about

 

Based in NYC from 1988 to 2004 Karen Sherman now lives in Minneapolis and works out of both cities.   Her work is known for its commentary, both humorous and dark, on the human emotional landscape, while her unusual movement choices and committed performance style have won her recognition from artists, audiences and critics across the aesthetic spectrum.   She is inspired by science, social issues, and the impact of one's surroundings on the individual.  Her representations of sexual identity - and the experience of inhabiting the female body specifically - push beyond the conventional to give voice to the queer body, and are hallmarks of her performances.

Her work has been presented by P.S. 122, The Walker Art Center, The Southern Theater, Danspace Project, Movement Research at the Judson Church, Dixon Place, the Improvisation Festival/NY, Highways Performance Space, The Puffin Room, Red Eye Theater, Links Hall, Studio 303, and many other spaces, events and benefits around NYC, the U.S. and Canada.   She was a MacDowell Colony Fellow in 2003, a Movement Research Artist-in-Residence in 1999-2000, and a 2006 McKnight Fellow in choreography.   Her work has received financial support from the Jerome, Puffin, and McKnight Foundations, as well as commissioning support from NYFA, NYSCA, the Walker Art Center and the Southern Theater.

In 2007, she received a New York Dance and Performance Award (aka, a Bessie) for her work in Morgan Thorson's Faker.   The Twin Cities alternative weekly, City Pages voted her Best Dancer of the Year for 2007, and in 2006, she was recognized with a Sage Award for her performance work throughout the 2005-2006 season.    As a performer, she has worked and collaborated with many fine artists, including Circus Amok, Sally Silvers, Nami Yamamoto, Sarah East Johnson/LAVA, Clarinda Mac Low, Cydney Wilkes, Morgan Thorson, Hijack, Tanya Gagné, and the feminist punk pop band, Le Tigre (as choreographer for their 2004-2005 world tour).  

She holds a BFA in Acting from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts (with a double major in Women's Studies) and is also a singer, fifth-generation lasso spinner and former student of the flying trapeze. Her background in these areas as well as her work in nearly every facet of arts production as a producer, curator, production manager, and technician informs each aspect of her performance-making.   As Administrator and Production Manager of New York's legendary Judson Church, she co-created, produced, and curated stART, a multi-disciplinary series integrating politics and arts.   Her writing, including essays and poetry, have been featured on many live stages and print forums including The Movement Research Performance Journal and the live-cast Culture Bodega.  

For more information on specific shows or to view photos, please see the projects page ......

 

 

© 2008 karen sherman