Biography - Marie Plauche’-Gustin

Marie Plauche’-Gustin, founder and Artistic Director of Bere’sheet Ballet, began studying ballet at the age of five in Lake Charles, Louisiana, with Ida Winter-Clarke, founder and Artistic Director of Ballet Joyeux. In high school she performed in “The Nutcracker” with Ballet Joyeux before going on to Louisiana State University. There she graduated with a B.A. in Speech and Dramatic Arts with a minor in English, and danced in the University's productions of “West Side Story”, “Oklahoma”, and “Funny Girl”. During her college years, Ms. Gustin also studied with modern dance matriarch, Harriet Anne Gray, taking summer courses at Stephens College in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, at Perry-Mansfield.

In 1989 Plauche’-Gustin attended a sacred dance workshop at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California. She studied under the Reverend Cynthia Winton-Henry and Phil Porter, (“Wing-It”), Carla DeSola, (“Omega Dance Company” “Omega West”), and Dr. Judith Rock, (professor, NYU), all considered notable greats and pioneers in the field of sacred and liturgical dance. She returned to Houston and began teaching at Christian Dance Center, became one of the original members of “His Company International,” and studied with Israeli Folk Dance teacher, Rachel Wesiblatt. She also began introducing and helping to restore dance as a religious art form in several different denominations and places of worship, dancing a lead role in the Tallowood Baptist Church production of “Celebration of Life.” For seven years, she participated in the Theater Arts Ministry at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church under the leadership of Carol Anderson-Shore and Greg Wise.  She is presently a member of Christ Church Cathedral, Houston, Texas, where she has created several different concerts with Cynthia Clawson.

In 1998 with a desire to create complete artistic works outside of the confines of the church and into the artistic community, Gustin founded Bere’sheet Ballet. In 2000 she created, choreographed and produced “The Genesis Ballet” with Randall Bane, and performed it at The Jewish Community Center in the Kaplan Theater. Since then she has also choreographed and produced “I Can Hear God Singing,” “Genesis Ballet-Restoration of Innocence,” (with Jeff Lewis), “World Without End,” “Mish-Mash,” “Christmas! The Love Story!” and several other concerts performed locally and in other states. In 2004, Plauche’-Gustin along with Bere’sheet Ballet company members began working in live performances with gospel great, Cynthia Clawson.

In 1999, Ms. Gustin entered a Masters program at Hebrew Union College, New York City, under the mentorship of Dr. JoAnne Tucker, artistic Director of Avodah Dance Ensemble. She completed the post graduate work, and obtained a Masters Certification as a Liturgical Movement Specialist.