ELLEN SICKENBERGER
DEPTH is a project-based contemporary dance company currently based in Arizona. Founded in NYC in 2017 by Artistic Director Ellen Sickenberger, DEPTH has been commissioned for numerous split-bill shows and residencies throughout NYC, and has been invited to present work in venues including the Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater, Manhattan Movement & Arts Center, Dixon Place, Peridance Salvatore Capezio Theater, The Huntington Theater (Boston), Southwest Arts Center (Atlanta), Dock11 (Berlin), and Suzanne Dellal (Tel Aviv). "Fates", DEPTH's first dance film venture in collaboration with accomplished cinematographer Brian J. Hollars, was awarded Audience Favorite at three different festivals throughout the U.S. That and their later dance film creation, "Refraction", have been screened at festivals throughout America and Europe.
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"True to its name, DEPTH works to uncover the expanse of movements potential in a way that could only come from working together with sensitivity and consideration." [Dot Armstrong - The Dance Enthusiast]. Ellen's work has been described as "hauntingly beautiful" and "captivatingly chilling" [BWW Reviews] with "stunning and economical" partnering [The Dance Enthusiast]. DEPTH uses athletic, theatrical, and anthropomorphous movement to create a social commentary. With an emphasis on humanism, DEPTH relates to its audiences by promoting togetherness through displays of flaws and ugliness.
The Process
Ellen's practice is understanding how to rise above the constraints of the mind and body in order to let energy accurately manifest through movement. She uses meditative and imaginative methods to release locks on the mind. In attempts to remove any habits or patterns, Ellen explores methods to reach the most fertile atmosphere for creativity; where movement is limitless and unique. Since Ellen's work is concept-driven, she uses imagery, words, and abstract ideas for artists to connect to. The theatricality in her work results from this intimate connection of the dancer to an image or concept, and she urges the face muscles to be used as much as the muscles in the body. Ellen continues to explore new ways for artists to connect to concepts as well as to each other. She creates a sense of community within the dancers where the individual can still thrive. She aims to guide artists to a place where the body is totally free and the mind without judgement. With this practice, artists have the ability to become everything and anything when creating choreography.
(See About| tab for Artistic Director's bio)
Artist Statement
"I create art to promote togetherness and acceptance, and I do so by displaying flaws, imperfections, and the darkest corners of the human mind/soul. I explore patterns of the overall human race in addition to honing in on varying circumstances from one individual to another. 'Why do we suffer?' is a question that sits at the core of buddhist practice and heavily informs my work. I approach choreography by challenging guide lines and norms with attempts of innovative and original ideas to reach people; posing a new thought, feel, or state of mind to an existing social/structural issue."
-Ellen Sickenberger
Company Members & Collaborators
Erke Roosen
​Assistant Choreographer/Dance Artist
Erke Roosen Castelluzzo was born in the Netherlands and received her BFA at the Royal Conservatory under the direction of Wim Broeckx. She completed the Certificate Program at the Peridance Capezio Center in NYC with excellence of honors. Erke has performed with multiple dance companies in both the Netherlands and in the USA, including Netherlands Dance Theater 2 and Peridance Contemporary Dance Company, where she worked with choreographers Lightfoot Leon, Alexander Ekman, Ohad Naharin, Sidra Bell and Igal Perry. She has collaborated on projects with Herman van Veen, New York Fashion Week; Rochambeau, MTV: Say it in Song, and Good Morning America. She is currently the Assistant Choreographer with DEPTH Dance and performs with Mari Meade Dance Collective, Urban Tribe, and Keiko Fujii Dance Company in NYC. Erke is also a teaching artist for Notes in Motion Dance Company and teaches in the NYC-public school system.
Other Collaborators
DEPTH Dance is a project-based company with many collaborators in different states
Current: (PHX)
Core Company
Anahi Jimenez
Zarina Mendoza
Jennifer Milani
Takela King
Project Dancers
Alexis Montoya
Esteban Rosales
Lauren Jimenez
Ignacio Andrés Jara
Composer
Jesse Hoffman
Past: (NYC)
Dance Artists (original members)
Margaret Jones
Sarah Kleinke
Graziella Murdocca
Gabriella Sibeko
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Dance Artists (specific projects)
Diane Auriol
Emory Campbell
Kristalyn Gill
Lisa Kobdish
Katie Mattar
Bonnie O'Rourke
Ayaha Otsuka
Madeline Robertson
Thryn Saxon
Ellie Weinman
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Composers
Mark McDonald
Ankit Suri