FOUNDED ON
THE FLY
2013
Ten years ago, Creative Director, Ashley Selmer and a collective of then 8 dancers, joined together to create a one time show for their generation – something fresh and innovative that would feature all types of dancers from various socio-economic backgrounds, trained in dance styles from hip-hop, contemporary, to modern and Ballet.
SHAPESHIFT’s November 2013 self-titled production at the New Century Theatre in Minneapolis, sold out to rousing applause and standing ovations, moving their audience to tears. That got the attention of presenters and audiences, which began to build.
Thereafter, they continued their sold-out performances at The Lab Theater in September 2014 with their production “XI:XI” and again at the Cowles Center in 2015 with “XI:XI: The Awakening.”
The company continued to perform to sold out audiences with their debut of “Grey Skies Blue” at the Cowles Center in February 2016.
After being selected in 2017 as a juried artist to perform at the International Performing Arts for Youth Conference in Madison, WI, SHAPESHIFT was booked 11 shows at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Ashley Selmer founded SHAPESHIFT on the fly in 2013 after dancing in a music video with Prince’s band 3rdEyeGirl, and performing in front of 20,000 screaming fans for We Day at Xcel Energy Center.
ILLUMINATE THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE
SHAPESHIFT was formed to create a fresh innovative dance style, combined with the lyricism of contemporary dance, hip-hop and other dance styles to illuminate the human experience and fuel social change. SHAPESHIFT’s productions boldly tackle issues of social justice, loss, love, and human emotions. SHAPESHIFT’s patented hybrid storytelling productions include full and small ensembles and solo pieces, combined with hip-hop/contemporary movement and other dances sty, fused with popular and old school music, dialog, acting and props.
OUR PERFORMERS
THE CREATIVE TEAM
SS CREATIVE TEAM 4 Midwest kids who work together to produce creative concepts, build choreography and style the collective.
OUR COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS
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JAMES GAVINS
Creative Collaborator
James is an all-around artist who was born and raised in Chicago, IL. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where here attained a B.A. in Theater & Drama. In 2008, James was granted the First Wave Hip Hop & Urban Arts Scholarship. He started off a bboy (breakdancing) in his early teens, which led into popping (funkstyles). He then took a two-year break from college to dance professionally with GForce Entertainment on various Carnival CruiseLine ships. James also is a Professional Teaching Artist with the Wallace Foundation/Youth Arts Initiatives/Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee. James' goal is for youth to turn their ideas into life changing opportunities.
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H. ADAM HARRIS
Acting Coach / Cultural Equity Consultant
H. Adam Harris is an actor, director, teaching artist, and cultural equity consultant. He works at the intersection of theatre, education, social justice, and community engagement. He has worked with the Guthrie Theater, Seattle Children’s Theater, New Conservatory Theatre Center, Park Square Theatre, Pillsbury House Theatre, and the Minnesota Orchestra. H. Adam is the Education Coordinator at the Playwrights’ Center; Lead Facilitator at Penumbra Theatre Company; a resident teaching artist with the Guthrie Theater and CTC, and a freelance equity, diversity, and inclusion consultant for various organizations. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater BFA Actor Training Program.
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ALEXI CARLSON
Stage Manager
Alexi (she/her) is a Minnesota based event manager, lighting designer, and electrician for live and virtual events. In addition to her position as the Events Production Manager of the Music Department at Carleton College, she is a Stage Manager at Ted Mann Concert Hall, Livestream Director with Ananya Dance Theater, and performs freelance work for many Twin Cities arts companies. Some of her recent production credits include Be Your Own Superhero (Shapeshift), Pieces of the Puzzle (Exposed Brick Theater), We're Still Here (Interact Center), Retrospective MN Tour (James Sewell Ballet), and Still Life with Iris (Blake School).
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MARY SHABATURA
Lighting Designer
Mary is a Minneapolis-based lighting designer for theater, opera, and dance. Shabatura has previously designed for Theater Latté Da (A Christmas Carole Petersen, Ragtime, Gypsy), Artistry (Wit, The Secret Garden, and more), Concordia University (The Rhinoceros), Transatlantic Love Affair (co-designer, Promise Land), Shakespeare Youth Theater (The Tempest, Romeo and Juliet), The Moving Company (For Sale), and others. She is resident lighting designer for Dark & Stormy Productions. Maryholds a B.A. in Theater Arts from the University of Minnesota.