Somatic Performer
Somatic Performer

Wendell Beavers, a dancer and educator, founded Naropa University's MFA Theatre: Contemporary Performance Program in 2004. He was a founding faculty member and Director (1984-1990) of The Experimental Theatre Wing (ETW) at NYU teaching there from 1979-2003 where he was involved in applying the viewpoints in collaboration with originator Mary Overlie. He was cofounder and early director of Movement Research in New York, dancing there in a variety of groups and venues. His work has been seen at DTW, Judson Church, Danspace Project, Dixon Place/Vineyard Theatre, P.S.122, ADF Six-Week School, MoMA NYC,  and in numerous university venues in the US and in Europe. He is Professor Emeritus of Performance at Naropa University, and continues teaching as Guest Faculty at NYU/ETW & Collaborative Arts BFA. Recent Guest Artist Residencies include Visiting Artist/Scholar at Concordia University, Montreal Jan-May 2020, Rose Bruford University, London, (2019-20), Ohio University(Sept ‘15), SITI Co. Saratoga Intensive(June ‘15. '16, '17), Nine YearsTheater/Singapore(Nov. '16)


Erika Berland, a Certified Practitioner of Body-Mind Centering (R), is a nationally Registered Movement Therapist and licensed Massage Therapist. She has an extensive background as a dance teacher and performer and has taught workshops in experiential anatomy and dance applications of Body-Mind Centering in numerous studios and schools throughout the US and Europe.  A pioneer in the field of somatic education with a long and distinguished career in the fields of movement therapy and re-education for performing artists integrating modern dance, physical theater, massage therapy and contemplative practice. Erika was a founding faculty and co-creator of the unique movement curriculum of the MFA Theater: Contemporary Performance Program at Naropa University (2004-2020). She has been in the forefront of creating new techniques and applications of Bonnie Cohen’s ground breaking work (Body Mind Centering®) and post-modern dance techniques in the service of a new aesthetic--fully integrating psycho-physical sources for the actor, and clarity of form and articulation for the dancer. An early student of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, the meditation master and founder of Naropa University, Erika is a long time teacher of meditation, and her professional areas of research include the integration of meditation practice and view in the Shambhala Buddhist tradition with performance techniques and holistic support for the performer.

Her publications include:

SITTING: THE PHYSICAL ART OF MEDITATION (SomaticPerformer Press) 2017

SOMATIC TRAINING FOR ACTORS WITH THE PRINCIPLES OF BODY MIND  CENTERING(R) 2nd ed. Movement for Actors (Allworth Press) 2016

A DRAMATURGY OF EMBODIMENT, ACCESSING THE EXPRESSIVITY OF THE BODY THROUGH THE STUDY AND PRACTICE OF EXPERIENTIAL ANATOMY. Physical Dramaturgy Perspectives from the Field (Routledge) 2017






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