moe-tion dance theater
Artistic Director, Maureen Glennon
moe-tion dance theater is a modern dance company based in New Jersey. Under the artistic direction of Maureen Glennon, the company is dedicated to experimenting and creating new forms of expression. The company, known for their diverse repertory and site-specific work, has performed at numerous festivals, showcases and venues throughout the tri-state area including SWEAT Outdoors Festival, Outlet Dance Project at Grounds for Sculpture, NJ Arts Colllaborative at George Street Playhouse, Jersey City Arts Extravaganza at Canco Lofts, Show Up & Dance at Rutgers University and Two Rivers Theater, Hatch Series at Jennifer Muller The Works Studio/NYC, Garden State Dance Festival, Mix It Up Festival & Dance In Education Fund Benefit at SUNY Purchase. The company performed "Comical Twins...ACTIVATE!!", a mixed bill dance evening with Pascal Rekoert's company, Flexicurve at the Gershwin Hotel in NYC. Maureen and the company have been guest performers at the Russ Berrie Theatre/Ramapo College, County College of Morris, Centenary College, Merce Cunningham Studio/NYC, the Pingry School and the Robert Schonhorn Arts Center.
Aside from performing and choreographing, Artistic Director Maureen Glennon is a dance educator. She has been teaching dance since the age of sixteen and continues to share her love of dance with a new generation of dancers. Maureen and the company have performed lecture/demonstrations at Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University and have taught residencies at Morris County School of Technology and Rosa Parks Performing Arts High School.
moe-tion dance theater’s mission is to present a wide range of programs that educate, enrich and entertain. It seeks to promote an inclusive vision of the arts through the language of modern dance, painting, sculpture, photography, literature and live music. It strives to include people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities including individuals with disabilities. It wishes to create productions that expose the community to multiple art forms in one event. Other benefits of moe-tion dance theater are the exposure of new artists of contemporary arts mediums to diverse audiences also providing them with additional employment opportunities.
bryan matland
photo by Sharon Alagna
Cristen Bottega is currently the head dance instructor at Mercer County Performing Arts High School. She has her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Montclair State University, and is currently attending NYU for a Masters of Art Degree in Dance Education. Cristen has performed with various companies in the tri-state area, as well as in Tuscany, Italy, and she is also one of the founding members of moe-tion dance theater.
Elly Mandarakas is a founding company member of moe-tion dance theater. She is a full-time Pilates instructor certified by Pilates on Fifth NYC. Elly practices throughout NY & NJ including, Focus Physical Therapy and The New Jersey Ballet Company and School, where she helps rehabilitate injured and recovering patients as well as train the extreme athlete. She has a BFA in Dance from Montclair State University and is also certified by DEA Association. Elly has worked and performed with the NJ Ballet Co. and Albano Ballet Co. and also performed works by Jose Limon, Alwin Nikolais, Shapiro and Smith and Lonne Morreton.
Rachel Brown is a 2007 Magna Cum Laude graduate of Montclair State University (BFA in Acting and a BFA in Dance). She was a Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival 2007 Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Finalist and has been working professionally as an actor/dancer/choreographer since stepping out into the world. Rachel's choreography has been presented at the Hatch Series in NYC twice, as well as at professional theaters and schools around NJ. She has danced in works by Maxine Steinman, Nicole Smith, Kim Whittam, and Maureen Glennon. Beginning fall 2008, she will join the Montclair State University theatre and dance department faculty! Rachel is a, prouder than she can express, founding member of moe-tion dance theatre!
Rachel Falis is a founding member of moe-tion dance theater. She is a graduate of Montclair State University where she received a BFA in Dance and a BA in English Education. While at MSU, she received extensive training in Ballet, Modern and Choreography and she performed works by Jose Limon, Alwin Nikolais, Alexander Beller and Lonne Morreton. Rachel teaches at dance studios and after-school programs throughout New Jersey. She teaches Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Contemporary and Musical Theater Dance. She is also certified in Pilates through the American Athletic Association/International Sports Medicine Association and has recieved training from STOTT Pilates. Rachel would like to thank her family for their continued love and support.
Kyra Kennaugh is a founding company member of moe-tion dance theater. She has performed extensively with the company in NJ and NY for the past three years. Kyra is currently teaching Hip Hop at Attitudes Dance and YM-YWHA in NJ. Kyra also traveled to Hawaii two years ago to perform at the International Dance Festival in Honolulu. She wants to thank her friends and family for all their support and encouragement over the years. She also thanks Madeline for supporting her and being there for her. A special thanks to Moe and the moe-tion dancers for believing in me and pushing me to become the dancer I am today. I couldn't ask for a better dance family.
Erin Pride graduated from Montclair State University with a B.F.A. in Dance and is currently attending NYU for her M.A. in Dance Education. Since graduation, Erin has danced for companies all over the Tri-State Area. She has worked with The Philadelphia Soul, Midget Dance and Gehring Dance Theater. She currently dances for Vissi Dance Theater, The Well Project and moe-tion dance. She has trained at Jacob’s Pillow under the Direction of Chett Walker as well as toured Italy with Vissi Dance Theater. Her chorography has been presented at The Henry Street Settlement Theater, St. Marks Church and Silk City Arts Festival. Erin, a New Jersey native, is the Director of Dance at Rosa Parks High School of Fine and Performing Arts, the Artistic Director of EDP Dance Project and the Program Coordinator for Silk City Arts Festival all located in Paterson New Jersey.
Alexandra Williamson is very excited to be dancing with moe-tion dance! Alexandra is currently a junior Dance BFA major at Montclair State University. While at MSU she has performed works by Jessica DiMauro, Donna Scro Gentile, Martha Graham, and Bill T. Jones. Before attending Montclair she attended the Morris County Academy for Visual and Performing Arts High School. Alexandra is also an accomplished Irish Step dancer and has performed at Carnegie Hall, NJPAC, and other various venues on the east coast.
Bryan Matland began exploring his physicality at age 10 when he enrolled in Tae Kwon Do classes. He continued his training for 18 years, earning a 3rd degree black belt, and ranking as a top competitor in the Sport Karate International/ National Black Belt League, circuits. Having coupled Tae Kwon Do with 3 years of gymnastics training, Bryan found Modern Dance to be an exciting new challenge and discipline to dive into while in college. At Montclair Stae University he earned a BFA in acting while completing minors in both Dance and Musical Theatre. While at MSU, Bryan had the fortune of working with choreographers Tigger Benford, Sean Curran, Donna Scro, Maureen Glennon, and Sebastian Smeureanu, as well as performing for the NACDFA at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. Post college, Bryan danced with Freespace Dance Company for 2 years before leaving to perform on a cruise ship, in a theme park, as well as in 2 national tours. Bryan has been back with Freespace Dance for 3 years now and has had the pleasure of collaborating with moe-tion dance theatre and Flexicurve Dance in the past year.
