Marc Kenison Teaching Impact
Teaching Evaluations & Student Reflections
My classes center embodied knowledge, creativity, curiosity, exploration, rigor, play, reflection, and discussion. I cultivate a brave classroom where play is encouraged, critique is compassionate, and student well-being is prioritized. Through exploration and inquiry, students expand their craft and creative voices.
Below are selected highlights from student reflections and course evaluations for Improvisation and Composition (University of South Carolina) and Neo-Burlesque Theory and Performance (Cornish College of the Arts).
Student Reflections
Improvisation and Composition - University of South Carolina (Spring 2025, Curated End-of-Semester Highlights)
“This class transformed my relationship with improvisation. I felt safe enough to explore, experiment, and trust my instincts.”
“I discovered a creative part of myself I did not know was there. Improvisation became something expansive rather than intimidating.”
“Topography was my turning point. It helped me let go of fear and become confident in improvisation.”
“The Viewpoints became an invaluable toolkit. They shaped how I create, how I watch dance, and how I understand movement.”
“Creating my solo gave me a new kind of confidence. The willingness to create had been within me all along.”
“I learned to see my movement tendencies clearly and to push beyond them into sharper, heavier, or faster qualities I never used before.”
“This class taught me that something I think is wrong is rarely wrong. It is often bold, audacious, and creative.”
“Collaborating with my classmates helped me understand how my movement communicates and made the creative process joyful.”
“The Viewpoints helped me get unstuck. No matter what, I could pick one and immediately have new pathways to explore.”
“Working in a vulnerable environment helped me let go of insecurity. I was not afraid of judgment or rejection anymore.”
“Choreography became exciting rather than intimidating. I now approach dance with more curiosity, courage, and clarity.”
“Exploring movement made me feel like a child again. Curious, playful, and open.”
Neo-Burlesque Theory and Performance - Cornish College of the Arts, Spring and Fall 2021, Selected Course Evaluation Comments
“An amazing class. I really learned how to grow my confidence.”
“Waxie Moon was an incredible teacher. They made everyone feel safe, supported, and creatively free.”
“My favorite class of the semester. I feel more confident creating acts, building characters, and shaping stories.”
“I felt safe and able to reclaim confidence and control of my body.”
“Waxie created an open, loving environment. Even online, they navigated the pandemic with so much grace.”
“I would give this class a ten out of ten. You do not have to be a dancer or actor, just someone ready to create something magical.”
Teaching Evaluations
→ View Improvisation and Composition, USC (Spring 2025)
→ View Neo-Burlesque Theory and Performance, Cornish (Spring 2021)
→ View Neo-Burlesque Theory and Performance, Cornish (Fall 2021)
Faculty Feedback
“Marc’s second year as director of the sophomore generative capstone project demonstrated once again that he has a remarkable gift for creating an atmosphere in which students feel secure enough to confront challenging ideas and create new dramatic material that explores those ideas fearlessly and with humor and inventiveness. He is gentle and compassionate while also being clear about the responsibilities of the students to the projects and to each other.
In the past we generally rotated between different directors for the sophomore generative projects. While there have been many successful artist-educators on the project, I believe what Marc creates is special. He has strong and positive collaborative relationships with the acting faculty as well, and there is a synergy in the process that has been lacking in the past.”
– Richard E.T. White, Former Chair of Theatre, Cornish College of the Arts
“Marc is one of those rare teachers and collaborators who changes the atmosphere of every room he enters. When I invited him to teach for and with me at Cornish, I saw firsthand the deep trust he builds with students. He meets them where they are, draws out their individuality, and empowers them to take bold creative risks. His command of contemporary dance and the Viewpoints gives students a language for awareness, impulse, and connection, not only in movement but in how they inhabit their artistry. His classrooms hum with curiosity and joy.”
– Marya Sea Kaminski, Associate Professor of Theater, Oberlin College; Former Faculty, Cornish College of the Arts