WELCOME TO THE SCHOOL OF DANCE CONCERT FALL 2022 Thank you for choosing to enjoy a live dance performance to add the Arts to your busy schedules. Whether you are in the theatre or watching the live stream of a performance, you are in for a great treat tonight. There is nothing that equates with the feeling of experiencing live arts performances. These performances are the results of numerous hours of work from the dancers, choreographers, costume and lighting designers, audio and sound engineers, camera operators, the technical crew, and a host of others. I find this evening’s concert especially rewarding as the clarity and variety of each choreographer’s vision is distinctly unique. Each time the curtain opens, the feel and atmosphere of the dance is uniquely its own. The works showcased in this performance represent choreography from an expansive time span; Michel Fokine’s work was choreographed in 1909, Donald McKayle’s work in 1972, Brent Schneider’s work in 2000, and Sara Pickett’s work in 2022.
I hope that you enjoy the performance. It will offer you an opportunity to enjoy the dancers’ and choreographers’ amazing talents, as well as hopefully give you something to think about or reflect upon long after the final curtain closes. Again, thank you for supporting the arts through your participation as an audience member – we spend months of rehearsals and preparation for these fleeting live performances. Thank you!
Brent Schneider Professor, School of Dance Concert Director
Irishia Hubbard (School of Dance MFA Candidate and Official Re-stager for the McKayle Legacy) performing in Donald McKayle’s Bitter Sweet
Les Sylphides Choreography by Michel Fokine Performed with the permission of the FOKINE ESTATE-ARCHIVE Re-staged by: Maggie Wright Tesch Music: Frederic Chopin Original Orchestration: Alexander Glazunov Original Design: Alexandre Benois Original Cast: Anna Pavlova, Tamara Karsavina, Vaslav Nijinsky and Alexandra Baldina Premiere: 2 June 1909 University of Utah Ballet Program Premiere: November 2012 Costumes: School of Dance Costume Shop Lighting: Emily Bertelli Rehearsal Assistant: Carly Herrmann Original Scenery Design: Alexandre Benois Drop courtesy of Ballet West, Adam Sklute, Artistic Director Casting Thursday Sept 29th, Saturday Oct 1st (E) Friday Oct 7th, Saturday Oct 8th (E) Poet - Ben Hannum Prelude - MaryClaire Whitley Waltz - Chelsea Reusch Mazurka - Kirsten Rye Demis - Alex Cherenson, Ana Gellert
Sylphs Jasmine Parente Ela Solmsen Leyla Neslanovic Isabella Shippen Brianne Corbridge Eva Thompson Ada Gouse
Sarah Schiffhauer Olivia Huseonica Sofia Marie Lusitana Ashlyn Staker Annalise Wood Haley Parsons Raquel Miller
Casting Fri Sept 30, Sat Oct 1 (M) Thurs Oct 6, Sat Oct 8 (M) Poet - Sam Johnson Prelude - Jasmine Parente Waltz - Annalise Wood Mazurka - Sarah Schiffhauer Demis - Brianne Corbridge, MaryClaire Whitley Sylphs Kirsten Rye Ela Solmsen Leyla Neslanovic Isabella Shippen Alex Cherenson Eva Thompson Ada Gouse Amrita Jade
Olivia Huseonica Sophie Kane (understudy) Sofia Marie Lusitana Natalie Montoya Chelsea Reusch (9/30, 10/1m) Haley Parsons (10/8m) Addison Goan (10/6, 10/8m) Melia Cook (9/30, 10/1, 10/6) Gianna LaRoche
Les Sylphides is a short (one act) plotless Romantic-style ballet, or as some would describe it, a ballet of mood, originally choreographed by Mikhail Fokine
to music by Chopin. Although it is framed rather like the “divertissements in the forest” that take place in Act 2 of the full length Romantic ballet “La Sylphide”, Les Sylphides has nothing to do with and should not be confused with the former (different music, choreographer, motifs and themes). Perhaps because of the potential for confusion with La Sylphide some ballet companies still refer to Fokine’s work by its original title: Chopiniana or Reverie Romantique: Ballet sur la musique de Chopin, as performed at the Mariinsky Theatre in 1908. However named, the version danced nowadays is the one staged for Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes, premiered in Paris at the Theatre du Chatelet, the 2nd of June of 1909, with an original cast led by Anna Pavlova, Tamara Karsavina, Vaslav Nijinsky and Alexandra Baldina. The ballet’s theme is that of a young man walking at night and encountering a group of white sylphs (young women that are spirits of the air. The name Sylph is combined from the latin sylvestris=of the woods and nympha=nymph) dancing in the moonlight. The man joins in and dances with the sylphs. Some productions characterized this man as “a poet dreaming about his inspirations” (in many programs the male role would be called poet) but this is really a ballet about the music rather than its characters and as the Royal Ballet ‘s
program notes, each of the female dancers is named after their own movements (Valse, Mazurka, Prelude). Given the romantic atmosphere of this piece, the ballet is very approachable and a staple in the repertory of nearly every major company in the world.
School of Dance students Ben Hannum and MaryClaire Whitley performing in the current re-staging of Michel Fokine’s Les Sylphides, re-staged by Maggie Wright Tesch
Excerpts From Life 2000, 2022
Choreography: Brent Schneider with the dancers Costumes: Christopher Larson Lighting: Emily Bertelli Voice Over Artists: Megan Durham Wall, Kim Blackett Text: Carl Sandburg – The People, Yes Music: Leroy Holmes, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Henryk Górecki Dancers: Kaitlyn Daigle, Haley De Camara, Maddy Golingo, Aria Green, Henrick Gustafson, Emma Mangers, Shelby Strickler
Skin + Bones Choreography: Sara Pickett and dancers Music: Neil Diamond, Julia Kent, Mica Levi Costumes: Christopher Larson Lighting: Emily Bertelli Cast: Emily Marsh, Lucy Pinnock, Jade Sakelaris, Olivia Schmaltz, Allison Schuh, Kelly Scott, Lydia Smith “What do you have?” By implication, the question requires consideration of what one does not have and what has been taken away. Thank you to the dancers for their openness in the process.
Songs of the Disinherited Choreography: Donald McKayle Music: Phil Moore Jr., Manuel Alverez Maciste and Richie Havens Stormy Staging: Irishia Hubbard Rehearsal Assistants: Roxanne Gray & Kellie St.Pierre Costumes: Lea Vivante Lighting: Kenneth Keith Week One Cast I’m On My Way - Susan Burnap, Kiya Green, Sophia Vance Upon the Mountain - Elijah Cook, Max Vannocken-Witmer Angelitos Negros - Anna Kazwell Shaker Life - Rebecca Aguilar, Susan Burnap, Jamie Chen, Elijah Cook, Katrina Dringham, Kiya Green, Anna Kazwell, Madeline Nelson, Sophia Vance, Vivienne Williams, Katie Winslow, Max Vannocken-Witmer Week Two Cast I’m On My Way - Rebecca Aguilar, Katrina Dringham, Madeline Nelson Upon the Mountain - Elijah Cook, Max Vannocken-Witmer Angelitos Negros - Vivienne Williams Shaker Life - Rebecca Aguilar, Susan Burnap, Jamie Chen, Elijah Cook, Katrina Dringham,
Kiya Green, Anna Kazwell, Madeline Nelson, Sophia Vance, Vivienne Williams, Katie Winslow, Max Vannocken-Witmer SONGS OF THE DISINHERITED is one of Donald McKayle’s heritage masterworks. “It examines and speaks deeply of varied aspects of the Black Diaspora in the New World. It’s four movements begin with the driving spiritual I’m On My Way, a gospel with biblical reference with Canaan land as symbol of the promised land origins unknown but possibly a Under Ground Railroad Song, a relentless rendering of determination and forward movement out from the abyss of slavery. The second movement, Upon the Mountain, A depression blues is an anguished cry of hunger and the resolve to survive. The dance shows the strength and determinations to fight the forces that hold back. The third movement, Angelitos Negros, is a portrait of black courage, dignity and beauty of a woman in grief of loss proudly pleading and challenging the painters of her country with Lyrics by Andres Eloy Blanco, ‘...Every time you paint a church you paint beautiful little angels, but never have you remembered to paint a black angle...we also go to Heaven... paint me a black angel!’ The final movement, Shaker Life is an urban gospel that dispels doubt and celebrates life, a joyous entry into the spiritual life of the black church. It is an ebullient and enraptured assembly.” - Donald McKayle
SONGS OF THE DISINHERITED first performed by the Inner City Repertory Dance Company of Los Angeles, 1972 First performed by Evidence on November 12, 2019 I’m On My Way: Traditional Music Arranged by Phil Moore Jr. Upon the Mountain: Traditional Music Arranged by Phil Moore Jr. Angelitos Negros: Muisc by Manuel Alvarez Maciste with Piano and Vocals by Roberta Flack Shaker Life: The Voices of East Harlem •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• All master recordings for rehearsal and performance engineered by John Gerbetz, The Donald McKayle Legacy. SONGS OF THE DISINHERITED is performed by permission THE DONALD McKAYLE LEGACY © Lea Vivante McKayle, Executor / Co-Artistic Director Dennis Nahat, Producing Manager / Co-Artistic Director contact: www.TheatreVentures.org / dnahat@TheatreVenturesIntl.com International Copyright, All Rights Reserved Donald McKayle
The School of Dance acknowledges and thanks the following donors for their generous support during fiscal year July 1, 2020- June 30, 2021 (2021-2022 list coming soon) 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 Anonymous 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
FANS CONT. 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 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
THE PEOPLE OF THE SCHOOL OF DANCE FACULTY
Melonie Murray – Associate Professor, Director, School of Dance Pamela Geber Handman – Professor Brent Schneider – Professor Luc Vanier – Professor Douglas Corbin – Professor (Lecturer), Musical Director Maggie Wright Tesch – Professor (Lecturer), UBSI Director Eric Handman – Associate Professor, Associate Director for Graduate Studies Satu Hummasti – Associate Professor, Associate Director for Undergraduate Studies Jay Kim – Associate Professor, Associate Director for Faculty, IBSI Director Joselli Deans – Associate Professor Christopher Alloways-Ramsey – Assistant Professor, Ballet Recruitment Director Natalie Desch – Assistant Professor, Modern Dance Recruitment Director Melissa Bobick – Assistant Professor Molly Heller – Assistant Professor Kym McDaniel – Assistant Professor Pablo Piantino – Assistant Professor, Assistant Director for Student Support Daniel Clifton – Assistant Professor (Lecturer), Modern Dance Minor Advisor Christine McMillan – Assistant Professor (Lecturer), Ballet Program Head Sara Pickett – Associate Professorr (Lecturer), Modern Dance Program Head Ben Sandberg – Assistant Professor (Clinical), A/V Specialist Mary Ann Walton Lee – Associate Professor (Lecturer), Artistic Director Tanner Dance Constance Anderson – MFA Candidate Kimberly Fulmer – MFA Candidate Stephanie García – MFA Candidate Roxanne Gray – MFA Candidate Rebekah Guerra – MFA Candidate Carly Herrmann – MFA Candidate Irishia Hubbard – MFA Candidate Joshua Mora – MFA Candidate Thea Patterson – MFA Candidate Tyler Schnese – MFA Candidate Kellie St. Pierre – MFA Candidate Samantha Stone – MFA Candidate Jennie Creer-King – Adjunct Professor Tom Welsh – Adjunct Associate Professor Rosie Banchero – Adjunct Assistant Professor Lynne Larson – Adjunct Assistant Professor Christine Moore – Adjunct Assistant Professor Penny Saunders – Adjunct Assistant Professor Justine Sheedy-Kramer – Adjunct Assistant Professor Jasmine Stack – Adjunct Assistant Professor Sean Carter – Associate Instructor 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 Tyler Kunz - Marketing & Design
COSTUME SHOP
Christopher Larson – Costume Shop Director Madeleine Mann – Technichian, Draper Clover Kelly – Technichian, First Hand Makayla Cussen – Technichian, Sticher
ACCOMPANISTS
Vilena Barekyan – Associate Instructor, Accompanist Mark Chaney – Accompanist Max Hall – Accompanist David Herrmann – Accompanist Tristan Moore – Accompanist Brian Pappal – Accompanist Tatsiana Rasmussen – Accompanist Sarah Richards – Accompanist John Rukavina – Accompanist Stephen Valdean – Accompanist Wachira Waigwa-Stone – Accompanist
PT/ATC
Trina Bellendir – Physical Therapist Christopher Michaels – Athletic Trainer
PRODUCTION
Production Director – Em Bertelli Video Director – Ben Sandberg, Courtney Landry (assisting) Stage Manager – Rebecca Johnson Stage Crew – Luna Esmerode, Nick Gilleland, Caleb Holt, Zephan Holt, Olivia Huseonica, Megan Lynch, Max Vannocken-Witmer Videographers – Constance Anderson, Kimberly Fulmer, Jonas Warner
Best of Luck Bouquets A Character Dance Ensemble (CDE) Fundraiser
Order a rose, bouquet, or succulent to wish your dancer good luck! All flowers will be delivered backstage before the performance.
TAP HERE TO PLACE AN ORDER
(or visit linktr.ee/uofudance) Single rose: $2 (or 3 roses for $5!) Bouquet of flowers: $6 Succulent: $5 Handwritten message: +$1
All proceeds will benefit Character Dance Ensemble, a student-led organization that learns, teaches, and performs character, folk, ethnic, historical, and spiritual dances from all around the globe. Your donations will help us get to Tokyo, Japan in May 2023!
WEEK ONE PERFORMANCES WILL BE LIVE-STREAMED AT
dance.utah.edu/virtualshows
We recognize that the arts are a vital part of our connection to one another, and we need connection now more than ever. So, we, in the School of Dance, have made the decision to provide free access to any patron who would like to be moved by our movement this year. For those who would like to help us make our art available to more, or who would like to support the work of our talented faculty, staff and students, we welcome your financial contributions. But for now and while we can, we’re letting the art be free.
TAP HERE TO MAKE A DONATION
DANCE.UTAH.EDU @UOFUDANCE 801.581.7327