Ellen Sickenberger
Studio/LAB Artists-In-Residence Spring 2023
I create art to promote togetherness and acceptance, and I do so by displaying flaws, imperfections, and the darkest corners of the human mind/soul. I explore patterns of the overall human race in addition to honing in on varying circumstances from one individual to another. 'Why do we suffer?' is a question that sits at the core of Buddhist practice and heavily informs my work. I approach choreography by challenging guidelines and norms with attempts of innovative and original ideas to reach people; posing a new thought, feel, or state of mind to an existing social/structural issue.
Ellen is a professional dance artist with roots in NYC and currently based in Phoenix. Since gaining her BFA in Dance Performance from East Carolina University, she has performed for many NYC and internationally-based artists including Freddie Moore/Jiwon Lee, Janice Rosario, Bryn Cohn, Yoshito Sakuraba (Abarukas), Danté Brown, Ashley McQueen (Smashworks), Susie McHugh, Hollye Bynum (of bones) and Mathew James (URBAN / TRIBE). In 2018, Ellen performed “Vigilante” by Luke Murphy as part of the b12 festival in Berlin. Additionally, Ellen has been a touring cast member of Nadine Bommer's "INVISI'ball" since 2015. She is a certified instructor of of Nadine's renowned movement method;
Photo by Cheyn Roux
Kinetica. Ellen is a professional dance artist with roots in NYC and currently based in Phoenix. Since gaining her BFA in Dance Performance from East Carolina University, she has performed for many NYC and internationally-based artists including Freddie Moore/Jiwon Lee, Janice Rosario, Bryn Cohn, Yoshito Sakuraba (Abarukas), Danté Brown, Ashley McQueen (Smashworks), Susie McHugh, Hollye Bynum (of bones) and Mathew James (URBAN / TRIBE). In 2018, Ellen performed “Vigilante” by Luke Murphy as part of the b12 festival in Berlin. Additionally, Ellen has been a touring cast member of Nadine Bommer's "INVISI'ball" since 2015. She is a certified instructor of Nadine's renowned movement method; Kinetica , and was brought to Israel to teach this method to other professional dance artists from around the world. Ellen resided in Israel for two years, performing and choreographing with the primary Nadine Bommer Dance Company there. Ellen has been a commissioned resident artist at two universities and has taught Guest Artist/Master Classes in places such as Northern VA, Richmond VA, Washington DC, Greenville NC, Springfield MA, Austin TX and New York City, including classes at Gibney, Mark Morris and Peridance. During the pandemic, she taught to people of all ages and levels all over the world virtually. She has been commissioned for multiple split bill series and has presented work in festivals including Austin Dance Festival and Boston Contemporary Dance Festival, and in venues such as Salvatore Capezio Center, MMAC, Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater, Dixon Place, Suzanne Dellal studios and more. Upon her return to the U.S. in Jan, 2022, she has relocated to Phoenix, AZ to work in community arts programming while continuing her freelance career. Ellen has been acknowledged for her choreography and she continues to create work as the Artistic Director of DEPTH Dance. d was brought to Israel to teach this method to other professional dance artists from around the world. Ellen resided in Israel for two years, performing and choreographing with the primary Nadine Bommer Dance Company there. Ellen has been a commissioned resident artist at two universities and has taught Guest Artist/Master Classes in places such as Northern VA, Richmond VA, Washington DC, Greenville NC, Springfield MA, Austin TX and New York City, including classes at Gibney, Mark Morris and Peridance. During the pandemic, she taught to people of all ages and levels all over the world virtually. She has been commissioned for multiple split bill series and has presented work in festivals including Austin Dance Festival and Boston Contemporary Dance Festival, and in venues such as Salvatore Capezio Center, MMAC, Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater, Dixon Place, Suzanne Dellal studios and more. Upon her return to the U.S. in Jan, 2022, she has relocated to Phoenix, AZ to work in community arts programming while continuing her freelance career. Ellen has been acknowledged for her choreography and she continues to create work as the Artistic Director of DEPTH Dance.
Quotes on Ellen's past work:
"Ellen’s use of rich imagery adds depth and nuance"
"True to its name, DEPTH dance works to uncover the expanse of movements potential in a way that could only come from working together with sensitivity and consideration."
-Cecly Placenti, TiLLT Magazine
"The partnering is stunning and economical: efficient weight shifts become flying catches, lofty hoists, and death-defying drags that transition seamlessly into independent phrases. The piece is overflowing with gnarly, well-designed movement. The dancers barely pause for breath as they careen from one sequence into the next."
-Dot Armstrong, The Dance Enthusiast
