Daniel Stark, Director of Dance, Department of Theatre and Dance

Hometown

• Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Schools Attended

• Loras College
• University of Iowa

Things we can talk about

I challenge you to find a topic that I can’t talk about. Transitioning to college, the greatest movies ever, setting your goals for your next few years, the finer points of philosophy, how to create a resume and interview for a job, the arts, raising children, politics, strategies for getting along with a crazy roommate, creating websites, the best way to cook scrambled eggs, and the list goes on. Starting a conversation with someone new is one of the great things about college life, and I encourage you to do it with me and with everyone you meet on campus.

I am available for

• Phone calls
• Emails
• Zoom
• In-person meetings in my office or at the Student Union

Please contact me and we will find what works best for you.

Why I want to be a Maverick Firsts Advocate

I was the first to go to college in my family and I am sympathetic to you taking that exciting and scary first step. I was raised on a farm in Iowa and college presented many new challenges, and opportunities, when I made the transition to campus. I appreciate the courage and determination you and other first-generation students have shown to get to MSU Mankato, and I want to help you succeed.

Things I’m connected with that might be of interest to you

My professional career has mostly focused on being a dancer, a dance teacher and a choreographer. Here at MSU Mankato, I direct the Dance Program, I teach many styles of dance classes, I’m an artistic director for our Dance Concerts, I choreograph some of our Theatre shows and I teach Introduction to Dance, a gen. ed. course open to everyone campus.

Other Items of Interest

I’m also an artist (acrylic paint on canvas), an actor, a writer, a videographer and photographer.

I have a performance group in the Twin Cities that has performed at The Ritz Theatre in Minneapolis and The O’Shaughnessy in St. Paul. Our next performance at the Cowles Center for the Performing Arts is being delayed due to COVID, but coming soon.

I’m a fan of the Star Wars movie, except “Solo.” (What were they thinking!)