Exit Dance Theatre - Newburyport, MA

: dancers & choreographers

	Fontaine Dubus, 1987 Co-founder and Artistic Director Fontaine has always related to dance with a dramatic and theatrical connection. Her dances most often tell a story, at times fictional, (“Red High Heels”1996) but many times historically based, (“Kristallnacht” 1994, based on the Holocaust; “Pit Girls” 2004, based on 19th century English coal mining women). She has studied dance with: Irene Weiss, Luigi, Francis Roach, Christien Polos, Diane Noya, Denise Collins, Pam Smith and more. She also has a passion for acting, which she studies with Marc Clopton. She’s married to award winning novelist Andre Dubus III and owns The Dance Place of Newburyport, MA.
	Wendy Hamel, 2000 Director Wendy received her BA from Bradford College in 1998 and started performing with Exit in 2000. She has taught dance at several local dance studios including Ballet New England, Kathy’s Tumbleweed and the Triton Regional High School Dance Company. Wendy has also performed with the Donovan Dance Company, the Bradford College Dance Company and the Seacoast Civic Dance Company. She has studied under Denise Collins, Mary Lee Karlins, and Lillian Carter—studying ballet, modern and jazz. Wendy recently launched her own professional services company called Med-Marketers, creating integrated marketing programs for specialty medical practices in the Greater Boston Area. Wendy lives in Newburyport with her fiance, Scott, and her 6-year-old daughter, Avery.
	Susan Atwood, 1987 Susan Atwood is a co-founder of Exit Dance Theatre. She began dancing in early childhood and has studied with numerous inspiring teachers. Over the years, she has performed and choreographed in many venues and companies including Karlins and Company and TurnPike Project. She has also been teaching throughout the area and directed the dance program at Governor's Academy in Byfield, MA from 1994 until 2003. She is currently back teaching at The Dance Place, Newburyport, MA and has a busy practice in Newburyport in Asian Bodywork and Craniosacral Therapy.
	Darlene Doyle, 2005 Darlene started dancing with Exit in 2005. She has trained in jazz, tap, ballet and modern. Whatever the form of dance, her passion for the art has stayed true over the years. Darlene graduated from UNH in 1999, with a BA in English/Journalism and a minor in dance. She performed with the UNH Dance Company during her time there and studied under Gay Nardone and Larry Robertson. She has trained under various instructors, all of whom have taught her unique perspectives and techniques in dance. Darlene works in marketing and lives in Amesbury, MA with her husband and daughter.
	Nicole Duquette, 2001 Nicole has performed at several venues in the North Shore area and coached and choreographed for the Triton Regional H.S. Colorguard Team in 2000 & 2001. Nicole’s other passion is fitness and she can be found teaching Pilates and Zumba Fitness classes in various gyms around NH and MA. Nicole currently works as a Civil Engineer/Project Manager and lives in Atkinson, NH with her husband Brad and their new baby boy Evan.
	Cheryl Fisher-Schwind, 1987 A founding member of Exit, Cheryl began her dance career in 1980 at Bradford College, graduating with a BA in Humanities. As a member of the Bradford College Dance Co., she trained with Irene Weiss, Kathryn Mickel, Luigi, Adrienne Hawkins and Christina Polos. She also studied polish laboratory theatre and Grotowski acting technique with Stephen Haley. In 1987 she co-founded Exit. She then began a 2-year certificate program in Laban Movement Analysis and Post-Jungian psychology in New York City and came back with a certificate in Movement Analysis and Psychology. Cheryl is a Nationally Certified Licensed Massage Therapist with a private practice called Body by Fisher Therapeutic Massage in Newburyport.
	Erin Staffiere, 2001 Erin has been dancing for over 16 years in the Newburyport area. She was a member of the Joppa Jazz Dance Co. for five years where she studied with Cheryl Schwind, Irene Weiss, Susan Atwood, Diane Bowden, and Denise Collins. Erin attended Colgate University and danced under Joy Canning. She graduated with a degree in English from the University of New Hampshire. Erin joined Fontaine Dubus as the co-director of the Joppa Jazz Dance Company in the 2009-2010 season. She recently moved to Connecticut with her husband, Scott. She is a dedicated member of Exit, traveling such a long distance to be with the company to rehearse.
	Sarah George, 1995 Sarah is honored to be a member of Exit for 17 of the 25 years of it's existence! Her fundamental training with Paula Vinzi in NH was the inspiration for her continued passion for dance. Sarah also studied at the California Ballet School and San Diego School of Creative & Performing Arts. She has performed with the San Francisco Ballet, Pax Fiat- a Graham-based company in San Diego, Company Dance Traverse in MI and Karlins & Co. in MA. Sarah has taught at the Pax Fiat Cultural Center in CA, Governor's Academy in Byfield, MA and The Dance Place in Newburyport, MA. She is a Licensed Massage Therapist in Newburyport.
	Stephen Haley, 1987 Stephen Haley is beside himself to be dancing again with Exit Dance Theatre. After a long absence it feels good to be in the space with so many great dancers. As one of the original founders, I am proud to be a part of the ongoing tradition of excellence that Exit brings to the stage year after year. If only John Belushi could have made it this far in life, he’d see just how right he was that the secret to longevity is in the dance.
	Edward Speck, 2006 Edward began dancing with Exit in 2006. Edward is proud and grateful to have been named Artistic Director of Theater in the Open, with whom he has been a company member for 14 years. He looks forward impatiently to another magical season of teaching at the Theater in the Open Summer Arts Workshop. He is both thrilled and honored to be a member of Exit Dance Theatre.
	Jennifer Steeves, 2009 Jen grew up and trained in Calgary, Alberta Canada. During her studio years she competed in many dance competitions in Western Canada. While she was in college she was a professional cheerleader for the Calgary Stampeders which is part of the Canadian Football League (CFL). She received a BA in Dance from the University of Calgary. After graduation Jen danced professionally for Carnival Cruise Lines in their main production shows. Jen has been teaching locally for the past 10 years and began teaching for the Dance Place in Newburyport last September. She has danced locally with both Forty Steps Dance and Green Glass Dance Companies.
	Tricia Piacentini, 2004 Tricia began dancing with Exit for the premiere of “Pit Girls” in February 2004. Tricia first studied dance at Fowler Studios in Medford, MA as a child. Later, while an English and Theater major at North Adams State College, she taught, performed and choreographed at the Berkshire Dance Theatre in Adams, MA and Bennington, VT. Additionally, Tricia has studied dance with several Boston dancers including Jeanette Neil, Susan Casey-Murray and Andy Taylor. Tricia currently works as a special education teacher for Amesbury Public Schools.