Director | SARAH GAZDOWICZ

Choreographer | BRADY VAN PATTEN

Brady Van Patten is a queer, physical theater performer and creator from Chicago, Illinois, currently a Master of Fine Arts graduate student in the Department of Dance at the University of Iowa with a choreographic emphasis. Existing at the intersection of theatre and dance, Van Patten champions queer spirit in his research and celebrates sharing queer truths to challenge heteronormative political and social constraints.  During his time at the University of Iowa he has performed at the American College Dance Festival’s Gala in Stephanie Miracle’s work SqE8ty6R^y7 (Glitch Code), co-created and performed One Giant Leap, an evening length clown show through collaboration with the Department of Theatre Arts, and most recently assisted in movement direction for the Department of Theatre Arts’ production of Men On Boats under Johanna Kasimow.    

Fight Choreographer | PAUL KALINA

Dramaturg | MARGARET SMITH

BA (hons) English Literature & Theatre Studies from The University of Sheffield  
MA Theatre Criticism & Dramaturgy from Royal Central School of Speech & Drama, University of London. Margaret (She/Her) is a first-year MFA candidate in Dramaturgy. Her most recent credits include Fahrenheit 451 (CDT, Complicité), A Bright Room Called Day (Collaborazione), Scenes from an Execution (Dear Hunter Theatre), and the premiere of W.E.T. (CSSD). She hopes you enjoy the show.  

Stage Manager | DOROTHY CRAVEN*

Dorothy Craven is a fourth-year Theatre Arts and Ancient Civilizations double major with focuses in Stage Management and Scenic Design. Previous Stage Management credits: Three to Five Days, I Saw You/New Person, Fathers and Sons, Reflections. Previous Assistant Stage Management credits: Iowa Directors Festival, Il Matrimonio Segreto, and Something Rotten!. She would love to thank the Dance Nation team for all their wonderful work and making this production such a magical experience! 

Scenic Designer | BETHANY KASPEREK

Costume Designer/Makeup Designer | ABBY GARRATY

 Sound Designer ​| MOLLY COSTELLO*

Molly is a third-year Theatre Arts student with focuses in Sound and Digital Media Design, who is also pursuing a certificate in Public Digital Arts. Previous University of Iowa credits include Reflections and You’re Still Here. She is eternally grateful to the wonderful production team for their unending support, and she is so excited for the stories in Dance Nation to be told. Enjoy the show!  

Lighting Designer ​| NICOLE BLODIG*

Nicole Blodig is a fourth- year undergraduate Theatre Arts major on the design track, studying lighting design, with an art minor. She has designed numerous shows at the university; recent credits include In This Sepulcher, We Are Fed (2023), Ghost Town (2023) and rockabye, or: A Play About a Tree (2022). Over the summer, Nicole worked for Hope Repertory Theatre in Holland, Michigan, designing Three Little Birds as well as assisting on Rock of Ages and Boeing, Boeing. In her designs, she enjoys  using lighting in a generative way that amplifies emotion on the stage through variation in color, texture, and angle. Post-graduation, she plans on moving to the east coast to work as an electrician and freelance lighting designer.  

 Intimacy Director ​| OWEN BRIGHTMAN

 Assistant Stage Manager ​| CHLOE ANCELL*

Chloe Ancell is a 3rd year stage management major with an additional interest in scenic design at the University of Iowa. Chloe has been a part of the stage management team for many shows this semester including, Global Express, Brother Brother, and now, Dance Nation! She is very grateful to be a part of this production and many more to come! A huge thank you to everyone who made this show possible! She hopes you enjoy Dance Nation! 

 Assistant Scenic Designer​| CJ JOHNSON

Choreography Collaborator ​| EVAN ZUKIN*

Evan is a second-year undergrad in the Dance program at the University of Iowa, and this is his first time working with the Theatre Department. An Iowa City native, he has been teaching tap dance and choreographing competition pieces for Nolte Academy for three years. Beginning this year, he began Dance Teching for West High School's varsity show choir. He had a wonderful time working with Sarah, Brady, and the whole cast. Enjoy the show!