ASI’s ARTISTIC FELLOWSHIP
Supporting the jump from a performing career to an artist’s next step.
What is Imagery's Artistic Fellowship Position?
The Artistic Fellowship position is a two-year paid rotation, providing an emerging dancemaker with the following:
Artistic mentorship from Artistic Director, Amy Seiwert
Arts administration mentorship from Managing Director, Annika Presley
Choreographic commissions for 2022 & 2023
About the Artistic Fellowship
The Artistic Fellowship position, a two-year rotation, provides an emerging dancemaker with artistic mentorship from Amy Seiwert and arts administration mentorship from Managing Director Annika Presley, as well as two commissions during the SKETCH series. This paid Fellowship program offers Artistic Fellows the experience and tools to further their careers as artists and choreographers and become the next leaders in the field.
“Imagery’s Fellowship Program is a natural progression for the company. We will be serving the field by fostering the next generation of arts leaders. Our Fellowship offers both artistic and administrative mentorship, offering the tools needed to make the jump from a performing career to an artist’s next step.”
- Amy Seiwert, Artistic Director
Current Artistic Fellow: Natasha Adorlee
“I am overjoyed to have been chosen to become the next Artistic Fellow with Amy Seiwert's Imagery. I have long held a deep respect for the caliber of work Imagery has produced on stage and screen, as well as admiration for both Amy and Annika Presley, their leadership style, and the talent they both attract and mentor through their work. I am incredibly thankful to receive their guidance over the next few years and expand my movement language and knowledge of the inner workings of a dance company. The mission of Imagery, especially the focus on innovation, is exactly what I hope to do more of during my time in this role. I am grateful for this chance to better understand myself as an artist so that I too can give back to the greater dance community in time. Thank you Amy, Annika, and all the Imagery supporters for welcoming me in, I cannot wait to begin; Let's create! “
Natasha Adorlee is a creator based out of San Francisco, CA. She graduated from UC Berkeley with a BA in English. For the past 15 years, Natasha was a professional dancer with ODC/Dance and Robert Moses' Kin and was a guest artist with Kate Weare Company (New York) and The San Francisco Symphony. In 2014, she received an Isadora Duncan Dance Award for her performance in Two if by Sea, choreographed by Kimi Okada. In 2018, she received a Regional Emmy for her performance and music composition work in the TV special Baseballet: Into the Game. In addition, Natasha was selected to create the original song Pink and Purple for the Pixar Sparkshort Out, which was shortlisted for the Oscars in 2021. Natasha founded her company, Concept o4, to create a platform for making dance more accessible through technology. With Co4, she directed and choreographed the film, Take Your Time (2017), which became an official selection of the Mill Valley Film Festival and the recipient of six awards, including "Best Short" by the San Francisco Dance Film Festival. She continues to produce, direct, and expand her vision of sharing dance by creating original film shorts, immersive live productions, and workshops. Natasha currently serves as the Director of Film at Ubisoft in San Francisco. Beyond artistic endeavors, Natasha is a passionate nature explorer and loves the Bay Area, her two pups, and her partner Max.
Past Artistic Fellow: Ben Needham-Wood (2018-2021)
“The Artistic Fellowship with ASI has been the most formative opportunity of my career,” said Ben Needham-Wood, Artistic Fellow of Amy Seiwert’s Imagery. “As we gear up for this summer's SKETCH program, I can already feel how much my perspective has broadened and my artistic voice has evolved. The art of dance is shared from one generation to the next, and I could not be more grateful for the insight, inspiration, and support that Amy and Annika Presley (Imagery’s managing director) have given me. SKETCH 11 is going to be incredibly special.”
Ben Needham-Wood is a San Francisco-based choreographer, and dance educator. In his performance career, he has worked predominantly with the Louisville Ballet, Amy Seiwert’s Imagery, and Smuin Contemporary American Ballet where he currently serves as a dancer and rehearsal assistant. Ben received a regional Emmy Award for his choreographic work on the TV segment BaseBallet (CSN Bay Area) and has had his choreography performed throughout the United States and Canada.