Eric R Kupers, MFA Faculty Profile

Photo of Eric Kupers

Eric  R  Kupers, MFA

Professor

Department of Theatre & Dance

I am an interdisciplinary teaching artist, focusing primarily on the intersections of inclusive dance, music, storytelling, community ritual, and spiritual practice. I am a grateful visitor on the territories of the Yrgin/Chochenyo/Ohlone & Southern Pomo peoples in Northern California. My people are Ashkenazi Jews that came to Turtle Island from Russia, Ukraine, and Eastern Europe in the early 1900’s. I am also of the Walks-Between people, including Queer folks, Artists, Activists, Outsiders, Rebels, Mystics, Wizards, Witches, Healers, Visionaries, Weirdos, Queerdos, and Divergent people from throughout human history. I am a professor and department chair for Theatre and Dance at CSU East Bay, a co-founder and co-director of Dandelion Dancetheater, and create art with Dandelion, Bandelion, Mandolion, the CSUEB Inclusive Interdisciplinary Ensemble, Ultrasonic Current, the Wandering Ensemble, and a diverse, intersecting web of artists. Find out more at www.dandeliondancetheater.org. 

  • M.F.A., Choreography, University of California, Davis
  • B.A., History of World Religions, University of California, Santa Cruz

Not teaching this semester.

Original music with Bandelion: https://music.apple.com/us/album/stories-of-our-people/1020789282

Original music with Ultrasonic Current: https://ultrasoniccurrent.hearnow.com/ 

Documentary Series about Wandering in the Wilderness: http://www.dandeliondancetheater.org/wandering-in-the-wilderness/ 

  • CSUEB Assigned Time for Exceptional Service  2017-18
  • City of Oakland Organization Project Grant  2017
  • Zellerbach Family Fund   1996-2015
  • CSUEB Outstanding Professor for Issues of Diversity and Social Justice  2015
  • Network of Ensemble Theaters Travel & Exchange Grants, 2013/2015
  • CSUEB Inclusive Excellence Grant  2013/2015
  • City of Oakland Individual Artist Grant  2011/2013/2014
  • Princess Grace Foundation Special Project Grant 2008/2013
  • City of Oakland Individual Artist Grant  2011, 2013, 2014
  • Rainin Foundation New Works Grant  2012
  • CSUEB Faculty Support Grants 2006/2007/2008/2012/2014
  • Theater Bay Area CA$H Grants 1999/2002/2004/2008/2010/2011/2012
  • SF Foundation 2010
  • Lighting Artists in Dance Grant 2009.2011
  • California Ensemble Touring Initiative 2009/2011
  • Clorox Foundation 2011
  • Princess Grace Foundation/Baryshnikov Arts Center Residency, 2009
  • Wattis Foundation, 2008
  • Japan Foundation/NY, 2008
  • Creative Work Fund 2008
  • San Francisco Arts Commission 2004/2005/20072008
  • SF Grants for the Arts Special Project Grant 2008
  • Rockefeller Foundation MAP Fund 2007
  • Princess Grace Foundation, Choreography Fellowship – 2007
  • Gerbode Foundation Choreography Award 2006-07,
  • Dance USA/James Irvine Foundation Dancemaker Grant  2006
  • ODC Theater Artist in Residence  2006 –08
  • Meet the Composer-Creative Connections Grant  2006/2008
  • Grants for the Arts Voluntary Arts Contribution Fund  2003
  • Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Inc. Saturnalia Grant   2003-04