School of Theatre Arts

Dance

Jessica Riss-Waltrip has been teaching in the IWU Dance program since Fall 2003. She received her B.S. from Illinois State University with a major in Dance where she enjoyed performing with the Illinois State Dance Theatre. Ms. Riss-Waltrip teaches tap, jazz, ballet, contemporary and modern and is the advisor for IWU Cohesion, the student dance company. She has choreographed for the faculty choreographed dance concerts and mainstage musicals Once Upon a Mattress, Drowsy Chaperone, The Life and SoTA Senior Showcase. Jessica also teaches dance for Illinois State University, specifically the Redline Express Dance Team, and has choreographed for Prairie Fire Theatre, U-High Orchesis, Dance Team and Color Guard, Tri-Valley Color Guard, Bloomington & Normal Parks and Rec Theatre and Dance Programs, Heartland Community Education, Edge Dancers and for other local community organizations. Jessica is also dance faculty at McLean County Dance Center, Bloomington, IL, and J's Dance Studio, Heyworth, IL.

Education

B.S., Illinois State University; A.A., Illinois Valley Community College