Our Performers
Our Performers
Sam Gauss
Originally from Louisville, KY, Sam Gauss moved to Baltimore to attend MICA as an illustration major. He was drawn to concept art for its emphasis on problem solving and collaboration. His enthusiasm for teamwork was also what drew him to DNA Theatre, where he started in January 2010 working on "12." He is grateful for the opportunities DNA has provided him, not only to perform in a very unique style of theatre, but also to work on concept and promotional design. Sam is proud of his versatile artistic, academic, and athletic background, all of which contribute not only to DNA but to his own art.
Above all, Sam considers himself a professional illustrator, and has a portfolio website that can be found at samgauss.com, and a sketchblog at samgauss.blogspot.com. He loves meeting people through social networking sites, his favorites being Twitter and Google+. He also has a Tumblr which he updates occasionally with his art, among other things he finds amusing on the internet
Catherine Yard
Catherine Yard is from Ewing New Jersey. In an attempt to escape New Jersey she attended and graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art in May 2011. In her time at MICA she joined DNA Theatre in the Summer of 2009. Aside from Aerial performing she loves puppetry and generally just making a fun atmosphere. She has volunteered with NANA Projects putting on parades and helping in any way she can with other events. She has also interned with Ambush Theatre and White Box Theatre.
She has primarily dedicated herself to the Trapeze and hammock-type apparatus, the Net. More than anything she loves being among her friends at DNA and rehearsing and the creative process and conversations that occur at rehearsal. Aside from her collaborative efforts however, Catherine has her own personal artwork which involve weaving, fortune telling and leather crafting. Catherine's personal website: The Cat in the Yard
Ryan Dunne
Ryan Dunne has been with DNA Theatre since their last show "12," building the set and hanging lighting. Having just graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art with a degree in Sculpture, this is his first time on stage in a DNA production. Dunne has performed at countless MICA theatre shows such as "HAIR", "A Streetcar Named Desire," "The Snow Queen," and "Dutchman,"' to name a few. During many of these endeavors he also participated as a set builder and lighting technician. He also has done work ith the Double Edge Theatre in Massachusetts, studying their specific method of training and bringing back what he has learned to apply to his theatrical life.
Dunne's personal work recently culminated with his senior thesis at MICA where he adapted, directed, choreographed, cast, and performed in two Operas, the first an adaptation of a Japanese opera, the second written by himself. The Opera: Odori Tako was an experiment in putting on a large scale show; Dunne currently trains his body/voice and searches for new artists to collaborate with to create more shows in the future, maybe an aerial opera?
Maria Mendoza
Maria is a 5'2" Filipino-American that does not give off "short vibes." Born and raised in Miami, Florida, she moved to Baltimore where she attended the Maryland Institute College of Art and earned a BFA in Fiber and a concentration in Interactive Media in 2009. Maria was part of a pilot group of students that introduced smart textiles into her program by combining Fiber and technology. She is greatly influenced by material, interaction, performance and theater.
Maria discovered a passion for theater during her senior year and her first full-scale production was Hair: A Tribal Love Rock Musical. She has also interned with Single Carrot Theater and spent the 2009-2010 season working at CENTERSTAGE as the Props intern. Prior to joining DNA, Maria worked as one of the performance space assistants building sets and rigging light fixtures for MICA's BBOX Theater. 12: A Performance Piece for Twelve Actors was her first aerial performance.
When she is not operating in a cubicle or running on walls, Maria spends her time developing ZIG ZAG PRESS, a company specializing in unique paper products. Her first product, the BreadTab Pad, can be found at the C A R T show at Current Space gallery which is on display until October 21st. You can reach Maria at info@zigzagpress.net
Spencer Agoston
Spencer Agoston is an Artist and Designer who is constantly strives to cross disciplines. Although a woodworker and craftsmen in the studio he is constantly looking for ways to grow what he knows. Collaborating with others has become his drive and has allowed him create work in fashion design, furniture and public installation, and has lead full circle back to acrobatics, performance and theater. Having recently received his BFA from MICA, he now is a performer with DNA Theater.
Recently he has found a wonderful balance in his life, and could nto be happier. His plans for the future are to travel abroad to various artist residencies in Korea and Europe. Start his own business and finish building the plane he and his father started building six years ago.
Erika Liptiz
Originally from Long Island, New York Erika Lipitz moved to Baltimore to study painting at the Maryland Institute College of Art. She is currently working on her thesis for senior year and will graduate in May of 2012. After graduating she would like to eventually open her own art studio for talented children to work after school. Along with her major in painting she also has a concentration in book arts which allowed her to study authentic paper-making in Fabriano, Italy this past summer. For nearly a year now she has been working with a local printmaker as an artist's assistant. Outside of school and work, she has become involved in the MICA burlesque troupe and eager to be on stage.
She started with DNA about early Fall 2011 and is loving every minute with the company. "Spectacle Obscura" will be her first performance with the DNA Theatre but definitely not her last.
Ben Graham-Putter
Ben Graham-Putter is an entrepreneur, sculptor, cabinet maker, furniture maker, contractor, teacher, musician, curator, and aerial performer in Baltimore, MD. After studying at Maryland Institute College of Art he co-founded BrickHaus Art Space, a creative work center that fosters artistic growth through the provision of personal studio space, shared facilities and a forum for critiques and lectures.
As an artist Ben has shown work in several shows in the Baltimore/DC metro area, most notably at The Brewers Art in Baltimore, MD, Red Dirt Studio in Mt. Rainier, MD and as part of G40 2011 in Washington, DC. His sculptures deal with the way we relate to everyday things. Ben has been performing with DNA Theatre for just over a year and this is his second production with the company.
Joy Leah Sisson
Joy Leah Sisson is not internationally known, but is known to rock the microphone. No stranger to the stage, Joy has performed with several local bands and can sometimes be seen working as the prop kitty "Joy Ryde" for DC/Baltimore Burlesque troupe Twisted Knickers, picking up all sorts of unmentionable things.
Joy is a passionate supporter of the arts, from the serious to the silly to the sublime and is very excited (and nervous!) to be making her debut with DNA Theatre. While a fan of aerial acts, she avoids the circus due to a fear of clowns. And if you're buying, she'll have a Basil Hayden’s.
Adam Farkas
Among other things, Adam Farkas is a sculptor, woodworker, musician, aerialist, amateur pie maker, and entrepreneur based in Baltimore, MD. Originally from New York, Adam moved to Baltimore in 2005 to persue a career in the arts. After receiving his BFA in sculpture from the Maryland Institute College of Art, Adam co-founded BrickHaus Art Space with fellow MICA graduate and aerialist, Ben Graham-Putter.
As an artist, Adam has exhibited work in several shows in the Baltimore/DC area, most notably Anne Marie gardens in Solomons, MD and Red Dirt Studios in Mount Rainier, MD. Adam has been with DNA Theatre since October of 2010, though he has been involved with aerial work and the circus arts since the age of ten, performing in various acts ranging from trapeze and spanish web to high-wire unicycling and fire dancing. In addition to be a performer with DNA, Adam is also a co-founder and current member of the Baltimore based fire troupe, Phoenix Envy.
Elle Brande
Elle Brande recently graduated from MICA with a BFA in Ceramics and a Minor in Art History. She creates hybrid ceramic specimens by combining clay and craft materials. The process of firing the combined materials creates interesting, often unrecognizable, forms that tantalize and confuse the brain. Elle is currently working on a new body of work to be featured in Mt. Rainier’s Open Studio Day in the Fall.
Elle retains a personal studio space at Red Dirt Studio in Mt. Rainier, Maryland, where she also works as a Studio Technician and Assistant to the artist Margaret Boozer. In addition, Elle teaches children’s art classes at Art Works Studio School in Mt. Rainier, MD, Teen Pottery classes at Chesapeake Arts Center in Brooklyn, MD, and works as a studio technician for The Mud Hut, a pottery studio in Olney, MD. This will be Elle’s second performance with DNA Theatre and she is looking forward to a spectacular performance.
Daydreams + Nightmares Aerial Theatre is a