Alumni Spotlight Lisa Martain Hoffer

 

 

Lisa Martain Hoffer, Special Events and Corporate Membership Coordinator at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago 

What years did you work with The Dance COLEctive?  

1994 - 1995?? I'm still amazed and honored Margi asked me to be a part of her inaugural year. What was she thinking? lol. Pretty sure I said yes immediately. I had been a dance major in high school and college but 10 years post, I was past planning to perform. I wasn't even taking class regularly. I truly enjoyed the opportunity to join The Dance COLEctive of the transformative journey of that first year.  

Lisa in action!

Any favorite TDC Memories? 

Someone always had to hold my hand during crossovers because I couldn't see anything in the dark without my glasses. "Who's got Lisa??" And laughing our asses off about everything. We were all good friends before we became a company. I think that came through in our performances; our desire to make Margi proud.  

 

 

In costume in Women's Song

On Stage or Site-Specific Performance? 

I'll never forget the sounds of the train at Links Hall (Wrigleyville location). Once we went on right after another group who had used sod in their performance. We took our bows coated in dirt and grass in unusual places. The lack of air conditioning really made it stick.

 

 

What are you doing now?  

I've always worked for non-profits and/or cultural institutions which is how I met Margi. I was Assistant to the Chair at The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago where of course Margi was on staff. I'm going on 2.5 years now as the Special Events and Corporate Membership Coordinator at the Museum of Science and Industry. I squeeze in a class when the mood hits me. Though I'll confess it's not that often as the years go by. 

First Night Springfield 

 

Where can we find more information about you? 

LinkedIn

Do you use any Margi-ism’s?

Sweaty coo-potch - Not for use around parents or children but sometimes your dance clothes don't breathe the way they should. 

Ginch - Every joint in my body has a ginch. Getting older is getting harder to ignore.  

Memory from Margi

Lisa really worked with the company before it was officially "the company"!  Before we did real video documentation.  Before big company photo shoots. I had the pleasure of meeting and working with her at the Dance Center.  What stands out in my memory was her genuine enthusiasm to be a part of a creative process, her outstanding sense of humor and her distinctive laugh!  Never a dull moment when Lisa was in the room.  That has continued for as long as I have known her.  I was drawn to her long beautiful limbs and quirky and unassuming movement style.  Lisa was integral in helping to establish the vibrant energy that sparked the development of The Dance COLEctive.  She has remained a true friend and fan!!

Margi and Lisa in 1995/96?!

 

 

Alumni Spotlight on Laurel Moore Zahrobsky

 

Laurel Moore Zahrobsky

Director of Terpsichord, Dance Teacher/Girls Preparatory School Chattanooga, TN

What years did you work with The Dance COLEctive? 

 

1995-2000 (I think. Or maybe 2001?) We met when I was part of the Columbia College Summer Dance Intensive. She selected me for her piece. After that, I was contracted per show before she formally began The Dance COLEctive. When she started the company, I was a founding member.

 

Laurel with Julie Tice Photo by William Frederking

 

 

Any favorite TDC Memories? 

Loads of fun memories Rehearsals that felt like they lasted 15 minutes because we were having so much fun, road trips for performances, cocktail hours in our down time, birthday parties, and life changing moments we all got through together just to name a few. I loved partnering with Margi. When we danced together it was like dancing with an extension of myself.

On-Stage or Site-Specific Performance? 

 

There were so many performance opportunities that Margi provided us. Some of my favorites were the site-specific ones. She bought pallets of grass for a street performance we did on the south side. That was a very surreal performance for me because it was tied into the history of the houses where we were dancing. I love that kind of stuff! Mixing art and history and bringing it to a present day audience. So exhilarating! We also had a blast performing at the Illinois State Fair. It was hilarious to dance in front of crowds who had no idea what modern dance was. The tractor pull line was my favorite. And then there were people who loved it when we danced in the art gallery at the fair. That was really neat. We wore matching shirts, red bikers and tennis shoes. It was a ton of fun. 

 

At the Illinois State Fair dancing everywhere that was not a stage.

 

For about three years in a row, we spent New Year's Eve in Springfield as part of their First Night performance. It was a lot of fun performing and then ringing in the New Year with the company. Lots of laughs during those evenings!

 

We performed everywhere from the Athenaeum to Columbia College to the MCA and every time we finished, she would have already started working on another show. Margi always worked really hard to make sure we could share her work and be seen in every venue possible.

Trembling in the Balance at the Athenaeum Theater with Amy, Ebony, Margi and Edna 1999

 

What are you doing now? 

 

I am the Director of a dance program at Girls Preparatory School in Chattanooga, TN. Even though we are not a performing arts school, dance is a huge part of the curriculum for students. Our high school company is one of the longest-running in the nation. It began in 1960. I am only the third director in the school's dance program.

Where can we find more information about you? 

 

There are some articles written about me through GPS but I don't have a website or anything like that. You can check out my school profile here.

Do you use any Margi-ism’s?

 

Rock star parking is still one of my favorites to say. And I also use spackle (makeup). I'm sure I use more but they are so engrained in my vocabulary I don't even notice anymore. However, no one says a Margi-ism like Margi!

 

Memory from Margi 

 

I met Laurel in 1995 when I did a mentoring project in the summer program at the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago. We just seemed to hit it off. I remember being struck by her fearless physicality and her sense of humor! She was always willing to make bold choices and have fun. We also had the south in common. Laurel and her family have been loving and gracious hosts to me and the company. When Laurel had the chance to move back to Chattanooga and teach I was truly sad to see her go. I also knew that it was the best thing for her and her growing family.  AND, I knew that she was going to do an amazing job! Lucky for me, she has remained a dear and valued friend. I am so proud of the work that she does at GPS and one of my proudest moments was seeing her receive the Tennessee Association of Dance Outstanding Dance Educator Award in 2014. Dang, I am getting misty... Thank you for helping to lay the groundwork for future dancers to be fearless and make bold choices!

 

Me and Laurel Summer 2021

Alumni Spotlight on Edna Radnik Madonia

 

Edna Radnik Madonia

Dancer, Personal Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor, Barre Instructor 

 

 

What years did you work with The Dance COLEctive?   

Founding Member from 1996 to 2003 (I think...)

Any favorite TDC Memories?

First Night in Springfield for the New Year.  Was great to travel, perform and ring in the New Year with friends. Of course it was cold and snowy.  I was driving an old Jeep Wrangler at that time and had heat blasting. It was still so cold that Ebony and I had to put blankets on the entire drive home.

First Night Springfield with Laurel, Ebony, Margi, Lisa, Edna and Nancy

 

On Stage or Site-Specific Performance?

Glessner House, outside on the grass! It was a beautiful night, string musicians and we closed the street off and danced on sod. The clean up was hilarious as we never realized how heavy sod was until we had to load it on a truck.

Edna in the grass piece 9/9/99

 

What are you doing now?

Edna!  Looking Good! 

 

 

I am currently a fitness instructor and have been teaching for over 25 years!  After leaving the Center for Community Arts Partnerships at Columbia College Chicago (CCAP-which Margi helped found in 1998) in 2013, I devoted my time to The Dailey Method (TDM) and became a master barre instructor before the studio closed. I was training clients and teaching group classes at a medically integrated facility before being recruited 8 years ago to Life Time Fitness in Burr Ridge.

You can follow Edna on Instagram @fitedna

 Do you use any Margi-ism’s?

We said rock star A LOT in the beginning days and even had stickers in the office that we shared at Columbia. Every time I see a snot guard on a salad bar I laugh out loud and think about attempting a back bend over it.

Margi and Edna in 2018

 Memory from Margi

 

I met Edna in 1995 when I did a mentoring project in the summer at The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago.  She was short, like me and she was a brave and voracious mover!  She had power and guts and I loved that about her. As I got to know her over many years she was a reliable friend and partner to me and the dancers. She was smart, with quick wit and a passion for teaching. She shared with us her love of animals, family and camping. Edna was always in a good mood and was armed with a gracious smile for everyone. I know those are all reasons why she currently has such an amazing following in the work that she does now. Her strength, beauty and energy really brought vibrancy to our creative process. I am proud that she is a founding member of the company and grateful for all her contributions and paving the way for many dancers who came after her!

Photo by William Frederking