Andrea Parson

Andrea Parson is a multidisciplinary theater artist born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. Her passion for movement began in the late 1980s, inspired by country records played in her family’s living room and her mother’s aerobics classes. She began choreographing early, crafting dances for friends and family, often improvising through grocery store aisles. Andrea studied at the Joffrey Ballet School, San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, and Loyola Marymount University, where she earned a BA in Dance in 2009. Following graduation, she joined NW Dance Project in Portland, Oregon, where she was awarded the Princess Grace Dance Fellowship award in 2010. In over 11 years with the company, she performed nationally and internationally, garnering acclaim for her portrayal of dramatic characters such as Hedda Gabler and Carmen. Based in Portland, Andrea creates and performs original solo and ensemble work merging contemporary dance, physical theater, storytelling, and humor. Her recent award-winning solo, You Can’t Be Serious, was presented at BodyVox Dance Center (2023), Oregon Fringe Festival (2024), and Hollywood Fringe Festival (2024). Andrea presented "You Can’t Be Serious" at the Fall United Solo Festival 2024 in New York City, where she received an award for Best Physical Theater. She is currently developing a new solo work, titled The One, which is set to premiere in Portland in the summer of 2026. In addition to her performance work, Andrea choreographs for regional dance and theater organizations across the Pacific Northwest. Her work is rooted in the intersection of narrative, movement, and voice. A dedicated educator for over 15 years, she has taught contemporary dance, ballet, dance fitness, and creative movement to students of all ages and abilities. Andrea is currently on faculty at Pacific University and recently became a certified Functional Awareness® Movement Educator.