Choreographer & Movement Artist

Alyssa Simpson (she/her) is a professional dance artist and collaborator based in Chicago, IL. Originally from the St. Louis metropolitan area, Alyssa has performed in and choreographed various works. She earned her BFA in Dance and BA in Journalism from the University of Iowa. Her work investigates narratives that play with movement and the vulnerability of performance. She aspires for her performance and work to shift perspectives, inspire, engage viewers, and promote community. She has performed professionally with Consuming Kinetics Dance Company, Alluvion Dance Chicago, and We Are Collective. She is excited to be performing with and setting work on the We Are Collective for their third season.

Choreographer, Movement Artist, & Organizer

A recent dance graduate, Tristen Sanborn (he/him) is just freshly stepping into the Chicago dance scene. Doing various works across Chicago and the Twin Cities, Sanborn is truly interested in the human connection that comes with the art form. Throughout these two cities, Tristen has worked with various companies, such as The Walker Arts Center, The Cowles Center, Shapiro & Smith Dance, NBC, The Seldoms, The Joffrey Ballet, Kaleena Miller Dance and more. An emerging choreographer, Sanborn has showcased choreography at a few different Chicago festivals, such as The Harvest Chicago Contemporary Dance Festival, and Delve Dance Showcase.

Movement Artist

Lani Anderson (she/her) has a passion for dance that has spanned a quarter-century and has included a multitude of dance styles.

Graduating from Columbia College Chicago with a Dance BFA in 2016, she continued her dance career by blending her roots in traditional Irish dance, culturally centered styles of street dance, and modern dance with an emphasis in improvisation.

Movement Artist

Isis Schmugge (she/they) was trained in ballet during her adolescence, eventually falling out of it. They returned to their training in high school at Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists where she was introduced to a plethora of dance styles. She became very fond of the world that is modern dance and later expanded her knowledge on more codified forms while attending Columbia College Chicago. They still refrain from identifying with one specific form of dance as so many forms from their training exist within their body. She finds comfort in movement that falls off its axis, fluid floor work, release based qualities, and often references everyday gestures.

Choreographer & Movement Artist

Hanna Swartz (they/them) is a Chicago-based movement artist who holds a BFA in Dance from Columbia College Chicago. After more than a decade of ballet and jazz training in their home state of Missouri, Hanna studied contemporary dance and choreography at the Boston Conservatory before moving to Chicago in 2018 to continue their education at the Dance Center of Columbia College. Hanna has danced professionally in Chicago, presented new choreographic works, led classes/workshops, and maintained a practice of movement improvisation with the goal of constant rebirth and curiosity.

Movement Artist & Organizer

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 773 Dance Project, 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.

Choreographer, Movement Artist, & Organizer

Nik LaMaack (they/he) graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a BA in Dance. Nik co-founded We Are Collective with a focus on inclusivity. They have performed with Reign Drop at Synapse’s New Works & Robin Davis at Khecari. He choreographed & performed CRUDE at EXPO Chicago 2023. Nik’s work, Vex [Extended Cut], debuted at Alluvion’s arrive festival. They also worked with We Are Collective in and the sequoia stood tall. The Things You Showed Me, a work dedicated to their grandfather, was performed as part of Pink Slip Zine in 2024. Recently their works, Orogeny Unfolds & Crown Shyness have been accepted to multiple festivals in Summer 2024. Their work mainly focuses on queerness and nature, with a through-line of grotesque qualities.

Choreographer & Organizer

Reign Drop is a trans dancer, choreographer, and teacher from Illinois. Over the last five years, Reign has grown roots in the Chicago dance community focusing on creating sustainable and accessible dance spaces for all ages. Reign is a choreographer researching contemporary dance techniques captivated by movement that demonstrates self-advocacy, freedom, and connection. Reign proudly graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a BA in Dance. During their time at The Dance Center they had the privilege of being mentored by, Ellen Chenoweth, Paige Cunnigham, Carrie Hanson, Jeff Hancock, and Darrell Jones. In the Chicago community, they have choreographed for New Dances in 2020, as well as other local company showcases, and the iconic Chicago drag queen, Shea Coulee’s "Rewind" music video. Reign aims to be heard—to share their story—to honor the stories of all magical trans people.