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Sarah Messenger
Dance
Connect
This piece was born out of a somatic workshop for survivors of sexual violence that I held in early April 2025. Their movements, stories, and wisdom make up the base of the entire work and were my inspiration for every artistic choice. This work is the story of coming back; coming back to life, coming back to the sun, coming back into your own skin. It’s about the soul wrenching journey that every survivor goes on in order to get back. It is a map of a road too well worn that too many souls have walked down. I wanted this work to not just be my story, but that of a community of survivors and to give that community representation in dance and on the stage. I hope that others who have been affected by such a terrible trauma can see their story and experience reflected in the dance and know that they are not alone. I am incredibly grateful to all the brave survivors who attended the workshop. Without them, this piece would not have been possible.
September 19, 2025 7.00pm
1316 South Ninth St.
General Admission: $15
PWYC Options
September 27, 2025 7.00pm
1316 South Ninth St.
General Admission: $15
PWYC Options
About the Artist
Sarah began dancing at age 8 in Colorado Springs with former Ballet Rambert dancer, Patricia Hoffman. Ms. Messenger fell in love with jazz in her teenage years when she started training with Zetta Alderman. While studying with Alderman, Sarah had the opportunity to train and work with industry legends such as Ben Vereen, Chet Walker, Sherry Zunker, Bill Hastings, Sam Watson, and Susan Quinn-Williams. Sarah earned a B.S. in International Business, B.S. in Marketing, and a minor in Economics from the University of Colorado in 2008, while performing with the High Altitude Dance Ensemble. After finishing her undergraduate degrees, Sarah moved to Jacksonville, Florida where she began teaching and choreographing. During her time in Florida, Sarah taught at the Florida Ballet, St. Augustine Ballet, Perla Ballet, Flagler College, St. Augustine High School, and many private studios throughout Jacksonville and St. Augustine. Many of Sarah’s students have been invited to join companies, training programs, and attend universities around the world including The Joffery Ballet, Ballet Magnificat!, St. Petersburg Ballet Theatre, Alonzo King’s Lines and many more. Sarah was also the choreographer in residence for both the Braided Light Dance Company (2014-2015) and the Perla Ballet (2014-2018). Sarah completed an MFA in Dance from Tisch and an MA in Dance Education from Steinhardt at New York University in 2021. Ms. Messenger is continuing to evolve her choreographic voice and movement research surrounding social justice, women’s issues, and finding form in the formless. In addition to her movement research, Sarah also conducts research outside the studio. She published her first research based article in the Journal of Dance Education in Practice in the spring of 2025 regarding better preparing high school students for higher education dance programs. Sarah is currently an adjunct professor of ballet with Temple University.
- Sarah MessengerChoreographersmessenger86@gmail.com
- Arabia RichardsonDancerarabrich18@gmail.com
- Michelle SlavikDancermslavik96@gmail.com
- Tajanté WainwrightDancertajante.wainwright@gmail.com
- Kayla FaynorDancer
Accessibility & Content Considerations
Contact the Fringe Festival Box Office for up to date accessibility information.
This event is appropriate for ages 18+
Adult Language
Covid-19 Safety policy
This event does not require masks to be worn
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