Guest Artists

In 2021 Melissa Teodoro will be a guest artist in the St. Olaf College Dance Department, setting works on members of Companydance and Veselica and bringing Afro-Colombian dance to students through a variety of residency activities.

Melissa Teodoro is an Associate Professor of Dance at Slippery Rock University (in Pennsylvania) and Artistic Director of Palenque: Colombian Dance Ensemble. She graduated with an M.F.A. in Choreography and Performance from the University of Hawaii, and an M.A. in Dance Ethnology from the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA). Her ongoing scholarly, ethnographic and choreographic research focuses on Colombian dance with a special emphasis on African heritage.

Professor Teodoro returns to campus this fall to set Pilanderas, another Afro-Colombian piece, on members of Veselica International Dance Ensemble. She will also teach several master classes as phase two of her 2021 residency.

Academic Year 2018-19

Shapiro & Smith Dance is fascinated with ideas and experiences that define us as individuals, families and societies. “Supple as snakes and brave beyond belief,” we perform tales of absurdity and beauty with outrageous athleticism, caustic wit and psychological insight. “Hilarious and provocative, these story-tellers take you for a plunge into the human condition.” Through outreach and performance, we mine stories of who we are individually to showcase how exceptional we can be collectively. We have brought this unique blend of comedy and tragedy to stages and communities throughout the U.S.

Past Guest Artists

2017-18

Michael Pili Pang
Stephan Koplowitz

2016-17

Marciano Silva dos Santos
Stuart Pimsler Dance and Theater
Amy Slater

2015-2016

HIJACK

2014-2015

Karla Grotting
Theatre Engine
Stephan Koplowitz

2013-2014

Alexandra Beller/Dances

2012-2013

Stuart Pimsler Dance and Theater
Ragamala

2011-2012

Urban Bush Women

2010-2011

Shapiro and Smith

2009-2010

Mathew Janczewski
Uri Sands

2008-2009

Eddie Oroyan
Peggy Paver
Robin Stiehm

2007-2008

Brad Garner
Keith Johnson
Brent Schneider

2006-2007

Christian Adeti
Lorry May (Anna Sokolow)
Ellen Keane

2005-2006

Lingo Dance Theater
Mathew Janczewski

2004-2005

KT Niehoff
Walter Kennedy

2003-2004

Jan Erkert
Joe Chvala

2002-2003

Joe Chvala
Barbara Thatcher

2001-2002

David Dorfman
Gail Corbin
Cathy Young
Chris Aiken
Wynn Fricke

2000-2001

Jan Erkert & Dancers

1999-2000

David Dorfman
Seán Curran

1998-1999

Art Bridgman/Myrna Packer

1996-1998

Repertory Dance Theatre
Keith Johnson