College High School
Resume:
WESS L. STAATS
*******@*********.***
Founder, Artistic Director, Choreographer, Performer
The Academy for International Movement Studies, AIMSDANCE
**** ******* ***** *****, *******, CO, 80305
EDUCATION
University of Colorado, Boulder Colorado
Master of Fine Arts in Dance, May 1998
Middlebury College, Middlebury Vermont
Bachelor of Arts Degree, Cum Laude, majors in Spanish and Dance, College Scholar, graduated
with honors 1992
Emerson College, Boston Massachusetts
Majors; Theatre and Spanish, September 1986 to April 1987
Middlebury College Summer Language Schools, Middlebury Vermont
Masters in Progress in Spanish, Summers 1987, 1988, 1994
International Professional Fitness Association (IFPA), Boulder Colorado
Certified Personal Fitness Trainer, February 2000
PIYO (Pilates/Yoga) Instructor, Current
Muscle Activation Techniques Therapist, InsideOutFitness, Boulder Colorado
June 2005 to Present. Certified Therapist in MAT, a dynamic approach to treating muscular
imbalances, that will reduce or eliminate pain and fatigue, and speed muscle recovery by
increasing the body’s range of motion, restoring muscular alignment, and eliminating
compensation patterns.
Founder and Director of The Academy for International Movement Studies (AIMS) February 2009
to present.
AIMS is a unique learning institution. As a co-ed private secondary Charter school, it offers
college-preparatory courses with a specialized focus on Movement Studies and Dance. Our goal
is to provide young adults a traditional education in a rewarding cultural setting. Throughout the
year, AIMS takes educational advantage of a variety of vivacious cultures. Each location is
carefully chosen for their cultural offerings of excellent movement studies, foreign language,
varying biomes and historical value. Additionally, we implement a volunteer program that
addresses the needs of neglected and/or abused animals in each country we are based.
Wess Staats’ C.V. Page 1 of 14
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Dance Teacher, Xavier Charter School, Twin Falls, Idaho
August 23, 2011 - August 28,2 012
A K-12 College Preparatory Performing Arts College Preparatory School based in Classical
Education.
Instruction based in Dance Education Curriculum. Teach Grades 1-12, all levels of Modern
Dance, basic Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap. History of all Genres, Composition, Anatomy and
Kinesiology, PIYO – ( a Pilates and Yoga Combined Method), Somatics, Dance/Theatre
Improvisation Performance Techniques, Critical Analysis/Aesthetics, Improvisation, Contact
Improvisation, Contemporary Partnering, Film/Video technology for Dancers, Injury Prevention,
Survival as a Dancer, and many more core courses. Mentor to Senior Master Piece Projects.
Create original choreography for students for two school concerts, contribute to
creative/scholarly academic and service environments characteristic of Xavier Fine Arts Charter.
Director and Fine Arts Instructor in Theatre Arts, Boulder County Lifelong Community Learning
Program
September 20, 2010
Responsible for revamping the Theatre Arts Program for Boulder Valley School District’s Life Long
Learning Program and Creative Dramatics Instructor to children ages 7-12 years old.
Founder, Director and Teacher with The Academy for International Movement Studies,
AIMSDANCE, http://www.aimsdance.com
February 2009-present
Responsible for all travel for 5 teachers & 12 teenagers, teaching & running the school
w/a Positive Reinforcement Educational Model.
Responsible for the creation of standard curriculum to maintain accreditation.
Designed business plan & Venture Capitol Proposal for The Academy for
International Movement Studies; a 4 year college preparatory high school w/ the
extracurricular activity in Dance. (Pilot program Slated for
Summer 2013)
Market Research & Community Development
Management of all online relationships
Developed & Managed Budget
Designed Professional Development Strategies
Handled responsibilities w/ Human Resources
Implemented Outreach Program
Expertise in teaching the Spanish language, all levels of Modern Dance,
Composition, Critical Analysis, Anatomy & kinesiology, among others.
Staffed 6 teachers & Responsible for 20 plus kids w/travel abroad.
Designed & Implementation of high school curriculum
Develop, implement & coordinate all excursions abroad
Evaluate progress on an ongoing basis
SKILLS & PROFICENCIES:
MS Word Microsoft PowerPoint Macintosh Final Cut Pro
Pagemaker Photoshop Educational Gaming MS Excel
Guest Artist, Colorado Mesa University, Grand Junction, CO
January, 19th, 2008
Invited to teach a Master Class in Modern Dance-Release Technique,
Choreography/Composition and Contact Improvisation.
Wess Staats’ C.V. Page 2 of 14
International Guest Artist, BodyArts, Guatemala City, Guatemala
November 7-16 2008
Invited to teach workshops in Modern Dance-Release Technique, Choreography/Composition
and Contact Improvisation.
International Guest Artist, National and Kapodistra Athens University, Athens Greece
November 26, 27 & 28, 2007
Invited to teach as one of two international guests artist for the first Annual Meeting of
International Artists. Taught Workshops in Improvisation and Improvisational Techniques for
Choreography.
Guest Teacher, Denison University, Ohio, June 2003
Taught Master Class in Modern Dance to dance students.
Artist-in-Residence, Luther College, Decorah Iowa, December 1-8, 2002
Grant recipient for Guest Residency
Taught Movement Fundamentals III, Modern Technique, Contact Improvisation, Master class in
Text and Improvisation open to all of College and community. Set original choreography on
students and performed current repertoire in an informal showing.
InsideOut Modern Dance/Fitness Class, Boulder Colorado, August 2001 to Present
Instructor of Modern Dance Technique, Creative Movement, Composition and Body-Space
Awareness to fitness population.
PIYO Certified Teacher of Pilates/Yoga, Boulder and Westminster, Colorado 2002 to
present
Fitchburg State College Fitchburg, MA, April 2001
Guest Artist, Instructed masters class in Modern Dance to graduate students.
InsideOut Training &Consulting, Boulder Colorado, February 2000 to Present
Founder of an integrative dance therapy/movement training and consulting service emphasizing
Pilates mat techniques, Laban Movement Analysis, Anatomy and Kinesiology, Biomechanics,
Bartenieff, Feldenkrais and Alexander techniques, Postural Analysis and Exercise Development,
Strength Training, Sports Nutrition, Post Injury Fitness, Weight Loss and Management, Muscle
Activation and BodyMind Centering Therapy.
Cal Arts (California Institute for the Arts) Valencia CA., May 2000
Guest Artist, Instructed masters class in Modern Dance to graduate students.
Community Dance Collective, Boulder Colorado, January 1999 to May1999
“Making it Up; Creative Movement through Impulsive Play.” Designed and instructed
creative movement class embracing improvisational dance and theatre techniques.
University of Colorado, Boulder Colorado, January 1997 to June 1998
Graduate Part Time Instructor in Modern Dance. Guest Artist; Taught masters class in
Contact Improvisation for Professor Toby Hankin's “Improvisation for Dance class.”
Guest Artist in "Improvisation for Dance and Performance," with Professor Nancy Spanier.
Assistant instructor and Master Class teacher in various dance/theatre improvisational
techniques.
Wess Staats’ C.V. Page 3 of 14
CU Contemporary Dance Works, Touring Dance Company of University of Colorado, Toured
(taught1st graders to senior citizens) and performed throughout Colorado, summer, 1998.
Instructed in Modern Dance, Contact Improvisation, Dance/Theatre Improvisation,
“Creative movement for Children”, Hip Hop, Jazz, Company Repertoire and
“Movement for Seniors”, among others throughout Colorado as part of the University of
Colorado Graduate Performing Ensemble Tour.
Instructed at:
Grand Lake Elementary School. Taught Creative Movement to 1st and 2nd graders.
Montrose, CO. Creative Movement for Senior Citizens. June, 3rd, 1998.
Cortez Center Ampitheatre, June 6th, 1998.
Taught Theatre/Dance Improvisation to 8-12 year olds
Montrose Pavilion, Montrose, Colorado. Creative Movement for Citizens.
Community of Learners Charter School, June 8-9th 1998.
Taught Theatre/Dance Improvisation, Jazz, Hip Hop, Company Repertoire to teens
and adults.
Fort Lewis College, June 9th, 1998.
Taught Theatre/Dance Improvisation
Company Performance at:
Grand Lake Community House, June 1st, 1998.
Montrose Gallery and Pavilion, Montrose CO, June 3rd, and 4th, 1998.
Cortez Center Ampitheatre, CO, June 6th, 1998.
Fort Lewis College, Smiley Auditorium, Durango, CO. June 10, 1998.
Modern Dance instructor at various Elementary and High Schools throughout Boulder County
as part of “Methods of Teaching” class at Colorado University, 1996-98
Modern and Contact Improvisation Dance instructor with the Colorado University’s
ensemble of teachers. Taught classes for Preschool to High School, Senior Citizens and the
Developmentally disabled as part of a ten day Community Outreach Program throughout
Colorado. 1996-98.
Gailer School, Middlebury Vermont, September 1994 to January 1995.
Designed and implemented creative movement class emphasizing modern dance, improvisational
techniques for composition, Improvisation (including Contact Improv.) as Performance Art and
explored the use of text in movement. Segment of course dedicated to theatre techniques.
EXTENSIVE TRAINING
Modern, Dance and Performance Improvisation
Contact Improvisation
Graham, Cunningham, and Hawkins Techniques
Authentic Movement
Composition, History, Philosophy and Criticism of Dance
Anatomy & Kinesiology, Physiology, Neurophysiology and Biomechanics
Injury Prevention
Methods of Teaching
Ballet, Pilates and Butoh
Wess Staats’ C.V. Page 4 of 14
SPECIAL STUDIES
Feldenkrais Technique Alexander Technique
Body Mind Centering, (BMC) Kripalu Yoga
Life Forms Notation and Choreography Bartenieff Fundamentals
Laban Movement Analysis Pilates
International Fitness Professional Authentic Movement
Assoc.(IFPA), Certified Personal Fitness
Trainer
PROFESSIONAL DANCE STUDIES
Intense Immersion Programs
American College Dance Festival, University of Arizona, Tucson AZ. 1997
Jacob's Pillow International Improvisation workshop, Bennington College 1992
American College Dance Festival, Bates College 1992
White Mountain Summer Dance Festival, Littleton New Hampshire 1991
Bennington Choreography Project 1990
American College Dance Festival, Bennington Vermont, 1989
Studies Under
Wendy Perron Penny Campbell
Andrea Olsen Carmela Weber
Harry Shephard Peter Schmitz
Douglas Dunn
Jim Martin
Lisa Nelson Eiko and Koma
Martha Eddy Paul Estrobel
Sally Silvers Martha Wittman
Steve Paxton Susan Schell
Workshops With
Bebe Miller David Dorfman
Jane Comfort and Company Creach and Koester
Liz Lerman Daniel Nagrin
Sandra Buton
Susan Schell
Richard Bull Elizabeth Streb
Dana Reitz Jane Comfort
Ed Groff Alan Sener
Urban Bushwomen Many others
Performed With
1999 cc Nancy Stark Smith, Chautauqua Community House, Boulder Colorado
1990 Douglas Dunn and Company Bennington Choreography Project
1990 Sally Silvers, Bennington Choreography Project
1991 cc Martha Eddy, Laura Glenn White Mountain Summer Dance Festival
1992 cc Jim Martin, Laura Glenn White Mountain Summer Dance Festival
1989 to 92 cc Penny Campbell, Peter Schmitz, Jill Becker and Andrea Olsen,
Middlebury College
Wess Staats’ C.V. Page 5 of 14
GRANTS & FELLOWSHIPS
2002 Grant Recipient, Luther College, Iowa.
1999 to 2001 Grant recipient of Boulder Arts Council, Arts & Humanities Association of
Boulder, and Creative Music Works of Denver.
1998 Recipient Community Dance Collective Grant of Boulder Colorado.
1996 to 1997 Fellowship Recipient, Department of Dance, University of Colorado at
Boulder.
1997 Travel Grant, University of Colorado at Boulder.
1996 to 1998 University Fellowship Recipient from the Graduate School at the University of
Colorado, Boulder.
1996 to 1998 Scholarship Recipient from the Dance Department of Theatre and Dance at the
University of Colorado, Boulder.
1995 to 1996 Recipient of the Vermont Council on the Arts Fellowship in Dance.
1995, Vermont-bred New Dance: The Next Generation, Flynn On-Stage Series funded in part
by the Vermont Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts
College Scholar, 1989-1992, Middlebury College, Middlebury Vermont.
1992 to 1993 Recipient of “Exceptional Service” award from Addison County Counseling
Service for the developmentally disabled.
PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION, HIGHLIGHTS AND AWARDS
Featured in the Daily Camera, Boulder Colorado.
Cofounder and performer in “An Evening Festival of Dance Improvisation and Music.”
Sponsored by a Grant from Boulder Arts Council, Arts and Humanities Association of
Boulder, and Creative Music Works of Denver, April 14th 2000. Featured known artists such
as Nancy Stark Smith.
American College Dance Festival, University of Arizona, Tucson. 1997.
Honorable Mention for Best Performance and Most Promising Choreographer in solo work
entitled “Child of Solace; Relinquished to Closure.”
Middlebury College, Middlebury Vermont 1992
Recipient of Drue Cortell Genslar Prize in Women's Studies for best Senior Thesis Project
entitled "Dawning of Shrouded Voices." Choreographed and performed group and solo work
emphasizing women's issues.
College Scholar, 1989-1992, Middlebury College, Middlebury Vermont.
Burlington Free Press, Burlington Vermont, 1996
Featured interview for receiving Vermont Council on the Arts Fellowship in Dance and
Evening Performance at The Flynn Theatre, Burlington, Vermont.
Honorary Student, Dance Department Middlebury College, Middlebury Vermont 1992
PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE HISTORY
Xavier Charter School Winter Showcase, December 15th, 2011. Performance at the College of
Southern Idaho.
Through Every Open Door,Choreographed Modern Dance Piece for 24 Students.
Wess Staats’ C.V. Page 6 of 14
Xavier Charter School Winter Showcase, December 15th, 2011. Performance at the College of
Southern Idaho.
Tic Toc, Choreographed Hip Hop Dance Piece for 18 Students
Xavier Charter School Winter Showcase, December 15th, 2011. Performance at the College of
Southern Idaho.
In The Moment, Created Structured Improvisation Piece for my Improv. Class of 12 students.
Selected as finalist and commissioned to present new work based on the theme of
“Transformance”, as part of Aspen Dance Connection’s 30th Annual Showcase at the Robinson
Theatre in the Moss Performing Arts Center in Grand Junction, Colorado, January 18th, 2008 and
at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, Colorado on January 31, 2008.
44th International Choreographers’ Showcase, ArteCentro and Centro Cultural “Miguel Angel
Asturias”, Guatemala City, Guatemala, November 7th and 8th, 2008.
Performed solo, “Child of Saturn; Relinquished to Closure”. Represented by Susana B. Williams
of Dance-Forms Production’s “44th International Choreographers’ Showcase”.
International Fringe Festival, The Dairy Center for the Arts, Boulder Colorado
Premiere of “Falling Awake”. An evening length solo concert of original
work, August 22-26, 2007
21st World Congress on Dance Research, Athens, Greece September 5-9 2007
Performed solo, “Child of Saturn; Relinquished to Closure”, at the open-air Dora Stratou
Theatre, Athens Greece. Represented by Susana B. Williams of Dance-Forms Production’s
“38th International Choreographers’ Showcase”.
This is the largest gathering of dance specialists worldwide; the best opportunity to
showcase one's work to a wide audience of practitioners, dance teachers, choreographers,
researchers, critics and organizers. Average attendance is 400 specialists from 40 countries
every year. This year over 1000 conferees participated for a grand celebration of the 21st
anniversary, making it by far the largest dance congress ever. Performances took place at the
Dora Stratou Theater next to the Acropolis. All forms of dance are represented annually under
the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and the Municipalities of Athens.
The Congress is organized by IOFA, Greece and the Dora Stratou Dance Theater. It is in
collaboration with the International Dance Council CID UNESCO. Its theme is in accordance
with the "Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions"
which was adopted on 20, October 2005 by the UNESCO General Conference.
Le Gerard du Cygne. Paris, France September 9-12, 2007
Performed solo, Child of Saturn; Relinquished to Closure at Le Gerard du Cygne theatre.
Sponsored and Presented by Dance-Forms Production’s “38th International Choreographers’
Showcase”
Staats Performance Works, Boulder Colorado
Founder, Director, Choreographer, and Performer of an interactive dance/theatre company that
integrates kinetic humor, abstract movement, written material, improvisation, contact
improvisation and videography from a socio-political angle, 1999 to Present.
“Into The Gloaming”, Solo premiere, The Brookledge Theatre, Hollywood, Las
Angeles California, June 2005.
Premiered solo in a shared evening of well known local LA Artists; Kate Flannery from The
Lampshades and HBO’s “The Office”, Eric Hoffman from “Mr. Show” and The Hollywood
Club from “Curve Your Enthusiasm” .
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The Chautauqua Community House, Boulder Colorado
Cofounder and performer in “An Evening Festival of Dance Improvisation and Music.”
Sponsored by a Grant from Boulder Arts Council, Arts and Humanities Association of Boulder,
and Creative Music Works of Denver, April 14th 2000.
The Community Dance Collective, Boulder Colorado
Produced, directed, choreographed and performed in “Sketches.” Sponsored by a Community
Dance Collective Grant, Boulder Colorado, October 22nd 1998.
Boulder Public Library, Boulder Colorado
Guest Artist/Performer in “Boulder Song Makers.” A community grant-funded project in support
of local artists. Improvised movement to vocal score created by Tom Lance, March 1998.
University of Colorado Dance Company, Boulder Colorado
Choreographed and performed company repertoire in Boulder, Durango, Montrose and other
venues throughout Colorado, May to June 1998.
Charlotte York Irey Theatre, Boulder Colorado
Produced, directed, choreographed and performed in “Traces of the Erased,” an evening of five
choreographed dance works as part of Masters Thesis Project in Fine Arts, February 6th through
8th, 1998.
University of Colorado Moving Company, Boulder Colorado
Commissioned to set new work on universities’ undergraduate dance company. Choreographed
“Orbital Veer” for 14 dancers and performed at various schools throughout the county, March
1998 through May 1998.
University of Colorado Faculty Dance Concert
Performed in “Vertical Dance” by local guest artist Carmela Weber, 1997. Group work
choreographed on vertical walls using rockclimbing holds.
Charlotte York Irey Theatre, Boulder Colorado
Confluence of Identity, University of Colorado, Boulder.
Directed, choreographed and performed in concert of original choreographed and
Improvisational works. 1996.
Exhibit Your Symptom Touring Company, New York City and New England
Founding Member, a trio of two musicians and myself performing improvisational works at PS
122, NYC and other various venues, 1994 to 1997.
Bricolage Dance Company, New England
Performed and directed six members and two musicians in choreographed and improvisational
multi-media dance/theatre works. Performed at various venues throughout New England,
including the Flynn Theatre in Burlington Vermont and in New York. 1994 to1996.
Flynn Theatre On-Stage Series, Burlington Vermont
Invited to present three new works as part of an evening concert in "Vermont-bred New Dance:
The Next Generation,” Burlington Vermont, November 1995. Funded in Part by the Vermont
Council on the arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Wess Staats’ C.V. Page 8 of 14
Burlington City Hall, Burlington Vermont
Coordinated and performed in the Burlington International Improvisation weekend in dance.
February 1995.
The Field PS 122, New York NY.
New York City Choreographer/Performer. Conceived and executed dance works,
"Wits...Incommunicado," and "Exhibit Your Symptoms,” May 1993 and May 1994.
Last Elm Café, Burlington Vermont
Performed with Exhibit your Symptom, Music and dance Improvisation.
Champlain College, Burlington Vermont
Performer and Guest Artist in” Mayhem,” Burlington Vermont. One of three Vermont artists
who presented and choreographed improvisational works, May 4th and 6th, 1994.
The Carina Piaggio Dance/Theatre Co., and The Phhhfft Dance Co., New York NY.
Member/Choreographer; Presented work at Sound Dance of NYC and Stoneybrook College,
1993-1994.
Fierless Productions, New York NY.
Assistant Choreographer and Secretarial Assistant for a Women's media event presented at
Roseland, NYC. Assistant movement coach for female body building performance and
competition, January 1993.
The Catholic Center, New York NY.
Guest Artist, Presented "Trio (Improvisation)" with NYU graduate dance student, Nami
Yamamoto, and Saxophonist, Bill Colangelo (Leader of award winning band Shanghai-Blue,)
May 7th, 1993.
Middlebury College Faculty Concert, Middlebury Vermont
Performed in "Hungry,” by faculty member Jill Becker and "Floor Plan II," an environmental
piece by Dance Department Director Penny Campbell. Presented in an evening entitled
“Collaborative Works, A Celebration of the Arts,” September 1992.
Middlebury College Alumni Concert, Middlebury Vermont
Choreographer and Performer "Wits...Incommunicado," Duet dance piece, October 1992.
Middlebury Alumni Summer Dance Assortment (Que MASDA,) Vermont
Founding member: Presented series of summer works in an evening's concert at Middlebury
College, May through August 1992.
American College Dance Festival at Bates College, Bates Maine
Created and performed in dance duet entitled “Serum,” selected by Middlebury College Dance
Department to represent student choreographed work, April 1992.
Jacobs Pillow, Lee Massachusetts
Performed at Inside/Out as part of Jacob' s Pillow and Bennington Colleges’ International
Improvisation Workshop. Presented "Lecture/Demonstration” of collaborative student
improvisations from summer work, August 1992.
Middlebury College Touring Dance Company, Middlebury Vermont
Touring member throughout California. Presented concert repertoire from CalArts to the Los
Angeles area at local High schools and Universities, January 1992.
Wess Staats’ C.V. Page 9 of 14
MAJOR DANCE THEATRE CREATIONS
Somebody, May 22, 2012 Xavier Charter School Spring Showcase.
Premiered at Ropert Auditorium, Twin Falls, ID
Choreographed Modern Dance piece for 16 students, grades 7-12.
Pop It Up, May 22, 2012 Xavier Charter School Spring Showcase.
Premiered at Ropert Auditorium, Twin Falls, ID
Choreographed Hip Hop Dance piece for 16 students, grades 7-10.
The Method Within, May 22, 2012 Xavier Charter School Spring Showcase.
Premiered at Ropert Auditorium, Twin Falls, ID
Structured Dance/Theatre Improvisation piece with 33 students, grades 7-12.
Elementray Schowcase, May 22-24, 2012 Xavier Charter School Spring Showcase.
Choreographed 12 Dance Pieces for grades 1-6.
Through Every Open Door, December 15th, 2011 Xavier Charter School Winter Showcase.
Premiered at CSI, College of Southern Idaho
Choreographed Modern Dance Piece for 24 Students.
Tic Toc, 2011, December 15th, 2011 Xavier Charter School Winter Showcase,
Premiered at CSI, College of Southern Idaho
Choreographed Hip Hop Dance Piece for 18 Students
In The Moment, December 15th, 2011 Xavier Charter School Winter Showcase.
Premiered at CSI, College of Southern Idaho
Created Structured Improvisation Piece for my Improv. Class of 12 students.
“Falling Awake”, 2007 International Fringe Festival, Boulder. August 22-26, 2007
New solo dance/film/theatre show premiered at the Dairy Center. A Multi-media Project
with Video, Text, and Installation.
Major Themes: Exploring the disenchantment of childhoods’ end where innocence is stripped away
by life’s countless harsh lessons. Free play of imagination collides with reality after what
was seen as is, is not. Recovering the free play of imagination of childhood’s innocence within
personal and life’s limitations.
Into The Gloaming, Solo premiere, the historic Brookledge Theatre, Hollywood, Las
Angeles California, June 2005
Invocation, Luther College, Decorah Iowa, December 1-8, 2002
What Became, Denison University, Ohio, June 2003
Unheard Unseen, The Chautauqua Community House, Boulder Colorado
Cofounder and performer in “An Evening Festival of Dance Improvisation and Music.”
Sponsored by a Grant from Boulder Arts Council, Arts and Humanities Association of Boulder,
and Creative Music Works of Denver, April 14th 2000.
The Community Dance Collective, Boulder Colorado
Produced, directed, choreographed and performed in “Sketches.” Sponsored by a Community
Dance Collective Grant, Boulder Colorado, October 22nd 1998.
Wess Staats’ C.V. Page 10 of 14
Boulder Public Library, Boulder Colorado
Guest Artist/Performer in “Boulder Song Makers.” A community grant-funded project in support
of local artists. Improvised movement to vocal score created by Tom Lance, March 1998.
Traces of the Erased, Master of Fine Arts Thesis Project, Charlotte York Irey
Theatre, Boulder Colorado, University of Colorado, Boulder
Colorado, February 6-8, 1998
Child of Saturn; Relinquished to Closure
American College Dance Festival, University of Arizona, Tucson. 1997.
Honorable Mention for Outstanding Performance and Most Promising
Choreographer in solo work entitled “Child of Solace; Relinquished to Closure.
Part of Her Resistance
Confluence of Identities
Traces of the Erased
Envy
Confluence of Identity, University of Colorado, Boulder.
Directed, choreographed and performed in concert of original choreographed and
Improvisational works. 1996.
It Might Have Been Otherwise
Confluence of Identity
Toots-E
Exhibit Your Symptom Music and Dance Improvisation
Mindful Seclusion
Ladies in Waiting
Nincompoop
Child of Solace
Confluence of Identity
Freely Propelled, Flynn Theatre On-Stage Series, Burlington Vermont.
"Vermont-bred New Dance: The Next Generation,” Burlington Vermont,
November 1995. Funded in Part by the Vermont Council on the arts and the
National Endowment for the Arts.
Freely Propelled, Flynn Theatre On-Stage Series, Burlington Vermont.
"Vermont-bred New Dance: The Next Generation,” Burlington Vermont,
November 1995. Funded in Part by the Vermont Council on the arts and the
National Endowment for the Arts.
In Percussive Tussle, Panting, Two Emerge As One
Wits
Incommunicado
Freely Propelled
“incommunicado”, Spring 1993, Presented at Middlebury College Alumni Concert, Fall 1992,
The Field PS 122, New York City, 1993, Director, Choreographer and Performer
No touching, Improvisation as part of concert repertoire of Que MASDA.
Group of five founding members of a summer dance company Que MASDA (Middlebury
Alumni Summer Dance Assortment) Summer 1993, Co-Director, Choreographer
and Performer
Ok, Here We Go, Spring, 1993.
Performed as guest artist in Improvisational piece as part of NYU student concert with NYU
graduate Nami Yamamoto.
Wess Staats’ C.V. Page 11 of 14
Another Place Middlebury College, Middlebury Vermont 1993
Created and performed for local Hospice in a Service of Remembrance.
Director, Choreographer and Performer
Suite Friends, 1993, Middlebury College Choreographers Symposium at Middlebury College.
Improvisational work at the Vermont Composers Festival presented and commissioned by the
Consortium of Vermont and Middlebury College Choreographers Symposium at Middlebury
College.
Dawning of Shrouded Voices, spring 1992, Senior 500 Thesis Dance Project.
5 original works. Recipient of Drew Genslar Women’s Studies Award for emphasis on Women’s
issues.
Atasco I
Elsewhere
Finding Voice, Performed original choreography by Middlebury faculty
and author, Andrea Olsen.
Holding the Separate Whole, choreographer and performer in
collaboration with Jennifer Kayle.
Stream Rhythm Blue, Improvisation with musician Micheal Chorney.1991
S/he is as Other
Serum
Serum II, 1991. American College Dance Festival, Bates.
Atasco, 1991. American College Dance Festival, Bates.
Pico Pico Pico, 1991. Middlebury College, Middlebury Vermont.
The Serum, 1991. Middlebury College, Middlebury Vermont.
Dust Bellies, 1990. Bennington College Choreography Project and
Middlebury College, Middlebury Vermont. Collaborative Trio created at Bennington
College Choreography Project.
VIDEO/FILM PRODUCTIONS
“Falling Awake”, August 22-26, 2007
New solo dance/film/theatre show premiered at the Dairy Center for the Arts as part of the 2007
International Fringe Festival, Boulder.
Into the Gloaming, Solo premiere, Luther College, Decorah Iowa, December 1-8, 2002
Eggs etc. An independent video production exploring image, beauty and body.
Elsewhere Spring 1992, Middlebury College, Middlebury Vermont.
Environmental piece performed live, and created into a video piece.
For Nelie & Maria, Burlington, Vermont. 1995.
Collaborative Independent Film/Dance Project with independent filmmaker Irene Rea.
PROFESSIONAL THEATRE EXPERIENCE
The Improvisational Theatre Troupe, New York NY, September 1993 to June 1994
Performed multi-medium performance art in six-member troupe throughout New York City.
Wess Staats’ C.V. Page 12 of 14
Middlebury College Theatre Company, Middlebury Vermont, November 1989
Performed in "House of Blue Leaves” and in an original student scripted production
entitled "Walking on Glass.”
Emerson College, Boston MA, September 1986 to April 1987
Active member in the Theatre Arts Department. Presented series of student theatrical works
including solo, collaborative and improvisational pieces.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE AND CROSS CULTURAL EXPERIENCE
International Guest Artist, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens,
Athens Greece, November 26, 27 & 28, 2007
Invited to teach as one of two international guests artist for the first Annual International Artists
Conference. Taught Workshops in Improvisation and Improvisational techniques for Choreography.
Le Gerard du Cygne. Paris France, September 9-12, 2007
Performed solo, Child of Saturn; Relinquished to Closure at Le Gerard du Cygne theatre.
Sponsored and Presented by Dance-Forms Productions.
Traveled throughout Europe September-November 1, 2007.
Performed, taught and traveled solo through Greece, France, Italy, Switzerland and Germany;
including an 8 day bike tour of Tuscany Italy.
Spanish Language Studies
Fluent in Castellano Spanish and adept in other regional dialects
Inner Traditions International, LTD. Rochester Vermont, July 1993
Translations Editor; Proofread and made final recommendations to Spanish translation of "Sacred
Mirrors, The Visionary Art of Alex Grey,” by Alex Grey, et al,.
Teaching Intern and Spanish Tutor, Bronx NY. January 1990
Dewitt Clinton High School; Served as Spanish Instructional Aid, taught grammar classes,
corrected student work, and advised college bound students.
Winter Term in Mexico, January through February 1989
Six-week Middlebury College intense immersion program in Mexico entitled "Cultural
Adjustment Between Indigenous Civilizations and Modern Mexico." Study involved classroom
and on-site projects of indigenous peoples including extensive travel.
Spanish Language School, Middlebury College, VT. June to August 1987, 1988,
1994
Completed undergraduate and graduate work in intensive Spanish immersion program.
Spanish Radio Talk Show Host, Middlebury College, VT. June to August
1988, Station WRMC
Programmed and hosted Classical, Jazz, Pop, Folk music, and international news in Spanish.
Wess Staats’ C.V. Page 13 of 14
Foreign Exchange Student, Madrid Spain, September 1984 through June 1985
Attended Nuestra Señora de la Merced High School, through the Educational Foundation for
Foreign Studies (EFFS.)
Private ESL Tutor Madrid Spain, September 1984 through August 1985
Provided conversational English, grammar and writing lessons to native Spanish speakers ages, 8-
16.
ADDITIONAL LIFE EXPERIENCE
Dance Department Representative, 1991 to 1992.
Literary and Visual Arts contributor, "Section 8," Middlebury College Arts and
Literature Magazine, 1989 to 1992.
Varsity Track and Soccer team member, Middlebury College, 1988 and 1989.
Spanish Soccer Team, Middlebury College Summer Language School, 1988, 1989 and 1994.
Addison County Counseling Service, Middlebury Vermont, 1989 to 1996
Social Work. Serviced the developmentally disabled as Respite Support Staff and
Residential Group Home Instructor, 1992 to 1993.
Research and Slide Assistant, Middlebury College Arts Department, Middlebury VT.
September 1991 through June 1992.Assisted New York City based artist and Guest
Artist/Art Professor, Margaret Cogswell.
Research Assistant, Sheldon Museum, Middlebury VT. September 1988 through May 1989.
Implemented on-line access systems to Museum’s archives, conducted research and
contributed to Museum's existing and expanding collections.
Graphic Artist, Emerson College, Boston. MA. September 1986 to April 1987
Part-time work-study student. Produced publicity materials for
Theatre Arts Department and designed posters & programs for
productions.
Wess Staats’ C.V. Page 14 of 14
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