Their enduring care for artists, students, and the creative process left a lasting impact on the dance community.
Kat Sirico, a lecturer in dance production and lighting design at the University of Rochester, is being remembered for the excitement, organization, and creativity they brought to the world of dance.
Sirico died in an accident at Jacob’s Pillow, a national historic festival, training, and archival center for dance in Becket, Massachusetts, where they worked as a production manager.
“Whether the dance artists they worked with were well-known professionals in the field, faculty, or students, Kat was just as excited about the creative process, about the experimentation, and about making the dances come to life in multi-dimensional ways,” says Missy Pfohl Smith, the director of Rochester’s Program of Dance and Movement. “Their lighting designs and production support were filled with that love and care, and they were equally as passionate about designing a dance production curriculum for our students that would prepare them for a career in dance.”
Sirico joined the University in December 2024 as a lecturer. Previously, Sirico was a production manager at the Fisher Center at Bard College and collaborated with dance companies including Winifred Haun & Dancers and Khecari Dance.
Anne Harris Wilcox, an associate professor in the dance program, recalls Sirico’s passion for dance and commitment to students.
“Kat’s love of dance was palpable; they had so much they wanted to share with our students and faculty,” says Wilcox. “I saw from the very beginning how much they respected the students and cared about making their experiences meaningful and exciting.”
A memorial gathering for Sirico will be planned when students return to campus, according to Smith.
“I am grateful for the time we had getting to know Kat and for the trust they gave me as a colleague and friend,” says Smith. “I am heartbroken about what could have been and grateful for Kat’s thoughtful approach to developing systems for production planning that we will continue to utilize.”
