White Bird Presents: The TL Collective

LOS ANGELES

PRESENTS

FOUNDER/ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, MICAELA TAYLOR

Photo by Karen Tapia

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White Bird greatly appreciates the support of the following foundations and government arts agencies:

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THE VOLUNTEERS OF WHITE BIRD

A POWERFUL CLOSE TO OUR 2022-23 UNCAGED SERIES Thank you for joining us tonight, as we close our 2022-23 Uncaged Series with the White Bird premiere of The TL Collective, led by the prodigious emerging choreographer Micaela Taylor. The TL Collective burst onto the Los Angeles dance scene in 2016, earning rave reviews for its talented dancers and unique style, a combination of contemporary dance, hip-hop, and expressive gestures.

It is our honor to be presenting the world premiere of Photo by Jingzi Zhao Micaela’s newest work, BlueNav, though we know this distinction is fleeting. Perhaps the most impressive quality of Michaela Taylor as an artist is the blistering speed at which she creates new dances - dances which are in high demand. Since gaining nationwide attention in 2019 on Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” list, she has earned commissions from top companies across the country, and over the next two years she will create new work abroad for world-class dance companies including Ballet BC, Netherlands Dance Theater 2, and more.

We are overjoyed at the abundance of dance we are able to offer over the next several months, a continued celebration of our 25th Anniversary. We hope you’ll join us at The Reser in two weeks for the long-awaited return of Trinity Irish Dance Company. Trinity’s unique fusion of traditional Irish step dancing and contemporary dance was an important part of early White Bird seasons, and in the 20 years since has grown only more impressive and innovative. Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE, with a powerhouse program of both new work and classic repertory, will open our 2nd annual WE ARE ONE Festival the following week.

Our Mini Subscription, a discounted package of all three companies in this season’s WE ARE ONE Festival, is on sale now through February 14 and makes a wonderful Valentine’s Day gift. For more details on this package, as well as all of our upcoming shows, please visit us online at whitebird.org.

Walter Jaffe, Co-Founder

Board of Directors

Paul King, President Walter Jaffe, Secretary, Treasurer Leroy E. Bynum, Jr. Graham Cole Ken Edwards Kim Allchurch Flick Sandra Holmes Lisa Mangum Shawn K. Mangum Nancy & George Thorn, Founding Board Members Emereti

Paul King, Co-Founder

White Bird Team

Graham Cole, Executive Director

Walter Jaffe and Paul King, Co-Founders Graham Cole, Executive Director Christopher Carvalho, Director of Patron Services and Communication Jeff Forbes, Technical Director Deanna Reeves, Communication Manager/Production Assistant Gretchen Westlight, Operations Manager/Executive Assistant Natalie Anthony, Graphic Designer Lauren Bayard, Poster Volunteer Coordinator Stephanie Sussman, White Bird Archivist

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Micaela Taylor THE COMPANY Marlie Couto, Davon Rashawn Farmer, Charizma Lawrence, Kaia Makihara, Madison Tanguay, Micaela Taylor, Jessie Lee Thorne, Austin Tyson LIGHTING DESIGNER & PRODUCTION/STAGE MANAGER Katelan Braymer ARTIST REPRESENTATION AND BOOKING INQUIRES: Margaret Selby 262 West 38th Street, Suite 1701 New York, NY 10018 Office: 212-382-3260 | mselby@selbyartistsmgmt.com

ARTIST STATEMENT My commitment to storytelling is what brews my creativity. I’ve always been drawn to the imaginary, unknown, and profound ways of relating to others. After discovering dance as a source of communication, I imagined that my ability to transcend words would be what defines my artistry. However, I’ve found that my role as director/choreographer of The TL Collective has been even more groundbreaking.

This program features two original works choreographed by myself, yet inspired by the individuals of The TL Collective and beyond. “Drift” and “BlueNav” cause us to reflect on what it means to be human and stretches us past our capacity as movers. The stamina that is built through our work gives our audiences an unconventional and visceral experience.

I speak on behalf of the entire collective of our immense gratitude and respect for White Bird, as it has been on our dream list of performance series for a while. We also would like to thank the incredible audiences that support and fuel our energy. Nonetheless, a special thank you to the incredible artists of The TL Collective for their remarkable commitment and strength. As well as our management team at Selby Artists MGMT for believing in our creative voice.

- Micaela Taylor, Artistic Director The TL Collective

TONIGHT’S PROGRAM PULL CHOREOGRAPHER: Micaela Taylor ORIGINAL LIGHTING: Katelan Braymer MUSIC: “The Art of Wu Wei” Alan Watts Dancers: Micaela Taylor

PULL focuses on the twists and turns of life, focusing on one person that starts their journey melancholy and focused, yet finishes with hope and contemplation. Seamlessly shifting to Drift, we see the layers of emotion peel back.

PAUSE

DRIFT CHOREOGRAPHER: Micaela Taylor ORIGINAL LIGHTING: Katelan Braymer MUSIC: Composed by Micaela Taylor, Various Artists: “Hollywood” Kool & the Gang “A Change Gonna Come” Sam Cook “It Was All A Dream” Biggie Smalls Written Text by Micaela Taylor, voice: Brandon Mathis Dancers: Micaela Taylor, Kaia Makihara, Jessie Lee Thorne

Drift seeks to demonstrate an individual’s ever-changing relationship to self, while exposing a personal season of self-growth.

INTERMISSION

White Bird is minding our carbon footprint, and offering a digital program online to supplement a slimmed-down printed program.

Please scan the QR code to the right, or visit https://www.whitebird.org/the-tl-collective to learn more about the company and the artists.

TONIGHT’S PROGRAM BLUENAV

World Premiere CHOREOGRAPHER: Micaela Taylor ORIGINAL LIGHTING: Katelan Braymer MUSIC: Micaela Taylor, various artists: “Twitch” Liquid Cinema “Mortar” Guonadottir “I Wanna be Loved By You” Marilyn Monroe Sound bites from original composer Ryan Somerville Dancers: Marlie Couto, Davon Rashawn Farmer, Charizma Lawrence, Kaia Makihara, Madison Tanguay, Micaela Taylor, Jessie Lee Thorne, Austin Tyson

BlueNav focuses on the unified calm during the storm. In times of uncertainty, it’s the rhythm of togetherness that keeps survival. Inspired by the story of a United States Army Corporal who served as a combat medic with an infantry company in World War II, Desmond Doss. He Saved 75 men in combat trapped at the top of the escarpment.

The TL Collective was founded by Micaela Taylor in 2016, ignited by her passion to create engaging, diverse, work. After a successful launch in LA of premiered work, Molecular Fuel, Taylor continued to create new works that were performed throughout intimate spaces in LA. PopMadness (2017), SeeColour (2018), and ROSEWOOD (2018). Due to rave reviews, in 2017 Taylor was commissioned to perform her work; PopMadness in Grand Performances which further exposed her work to the greater Los Angeles community. Since then, The TL has solidified their repertoire with commissions and presentations by Grand Park, Ford Amphitheatre, The Broad Stage, The ACE hotel, and Jacob’s Pillow. The TL Collective is now on the rise as one of LA’s emerging dance companies.

MICAELA TAYLOR – ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, Micaela Taylor is a dancer, choreographer, and the Artistic Director, Founder, and Choreographer of the TL Collective.

Trained in hip-hop and ballet, she has created her own dance genre called Expand Practice, exuding emotion from the core and creating varied physical shapes and textures as expressions of one’s authentic self. Her quirky style of exaggerated facial expressions, gesture, and athletic theatricality sets her work apart. Taylor created her own technique and is building The TL Collective all from the ground up. She received the Inaugural Springboard EMERGE Choreographic Award, was named in Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” in 2019, and graced the cover of Dance Magazine in April 2020. Most recently she was awarded San Francisco’s Audience choice Award for “Best Solo Artist.” A millennial herself, Taylor is a role model and influencer to aspiring BIPOC artists and is creating groundbreaking work that introduces commercial styles to concert dance. Taylor’s work has been presented at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, The Broad Stage, Ford Amphitheatre, Institute of Contemporary Art Boston, and more. Alongside the launch of her company, Taylor has been commissioned to choreograph and teach

by Rambert Dance Company, The Getty Museum, BODYTRAFFIC, Springboard Danse Montreal/Gibney Dance Company, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, B12 Festival Berlin, Carlos Acosta’s Acosta Danza, and more. Upcoming commissions include Martha Graham Dance Company and a co-commission by Jacobs Pillow and American Dance Festival.

ABOUT WHITE BIRD Our Values

Excellence in Performance Diversity in Movement Accessibility and Inclusiveness Generosity of Spirit Dedication to Community Fiscal Responsibility

Our Equity Commitment

White Bird believes in the transformative power of movement and its capability to uplift, inspire, and unite. Historically, institutionalized performing arts were built within a system of ingrained racism, sexism, ableism, ageism, and transphobia, with the result being a field that does not prioritize the voices of marginalized groups. Our commitment is to break down these structures and to foster a community that not only represents a diverse range of individuals, but gives equal access and value to their voices.

The entire staff and board at White Bird understand that systemic social norms are inherently biased. We acknowledge the unique nuances between equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and recognize the added complexities of addressing these concepts in a historically oppressive region such as Oregon. Our vision is an ecosystem where the power of the arts is able to impact and inspire all communities, while simultaneously uniting each individual in a shared human experience.

WHITE BIRD LOVES OUR FLOCK MEMBERS!

We could not exist without your generous support.

Our Flock List is current as of December 31, 2022. Contributions made after this date will appear in future programs. Any questions or corrections, please contact Graham Cole, graham@whitebird.org, 503-245-1600. Our full Flock List is kept current on our website; see the full Flock List online at whitebird.org/flock-list or scan the QR code: TITANIUM PATRONS ($10,000+) Anonymous APAP ArtsForward B. Fitz Charitable Fund Terry Bean Joan Cirillo & Roger Cooke Ken & Ann Edwards The J and J Foundation Lola E. Jaffe Trust Walter Jaffe & Paul King Ronni S. Lacroute Fund of Oregon Community Foundation James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation Oregon Arts Commission PGE Foundation Regional Arts & Culture Council, including support from the City of Portland, Multnomah County, and the Arts Education & Access Fund Starseed Foundation George & Nancy Thorn U.S. Small Business Administration/SVOG Willamette Week DIAMOND PATRONS ($5,000+) Circo Family Charitable Fund Mark Holloway & David Kahl David & Maryanne Holman SN Charitable Foundation in Honor of Tahni Holt and DeeAnn Nelson Lisa & Shawn K. Mangum Morel Ink Angela Roach Darci & Charlie Swindells Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation Herbert A. Templeton Foundation Zupan’s GOLD PATRONS ($2,500+) Carole Alexander Mariana Crawford Michael Curry & Julia Hannegan Donor Advised Fund Carmen M. Doom George Eighmey and Peter Livingston Kim & Greg Flick Marnie Frank Sandra & Stephen Holmes Christopher Johnson & Rex Bills Murray Koodish Barb & Randy Lovre Minh Tran & Gary Nelson Dean Richardson Joanne and Steven Rizzo

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