Spiral Body Techniques®
Spiral Body Techniques® is the teaching methodology for dance and movement developed by choreographer Molly Shanahan.
Spiral Body Techniques® (SBT) is the framework for teaching movement and dance developed by choreographer Molly Shanahan. SBT articulates the modes that Shanahan developed in the first three decades of her career as a choreographer and teacher of university and professional dancers, and which she continues to hone, now with a community of teachers and advanced students.
Spiral Body Techniques currently offers two avenues of experience for dancers/movers. One—the SBT studio class—is geared to advanced and intermediate/advanced dancers interested in cultivating a deeper capacity to spontaneously access the multiplicity of options available at any given dancing movement, and to navigate rapidly changing relationships to space formed through image, clarity of intent, and adaptability. The other—the Alone-Together practice—is a guided movement practice, often done virtually without visual references, and is open to anyone, of any skill level (dancers and “non-dancers” alike) wanting to forge a deeper relationship with body in motion, image, and connection to self.
In both applications, SBT emphasizes the intrinsic system of fluidity, spirals, undulation, and curve that allow a dancer/mover to navigate complex movement patterns—whether learned/rehearsed or improvised—with ease, safety, and joy.
Spiral Body Techniques is a registered trademark, and can only be taught by certified teachers.
The next SBT teacher training dates: July 15-26, 2024. Chicago IL. More information can be found under classes and workshops or by reaching out to Molly Shanahan.
Founder and Master Teacher
Molly Shanahan, Ph.D.
A luminary in Chicago contemporary dance, Molly Shanahan’s work transcends movement to include inquiry into the human experience of seeing and being seen.
Born and raised in Ontario, Canada and Detroit, and rooted in Chicago since 1994, Molly’s work in dance is characterized by a quest for authenticity and a deep exploration of the body's intrinsic languages of expression and relationship. As a trailblazer in the Chicago independent dance scene, Molly has left an indelible mark by challenging conventions and embracing the nuances of body in motion without conforming to limiting assumptions around aesthetics that implicitly or explicitly value some bodies more than others.
Spiralic, pursuing ‘virtuosity of compassion,’ and delicately continuous, Molly's choreographic language harmonizes vulnerability and strength. She challenges aspects of traditional dance training, including emphasizing the release of the compulsively-held musculature that limits freedom of movement and unproductively reinforces how bodies on and off stage are valued.
In 2023 Molly formalized Spiral Body Techniques. SBT is a singular teaching method that expands on her solo and ensemble dancemaking with MS/MS and experience teaching several hundred students in university and professional contexts across a span of thirty years, as well as advanced study of the Feldenkrais Method, the Continuum Method, and doctoral study in dance at Temple University. SBT can be transformative: the method has a vocabulary that helps dancers access and hone specificity, but is not confined to a series of movements. SBT is a holistic movement philosophy, embracing the inherent intelligence and capacity of dancers to navigate complex frameworks for space, time, and creative impulse, and that invites intricate exploration of intention and action, spontaneity and memory. Through this approach, Molly has not only trained dancers but has sparked a revolution in how bodies are inhabited and perceived.
Collaboration with MS/MS ensemble dancers and other artists is central to Molly's creative process and output, resulting in groundbreaking evening-length performances that blur the lines between dance, ritual-for-observation, performance art, and contemplative experience.
Molly’s journey weaves a narrative of quiet courage, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of truth through dance. In the ethos and rhythm of her creations, artists and audiences alike find an invitation to explore the depths of our own humanity. Through choreography, teaching, and mentorship, Molly continues to shape the next generation of dancers and thinkers, building a legacy in the tapestry of Chicago's dance community and beyond.
Spiral Body Techniques™
Essential Level Certified Teachers
Kristina Fluty
Kristina Fluty has been dancing with Molly Shanahan/Mad Shak since 2003, and is also honored to serve on the board of directors and provide administrative support to the company.
She is an Associate Professor of Movement for Actors at The Theatre School at DePaul University, and holds an MA in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling from Columbia College Chicago, where she also received her certification in Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analysis and Movement Pattern Analysis. Her early influential training came from her BA in Dance from Point Park University, time spent on scholarship at Trisha Brown Dance Company, and the early 'aughts "downtown NYC dance scene" with Miguel Gutierrez, David Dorfman, KJ Holmes, and others. Continued personal study of Contact Improvisation and Feldenkrais also deeply inform her work.
Kristina is thrilled to be part of the inaugural cohort of Spiral Body Techniques instructors, assists Shanahan in teaching the now-annual SBT teacher training and in the development of and communication about the method.
both images ©Lady Red Photos
Kathleen (Kat) Hickey
Kathleen (Kat) Hickey, a native to the Chicago area, is a choreographer, filmmaker, dancer, and teacher. Currently based in West Lafayette, Indiana, her work has been seen throughout Chicago, Milwaukee, New York, Minneapolis, New Jersey, Detroit, San Francisco, Berkely, Santa Cruz, the Indianapolis region, as well as Shanghai, and Hangzhou, China and Istanbul, Turkey. She has performed in works by director Rebecca Holderness and Joel Ebarb, and choreographers Brandi Coleman, Molly Shanahan, and Renee Murray.
Kat holds a B.A. in Political Science from Purdue University and an M.F.A. in Dance and Performing Arts from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and is faculty in the Division of Dance at Purdue University's Rueff School of Design, Art, & Performance. She is among the first cohort of teachers certified as an Essential Level Spiral Body Techniques teacher in 2023.
©Mark Simons
Lauren Reed
Lauren Reed (Chicago) graduated from Butler University with a BFA in Dance Performance. Upon moving to Chicago, Lauren joined the Lou Conte’s scholarship program and further trained in programs including Springboard Danse Montréal and Luna Negra Dance Theater. Lauren has danced professionally with Project606 Dance, Aerial Dance Chicago, Ensemble180, and is currently dancing with Still Inspired and Ishti Collective. Lauren has taught various styles in dance studios, schools, and after school programs for over 10 years. In 2020, Lauren completed the teacher certification for IMAGE TECH for Dancers™ (101 level), a weightbearing somatic practice created by Alexandra Wells. In 2023 she completed the inaugural Spiral Body Techniques™ teacher certification with Molly Shanahan/Mad Shak. She is an enthusiastic educator who values imagination, presence, and play; she believes that dance is a thrilling way for children and adults alike to become more fully human. Lauren has a passion for social dance and is an avid Lindy Hopper, traveling to expand her knowledge of swing-era dances and compete with the Windy City Lindy Hoppers. Lauren is a professional grant writer and arts administrator, and has been running a youth development program called Teen Leaders Club since 2013.
both images ©William Frederking
Christie Willis
Christie Willis (Chicago) graduated from Illinois State University in 2011 with a BA in Dance Performance. She moved to Chicago in the fall of 2011 and began working as an independent dancer and choreographer, starting as a founding member of Salty Lark Dance. Since then she has performed with Innervation Dance Cooperative, Christine Hands Choreography, Tiffany Lawson Dance and Dropshift Dance. She works as a PAI certified Pilates instructor at Harmony Mind-Body Fitness.
Christie was introduced to Spiral Body Techniques through Molly Shanahan/Mad Shak’s Process to Performance workshop in 2019, and is among the first cohort of teachers certified as an Essential Level Spiral Body Techniques teacher in 2023.
both images ©William Frederking
Maria DiMarzio
Maria DiMarzio is an artist who creates art and movement with child like wonder and play. Maria strives to never lose the side of her that is still just a kid and she works to bring this out in her work. She is mainly a movement artist and dancer, however she also works in other mediums such as crochet and paints on canvas.
She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance performance at Wayne State University. This is where she trained under artists such as Meg Paul and Biba Bell and performed in works by Faye Driscoll, Ronald K. Brown, and others. Most importantly, this is where she started her journey with Molly Shanahan. She has been working with Molly Shanahan/Mad Shak as an member of the ensemble since late 2018 and hopes and plans to be a part of the ensemble for years to come.
Maria finds so much fulfillment in Shanahan’s company and Spiral Body Techniques. The research and movement quality (she likes to say) fits her like a glove. She feels at home in this work, like she can truly be herself.
both images ©Lady Red Photos
Jaicee Partridge
Jaicee Partridge, based in Detroit/Ann Arbor, has trained in various forms of dance, acting, and music, and has performed in theater, film, and dance productions. While studying psychology at Wayne State University, they continued to learn dance in both studio and lecture settings. Since 2016, they have been teaching dance classes across the country in the Metro-Detroit area. During the pandemic, Jaicee's interest in movement, the body, and creative processes grew deeper. They focused on finding a balance between exertion and effortless expression and movement. This led them to explore the relationships between educators and students, as well as between audiences and performers. They conducted virtual interviews with artists, academics, and movers to discuss how the pandemic was impacting them and their artistic processes. Jaicee currently teaches at Illuminate Dance and Arts Center and creates choreography for the IlluminaTe 43 Company, which is owned and directed by Deena Bryan. They constantly strive to learn; and their goal is to genuinely connect with others through movement, conversation, and collaboration. In 2021, Jaicee became an ensemble member and collaborator of Molly Shanahan/Mad Shak, and they among the first cohort of teachers certified as an Essential Level Spiral Body Techniques teacher in 2023.
both images ©Lady Red Photos
Emily Loar
Emily Loar is a dance artist and improviser living in Chicago, IL. A BFA graduate from Columbia College Chicago, Loar has presented original and commissioned dance work across the midwest, and has performed with dancemakers and choreographers including Peter Carpenter, Lydia Feuerhelm, Kasey Foster, Erin Kilmurray, Jonathan Meyer and Julia Rae Antonick of the dance company Khecari, and Kinnari Vora (Ishti Collective).
Loar is a founding member of Project Bound Dance and and is current Co-Artistic Director alongside collaborator Ashley Deran.
both images ©Ashley Deran
Harlee Trautman
Harlee Trautman is a Philadelphia-based interdisciplinary artist: dancer, choreographer, sculptor, puppeteer. Harlee's performance-making honors embodied knowledge, deep research, and collaborative possibility. Harlee sees art making as a means to remain infinitely curious about the natural world, the vessels of our bodies, the universes that we hold, and in turn hold us.
Harlee is an artistic collaborator for White Box Theatre and dances with The Naked Stark dance company and Archedream for Humankind. Notable work has been presented at the American Dance Festival (Durham, NC), Manship Theatre (Baton Rouge), the Republic (New Orleans), Mandell Theater (Philadelphia), Grounds for Sculpture (Hamilton, NJ), as well as on display at Philadelphia International Airport's D terminal. Harlee earned a BFA from Louisiana State University and has been a guest instructor/artist at Temple University, Drexel University, Bryn Mawr College, Louisiana State, and Tulane.
both images ©Lady Red Photos