KAyla Schiltgen RESUME
SCREENDANCE (generative)
the I’s have it (8 min) is a meditation on listening explored through collaboration with the natural environment. Premiered virtually alongside an artist talkback in 2021. Selected & screened at 6 festivals thus far including national & international presentations. North Dakota Environmental Rights Film Festival (Nd, 2022) | Wolf Tree Film Festival (Mi, 2022) | In Shadow (Portugal, 2021) | International Meeting on Video-Dance and Video-Performance (Spain & France, 2021) | Duluth Superior Film Festival (Mn, 2021) | DanceBARN Screendance Festival (Mn, 2021). Schiltgen choreographed, directed, edited, & costumed the work.
Long Drag (12 min) was commissioned by Rhythmically Speaking for The Cohort 20/21 at The Shed at The Lab Brewery, Mpls, Mn (2021, premiere). In this trio dancers explore choreographies of work & pace through their ties to sea shanties. Choreography, direction, cinematography, editing, & costuming by Schiltgen. This work has not yet begun festival distribution.
with River (4 mins 40 secs) is a duet in collaboration with the Gooseberry River in Two Harbors, Mn. Selected & premiered at Inbox@Artbox, Mpls, Mn (2020). Schiltgen choreographed, danced in, directed, edited, & costumed the work. Cinematography by Two Harbors artist Eric Elefson.
haiku (3 mins 15 secs) takes the haiku structure to inform & create improvisation scores for the camera & subject. Choreographer, director, cinematographer, editor, sound design (December, 2020).
Breakwall Go Round (2 mins) is inspired by Shirley Clarkes Bridges Go Round. It is a choreography of the Two Harbors Breakwall. Choreographer, director, cinematographer, editor, sound design (October, 2020).
fog lifting (3 mins) explores framing & shot perspective of a single moment of a dancer (Eric Elefson of Two Harbors) moving through fog. Choreographer, director, cinematographer, editor (September, 2020).
In the way? (5 mins) solo (performed by Eric Elefson of Two Harbors) examining relationship to the natural environment through the exploration of a huge immovable boulder on Lake Superior’s shore. Choreographer, director, cinematographer, editor, sound design (September, 2020).
Goldenrod (35 secs) is what Schiltgen has termed a “micro-screendance,” these are screendances under one minute in length made specifically to be viewed on a small screen such as a smartphone, their purpose is to offer a slow, single moment of connection with nature amid daily life. Choreographer, director, cinematographer, dancer, editor (August, 2020).
sit side by side (25 secs), micro-screendance duet (with Schiltgen & Eric Elefson of Two Harbors) highlighting a rural hillside. Choreographer, director, cinematographer, dancer, editor (July, 2020).
duo (37 secs), micro-screendance duet (with Schiltgen & Eric Elefson of Two Harbors) highlighting a rural field in Summer. Choreographer, director, cinematographer, dancer, editor (July, 2020).
field of view (26 secs), micro-screendance solo (performed by Eric Elefson of Two Harbors) highlighting a rural grassy landscape. Choreographer, director, cinematographer, editor (July, 2020).
process (4 mins, 30 secs) examines creative process & the development of an artistic concept through film techniques that manipulate the recorded moving body. Director, dancer, editor. Cinematography by Two Harbors artist Eric Elefson (December, 2019).
the I’s have it (8 min) is a meditation on listening explored through collaboration with the natural environment. Premiered virtually alongside an artist talkback in 2021. Selected & screened at 6 festivals thus far including national & international presentations. North Dakota Environmental Rights Film Festival (Nd, 2022) | Wolf Tree Film Festival (Mi, 2022) | In Shadow (Portugal, 2021) | International Meeting on Video-Dance and Video-Performance (Spain & France, 2021) | Duluth Superior Film Festival (Mn, 2021) | DanceBARN Screendance Festival (Mn, 2021). Schiltgen choreographed, directed, edited, & costumed the work.
Long Drag (12 min) was commissioned by Rhythmically Speaking for The Cohort 20/21 at The Shed at The Lab Brewery, Mpls, Mn (2021, premiere). In this trio dancers explore choreographies of work & pace through their ties to sea shanties. Choreography, direction, cinematography, editing, & costuming by Schiltgen. This work has not yet begun festival distribution.
with River (4 mins 40 secs) is a duet in collaboration with the Gooseberry River in Two Harbors, Mn. Selected & premiered at Inbox@Artbox, Mpls, Mn (2020). Schiltgen choreographed, danced in, directed, edited, & costumed the work. Cinematography by Two Harbors artist Eric Elefson.
haiku (3 mins 15 secs) takes the haiku structure to inform & create improvisation scores for the camera & subject. Choreographer, director, cinematographer, editor, sound design (December, 2020).
Breakwall Go Round (2 mins) is inspired by Shirley Clarkes Bridges Go Round. It is a choreography of the Two Harbors Breakwall. Choreographer, director, cinematographer, editor, sound design (October, 2020).
fog lifting (3 mins) explores framing & shot perspective of a single moment of a dancer (Eric Elefson of Two Harbors) moving through fog. Choreographer, director, cinematographer, editor (September, 2020).
In the way? (5 mins) solo (performed by Eric Elefson of Two Harbors) examining relationship to the natural environment through the exploration of a huge immovable boulder on Lake Superior’s shore. Choreographer, director, cinematographer, editor, sound design (September, 2020).
Goldenrod (35 secs) is what Schiltgen has termed a “micro-screendance,” these are screendances under one minute in length made specifically to be viewed on a small screen such as a smartphone, their purpose is to offer a slow, single moment of connection with nature amid daily life. Choreographer, director, cinematographer, dancer, editor (August, 2020).
sit side by side (25 secs), micro-screendance duet (with Schiltgen & Eric Elefson of Two Harbors) highlighting a rural hillside. Choreographer, director, cinematographer, dancer, editor (July, 2020).
duo (37 secs), micro-screendance duet (with Schiltgen & Eric Elefson of Two Harbors) highlighting a rural field in Summer. Choreographer, director, cinematographer, dancer, editor (July, 2020).
field of view (26 secs), micro-screendance solo (performed by Eric Elefson of Two Harbors) highlighting a rural grassy landscape. Choreographer, director, cinematographer, editor (July, 2020).
process (4 mins, 30 secs) examines creative process & the development of an artistic concept through film techniques that manipulate the recorded moving body. Director, dancer, editor. Cinematography by Two Harbors artist Eric Elefson (December, 2019).
CHOREOGRAPHY FOR LIVE PERFORMANCE (generative)
recipe for something (7 mins 30 secs) was selected for presentation at Walker Art Center Choreographer’s Evening (Mpls, Mn, 2021) & premiered at Dances on the Lakewalk (Duluth, Mn, 2021). It is a solo performed & choreographed by Schiltgen that explores resourcefulness. Choreography is inspired by framing techniques she uses in screendance through prop work with a large wooden board. Schiltgen created the sound design composing a series of voice memos recorded during her daily life. This worked is being further developed as a screendance.
Deep Water (30 mins). Deep Water consists of several short form works (Short Haul, Shantyman, & Long Drag (screendance)) set to sea shanties & original compositions by Arrowhead Artist George Ellsworth. It explores sea shanties as a device to structure & inform choreography while also examining pace, work & community. Sections have been presented as part of Rhythmically Speaking’s The Cohort 20/21 (Mpls, Mn, 2021), Good Night at the Southern Theater (Mpls, Mn, 2020), & the Minnesota Fringe Festival (Mpls, Mn, 2019). Schiltgen performed, choreographed, edited, filmed & costumed this work.
Annie and Laura (duration variable) was commissioned by Arrowhead writer Tina Higgins Wussow. It is a solo choreography performed by Schiltgen that explores Wussow’s characters through movement improvisation set to live music improvisation by Arrowhead musician George Ellsworth. Presented at Teatro Zuccone (Duluth, Mn, 2020).
Come Go With Me (7 mins) was selected for presentation at Walker Art Center Choreographer’s Evening (Mpls, Mn, 2019). Also performed at Dances at the Lake Festival (Mpls, Mn, 2019), & Dances on the Lakewalk (Duluth, Mn, 2019). This trio composed of dancers from the Arrowhead Region, including Schiltgen, uses a sound design of her own & is a reflection on her move away from an urban community & return to rural Mn.
Catching Up (10 mins) was commissioned by Eclectic Edge Ensemble for presentation at First Jazz View, Tek Box (Mpls, Mn, 2017). It explores humans’ relationship to pace as it relates to technological advances. Along with choreography Schiltgen designed the sound for this work.
Those Who Eat Together (18 mins) is a duet reflecting upon “family meals” & their disappearance with the hastening of daily life. Schiltgen choreographed & performed in this work which she also designed the sound for. Minnesota Fringe Festival (Mpls, Mn, 2012).
Spit It Out (8 mins), solo choreography, performance & sound design by Schiltgen that explores creative pressure & expectation. Dances at the Lake Festival (Mpls, Mn, July 2012).
recipe for something (7 mins 30 secs) was selected for presentation at Walker Art Center Choreographer’s Evening (Mpls, Mn, 2021) & premiered at Dances on the Lakewalk (Duluth, Mn, 2021). It is a solo performed & choreographed by Schiltgen that explores resourcefulness. Choreography is inspired by framing techniques she uses in screendance through prop work with a large wooden board. Schiltgen created the sound design composing a series of voice memos recorded during her daily life. This worked is being further developed as a screendance.
Deep Water (30 mins). Deep Water consists of several short form works (Short Haul, Shantyman, & Long Drag (screendance)) set to sea shanties & original compositions by Arrowhead Artist George Ellsworth. It explores sea shanties as a device to structure & inform choreography while also examining pace, work & community. Sections have been presented as part of Rhythmically Speaking’s The Cohort 20/21 (Mpls, Mn, 2021), Good Night at the Southern Theater (Mpls, Mn, 2020), & the Minnesota Fringe Festival (Mpls, Mn, 2019). Schiltgen performed, choreographed, edited, filmed & costumed this work.
Annie and Laura (duration variable) was commissioned by Arrowhead writer Tina Higgins Wussow. It is a solo choreography performed by Schiltgen that explores Wussow’s characters through movement improvisation set to live music improvisation by Arrowhead musician George Ellsworth. Presented at Teatro Zuccone (Duluth, Mn, 2020).
Come Go With Me (7 mins) was selected for presentation at Walker Art Center Choreographer’s Evening (Mpls, Mn, 2019). Also performed at Dances at the Lake Festival (Mpls, Mn, 2019), & Dances on the Lakewalk (Duluth, Mn, 2019). This trio composed of dancers from the Arrowhead Region, including Schiltgen, uses a sound design of her own & is a reflection on her move away from an urban community & return to rural Mn.
Catching Up (10 mins) was commissioned by Eclectic Edge Ensemble for presentation at First Jazz View, Tek Box (Mpls, Mn, 2017). It explores humans’ relationship to pace as it relates to technological advances. Along with choreography Schiltgen designed the sound for this work.
Those Who Eat Together (18 mins) is a duet reflecting upon “family meals” & their disappearance with the hastening of daily life. Schiltgen choreographed & performed in this work which she also designed the sound for. Minnesota Fringe Festival (Mpls, Mn, 2012).
Spit It Out (8 mins), solo choreography, performance & sound design by Schiltgen that explores creative pressure & expectation. Dances at the Lake Festival (Mpls, Mn, July 2012).
DANCE PERFORMANCE (interpretive)
Dancer, music video for Dean Sibinski’s Fold, Mn (2022)
Dancer, MASKED, experimental documentary, film by Arrowhead Artist Joellyn Rock, Tweed Museum, Duluth, Mn (2021)
Dancer, Eclectic Edge Ensemble (EEE), Karis Sloss , 6 seasons (2013-2018) | 15th Anniversary Concert, works by Zoe Sealy, Danny Buraczeski, Cynthia Gutierrez-Garner, Karis Sloss, the Lab Theater, Mpls, Mn (2018) | First Jazz View, Tek Box, Mpls, Mn (2017) | Foot Flight by Night, The Lab Theater, Mpls, Mn (2017) | First Nights of a Foot Flight, The Southern Theater, Mpls, Mn (2016) | Snow Bound!, EEE with Mad Munchkin Productions, The Lab Theater, Mpls, Mn (2016) | Lost Voices in Jazz: Choreographers of the Minnesota Jazz Dance Company, EEE with Karla Grotting, work by Clarence Teeters, Jeffrey Mildenstein, William Harren, David Voss, Zoe Sealy, Danny Buraczeski, SAGE AWARD, O’Shaughnessy Theater, St. Paul, Mn (2015) | Season 11, The Lab Theater, Mpls, Mn (2014)
Dancer, Erinn Liebhard, Circulation: Connecting Through Embodying Rhythm cabaret, Patrick’s Cabaret, Minneapolis MN (2016)
Dancer, Restriction/Perfection, Becca Cerra, sculpture & dance, Tek Box, Mpls, Mn (2016)
Dancer, Alternative Motion Project, Kristin Howe & Joanna Lees, 4 seasons (2012-2015) | Amp 4, The Lab Theater, Mpls, Mn (2015) | Amp 3, The Southern Theater, Mpls, Mn (2014) | Amp 2, The Southern Theater, Mpls, Mn (2013) | Amp 1, Old Arizona, Mpls, Mn (2012)
Dancer, Timetrack Productions, Paula Mann |Here and After, Tek Box, Mpls Mn (2012) | Oh, the Humanity, Red Eye Theater (2011) | I Love Tomorrow, Apprentice (2009)
Dancer, Kinetic Evolutions, Sarah LaRose Holland, 3 seasons (2009-2011)
Dancer, music video for Dean Sibinski’s Fold, Mn (2022)
Dancer, MASKED, experimental documentary, film by Arrowhead Artist Joellyn Rock, Tweed Museum, Duluth, Mn (2021)
Dancer, Eclectic Edge Ensemble (EEE), Karis Sloss , 6 seasons (2013-2018) | 15th Anniversary Concert, works by Zoe Sealy, Danny Buraczeski, Cynthia Gutierrez-Garner, Karis Sloss, the Lab Theater, Mpls, Mn (2018) | First Jazz View, Tek Box, Mpls, Mn (2017) | Foot Flight by Night, The Lab Theater, Mpls, Mn (2017) | First Nights of a Foot Flight, The Southern Theater, Mpls, Mn (2016) | Snow Bound!, EEE with Mad Munchkin Productions, The Lab Theater, Mpls, Mn (2016) | Lost Voices in Jazz: Choreographers of the Minnesota Jazz Dance Company, EEE with Karla Grotting, work by Clarence Teeters, Jeffrey Mildenstein, William Harren, David Voss, Zoe Sealy, Danny Buraczeski, SAGE AWARD, O’Shaughnessy Theater, St. Paul, Mn (2015) | Season 11, The Lab Theater, Mpls, Mn (2014)
Dancer, Erinn Liebhard, Circulation: Connecting Through Embodying Rhythm cabaret, Patrick’s Cabaret, Minneapolis MN (2016)
Dancer, Restriction/Perfection, Becca Cerra, sculpture & dance, Tek Box, Mpls, Mn (2016)
Dancer, Alternative Motion Project, Kristin Howe & Joanna Lees, 4 seasons (2012-2015) | Amp 4, The Lab Theater, Mpls, Mn (2015) | Amp 3, The Southern Theater, Mpls, Mn (2014) | Amp 2, The Southern Theater, Mpls, Mn (2013) | Amp 1, Old Arizona, Mpls, Mn (2012)
Dancer, Timetrack Productions, Paula Mann |Here and After, Tek Box, Mpls Mn (2012) | Oh, the Humanity, Red Eye Theater (2011) | I Love Tomorrow, Apprentice (2009)
Dancer, Kinetic Evolutions, Sarah LaRose Holland, 3 seasons (2009-2011)
SELECTED CHOREOGRAPHY AND DIRECTION FOR THEATRE (interpretive)
Director, Boat Club Productions, Duluth, Mn (2022), Tuesdays with Morrie
Choreographer, White Bear Lake Are High School, White Bear Lake, Mn (2008-2022), Multiple productions, Multiple Spotlight Awards
Choreographer, Park High School, Cottage Grove, Mn (2008-2017), Multiple Spotlight Awards
Choreographer, Rosetown Playhouse, Roseville, Mn (2008-2016)
Director & Choreographer, Mahtomedi High School, Mahtomedi, Mn (2013-2014)
Choreographer & Director, Ashland Productions, Maplewood, Mn (2010-2014)
Choreographer, Lakeshore Players, White Bear Lake, Mn (2010, 2011)
Choreographer, University of Minnesota Opera, Minneapolis, Mn (2009-2011)
Director, Boat Club Productions, Duluth, Mn (2022), Tuesdays with Morrie
Choreographer, White Bear Lake Are High School, White Bear Lake, Mn (2008-2022), Multiple productions, Multiple Spotlight Awards
Choreographer, Park High School, Cottage Grove, Mn (2008-2017), Multiple Spotlight Awards
Choreographer, Rosetown Playhouse, Roseville, Mn (2008-2016)
Director & Choreographer, Mahtomedi High School, Mahtomedi, Mn (2013-2014)
Choreographer & Director, Ashland Productions, Maplewood, Mn (2010-2014)
Choreographer, Lakeshore Players, White Bear Lake, Mn (2010, 2011)
Choreographer, University of Minnesota Opera, Minneapolis, Mn (2009-2011)
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in Dance, minors in Leadership & Youth Studies, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities 2005-2010. Choreography represented the U of M at North Central ACDFA. Choreography selected for ACDFA gala concert.
Screendance/Film: Screendance (Katrina McPherson, University of Utah-Graduate School, taken through community education (2020) | Adobe Premiere Essentials, on-line course via Skillshare (2020-2021) | Filmmaking with Your Smartphone (Nick Clausen, Film North, one week intensive, 2019)
Bachelor of Arts in Dance, minors in Leadership & Youth Studies, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities 2005-2010. Choreography represented the U of M at North Central ACDFA. Choreography selected for ACDFA gala concert.
Screendance/Film: Screendance (Katrina McPherson, University of Utah-Graduate School, taken through community education (2020) | Adobe Premiere Essentials, on-line course via Skillshare (2020-2021) | Filmmaking with Your Smartphone (Nick Clausen, Film North, one week intensive, 2019)
