The Naked Stark

The Naked Stark The Naked Stark is a West Philly modern dance company rooted in an intergenerational community.

The Naked Stark creates modern dance works, facilitates workshops, and engages in weekly movement practices that ask complex questions and spark imagination and discussion. Socially conscious, socially engaged, and socially critical, we strive to center how movement, community, and change are intimately interconnected. Our work is honest, human, and vulnerable and engages folks through participation,
physicality, and design.

Creative Movement Workshop is back! We’re excited to offer a 6 class series made possible by the Dolfinger-McMahon Foun...
10/09/2026

Creative Movement Workshop is back! We’re excited to offer a 6 class series made possible by the Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation.

Coming off of an incredible performance run with Flood, begin again, Founder of The Naked Stark Katherine Kiefer Stark and Managing Coordinator aubrey_rsr will lead participants through six explorations inspired by the co-creation model of Flood.

Link in our bio to sign-up!

6 Sundays, 10am-12pm
$ Pay-What-You-Can

The Cedar Works
4919 Pentridge Street
Philadelphia, PA 19143

ABOUT CREATIVE MOVEMENT WORKSHOP
Creative Movement Workshop is an intergenerational dance workshop for all levels and abilities.

Centering play and creative skill-building, each class is designed to build on participants’ own artistry and expression while learning how dance concepts can help us work as a collective, find creative solutions, and navigate decision-making inside of our creative practices.

Through movement games, phrasework, witnessing and reflecting, participants can expect to build and expand their movement skills, find greater ease in their bodies, take healthy risks, learn new ways of creating, and dance in community.


Image Description:
A graphic with text over an image up a crinkly-piece of yellow paper with The Naked Stark’s logo at the top of the graphic (a footprint). Text reads: Funding for this series of CMW provided by the Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation. Creative Movement Workshop. an intergenerational dance workshop for all levels and all abilities. Sundays | 10am-12pm | The Cedar Works | $ PWYC. 10.18, 10.25, 11.1, 11.8, 11.15, 11.22.

What do you want to dive deep into?

Image Description:
A graphic with text on a yellow background reads:
10.18–Exploring my movement aesthetic. How do I like to move? How am I moving around others?
10.25–Dancing the Site. How does the space influence how I move/create?
11.1–Leading and Following. What are my instincts? What does it look like when I lead? 11.8–Collective Decision-making How do we discover a collective vision? How do we arrive at decisions? How do we let go?
11.15–Breaking the rules. How do I break the rules? What does it mean to challeng

Just a couple more chances to catch "Flood, begin again" at Fairmount Water Works.Huge thank you to everyone who has bee...
10/01/2026

Just a couple more chances to catch "Flood, begin again" at Fairmount Water Works.

Huge thank you to everyone who has been on this 2-year long journey with us 🩷.

Get the last tickets at the link in our bio.

Photography by Bridgette Ivkovich



Image Descriptions:
Slide 1: A photo is six people posing in an empty pool. In two rows, one standing, one kneeling, they smile, with arms around each other or hands resting on their knees. Warm light catches on their blue tracksuit pants and bathing suit tops.

Slide 2: blue text on a yellow background reads, "A sensory delight. Mesmerizing. Funny and moving." Two quotations on the top and bottom corners indicate that these are quotes.

We are halfway through our run of "Flood, begin again" at Fairmount Water Works.Thank you to everyone who has come to se...
09/30/2026

We are halfway through our run of "Flood, begin again" at Fairmount Water Works.

Thank you to everyone who has come to see us and left with something more than when you came in.

Tickets at the link in bio.

Photos by Bridgette Ivkovich

09/28/2026

A culmination of a 2-year long journey.

See Amalia Gabriel , Chloe (Saturn) Marie, Harlee Trautman, Katherine Kiefer Stark, Meredith Stapleton, Marcie Mamura, Andy Thierauf, and Harbour Edney Lighting, perform "Flood, begin again" at Fairmount Water Works.

Link in bio for PWYC tickets.

• 9/28 at 7pm
• 9/29 at 7pm
• 10/1 at 7pm
• 10/2 at 7pm with ASL interpretation by Hands UP Productions
• 10/3 at 1pm

Video and image by Stephanie Malson producedxsm



Video Description:
Two by two, six dancers cross in front of a concrete barrier. First, they jump, then land, dip and spin like spirals until they are out of frame.

Image Description:
In an empty pool bathed in blue light, two dancers stand facing away from each other. Two other dancers push into them, giving all of their weight while standing.

09/27/2026

"Flood, begin again" premiered at the Fairmount Water Works this week.

We just opened more seats for our remaining shows!

Link in bio for PWYC tickets.

• 9/28 at 7pm
• 9/29 at 7pm
• 10/1 at 7pm
• 10/2 at 7pm with ASL interpretation by Hands UP Productions
• 10/3 at 1pm

Video and image by Stephanie Malson producedxsm



Video Description:
6 dancers smile and play on a rug at the bottom of an empty pool. Dressed in bathing suits, they spin around each other, jumping and twirling in the low light.

Image Description:
In an empty pool, dancers are captured in different poses along columns, a concrete barrier, and a rug on the pool floor.

From May 2nd - 22nd, our community helped us realize our production goals for our new project, “Flood, begin again.” We ...
06/17/2026

From May 2nd - 22nd, our community helped us realize our production goals for our new project, “Flood, begin again.”

We were able to surpass our goal of $3,500 by $387 -- we are so grateful.

Link in bio to learn more about this project and when you can experience it this fall!

Fairmount Water Works



Image Descriptions:
1/3: A photo of the Fairmount Water Works on the Schuylkill River at dusk. The historic site almost glows in the sunset, the river reflects light and the Spring Garden Bridge. Photos of the six Artistic Collaborators are collaged "onto" the Water Works in different poses. (Text) Thank you for helping us raise $3,887.
2/3: (Text) This support from our community helps us to continue crafting up-close, immersive dance experiences that delve into the intricacies of the human experience, question the status quo, nurture imaginations, and offer hope.Now we are able to cover major production costs and can bring “Flood, begin again” to life at the premiere on September 26th in the 2026 Philadelphia Fringe Festival, and running through October 3rd. We are incredibly grateful.
3/3: (Text) Thank you Joe Jacobs, Ellen Chenowith, Alison Kurtz, Hillary Blecker, Robert Baren, Ella-Gabe Mason, Zoe Cohen, Rabbi Ari Lev Fornari, Dick Goldberg, Miryam Coppersmith, Ron Cohn, Betty Cohen, Zachary Bloom, Marion Hamermesh, Sean Thomas Boyt, Jonathan Stein, John & Anne Schwaller, Kayliani Sood, Robert Oliveti, Leah Stein, Thom Nailor, Naomi Segal, Dawn Pratson, Lori Sherman, Josephine Smith, Edie Stark-Menneg, Madeleine Reber, Anne McFaul-Reid, Chelsea Murphy, 25 Anonymous Donors. End Image Description.

Introducing , our lighting designer for "Flood, begin again."Donate TODAY so we can bring this essential work in this h...
05/14/2026

Introducing , our lighting designer for "Flood, begin again."

Donate TODAY so we can bring this essential work in this historic site to you, September 26-October 3rd. Link in bio.


and Marcie Mamura


Harbor Edney, Lighting Designer, is the Lighting Supervisor at the University of Pennsylvania, where they currently oversee lighting operations, bringing life to performances through visual storytelling. They have worked as Production & Venue Manager at .

The Naked Stark is a sponsored project of .atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the purposes of The Naked Stark must be made payable to "Fractured Atlas" and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Image Description:
1) A photo of Harbour from the shoulders up. They smile at the camera.
2) (Blue text on a black background): These types of work are essential for us as a city to reflect on the impact of our past and to intentionally shape the flow of our future. The Fairmount Water Works has a rich history of education and activism for the Philadelphia area, and it's those historic roots that make it such a compelling location for this site-specific work. End image descriptions.

is a collaborator, sound designer, and live performer for "Flood, begin again" !Donate TODAY so we bring you this rare ...
05/13/2026

is a collaborator, sound designer, and live performer for "Flood, begin again" !

Donate TODAY so we bring you this rare and exciting opportunity, September 26-October 3rd. Link in bio.


and Marcie Mamura


Andy Thierauf, Sound Designer and Live Performer, is a Philadelphia-based percussionist specializing in the creation and performance of contemporary music and collaborating with The Naked Stark on various projects since 2017. His creative research centers on integrating technology into performance to produce collaborative, multimedia presentations with writers, dancers, actors, choreographers, and composers. Andy teaches at Music School and is an adjunct professor of percussion at Kutztown University. A native of Cincinnati, OH, Andy received his B.M. from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and M.M. from The Ohio State University. Andy received the D.M.A. degree in percussion performance and pedagogy at The University of Iowa under the direction of Dan Moore.

From "Bodies of Water" 9/27/25:
Photo:
Video:

The Naked Stark is a sponsored project of .atlas , a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the purposes of The Naked Stark must be made payable to "Fractured Atlas" and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Image Description:
1) A photo of Andy playing the vibraphone outside of an empty pool. He stands, holding two mallets.
2) (Blue text on a green background): Each time I collaborate with The Naked Stark I am both inspired and incredibly thankful to work with extremely creative, thoughtful artists. This project in particular is special because we're working together in a historic and singularly unique space at the Fairmount Water Works - a rare and exciting opportunity for us as artists and for audience members!
3) A video of Andy playing the vibraphone in "Bodies of Water" at the Fairmount Water Works in the former Kelly Pool. End image descriptions.

Our next Artistic Collaborator for "Flood, begin again" is !Donate TODAY so we can soften your footprint in Philadelphi...
05/12/2026

Our next Artistic Collaborator for "Flood, begin again" is !

Donate TODAY so we can soften your footprint in Philadelphia with this new work, September 26-October 3rd. Link in bio.


and Marcie Mamura


Meredith Stapleton, MFA recipient in Dance/Choreography from the University of Iowa, is a Philadelphia-based dance artist, yoga teacher, doula and childbirth educator working with The Naked Stark 2015-2017 and since 2022. Meredith currently teaches yoga at Temple University, and has taught dance at Muhlenberg College, Swarthmore College, and The University of Iowa, as well as Koresh School of Dance and Philadelphia Dance Academy. Meredith is the Member Coordinator and an Artist In Residence at .space where she maintains a solo dance practice, collaborates with , and organizes community gatherings. In Philadelphia since 2013, She has performed with , and .

From "Bodies of Water" 9/27/25:
Photo:
Video:
Sound:

The Naked Stark is a sponsored project of .atlas , a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the purposes of The Naked Stark must be made payable to "Fractured Atlas" and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Image Description:
1) A photo of Meredith dancing in an empty pool. She stands, hinging at the waist and extending both her arms out in front of her, in a v-shape.
2) (Light blue text on a purple-blue background): This project tenderly softens my footprint in Philadelphia - the sidewalks, the playground, historic sites. It is teaching me to hug all the parts of this place, crumbling or not. It is an honor to create in the Fairmount Water Works - the heightened sensitivity to flow here is particular generative. And to be a TNS Collaborator is to literally practice the way I most want to socially engage with the world.
3) A video of Meredith dancing in "Bodies of Water" at the Fairmount Water Works in the former Kelly Pool. End image descriptions. I'm

THIS WEEK: Catch a glimpse of our rehearsal process for "Flood, begin again" !May 13 | 10am-2pmMay 14 | 11am-2pmMay 15 |...
05/12/2026

THIS WEEK: Catch a glimpse of our rehearsal process for "Flood, begin again" !

May 13 | 10am-2pm
May 14 | 11am-2pm
May 15 | 1-5pm

Outside the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center (640 Water Works Dr.) and along the Schuylkill Trail in Fairmount Park!

Image Description
A photo of the Fairmount Water works at twilight. The historic site almost glows in the sunset, the river reflects light and the Spring Garden bridge. Photos of the six Artistic Collaborators are collages into the landscape. They are poses differently, "interacting" with their surroundings. End image description.

Address

4226 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA
19122

Telephone

+19178434234

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