artistic director

Maria Rendina Frantz - dancer, teacher, choreographer and actor has worked in various mediums, including dance, theatre, performance art, film and television for the past thirty years. Ms. Frantz studied extensively with the companies of Erick Hawkins, Martha Graham, June Lewis and Twyla Tharp and studied choreography with Leonide Massine, Bessie Schonberg, June Lewis and Pearl Lang. Ms. Frantz danced with Dance June Lewis & Company and with choreographers Judith Leifer and Dan Wagoner, and several choreographers, before her first attempt at 'MotionTheatre'™ choreography in 1978. Ms. Frantz earned a M.A. in Dance and Dance Education from Columbia University and a B.A. in Dance from Point Park University. Maria Rendina / Motion Theatre co-produced with the Pennsylvania Dance Theatre and since presented her original works in N.Y.C., Washington, D.C., Maine, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, California and in Avignon, France. In 1995 she founded Movement Arts in Santa Fe, NM before moving to Santa Barbara in 1997. She is a member of National Dance Association, Congress Of Research in Dance, Congress of International Dance, Screen Actors Guild, the S. B. Dance Alliance, and the S. B. Performing Arts League. Most recently Maria co-taught with Katherine Duke, Artistic Director the Erick Hawkins Dance Company the Hawkins Winter Dance Intensive in January 2009.

Matt Tavianini - Matthew is pleased to be working with Motion Theatre Dance Co.  He currently serves as the managing director/producer/ actor of BOXTALES Theatre Co. He is a graduate of UCSB and the FSU/Asolo Conservatory where he received his M.F.A. in acting. Some of his favorite roles are Michal in The Pillowman, Karl in The Last Days of the Empire, Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Twelfth Night, Telemachus in BOXTALES production of The Odyssey; Joe in The Last Night of Ballyhoo, David in The Rivals, and Thurio in Two Gentlemen of Verona, Matt in Wrench, and Bobby in American Buffalo.  Matthew also teaches acting, Shakespeare and stage combat, and directs junior high school students here in Santa Barbara and has also enjoyed working at the Westport Playhouse, The Odyssey Theatre, Ogunquit Playhouse, Asolo Theatre, Santa Barbara Theatre Group, The Ensemble Theatre, Speaking of Stories, Santa Barbara Shakespeare Co., City at Peace, and with the Lit Moon Theatre Company.

Abigail Linton - This is Abby’s first season joining Motion Theatre as dance member and rehearsal director. Abby graduated in June 2010 from UCSB with a degree in Dance and Communication. Last year she was part of the UCSB Student Dance Company and went on tour to New York. She is originally from the East Bay Area and trained for 15 years under Lynne Homeres at The Lamorinda Ballet Center. Abby would like to thank her friends and family for all of their support over the years.  

Stuart Orenstein has been acting since 1990.  He has appeared in such diverse venues as The Pasadena Playhouse, Old Globe (W. Hollywood), Off Ramp Theater (Hollywood), Getty Villa (Malibu) and Brandeis Bardin Institute (Simi Valley).  He is currently a theatre arts student at SBCC. At SBCC he has appeared in “Moonchildren”, “In Their Eyes”, “Closest Madness””Machinal” and “Tartuffe”..  At the Center Stage Theater he has appeared in “Twelve Angry Men” and “Inherit the Wind”. In Ojai he appeared in Senga Classic Stage Company’s Production of “I Remember Mama”.  Stuart was featured in the SBCC Film Studies Film “Rose are Red” and in UCSB Film School’s “Theoryland” which was screened at the SBIFF in 2010.  He gives many thanks to Maria and the beautiful dancers of the Motion Theatre Company for this opportunity to expand his performance repertoire.

Anthony Kortick is an actor, songwriter, pianist and musician, who has appeared in hundreds of plays in the course of his life. He has written songs and music for individual artists as well as for documentary films and plays. He was last seen in Santa Barbara in the SBT production of "Our Town". He has worked as pianist/percussionist for dance classes for over 20 years, including UCSB and the State Street Ballet. His favorite color is blue, he's a Taurus, and likes pretty sunsets and long walks on the beach.

Allan Stewart-Oaten grew up in Australia, studied Math and English at Melbourne University, came to Michigan State to study Statistics ("useful math"), and spent nearly 40 years in the Biology and Ecology departments at UCSB.  His only acting experiences are giving lectures and reading to his children and grandchildren, especially "doing the voices".  He has no more idea how this will turn out than you have.

Jenelle Rodriguez grew up in Santa Cruz, California where she began her dance training at the age of three. After high school, she studied dance at University of Nevada, Las Vegas. While in the dance department at UNLV she was one of ten students to be selected to perform in the Edinburgh Scotland Fringe Festival in 2001 and 2002. Jenelle received her BFA in Dance from California State University, Long Beach. During her college career Jenelle studied under a wide variety of accomplished dance educators and choreographers, such as Nina Watt, Sophie Monat, Douglas Neilson, Ernesta Corvino, Louis Kavouras, and Susan McLain. Jenelle has performed in historic dances such as Balanchine’s Serenade, Jose Limon’s Primavera Solo, as well as many original works, as a BFA candidate. While living in Long Beach she worked at the Disneyland Resort as a parade performer. Jenelle is an established teacher as well. She has taught dance over the past ten years and now holds her multiple subject teaching credential. During 2008/2009 Jenelle was a member of the belly dance performance troupe “Intisar” in Santa Cruz, CA.  She has been a member of Motion Theater Dance Company since summer of 2010.

Kendra Fong spent her formative years in Boulder, CO, before moving to Santa Barbara.  She discovered her love of dance at SBCC with Kay Fulton and also performs in the Afro Cuban performance group Suenos Cubanos.  Kendra has a background in visual arts-studied Fine Arts (painting) at California College of Arts & Crafts.  In 2010 she became a member of Motion Theatre Dance Company and she studies ballet, modern and yoga.  Kendra is also a mom and co-owner of Peterson’s Tree Care.

Carol Sauceda has studied acting at SBCC and SBCC Continuing Education classes.  She is also a longtime member of Toastmasters, International and has earned her Distinguished Toastmaster designation. She works for UCSB doing sexual harassment prevention and diversity training.  The “Mysteries of Light” production resonates with her and she is thrilled to be working with the Motion Theatre Dance Co.

Lamberto Viramontes is a relative newcomer to the world of performing arts and dance. He is a native Santa Barbarian, but also lived in Mexico as a child.  He has always been fond of the Arts but as a youth he focused more on traditional sports with Baseball being his favorite. After graduating from Santa Barbara High School he attended Santa Barbara City College, where he took his first dance class at the age of 19. Soon thereafter he transferred to California State University Channel Islands to continue his studies. He decided to become a Performing Arts major with a dance emphasis, as well as a minor in Business. He is currently in his last semester of undergraduate studies and will graduate in the spring of 2011. Some of the more notable performances have been the Motion Flux (2009), a showcase for student and staff choreography at Moorpark College. He also danced and choreographed in the California State University Channel Islands Spring Showcase (2009). Lastly he was also part of the California State University Channel Islands Spring Production of the Heidi Chronicles (2010), where he played the role of Scoop.

Maia Mook first appeared onstage at the Lobero Theater in Alhecama Productions' "The Miracle Worker" in 1980.  Subsequent performances include "Little Women" and "The Sound of Music", both at Goleta Valley Community Center, and "The Most Happy Fella" at SBCC's Garvin Theater.  More recently, Maia has been studying acting since 2008 with Carol Metcalf.  She was last seen as Sally Talley in "Talley's Folly" and Mrs. Krebs in "Inherit the Wind", both with DIJO Productions at Center Stage Theater.

Aden Hailu started taking acting classes in January 2010 with Carol Metcalf and is currently studying at The Frisch Studio in Santa Barbara. Aden has completed one showcase and is currently working on her second directed by Carol Metcalf. Her theatre debut will be at the Center Stage Theatre with the Motion Theatre Dance Company. Aden would like to thank director Maria Frantz and the cast for the opportunity to be part of an amazing experience. To her family and friends thank you for the love and support.