I believe that dance has the power to move people, to heal people, and to enrich and empower communities.
Who’s that girl? AKA:
Beth Ann Formica, B., Beth, Bethy Ann, Betty, Formica, Betanita, Breath, Ciotka Betty, Tabletop, Countertop, Ant, Fire Ant, Ant Girl, Betty Bad Ass, Maggot, Beth Bender, Bent Fender, Mrs. Bender, Rhapsody, Lady B, Ninja Girl, Bef, Queen B, Momma B, Beth Formica Bender, Sawdust Siren
Artistic Statement:
I am freelance contemporary dancer with a particular interest in partnering, humor, and collaboration between artists and non-artists alike. I equally value my roles as a performer, educator, and choreographer. I am also an avid gardener, wood worker, candle maker, house renovator, and sometimes art installer. My major inspiration as a dance artist is collaborating with a diverse range of artists and art forms. Dance is a positive conduit to encourage people to connect body, mind, and soul together. I value the merging of accessibility with artistic excellence; I honestly believe dance can be used as a vital tool to communicate, educate, entertain, and challenge people’s ideas. I think that teaching dance in our communities to dancers and non-dancers alike is key.
Biography:
Bethany Formica is a dancer, educator, choreographer, and artisan. Bethany graduated with a BFA in Dance from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University in 1994. She has worked with several New York City based companies including Sean Curran and Company, Pearson/Widrig DanceTheatre, The Kevin Wynn Collection, Michael Foley, Martha Bowers Dance Theatre Etcetera, David Gordon, and with Philadelphia-based companies such as Cardell Dance Theater, Boan Danz Action, Megan Mazarick, Nichole Canuso Dance Company, Reactionaries (for which she was co-director with Mark O’Maley), Melanie Stewart Dance Theatre, and Sylvain Émard Danse (Montreal) and Dada von Bzdülöw Theatre (Poland), among many others.
Bethany has received a J. Cooper Foundation Grant to produce Abby Z and the New Utility at Swarthmore College (2024), Subcircle Residency (2022), fellowships from the Independence Foundation (2012) and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts for Choreography (2008), a Rocky Award (2009), and several professional development grants from The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage through Dance Advance. She has taught dance, theater, and vocal master classes and residencies for a variety of professional companies, studios, colleges, and institutions throughout the U.S. and internationally. As a choreographer, Bethany’s own work has been presented extensively throughout New York City and Philadelphia, as well as in Bulgaria, Italy, Poland, and England.
Formica is currently a Lecturer of Dance at Swarthmore College, a guest choreographer for Bryn Mawr College (2024), and the owner of Sawdust Siren, creating wood-centric & nature inspired art.
Full CV or resume upon request.