Grace and Gravity Playbill

Pas de Quatre

StagingJennifer McNamara, after Jules Perrot

Music: “Pas de Quatre” by Cesare Pugni

Pianist: Richard DiFiore

Costumes: Claudia Potocki

Lucille Grahn: Katherine Kilbourn

Carlotta Grisi: Jakquelyn Gauker

Fanny Cerrito: Rebecca Jones

Marie Taglioni: Gabrielle Harris

random stars

World Premiere: 2020 Dance Theater Lab at Purchase College, Purchase, NY

Music/Sound Score Credits: Stars by Sara Teasdale, Ērik Ešenvalds / Void by NYX

Choreographer: Sidra Bell

Staging: Mio Ishikawa

Rehearsal Director: Solveig Santillano

Costume Reconstruction and Design: Caitlin Taylor

Original Lighting Design: Amith Chandrashaker

Lighting Recreation: Bob Steineck

First Solo: Katelyn Turner Leftwich

Second Solo: Maia Cieply

Klecks: A Rorschach Reverie

Choreographers: Mark Santillano in collaboration with the dancers Music: Mark Santillano

Kaitlyn Bazala

Emma Berkheiser

Katie Bleu

Kaitlyn Brooks Ainsley Dunning

Nancy Fisher

Nadine Fox

Savage Birds

Mara Isaacson Morgan Masters Montana Pastore Jillian Pohl Olivia Showers Danielle Tuomey Megan Wade

World Premiere: 2008 Stella Adler Studio of Acting, NYC

Music/Sound Score Credits: Discrete Entropy by loscil

Choreographer: Sidra Bell

Staging: Mio Ishikawa

Rehearsal Director: Solveig Santillano

Costume Reconstruction & Design: Caitlin Taylor

Original lighting design: Amith Chandrashaker

Lighting recreation: Bob Steineck

Kaitlyn Bazala Meggie Peterson

Frizzante

Choreographer: C Noelle Partusch | Music: “Palladio” by Karl Jenkins

Recorded by the London Philharmonic Strings | Karl Jenkins, conductor

Hannah Dragan

Jakquelyn Gauker

Erin Leach

Charlotte Meilaender

Anna Menarchek

Madeleine Plourde

Sophie Satoh Caitlin Settle Nadia Stronkowsky

Alyson Szewczyk

Olivia Turner Leftwich Amelia Waddell

Pas de Quatre

Staging: Jennifer McNamara, after Jules Perrot

Music: “Pas de Quatre” by Cesare Pugni

Pianist: Richard DiFiore

Costumes: Claudia Potocki

Lucille Grahn: Nicole Walters

Carlotta Grisi: Katelyn Turner Leftwich

Fanny Cerrito: Olivia Turner Leftwich

Marie Taglioni: Anna Menarchek

random stars

World Premiere: 2020 Dance Theater Lab at Purchase College, Purchase, NY

Music/Sound Score Credits: Stars by Sara Teasdale, Ērik Ešenvalds / Void by NYX

Choreographer: Sidra Bell

Staging: Mio Ishikawa

Rehearsal Director: Solveig Santillano

Costume Reconstruction and Design: Caitlin Taylor

Original Lighting Design: Amith Chandrashaker

Lighting Recreation: Bob Steineck

First Solo: Maia Cieply

Second Solo: Jakquelyn Gauker

Klecks: A Rorschach Reverie

Choreographers: Mark Santillano in collaboration with the dancers Music: Mark Santillano

Kaitlyn Bazala

Emma Berkheiser

Katie Bleu

Kaitlyn Brooks Ainsley Dunning Nancy Fisher

Nadine Fox

Savage Birds

Mara Isaacson

Morgan Masters Montana Pastore Jillian Pohl Olivia Showers Danielle Tuomey Megan Wade

World Premiere: 2008 Stella Adler Studio of Acting, NYC

Music/Sound Score Credits: Discrete Entropy by loscil

Choreographer: Sidra Bell

Staging: Mio Ishikawa

Rehearsal Director: Solveig Santillano

Costume Reconstruction and Design: Caitlin Taylor

Original lighting Design: Amith Chandrashaker

Lighting Recreation: Bob Steineck

Madeleine Plourde Tori St. John Gilbert

Frizzante

Choreographer: C Noelle Partusch | Music: “Palladio” by Karl Jenkins

Recorded by the London Philharmonic Strings | Karl Jenkins, conductor

Joanna Clifford

Shyla Clifford

Hannah Dragan

Kathryn Gianforcaro

Isabella Johnson

Katherine Kilbourn

Erin Leach

Meggie Peterson Sophie Satoh Caitlin Settle

Nadia Stronkowsky Amelia Waddell

Pas de Quatre

Staging: Jennifer McNamara, after Jules Perrot

Music: “Pas de Quatre” by Cesare Pugni

Pianist: Richard DiFiore

Costumes: Claudia Potocki

Lucille Grahn: Mia Semieraro

Carlotta Grisi: Isabella Johnson

Fanny Cerrito: Charlotte Meilaender

Marie Taglioni: Shyla Clifford

random stars

World Premiere: 2020 Dance Theater Lab at Purchase College, Purchase, NY

Music/Sound Score Credits: Stars by Sara Teasdale, Ērik Ešenvalds / Void by NYX

Choreographer: Sidra Bell

Staging: Mio Ishikawa

Rehearsal Director: Solveig Santillano

Costume Reconstruction and Design: Caitlin Taylor

Original Lighting Design: Amith Chandrashaker

Lighting Recreation: Bob Steineck

First Solo: Jakquelyn Gauker

Second Solo: Katelyn Turner Leftwich

Klecks: A Rorschach Reverie

Choreographers: Mark Santillano in collaboration with the dancers

Kaitlyn Bazala

Emma Berkheiser

Katie Bleu

Kaitlyn Brooks

Ainsley Dunning Nancy Fisher

Nadine Fox

Music by Mark Santillano

Mara Isaacson Morgan Masters Montana Pastore Jillian Pohl Olivia Showers Danielle Tuomey Megan Wade

Savage Birds

World Premiere: 2008 Stella Adler Studio of Acting, NYC

Music/sound score credits: Discrete Entropy by loscil

Choreographer: Sidra Bell

Staging: Mio Ishikawa

Rehearsal Director: Solveig Santillano

Costume Reconstruction and Design: Caitlin Taylor

Original Lighting Design: Amith Chandrashaker

Lighting Recreation: Bob Steineck

Grace Mullins Danielle Tuomey ~ P a u s e ~

Frizzante

Choreographer: C Noelle Partusch | Music: “Palladio” by Karl Jenkins

Recorded by the London Philharmonic Strings | Karl Jenkins, conductor

Hannah Dragan

Katherine Kilbourn

Erin Leach

Anna Menarchek

Meggie Peterson

Madeleine Plourde

Sophie Satoh

Caitlin Settle

Nadia Stronkowsky

Alyson Szewczyk

Olivia Turner Leftwich Amelia Waddell

Pas de Quatre

Staging: Jennifer McNamara, after Jules Perrot

Music: “Pas de Quatre” by Cesare Pugni

Pianist: Richard DiFiore

Costumes: Claudia Potocki

Lucille Grahn: Katherine Kilbourn

Carlotta Grisi: Jakquelyn Gauker

Fanny Cerrito: Rebecca Jones

Marie Taglioni: Gabrielle Harris

random stars

World Premiere: 2020 Dance Theater Lab at Purchase College, Purchase, NY

Music/Sound Score Credits: Stars by Sara Teasdale, Ērik Ešenvalds / Void by NYX

Choreographer: Sidra Bell

Staging: Mio Ishikawa

Rehearsal Director: Solveig Santillano

Costume Reconstruction and Design: Caitlin Taylor

Original Lighting Design: Amith Chandrashaker

Lighting Recreation: Bob Steineck

First Solo: Katelyn Turner Leftwich

Second Solo: Maia Cieply

Klecks: A Rorschach Reverie

Choreographers: Mark Santillano in collaboration with the dancers Music: Mark Santillano

Kaitlyn Bazala

Emma Berkheiser

Katie Bleu Kaitlyn Brooks Ainsley Dunning Nancy Fisher

Nadine Fox

Savage Birds

Mara Isaacson Morgan Masters Montana Pastore Jillian Pohl Olivia Showers Danielle Tuomey Megan Wade

World Premiere: 2008 Stella Adler Studio of Acting, NYC

Music/Sound Score Credits: Discrete Entropy by loscil

Choreographer: Sidra Bell

Staging: Mio Ishikawa

Rehearsal Director: Solveig Santillano

Costume Reconstruction and Design: Caitlin Taylor

Original Lighting Design: Amith Chandrashaker

Lighting Recreation: Bob Steineck

Kaitlyn Bazala

Peterson

Frizzante

Choreographer: C Noelle Partusch | Music: “Palladio” by Karl Jenkins

Recorded by the London Philharmonic Strings | Karl Jenkins, conductor

Joanna Clifford

Shyla Clifford

Hannah Dragan

Jakquelyn Gauker

Kathryn Gianforcaro

Isabella Johnson

Erin Leach Charlotte Meilaender Sophie Satoh Caitlin Settle Nadia Stronkowsky Amelia Waddell

Pas de Quatre

Staging: Jennifer McNamara, after Jules Perrot

Music: “Pas de Quatre” by Cesare Pugni

Pianist: Richard DiFiore

Costumes: Claudia Potocki

Lucille Grahn: Mia Semieraro

Carlotta Grisi: Isabella Johnson

Fanny Cerrito: Charlotte Meilaender

Marie Taglioni: Shyla Clifford

random stars

World Premiere: 2020 Dance Theater Lab at Purchase College, Purchase, NY

Music/Sound Score Credits: Stars by Sara Teasdale, Ērik Ešenvalds / Void by NYX

Choreographer: Sidra Bell

Staging: Mio Ishikawa

Rehearsal Director: Solveig Santillano

Costume Reconstruction and Design: Caitlin Taylor

Original Lighting Design: Amith Chandrashaker

Lighting Recreation: Bob Steineck

First Solo: Maia Cieply

Second Solo: Jakquelyn Gauker

Klecks: A Rorschach Reverie

Choreographers: Mark Santillano in collaboration with the dancers Music: Mark Santillano

Kaitlyn Bazala

Emma Berkheiser

Katie Bleu

Kaitlyn Brooks

Ainsley Dunning Nancy Fisher

Nadine Fox

Savage Birds

Mara Isaacson

Morgan Masters Montana Pastore Jillian Pohl Olivia Showers Danielle Tuomey Megan Wade

World Premiere: 2008 Stella Adler Studio of Acting, NYC

Music/Sound Score Credits: Discrete Entropy by loscil

Choreographer: Sidra Bell

Staging: Mio Ishikawa

Rehearsal Director: Solveig Santillano

Costume Reconstruction and Design: Caitlin Taylor

Original Lighting Design: Amith Chandrashaker

Lighting Recreation: Bob Steineck

Madeleine Plourde Tori St John Gilbert

Frizzante

Choreographer: C Noelle Partusch | Music: “Palladio” by Karl Jenkins

Recorded by the London Philharmonic Strings | Karl Jenkins, conductor

Hannah Dragan

Katherine Kilbourn

Erin Leach

Anna Menarchek

Meggie Peterson

Madeleine Plourde

Sophie Satoh Caitlin Settle

Nadia Stronkowsky

Alyson Szewczyk

Olivia Turner Leftwich Amelia Waddel

Pas de Quatre

Staging: Jennifer McNamara, after Jules Perrot

Music: “Pas de Quatre” by Cesare Pugni

Pianist: Richard DiFiore

Costumes: Claudia Potocki

Lucille Grahn: Nicole Walters

Carlotta Grisi: Katelyn Turner Leftwich

Fanny Cerrito: Olivia Turner Leftwich

Marie Taglioni: Anna Menarchek

random stars

World Premiere: 2020 Dance Theater Lab at Purchase College, Purchase, NY

Music/Sound Score Credits: Stars by Sara Teasdale, Ērik Ešenvalds / Void by NYX

Choreographer: Sidra Bell

Staging: Mio Ishikawa

Rehearsal Director: Solveig Santillano

Costume Reconstruction and Design: Caitlin Taylor

Original Lighting Design: Amith Chandrashaker

Lighting Recreation: Bob Steineck

First Solo: Jakquelyn Gauker

Second Solo: Katelyn Turner Leftwich

Klecks: A Rorschach Reverie

Choreographers: Mark Santillano in collaboration with the dancers Music: Mark Santillano

Kaitlyn Bazala

Emma Berkheiser

Katie Bleu Kaitlyn Brooks Ainsley Dunning Nancy Fisher Nadine Fox

Savage Birds

Mara Isaacson

Morgan Masters Montana Pastore Jillian Pohl Olivia Showers Danielle Tuomey Megan Wad

World Premiere: 2008 Stella Adler Studio of Acting, NYC

Music/Sound Score Credits: Discrete Entropy by loscil

Choreographer: Sidra Bell

Staging: Mio Ishikawa

Rehearsal Director: Solveig Santillano

Costume Reconstruction and Design: Caitlin Taylor

Original Lighting Design: Amith Chandrashaker

Lighting Recreation: Bob Steineck

Grace Mullins Danielle Tuomey

Frizzante

Choreographer: C Noelle Partusch | Music: “Palladio” by Karl Jenkins

Recorded by the London Philharmonic Strings | Karl Jenkins, conductor

Joanna Clifford Shyla Clifford Hannah Dragan Kathryn Gianforcaro

Isabella Johnson

Erin Leach

Charlotte Meilaender

Meggie Peterson Sophie Satoh Caitlin Settle Nadia Stronkowsky Amelia Waddell

GUEST CHOREOGRAPHERS

Sidra Bell

is the founder of Sidra Bell Dance New York and a dancer, choreographer, and educator who is currently a Master Lecturer at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, an Adjunct Professor LINES Ballet/Dominican University and an Adjunct Professor at Ball State University in Indiana. She has been an artist in residence at University of Oklahoma (Brackett Distinguished Visiting Artist Chair), Harvard University, and an Adjunct Professor at Georgian Court University, Marymount Manhattan College and Barnard College. Bell received a B.A. in History from Yale University and an M F A in Choreography from Purchase College Conservatory of Dance She is the founder and creative director of the award winning MODULE Laboratory, a New York City based immersive platform for movement and theater artists Bell has won several awards, notably a First Prize for Choreography at the Solo Tanz Theater Festival in Stuttgart, Germany and a National Dance Project Production Award from the New England Foundation for the Arts. In 2017 Mayor Thomas Roach named February 3 “Sidra Bell Day” in White Plains, NY Her work has been seen throughout the United States and in Denmark, France, Austria, Bulgaria, Turkey, Slovenia, Sweden, Germany, China, Canada, Aruba, Korea, Brazil, and Greece. Bell has created over 100 works notably for Nevada Ballet Theater, BODYTRAFFIC, Ailey II, The Juilliard School, Whim W'Him, Boston Conservatory at Berklee College, River North Dance Chicago, NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Sacramento Ballet, Boulder Ballet, New Dance Partners Kansas City, Ballet Austin, Springboard Danse Montréal, Boulder Ballet and Alonzo King's LINES Ballet School, among many others She was the first Black female choreographer commissioned to create work for New York City Ballet where she created two works for film and the Lincoln Center stage (Fall Fashion Gala 2021 and Innovators & Icons Program) She has been nominated for a 2022 Bessie NY Dance & Performance Dance (Outstanding Choreographer) for 2021’s SUSPENDED ANIMATION for New York City Ballet.

Sidra Bell has crafted a unique and comprehensive approach and system to unlocking the creative potential in each artist by developing movement that evolves from the inside out, both physically and intellectually The workshop explores a highly articulate body emphasizing organization, functionality, description, effort, risk, clarity, observation, abandon, impulse, breath, gesture, pliable skin, sound, direction, and line Touch, therapy, one ' s personal psychology, use of the room as an apparatus, and physical intelligence are cornerstones of the workshop. Artists of various backgrounds and experience can discover their individual voice and a deeper physical understanding Investigative tactics are used to instigate the imagination to find a greater sense of freedom within the movement vocabulary. Throughout the workshop the phrase work from Sidra Bell Dance New York is introduced and then immediately destroyed, dissected, and deconstructed These frameworks challenge the dancers to investigate an extreme sense of specificity, and complexity opening the mind to possibility The workshop utilizes collective effort in improvisations, conversational task work, dialogue, exploration, and play The phrase work is lush, gestural, dynamic, powerful, and pulsating leaving the dancers with a feeling of exhaustion and exhilaration Artists are pushed to remain in a constant state of choice and to work with deliberate action Bell's work emphasizes a high degree of physicality and input from the dancers, encouraging them to execute movement with intention, play, curiosity, calm, empathy, ease, and focus. www sidrabelldanceny org

Mio Ishikawa

(she/her) is a movement artist based in New York City with a deep interest in collaborations across multiple artistic mediums A native of Tokyo, Japan, she began training in classical dance forging a strong interest in the performing arts. She received her B F A in dance at the Juilliard School in New York City in 2019 Mio is currently a performer with Company Stefanie Batten Bland and a co founder of BODYSONNET. Mio has performed repertoire by Iván Pérez, Alejandro Cerrudo, Roy Assaf, Twyla Tharp, Helen Simoneau, among many others Mio became a certified Ilan Lev Practitioner in 2022 She has been a teaching artist at SBDNY’s MODULE Laboratory and taught on behalf of the company at Mercyhurst University. This is Mio’s second season with Sidra Bell Dance New York

MERCYHURST DANCE FACULTY

Jennifer McNamara

Assistant Professor, is delighted to be a part of the Mercyhurst University Dance faculty Raised in upstate NY, she spent two seasons with Richmond Ballet, most notable for the chance to perform in Kurt Joos’s The Green Table and Balanchine’s Serenade on the same program She spent the next eleven years with Eugene Ballet, where she toured the United States, Canada, Taiwan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Syria, Jordan, and Tunisia She was grateful to grow as an artist in narrative ballets including performing the role of Lucy in Charles Bennett’s Dracula. She also created leading roles in many of artistic director Toni Pimble’s contemporary works, as well as being sought by guest choreographers for her artistic contributions. After performing in Paul Vasterling’s Seasons, Jennifer was invited to become a principal dancer with Nashville Ballet; in her six years there, she was especially noted for dramatic portrayals such as the Chosen One in Salvatore Aiello’s The Rite of Spring and the title roles in Dennis Spaight’s Scheherazade and Paul Vasterling’s Romeo and Juliet and Lizzie She also performed roles in the classical canon including Myrtha in Giselle, the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, and Odette/Odile in Swan Lake.

After retiring, Jennifer sought to combine her love for teaching, words, and making things; she was an adjunct professor at Middle Tennessee State University and the ballet mistress for the Centennial Youth Ballet, she taught contemporary ballet for New Dialect’s daily company class, and she was on the faculty of the School of Nashville Ballet Jennifer has designed and built costumes for her own choreographic works as well as on commission for others; these creations have been the subject of gallery exhibitions on the intersection of dance and fashion, and as a part of an Isadora Duncan celebration

As a Pilates Master Instructor and an intuitive dancer teacher, Jennifer offers insightful inquiry into the science and art of movement as they intertwine in each individual’s body; she is also passionate about the intersections of equity and dance pedagogy, and coaching dancers in the tradition passed to her by the late Elaine Thomas of the Royal Ballet. She is a past recipient of the Individual Artist Fellowship (Dance) from the Tennessee Arts Commission and is pursuing a teaching certification through the National Dance Education Organization In 2021, she served as the internal copy editor and wrote a chapter for the book Masculinity, Intersectionality & Identity: Why Boys (Don’t) Dance Jennifer earned her M F A in Dance from Hollins University in 2018

C. Noelle Partusch

Professor, Dance Department Chair, and Artistic Director of the Mercyhurst Liturgical Dance Ensemble, specializes in Labanotation and Liturgical dance. She earned her B.F.A. from the State University of New York College at Purchase in 1988, a Labanotation Teacher’s Certificate from the Dance Notation Bureau in New York City in 1989, and her M F A from The Ohio State University in 1992 Ms Partusch teaches ballet, pointe, dance conditioning, dance appreciation, kinesiology, Labanotation, and has taught a special interdisciplinary course called “The Sacred and the Beautiful ” In 2015, she developed a new academic course called “Liturgical Dance: Concepts and Perceptions” that is offered as a selection of courses within the Catholic Studies Minor at Mercyhurst University She choreographs for concert dance, opera, and dance in worship. Noelle served as the associate artistic director of Alaska Dance Theatre for 11 years and danced professionally with Atlanta Ballet II, Buffalo Ballet Theatre, Buffalo Inner City Ballet, Empire State Ballet, Alaska Dance Theatre, and the Anchorage Opera In addition, she was adjunct faculty for the University of Alaska Anchorage Department of Theatre and Dance and Alaska Regional Director of the Sacred Dance Guild She is currently the Co Vice President and Coordinator of Sacred Dance in Higher Education for the Sacred Dance Guild She is also a member of the International Council of Kinetography Laban (ICKL), and CORPs de Ballet, International. Ms. Partusch was invited to give presentations on Liturgical dance at the conference “Performing Arts Training Today” in Bovec, Slovenia and at the National Church Musician’s Conference at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama In addition, she was invited to be one of three keynote speakers at the 2016 Northwest PA Synod Convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America For over 20 years Ms Partusch has danced in many churches and worship settings and acts as Artistic Director to the Mercyhurst University Liturgical Dance Ensemble where she mentors the next generation of leaders in Liturgical dance With this ensemble, she has traveled to New York City; Atlanta, Georgia; Sydney, Australia; and Jerusalem, Israel to attend “Project Dance” and present her choreography. Most recently Ms. Partusch traveled with 14 members of the Liturgical Dance Ensemble to Norwich, UK where they led a sacred dance workshop and performed an entire concert of Liturgical Dance at Westacre Theatre Noelle Partusch is married to Tony Partusch, a licensed journeyman plumber who is currently the purchasing agent for V P Plumbing Supply in Erie, PA Tony is an avid fisherman and a fantastic cook! Tony and Noelle are the very proud parents of twins Krista & Anton and their younger sister, Kara Noelle attributes her success to a lot of hard work, a great amount of faith enabling her to take many leaps, and the ongoing and amazing support of her family.

MERCYHURST DANCE FACULTY

Mark Santillano

Assistant Professor, has had a multifaceted career in the arts His work as a dancer, choreographer, educator, photographer, videographer, editor, musician, composer, writer, and actor, culminates in dance works that are pan genre, multi media, and interdisciplinary, and range from the poignant to the preposterous. Mark earned a B F A in Dance and B S in Communications from Southwest Missouri State University, and his Masters from Wesleyan University Mark toured the world with Pilobolus Dance Theatre and was a company member of Indianapolis’ Dance Kaleidoscope As a member of Actor Equity Association his credits include international tours of The King and I, West Side Story, and A Chorus Line. Mark has had his choreography presented in Sweden, Korea, Austria, Regional Dance America, Beef & Boards Dinner Theater, Firehouse Dinner Theater, the San Diego Civic Dance Company, and numerous colleges across the country Along with Solveig Santillano, Mark is co founder/co director of SoMar Dance Works. Established in 1999, SoMar is in residence at Mercyhurst and has received numerous grants from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Mark served as an Artist in Residence at his alma mater, SMSU prior to coming to Mercyhurst in 2000 He teaches modern, jazz, tap, musical theatre dance, contemporary partnering, choreography, and is resident photographer, videographer, and media archivist for the Dance Department Mark is also recipient of an Erie Arts & Culture Artist Fellowship and has served on the board of directors for the Erie Dance Consortium, and the American College Dance Association

Solveig Santillano

Associate Professor, teaches choreography, modern, dance appreciation, dance conditioning, dance history, senior seminar, and yoga studies Holding an M F A (Hollins), M A L S (Wesleyan), and B F A (Julliard), Santillano is a CLMA (Integrated Movement Studies) and ISMETA registered Dance Therapist and specializes in somatic disciplines A recipient of Wesleyan’s Rulewater prize for her research on yoga and dance, Santillano is a (R Y T @500 hours) registered yoga teacher with Essential, Advanced (Open Sky Yoga), and Restorative Yoga (Judith Hanson Lasater) certifications Currently studying with Douglas Brooks, Judith Hanson Lasater, Francois Raoult, Ernesta Corvino, and Bill Evans, she is a certified Bill Evans teacher, is trained/taught Stott Pilates. Her rich performance career includes: Anna Sokolow’s Players Project, Ruby Shang and Dancers, Prometheus Dance Theatre, Boston Arts Group, Spencer/Colton, Nancy Compton, Neta Pulvermacher, and six years of international touring with MOMIX Dance Company as a soloist, choreographic collaborator, with whom she appeared in Italian television specials and an IMAX film for the Korean Film Festival Her work as a choreographer/director/performer/collaborator has culminated in the co founding and co directing (with partner Mark Santillano) of SoMar Dance Works, the contemporary in residence dance company at Mercyhurst University Their work has been presented internationally (Sweden, Austria), nationally and regionally (AZ, CA, CT, ME, MI, NY, NC, PA, and SD) and locally (extensively). Long time Pennsylvania Partners of the Arts grant recipients (2007 present), the duo was awarded Erie Arts and Culture’s first Established Artist Fellowship (2016), and celebrated their company ’ s 20th anniversary in 2019. Santillano dedicates her life to teaching, coaching, and direction inspired by ongoing somatic, dance, and yoga research, the intersection of arts, advocacy, and community service Her teaching credits include overseeing/directing the dance department and student company at Salem State College (MA), teaching national international master classes, and serving on the faculty at Erie Dance Conservatory, Lake Erie Ballet, Springfield Ballet, Lexington School of Ballet, H T Chen & Dancers (NYC), the Missouri Fine Arts Academy, health/wellness facilities including Manhattan Body (NYC), YMCA, Manchester Health Club, Success Naturally Yoga Center, and Inner Balance Pilates She serves as faculty advisor for the National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) and the Yoga Club, attends, teaches, presents at regional to international workshops conferences and is dedicated to building and serving community as an artist and educator, supporting young artists in their (holistic) pursuit of excellence, optimal human movement potential, meaning making, and cultivation of their personal “voice”

MERCYHURST DANCE STAFF

Richard DiFiore

Music Director and Principal Pianist, holds a Masters Degree from the University of Florida in piano performance Richard has been in high demand as a dance accompanist for many years and taught at Florida State University as a Visiting Professor in the School of Dance before coming to Mercyhurst. In addition to his duties here, he has played for many summer dance programs and intensives including American Dance Festival, American College Dance Association, Chatauqua Institute and Perry Mansfield Summer Dance Intensive. Richard is also an accomplished collaborative pianist and has accompanied many recitals both instrumental and vocal and is active as a vocal coach for singers In addition to playing for both Ballet and Modern classes, Richard teaches Music for Dancers at Mercyhurst University.

Andrew Ferguson

B.S., Technical Director, has been leading the technical arts at Mercyhurst University for eight years Andrew has worked in various capacities with numerous Grammy and Tony award winning artists such as, Leslie Odum Jr, Bernadette Peters, Dave Brubeck, Kurt Elling, Pat Metheny, Lily Tomlin, Kristin Chenoweth, Betty Buckley, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Patti LuPone, and many more Enjoying his passion for dance, Andrew has also worked with the Paul Taylor Dance company, Les Ballet Trockaderos des Monte Carlos, Moscow Ballet, Dorrance Dance, Vertigo Dance Company, Martha Graham Dance Company, Diavolo, Seiche Dance Collective, and more In the rare moment Andrew is not in the theatre you can find him spending time with his lovely wife, or out on the golf course

Owen Hitt

B.A., Theatre Technician, has worked in tech for three years and has been with Mercyhurst for the past seven months assisting in lighting design, sound design, set construction, and any other technical projects that may arise He also helps with productions at the Warner Theater and Erie Insurance Arena working as a stagehand Owen is a graduate of Mercyhurst University and spent the past two and a half years working as a Systems Engineer in Media Security for the Walt Disney Company in Los Angeles He has always considered theater and dance to be a part of his life, having received a minor in theater at Mercyhurst University, acting in 20 productions over 15 years at Fairview High School, Mercyhurst University, and the Erie Playhouse When Owen is not working in the theater he can be found at home, spending time with his beautiful wife and their two sleepy cats, or in front of the computer, working on some crazy tech project and playing video games

Harold Hotchkiss

M.F.A., Assistant Technical Director, has been working in technical theatre for 22 years Harold is a native of Buffalo, New York, and a graduate of the University of Buffalo. He completed his M.F.A. in Theatre Design from the University of Illinois at Urbana Chanpaign During Harold’s time in theatre he has worked with many educational institutions such as Mercyhurst University, Penn State Behrend, Moreau Catholic High School in Hayward California, University of Buffalo, and more. Currently he divides his time working as an assistant technical director in Erie, PA and production manager/technical director in Hayward, California Outside of the theatre Harold enjoys working in the garden with his wife, Gillian.

Danielle Kaiser

Administrative Assistant, Adjunct Faculty, is both a native of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania She holds her B A in dance and B A in secondary education mathematics from Mercyhurst University as well as her M F A in Choreography from Jacksonville University. Danielle has been the recipient of the Mercyhurst Egan Scholarship from 2006 2010 as well as the Etoile Leadership Award in 2010 She was also honored with the Howard Gilman Fellowship Award through Jacksonville University’s M.F.A. program; acting as the cohort and faculty liaison from 2017 2019 Having trained with Tauna Hunter, Michael Gleason, Christina Hay, Noelle Partusch, Mark and Solveig Santillano, Nathaniel Johnson, Christina Teague Mann, Ana Sanchez Colberg, and Cari Frieberger, she has had opportunities to work closely with artists such as Lily Baldwin, Marianela Boán, Alonzo King, Elena Estanol, Bill Evans, Erin Tisdale, Momix Dance Company, Pilobulus, and Valerie Valentine She has previously appeared as company member with SoMar Danceworks, the Mercyhurst University Dance Team (captain), and the Erie Bayhawks AAA NBA dance team (captain) Danielle has appeared onstage both nationally and internationally with PGT Entertainment and Princesss Cruises, Ltd on board the Dawn, Emerald, and Grand Princess vessels, performing as an aerialist, ballet soloist, and Assistant Company Performance Manager Her choreography has been presented aboard the Dawn Princess with Princess Cruises Ltd as well as with the Mercyhurst University Department of Dance, Cleveland Ballet Conservatory, Erie Contemporary Ballet Theatre, Jacksonville University’s M F A program, and Erie Dance Theatre

MERCYHURST DANCE STAFF

Danielle’s choreography presented at the Northeast Regional Dance America has been nominated for the prestigious Monticello Choreography Award in 2015 and the National Choreographic Award in 2019 Danielle currently serves as adjunct faculty and administrative assistant to the chair of the Department of Dance at Mercyhurst University, where she is also the current advisor to the Mercyhurst University Dance Club and head coach of the Mercyhurst University Dance Team. She is the primary ballet instructor and advisor for Little Dance Studio in Erie, PA as well as a freelance teacher and choreographer in the Northeast Region Danielle is a Founding Board Member and Artistic Director for Seiche Dance Collective; Erie’s newest not for profit professional dance company Her passion resides in preserving the integrity of dance education by using her knowledge in both the education and dance fields to facilitate the future generation of dancers, choreographers, and dance educators

John Prior

Assistant Technical Director, is a native of Erie, Pennsylvania, having graduated from Erie’s Central High School. John has extensive experience working on the technical elements of production He continues his 15 year run working as a stagehand for Erie’s Warner Theatre and the Erie Insurance Arena John has also worked for Grisé Audio Visual for the past eight years This is John’s fourth year working for the Mercyhurst University Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center, where he continues to contribute his help and expertise to the Dance Department When John is not offering his technical expertise here and around the Erie area, he enjoys his passions of golf and music.

Claudia Potocki

Wardrobe Supervisor, is an Erie Native whose passion for sewing began with her mom and grandma, but is mostly self taught Claudia has created beautiful costumes not only for Mercyhurst but also for local dance organizations including The Dance Company, Erie Dance Conservatory, SoMar Dance Works, Lake Erie Ballet, Kristen’s Dance Company, and regionally for the Olmstead Performing Arts Center, and the PA Governor’s School of the Arts. Claudia has been with the Mercyhurst Dance Department since 2000 She has enjoyed working with artists from around the world, including past and present Mercyhurst Dance Department faculty, Luis Montero, Natalia Krasovska, Bruce Marks, Bill Evans, and many more Some of her favorite accomplishments and joys were costuming for The Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Symphonie Italienne, La Fille Mal Gardée, and ‘Tis the Season

Bob Steineck

Lighting Designer, is currently resident lighting designer for Texture Contemporary Ballet, Pittsburgh Playwright’s Theatre, Mercyhurst University Dance Department, Rennie Harris’ PureMovement and RHAW, Pgh Festival Opera, and Raphael Xavier Company. Mr. Steineck has toured throughout the US and abroad with both Rennie Harris Companies PureMovement & RHAW, Reed Dance, Squonk Opera, the Lyon Opera Ballet, Sankai Juku, Phoenix Dance Company, Kirov Ballet Academy and the "America Tour" for Stars on Ice. Television/Video/DVD credits include A Gathering of Sons for Pittsburgh Festival Opera, the DIZZY GILLESPIE Allstar Big Band for A&E Cable, the SPYRO GYRA concert for PBS, and JOHNNY A TRIO by Warner Bros Publications He has designed for several corporate events including Mon Valley Sizzles at the Historic Carrie Furnace His most recent lighting designs include: the world premiere: A Gathering of Sons commissioned by Pittsburgh Festival Opera; two nationally touring productions: Point of Interest for Raphael Xavier and Lifted for Rennie Harris PureMovment. Other designs include Boundless for Texture Contemporary Ballet, In the Company of Ghosts for Adrienne Wehr & Frank Ferraro, Xerxes and Sweeney Todd for Pittsburgh Festival Opera

Katie Bazala Emma Berkheiser Katie Bleu Kaitlyn Brooks Maia Cieply Joanna Clifford Shyla Clifford Hannah Dragan Ainsley Dunning Nancy Fisher Nadine Fox Jakquelyn Gauker Kathryn Gianforcaro Gabrielle Harris Mara Isaacson Isabella Johnson Rebecca Jones Katherine Kilbourn Erin Leach Morgan Masters Charlotte Meilaender

Anna Menarchek

Grace Mullins Montana Pastore Meggie Peterson Madeleine Plourde Jillian Pohl Sophie Satoh Mia Semieraro Caitlin Settle Olivia Showers Tori St. John Gilbert Nadia Stronkowsky Alyson Szewczyk Danielle Tuomey Katelyn Turner-Leftwich Olivia Turner-Leftwich Amelia Waddell Megan Wade Nicole Walters

MERCYHURST DANCE DEPARTMENT

WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING FOR THEIR SUPPORT:

Alyssa C. Alger

Samuel P. Black

Marie Blum ‘08

Danielle Bogan

Rachel Brown ‘12

Kathy Burns

Dara Carman ‘08

Molly Boswell Caruso ‘05

Liz Clain Stefanelli ‘09

Dr Diane Cochran ‘78

Patrick Conroy

Mary Ellen Dahlkemper

Paul Davie

Amy Deer ‘12

Sondra Depalma ‘97

Lorraine Dolan

Brooke Driver ‘03

Michael Duffy Amanda Edge

Jeffrey W Evans

Jeanne Fornarola ‘79

Dr. Thomas and Mrs. Mary Gamble

Christine Geren ‘98

Claire Giardina

Girl Scouts Western PA

Michael S. Gleason

Hailey Glover ‘11

Kelly Haggerty

Theresa Hall ‘91

Maureen Haraczy

Claire Hinde ‘11

John and Julia Horan

Young Artists’ Conservatory

Sarah Hricko ‘11

Tauna Hunter

Christine Konzel

Kara Jones Louis ‘07

Sara Lawrence Sucato ‘06

Noelle Lelakus ‘08

Faith Lifshen

David Livingston

Charles McAveney

Megan McHale ‘00

Gerry McMurdy

Martin Meislin

Isabel Milkovich

Mary Rose Milkovich

Caroline Millikin ‘05

Amanda Mountain ‘04

Kathleen Pae

C Noelle Partusch

Augustine Pescatore

Jordan Pirrone

Modern Dental Group

Mr & Mrs Alan and Rosemary Rainbow SafeNet

Mark and Solveig Santillano

Tawny Schaffer

Victoria Scott ‘12

Cora Mae Sinke

Elizabeth Sinke

Charles L. Sinke

Victoria Smith ‘07

Jane Steineck

Amy Stoddart ‘93

Patricia Sullivan

Pamela Swaney ‘06

Roger Szotko

Michele Tapajna

Rachel Torgeson

Karen Tyler

Bernardine Vojtko

Barbara Vredegoogd

Pamela A Vouri

Gregory Warren

Christine Wilbur ‘11

Peter Wilbur

Barbara Story Walk ‘57

In memory of Adele de Walt Pat Yahn

Lori Yusz

Rachel Zak ‘97