About Dragon Jane Performance Art Company

"Dragon Jane is a life force!" says Bonnie Palecek, founder of the North Dakota Council on Abused Women's Services. Sometimes quirky, sometimes bold, always rooted in compassion -- Dragon Jane combines original peace theater, movement, music, and the spoken word to create and embody its vision of peace in this world. Collaborative and intergenerational, Dragon Jane fosters creativity and imagination in young and old alike. As Rae Abileah, national coordinator for CODEPINK has said, "Dragon Jane is a living example of the Gandhian philosophy -- 'Be the change you wish to see in the world.'"

Bio

In 2007, Karen Van Fossan received the Archibald Bush Artist Fellowship, which permits her to live and work as a full-time playwright and author. A Dance/Movement Therapist, Van Fossan is founder and director of the Dragon Jane Performance Art Company, which reviewers describe as "A life force," "Boldly outrageous," and "A living example of the Gandhian philosophy – 'Be the change you wish to see in the world.'" Her professional awards include the Shirley Henn Award, the Love Without Fear Award, and North Dakota's Prairie Peacemaker Award. The CHICAGO TRIBUNE promises that after witnessing her work, "the world does indeed seem more peaceful." She holds an M.A. in Children’s Literature from Hollins University and an M.A. in Dance/Movement Therapy from Naropa University.

Recent Performances and Presentations

Aug. 2008	Urban Harvest	Bismarck, ND
Aug. 2008	National Nite Out Against Crime	Boys & Girls Club, McLaughlin, SD
Aug. 2008	ND Career & Technical Ed. Conference	Ramkota, Bismarck, ND
July 2008	ND Capital Pride Fest	Dakota OutRight, Bismarck, ND
April, 2008	Play in a Day Workshop	Shade Tree Children's Theatre, Bismarck, ND
Feb., 2007	Accidental Activists Part II	Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship, Bismarck, ND
Jan., 2007	Accidental Activists Part I	Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship, Bismarck, ND
Dec., 2007	Apple Creek School Performance	Art Venture, Bismarck, ND
Dec., 2007	Play Day	Dragon Jane and Friends, Bismarck, ND
Dec., 2007	Life After Fear Workshop	ND Council on Abused Women's Services, Bismarck, ND
Dec., 2007	Idlewild Reunion Performance	Bismarck, ND
Nov., 2007	That Takes Ovaries	Dakota Stage Ltd., Bismarck, ND
Oct., 2007	Litchville-Marion Elementary & High School	Litchville & Marion, ND
Oct., 2007	ND Peace Concert	ND Peace Coalition, Bismarck, ND
Sept., 2007	Fall Festival	Fargo, ND
Sept., 2007	Woman Song	Edgeley, ND
Aug., 2007	Urban Harvest	Bismarck, ND
July, 2007	Life After Fear Workshop	ND Council on Abused Women's Services, Bismarck, ND
July, 2007	Brown Bag in the Park	Dakota West Arts Council, Bismarck, ND
June, 2007	International Peace Festival	International Peace Gardens, USA/CANADA
May, 2007	Private Party for ND Senator	Bismarck, ND
April, 2007	Head Start and BECEP	Art Venture, Bismarck, ND
March, 2007	Statewide Arts Conference	ND Council on the Arts, Bismarck, ND
Feb. 16 & 17, 2007	V-Day	Bismarck State College, Bismarck, ND
Feb. 3, 2007	Live Art in Motion	Dakota West Arts Council, Bismarck, ND
Jan. 21, 2007	Peace Pole Re-Dedication	Riverside Elementary School, Bismarck, ND
Nov. 17 & 18, 2006	Late Night Alternative	High Prairie Arts Complex, Bismarck, ND
October 13, 2006	ND Peace Conference	Lake Region St. Coll., Devils Lake, ND
July 27, 2006	Urban Harvest	Bismarck, ND
July 22, 2006	PrideFest	Eagles Park, Bismarck, ND
July 11, 2006	Eyes Wide Open Exhibit	ND Capitol Mall, Bismarck, ND
July 4, 2006	Art in the Park	Mandan, ND
April 7 & 8, 2006	That Takes Ovaries!	Dakota Stage Limited, Bismarck, ND
March 11 & 12, 2006	V-Day	Bismarck St. Coll., Bismarck, ND
January 23, 2006	Statewide Board Meeting	Council on Abused Women's Services, Bismarck, ND
January 13, 2006	Peace Studies Series	Sisters of the Presentation, Fargo, ND
December 18, 2005	Winter Celebration	Unitarian Church, Bismarck, ND
August 31, 2005	Urban Harvest	Bismarck, ND