Spring 2024 Away From the Mirror

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, April 5 and Saturday, April 6 at 7:30 PM in the Wartburg Auditorium.

Thank you for attending the Department of Theatre’s 2024 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 ten works were presented as drafts at different stages of development. Each Feedback Showing provided the choreographers opportunities to receive feedback from me and three 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

director’s note talkback

For more insights into Away From The Mirror works, please join the Artistic Director and choreographers in a Talk- Back immediately following the Friday, April 5th 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

Complacent

Choreography, Ellie Neybert

Music, A Burning Hill by Mitski, I Know the End by Phoebe Bridgers, We’ll Meet Again by

Vera Lyn

Music Editing, Zackary “SLiM” Simonini, Ellie Neybert

Dancers: Alexyn Cervantes, Liz Duffy, Theresa Kalb, Liam Karth, Abbey Keen, Kaydence Moench, Trevor Milne, Kyliah Vruwink

Understudy: Kennedy Hancock

Fallen Fruit

Choreography, Logan Luis and Kortni Robinson

Music, Fallen Fruit by Lorde

Dancers: Kortni Robinson, Logan Luis

Understudies: Kennedy Hancock, Olivia Pierre

One

Choreography, Liam Karth

Music, The Cave by Mumford & Sons

Dancers: Emma Clark, Hannah Donegan, Kennedy Hancock, Abbey Keen, Mara Lysne, Ava McClure

Understudies: Liz Duffy

Walk This Way

Choreography, Katie O’Donnell

Music, Walk This Way by Aerosmith

Dancers: Theresa Kalb, Katherine O’Donnell, Kyliah Vruwink

Understudy: Kaydence Moench

Concord, Cessation, Temperance, ...

Choreography, Mikala Klefstad

Music, All At Sea (Live in Cambridge) by Jacob Collier

Dancers: Hannah Donegan, Paige Downey, Kaydence Moench

Understudy: Mikala Klefstad

Loving You

Choreography, Kortni Robinson

Music, Lambs Wool by Foster the People

Dancers: Liam Karth, Mara Lysne, Kortni Robinson, Kyliah Vruwink, Katie Wilde

Understudy: Kyra Lewis

Tension on Humanity

Choreography, Liz Duffy and Kyliah Vruwink

Music, Ptolemaea by Ethel Cain

Dancer: Liz Duffy, Liam Karth, Kyliah Vruwink

Understudies, Olivia Pierre

Cell Block Tango

Choreography, Theresa Kalb

Music, Cell Block Tango, from music of the motion picture, Chicago feat. Catherine Zeta-Jones, Susan Misner, Deidre Goodwin, Denise Faye, Ekaterina Chtchelkanova, Mya Harrison

Dancers: Tiffany Borger, Alexyn Cervantes, Theresa Kalb, Liam Karth, Logan Luis, Trevor Milne, Kaydence Moench

production team

Artistic Director ......................................................................................... Stacy Pottinger

Selection Committee ............Stephanie Majer, Stacy Pottinger, Kortni Robinson, Alisa Wilbert

Costume Design ........................................................................................... Kim Instenes

Technical Director and Light Design Zackary “SLiM” Simonini

Stage Manager................................................................................................ Sarah Loster

Assistant Stage Managers ........................................................................ Jessie Skonesey

Light Board Operator .................................................................................... Alyssa Sargis

Sound Board Operator............................................................................. Daniel Michalec

Costume Crew Head McKenna Dehn

Costume Crew ............................................................. Maria Romero, Mackenzie Haith

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 fifteen 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 WisconsinWhitewater 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 PresidentElect on the Wisconsin Dance Council Board of Directors.

Kim Instenes (Costume Design, Faculty Advisor) 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 The Giver and Best Christmas Pageant Ever, as well as the musical Big at First Stage Milwaukee, Jeeves Intervenes and Heroes at Milwaukee Chamber, Romeo and Juliet at Milwaukee Shakespeare, the Milwaukee

Repertory Theater, Renaissance Theatre Works, Utah Shakespearean Festival and the Racine Theatre Guild. Design work at Carthage includes, Up The Hill by Keith Huff, Spring Awakening, No Name and new play, by Laura Jacqmin, Ghost Bike, to name a few. Ghost Bike won her a Certificate of Merit from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for costume and makeup design and an invitation to show her work at the Festival.

Zackary “SLiM” Simonini (Light Design) is thrilled to be working with the Carthage team yet again. Slim is professor of Stagecraft here at Carthage and enjoys being able to continue to make theatre magic! He is a General Theatre graduate from the class of 2012. When not Tech Directing he enjoys acting. Check out his movie debut of Planetquake or his upcoming releases of Weekend Deadaway (September 2024) or Continental Split (Summer 2024). . He would like to thank his family, friends, Tommy, Marty, and his lovely superstar of a wife Allison Simonini. All of these wonderful people are owed a thank you for encouraging Slim to continue to pursue a life in the arts.

Liz Duffy (Choreographer) is a sophomore majoring in accounting and minoring in dance. She is also a member of the National Dance Education Organization. This is the fourth dance show she has been in at Carthage and her first show as a choreographer. 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, mainly focusing on jazz, hip-hop, and lyrical. In high school, she participated in her school’s theater program and helped choreograph and teach choreography for the spring musicals. Liz would like to thank her family, friends, and the Carthage Dance faculty for support and encouragement in her dancing career.

Theresa Kalb (Choreographer) is a senior double majoring in Studio Art and Dance. This is the sixth dance show she has been in at Carthage, and her fourth show as a choreographer. She choreographed and performed her senior thesis in dance inthe Fall 2023 dance show, IN/VISIBLE. Theresa started dancing at the age of four in her hometown Santa Clara, CA, and has been in love with it since. While she has a predominately ballet background, she has enjoyed learning new styles at Carthage like jazz, tap, hip hop, music theatre and modern dance. She has also enjoyed teaching younger dancers at day camps, the Boys and Girls Club of Kenosha, and at her studio back home in California. Theresa would like to thank Rich Ashworth and Stacy Pottinger for being inspiring and supportive mentors, and her friends and family who have been supporting her behind the scenes.

Liam Karth (Choreographer) is a freshman vocal music education major with a minor in dance. This is Liam’s second dance show at Carthage and his first as a choreographer. Liam is from Geneva, Illinois, and started dancing at two years old. He has trained at multiple studios studying ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, musical theater, hip hop, and as a member of competition teams. Before his time at Carthage, Liam actively participated in his high school’s theatre program, often credited as a student choreographer and dance captain. Liam is currently a member

of Carthage’s chapter of the National Dance Education Organization and a member of Carthage’s coed music fraternity, Lambda Kappa. Liam would like to thank his friends and family for their never-ending support and the Carthage Dance faculty and students for giving him this opportunity to grow as a dancer and choreographer!

Mikala Klefstad (Choreographer) is a sophomore mathematics major with minors in education and dance. This is her third dance show at Carthage, and her first as a choreographer. Mikala is from Prairie Farm, WI and grew up performing jazz competitively throughout elementary school before competing in pom and hip-hop styles in middle and high school. Her sophomore year in high school, she was a foreign exchange student in La Norville, France, where she learned studio/theatre dance at Complexe Louis Namy. She would like to thank her friends, family, and Carthage Dance faculty for their support and encouragement in her dancing career.

Sarah Loster (Stage Manager) is a junior Theatre Performance Major, with two Minors in Costume Design and Secondary Education. This is her fourth time stage managing at Carthage. Some of her most recent involvement here at Carthage has been costume designing I AND YOU last spring as well as performing in WHEREVER YOU’VE BEEN as Mandy, LUNGS as W, and MEMENTO MORI as Andrea. Sarah would like to thank her Mom for always being there to support her.

Logan Luis (Choreographer) is a Senior Elementary Education major with minors in dance and French. This is her seventh dance show at Carthage, and the fourth concert showcasing her choreography. Logan is from Arlington Heights, IL and grew up training in ballet, modern, jazz, acting, and contemporary dance classes. She trained at Northwest Ballet Academy in Schaumburg, IL and participated in The Nutcracker, The Wizard of Oz, Cinderella, and several other classical ballets in her time there. She also choreographed multiple pieces for her high school’s Orchesis Dance Company. Logan is currently a member of Carthage’s chapter of the National Dance Education Organization and a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She would like to thank her friends for all the love and encouragement throughout the process of preparing for a show. She would also like to thank her parents and Stacy Pottinger for all the support in helping her grow as a dancer and as a choreographer.

Ellie Neybert (Choreographer) is a junior Music Theatre and Choreography double major. This is her fourth dance show at Carthage College. She is from Elgin, IL. She grew up with some dance experience, but began training in dance in college when studying music theatre. She recently performed as Carrie White in CARRIE THE MUSICAL, and has been grateful for experience being a Dance Captain in LEGALLY BLONDE. She will be performing in NINE this Spring as Annabella/Louisa Understudy/ Co-Dance Captain. She would like to thank all of the Carthage staff for their help in starting her dance journey as well as their encouragement over the last two years. She would also like to thank her friends and family for their support throughout her dance and theatre career so far.

Katherine O’Donnell (Choreographer) is a sophomore psychology major with minors in dance and business. This is her fourth dance show at Carthage College. She is from Wayne IL. She has grown up training in ballet pre professional. She has performed in ballets such as Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Coppelia and several other classical ballets. Katherine is the secretary for Carthage’s chapter of the National Dance Education Organization and a member of the Zeta Tau Sigma sorority. 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 gave her.

Kortni Robinson (Choreographer/Responder) is Sociology major with a double minor in Women’s and Gender Studies and Dance. Kortni is from Flossmoor, IL and has danced the majority of her life. Most of her dance training took place at Mayfair Dance Academy and the American Dance Center in which she studied various styles, but fell in love with modern/contemporary dance in particular. This is Kortni’s 5th Carthage dance show and her second choreographed work at Carthage. Prior to Carthage, Kortni choreographed pieces for her high-school dance recital and routines for her dance team. Outside of dance Kortni is a member of the National Dance Education Organization and on the e-board for the Pi Theta sorority. Kortni would like to thank her friends and family for their support and encouragement. She’d also like to thank Stacy Pottinger for allowing her the opportunity to present her work and her continuous enthusiasm for the show.

Kyliah Vruwink (Choreographer) is a sophomore Art Education major with a minor in Dance. Her dance experience began when she was three years old at Main Street Conservatory of Dance in Marshfield, Wisconsin. This is Kyliah’s second show choreographing and performing. Her dual choreography displayed in this show is a development from a class final, and this is her first piece presented in the student-choreographed dance concert at Carthage College. Tension on Humanity is a piece that explores the challenges that humanity faces in the world today and how the tension that comes with the mistreatment of others when community is needed. 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.

carthage faculty and staff

Department of Theatre Faculty and Staff

Breannin Beelow................................................................ Adjunct Instructor of Theatre

Maureen Chavez-Kruger..................................... Adjunct Assistant Professor of Theatre

Kim Instenes ................................... Associate Professor of Theatre, Costume Designer

Adrianna Jones........... ........................................................ Adjunct Instructor of Theatre

Herschel Kruger................................................ Department Chair, Professor of Theatre

Martin McClendon Professor of Theatre

Dr. Neil Scharnick............. ................................................ Associate Professor of Theatre

Zachary “SLiM” Simonini ............................ Technical Director and Lighting Designer, Adj. Professor

Nicole Thompson-Phillips ................................................ Adjunct Instructor of Theatre

Dance Faculty and Staff

Jenny Barreca ....................................................................... Adjunct Instructor of Dance

Stacy Pottinger ........................................................................... Director of Dance Minor, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Dance

Rich Ashworth Adjunct Instructor of Dance

Carissa Holmes .................................................................... Adjunct Instructor of Dance

Musical Theatre Faculty and Staff

Dr. Corinne Ness.............................. Professor of Music, Dean of Arts and Humanities, Director of Music Theatre Studies

Melissa Kelly Cardamone.......... ........................................................... Staff Accompanist

Matthew Hougland ................ Assistant Professor of Music & Music Theatre Specialist

upcoming events

Piano Chamber Music Concert

Monday, April 8 • 7:30 p.m.

H. F. Johnson Recital Hall

Bassoon Studio Recital

Tuesday, April 16 • 7:30 p.m.

H. F. Johnson Recital Hall

Spring Opera Workshop Performance

Sunday, April 21 • 2 p.m.

H. F. Johnson Recital Hall

Jazz Ensemble Concert

Wednesday, April 24 • 7:30 p.m.

A. F. Siebert Chapel

Nine

Friday, April 26 - Saturday, April 27 • 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 28 • 3 p.m.

Thursday, May 2 - Saturday, May 4 • 7:30 p.m.

Wartburg Theatre

Tickets Required. Visit www.carthage.edu/tickets for ticket information

The 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.