Auditorium Theatre 2019-2020 Trinity Irish Dance Company

FEBRUARY 29, 2020 | TRINITY IRISH DANCE COMPANY | 5 BIOGRAPHIES from 1989 until 1991, and has accumulated a multitude of national and international television credits including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, CBS This Morning, The Today Show, Live with Regis, Good Morning America, Martha, and 1 st Look , to name a few. Howard continues to choreograph new works and to expand his independent career to work in theatre, television, concert, and film. The feature film screenplay SOLES , which focuses on Howard and Trinity, is currently in the works. CHELSEA HOY (Associate Artistic Director/Choreographer) has, at age 24, already become a major player in the performing arts world. Generous, rebellious, creative and complex, her choreographic influence has significantly shaped TIDC’s newest works, from Communion to Soles and Push . The Denver-born Hoy recently co-choreographed her second piece Home alongside Mark Howard, following their first collaboration An Sorcas (The Circus) , which previewed in Japan and had its world premiere at Chicago’s historic Auditorium Theatre in 2019. In the dance studio, Hoy finds the creative process to be a rewarding and therapeutic combination of fluid expression and technical configuration. She is a game changer with a big vision, motivated by the ability this art form has to deeply connect strangers and friends alike. Hoy grew up dancing competitively for the Wick School of Irish Dance in Denver. She joined TIDC in 2014 after she began her studies at Loyola University Chicago. She graduated in 2017 with bachelor’s degrees in psychology and photography. In addition to helping guide the company’s future, Hoy is a professional photographer, dance instructor, and visual artist. Hoy’s love of empowering children through the arts continues to shape TIDC’s outreach programming. A powerful activist and artist, Hoy has been entrusted with TIDC’s ethos and future. ARTISTIC ASSOCIATES ALI DOUGHTY (Artistic Associate) started dancing at the age of 8 with the McDade School of Irish dance in Philadelphia, PA. After moving to Ohio to attend the University of Dayton in 2012, she continued her competitive dancing career with The Academy in Columbus, Ohio. While at the Academy, Doughty continued to compete internationally and was ultimately crowned World Champion of Irish dance in 2014. Upon graduating from the University of Dayton with a degree in exercise physiology, Doughty joined TIDC, where she continues to fuel her passion for Irish dancing. Doughty is currently attending Northwestern University, where she will receive her doctorate in physical therapy this spring. She hopes to combine both her passion for dance and her passion for physical therapy in the future through dance therapy. MACKENZIE HOLLAND (Artistic Associate) grew up competing and performing with the Trinity Academy of Irish Dance and is now a lead solo, team, and performance teacher. A graduate of DePaul University with a bachelor's degree in communications, Holland now works full time at one of the largest public relations agencies in downtown Chicago. TIDC has given her the chance to continue expressing her love for the art form while connecting with people around the world. Through TIDC, Holland hopes to empower those around her and inspire the next generation of performing artists. MARISSA WURSTER (Artistic Associate) danced with the Trinity Academy of Irish dance for almost 16 years as both an accomplished competitor and engaging performer. Her love for performing has grown immensely since she was cast for her first tour of Japan with the Trinity Irish Dance Company in 2010. As a student with a passion for science, the performing arts exist as a creative outlet for Wurster. She graduated from Marquette University with bachelor’s degrees in biomedical sciences and psychology, with a minor in neuroscience. She will begin her studies in the Master of Nursing program at Marquette University this summer. GUEST CHOREOGRAPHERS SEÁN CURRAN (Choreographer) began his dance training in traditional Irish step dancing as a young boy in Boston, MA. He went on to make his mark on the dance world as a leading dancer with the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, with whom he received a New York Dance and Performance (“Bessie”) Award for his performance in Secret Pastures . Curran was an original member of the New York City cast of the Off-Broadway percussion extravaganza STOMP , performing in the show for four years. He has performed his solo evening of dances at venues throughout the United States, as well as at Sweden’s Danstation Theatre and France’s