DANCE NATION Program 2024

DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE NATION NATION NATION NATION

directedbyjohannahmaynarded

oreographedbyallimaecarnes

MARCH 7TH - 17TH 2024

THEATRE RALEIGH STUDIO

The National Women’s Theatre Festival

PRESENTS

DANCE NATION

BYCLAREBARRON

DirectedBy

JohannahMaynardEdwards

Choreographedby AlliMaeCarnes

Producedby NoelleAzarelo

Veronica Dress Intimacy Director

Rachel Kasten Associate Producer

Denise Schumaker Costume Design

Teal Lepley Access & Care Coordinator

John Bell Technical Director

Ruth Berry Stage Manager

Margaret Toomey Scenic & Props Design

Jill Cromwell Make-up & Special Effects Design

Julianna Frasca Assistant Stage Manager

Riley Yates Assistant Director & Run Crew Chief

Matthew Hager Composer & Sound Design

Erin Bell Lighting Design

Candace Spencer Assistant Stage Manager & Assistant Costume Designer

Cheryl Edson Dramaturg & Community Engagement

Fly Jamerson Marketing & Communications

CAST

Amina.....................................................Tatiana Burrus

Zuzu..........................................................Riki R. Dows

Connie...................................................Sanchi Pandey

Luke...........................................................Sean Robert

Maeve.....................................................Heather Butler

Sofia......................................................Malekai Viterito

Ashlee.........................................................Clare Sherk

Vanessa/The Moms..............................Chelsea James

Dance Teacher Pat.......................................Nick Popio

Supporting Ensemble..................................Riley Yates

Nat M. Sherwood

Vocalist.............................................Candace Spencer

Swing....................................................Chelsea James

Understudy for The Moms.................Candace Spencer

Understudy for Luke...........................Nat M. Sherwood

Understudy for Vanessa...................... Alli Mae Carnes

Understudy for Dance Teacher Pat.......Matthew Hager

DANCE NATION received its UK premiere at the Almeida Theatre, London, September 2018. Playwrights Horizons, Inc., New York City, produced the World Premiere of DANCE NATION in 2018 with support from an award by the National Endowment of the Arts, and a generous gift from Scott M. Delman. Special thanks to The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Trust for supporting new plays at Playwrights Horizons, and special thanks to the Time Warner Foundation for its leadership support of New Works Lab at Playwrights Horizons.

DANCE NATION was developed at the Perry-Mansfield New Works Festival, June 2015, with the Atlantic Theatre Company, and presented as part of the Contemporary American Voices Festival at Long Wharf Theatre, September 2016. DANCE NATION was written, in part, in residence at SPACE on Ryder Farm, and received extensive workshop time and space as part of New Dramatists’ Jerry A. Tishman Playwrights Creativity Fund.

SYNOPSIS

Somewhere in America, an army of pre-teen competitive dancers plots to take over the world. And if their new routine is good enough, they'll claw their way to the top at Nationals in Tampa Bay. A play about ambition, growing up, and how to find our souls in the heat of it all. For Mature Audiences.

Parent Discretion Advised for 13 & up.

CONTENT WARNINGS

This production contains explicit strong language. There are descriptions of and references to sex, sexual violence, masturbation, cultural appropriation, racism, eating disorders, suicide, mental illness, cancer, and death. There are special effects to depict graphic violence, including stylized gore and blood, as well as depictions of self-harm. There is nudity and simulated masturbation. The show also contains intense lights, sound, and sudden loud noises.

PHONE FREE ENVIRONMENT

This event will be a phone-free experience. Use of phones, cameras or recording devices will not be permitted in the performance space. Upon arrival at the venue, all phones will be secured in individual Yondr pouches that will be opened at the end of the event. Guests maintain possession of their devices at all times, and can access them throughout the event only in designated Phone Use Areas within the venue. All devices will be re-secured in Yondr pouches before returning to the performance space. Anyone seen using a non-permitted device during the performance will be escorted out of the venue by security. We appreciate your cooperation in creating a phone-free experience.

RUN TIME

Approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes

With one 10 minute intermission

AccessibilityInfo

AnAccessCoordinatorisonsiteforallperformances.Patronsare welcometosharetheiraccessneedsanddesiredaccommodations withtheAccessCoordinatororanymemberofFrontofHouseStaff.

Mobility

VenueisADAcompliantwithaccessibleparkingspacesandaramp togetintobuilding.Floor-levelseatingisavailableforthosewhouse mobilitydevices,wheelchairs,orpowerchairs,andtheir companions.

AccessibleSeating

Whatmakesaseataccessibletoapatronishighlypersonal.Our seatingisgeneraladmissionsopatronsmaychooseanyseatthat bestmeetstheirneeds.Pleaseseeanusher,theAccess Coordinator,oranyFrontofHousestaffmemberifyouneedsupport withreseatingtoamoreaccessiblelocationforyou.

OpenCaptioning

Allperformancesareopen-captioned.Theseatsontheleftsideof thehousearecloserinproximitytothecaptionscreen.

AudioDescribedPerformances

AudioDescriptionservicesareavailableontheFriday3/15 performanceat8pmandtheSunday3/17performanceat3pm.

Sensory-Friendly

Sensorykititemsareavailableforcheckoutbypatronsatall performances.Availableitemsincludetactilefidgets,weightedlap pads,noise-reducingheadsets,disposablesunglasses,andlightreducingvisors.

AdditionalAccessRequests

Westrivetoworkwitheverypatrontomeettheiraccessneeds.We welcomeyoutosendaccessrequestsorquestionsto info@womenstheatrefestival.com withasmuchleadtimeaspossible.

BIOS

Noelle Azarelo - Producer

Noelle Azarelo (she/her) is a Durham based director, actor, and producer. She can next be seen on the stage instead of behind the scenes as The Blonde in Hitchcock Blonde with Brave New Classics this summer. Thank you to the beautiful ferals of Dance Nation for Making It Magic

Erin Bell - Lighting Designer

Erin Bell is a theatrical lighting designer and event photographer based in Durham, NC She has taught lighting design at the National Women's Theatre Festival and at summer camps for Walltown Children's Theatre and DAC. Previous lighting design credits include Lady Misrule (Tiny Engine), Indigo Blue, Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol: What the Dickens?!? (Walltown Children's Theatre), What If I'm the Becky? (The Rebecca Show), Peerless, Garbologists, Single Black Female (Bulldog Ensemble), Motherworld (Monét Marshall), Infinite Infant (Miki Zhu), Choreolab 2023 (Duke Dance Department), Coming Back for Me (Cary Playwrights' Forum) and Harold & Maude (Theatre in the Park) Follow Erin on IG @bullcityphotography

Johnathan Bell - Technical Director

Johnathan Bell is a member of IATSE Local 417 and studied technical theatre at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. He has previously worked with North Carolina Theatre, Theatre Raleigh, the American Dance Festival, NC Opera, Carolina Ballet, and the City of Raleigh, working on shows like Mary Poppins, Elf, The Color Purple, West Side Story, Kinky Boots, Ring of Fire, Dreamgirls, The Nutcracker, Snow White, Sister Act, Jersey Boys, The Play That Goes Wrong, and many more.

unity for over 20 r She staged full circle! When not She also competes

Heather Butler - MAEVE

A Massachusetts transplant, Heather is thrilled to be making her North Carolina debut with WTF. She appreciates the warm welcome and professionalism of everyone involved. Prior to relocating, Heather enjoyed being on stage in roles such as Karen Weston in August: Osage County and Alice Beineke in The Addams Family, as well as directing community theater productions, such as 26 Pebbles and The Vagina Monologues A graduate of Mount Holyoke College, Heather is a certified teacher of embodyoga, a whole-person experiential investigation. Heather is always seeking new and improved ways to embarrass her thirteen-year-old daughter. With this production, she's sure she's nailed it.

Alli Mae Carnes - Choreographer

Alli Mae Carnes is a full time actor, singer, dancer, choreographer, teacher, and student -- currently getting her Master of Arts degree in Vocal Pedagogy from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Originally from Florida, she grew up dancing in the Nutcracker Ballet and various dance competitions. Since moving to the Triangle, she has performed in multiple shows and worked as a choreographer/teaching artist for the NCT Conservatory, Cape Fear Regional Theatre, Raleigh ACT, Sanderson High School, St Mary's School, Raleigh School of Music, Raleigh Little Theatre, Gallery Players, and Justice Theater Project. She is also a professor of dance at William Peace University. When she is not performing or teaching with these companies, she teaches voice and acting lessons from her private studio "The Alli Mae Carnes Studio." She loves , through the atre a safe space er, and all the

Riki R. Dows - ZUZU

Riki R. Dows is a multi-hyphenate artist (actor, singer, dancer/choreographer and producer) currently based out of North Carolina. Recent credits include a debut as a soloist at 54 Below; Ragtime (Sarah’s Friend, McGregor Hall), Urinetown (Little Becky Two Shoes, Justice Theatre Project), the first Queen Darling III in the 30+ year history of Raleigh Little Theatre's Cinderella; and 42nd Street (Anytime Annie, Narrows Theatre) She dedicates this performance to all those currently on their journey of healing their younger selves And to 13-year old Riki, whose first instinct was to dance, who taught herself to dance in her bedroom watching Britney Spears, Janet Jackson, Ciara and Ginger Rogers, and who knew from the start that this is what she was made for -- thank you. Connect with Riki on Facebook (Riki R Dows), and TikTok & Instagram (@rikxystix)!

Veronica Dress - Intimacy Director

Veronica Dress (she/her) is thrilled to support WTF and the cast of Dance Nation as their Intimacy Director Founder of The Dress Rehearsal, a sexuality education and coaching practice, Veronica is passionate about creating consentforward theater spaces where everyone can thrive Thank you to the cast and team of Dance Nation for letting her join this fiercely fun and colorful production Consider her inner 13 year old healed!l

eryl Edson - Dramaturgy & Community Engagement

ryl Edson is a Triangle-based theatre artist, stage manager, educator, and g nt writer. She has been active in the local arts community for the past ten years, holding leadership roles with the National Women’s Theatre Festival, working as a teaching artist at the Durham Arts Council, and as a member of s production team at n University in

Matthew Hager - Composer/Sound Designer

Matthew Hager is a theatre artist based out of Raleigh. As a composer, Matthew has written original musicals and songs for Aggregate Theatre Company, Justice Theater Project, Raleigh Little Theatre, North Carolina Theatre Conservatory, and Seed Art Share He is currently writing a musical called Away Home with playwright Tamara Kissane, commissioned by Honest Pint As an actor, Matthew has performed with several local companies, including NC Theatre, NC Symphony, Aggregate, Burning Coal (company member), Manbites Dog (Indy Award), and Deep Dish, among others. Matthew also works to instill a love of theatre in the next generation of audiences. To that end, he began Aggregate Theatre Company (@aggregatetheatre) in 2017 and works as a teaching artist for Aggregate, The Alli Mae Carnes Studio, NCT Conservatory, Burning Coal, Vault Theatre, and Justice Theater Project

Chelsea James - VANESSA/THE MOMS/SWING

Chelsea James is a theatre artist from Chapel Hill and is in her sixth season with PlayMakers Repertory Company Currently serving as Producing Associate, she has produced PlayMakers Mobile and the Summer Youth Conservatory programs alongside the mainstage season. Chelsea was also the 2017 and 2018 Connectivity Fellow at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in D.C.. As a performer and director, she has been a part of productions at PlayMakers Rep, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Northern Colorado, STAGE (Orlando, FL), UNC at Greensboro, and the Walt Disney World Resort™

Chelsea received her Master’s degree in Theatre Education at the University of Northern Colorado and her B A in Dramatic Art and English from UNC-Chapel Hill

eviously been producer (These . Rachel’s i h

Teal Lepley - Access & Care Coordinator

Teal Lepley is a Raleigh-based performer, writer, and accessibility advocate. Most recently, she worked as Accessibility Coordinator for St. John’s MCC’s “Corpus Christi” in 2023; she has also previously worked as an accessibilityfocused copywriter As an actor, her recent roles include Bardolph/Doll Tearsheet in “Henry IV Part 2” with Sweet Tea Shakespeare, Cook/Singing Telegram Girl in “Clue” with Cary Players, and Emma Goldman in “Assassins” and Angela Warren in “Go Back for Murder” with NC State TheatreFEST. Her original play “Of Ghosts and Strangers” won NC State’s Creative Artist Award in 2016 and was produced the following year. She is currently a part of RLT and The Ink Project’s New Voices playwriting program for 2024 Outside theatre, she enjoys writing speculative fiction, studying linguistics, playing Pokemon Go with her family, and wrangling her cat and lizard

Johannah Maynard Edwards - Director/Artistic Director

Johannah Maynard Edwards wishes to thank Laura Griffin, Rene Cummins, Cheryl Edson, Noelle Azarelo, Lauren Kennedy Brady, Vivienne Benesch, Susannah Hough, Christine Toy Johnson, Renee Wimberley, Cindy Marie Jenkins, Natasha Yannacañedo, Cynthis Thomas, Laurel Ullman, Fox, Jon, Nanny, Dani, Jessie, Emmy, Arlo, Robert, Rookie, EmmyLou, Sweet Dee, Ollie, her acupuncturist, her therapist, her Dr Courtney, her wonderful friends, THIS SPARKLING CAST & CREW, and every other person, place, and thing that conspired to save her soul this past year. Forever grateful for this chance to MAKE IT MAGIC!

Valerie Nash - Captions Operator

Valerie Nash is a mother of 3 and a grandmother of 2 beautiful grand-divas She loves walking and visiting historical sites and landmarks.She currently is dabbling in tennis and theater. While not having any formal training in performing, she has captured the stage bug and now enjoys being active in every aspect of stage performances, and improv She says, “being involved in live theater brings me new life!”

Sanchi Pandey - CONNIE

Sanchi Pandey (CONNIE) is so excited to be in her first production with the National WTF! She is a current Junior at UNC Greensboro getting her BFA in Musical Theatre. Previous credits include Cinderella (Into the Woods), Mae (The Wild Party), and Ella (R&H Cinderella) Thank you to the WTF team, cast, and crew for this wonderful production! Enjoy the show! @sanchi pandey

Alyssa Petrone - Light Board Operator

Nick Popio - DANCE TEACHER PAT

Nick Popio (Dance Teacher Pat) is thrilled to be a part of this amazing show and to be working with so many friends (both old and new) . It's always a challenge to play a character that isn't always likeable and even more so when they remind you of your abusive father, but that's one of the amazing challenges of being an actor Other favorite roles include Jack Worthing in The Importance of Bein' Earnest, Colonel Mustard in Clue, George Bailey in It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Mastiff in The Moors, Nancy in Space Girl, and Betty/Edward in Cloud 9.

Sean Robert - LUKE

Sean Robert is thrilled to be working with this incredible team for his third WTF production. Sean originated the role of Jack in Sweet Tea and Baby Dreams and reprised the role in The Towne Players of Garner production Other acting credits include Calendar Girls, Freaky Friday, The View UpStairs, Sordid Lives, Young Frankenstein, Peter and the Startcatcher (NRACT), Always Will (WTF), Four Weddings and an Elvis, Joseph Dreamcoat (Cary Players), Oakwood (Burning Coal), Richard III (Bare Theatre), The Roaring Girl (l.i.t.), and Ragtime (JTP). Sean has acted, directed and produced with Cary Playwrights Forum. He currently serves as the Board Vice President with NRACT and is the founder and Producer of The Rejects

Denise Schumaker - Costume Designer

Denise Schumaker designed costumes, props and sets for theatre, dance, opera, and tours, plus film and television, for over 35 years. She was honored with an Emmy® nomination in 2010 Recent work includes I Am Shauna Rae and Sister Wives Tell All on TLC, the soon-to-be-released film Bloodspawn, Raleigh at Theatre in the Park, The Wedding Singer at William Peace University, Frankenstein at Goodly Frame Theatre in Greensboro, 1940s Radio Hour at Theatre Raleigh, Elf at North Carolina Theatre, and The Barber of Seville for North Carolina Opera.

Clare Sherk - ASHLEE

Clare Sherk can't begin to express her gratitude and excitement in being a part of this audacious show with the National Women's Theatre Festival! She feels insanely lucky to work on this fantastical play with these star-studded creative and production teams! Clare has loved dance ever since she was a tiny tot stomping and twirling around the balcony during The Nutcracker on her family's annual holiday sojourn to the Triad This love manifested throughout her life from formal training to musical productions to being an educator, so she feels very connected to these characters Recent shows include the Rocky Horror Show (Columbia, dance captain), Urinetown: the Musical (Soupy Sue, dance captain), Cinderella 38 (Fairy Helper), Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery (Actress 1), and Trick or Treat Mr. McGregor! (Peter Rabbit). She wants to thank her parents, sister, her husband and friends (including Athena and Lucy) for the incredible love and support!

Nat M. Sherwood - Supporting Ensemble / Luke Understudy

Nat M. Sherwood (They/Them) is a Raleigh native who earned their stage legs at NC State University Theatre. Nat received Performing Artist Awards for their portrayals of Meg in Leading Ladies, Yente in Fiddler on the Roof, and Sunny Jacobs in The Exonerated Their original play, A Good Little Rain, written in loving memory of their “Momma Bear,” Vicki Poole Sherwood, received the Arts NC State Creative Artist Award in 2018 Upon completing their degree in Polymer & Color Chemistry, they studied Practical Aesthetics with NYC’s Atlantic Acting School’s Summer Intensive. Now rooted in Durham, Nat continues to perform professionally throughout the Triangle. Recent credits include Jean-Paul Marat in MARAT/SADE, Tybalt & Paris in Romeo and Juliet, Billy in Enemy of the People, Annie in The Play That Goes Wrong, and Letter Writer #2 in Tiny Beautiful Things

e Spencer - Assistant Stage Manager / Assistant Costume Designer / Vocalist / Understudy

Candace Spencer (Assistant Stage Manager/Assistant Costume Designer/Vocalist/Understudy) is delighted to work with WTF this year as an Assistant Stage Manager! She received her BA in theatre at Greensboro College and pursued her MFA in Performance at University of Louisville in Kentucky. She is also really excited to have the chance to work in stage management for the first time

Margaret Toomey - Scenic & Props Designer

Margaret Toomey (she/they) works nationally as a production designer and arts administrator Their most recent designs include work in Seattle on White and The Revolutionists (Theatre22), Hoodoo Love (Sound Theatre Company) and costumes for Crowns (Taproot), and Howl's Moving Castle (Book-It Repertory, 2017) Margaret currently calls the land of the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation, Tuscarora, Catawba, in Durham home Margaret received her MFA in Scenography from UNC Greensboro and BA in Theatre from Grinnell College in Iowa.

Malekai Viterito - SOFIA

Malekai Viterito (they/them) is so! stoked! to break their years-long acting fast with Dance Nation and WTF Their theatre artistry includes both work onstage and behind the scenes Malekai lives in Durham with a flock of chickens, too many cats, and their beloved butch

Riley Yates - Assistant Director/Crew Chief/ENSEMBLE

Riley Yates is so excited to be assisting with this project. Riley recently received their BFA from East Carolina University in musical theatre and theatre education. Riley teaches drama at Zebulon Elementary and Raleigh Little Theatre. When not teaching Riley writes and hangs out with amazing friends

WORLD ON FIRE

Original Music & Lyrics by

Matthew Hager

Look around you in the night

Feel the wind and hunger’s bite

The world is burning long and burning cruel And we’re the fuel.

Tears are tasted in the steam. Years are wasted, it may seem.

Diamonds are forgotten, lost among the rough

As dreamer’s stuff.

I will take your hand

I will ease your strain

Today’s the day to stand without your pain. We’ll rise up from the ash, So don’t look back for long

As smoke gives way to cloud, And sirens turn to song,

I will carry you higher

To escape a world on fire.

So promise through loss you always will try on. There will always be another Hilary to die on. I promise that love’s the only law you can rely on being just.

So trust.

You must.

I will take your hand

I will ease your strain

Today’s the day to stand without your pain.

I will carry you higher To escape a world on fire.

Look ahead

The road could be turning

That red Isn’t bridges burning

It’s love that is leading a hope to inspire.

With love

With love we can build

We can build a world on fire.

A world on fire.

A world on fire.

About The National Women’s Theatre Festival

Mission

We create, produce, and promote extraordinary theatre by women and artists of all underrepresented genders with the ultimate goal of achieving 100% parity in the US theatre industry.

WTF is . . . . guided by the values of access & inclusion a place where diverse voices are lifted up radically parent-inclusive & child-positive engaged with audiences & collaborators around the world and right here at home in Raleigh, NC

Ethos

We are committed to any theatre artist who does not feel their gender has been fairly represented either on stage or off in a traditional theatre space. We welcome you, we want to hear your story, and we want to see you on our stage.

History

Since 2016 National WTF has produced over 250 educational offerings, 145 staged readings, 79 fringe shows, and 23 mainstage productions. WTF has been recognized as an Outstanding Arts Educator, a Favorite Local Theatre, and Best of the Triangle in Raleigh, NC.

Post-Show Post-Show Talkbacks Talkbacks

(EXPERT PERSPECTIVE!) (EXPERT PERSPECTIVE!)

THANK YOU!

We extend our gratitude to the following organizations and sponsors for making this production possible!

United Arts Council

The National Women’s Theatre Festival is supported by the United Arts Council of Raleigh & Wake County

North Carolina Arts Council

This project was made possible by support from the North Carolina Arts Council

Triangle Community Foundation

This project was made possible by support from the Triangle Community Foundation.

Raleigh Arts Commission

The National Women’s Theatre Festival is a proud Arts Partner with the City of Raleigh Arts Commission

Audio Description by Verbal Image Associates provided the accessibility for people who are blind and low vision.

Additional Thanks

Tri-CitySignsandAwardsIncorporatedfordonatingtrophyparts

OliviaAshleyforadditionaltrophydonation

DavidSebrenforLights

LaurenKennedyBrady,AllisonHopfer,ChrisBernier atTheatreRaleigh

AggregateTheatreCompany,NorthCarolinaTheatre,Khalisia Thompson&DaraSilveratNCArtsCouncil,VivienneBenesch& PlaymakerRep,BillieDavis&CourtneyKochubaatConcord

Theatricals,KellyTaylor,BethLevineChaitman

National WTF Administrative Staff & Board

ExecutiveArtisticDirector:JohannahMaynardEdwards

GrantsManager:CherylEdson

Marketing&CommunicationsSpecialist:FlyJamerson

BoardChair:ReneCummins

Secretary-Treasurer:LauraGriffin

If you're ready to shape the future of WTF... Come join our board!

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