Instagram story viewer> @austinkohler_> Tagged

Austin Kohler

@austinkohler_

701

followers

917

following

BBDT company member
ecu dance program alum ‘26
dance acct: @austin_dancechoreo

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

One year ago today, I got to share one of the most meaningful choreographic experiences of my college career.

“Under Their Own Power (Assembly Required)” was created with my incredible co-choreographer and friend @aubreylkdance for @ecudanceprogram first ever themed dance concert, Dancing in the Streets: A Celebration of Motown.

When we first started creating this piece, we wanted to explore the history of Detroit’s auto industry and Berry Gordy’s story, particularly his time as a factory worker before creating Motown. We became really interested in the ideas of assembly, repetition, labor, machinery, and what it means to take what you have been given and create something of your own.

The piece became a story about more than just a factory. It was about people, ambition, individuality, and the process of building something that could eventually become so much bigger than where it started. That idea is something that has stayed with me long after performing it.

I am so thankful to Aubrey for trusting me to create this piece alongside her and for everything we learned throughout the process. I am also incredibly grateful for our faculty mentor @jessinamst , the @ecusotd faculty, and everyone at @ecudanceprogram who supported us and helped bring this work to life.

And of course, the biggest thank you to the dancers who gave this piece so much life. I will always be grateful that we got to create and share this work with all of you.

Dancers:
Austin Kohler
Makayla Micheo
Mia Castiglia
Stefany Panayiotou
Lexi Sonnendecker
Mack Williams
Marisa Lewicki
Julia Costigan
Vivien Maskara
Sarah Parks
Lea Polcaro
Mayson Watson

Understudies:
Stella Christenbury
Savannah Waller
Kendall Donohue
Sarah Loud

Choreography: Aubrey Kirk & Tala Shay
Lighting Design: Micheal Shoaf
Photography: John Dixon & BJ Emerson

A year later, I am still so proud of what we created and even more grateful for everyone who was a part of it. This piece will always be such a special part of my time at ECU.

Part 1:

3

13

🍸🫂🌛🧘🏻‍♀️🪐🫀

3

17

one year in raleigh <33

3

37

photos i never posted from senior year #postgradblues #imissmyfriends

3

48

Meet the Dancers 🪩

Each month, we’re introducing you to the company members of Black Box Dance Theatre! Up first: AUSTIN KOHLER 💫

Our newest company member, Austin is a graduate of East Carolina University with a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography. While at ECU, he was awarded an Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Award for choreography. He is passionate about bringing artistic visions to life, creating innovative choreography, and motivating performers to achieve their highest potential.

Read Austin’s full bio on our website, and please welcome him to BBDT for his very first season!

#BBDT #BlackBoxDanceTheatre #RaleighDance #RaleighArts #ModernDance

148

39

Go pee before show write that down write that down ✍️

What’s your pre-performance ritual?

#BBDT #BlackBoxDanceTheatre #RaleighDance #RaleighArts #DancePerformance

67

7

Welcome to the Black Box Dance Theatre 26/27 season 🔲🔳

It will be one of our busiest years yet- an NC State Live (@ncstatelive) artist residency, the expansion of our work in NC schools, a series of PATRIOT performances across the state, weekly classes for dancers and veterans, the awarding of the Raleigh Medal of Arts to our Artistic Director- we have A LOT going on. And we sure do hope you’ll be part of it. Stay tuned friends 🤍

Photo by @ashley_white_photography_
#BBDT #BlackBoxDanceTheatre #RaleighDance #ModernDanceCompany

208

10

Finally danced my way to a BFA💜✨

#ecualumni #gopirates #ecu #bfa #graduated

237

30

The last weekish of my favorite semester yet. #sem6

3

29

Senior Chor Photos

The Journey of a Fool
Choreographed by @alexiatormey
Photos by the amazing @johndadixon

Video coming soon!!!!!!

88

9

sophomore year on 📸

3

28

My beautiful cast 🤍🤍🤍

Thank you all so so much for a beautiful wonderful process. This piece meant so so much to me in so many ways and I am eternally grateful for everything you all have given me. This isn’t a good bye. If you need me call me because there ain’t no mountain high enough to keep me from you. I love you all to the sun the moon the stars and back.

120

10