2024 Performing Company

 Ava is from Grover Beach, California.  She grew up dancing with her home studio SLO Movement Arts Collective. She moved to Chicago in 2021 to dance with Common Conservatory. Ava then relocated to Leeds, England to dance with Northern School of Contemporary Dance where she earned her dance certification. A few teachers Ava has worked with are Amury Leburn, Keria Martin, Alice Klock and Florian Lochner, Antonio Buhar, Robin Mineko Willimas, Meredith Dincolo, and Drew Louis. In 2023 Ava began choreographing and presenting her first work on stage with Simantikos choreo kick-off. Now Ava's choreo has been shown in Hops & Bops, Simantikos Choreo Kick Off, Delve Chicago, Common Ground, and Future Artist with Still Inspired. Ava is so excited to be back in Chicago and to be a part of 773 Dance Project this year, and perform with her fellow dancers!

Ariana Fonzo (she/her) is a freelance artist based in Chicago, IL. Though originally from just outside Atlanta, GA, Ariana continued her dance training at the University of Utah, where she earned a BFA in Ballet and a BS in Strategic Communication. Post-graduation, she had the opportunity to train with both Ballet Idaho and Visceral Dance Chicago. Additionally, Ariana has danced for Symbiosis, the University of Utah Ballet Choreographic Institute, and cherishes her experiences performing the works of choreographers including Alice Klock and Florian Lochner of FLOCK, Marguerite Donlon, Jennifer Archibald, and Alejandro Cerrudo. Ariana strives to pursue authenticity and whimsicality in her work and is excited to be currently dancing as a Guest Artist with Hotcrowd and for her second season as part of 773 Dance Project!

 Audrey Hartnett (she/they) is a Chicago based artist with passions for dance performance and writing. After graduating in 2021 with a BFA from Columbia College Chicago, she has been exploring a variety of repertoire that play with the relationship between classical and contemporary dance. Audrey is honored to currently be a company member with Identity Performing Arts, Meher Dance Company, and We Are Collective as well as a seasonal artist with Meadows Dance Collective. She also helps run administration for Meadows and We Are Collective, with goals to make dance accessible and inclusive for audiences and artists alike. Audrey is excited to be joining 773 Dance Project for her second season!

Dani Oblitas (she/they) is a dance artist and educator currently based in Chicago, IL. With an emphasis in choreography, Dani graduated from St. Olaf College with a BA in Dance and Environmental Studies. She is passionate about making movement accessible to all, and views dance as a life affirming act of both community cultivation and individual embodiment. During her time at St. Olaf College, they worked with Stephan Klopowitz, Shapiro & Smith, and Arena Dances. Since graduating, Dani has collaborated on a dance film for the UW Madison P.O.W.E.R. Collective CYPHER for Restorative Justice that was featured in the 2023 Short Stack Film Festival. They have additionally danced with Liz Sexe Dance, KLJ Movement, We Are Collective, 773 Dance Project, Arriving at Dawn, and Albany Park Theater Project’s Port of Entry. Dani has taught as a dance educator for Performing Ourselves, KLJ Movement, and taught Senior Movement Meditation classes at the Madison Public Library. Currently, she is a Teaching Artist for NorthShore Elite Talent, IdeaBox Integrated Arts, and a Teaching Artist Mentor with ArtsXChange. Dani is a Links Hall Co-Mission Resident for 2024. 

Sarah Sterling graduated with honors from Washington University in St. Louis with a double major in Dance and Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology and a minor in Spanish. During her time in college, she supplemented her training by attending the Bodytraffic Summer Program, the Alvin Ailey Summer Intensive, the Bates Dance Festival, and the David Dorfman Dance Intensive. Upon graduation, she was accepted into the Visceral Dance Chicago trainee program where she trained and performed under the direction of Nick Pupillo and Cait Cucchiara. During this program, she performed works by Nick Pupillo, Braeden Barnes, Mónica Cervantes, and Mike Tyus. She has worked professionally as a dancer with Niko8 (under the direction of Sean Roschman) and Alluvion Dance Chicago (under the direction of Johnny Huntoon) and has performed in several music videos under the direction of Isaiah Silvia-Chandley. She has also performed in several festivals around the city, including Simantikos’s “Choreo Kick Off,” and  Alluvion’s “Emergence,” which she has also choreographed for twice. Sarah has been a teacher and choreographer in the Boston area for over five years and has recently begun teaching in the Chicago area. Sarah is excited to begin dancing with 773 Dance Project for their second season!

Taylor Taylor is a dancer, choreographer, and teacher from Greensboro, North Carolina .Taylor began her dance journey at Dance Project: School at City Arts in Greensboro, NC and continued her studies at the University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG) where she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance: Choreography and Performance (‘21). After graduation, Taylor interned in the education department at Dance Place in Washington D.C. and performed in the Dance Place Embark Gala as a community dancer in the piece No Less Black choreographed by Gesele Mason. Upon her return to North Carolina, she had the opportunity to choreograph a local production of Moana Jr for middle school students in collaboration with other UNCG artists. Taylor’s movement practice is constantly evolving but presently she is focused on how to integrate her love for movement and her insatiable curiosity by choosing projects that challenge her both physically and intellectually. Taylor is currently based in Chicago and is excited to continue her journey as a dance artist with 773 Dance Project.

As a native of South Florida, Diamond Warren-Tucker is no stranger to the rhythm of life. Her Bahamian and Guyanese heritage has always given her a glimpse into the healing and revolutionary power of dance. In high school, Diamond participated in musical theater, color guard, and classical orchestra. The opportunities to experience the varying manifestations of music and dance informed her post-graduation plans greatly. Diamond went on to receive a full ride scholarship to Washington University in St. Louis to pursue dance. Within those four years, she trained in jazz, jazz funk, hip-hop, ballet, modern, and choreography. She had the pleasure of dancing for choreographers such as Redd Williams, Melanie George, Cecil Slaughter, and Heather Himes. In 2023, Diamond Warren-Tucker received the Annelise Mertz Memorial Prize in Modern Dance from her alma mater. Post-graduation, she continues her dance career in Chicago, IL with Kuumba Lynx, Hawkins House of Horton and the 773 Dance Project. When she isn't dancing, Diamond works as an educator, doula, and crisis management volunteer.