Ren Mattson

Ren Mattson (they/them) is a Des Moines native and is excited to dance with the Iowa Choreography Festival for a third year. They studied jazz, ballet, contemporary, tap, and pointe at The Dance Factory in Indianola where they danced for 14 years. Ren has since taken their dancing with them into the world of drag, where they have performed with Translucent at The Garden in Des Moines, Decorah Pride, and Des Moines People's Pride. Ren believes that dancing is not only a form of expression, but a form of resistance against oppression as well. They are looking forward to participating in the festival again this year and continuing to grow and create as a choreographer.