UVU Synergy Gala Program

UTAH VALLE Y UNIVERSIT Y

November 20–22, 2025 Scott & Karen Smith Theatre

Tonight’s performance will feature guest performances by UVU’s Contemporary Dance Ensemble and Repertory Ballet Ensemble presented in partnership with the José Limón Dance Foundation.

PROGRAM Journey Choreographer: Doris Trujillo Music: Zinc (Zoe Keating Remix) (After T. Riley’s in C) by Zoe Keating and Grand Valley State University New Music Ensemble, Senki Dala by Venetian Snares, Whiten by Hildur Guðnadóttir, Sun Will Set by Zoe Keating Staging & Direction: Angela Banchero Kelleher and Amy Markgraft Dancers: Shelby Allgaier, Stacey Gonzalez Arellano, Reegan Behunin, Kylie Eckman, Zach Facer, Sophie Jensen, Natalie Newbold, Killian O’Brien, Emilee Cook, Lindsey Knowlton, Callie Rogers, Brooke Shepherd, Nicole Taylor, Tessa Trites, Brianna Winters

I Saw You Choreographer: Alisa Allen Music: Fastest Star-Julia Holter Remix by Beverly Glenn-Copeland and Julia Holter, Memories by June11and Jan Van den Broeke, I Saw You by Fred again.. and Brian Eno, Longing for Daydreams by Holger Czukay Dancers: Sara Harris, Antonella Miles, McKenzie Olson, Bela Walker

Tell Me When I’m Through Choreographer: Shelby Allgaier Music: Hey, Hey Baby by Big Bill Broonzy, Where Did You Sleep Last Night by Lead Belly, Seance by James Blake Dancers: Shelby Allgaier, Stacey Gonzalez Arellano, Mackenzie Bradley, Sophie Jensen, Nicole Taylor

Reverie Choreographer: McKenzie Olson in collaboration with dancers Music: You Stole the Show by Sienna Spiro Dancers: Alisa Allen, Bronwyn Bigelow, Sara Harris, Lindsey Knowlton, Antonella Miles, Natalie Newbold

Magenta Dreams Choreographer: Amy Gunter Lolofie in collaboration with SALT Contemporary Dance artists Music: Wolfwind by Loscil, I will always love you by Whitney Houston, Oops I did it again by Britney Spears, Bye Bye Bye by NSYNC, Sweet Dreams by la bouche, The Final Countdown by Europe Contemporary Dance Ensemble Dancers: Leah Ahlander, Mo Babbitt, Alessandra Brooke, Abby Brucker, Manny Santos, Lilly Harmer, Gray Henry, Sabria Jolley, Grace Messenger, Maycin Powell, Maren Rodgers, Araleigh Smith, Abby Warren, Ashley Wilcox

What Was I Saying?

Choreographer: Liv Perry Music: Hip Hip Chin Chin by Club des Belugas & Tenderly by Chet Baker Dancers: Aspen Ahlquist, Alisa Allen, Bronwyn Bigelow, Samantha Bickerstaff, Mackenzie Bradley, Mylee Borsella, Tylee Coates, Abbie Cross, Sara Harris, Yerik Martinez Hernandez, Kaitlyn Korpi, Antonella Miles, McKenzie Olson, Bella Trionfo, Bela Walker

INTERMISSION (10 minutes)

Chaconne Choreography: José Limón Music: J.S. Bach Staging & Direction: Natalie Desch Repertory Ballet Ensemble Dancers: Laura Berman, Kora Doman, Ashlyn Duckwitz, Nikolaus Fields, Lily Fincher, Kenna Jane Francis, Brooklyn Johansen, Hope King, Natalie Pitcher, Adelyn Rocque, Andy Sefcik, Lucy Tolman, Campbell Ward, Hailey Wankier, Katie Wiseman Contemporary Dance Ensemble Dancers: Leah Ahlander, Mo Babbitt, Alessandra Brooke, Abby Brucker, Manny Santos, Lilly Harmer, Gray Henry, Sabria Jolley, Grace Messenger, Maycin Powell, Maren Rodgers, Araleigh Smith, Abby Warren, Ashley Wilcox First performed December 27, 1942, at the Humphrey-Weidman Studio Theater, New York City, by José Limón. The Chaconne as a dance form originated in New Spain, now Mexico, as a robust and raucous dance. Bach employed the

strict musical form of the Chaconne but enriched it with powerful emotional implications. Mr. Limón has tried to capture in his dance both the formal austerity and the profound feeling of the music. ©1996, José Limón Dance Foundation, Inc. These performances of Chaconne, a Limónsm Dance, are presented by arrangement with The José Limón Dance Foundation, Inc. and has been produced in accordance with the Limón Stylesm and Limón Techniquesm service standards established by The José Limón Dance Foundation, Inc. Limónsm, Limón Stylesm and Limón Techniquesm are trade and service marks of The José Limón Dance Foundation, Inc. (All rights reserved)

Biography: José Limón (1908–1972) electrified the world with his dynamic masculine dancing and dramatic choreography. One of the 20th century’s most important and influential dance makers, he spent his entire career pioneering a new art form and fighting for the recognition and establishment of the American Modern Dance. Born in Culiacán, Mexico in 1908, he immigrated to California in 1915, and in 1928 Limón came to New York and saw his first dance program.

Limón enrolled in the dance school of Doris Humphrey and Charles Weidman and, from 1930–1940, performed in works created by his teachers. In 1946, with Doris Humphrey as Artistic Director, Limón formed his own company. Over the following 25 years, he established himself and his company as one of the major forces of 20th century dance. Limón was a key faculty member in The Juilliard School’s Dance Division beginning in 1953 and continued choreographing until his death in 1972. Limón choreographed a total of seventy-four works, including The Moor’s Pavane, Missa Brevis, There is a Time, The Traitor, and Psalm.

For the Times I Lost Hope . . . Emerged Echoes Choreographer: Yerik Martinez Hernandez in collaboration with dancers Music: I Been ‘Buked by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, A Change is Gonna Come by Leslie Odom, Jr. Dancers: Zach Facer, Emilee Cook, Lindsey Knowlton, Kaitlyn Korpi, Yerik Martinez Hernandez (dancing for Bella Trionfo)

Through, Not Around Choreographer: Brianna Winters Music: Theory of Machines by Scott Buckley, When I Get There by Big Wild, The Spoken Word by @theblueberrymouse, I am Not Who I Was by Chance Peña Dancers: Samantha Bickerstaff, Tylee Coates, Kylie Eckman, Killian O’Brien, Callie Rogers, Tessa Trites

Unbound Choreographer: Reegan Behunin in collaboration with dancers Music: Forever by Labrinth, Club Classics by Charli XCX Dancers: Aspen Ahlquist, Bronwyn Bigelow, Mylee Borsella, Emilee Cook, Abbie Cross, Kaitlyn Korpi, Brooke Shephard

Almost Spoken Choreographer: Daniel Charon in collaboration with the dancers Music: Life I by Oliver Davis, Utopia III by Francesca Guccione Dancers: Aspen Ahlquist, Reegan Behunin, Samantha Bickerstaff, Mackenzie Bradley, Tylee Coates, Emilee Cook, Abbie Cross, Lindsey Knowlton, Antonella Miles, Natalie Newbold, McKenzie Olson, Callie Rodgers, Nicole Taylor, Brianna Winters Almost Spoken is a meditation on how understanding can emerge before words — how the body can have visceral comprehension — how tapping into this inner feeling can inform the choices we make. A special thank you to the dancers for their hard work and significant creative contributions to this dance. Thank you to Lyndsey Vader, Brianna McKelleb, Nichele Woods, and the UVU Department of Dance for all your support in making this project possible.

COMPANY MEMBERS Synergy Artistic Directors: Brianna McKelleb, Nichele Woods Synergy Company Dancers: Aspen Ahlquist, Alisa Allen, Shelby Allgaier, Stacey Gonzalez Arellano, Samantha Bickerstaff, Bronwyn Bigelow, Reegan Behunin, MacKenzie Bradley, Mylee Borsella, Emilee Cook, Tylee Coats, Abbie Cross, Kylie Eckman, Zach Facer, Sara Harris, Sophie Jensen, Lindsey Knowlton, Kaitlyn Korpi, Yerik Martinez Hernandez, Antonella Miles, Natalie Newbold, Killian O’Brien, McKenzie Olson, Callie Rogers, Brooke Shepherd, Nicole Taylor, Bella Trionfo, Tessa Trites, Bela Walker, Brianna Winters Contemporary Dance Ensemble Artistic Directors: Kellie St. Pierre, Nichele Woods Contemporary Dance Ensemble Dancers: Leah Ahlander, Mo Babbitt, Alessandra Brooke, Abby Brucker, Manny Santos, Lilly Harmer, Gray Henry, Sabria Jolley, Grace Messenger, Maycin Powell, Maren Rodgers, Araleigh Smith, Abby Warren, Ashley Wilcox Repertory Ballet Ensemble Artistic Director: Christa St. John Repertory Ballet Ensemble Dancers: Laura Berman, Kora Doman, Ashlyn Duckwitz, Nikolaus Fields, Lily Fincher, Kenna Jane Francis, Brooklyn Johansen, Hope King, Natalie Pitcher, Adelyn Rocque, Andy Sefcik, Lucy Tolman, Campbell Ward, Hailey Wankier, Katie Wiseman

PRODUCTION TEAM Lighting Design: Peter Leonard Stage Manager: Abby Whitaker Costume Manager: Amy Whipple Costume Supervisor: Carla Summers Assistant Supervisor: Anna-Marie McDaniel Assistant: Janessa Law

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