The Company
Founded in the summer of 1999, Scorpius Dance Theatre creates the perfect
atmosphere to enjoy and experience long after the curtain closes.
Creator and choreographer Lisa Starry merges humor, drama, and movement to inspire and bewilder the viewer. Scorpius
may appear at first to be a professional dance company but underneath all the layers of training and experience lurks the great mysteries to
be discovered of life, love, fear, and joy.
Simply put... we will rock you!
Lisa Starry
Artistic Director/Choreographer
Born under the astrological sign of Scorpio, Lisa Starry is intense but friendly, passionate and determined, dependable and intuitive. These inherent traits are what help make Scorpius Dance Theatre the foremost performing arts company in Arizona.
Lisa grew up throughout the US and Europe, a product of the 1960s and her free-spirited German Mother. She began her formal dance training in modern, ballet, and choreography at the Phoenix School of Ballet in 1985 and continued on to college to receive her BFA in Dance/Choreography from the California Institute for the Arts in 1993. That same year she was presented with a full scholarship to the London Contemporary School of Dance student exchange program.
She returned to perform with several local companies in and around Phoenix. However, it was around this time that she knew she had something refreshing and distinct to offer as a choreographer herself. In 1996 Lisa married her high school sweetheart and Arizona-born dancer, David Starry (a Capricorn). They celebrated the birth of their son Christian (an Aquarius) in 1997. This happy occasion also marked the beginning of Lisa’s emergence into professional choreography. As is common in the arts, Lisa now dealt with the challenge of figuring out what she needed to accomplish in order to pursue her passion and in 1998 she accepted the proposal to head the dance program at the Metropolitan Arts Institute High School. It was in 1999 that Scorpius Dance Theatre was born. Metro Arts is the official rehearsal home for Scorpius.
Lisa manages Scorpius like a tight-knit family and many dancers enjoy working with her for that reason. Other dancers simply respect Lisa for her creativity and motivation...always thinking outside of the box. This is a team environment and Scorpius’ strengths come from the mutual care, respect and cooperation of dancers, volunteers, and board members. A consummate professional, it’s been instinctive for Lisa to build relationships within the metropolitan Phoenix arts community and she continues to do so in the dance and theater circles. As a result of Lisa’s reputation, personal character, and with the steady exposure of this unique contemporary dance company, Scorpius quite often has exclusive opportunities presented to them, regularly experimenting with innovative performance situations while making new friends.
In her time away from Scorpius, Lisa enjoys her actual family life. The Starrys welcomed little Leo (an Aries) in 2006, and the four share their home with nine family pets (three dogs and six cats). As it happens, Lisa has been a foster parent to so many stray animals over the years that it’s uncanny, really. (She doesn’t find them...they find her.) This is just one more assertion of her commitment and nurturing temperament. Lisa wears her heart on her sleeve...and anyone can see that Scorpio spirit beating warmly and passionately from a thousand miles away, whether emanating from her choreography on a stage or from within her loving home.
David Starry
Cofounder
David discovered dance (and his wife) in high school and majored in Dance at the University of Arizona. He is a true product of the 1980s dance craze. David commits his energy and talents as an extreme performer, digital artist, makeup designer and part-time administrator to Scorpius. Away from the company he is an electrician for Wilson Electric, loving husband to Lisa, and proud father to their boys, Christian (11) and Leo (who will be 2 in April 2008).
Nicole Olson
Assistant Director
Nicole received her BFA in Dance from the University of WI-Stevens Point after attending Milwaukee Ballet School. She has worked with numerous dance companies throughout Milwaukee and Chicago, and has received recognition for her choreographic endeavors. Currently, she directs the dance department at Metropolitan Arts Institute. Nicole joined Scorpius in 2000.
Nancy Lynn Miller
Administration
Nancy earned a Professional Certificate in Dance from MIAET as one of six initiate dancers with Instinct Dancecorps. She lived in New York City for 3 years, dancing with independent choreographers, performing in various exciting locations such as City Center in Manhattan and Triskelion Arts in Brooklyn. Nancy holds a BA in English and is now a freelance graphic designer and photographer. She serves as Scorpius’ resident designer and grant writer. Nancy first joined Scorpius in 1999 as one if its original company members.
Maggie Cortez
Administration
Maggie received her Associates in Fine Arts from GCC and graduated in May 2007 with her BFA in Dance with an emphasis in Performance from ASU. Maggie is trained in various dance techniques. She enjoys running, swimming, hiking, and loves taking pictures. Maggie joined Scorpius in 2003 and has loved every minute of it!
Andrea Chesley
Andrea received her Associates in General Studies from GCC and her BFA in Dance (Choreography) from ASU. Andrea sings, acts, plays the piano but loves to dance. She was a dance finalist in the Young Artists Competition in 2003, won the Arizona Choreography Competition in 2004, and various professional companies have commissioned her work. She currently teaches and directs the dance program at Peoria High School. Andrea joined Scorpius in 2005.
Sam Duran
Sam graduated from the Metro Arts where he first met Lisa Starry. He continued his education and training at California Institute for the Arts where he received his BFA in dance. Upon graduating, he became a soloist for Pasadena Dance Theater. He has also participated in workshops and trained with Limon Dance Company, Alonzo King's LINES Ballet, and the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance. Sam has been a guest with Scorpius in many different pieces; however, this is Sam's first official season with the company.
Keri Fraker
Keri has been dancing since the age of six. She is a four-year graduate of The Orange County High School of the Arts and attended Orange Coast College. Keri has won several prestigious dance awards including the Orange Coast College Dance Scholarship, the Karen Shanley Dance Award, and the Dorothy Duddrige Dance Scholarship. She was also a principal dancer for the Pacific Symphony Orchestra. Keri joined Scorpius in 2006.
Liliana Gomez
Liliana has been in awe of Scorpius for some time -- first as a fan while in high school, then as an apprentice and guest artist, and finally, as a company member. She has also worked with Instinct Dancecorps, LizCasebolt Dance, Garner-Guttirez Dance, and Dulce Dance Co. She is passionate about art that educates and fills the soul and is a strong supporter of the downtown art/dance scene. She enjoys watching movies and riding her bicycle. Lili first joined Scorpius in 2003.
James Marinaro
James began dancing at the age of 15 at Tempe High School. He continued his dance education at Turning Pointe Dance Academy and Studio One Performing Arts Center in Phoenix, Arizona. He is the recent winner of an AriZoni Award for his cheorgraphy in the production of “Twlight’s Quest” at Phoenix Children’s Youth Theatre. James joined Scorpius in 2004.
Jen Miles
Jennifer is originally from Los Angeles, CA and has extensive training in both ballet and contemporary dance. She has been involved with companies such as, Pasadena Ballet Theater, Instinct Dancecorps, Semaphor Danceworks, and has been a guest performer with Mikhail Baryshnikov and the White Oak Dance Project. She is a Licensed Medical Aesthetician and Laseographer. Jennifer joined Scorpius in 2001.
Corrinne Robinson
Corrinne grew up dancing in Colorado and attended ASU on a dance scholarship. She’s performed professionally for the Phoenix Suns and several small companies in CO and AZ including Elite Feet, The Damsels, and Sophistikit. Corrinne keeps her child-like innocence by playing with toys for a living. She currently works as Brand Manager for McFarlane Toys. Corrinne joined Scorpius in 2003.
Rufus Rodriquez
Rufus began dancing at age 14 in the style of hip-hop, and shortly after was introduced to modern dance at Camelback High School. At 17, he started training in ballet and jazz. Rufus has danced with Gravity Jazz Dance Theater and the Phoenix Mercury Hip Hop Squad. He has taught for a host of dance groups and high schools across the valley. Currently, he dances with Epik Dance Co. and Shok Hip-Hop squad. This is Rufus’ first season with Scorpius.
Tricia Vanderwoude
Tricia graduated from the University of Arizona with a BFA in Dance. Tricia has performed with David Storey and Dancers in New York City and other independent companies in Chicago. She recently received her certification in Pilates from Long Beach Dance and Conditioning. She currently teaches dance at New School for the Arts in Tempe, AZ. Tricia first joined Scorpius in 2000.
Company photos by Nancy Lynn Miller.
2007-2008 Scorpius Members - We will miss you!!
Lucio Abruzzi
Jen Duxbury
Brandy Guthery
Claudio Ribeiro