Olivia (Liv) Pennell, originally from Springfield, IL, began her formal ballet training at Dance Arts Studio and the Springfield Ballet Company under the direction of Julie Ratz and Gina DeCroix Russell. She pursued higher education at the University of Kansas, earning a BA in both Dance and Communications. At KU, Olivia performed in many University Dance Company showcases, and secured a SOTA Project Research Grant to produce and direct Emergence, her own dance showcase. She made her choreographic debut in 2023 with “Broken Patterns,” which led to an invitation as a guest alumni choreographer following her graduation. In Chicago, Olivia has attended A&A Ballet’s Winter Intensive, Visceral Dance Chicago’s Winter Intensive, and DanceWorks Chicago Dance360 CommUNITY DayLab, as well as working front of house at The Harris Theater. Olivia is so excited and honored to hold a traineeship with Chicago Repertory Ballet!