Meet Sam
Sam Mandelbaum has spent most of his life practicing theatre, bringing stories to life that require vulnerability and physicality. Dance, initially a separate therapeutic and social practice, became central after the Covid-19 pandemic, when he began studying dance and somatics at ACC and with contemporary teachers around Austin.
Since then, he has found a welcoming community and opportunities to perform at Texas Dance Improvisation Festival, Austin Dance Festival, Cohen New Works Festival, and in Finland with Organi City. He practices and teaches contact improvisation and maintains a private practice for bodywork and somatics.
Why do you love dancing with Spaces of Fontana?
"Evelyn sets a tone of true collaboration and discovery. She draws from her experience, which continues to develop into the rehearsal process.
She models faith in the creative process, so that we can really arrive together to discover the dance, moment to moment.While movement might be set, each gesture is allowed to breathe and be affected by each other’s presence.
It’s very human: organic, but very evolved and kind." - Sam
I see hope in...
"...our industrious community of dancers in this city, who find a way to say “Yes!” to so many projects, often on a shoestring. ."
- Sam