MOTION STATE ARTS @ Fringe PVD
Ballet RI, 825 Hope St, Providence, RI
july 18 & 19, 2026
Come try a vast array of dance/movement classes during FringePVD!
Open to all levels except where noted. Class size limited; register to reserve your spot.
$20/class; $5 off 2+ classes
SATURDAY, JULY 18
Ballet RI’s Grand Studio
10–11am: Gaga / Ana Harmon
Gaga classes are predicated on a deep activation of the body and physical sensations. Invitations are curated to increase awareness of and further amplify sensation, and rather than turning from one prompt to another, information is layered, building into a multisensory, physically enlightening experience. While many instructions are imbued with rich imagery, the research of Gaga is fundamentally physical. Inside this shared research, the improvisational nature of Gaga’s explorations invites movers to develop deeper connections with their own movement, both inside of, and beyond, the studio.
Ana Harmon is a Massachusetts-based dance artist, educator, and certified Gaga teacher. Since completing her Gaga teacher training in 2019 under the artistic guidance of Ohad Naharin, she has shared Gaga with professional dancers and people of all backgrounds and abilities. Ana currently manages the Gaga Online platform and serves as Gaga's Content and Publicity Manager. She is a Visiting Lecturer at Harvard University and has taught at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, as well as numerous universities, conservatories, and community settings. Sharing Gaga's movement language is an ongoing source of inspiration—witnessing others discover new possibilities in themselves continually deepens her own research. Through dancing, she explores the many ways a body can be alive in the world.
11:15am–12:45pm: Contemporary Dance Practice / Colin Stilwell
In this intermediate-to-advanced level class, we will direct and redirect movement energy through the body and into space. Through a guided warm-up, improvisational scores, and phrasework, we will explore the use of gravity, weight and momentum, as well as the interplay between tension and release, allowing for a dynamic and responsive movement experience. This class provides space for the joy of movement to be experienced and shared—supporting physical vitality, emotional presence, and a sense of community. At its core, this class encourages the discovery of new movement pathways, enriching our artistry, creativity, and embodied expression.
Colin Stilwell is a dance artist, choreographer, filmmaker, and educator who brings over fifteen years of experience to teaching contemporary technique through the lens of modern dance principles. A former company member of Doug Varone and Dancers, Colin has performed with Neil Greenberg, Roseanne Spradlin, Netta Yerushalmy, and Jon Kinzel. Highlight collaborations include developing material with Trisha Brown (Da Gelo a Gelo), performing with John Bock and John Jesurun, and appearing in productions at the New York Metropolitan Opera. Currently, Colin is an adjunct professor at Salve Regina University, a faculty member at Newport Ballet Academy, and a company teacher for Newport Contemporary Ballet. He previously spent seven years as an adjunct professor at Hofstra University and has guest-taught at institutions including Purchase College, Princeton, Barnard, Providence College, Roger Williams University, and Brown University. As a dance filmmaker, his work Remerge won a 2024 Brown Arts Institute IGNITE Series Award, and Catching Fire premiered at the 2025 EcoPerformance Film Festival in Brazil and Croatia. Colin holds a BFA in Dance from Purchase College, an MFA from Hunter College, and is a certified massage/bodywork therapist.
1–2:30pm: The Mixtape Dance Series / Darnell “Snoopy” Brown
{The BluePrint} is where Hip Hop history, foundation, and artistry meet. This Advanced Beginner/Intermediate class blends nonstop grooves, movement drills, and core theories like Bounce, Rock, Levels, Footwork, and Music Structure to strengthen your craft. Each session builds into choreography and freestyle development, focusing on performance, confidence, and authentic expression. Ending with a vibe session that highlights freestyle, freedom, joy, and community—making the dance your own language.
Darnell “Snoopy” Brown is a Boston-born creative and community advocate who values growth, humility, and connection. Outside of dance, he is passionate about mental health, emotional awareness, and supporting others in finding balance and purpose. Known for his positivity and leadership, Snoopy is dedicated to uplifting his community, mentoring others, and creating spaces that encourage healing, self-discovery, and authentic living.
SUNDAY, JULY 19
Ballet RI’s Studio 2
10–11am: Yoga / Jessica Howard
Experience the joy of movement from the inside out. This all-levels yoga class invites you to align with your breath, set your intentions, and cultivate deep internal peace and confidence. Using a mindful, ground-up approach, Jessica ensures every student can safely find their edge. Whether you want a gentle practice or wish to playfully test your physical limits, this class encourages open curiosity and mind-body wellness. Bring a blanket or yoga mat, water bottle and join us for this unique experience and experimental practice.
Jessica Howard brings joy and heart-centered connection to each experience she leads. She serves as the Executive Director of The Heron Center, a 501(c)(3) organization. She stewards 22 acres in Westport, MA, dedicated to wildlife habitat enhancement, land conservation and through the nonprofit's mission fosters creativity and wellness within the community. Jessica views education as an essential pillar of stewardship, sustainability, and personal wellness. She is a multi-passionate human that connects her love for learning, nature and movement with an endless sense of wonder.
11:15am–12:45pm: Floorwork / Robbie Cook
This class pulls from various floor work modalities I have studied with choreographers from Europe and Latin America who weave the use of the floor into their creative work. My approach is to scaffold the class with passes across the floor that build in complexity and intensity as a means to develop strength, coordination, fluency and personal agency to move in and out of the floor and into inversions safely, and in unexpected ways. Participants should wear long pants and shirts with sleeves, no tank tops, and possibly wear “dancer knee pads” if you have concerns moving on you knees.
Robbie Cook (he/him/his) has been professionally active in the dance communities of New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles and is currently based in Rhode Island. He has taught at the American Dance Festival, Bates Dance Festival, Hofstra University, Douta Seck (Dakar, Senegal), Hong Kong International School, Shenandoah Conservatory, Loyola Marymount University, Idyllwild Arts Academy, Chadwick International School (South Korea), Japan Contemporary Dance Network (Sapporo), Universidad de Las Américas (Mexico), and IUGTE Conference (Austria). He has performed in the works of various choreographers, including: Momar Ndiaye, Seán Curran, James Gregg, Guanglei Hui, Michel Kouakou, Rosie Herrera, Edwaard Liang, Liz Lerman, Stacy Spence, Douglas Dunn, Liz Gerring, Margaret Jenkins, Jan Erkert and Deborah Hay. Robbie has an MFA in Dance from Bennington College.
1–2:30pm: Processes of Attention / Heidi Henderson
In this improvisation class we will practice readiness, responsiveness and pattern recognition. With simple structures, we will practice paying attention: to ourselves on a cellular level, to each other, and to the group as a whole. We will delight in not knowing. This all-levels class is for any one who likes to move and play in community.
Heidi Henderson, choreographer for elephant JANE dance, based in RI, is a five time recipient of the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts Choreography Fellowship. EJD has performed at the South Bank Centre in London, NYC, all over New England, Jacob's Pillow Inside/Out Festival and The International Festival of Dance in Taegu, Korea. Heidi danced in the companies of Bebe Miller, Nina Wiener, Peter Schmitz, and Paula Josa-Jones and in works by Colleen Thomas, Sondra Loring and others. EJD is currently touring untitled sad piece, an evening length work for five dancers, set to the music of the 1970’s pop duo The Carpenters.
The Motion State Arts Stage at FringePVD features classes sponsored by MSA. The 2026 Providence Fringe Festival®, presented by The Wilbury Theatre Group with support from community partners throughout Providence, features performing artists from across the country sharing their work in theatre, dance, visual arts, and everything in-between.