artist's statement
Mind and body are indissolubly connected. The body is embedded within the folds of her environment.
I am continuously inspired by philosophical ideas, seeking how to interrogate and translate them through movement. This act generates deeper insight into the ideas themselves. The bond between movement and thought is powerful and rich.
My current research interests lie in describing the experience and unearthing the meaning of dancing. Describing the phenomenon of being inside dancing, attempting to glimpse this in its center, and thus in its entirety, is enticing in its infeasibility. Currently I am intrigued by the liminal area between somatic experience and linguistic metaphor. How does my conscious holding of an image interfere with my perception of what's happening as I move, and vice versa? How do imagination and perception feed one another? How does my thought transform as I dance?
Photo by Anna Siegel
about me
Madelyn Sher is a multidisciplinary artist, educator and producer from New York City.
Madelyn creates dance performances carry a theatrical legibility as well as abstract formal arrangements. Her take on contemporary dance is influenced by her diverse background of formal training including modern, theater, butoh, Latin dance, house, ballet, and contact improvisation. Her choreography has been presented at Smith College, Chilo's BK, Theater for the New City, SMUSH Gallery, MERDE at The Footlight, annex:art (New Mexico), Downtown Art, The Baumann, Triple 9 Festival, and Triskelion Arts. She was an artist-in-residence at annex:art (San Fidel, New Mexico) in 2019 and at the Triple Nine Festival (Gowanus, Brooklyn) in 2018. Her short dance film, Looking Inwood, won her the Promising Filmmaker Award at CUNY Film Festival 2018. As a dancer, Madelyn has worked with artists and companies such as Duane Lee Holland, Olive Prince, Alexander Davis, Bebe Miller and Angie Hauser, REDi Dance Company, Amirov Dance Theater, Vangeline Theater, Evan ray suzuki, Amirov Dance Theater, and others. She currently works as a freelance dancer and choreographer.
As an actor, Madelyn had her TV debut as "Amy" in ABC's "The Baker and the Beauty", which rose to popularity as the number one show on Netflix in spring 2021. She performs with the Bronx Arts Ensemble/Lehman Children's Theater Company, which brings classic fairytales with a modern spin to young Bronx audiences. She has studied improvisation at the People's Improv Theater, and with Amy Larimer of the Raving Jaynes. Madelyn enjoys creating and performing devised theater with her friends as part of a collective called Zoo City; a favorite project with this group is "Brainfood", in which the actors tell an imaginative story of struggle and acceptance while cooking a delicious breakfast for the audience.
Madelyn values public, accessible art as a vehicle for community engagement, arts appreciation, and environmental awareness. She produces Groundswell Series, an annual site-specific outdoor dance festival that brings dance into shared spaces in parks and playgrounds in Brooklyn, NY. Madelyn is an advisory board member of the Bronx-based REDi Dance Company, in which she is also a collaborating dancer. She also works as a program manager and teaching artist for REDi Dance's educational programs, the Dance Bridge Workshop and Junior Company. Madelyn has worked in New York City schools for the past five years, teaching and assisting dance, drama, and music classes.
2010 - present
2010 - present
everything I've ever done (cv)
Choreography
Smith College Dance Department
End (2024) Theater 14, 6 dancers, 20 min
Growing rice in a dry field (2023) Crew House, 2 dancers, 10 min
No Signal (2023) Scott Studio Theater, Solo, 15 min
Forgot where I was (2022) Crew House, 4 dancers, 20 min
New York City: Live Performance
CREST at Chilo’s Greenwood: to be true (2022) Solo, 7 min
NY Butoh Institute’s International Butoh Festival at Theater for the New City: 396 (2019) Solo, collaboration with musician Daniel Arthur Johnson, 8 min
MERDE at The Footlight Bar: 396 (2019) Solo in collaboration with musician Daniel Arthur Johnson, 8 min
We are Particles at SMUSH Gallery, Jersey City: Us, American (2019) Solo, 12 min
CITY KIDS at Fourth Arts Block: American (2018) Solo, 12 min
WaxWorks at Triskelion Arts: zephyr (2018) 5 dancers, live music by Adam O’Farrill and David Acevedo, 12 min
Triple 9 Festival: zephyr (2018) Site-specific durational performance installation with 5 dancers, 30 min
SHE CREATES at The Baumann: Daughter (2018) 2 dancers, three-part installation, total 10 min
The NY Butoh Institute at Triskelion Arts: I love you I miss my friend and the music is beautiful (2018) Solo, 15 min
Phoenix Theatre Ensemble at Paradise Factory: The Cult Play (2018) Theatrical production directed by Irene Lazaridis
New York City: Video Projects
Choreographer, Hammer (2022) Music video for Death Habit. Directed and edited by Nicholas Motyka
Choreographer/director, to be true (2021) Original dance film, shot by Jefferson White
Choreographer, In Bounds (2021) Music Video for Noah Chenfeld, Brooklyn-based musician. Directed by Tobias Campbell
Choreographer/director/editor, Looking Inwood (2017) Original dance film, shot by MJ Abiva. Recipient of Promising Filmmaker Award at CUNY Film Fest 2018
Lehman College: Music Department’s Annual Musical Productions
Choreographer, When I Get to Where I’m Going (2018) Lehman College, theatrical production directed/written by Penny Prince
Choreographer, Rapunzel (2017) Lehman College, theatrical production directed/written by Penny Prince
Performance
Dance
Smith College, Northampton, MA
Nourishment (2023) choreography by Duane Lee Holland
This Dance is Available for Touring: A MFA Thesis That is Also Available for Touring (2023) choreography by Alexander Davis
to be swept up! (2022) choreography by Bebe Miller and Angie Hauser
New York City Freelance
JACK, Brooklyn (2021) evan ray suzuki, ~ d r e a m c o r e ~
Activate the Mural @ Black Lives Matter Mural in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn (2020) Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet, One Love Peace Celebration
Spoke the Hub, Brooklyn (2019) Molly Gorin, Having a Ball
Chashama Gala Movement/Sculpture Installation, One World Trade Center, Manhattan (2019) Kevin Kelly, NonDuality
WaxWorks @ Triskelion Arts, Brooklyn (2019) Molly Gorin, What Can I Give you?
Union Square Alliance, Manhattan (2018) Kelsey Burns, NYC Dance Week Performance
Triple 9 Festival, Brooklyn (2018) Anna Vomacka, Untitled New Work
Danspace Project at St. Mark’s Church, Manhattan (2018) Rina Espiritu, Blueprint to Oust Duerte
CUNY Dance Initiative, Queens College (2018) Svea Schneider, the spaces| |in between
INSITU Site Specific Dance Festival, Queens (2017) JoAnna Mendl Shaw, Mandala
Théâtre Gestuel, Paris, France (2015) Hippocampe Mime Corporel Théâtre, Les Collectionneurs
Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance (2013) Ni’Ja Whitson, Whitney Houston Tribute Dance Concert
Staten Island Ballet at the College of Staten Island (2002-2008), The Nutcracker directed by Ellen Tharp
New York City Company Performances
REDi Dance Company (2016-2021) directed by Beverly Lopez: Mientras Tanto (Dixon Place, Groundswell Series); Land of Concrete (Lehman College, Hudson Guild Theatre)
Amirov Dance Theater (2019-2020) directed by Alexandra Amirov-Watkins: The Coop (development process only); La MaMa Kids: Family Play Date (La MaMa Theater)
Vangeline Theater (2016-2021) directed by Vangeline: ZERO’s Winter Wonderland (Knockdown Center); Wake up and Smell the Coffee (Triskelion Arts, Taipei Cultural Center)
Herbert H. Dance Company (2016-2018) directed by Brittany Wilson: Annual performances held in Lehman College’s Studio Theater
Film/Television
The Baker and the Beauty (NBC Universal/ABC network) Recurring Guest Star: “Amy” (2020)*
Manhattan Bridge (dir. Patrick Donovan) Actor: Supporting role (2018)
Sick Days (dir. Tobias Campbell) Actor: Supporting role (2015)
Best of the Bronx (Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment) Host (2015) NY Emmy Award for Best Public Service Announcement
*Madelyn is a member of SAG/AFTRA and is represented by A3 Artists Agency.
Theater
Bronx Arts Ensemble/Children’s Theater Company at Lehman College (2014 - 2022) Lead & supporting roles in company that performs original children’s theater in various community spaces throughout the Bronx
Even the Dogs - Life World (2022) An avant-garde musical created and directed by Leo Hardman-Hill
Jason Rhymer - The Windjammer (2019) A dinner theater orchestra composed & conducted by Leo Hardman-Hill
Exalted - G45 Productions Lightbulb Reading Series, IRT Theater (2018) “Paige”
Brain Food - Zoo City, Brooklyn (2015) Performer/Creator: Original, site-specific, ensemble-driven movement theater. Performers created a story and cooked breakfast for the audience, all in one enchanting evening.
Tough Mother - Primary Stages: Fresh Ink Reading (2015) “Cat”
Chaos - New Worlds Theatre Project Staged Reading, HERE Arts Center (2015) “Regina”
Dubliners, an audio play suite – WNYC/WXQR’s The Green Space Performances (2014) “Lily”
The Pillowman - Zoo City, The Tank Theatre (2014) Storyteller
The Rimers of Eldritch - LaGuardia High School (2011) “Patsy”
The Music Man - Harbor Lights Theater Company, Staten Island (2011) Ensemble
Guys and Dolls - LaGuardia High School Ensemble/Dance Captain
Hairspray - LaGuardia High School (2010) “Tammy”
Work Experience
Smith College, Northampton, MA, 2022-2024
Teaching Fellow in Department of Dance, instructor of undergraduate dance courses including Butoh/Contemporary Hybrid Technique, Contemporary Dance Fundamentals, Dance for Everybody, Intermediate Composition (Teaching Assistant)
Brooklyn Heights Montessori School, NYC, 2020-2023
Cohort Support in Lower Elementary (grades 1-3) Classroom; drama co-teacher; music co-teacher; library assistant; substitute teacher (grades 1-8); front desk coverage; lunch + recess coverage
REDi Dance Company, NYC, 2019-2021
Contemporary Dance Teaching Artist and group leader for Dance Bridge Workshop, an annual teen creative intensive held at Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance and Lehman College (Bronx, NY); administrative assistant for programming from 2020-2021
P.S. 42, P.S. 130 After School Program, NYC, 2017-2020
Planned and taught after school dance classes at P.S. 42 and P.S. 130 for grades pre-kindergarten through third, focusing on modern, jazz, hop hop, and ballet dance, as well as creative improvisation. Directed final performance for Immigrant Social Services gala showcase.
Ballet Tech, NYC, 2019
Audition Administrator, providing on-site support during spring auditions held in NYC public elementary schools
Lehman College, Instructional Support Services Program, NYC, 2017-2018
Writing tutor, helping students of all levels and disciplines to outline, write, and edit pieces of writing for their academic classes
Movement Research, NYC, 2017
Marketing Intern: promotional research, e-blasts, and website maintenance; regular use of Mailchimp, Facebook, Instagram
Au Pair, Paris, France, 2014-2015
Part-time nanny and English tutor for French family during year-long study abroad program in Paris
The Ailey School of Dance, NYC, 2008-2011
Assistant Teacher (Creative Movement, West African Dance) for ages 4-7
Education
College
Smith College, 2022-2024
M.F.A. Choreography and Performance.
Core Dance Faculty: Chris Aiken, Angie Hauser, Lester Tomé, Rodger Blum, Jake Meginsky
Professors in Dance: Jenna Riegel, Sarah Lass, Melinda Buckwalter, Jeff Jean-Phillipe, Shakia Barron
Macaulay Honors College at CUNY Lehman, 2012-2017
B.A. Honors Philosophy, B.A. Honors Dance, French minor, Summa Cum Laude, Departmental Honors in Dance and Philosophy; Dance Professors: Amy Larimer, Wendell Cooper/MX Oops, Vangeline, Ni’Ja Whitson, Michael Manswell; Philosophy Philosophy Professors: James Mahon, Michael Buckley, Jessica Gordon-Roth, Leonard Finkelman
Université Paris 8 Saint Denis-Vincennes, Fall 2014 - Spring 2015
CUNY Paris/MICEFA Study Abroad Exchange
High School
LaGuardia Arts High School — 2008-2012
Drama Major, AP Scholars Award, Advanced Regents Diploma, Playbill Drama Award
Dance
Hippocampe Mime Corporel Théâtre — Fall 2014 - Spring 2015
Corporeal Mime of the Étienne Decroux tradition, studied under Luis Torreao
The Ailey School of Dance — 2008-2011
Fellowship Scholarship Recipient, Junior Division Levels VI & VII; Dance instructors: Elena Commendador, Christian Van Howard, Theresa Ruth-Howard, Earl Mosley, Robert Atwood, Marianne Bachmann
Staten Island Ballet — 2003-2008
Dance Instructors: Ellen Tharpe, Andrea Wachholtz, Frank Dellapolla, Gabri Christa
Workshops/Additional Training
Butoh Workshop with Akihito Ichihara, NY Butoh Institute 2024
Butoh Workshop with Julie Gillum, Earthdance 2023
Artichoke Ambassador (Arts in Activism) Summer Program 2022
Annabella Lenzu Choreography Workshop/Mentorship Program 2021
Butoh Workshop with Eri Chian, NY Butoh Institute 2019
Gallim Summer Intensive 2018
People’s Improv Theater – Level One Improv with Jason Scott Quinn, Fall 2017 – Spring 2018
Gallim Summer Intensive 2018
Butoh Workshop with Mari Osanai, NY Butoh Institute 2018
Bill T. Jones Summer Intensive 2017
MELT @ Movement Research Neil Greenberg, 2019; Contact Improvisation with K.J. Holmes, 2017
Butoh Workshop with Katsura Kan, NY Butoh Institute 2016
Abraham in Motion Summer Intensive 2016
Butoh Workshop with Yael Gaathon and Vangeline, Tatwerk (Berlin) 2016
“Danses en Situation” Atelier with Gustavo Ciriaco (Paris) 2015
Production
Groundswell Series (2019 - 2023) Co-founder & co-curator of Groundswell Series, an annual site-specific outdoor summer dance festival (Fort Greene Park, Cuyler Gore Park, Valentino Pier, Old Stone House)
Bare Bones - Smith College, Northampton, MA (2022) Stage Manager of undergraduate dance showcase
A Country Doctor – Zoo City, The Baumann (2018) Co-produced & managed front of house at interdisciplinary performance installation
Volunteer
American College Dance Association (2023) Instructor of Dancing Revolt: An Introduction to Butoh at Northeast ACDA Conference
Oconuco Zuimaco Farm – Morovis, Puerto Rico (2021) Worked on a permaculture farm constructing chicken coop, removing weeds, generally readying the property for future volunteers
Clinton Hill/Fort Greene Mutual Aid – Brooklyn, NY (2020) Made wellness calls to seniors living in public housing, facilitated donations such as air conditioners and computers, signed residents up for free food deliveries
Bergen Green Space – Brooklyn, NY (2020-2021) Developed a small garden and community space in an abandoned lot with a collective of locals, set up a Free Store on the sidewalk for clothing and other nonperishable goods, helped facilitate clothing and food distribution for the Prospect Heights community
Huerto Feliz/Urbe Apie – Caguas, Puerto Rico (2020) Assisted with mulching and clearing area in garden for planting
Workaway – Ardeche, France (2018) Assisted the owner of a bed and breakfast “auberge” in France
Dance to Unite (2015-2017) Volunteer after school Dance Teacher for ages 6-8
Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms – Ventura and San Bernadino, California (2013) Removed weeds, picked flowers for bouquets, construction work, and generally helped beautify and organize two organic farms in California
The Bronx is Blooming - Bronx, NY (2012-2013) Mulched, planted, and created gardens in parks and playgrounds in the Bronx
Awards, Honors
Promising Filmmaker Award for original film, “Looking Inwood”, CUNY Film Festival 2018
Phi Beta Kappa 2017
Selected Speaker for Lehman College Honors Convocation 2017
Dance Performance Award, Dance Department of Lehman College 2017
Jerome Weinstock Essay Prize for “Nature and Notation: Steps Towards a New Dance Ontology” 2016
Elizabeth S. and Henry Peters Prize for Excellence in French, Language Department of Lehman College 2016
NY Emmy Award for Best Public Service Announcement - Best of the Bronx (Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment) 2015
Presidential Scholar 2012-2016
May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation Scholarship 2014
Residencies
Olive Prince’s NYS Choreographers Initiative Project/NYS Dance Force (2023) creative residency with Olive Prince, choreographic mentorship by Jane Comfort
Axial Residency at The Croft, Horton Bay, MI (2023) collaborative dance residency with Gabrielle Revlock
Annex:art, San Fidel, NM (2019) solo dance residency
Skillz
Advanced skills in wide range of dance forms: contemporary dance (partnering, improvisation, floor work), modern, butoh, bachata, gaga, ballet, jazz, musical theater, house
Other physical skills: juggling, corporeal mime (Étienne Decroux), bicycling, roller skating, cartwheels
Musical ability: singing (alto), basic piano, basic drum kit, basic percussion
Language skills: advanced/fluent French
Cooking and baking
Bartender, server, and host with over 10 years of experience working in the New York City service industry