Outro: A Modern Senior Concert

A CONCERT BY MODERN DANCE SENIORS

WITH GUEST CHOREOGRAPHY BY HEARTLAND COLLECTIVE

Concert Note

Welcome to Outro, featuring the original works of each member of the Modern Dance BFA class of 2024 and a new original work by Heartland Collective.

Our cohort is made up of 9 incredible individuals. We each have rich personal histories and emerging dreams for our futures. Tonight, we celebrate each of our unique voices, as well as the love, and friendship we share.

This evening is a culmination of the hard work we have done, lessons we have learned, and precious relationships we have made these last 4 years.

Yes to the magic held in each precious human body, the magic that is the medium of our making

Yes to risk

Yes to vulnerability and care

Yes to experimentation, yes to research

Yes to art that calls for liberation

Yes to remembering the rhythms and spirals of aliveness, life is a dance

To the Marriott Center for Dance and the people here who make our education possible, thank you.

To our professors and teachers, who have taught us so much about this creative form, who have mentored us, who have taught us to trust ourselves, who have taught us about boundless curiosity, thank you. Our art-making reminds us of our shared humanity. This extends beyond the walls of this building and beyond the bounds of national borders. As a cohort, we would like to state our solidarity with the Palestinian people and express our demand for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the siege on Gaza.

We believe in the freedom and liberation of all people.

We thank you for joining us this evening and we hope you enjoy the show.

Sincerely,

Modern Dance Senior Class of 2024

Leslie Jara, Ellie Russell, Henrik Gustafson, Madeline Nelson, Ray Toth, Lily Hammons, Elle Taylor, Charlotte Stehmeyer and title

University of Utah Land Acknowledgment

We acknowledge that this land, which is named for the Ute Tribe, is the traditional and ancestral homeland of the Shoshone, Paiute, Goshute, and Ute Tribes. The University of Utah recognizes and respects the enduring relationship that exists between many Indigenous peoples and their traditional homelands. We respect the sovereign relationship between tribes, states, and the federal government, and we affirm the University of Utah’s commitment to a partnership with Native Nations and Urban Indian communities through research, education, and community outreach activities.

The Whimsy of Being

Choreographer: Ray Toth

Performers: Lainee Chase, Aspen Dalby, Jolie Ferguson, Birdie Hadden, Sophia McCausland, Sean Sullivan, Em Zinn

Music: “Doctor Worm” by They Might Be Giants, “Waiting Room” by Fugazi, “Flamingo” by Rob Cantor

Lighting Design: Kat Dringman and Katie Winslow

Lainee: “Just a couple

Sean: “As

you can see, I’ve been the same since day one.”

a kid, I loved dressing up and pretending to be my favorite Disney characters. I am still the same fun loving Disney girl at heart!”

Jolie:

“As

Aspen: “Unlocking my inner silly, spunky, spontaneous child!”

Em: “And to this day, Jurassic Park is still my favorite movie.”

Birdie: “Younger me crying over a kitten, little did small Bird know she has A LOT more reasons to cry

now.”

Sophia: “Happy Birthday?”

One day I will be on time;

Choreographer: Charlotte Stehmeyer in collaboration with performers

Performers: Solveig Christianson, Kat Dringman, Lily Hammons, Madeline Nelson, Abby Pace, Izzy Sandston, Cooper Sullivan, Charlotte Stehmeyer, Elle Taylor

Music: “Charmaine” by Lucienne Delyle, “Einklang” by Peter Michael Hamel

Lighting Design: Meleah Paishon and Olivia Schmaltz

Monologue written by Camden Barrett in collaboration with Solveig Christianson and Izzy Sandston she who walks for eternity seeking, accumulating –not so blind to the balance of complexity, and the frustratingly simple.

of course seasons must come! why shed tears? does Candle burn through her wick?

does your mother’s mother’s lipstick bleed into the fleshy volume of her lips?

leaving behind – eroded, a sticky form reflecting, remembering the undeniable body.

an act of love, of ritual, a step, a step, a step.

LEAP! for she will witness another winter, another spring.

Oh, you say, the whiplash of it all –abundant, unyielding,

Break Free & Good Company

Choreographer: Savannah Sherman

Performers: Emilie Bishop, Hannah Kiers, Esther Simmons

Music: “I Want to Break Free” by Queen; “Good Company” by Queen

Lighting Design: Erin Hummiston and Sofia Marie Lusitana

I Want to Break Free - Screendance: A screendance made by an amateur cameraman (Savannah) and three dancers willing to be silly. The costuming and concept were heavily inspired by the Queen “I Want to Break Free” music video and a good eye for the many windows on campus.

Good Company - Onstage Performance:

Thank you to my dancers for exhibiting a genuine “play” in this rehearsal process and creating a nice connection between my ideas for a screendance and an onstage

Myth of the Cowboy

Choreographer: Henrik Gustafson in collaboration with the performers

Performers: Max VanNocken-Witmer, Elijah Cook, Kiya Green, Katie Winslow, Madeline Nelson, Keily Tafiti, Leslie Jara

Music: “Your Sweet Love” by Lee Hazlewood; “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’” by Nancy Sinatra; “Gentle On My Mind” by Glen Campbell

Lighting Design: Lydia Smith

Choreographer's Note: This piece explores the romanticization of the American West. I play with connection to family, and question how we see ourselves in the stories of our ancestors. I also reckon with the history of the land my family has occupied for generations, and question what to do with my family history in the historical context?

While oftentimes the cowboy is associated with outlaws, rangers, and sheriffs in the ‘Wild West’, most cattle drivers in the western United States were Mexican, Black, and Indigenous vaqueros. From the arrival of horses with the Spanish in the 1500s, vaqueros drove their cattle on the open land for three centuries. In the late 1860s, the invention of barbed wire and changing understandings of land ownership led to an end of the open range–the vaquero was stamped out of land and memory. During the 1950s, the United States was searching for an identity.

Through film, TV shows, and novels, depictions of a gunslinging hero taming the land were written as a romantic history of

I'm so sorry I forgot to

tell you I'm Unraveling

Choreographer: Elle Taylor

Performers: Cooper Sullivan, Kiya Green, Lily Hammons, Abby Pace, Marlee Stephens, Charlotte Stehmeyer, Elle Taylor

Music: “Interlude” by Little Moon, “Rile Me Up," “Fake Falsey People” by Emile Mosseri

Lighting Design: Lydia Morris and Sophia Kourtoglou

There's steadiness in my belly

And the bottoms of my feet but I gave up and let my heart break this morning

It seems its open (again) And so

From the center of my chest I’m unraveling

I’m unraveling

I don’t have to tell you its all too beautiful to bear with these

5 senses, no More

More, more, more, more, And I’m only just beginning

From the center of my chest

I’m unraveling

I’m unraveling

And somehow it keeps going and I am learning

The Something that keeps my heart pounding

One day will move on Unraveling onward toward new madnesses of aliveness

And I’m only just beginning

-

From Elle

Through a Dreamy Blur

Choreographer: Lily Bella Hammons

Performers: Cooper Sullivan, Charlotte Stehmeyer, Elle Taylor, Olivia Schmaltz, Kat Dringman, Lily Hammons

Music: Overture “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, Op. 21 & “Finale: through this House Give Glimering Light”, Op. 61 by Kathleen Battle with Boston Symphony Orchestra

Lighting Design: Brianne Corbridge and Amelia Rukavina

Choreographer's Note: They emerge as an ethereal partner. They hold a mysterious allure, hinting at hidden depths and dimensions beyond what is immediately visible. Blurring the boundaries between reality and imagination, shadows invite us to wander

Nostalgic Echoes

Choreographer: Ellie Russell in collaboration with performers

Performers: Haley DeCamara, Sicily

Demmerly, Grace Hurley, Emily Marsh, Drew Russell, Ellie Russell

Music: “Jacob’s Prayer” by Emile Mosseri, “Amsterdam” by Gregory Alan Isakov, “Jacob and the Stone” by Emile Mosseri

Lighting Design: Addison Cambia and Kiya Green

Choreographer's Note:

As my time here in this program comes to a close, I have reflected on my past four years here. There are so many cherished memories and experiences that I will remember forever. I have been thinking a lot about how even though change in our lives is good for us, it can bring about feelings of nostalgia for the past.

This piece explores fondness, tenderness, sentiment and how those emotions can lead to a want to relieve previous memories. Thank you to my dancers for having such open hearts and minds throughout this whole process.

To my family: thank you for your constant love and support in everything that I do. I owe everything to you all <3

Forever and a Day

Choreographer: Madeline Nelson in collaboration with dancers

Performers: Addison Cambia, Terra Killpack-Knutsen, Sophia McCausland, Allison Shafter, Ella Shippen, Ela Solmsen

Music: “recently,” by Liana Flores, “Fairy Fountain” by Super Guitar Bros, “Candlescape” by aspidistrafly, “When You’re Drifting” by Mojave 3

Lighting Design: Haley DeCamara and Emily Marsh

Choreographer's Note: Forever and a day is inspired by the admiration, curiosity, and awe surrounding statues and sculptures. The internal and inverted moments they are forever stuck in. This piece explores the physicality of those moments, as well as the feelings regarding being stuck at a point in time forever.

Favorable or not, your moment is everlasting and never changing. Thank you to my dancers for your incredible dedication and investment in this piece. I could not have asked for a better cast & process.

The Gift

Choreographer: Leslie Jara in collaboration with dancers

Performers: Sicily Demmerly, Leah Fabela, Josie Kolbeck, Jilly Lewis, Haniel Lopez, Sala Malohifo’ou, Gio Miranda, Sean Sullivan, Keily Tafiti

Featured performers (screendance): Stephanie Garcia, Angeline Bourgeault, Ella Spanier, Michelle Pina-Arriaga, Veronica Ortiz, Claudio Jara, Eric Jara, Richard Jara, Nicole Fielding, Kari Angell, Tylee Coates, Alejandro Romero, Bri Skaggs, Giselle Soriano, Jaqueline Leyva, Laura Parra, Mona Jordan, Mya Dixon, Paige Spenny, Brooke Maxwell, and Allegiant Dance Crew

Lighting Design: Sophia Anderson and Mackenna Bonner

Music: By Leslie Jara through free sound from pixabay.com and live audio with featured performers

Choreographer's Note:

Inspired by the idea of “Aloha Leadership” taught by Richard Kaufusi and Latu Kinikini, and the idea of “Unapologetic Individuality” taught by Jeffrey Boom Louizia; The Gift was created in response to The Giver performed at our senior showing in December of 2023, meaning the gift of the present life, the gift of giving, the gift of being, the gift of individuality, etc. This piece is my gift to those that have supported me throughout these four years. A gift to my family, friends, mentors, and my students for shaping me to be the person I am today. This is also my gift to you, the viewers. I hope this piece inspires you to be yourself unapologetically and to be grateful for the life you live.

Para mis padres…gracias por apoyarme siempre en mis sueños tan locos y grandes. Los amo con todo mi corazón. Esto es para ustedes y para Freddy. “SI SE PUDO!!”

OUTRO: our last wish

Direction & Choreography: Heartland Collective (Florian Alberge, Molly Heller, Marissa Mooney, Melissa Younker)

Choreography & Performance: Henrik Gustafson, Lily Bella Hammons, Leslie Jara, Madeline Nelson, Ellie Russell, Savannah Sherman, Charlotte Stehmeyer, Elle Taylor, Ray Toth

Original Music: Nick Foster and Michael

Wall Costumes: Heartland Collective and Senior Class 2024 with the School of Dance Costume Shop

Lighting Design: Emily Bertelli and Max VanNocken-Witmer

Rehearsal Assistant: Alexia Maikidou

Poutrino

The People of the School of Dance

FACULTY

Christopher Alloways-Ramsey –Assistant Professor, Recruitment Director

Melissa Bobick – Assistant Professor

Douglas Corbin – Professor (Lecturer), Musical Director

Daniel Clifton – Associate Professor (Lecturer)

Joselli Deans – Associate Professor

Natalie Desch – Assistant Professor, Recruitment Director

Pamela Geber Handman –Professor

Eric Handman – Associate Professor, Director of Graduate Studies

Molly Heller – Assistant Professor

Satu Hummasti – Associate Professor

Jay Kim – Associate Professor, IBSI Director, Director of Undergraduate Studies

Kym McDaniel – Assistant Professor, Screendance Program Head

Christine McMillan – Associate Professor (Lecturer)

Melonie Murray – Professor, Director, School of Dance

Pablo Piantino – Assistant Professor, Director of Undergraduate Studies

Sara Pickett – Associate Professor (Lecturer), Director of Undergraduate Studies

Ben Sandberg – Assistant Professor (Clinical), A/V Specialist

Mary Ann Walton Lee – Associate Professor (Lecturer), Artistic Director

Tanner Dance

Maggie Wright Tesch – Professor (Lecturer), UBSI Director

Luc Vanier – Professor

ADJUNCT FACULTY

Rebecca Aneloski – Adjunct Instructor

Rosie Banchero - Adjunct Assistant Professor

Lynne Larson - Adjunct Assistant Professor

Christine Moore – Adjunct Assistant Professor

Justine Sheedy-Kramer - Adjunct Associate Professor

Jasmine Stack - Adjunct Assistant Professor

FACULTY EMERITI

Bené Arnold – Distinguished Professor Emerita, Distinguished Alumna

Ellen Bromberg – Distinguished Professor Emerita

Jacqueline Clifford - Professor Emerita

Abby Fiat - Professor Emerita

Barbara Hamblin - Associate Professor Emerita, Distinguished Alumna

Phyllis Haskell - Professor Emerita, Distinguished Alumna

Stephen Koester - Professor Emeritus

Sharee Lane - Associate Professor Emerita

Conrad Ludlow - Associate Professor Emeritus

Loabelle Mangelson ClawsonProfessor Emerita

Shirley Ririe - Professor Emerita

Brent Schneider – Professor Emerita

Jon Scoville - Associate Professor Emeritus

Donna White - Professor Emerita

Joan Woodbury - Professor Emerita

MFA CANDIDATES

Constance Anderson – MFA Candidate

Emma Capen – MFA Candidate

Roxanne Gray – MFA Candidate

Rebekah Guerra – MFA Candidate

Carly Herrmann – MFA Candidate

Ruger Memmott – MFA Candidate

Alexia Poutrino Maikidou – MFA Candidate

ADMINISTRATION

Melonie Murray - Director

Will Maguire - Administrative Manager

Sheridan HutchinsonAdministrative Assistant

Merritt Mecham - Marketing & Design

Hope Ferguson – Office Assistant

COSTUME SHOP

Christopher Larson – Costume

Shop Supervisor & Resident Designer

Madeleine Mann – Draper

Clover Kelly – First Hand

Makayla Cussen – Head Stitcher

Sofia Marie Lusitana, Katie Winslow, Brianne Corbridge –Stitchers

ACCOMPANISTS

Amy Bach – Accompanist

Vilena Barekyan – Accompanist

Mark Chaney – Accompanist

Wayne Coons – Accompanist

Jordan Fajardo-Bird – Accompanist

Max Hall – Accompanist

David Herrmann – Accompanist

Tristan Moore – Accompanist

Brian Pappal – Accompanist

Tatsiana Rasmussen – Accompanist

John Rukavina – Accompanist

Wachira Waigwa-Stone –Accompanist

Kimball Whitaker – Accompanist

PT/ATC

Christopher Michaels – Athletic Trainer

PRODUCTION

Production Director - Emily Bertelli

Technical Director - William Peterson

Production Stage ManagerRebecca Johnson

Video Director - Benjamin Sandberg

Videographers - Leo Lynn, Joon Park, Yeohna Lee

Run Crew - Susan Burnap, Beckett Chambers, Derek Morales, Charlize Nguyem. Abish Noble, Liam Oaks, Ela Solmsen, Max VanNocken-Wtimer

The School of Dance akcnowledges and thanks the following donors for their generous support during fiscal year

July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023

Contributors | $2,500+

Christie Walker

Brandon Walker

Gordon and Connie Hanks

Benefactors | $1,000 - $2,499

Andrew De Camara

Allison De Camara

Jean Sabatine

Anne Riffey

John Veranth, PhD and Martha Veranth

Abby and Jerome Fiat

Patrons | $500 - $999

Henning Haffner

Sophie Kane

Cafe Zupas

Lou Leberti

The Field Foundation

Sheila Ainlay and Michael Steiner

Sean Carter

Friends | $200 - $499

Brent Schneider and Kim Blackett

Rae Barnes

Arkansas Community Foundation

Melonie Murray, PhD and Steve

Murray

Edward Folts

The Benevity Community Impact Fund

Intel Corporation Corporate Office

Andrea Nelson

Eastern Arts Society

Michael and Carolyn Stransky

Karyn Strickler

Brenda Daniels

Melissa Panek

Dixie Moore

West Point Ballet Academy

Brendan M. Guiliano

Jennifer Guiliano

Andrew and Alice Sullivan

Jonathan Scoville and Tandy Beal

Fans | $100 - $199 CENGAGE Learning

Robyn Connors

Isabel Shimanski

Grant Smith, PhD

Marsha Knight and Leigh Selting

Kim Morris and Rheba Vetter, PhD

Panda Restaurant Group, Inc.

Eric and Pamela Handman

Chipotle Mexican Grill

Lisette Miles

A. Kent Greene, JD and Jan Greene

Judith and Bruce Frumker

Jean Christofferson

Paul Keir

Bob Knous

Marla Polk

Linda Jellison

Joe Rejsek

Dianne Shelden Howe Trust

Dennis and Margaret Tesch

Janet and Gregory Shaw

Wendy Thompson

Patricia Rubley and Raymond Rubley, Jr.

Maureen McGill

Dianne Howe, PhD

Thomas Welsh, PhD and Sue Carpenter

Priscilla Campbell, CPA

Michele and Lawrence Holzman

SELECT PERFORMANCES WILL BE LIVE-STREAMED

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

This year marks the College of Fine Arts 75th anniversary, and as new faces join our community, we can’t help but think of all who came before, leaving their mark on the unique history of the College of Fine Arts. Each is a vital component of our expanding creative ecosystem. We are filled with gratitude for where we have been and anticipation for where we’re headed.

Your gift in honor of this monumental landmark — no matter the size — fuels dreams taking root in the College of Fine Arts. Thank you for investing in our future.

Tap here to make a gift now.