We are thrilled to be partnering with Ballet22 for a week-long experience that centers on their core mission: to break the gender-normative traditions of ballet. This workshop is a safe space for all gender identities to explore pointe work, learn classical and Ballet22 repertoire, experiment through improv class, and dive into queer dance history.
This co-LAB will offer two tracks: one for dancers new or returning to pointe, and one for experienced pointe dancers. Those who wish to participate but do not want to dance en pointe are welcome!
When registering, let us know if you'd like assistance organizing a pointe shoe fitting with SF Dance Gear.
Photos by Maximilian Tortoriello
co•LAB details
Monday-Friday, April 20-24, 2026
9am-12:30pm at City Dance Studios, San Francisco
Open to the public
$250/week (5 days)
$75/single day
To register, follow the link above. Create a StudioPro account, or log in if you already have one. Select “more”, then “register for classes,” and pick the workshop. Please refer to these instructions for details.
schedule
MONDAY, FRIDAY
9 - 9:50am Lecture
10 - 11:30am Ballet
11:35am - 12:30pm Pointe (beg + int/adv)
TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY
9 - 10:30am Ballet
10:35 - 11:30am Pointe (beg + int/adv)
11:35am - 12:30pm Ballet22 Rep or Improv
co•LAB faculty
Lorris Eichinger (ballet) started training in Grenoble at the National Conservatory and continued at the Ecole Nationale Superieure de Danse de Marseille. After training at The School of American Ballet in New York from 2010 to 2013, Lorris joined the Professional Division program of the Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle. He then moved back to France to dance with the Jeune Ballet de Lyon. Lorris danced with De Dutch Don’t Dance in the Netherlands in 2015, and then moved to Israel to join Kamea Dance Company in 2016. He joined Alonzo King LINES Ballet in 2019.
Theresa Knudson (ballet, pointe) received her training from Lois Ellyn in Southern California and began her professional career with Nouveau Chamber Ballet under the artistic direction of Lois Ellyn. As a freelancer, Theresa has performed with Diablo Ballet, Oakland Ballet Company, Menlowe Ballet, Wonderbound, ARC Dance, Mark Foehringer Dance Project | SF, Raiford Rogers Modern Ballet, and with many independent choreographers. She has taught at several studios throughout California, and she currently owns and operates an Oakland-based ballet studio, BlackBox Studios. Theresa Knudson is the Co-Founder & Executive Director of Ballet22. Under her co-leadership, Ballet22 has commissioned over a dozen new ballets that contribute to queer representation in the ballet world, and has produced award-winning dance films, free workshops, numerous live performances, and choreographer residencies. Ballet22 was named by Dance Magazine “25 to Watch” 2021, and received an Isadora Duncan Dance Award Nomination for the 2021-22 season for Outstanding Achievement in Performance – Company. Theresa holds a BA in Business Administration from California State University, Fullerton.
Originally from New York, NY, Marusya Madubuko (pointe) began her pre-professional training at age 15 with Premiere Division Ballet under the tutelage of Nadege Hottier. In the fall of 2019, she started training with San Francisco Ballet School where she had the opportunity to dance repertoire including Helgi Tomasson’s Nutcracker and Cinderella, as well as George Balanchine’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In 2021, she participated in BalletUnleashed’s first creative project “Switchback”, working with choreographer Cathy Marston. Madubuko joined LINES Ballet in 2021. In addition to dancing with LINES Ballet, Marusya has also continued her choreographic journey; working on multiple projects including those with photographer/videographer Lauren Crew, musician Ravi Coltrane, and premiering her work at Paramount Theatre with Living Jazz. She also enjoys coaching aspiring dancers and working with community programs to increase accessibility of dance to those who wouldn’t be exposed to it otherwise.
Kelly Chase (movement exploration on pointe) is a dance artist from Anchorage, Alaska. She received her BFA in Dance with Honors from Florida State University. Kelly began her professional career during college as a member of the Tallahassee Ballet under the artistic direction of Tyrone Brooks. After college, Kelly attended Alonzo King LINES Ballet’s Training Program under the direction of Karah Abiog. Kelly has worked with the San Francisco Opera, Rena Butler, Babatunji Johnson, and Monica Bill Barnes & Company, among others.
Stephanie Sherman (lecturer: Queering Dance) is a queer interdisciplinary choreographer, dancer, published bilingual poet, and professor of dance, queer and trans studies, and performance studies. Her work uses art to bridge cultures and languages, question seemingly fixed identities, and advocate for social justice. She is currently an SFAC Individual Artist grantee for The Weight of Thread: A Jewish Ritual for Palestine (April 17 & 18 at Dance Mission Theater) and is a two-time Fulbright artist-scholar (Mexico 2018; Ecuador 2006). She teaches at California College of the Arts, San José State University, City Ballet San Francisco, and Ramón Moreno Ballet School, and has taught at universities across the Bay Area, Mexico, and Ecuador for over two decades. She holds a PhD in Performance Studies from University of California, Berkeley and an MFA in Dance from New York University.