NK AND COLLABORATORS GO TO JACOB'S PILLOW!

Friends & Collaborators,

I’m seeking your support to fund nk + collaborators' next BIG adventure—bringing my work to Jacob’s Pillow!

I’m honored to share that I’ve been selected as one of the 2025 Ann & Weston Hicks Choreography Fellows at Jacob’s Pillow, one of the most prestigious dance institutions in the country. This process-driven residency will provide me with two weeks of extensive studio time and institutional support to develop a new work.

Alongside my cast of two dancers, I’ll have access to:

✅ Daily classes, discussions, and seminars

✅ Extensive archives and festival events

✅ Up to 10 hours of post-program feedback from a master choreographer of my choosing to further develop the work begun at Jacob’s Pillow

Why I’m Fundraising

While the program provides housing, food, and a modest stipend, I need to raise funds to offset travel costs and lost wages for myself and my two dancers. I need to raise funds to ensure we can participate in this incredible opportunity.

What’s Needed

Goal: $4,300

Budget Breakdown

Jacob’s Pillow provides a $1,200 stipend, plus in-kind support including housing, food, and roundtrip transport from EWR to Becket, MA.

The contingency fund covers unexpected costs, such as additional transportation if festival shuttles are missed due to delayed/canceled flights. Any remaining funds will be divided among the artists to increase wages.

Follow Along

Throughout this residency, I’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes updates, rehearsal footage, and process insights via the nk + collaborators’ Instagram and email newsletter.

Whether through financial support, words of encouragement, or simply sending good energy—I’m deeply grateful for your belief in my work and investment in the art form.

In partnership and gratitude,

Noelle

Meet the crew...

Annie Borden

dancer

Annie is originally from Seattle, Washington where she trained at Pacific Northwest Ballet School and went on to receive her BFA in Dance at the University of Arizona. After graduating she moved to Portland and freelanced with artists such as, Katie Scherman, Bodyvox Dance, Meredith Wilde, Kristalyn Gill, Greg Bielemeir, Josie Mosley and Shaun Keylock. This is Annie’s first season with Open Space and she is thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful group of dancers and choreographers such as Noelle Kayser and Elijah Labay. Annie is also the Programs Manager at Open Space.

Elise Gonsalves

dancer

Elise Gonsalves is an artist originally from Portland Oregon, after she graduated high school, Elise studied dance in LA for 5 years but recently returned to Portland. Elise has been dancing with Openspace now since 2021. When she is not dancing with Openspace she dances with a company LED, performing works like“Kid Lighting” and “Over the Moon” choreographed by Lauren Edson. Elise has also worked with choreographers such as Keelan Whitemore, Elijah Labay, Noelle Kayser and recently traveled to the Palm Desert Choreography Festival and the Union PDX Festival performing “Confetti Head” choreographed by Franco Nieto.

Noelle Kayser

choreographer, administrator

Noelle Kayser is an award-winning choreographer, director, and multi-disciplinary performer based in Chicago.She is the inaugural resident choreographer for Open Space, a Whim W’him Choreographic Shindig winner, the 2025 BalletX Choreographic Fellow, and a 2026 Ballet Collective Commission for Developing Choreographers recipient. Noelle has created work for companies including Dance Aspen, DanceWorks Chicago, MADCO, Visceral Dance Chicago, and SALT II among many others. She served as a guest Ballet Mistress at the Lyric Opera, was the founding rehearsal director and administrator for PARA.MAR Dance Theatre (2022 Dance Magazine Top 25 to Watch), and named one of NewCity Magazines, “The 50 People Who Really Perform for Chicago”.

In addition to her choreographic work, Noelle has performed works by Gustavo Ramírez Sansano, Ihsan Rustem, Wen Wei Wang, Danielle Agami, Robyn Mineko Williams, Kevin O’Day, and Alice Klock, among many others. She has had the privilege of dancing with companies such as NW Dance Project, LED Boise, Open Space, and Visceral Dance Chicago among others. She has taught for organizations such as Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, the Goodman Theatre, and Visceral Dance Chicago. Noelle has narrated 16 audiobooks for Audible, appeared in advertising campaigns, and acted in stage productions at The Goodman Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and The Alliance Theatre among others. Most recently, she won the 2024 Jeff Award for Best Ensemble for her performance as Selene in The Penelopiad at The Goodman Theatre, and starred in Anna Long’s short film Death in the Desert (Best Actress in a Short at the Idyllwild Film Festival & Best Short Drama at the Breckenridge Film Festival).

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