Rachel Carpenter (she/her) is a Cleveland, OH native and a third-year Master of Fine Arts candidate in Dance at the University of Iowa, where she focuses on performance. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Akron. After graduating, Rachel performed with Cleveland Dance Project for the 2023–2024 season, became a member of BurlesCLE, and is now part of the Cleveland Showgirls, a neo-burlesque troupe that allows her to continuously explore the importance of expressing her femininity, sensuality, and self-love.

Rachel’s current research challenges hierarchical structures in the field of dance that often overlook neo-burlesque and its artistic contributions. Her work advocates for a more inclusive understanding of dance as a tool for empowerment and self-expression, aiming to disrupt traditional institutional frameworks and push for systemic change.