cre8dance winners

MARC SPAULDING 

'BREAKING NEWS'

Breaking News was inspired by Marcs experience living in isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic, the subsequent political discourse regarding the January 6th insurrection and the murder of George Floyd. All of these events affected Marc in a profound way. Due to the turbulence and aftermath of these events, this work was a cathartic and creative release for him.  

BIOGRAPHY:

 Marc is a choreographer, educator, and dance artist whose passion, integrity and professionalism characterize his works. Mr. Spaulding began his formal dance training at the prestigious Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC under the direction of Lynn Welters. He later earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Ballet Performance from the University of the Arts and completed his Master of Fine Arts Degree at University of California, Irvine. With more than 20 years of professional dance experience, Marc has had a very diverse career. His noteworthy concert and theatrical performance credits include: Dreamgirls 1st National Tour, Equus- Broadway Revival, PHILADANCO (The Philadelphia Dance Company), Westside Story International Tour, Donald Byrd/The Group, Broadway’s: Gypsy of the Year Competition, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Memphis (Musical Theatre West), Eleone Dance Theatre, Raven-Symone (Undeniable Tour), and Endless Shock (Japanese Musical Series Tour). His Television and Film credits include: Nissan National Commercial, Euphoria, Brooklyn NineNine, Timeless, Hairspray (New Line Cinema), Dancing with the Stars, NBC: Today Show, Apple Inc- California Soul, Saturday Night Live, 81st Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, VH-1: Behind the Music, Good Morning Atlanta Fox 5, and MTV Asia. Mr. Spaulding’s choreographic works have been presented at numerous concerts, festivals, and universities including: The International Conference and Festival of Blacks in Dance, Point Park University, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Nabla Festival NYC: In the Liminal Space, Radford University, Danco on Danco- Philadanco first company showcase, Wayne State University, University of California, Irvine, Eleone Dance Theatre, AMDA College & Conservatory of the Performing Arts, and the Jikei College: Fukuoka School of Music and Dance. Mr. Spaulding is enthusiastic about sharing his wisdom with the next generation of dance artists. Marc is currently an Assistant Professor of Modern Dance at Point Park University. He has also served as dance faculty at: Orange County School of the Arts, Millennium Dance Complex- Los Angeles, and AMDA College & Conservatory of the Performing Arts. As a guest teaching artist, Marc has worked with: The International Association of Blacks in Dance, University of the Arts, The Jikei Group of Colleges in Japan, Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Collage Dance Collective, The Rock School for Dance Education, Long Island University, and Dance Masters of America.

SARA GUO

'REEMERGENCE'

The Piece begins in a vast, dreamlike ocean, where the water is thick with memory. A lone figure drifts through submerged recollections, decending into icy depths before rising into a shifting landscape. First the deep sea, then a space heavy with the weight of conflict. Haunted by the echoes of war, he navigates a liminal space where past and present collide.

BIOGRAPHY:

 Sara Guo is currently pursuing a BFA in Dance at The Juilliard School, where she is honing her technique and artistry in classical, modern, and contemporary dance under the guidance of a distinguished faculty. Her dance journey began at the age of three and continued with formal training at the Houston Ballet Professional Division.

Sara’s performance experience spans a wide range of classical and contemporary works. Notable performances include A Choreographic Offering (José Limón), Supernova (Houston Thomas), Echoes (Ilya Kozadayev), Paquita (Stanton Welch), and On Blurred Edges (Ethan Colangelo), where she has danced both principal and corps de ballet roles.

In addition to her performance work, Sara is cultivating her choreographic voice. Her choreography has received national recognition, including being named a 2024 YoungArts Winner with Distinction in Dance Choreography and a 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts Semifinalist. Most recently, her piece Reemergence was one of seventeen works selected by the Juilliard Dance Division faculty to be presented at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater—an affirmation of her bold artistic vision and dedication to pushing creative boundaries.

As a dancer, choreographer, and educator, Sara sees dance as both a personal and cultural expression—an evolving language that connects her Chinese heritage with contemporary storytelling. She is passionate about using movement to explore identity, share meaningful narratives, and inspire others, particularly young artists, to view dance as a powerful means of communication.

FRANCIS LAWRENCE 

'DISCONNECT'

'Disconnect' explores themes of personal isolation and estrangement from society as a whole. It reflects the raw emotions that surface when one feels broken amidst the chaos of the human experience. Sometimes, no matter how much effort is invested in trying to mend what is fractured, life takes its course, leaving individuals feeling disconnected and lost. 

BIOGRAPHY:

Francis was born in Melbourne, Australia, and studied with Lorraine Backbourn. He then moved on to the prestigious Australian Ballet School, where he graduated with a Diploma in Dance. His professional career has seen him grace the stages of renowned companies including, the Australian Ballet Company, Grand Rapids Ballet, New Jersey Ballet, and the Dance Theatre of Harlem. Francis has showcased his artistry in a diverse repertoire, from classical masterpieces such as Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Sleeping Beauty, Raymonda, and The Nutcracker, to contemporary works by esteemed choreographers such as George Balanchine, Nacho Duato, Twyla Tharp, Jiri Kylian, Jose Limon, Alvin Ailey, Paul Taylor, Ulysses Dove, Glen Tetley, Lew Christensen, John Neumeier, Peter Martins, Olivier Weavers, Mario Radacovsky, Donald Byrd, Darrel Grand Moultrie, Robert Garland, and Andy Blakenbuehler.  

His versatility extends beyond ballet; he has performed in four musicals, including the Broadway National tour and Australian tour of An American in Paris by Christopher Wheeldon (Tony winner), New York City Center Encores show, I Married An Angel by Joshua Bergasse (Emmy winner), The Wiz by Gerry McIntyre with Broadway Sacramento, and most recently, West Side Story by Parker Esse with The Muny. Francis has also appeared in two movies, Tyler Perry & Debbie Allen's A Jazzman's Blues, and Hallmark's Sugarplum Twist, as well as a TV episode of Law & Order.

Francis currently works as a freelance artist and dedicated teacher in New York City.