about her

Samantha Krachtus grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, exposed to a diverse dance community. She trained under the direction of Nick Pupillo as a member of Visceral Studio Company (VSC). While with VSC, she worked with artists including Laura Wade and the members of Visceral Dance Chicago’s professional company. Under Pupillo’s direction, Samantha was challenged to explore new approaches to movement and collaboration, while fostering strong leadership and responsibility. She is humbled by the mentorship and values instilled under Pupillo’s guidance.

 

Prior to joining Visceral Studio Company, Samantha danced competitively at a local dance studio in Montgomery, Illinois under the direction of Catie Dietz-Griffith. It was at this time that her passion for dance flourished, finding her potential and commitment to the performing arts.

Throughout her dance career she's had the opportunity to perform at various venues including: Walt Disney World, Chicago’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Youth Summit for the Arts, and Dance Chicago. In addition, she's attended workshops and intensives including: Arts Umbrella, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Rivernorth Dance Chicago, Visceral Dance Chicago, Inaside Dance Chicago, and Movement Initiative Project (MIP).

 

Currently, Samantha is a student at The Boston Conservatory, where she is earning a bachelor of fine arts in contemporary dance performance. At BOCO she’s had the privilege to be immersed with teachers/choreographers including: Marcus Shulkind, Daniel Pelzig, Brian McGinnis, Joy Davis, Jenna Pollack, Robert Moses, and many more. 

 

With the help of her mentor, Gianni DiMarco, she has developed a drive to share the power of dance with as many people as possible. As an artist she believes in making movement based classes accessible in communities in which they are less accessible and to essentially give back what’s been given to her, dance as a healing modality and escape from reality. She currently teaches dance at a retirement center and a class for students with Down syndrome in Boston.