Baker Artist Portfolios

Mari Andrea Travis is a theatre director, choreographer, and professor of theatre arts at Morgan State University. Her artistic practice is rooted in Afro-Diasporic dance, theatre, and interdisciplinary storytelling, exploring how embodied performance can serve as a vehicle for liberation, community healing, and social change.

Holding an MFA in Dance from The University of the Arts and a BA in Theatre Arts from Morgan State University, Mari’s career bridges professional dance and theatre, higher education, and community engagement. She has worked as both an assistant director and choreographer for numerous theatre companies and universities across the eastern United States.

In addition to her work in performance and education, Mari is a wellness and embodied healing consultant through her company Sōl.Embodied, where she integrates mindfulness, dance, and other somatic practices to cultivate holistic well-being and creative empowerment.

Mari is honored to carry forward her family’s Baltimore legacy, extending the community-rooted work of Flair Dance & Modeling Studio—an anchor in the city for over 50 years—into new artistic spaces.