College of Fine Arts Announces Katie Gutmann as New Assistant Professor of Dance
“I am so looking forward to joining the Department of Theatre at USD,” said Gutmann. “I am eager to collaborate, learn and move with such vibrant students and faculty. I’m grateful to start my journey with the supportive and creative community found in the College of Fine Arts.”
“We are excited to have Professor Gutmann join the theatre department here at USD,” said Raimondo Genna, Ph.D., chair and associate professor of the Department of Theatre. “Her talent, student-centric pedagogy and vision promises to lead the dance program and the department into new creative realms.”
Gutmann is a dance artist originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She holds an MFA in dance from Texas Woman’s University (TWU), where her research focused on the integration and interaction of screen dance and stage dance. While at TWU, Gutmann presented and performed works for adjudication at the ACDA South-Central Conference and the ACDA National Screendance Festival.
Gutmann’s work as a performer and choreographer explores storytelling and movement’s communicative capabilities. Her time as a member of Dallas-based dance company, TranScend Motion, provided the opportunity to perform and teach throughout Texas. Katie’s choreography has been presented nationally at College Dance Film Fest and FilmFest by Rogue Dancer and internationally at COCO Dance Festival in Trinidad & Tobago.
Gutmann also holds a B.A. in interdisciplinary fine arts—dance arts from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). While earning her undergraduate degree, Gutmann was a company member with IUP Dance Theater where she had opportunities to learn from and perform with several artists including Pascal Rioult (RIOULT Dance NY), Kun-Yang Lin and Shana Simmons. Gutmann has since returned to IUP Dance Theater as a guest performer, choreographer and co-director.
“I am excited to have Ms. Gutmann join our college,” said Bruce Kelley, Ph.D., dean of the College of Fine Arts. “Dance is an essential component of our theatre curriculum, and her excitement and vision for the future of dance is a perfect match for our program.”