dance training at the age of 12 at Toledo School for the Arts. Upon receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Wright State University in 2021, KC joined Dayton Contemporary Dance Company 2 as a dance artist for the 2021-2022 season. As an emerging choreographer, she has been commissioned by Dayton Dance Initiative, Wasatch Contemporary Dance Company, Suttle Dance Detroit, Ted-X Dayton, Toledo School for the Arts, and Sarasota Contemporary Dance’s Rising Choreographer program. As an educator, she takes pride in her work as a local dance instructor for competitive and recreational students.
While Jeanne is not teaching a course in this intensive, you will see and interact our Artistic Director this week!
Jeanne Mam-Luft is the Artistic and Executive Director of Mutual Dance Theatre and Arts Centers, which she partly founded as MamLuft&Co. Dance in 2007 (later merged with Contemporary Dance Theater, founded by Jefferson James in 1972). Mam-Luft holds a Master of Fine Arts in Dance from Texas Woman’s University and a Bachelor of Architecture from Carnegie Mellon University. Mam-Luft studied at both American Dance Festival and Bates Dance Festival on full scholarships, as well as Carnegie Mellon’s acclaimed School of Drama, Pittsburgh Filmmakers, and Point Park University. Her training includes Sarah Gamblin (Bebe Miller Dance Company), Mary Williford-Shade (Dance Alloy), James Caton (Ballet Metropolitan), Melissa M. Young and Nycole Ray (Dallas Black Dance Theatre), Ming-Lung Yang (Trisha Brown Dance Company), Tatiana Baganova (Provincial Dances Russia), and many others. Mam-Luft was the Assistant Director of Contemporary Dance Theater for 4 and a founding member of Greater Cincinnati Dance Alliance. She is certified in Labanotation from the Dance Notation Bureau (NY) and is also a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional. As an artist-producer, Mam-Luft has produced 18 evening length and 61 shorter works (35 of which she was lead choreographer). She was the first and only dance artist to be named a Cincinnati Arts Ambassador Fellow in support of an original dance-for-camera she choreographed, filmed, and edited. She served on the board of OhioDance (the state-wide organization for dance) for 6 years. She has been a grant panelist for both the Ohio Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. She was raised in Texas after her family escaped the Khmer Rouge genocide. Most of her works are inspired by her family’s experiences. As a choreographer, her interests lie mostly in human connections and how that is portrayed through spatial relationships. She has guest-taught and/or set work on students at Texas Woman’s University, University of Cincinnati, Wittenberg University, Northern Kentucky University, University of Kentucky, Tarrant County College, and Kent State, where she was an artist-in-residence in 2016.
COURSE: “CONTEMPORARY MASTERCLASS”
COURSE: “MODERN DANCE MASTERCLASS”
Elizabeth Ramsey (she/her), originally from Toledo, Ohio, entered her eighth season as a dance artist with the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company this year. She graduated from Wright State University summa cum laude with a BFA in dance, and was also a member of DCDC’s second company for three years. She has attended several prestigious training programs throughout her career.
Elizabeth has had the opportunity to perform several of DCDC’s historical works such as “Vespers” by Ulysses Dove and “Children of the Passage,” choreographed by Donald McKayle and Ronald K. Brown. Other performance credits include works by Tommie-Waheed Evans, Rennie Harris, Talley Beatty, Donald Byrd, Ray Mercer, Dwight Rhoden, Kevin Ward, and Crystal Michelle Perkins.
In addition to her performance experience, Elizabeth is a practicing teacher and choreographer. Most recently, her work “DEEP/END” premiered at the Jarson-Kaplan Theatre in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is her first Main Stage work set on the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. She has also set original works at Wright State University, the University of Dayton, and DCDC2, and has had her work featured in the Ohio Dance Festival’s Professional Theater Concert. In 2021 she was named Resident Choreographer for the School for the Creative and Performing Arts in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she also co-directs the junior dance ensemble. Elizabeth is an inaugural member of Dayton’s own Dayton Dance Initiative, a dancer-led collaborative project featuring the professional artists of DCDC and Dayton Ballet. Most recently, her DDI-created work “Love Letter for Mothers” was awarded first place in SALT Contemporary Dance’s SHAPE Choreography Festival.
Her experience with making dance for film includes her choreography for the WSU film department in a work titled “Anesthesiaphobia,” which premiered at the Dayton Art Institute in 2015, as well helping in the creation of many DCDC projects that have surfaced as a result of the pandemic. In collaboration with DCDC’s mission to extend dance education and outreach into a virtual space, she created a science-based lecture demonstration designed to help engage and teach children about the effects of climate change. This work now exists as a part of DCDC’s online education database.
COURSE: “MODERN DANCE MASTERCLASS”
Christopher Ryan began dance training when he was 8 years old, and his relationship with dance has been a consistent but varied one throughout his career. Whether dancing in Emotions Dance, an improvisation-based modern company that focuses on social issues, being a dancer and dance captain in operas and operettas in several languages and countries, serving as the choreographer for the original German language production of Brücken am Fluß (Bridges of Madison County), teaching dance at summer workshops in the Alps for musical theatre performers and opera singers, teaching for colleges, universities, and academies in Germany, Austria, England, Scotland, and the US, or playing the Emcee in Cabaret 8 shows a week, he has really always been creating dance. Being a full-time Theatre and Dance faculty member at NKU has meant he gets to continue that journey, engaging students with musical theatre dance styles, devised dance theatre, and innovative explorations of intersection, like Pitter Patter, the tap-meets-Shakespeare piece he choreographed for Dance ‘23, or Verbindung, the duet he made for Dance ’24, which saw him return to his modern roots. Christopher is excited to be teaching for Mutual this summer!
COURSE: “MODERN DANCE IMPROVISATION”
Rowan Salem is a choreographer, performer, and teacher originally from Massachusetts. As an artist, her interests lie in compositional improvisation and philosophy’s links to movement. Her teaching is influenced by Humphrey/Limon technique, contact improvisation, and contemporary forms. Rowan earned a Masters of Fine Arts in Choreography and Performance as a Teaching Fellow/Gretchen Moran Scholar at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. Her teaching affiliations include Amherst College, Smith College, and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Rowan recently relocated from Denver, Colorado, where she held faculty positions at Colorado Ballet Academy (the official school of the Colorado Ballet), Aspen Academy, Colorado Academy, and Metropolitan State University of Denver. She has recently collaborated on and performed in the work of Chris Aiken, Angie Hauser, Kate Speer, and Tara Rynders. Rowan’s work has been presented at Redline Contemporary Arts Center, Counterpath Exhibition Space, Green Street Studios, and Art Gym, Denver where she was the 2017 recipient of the Create Award Residency.
COURSES: “MODERN DANCE MASTERCLASS”
Hannah Williamson, a 7th year performing member of Mutual Dance Theatre (formerly MamLuft&Co. Dance), is choreographer, Rehearsal Director, and performing member. She is a 2017 graduate of Wright State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance – Magna Cum Laude. She has performed in works by Dwight Rhoden and Clifford Williams of Complexions Contemporary Ballet and the Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre in Carmel, IN. Williamson is currently on the faculty of Wright State University.
Through her passion for choreography, she strives to communicate eternal truths where mere words come up short. Her prior works have been selected for such presentations as Columbus Modern Dance Company’s January 2018 Emerging Choreographer Residency, The Area Choreographers Festival (Contemporary Dance Theater), and Yes! Virginia Dance Festival (Richmond, VA). Williamson also received a commission from MDT for the creation of “Variations in a Brainstorm” (premiere 2021), which was heralded by many audience members as their favorite MDT work.
Nominate a future faculty member
Please use our Contact Us form to nominate a professional living near the Cincinnati area. Self-nominations welcome!
COURSE AND ACTIVITY DESCRIPTIONS
Click on the activity name for a description. Listed in alphabetical order.
From Hopkins Medicine: “A few studies that looked into dance injuries found that injuries from using your joints and muscles too much are the most common in dancers. The majority of these overuse injuries involve an ankle, leg, foot or lower back…The majority of overuse injuries and even some traumatic dance injuries can be prevented.” This class includes a hands on lesson and demonstration detailing common dance injuries and preventative measures that can be taken to decrease injury, risk, and increase longevity of a dancer.
During lunch time, participants are free to do as they please! We encourage you to take a breath of fresh air outside on our 1.2 acres or to explore Cincinnati and the adjacent charming neighborhood of Wyoming. However, we have scheduled special activities for those who wish to partake! Dancers are to bring their own lunches OR they can purchase lunches where noted on outing dates. We do have refrigerator, microwave, hot water kettle, and toaster oven available for use. Please see the schedule for the date of each activity.
BYOL: GENERAL COLLEGE Q&A
General, introductory information to college and dance program admissions, the difference between degree programs (such as a BA, BS, or BFA), and common types of college programs.
BYOL: DANCE FILM OR ARCHIVE
Students will watch a dance film or archive of a performance (which may include MDT’s work).
BYOL: ICE CREAM PARTY
A send-off on what will surely be a hot day: eat lunch together one last time followed by an ice cream party and exchanging information to stay in touch.
The Modern Dance Masterclass Series features special guests with national repute. Mutual Dance Theatre proudly shares with its workshop participants esteemed professionals from the field. Participants will experience a breadth of styles — both in the dancing, as well as the teaching style itself — in order to expand each dancer’s palette.
Please see the schedule for their assigned dates.
FROM ELIZABETH RAMSEY:
This class will be a fusion of Horton technique and contemporary movement. We will work through a variety of warm-ups and technical combinations with a focus on fluidity, artistry, and breath.
This concise workshop in Modern Dance Improvisation will draw from both Contact Improvisational Technique, as well as other contemporary structures, both borrowed and original. Participants will learn the difference between “improvisation” as the term is used in the progressive Modern Dance community, which contrasts fundamentally from “freestyle” in other genres.
In pursuit of a diverse and well-rounded training experience, KC Lyphout’s modern technique class blends a variety of classic and contemporary practices. Participants can expect to encounter a fusion of elements of Limon and Horton techniques as well as ventures into Flying-Low, weight-sharing and contemporary partnering, among others. The class will explore artistry and dynamism through technical exercises, phrasework, and improvisation with an emphasis on moving in and out of the floor, clarity, strength, and authenticity.
Modern and Jazz Dance share many similarities and origins, including stylistic qualities and technique. Often, there is a line drawn between the two techniques in order to decipher between. This fusion embraces the similarities between Modern and Jazz techniques and how they can be utilized to complement one another. Dancers are challenged to think critically about concepts, such as rhythm, textures, and theories regarding utilization of effort within these two genres.
Pilates uses a combination of approximately 50 simple exercises, which are repetitive in nature, to create muscular exertion. This system of exercises can be adapted to provide either gentle strength training for rehabilitation or a strenuous workout vigorous enough to challenge skilled athletes. The Pilates method continuously stretches the muscles, so that the muscle strains build longer rather than create bulk. For a dancer, Pilates also increases and builds technique, as it focuses on graceful and fluid movements that are the basis for many dance genres.
Learn choreography from Susan Honer, who holds the current record for the longest performer career as a Company Member of Mutual Dance Theatre.
The Roll Model Method® is a soft-tissue conditioning, self-care fitness format that uses the various massage balls for self-myofascial release, aka self-massage. Class includes connecting to breath, comparing how a body part feels before and after the massage work, experiential anatomy and alignment, and mental awareness (such as conscious relaxation).
As the last gathering, workshop participants will perform in a live-streamed and open showing to which they may invite friends and family. Participants will share their Repertory work, a phrase from their daily Modern Technique, their MWF Modern-Jazz Fusion, and their Repertory classes.
Led by Intensive Facilitator, Marcellus Howie, students will break the ice, get to know each other, and become more comfortable with each other. This welcome session hopes to set a foundation for a successful week in which students support each other and a level of respect is established.
Mutual Arts Center
HARTWELL Location
8222 Monon Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45216
Convenient to I-75, Kroger (just a block away!), Country Fresh Market, charming small business district of Wyoming, and more conveniences. Located in a somewhat secluded area with pine trees and large yards on 1.25 acres, with plenty of free parking. Doors are locked at all times with video surveillance.
hello@mutualarts.org
513.494.6526
We also accept text messages
FAQs and OTHER POLICIES
Please scroll up for the refund policy.
This unique week-long summer program is designed just for teens to explore Modern and Contemporary forms of dance. We also provide them with the opportunity to gain exposure to college dance programs in the region.
Dancers will benefit from being in a robust program with other serious dancers, whether or not their final pathway is a degree in dance.
Mutual Dance Theatre and Arts Centers’ professionals teach within academic traditions and invite esteemed professors of dance who will share with students information about their programs.
The Modern Dance Teen Intensive is an invigorating week of dance that is both challenging and supportive. This is a safe, judgement-free zone for teens to have fun and make new friends.
No audition is required!
Generally, participants are 13-18 years old and very advanced.
If your dancer is not very advanced, we encourage them to attend, as faculty are supportive for all dancers at any level. We understand how intimidating it may be to be in a room full of other dancers who are learning more quickly, but we assure all dancers that we all have been there at some point. We have had many less-experienced dancers attend and enjoy the week tremendously, challenges and all!
If your dancer is younger and has a lot of experience, they can still sign-up if you are okay with them being in an environment with other teens up to 18 years old. If you have any questions regarding this, feel free to send us an email! hello@mutualarts.org
As an organization, we do not have a strict dress code, per se. Individual instructors may vary in their opinions. In general, we encourage Modern Dancers to wear movement that assists in their flow and does not impede footwork. This may include, for example, yoga or gym attire, however: we ask NO mid-driffs and for full bottom coverage at least to mid-thigh. We ask dancers not to wear shorts other than “bike shorts” due to the amount of open-leg floor and inversion work we do. Chinese kneepads are encouraged. Floor work is extensive: please have coverage for backs, arms, and legs available at all times
We advise you bring the following:
- Lunch if you don’t want to leave the Center campus. We have a microwave, fridge, hot water kettle, and stove available. However, within walking distance are: Kroger, Wendy’s, UDF, and Gold Star. Within driving distance are: Dragon City, La Casita, Penn Station, Country Fresh Market, Wyoming Community Coffee, Half Day Cafe, Wyoming Pastry Shop, Station Family + BBQ, Pollo Shaddai, Amma’s Kitchen (all-vegetarian Indian), We do BBQ, Song Long (Vietnamese), and more.
- Reusable water bottle. The drinking fountains are out of commission due to COVID. We will have filtered water coolers available.
- Layered clothing. The studio may get warm, but we recommend items to cover legs, arms, and backs for floor work. All of our floors are Marley. The lower level studio is cushioned Marley.
- Chinese knee pads. They may find these helpful if they are not accustomed to floor work. These are not soccer or football knee pads, but much thinner and made of natural fibers.
- Note-taking materials. Our seminars will contain great information. Writing it down helps you remember!
The Mutual Dance Theatre and Arts Centers’ Teen Intensive will run from 9:00am-4:10pm. Our doors will open at 8:45am for drop off and our staff will stick around until 4:20pm for pick up!
Unfortunately, we cannot provide housing. However, we do have some trusted families in the city who may be able to host a dancer and are happy to make some introductions. Please email hello@mutualarts.org if you have serious interest in this.