Marlee Doniff

Marlee (she/they) has been dancing for the past two decades. Her relationship to the form manifests in many ways – education, performance, choreography, research, and administration. Marlee is curious about creating authentic, vulnerable, bold movement to explore the ways the body processes life’s bigger qualms and subtle joys through theatricality and virtuosity. Her work explores topics such as grief, identity, and purpose through the lens of humor and the bizarre. Marlee recently premiered her first evening length work “say la V” which was the product of her month long collaborative residency chew & spit. Marlee is a passionate educator who hopes to ignite creativity and aid in students’ discovery of their artistic voice. She spends her summers in Durham, NC where she works as the Company Manager for the American Dance Festival. Through this and their other administrative work, they are honored to elevate dance at all stages in the process. Marlee holds a BA in Dance from Webster University where her senior capstone, “That’s so Gay… Gender and Sexuality Representation in Concert Dance and Why it Matters,” was chosen for presentation at multiple conferences. Marlee is currently a MFA graduate candidate at The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where she also holds a teaching fellowship.

BDB5A504-68C8-427D-8E5A-A85CF87C21AE_1_105_c.jpeg
1C7C00ED-9DA6-498D-B262-F4C7E93F6B1C_1_105_c.jpeg
2Q0A6415.jpg
C2256E41-55B8-405C-B85A-9ADDD88B4957_1_105_c.jpeg
D6D1701B-48F7-47DD-BD64-7453DC668A02_1_102_o.jpeg
581EF04F-D67C-401B-ADDA-C648D00F3397_1_105_c.jpeg
FE421984-C74D-4094-82EE-F800E639785B_1_105_c.jpeg
6192C466-1096-4C1F-BE0C-0FC6227BAEC6_1_105_c.jpeg
2Q0A6217.jpg
CDA3F9C6-3D68-4E71-9BE9-1C54849299B7_1_105_c.jpeg
F308F6C8-5821-4294-A396-6E081B4B5103_1_105_c.jpeg
1487F6B3-FA9A-4F3F-94FD-95281D52B019_1_105_c.jpeg
D2613DA4-2811-4BD5-ACC8-ABAB3D4BA4B7.jpeg
ABE172E8-517D-47A9-A065-753BA993C94F_1_105_c.jpeg
16BBE75B-2FAB-4D7E-8F53-69CF1422B77C.jpeg
D0747719-6600-4B2B-83B5-369202FDD87F_1_105_c.jpeg
D42D17E2-D036-419B-A542-82D9658A6972_1_105_c.jpeg
82CF891E-9D9F-4509-89EF-CCC877015C3C_1_105_c.jpeg
2Q0A6520.jpg

CV

EDUCATION

Webster University, St. Louis, MO (December 2023)

Bachelor of Arts: Dance with a Modern Emphasis 

Capstone: “That’s so Gay… Gender and Sexuality Representation in Concert Dance and Why it Matters” 

PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE

Consuming Kinetics Dance Company – The Marcelle in St. Louis, MO

  • April 2024: Performed “Bitch” “Kalopsia” and “cherry chapstick” in the concert Woman

American College Dance Association Regional Conference – St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN

  • March 2024: “we shrivel in our uncertainty” choreographed by Josiah Gunderson was performed at the adjudicated concert and selected for the Gala at the conclusion of the conference

Webster University Creations Concert – Jean & Wells Hobler Center for Dance in Webster Groves, MO

  • Fall 2023: performed a self choreographed solo and an improvisational piece

  • Spring 2023: performed collaborative duet and an improvisational happening inspired by student art and music

  • Fall 2022: performed a self choreographed solo and an improvisational piece

Webster University New Works Concert – Stage III in Webster Groves, MO 

  • Fall 2023: Performed works by Malinda Crump, Josiah Gunderson, and Paige Van Nest

Webster University BFA Concerts – Stage III in Webster Groves, MO 

  • Fall 2023: performed self-choreographed solo “(bitter)sweet”

  • Fall 2022: performed in Works by Abbi LeBaube and Sam Schenkein

Space Station Summer Residency 2023 – St. Louis, MO

  • Performed “Cloven” by Jacob Henns for three sold out shows

  • Learned work from Jacob Henns over the course of 15 hours of rehearsal for

American Dance Festival 2023  – Duke University in Durham, NC

  • Organized 14 volunteers to perform as protesters in a work by Abdel Salaam as a part of ADF’s Footprints Program

  • Performed a self choreographed solo in the Intern and Summer Staff Showcase

Webster University Dance Ensemble – Stage III in Webster Groves, MO 

  • Spring 2023: performed in works by Prince Lyons and Maggi Dueker

  • Spring 2022: performed works by Michael Uthoff and Xi Zhao 

Dance St. Louis’ Lunch Break Dance Hour – Union Station in St. Louis, MO

  • Fall 2022: performed a work by Michael Uthoff for the Regional Arts Commision

CHOREOGRAPHY EXPERIENCE

Consuming Kinetics Dance Company – St. Louis, MO (August 2023-Present)

  • Set work “cherry chapstick” on the profession company for Woman

  • Teen Contemporary work “not even a mouse” for the Winter and Warmth Concert

Webster University Creations Concert – Jean & Wells Hobler Center for Dance in Webster Groves, MO

  • Fall 2023: “for the sake of it”

  • Spring 2023: “anathema” 

  • Fall 2022: “so much of us feels a bit like soggy socks” 

Webster University BFA Concerts – Stage III in Webster Groves, MO 

  • “(bitter)sweet” 

  • Created a soundscore personalized for the work

  • Worked one one one with lighting designer and stage manager

American Dance Festival Intern and Summer Staff Showcase

  • Summer 2023: “but you’re holding me like water in your hands”

Imagine Dance Project – Cottleville, MO (2020-Present)

  • Ages 5-18

  • Styles including contemporary, jazz, modern, and musical theatre

  • Solos, duets, trios, small groups, and large groups

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Sharing Circle – St. Louis, MO (January 2024 - Present) Founder 

  • Hosts weekly meetings for choreographers in the St. Louis area to share work for feedback, get composition prompts, and collaborate 

  • Plans composition prompts for the group to study each month 

  • Organizes running lists of festivals and grants to apply for, dance shows happening in St. Louis, and other resources 

Consuming Kinetics Dance Company (August 2023-Present) 

  • Teaches youth and adult classes in contemporary, modern, jazz, and ballet

Imagine Dance Project – Cottleville, MO (2020-Present)

  • Experience teaching modern, contemporary, ballet, and jazz to ages 5 to 18 

  • pre-dance and introduction to dance teaching experience for ages 3-5

  • Develops lesson plans, curriculum, and evaluations

ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE 

Festival Company Manager: American Dance Festival (ADF) –  Durham, NC (March - August 2024) 

  • Functions as the manager for 20+ companies/choreographers throughout their time at ADF

  • Organizes transportation, housing, rehearsals, and community engagemenrts

  • Negotiates and writes contracts for companies performing at ADF

  • Oversees a team of interns and delegates tasks to them effectively

Performances Intern: American Dance Festival (ADF)  – Durham, NC (Summer 2023)

  • Worked one on one with companies from across the country on the ins and outs of their time at the ADF including but not limited to: booking flights and lodging, reserving spaces, coordinating transportation, planning community events, working with tech crew on logistics

  • Gained experience in a fast-paced work environment and displayed adaptability, commitment, and organization

  • Exposure to non-profit contract work and wrote language on behalf of the ADF

  • Handled financial records, payment request, and reimbursements 

Administrative/Marketing Assistant: Imagine Dance Project – Cottleville, MO (2020-Present)

  • Planning payments, complex scheduling, and emailing customers

  • Marketing experience such as making advertisements, running social media, and website management  

  • Organizing Recitals for over 200 students by creating show orders, handling recital forms, ordering and coordinating t-shirts, and overseeing the shows

  • Planning Summer Camps for ages 3-7 and Summer Intensives / Workshops for ages 7-18

  • Customer service and advising experience 

SPECIAL DISTINCTIONS

FACT/SF 2024 Fieldwork Artist 

2023 Research Across Disciplines Presenter for Thesis - “That’s so Gay… Gender and Sexuality Representation in Concert Dance and Why it Matters”