SOPHIA COOPER (SHE/HER)
Originally from Lexington, KY, SOPHIA COOPER (she/her) is a creative artist, dancer and leader who is deeply dedicated to diversity and accessibility in the arts. Whether backstage or onstage, Sophia thrives when she can be of help to others, always striving to nurture inclusive spaces by ensuring that each choreographer’s vision is seen, each dancer’s voice is heard and each audience member is left inspired.
Sophia’s wardrobe and costuming experience began during her time at The Ailey School and Fordham University where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, as well as American Studies with a concentration in Diversity and Difference. While at The Ailey School, Sophia had the pleasure of working under Kelly Grabowski as a Costume Shop Assistant. Under Grabowski, Sophia was afforded several opportunities to work with the wardrobe teams for both The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Ailey II–lead by Jon Taylor and Heather Craig. She has worked as a Stitcher, Dresser and Wardrobe Assistant for AAADT during the City Center season over the last three years.
Outside of Ailey, Sophia has worked for Buglisi Dance Theater as a Wardrobe Supervisor and Coordinator for the last couple of years. Most significantly, Sophia is honored to have supervised the wardrobe team for Buglisi’s Table of Silence 9/11 Ritual at Lincoln Center, costuming around 200 dancers for one of the city’s most beloved and sacred community events. Additionally, Sophia’s other freelance costume work has been on stages at the Baryshnikov Arts Center and the Guggenheim Works and Process.
Sophia is beyond excited to join McKoy Dance Project in establishing a Wardrobe Coordinator role during their eighth season!
“The function of art is to do more than tell it like it is–it’s to imagine what is possible.”
– bell hooks
Fun Facts:
- Favorite Color? Purple
- “I am a lover of memoirs! Some of my favorites are Educated by Tara Westover, Finding Me by Viola Davis and The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls.”
- “I recently helped to make the costumes for The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s restaging of Judith Jamison’s iconic piece “Hymn” and William Forsythe’s “In the Middle Somewhat Elevated.”
- “I recently inherited my great-grandmother’s sewing machine which is in perfect working condition after over forty years of sitting unused!”
