COVER
Chair Jayna Brown
Chair, Professor
Department Faculty Deidra Braz Visiting Assistant Professor of the Practice Kate Burton Professor of the Practice of the Arts Michelle Bach-Coulibaly Senior Lecturer Constance Crawford Adjunct Lecturer Sarah dAngelo Assistant Professor, DUS J Dellecave Assistant Professor of the Practice Nancy Dunbar Senior Lecturer Emerita Clifton Dutton Adjunct Lecturer John Emigh Professor Emeritus Becky Gibel Adjunct Lecturer Spencer Golub Professor Emeritus Renée Surprenant Fitzgerald Lecturer Leon Hilton Assistant Professor Avery Willis Hoffman Professor of the Practice Julia Jarcho Associate Professor, Head of Playwriting Melissa Kievman Artistic Producer of Writing is Live Festival, Adjunct Lecturer Kym Moore Professor Talley Murphy Visiting Assistant Professor Iván Ramos Assistant Professor Patricia Seto-Weiss Assistant Professor of the Practice, Head of Dance Sydney Skybetter Associate Professor Deborah Salem Smith Adjunct Lecturer Julie Adams Strandberg Distinguished Senior Lecturer Emerita Barbara Tannenbaum Distinguished Senior Lecturer Elmo Terry-Morgan Associate Professor Emeritus Paula Vogel Professor Emerita Richard Waterhouse Adjunct Lecturer Patricia Ybarra Professor, DGS
Department Staff Jo Bynum Ron Cesario Alex Eizenberg
Student Affairs Manager Costume Shop Manager, Lecturer Lecturer, Sound Designer, Audio & Video Engineer Alex Haynes John Street Studio Technical Director, Lecturer Timothy Hett Technical Director, Lighting Designer, Lecturer Alex Nurkin Academic Events and Facilities Manager Max Ramirez Assistant Technical Director Chris Redihan Academic Department Manager Barbara Reo Production Director, Stage Manager, Lecturer Fran Romasco Costume Shop Coordinator Brianne Shaw Communications and Audience Services Manager Laura Stokes Performing Arts Librarian, University Library Brown/Trinity Program Faculty Shura Baryshnikov Head of Movement, DGS, Assistant Professor of the Practice Angela Brazil Director of MFA Programs Associate Professor of the Practice, Rachel Christopher Assistant Professor of the Practice Curt Columbus Artistic Director of Trinity Rep, Professor of the Practice Brian Mertes Head of Directing, Professor of the Practice Sophia Skiles Head of Acting, Associate Professor of the Practice Brown/ Trinity Program Staff Jeremy Chiang Technical Director Michael Cline Technical Supervisor Anne Harrigan Production Manager Sammi Haskell Production Coordinator Jill Jann MFA Academic Coordinator
Fall Dance Concert November 16 - 19, 2023 Produced by Deidra Braz & Shura Baryshnikov Ashamu Dance Studio The Fall Dance Concert is generously supported by the Julie Adams Strandberg Fund for Dance.
1987 by Abby Cohen ‘24 Brotherhood by Jordan Garcia ‘24 Falling Like the Stars by Alexa Theodoropoulos ‘27 Reality na Illusion by Norah Kisakye ‘24 Good Luck Like We by Skyler “Justin” McAllister ‘24 A Nomad’s Home by Johnson Shou ‘27 Emanations (film) by Catherine Winger ‘24 Lingering Recollections by Zoe Ubamadu ‘24 EVOL by Skyler “Justin” McAllister ‘24 Settled Like Glitter by Edie B Fine ‘25
Production Staff Head of Dance .................................................. Patricia Seto-Weiss Production Director ........................................................ Barbara Reo Communications/Audience Services Manager Brianne Shaw Festival Sound & Video Engineer ........................ Alex Eizenberg Lighting Design Advisor ....................................................... Tim Hett Stage Manager ................................................ Sophie Rockwell ‘26 Photographer .............................................................. Erin X. Smithers
Run Crew Matthew Boranian ‘24, Deanne Fernandes ’24 MFA RISD, Freddie O’Donahue ‘27, Henry Wang ‘26 Special Thanks Special thanks to Simone Klein ‘25 for supporting the choreographic works created this semester in Contemporary Dance Studio Project. Brown Arts Institute Please take a moment to note the fire exits. There are three exits on the south side of the theatre. Use of recording devices, cameras, and cell phones is not permitted. As a courtesy to patrons and performers, please silence all electronic devices. The video taping or other video or audio recording of this production by any individual not expressly directed to do so by Brown University is strictly prohibited. All or portions of Brown University events and their participants may be captured by photography or video and used for news or Brown promotional purposes.
1987
originated out of TAPS 1348 - Contemporary Dance Studio Project Choreography Abby Cohen ‘24 Performers Students from TAPS 1348 Zoe Ubamadu ‘24, Joelle Gregoire Lincoln ‘25, Billie Miró Breskin ‘25, Maya Silver-Lewis ‘25, Ailey Costantino ‘25, Clara Cantor ‘26, Edie B Fine ‘25, Abby Cohen ‘24, Dri DeFaria ‘26, monique jonath ‘24 Lighting Designer Nathan Scarborough ’26 Music “I Want Your Hands On Me” by Sinéad O’Connor Run time Approximately 4.5 minutes
In remembrance of Sinead O’Connor and her legacy of groundbreaking art and activism.
Brotherhood
originated out of TAPS 1320 - Choreography Choreography Jordan Garcia ‘24 Performers Students from TAPS 1320 Johnson Shou ‘27, Jordan Gracia ‘24, Alexa Theodoropoulos ‘27, Norah Kisakye ‘24, and Skyler “Justin” McAllister ‘24 Lighting Designers Abby Schindell ‘25, Lizzy Steeves ‘25, and Austin Meadows ‘26 Music “I See Fire” by Ed Sheeran Run time Approximately 3 minutes
Falling Like The Stars
originated out of TAPS 1320 - Choreography Choreography Alexa Theodoropoulos ‘27 Performers Students from TAPS 1320 Johnson Shou ‘27, Jordan Gracia ‘24, Alexa Theodoropoulos ‘27, Norah Kisakye ‘24, and Skyler “Justin” McAllister ‘24 Lighting Designers Abby Schindell ‘25, Lizzy Steeves ‘25, and Austin Meadows ‘26 Music “Falling Like The Stars” violin cover by Diego Ferreira, “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish Run time Approximately 3.5 minutes
Reality na Illusion
originated out of TAPS 1320 - Choreography Choreography Norah Kisakye ‘24 Performers Students from TAPS 1320 Johnson Shou ‘27, Jordan Gracia ‘24, Alexa Theodoropoulos ‘27, Norah Kisakye ‘24, and Skyler “Justin” McAllister ‘24 Lighting Designers Abby Schindell ‘25, Lizzy Steeves ‘25, and Austin Meadows ‘26 Music “GhanaBoyz Challenge (SOMJI Edition)” by DJ Flex and ManLikeStunna “Yaba Buluku” by DJ Tarico, Burna Boy, Preck, and Nelson Tivane Run time Approximately 2.5 minutes
Good Luck Like We
originated out of TAPS 1320 - Choreography Choreography Skyler “Justin” McAllister ‘24 Performers Students from TAPS 1320 Sky McAllister ‘24, Norah Kisakye ‘24, Katrina Miao ‘24, Nick Li ‘25, Delaney Jones ‘27 Lighting Designers Abby Schindell ‘25, Lizzy Steeves ‘25, and Austin Meadows ‘26 Music “Gooder Than a Mother” by Star Cast (feat. Queen Latifah & Miss Lawrence) “Bad Like We” by Wiley (feat. Nicki Minaj, Popcaan & Dyo) “Good Luck (Unreleased)” by Nicki Minaj Run time Approximately 4 minutes
“Good Luck Like We” focuses in on the musicality aspect of choreography, showcasing the dancer’s ear for music and celebrating the freedom, individual sass, and personality that each dancer brings when they perform.
A Nomad’s Home
originated out of TAPS 1320 - Choreography Choreography Johnson Shou ‘27 Performers Students from TAPS 1320 Johnson Shou ‘27, Jordan Gracia ‘24, Alexa Theodoropoulos ‘27, Norah Kisakye ‘24, and Skyler “Justin” McAllister ‘24 Lighting Designer Abby Schindell ‘25, Lizzy Steeves ‘25, and Austin Meadows ‘26 Music “Nomad” by Zion.T and Gen Hoshino Run time Approximately 3 minutes
Emanations (film) A dance film by Catherine Winger ‘24
originated out of TAPS 1348 - Contemporary Dance Studio Project Direction, movement design, cinematography and editing Catherine Winger ‘24 Music by DjRUM and Grouper Performers Students from TAPS 1348 Wendy Amador ‘26, Billie Miró Breskin ‘25, Edie B Fine ‘25 Run time Approximately 5 minutes
The movement for this project was largely improvised or spontaneously composed and was created in collaboration with the dancers.
Lingering Recollection
originated out of TAPS 1348 - Contemporary Dance Studio Project Choreography Zoe Ubamadu ‘24 Performers Students from TAPS 1348 Joelle Gregoire Lincoln ‘25, Wendy Amador ‘26, Billie Miró Breskin ‘25, Gabriella Blake Nightingale ‘24, Maya Silver-Lewis ‘25, Ailey Costantino ‘25, Clara Cantor ‘26, Catherine Winger ‘24 Abby Cohen ‘24, Dri DeFaria ‘26, monique jonath ‘24 Lighting Designer Adnan Aldabbagh ‘25 Music “Boadicea” by Enya “Time in a Bottle” by Jim Croce Run time Approximately 7 minutes
EVOL
Capstone Choreography Skyler “Justin” McAllister ‘24 Performers Sky McAllister ‘24, Natalie Chang ‘24, Isabel Lukas ‘24, Celine Ma ‘25, Nicole Sanchez-Soto ‘26 Lighting Designer Will Holland ‘26 Music “EVOL (So Gone) [feat. Monica]” by J.Skyyy, “So High” by Doja Cat, “Stretch You Out (feat. A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie)” by Summer Walker, “close with desires” by Teo Glacier, “Last Time I Saw You” by Nicki Minaj Run time Approximately 12.5 minutes
This piece serves as J.Skyyy’s debut rap performance and a culmination of the training and learning completed in the TAPS & Music departments, created in recognition of all of the different phases of love stories and the cycles they go through, and based on Sky’s own experiences. Dedicated with love towards Z.T.T. for inspiration, with special thanks to Professor Lumumba -Kasongo, Professor Braz, and Professor Seto-Weiss for consultation.
Settled Like Glitter
originated out of TAPS 1348 - Contemporary Dance Studio Project Choreography Edie B Fine ‘25 Performers Edie B Fine ‘25, Zoe Ubamadu ‘24, Catherine Winger ‘24, Gabriella Blake Nightingale ‘24, Dri DeFaria ‘26, monique jonath ‘24 Lighting Designer Ari Cleveland ‘25 Music “Resilience” by Lotic, “Honesty” by Son Lux and remixed by Lotic, and “F**K Me (with Marina Otero)” by Julian Rodriguez Rona Run time Approximately 6 minutes
Choreographer Bios Abby Cohen ‘24 (1987) is a senior studying English at Brown University. She started dancing at the Deborah Mason Performing Arts Center in Somerville, Massachusetts when she was 8 years old, and continued dancing there until she graduated high school in 2020. There, she studied with renowned choreographers such as Leslie Woodies, Christopher Huggins, Ebony Williams, and Jenny Oliver. At Brown University, she was a part of Extension Dance Company since 2020 until its recent conclusion in spring of 2022. As a member of Extension, she both danced in and choreographed for the Fall Dance Concert and danced in the Festival of Dance. She also had the opportunity to rehearse and perform as a community participant with Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company in What Problem? in fall of 2022. She is excited and honored to be one of te choreographers for Fall Dance 2023! Alexa Theodoropoulos ‘27 (Falling Like The Stars) Hailing
all the way from the sunny Philippines, Alexa has worked primarily in ballet, modern, lyrical, and contemporary, but has experience in all sorts of other genres. She is a former full-time scholar of the Steps Scholarship Foundation and a multi-time distinction awardee of the Royal Academy of Dance (having received special recognitions as the top Royal Academy of Dance scorer out of hundreds of candidates). In high school, Alexa joined her school’s Dance Company and international dance team, traveling across Southeast Asia to perform original choreography and performing regularly for her school while winning various competitions. By leading the National Dance Society and spearheading partnerships with various groups across the Philippines, she has promulgated the power of dance in the local community and beyond. Her piece, “Falling Like The Stars,” tells the story of unity, dissonance, despair, and the universal human narrative that brings us all together.
Skyler “Justin” McAllister ‘24 (EVOL and Good Luck Like We) is a senior at Brown University double concentrating in Biology and Theater & Performance Studies (Dance) on the Pre-med track. Sky has always had a knack for dance, with studies focused mostly in the hip-hop, broadway, and house styles. Since coming to Brown however, Sky has also received training in ballet and Flexn styles and even joined campus groups such as Impulse Dance Co., Mezcla, Tempo Performance Co. and the Poler Bears. Sky has performed in World of Dance with the Level Dance Family and as part of Creative Reaction Dance Co., the latter currently ranking #1 in the USA and 3rd in the World! When not dancing, you can find Skyler spending time with CupcakKe (the cutest service dog in the world), spending time with family & friends, studying for the MCAT or playing video games on the PS5.
Johnson Shou ‘27 (A Nomad’s Home) Growing up and
coming from the South Side of Chicago, Johnson has had experience dancing in hip-hop, k-pop, and other various styles. While on a professional dance team in Chicago, he’s performed for the NBA in a Chicago Bulls Primetime Show at the United Center, the WNBA in a Chicago Sky Halftime Show at the Wintrust Arena, the Chicago Chinatown Summer Fair, and multiple paid gigs (such as the Teamo Water Tower Store Opening). Johnson has also taught a collaborative intermediate/advanced dance class with Joan Gwak at PuzzleBox Dance Studio. As the president and dance director of multiple clubs in high school, Johnson has had experience directing and teaching large groups of dancers and organizing showcases. He also has worked with children ranging from the ages of 4 - 14 years old as a dance teacher at the Chicago Chinese School (Asian American Culture Center). Already having some experience choreographing for class and casual settings, Johnson wanted to gain more experience with different styles and other settings through Deidra Braz’s Choreography Class. “A Nomad’s Home” is Johnson’s experimentation with story themes, choreography elements, and letting his performer’s individual dance styles shine.=
Zoe Ubamadu ‘24 (Lingering Recollections) is a senior from Tennessee studying Public Health. Zoe’s love for dance began before she can remember, performing ballet as a young child, then choreographing and dancing in pieces during her time as a high school dancer. She studied modern, jazz, ballet, and contemporary dance throughout both middle and high school. At Brown, Zoe is a four year member of Attitude Dance Company and, more recently, she choreographed Brown Musical Forum’s Little Shop of Horrors. Zoe is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with her fellow dancers, Shura Baryshnikov (teacher extraordinaire), and other students in the TAPS department to create meaningful and beautiful bodies of work. Zoe cites Bebe Miller, Taisha Paggett, Merce Cunningham, and Alvin Ailey as some of her major inspirations. Edie Fine ‘25 (Settled Like Glitter) is a junior studying American Studies and Dance. They first started dancing at their hippie elementary school where they had “movement” class instead of PE. They studied, trained, and found a love for choreography at LocoMotion Dance Theatre in the East Village—more specifically in St. Marks Church where Patti Smith first read her poetry to music and where the Reverend once said that “dance is the most inevitable form of expression; it is the human body speaking…an intelligent religion will idealize it.” At Brown, they choreograph and dance for the Poler Bears—Brown’s pole dancing team—as well as for their own drag and burlesque show Semiotic Erotica. They love being upside down, don’t mind being right side up, and hate that Providence’s bagels are not up to par with those from home.
In Memoriam Lowry Marshall, Marshall a beloved Professor, mentor, and a leading figure in the world of theatre passed away on October 8th at the age of 79. Her life was marked by a profound dedication to the arts, education, the theatrical community, and her family. Lowry was born on May 20th 1944. From her youth onward, she became an active participant in democracy, civic duties, and volunteerism. No one quite took life by the reins like she did. Her first stage role was as Sally Cato McDougal in Auntie Mame at Dock Street Theatre. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English and Theatre from the University of South Carolina in 1966. She later completed her Master’s in Theatre (Directing) at the same institution in 1975. She earned an MFA from The Asolo Conservatory of The Florida State University, in 1981. Throughout her career, Lowry made a name for herself as an accomplished director, writer, and educator. She tirelessly shared her knowledge and insights with students at Brown University, where she served as a dedicated Professor in the Department of Theatre, Speech, and Dance, now Theatre Arts & Performance Studies. Her commitment to her students and the art of theatre left an indelible mark on educational and artistic communities, helping to create Brown University’s Playwright’s Summer Festival, as well as being a co-founder of the Brown/RISD/Trinity Consortium MFA. These institutions produced works that would go on to win Tony, Drama Desk, and Pulitzer Awards in drama and more Lowry’s passion for the theatre extended beyond the classroom. She co-authored and directed numerous
acclaimed theatrical productions, including Filler Up and Waiting for the Termite Man, which garnered praise not only in the United States but also on international stages. Her work with Deb Filler in Filler Up took them from New York City to Sydney, Australia, and across various venues in Canada, Berlin, and New Zealand. Lowry’s commitment to storytelling and performance was evident in her projects, such as Lisa Kron’s 2.5 Minute Ride, The Musical Winter’s Tale, and The Dark Lady Project . Her dedication to the art of theatre extended to her contributions as a dramaturg, dialect coach, and a casting consultant. Lowry was not only an artist but also a scholar and teacher, delivering lectures, workshops, and panel discussions. She shared her expertise with the theatre c ommunity and aspiring artists, inspiring them to reach new heights in their craft. She was given the Pell Award for Excellence in Performing Arts in 2013. During the last four years of her life, Lowry lived with Stage 4 cancer, showing remarkable resilience in the face of a terminal diagnosis. She loved spending time with family and friends, and is survived by her two sons, Taylor and Logan, who were an extreme source of pride, daughter-in-law, and five grandchildren Lowry Marshall’s legacy is felt not only in her artistic achievements but in the thousands of lives she touched and the minds she enriched. Her influence on the world of theatre and education will continue to resonate for generations to come.
Department Staff PRODUCTION DIRECTOR: Barbara Reo TECHNICAL DIRECTOR/ LIGHTING DESIGNER: Tim Hett TECHNICAL ASSISTANTS: Sam Deluise, Rowan Cookman, Tylar Jahumpa STUDENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANTS: William Benjamin '23.5, Ari Cleveland '25, Sophia Decherney '25, Sierra Riley '24, Lizzy Steeves '25, Olivia Sydnia St Bernadette Taylor '26 ASSOCIATE TECHNICAL DIRECTOR: Max Ramirez SOUND DESIGNER / ENGINEER / A/V COORDINATOR: Alex Eizenberg PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT: Sophie Rockwell '26 JOHN STREET STUDIO TECHNICAL DIRECTOR: Alex Haynes JOHN STREET TECHNICAL DESIGN ASSISTANTS: Noah Medina '23.5 Josephine Miller '24, Cleo Petty '23.5, Abby Schindell '25, Sofia Tazi '26, Navaiya Williams '25 COSTUME SHOP MANAGER: Ron Cesario COSTUME SHOP COORDINATOR: Fran Romasco COSTUME SHOP ASSISTANTS: Evangeline Bilger '23, Charlotte Knutsen '26, Beatriz Plum Luard '26, Sky Robinson '25, Kayla Walford '26 DEPARTMENT MANAGER: Chris Redihan STUDENT AFFAIRS MANAGER: Jo Bynum ADMINISTRATIVE/MARKETING ASSISTANT: Dri de Faria '26 EVENTS AND FACILITIES MANAGER: Alex Nurkin BECKER PERFORMING ARTS LIBRARY STUDENT LIBRARIANS: Marielle Buxbaum '24, Maureen Klaiber '27 CUSTODIAN: Achim C Tah COMMUNICATIONS & AUDIENCE SERVICES MANAGER: Brianne Shaw FRONT OF HOUSE AND BOX OFFICE ASSISTANTS: Maya Kelly '27, Tyrone Killebrew II '24, Grace Martin '26, Tate Oliphant '25