Gina Marie

Gina Shorten, dancer, choreographer, acrobatic stilter, actor, and rock climber from the South Western United States, began her training as a gymnast and transitioned to dance Jazz and Ballet as a teenager and later the fusion of Graham, Felenkrais and the Tai Chi Chuan from her teacher of 6 years, Jayne Lee. Gina’s acrobatic background led her to crave adventurous dancing as well as an intrigue to maintain a healthy body which withstands rigorous training. She supplemented her technique with West African dance, as well as, Pilates, Authentic Movement and Body Awareness. These curiosities led her to study movement technique and theory from Holly Johnston (2008-2010), who’s fierce athleticism, artistry and knowledge of anatomy and physiology applied to a dynamic body encouraged her into the beautiful yet lethal circular acrobatic dance of Capoeira, and to study from master teachers in the San Francisco Bay Area where she moved in 2010. Some of these teachers include Scott Wells, Augusta Moore, Kathleen Hermesdorf , Sara Shelton Mann and Lizz Roman. At this time she also studied from Mestre Acordeon and Mestra Suelly founders of the United Capoeira Association.

In 2012 Gina learned and performed the art of Aerial Rope and Harness from Catch Me Bird Dance Theater, and performed at the de Young Fine Art Museum, which included 2 site specific works, a premiere privilege. Since 2012, Gina joined in research and performance with Floating(Rib) Dance Project continuing into 2013 and currently awaits the next season. 2013 was a big year for Gina, who was asked to tour with Carpetbag Brigade Physical Theatre to perform their piece “Callings” and collaborative project “Dios de la Adrenalina” with Nemcatacoa Teatro performing over 7 months in 23 cities, over 40 performances with participation in 5 “Open Society” projects, choreographing, directing and stilting with community members, with guest directors Ursula Maria Berzborn of Grotest Maru (Germany) and Nadia Hagan of Flam Chen (U.S.). These performances’ framework was of Nemcatacoa’s piece “Landscape Reinvention Society”. In Bogota, Gina will continue working with Nemcatacoa, performing and choreographing and has an upcoming residency with Con Cuerpos in April. She continues to develop her curriculum fusing dance and acrobatics, this is titled “Dynamic Inversions and Arm Balances”. This field of movement study uses the principles of Release technique and Capoeira.

(See below for resumé in English)

Gina Shorten, bailarina, coreógrafa, acróbata en zancos, actriz y escaladora en roca del Sur Oeste de estados Unidos, comenzó su entrenamiento en gimnasia y tuvo una transición después de varios años de competición para entrenar varias técnicas de danza, incluyendo la fusión de Graham, Felenkrais y Tai Chi Chuan junto a su maestra Jayne Lee por 6 años. El pasado acrobático de Gina la llevo a un interés de aventura bailando pero también investigando curiosamente acerca de un cuerpo sano capaz de resistir un entrenamiento riguroso. Ella complemento su técnica con danzas del Oeste Africano así como Pilates, Movimiento Autentico y Conciencia corporal. También a estudiar técnica de movimiento y teoría de Holly Johnson (2008-2010), de quien su fiereza atlética, artística y conocimiento de la anatomía y psicología aplicada a una dinámica corporal, que la indujo a la bella y aun letal, danza circular y acrobática “Capoeira”, y a estudiar de maestros en el área de la bahía de San Francisco a donde se radico en 2010. Algunos de sus maestros son Scoot Wells, Augusta Moore, Kathleen Hermesdorf, Sara Shelton Mann y Lizz Roman.

Durante ese mismo periodo ella estudio con Mestre Acordeon y Mestra Suelly fundadores de la United Capoeira Association. En 2012 Gina aprendió y actuó el arte de Lazo Aéreo y Harness con la compañía Catch Me Bird Dance Theater, y actuó en el Young Fine Arts Museum, el cual incluía dos Site specific estrenos, un gran privilegio. Desde 2013, Gina entro en el equipo investigativo y artístico con Floating (rib) Dance Project continuando en 2013 y actualmente esperando nueva temporada. 2013 fue un gran año para Gina, quien fue invitada al tour de Carpetbag Brigade Physical Theater para actuar en su obra “Callings” y la coproducción “Dios de la Adrenalina” con Nemcatacoa Teatro actuando en más de 17 ciudades.

Ella además participo en el proyecto “Sociedad abierta”. Coreografiando, dirigiendo, y actuando en zancos con miembros de la comunidad dentro del esquema de la obra de Nemcatacoa “Sociedad Re-Inventores del Paisaje”.

Gina actualmente trabaja en Bogotá con Nemcatacoa Teatro, y además con un proyecto residencia con Con-Cuerpos en Abril. Ella sigue su buscando y desarrollando su curriculum fusionando danza y acrobacia, “Inversiones Dinámicas y Balance de brazos”. Este campo de estudio y movimiento usa los principios de la técnica Release, Contact Improvisation y Capoeira.

ESTUDIOS Y EXPERIENCIA

EDUCACIÓN

2004-08 Coconino Community College, Flagstaff, AZ, Associates in Dance.

Curriculum: Ballet, Modern, Jazz, African. Choreography, Movement Analysis, Partnering, Improvisation, Feldenkrais, Tai Chi Chaun, Teaching Methods.

Faculty: Jayne Lee, Robert Corbin, Laura Doll.

Guest Faculty: Tim O’Donnell and Tony Coppola.

2002-08 Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ. Bachelor in Arts and Liberal Studies, Emphasis in Parks and Recreation Management.

2000-03 Northern Arizona University Preparatory School of Dance Royal Academy of Dance

Curriculum: Ballet, Character, Free Movement, grades 6, 7, and 8. Pointe, Jazz, Tap.

Faculty: Elizabeth Troxler and Robert Corbin.

1999-2002 Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy.

Curriculum: Dance, Theatre, Photography, Choir, and Mixed Media.

OTROS ESTUDIOS DE DANZA

2010-13 Scott Wells, Axis Syllabus with Kira Kirsch, Kathleen Hermesdorf, Sara Shelton Mann, Augusta Moore, Bianca Cabrera, Kelly Kemp, Rachel Lincoln, San Francisco, CA.

2009 Youssouff Koumbassa, Abdoulaye Camara.

2006-08 American College Dance Festival, Melanie Kay Rosa, Erin Landry, Chad Hall, Mike Espernza.

2008-11 SummerLAB: Holly Johnston, Los Angeles, CA.

2006-07 University of Arizona Jazz Festival: Richard Havey, Sam Watson.

2005 Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater NY, NY.

1999-2001 Nina Watt, Karen Kuster Thurston, Lula Washington, Twayla Tharp, Paul Taylor, Ballet Hispanico, Ballet Arizona.

1997-99 Tremaine: Joe Tremaine, Wade Robson, Dan Karaty, Las Vegas, NV.

OTROS ENTRENAMIENTOS

CAPOEIRA: 2011-13 Mestre Acordeon, Mestra Suelly, 2008-10 Contre Mestre Bacalhau, United Capoeira Association, Berkeley, CA.

STILTS: Global Stilts Congress: Ursula Maria Berzborn, Daniel Bear Davis, Nemcatcoa Teatro y Jay Ruby.

Stiltsana with Jay Ruby.

AERIAL ROPE AND HARNESS:

Catch Me Bird, Bandaloop.

PERFORMANCE

2013 “Open Society”, Nemcatacoa Teatro, Guest direction Ursula Maria Berzborn of Grotest Maru (Germany) and Nadia Hagen Flam Chen (U.S). Acrobatic stilter, dancer, choreographer, physical theatre.

“Dios de la Adrenalina” Bi-Cultural Road Show, acrobatic stilt walker, physical theatre.

“Callings”, Carpetbag Brigade Physical Theatre, acrobatic stilt walker, physical theatre.

2012-13 “Dear Monsters”, Floating(Rib) Dance Project, dancer, butoh, physical theatre.

2011-12 “Hello My Name Is…”, “MayDay, MayDay!”, Bianca Cabrera director, Blind Tiger Society, dancer.

2012 “Off the Walls” Catch me Bird, aerial rope and harness, dancer.

2011 “Maclovia’s Birds” Liz Boubion, California Institute of Integral Studies, dancer.

2009 “Flying at Night” Human Nature Dance Theatre, dancer, physical theatre.

2008-10 “The Things They Say”, “Hold Me Tenderly” Isolated Incident Performance Group, dance, spoken word.

2006-2010 “Say What?”, Arizona Contemporary Dance Festival, “Visions and Voices” with Shonto Begay, “Flagstaff Performance Arts Fringe Festival: Dance Conerto IX” “Nutcracker Suite in Modern are Feet”, dancer, choreographer.

2009 “Yankadi Makru,” “Souminuku,” “Soli,” “Liberté,” “KuKu,” “Yoilay-Dun Dun.”

Kuma Tunyale traditional Guinea West African dance Company, dancer.

2004-2008 “Higher Elevations”, “Encore En Corps”, ENCORE Dance Company, Coconino Community College, dancer.

COREOGRAFÍA

2009 “Rebels Revelations”, director, producer, dancer, choreographer.

2008 “Drug Free America”, Higher Elevations, choreographer.

2008- 2009 “Hip Hop and Contemporary works”, Spring Showcase 2008, NAU Community Music and Dance Academy, choreographer.

2004 “Glory Box”, The Movement and Dance Alliance, choreographer.

EXPERIENCIA PEDAGÓGICA

2013-14, 2008-09 Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy. Jazz, Ballet, Modern, Tap, Physical Theatre, ages 13-18.

2010 TwinSpace. Dynamic Inversions and Arm Balances, adults.

2008-10 Coconino Community College. Modern, Jazz, Tap and Ballet.

2008-09 Northern Arizona University. Beginning Rock Climbing, adults.

2007-09 Northern Arizona University Community Music and Dance Academy, Jazz, Modern and Hip Hop; ages 6 – adult.

2008-09 Tippy Toes. Creative movement, ages 2-8.

2006-08 Canyon Dance Academy. Creative Movement, Contemporary, Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Tap and Hip Hop, and direction of student choreography, ages 3-adult.

2006-07 Flagstaff Athletic Club specialized camps. Hip Hop, Modern, tumbling, ages 9-12.

2003-05 Northern Arizona Wall Aquatic Center. Swimming, water aerobics, CPR, Junior Life Guarding, Life Guarding.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION