Away From the Mirror 2026

2025 -2026 Carthage Dance Program Presents

carthage music department presents

AWAY FROM THE MIRROR

May 8-9 | 7:30 pm Wartburg Theatre

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about the show In our annual student dance concert, Carthage’s emerging artists are provided the platform to develop their unique sense of self and style through dance. All pieces are student choreographed, and revolve around the themes that speak to individual members of the Carthage dance program. Showtimes are Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9 at 7:30 PM in the Wartburg Auditorium.

director's note Thank you for attending the Department of Theatre’s 2026 student dance concert, Away From The Mirror. This production has become an important component to the dance minor program by providing a platform for our emerging dance artists to develop their inspirations into dances, share in the development of their own production, and engage in community discourse about their work. The primary mission is to cultivate space for dance learning and dance sharing. The dances you will see this evening have culminated from a series of three feedback showings during which all works were presented as drafts at different stages of development. Each Feedback Showing provided the choreographers opportunities to receive feedback from me and student responders. We are thrilled and grateful to present these works for tonight’s production. Following the Friday evening performance, we will host a post-show discussion. We hope you can join us. Please enjoy the show!

-Stacy Pottinger, Artistic Director

talk back For more insights into Away From The Mirror works, please join the Artistic Director and choreographers in a Talk- Back immediately following the Friday, May 8th performance. The Talk- Back will take place in the Wartburg Auditorium. We look forward to addressing viewer’s questions and hearing thoughts about the program.

program Uncadenced Choreography, Avery Jones Music, Doorway by Invoke String Quartet Sarah Llewellyn, Lydia Berryman Understudy: Magdalen Kolar Then, Now, Next Choreography, Hannah Donegan Music, Funny How Time Slips Away by Willie Nelson Libby Donovan, Addison Vreeman, Charis Whiting, Jizel Trujillo, Madeline Hughs Understudy: Hannah Donegan Six Dancing Princesses Choreography, Paige Downey Music, by Arine Roth & Felix Mendelssohn Lydia Berryman, Madelyn Richardson, Evelyn Tomlin, Paige Downey, Ava McClure, Leslie Manna Understudy: Avery Jones Tethered Choreography, Katherine O’Donnell Music, Wait For Me by Luca D’Alberto Abbey Keen, Addison Vreeman, Ava Bartecki, Sarah Llewellyn Ekstasis Choreography, Blaike Mertes Music, Uncle ACE by…. Blood Orange Evelyn Tomlin, Lily Daly, Madelyn Richardson, Abbi Minneci, Magdalen Kolar, Kyliah Vruwink Understudy: Blaike Mertes

program Roll of the Dice Choreography, Liz Duffy Music, Thespian Espionage by The Marcus King Band Reagan Weitzel, Sophie Bernier, Lydia Berryman, Vivian Alexander, Hannah Donegan, Sarah Hege Understudy: Liz Duffy Program Note: This work utilized Chance Procedure in its construction–decisions such as where each dancer moves to and what movement phrases they perform were made by rolling a six-sided die.

Drowning Choreography, Abbey Keen Music, Drowning by The Red Clay Strays Evelyn Tomlin, Lily Daly, Abby Minneci Understudies: Libby Donovan Dissonance Choreography, Magdalen Kolar Music, Thousand Eyes by Of Monsters and Men Kyra Lewis, Sarah Llewellyn, Leslie Manna, Vivian Alexander Understudies: Ava Schwartz, Michelle Nguyen Consternation Choreography, Libby Donovan Music, This Bitter Earth / On the Nature of Daylight by Dinah Washington, Louisa Fuller, Natalia Bonner, John Metcalfe, Philip Sheppard, and Chris Worsey Libby Donovan Program Note: Consternation was inspired by a 2021 work titled, artifact 008 by Sonja Katt. The work’s materials include plaster, cotton gauze cloth, and sink–artifact 008 is displayed in the level 1 hallway of the Johnson Arts Center.

program Preparing My Blues Choreography, Kyliah Vruwink Music, Memories flood my eyes and leave as tears by Peter Gundry, Dead Mans Blues by Roy Williams, ‘Bout it by JMSN Kyliah Vruwink, Abbey Keen, Lily Daly, Blaike Mertes, Ava McClure, Gaby Morales, Ava Bartecki, Zalena Bradshaw Understudy: Viviane Alexander This work is in fulfillment of thesis requirements towards a SelfDesign Major in Dance.

production team and crew Artistic Director .................................................................. Stacy Pottinger Responders............................Rebecca Crystal (Guest), Hannah Donegan, Libby Donovan, Paige Downey, Liz Duffy, Avery Jones, Abbey Keen, Magdalen Kolar, Blaike Mertes, Katie O’Donnell, Stacy Pottinger, Kyliah Vruwink Costume Design.....................................................................Kim Instenes Technical Director and Light Design.......................................Lisa Gifford Stage Manager.................................................................... Marshall Taylor Assistant Stage Managers...................................................Maddie Gibson Light Board Operator........................................................... Liev Schiffman Sound Operator........................................................................... Jim Schulz Costume Crew................................... Lorelai Amborn, Cassandra Rannie

biographies Stacy Pottinger (Artistic Director) holds a B.F.A. in dance performance from Southern Methodist University, an M.A. in dance education from the State University of New York College at Brockport, and an M.F.A. in dance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Ms. Pottinger joined the faculty at Carthage College, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, as Director of the Dance Minor and Assistant Adjunct Professor of Theatre in 2009. She has instructed a number of the Dance Minor courses at Carthage College including Applied Dance Technique courses in Ballet, Jazz, and Modern as well as Dance Theory and Practices, Dance Theory and Composition, Dance Choreography and Repertory and Dance History. She has mentored student choreography at Carthage for the past sixteen years, led numerous trips to the American College Dance Festival conferences, and has served on multiple response panels, including that of Danceworks, Inc. Art to Art Series in Milwaukee, Faculty Feedback Panels for the American College Dance Festival North-Central Regional Conference Informal Concerts (2017 and 2014), and for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 2015 spring dance concert. In addition to her titles as Director of the Dance Minor, Professor, and Artistic Director for Department of Theatre dance productions, Ms. Pottinger is Faculty Advisor for Carthage’s NDEO Student Chapter and National Honor Society for the Dance Arts (NHSDA) and serves as President of the Wisconsin Dance Council Board of Directors.

Kim Instenes (Assistant Professor of Theatre/Costume Designer) Kim holds an MFA in Costume Design and Technology from Ohio University and a BA in Theatre from UW-Whitewater. Her faculty credits include UW-Parkside, UW-Whitewater, UW-Milwaukee, and Lawrence University. In addition to teaching at these schools, she has designed costumes and makeup for a number of productions, including IMAGINARY INVALID, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, TROJAN WAR, SWEENEY TODD, and TRANSLATIONS. Kim continues to work as a freelance costume and make-up designer in the Milwaukee/ Chicago area. Professional design credits include First Stage Milwaukee, Milwaukee Shakespeare, the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Renaissance Theatreworks, Third Avenue PlayWorks, Forward Theater, Utah Shakespearean Festival, and the Racine Theatre Guild. Kim is

biographies excited to be part of the Theatre Department here at Carthage, as it strives to cultivate theatre artists of the highest quality. She enjoys the thrill of watching a student understand what a costume does for their character and watch that character come to life as a result. She would also like to thank her family, husband Doug, and children, Lauren and Sarah, and Dalen and Haley, for their continued support of her creative endeavors.

Lisa Gifford (Technical Director/Lighting Designer) Kim holds a BA in Theatre and Studio Art from Carthage, a BS in Psychology from Kaplan College, a MA in Education from Aurora University and a MA in Administration and Leadership from Concordia University. Her faculty credits include Aurora University. She has designed lights for a number of productions including PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE, THESE SHINING LIVES, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, and THE MOORS. Lisa continues to work as a freelance lighting designer. Professional design credits include Stage Left, Festival 56, Stage 212 and Engle Lane Theatre. Lisa is thrilled to be part of the Theatre Department at Carthage, where passion and discipline intertwine to cultivate artists of exceptional caliber. She finds particular joy in those electric moments of discovery—when a student realizes the transformative power of lighting, and before her eyes, a character begins to breathe, move, and fully come to life. She would also like to thank her family, husband Shawn, and children, Owen, Penelope, and Phoebe for their continued support of her creative endeavors.

Marshall Taylor (Stage Management) is a sophomore Directing and Technical Direction double major and a member of Alpha Psi Omega. This is his first time working with Carthage’s dance program; he is excited to be part of the team and to support all of the talented performers and designers that have contributed to this production.

biographies Maddie Gibson (Assistant Stage Management) is a freshman Theatre, Directing and Arts Administration triple major and a member of Alpha Psi Omega. This is her first time working with Carthage’s Dance program. She is excited for this opportunity and excited to work with an amazing team of dancers and designers.

Rebecca Crystal (Guest Responder) Rebecca completed a Master of Dance Education program through the Royal Academy of Dance in London in 2022. She holds a BFA in Dance with minors in English and Music from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as well as Dance Education PK-12 licensure from the University of WisconsinMilwaukee. Rebecca is also a dancer, choreographer, and co-director of the modern dance project Delve Dance Chicago. Rebecca taught dance full-time in Chicago Public Schools and also worked in schools as a teaching artist with Hubbard Street Dance Center’s education program.

She has taught on faculty at Interlochen Arts Camp and Blue Lake Arts Camp. Additionally, she has taught at The Chicago High School for the Arts, Joel Hall Dance Center, The Old Town School of Folk Music, and Glenwood Dance Studio. She has presented her research at dance education conferences and delivered guest classes to high schools and colleges in the greater Chicago area. Rebecca has also studied and performed as a trainee with Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company and has studied Gaga with Ohad Naharin/Batsheva Dance Company.

Hannah Donegan (Choreographer) is a senior Elementary Education major and Dance minor. This is her eighth dance show at Carthage, but her first time choreographing! Hannah is from West Allis, Wisconsin, and has trained in various dance styles consistently since the age of three. Her studies mainly focused on jazz, ballet, lyrical, and contemporary. In addition to continuing her own dance training, she worked as an assistant dance teacher throughout high school and is currently a high school dance coach at West Allis Central High School.

Outside of Carthage’s dance program, she is the current secretary of NDEO, a member of the Carthage Dance Team, and a member of Chi Omega National Fraternity. Hannah would like to thank her friends and family for their endless support, her amazing cast for believing in her and trusting her through this process, and, of course, Stacy Pottinger and the rest of the dance faculty for the constant inspiration and encouragement throughout her time here at Carthage.

biographies Libby Donovan (Choreographer) is a sophomore Allied Health Science major and Dance minor. This is her fifth dance show at Carthage and her first as a choreographer! Libby is from Rockton, IL, and has dedicated 14 years of her life to dance, 10 of those years dancing competitively and 2 years performing at Carthage. Libby would like to thank her family for their endless support and encouragement, and for never ceasing to believe in her. She would also like to thank Stacy Pottinger for encouraging her to step out of her comfort zone and choreograph for AFM. And, finally, she’d like to thank her fellow members of Carthage’s dance program for being so welcoming and inspiring, helping her fall back in love with dance once more.

Paige Downey (Choreographer) is a Senior Stage Management and Directing double major with a minor in Dance. This is her 13th production at Carthage College. Her Main Stage credits at Carthage included Dancer, IN THE MOMENT DANCE SHOW Fall 2022, Co Stage Manager for FML: HOW CARSON MCCULLERS SAVED MY LIFE Spring 2023, Costume Crew for LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL Spring2023, Stage Manager for THE GENDERLESS PLAY EXPERIMENT Fall 2023, Costume Crew for IN/VISIBLE DANCE SHOW Fall 2023, Dancer AWAY FROM THE MIRROR spring 2024, Assistant Director LIFE CYCLE OF A STAR Fall 2024, Dancer TO THE GROWTH EDGE Fall 2024, Choreographer/Dancer AWAY FROM THE MIRROR spring 2025, Stage Manager HEAD OVER HEELS spring 2025, Stage Manager JESUS CHRIST SUPER STAR fall 2025. Studio credits include Stage Manager for WHEREVER YOU’VE BEEN Spring 2024, Director for LAST TRAIN TO NIBROC Spring 2026. Edinburgh Fringe Festival credits include Assistant Director/Stage Manager LIFE CYCLE OF A STAR Summer 2025. Paige is also the recipient of the KCACTF Emerging Stage Manager Award for her work on THE GENDERLESS PLAY EXPERIMENT. She would like to give a special thank you to her friends and family. “Thank you, guys, for all your support. I couldn't have done it without you!” Insta:@Paigemary07

biographies Liz Duffy (Choreographer) is a senior majoring in finance and minoring in dance. She is also the president of Carthage’s National Dance Education Organization chapter. Liz is from Fairbury, Illinois, and started dancing at The Dancenter in Pontiac, Illinois, when she was five years old. There, she studied several dance styles, primarily jazz, hip-hop, and lyrical. In high school, she participated in her school’s musical theater program and helped choreograph and teach choreography for the spring musicals. While at Carthage, Liz has continued her dance education and has led several dance classes for NDEO. This is the eighth Carthage dance show she has participated in and her third show as a choreographer. Liz would like to thank her family, friends, and the Carthage Dance faculty for their support and encouragement in her dancing career.

Avery Jones (Choreographer) is a sophomore Musical Theatre and selfdesign Dance double major. She grew up and went to school in Sun Prairie, WI, where she took dance and musical theatre classes since the age of three. She’s trained in several styles, including ballet, jazz, hiphop, and her personal favorite, tap. This is her fourth Carthage dance show and her choreographic debut here on the Carthage stage. Outside of the Dance Department, Avery is heavily involved in the Carthage Theatre Department, is a Student Ambassador with the Office of Admissions, sings in Treble Choir, and is the current treasurer of NDEO and the Lambda Kappa Music Fraternity. She would like to thank her phenomenal cast for putting so much work into this piece and adding lots of joy to the rehearsal process. She’d also like to thank her family for all of their support as she pursues her dreams.

biographies Magdalen Kolar (Choreographer) is a sophomore psychology and secondary education double major with a minor in dance. She grew up in Round Lake, Illinois, where she began dancing at her local park district at the age of two. She took classes in a variety of styles, including ballet, jazz, modern, and tap, through her senior year of high school. This is Maggie’s fourth Carthage dance show, and her first time choreographing! She would like to thank her cast for the amazing talent, patience, and hard work they’ve put into this piece, along with her friends and family for their love and support. She would also like to thank Stacy Pottinger and all of her dance teachers, past and present, for their encouragement and all that they’ve taught her.

Abbey Keen (Choreographer) is a senior Biology major with double minors in Chemistry and Dance, and concentration in Pre-Medicine.

This is her seventh dance show at Carthage College and second dance show as a choreographer. She grew up in Mount Vernon, IA gathering extensive dance training since she was six years old. Her training was focused in several styles of ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, contemporary, hiphop and west african. She uses her joy of dance and years of training to teach several styles of dance since she was a freshman in high school. At Carthage she is involved in NDEO, Biology Honors Society, Chemistry Honors society, both Biology and Chemistry club and PreHealth club. Abbey will be attending Sonoran University in Tempe, Arizona in the fall to become a Naturopathic Doctor. She is beyond grateful for the amazing time she has had with the Carthage Dance program and will forever cherish the people and countless memories she made along the way. Abbey would like to thank her friends and family for the countless support throughout the many years of dance and to the Carthage Dance Faculty for all the opportunities they have provided her.

Blaike Mertes (Choreographer) is a freshman elementary education major with a minor in dance. This is her second dance show at Carthage and her first time as a choreographer. Blaike grew up in Arlington Heights, IL, where she attended Arlington Dance Academy (formerly McDonald Dance Academy) from the age of three.

biographies She has training in a variety of disciplines, including ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, and contemporary. Blaike’s most extensive training is in ballet, which is where most of her foundation and choreography stems from.

During her first year at Carthage, she has had the opportunity to lead NDEO twice, which has been an absolute pleasure. Blaike would like to thank her incredible cast for their creativity, flexibility, and commitment to this piece. She would also like to acknowledge Stacy Pottinger for her hard work and dedication to Carthage’s dance program. Finally, Blaike would like to thank her parents for their unconditional support, and for showing her the power of music and dance.

Katherine O’Donnell (Choreographer) is a senior psychology major with minors in dance and business. This is her sixth dance show at Carthage College. She is from Wayne, IL. She has grown up training in ballet preprofessionally. She has performed in ballets such as Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Coppelia and several other classical ballets. Katherine is a member of Carthage’s chapter of the National Dance Education Organization, Zeta Tau Sigma sorority, and Psi Chi Psychology honors society. Katherine would like to thank Stacy Pottinger for support and guidance. She would also like to thank her parents, brother, grandmother, and friends for the love and encouragement they give her.

Kyliah Vruwink (Choreographer) Kyliah Vruwink is a Senior self-design Dance major with a minor in Studio Art. This is her fifth piece presented in a Carthage dance concert, and this piece is her Senior Thesis.

Preparing My Blues follows her process while creating a piece for a show and highlights aspects of dance and choreography that Kyliah finds most crucial. These aspects include overcoming creative blocks, musicality, confidence, and working productively in a group. The style of the piece pulls from both contemporary inspiration and long-standing traditions in the dance world. When she is not choreographing, Kyliah also performs in shows such as the annual Away From the Mirror. She spends many hours painting, crocheting, and enjoying any art form she can.

department of theatre faculty and staff Rich Ashworth..............................................................Instructor of Dance Breannin Beelow........................................................ Instructor of Theatre Melissa Benson................................................... Costume Shop Assistant, Instructor of Theatre Maureen Chavez-Kruger............. Adjunct Assistant Professor of Theatre Rebecca Crystal.............................................................Instructor of Dance Lisa Gifford....................................................... Interim Technical Director Elizabeth Harrison-Holmstrom...................................Instructor of Dance Kim Instenes................................................................. Costume Designer, Associate Professor of Theatre Herschel Kruger............................................................. Department Chair, Professor of Theatre Martin McClendon..................................................... Professor of Theatre Stacy Pottinger.....................................................Head of Dance Program, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Dance Dr. Neil Scharnick............................................................. Honors Director, Associate Professor of Theatre Jesse Todd................................................................... Instructor of Theatre Hillary Vacarello............................................................Instructor of Dance

music theatre faculty and staff Dr. Corinne Ness.........................Dean of Arts and Humanities Division, Director of Graduate Music Theatre Studies, Professor of Music Melissa Kelly Cardamone...............................................Staff Accompanist Yu-Mei Chang.................................................................Staff Accompanist Matthew Hougland.............................................Music Department Chair, Director of Undergraduate Music Theatre Studies, Assistant Professor of Music Emily Winkler..................... Adjunct Instructor of Movement for Singers

upcoming events Jerry Farias: Dreams Pursued, Student Recital Friday, May 8 • 7:30 p.m.

H. F. Johnson Recital Hall Dan Klimczak: Lives and Times, Student Recital Saturday, May 9 • 4 p.m.

H. F. Johnson Recital Hall Philharmonic Concert: Home Saturday, May 9 • 7:30 p.m.

A. F. Siebert Chapel Yingcheg Dou: How it Ends, Student Recital Sunday, May 10 • 2:30 p.m.

H. F. Johnson Recital Hall Percussion Ensemble Concert Tuesday, May 12 • 7:30 p.m.

A. F. Siebert Chapel

Arts at Carthage acknowledges that the land on which our building stands is part of the traditional Potawatomi, Sioux, Peoria, Kickapoo, and Miami peoples past, present, and future. These homelands reside along the southwest shores of Michigami, North America’s largest system of freshwater lakes. We honor with gratitude the land itself, and the people who have stewarded it throughout the generations.

Many Indigenous peoples thrive in this place—alive and strong, and this calls us to commit to continuing to learn how to be better stewards of the land we inhabit as well.

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