new movement +
performance space
nimbl
There is only one you in all time, this expression is unique,
if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium, and be lost ...
It is yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open...
-Martha Graham
LISA YACONELLI
"Nimbl is fierce, humble, and life giving."
“Kids have a way of moving that is authentic and true to themselves; how do I protect that while at the same time challenge them to push past what they already know?” Lisa Yaconelli received her BFA in dance from Temple University and has performed and choreographed in Athens for fifteen years. Her choreography has been featured at Atlanta’s 7 Stages Theater and the Underground Dance Society’s “Hidden in Plain Sight,” The Fringe Festival, Canopy Studio, Skwhirlhaus, and Floorspace. She’s performed in Philadelphia, San Diego, and in many community events in Georgia. A founding member of Warehouse Collective and Underground Dance Society, in most recent years she has co-directed the Small Box Series; a quarterly performance series that invites artists from different genres to perform in intimate spaces. She also introduced her Making Dances class at Center City Ballet in 2016. Throughout her life she has always remained dedicated to creating, from choreographing in her backyard to Billie Jean, to performing her work at Small Box Series. Teaching children has given her the opportunity to make sure their experience of dance is positive and fulfilling, like it always has been for her. At home she is surrounded by live music by her husband, David Zwart, and two sons Holland and Milo.
MARYN WHITMORE
"Nimbl is my sanctuary, where I connect,
where I explore
the space between."
Maryn Whitmore is a performance artist and movement educator with over 20 years experience devoted to shaping space for humans of all ages, giving them an outlet to express themselves on and off stage, and feel better in their bodies. Through art making, self discovery, and staying curious, Maryn is committed to a creative life.
After graduating from the University of Georgia in 2001 with a degree in Dance Education, Maryn earned a 600-hour comprehensive certification in the Pilates Method of Body Conditioning. From 2003 to 2009, Maryn toured the United States as a musician and performance artist, living on and off the road in a converted school bus. Through this experience, Maryn shaped and honed her creative process rooted in storytelling and discovered narrative. In late 2009 Maryn and her partner Matt created Tiny Neighbors, a children’s album exploring the connectivity of nature and creative inspiration.
After the birth of their first daughter, Maryn developed Skwhirlhaus, a backyard stage in Atlanta where creatives gathered to present work and experience community. The space featured over 50 performances from 2012 to 2016. Through her work with Skwhirlhaus, Maryn was commissioned by the High Museum of Art to create a piece for the opening of the Jaime Hayon large-scale interactive installation, Tiovivo. This work, Over The Moon!, was performed at the High in June and July of 2016. Maryn also presented a talk on the development of Skwhirlhaus and Skwhirlhaus Kids at the 2016 Southeast Regional ACDA conference. At the end of 2016, Maryn, Matt, and their two girls, made the move to Athens GA to continue their adventures.
Maryn is a part-time faculty member in the Department of Dance at the University of Georgia where she teaches Pilates, Mindfulness, and Yoga. Maryn performs regularly as a part of the Small Box Series here in Athens. "I feel most alive and connected to the universe when performing. Sharing this energy and love with others is my passion."
LAURA HOFFMAN
"Nimbl is
possibility and potential.
where we come together, free fall, fall apart, discover,
to come together again."
The core intentions of Laura’s 40 years experience as a movement artist, somatic educator and dance movement therapist are embodied emotional intelligence and authenticity. She believes developing keen awareness of how we move, and how we are still, and the accompanying mindset, allows us to make choices that enhance personal and expressive possibilities, as well as physical and emotional well being.
With classical training in ballet and various modern/contemporary and post modern techniques, she incorporates additional movement practices into her work such as contact improvisation, authentic movement, Alexander Technique, yoga, and Laban/Bartenieff.
After graduating from Hampshire College, she travelled and worked in Europe training with members of Jerzy Grotowski’s Teatr Laboratorium before returning to the US to work with theater director Anne Bogart and other experimental dance/theater companies. She received her masters in Dance Movement Therapy from Antioch/NE and went on to help develop a specialized program for acute care using expressive arts therapy in Chicago at Michael Reese HMO. Concurrently, Laura continued to choreograph, perform, and study Alexander Technique at the Philadelphia Foundation, and with master teachers including Marjorie Barstow.
Ever experimenting, she began incorporating video and film in her artistic and therapeutic work which led to some time as a producer in Santa Fe, NYC and LA, and a brief stint with Slamdance Film Festival. She continued a private practice while expanding her movement practice to include Tai chi, Kung Fu and yoga; A perpetual student with a throughline of curiosity regarding somatic awareness and it’s application to form and development.
Laura moved to Athens GA with her husband Michael Oliveri in 2001, gave birth to daughter Bianca in 2003, and graduated UGA’s MLA program. She studied Mindfulness in Schools (SF), and mindfulness stress reduction while her daughter was young, performs around town, and maintains a private practice. Laura is fascinated with the complexity and simplicity of humans. Sharing the exploration is her joy.