Hey Friends! My name is Colie Vancura (ko-lee | she/her) and I am a Massachusetts based performer, choreographer, and director. My work is driven by a desire to connect and uplift those around me. The ability to be a part of and foster community is of the utmost importance to me. This is why I thrive in collaborative environments such as being in the ensemble or working as a part of a creative team. During my time at JMU I am most proud of the staged reading of We Are The Tigers I directed and produced and Play On: Artists Supporting Artists a collaboration with my musical theatre class. To work with and learn from my peers, especially during COVID, is something I will never take for granted. I am a fierce advocate for destigmatizing mental health and diversifying the bodies we see on and off stage to reflect the real world. I take the responsibility of entering this industry in an effort to make it stronger and more inclusive very seriously, and try to reflect that in the projects I am a part of. I hope to use my knowledge and experiences as a theatre artist to teach and impact young artists the way my mentors did for me. Without them, I would not have had the confidence and drive to continue to pursue my passions, and I hope to one day be that person for somebody else. My cat Pete who I share with my roommate Sam Sinnott is my everything, cooking “family dinners” with my friends is my favorite way to end my day, and I am a firm believer that rewatching my favorite tv shows with a nice-smelling candle is the epitome of self care. Seriously, I recommend it.