Bossa Nova Baby

Choreography: Sarah Wissel

Music: “A Little Less Conversation” & “Bossa Nova Baby” by Elvis Presley

Lighting Design: Emily Bertelli

Costume Design: Sarah Wissel

Dancers: Mindy Lasko, Chelsea

Reusch, Ashlyn Staker, Amber

Walterscheid, Sarah Wissel

This is a fun, jazzy piece to some of my favorite Elvis songs. I hope this makes you want to dance!

Silkworm Choreography: Amrita Jade

Music: Großvater Paradoxon by Arpanet

Lighting Design: Emily Bertelli

Costume Design: Amrita Jade

Dancer: Amrita Jade

Approaching/ Arrival

Choreography: Natalie Montoya in collaboration with the dancers

Music: “Rowing” by Jóhann Jóhannsson, “San Miguel” by Jordan Seigel, “Tattoo Of A Panda” by Craig

Wedren, and “Topanga Canyon” by John Vincent III.

Lighting Design: Emily Bertelli

Costume Design: Natalie Montoya

Dancers: Nikki Ferry, Olivia Huseonica, Megan Lynch, and Natalie Montoya

Approaching/Arrival explores how we as human beings may interact with other people while working towards a similar goal. Will we choose to let ourselves be intimidated by others? Will we let the voice in our own head stop us from trying? Or will we find a better way?

Sleeping Beauty - 2nd Act Aurora

Variation

Choreography: Marius Petipa

Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Lighting Design: Emily Bertelli

Costume Design: Chris Larson or Scout Sutton

Dancers: Scout Sutton

Sleeping Beauty was the first ballet I performed in with Ballet West after joining their academy when I was 9 years old and it has been my favorite ever since. I absolutely loved getting to be on stage with the professional dancers and seeing the production come to life. Since then I have performed pieces of Sleeping Beauty at Ballet West Academy’s Spring Show in high school, at a pageant where I was given the title of Miss Grantsville 2021, and most recently at Grantsville City’s yearly celebration to honor my hometown. I am so excited to be completing my time here at the U with a piece from the ballet that is so close to my heart!

Shade and a Song

Choreography: Olivia Huseonica Music: “Overture (Instrumental)” by Sleeping At Last Lighting Design: Emily Bertelli

Costume Design: Holly Kuyt

Dancers: Holly Kuyt

“Blessed are those who plant trees under whose shade they will never sit”

To those that have planted trees for me: I am immensely grateful for your continuous love and support. To those that will rest in the shade of my trees: it is an honor to contribute to your journey. May we all have the opportunity to dance in a forest.

Oblation to

Antinous

Choreography: Samuel Johnson

Music: Tomb by Richard Schrieber

Lighting Design: Emily Bertelli

Costume Design: Samuel Johnson

Dancers: Ruthie Dalby, Genevieve Boyle, Manami Kawai, Devin Hammond

Oblation to Antinous is an imagined ritualized spectacle dedicated to the deified Antinous of ancient Greece. Following Antinous’ mysterious death, the Cult of Antinous was formed, solidifying him into Greek myth as a powerful symbol of a heroic gay man. Ancient Greeks venerated, worshiped and prayed to Antinous, and my choreography is merely an expression of reverence to one of the world’s earliest gay icons.

Goodbye is not forever

Choreography: Dakota King

Music: A compilation of music edited by Dakota King. “Down to the river to pray” By Allson Krauss, “My sweet lord”

By George Harrison, “Man in the mirror”

By Michael Jackson, “America”

By

Neil

Diamond, “Intro/Spectrum” By HÆLOS

Lighting Design: Emily Bertelli

Costume Design: Dakota King

Dancers: Genevieve Boyle, Emma Feddo, Dakota King, Jersey King, Natalie Montoya, Amber Walterscheid, Sarah Wissel

Goodbye is not forever is a tribute to and in remembrance of Matt Cieslak, Lessa Lloyd, John Clawson, and Alaina Burrows. Dakota lost these four loved ones unexpectedly this past year in a span of 6 months. This story based piece set in the present shares the unique personalities of Dakota’s loved ones from her perspective. This work gives a closer look into the mind and memory of Dakota. She will take you back to these traumatic experiences, sharing with you her journey of joy, grief, recovery, and comfort.

Natalie Montoya will play Dakota’s Great Grandma, Alaina Burrows. Emma Feddo will play the role of Dakota’s Papa (Grandpa) John Clawson. Sara Wissel will represent Dakota’s former High School Dance Company Teacher, Miss Lloyd. Amber Walterscheid will play Dakota’s Uncle Matt Cieslak. Jersey King will represent Dakota, her mind, and her emotions. Finally, Genevieve Boyle will represent Life, death, and whatever higher power you might believe in.

Hold your loved ones close today and forever because they will be gone much too soon.

On My Love

Choreography: Olivia Huseonica

Music: “Yuri On ICE” by Taro

Umebayashu

Lighting Design: Emily Bertelli

Costume Design: Chris Larson

Dancer: Olivia Huseonica

This work is a visual reflection on my journey in dance. I dedicate this performance to everyone who has been at my side on this adventure thus far. Your love means everything <3 “There’s a place you just can’t reach unless you have a dream too large to bear alone” -Yuri on Ice

Where Do We Go When the Show is Over?

Choreography: Luna Esmerode in collaboration with Daniel Cohen

Music: “New Start” by Martin Phipps

Lighting Design: Emily Bertelli

Costume Design: Chris Larson

Dancers: Luna Esmerode and Daniel Cohen

Nothing is certain. Wouldn’t it be better if we embrace the unknown? Special thanks to Daniel Cohen for being an amazing partner and friend. And thank you to my family, whose support I could not live without.