Blake Nellis is an artist, educator and improviser who creates work with the body. His work is deeply rooted in human connection, physical touch and shared emotion. He graduated from Luther College with a degree in Theater/Dance and later taught in the Visual & Performing Arts Department (2013-15). Nellis has taught and performed throughout the United States, Mexico and Europe, and is proud to call Minneapolis home! Nellis was Artist In Residence at Tofte Lake Center, funded by the Jerome Foundation in 2018. He is a 2015 & 2019 recipient of the MN State Arts Board Artist Initiative Grant (dance & photography respectively) and 2013 recipient of the McKnight Foundation’s Metropolitan Regional Arts Council: Next Step Fund. He has recently produced work at the Walker Art Center, Red Eye Theater, TEK Box, Artbox, Bryant Lake Bowl Theater & Luther College. His favorite moments happen through the art of perfect timing and somatic practice. www.blakenellis.org

Significant teachers

Nancy Stark Smith, Martin Keogh, Danny Lepkoff, Jane Hawley, Leilani Weis, Jane Shockley, HIJACK, Carol Swann