CarliAnn Forthun Bruner

CarliAnn Forthun Bruner is a dancer, choreographer, educator, and multi-disciplinary storyteller of Syilx (Okanogan) band of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Secwepemc (Shuswap), and of mixed-European descent. She received a BFA in dance from Simon Fraser University in 2012 and a MFA in dance at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2021. Since receiving her formal education, CarliAnn has been on a scholarly and personal journey to more fully understand her Indigenous heritage, using her dance and embodiment to uncover ways of knowing the world that were once taken from her ancestors. At the root, CarliAnn’s work is a physical investigation of relationships to nature, human beings, and spirit, and stories from the past or of the imagined future. She often collaborates with artists of other disciplines, creating dance for film, theater, galleries, and performance. At the root, CarliAnn’s work is a physical investigation of relationships to nature, human beings, and spirit, and stories from the past or of the imagined future. One of her primary goals with her dances is for it to resonate with the audience and inspire self-reflection. Bruner’s choreography has been presented by On the Boards, Seattle International Dance Festival, Gonzaga University, and other organizations in the PNW. She has performed professionally and toured with Khambatta Dance Company, Intrepidus Dance, 127th St. Dance Company, and as a freelance performer. She founded and directed Forthun+Rome Dance Theater with Ethan Rome from 2016 - 2019. CarliAnn has enjoyed touring internationally in Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Lithuania, and India. Bruner has had residencies through James Ray Residency from Seattle International Dance Festival, Inlay Dance, and Gonzaga University. She is a recipient of the 2023 Artist Trust GAP grant. Currently, CarliAnn is an adjunct professor of dance at Gonzaga University, where she teaches technique, arts leadership, and improvisation, among other subjects. As an educator, CarliAnn's goals are to encourage each student on their own movement journeys and to feel more trusting of and comfortable in their own bodies.