Instructors

Classes are offered by Word Dance Theater, Washington, DC’s premiere Duncan dance company.

Cynthia Word is the Founder (2001) and Artistic Director of Word Dance Theater.  Word creates award-winning dance/theater productions blending original stories, live music, the dances of Isadora Duncan (1887-1927) and new choreography emphasizing the Duncan technique and philosophy.  Word is a founder (2013), along with Valerie Durham, Meg Booker, Ingrid Zimmer, and Jennifer Sprowl, of the Isadora Duncan International Symposium. Word’s awards include the Maria Theresa Duncan Award for Excellence, and 2 Dance Metro DC awards for Outstanding Group Performance and Outstanding Media Design.  Word is an active teacher offering master classes in the DMV and beyond.  For more information about Word Dance Theater please go to www.worddance.org

Kristen Kissik is delighted to be teaching the art and technique of Isadora Duncan for Word Dance Theater. She brings a nurturing and harmonious energy to her vibrant classes. Kristen had the good fortune of studying with Dicki Johnson Macy starting in 1988 at Center Studio while she was studying dance at Boston Conservatory. Instantly, a deeply rooted connection and passion was ignited. It was the beginning of a cherished relationship with her dear mentor in which Kristen taught for and with Dicki in Cambridge/ Boston for 16 years. Kristen also had the privilege of studying with other renowned Duncan Dancers through Center Studio such as Sylvia Gold, Catherine Gallant and Pat Adams. Kristen’s experiences performing, choreographing and teaching for many years in the Boston area inspire every one of her classes. Professional highlights in Boston/Cambridge, Massachusetts include: teaching Rainbow Dance for Dicki, performing with Bill T. Jones in Last Supper in Uncle Tom’s Cabin, co-directing Abydos movement Collaborative, performing with Navarasa Dance Theater, teaching in the Cambridge Public School System with the Cambridge Performance Project, teaching homeschool dance classes at The Dance Complex, teaching at risk preschoolers with Project Joy. In Boone, North Carolina: Adjunct dance faculty at Lee’s-McRae College, teaching Duncan inspired classes to adults and children at Neighborhood Yoga and The Children’s Playhouse. In Annapolis, Maryland: teaching Duncan Dance classes at Maryland Hall and Shakti Studio for adults, children’s Duncan inspired classes at Shakti Studio, the opportunity to deepen my understanding of the Duncan technique by studying with Cynthia Word & more.

Karen Morales-Chacana is a Chilean-born actress, writer, director and teacher. She holds acting and education degrees and is a company member of GALA Hispanic Theatre, Synetic Theatre. She is the Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Latin American Theatre Company, Teatro La Bolsa, where she has directed and performed many productions and short films. She now performs, writes, and directs online with Virtuartbag form La Bolsa with DC Collaborate and City Of Hyattsville, and appeared in the virtual installation of Love4 Immigrants. Ms. Karen is also a Co-Founder of Movimiento Púrpura DC. As a Teaching Artist she works with children and youth at Oyster Bilingual School, Janney School, Sitar Arts Center, Shakespeare Theatre Company and works as master teacher Inner City Inner Child and Word Dance Theater where she learned Duncan Technique and Rainbow Dance.