Company Dancers
"Robards has a strong sense of craft...and seems to take pleasure in dance without clumsily concocted themes and other gimmicks... The choreography does demand unremitting energy and athleticism from the performers, a staple in dance today. But, Ms. Robards thinks in grander terms."
Dance Critic Jennifer Dunning, The New York Times
LaRana Skalicky (Associate Executive Director) has been a Company Member since 1988. In addition to her work as a dancer, LaRana also serves KRD as a teacher and administrator. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Aurora Cultural Arts District. She was selected for an Associateship with the Rocky Mountain Women's Institute, has been a Dance Teaching Artist for the Aesthetic Education Institute of Colorado, served on The Scen3 Denver SCFD Tier III marketing committee, and on the CAST3 Leadership Team. LaRana teaches at The Academy of KRD and in KRD's educational outreach programs. She graduated cum laude with honors as one of four $20,000 Four Years Honor Scholars from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri with a BFA in Dance and a minor in Philosophy. LaRana is originally from Salina, KS. She plays the cello and has a blue belt in Tae Kwon Do. LaRana wishes to thank her mentor Kim Robards. Many teachers have been important to LaRana including Kay Henderson, Michael Simms, Vivette Darnell Ashen-Brenner, Patrick Suzeau, and Muriel Cohen, among others.
Morgan Stillman (Visiting Dancer) made his first appearance with Kim Robards Dance during the 2016 Summer Intensive Company Project. Morgan was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he began his dance training with The New American Youth Ballet. He attended dance programs with The Juilliard School, Pacific Northwest Ballet, The Chautauqua Institution, and Ballet Chicago. Morgan studied at Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University and was previously a company member with Nevada Ballet Theatre in Las Vegas. He is a Company Member at Ballet Austin. Throughout his career he has performed choreography by George Balanchine, Paul Taylor, Dwight Rhoden, Violette Verdy, Nicolo Fonte, Michael Vernon, James Canfield, Tara Foy, and now, Kim Robards.
Aloft
Jose Rosales became a KRD Company Member originally in 2014 following an Apprenticeship with KRD. Jose then formed part of the Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernandez for five years, one of the most prestigious companies in Mexico. He was one of the first U.S. male dancers to become a principal soloist and reach the title of “El Venado”. He toured North America, Europe and Latin America with Ballet Folklorico. He recently founded his own cultural nonprofit dance company, ArtistiCO, for which he serves as Executive Director, and is simultaneously dancing with KRD. Born in Denver, CO, he graduated with a Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Management and Development from The University of Denver. He trained originally with Jeanette Trujillo-Lucero in Fiesta Colorado. Jose worked for the City and County of Denver in the Office of Human Rights & Community Partnerships. He was awarded the 2021 EY New Wave Leadership Award from CBCA and appointed to the Denver County Cultural Council by Denver Arts & Venues.
Alfonso Meraza Prudente became a KRD Company Member in fall 2019. He is Co-Founder of ArtistiCO dance company for which he serves as Artistic Director. Born in San Jerónimo de Juárez, Guerrero, Mexico, he graduated with a Bachelors degree in Mexican Arts and Dance from the Instituto de la Danza Mexicana in Acapulco. Following his dreams, Alfonso traveled to Mexico City where he became a principal soloist, for more than 9 years, with Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernandez, one of themost prestigious companies in Mexico. Ballet Folklorico performed weekly at the historic Palace of Fine Arts in Mexico City and toured world-wide. Alfonso is proud and grateful for the opportunity to be part of Kim Robards Dance in his new adventure and life, here in Colorado. Through his many travels and hundreds of stages, he is proud to be a husband and a citizen of Denver.
Jordan Himelrick became an Apprentice with KRD in July 2021 and a Company Member in fall 2021, attending the Summer Intensive Company Project as a scholarship recipient. Jordan began her dance training with Encore Dance Studio in Aurora, Colorado. Jordan continued her dance training at the University of Wyoming obtaining her Bachelor of Arts in Dance in May 2021. While at the University of Wyoming Jordan performed in works choreographed by Darrell Moultrie, Jesse Obremski, Daniel Charon, Dan Higgins, Cat Kamrath, Marsha Knight, and Margaret Wison as well as Limon Dance Company Repertory. Jordan has attended intensives and trained with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The Dance Theatre of Harlem, the Limon Dance Company, Batsheva Dance Company Gaga winter intensive, Repertory Dance Theater winter intensive and the Snowy Range summer dance festival. Jordan is excited to continue her training with Kim Robards and to have the opportunity to perform with such a highly regarded professional dance company.
Charles Clark first performed with KRD in Summer 2019. From Saginaw, MI, Charles began dancing at a young age, training in numerous styles such as jazz, lyrical, tap, ballet, and hip hop. In 2011 Charles furthered his training at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, where he trained extensively in modern, ballet, and jazz. While at Grand Valley he also had the opportunity to perform as a principal guest artist with companies throughout Michigan, such as the Children’s Ballet Theater of Michigan, Flat River Dance Company, and Opera Grand Rapids. Charles graduated from Grand Valley in 2015 with a B.A. in Dance and a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences. He was a company member with Minnesota Ballet from 2016-19, and Ballet Tucson for the 2019-20 season.
Rachyl Kirk became a KRD company member in 2023 after an apprenticeship. She graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in May 2022 with a Bachelor’s in Spanish and minors in Dance and Teaching English as a Second Language. During her time at UNC, she danced with the Colorado Dance Collective and in UNC mainstage productions and student-lead performances. Rachyl is originally from Colorado Springs. She has always had a passion for dance, travel, and trying new things. She is excited to begin her professional dance career with Kim Robards Dance, eagerly looking forward to working with Artistic Director Kim Robards and company members.