Román F. Baca Ii, Phd(C), Mfa Email & Phone Number

New York, New York, United States

I co-founded Exit12 Dance Company in 2007 in order to investigate artistically my experiences as a US Marine Iraq War Veteran. Since its founding, Exit12 has become a leader in the veteran artist space. Exit12 has performed throughout the US, headlining at Walter Reed Military Medical Center, West Point Military Academy, Lincoln Center, Stanford University, and the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum, among others. I have developed and commissioned choreographic works for Exit12 that transform the experiences of those affected by war into art that heals and transforms. I have developed movement workshops that have bridged the veteran-civilian divide, empowered veterans, aided in healing, and inspired individuals to create, share, and lead. Under my leadership Exit12 has become a 501(c)3 nonprofit, hired over 50 artists and choreographers, reached thousands of audience members, and has been featured in popular media outlets including the BBC, CNN, Dance Magazine, The Daily Beast, and The Washington Post. Check out the film Exit12: Moved by War, where we tell our story.

London, United Kingdom

With The Drive Project I lead on two initiatives: Bravo 22, a Royal British Legion funded Recovery through the Arts programme for the military community and the MoD Pilot Project, a Ministry of Defense funded Recovery through the Arts initiative for serving military members in recovery status.With Bravo 22 I have designed an led in-person and online creative and performance art workshops for the military community throughout the UK. Highlights include a 3-day ceramic workshop with the Northern Ireland military community partnering with ArtsCare, a art cultural trip to London engaging with the National Gallery, and a major partnership with the British Museum creating a storytelling performance in conjunction with their exhibition: Legion - Life in the Roman Legion.I also work with the RBL's Celebrity and Cultivation Event Manager to coordinate talks and workshops with notable supporters for Bravo 22 members, and coordinate media efforts with the British Forces Broadcast Service.

York, England, United Kingdom

The focus and balance of my research is based on my choreographic processes and will include: • Psychological evaluation of participatory arts processes with US and UK military veterans (some of whom may have experienced trauma). • Exploration of the role of the arts in hope and self-representation of military veterans. • Practice-based research in the arts developing new interventions within a psychological framework. • Ethnographic, participatory and interview-based approaches. Within the program I will utilize a participatory and performative arts practice to explore the work above as well as the following questions:• Can a participatory arts practice help veteran with moral questioning, hope, and self-representation through arts facilitated meaning making and imagination?• Can performative outcomes of the above-mentioned arts practice both positively impact well-being in the veteran, while fostering empathy and peacebuilding in audiences?My hypothesis is that one effective modality is finding unique choreography to help people find a new embodied imagination, much like they did in military training, to move through the civilian world, developing hope, community, and creativity alongthe way.

New York, United States

Through a partnership of WeWork and Bunker Labs, I am proud to be an Ambassador for the NYC Veteran in Residence program. This six-month startup incubator and leadership program will help NYC based veteran entrepreneurs make a significant impact on their businesses in a short six-months.

Dayton, Ohio, United States

I served as a Junior Research Scientist and Data Architect with the United States Air Force and Naval Medical Research Unit, Parsons, and Geneva. The projects investigated the impact of catastrophic injury exposure on resilience in Special Operations Surgical Teams as well as compassion fatigue and resilience in reserve and guard casualty care transport teams.

London, England, United Kingdom

I served as an Early Career Researcher supporting the first year MA/MFA students, as a research seminar series coordinator, and as a co-supervisor for M-505 and M-508 project. I supervised students in modules and creative projects. I also assistant choreographed three commissioned works set on BA students.

London, United Kingdom

I completed my MFA in Choreography at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire in London, U.K. researching, choreographically, the impact of military training on the body and mind. I have worked on international projects and collaborators in Malta, Northern Ireland, Spain, and the UK - working with art and healing professionals, architects, and academics. As part of my study I was assistant choreographer with my tutor for the first-year and third-year choreographic commissions partnering with an innovative music artist. I also premiered a new interactive collaborative work at the new US Embassy in London, and a new work at King’s College of London’s Exchange Space in conjunction with their War Studies Department. Outside of school time I volunteered as Head of Marketing for Soldier On, a brand-new play on the West End resulting in several sold-out performances.

West Hartford, Ct

I led Ballet Theatre Company for four years after teaching and choreographing for BTC starting in 2007. As their AD and GM I was responsible for the artistic and the administrative areas of running the organization. I produced a military-themed Nutcracker that led to sold out shows and increased revenue. I produced classics including Sleeping Beauty, La Bayadere, and Don Quixote as well as the creation of new innovative ballets. A few examples include: Speranza, a new story ballet set to live music that incorporated real stage magic; Gwendolyn the Graceful Pig, a new storybook ballet for children narrated by the author; and Peer Gynt, a new ballet that incorporated new media, innovative LED costumes, and well-loved music. Working with the board and executive director we successfully scripted and implemented a strategic plan, successfully fundraised over $125k for a new dance facility, secured grant funding for new artistic initiatives, and a $10k grant for a strategic marketing plan. I also developed a new syllabus for the school of Ballet Theatre Company and attracted teachers from leading dance companies in New York, leading to our top students landing spots in prominent ballet summer programs and pre-professional programs.

Greater New York City Area

I was awarded a fellowship The Mission Continues. During my fellowship I worked with Battery Dance Company and contributed to enriching lives with the art of dance. We collaborated on programs in NYC Public Schools and with New York Veterans.The mission took me back to Iraq as a civilian, to teach children and young adults how to express their experience through choreography and non-verbal expression.

I served for eight years as a US Marine Reserve Infantry Sergeant. My unit was deployed to Fallujah, Iraq in 2005 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where we patrolled local villages, protected the base, and conducted humanitarian operations. During my career I was a 0352 Anti-Tank Missile Assaultman, Fire-Team Leader, Machine Gunner, and Training NCO.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Theatre And Psychology

Master'S In Fine Arts, Dance

Master'S Candidate, Non-Profit Management

Activities and Societies: Columbia MilVets

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Performing Arts

Cum Laude

Education record

Education record