CarliAnn Forthun Bruner has been teaching at Gonzaga University since 2019.
CarliAnn Forthun Bruner received her MFA in Dance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and her BFA in Dance and minor in Kinesiology from Simon Fraser University. Her choreography has been presented by On the Boards, Seattle International Dance Festival, Inlay Dance, Velocity Dance Center, YAW Theater, Intrepidus Dance, and Terrain 11. She has performed professionally with Khambatta Dance Company, Intrepidus Dance, 127th St. Dance Company and as a freelance performer with Noam Gagnon, KT Niehoff, Rob Kitsos, Marla Eist, and Ashleigh Claire Miller. CarliAnn has enjoyed performing, teaching, and touring internationally in Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Lithuania, and India.
In 2016, she formed Forthun+Rome Dance Theater with Ethan Rome. Since then, the company has created over a dozen new works including full evening length pieces and dance films. In 2018, the dance company received the year-long James Ray Residency Award to create a new dance work for the 2019 Seattle International Dance Festival. As a dance creator, CarliAnn investigates human interactions that are universal and transcend language, exploring the ineffability of life.
Courses Taught
Jazz Dance, Levels I, II, III
Contemporary/Modern, Levels I, II, III
Strategies for Dance Instruction
Arts Administration and Leadership
Contact information
Theatre & Dance Studios, Room 106
Phone: (509) 313-6083
Email: forthun-bruner@gonzaga.edu
Office Hours are by appointment.
Sara Glesk has been teaching at Gonzaga University since 2013.
She graduated Cum Laude from Cornish College of the Arts with a BFA in Dance in 2006. While at Cornish, Sarah performed in such works as Martha Graham’s “Diversion of Angels”. After graduating, she remained in Seattle, WA where she helped found the CanCan Castaways and performed with companies, Zoe Scofield and Juniper Shuey, Geoffrey Johnson, Alloy Dance Project, Serendip and danced in a Saturday Knights music video.
Since returning home in 2011, Sarah has been teaching Ballet, Modern and Choreography at multiple studios in Spokane. She has also had the pleasure of choreographing for several film ventures with the Spokane Film Project, taught Movement for Actors for a theater production, choreographed and performed in a music video for Water Monster and enjoyed performing intermittently with Vytal Movement Dance Company.
Courses Taught
Jazz Dance, Levels I, II, III
Contemporary/Modern Dance, Levels I, II, III
Ballet, Levels I, II, III
Contact information
Theatre & Dance Studios, Room 106
Phone: (509) 313-6508
Email: glesk@gonzaga.edu
Office hours are by appointment.
Joseph Lyons-Wolf has been teaching at Gonzaga University since 2021.
Joseph Lyons-Wolf is an interdisciplinary artist and educator who specializes in musical theatre and tap dance. His body of work includes professional theatre, educational theatre, teaching artistry, studio work, and competitive dance. Joseph attended Oklahoma City University, where he received his B.M. in Musical Theatre. At OCU he had the privilege of attending masterclasses with casting directors, agents, and choreographers of Broadway shows including The Book of Mormon, White Christmas, Cinderella, Hamilton, and Holiday Inn. Shortly after graduating OCU, he relocated to New York City where he received a certificate of excellence from the training program at Broadway Dance Center, specializing in tap.
He graduated with a M.A. in Educational Theatre from New York University where he focused his studies in directing, physical theatre, pedagogy, and TYA. He also studied theatre for youth, process drama, and creating sensory theatre for young people with disabilities while abroad in the UK. In New York, he worked in education and engagement for Disney Theatrical Group. At DTG he taught professional performance workshops utilizing the choreography of the Disney on Broadway Shows: Aladdin, Frozen, and The Lion King. He also facilitated post-show talkbacks for these same titles and participated in additional education and engagement events for Disney.
Joseph currently teaches on the faculties of Artistry in Motion and Expressions School of Performing Arts. Additionally he travels to choreograph competition dance and works as a freelance director and choreographer for regional theaters. Special areas of interest include decolonizing practices in musical theatre choreography and radical body acceptance in the dance space. As an educator, Joseph aims to instill in students self-confidence, communication skills, vulnerability, critical observation, and servant leadership — that will aid them professionally and interpersonally in whatever future they build for themselves.
Courses Taught
Musical Theatre Dance
Musical Theatre Pedagogy
Contact information
Theatre & Dance Studios, Room 106
Phone: (509) 313-6083
Email: lyonsj2@gonzaga.edu
Office Hours are by appointment.
Karla Parbon has been teaching at Gonzaga University since 2008.
As a dancer, educator, and choreographer, Karla has dedicated her life and profession to the art of dance. She studied for 15 years under the Royal Academy of Dance curriculum and graduated from Whitworth University with a B.A. in Psychology and a focus in Women’s Studies and M.A. in Theology with an emphasis in Dance, Karla’s specialty is in connecting art, spirituality and the human experience. Karla has been teaching dance for over 20 years where she has had the opportunity to choreograph musical theatre shows including: The Boyfriend, Cabaret, Working, Jesus Christ Super Star, The Mattress, and The Wakefield Mysteries.
Currently, Karla is the Dance Program Director at Whitworth University and dance faculty at Gonzaga University and teaches courses in Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Choreography, Movement and Somatic Practices. She has also presented several works at the American College Dance Association Conference for the past 8 years as well as choreographed and performed with the St. John’s Professional Choir and members of the Spokane Symphony for the Good Friday performance, Buxtehude. In 2014, Karla founded and is the Executive Director of the nonprofit organization, Partners Through Art, that leverages the power of theatre, dance and visual art with other non-profits to expand their individual success and advance the collective goal of positive social change. Karla is consistently discovering innovative avenues to help and inspire others to find hope and a voice through artistic expression.
Courses Taught
Jazz Dance, Levels I, II, III
Principles of Dance Conditioning
Pop Culture Dance
Advanced Composition
Choreography
Contact information
Theatre & Dance Studios, Room 106
Phone: (509) 313-6508
Email: parbon@gonzaga.edu
Office Hours are by appointment.
Chris Hansen received his MA in Theatrical Production from CWU, and a BA in Theatre from EWU. He has been a collegiate instructor for over 10 years in the PNW across multiple institutions. He has worked professionally in theatre for over 15 years with touring credits and world premiers under his belt. He works both in front of and behind the curtain and teaches a wide range of performance skills. Chris has received multiple faculty excellence awards and is also a NISOD award recipient. When not teaching he is found at the local comicbook shop or performing around town with other theatres to stay fresh in his craft!
Charles Monte, M.F.A.
Having been introduced to the arts at home as a child, I’ve always been interested. Since getting into arts quite heavily in High School and after I have been involved in the performing arts as a performer, technician, designer, director, consultant, or visual artist for over 30 years. My personal passion for the arts has led me to help in the forming of a non-profit theatre group. Serving as President for a time, I set the ground work for the development of a student theater organization in an economically depressed area as I believe everyone should have access to the arts. I have obtained related degrees: a BA in Visual Arts, an MA in Communications and Theater Studies and my MFA in Lighting Design. Currently I am serving as the Technical Director for Gonzaga’s Department of Theater and Dance.
Courses Taught
132.01 Stagecraft 260.01 Tech Lab: Mainstage Run Crew 260.02 Production Lab: 2nd Stage Run Crew
Contact Information
Office Location: Theatre Annex 101 B
Phone: (509) 313-6662
Email:monte@gonzaga.edu
Office Hours: M/W/F 1:30-5:00 pm or by appointment