DANCER: BRIANNA SKAGGS | PHOTOGRAPHER: TODD COLLINS
Pablo Piantino Fall Dance 1 Concert Director
FROM THE DIRECTOR A theatre is no more than bricks and mortar if not for the inhabitants who share an experience within its walls. Welcome to the Hayes Christensen Theatre and to our live and inperson Fall Dance 1 Concert––the first of our concert series, showcasing the strength and versatility of the School of Dance at the University of Utah. If you are someone who has come to our shows before, you might have noticed that the names of our concerts have changed. This is to reflect not only the programming within the shows, but also our commitment to greater diversity and collaboration as a school and community of artists. Today’s performance will be an eclectic artistic experience. It will display the talent and professionalism of our wonderful students and the artistry and expertise of our esteemed faculty and invited guests. As faculty, we have a responsibility to introduce and challenge our students to a myriad of movement styles to better reflect the trends occurring in the field of dance. The choreographies you are about to witness span a wide range of physical prowess and artistic expression––from exquisite and ethereal ballet vocabulary to grounded and imaginative modern dance movement. You, the audience, are an integral part of our artistic process, existence and purpose. It is so nice to have you sharing this magical space with us once more. Here is to much more of this to come… Thank you for being here and I hope you enjoy the show! Pablo Piantino Fall Dance 1 Concert Director
Sur le Fil Choreographer: Penny Saunders Staging: Pablo Piantino Music Credit: Michael Wall and Yann Tiersen Lighting Design: Cole Adams Costume Design: Christopher Larson and Penny Saunders Dancers: 10/7, 10/8, 10/23 (Mat), 10/23 (Eve) Faith Adams, Haley Critchfield, Ben Hannum, Elizabeth Hines, Caleb Holt, Zephan Holt, Hannah Huang, Sarah Schiffhauer 10/9 (Mat), 10/9 (Eve), 10/21, 10/22 Genevieve Boyle, Ben Hannum, Zephan Holt, Hope Farrar, Lily Jones, AJ Maio, Lydia Morris, Aubrie Nield Note: One of my goals with Sur le Fil was to maintain a feeling of illusiveness; to not cling too tightly to any particular theme or subject matter. That being said, I did have a few key words and sentiments that were swirling in my head during the creation period. I was extremely intrigued by the mischievousness and inexplicable nature of life, as well as that inevitable, common reality we all share of having personal secrets that we would prefer remain in the dark. Originally premiered with Tulsa Ballet 2 on April 13, 2018. “Lucy’s Lull, Michael Wall used by permission from Sound for Movement, publisher and copyright owner” “La Rechute, Michael Wall used by permission from Sound for Movement, publisher and copyright owner”
Bound Together Choreographer: Natalie Desch in collaboration with the Dancers Music Credit: dZihan & Kamien Lighting Design: Cole Adams Costume Design: Christopher Larson Scenic Design: Isaac Taylor Sound and Projection Design: Benjamin Sandberg Dancers: Maya Belcove, Claire Campbell, Mya Dixon, Katrina Dringman, Hayli Henretty, Sophie Kane, Sophia Kourtoglou, Mara Magistad, Daniela Sherman, Elle Taylor Note: The anatomy of a book depicts specific elements––the cover, the spine, the pages, the type, the chapters, the index, the content, and so much more between the lines. As well, libraries hold books as sacred texts of a community. They act as meta-media repositories for unique stories and critical information. Books and libraries exist so people can share, listen, and thrive together. This collaborative dance adventure is dedicated to Alberta (Susie) K. Desch, who was a librarian and a true champion of the many people and stories that existed all around her. Special thanks to Daniel Charon for his invaluable support and advice during this creative process.
Threshold Choreographer: Justine Sheedy-Kramer Music: Jóhann Jóhannsson, Max Richter, RIOPY, Joep Beving, Christian Badzura, and Alexandra Stréliski Lighting Design: Cole Adams Costume Design: Olivia Mason Scenic Design: Isaac Taylor Dancers: 10/7, 10/9 (Mat), 10/22, 10/23 (Eve) Amanda Ahn, Edie Clarke, Ruthie Dalby, Wyatt Johnson, Megan Lynch, Gigi McConnon, Julia Salter, Jilli Snow, Natalie Taylor, Kiana Yusefzadeh 10/8, 10/9 (Eve), 10/21, 10/23 (Mat) Alexandra Cherenson, Annie Clifford, Luna Esmerode, Addison Goan, Wyatt Johnson, Sofia Marie Lusitana, Helen Rawls, Chelsea Reusch, Sydney Stutzman, Kate Weeks Note: There are times when the weight of transition holds us down and when we face the journey ahead with anxiety or trepidation. The pathways that we find ourselves on can be long or short, winding or straightforward, exhausting or exhilarating, but is it the journey or the destination that shapes us the most? Many thanks to the dancers for their artistic contributions and commitment!
The Next Chapter Choreographer: Bashaun Williams in collaboration with the Dancers Music Credit: Original score by Michael Wall Lighting Design: Cole Adams Costume Design: Rachel Hayes Dancers: Annastasia Beller, Caroline Bundschuh, Madeline Colesano , Katherine Conrad, Corinne Fellerhoff, Makenna Ferre, Nikki Ferry, Madeline Franz, Amanda Holt, Anna Jankowski, Loren Khan, Makayla Larsen, Raquel Miller, Natalie Nichols, Amanda Peabody, Adelaide Pitcock, Savannah Sherman, Paige Suttich Note: My process is always one geared towards collaboration. I’m always eager to meet and begin a creation after I get a feel for who I am working with. Of course, I have ideas constantly brewing, but the actual process is what allows those ideas to morph and unfold. I like to create a collective vocabulary of movement using my own aesthetic meshed with the ideas the dancers bring individually. This allows us to create a library of movement to draw from and piece together. The possibilities seem to always be endless. This process for me is about transitions. Transitions in life, transitions from one place to another, any and all ideas of what transitioning to something else can be. I’ve chosen the colors of the sunset to represent the work because I feel that this daily occurrence is a transition we can always count on, but also one that offers uniqueness to time & place each day. “Gourmet, Michael Wall used by permission from Sound for Movement, publisher and copyright owner”
CHOREOGRAPHERS Penny Saunders Penny Saunders, originally from West Palm Beach, Florida, graduated from the Harid Conservatory in 1995, and began her professional career with The American Repertory Ballet under the direction of Septime Webre. She went on to dance with Ballet Arizona, MOMIX Dance Theater, Cedar Lake Ensemble and in 2004 she joined Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. In 2011, Saunders won the International Commissioning Project which launched her choreographic career, creating pieces for Hubbard Streets’ main and second companies, Cincinnati Ballet, Whim W’Him, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet, BalletX, Sacramento Ballet, The Royal New Zealand Ballet, Tulsa Ballet, Diablo Ballet, Dayton Ballet, among many others. Saunders is honored to be the Resident Choreographer at The Grand Rapids Ballet, to have received support from The New York City Ballet Choreographic Commissions Initiative, to have participated in The Guggenheim Works & Process, The National Choreographers Initiative, and to be the recipient of the 2016 Princess Grace Choreographic Fellowship. In 2020, Saunders created a range of new dance films with Whim W’Him, BalletX, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Dance Collective, Grand Rapids Ballet, Ballet Idaho and ArtÉmotion. She is looking forward to upcoming residencies with USC Kaufman School of Dance, Point Park University, and Western Michigan University, as well as collaborations with Art Émotion/Ballet West, Nashville Ballet, Diablo Ballet, Eugene Ballet, Dayton Ballet, Grand Rapids Ballet, Dance Aspen, and Ballet Idaho. Saunders is also currently an Adjunct Assistant Professor at The University of Utah School of Dance.
Natalie Desch Natalie Desch, a BFA graduate of the Juilliard School and an MFA graduate of the University of Washington, performed for five seasons with the Limón Dance Company and eleven seasons with Doug Varone and Dancers in NYC. She additionally danced in various productions at the Metropolitan Opera and other regional opera companies (Minnesota Opera, Opera Colorado, Palm Beach Opera, Longleaf Opera (NC), Lincoln Center Institute (NYC). From 2005-2012 she taught at Hunter College (City University of New York) and has also been a visiting faculty member at Weber State University (UT), University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and the Beijing Dance Academy. She additionally has taught for the following summer festivals: Doug Varone and Dancers, the Limón Dance Company, UNCSA, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, the Bates Dance Festival, Ririe-Woodbury, and the Canadian Contemporary Dance Theater, among others. Natalie has restaged the works of José Limón, Doug Varone, Jirí Kylián, and Daniel Charon on performing groups around the world, and her choreography has been presented at venues throughout the US. In 2014 Natalie relocated to Salt Lake City, UT, and began teaching at Ballet West Academy, Westminster College, Utah Valley University, and Salt Lake Community College. Natalie joined the University of Utah’s School of Dance as an Assistant Professor in the fall of 2019.
Justine Sheedy-Kramer Justine Sheedy-Kramer received her BFA and MFA degrees from the University of Utah Ballet Department, with emphases in Teaching, Choreography, Performance, and Character Dance. She also studied and performed with Pacific Northwest Ballet School, Washington Academy of Performing Arts, Burklyn Ballet Theatre, Utah Contemporary Ballet, Exit 12 Dance Company, Ballet Theatre Company, and CONNetic Dance. Justine has toured nationally and internationally with Character Dance Ensemble and Eastern Artists as both a dancer and choreographer, and continues to be involved with these organizations. Justine teaches Character Dance for the University of Utah School of Dance and has also taught Ballet, Pointe, Character Dance, Senior Capstone, and Music for Ballet Dancers at Utah Valley University. She serves as Operations Director and faculty member for Salt Lake City Ballet. Justine’s variety of teaching and choreographic experience includes staging the full-length productions of Coppélia and Don Quixote for Saint Mary’s Hall; establishing collaborative projects between the Ballet Program and School of Music at the University of Utah; and partnering with the Turnaround Arts initiative as part of the President’s Committee on the Arts & the Humanities. Her research interests draw from these opportunities and include the analysis of best practices for collaborative projects in the arts, as well as the use of ballet and character dance as a foundation for community outreach and cross-cultural communication. Justine enjoys the opportunity to teach for a variety of workshops as a guest instructor, including Ballet West, Emerald Ballet Theatre, Wasatch Ballet Conservatory, Lifehouse Performing Arts Academy, and University of Utah Ballet Summer Intensives.
Bashaun Williams Bashaun Williams is a native to Lubbock, Texas. He started dancing at the age of 16 with Ballet Lubbock, under the Artistic Direction of Yvonne Racz-Key. While in high school, Bashaun was the only Sophomore to play Varsity basketball for Lubbock High. He went on to become the captain of the Varsity team during his Junior and Senior years. Bashaun excelled artistically and academically while at Lubbock High school, performing numerous roles in many of Ballet Lubbock’s professional productions, and received the top honor of being named All-Westerner Boy during his Senior year. Bashaun was offered a full academic and artistic merit scholarship to attend the University of Utah. At the University of Utah, Bashaun was a member of the resident performing company, Utah Ballet. During this time, he performed numerous Principle and Soloist roles while graduating with Honors in 2011. Upon graduation, Bashaun was offered a contract to join the Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, where he danced for an entire decade! As a member of the company, he toured extensively throughout the United States, Africa, France, Japan, Mongolia & South Korea to perform and teach master classes. He has performed the works of many renowned choreographers such as Alwin Nikolais, Murray Louis, Stevan Novakovich, Edward Truitt, Val Caniparoli, Rick Tija, Johannes Weiland, Bill T. Jones, Adam Barruch, Charlotte Boye-Christensen, Doug Varone, Yin Yue, Raja Feather Kelly and Daniel Charon, among others. Not only did his passion for performing grow during this time, but also, his passion for teaching. Bashaun has had the privilege of teaching master classes at renown universities such as Georgia University, The University of Utah, Utah Valley University, Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, Brenau University, & Loyola Marymount University, to name a few. He has also had the privilege of setting choreography and teaching creative movement classes in over 100 Utah schools!
The School of Dance acknowledges and thanks the following donors for their generous support during fiscal year July 1, 2020- June 30, 2021 INVESTORS $15,000+ Anonymous Dick and Timmy Burton Foundation The Huntsman Foundation Jon M.* and Karen H. Huntsman Paul and Cheryl Huntsman CONTRIBUTORS $2,500 - $14,999 The Brass Ring Foundation Gordon and Connie Hanks Melinda Nordeng Anne Riffey John and Martha Veranth, PhD
BENEFACTORS $1,000 - $2,499 Anonymous Arkansas Community Foundation Sean Carter Jerome and Abby Fiat Robert and Leigh King Krystkowiak Seven Duncan Maio, JD and Kristen Westmoreland Jean Sabatine Brent Schneider and Kim Blackett Michael Steiner and Sheila Ainlay Luc Vanier and Elizabeth Johnson
PATRONS $500 - $999 Thomas and Sidney Armstrong Rae Barnes Daynes Music Company Gerald and Susan Daynes Jr. Armand Harris Jr. Sybil D Huskey & Mike Lavine Angela Kourtoglou Andrea Lunsford
FRIENDS $200 - $499 William Barry and Lisa Banitt Jonathan Scoville and Tandy Beal Michael and Jennifer Boyle Ellen Bromberg Scott and Sarah Brown Chipotle Mexican Grill Eastern Arts Society Edward Folts Eric and Pamela Handman Dr. Dianne Howe
John and Janet Kazwell Maureen McGill Raymond* and Patricia Rubley Jr. Jamie and Stephanie Schuette The Schwab Fund for Charitable Giving Yujiro Shimogori J. Christopher Smith, MD Glenda Staples Andrew and Alice Bassler Sullivan Wendy Thompson Thomas M Welsh
FANS up to $199 Grant and Maria Ahn Ashley Akhavan Keith Andersen Robert and Maria Apgar Christine Baczek Dirk and Deborah Balfanz Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund Frederick and Alice Barber Colleen Barnes Cindy Barrus Cheryl Baumann Michelle Bickel Christine Blanck Karen Blatnik Nansi Wattenburg Bohne Joan Brown Lisa Buth Cafe Zupas Deb Calbane Priscilla Campbell, CPA Earl Catterton and Kim Sargent Bethany Chaney Ashley Chin-Mark Michael and Kristina Christopherson Jeff Clapp and Diane Malloy Sara Clauss Mick and Lisa Conlin Bri Cooley Alice Cox Nancy Cox Timothy and Karla Cox Austin and Hannah Davis Natalie Desch John Diehl and Gabrielle Lynch Diehl Casey Duncan Orvil Elia
Jennifer Elder Matthew and Pamela Fellerhoff Tracy Fernholz Laja Field Thomas and Rebecca Flanagan Peter Flowers and Hazel Legaspi Anthony and Tina Fonzo Ariana Christine Fonzo Norma Gabriel Anne Van Gelder Andrea Gossels Brian and Mary Haan Robert Haise Douglas and Norine Halbe Kristine Halverson David and Charlotte Hamblin Jennifer Hancock Ellen Harrison Brian Hartmann Dianne Shelden Howe Trust Timothy and Jane Howes George Huang and Alping Jiang Satu Hummasti James Hunt, MD Margaret Jurado Kristina Karg Douglas and Julie Kirchner Kurt and Theresa Klein Megan Kleinman Marsha Knight Stephen Koester Gary and Kristine Kolbeck Hasko Kramer and Justine SheedyKramer Mary Liggett Michael Lisonbee and Helen Nichols Kathleen Mattingly, PhD Kenneth Mccullough Lorita McLeod Christine McMillan Brodie Mead James Merlette Meredith Metzger, PhD Lisette Miles Ashley Mitchell Peter and Daysha Moes Kim Morris and Rheba Vetter, PhD Emily Mostue Andrea Nelson Jacob and Catherine Nelson
Greg and Sue Novak Joan Ortloff Kimberly Ortloff Karen O’Sullivan Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. Connie Plato Sharon Popielews Serena Quaglia Mark and Carrie Rackow Christopher and Jill Randall John Reeves Diane Reilly Giovanni Rodriquez and Laura Pratt Eric Schuh Julie Schwartz Maureen Scott Gregory and Janet Shaw Isabel Shimanski Kotaro Shimogori and Mary Thompson Jody and Maureen Skinner Grant Smith, PhD Tawnya Sluka Patrizio and Nadia Spitalieri Venus Stafford Swen and Aimee Swenson, JD Judith Tangen Joanna Tarantola Sherrie Taylor Frank and Caroline Tepley Dennis and Margaret Tesch Texas Roadhouse Glenda Thompson Jennifer Thompson Larissa Trout Karen Tucker Rollie Wagstaff Michael and Meghan Wall Richard Walsh and Carolyn Hunter Walsh Ron and Trish Weeks Jen Weiler Keith West Krista Widdison Lawrence and Maida Withers Robert and Joanne Wood, MD David and Steffenie Yates Susan Zook
FACULTY Luc Vanier – Professor, Director of the School of Dance Pamela Geber Handman – Professor, Associate Director for Faculty Brent Schneider – Professor, Recruitment Director Cherylyn Lavagnino – Visiting Professor Eric Handman - Associate Professor, Associate Director for Graduate Studies Satu Hummasti - Associate Professor, Associate Director for Undergraduate Studies Jay Kim - Associate Professor, Assistant Director for Student Support Melonie B. Murray – Associate Professor, Associate Dean for Faculty & Academic Affairs Christopher Alloways-Ramsey - Assistant Professor, Recruitment Director Melissa Bobick - Assistant Professor, Ballet Program Head Natalie Desch - Assistant Professor Molly Heller - Assistant Professor Pablo Piantino - Assistant Professor Cole Adams - Professor (Lecturer) Production Director, Lighting Designer Maggie Tesch - Professor (Lecturer), UBSI Director Mary Ann Lee - Associate Professor (Lecturer), Artistic Director Tanner Dance Michael Wall - Associate Professor (Lecturer), Modern Program Head Mary Ann Walton – Associate Professor (Lecturer) Daniel Clifton - Assistant Professor (Lecturer), Minor Advisor Christine McMillan - Assistant Professor, (Lecturer) Sara Pickett - Assistant Professor (Lecturer), Assistant Recruitment Director Ben Sandberg - Assistant Professor (Clinical), A/V Specialist Isaac Taylor - Assistant Professor (Clinical), Technical Lighting Director Rick McCullough - Visiting Professor Philip Hamilton - Visiting Assistant Professor, Musical Director Joselli Deans, Visiting Associate Professor. Victoria Morgan – Adjunct Professor Jacque Bell - Adjunct Associate Professor Christine Moore – Adjunct Associate Professor Jasmine Stack – Adjunct Assistant Professor Linda C. Smith - Adjunct Associate Professor Thomas Welsh - Adjunct Research Associate Professor Rosie Banchero - Adjunct Assistant Professor Penny Saunders - Adjunct Assistant Professor Katrina McPherson - Adjunct Assistant Professor Justine Sheedy-Kramer - Adjunct Assistant Professor Jennie Creer-King - Associate Instructor Lynne Larson - Associate Instructor Alexandra Barbier - Morales Fellow
Solange Gomes – Adjunct Instructor Distinguished Alumni Bené Arnold - Distinguished Professor Emerita, Distinguished Alumna Ellen Bromberg – Distinguished Professor Emerita Jacqueline Clifford - Professor Emerita Abby Fiat - Professor Emerita Phyllis Haskell - Professor Emerita, Distinguished Alumna Stephen Koester - Professor Emeritus Loabelle Mangelson - Clawson, Professor Emerita Shirley Ririe - Professor Emerita Donna White - Professor Emerita Joan Woodbury - Professor Emerita Barbara Hamblin - Associate Professor Emerita, Distinguished Alumna Sharee Lane - Associate Professor Emerita Conrad Ludlow - Associate Professor Emeritus Jon Scoville - Associate Professor Emeritus
ADMINISTRATION Will Maguire- Administrative Officer Sean Carter - Administrative Assistant Akilah Woodford-Sims – Clerk
COSTUME SHOP Christopher Larson - Costume Shop Director Elizabeth Diansongi - Stitcher Rachel Hayes - Draper Olivia Mason – First Hand
ACCOMPANISTS Wayne Coons - Associate Instructor, Head Musician Modern Program Vilena Barekyan - Associate Instructor, Accompanist Svetlana Vasilenko – Associate Instructor, Accompanist Max Hall – Accompanist David Herrman – Accompanist Tristan Moore – Accompanist Tatsiana Rasmussesn – Accompanist Sarah Richards – Accompanist Kaz Speirs – Accompanist Wachira Waigwa-Stone – Accompanist Kimball Whitaker – Accompanist
PT/ATC Trina Bellendir - Physical Therapist Christopher Michaels - Athletic Trainer
STAGE CREW Rebecca Johnson - Stage Manager Stage Crew -