Passion Fruit Dance Company

Performing Arts Center university at albany State University of New York

2023-24

WELCOME!

Performing Arts Center Music Program Theatre Program

(518) 442-3995 (518) 442-4187 (518) 442-4200

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Cover photo: Tatiana Desardouin, Passion Fruit Dance Company | Photo by Loreto Jamlig Photo this page: UAlbany Performing Arts Center | Photo by Patrick Ferlo

The University at Albany sits at the confluence of the Hudson and Mohawk rivers on the traditional lands of the Kanien’keháka and Muh-he-con-neok people, who stewarded this land for generations before the arrival of European colonists. The Kanien’keháka (People of the Flint) and Muh-he-con-neok (People of the Waters that are Never Still) are more commonly known today as the Mohawk Haudenosaunee and StockbridgeMunsee Band of Mohicans. Despite the similarity of their westernized names, the Mohawk and Mohican were culturally and linguistically distinct.

The UAlbany community recognizes that we live and work on the homelands of sovereign Indigenous nations with rich histories and cultures that continue today – both within New York and beyond.

As an institution devoted to teaching, scholarship, and service, we strive to understand and learn from our history and to affirm Indigenous rights and issues. To this end, we are committed to cultivating reciprocal relationships with Indigenous communities focused on equity, social justice, and sustainability – and dismantling legacies of colonization.

Visit the UAlbany Performing Arts Center website at

www.albany.edu/pac

Photo: Dayton Contemporary Dance Company

for a full listing of this season’s events.

Program

Dance Within Your Dance (2016) Choreographed, Produced & Directed by: Tatiana Desardouin Performed by: Mai Lê Hô & Lauriane Ogay External Eye: Adesola Osakalumi and Miki Tuesday Vocals (acapella): Sam I Am Montolla Photography work: Lauriane Ogay Music & video editing, photographer: Loreto Jamlig Lighting Designer: Elmer Martinez General/Production Manager: Danielle De Vito

Lighting Supervisor/Assistant: Ndanu Mutisya Stage Manager: Geneva White

Music credits:

The Clown by Maribou State Feat. Pedestrian (Axel Bowman Remix) The reminiscence by Altered Natives Imam by Mark De Clive Lowe & Daz-I-Kue (Re-Bruk Remix) There Now acapella by Sam I Am Montolla Galactic Reigns by Abjo Easy by Question There Now by Frits Wentink (feat. Loes Jongerling) Caixa Gang by Abjo.

This was work was developed during Dance Your Future residency and premiered at BAAD!Theater in 2017

About the Artists Tatiana Desardouin (Founder & Artistic Director) From Switzerland and of Haitian origin, Tatiana is a professional dancer, dance instructor, dance consultant, choreographer, organizer, curator, Lecturer with a Master degree as adult educator and a Bachelor in Psychology (University of Geneva). Tatiana won several competitions and is regularly invited to give workshops and judge competitions in several countries such as: Japan, Peru, Italy, Sweden, Slovakia, France, Canada, Austria, Switzerland and USA. Very passionate and very involved in the growth of the swiss hip-hop scene, she has been teaching and mentoring since 2005, had her own dance school “Le Centre Hip-Hop”, is part of a non-profit promoting the street, club dance and culture called “JAIA” since 2012. She was one of the four founders of the first Hip-Hop dance company in Geneva called "Continuum".

She developed her own teaching method called "Technique Within Your Groove" method. She taught at Peridance, Broadway Dance Center and was a former teacher at EXPG NYC (2016-2020). As a guest artist (dance instructor and lecturer) and adjunct professor she taught in universities such as Harvard University, Dartmouth University, the American University, the Connecticut College, Hunter College, the five colleges. Tatiana is adjunct professor at Springfield College and is a member of the 92NY's faculty since 2022.

She is the director and choreographer of Passion Fruit Dance Company, a street dance theater and educational company, which she founded in 2016. The company made its debut through Kenny Clutch Festival (Philadelphia) and Pepatián organization (New York). Through its performances, workshops, lectures, educational programs called “Passion Fruit Seeds”, and cultural event called “Les 5 Sens”, the company's mission is: To promote the authenticity of street,

clubbing dance styles and cultures; To highlight its black heritage and contribution to society; To explore the human experience, address social issues such as racism; and to inspire young artists to share their voices. She performed with her company in places such as at The Apollo Theater, Summerstage, Jacob's Pillow, the New Victory Theater, BAAD!Theater, Pregones theater, Ladies of Hip-Hop festival, Joe's Pub, 92NY, the Guggenheim, Bridge Street Theater, the Lincoln Center, Mass Moca, BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn, Crossing the Line Festival, American Dance Festival and abroad (Canada and Switzerland).

Tatiana was selected as one of DANCE MAGAZINE's 2020 “25 to Watch”, featured in the NEW YORKER magazine for the "Goings on about town" in 2021, HARPER'S BAZAAR in 2021, was awarded by the Vilcek Foundation Prizes for Creative Promise in Dance 2022 and is the 2022 juried Bessie award winner.

She had the chance to perform at the Madison Square garden and the Wells Fargo Center for the rock band Arcade Fire, In “Electrogynous” by Sabela Grimes at Columbia University. In “Where Love lies follow”, a play written by Nichi Douglas , as a dance consultant for the premiere at The Shed, then as a dancer at the Martin E. Segal Theater for the "Prelude" festival (NYC), at the Public Theater for the "Under the Radar" festival (NYC), at the New York Library with "The Black Dancing Bodies" (LOHH) project. She also did a lecture-demonstration at "Studio 5" and did a seminar for the "Street Dance Ambassadors Program" at New York City Center.

Tatiana was one of the core dancer of Rennie Harris Puremovement (2016-2021). She is also part of the Nefer Global Movement collective since 2018, a core member of LayeRhythm Experiment Company since 2019. tatiana.desardouin@gmail.com IG: @tatianadesardouin / @pfdancecompany FB: Passion Fruit Dance Company https://linktr.ee/PassionFruitDanceCo

Lauriane Ogay (Core Member & Dancer) Lauriane is a dancer and photographer from Switzerland, residing in NYC since 2012. As a core member of Passion Fruit dance company, Lauriane has performed at the Guggenheim Museum,MassMoca, Lincoln Center, 92Y, American Dance Festival (ADF), Bessies Awards, Crossing the Line Festival, Bridge Street Theater, Dance Place DC, Harlem Stage, New Victory Theater, BAAD!, SummerStage, San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts, Spring Up dance festival, MusikFest, Joe’s Pub, Ladies of Hip-Hop festival. She is often called to be the assistant choreographer and external eye for PFDC’s student repertory works.

Lauriane has been an active dancer in the street dance competition/battle realm since she started hip-hop at 14 years old. At 18 she began to travel to countries such as France, Portugal, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Italy, Canada, Japan to participate in street/club dance events, parties and workshops.

NYC being the birthplace of hip-hop culture, she later traveled there as well, which eventually planted the seed for her career switch from a business admin to a professional dancer.

She has been a guest competitor for Roundz of Flame and for Times Square Arts x Behind The Groove. She won WMC (Winter Music conference), Miami, 2012, was a judge of “Street Beats Fringe Festival” Rochester, 2021, "I Like It x Artel 1520" Brooklyn, 2020, “I Like It” New York 2019, New York, and was finalist/semi finalist of “Roundz of Flame” (NYC, 2018), Ladies of Hip-Hop (NYC, 2015), and Kings of New York (NYC, 2019), New York City Jack (NYC, 2017).

She has also danced in commercials for Credo Beauty, Golden Goose and Metro Boutique. She is a member of the legendary Dance Fusion Family, with whom she performed at Versastyle Festival, Los Angeles, 2019, and at Drom, New York, 2016.

Lauriane’s other passion lies behind the lens. From real estate, corporate events to nightlife and studio photography, she is also the in-house photographer for LayeRhythm. She has worked

for Sono Motors and Worksport (Bell ceremony at Nasdaq), The art of Alignment Academy, Runway7, NY Fashion Week, ElektraModel, Dancing in the streets, Pepatián, Negusworld, BAAD Theater, Building Shop NYC. She had her photographs published on various websites and newspapers and made her first book cover “Baring unbearable sensualities” by Rosemarie A. Roberts in 2021. Last but not least, she exhibited her work at 92Y and created a digital exhibition on the “Groove” thematic at Mass MoCA Museum as a first part of “Dance within your Dance” showcase with Passion Fruit Dance Co. Lauriane.ogay@gmail.com IG: @loryane_lo IG: @Lauriane_ogay_photography FB: Loryane Ogay / https://linktr.ee/Laurianeogay

Mai Lê Hô (Core Member & Dancer) Mai Lê is a French-Vietnamese street/club dance artist & educator, curator, and the founder of LayeRhythm Productions INC, a NYC-based non-profit organization dedicated to highlighting freestyle voices in the performing arts landscape.

In 2015, Mai Lê created LayeRhythm, a cuttingedge monthly jam session that layers live musicians & vocalists with freestyle dancers, acclaimed by THE NEW YORK TIMES (2018). In 2019 she took this project to the concert stage, performing at Jacob's Pillow, Bridge Street Theater, Guggenheim Museum, and hosting a monthly performance residency at 92nd Street Y (2021-22).

A core member of Passion Fruit Dance Company since 2016, and a member of Sour Patch Crew since 2012, Mai Lê has performed at the Apollo Theater, Dance Place DC, Harlem Stage, SummerStage, and across the USA and abroad. She also toured Europe with seminal Detroit music producer Theo Parrish and his live band in 2014.

In 2021, Mai Lê was selected to be virtual artist-in-residence with Asian American Arts Alliance, and movement curator for

Asian Cultural Council’s East West Fest.

From 2017 to 2019, Mai Lê was the Program Director of It’s Showtime NYC!, a City-funded program that celebrates NYC street culture and provides performance and professional development opportunities to street and subway dancers.

Mai Lê has won 1st place in various international house dance competitions such as Ladies of Hip-Hop (NYC, 2015), Universole (Detroit, 2015), Step Ya Game Up (NYC, 2013) and has served a judge for House Dance UK (London, 2015), Slick City (Chicago, 2015), The Blueprint (Houston, 2013), I.Lyke.It (NYC, 2022). She teaches weekly in NYC. IG: @mailegrooves / @layerhythm Twitter: @mailegrooves / @layerhythm FB: https://www.facebook.com/MaiLeGrooves https://www.facebook.com/LayeRhythm

Geneva White (Stage Manager) Graduating from Howard University with a B.F.A., their journey into stage management ignited during an immersive internship at Parsons Dance, under the guidance of the Company/ Stage Manager. Fueling their passion, Geneva shadowed at worked companies and managed productions at 'Eden Center for The Performing Arts' and 'Abundance Arts.'

Beyond the theatre, Geneva has lent their talents as a production assistant to prestigious events like Louis 200, Hampton Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week, and even Netflix's immersive experiences such as Money Heist and Stranger Things. Their commitment to excellence shines both on and off the stage, ensuring every event is a memorable success.

Elmer Martinez (Lighting Designer) Born and Raised in Lowell MA, Elmer Martinez (ElmStreet) has been getting funky since 1996 - growing up a choir singer/

percussionist, music was always around. Commencing his official dance training in 2011 at age 14, he has gone on to gain experience in a multitude of afrocentric movement forms as well as musical theater.His Focus landed within the universe of Funk,House, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Street and Club/Social dances.

While studying for his BFA in Theater Design/Studies with a minor in Dance at Emerson College (19") Elmer continued to develop his training background in Ballet, Modern, Improv, House, Breakin, Hip-Hop, Locking, Popping and improvisational Latin Ballroom in class and the underground club parties of Boston and New York. Around this time he started DJing and diving deeper into music history. Elmer became the Production Manager at Green Street Studios during his senior year of undergrad where he designed, danced and produced work in Cambridge, MA. This, as well as producing Community events rooted in Hip-Hop culture from Open Mics- to Cyphers- to Battles, Large scale conventions and workshops. At Emerson, he Founded the Hip-Hop Society in 2019 an organization which continues to develop hip-hop programming and art projects on the Boston campus in order to preserve the integrity of black arts representation. Post Grad Elmer moved to New York City as a Professional Production Apprentice for Bill T. Jones' "New York Live Arts'' dance Theater. After his departure he continued to freelance as a Lighting Designer/Technician for dance Companies and festivals including 'The Yard '', theaters and special events between New York and Massachusetts -until his last pre- covid assignment at “New York Theater Workshop” off-Broadway. All this while dancing, producing, judging and teaching for the underground Hip-Hop and House Dance community locally and internationally. Since moving home to Massachusetts due to covid, Elmer has taken to publishing his poetry, modeling, hosting his live podcast "Cultural Convos", training his dance, meditation,as well as producing and selling multimedia art projects. He has had the opportunity to teach lighting and dance workshops and programs through Brighter Boston, Harvard University and UMass Lowell during the pandemic among so many other art adventures.

Elmer is currently a part time faculty member at Urbanity Dance teaching hip-hop and is excited to serve as the Lighting Designer for Passionfruit Dance Company. As a facilitator Elmer focuses on incorporating mindfulness, meditation and self empowerment in his sessions. He feels that as movers we are always in the pursuit of releasing the inner funk- and finding the permission within ourselves to get free while building an informed community. Elmer was dubbed ElmStreet by a mentor during his time in school, which serves as his street art alias.

He is currently based in Somerville, MA and produces work out of his room, "The Nook" which he is curating into a group art show space this spring.

IG: @daoriginal96 FB: Elmer Martinez

Ndanu Mutisya (Lighting Supervisor / Assistant) Ndanu is a multi-hyphenate artist based in New York and Boston. She is an actor, singer, musician, writer, and designer, and tonight will be serving as Lighting Director. She studied at Stella Adler Acting Studio and is a graduate of Hamilton College with dual degrees in both Theatre and Economics. Her most recent credits: The Jazz Continuum (Stage Manager), Sorry!

We're Closed! (Writer, actor), and Our Canvas (Lighting Designer). She is so excited to be working with this talented group of individuals. @ndanumutisya ndanumutisya.com

Loreto “Still 1” Jamlig (Photographer, video & Music Editor) Originally from Sacramento, California, Still1 started his DJ career in 2002 having been inspired by 90’s Hip Hop music, dance, nightlife, and culture. In 2003, he relocated to San Diego and received his Bachelors of Science in 2008. Throughout that time, he continued his passion for music and growth as a DJ by providing music to San Diego’s Hip Hop nightlife and dance scene.

Having been in the Southern California Hip Hop Community not only as a DJ, but as a fan with access to the behind the scenes, he decided that he wanted to start documenting it. So in 2008, Still1 started his journey as a photographer and documentarian.

From 2008-2012, you were able to catch him photographing various events throughout California ranging from Rock the Bells, Freestyle Sessions, Cypher Adikts, Culture Shock Showcase, and L.A. Beat Swap Meet.

In 2012, he decided to relocate to New York City to pursue his artforms full time. Since then, he picked up videography in 2016 and music production in 2019. During his time in the East Coast, he continues to navigate his way through the NYC dance and nightlife scene in order to continue his growth in all his artforms.

He has spun alongside legendary DJ’s such as Tony Touch, Rich Medina, Grand Wizard Theodore and for parties such as Brooklyn Took It, It’s a Feeling, and More Than Enough. He’s also spun overseas in countries such as Switzerland, France, Japan, and Cyprus and his music is available for streaming on all platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal as well as mixes dating back to 2008 uploaded to Soundcloud.

As photographer and videographer, he continued to document events such as The Ladies of Hip Hop Festival, Evolution, Juste Debout, and LayerRyhthm. He has also collaborated, captured, and created content for organizations, brands, and artists such as Lincoln Center, The Guggenheim Museum, Brooklyn Summer Stage, Spotify, Levis, Fanta, National Black Theater, CUMBE, and Passion Fruit Dance Company.

IG: @still1 FB: Loreto StillOne Jamlig

Danielle De Vito (General / Production Manager) Danielle De Vito grew up just outside of NYC and was introduced to the production side of the performing arts at her high school’s performing arts curriculum program, PACE. She

continued her studies at The American University in Washington DC, majoring in both Film and Dance Production.

Since graduating in 2020, Danielle has worked at the American Dance Festival and with numerous dance and theater companies doing Production Stage Management and Company Management; these include Passion Fruit Dance Company, Pilobolus, Parsons Dance, Dorrance Dance, LayeRythm, and One Year Lease Theater. Danielle loves how her work allows her to see dance & the performing arts from a wide range of styles and gets to travel the world.

IG: @danielledevito1 FB: Danielle De Vito LI: The Danielle De Vito

Thanks Tonight’s performance is part of a 12-day residency by Passion Fruit at the UAlbany Performing Arts Center. In addition to five days of creative time, the company has or will be engaging with the Capital Region community and beyond through master classes, performances and class visitations. Our thanks go to the following for sharing their students: Abram Lansing Elementary Albany Academy Amsterdam High School Bard College Department of Dance Granville Jr./Sr. High School Hoosick Falls High School Schenectady High School Skidmore College Department of Dance UAlbany Music Program Union College Department of Theater and Dance These residency activities are supported by The Audience Building Project, a program of the Lake Placid Center for the Arts and the NYS Council on the Arts with support from the Governor and New York State Legislature.

Sponsors Tonight’s performance is part of Dance in Albany, a joint series presented by the UAlbany Performing Arts Center and The Egg. UALBANY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER PAC, 266 518-442-3995 www.albany.edu/pac THE EGG Empire State Plaza 518-473-1061 www.theegg.org Support provided by the New York State DanceForce, a partnership program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the New York State Governor and Legislature.

Additional support provided by University at Albany Foundation, University Auxiliary Services and Office of Intercultural Student Engagement.

UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY FOUNDATION University Administration Building, 226 518-437-5090 www.albany.edu/uafoundation

UNIVERSITY AUXILIARY SERVICES University Administration Building, 232 518-442-5950 www.albany.edu/uas

INTERCULTURAL STUDENT ENGAGEMENT Campus Center, B91 518-442-5565 www.albany.edu/multicultural

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Created and produced by the University Art Museum, NYS Writers Institute and UAlbany Performing Arts Center in collaboration with WAMC Northeast Public Radio, this popular series features leading figures from a variety of artistic disciplines in conversation about their creative inspirations, their craft and their careers. “Roundtable” host Joe Donahue conducts live on-stage interviews followed by a Q&A with the audience.

Dance Albany 2023-24

in

See all of these performances for only $110!

Dayton Contemporary Dance Co October 20 Passion Fruit Dance Co November 4

Performing Arts Center university at albany State University of New York

Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Co December 2 Photo: Dayton Contemporary Dance Company

Mark Morris Dance Group January 25 Ellen Sinopoli Dance Co with Capital Trio - January 27 * Monica Bill Barnes & Co February 3 No Gravity Theatre February 9 Savion Glover April 13 Ellen Sinopoli Dance Co May 18 Packages also available for choice of five or three at 25% or 10% discounts, respectively.

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