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Troika Ranch is the collaborative vision of choreographer Dawn Stoppiello and composer/media artist Mark Coniglio who began their collaborative process while students at the California Institute of the Arts in the mid 1980’s. Their multidisciplinary approach led them to begin defining themselves as “slash (/) artists”, with the slash between their mediums (dance/theater/media) as the unifying component. In 1989 Coniglio, a self-taught computer programmer, designed a wireless sensory costume for Stoppiello, called MidiDancer (see the Media/Technology section for more info). With this technology, they were able to further develop their “slash” theories and methodology. Coniglio and Stoppiello were invited by universities and arts institutions to teach their techniques to other artists. In 1990 they formalized their working relationship by founding Troika Ranch, a digital dance theater company that focuses on creation, education and innovation in theatrical performance. Troika Ranch was located in Los Angeles from 1990-93. The company was granted their non-profit status and relocated to New York City in 1994.

Troika Ranch’s original stage works are based on a specific process of interaction between live performers and digital media. The company performs regularly in New York City and tours nationally and internationally. As leaders in the field of dance and technology, Troika Ranch has extensive educational outreach. They have developed software and hardware specifically for artists and regularly teach their Live-Interactive (Live-I) Workshop to share their expertise. Commissions by colleges and performing arts high schools are part of the company’s integrated approach to education and performance. Troika Ranch’s Co-Directors have taught workshops and given lectures about their interactive performances in Australia, Canada, throughout Europe, and the United States.

Troika Ranch has performed in venues such as The Duke on 42nd Street and Danspace Project, New York City; the Hollywood Art & Culture Center, Hollywood, Florida and the Lied Center for Performing Arts, Lincoln, Nebraska. The company has been presented Internationally by the Monaco Dance Forum in Monte Carlo, Monaco, the Figuren Theater Festival in Erlangen, Germany and at The Junction and Essexdance in the United Kingdom with support from the International Workshop Festival and the Arts Council England East . Awards include creative residencies at HERE Arts Center, New York City; The Bemis Center for Contemporary Art, Omaha, Nebraska; and STEIM (Studio for Electro-Instrumental Music) Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Troika Ranch has received government and foundation support from the Brooklyn Arts Council, the Jerome Foundation, Meet the Composer, and the Nancy Quinn Fund.