KATHLEEN HERMESDORF • Artistic Director

Kathleen Hermesdorf is a dance artist, teacher, improviser and choreographer based in San Francisco.  She has been a member of Bebe Miller Company (2006 BESSIE Award) since 2002, worked with Sara Shelton Mann and Contraband since 1993 and been in collaboration with Stephanie Maher in Berlin since 2000.  She was a member of the Margaret Jenkins Dance Company and co-director of Hermesdorf & Wells Dance Company with Scott Wells (1994 GOLDIE Award). 

Hermesdorf is the Artistic Director of La ALTERNATIVA (formerly known as MOTIONLAB) with musician Albert Mathias, creating and instigating deeply integrated dance and music and offering training, improvisation, performance and production for studio, stage, club and audio since 1998.  Their classes and performance seasons have a home base at ODC School and Theater in San Francisco and they tour the world to universities, festivals and stages.  They are currently in collaboration on 2 local and 3 international collaborations.  Hermesdorf holds a BFA and MFA in Dance alongside extensive experience in the field and performs, creates and teaches around the world.

A W A R D S

2007 Outstanding Alumni Award/Western Michigan University Department of Dance

2006 BESSIE / New York Dance & Performance Award / Multi-Disciplinary Collaboration

Landing / Place • Bebe Miller Company

1999 Isadora Duncan Award / Ensemble Performance

Fault • Margaret Jenkins Dance Company

1994 SF Bay Guardian GOLDIE Award • Hermesdorf & Wells Dance Company

1991 Full Scholarship • American Dance Festival

1989 Full Scholarship & Teaching Assistantship • University of Illinois

1987 Outstanding Dancer Scholarship / Western Michigan Univ. / Kalamazoo MI

1986 New Dancer Scholarships / Western Michigan University / Kalamazoo MI

R E V I E W   E X C E R P T S

Hermesdorf, in Fractal, accompanied by Albert Mathias playing electronic keyboard and looping her comments into a microphone into a canonic cantata, makes improvisation-as-performance intensely convincing.     

The Dance Insider                                               

Hermesdorf and Mathias are coming up with some of the Bay Area’s most intriguing answers to the old conundrum about the interaction of dance and music.  As Above/So Below is an evening of wit and pulsating energy…performed by artists who know how to push and let go (and most important, the difference between).            

SF Bay Guardian

…feral impulse and raw beauty...                                                                                        

San Francisco Weekly

There is poetry in MOTIONLAB and a wealth of ideas, always delivered with an off-beat twist.  Pure shape, partnered with an even purer dynamism arrests the imagination…great dance to great music…            

San Francisco Examiner                                 

Talent is in the house.  Hermesdorf phrases brilliantly, and integrates individual moments into long, buttery streams of movement.                                                                                                                

San Francisco Chronicle

Kathleen Hermesdorf is the most intense, gnarly, sexy sprite to tear across a stage...her company has Bay Area post-modern dancers licking their chops and the crowds are lining up to check out BLUE 2000, her nostalgic, ferociously romantic work, seemingly danced by human-shaped, acrobatic velociraptors on ecstasy...it’s tasty.

San Francisco Metropolitan

Kathleen Hermesdorf is possibly the most vibrant dancer currently working in the Bay Area - she sets fire to the stage whenever she’s on it.  Liquid, lightning fast and moving from deep inside herself, she is a wonder to behold.                          

San Francisco Bay Guardian

P R O F E S S I O N A L    E X P E R I E N C E

Present - 2002

BEBE MILLER COMPANY     Performer / Collaborator / Teacher

2007-09 Necessary Beauty     US tours

2002-07 Landing / Place         US tours 2006 BESSIE Award / NY

Present - 1998

La ALTERNATIVA (formerly MOTIONLAB)     Artistic Director / Choreographer / Performer / Producer

2009     Blue Ramp w/Kim Epifano • Trolley Dances/San Francisco CA

            The other edge of there is here w/Elaine Buckholtz • ODC Theater/San Francisco CA

            Etranger w/Laurent Lavolé & Yoann Trellu • Schwelle 7/Berlin, Germany

                    Ponderosa TanzLand Festival/Stolzenhagen, Germany

            The Star Spangled Banner • Schwelle 7/Berlin, Germany

            The Passion w/Suzanne Lappas & Andrew Ward • Tin Castle/San Francisco CA

            MATCH #2 w/Delfos Danza Contemporanéa & BoanDanzAction/Philadelphia PA -

2008     Constant.Observed.State. w/ Stephanie Maher & Yoann Trellu

                    Ponderosa Festival/Stolzenhagen, Germany

            MATCH #1    Philadelphia PA - with BoanDanz

All seasons in Artistic Residency at ODC Theater/San Francisco CA (except *)

2007     Fate + Longing = • Fractal/Longing Cycles/The Moirae/Maximus

2005     free the birds • Wanderlust/Stendhal Syndrome/Weightless

                                   Strange Birds/I am still…/Schwebezustand

2003     As Above/So Below • Supergirl/The Swooning Room/Back in Black/Combust

2001     Bodies of Evidence • Matryoshka/Window/Trine/Weight/Please Release Me

1999     BLUE 2000 • Evening length work for 10 performers

1998     OPEN FIELD: Improvisation Swap/Meet

             Unique collaborations by superstars of dance, theater, word and music

             2 weeks • 4 programs • 20 artists • 10 workshops • Panel • Jam

             *Island • 848 Community Space/San Francisco CA • Artist Residency

             Wishbone/Uttermost Islands/Forget-Me-Knots

Present - 1993

CONTRABAND/Sara Shelton Mann    Performer/Collaborator/Teacher

2006-08     Inspirare & Télios/Telios    US & German tours

1998-03     Monk at the Met    US tours

1994-96     Mira Cycle III    US & Mexico tours

1993-99

MARGARET JENKINS DANCE COMPANY     Performer/Collaborator/Teacher

2003         30th Anniversary Gala Season • Guest Artist/Shorebirds Atlantic

1997-99    Fault    US & Eastern Europe Tours      1999 IZZIE Award/SF

1993-95   The Gates (far/away/near)     US & Eastern Europe Tours

1991-94

HERMESDORF & WELLS DANCE COMPANY with Scott Wells

Co-Artistic Director/Producer/Choreographer/Performer

1994 San Francisco Bay Guardian GOLDIE Award

Local seasons • Theatre Artaud • ODC Theater • Footwork • The Next Stage

Tours • California, Links Hall/Chicago IL, Bates Dance Festival/ ME

1993-2007    COLLABORATION & PERFORMANCE

2007     Random Generator by/with Sheldon B. Smith/Counterpulse/SF CA

             Yia Yia • Guest artist in Yannis Adoniou’s KUNST-STOFF

                    Athens International Dance Festival/Athens, Greece

                    ODC Theater/San Francisco CA

                    Dance Mission Theater/San Francisco CA

            Schwebezustand with Stephanie Maher/Laurent Lavole/Yoann Trellu

                    MOTIONLAB’s free the birds/ODC Theater/San Francisco CA

                    GRAVITY’s Intercontinental Collaborations/Dance Mission/SF

                    Ponderosa Festival/Stolzenhagen, Germany

2003    Dogs without Tails w/ Stephanie Maher

                    Ponderosa Festival/Stolzenhagen, Germany

                    Potsdam International TanzTages/Potsdam, Germany

            Dry Land by Smith & Wymore/Disappearing Acts

                    Ruth Page Dance Center & Links Hall/Chicago IL

             From the Horse’s Mouth by James Cunningham & Tina Croll

                    ODC Theater/San Francisco CA

2000     20 Cent Diaries w/ Julia Mayer/Links Hall/Chicago IL

1999     Disappearing Solo #1 by Remy Charlip/Dance Mission/SF CA

            Brittle by/with Marintha Tewksbury & Norman Rutherford

                    Dance Mission Theater/San Francisco CA

            Alter Ego w/ Dominique Zeltzman/Footwork/San Francisco CA

1998     Polar Shift w/ Kim Epifano/Dance Mission Theater/SF CA

            Storytelling for Hand & Sky w/Kim Epifano & Jon Weaver

                    Plan B/Santa Fe NM

1997     Is That All There Is? w/ Stephanie Maher (as COLLUSION)

                    Brady Street Dance Center/San Francisco CA

1995     Snaxx America w/ Dominique Zeltzman & Selene Colburn

                    ODC Theater/San Francisco CA

            Creative Contributor • Keith Hennessy, Stanya Kahn, Jules Beckman

1994     Four-Eyes & Dyna Girl w/ Jon Weaver/Footwork/SF CA

1993     Sex and Gravity by/with Jess Curtis/848 Community Space/SF CA

            Forget-Me-Knots w/ Dominique Zeltzman/Jon Sims Center/SF CA

1993-2007    BENEFITS

Women’s Action Coalition / Project Open Hand / Larkin Street Youth Center / Theatre Artaud / ODC Theater

848 Community Space / Studio 210 / Remy Charlip / Food for Thought (NY) / Simone Forti & Danspace (NY)

Contact Quarterly (MA) / Myriad dance companies

E D U C A T I O N   &   T R A I N I N G

1996 San Francisco Shiatsu Institute Certification

1991 MFA in Dance • University of Illinois/Urbana IL

        Bates Dance Festival/Lewiston, ME

        American Dance Festival/Durham, NC

1989 BFA in Dance • Western Michigan University  / Kalamazoo MI

Contemporary Techniques / Creative Process / Repertory -

Bebe Miller & Company • Sara Shelton Mann/Contraband • Margaret Jenkins Dance Company • Joe Goode Performance Group • Bill T. Jones & Company • DV8 Physical Theatre • Rasmus Olmé • Andrew Harwood • Randy Warshaw • Sally Silvers • Ishmael Houston Jones • Jeff Slayton • Doug Varone • Renee Wadleigh Susan Rose • Loretta Livingston • Karen Williamson • Douglas Nielsen • Stephen Koester • Stephen Petronio • Clara Gamble • Nina Nelson • Wendy Cornish • Lindsey Nelson • Cathy Ward

Klein Technique - Susan Klein • Barbara Mahler • Wally Cardona

Contact Improvisation - Sara Shelton Mann / Contraband • Scott Wells • Andrew Harwood • Kirstie Simson

Pilates - Shannon McMurchy • Abby Crain

Yoga - Shannon McMurchy • Sri Louise • Omar Carrum

Healing & Martial Forms - Sara Shelton Mann – Chi Gung & Prana forms

San Francisco Shiatsu Institute - Tai Chi & Anatomy

T E A C H I N G

present -1996 Faculty (with Albert Mathias)

         ODC School/San Francisco CA • Kimi Okada/Director 

2009

ODC School • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques

Bates Dance Festival/Lewiston ME • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques

ImPulsTanz Festival/Vienna, Austria

HJS/Amsterdam, Netherlands • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques

TanzFabrik/Berlin, Germany

Ponderosa Festival/Stolzenhagen, Germany

Potsdam International TanzTages/Potsdam, Germany with Stephanie Maher

Motion Pacific & 418 Project/Santa Cruz CA • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques

Delphos Dance School/Mazatlan, Mexico • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques

Alternative Conservatory/San Francisco CA with Sara Shelton Mann

2008

ODC School • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques

Lines Training Program/San Francisco CA • Motion Techniques & Improvisation

Lines BFA Program (Dominican University)• Improvisation

University of Illinois/Champaign-Urbana IL • MOTION LAB – Master Class

The Challenge of Freedom & Finesse/San Francisco CA with Sara Shelton Mann

ImPulsTanz Festival/Vienna, Austria • Groundwork & Integration & Partnering

Ponderosa Festival/Stolzenhagen, Germany • MOTIONLAB

Intersect/Integrate with Stephanie Maher

TanzFabrik/Berlin,Germany • MOTIONLAB - Contact Improvisation/CI 36

K3/Hamburg, Germany • MOTIONLAB - Partnering

University of Wisconsin/Madison • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques & Repertory

Connecticut College/New London CT • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques & Improv

Ursinus College/Collegeville PA • MOTIONLAB – Master Class & Jam

Philadelphia Dance Exchange & Temple University/Philadelphia PA

MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques & Improvisation

Tanzfabrik/Berlin,Germany • Motion Techniques

2007

ODC School • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques

Bates Dance Festival/Lewiston ME • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques

Ponderosa Festival/Stolzenhagen, Germany • Motion Techniques

Dance Theater Workshop/New York • MOTIONLAB - Contact Improvisation

Earthdance/Plainfield MA • Intersect/Integrate with Stephanie Maher

Wellspring Dance Collective & Western Michigan University/Kalamazoo MI

MOTIONLAB • Motion Techniques (Adult & Youth)

University of California/Berkeley (full semester) - Motion Techniques

2006

ODC School/San Francisco CA • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques

Ohio State University/Columbus OH • Motion Techniques & CI & Repertory

Repertory Dance Theater/Salt Lake City UT • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques

Weber State/Weber UT • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques

ImPulsTanz Festival/Vienna, Austria

Partnering with Stephanie Maher & Groundwork & Integration

Ponderosa Festival/Stolzenhagen, Germany • Luscious & Ballistic with S. Maher

Columbia College Summer Intensive/Chicago IL

MOTIONLAB – Motion Techniques & Creative Process

2005

ODC School/San Francisco CA • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques

Bates Dance Festival/Lewiston ME • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques

ImPulsTanz Festival/Vienna, Austria • Partnering

TanzFabrik/Berlin,Germany • Motion Techniques

Sonoma State University/Rohnert Park CA • Motion Techniques

SUSHI & UC/San Diego • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques

Hong Kong Performing Arts Academy/Hong Kong, China • Motion Techniques

2004

ODC School/San Francisco CA • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques

Bates Dance Festival/Lewiston ME • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques

ImPulsTanz Festival/Vienna, Austria • Coaching Project with Scott Wells

Ponderosa Festival/Stolzenhagen, Germany • CI with Stephanie Maher

K77 & TanzFabrik/Berlin, Germany • Motion Techniques

Potsdam International TanzTages/Potsdam, Germany

Motion Techniques & Contact Improvisation with Stephanie Maher

Earthdance/Plainfield MA • Luscious & Ballistic with Angie Hauser

Velocity Dance Center/Seattle WA • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques & CI

2003

ODC School/San Francisco CA • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques

Links Hall/Chicago, IL • Motion Techniques & CI with Angie Hauser

Ponderosa Festival/Stolzenhagen, Germany

Motion Techniques & Contact Improvisation with Stephanie Maher

ImPulsTanz Festival/Vienna, Austria • Partnering

TanzFabrik/Berlin,Germany • Motion Techniques

Potsdam International TanzTages/Potsdam, Germany

Motion Techniques & Contact Improvisation with Stephanie Maher

Dancers Group Summer Festival/San Francisco CA

MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques & Contact Improvisation

Lower Left/San Diego CA • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques & CI

Mount Holyoke College/Holyoke MA • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques

2002

ODC School/San Francisco CA • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques & CI

University of Colorado/Boulder CO • Motion Techniques (Bebe Miller Company)

Ohio State University/Columbus OH • Motion Techniques (Bebe Miller Company)

RQD/Montreal, Canada • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques & CI

Bates Dance Festival/Lewiston ME • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques

K77 & Tanzfabrik/Berlin, Germany • Motion Techniques

MELT Festival/Movement Research/NY) • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques

Dancers Group Summer Festival/San Francisco CA

MOTIONLAB • Motion Techniques & Integration

Dancers’ Workshop/Jackson WY • Motion Techniques & Repertory

Sonoma State University/Rohnert Park, CA • Motion Techniques

418 Project/Santa Cruz • MOTIONLAB – Motion Techniques

Rhythm & Motion Dance Center/San Francisco CA • Motion Techniques

Velocity Dance Center/Seattle WA • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques

2001

ODC School/San Francisco CA • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques (Adult & Youth)

Emma Willard School/Troy NY • Motion Techniques & Repertory

Goucher College/Towson MD • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques

Bates Dance Festival/Lewiston ME • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques & Rep

Movement Research/New York • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques

West Coast Contact Improvisation Festival/Berkeley CA • Contact Improvisation

Dancers Workshop/Jackson, WY • Motion Techniques

Kelemanis/Marseille, France • Motion Techniques

Rhythm & Motion Dance Center/San Francisco CA • Motion Techniques

2000

ODC School/San Francisco CA • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques (Adult & Youth)

K77/Berlin, Germany • Motion Techniques & Contact Improvisation

Movement Research/New York • Motion Techniques

Labor Intensive/San Francisco CA • Motion Techniques & CI with Scott Wells

Links Hall/Chicago IL • Motion Techniques & Contact Improvisation

Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival • Composition with Dominique Zeltzman

Seattle Festival of Alternative Dance & Improvisation • Motion Techniques & CI

West Coast Contact Improvisation Festival/Berkeley CA • Contact Improvisation

Axis Dance Company/Berkeley CA • MOTIONLAB - Master Class

Dancers Workshop/Jackson WY • Motion Techniques

University of Illinois/Champaign-Urbana IL • MOTIONLAB - MT & CI & Repertory

1999

ODC School/San Francisco CA • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques

Western Michigan University/Kalamazoo MI

MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques & Contact Improvisation & Repertory

Bates Dance Festival/Lewiston ME • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques

Movement Research/New York • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques

Links Hall/Chicago IL • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques & CI

Sonoma State University/Rohnert Park CA • Motion Techniques

University of California/Santa Cruz CA • Contact Improvisation

1998

ODC School/San Francisco CA • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques

Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival • Motion Techniques with Kim Epifano

Plan B/Santa Fe NM • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques

Colorado Dance Festival & Glenwood Springs Dance Festival • MOTIONLAB - MT

MELT Festival/Movement Research/NY) • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques

1997

ODC School/San Francisco CA • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques

Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park CA • Motion Techniques

Stanford University/Palo Alto CA • Motion Techniques & CI

             

1996

ODC School/San Francisco CA • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques

Bates Dance Festival • Motion Techniques & Repertory (Contraband)

1995

ODC School/San Francisco CA • MOTIONLAB - Motion Techniques

San Francisco Dance Center/San Francisco CA • Motion Techniques

1994-96

Contraband Summer Intensives & Classes

1993-95

Contact Improvisation with Margaret Jenkins Dance Company

1991-94

Motion Techniques & Contact Improvisation with Scott Wells

1989-91

University of Illinois/Champaign IL • Non-major Modern and Ballet

1988-89

Western Michigan University/Kalamazoo MI • Non-major Modern