Dance Faculty

Abby Bender

Instructional Technologist, Scene Shop

Abby Bender is the Instructional Technologist for the Scene Shop. Abby grew up in Shippensburg, PA and started working at her local performing arts center in high school.
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Mary Buckley

Associate Professor of Dance, Theatre & Dance Program, Director, EJS Women's Leadership Program

Mary Buckley is Associate Professor of Dance and Director of the EJS Women’s Leadership Program at George Washington University.

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Hayley Cutler

Adjunct Professor of Dance, Theatre & Dance Program

Hayley Cutler (she/her) is a choreographer, performer, artist organizer, and dance educator. She is the founder and Artistic Director of darlingdance, a project-based dance company in its eleventh season, and co-founder of artist neighbor collective, an ongoing curatorial performance project.
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Laurel Gray

Adjunct Professor of Global Dance History, Theatre & Dance Program

Internationally recognized dance scholar, choreographer, performer, and costume designer, Laurel Victoria Gray specializes in women’s dances from Silk Road cultures and the Islamic World.

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Carl Gudenius

Program Head, Theatre and Dance Professor, Production Design

Carl Gudenius is the Program Head of Theatre & Dance. In addition to teaching scenic and lighting design at GW and directing its Graduate Production Design Program, Professor Gudenius is an active professional designer.
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Krissy Harris

Adjunct Professor of Dance, Theatre & Dance Program

Krissy Harris is a DMV-based, LGBTQIA+ dance artist and educator. Their research is anchored in sensation-based movement, navigation of identity, and Queer wonder.
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Sigridur Johannesdottir

Associate Professor of Costume Design & Technology, Theatre & Dance Program

Sigridur is a costume designer who specializes and focuses her teaching on reproducing historical costumes based on research as well as dance costumes. She is the resident costume designer for Washington Stage Guild (DC), Ambassador Theatre (DC), and MetroStage in Alexandria VA.
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Dalton Lamberth

Academic Program Administrator for Theatre & Dance

Dalton Lamberth is a management professional and an avid lover of the arts and culture scene. He believes in providing a positive, practical, and productive environment in his work life and to those around him.
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Giselle Ruzany

Adjunct Professorial Lecturer of Dance, Theatre & Dance Program

Giselle Ruzany MA LPC Ph.D. is a psychotherapist with a Master's in dance/movement therapy and has been a guest artist in 2016 and 2019 as well as an adjunct professor since 2011 at the Corcoran Theater & Dance Program. Read More  


John Traub

Assistant Professor, Production Management & Technology

John is currently the Assistant Professor of Production Management & Technology at the George Washington University, where he teaches numerous classes in Production Design and serves as the Technical Director for the Corcoran Theatre & Dance Program. He also works as a subject matter expert in Arts Management, Production Design and fabrication for a large variety of clients throughout the East Coast. Read More  


Emily Vallozzi

Instructional Costume Lab Associate for Theatre & Dance

Emily Vallozzi is a Washington D.C.-based costume designer, wardrobe stylist, and seamstress who has been working in the field since graduating from Point Park University in 2007 with a BFA in Technical Theatre and Design. Read More  

Maida Withers

Professor & Undergraduate Advisor, Dance

Known for her daring in movement and innovation as a choreographer, Maida has created a significant body of work for Maida Withers Dance Construction Company, over 150 dances of breadth and vision, involving a process of experimentation and collaboration. She has been creating visionary collaborations with global partners for more than 50 years.

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Robert Woofter

Adjunct Professor of Dance, Theatre & Dance Program

Robert Woofter is a control freak, sporadic drag queen, and founder of haus of bambi, a dance and film company in DC.

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Irina Wunder

Adjunct Professor of Dance, Theatre & Dance Program

Ms. Wunder is on the faculty of the Department of Performing Arts at American University in Washington, DC and Ballet NoVa Center for Dance in Arlington, VA. She taught at the Dance Institute of Washington and the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, DC.
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