Teachers

Maria Rendina Frantz artistic director is an independent artist, dancer, teacher, choreographer and actor has worked in various mediums, including theatre, performance art, film and television for the past 25 years.  Maria is an innovator in the field of physical theater since 1980's and began to formulate her approach to choreography in 1987 at Teachers College and continues this work today.  Ms. Frantz studied extensively with Erick Hawkins, the companies of Martha Graham, June Lewis and Twyla Tharp and studied choreography with Leonide Massine, Bessie Schonberg, June Lewis and Pearl Lang.  Ms. Frantz danced professionally with Dance June Lewis & Company and with choreographer Dan Wagoner and several choreographers, before founding her first dance theatre company in 1983, which premiered at the Merce Cunningham Studio Theater.  She has since presented her original works in N.Y.C., Washington, D.C., Maine, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, California and in Avignon, France. Ms. Frantz holds a M.A. in Dance from Columbia University, a B.A. in Dance from Point Park College, and currently teaches at the Carrillo Recreation Center for the City of Santa Barbara.  She is a member of SAG, AFTRA, the S. B. Dance Alliance, the Performing Arts League and the National Dance Association. Her most recent work "Blessings was presented at the SB Dance Alliance New Works Concert 2004.  "Mysteries of Light” her full length physical theater concert was presented at the Lobero Theater in August of 2003, and subsequently broadcast on SB Community Access.