SAMANTHA GÉRACHT, MFA (Artistic Director, Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble) performed with Anna Sokolow’s Players’ Project for eleven years and is a founding member of the Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble. In 2017 Samantha was appointed the ensemble’s artistic director. She has toured and taught Sokolow’s repertory nationally and internationally, setting Ms. Sokolow’s works on professional companies, university dance programs, and solo dance artists. Samantha performed the Humphrey/Weidman repertory with Deborah Carr Theater Dance Ensemble and Gail Corbin. She has appeared with Rae Ballard’s Thoughts in Motion and as a guest artist with David Parker and The Bang Group. Samantha served as a panelist for the Library of Congress opening of the New Dance Group archives, and presented her own research at the Library for the opening of the Sokolow archive. She holds an MFA in dance from Montclair State University (NJ) and a BS in dance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Samantha is committed to the preservation of early American Modern Dance, making the works of modern dance pioneers more accessible to dance education programs, young artists, and new audiences.

LAUREN NASLUND (Associate Artistic Director, Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble) began her modern dance studies in Chicago with Frances Allis. She holds degrees in biology from the University of Chicago and Harvard. She has performed the works of Charles Weidman and Doris Humphrey with Deborah Carr’s Theatre Dance Ensemble, and works of Doris Humphrey and Ernestine Stodelle under the direction of Gail Corbin. She also performs with Rae Ballard’s Thoughts in Motion. She was a member of Anna Sokolow’s Players’ Project for 15 years, and is a founding member of Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble. Lauren reconstructs and stages Anna Sokolow’s repertory for the company and for schools and professional dancers.

GAIL CORBIN (Guest Director, Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble) is a leading exponent and master teacher/director in the technique and repertory of American Modern Dance pioneers Doris Humphrey and Charles Weidman. Her longtime association with Ernestine Stodelle, an original member of the Humphrey/Weidman Company, began with Ernestine’s reconstructions of two of Doris Humphrey’s early works, Two Ecstatic Themes and Air for the G String for the José Limón Company. Gail assisted her in these early Humphrey reconstructions and served as a model for the solo roles. Gail was a featured performer and soloist for Deborah Carr Theatre Dance Ensemble under the artistic direction of Beatrice Seckler, dancing the repertory of Charles Weidman. She has taught and directed Humphrey/Weidman technique and repertory, as well as performance skills and pedagogy, for decades, for universities, dance companies and individual performers throughout the U.S., Europe and Australia. Gail is the Director of the Doris Humphrey Foundation. She is a frequent guest teacher for the Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble, and recently staged and directed the Limón Dance Company in Air for the G String as part of their 75th anniversary celebration and Two Ecstatic Themes as part of their Joyce Theater performance series. Recent guest artist residencies have included Kenyon College, Ohio, University of Michigan, and Goucher College. She is a graduate of the Hartford Conservatory of Music.

MARGARET MIGHTY OAK BRACKEY (Dancer) is a NYC-based artist. She grew up studying Graham technique, ballet, and dance composition. Margaret graduated from Adelphi University in 2022 with a BFA in Dance. She performs with The Equus Projects, where her training in natural horsemanship and passion for improvisation come together, and holds open monthly Playdays to generate new movement ideas. Margaret joined the Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble in 2022 and is the company’s social media manager. Ig:@Margaret_mightyoak

ILANA RUTH COHEN (Dancer) is from Portland, Oregon, where she grew up dancing in the rain. She earned a BA in modern dance and chemistry from Pomona College and now is a PhD student at the City University of New York studying environmental microbiology. She has studied at the Limón Institute and SFCD. Ilana has performed in works by Anna Sokolow, Doris Humphrey, Charles Weidman, Jose Limón, Isadora Duncan, and John Pennington. She has been a member of the Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble member since 2018.

MIKEY COMITO (Dancer) is from Long Island, New York. He attended SUNY Brockport in the fall of 2021 with a dance scholarship and trained under James Hansen. He has worked with and is influenced by Kathryn Alter and Jim May. He is a current member of the second company of the Limón Dance Foundation.

EDU HERNANDEZ (Dancer) is from Morelos, México. He graduated from Cal State Long Beach with a BFA in Dance. He has performed the works of José Limón, Kathryn Alter, Rebecca Lemme, Ohad Naharin, Omar Román De Jesús, Anouk Van Dijk, among others. As an artist, his work has been selected for the APAP New York City Center, 92Y Harkness Center, the Palm Springs Dance Festival, and recently the BAAD! By Arthur Avilés. He is a former guest artist of the Limón Dance Company.

SAMUEL HUMPHREYS (Dancer) received his initial training from Brynar Mehl, and then from Larry Ensign, Lori Belilove, the Gelsey Kirkland Ballet Conservatory, and the Martha Graham School. He currently dances with Lori Belilove & The Isadora Duncan Dance Company as well as The Shadow Box Theatre. Sam performed with the Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble in 2007 and 2008 and rejoined the company in 2019.

KRISTA JANSEN (Dancer) is a New York dancer and choreographer. Her work has been performed at Dixon Place, Movement Research, Jacob’s Pillow, and for award-winning film with director Bat-Sheva Guez. She dances with Jansen & Holm, and was an original cast member in the critically acclaimed “Doug Elkins & Friends’ Fraulein Maria.” Krista teaches with Ellen Robbins, and choreographs for the Theater program at Beacon High School. Krista joined Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble in 2022.

SAM K is a scientist, mushroom forager, and lover of all that lives.

MARY KARL (Dancer) Mary started her modern dance training under Deborah Carr at Stephens College. She holds a degree in architecture from The University of Missouri. She has made dance for film with Jessica Ray, and continues to explore choreography of her own. Mary is grateful to be a part of the Humphrey-Weidman and Sokolow lineages and places high value in keeping historical dance alive. She acts professionally under the mentorship of Michael Beckett at HB Studio.

CARA MARGUERITE (Dancer) is from Los Angeles, California. She started studying classical ballet at a young age. Through summer programs she has worked with companies including Martha Graham, José Limón, LINES Ballet, Ballet Austin. Cara holds a BA in Dance from Cal State Fullerton. After graduation, Cara performed with Kanopy Dance Company in Madison, WI. In 2024 she studied with the Jose Limon Institute on scholarship. She is also a member of the dance company Disagreeable Creatures.

BRAD OREGO (Dancer) from Buffalo, NY comes from a diverse background in sport, martial art, and dance. Their training began at the University of Rochester earning their first Minor in Dance in 2011 and joining Kanopy Dance Company in Madison, WI in 2013. Brad has performed works by Anna Sokolow, Charles Weidman, and Martha Graham as well as contemporary work. Brad joined Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble in 2017.

JAMIE ROBINSON (Dancer) earned his BFA in Dance from the University of Arizona. Since moving to New York City in 2018 he has performed with Same as Sister performance collective, Hudson Ballet Theatre, and Jersey City Ballet, among others.

AMELIA DAWE SANDERS (Dancer) has presented zir choreography at New York Live Arts, 92Y and others. Zie has performed works by Isadora Duncan with Catherine Gallant, Loretta Thomas, and Lori Belilove at venues including Jacob’s Pillow and St. Mark’s Church. Amelia graduated from Montclair State University, where Zie performed work by Maxine Steinman, Jody Sperling, and Abby Zbikowski. Zie collaborated with Emmanuèle Phuon, performing at Kaatsbaan and other venues. Amelia was a founding member of Paul Taylor Teen Ensemble under the direction of Raegan Wood.

MEGGI SWEENEY SMITH (Dancer) began dancing at the age of 10 in Missouri. She went on to study dance at the University of Kansas where she earned her BFA in dance and a music minor. In 2015 she completed her masters in dance education at NYU. She has performed with many companies including New York Baroque Dance Company, Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble, Cohen/Suzeau, CorbinDances and Casual Fifth. Meggi teaches as an adjunct professor at NYU. www.meggisweeney.com