MARK CASERTA
mcaserta88@gmail.com www.markcaserta.com
Artist: Choreographer, Dancer, Educator
Employment Experience
University of the Arts: School of Dance, Philadelphia
-Artist in Residence + Adjunct Faculty (2021-Now) / Guest Choreographer (2014-Now)
Gibney Dance Center, New York -Contemporary Faculty (2019-Now) / Commissioned Choreographer, Gibney Company (2020)
Peridance Capezio Arts Center, New York -Contemporary Faculty (2020-Now) / Commissioned Choreographer, Youth Ensemble (2022)
Harlem School of the Arts, New York. -Contemporary Faculty (2021)
Camille A. Brown & Dancers, New York -Dance Artist (2016-2017)
Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal, Montreal QC -Principal Dance Artist (2014-2016)
Complexions Contemporary Ballet, New York -Principal Dance Artist (2010-2014)
Choreography / Commissioned Works
-American Ballet Theater ABT (2023)
-The Ailey School BFA Program (2022)
-UniversIty of the Arts SOD (2014-2023)
-Peridance Youth Ensemble (2022)
-DanceWorks Chicago (2022)
-Whim W’Him Contemporary Dance (2021)
-Gibney Company (2020)
-BigKid Dance (2018-2023)
-Kit Modus (2019)
-Dark Circles Contemporary Dance (2019)
-Springboard Danse Montreal (2018)
-Pace University (2017)
-Banff Performing Arts Centre LAB (2016)
-PA Ballet II / Philadelphia Ballet II (2010)
Awards & More
-2023 Princess Grace Award Winner / Choreography
-2023 ABT Choreography Incubator: Choreographer -2022 Black Light Summit Artist (The Clarice, UMD)
-2020 EMERGE Choreography Award Recipient (Gibney Company + Springboard)
-2018 Emerging Choreographer Springboard Danse
-2018-2020 YAGP Outstanding Choreography Award(s)
-2010 PA Ballet Choreography Award
Education & Training
University of the Arts, School of Dance / BFA Dance + Ballet Performance 2010
Philadelphia High School for Creative & Performing Arts / Diploma 2006
The Ailey School (Fellowship Scholarship, Summer Program) 2006-2008
Solo Commissions / College Auditions, Competitions, Conventions
2012-2023
Contemporary + Contemporary Ballet Solos for
-Youth American Grand Prix Finalists
-University of the Arts, The Ailey School
Artistic Directing
Artistic/Creative Director of BigKid Dance
Philadelphia PA
Officially Founded 2018 Recreated in 2021
Created and Premiered 3 Full Evening Length Works
“BIGKID” premiered Spring 2019, Gibney Dance, New York (POP Performance Series)
“it’s better when you close your eyes” premiered Winter 2021, Gershman Hall, Philadelphia
“ON and ON and ON: end of time 3000” premiered Spring 2023, Gershman Hall, Philadelphia
Director/Curator of “Create + Connect”
Online (virtual) and now in person, founded 2020
-Began as a virtual platform for movement workshops and community chats during pandemic -Transitioned to in person Summer 2022 and continued to recently Winter 2023
-Including guest artists Sidra Bell, Dorchel Haqq, Ashley Green, Kayla Farrish, Mikey Morado, Alexander Anderson, Keerati Jinakunwiphat, Kim Parker, Samantha Figgins and more
Co-Director of “The Thriving Artist Project” Pre Professional Program
Dallas, Texas
Created in 2017
A free program for young pre-professionals to experience world renowned dance artists on a weekly basis, partaking in movement workshops, creative processes and performances. Through this non profit, we were able to curate and present 3 fully produced and collaborative interactive installations and two full evening length works.
-Our guest teachers/choreographers included artists from NDT, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Alonzo King Lines Ballet, Batsheva and more
Ambassador
Representative/Teacher and Choreographer for “MindLeaps”
501(c)3 organization working in developing countries to improve school performance and create positive livelihoods for at-risk youth. MindLeaps runs a unique program, based on a standardized dance methodology, that helps out-of-school and vulnerable youth undergo behavioral transformation, catch up on basic cognitive development and learn work-ready skills.
Expanded Training/Company Work Experience
-Eleone Dance Theater: Principal dancer 2006-2010
-Waheed Works: Company dancer 2008-2010
-Grace Dance Theater: Commissioned Work 2013 “The Man” -Philadanco + Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Training:
Ballet, Horton, Graham, Dunham, West African, Hip Hop forms, Jazz, Tap, Theater
Misc.
Americas Got Talent 2013 Background Dancer / Performing Artist
Step Up 2: The Streets 2008 Extra / Dancer
www.markcaserta.com www.bigkiddance.com @future.doodles @_bigkids