Elizabeth Streb
Elizabeth Streb is a recipient of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation 'Genius' Award (1997) and a member of the New York City Mayor's Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission. Streb is also a member of the board of EMC Arts and a member of the Atlantic Center for the Arts National Council. She holds a Master of Arts in Humanities and Social Thought from New York University, a B.S. in Modern Dance from SUNY Brockport and two honorary doctorates (SUNY Brockport and Rhode Island College). She is the recipient of numerous other awards
and fellowships including the Guggenheim Fellowship in
1987; a Brandeis Creative Arts Award in 1991; two New York
Dance and Performance Awards (Bessie Awards), in 1988 and
1999 for her "sustained investigation of movement"; and over
20 years of on-going support from the National Endowment
for the Arts (NEA). In 2010, Feminist Press published her book, STREB: How to Become an Extreme Action Hero. Read more...
Touring Company
FABIO TAVARES
Associate Artistic Director
Ready? Fabio A. Tavares da Silva began his career flying as an acrobat in his native Brazil after running away with the circus at age 15. Since moving to NYC in 1999, Fabio has been fortunate enough to have worked and performed with many amazing artists including Miguel Gutierrez, Chameckilerner, Yvonne Meier, Jeniffer Monson, Luis Lara Malvacias, Fischerspooner, Circus Amok, Laurie Anderson, and Noemie Lafrance, to name a few. In addition to POP-ACTION and acrobatics, Fabio is a Klein Technique teacher, and a Zero Balancing practitioner and is currently training to become an Alexander Technique teacher. He is also working on his solo project called ihamlet. Fabio is extremely grateful to be a part of STREB since 2003 where he is currently the Associate Artistic Director. He is also the co-developer of the current POP-ACTION curriculum taught at S.L.A.M. Fabio would like to extend a special thank you to Elizabeth, Kim and the whole team!GO!
SARAH CALLAN
Originally from Cork, Ireland, Sarah was a gymnast for fourteen years, four of which she spent on the Irish gymnastics team. She came to this country for college and received her B.A. in Writing and her M.A. in Nonprofit Management. During this time she also pursued her love of movement by learning flying trapeze and working as an instructor and being part of the Staff Fly Team at Trapeze School New York. She was immersed in the NYC circus community and through this found S.L.A.M. She is extremely happy to be the newest member of the STREB company and is excited about the future.
JACKIE CARLSON
Coming from Detroit, Michigan, Jackie has studied ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, and gymnastics since the age of 6. She's won many awards and scholarships in the dance competition world, including Miss Dance of Michigan in 2000, and "Most Outstanding Dancer '01" with NYC Dance Alliance. She spent 5 consecutive summers on full scholarship at The Milwaukee Ballet School, then moved to New York City right out of high school to join The Dance Theatre of Harlem ballet company. She has studied under and has been directed by such renowned dance artists as Arthur Mitchell, Jordeen Ivanov-Ericson, Nicolas Petrov, Mia Michaels, and Dan Karaty. But Jackie's dream came true when her lifetime goal of becoming a stunt double, and her love of dancing COLLIDED and STREB appeared!
FELIX HESS
Felix has appeared in numerous dance and musical theatre workshops in New York and New Jersey. He is, however, very happy to be living in New York again after touring since 2006 with the National and International touring production of Cats. With the show, Felix learned to love exploring movement, anatomical possibility, and pushing his body to new degrees of physicality and expression through pantomime. After being introduced to STREB in 2008 his obsession with extreme action has only increased! Felix is currently working towards completing his BA degrees in both dance and theatre at Marymount Manhattan College. He plans to graduate in the Spring of 2011. All the Mimzy! Love + Light
CASSANDRE JOSEPH
Cassandre Joseph was born and raised in Brooklyn. She began training in artistic gymnastics at the age of 4. Her career spanned 18 years, during which she earned several state, regional, and national titles. Since her retirement, Cassandre has searched for a replacement in dance, capoeira, and in performing aerial arts. She holds a B.A in English Literature from Cornell University. She's ecstatic to have found Streb and is looking forward to being part of the family.
SAMANTHA JAKUS
Samantha Jakus, from Philadelphia would call her journey a true “ROCKY” story. In a fight to explore the extremes of moving beyond the body's physical limits has led her to STREB! She has trained in dance, acrobatics, performance freestyle, cheerleading, circus, and by wrestling with her three brothers. Samantha holds a BFA from Temple University in Dance. There, her artistry was captured by studying the improvisational techniques of Merian Soto. She recently had her work appear as part of the Philly Fringe Festival and local NY venues.
JOHN KASTEN
John Kasten began his quest to understand movement by competing in boy gymnastics at the age of 10. His hunger was not satisfied until falling into the dance program at Fiorello H. LaGuardia high school. During this time he continued to train in gymnastics, and was awarded the PSAL Heisman Wingate award in men's all-around gymnastics in 2006. His journey took him to the University at Buffalo where he earned his B.A. in dance. He is honored to have worked with such choreographers and coaches as: Anne Burnidge, Tom Ralabate, Johnny De Jesus, and Alice Teirstein. John would like to send out much love to his family as well as Burns Inc. for all of their support. John is totally amped to be working with STREB and is overwhelmed with joy to be part of a team again!
DANIEL RYSAK
Daniel proudly claims West Palm Beach, FL as home! It is here where Daniel attended The Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts for theater and was introduced to dance by Garry Q. Lewis. These skills hurled Daniel into the BFA Music Theatre program at Florida State University where Kate Gelabert molded him into the dancer he is today. Daniel has performed in the North American Tours of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and CATS as Macavity. He has also flown high as Peter Pan in Peter Pan and performed regionally. Giving all thanks to God, his family, friends, and teachers who have all believed in him, this is dedicated to their support! Much love!
LEONARDO GIRON TORRES
Leonardo is a dreamer, a risk taker, and an adventure seeker who has been flying with STREB for the past 5 years. His fascination with movement began at a young age in Colombia as a competitive gymnast before he discovered that dance is his passion. He began studying Ballet under the direction of Cindy Mancini and Joseph Carrow. In 2006 he graduated from George Mason University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. He has also worked with several renowned choreographers such as Dana Tai Soon Burgess, Keith Thompson, Carla Perlo, Reggie Glass, and Helenius J. Wilkins. He performed a leading role in the 2003 national tour of Burgess' Nightingale. Currently, he also works as an independent personal trainer throughout the city where he explores his fascination for movement. Leonardo wishes to thank his closest friends and loved ones for all their love and support. Acrobacias con amor y paz!
Additional Action Engineers
TYLER ASHLEYUYS DU BUISSON
JESSICA KRUEGER
CACA MACEDO
MCCURRY SHERMAN
ASHLEY CAROLINE WALTERS
