Who we are.
Zach Bird.
Zach Bird is currently a Chicago based performer and artist who works with friends and companies throughout the city. Originally an Iowa native, his love for dance and corn brought him to the University of Iowa where he graduated with a B.F.A. in Dance Studies under the mentoring of Jennifer Kayle. After losing his interest in the multiple varieties of corn cuisine, he moved to Chicago and began dancing with Mordine and Company. Since moving to the city Zach has had the pleasure of dancing for/with Earlyn Whitehead, Hedwig Dances, Kelly Anderson Dance Theater, RE Dance, Monica Thomas, Brady VanPatten, and most recently Cattywampus Dance. He's currently working on producing his own work, which will most likely be centered around the exquisite topic of corn.
Caroline Bondurant.
Caroline Bondurant earned her BFA in Dance Performance & Choreography from Elon University in North Carolina in 2015. While there she created four formal works and performed in student and faculty-based concerts. Caroline is currently the Social Media Coordinator for Cattywampus Dance, and has performed in several concerts with the company, including the second season show: Coddiwomple (2018), the self-titled premiere (2017), Chicago Dance Month’s Mid-Month PopUp (2018), Simantikos Dance Chicago’s Celebration of the Arts (2017), and JELLO: eight (2017). Caroline has worked administratively at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts and at Dovetail Studios & attended several workshops, including Bates Dance Festival, Hedwig Dances Intensive, & River North Dance Chicago Workshop. Caroline has received formal training in ballet, modern, choreography, contact improvisation, & Gaga method. She has been with the company for two seasons and is excited to perform in her first interactive show with the company this fall.
Megan Brady.
Megan Brady graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Dance and Communications. Her performance credits at UWSP include The Lost Hive (2014), Bombon Nuevo (2016), Anthem (2016), A Classical Suite (2016), Sounding Off (2017), Snow (2017), Swingin' Ella (2018), and Hokkaido Sanctuary, Japan 7:21 a.m. (2018). She presented two new choreographic works while in school (Where Love Lived First, Unshackled Disquietude). Megan has trained with Joan Karlen, Michael Estanich, Jeannie Hill, Pamela Luedtke, Max Pollak, Mary Price Boday, and many more. She currently teaches young dancers at DanceQuest and works as a Program Manager at Chicago Human Rhythm Project and the American Rhythm Center. Megan is thrilled to be joining Cattywampus this season!
Jess Duffy.
After earning a BFA in Dance Performance & Choreography from Elon University in 2012, Jess moved to Chicago, Illinois to pursue a performance career. Career highlights include works by Chicago Dance Crash, Same Planet Performance Project, King is a Fink Productions and the Off Center Project. When not performing, Jess combines years of classical, dance training with her studies in fitness to create and co-found her own fitness brand: the wear|haus chi.
Now, after years of admiring Cattywampus from the audience, Jess is thrilled to make her debut with the company and under the vision of choreographer Abby Williams Chin.
Kiefer Otto.
Kiefer Otto graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 2018 majoring in Dance with a minor in Acting. Since moving to Chicago, Kiefer's choreography has been presented by Simantikos Dance Chicago, Nuomenan Dance Ensemble, F.A.M.E Chicago and THAW. He has performed in FOX and SHOWTIME's hit television series Empire and Shameless and appeared on So You Think You Can Dance in 2013. Kiefer performed with visual artist Nick Cave at Chicago’s Navy Pier and was a guest performer for J. Lindsay Brown Dance. He has worked with numerous artists in the community including Pam McNeil, Paige Cunningham, Amaniyea Payne and Joe Musiel. He was a company dancer for Ascendance Dance Chicago for their first season and now a proud company member for Cattywampus Dance.
Mariel Mitton.
Mariel Mitton graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Dance Performance and Public Relations. Under the direction of Susan Anderson and Stacey Calvert she had the honor of performing works by George Balanchine, Thaddeus Davis, Tanya Wideman-Davis, and Amanda Miller. She moved to Chicago following graduation for the work study program at the Lou Conte Dance Studio, under the guidance and mentorship of Claire Bataille. Mariel has danced for South Chicago Dance Theater, Appalachian Ballet Company, and went on tour to Morocco with Dance Evolution. Mariel has attended programs such as Alonzo King Lines Ballet, American Dance Festival, New Dialect, Spectrum Dance Theater, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. This is Mariel's first season with Cattywampus Dance.