Atlanta's Corian Ellisor blends dance and activism into nonlinear dance theater

Atlanta’s dance scene is vibrant and eclectic, and we are honored to highlight some of the many local dancers who move us with their movements in our ongoing series “Speaking of Dance.”

This edition highlights Atlanta performer and activist Corian Ellisor. For over 16 years, Corian Ellisor has been a driving force in Atlanta’s dance scene, blending contemporary, modern, hip-hop, jazz, ballet and folk dance into a style he calls nonlinear dance theater.

As a performer, choreographer and educator, Ellisor views movement as a vehicle for activism and community-building. “Art is a tool for change,” he shared. “Especially in times of darkness, artists push culture forward. We need community now more than ever, to lift each other up, to look at the world critically and to laugh through it all.”