Stephanie Rankin is a dancer, choreographer, educator, and arts administrator based in Chicago, IL.  She received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance Performance/Choreography and Communications from Hope College, Holland, MI and received her Masters of Science in Arts Administration from Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA.
 

She has been privileged to work and perform original works with choreographers such as; Steven Iannacone, Matthew Farmer, Anne Rene Petrarch, Sharon Wong, Ben Bach (Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company), Jay Wahl, and Angie Yetzke.  She has performed in Philadelphia, PA; New York, NY; Chicago, IL; Point Pleasant, NJ; throughout Michigan, and in Ga'aton, Israel.  
 

Her own choreography draws on art, history, and literature to create relatable audience experiences.  She incorporates pedestrian movement, somatic modern principles, and her collaborator's experiences and styles with the attempt to convey honesty and authenticity.  Her work has been presented in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Michigan, Arizona, Illinois, and at the International Dance Village in Israel.
 

She has taught at public schools, studios, community programs, and, most recently, Hope College as substitute dance faculty and guest choreographer. Her own style is an eclectic blend of ballet, postmodern technique, somatic practices, athleticism, and pedestrian movement.  She has taught creative movement, improvisation, composition, ballet, jazz, modern, and repertoire.

 

 

As an administrator, she has worked in the non- profit arts sector for museums, performing arts organizations, and dance service organizations.  For her Masters' thesis, she looked at audience engagement at the start of the creative process, linked here. The findings from her research have made audience engagement a focal point in her artistic and administrative work.  She is experienced in creating and implementing programs and events; maintaining a cohesive brand over social media, web, and print marketing channels; writing grant proposals; and maintaining membership relations.