Allison Orr, Founder and Artistic Director of Forklift Danceworks, was on swim team from age 5-15 and at age 5 won a trophy for being “most improved.”

Inspired by the beauty and virtuosity in the practiced, habitual movement of labor, Allison Orr creates dances that feature the often-overlooked choreography of work that sustains our everyday lives. Named Best Choreographer of 2016 and 2017 by The Austin Chronicle, she has been commissioned three times by the Fusebox Festival and is currently a Distinguished Fellow in the College of the Environment at Wesleyan University. Allison was recently named a 2018 United States Artists Fellow.

Krissie Marty, Associate Artistic Director and Community Collaborations Director of Forklift Danceworks, grew up swimming in the stock tank on her family’s ranch and at the public pool at Wolter’s Park in Schulenburg, Texas.

Working in the mediums of dialogue, participation, and collaboration, Krissie Marty makes dances with people who aren’t traditionally considered dancers. Krissie has directed seven performances with Forklift Danceworks. Her choreography has been performed at the Kennedy Center, Stratford Circus in London, Chateau de Cazals in France, PS122, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, international festivals with Big Art Group’s Shelf Life and Flicker.