“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening, that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost.” -Martha Graham

Its no coincidence Erin Stutland’s favorite quote comes from the great, late Martha Graham. Martha was a risk taker, a pioneer, a woman unafraid do things her own way, and do them with feeling. While most toddlers are still learning to walk, by the age of two, Erin Stutland was already dancing up a storm. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Erin had the option to participate in any and all activities at a young age: gymnastics, art, soccer, basketball, martial arts and track to name a few. But she thrived in dance. “The music just does something to my body, where I just can’t sit still. I never could sit still as a kid. I had to make an agreement with my second grade teacher that I would be allowed to STAND next to my desk. Sitting in that chair drove me nuts. I had to be moving, doing something.” Fortunate to have parents who were dedicated to her dance, as an adolescent, Erin would commute 45 minutes to study with one of the most prominent ballet teachers in the area, Barbara Dubosque. As she developed, Erin took it upon herself to study, read and absorb all she could about dance; she was enthralled with Gelsey Kirkland, she would mimic Twyla Tharp and she absorbed all she could from cinema greats Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

She continued dancing, performing and choreographing throughout high school. Upon graduation, she was offered dance scholarships to Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, the University of Michigan and the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. Erin chose to continue her studies at the University of Illinois, but she knew New York would be her next destination. At the University of Illinois, she danced with some of the world’s greatest modern dancers and choreographers and came across the work of Joe Good. It was there that she began to recognize her passion for acting and the desire to combine dance with storytelling, character development, and the power of drama.

While in college, Erin also wrote, choreographed, and directed an original/theater/dance piece, Alice in Her Head, based on a childhood favorite, Lewis Carol’s Alice in Wonderland. Still an undergraduate, Erin took her ideas to London, England and choreographed award winning works at the Laban Center in London. By journeying abroad and having the opportunity to taste and experience various European cultures, her worlds of dance and theater were expanded and Erin realized that dance was only a vehicle to bigger and broader horizons.

After a brief stint dancing for Melissa Thodos and Dancers in Chicago, Illinois, Erin packed her bags and headed to New York City, hoping to expand her world of dance into theater, film, television and music. In New York, she studied acting with William Esper and under the amazing Susan Batson, who take responsibility for the careers of many of today’s most celebrated actors. It took little time for an agent and manager to find Erin in NYC and she quickly began booking roles that incorporated all of her talents in plays, commercials, television and film.

Erin has been featured on the Off-Broadway stage, in both the widely popular Donkey Show and its sister show, the Karaoke Show. She also feels at home on the off-off-Broadway venues; she has been known to rock East Village open mic nights with just her guitar. Erin recently has appeared in numerous local and national commercials, and as a GUEST STAR on some of television’s hottest shows, including THE SOPRANOS, SEX AND THE CITY and CHAPPELLE’S SHOW. She has worked with Michael Imperioli, John Patterson, Randy Winer and Diane Paulus (The Donkey Show), Steve Buscemi, Carlos Leon (from The Woodsman), Bobcat Goldthwait, Neil Brennan and she recently performed in a workshop directed by Phillip McKinley (director, Boy from Oz).

“The truth is, I love to play. I love to laugh, cry, be silly, imaginative, and have new things to conquer every day!! I consider myself lucky I have found a way to play for a living, and I am certain, the fun is just beginning!”