News
Katie C. Sopoci Drake
Katie C. Sopoci Drake, MFA, GL-CMA, is the Artistic Director of Spacetime Dance, a Core Collaborator for the Mountain Empire Performance Collective, a teacher and researcher specializing in Laban-based contemporary dance theory and technique, and a fierce arts administrator in the Washington D.C. area.
Sopoci Drake's choreography, is described as "a beautiful marriage between choreography, music and poetry" (On Milwaukee, 12/06) and "sinuous, sensual beauty" (Journal Sentinel, 11/07). Her work arises from explorations in Laban Movement Analysis, a fascination with the idiosyncrasies of daily life, and flights of fancy that arise from ordinary inspirations. Sopoci Drake's work has been performed by Taffety Punk, Uprooted Dance, Momentum Dance Company, Wild Space Dance Company, The Florentine Opera, Lawrence University Opera, Miami Dade College and many more companies and schools. Independent productions have been presented on the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center, the National Portrait Gallery, The Southern Theater, Patrick’s Cabaret, Danceworks Performance Studio and The Milwaukee Art Museum. Sopoci Drake's creative work has been supported by a 2016 Dance Metro DC Presentation Grant, 2019 DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Fellowship Grant, and a 2020 DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Fellowship Grant.
As a performer, Sopoci Drake is described as a "sinuous, animal presence of great power; watching her dance is a visceral experience." (Third Coast Digest, 6/12). Company credits include Rebollar Dance (since 2014), Mordine and Company Dance Theater of Chicago (2012-2013), Momentum Dance Company of Miami (2009-2012), Wild Space Dance Company of Milwaukee (2005-2009), and Rosy Simas Danse of Minneapolis (2001-2005). She has also made appearances as an independent artist with many companies including Brazz Dance, Your Mother Dances, The Florentine Opera, and The Minnesota Opera.
As a teacher and researcher versed in somatic-based technique and theory, Sopoci Drake has held positions at the University of Maryland, College Park, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Nova Southeastern University, Miami Dade College-Wolfson, Miami Dade College-Kendall, Carthage College, and Lawrence University. Her research has been presented at the 2015 NDEO National Conference, the 2015 and 2016 Bill Evan’s Somatic Conference, and the Journal of Dance Education, Vol 16, Issue 3, 2016.
With more than 18 years of experience in non-profit arts administration, Sopoci Drake has served in nearly every capacity within an arts organization. Prior to joining The Washington Ballet as the General Manager of the Washington School of Ballet, she served as the Administrative Director of the Maryland Youth Ballet, and held various administrative positions for The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, Danceworks Inc., Zenon Dance Company & School, and Children’s Theatre Company. Prior to her time in non-profit arts administration, Katie worked for Chanhassen Dinner Theaters, the nation’s largest professional dinner theater company, and MakeMusic, Inc., a world leader in music technology.
Holding an MFA in Dance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, a Graduate Laban Certificate in Movement Analysis (GL-CMA) from Columbia College Chicago, and a BA in Theater/Dance with a minor in Vocal Performance from Luther College, Sopoci Drake continues to study various somatic practices to inform her work and life as a curious mover.
Katie spends her free time exploring the local flora and fauna with her husband. They both adore bird-watching and are aspiring naturalists. Nothing in life is so simple that it cannot invoke myriad dreams.
Sopoci Drake's choreography, is described as "a beautiful marriage between choreography, music and poetry" (On Milwaukee, 12/06) and "sinuous, sensual beauty" (Journal Sentinel, 11/07). Her work arises from explorations in Laban Movement Analysis, a fascination with the idiosyncrasies of daily life, and flights of fancy that arise from ordinary inspirations. Sopoci Drake's work has been performed by Taffety Punk, Uprooted Dance, Momentum Dance Company, Wild Space Dance Company, The Florentine Opera, Lawrence University Opera, Miami Dade College and many more companies and schools. Independent productions have been presented on the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center, the National Portrait Gallery, The Southern Theater, Patrick’s Cabaret, Danceworks Performance Studio and The Milwaukee Art Museum. Sopoci Drake's creative work has been supported by a 2016 Dance Metro DC Presentation Grant, 2019 DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Fellowship Grant, and a 2020 DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Fellowship Grant.
As a performer, Sopoci Drake is described as a "sinuous, animal presence of great power; watching her dance is a visceral experience." (Third Coast Digest, 6/12). Company credits include Rebollar Dance (since 2014), Mordine and Company Dance Theater of Chicago (2012-2013), Momentum Dance Company of Miami (2009-2012), Wild Space Dance Company of Milwaukee (2005-2009), and Rosy Simas Danse of Minneapolis (2001-2005). She has also made appearances as an independent artist with many companies including Brazz Dance, Your Mother Dances, The Florentine Opera, and The Minnesota Opera.
As a teacher and researcher versed in somatic-based technique and theory, Sopoci Drake has held positions at the University of Maryland, College Park, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Nova Southeastern University, Miami Dade College-Wolfson, Miami Dade College-Kendall, Carthage College, and Lawrence University. Her research has been presented at the 2015 NDEO National Conference, the 2015 and 2016 Bill Evan’s Somatic Conference, and the Journal of Dance Education, Vol 16, Issue 3, 2016.
With more than 18 years of experience in non-profit arts administration, Sopoci Drake has served in nearly every capacity within an arts organization. Prior to joining The Washington Ballet as the General Manager of the Washington School of Ballet, she served as the Administrative Director of the Maryland Youth Ballet, and held various administrative positions for The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, Danceworks Inc., Zenon Dance Company & School, and Children’s Theatre Company. Prior to her time in non-profit arts administration, Katie worked for Chanhassen Dinner Theaters, the nation’s largest professional dinner theater company, and MakeMusic, Inc., a world leader in music technology.
Holding an MFA in Dance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, a Graduate Laban Certificate in Movement Analysis (GL-CMA) from Columbia College Chicago, and a BA in Theater/Dance with a minor in Vocal Performance from Luther College, Sopoci Drake continues to study various somatic practices to inform her work and life as a curious mover.
Katie spends her free time exploring the local flora and fauna with her husband. They both adore bird-watching and are aspiring naturalists. Nothing in life is so simple that it cannot invoke myriad dreams.
Banner photo: JHSU Media
Portrait & Outtake: Rob Cannon
Portrait & Outtake: Rob Cannon