Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts
UConn Spring 2022 Dance Showcase featuring University Ballet Company & UConn Dance Company
Tuesday, April 26th, 2022 7:00 pm
UNIVERSITY BALLET COMPANY presents
Excerpts from Sleeping Beauty: The Ballet Synopsis (adapted from the Australian Ballet) The story starts in the grand palace at the christening of the baby Princess Aurora. The King and Queen wish to invite the fairies of the realm to be Godmothers to the baby princess, but they do not invite Carabosse, a temperamental fairy who has not been heard from in many years. The other fairies arrive at the christening, led by the Lilac Fairy. They bestow gifts on their goddaughter: grace, joy, a musical voice, generosity, a serene temperament, and beauty. The fairies give their gifts to the Princess, but just before the Lilac Fairy can bless Aurora with hers, Carabosse arrives in a rage at being overlooked. She bestows a curse on Aurora: on her 16th birthday, she will prick her finger on a spindle and die. The whole court is horrified. Just then the Lilac Fairy steps forward. While she cannot undo Carabosse’s curse, she weaves a counter spell: the Princess will not die, but will fall into a deep sleep until the spell is broken. Carabosse is enraged and scares the Lilac Fairy away from the Kingdom. On Aurora’s 16th Birthday, the villagers dance the Garland Dance to celebrate the princess. Aurora also performs a solo. When the festivities are at their height, Carabosse steps forward and presents Aurora with the spindle disguised in a bouquet of flowers she has smuggled into the party. Aurora is captivated and dances with it until she pricks her finger and collapses. Carabosse reveals herself and puts the rest of the court to sleep. When the Lilac Fairy hears that the curse has gone into effect, she returns to the Kingdom with a Prince from a neighboring kingdom. Once the spell is broken, the Lilac Fairy persuades Carabosse to apologize to Aurora. Aurora accepts her apology and invites Carabosse to her wedding. At the wedding, various fairytale characters such as Cinderella and the Bluebirds dance to celebrate. The story ends with the Lilac Fairy and her other fairies’ wishing Aurora and the kingdom peace and happiness.
Staging (Based on the Bolshoi Ballet version version of the Sleeping Beauty Ballet) Angelia Prip: Entrance & Finale of the Fairies, The Curse, Reverse of the Curse, Aurora Falls Asleep, Curse Into Effect, The Awakening, Finale Karolina Zimny: Entrance & Finale of the Fairies, The Curse, Reverse of the Curse, Aurora Falls Asleep, Curse Into Effect, The Awakening, Jewel Fairies, Finale Samantha Muia: Garland Dance, Cats, Cinderella
Deanna Pietrorazio: Aurora Falls Asleep, The Awakening, Jewel Fairies, Bluebird Lydia Ngu: Entrance & Finale of the Fairies - Purple Fairies Meghan Jezik: Entrance & Finale of the Fairies - Flower Attendants, Little Red Riding Hood, The Curse All solos staged by dancers performing.
EXECUTIVE BOARD
PRESIDENT: Angelia Prip VICE PRESIDENT: Karolina Zimny TREASURER: Katie O’Brien SECRETARY: Samantha Muia MEMBER CHAIR: Lydia Mgu TECH CHAIR: Alyssa Frechette Thank You To
Chrys Prip and the Prip Family Rod Rock and the Jorgensen Staff Julia Crane Dr. Michele Femc-Bagwell
Cast THE CHRISTENING
Purple Fairies (en Pointe): Samantha Muia, Tessa Christensen, Emma Ratnavel, Pranathi Natarajan, Hope Romain Flower Attendants (on Flat): Maddie Mason, Justine Strom, Katie O’Brien, Becca Abdella, Mia Miller, Camila Porras Lilac Fairy: Angelia Prip Fairy of Tenderness: Alyssa Frechette Fairy of Generosity: Karolina Zimny Fairy of Song: Lydia Ngu Fairy of Courage: Olivia Dybinski Carabosse: Meghan Jezik
AURORA’S BIRTHDAY
The Garland Dance: Maddie Mason, Justine Strom, Katie O’Brien, Becca Abdella, Mia Miller, Camila Porras Aurora: Deanna Pietrorazio
ACT III: AWAKENING & THE WEDDING The Prince: Mohamad Mahmoud Diamond Fairy: Alyssa Frechette Silver Fairy: Lydia Ngu Gold Fairy: Emma Ratnavel Princess Florines: Karolina Zimny, Olivia Dybinski The White Cat: Pranathi Natarajan, The Gray Cat: Becca Abdella Red Riding Hood: Justine Strom, The Wolf: Camila Porras Lead Cinderella: Samantha Muia Little Cinderellas: Katie O’Brien and Maddie Mason Finale: All Dancers UBC would like to congratulate our graduating seniors, Justine Strom and Deanna Pietrorazio, and wish them well on their post-graduation plans! Here is a little bit about each of them in their own words:
Deanna:
I am so sad to be leaving UBC but I am so glad that I got to dance with this amazing company! Angelia, Karolina, and everyone else I have met here have created such a warm and welcoming environment that I feel privileged to be a part of. I have loved being at UConn during the last four years and majoring in Physiology and Neurobiology. During this semester in particular, in addition to rehearsing with UBC, I have been working on my honors thesis, “Regaining effort-based food motivation: the drug methylphenidate reverses the depressive effects of tetrabenazine in female rats.” I would like to thank my friends and family in the audience for their continued support, my friend Mohamad for supporting me on stage by stepping up into the role of the prince, and my late dance teacher, Penelope Nyfenger, who has taught me how to find the joy in ballet and who I am dedicating this performance to. Merde and good luck to everyone on stage with me tonight!
Justine:
Being a part of the UBC this past year was my favorite college experience because it allowed me to get back into a enjoyable hobby of mine. Dancing and hanging out with a fun and talented group of women at UBC rehearsals helped destress me (I don’t know how I would have made it through my last semester without it). My favorite memory was definitely the company bonding pizza night at Katie’s apartment. I had so much fun that night, laughing and talking with everyone. My plan after graduation is to start law school in the fall at Albany Law.
UCONN DANCE COMPANY EXECUTIVE BOARD
PRESIDENT: Olivia Therox, Senior VICE PRESIDENT: Rachel Guire, Senior SECRETARY: Aliza Kennelly, Junior PUBLIC RELATIONS CHAIR: Isabella Perry, Senior SHOWCASE MANAGER: Ashley Johanson, Sophomore EXTERNAL AFFAIRS CHAIR & TRESURER: Annika Haerle, Senior “Express” Music: Express - Christina Aguilera Choreographed by: Madeline Peling Performed by: Isabella Perry, Annika Haerle, Olivia Therox, Makayla Iarrapino, Abby Hurd, Madeline Peling, Kim Kabulis, Emma Stone, Amber Olgac, Rachel Carbone, Kylee Raiano, Olivine Harvey, Sammi Esposito, Erica Samaras For my first time choreographing on UDC, I wanted to create a classic jazz dance that is loads of fun for the audience and performers alike. My dance education was rooted in jazz and I always love bringing it back! “When I R.I.P.” Music: When I R.I.P. - Labrinth Choreographed by: Alexis Kreuscher Performed by: Trevor Mazzei, Bella Petrosino, Jillian Maranda, Amber Olgac, Caroline Badot, Sara Donnelly, Jamie Mandano, Erica Hindle, Erica Samaras, Laura Riley, Alaina Gobbi, Jennifer Tortorici, Jesenia Maldonado "When I R.I.P." follows a harrowing storyline about the intensity of substance abuse disorder. The featured dancer of the piece, Trevor Mazzei, represents the delirium one may go through while dealing with addiction, and the dancers in this piece represent various symptoms such as withdrawal, euphoria, symptom recurrence, and depression. Throughout the piece, there are various "highs" and "lows" which symbolize an intense, emotional fluctuation in their battle with this complex disease. Overall, this piece is meant to spread awareness, and to encourage empathy for people who may be struggling with addiction abuse, and urge people to reach out for help. “Ordinary Miracle” Music: Ordinary Miracle - Sarah McLachlan Choreographed by: Rachel Guire Performed by: Micayla Barrows, Annika Haerle, Ashley Johanson, Isabella Perry, Rachel Guire, Aliza Kennelly, Abby Hurd, Haley Jackson, Olivia Parker, Emma Stone, Natalie Cooper, Caroline Wilkins, Kylee Raiano, Sara Donnelly, Lucy Carlos, Jesenia Maldonado
The song “Ordinary Miracle” was my first ever solo song from when I was in elementary school. Therefore, to bring my dance career full circle, this song was only fitting for my last dance ever. This song has always been an important part of my dance career and a song my mom and I connect with. My mom has been my biggest supporter throughout my life as a dancer, and I am dedicating this dance to her. Thank you, Mom, for making me feel like your ordinary miracle each and every day and for allowing me to become the best version of myself. Guest Performance: Encore “The Corner” Music: The Corner - Dermot Kennedy Choreographed by: Trevor Mazzei Performed by: Trevor Mazzei, Alexis Kreuscher, Kim Kabulis, Amber Olgac, Rachel Carbone, Lauren Melocowsky, Sammi Esposito, Erica Hindle, Layla Redente, Erica Samaras, Olivia Parker I think that everyone has experienced some type of loss in their life. When I was creating this piece, the whole idea that I had was to tell a story about two people losing each other. Despite whatever conflict caused this separation, the dance goes through the memories that these people had. In my opinion, I think it's important to acknowledge these people, even if they may not be in your life anymore. Also, I think it's important to know who is currently in your life to support you through those hard times. “Beyoncé Mix” Music: Partition, Formation, Diva, Say My Name, Telephone - Beyoncé Choreographed by: Melissa Joslin Performed by: Annika Haerle, Ashley Johanson, Isabella Perry, Rachel Guire, Makayla Iarrapino, Emma Stone, Rachel Carbone, Caroline Wilkins, Olivine Harvey, Lauren Melocowsky, Lucy Carlos, Layla Redente, Emma Bourgeois, Alaina Gobbi, Anna Romano, Jesenia Maldonado This dance is inspired by one of my favorite artists, Beyoncé of course!! I choreographed it to be a fierce, empowering, fun jazz dance that all the girls in the dance company would have fun doing together! “Gravity” Music: Gravity - Sara Bareilles Choreographed by: Isabella Perry Performed by: Annika Haerle, Ashley Johanson, Aliza Kennelly, Madeline Pelling, Makayla Iarrapino, Jillian Maranda, Caroline Badot, Sara Donnelly, Jamie Mandano, Erica Hindle, Erica Samaras, Anna Romano For this piece I wanted to choreograph a classical lyrical dance laced with the struggles of an abusive relationship. The dancers go back and forth portraying the partner seeking freedom and the other partner holding them
back. I am so proud of the emotion each dancer has put into this dance! Spring 2022 Video “Goodies” Music: Baby I’m Back - Baby Bash, Run It - Chris Brown, Temperature - Sean Paul, Goodies - Ciara Choreographed by: Makayla Iarrapino Performed by: Isabella Perry, Olivia Therox, Rachel Guire, Abby Hurd, Trevor Mazzei, Alexis Kreuscher, Kim Kabulis, Haley Jackson, Amber Olgac, Caroline Badot, Rachel Carbone, Caroline Wilkins, Kylee Raiano, Olivine Harvey, Sara Donnelly, Sammi Esposito, Maggie Chafouleas, Jamie Mandano, Alaina Gobbi, Jennifer Tortorici, Makayla Iarrapino This was my last opportunity to choreograph for UDC so I wanted to go out with a bang! I’ve never choreographed hip hop before so I wanted to conquer another genre before I leave. I had so much fun teaching these dancers, everyone had such an amazing energy in rehearsal. I hope the dance is as much fun to watch as it was to make! “My Baby Shot Me Down” Music: My Baby Shot Me Down - Nancy Sinatra Choreographed by: Abby Hurd Performed by: Olivia Therox, Aliza Kennelly, Madeline Pelling, Alexis Kreuscher, Kim Kabulis, Emma Stone, Natalie Cooper, Sammi Esposito, Layla Redente, Alaina Gobbi, Bella Petrosino, Jesenia Maldonado, Abby Hurd My dance is about an abusive relationship and breakup. The dancers represent the struggles of being with someone who is toxic and has hurt them. I want to represent breaking free from the past and uplifting yourself into a new life. “Burnin’ Up” Music: Burnin’ Up - Jessie J Choreographed by: Annika Haerle Performed by: Annika Haerle, Ashley Johanson, Olivia Parker, Jillian Maranda, Lauren Melocowsky, Jamie Mandano, Maggie Chafouleas, Laura Riley, Emma Bourgeois "Burnin' Up" is a fun, catchy song and I wanted to choreograph a dance that matched that energy. Jazz has always been my favorite style of dance, so I wanted to end my dance career doing what I love most! Thank you to all my dancers for being so wonderful and fun to have in rehearsal, love you guys!!! “I Won’t Complain” Music: I Won’t Complain - Benjamin Clementine Choreographed by: Kim Kabulis
Performed by: Olivia Therox, Abby Hurd, Alexis Kreuscher, Kim Kabulis, Haley Jackson, Caroline Wilkins, Kylee Raiano, Olivine Harvey, Lauren Melocowsky, Lucy Carlos, Erica Hindle, Emma Bourgeois, Olivia Parker, Laura Riley, Jennifer Tortorici The choreography for "I Won't Complain" is inspired by feminism. This dance aims to portray how women in society will do their best to do as they are told and "not complain" about the unfair treatment they endure and unrealistic expectations put on them despite the apparent need for social change. Senior Dance Music: Glitter - Patrick Droney Choreographed by: Micayla Barrows Performed by: Olivia Therox, Isabella Perry, Rachel Guire, Makayla Iarrapino, Annika Haerle, Jesenia Maldonado, Maggie Chafouleas, Micayla Barrows Senior Video Finale Music: Dog Days Are Over - Florence and the Machine Choreographed by: Aliza Kennelly Performed by: The cast of UDC Finale is extra special as it is the one time all company members are able to come together and dance as a whole. This number gives off the best energy to close out another amazing UDC Showcase. Thank you to Gwyneth Carrell and Event Services, UCSPAN and the Jorgensen Staff, our stage managers, Jacqui Schulefand from Hillel, Deborah Gacek from SCC, our Guest Performance by Encore, our advisor Rodney Rock, and our friends and family for their endless support. ---