JOIN OUR BE THE CHANGE DRAWING FROM OCT. 1 - DEC. 3, 2025
25
26
SEASON
NOT-Cracker
DATES
DEC 5 // 7:30pm
DEC 6 // 2:00pm + 7:30pm
DEC 7 // 3:30pm
LOCATION
Newmark Theatre
NOT-Cracker. Get it? Experience Portland’s very own holiday spectacular, set in the city we all love. NOT-Cracker tells the tale of Ted, an unfortunate friend who thinks they can't dance--until they are swept up by a cast of over 65 whimsical characters. Join Ted as they enter NOT-Cracker's colorful world, where dance finds us all!
OPEN
ENDED.
DATES
MAR 19 - 22 // 7:30pm
LOCATION
Open Space Creative Container
Experience a multitude of premieres! The talented Open Space Company artists will choreograph and produce their own work for Open Ended. We are also thrilled to welcome Meredith Webster back to Portland for a spring residency. A former company member and Rehearsal Director for San Francisco's Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Webster will be creating a new piece for our Open Space Too dancers.
DO YOU
SEE ME?
DATES
MAY 15 - 17 // 7:30pm
MAY 20 - 22 // 7:30pm
LOCATION
Open Space Creative Container
Do You See Me? is Artistic Director Franco Nieto’s latest full-length production—a coming-of-age story that explores identity formation, concealment, and the search for acceptance. Nieto collaborates with Resident Choreographer Noelle Kayser, acclaimed opera singer Onry, and award-winning fashion designer Joshua Myrie.
SUMMER
SOUP
DATES
AUG 27 - 30 // 7:30pm
LOCATION
Open Space Creative Container
What is Summer Soup? It's a dance show that brings different FLAVORS together to make one delish dish! Open Space is excited to team up again with our sister company, LED Boise, for our annual collaborative show! Featuring the choreography of Lauren Edson and Franco Nieto, Summer Soup will be performed in Boise, Idaho and Open Space's Creative Container in Portland.
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26
SAVE THE DATES
OPEN SPACE TOO SHOWCASE
DATES
JAN 30 // 7:30pm
FEB 1 // 7:30pm
LOCATION
Open Space Creative Container
The Open Space TOO artists will perform new works by Artistic Director Franco Nieto and guest choreographer Ching Ching Wong. (This performance is not included with a season subscription.)
GALA
FRUIT BALL
DATES
FEB 28 // 7:30pm
LOCATION
Open Space Creative Container
It's a (fruit)PARTY! Join us for Open Space's Annual Gala Fundraiser on February 28 at Open Space + Oregon Contemporary. Save the date and don’t miss the fun! (Tickets are not included with a season subscription.)
Artistic Director // Franco Nieto
Princess Grace Award winner Franco Nieto was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. He made the unconventional switch from football to ballet in his teenage years and has now taught and danced in over 10 different countries and performed with the likes of Lady Gaga and Sir Elton John. He spent 10 years as a principal dancer with NW Dance Project in Portland, Oregon, where he toured the world and worked hand in hand with the leading minds in choreography to create and bring to life countless original works. His early training came from the Vancouver School of Arts & Academics and Columbia Dance, and his formative line of choreography was born from his mentorship with Tracey Durbin. He graduated with his BFA in Jazz from Point Park University. Franco brings his big heart to every class at Open Space.
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COMPANY ARTISTS
Elise Gonsalves is a movement artist originally from Portland, Oregon. After graduating, she trained in Los Angeles for five years, deepening her craft.
Elise is currently a company member with Open Space, under the direction of artistic director Franco Nieto. In addition to her work with Open Space, she regularly performs with her LED family, appearing in works such as Kid Lighting, Over the Moon, and Arm and a Leg, choreographed by Lauren Edson.
Her performance credits include collaborations with renowned choreographers such as Ching Ching Wong, Gianna Burright, Mike Tyus, Outrun the Bear, Keelan Whitmore, Elijah Labay, and Noelle Kayser. She has had the privilege of performing at the Palm Desert Choreography Festival and Union PDX Festival, including in Confetti Head, choreographed by Franco Nieto.
When she’s not in the studio or on stage, Elise is most at home in the mountains!
Elise Gonsalves
Annie is from Seattle, Washington, where she trained at the Pacific Northwest Ballet School and earned her BFA in Dance from the University of Arizona. After graduating, she moved to Portland and collaborated with talented artists, including Katie Scherman and Shaun Keylock. At Open Space, Annie is delighted to be part of an incredible team of dancers and choreographers, including Noelle Kayser and Franco Nieto. She has had the pleasure of performing works by Lauren Edson, Ching Ching Wong, Elijah Labay, Keelan Whitmore, Megan Doheny and Ilya Nikurov. She looks forward to this upcoming season and is excited to bring joy to Portland through dance!
Annie Borden
Kylee is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she attended Point Park University, receiving her BFA in modern dance, as well as dancing with the company, The Pillow Projects. Post-college graduation, she relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah to dance with the contemporary dance company, SALT 2. In addition to performing, Kylee is passionate about teaching and choreographing!
She has performed in works choreographed by Nicole von Arx, Alice Klock, Noelle Kayser, Martha Graham, Penny Saunders, Norbert De La Cruz III, Courtney Mazeika, Jason Mcdole, Pearlann Porter and many others! She recently received a choreography fellowship this past season at SALT to create a new work, “The Waiting Room”, for the second company’s spring show.
Kylee is so excited to continue dancing with Open Space this season! When not dancing, she spends her time bouldering, crocheting, riding her bike, and hanging out with her cat Phoebee.
Kylee Killian
Ellie Thomas (she/they) grew up in Portland, Oregon. They trained at Sultanov Ballet Academy and as a Jefferson Dancer before completing their BFA in dance performance and composition with a minor in arts management from SUNY Purchase. Additionally, they’ve trained at London Contemporary Dance School, Open Space, Big Kids, Whim W’Him, Vim Vigor, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, and San Francisco Ballet. They joined Open Space as an apprentice in 2024 and was promoted to company artist in 2025. Ellie also teaches and choreographs across the Portland area and is thrilled to share their passion for dance at Open Space!
Ellie Thomas
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Ariel Clarke is a dancer, educator, model, and most recently a member of Open Space and a 2023
Ballare Carmel Inaugural Fellow and dancer under the direction of Lillian Barbeito. Through an
unconventional path, she has accumulated a wide range of educational and performative experiences through national and international programs, most predominantly Springboard Danse Montreal’s 20th edition in 2022, alongside her own creative endeavors both in live performances and films. She finds great joy in sharing her passions for dance and has taught for many years to a variety of different ages and levels at numerous institutions. Drawing inspiration from all aspects of her life, her hunger and curiosity for new information and understanding propel her to constantly question and step beyond her own boundaries within her pursuits and explorations.