Tricia Kohler is a Pittsburgh based dance artist, yogi, and arts advocate. She received her BFA from Slippery Rock University SRU, her yoga instructor certification under Micheal Gannon, and currently works for Attack Theatre as the Creative Learning Engagement Manager. While Tricia’s studies at SRU were heavily based in Modern dance, Tricia also under the university performed and traveled with the Afro Colombian Dance Ensemble under Melissa Teodoro, and then post graduation furthered her studies of the indigenous dance under Luis Fernando in Cartagena, Colombia. Tricia has performed professionally as a project dancer for COURdance contemporary dance company and Attack Theatre. Tricia is currently a performing member of the Pittsburgh Samba Group. Tricia is passionate in bringing creative learning and culturally diverse dance studies to arts education programs in Pittsburgh. Tricia has lead arts education programming at Propel Charter Schools, Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Pa, Latino Community Centers, Homeless Shelters, and various Community Centers around the greater Pittsburgh area. Tricia believes that art allows individuals to feel seen and heard while express parts of themselves they otherwise may have felt too vulnerable to share. Art/Dance is not just for the highly trained it is for everyone; Tricia hopes to continue to share her passions for creative learning in all spaces.

Hope Anthony is a dancer, singer, and actor from Ingram, PA. She is a proud Actors’ Equity Association member, represented by The Talent Group Agency, and alumna of Point Park University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts. Trained at Rosalene Kenneth's Dance and Karen Prunzik's Performing Arts studios. Her love of theatre started at age five when she popped in a VHS of Cats (London cast) and learned the choreography in her Tigger Halloween costume. Hope has performed at various venues; from the Gateway Clipper Fleet to the Benedum Center. You can find her on screen as well: UPMC's NFL Superbowl commercial “Are You Covered?”, Nestlé DrumstickⓇ’s Anniversary Video, promo for Finger Lakes Casino in NY, and scolding a goat for Aspirant LLC. She returns this year as our Audio Descriptor and keeper of good vibes!

Tess Dally is a resident of North Point Breeze. Tess is a physically integrated dancer who dances with and without her wheelchair. She moved to Pittsburgh from Homer, Alaska four years ago.

In Homer, she served on the ADA Compliance Committee of the Homer City Council. The committee worked with city government to ensure compliance in city public buildings and parks.

Tess was also a board member of the Homer Council of the Arts. Working with the council, Tess was able to introduce dance for those with Parkinson’s, coordinate the first exhibit for artists with disabilities, and choreograph and perform Homer’s first physically integrated dance presentation.

Since moving to Pittsburgh from Alaska three years ago, Tess has joined with Attack Theatre on several community projects including oral history and dance with Lawrenceville seniors; video production with Signtastic visual media; game nights with the Lawrence community; and the summer dance intensive. In the near future, Tess hopes to work with the Greater Pittsburgh Council Arts Council on the intersection of disability and the arts.

Tess is interested in the provision of genuine and equitable access to city facilities and programs such as public events, parks, and buildings. She is excited to work with the City-County Task Force on Disabilities and other advocates to achieve disability justice.

Tess has a Bachelor of Arts in film and anthropology from The Evergreen State University in Washington and a Masters in Social Work from Indiana University. As a social worker, she developed school-based mental health programs in Alaska and Mississippi. For the majority of her career in Alaska, she worked as a Psychiatric Crisis Clinician in hospital emergency departments.

Open Up's mission is to teach mindfulness tools and movement practices, centering people living with disabilities.

For more information about Open Up’s studio and programming, visit the link below

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre is committed to increasing equity, access and opportunity in the art of ballet. We believe that bringing together people with diverse perspectives, histories and life experiences will make ballet richer, stronger and more innovative — resulting in vibrant experiences for all.

SLIP's mission is "Providing reliable, consistent and professional service is more than just a business for us we are dedicated to the enhancement of the profession and access of the Deaf community."