KU Theatre & Dance Land Acknowledgment Translation from Menominee to English The KU Department of Theatre & Dance acknowledges that our performances take place on the ancestral homelands of several Tribal Nations, including the Kansa/ Kaw, the Osage. Specifically, the University of Kansas occupies land forcefully ceded in an 1825 treaty with the Kansa/Kaw Nation and a later treaty removing the Delaware/Lenape people. This traditional territory was not a single property with border lines but rather maintained by Tribal peoples as traditional stewards, and we recognize an enduring relationship exists tying Tribal peoples to the land. Elements of the land remain embedded into their Tribal identities, culture, and language. The Department emphatically recognizes and supports the sovereignty of the four federally recognized Tribal Nations present in Kansas today: the Potawatomi, Kickapoo, Sac and Fox, and Iowa. As we gather in this community space, we ask that you all take a moment to give thanks for this day as we celebrate and honor the contribution of this production by the KU Department of Theatre & Dance. We ask that you feel the good energy, passion, and commitment of the students and help us to honor their gifts they will share today. We wish for you to be rejuvenated and take this good energy and find a way to share a little with your community and others. The world needs laughter, music, dance, and the arts–the language of universal love. The land is home to us all. In the name of humanity, we ask for a final moment of reflection as we recognize and honor the past, and most importantly the arts and culture of the original people of this land. The Department looks forward to future partnerships and collaborations that honor this land acknowledgment. Enjoy the production and safe travels to all.
Fall Senior Dance Showcase Sherbon Blackbox Theatre, Robinson Center
Livestreamed Nov. 18, 7:30pm Nov. 19, 2:30pm It is free to view the livestream at dance.ku.edu. Senior Showcase is performed with a limited, in-person audience.
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Showcase Production Credits Faculty Project Advisors/Mentors. Ashley Brittingham, Michelle Heffner Hayes, Maya Tillman-Rayton Faculty Design Mentor. Ann Sitzman Stage Manager. Olly G. Mitchell Lighting Designer. Elliot Bowman Sound Op. Myles Hollie Videographer/Streaming Technician. Cory Porter House Managers. Clara Childs, Coy Garrett, Paige Hinca, Connor L. Maloney
Department of Theatre & Dance Senior Capstone Project
We Rise choreographer. Hayley Robinson music.
The Lights by Lawd Ito
dancers.
Katie Noll, Joslyn Vetock, Anna Shelton, Stephanie Wirth, Madi Seelye, Sophia Harrison
We Rise is a three-minute pom routine. It is filled with turns, leaps, and high-energy movement. This piece showcases how even through tough times, it is important to know you can get back up again and rise!
Department of Theatre & Dance Senior Capstone Project
The Things We Keep choreographer.
Cailan Niswonger
music.
Daydreaming by Diamonds and Ice Moon Mother by Richard Farrell Against All Odds by Tiko Tiko Drowning in Fire by Richard Farrell This Life of Time by Beó
dancers.
Christie Phillips, Kacie Herbek, Cullen Krishna, McKenna Bizal, Sophia Harrison, Katie Noll, Stephanie Wirth, Aleigh Niswonger
The Things We Keep is a piece that discusses the five phases of life, created by Eyal Danon. The first phase, dreamer, represents the childhood wonder that comes with adolescence. The second phase, explorer, represents the exploring and branching out phase of young adulthood. The third phase, builder, represents building a family and career. The fourth phase, mentor, represents the struggle of being a mentor to younger generations while also keeping up with your own personhood. The final and fifth phase, giver, represents elders passing down information they have learned throughout their life to young people.
Department of Theatre & Dance Senior Capstone Project
Finding Harmony in Asynchrony choreographer.
Christie Phillips
music.
Moonlight Reprise by Kai Engel, Nostalgic Piano by Serge Quadrado, Cinematic Trailer by Scott Holmes Music all music licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial International License
dancers.
Hope Casner, Sophia Harrison, Cullen Krishna, Cailan Niswonger, Madi Seelye, Anna Shelton
Growing up the youngest of six children was the best and worst dynamic possible for me. It was the best because my older siblings would mold the person I later became, once I left for college just like they did. Yet, it was the worst because it required them to leave for college themselves. Despite being hours apart, all six of us remained close due to my parents’ example of unconditional love. This piece depicts how my parents’ examples and siblings’ efforts strengthened me through my formative years while facing an eating disorder, depression, and OCD. While I may not have noticed all of their help at the time, I know now that they were seven reasons that I had to stay. Two of my sisters already introduced eight more reasons to stay, all of whom remind me of the kids we were in these audio clips. Allow this piece to be a reminiscence of your own childhood as the kids we once were still live in us.
Department of Theatre & Dance Senior Capstone Project
Grey Is the Color of Life choreographer.
Aubree Johnston
music.
Lost It to Trying by Son Lux In Dreamland by Chillpeach
dancers.
Anna Shelton, Alexandria Demps, Joslyn Vetock, Cullen Krishna, Mary Kozar, Sophia Harrison, Sydney Ebner
In section one, the music will be very dark and intense representing how dull and dark life is without color. In section two, the music will be more lighter to represent how beautiful and light life is with color in it.
Department of Theatre & Dance Senior Capstone Project
You, Me; Us choreographer.
Brittany Moss
music.
Chamber Orchestra by Peacock Music, Moonlight Sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven performed by Vladimir Takinov, Love Background Music by MFCC
dancers.
Katie Noll, Cullen Krishna
You, Me; Us is an exploration of an equal partnership. One where each person is an individual that has their own set of challenges and goals but makes the decision to love, support and care for the other person.
Department of Theatre & Dance Featured Guest Works
Presenting Student Organizations group.
KU Karisma
title of work. Like Crazy music.
Like Crazy (English Version) By Jimin
dancers. Tyler Bridges, Sarah Courtney, Katie Seminoff, Lily Kenn, Miranda Fields, Hailey York, Cal Sanders, Bella Winters, Libby Peterson
group.
UNITY Dance Crew
title of work. Goodies Mix music.
Goodies by Ciara/Daisy by Ashnikko
dancers. Milena Bodler, Tyler Bridges, Sarah Courtney, Yufan Gan, Katie Garey, Nick Lange, Calissa Leslie-Miller, Nicole Ouyang, Sneha Thomas
Presenting Senior Capstone Choreographers Hayley Robinson
Hayley is originally from Overland Park, Kansas. She is a senior majoring in Dance as a BFA. During her time at the University of Kansas, Hayley has preformed in the following works by Maya Tillman-Rayton Infrastructure (UDC Fall 2022 Concert), Irons in the Fire (UDC Fall 2021 Concert), and Red Shoes (Spring 2022 UDC Concert), in addition to Johnny Dinh Phan’s senior piece, Diverge, in the spring 2023 Senior Showcase. Upon graduation, Hayley will continue to coach drill team at Shawnee Mission West High school.
Cailan Niswonger
Cailan is from Flower Mound, Texas. She is a senior majoring in dance as a BFA with a minor in business. Cailan serves as the marketing chair for this year’s 2023-2024 University Dance Company. She also has performed in UDC Fall 2022, Senior Showcase Spring 2023, and UDC Fall 2023 concerts. Cailan plans to choreograph and teach dance after graduation.
Christie Phillips
Christie is a senior dance and psychology double major from St. Louis. She recently performed in Cradling Persephone by Michelle Heffner Hayes as part of the UDC Fall 2023 Concert. She currently serves as President of the University Dance Company. Previously, she was its marketing representative. She has been in University Dance Company concerts every year, including performing in James Moreno’s, Webster McDonald’s, and Maya TillmanRayton’s pieces. She was an ensemble member in the University Theatre’s production of Cabaret last semester. After graduation, Christie plans to pursue partnering and/or teaching with Skystone Conservatory of the Arts in St. Louis and auditioning for dance companies based in the St. Louis area and working as a registered behavior technician. She will be pursuing a Master’s in psychology to become a licensed psychotherapist.
Presenting Senior Capstone Choreographers Aubree Johnston
Aubree, originally from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, is a senior graduating with a BFA in Dance. Aubree has been dancing since the age of 3. She trained at Heart of America Dance Center until she graduated high school in 2020. While dancing there she trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, and pointe. Outside of her dance studio, Aubree trained with companies such as Kinfigure Kollective and iPush “theCOMMUNITY” based out of Kansas City, Missouri. After graduation, Aubree plans to pursue dance professionally as a performer.
Brittany Moss
Brittany is a former principal ballerina and studio owner. She will be graduating with a BFA degree in Dance this coming May. She grew up in Orem, Utah, joined Utah Metropolitan Ballet her senior year of high school, and rose to the rank of Principal Dancer. In 2006, she retired from dancing and moved with her husband to Houston, Texas. There she started teaching and eventually became co-owner and artistic director of AMS Dance Studio in Sugar Land, Texas. She has choreographed many different genres, including ballet, musical theater, jazz and contemporary. One of the highlights of her career was directing and choreographing a short story ballet based on the fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel. In 2020, her family moved to Lenexa, Kansas. She resides there with her husband and two children.
KU DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE & DANCE Henry Bial Department Chair Michelle Heffner Hayes Director of Dance Markus Potter Artistic Director Jenna Link Production Manager Jim Dick Managing Director
FACULTY Erin Barnett • Jane Barnette • Ashley Brittingham • Claire Buss Dennis Christilles • Rana Esfandiary • Justin Harbaugh Alex Haynes • Lynn King • Laura Kirk • Mechele Leon • Ryan McCall Michelle Miller • Rebecca Rovit • Ann Sitzman • Shannon Stewart Maya Tillman-Rayton • Kelly Vogel PROFESSIONAL STAFF Technical Director Alex Weston • Scene Shop Manager David Wanner • Costume Shop Manager Gail Trottier • Marketing Communications Coordinator Lisa Coble-Krings • Administrative Associates Lowen Millspaugh & Jack Rischer • Accounting Specialist Samantha LeMay • HR Specialist Hannah Casto • Academic Advisor Christian Boudreaux STUDENT PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS House Managers & Event Staff Clara Childs • Coy Garrett Paige Hinca • Connor L. Maloney Administrative & Box Office Assistants Clara Childs • Coy Garrett Paige Hinca • Gus Ketchell • Connor L. Maloney Madeleine Morris • Anna Shelton Marketing Assistant Maren Meneley Costume Assistants Elliot Bowman • Zoe English • Edmund Ludlum Lacey Marr • Knox McClendon • Kate Winklhofer Lighting/Projections Assistants Austin Flink • Kennedy Tolar Morgan Tobias Scenic Assistants Elizabeth Goodwin • John Stecher, Jr. • Sam White Properties Assistant Natalie Sparks Sound Assistants Jeffery Blessant • Hana Rose North