This fall, students from across Cornell are invited to take part in an exciting performance opportunity through PMA 1611: Rehearsal & Performance, an experiential dance and performance project course that culminates in the Department of Performing & Media Arts' Annual Dance Presenting Series.
Open to all Cornell students, regardless of major, dance background, genre, or experience level, PMA 1611 offers the unique opportunity to directly engage in a professionally modeled setting with faculty, designers, production staff, and nationally and internationally acclaimed guest artists—this year featuring Jie-Hung Connie Shiau.
All students enrolled in PMA 1611 will learn, develop, rehearse, and perform original choreographic works for the Annual Dance Presenting Series, a public mainstage production at the Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts, taking place on November 20–21, 2026.
This year's distinguished guest artist, Jie-Hung Connie Shiau (she/her), raised in Tainan, Taiwan, is an award-winning dancer, choreographer, and teacher. One of the most exciting choreographic voices working in New York City today, Shiau has been presented at Lincoln Center, Little Island, Agnes Varis Performing Arts Center, and Abrons Arts Center, alongside choreographic commissions for leading contemporary dance companies, such as Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Gibney. Most recently, she is a recipient of the NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship in Choreography and the Baryshnikov Arts Center Artist in Residence, alongside being named in Dance Magazine’s prestigious “25 to Watch” list.
As a performer, Shiau has been a principal dancer and collaborator with prominent artists and companies, including A.I.M by Kyle Abraham, Adam Barruch/Anatomiae, Brian Brooks Moving Company, Chuthis, Danielle Russo Performance Project, Gallim Dance, Gibney Company, Hélène Simoneau Danse, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Kevin Wynn Works, Obremski/Work, and Robyn Mineko Williams & Artists, and as the leading female role in Huang Ruo’s opera Angel Island, which premiered at BAM Harvey Theater in 2024.
Rehearsal Schedule
Faculty Work (Professor Danielle Russo)
- Mondays and Wednesdays
- 5:00–7:00 p.m.
- Beginning August 24
Guest Artist Work (Jie-Hung Connie Shiau)
- 3-Week Intensive5:00–9:00 p.m.
- September 15–17*
- September 21–23
- September 28–30
*The first week with Connie Shiau will run Tuesday–Thursday. All subsequent weeks will run Monday–Wednesday.
Credit Options
Enrolling for 1–2 Credits
- Students may participate in one choreographic project:
A faculty-created work rehearsing on select Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:00–7:00 p.m.
Connie Shiau's guest artist project during the concentrated three-week rehearsal period
Enrolling for 3–4 Credits
- Students will participate in both choreographic works and attend all scheduled rehearsals.
PMA Majors and Minors
- Students seeking PMA Major or Minor credit should enroll for a minimum of 3 credits.
Production Week and Performances
All students enrolled in the course, regardless of credit level, will participate in production week and the two public performances on:
- Friday, November 20, 2026
- Saturday, November 21, 2026
How to Enroll
Students interested in enrolling PMA 1611 should contact Professor Danielle Russo at drusso@cornell.edu to receive a permission code.
