She's Auspicious Program

THE DANCE CENTER AND KALAPRIYA CENTER FOR INDIAN PERFORMING ARTS PRESENT

Photo: Josh Rose

SHE’S AUSPICIOUS September 26–27, 2024 CHOREOGRAPHY MYTHILI PRAKASH

dance.colum.edu kalapriya.org

ABOUT A full-length dance and music work featuring an all-female cast, She’s Auspicious blurs the lines between Goddess and Woman to explore the intricate interplay between goddess worship and the treatment of women in society. The Goddess/ Woman paradox allows the unraveling of socio-cultural myths, stories, and values that are beautiful and personal, but simultaneously deeply rooted in systemic power structures.

As the dancer, I inhabit the character of the Goddess Devi, who is created by male gods, generated with their energy and weapons, and programmed to kill an army of demons. In doing this, I seek to embody and linger in psychological states that challenge the ideals of “restraint” that characterize femininity in both classical dance and in society. This mythical narrative becomes a mirror to our present day reality, connected to questions of power and agency, reflecting my own lived and observed experiences as a woman.

– Mythili Prakash

CREDITS DANCE/CHOREOGRAPHY: Mythili Prakash VOCAL/VEENA: Ananya Ashok VOCAL: Susha Rangarajan PERCUSSION: Aswini Srinivasan DANCE ENSEMBLE: Jahnavi Kalyan, Nikita Rao, Jessica Sitaramya, Malini Taneja RECORDED CONTRIBUTORS: Sushma Soma (vocal), Aditya Prakash (vocal and percussion), Sumesh Narayanan (mridangam) SOUND ENGINEER: Julien Le LIGHTING: Venkatesh Krishnan PRODUCTION MANAGER: Matt Sanford REHEARSAL DIRECTOR: Uma Kadekodi

PRODUCTION TEAM SOUND DESIGN: Aditya Prakash, Mythili Prakash, Sushma Soma MUSIC PRODUCTION: Aditya Prakash LIGHTING DESIGN: Aideen Malone, Jennifer Cashman SET DESIGN: Mythili Prakash, Kaavya Matatova, Zak Macro TECHNICAL MANAGERS: Lars Davidson, Zak Macro PROJECT MANAGER: Jahnavi Kalyan AGENT: Cathy Pruzan MENTOR: Akram Khan

THANK YOU

Additional support for She’s Auspicious is provided by the New England Foundation for the Arts’ National Dance Project, with lead funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and by a grant from The Chicago Community Trust.

BIOS Mythili Prakash’s innovative vision as a choreographer, combined with her powerful conviction as a performer, distinguishes her as one of the most respected young Bharatanatyam artists today. Her work is unique-while rooted in the intricate and nuanced language of Bharatanatyam, it confronts the socio-political global world we live in today. Mythili is incisive in her approach, questioning cultural and social norms, while pushing the boundaries of her practice of the art form, particularly around femininity and aesthetics. Her creative introspections acknowledge and draw fodder from her experiences as a mother and a first-generation child of immigrants, as well as the complexity of her identity as a dancer of caste-privilege in India, while simultaneously a female artist-of-color in the US. Mythili has toured her own solo productions throughout the United States, Mexico, Canada, United Kingdom, Europe, India, and Singapore, performing at venues such as Sadler’s Wells (London), Music Academy (India), Jacob’s Pillow (USA), and Esplanade Theatres (Singapore). She was featured on NBC’s Superstars of Dance as a Bharatanatyam soloist, introducing her art form to the world. Mythili also had the honor of working with director Ang Lee in the awardwinning film Life of Pi and was cast as the wife of the titular character.

In 2019, Mythili was nominated by celebrated dancer/choreographer Akram Khan as “Choreographer of the Future” for UK-based Dance Umbrella’s Four by Four Commissions, premiering her solo work HERE and NOW at their festival that year.

Mythili is a recipient of the “Creation to Performance” grant from the Irvine Dance Foundation and “Artistic Innovation” grant from the Center for Cultural Innovation. She has received numerous accolades from premiere institutions of dance and music in India as well.

In 2021, Mythili received the National Dance Project touring grant from NEFA for She’s Auspicious, which premiered in Hamburg at the Reflektor Festival, curated by musician Anoushka Shankar. The next year, she subsequently created a trilogy of pieces, beginning with AR | DHA, a commission for the 90th anniversary festival of Jacob’s Pillow. The trilogy concluded with ONE | ALL for the “Festival in Motion,” a first of its kind, site-specific dance festival surrounding the World Cup in Qatar. Mythili was also a principal dancer in Akram Khan Company’s Outwitting the Devil, which toured worldwide from 2019 to 2022. Mythili is currently touring her latest production, She’s Auspicious, across the US, Asia, and the UK, garnering great acclaim from critics and audiences alike for its artistic merit and thought-provoking narrative.

Ananya Ashok is a Carnatic vocalist and disciple of Sangeeta Kalanidhi, Sri Madurai TN Seshagopalan. She received her initial and formative training from esteemed violinist, Smt. Anuradha Sridhar. She is also a vainika and disciple of Sri Srikanth Chary. Ananya resides in the Bay Area. When she isn’t performing, she enjoys teaching the Classical arts to students of all ages.

Susha Rangarajan is an award-winning musician and visual artist. She was introduced to music at the age of 5 and trained with some of the most renowned South Indian classical gurus and musicians. She has performed widely at both Indian and international festivals and has released several Carnatic and world music albums. In 2012, she earned her Master’s in Jazz Performance from the University of Toronto. She is deeply passionate about cross-disciplinary, collaborative work, particularly in the fields of performance, film, and visual media. She explores various ways to integrate her musical career with her interests in visual design and communication. Susha works as a music composer and has scored music for feature films, dance performances, advertisements, and short films

Aswini Srinivasan started playing Mridangam at the age of six. She started her training in Mridangam from the Legend Padmashri.Dr.T.K.Murthy. Her talent has been recognized by Shri.Ramjhi,Founder Of Issai Mazhalai.

Aswini has performed more than 1800 concerts all over India and abroad. She has also played in many Percussion Ensemble Concerts along with her Guru Shri. T.K.Murthy and other eminent personalities. She has accompanied Mridangam to many well known musicians and has collaborated with many dancers. She is the youngest professional girl Mridangist in India. She has received many prestigious awards and accolades and also won many prizes. Apart from playing Mridangam, she also plays Cajon, Rhythm Pad, Kanjira ,Dholak/ Dholki etc. & performs all genres of music. She had been a part of ETHNO SWEDEN, where young musicians from over 19 countries came together and performed a concert in the famous BINGSJO STAMMAN Music Festival, Sweden in 2022. Aswini has performed all over India and overseas concerts which includes Malaysia, Colombo, France, Sweden , Singapore & Toured various cities in these countries.

A proud SoCal native, Jahnavi Kalyan has studied Bharatanatyam for the past 15 years under Viji Prakash and Mythili Prakash in Los Angeles. She has performed with the Shakti Dance Company across the United States, India, and Singapore at renowned venues such as the Ford Amphitheater and Esplanade Theatres by the Bay, and is also a recipient of the National YoungArts Award. Jahnavi now resides in Washington, D.C., where she works as a Program Analyst for SRI portfolios. Passionate about artistic work rooted in social justice, Jahnavi is proud to be part of the She’s Auspicious team as both an ensemble dancer and project manager, and continues to support innovative projects via her newly launched arts consultancy startup, Kaleidoscope.

Nikita Rao began learning Bharatanatyam at the age of 8 under the tutelage of Smt. Viji Prakash. She completed her arangetram in 2011 and has since performed with the Shakti Dance Company in many productions, including Ramayana, Krishnam Vande Jagat Gurum, and Mara. Nikita has trained under Mythili Prakash for over a decade, and in 2018 she trained under Smt. Bragha Bessell and Smt. Malavika Sarukkai in Chennai. Nikita now resides in Los Angeles with her partner and dog.

Jessy Sitaramya is a native of Los Angeles and has been studying Bharatanatyam since the age of 5. She is a disciple of Viji Prakash and Mythili Prakash. Jessy has had the privilege of performing in various productions and has toured throughout the U.S. and India. During her time in college, she was captain of the dance troupe, UT Nritya Sangam. She is also training in Carnatic music under Vani Ramamurthi. Jessy received a B.S. in Public Health from The University of Texas at Austin and is currently working to expand ValueBased Care into the nephrology space.

Malini Taneja has been a student of Bharatnatyam for 21 years, under the guidance of her mentors Viji Prakash and Mythili Prakash, and has performed in several of their productions. She is also a Rajasthani folk dancer and singer of Kirtan music, and has performed, taught workshops and shared her passion for dance and spirituality in yoga spaces and music festivals around the world. Malini enjoys curating meaningful experiences for people. She has organized a children’s summer camp program for the past 12 years, and yearly brings groups to India for pilgrimages and artist excursions. Malini currently lives in Upstate New York, where she co-created a retreat center known as Serve Love Ashram, for spiritual education and devotional arts.

Julian-Quán Việt Lê (Lejkeys) is a Vietnamese/Chinese producer, composer, and audio engineer. His main hobby is learning about all sounds and their amazing ability to tell stories, evoke feelings/emotions, and connect people. He also loves to swim, cook, and befriend giant sea creatures such as turtles, manta rays, and whale sharks.

Having over three decades of experience, Krishnan Venkatesh is the most sought after lights and sound technician in Chennai, India. With an eye for detail and an in-depth knowledge of classical Indian music and dance, Venkatesh has traveled far and wide with stalwarts to the United States, Canada, U.K., France, Germany, Netherlands, China, Japan, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, and Australia. He has worked on prestigious stages across the globe, including The Kennedy Center, USA and the Esplanade, Singapore. Venkatesh’s technical wizardry coupled with aesthetics takes any production to its zenith.

Matt Sanford has worked professionally in production for dance, theater, film, and gallery for twenty years. He has provided technical direction, production and stage management, scenic and lighting design for companies such as Alonzo King Lines Ballet, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, New Mexico School for The Arts, New Mexico Actors Lab, Wheelwright Museum of The American Indian, Vladem Contemporary, and The Museum of International Folk Art. In addition to a successful career in production, Matt is also an accomplished actor, director, playwright, and photographer. He is based out of Santa Fe, NM.

Uma Kadekodi started her dance journey 34 years ago under Guru Viji Prakash. Her love continues to grow as she strives to delve deeper into dance and explore the world of choreography. Under the guidance of Viji and Mythili Prakash she has created choreography for a few productions for Shakti. Uma is married with two children and works as a pediatric speech-language pathologist in Southern California.

Kalapriya is an arts organization that represents one of Chicago’s most diverse cultural communities. It serves Chicagoans of all races, places & identities, delivering its programs in Chicago neighborhoods through outreach and community collaborations. Rooted in South Asian culture & performing arts, Kalapriya’s programs address subjects that are relevant to the current challenges faced by all Chicagoans. Productions & programs are generated from stories both local & global addressing the human condition, anger, anxiety, violence, loss, migration, displacement, identity & injustice. Perspectives from Chicago’s diverse cultures are discussed & presented.

Diversity, equity, & inclusion are at the forefront of Kalapriya’s values. Kalapriya’s programs seek to build bridges between ethnic groups & cultural communities.

Kalapriya partners wherever possible with arts & community organizations. Through collaborations with the Chicago Park District (Nights Out in the Park), Uniting Voices Chicago, Chicago Public Schools & Libraries, Chicago Cultural Alliance, & community centers, Kalapriya presents programs informed by South Asian culture & philosophies to use the arts to explore the challenges that unite us. Kalapriya believes BIPOC organizations play a critical role in giving voice & presence to the diversity of Chicago’s cultural contributions. Kalapriya’s collaborations and programs in the community provide a gateway to present diverse cultural programs to new audiences within Chicago’s neighborhoods.

Kalapriya’s work is grounded in social justice & encompasses four areas: • Arts Education and Instruction: Kalapriya Academy classes in Indian classical & folk dance and School & Summer Programs provide interdisciplinary lessons in Indian folk dance, music, stories & cultural art forms to students in grades Pre-K thru 12.

• Literary and Cultural Arts explore social justice & humanistic themes informed by the frame of South Asian literature, philosophy, cultural history & the arts.

Programs are curated by scholars • Community Gatherings. Kalapriya’s Community Gatherings offer cultural programs in public venues & community spaces across Chicago’s neighborhoods.

• Kalapriya’s Productions & Performances present South Asian performing artists of local, national & international renown in innovative & premiere productions.

Kalapriya will present two performances of “She’s Auspicious” an original Bharatanatyam work featuring dancer/choreographer Mythili Prakash & an all-female cast of dancers & musicians at The Dance Center-Columbia College in September 2024.

THE DANCE CENTER PRODUCTION CREW MEDIA/TECHNOLOGY COORDINATOR: Jane Jerardi PRODUCTION: Joyy Norris CONCERT PRODUCTION STUDENT CREW: Amir Abdalla, Violet Czerwinski, Shannon Lane, Aly Owens, J Stephens, Rhianna Young CONCERT PRODUCTION COURSE INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Ayo Walker SOUND SUPERVISISOR: Dante Giramma TECHNICAL DIRECTOR: Giau Truong

Dante Giramma is a composer, multimedia artist, and sound engineer from Western Massachusetts. His work spans many mediums including fixed media, generative composition, composition for dance and film, CGI & interactive media, sound sculpture, and multimedia installation. He is incredibly invested in creating artistic experiences that are both playful and impactful, using installation work and collaboration with dancers as a catalyst to explore interactivity and physicality in art and sound.

Jane Jerardi serves as the Media/Technology Coordinator for the Dance Center, providing video documentation for both the Presenting Series and its academic programs. As a part of its faculty, she teaches video for dance and choreography courses. In her role, she has documented and edited over 250 performances, workshops, and events, providing essential documentation to artists and adding to the Dance Center’s leading, regional archive of materials dating from 1980 to the present. An artist working in the media of performance, choreography, and video installation, her work has been presented at galleries and theaters in Chicago, New York, and Washington, DC. Joyy Norris is a writer, creator, creative consultant, and arts/film programmer. She works as a Creative Contractor with organizations, productions, individual creatives and small businesses to realize their creative visions and put them into practice. She has worked as Cultural Arts Coordinator for the City of Evanston where I fostered the arts in Evanston by developing relationships with artists and arts organizations by networking and professional development and granting opportunities.

She has worked as a Co-Producer and Artist Facilitator with Soham Dance Space, Operations and Programs Manager with Sisters in Cinema, Assistant Director and Production Manager with RMB Studios, Programming Associate with Chicago International Film Festival, Interim Theatre and Performing Arts Program Manager with the University of Chicago’s Arts and Public Life Initiative, and Operations Manager for the Rebuild Foundation. She serves on the Advisory Board for Chicago Made Shorts, a Member of Mezcla Media Collective and a former Committee Member with the Chicago International Film Festival Black Perspectives Committee. She received an B.A. in Cinema Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an M.F.A in Documentary Media from Northwestern University.

Giau Truong is a versatile artist and technologist whose work spans performance, design, fabrication, and technology. Over a decade ago, he served as a teaching artist at StoryCatcher (formerly Music Theatre Workshop), where he managed programs and taught set design, construction, storytelling, script writing, etc. In this role, he created transformative educational experiences for teens at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center and the Illinois Youth Center in Warrenville, fostering creativity and engagement among incarcerated youth. Giau has also designed and fabricated environments for diverse events, ranging from theatre performances to pop-up events, enhancing audience engagement through interactive technology. In his art practice, Giau focuses on creating spaces that explore human behavior within environments, offering unique, transformative experiences. He co-founded Axis Lab, an arts and architecture community organization in Uptown, Chicago, focused on urban design, culinary curating, and arts education. Axis Lab advocates for the ethical development of immigrant and refugee communities. Amidst the pandemic, Giau pioneered initiatives at Links Hall to foster collaborations between technologists and artists, devising virtual performances that captivate and engage audiences remotely. He currently works full-time at Links Hall as Technical Director and Associate Curator, driving innovation and supporting the intersection of technology and the arts.

ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF THEATRE AND DANCE Columbia College Chicago’s School of Theatre and Dance, provides students with hands-on experience to ignite passion and develop professional skills to launch careers on and off stage. The School of Theatre and Dance produce approximately 40 productions a year, giving students multiple opportunities to perform, dance, design, produce, choreograph, direct, and stage manage.

Interim Director, School of Theatre and Dance Jimmy Norega Associate Director of Dance Dardi McGinley-Gallivan Associate Director of Theatre Wendi Weber

ABOUT THE DANCE CENTER Home to the academic Dance Department and the Dance Presenting Series, the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago values embodied human expression and nurtures an expansive understanding of dance from the established to the experimental.

Centering pluralism, the Dance Center aims to be a nucleus for innovation and creativity—on stage, in the classroom, and beyond.

By partnering with local, national, and international dance artists dedicated to transforming the field, the Dance Presenting Series offers live performances and other shared opportunities for students, faculty, artists, and audiences to connect, witness, research, experiment, practice, imagine, and grow.

We cultivate an environment and culture that prioritizes respect for self and others, and advances an anti-racist, equitable, and just society.

THE DANCE CENTER FACULTY Founder Shirley Mordine

Adjunct Faculty

Faculty

Keesha Beckford

Bevara Anderson

Malik Camara

Lisa Gonzales

Zineb Chraibi

Susan Imus

Shaker Cohlmia

Darrell Jones

Allen Desterhaft

Dardi McGinley-Gallivan

Emma Draves

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T. Ayo Alston

Colleen Halloran Carrie Hanson Daniel “BRAVEMONK” Haywood Gina Hoch-Stall Matthew Hollis Jane Jerardi Mary Klonowski Hau Kum Leung Kneip Michael McGinn Pamela McNeil Jimmy Payne Emily Stein Trae Turner Meghann Wilkinson Thomas Zwergel

THEATRE FACULTY Faculty

Adjunct Faculty

Paul C. Amandes

Brittany Price Anderson

Michael Anthony Brown

Carson G. Becker

David Castellanos

Karen L. Berger-Nolte

Mikhail Fiksel

Rachel L. Bunting

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David Wooley

Ashley Neal Clare L. Nolan Scott Olson James Adolfo Payne Janice P. Pytel Aaron M. Reese-Boseman Grant R. Sabin James A Sherman Catherine Slade Elizabeth Swanson

THEATRE AND DANCE STAFF Mary Butler Director Academic Operations Michael Caskey Music Director, Accompanist Coordinator

Gabriel Oladipo Academic Advisor Gina Ordaz Administrative Assistant Disha Patel Box Office/Reception

Dan DiLuciano Director of Facilities and Operations

Kevin Rolfs Scenic Supervisor, Props

Nelli Fritjofson Lighting Supervisor

Grant Sabin Technical Director

Raynner Garcia Box Office/Reception

Erica L. Sandvig Production Manager

Caity Gee Administrative Assistant/ Communications

Roell Schmidt Dance Presenting Series Producing Director

Ize Heinzen House Manager

Meredith Sutton Dance Presenting Series Artistic Director

Jane Jerardi Media/Technology Coordinator

Josef Szaday Director of Technology, AV

Ambe’r Johnnson Box Office Associate Angelika Lewis Box Office Associate kClare McKellaston Costume Manager Mia Nelson Box Office/Reception

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