A GLOBAL CELEBRATION OF HOLIDAY TRADITIONS AND MUSIC
DEC '23
16
SAT 8PM
MACOMB CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Our Mission PRISM is a volunteer, non-profit, performing arts organization whose mission is to provide an inclusive and affirming space for LGBTQIA+ and allies. We achieve this by fostering a creative space through music, building community, and promoting equity through performance and outreach.
Our Vision PRISM envisions a community where LGBTQIA+ individuals are valued, protected and celebrated. We will achieve this through the production of quality and entertaining performances where all people are empowered to live their lives authentically. PRISM seeks to impact the local and national community by enriching lives through community service, philanthropy, and scholarship.
Our Values
Inclusivity | Creativity | Community Equity | Excellence | Philanthropy
We Need Your Feedback Audience feedback fuels growth and inspires change. In the vibrant world of art your feedback is an invaluable tool that not only measures the success of a performance but also guides future endeavors and aids us in securing grants. Please take a few minutes following the performance to complete our survey here
A Message from the Artistic Director Good Evening & Welcome! PRISM is elated to see each and every one of you with us tonight and is proud to present this wonderful production: PRISM Lights Up the World! My name is Darin DeWeese and I am proud to serve, in my sixth season, as the Artistic Director of PRISM. Many of tonight’s performers you will recognize from performances past and we would like to extend a very special welcome to our newest fourteen members in their debut performance with PRISM this evening. From dancers, to production team, to instrumentalists, to singers; this ensemble has worked incredibly hard to bring this show together and we can’t wait to share that hard work with you all tonight! The idea for this show came from the wonderful diversity not only within our organization, but our incredibly diverse surrounding community. With so many wonderful holidays, traditions, cultures, religions, and celebrations – it only felt natural to bring you a show that celebrates and welcomes ALL diversity through the thing that binds all of these traditions together – Light! In a world with more uncertainty and division than ever, the theme of this concert is more poignant and more needed than ever. This show has pushed and challenged PRISM in a number of ways, but most certainly has pushed us in difficulty and diversity of repertoire. I am forever honored to stand in front of such wonderful and dedicated musicians and I know that you will be able to feel and hear their dedication this evening. When PRISM was founded in the fall of 2016, we never could have imagined that just seven years later PRISM would be one of Metro Detroit’s most prominent LGBTQIA+ organizations. It is our privilege to perform great music together, and to support our broader local and regional LGBTQIA+ community through our mission and outreach. Tonight, we are proud to walk alongside our community partner for this show: The Ruth Ellis Foundation. This amazing organization works tirelessly supporting the most marginalized members of our community providing outreach, clothing, housing and more as they strive to build a sense of belonging. It is PRISM’s honor to walk hand in hand with this organization as they put in the hard work our community needs the most. We hope that you will be inspired to be outrageously generous with your support this evening through our raffles and donations. The support from PRISM fans will continue to impact our community in a most profound way. No matter how you choose to celebrate this season, we hope that PRISM is able to offer you Love & Light from our family to yours.
Darin DeWeese Artistic Director
Board of Directors
Shane Dunbar Chairman
Gerald A. Ashby, Jr. Vice-Chairman
Jantz Black Secretary
Laurie Geralds Community Board Member
Daniel Toole Treasurer
Brad Foucher Marketing
Learn More @ PRISM-Chorus.org
Jodie Ellison Community Board Member
A Message from the Chairman of the Board Thank you to our patrons and members for continuing to be a crucial part of PRISM’s mission. Over the last year we have grown not only our membership, but our community give back through outreach and fundraising. PRISM has evolved through great leadership and outstanding member support. My hope is to continue supporting PRISM and for us to propel ourselves to be one of Michigan’s elite not for profit community choruses. I want to personally thank our artistic director, Darin for his continued support and embodiment of our mission. I would also like to thank our board of directors, section leaders, committee members, donors, sponsors and everyone in between. Please know that every dollar donated, or hour given does not go unrecognized without me being grateful. A special thank you to my Husband John for allowing me to continue to spend countless hours away from home and supporting the cause I love. Shane Dunbar Chairman of the Board of Directors
Artistic Staff
Darin DeWeese Artistic Director
Dave Rains Principal Accompanist
A Michigan native, Darin grew up in historic Marshall, Michigan where he was involved with music from an early age. With an immense love for choral music, Darin followed his passion for singing to Michigan State University where he completed his Bachelor of Music Education in 2010. Following his time at MSU Darin served as the Director of Vocal Music at Tecumseh High School where he taught for seven years. During his time in Tecumseh, his choirs performed both locally and regionally, receiving numerous awards including being selected to perform at the prestigious Michigan Youth Arts Festival in 2017. Following his time in Tecumseh, Darin served as the Artistic Director of the Out Loud Chorus in Ann Arbor, Michigan from 2019-2021.
An Adrian based multi-instrumentalist, music director, and arranger who is thrilled to be working with PRISM. Originally from Detroit, Dave studied music at Adrian College and has a second home over the past 20 years at Croswell Opera House in Adrian while being involved with nearly 150 musical theatre productions. Dave has worked with Darin for many years dating back to serving together at Tecumseh High School for 5 years. Dave currently serves as the Director of Music for his Adrian based Lutheran Church and lives with his wife of 26 years, Brooke.
As a singer, Darin has performed at major venues in the United States and abroad including Carnegie Hall, The Detroit Opera House, the American Choral Directors Association National Convention in Miami, and has performed contracts with Celebrity Cruises. Darin currently sings on staff at Christ Church Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills and recently served in residence at Exeter Cathedral and the University of Exeter, England in 2019.
The PRISM Orchestra Generously Supported By: The Harold & Iris T. Abel Family Foundation David Rains Fran Wakefield Sarah Langford Zack Rubin Angela Penrose Mark Tarabusi Lewis Middleton Chris Napier Tom Allport Cody Cooper Rocco Popielarski Mike Morrison Grant Johnson Kyle Brunell Eric Lofstrom
Piano/Orchestra Leader Violin 1 Violin 1 Violin 2 Violin 2 Reed 1 Reed 2 Trumpet 1 Trombone 1 Guitar Bass Drum Set Percussion 1 Percussion 2 Synthesizer
*** Orchestrations written by: David Maddux, NYC ***
Artistic Staff A dancer from childhood, Zoe danced with Dance Dimensions in Grand Rapids, Michigan where she first had the opportunity to assistant teach and fell in love with sharing the art form with students. She moved to Ann Arbor in 2016 to pursue her Bachelors of Arts in Sociology from the University of Michigan, during which time she began choreographing for and performing in musical theatre productions across Metro Detroit. Post graduation Zoe relocated to Royal Oak, Michigan.
Zoe VanSlooten Choreographer
When she is not dancing, Zoe works as an Account Manager for a technology company and enjoys singing, reading and practicing calligraphy.
MEN OF STEP Generously Supported By: MC Personnel LLC. Benjamin Andre Renzo Arnold Patrick Ballnik Stephen Bell Kenneth Blair Micah Cooper August Gorman Jason Mapile Ryan Redoute Mark Scarbrough Bradley Smith Jeffrey Cash | Dance Captain
CHORUS Tenor 1 Renzo Arnold Patrick Ballnik Robert Beckley Kenneth Blair Nicholas Blanzy Joe Bryant Michael Champagne Jim Contos Arthur Durkee Randy Gilchrist Ara Hachigian Levi Hall Paul Jonte-Crane Alex Joslin Jake McClory* Joey Noce Michael Oberstadt Katya Powder Robert Savel Mark Scarbrough Ryan Turinsky Leon Wilborn Jacob Wilkes Ean Williams
Tenor 2
Baritone
Bass
Gabe Abel Jantz Black Jim Aleger-Hortelano Benjamin Andre Ben Brown Brenden Bell Evan Bushman Jonatan Ascarruz-Asencios Stephen Bell Gerald Ashby, Jr. Luke DeVantier Lawrence Budzinski Trey Cudlip Tyler Barron Shane Dunbar Kenneth Ehart Doug Beckwith Joel Eifert John Joanette* John Bruning Brad Foucher Paul Johnson* Jeff Foust Jeffrey Cash Jared Korotney August Gorman Adam Cooley Bill LeAnnais Bill Ketchum Micah Cooper Mark Messersmith James P. Leija Irby Cox Jakub Monforton Jason Mapile Scott Felkey Sylvester Nadar Jacob Martinez Michael Fitzpatrick Eric Nikkila Jonathan Gibson* Gary Olkowski Ivan Slaughter Charles B. Hardwick Jerome Pettus Dillon Stevenson Jon Hoffman Brendon Pollard* Allen Stock Paul Kesman Ryan Redoute J. Jacob Krause Anthony Russell Stephen Lyons John Sheffield Mark Ortwine Josh Simpson Danny Reeves* Joel Sobieray* Bradley Smith Robert Wilson Richard Smith Josh Zimmerman Matt Solomon Jeremy Strachan Brad Tata Mathew Thompson Daniel Toole Jake Zinke
MEN OF NOTE Tenor 1
Tenor 2
Baritone
Bass
Robert Beckley Michael Champagne Jake McClory Leon Wilborn Ean Williams
Ben Brown Jeff Foust August Gorman Bill Ketchum James P. Leija Joel Sobieray
Tyler Barron Jonathan Gibson J. Jacob Krause Matt Solomon Brad Tata Mathew Thompson
Stephen Bell Paul Johnson Jared Korotney Bill LeAnnais Mark Messersmith Dillon Stevenson
*Denotes Section Leader
Acknowledgements & Recognition PRISM would like to recognize the generosity and efforts of those who have spent enormous amounts of time, talent and treasure to make this performance possible. We recognize the dedication of each chorus member, specifically the months spent practicing and preparing. We thank every member of the organization that work behind the scenes with a unified focus to bring you tonight’s performance. Special Thanks to our Donors and Sponsors:
Corporate Sponsors Premier Sponsors The Harold and Iris T. Abel Foundation MC Personnel LLC Macomb Center of the Performing Arts Supporting Sponsors Nelco Supply Co. Community Sponsors Corktown Health
Donors Red The Dunbar Family Renzo Arnold Orange Yellow -
Green Graham Lockett Blue Dana Stonerook Indigo Charles Loney Carole Curkey Wanda Watzel David Monforton John Moroun Diane Pape
Honorable Mentions Spirit of Christ Lutheran Church (Rehearsal Space) Todd’s Menswear Production Committee (Bill LeAnnais & Jason Mapile)
If we failed to acknowledge anyone we sincerely apologize and ask for you to notify us at info@PRISM-Chorus.org
PRISM Lights Up The World ACT 1 Bright Lights Big City
Arr. Sharona Udoh Stephen Bell Soloist
Silent Night, Light of the World
Arr. Sharona Udoh
Carry the Light
Andy Beck Brad Tata Soloist
Lights
Arr. Tim Sarsany
Lighthouse Keeper
Arr. Tim Sarsany Jon Gibson Soloist
Feliz Navidad
Arr. Tim Sarsany
We Are the World
Arr. Tim Sarsany Soloists
Ben Brown, Jeff Foust, Jerome Pettus, Leon Wilborn, Dillon Stevenson, Ean Williams, Richard Smith, J Jacob Krause, August Gorman & Stephen Lyons
INTERMISSION
PRISM Lights Up The World ACT 2 Baba Yetu
Christopher Tin Gerald Ashby Jr. & Ben Brown Soloists
Light Up the Nights
Arr. Tim Sarsany Jared Korotney Soloist
Raffle & Prizes Presented By: Gerald Ashby Jr. & Bill LeAnnais Blessed
Arr. Tim Sarsany James P. Leija Soloist
Zikr
Ethan Sperry
Nearer My God to Thee
Arr. James Stevens Jake McClory Soloist
Auld Lang Syne
Erick Lichte
Happy Holidays
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