Photo by Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth Photography
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Alumni Note: Check in with Forum Dance Theatre and let us know where you are and what you are doing -- whether you are dancing, teaching, or have pursued an entirely different career! All of you inspire us. Drop us a line and let us know how you are by sending us a message. We'd love to hear from you.
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Forum Dance Theatre - A Stepping Stone Toward A Bright Future
Take a look at our alumni listing to see where some of our Forum graduates have landed. Some are professional dancers while others have taken a completely different fork in the road. We are proud of all of our alumnae!
Many of our alumni have graduated from or currently attend universities throughout the country which offer acclaimed dance programs as well as other scholastic programs.
Many of our alumni have graduated from or currently attend universities throughout the country which offer acclaimed dance programs as well as other scholastic programs.
2001
Cara Citro graduated from the University of Iowa with a major in Business and a minor degree in dance in 2005. After college she moved back to the Libertyville area and is now working in the financial industry as Assistant Vice President of Fifth Third Bank. In September 2015 Cara married David Heiser and became part owner of his corporate cleaning janitorial family business Heiser Group. David and Cara welcomed their first child to the world this past July and look forward to further extending their family in the near future.
Anne Kasdorf is a 2005 graduate of Ohio University with a BFA in Dance. She spent seven seasons as a company member with Zephyr Dance and has performed and choreographed with The Space Movement Project since 2007 where she also now serves as Managing Director. Anne teaches extensively throughout the Chicago area for Zephyr and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. She is the Chicago City Editor of the Not for Tourists guides and a freelance grant writer.
Anne Kasdorf is a 2005 graduate of Ohio University with a BFA in Dance. She spent seven seasons as a company member with Zephyr Dance and has performed and choreographed with The Space Movement Project since 2007 where she also now serves as Managing Director. Anne teaches extensively throughout the Chicago area for Zephyr and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. She is the Chicago City Editor of the Not for Tourists guides and a freelance grant writer.
2002
Mary Krosnjar was a member of FJDT from 1999 - 2002. Following High School, Mary earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from DePaul University while acting as a captain on the DePaul Dance Team. Post Graduation, Mary moved to West Virginia where she obtained her Masters in Sport Management at WVU. During her time at WVU, Mary was an active member of the West Virginia Dance Department and was the WVU Dance Team coach from 2006 - 2007. Upon receiving her degree, Mary moved back to Chicago to start her career in Sports Marketing. Mary is currently working for TSMGI, a sports marketing agency in Chicago where she serves as the Account Supervisor in the Team Sports division. Her current role is to help manage the global partnership between Aon and Manchester United - she has been fortunate activate with Aon and Manchester United all over the world.
Lizzie Leopold is a PhD Candidate at Northwestern University, where she teaches in the theater and dance programs and researches intersections of dance and economics. When not at school, Lizzie runs a small Chicago-based modern dance company called The Leopold Group (www.leopoldgroup.org).
Morgan Tripp graduated with honors from Arizona State University with a BFA degree in Dance Education. While at Arizona State, Morgan performed in several dance venues and also taught about muscle, posture and health at East Valley high schools. Morgan pursued Pilate’s education certification in Chicago, Illinois and recently trained in the Body Arts and Science International (BASI) method of Pilates.
Lizzie Leopold is a PhD Candidate at Northwestern University, where she teaches in the theater and dance programs and researches intersections of dance and economics. When not at school, Lizzie runs a small Chicago-based modern dance company called The Leopold Group (www.leopoldgroup.org).
Morgan Tripp graduated with honors from Arizona State University with a BFA degree in Dance Education. While at Arizona State, Morgan performed in several dance venues and also taught about muscle, posture and health at East Valley high schools. Morgan pursued Pilate’s education certification in Chicago, Illinois and recently trained in the Body Arts and Science International (BASI) method of Pilates.
2003
Julie Haller attributes Forum Dance Theatre for providing her the foundation she needed to pursue a career in dance. Julie earned a dance degree from Point Park University and gained a network within the Chicago dance community as a performer/dancer. The well-rounded curriculum and diversity of professional dance instructors and choreographers is a philosophy Julie continues to model as an Artistic Director/Co-Owner of Pure Vibe Dance Center.
2004
Laura Steele graduated from Carmel High School and went on to major in psychology and marketing at DePaul University where she was also a four-year member of the dance team.
During the past couple years, Laura earned a master’s in organization communication, coached the DePaul dance team for four seasons, ran the Chicago marathon and got married to her husband, Aaron. Laura lives in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago and currently serves as the associate director of marketing communications at DePaul. She also teaches five days a week at a boutique group fitness studio.
During the past couple years, Laura earned a master’s in organization communication, coached the DePaul dance team for four seasons, ran the Chicago marathon and got married to her husband, Aaron. Laura lives in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago and currently serves as the associate director of marketing communications at DePaul. She also teaches five days a week at a boutique group fitness studio.
2005
Cait Jones is currently director of TranscenDance Studios & TDS Companies. Cait began as a dancer in Footprints Tap Ensemble and Forum Jazz Dance Theatre. After dancing with Chicago Tap Theatre, receiving multiple scholarships including Giordano Dance Center, and touring the Netherlands and the U.S. East coast, Cait became director of the TDS Company Program and is the founding director of TranscenDance Studios in Oak Park, Illinois.
2008
Leah Fiore graduated from Point Park University in May 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a minor in Business. She then moved to Buffalo, NY to apprentice with Jon Lehrer's modern dance company, LehrerDance for 2 years before deciding to move back to the Chicago area to dance as a Performing Apprentice with Inaside Chicago Dance for a year. During those years Leah discovered her passion for teaching and continues to teach at Lincolnshire Academy of Dance in Lincolnshire and Dance Connection in Grayslake. Leah also works full-time as part of the management team at Lululemon Athletica Northbrook Court, where her love of people, an active lifestyle, and cute, effective styles blend naturally!
Sarah Garren currently lives in Des Plaines with her husband James and their dog Lilo. Dance is still a very important part of her life; she has performed with companies in Colorado and New Jersey and is currently performing with Inaside Chicago Dance. Sarah is also on faculty at LoMastro Performing Arts Academy and McDonald Academy of Dance. In her free time, Sarah loves to bake, craft and visit family.
Zosha Giacomara has been privileged to work overseas with Holland America Cruise Line. During this time, she has had the chance to explore the Carribean, Alaska, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific islands. After the end of her current contract, Zosha will being relocating to Los Angeles in order to pursue commercial and/or company dance opportunities.
Sarah Garren currently lives in Des Plaines with her husband James and their dog Lilo. Dance is still a very important part of her life; she has performed with companies in Colorado and New Jersey and is currently performing with Inaside Chicago Dance. Sarah is also on faculty at LoMastro Performing Arts Academy and McDonald Academy of Dance. In her free time, Sarah loves to bake, craft and visit family.
Zosha Giacomara has been privileged to work overseas with Holland America Cruise Line. During this time, she has had the chance to explore the Carribean, Alaska, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific islands. After the end of her current contract, Zosha will being relocating to Los Angeles in order to pursue commercial and/or company dance opportunities.
2009
Abby Roesner majored in Speech and Language Pathology at Elmhurst College and later obtained a Master's of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She currently workis as a speech-language pathologist at a private pediatric clinic. Abby is “happily married and enjoying life!”
Paul Vickers is currently based in Tel Aviv, Israel dancing with Batsheva - The Young Ensemble. He has worked with Gallim Dance, BARE Dance Company, and ChrisMastersDance. He moved east after graduating from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and danced with LEVYdance in San Francisco. In 2012, he received the Outstanding Student Performer Award from the American College Dance Festival Association and Dance Magazine.
Paul Vickers is currently based in Tel Aviv, Israel dancing with Batsheva - The Young Ensemble. He has worked with Gallim Dance, BARE Dance Company, and ChrisMastersDance. He moved east after graduating from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and danced with LEVYdance in San Francisco. In 2012, he received the Outstanding Student Performer Award from the American College Dance Festival Association and Dance Magazine.
2010
Tracey Edwards recently graduated from University of Nebraska, Lincoln in May, with a degree in Communication Studies and a minor in Education and now works in Chicago as an intern in Human Resources. “So far I'm enjoying my experience in HR, and hope to find a full time position after the internship ends!”
Caitlyn Kelleher attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and studied marketing and international business. She now works as a product marketing coordinator for Milwaukee Tool and lives in downtown Milwaukee. Says Caitlyn, “It’s a brand new adventure and I love it, though I miss Chicago and visit frequently!” Though Caitlyn is not dancing these days, she has taken up barre classes as a workout and highly recommends it to stay in shape. When I'm not "talking shop," Caitlyn’s favorite pastimes include exploring her city, whether it's seeing a show, trying a new restaurant, shopping, or walking by the beach. She also loves traveling, Spotify, reading, coffee, and attempting pirouettes in my kitchen.
Caitlin Sheppard left Forum Dance Theatre in 2010, at which time she was one of eighteen dancers chosen to be a scholarship student with Gus Giordano Dance Chicago. She went on to study Dance and Management at Hofstra University as an academic and dance scholarship student. She performed in works by Sean Curran, Amy Marshall, Doug Varone, Karla Wolfangle, and many other choreographers for the New York area. Sheppard’s choreography was chosen in 2012 and 2013 to be shown at American College Dance Festival where it was chosen by adjudicators to be performed in the gala at the end of the festival. Her choreographic work “Tunnel” premiered in Florence Dance Festival in Summer 2012. After graduating in 2014, Sheppard moved to NYC and has worked as a freelance modern dancer and performed in a five-month national tour of “Chuggington LIVE” where she was “Koko” and in the ensemble. She is currently on work/study at Steps on Broadway and rehearsing with “of bones | holly bynum” for their upcoming residency in NYC.
2011
Mary Beth Berg graduated from the College of William & Mary in Virginia in May 2015 with a degree in Marketing and Management. While at school she was the captain of the varsity track team. For her next chapter, she will be headed to Austin, TX to run track professionally and pursue a career in marketing.
Nicole Johnson has recently graduated from the University of Arizona with a BFA in Dance. Since graduating she has become an apprentice with Level Dance directed by Eddy Ocampo. She has also been pursing her passion for photography, most recently photographing for Dance in the Parks.
Nicole Johnson has recently graduated from the University of Arizona with a BFA in Dance. Since graduating she has become an apprentice with Level Dance directed by Eddy Ocampo. She has also been pursing her passion for photography, most recently photographing for Dance in the Parks.
2012
Kate Coleman graduated with honors from AMDA Los Angeles. While at AMDA she directed and choreographed two full-length dance stage productions and a short film, in addition to choreographing for other school productions under the direction of Doriana Sanchez, Tracy Silver and Genevieve Carson. Kate got the opportunity to work with choreographers from the LA area and around the world. She recently was the principle dancer for Tiffany & Company’s grand reopening show on Rodeo Drive choreographed by Bonnie Story, opening up for Ariana Grande. She also performed with the Mowgli’s at the Adobe Max Conference in San Diego. Kate is signed with the Movement Talent Agency and is a company member of Los Angeles Contemporary Dance Company. She can also be seen dancing on the upcoming season of Adult Swim’s television show “Decker.” For upcoming performances and more information on Kate visit coleman.dance.
Joey Columbus has been dancing at The Ailey School as part of their BFA program from which he will graduate in 2016. While there, he has gotten the opportunity to work with numerous choreographers from all around the world as well as participate in prestigious summer intensives. Recently, he traveled to Montreal to participate in Springboard Danse Montreal where he met and worked with choreographers from Israel, Sweden, Germany, and Canada. Since leaving Forum his love and dedication for dance has continued to grow and he knows that most of what he does would not be possible without the support he received from his Forum family.
Chelsea Rodriguez graduated from high school/ FJDT in 2012, since which time she has been at the University of Iowa majoring in Health and Human Physiology (Pre OT) track, with a minor in Dance and a certificate in Disability Studies. Chelsea is now starting her last year of undergrad. While being in Iowa she joined a sorority Tri Delta, which has lead me to participate in Dance Marathon. Dance Marathon is an organization that helps raise money for children battling cancer. Says Chelsea, “throughout my years of dance nothing is more rewarding to me than watching the dance marathon children dance the night away with us. Chelsea plans to keep up with her philanthropy work with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics and Dance Marathon. Also in the next year she will be applying for graduate school in pursuit of a masters degree in Occupational therapy.
Lauren Seefeldt is studying Communications at Pepperdine University. She spent her sophomore year of college studying abroad in Germany and having the opportunity to travel around Europe. Lauren is going into her senior year now and trying to navigate what kind of career path she want to pursue, but has been thinking about teaching!
Ellen Sutter will graduate from St. Olaf College in May 2012 with a biology major and a concentration in neuroscience. She plans to attend graduate school and hopes to pursue a career integrating research and rehabilitation of developmental and/or degenerative disorders. She works in a neuroscience research laboratory, is co-chair of her college's annual Relay for Life, and carries with her a love for dance, taking classes and performing with her school's dance department.
Joey Columbus has been dancing at The Ailey School as part of their BFA program from which he will graduate in 2016. While there, he has gotten the opportunity to work with numerous choreographers from all around the world as well as participate in prestigious summer intensives. Recently, he traveled to Montreal to participate in Springboard Danse Montreal where he met and worked with choreographers from Israel, Sweden, Germany, and Canada. Since leaving Forum his love and dedication for dance has continued to grow and he knows that most of what he does would not be possible without the support he received from his Forum family.
Chelsea Rodriguez graduated from high school/ FJDT in 2012, since which time she has been at the University of Iowa majoring in Health and Human Physiology (Pre OT) track, with a minor in Dance and a certificate in Disability Studies. Chelsea is now starting her last year of undergrad. While being in Iowa she joined a sorority Tri Delta, which has lead me to participate in Dance Marathon. Dance Marathon is an organization that helps raise money for children battling cancer. Says Chelsea, “throughout my years of dance nothing is more rewarding to me than watching the dance marathon children dance the night away with us. Chelsea plans to keep up with her philanthropy work with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics and Dance Marathon. Also in the next year she will be applying for graduate school in pursuit of a masters degree in Occupational therapy.
Lauren Seefeldt is studying Communications at Pepperdine University. She spent her sophomore year of college studying abroad in Germany and having the opportunity to travel around Europe. Lauren is going into her senior year now and trying to navigate what kind of career path she want to pursue, but has been thinking about teaching!
Ellen Sutter will graduate from St. Olaf College in May 2012 with a biology major and a concentration in neuroscience. She plans to attend graduate school and hopes to pursue a career integrating research and rehabilitation of developmental and/or degenerative disorders. She works in a neuroscience research laboratory, is co-chair of her college's annual Relay for Life, and carries with her a love for dance, taking classes and performing with her school's dance department.
2013
Sarah Heimberger attends Vanderbilt University, is a double major in molecular and cellular biology and medicine, health, and society, and hopes to become a pediatric physician. Sarah volunteers in the emergency room at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital and does research in a lab developing an artificial kidney. She also serve on the executive board of Momentum Dance Company, Vanderbilt's student run contemporary dance group.
2014
Zachary Godner has become part of the class of 2018 at the Juilliard Dance School in New York City. He recently was a dancer in a piece choreographed by his classmate, Mason Manninng, which participated in the Copenhagen International Choreography Competition in Denmark. He deeply thanks Forum Dance Theatre for all the training, support and wonderful teachers and opportunities while at Forum!
2015
Keli Gunn will be attending Marymount Manhattan where she will study dance.
Kate Harrop is a freshman at Loyola Marymout University in Louisiana. She is a double major in dance and psychology and hopes someday to dance professionally and pass along her knowledge about dance to others. She will perform at LMU during the spring semester and hopes to eventually choreograph her own works.
Katie Kummerow is currently a BFA Dance major at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. She was accepted into the dance program and awarded the Marge Maddux Scholarship. She has performed in many composition pieces choreographed by upper classmen of the program and was chosen to be part of Luke Olson- Elm's piece in the Spring Concert. Forum is her second family and she is so thankful for each and everyone of the instructors, dancers, and supporters.
Esther Pae is a freshmen Neuroscience major on the Pre-health track at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. She hopes to follow her dreams in becoming a doctor or a dentist. She will continue her dancing with the renowned TCU Showgirls dance team who will perform during football, basketball and baseball games. Esther considers herself “extremely blessed to have been part the Forum family for 6 years” and says she will hold all she has learned with her forever.
Gina Stoll is attending Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. She is a double major in Exercise Science and Dance. She hopes to one day become a physical therapist for dance companies in the Chicago area.
Kate Harrop is a freshman at Loyola Marymout University in Louisiana. She is a double major in dance and psychology and hopes someday to dance professionally and pass along her knowledge about dance to others. She will perform at LMU during the spring semester and hopes to eventually choreograph her own works.
Katie Kummerow is currently a BFA Dance major at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. She was accepted into the dance program and awarded the Marge Maddux Scholarship. She has performed in many composition pieces choreographed by upper classmen of the program and was chosen to be part of Luke Olson- Elm's piece in the Spring Concert. Forum is her second family and she is so thankful for each and everyone of the instructors, dancers, and supporters.
Esther Pae is a freshmen Neuroscience major on the Pre-health track at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. She hopes to follow her dreams in becoming a doctor or a dentist. She will continue her dancing with the renowned TCU Showgirls dance team who will perform during football, basketball and baseball games. Esther considers herself “extremely blessed to have been part the Forum family for 6 years” and says she will hold all she has learned with her forever.
Gina Stoll is attending Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. She is a double major in Exercise Science and Dance. She hopes to one day become a physical therapist for dance companies in the Chicago area.
