Andrea Parson

Photo by Scotty Fisher

My Story

I began dancing in the late 1980’s to the country records played in my family living room and my mother’s aerobics classes. As a child I choreographed dances and plays for friends and family, and often improvised down grocery store aisles. My dream of becoming a “serious dancer” took me to study ballet at the Joffrey Ballet, San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, and Loyola Marymount University, where I received a BA in dance in 2009. Followng graduation my dream of becoming a professional contemporary dancer came true when I joined Northwest Dance Project in Portland, Oregon.

There I had the privilege to do all the things .... touring, dancing leading roles, choreography, and even received a Princess Grace award for dance. I became fascinated with telling stories and transforming into characters like Hedda Gabler and Carmen. I studied physical theater practices and began producing solo work that explored my own stories and personal narratives.

Now I write a lot, make dances, and figure out how to tell stories with body and voice. My mission is to tell stories that bring light and healing to people and to inspire people to make and tell their own stories whether it’s on the performance stage or the stage of everyday life.

Photo by Scotty Fisher

Projects

Photo by Jingzi Zhao

Photo by Kristen Francis

You Can’t Be Serious

Direction by Katherine Murphy Lewis

Run time: 75 min

Premier: November 9-11, 2023

Body Vox Dance Center

She’s Here: A One Woman Show

Direction by Susan Banyas

Run Time: 40 min

Premier: January 16-18th, 2020, CoHo Theatre, Portland, OR

Abstract Alice

Runtime: 10min

Performer/Choreographer: Andrea Parson

Videographer/editor: Stephen Kimbrell

Premier: May 24, 2021

Graphic Designs by Katherine Disenhof

Body Vox Dance Company

Photo by Jim Lykins

Choreography

“This is for You” - December 8-10, 2023, Northwest Dance Project

“Magic Act” - April 22, 2023, Pacific University, Warner Theater, Forest Grove, OR

“Table 4-3” - January 23, 2023, Body Vox Dance Center, Portland, OR

“Wolfstory” - November 18, 2023, Vancouver School of Arts and Academics, Vancouver, WA

“March” - June 3, 2022, Northwest Dance Project, PSU Lincoln Hall, Portland, OR,

“Reflex” - April 21, 2022, Pacific University, Warner Theater, Forest Grove, OR

Upcoming

Beautiful, heavy, a visceral expression of being human

and experiencing grief and loss.

-Audience member

Photo by Scotty Fisher

YOu can’t Be Serious

A final bow in Germany, a cancer diagnosis, a death, a cookie, a conversation with God. This evening of solo dance and storytelling by Andrea Parson explores various memories and scenes surrounding the loss of her younger sister to breast cancer in 2020. You Can’t Be Serious is a hilarious and tragic story about witnessing, and grappling with death. Andrea sinks to the bottom, attempts a stand up routine and shines a light in the deep waters of the ocean. The audience is pulled toward Andrea as she directly asks them questions about death and love. This show lives between light and dark, between down and up, between the weight of tears and the levity laughter.

Currenlty seeking opportunity to present You Can’t Be Serious around the state of Oregon and Beyond! Stay tuned for tour dates 2024/25

Get in touch

ajppdx@gmail.com

instagram: @andreaparson0311

Photo by Scotty Fisher