Resisting Gravity Dance Program 2025

Photo Credit: Johanna Austin

Drexel Dance Ensemble and FreshDance Core Values We strive to provide a safe environment where students can be imaginative, explorative, challenged, surrounded by pluralistic ideas, and guided to achieve artistic and technical goals.

We value hard work, working as a team, and the communal spirit it takes to achieve a fully produced dance performance.

This home – and place of artistry – will serve the students.

This is a place for dancers to learn, expand, unite, and be.

A Letter from Our Program and Department Welcome to this presentation by the Dance Program in the Department of Performing Arts. Dance is a way to express oneself that can only be shown through embodiment. It is also a platform for understanding other cultures and people; it is about human connection. We hope that the students involved in this performance feel themselves represented, and at the same time learn about others. We also hope the same for our audience. We want all who come to feel comfortable and enjoy the concert, finding ideas and vocabularies that are familiar to them, as well as new concepts and ways of moving.

Both the Dance Program and the Department of Performing Arts are dedicated to providing rich and meaningful artistic engagement while at Drexel. We offer students the opportunity to perform in large, organized, and professionally directed ensembles. Our goal is to give dancers the best experience we can offer while they are here and prepare them for an artistic life after graduation. We prepare and encourage our students to continue with dance whether it be a vocation or an avocation.

We want to take this opportunity to thank the dedicated and talented dance faculty in our Department. These accomplished professionals not only create opportunities to learn and develop, but also share their passion for dance, which is contagious to the students. We are so grateful to them for all they do.

We appreciate your support by being here. On behalf of the students and faculty, we sincerely thank you for attending this performance.

Jennifer Morley, Dance Program Director Miriam Giguere PhD, Department Head, Performing Arts -

A Letter from Our Director Dear friends and family, Welcome to the lovely Mandell Theater! Tonight, our goal is to whisk you away from the cares of the world!

Dance connects on a visceral level, speaking in ways that words cannot. Dance creates alternative realities, offering visions of other places and outcomes. Dance, by its very nature, invites community. We want you and your fellow audience members to share experiences of joy, feel the pulse of driving rhythms and movement, and maybe laugh a bit as well! With these performances of the Drexel Dance Ensemble and FreshDance, we are RESISTING GRAVITY. Thank you so much for coming and enjoy the show!

Warmly, Rebecca Malcolm-Naib Director, Drexel Dance Ensemble and FreshDance

RESISTING GRAVITY Spring 2025 Interface Choreographed by Xiang Xu in collaboration with the dancers Dancers: Mayrav Bader, Ella Best, Catherine Citsay, Morgan Cruise, Isabella Dattilo, Summer Dilworth, Ciara Ford, Imani Gegner, Quincy Hines, Ellie Matus, Sara Patterson, Sasha Sapon, Shatakshi Tyagi Music: “Grand Style” by Byetone Costumes: Jillian Warner Lighting: J. Dominic Chacon

mind over matter Choreographed by Mary Grace Dempsey Dancers: Angela Avolio, Joey Cody, Emilia Daguanno, Erin Ford, Neghisti Ghebremedhin, Kaya Hawthorne, Rachel Lee, Josie Mangano, Mareina Mitchell, Isabella Repetto, Nova Schreiner, Anastasiya Tarasevich, Lyutfiya Yussupova Music: "Way Down We Go" by KALEO, "Judas" by Lady Gaga Costumes: Kelly Myers Lighting: J. Dominic Chacon

Bloom Choreographed by Valerie Ifill in collaboration with the dancers Dancers: Grace Angyelof, Zhansaya Baizhan, Nasia Boggan, Emilia Daguanno, Lily Fanwick, Katerina Gutierrez, Ella Karow, Vivian Knapp, Taylor Mann, Olya Oleinikova, Iryna Petrovitska, Allie Scicchitano, Westley Young, Madeleine Yurchuk Music: "You're Gonna Be Okay" by Ashh Blackwood, "Brand New Morning" by Sun Heat, "I Got Sunshine" by Avery*Sunshine, and "Dancing My Way" by Wyn Starks Costumes: Jillian Warner Lighting: J. Dominic Chacon Props: Chris Totora

Stained My White Tee. Choreographed by Marissa Powell Dancers: Maya Bryan, Anna Cham, Joey Cody, Mary Grace Dempsey, Ciara Ford, Sage Lee-Boone, Taylor Mann, Emma Polyak, Lismari Rosario, Sami Sienkiewicz, Daksh Tomar, Shatakshi Tyagi Music: “You Don't Know Me” by Summer Walker, ”XSCAPE” by Don Toliver, “4X4” by Don Toliver Costumes: Bella Meltzer Lighting: J. Dominic Chacon

Dance Yrself Clean Choreographed by Sara Kocinsky Dancers: Ella Best, Nasia Boggan, Catherine Citsay, Mary Grace Dempsey, Ellie Engleka, Kaya Hawthorne, Josie Mangano, Ellie Matus, Ela Nawab, Georgia Parsons, Marissa Powell, Molly Reilly, Lismari Rosario, Sydney Wessner, Rebecca Wolin Music: “Dance Yrself Clean” by LCD Soundsystem Costumes: Aliyah Primich Lighting: J. Dominic Chacon

INTERMISSION

Concrete Rose (Excerpt) Choreographed by Dara J Meredith *Crabs in a Barrel Syndrome, a silent weight upon the African-American community, whispers a bitter truth: instead of lifting one another, we often tear each other down in the pursuit of something better. In a world where struggle is woven into the very fabric of existence, this mentality thrives, casting shadows where light should shine. Yet, in this darkness, there are those who rise like a rose breaking through concrete, delicate yet unyielding. Their beauty, their triumph, is not just a gift but a testament: a celebration of the relentless journey, of defying the odds, of finding hope where none seemed to exist. "Long Lived the Rose that Grew from Concrete" - Tupac Shakur

Dancers: Mayrav Bader, Leila Bakilana-Ritz, Kiara Braswell, Morgan Cruise, Isabella Dattilo, Ellie Engleka, Imani Gegner, Quincy Hines, Sara Kocinsky, Eva Krewson, Mareina Mitchell, Georgia Parsons, Anastasiya Tarasevich, Rebecca Wolin, Westley Young Music: "The Groove You Liked" by Savanj Rooms Costumes: Kelly Myers Lighting: J. Dominic Chacon

Your Piece of Me Choreographed by Piper Filiault Dancers: Catherine Conway, Ruby Fain, Lily Fanwick, Neghisti Ghebremedhin, Madison Handfinger, Sophie Jarger, Jordyn Jones, Chloe Mazza, Ela Nawab, Emma Riddell, Sasha Sapon, Rebecca Wolin Music: “La Vie En Rose” by Brooklyn Duo, “In The Stars” by Benson Boone Costumes: Faith Roberson Lighting: J. Dominic Chacon

Within Choreographed by Kiara Braswell Dancers: Lexi Brenner, Piper Filiault, Kaitlin Gwanmesia, Ella Karow, Sara Kocinsky, Eva Krewson, Hannah Kryman, Chloe Mazza, Sara Patterson, Emma Polyak, Nikki Stauffer, Madeleine Yurchuk Music: “Track One” by Sam Gendel & Sam Wilkes, “No Melody” by I SING HIGH & Kiefer, “Get It Together” by India.Arie Costumes: Jillian Warner Lighting: J. Dominic Chacon

BAKED Choreographed by Rebecca Malcolm-Naib in collaboration with Sydney Donovan & dancers Dancers: Grace Angyelof, Leta Armstrong, Leila Bakilana-Ritz, Anna Cham, Catherine Conway, Ruby Fain, Piper Filiault, Paige Gibson, Jordyn Jones, Ashton Manna, Aliyah Primich, Molly Reilly, Madison Simoes, Marianna Solares, Lyutfiya Yussupova Music: "A Little Tango Music" by Adam Gorb, "The Dance" by The Cinematic Orchestra, "Bloodless Freak" by Thomas Newman, "Elena and Lila (Titles Season 2) by Max Richter Costumes: Asaki Kuruma Lighting: J. Dominic Chacon Set/Props: Rebecca Malcolm-Naib, Chris Totora

it is just a dance Choreographed by Ciara Ford Dancers: Angela Avolio, Morgan Cruise, Summer Dilworth, Erin Ford, Imani Gegner, Paige Gibson, Katerina Gutierrez, Quincy Hines, Sara Kocinsky, Anna Lanfranchini, Georgia Parsons, Sara Patterson, Marissa Powell, Molly Reilly, Madison Simoes Music: “Madre Acapella” by Arca, “Satori” by Charlotte de Witte, “NÍDIA_BLUELIGHT_123 BPM” by Kelela Costumes: Kelly Myers Lighting: J. Dominic Chacon

About Our Artists

Rebecca Malcolm-Naib ( Choreographer & Director) is the Director of Drexel Dance Ensemble and FreshDance Ensemble. She danced professionally with ZeroMoving Dance Company, Karen Bamonte Dance Works, Chamber Dance Company, Freedman/Coleman Dance Company, Claudia Murphey Dance Company, Battery Dance Company, and several independent choreographers in prestigious venues including the Joyce Theater (NYC), Meany Center for the Performing Arts (WA), Walker Art Center (MN), Jacob's Pillow (MS), Annenberg Center (PA), Saltzburg Tanz Festival (Austria), and The Hobby Center (TX). She was Co-Founder and Co-Director of Travesty Dance Group from 1997-2010. Rebecca's choreography has been performed in Cleveland, Seattle, Philadelphia, Maine, Toronto, Houston, and New York City. She is the 2022 recipient of the Ellen Forman Memorial Dance Award for choreography. Rebecca has taught full-time at the University of Washington and Kent State University, master classes at several U.S. colleges, at Bates Dance Festival’s Young Dancers Workshop, and as adjunct faculty at Bryn Mawr College and Swarthmore College. Rebecca graduated summa cum laude with a BA from Mount Holyoke College and received her MFA from the University of Washington. She was on the Board of Directors for BalletX from 2012-2021 and 20222024.

Abby Toll (Producer & Stage Manager) is a graduate of Drexel University with a Bachelor of Science in Entertainment and Arts Management. Since graduating in 2018, she has worked as a freelance Stage Manager and Arts Administrator in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. She has worked for Delaware Shakespeare, Inus Nua, Azuka, and many more. When not working in the arts, Abby is a preschool teacher, working with kids ages 3-5. She loves introducing the magic of the arts to young minds.

Alisia Lipsey (Assistant Director) is a passionate and innovative dance professional from Queens, NY, specializing in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling. She graduated from Drexel University in 2022 with a B.S. in Dance and furthered her education by earning an M.A. in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling in 2024. Currently, Alisia works as a Creative Arts Therapist for Charlie Health, a virtual intensive outpatient program, where she utilizes movement and creative expression to help clients navigate their emotional challenges. Additionally, she serves as a school-based outpatient therapist with Child Guidance Resource Centers, providing essential support to students and families in need. Alisia is also excited to return to her alma mater as the Assistant Director of Drexel Dance's FreshDance company, where she aims to inspire and mentor the next generation of dancers.

Britt Whitmoyer Fishel (Assistant Director) (she/her) is an award-winning choreographer, screendance maker, educator, author, and scholar. Her work examines relationships between the ephemeral nature of live performance and the permanence of dance in the digital sphere, with a research focus on the rhizomes of feminism, gender gap, access, and community. Fishel is the leader and Artistic Director of Britt Fishel and Artists, a collaborative, contemporary dance company in Philadelphia. In addition to BF and Artists, she is the director and curator of Opine Dance Film Festival, an annual, international Screendance festival in its 10th season. She holds a BFA in Dance Performance from East Carolina University and an MFA in Dance (Screendance) from the University of Michigan.

Fishel has led company tours throughout New York City, Philadelphia, D.C., Richmond, Asheville, Charlotte, Atlanta, Chicago, London, Italy, and France. Her screen work has been seen in Greensboro Dance Film Festival, Y’allywood Film Festival, Detroit Dance City Festival, EnCore Dance on Film Festival, DanceBARN, Dance for Reel, FilmFest by Rogue Dancer, Women in Dance Leadership Conference, FringeArts, MashUp Dance's IWD Festival, as well as several gallery exhibitions across the country. In 2021, Fishel and BF and Artists received the “Lorenzo il Magnifico” International Award for Performance from the Florence Biennale, and in 2022 Fishel authored The Screendance Practitioner's Workbook: A Pre-Production Guide for Creativity and Organization. Fishel has presented research at Dance Studies Association's Annual Conferences and currently sits as CoChair of DSA's Dance and Technology Working Group. She currently resides in Philadelphia where she is on the dance faculty at Drexel University.

J. Dominic Chacon (Lighting Designer) is a Lighting Designer and Production Manager based in Philadelphia. He has been working in Philadelphia since he arrived here in 2002 from the University of Iowa. Taking a small break to get his MFA from Temple University he has been involved in many projects around the East Coast. He is also an Adjunct Professor at Drexel University and the Lighting Coordinator for the Lang Performing Arts Center at Swarthmore College. In Philly he has designed for Walnut Street Theatre, Azuka, People's Light and many more. Outside of Philly his work has been seen at Capital Fringe, Edinburgh Fringe, Bowery Street Theatre and Long Wharf Theatre. He is dedicated to making theatre a collaboration as well as a learning experience. In addition to his theatre work he is very passionate about his civic duties volunteering for Planned Parenthood, The Trevor Project, and the ACLU. Some of his favorite collaborations have been Peter and the Starcatcher (Walnut Street Theatre), Nes Quitez Pas (Opera Company Philadelphia as an ALD), Blood Wedding (PAC), Dido+ (Curtis Opera).

To find out more check out his website domchacon.com Asaki Kuruma (Costume Designer and Costume Shop Manager), originally from Japan, is a multi-disciplinary artist who has been working professionally with many theater companies and artists in the Philadelphia area. Design credit: Percy Jackson the Lightening Thief, Songs for the New World (Drexel Theatre), Cymbeline (Delaware Shakespeare), Death of a Driver, 72 Miles to Go..., Man of God (InterAct Theatre), Backing Track (Arden Theatre), The Taming!, Pericles (Shakespeare in Clark Park), Kissing the Witches (Ursinus College), House of Desire, A Midsummer Nights Dream (Villanova Theatre), Boycott Esther (Azuka Theater), Las Mujeres (Power Street Theatre Company), Tiger Style! (Philadelphia Asian Performing Artists), Romeo & Juliet, Complete History of America, Abridged, Measure for Measure (Commonwealth Classic Theatre Co). MA Villanova University.

Chris Totora (Production Manager and Scenic and Prop Designer) is the Technical Director/ Production Manager for the Mandell Theater. Outside of Drexel, Chris is a freelance Designer, Director, Performer and Technician. He holds a BA in Theatre and a MA in Arts Administration from Rowan University.

Kelly Myers (Costume Designer) is excited to work on her first dance concert at Drexel.

Costume Design work: The Wanderers, Comedy of Errors, Tartuffe, The Lifespan of a Fact, A Man for All Seasons, The Last Match (Lantern Theater Co), Macbeth, The Chairs, The Wizard of Oz (Quintessence Theater Group), The Mountaintop, The Butterfingers Angel (Uptown! Knauer PAC), Dot and the Kangaroo, Matilda the Musical (Summerstage), A Little Night Music (Pittsburgh Opera Theatre), The Farnsworth Invention, Saving the World (Throughline Theatre Co), Deepchurch Hollow (Edinburgh Festival Fringe). Other costume work: Costume Supervisor (Lantern Theater Co), Draper (Walnut Street Theatre), Asst Costume Designer (American Players Theatre), Crafts Artisan (Opera Theatre of St. Louis).

Training: MFA in Costume Design at Ohio University, BA in Theatre at Slippery Rock University.

Aliyah Primich (Costume Designer) is a sophomore Fashion Design major pursuing a minor in Merchandising. Aliyah is thrilled to be costuming her first DDE piece as well as performing in the show this term! She has had so much fun employing her costuming and fashion design skills in conjunction with Sara Kocinsky's vision to costume “Dance Yrself Clean”, and hopes to costume more pieces in the future!

Jillian Warner (Costume Designer) is a Philadelphia-based costume designer working with Drexel Dance for the first time. She is originally from Beacon, New York, and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Costume Design from Carnegie Mellon. Her previous design credits include Delco: The Movie by Philagape Productions, the Spring Dance Concerts of 2023 and 2024 at Bryn Mawr College, The Doctor Is Dead at Polyphone New Musical Festival by UArts, Alice In Wonderland at the Upper Darby Summer Stage, Newsies and Clue at the Merion Mercy Music Theater, Eat The Rich, Audrey! at UArts, and this month’s upcoming production of Tuesdays With Morrie at the Delaware Theatre Company. Jillian would like to thank her partner and her parents for their continued support.

Kiara Braswell (Choreographer) is a 4th year dance major at Drexel University who focuses heavily on community engaged work. She works from a personal perspective and enjoys connecting the movement to each dancer’s personal experiences.

Mary Grace Dempsey (Choreographer) is a junior Education major with a minor in dance.

She has been a dedicated member of DDE for three years, and honored to be sharing her first collegiate work with such a special community. Mary Grace began dancing at the age of three and competitively training at the age of eight. This training has allowed her to explore all styles of dance and learn from countless choreographers. Mary Grace finds choreographing to be a beautiful outlet for artistic expression and has been exploring this outlet since the age of 16. Mary Grace choreographs award-winning pieces for the competition team of From the Top Studio of Dance, which has led her to grow further into the professional world of choreography. “mind over matter” ia a piece about the power of the mind and the heavy, insistent control that intrusive thoughts can have on a person’s life. This piece is meant to spread mental health awareness and advocate for those fighting battles in silence. She would like to thank her cast for making her piece come to life, and DDE faculty for trusting her with this choreographic role.

Piper Filiault (Choreographer) is a junior Dance major whose focus is to create celebration and community to connect people and bring them joy through dance and performance.

Born in Massachusetts, Piper started her training at Terpsichore Dance Center and later joined the junior company of Cantarella School of Dance. She performed in many productions of “The Nutcracker” with Albany Berkshire Ballet. Piper recently completed an internship with Broadway Dance Center as a Marketing and Communications Intern, where she appeared at many events alongside the company. This is her choreographic debut, and she would like to dedicate her piece to her dad. Piper is excited to share her first collegiate piece with you all!

Ciara Ford (Choreographer) is a queer dance artist based in Philadelphia, PA. Ciara began their training at the age of three, practicing predominantly under Kristen Davis and Angela Bates. They are a former student of The University of the Arts but are now a senior at Drexel University working towards earning their Bachelors of Science in Dance by June 2025. Ciara has trained with many artists including Netta Yerushalmy, Gary Jeter, Mark Caserta, and Kim Bears- Bailey. Additionally, they have performed in works from Tommie Waheed- Evans, Katie Swords Thurman, Sidra Bell, Juel D. Lane, among others. In summer 2024, Ciara performed at The Next Festival of Emerging Artists and recently, they presented their choreographic work ‘when it is [living].’ Ciara is very grateful for the opportunity to choreograph on Drexel University’s Dance Ensemble and is very excited to be presenting the world premiere of ‘it is just a dance.’

Valerie Ifill (Choreographer) Valerie Ifill is a choreographer, educator, and scholar whose work explores the intersection of dance, community, and embodied storytelling. An Assistant Professor of Dance at Drexel University, she creates collaborative, socially engaged choreography informed by community-building and identity expression. Her creative practice spans concert dance, site-specific performance, and interactive workshops designed to reach non-traditional dance audiences. Valerie’s academic and artistic work advances accessible dance, emphasizing culturally responsive pedagogy and interdisciplinary collaboration across STEM and the arts. She has founded universitycommunity dance programs in Philadelphia and Charlotte, and created interactive performance experiences in schools and public spaces. She is also active in contributing to national conversations about progressing fields of dance, community engagement, and education through care practices that amplify multiple life experiences. Her work has been featured at TEDx Philadelphia, the National Dance Education Organization, the Journal of Dance Education, and numerous conferences and festivals across the U.S. and abroad.

Valerie is also the founder of IfillDance Co./LAB, a platform for collaborative, processbased performance rooted in social inquiry and collective imagination. She holds an M.F.A. in Dance from the University of Oregon, completed the Independent Study Program at The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and earned a B.B.A. with a minor in Dance from Kent State University.

Sara Kocinsky (Choreographer) is currently a second-year Dance major at Drexel University. She started her dance training at the age of three. Most recently, before attending college, she danced at Rockwell Dance Center from September 2019 to 2023. There, she has danced with both modern and hip-hop pre-professional companies. Sara attends dance classes daily and trains for several hours each week.

In addition, she has attended several summer dance intensives, including at the Joffrey Ballet, the American Academy of Ballet (AAB), the Hartt School, and the School of Creative and Performing Arts (SOCAPA). She loves to choreograph and has submitted pieces to the National PTA Reflections program, where she came in first place for the State of CT with an honorable mention nationally. She just recently created a piece for her old studio that is being performed and competed this year. Sara is constantly creating and making new things, so she is very excited to be presenting a work in this year's Drexel Dance Ensemble’s Spring Show.

Dara J Meredith (Choreographer), an Atlanta native, who trained under the direction of Dawn and Terrie “Ajile” Axam, received her B.F.A. in Dance at the University of the Arts, and was a recipient of the highest honored Stella Moore Award. She received her M.F.A. at Temple University and was awarded the Rose Vernick Choreographic Achievement Award. Dara has had an extensive performance career touring with Total Dance Theater in Senegal, West Africa, Brian Sanders’ "Junk", “Black Nativity”, and Sonia Sanchez’ “Living Legends” tour. She was the Assistant Artistic Director, Principal dancer, Choreographer, and Rehearsal Director for Eleone Dance Theatre, and has also choreographed for Bad Boy’s “Danity Kane”, Grace Dance Theater, and CAPA of Philadelphia musicals. Dara co-founded DCNS Dance Intensive and has taught and choreographed for West Chester University, Drexel University, Temple University, University of the Arts, and Pennsylvania State College. She received a "Best Choreography Award” from National Dance Showcase, Philly Fringe Festival’s “Rocky Award", the “Ellen Foreman Memorial Award” from Drexel University, the “E Award" from Eleone Dance Theatre, and the “Audience Choice Award" for the highly competitive International Dance Festival in Stuttgart, Germany. She served as the Creative Director and Director for “Carols in Color” on film and for Delaware's "Dancing with the Stars of Wilmington". She produced and choreographed her highly acclaimed mental illness show, “Beneath the Surface”, dedicated to shedding light on mental illness. In 2020 Dara was commissioned by the Delaware Art Museum to create, “The Bridge of Our Roots”, her own full-length evening choreographic response, to celebrated painter, Eldzier Cortor’s “Southern Souvenir No. II”. Dara is currently an Adjunct Faculty member at Drexel University, Temple University, and a full-time dance educator in the Philadelphia Public School System at West Philadelphia High School. She has a Professional Certification in the contemporary African, Umfundalai Technique, is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique, and had the opportunity to write and implement the dance curriculum for the Pennsylvania Ballet’s Dance Chance Program. She is a self-proclaimed Artivist, who has dedicated her life to education through edutainment and she strives to change the world one 8 count at a time, so we may all DANCE through life! Dara is a proud wife and mother of 3!

Marissa Powell (Choreographer) is a current junior Dance Major on the Custom Design Track with a concentration in choreography and performance. Marissa also has a minor in Somatics, and is currently planning on double minoring in Entertainment and Arts Management. Marissa has been dancing for eighteen years in many different styles, but has found her voice in contemporary and hip-hop dance. She recently completed a six month co-op in New York City, working for commercial hip-hop studio, Brickhouse NYC. During her time in New York, Marissa had the incredible opportunity to teach a contemporary fusion class at Brickhouse, as well as booking her first commercial job, dancing for Billy Porter in the opening number of the Macy’s Day Parade. This is her second year choreographing on DDE. Marissa is excited and honored to be able to share a piece that once again tackles real life problems, experiences, and unheard truths.

Xiang Xu (Choreographer) holds the position of esteemed Assistant Professor of Dance at Temple University's Department of Dance in the USA. Rooted in Philadelphia and New York City, he has earned international acclaim for his contributions as a choreographer, dancer, and educator. Xiang's journey includes the attainment of a Master of Fine Arts degree in Dance from the renowned Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, solidifying his commitment to the art form at its highest levels. With a remarkable career spanning multiple continents, Xiang has received numerous awards for his choreography, including the prestigious "Gold Lion" at the Singapore World Music & Dance Competition. He has collaborated with renowned dance companies worldwide and founded his own company, Xiang Xu Dance. Xiang's work combines traditional Asian aesthetics with contemporary dance techniques, resulting in groundbreaking choreography that redefines the art form. He has also developed Sino-Contemporary, an innovative dance training system rooted in Chinese classical dance, martial arts, and other Asian aesthetics. As a soloist, Xiang has performed at prestigious venues across the globe, showcasing his exceptional talent and diverse repertoire. He is dedicated to elevating Chinese traditional body aesthetics and promoting cross-cultural understanding through dance in the 21st century.

Drexel Dance Ensemble Grace Angyelof ............................................................................... Human Development & Counseling Leta Armstrong .......................................................................................................... Film & Television Angela Avolio .................................................................................................................... Marketing Mayrav Bader ........................................................................................................... Dance-Education Zhansaya Baizhan ............................................................................ Entertainment & Arts Management Leila Bakilana-Ritz ............................................................................................................. Psychology Ella Best .................................................................................................................................. Dance Nasia Boggan ........................................................................................................................ Dance Kiara Braswell ........................................................................................................................ Dance Lexi Brenner ................................................................................................................... Criminology Maya Bryan ......................................................................................... Finance and Business Analytics Anna Cham .................................................................................................. Political Science and Law Catherine Citsay ......................................................................................................... Product Design Joey Cody ........................................................................................................................ Psychology Catherine Conway ................................................................................................................... FMTV Morgan Cruise......................................................................................................................... Dance Emilia Daguanno ................................................................................................... Communication- PR Isabella Dattilo ........................................................................................................................ Dance Mary Grace Dempsey ......................................................................................................... Education Summer Dilworth ..................................................................................................................... Dance Ellie Engleka ................................................................................................. Hospitality Management Ruby Fain ........................................................................................................................... Dance PT Lily Fanwick ........................................................................................................................... Biology Piper Filiault ............................................................................................................................ Dance Ciara Ford ............................................................................................................................. Dance Erin Ford ................................................................................................................... Graphic Design Imani Gegner........................................................................................................................... Dance Neghisti Ghebremedhin ................................................................................... Business and Economics Paige Gibson....................................................................................Human Development & Counseling Katerina Gutierrez ....................................................................................... Dance Movement Therapy Kaitlin Gwanmesia .................................................................................................... Exercise Science Madison Handfinger ....................................................................................... Biomedical Engineering Kaya Hawthorne ..................................................................................................................... Dance Quincy Hines .......................................................................................................................... Dance Sophie Jarger ........................................................................................................................ Nursing Jordyn Jones ................................................................................... Materials Science and Engineering Ella Karow ................................................................................................................. Graphic Design Vivian Knapp ............................................................................... Human Development and Counseling Sara Kocinsky ......................................................................................................................... Dance Eva Krewson ........................................................................................................................... Dance Hannah Kryman .......................................................................................................... Health Science Anna Lanfranchini .............................................................................................................. Art History

Rachel Lee ........................................................................................................................... Nursing Sage Lee-Boone ........................................................................... Digital Media and Virtual Production Josie Mangano ................................................................................................................... Nutrition Taylor Mann ........................................................................................................ Biological Sciences Ashton Manna .................................................................................................................. Sociology Ellie Matus ............................................................................................................................. Dance Chloe Mazza ................................................................................................................. Architecture Mareina Mitchell ................................................................................................. Psychology- Premed Ela Nawab ........................................................................................................................... Dance Olya Oleinikova ............................................................................. Entertainment & Arts Management Georgia Parsons ..................................................................................................................... Dance Sara Patterson ........................................................................................................................ Dance Iryna Petrovitska .................................................................................................................... Biology Emma Polyak ......................................................................................................................... English Marissa Powell ...................................................................................................................... Dance Aliyah Primich ........................................................................................................... Fashion Design Molly Reilly ............................................................................................................................ Dance Isabella Repetto .............................................................................................. Biomedical Engineering Emma Riddell ................................................................................................. Biomedical Engineering Lismari Rosario ....................................................................................................................... Dance Sasha Sapon ........................................................................................................................ Biology Nova Schreiner ............................................................................ Fashion Industry and Merchandising Allie Scicchitano ..................................................................................................................... Dance Sami Sienkiewicz .................................................................................................................... Dance Madison Simoes ........................................................................................... Architectural Engineering Marianna Solares ......................................................................................... Architectural Engineering Nikki Stauffer ....................................................................................................................... Nursing Anastasiya Tarasevich .................................................................. Entertainment and Arts Management Daksh Tomar ................................................................................................................... Biosciences Shatakshi Tyagi ..................................................................................................... Computer Science Sydney Wessner .................................................................................................................. Nursing Rebecca Wolin ........................................................................................... Dance Movement Therapy Westley Young ...................................................................................................................... Dance Madeleine Yurchuk .............................................................................................. Film and Television Lyutfiya Yussupova ................................................................................................. Computer Science

Staff and Professional Credits ENSEMBLE STAFF Ensemble Director: Rebecca Malcolm-Naib Producer: Abby Toll Assistant Directors: Alisia Lipsey & Britt Whitmoyer Fishel THEATER STAFF Mandell Theater Managing Director: Caroline Leipf Mandell Theater Technical Director: Chris Totora Audience Services Coordinator: Liv Shoup Assistant Technical Director: Alan Stelmukh Stage Manager: Abby Toll Deck: Kenneth Wang, Maddye Perry, Sophia Hannah, Layan Mouhamad Master Electrician: Alan Stelmukh Assistant Master Electrician: Avery Shope Sound Technician: Allie Bilger Costume Shop Manager: Asaki Kuruma PRODUCTION STAFF Lighting Designer: J. Dominic Chacon Scenic/Prop Design: Chris Totora Costume Designers: Asaki Kuruma, Bella Meltzer, Kelly Myers, Aliyah Primich, Faith Roberson, & Jillian Warner Graphic Design: Erin Ford Social Media Manager: Cecelia Hill Social Media Assistant: Nova Schreiner Program Design: Emme Serafino & Emilia Daguanno DEPARTMENT OF PERFORMING ARTS Department Head: Dr. Miriam Giguere Department Administrator: Hannah Burke Administrative Coordinator: Ellie Ebby Ensemble Production Assistant: Lauren Tracy Dance Program Director: Jennifer Morley Music Program Director: Luke Abruzzo Theatre Program Director: Nick Anselmo Graduate Assistant: Cecelia Hill

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Acknowledgments Drexel Performing Arts would like to thank Senior Vice President for Student Success, Dr. Subir Sahu, for his continued support of Performing Arts at Drexel.

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