2021 Spring Dance Concert

POLYARTS

Friday, May 21 7:00 PM #PolyDance25Years

A Note from the Performing Arts Department

Kill the Lights (Welcome Back to Campus)

It is hard to believe that it has been two years since we last gathered as a community for a Spring Dance Concert. While the time since that last performance has been challenging, our program has continued to flourish.

Artists: Alex Newell and Jess Glynn Choreographer: Dani Bensky Dancers: Poly Upper School Dancers

Mobilizing technology, ingenuity, site-specific choreography, creativity, and tenacity, our dancers have continued to build skills, hone artistry, and develop expressive and moving choreography.

T R A N S I T I O N

These successes, especially in the face of the current challenges, are a testament to the strength of Poly’s dance program, which begins its 25th year in the fall. With this concert, we commence a year of celebrations highlighting programmatic growth, reconnecting with alumni of the dance program, and featuring current and former teachers who have made such an impact on dance at Poly.

Dancers: Poly Upper School Dancers

Speaking of teachers who have left their mark on dance at Poly, I want to give a special thanks and warm send-off to Upper School Dance teacher Dani Bensky who has brought light, joy, and enthusiasm to the lives of Poly students and faculty during this dark time. We wish her the best of luck at her new home, Rye Country Day, and look forward to welcoming her back as we celebrate 25 years of dance at Poly.

Daniel Doughty Performing Arts Department Chair

Dancing through a Pandemic In This Shirt Artist: The Irrepressibles Choreographers: Dani Bensky and 2019–2021 Advanced Dancers Advanced Dancers: Ella Barnett, Ariana DiCarlo, Madeline Doty, Brianna Khrakovsky, Charlotte Knutsen, Chloe Myrick-Ellis, Adrianna Neal, Gabrielle Perry, Atiya Pope, Lola Williams SPECIAL THANKS TO THE 2019 ADVANCED DANCERS WHO HELPED CONCEIVE THIS PIECE: Yashimabet Drummond, Jared Brandman, Brittany Jones, Haleigh Twomey, Nicole Roitman, Gauri Purohit In January 2019, the Advanced Dance class embarked on a journey of selfdiscovery. Students were asked to write a description of what they thought made each of them uniquely beautiful. In contrast, they were also asked to write a negative perception they had of themselves. The dancers shuffled the anonymous statements and selected one of each to read aloud as they were recorded. By mid-February, through a true collaboration of dancer and choreographer, these tremendous students were ready to perform a uniquely crafted piece about feeling comfortable in their own skin. Then COVID-19 cases began to rise, and the dance concert that would have culminated with this work never came to light. Upon returning to an outdoor, distanced campus this fall, we decided to resurrect this piece. We reimagined the original choreography with 11 dancers instead of the previous 15, and all lifts and partner work cut. This piece has taken on a new identity, and it would never have come to fruition without the Advanced Dance classes of 2020, 2021, our Performing Arts Department, Kyle Graham, and our administration.

We Begin Again (An Excerpt) (The full piece will be released in early June)

Artists: Philip Glass, Woralkls, Max Skyler Choreographers: Will Tomaskovic and Dancers Grade 7, Semester 2 Dancers: Luka Abjandadze, Isabella Carire, Thomas Donnelly, Quinn Foley, Joshua Fort, Ava Gambhir, Thea Gambhir, Nyla Harriott, Grover Howell, Konatsu Iwai, Jahleel Leben, Montauk Margolies, Peter Milano, Holden Morse, Dario Rodriguez, Nina Sethi, Gabi Winitzer, Myla Young Will writes: “We Begin Again” was created with endless support from Poly Prep—many thanks to Robert Aberlin, as well as the Health and Safety Team who kept us all safe during this time. Our challenges offered unique opportunities for creativity, flexibility, and adaptation. This dance short was created in collaboration with the performers and with guidance and support from Ashley Hacker. Filmography and editing support from Alex Biegelson.

Experiencing Garth Fagan/ He Lives in You/A Look into Remote Dance Artist: He Lives In You by the cast recording of The Lion King on Broadway Original Lion King Choreography: Garth Fagan Student-Generated Choreography: Gauri Purohit & Seanna Sankar Remote Dancers: Gauri Purohit & Seanna Sankar

1977 Artist: Ana Tijoux Choreographer: Dani Bensky E Block Dancers: Lilly Belford, Lea Grant, Jasmine Grant-Phillips, Nina Harris, Eliza Manny, Elena Piquet, Hannah Smith, Fiona Stephenson

T R A N S I T I O N

Celebrating Middle School Partnerships and the Grades 5 & 6 Final Trimester Shares Choreographers/Dancers: The 2020–2021 Grade 5 & 6 Dancers Grade 5 | 2020–2021 Grade 6 | 2020–2021

The Still I Rise Project (From The Afternoon of Choreography)

The Afternoon Of Student Choreography | 2021 PART 1 Title: Who Are You Really?

Artist: Mikky Ekko Choreographers/Dancers: Ella Barnett, Gabrielle Perry, Brianna Khrakovsky, Madeline Doty, Ariana DiCarlo, Atiya Pope PART 2 Title: Get You the Moon Artist: Kina featuring Snow Choreographers/Dancers: Chloe Myrick Ellis, Adrianna Neal, Alexa Nanfro, Charlotte Knutsen, Lola Williams

Trip The Light Fantastic Artist: Lin Manuel-Miranda and the cast of Mary Poppins Returns.

Choreographer: Dani Bensky G Block Dancers: Ceci Berkley, Hazel Budker, Sarah Cleophat, Leila Farman, Zoe Feuer, Grace Fountaine, Ella Lille Yerington, Carolina Mannino, Sarah McAdam, Jordan Millar, Myka Modeste, Chanel Montoute

T R A N S I T I O N

Celebrating Grades 7 & 8, Semester One Projects Grade 7 Choreographers/Dancers: Sergio Abboud, Luca Assante, Ava Barbiere, Maggie Callahan, Mitchell Falikman, Kiera Goodman, Diego Magdo-Krieger, Kobi Marshall, James Nicolaidis, Jack Pfeifer, Dillon Rapp, Sheimy Solis, Ellie Warwick Grade 8 Choreographers/Dancers: Eva Aguilo, Maya Bjorneby, Ava Buckley, Jackson Cohen, Penel Ghartey, Rani Green, Athan Hatzigeorgiou, Emma Kaufman, Charlotte Kiersztan, Beckett Mazeau, Sacha Mendelson, Julian Rorech, Hannah Rothenberg, Ewan Shannon, Ethan Steininger

F I N A L

T R A N S I T I O N

Dance Is

Dancers: Poly Upper School Dancers

Through the Looking Glass Artists: Music from Coraline by Bruno Coulais, Homage to the Rabbits

by Cirque du Soleil, and Lucid Lines by Drehz Choreographer: Dani Bensky Advanced Dancers: Ella Barnett, Ariana DiCarlo, Madeline Doty, Brianna Khrakovsky, Charlotte Knutsen, Chloe Myrick-Ellis, Adrianna Neal, Gabrielle Perry, Atiya Pope, Lola Williams

Creeks Artist: Bon Iver Choreographer: Dani Bensky A Block Dancers: Laila Baluk, Anna Sophia Chamorro, Lily Drye, Maeve Igoe, Danielle Jason, Rahima Libstag, Sasha Lifton Lewis, Alice Shinder, Olivia Umeh

Sanctuary Artist: Welshly Arms Choreographer: Ashley Hacker and Dancers Grade 8, Semester 2 Dancers: Griff Allen, Ariyah Bobo, Frances Brooks, Zoe Campbell, Aidan Colasante, Cate Ferreira, Dylan Hunter, Connor Igoe, Matthew Jordan, Sonia Kushnirskiy, Jacqueline Malone, Max Penachio, Lena Shamos, Tessa Weber, Jasper Whiteley, Selena Wu After a year of many changes and challenges, this class was a breath of fresh air. The students experienced virtual, in-person, studio, classroom, and outdoor teaching; completed a partnership with the Paul Taylor Dance Company; and contributed to a final dance piece while braving weather elements and distraction, all while remaining positive, encouraging one another, and bringing the best of themselves to every class. This piece wouldn’t have come to fruition without the support of the MS deans, the Health and Safety Team, David Higham, and of course, the hard work of the students you see in this piece.

THANK YOU FOR CELEBRATING WITH US!

RETURNING STUDENTS, DATES AND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR FALL 2021 OFFERINGS COMING SOON! — Grades 9 & 10 Preseason Theatre Workshop — Grades 11 & 12 Preseason Theatre Workshop — Auditions for the Grades 9 & 10 and 11 & 12 Plays — Course Registration We encourage returning students to continue their in-school training at Poly by enrolling in some of the following classes. Please contact Daniel Doughty at ddoughty@polyprep.org for more information: • Acting • Advanced Acting • Concert Choir • Advanced Concert Choir • Dance • Advanced Dance • Stagecraft and Construction

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Set Design and Computer Aided Drafting Concert Band Jazz Band String Ensemble Music Production

Our Production Would Not Be Possible without the Generous Support of: Audrius Barzdukas P’20 Head of School Michal Hershkovitz P’16, P’18 Assistant Head of School, Academics Sarah Bates Head of Upper School Michael Robinson Head of Arts Daniel Doughty Performing Arts Department Chair The members of the Performing Arts faculty, David Higham, Bob Burke, the Engagement & Communications Department, the Poly Prep IT Staff, the Facilities and Maintenance Department, the Security Staff, the Kitchen Staff, and the MS and US Deans.

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Join Us for These Upcoming Performing Arts Events Spring Music Concert Tuesday, May 25 | 7:00 PM Middle School Musical, Godspell Friday, May 28 | 7:00 PM

STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR UPCOMING EVENTS.