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USE IT for the drama The Morning Call is proud to support Muhlenberg College Theatre and Dance. Welcome To The Alwin Nikolais Centennial Celebration 1910-2010 “Nikolais was a leader. He brought one to the doors of their imagination, to find their own way. Where this process led to was not his concern, but to open their imagination was.” -Murray Louis In 1948 Alwin Nikolais received an appointment to establish a school of dance at the Henry Street Playhouse in New York City. Shortly afterwards Murray joined him, initially performing in Nikolais’ newly formed Playhouse Dance Company. He later served as its leading man for 20 years. Nik and Murray remained colleagues and collaborators until Nikolais’ death in 1993. After 20 years of remarkable creativity and development at the Playhouse, the organization moved to midtown Manhattan and became the Nikolais-Louis Foundation. The Foundation includes the Nikolais Dance Theater, The Murray Louis Dance. The Nikolais/Louis tradition represents a seminal force in American modern dance. For more than fifty years it has set an example of the highest pedagogical integrity and has influenced innumerable participants in the profession. It has always represented the art in its most contemporary style and continues to be a leader through its integrity as a creative force in modern dance. It is the mission of the foundation to continue this tradition for the next generation of dance innovators. Mr. Nikolais, an inimitable visionary, choreographed and created the sound scores and scenic designs for over 100 magical productions. Mr. Louis, one of the great male dancers of our time, choreographs masterworks distinguished by fluid elegance and insightful wit. The Nikolais/ Louis Foundation for Dance honors and perpetuates the innovations in theatrical production and dance technique that Nikolais and Louis introduced, many of which are now standards in the field. The licensing and performance of Crucible for this concert has been granted through the exclusive rights of Nikolais/Louis Foundation for Dance, Inc. Staging the piece is Alberto Del Saz, who worked for many years with both directors and is now Co-Director of the Foundation. From the Nikolais-Louis Foundation for Dance, www.nikolaislouis.org The campus residency of Alberto Del Saz is funded by the Dexter and Dorothy Baker Foundation. As the 2010 Baker Artist in Residence, Mr. Del Saz has been teaching in the dance curriculum as well as restaging Nikolais’ Crucible. 2 Department of Theatre & Dance THEATRE FACULTY Timothy Averill – Associate Professor: Scenic & Lighting Design Constance Case – Lecturer: Costume Design, Stage Makeup, Stagecraft Holly Cate – Visiting Assistant Professor: Acting Michael Chin – Lecturer: Acting, Stage Combat Karen Connell – Instructor: Speech Curtis Dretsch – Professor: Scenic, Costume, and Lighting Design, Director of Design/Technical Theatre Troy Dwyer – Assistant Professor: Acting, Voice and Speech, Theory Ron Heneghan – Instructor: Acting for Non-Majors Leslie Pasternack – Visiting Assistant Professor: Acting, Theatre History James Peck – Associate Professor: Directing, Theatre History, Performance Studies, Department Chair Charles Richter – Professor: Directing, Theatre History, Director of Theatre Francine Roussel – Associate Professor: Acting Beth Schachter – Associate Professor: Acting, Directing, History & Theory DANCE FACULTY Charles O. Anderson – Associate Professor: African Dance & Culture, Modern, and Composition Kathleen Bibalo – Instructor: Jazz Pattie Bostick – Instructor: Jazz, Ballet Sarah Carlson – Assistant Professor: Modern, Dance & Society, Teaching Methods Corrie Franz Cowart – Lecturer: Modern, Composition, Dance On Camera Susan Creitz – Instructor: Improvisation, Movement for Actors & Dancers Karen Dearborn – Professor: Ballet, Composition, Dance History, Director of Dance Gayanne Grossman – Instructor: Anatomy and Kinesiology for Dancers Ellen Troy Mulcahy – Instructor: Jazz, Ballet Shelley Oliver – Instructor: Tap, Director of Muhlenberg Tap Ensemble Tara Repsher – Instructor: Jazz, Director MCDC Lynn Wiener – Instructor: Dance Dance Musicians – Jeff Arnal, Paul Fejko, Jon Verbalis ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Jessica Bien – General Manager Marilyn J. Roberts – Director of Marketing & Development Damon Gelb – Technical Director Eric Covell – Assistant Technical Director Tracy C. Kline – Secretary Caroline LaRoche – Costume Shop Manager Paul E. Theisen, Jr. – Theatre Technician Kristin M. Sgarro – Presidential Assistant: Marketing & Development Associate Theatre & Dance Department Offices: 484-664-3335 27 Artistic Director Karen Dearborn Master Choreographers Alwin Nikolais’ Crucible Restaged by Alberto del Saz Marius Petipa’s Paquita Restaged by Ellen Troy Mulcahy Charles O. Anderson Sarah Carlson Nicholas Leichter Shelley Oliver Meredith Rainey Costume Designer Constance Case Lighting Designer Susan Hamburger Master Electrician/Audio Engineer Paul E. Theisen, Jr. Technical Director Damon Gelb Stage Manager Julia Korzeniewski The licensing and performance of Crucible has been granted through the exclusive rights of Nikolais/Louis Foundation for Dance, Inc. 3 -Concert PersonnelArtistic Director ............................................................. Karen Dearborn General Manager..................................................................Jessica Bien Lighting Designer ....................................................... Susan Hamburger Costume Designer ......................................................... Constance Case Master Electrician/Audio Engineer ............................ Paul E. Theisen, Jr. Assistant Technical Director ...................................................Eric Covell Technical Director ...............................................................Damon Gelb Marketing .................................................................. Marilyn J. Roberts Costume Shop Manager ..............................................Caroline LaRoche Production Manager.............................................................. Emily Daly Stage Manager ...........................................................Julia Korzeniewski Assistant Stage Managers .......................Kelsey O’Keefe, Nina Pongratz Assistant to Lighting Designer....................................... Aubrey Kupstas Staff Stichers .................................................. Alexis Gurst, Judith Kohn, Marilyn Mazsa, Samantha Southard Stitchers.........................Olivia Alvarez, Kiera Bianchini, Hannah Brown, Eleanore Condo, Elizabeth Earle, Kelsey Gamble, Nina Giacobbe, Kathryn Krull, Ariel Messica, Casey Moser, Sarah Ochocki, Nick Picknally, Abbey Rabinovich, Maggie Rubin, Rebecca Schlauch, Gina Schumann, Molly Serpi, Jacqueline Smith, Mary Jean Stack, Rebecca Stein, Abby Tapper, Emily Thomas, Imani Nia Williams, Shannon Leigh Wittenberger Wardrobe Crew .............................Larissa D’Andrea, Diane Tamulavage, Ariane Torres, Sarah Weber Backstage Crew ..................................Jessica Harris, Patrick McTamany, Louisa Pough, Sydney Yonak, Abby Wylan Light Board Programmer ................................................. Douglas Bucci Light Board Operator .........................................................Emily Walker Sound Board Operator ...............................................Matthew Caraway Electricians........................ Matt Caraway, Douglas Bucci, Kate Franklin, Ryan Killeen, Aubrey Kupstas, Riva Rubenoff, Andy Zepp House Manager ......................................Kelsey Griffith, Caitlin O’Meally Photographer ............................ Matthew Wright, Fig Tree Photography 4 THe Spring 2010 Season AT Muhlenberg College February 24-28 The Other Shore Philosophical Drama by Gao Xingjian Studio Theatre, Trexler Pavilion for Theatre & Dance A haunting dreamscape of a play from the Nobel Prize winning writer Gao Xingjian, The Other Shore poses fundamental questions about the relationship between individual and society. March 24-28 An American Tragedy World Premiere Musical Music by Charles Strouse, Lyrics by Lee Adams and Charles Strouse, Book by David Shaber Baker Theatre, Trexler Pavilion for Theatre & Dance The world premiere of a major new work by musical theatre legend Charles Strouse is presented at Muhlenberg. Theodore Dreiser’s classic novel in American naturalist tradition has been transformed into a compelling drama with a haunting score. April 22-25 Dance Emerge Showcase of Original Student Choreography Dance Studio Theatre, Trexler Pavilion for Theatre & Dance Muhlenberg dance majors present bold new works resulting from a semester long choreographic journey mentored by college faculty. April 29-May 2 Blood Wedding Tragedy by Federico Garcia Lorca Studio Theatre, Trexler Pavilion for Theatre & Dance Inspired by gypsy culture, Lorca’s Blood Wedding explores the complex burning nature of desire and the implacable force of destiny. 25 Muhlenberg Dance Program Director of the Dance Program.......................................... Karen Dearborn Assistants to Ms. Dearborn ................................Kaitie Burger, Emily Daly, Kelsey Griffith, Meredith Stapleton Marketing Associates ............................... Kelsey Hutchison, Heather Mill Special Thanks THE DEXTER AND DOROTHY BAKER FOUNDATION Jessica Bien; Damon Gelb; Eric Covell; Curtis Dretsch; Paul E. Theisen, Jr. -The Concert ProgramCrucible 1985 Premiered at the American Dance Festival Choreography, Music, Set Design, Costumes & Lighting by Alwin Nikolais Staged by .......................................................................Alberto del Saz Assisted by ............................................ Sarah Carlson and Susan Creitz Dancers (Thurs., Sat. matinee, Sat. evening) ..................Jeremy Arnold, Matthew Austin, Emily Daly, Nelle Ed, Erik Magnus Fiebiger, Nicholas Flatto, Rebecca Haverson, Laura Mayerson, Jeramie Mayes, Ashley Taylor Dancers (Fri.) .................Jeremy Arnold, Matthew Austin, Andrew Clark, Ellen DiStefano, Nelle Ed, Rebecca Glassman, Jeramie Mayes, Sioned Papparotto, Natalie Pulido, Sean Vanin Spirit Rising Muhlenberg Dance Association -Executive BoardPresident............................................................................Dana McGowan Vice-President ......................................................................Michele Sasso Secretaries .................................................Olivia Alvarez, Kiera Bianchini Treasurer ...........................................................................Danielle Laurion Public Relations ........................................... Melanie Brown, Katie Epstein Community Service ............................................................Gina Schumann MTA/MDA Liaison ................................................................Rachel Abbate Class Representatives ‘11............................. Nicole Aboyoun, Ariel Lackoff Class Representative ‘12 ...........................................................Laura Baehr Class Representative ‘13 ...............................................Meredith Stapleton Choreography ................................................................. Sarah Carlson, with contributions from the dancers Music .......................... “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and “Climbing Higher Mountains”, arrangement by Aretha Franklin, performed by the Muhlenberg Gospel Choir Soloists ...Kiren Goyal, Jasmine Jefferson, Victoria Socci, Eric Thompson Singers .................Justina Dubinsky, Candace Eaton, Rebecca Fainberg, Joy Forlenza, Adrianna Gentile, Kristen Goyal, Adrian GrahamChesnavage, Kelly Kirkley, Katie Lowery, Heather Malacaria, Hannah Miller, Erin Murphy, Kelsey O’Keeffe, Michelle Rossi, Christopher Routh, Nicole Sahagian, Nancy Suarez, Demetrai Tate, Imani Williams Musicians ................................Joseph Fielding, piano; Ariel Fogel, bass; Jeramie Mayes, organ; Graham Watson, drums Dancers ......................... Matthew Austin, Krista Bacchieri, Laura Baehr, Maya Basik, Kiera Bianchini, Maggie Griffin, Aubrey Kupstas, Dana McGowan, Cassi Perinotti, Natalie Pulido, Vanessa Sandler, Ashley Sleeth, Peter Smith, Ashley Taylor, Kellie-Ann Yamane The Muhlenberg Dance Association is supported by the Department of Theatre and Dance. 24 5 -The Concert ProgramPaquita (2nd Act Divertissements) Choreography ...................................................................Marius Petipa Staged by ................................................................. Ellen Troy Mulcahy Music ...........................................................Composed by Leon Minkus Soloists .........................Sarah Biren, Barri DeFrancisci, Mary Jean Stack Corps .......................... Marissa Bottino, Kate Brenner, Marissa Broujos, Ashley David, Alexandra Faust, Allison Hollows, Danielle Laurion, Lynn Lisella, Heather Mill, Sarah Scuteri Rejuvenations Choreography ...................................................................Shelley Oliver Music ......................... “The Fun of Playing” and “Bind Ourselves to Joy” by David Leonhardt Musicians ......................................................... David Leonhardt, piano; Matthew Parish, bass; Colby Inzer, drums Dancers .............................Olivia Alvarez, Jeremy Arnold, Kasey Celona, Katie Fierro, Nicholas Flatto, Lynn Lisella, Kelly Mercer, Lindsay Munz, AlexJo Natale, Michele Sasso, Becki Sharp, Jocelin Thau -10 Minute Intermission- Brand New Day/The Bird Remix 6 Company Profiles CONTINUED recipient of the Nicholas Legat and Nicolaeva Legat Memorial Scholarship from the Russian Ballet Society. She performed in Master Choreographers (2008, 2009) and appeared in “Before They Fall” by Meredith Rainey at American College Dance Festival Association (2009). On campus, she teaches ballet for Muhlenberg College Dance Center. Meredith Stapleton (The Line Will Move) as a first year student makes her Master Choreographers debut. She studied at The Bromfield School, the Sterling Academy of Dance, where she was a member of their competition team, and also the Acton School of Ballet, where she also taught. She was a member of the Commonwealth Ballet Company, now directed by Chip Morris. She has attended summer intensives at Ballet Workshop of New England, Burklyn Ballet Theatre, Alonzo King’s Lines School of Ballet, Festival Ballet in Providence, and the Boston Conservatory. She is the Muhlenberg Dance Association’s 2013 class representative and is planning to double major in Dance and Psychology. Ashley Taylor (Crucible, Spirit Rising, Rite) has performed in several student and faculty dance concerts. She choreographed “When Falling is a Means of Flying” for Moving Stories (2009), “A Little Ditty” for the informal dance concert (2008), and “Override” for Dance Emerge (2009). In 2009, Ashley worked with Sarah Carlson on her new work Spider Dance. She also attended the American Dance Festival where she performed with the all-female Japanese company, H. Art Chaos, and with Rosie Herrera in a dance-theatre piece. Ashley has also taken intensives with the Paul Taylor Dance Company and Parsons Dance. Jocelin Thau (Rejuvenations, Brand New Day/ The Bird Remix (excerpt from The Whiz)) makes her debut in Master Choreographers. She has performed in Moving Stories (2008, 2009), Dance Emerge (2008), and informal concerts. She has also performed with the community performance Jazztap Ensemble. On campus, she is a member of the Muhlenberg Dance Association, a Resident Advisor, and a sister of the Phi Sigma Sigma sorority. She is a Spanish major, a Dance minor, and in 2009 she studied abroad with the Center for Cross Cultural Studies in Seville, Spain. Sean Vanin (Crucible, The Line Will Move) as a first year student makes his Master Choreographers debut. He performed in Moving Stories (2009) and the informal dance concert (2009). Other performance experience includes The Nutcracker and Cinderella. Kellie-Ann Yamane (Spirit Rising) makes her debut in Master Choreographers. She started dancing at the age of five and trained at the Waterford Ballet Academy in Utah, and the Utah Dance Center. Her appearances include The Nutcracker, Giselle, and Paquita. 23 Annual Dance Events AT Muhlenberg College MOVING STORIES (Baker Stage in November) features choreography of Muhlenberg dancers on the Dorothy H. Baker Theatre stage. Choreographers selected for this concert have taken courses in Dance Composition and previously presented choreography in informal venues. Students submit written and oral proposals judged by a panel of faculty and, once selected, receive feedback from faculty throughout the creative process. MASTER CHOREOGRAPHERS (Empie Stage in February) presents guest artist and faculty choreography in our most formal venue. This project is designed to expose students to the rigors of working with professional artists. -The Concert Program(An excerpt from The Whiz: an urban dance rendition of The Wiz) Choreography ............................................................. Nicholas Leichter Music ............................................................... “The Bird” by The Time Dancers ....................... Nicole Aboyoun, Olivia Alvarez, Krista Bacchieri, Elle Barks, Kiera Bianchini, Kaitie Burger, Chelsea Corley, Lexi Clarke, Maggie Griffin, Kelly Havran, Christine Marty, Kelly Mercer, Tracy Miller, Meghan Schiffer, Ashley Sleeth, Cassi Perinotti, Michele Sasso, Jocelin Thau The Line Will Move DANCE EMERGE (Dance Studio Theatre in April) is another opportunity for experienced student choreographers to have their works performed. The Dance Studio Theatre provides an intimate venue for these original dances. Choreography .............................................................. Meredith Rainey Music ........................“Harpsichord Concerto in F Minor” and “Allegro & Largo” by Johann Sebastian Bach and “Qualia: Breath” by Scanner Dancers ............................. Emily Ancona, Matthew Austin, Sarah Biren, Ari Brandsdorfer, Barri DeFrancisci, Erik Magnus Fiebiger, Danielle Laurion, Laura Mayerson, Erika N. Samsky, Kristen Santos, Mary Jean Stack, Meredith Stapleton, Sean Vanin INFORMAL DANCE CONCERTS (Dance Studio Theatre in December and May) are designed as a forum for emerging choreographers who may or may not have studied Dance Composition. Rite TOURING ENSEMBLES, under the direction of dance faculty, provide performance opportunities for students within a specific dance genre. These performances are offered as educational outreach programs for children in the Lehigh Valley. AMERICAN COLLEGE DANCE FESTIVAL is attended every year by students and faculty. The regional conference features three days of performances, workshops and master classes taught by instructors from around the country. It provides a unique opportunity for students and faculty to have their dance works adjudicated by a panel of nationally recognized dance professionals in an open and constructive forum. 22 Choreography ........................................................ Charles O. Anderson Music .............................................................. “Glory, Glory” by Odetta, “Walk With Me” by Moby (feat. Leela James), and “Quorum Part II” by Michel Rousse Text ..........................written by Charles O. Anderson with excerpts from The Bible, performed by Hannah Mesouani Dancers .............. Olivia Alvarez, Jeremy Arnold, Laura Baehr, Elle Barks, Sarah Biren, Jillian Casella, Emily Daly, Barri DeFrancisci, Kimberly Dodson, Alexandra Faust, Erik Magnus Fiebiger, Katie Fierro,Rebecca Haverson, Jeramie Mayes, Laura Mayerson, Dana McGowan, Lindsay Munz, AlexJo Natale, Denise Ozer, Natalie Pulido, Erika N. Samsky, Michele Sasso, Meghan Schiffer, Sarah Scuteri, Ashley Sleeth, Ashley Taylor 7 -Choreographer ProfilesCharles O. Anderson Rite Charles O. Anderson is artistic director of the Philadelphia-based dance company dance theatre X. Originally from Richmond, VA, Anderson began his professional dance training at Cornell University where he received his BA in choreography and performance. He also received his early training as a three-time full-tuition scholarship student at the American Dance Festival in Durham, North Carolina. He has studied with and performed for such noted choreographers as Ronald K. Brown, Talley Beatty, Jim Self, Mark Dendy, Sean Curran, Joy Kellman, and Miguel Gutierrez. Anderson moved to Philadelphia in the summer of 1998 and earned his MFA with honors from Temple University in 2002 where he had the distinction of being a Future Faculty Fellow specializing in African derived choreography and aesthetic practices. Both as a solo artist and with dance theatre X, Anderson has presented his work nationally and internationally. Anderson’s choreographic research has led to collaborations and artistic exchanges with international choreographers working in fusions of traditional dance forms and contemporary movement styles. His work has been supported by numerous foundations and funding institutions including Dance Advance (sponsored by the Pew Charitable Trusts), the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, the Independence Foundation, and the Puffin Foundation. He was a 2007 Pew Fellowship in the Arts recipient. In 2008, Anderson and dance theatre X were also selected as one of “25 to Watch” by Dance Magazine. Currently, Anderson is developing a new evening length work entitled “World Headquarters”, set to premiere in the fall of 2010 in Seattle, WA, that is inspired by the works of late science fiction writer Octavia Butler. Anderson is also an Associate Professor of Dance at Muhlenberg College and the Director of the African American Studies program. Sarah Carlson Spirit Rising Sarah Carlson is the Founder/Artistic Director of DANCELINK and an Assistant Professor of Dance at Muhlenberg College. Sarah danced professionally in NYC with numerous companies including Alexandra Beller/ Dances, Brian Brooks Moving Company, Clare Byrne Dance, Paul Mosley Dance and the Metropolitan Opera Ballet. As an independent choreographer, her work has been presented throughout the US at venues such as the Joyce Soho in NYC, On the Boards in Seattle, and The Yard on Martha’s Vineyard as well as in Benin, Africa. Sarah also enjoys being a contributing dance writer for Offoffoff.com, Danceinsider.com and Dance Magazine. She received a 2005 Gary Parks Scholarship from the Dance Critics Association and was selected to attend the 2006 NEA Arts Journalism Institute at the American Dance Festival. In 2005-6, Sarah was a full-time Visiting Guest Artist at the University of Southern Mississippi. In 2007, she completed a Fulbright Grant studying Vodou ritual dance in Benin, Africa furthering an on-going inquiry into sacred dance forms. In 2008, Sarah found- 8 Company Profiles CONTINUED Boye-Christensen, and Sarah Carlson. She is involved with the Lehigh Valley Dance Exchange. At Muhlenberg she has performed in Master Choreographers, Moving Stories, and the informal concerts. She choreographed for the informal concert (2009) and on campus, is a member of Six Meters. She is currently double majoring in Dance and Business with a concentration in Entrepreneurial Studies. Kristen Santos (The Line Will Move) is a first year student and makes her Master Choreographers debut. She has trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, modern, hip-hop, and theatre dance at Coupe Dance Studio in Nanuet, New York. She has attended numerous summer intensives including New York State Summer School for the Arts, Miami City Ballet, Greenwich Ballet Academy, and Jacob’s Pillow where she appeared in A Jazz Happening. She performed in Moving Stories (2009) and the informal dance concert (2009). She appeared in the Rockland Youth Dance Ensemble’s The Nutcracker. Michele Sasso (Rejuvenations, Brand New Day/The Bird Remix (excerpt from The Whiz), Rite) is a senior double major in Biology and Dance. She has performed in numerous faculty and student dance concerts during her years here at Muhlenberg. She presented choreography in both the Dance Studio Theatre and on the Baker Stage. Michele has trained at Gulliver Preparatory in Miami, Florida; Point Park Summer Dance and participated in the Charlotte Boye-Christensen Winter Intensive. This past summer, Michele was an intern with dance theatre X during their residency here at Muhlenberg. On campus, Michele is the Vice-President of the Muhlenberg Dance Association, a member of Muhlenberg College Emergency Medical Services, and a writing tutor. Meghan Schiffer (Brand New Day/The Bird Remix (excerpt from The Whiz), Rite) has trained in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, modern, hip-hop and African. She has attended summer intensives including New York University’s Tisch, Parson’s and Point Park Summer Dance Intensive. She has performed in Moving Stories, Dance Emerge, and the informal concerts. In 2009, she ap- peared in Ten Tiny Dances, and participated in the Lehigh Valley Dance Exchange. Sarah Scuteri (Paquita, Rite) has studied at the Academy of Dance Arts, New Jersey School of Ballet, and Valentina Kozlova’s Dance Conservatory of New York, where she appeared in The Nutcracker, Paquita, Swan Lake, Raymonda, The Pharaoh’s Daughter, and Esmeralda. She performed in Master Choreographers (2009), Moving Stories (2008), Dance Emerge (2009) and the informal concerts (2008, 2009). She is a double major in Dance and Communications and on campus, she is involved in the Communications club and a sister of the Phi Sigma Sigma sorority. Becki Sharp (Rejuvenations) makes her Master Choreographers debut. She received instruction at Turning Pointe Dance Center and the Freehold Academy of Performing Arts where she studied lyrical, modern, jazz, tap, and ballet and performed on their competition team. She also appeared in the informal concert (2008). On campus, she is a member of the Perkulators dance team, the Jazztap Ensemble, the Muhlenberg Dance Association, and she is a sister of the Delta Zeta sorority. Ashley Sleeth (Spirit Rising, Brand New Day/The Bird Remix (excerpt from The Whiz), Rite) has previously choreographed for Moving Stories (2009), the informal concert (2008), and for her performing arts high school for the senior dance showcase. She has been performing since the age of five, including modern, ballet, jazz and tap. Ashley has performed every semester since coming to Muhlenberg. Peter Smith (Spirit Rising) is a senior and makes his debut in Master Choreographers. He performed in Moving Stories (2009). On campus, he is in the InAcchord a cappella group. Mary Jean Stack (Paquita, The Line Will Move) studied at the Kirov Academy of Ballet and attended summer intensives at Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, The Washington Ballet, The Harid Conservatory, Kaatsbaan, The Royal Ballet of Flanders (Belgium), American Academy of Ballet, and The Kirov Academy of Ballet. She performed as a guest artist in the Maragaret Haddad Studio of Classical Ballet’s The Nutcracker. In 2008 she was the 21 The Muhlenberg Dance Program THE ACADEMIC PROGRAM Muhlenberg College offers a B.A. with a major and minor in dance designed to provide a solid background in the history, theory and literature of performance. The program offers extensive opportunity to audition, perform and choreograph in multiple concert, theatre, studio and touring projects. Class size is limited, and the work is intense and demanding. In the liberal arts tradition, each student is encouraged to individualize his or her education to fulfill personal, creative and intellectual goals. Technique courses through advanced levels are taught in ballet, modern, jazz and tap. THE FACULTY The dance faculty have developed a multi-faceted approach to education that combines exciting creative experience with rigorous professional standards. Students are challenged as artists in the studio and the classroom, working closely with distinguished faculty and nationally-recognized guest artists to achieve a conceptual understanding and a practical working knowledge of the arts and the profession. THE CONCERTS The Department of Theatre and Dance and the Muhlenberg Dance Association present the annual faculty-choreographed concert in the Empie Theatre in the Baker Center for the Arts. Multiple student-choreographed productions are produced each year in the Dorothy H. Baker Theatre and the Dance Studio Theatre in the Trexler Pavillion. ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE As a result of the generous gift of the Dexter F. and Dorothy H. Baker Foundation, Muhlenberg invites nationally renowned artists to teach, direct, choreograph and perform with dance, theatre, and music students each year. THE COMMUNITY The Muhlenberg College Department of Theatre and Dance offers the Lehigh Valley Community a complete schedule of high quality, non-credit dance and movement education courses for people of all ages through three programs: the Muhlenberg Community Dance Center, Tap Dance with Shelley Oliver, and The Pilates Center. Classes are offered in state of the art facilities located on the Muhlenberg College Campus. In addition, the Muhlenberg JazzTap Ensemble and Six Meters (improvisational movement) tour area schools each year. www.muhlenberg.edu/depts/theatre 20 ed DANCELINK to promote community and communicate profoundly through the multi-faceted instrument of the body. Sarah received a BA in French and European Studies from Connecticut College and an MFA in Dance from the University of Washington. Alberto del Saz Crucible Alberto del Saz is the Artistic Director of the Murray Louis and Nikolais Dance Company as well as Co-Director of The Nikolais/Louis Foundation for Dance and Assistant to Mr. Louis. Mr. Del Saz is a vital and important link in keeping the Nikolais-Louis repertory active. In 1985, Mr. Del Saz made his debut as a lead soloist with the Nikolais Dance Theater, later renamed the Murray Louis and Nikolais Dance Company. As a member of this internationally acclaimed company he has toured to virtually every continent on the globe. Mr. Del Saz has appeared for President Reagan at the Kennedy Center Honors in a CBS telecast featuring the Nikolais Dance Theater as well as on PBS American Masters series in “Nik and Murray”, an award winning documentary film by Christian Blackwood. He has also represented the United States State Department on a tour of India, appeared at the Paris Opera Garnier in a Homage to Alwin Nikolais and at the Next Wave Festival with Bill T. Jones and Arnie Zane Dance Company. In 1990, he went to Japan where he appeared as a guest artist in “V”, a project by Mr. Ushio Amagatsu, Artistic Director of Sankai Juku. He has also performed at “Men Brazil”. Mr. Del Saz has appeared as a guest solo artist in works by Hanya Holm, Claudia Gitelman, Maureen Fleming, Sara Pearson, Cleo Parker Robinson and others. Mr. Del Saz is the Reconstruction Director of the Nikolais/Louis repertory and has staged the Nikolais/ Louis repertory on university and professional dance companies around the world. Nicholas Leichter Brand New Day/The Bird Remix (excerpt from The Whiz) Nicholas Leichter received a BA in dance from Connecticut College where he studied with Jacylnn Villamil and Martha Myers. He was a member of Ralph Lemon Company from 1993–1995, and has performed with the companies of Jennifer Muller, Ronald K. Brown, and Gus Solomons Jr. Sought after for his teaching abilities almost as much as his choreographic talent, Leichter has taught throughout the United States, at festivals in Eastern and Western Europe, Asia, and Canada; and he has been on faculty at Tisch School of the Arts and the American Dance Festival in Durham, New York, Russia, Korea, and most recently, Shanghai. Leichter has created over 25 works for his own company. In recognition of Leichter’s approach to contemporary dance, he has received support from TIAA-CREF, The Harkness Foundation for Dance, New York Foundation for the Arts (two BUILD Grants and two Choreography Fellowships), Jerome Foundation, The Greenwall Foundation, Pentacle’s HelpDesk, Dance/USA, and 9 Choreographer Profiles CONTINUED the NEA as part of the National College Choreographic Initiative, The 92nd Street Y New Works in Dance Fund, The Joyce Theater Foundation, New York City, with major support from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, New York State Council on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Leichter received the 2006 Mariam McGlone Emerging Choreographer Award from Wesleyan University. In 2008 he received a NYFA Choreographer Fellowship and a National Performance Network/Network of Cultural Centers of Color Artist-of-Color Residency Award at Sacramento State. Leichter is the recipient of the 2009 Copperfoot Award for choreography from Wayne State University and a National Dance Project (NDP) award from the New England Foundation for the Arts. Leichter has been artist-in-residence/guest artist at many institutions and he is on the board of Dance Theater Workshop. Ellen Troy Mulcahy Paquita Ellen Troy Mulcahy has been teaching dance at Muhlenberg College for eleven years. Her extensive professional career includes having danced with the Joffrey Ballet, Twyla Tharp Dance, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning musical Jerome Robbins’ Broadway. Additional credits include starring in the feature film Dance and dancing in numerous Off-Broadway, national tour, and regional theatre productions. Prior to teaching at Muhlenberg, Ellen was a full-time faculty member at Syracuse University and has taught dance in New York City, for ADF in Seoul, Korea, and at numerous academic institutions around the country. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Performance Studies from Empire State College, NY. Ellen served as ballet mistress for Antony Tudor’s ballet Continuo in 2008, working along side former American Ballet Theatre members Amanda Mckerrow and John Gardner. She is also a certified Pilates instructor, and has been teaching mat and reformer classes at the Pilates Center at Muhlenberg College since 2001. Shelley Oliver Rejuvenations Shelley Oliver, Canadian born tap dancer, choreographer, and educator has appeared internationally with some of the legends of the tap world including Savion Glover, Jimmy Slide, Buster Brown, Charles “Cookie” Cook, Steve Condos, and Chuck Green. She is the Artistic Director of The Shelley Oliver Tap Dancers performing with the David Leonhardt Jazz Group touring jazz festivals and concerts around the country. She is a founding member of Manhattan Tap and was co-artistic director/choreographer with the company touring Europe, China, the Caribbean, and North America. A noted soloist, she as performed with many great jazz musicians including Slide Hampton, David “Fathead” Newman, Robin Eubanks, and Kenny Washington. Her television appearances include Tap Dance in America with Gregory Hines as well as several appearances on the original Star Search. 10 (Brand New Day/The Bird Remix (excerpt from The Whiz)) makes her Master Choreographers debut. She was trained by Nancy Lushington at the Steffi Nossen School of Dance in modern, ballet, and jazz, with experience in West African. She is a Dance major at Muhlenberg College. Tracy has performed in Moving Stories, Dance Emerge, and the informal dance concerts. She has also performed off-Broadway in Granola! The Musical. Tracy is a sister of Delta Zeta sorority and works in the Admissions office as a student greeter, tour guide, campus delegate, and intern. Tracy hopes to work in the arts in the future. Lindsay Munz (Rejuvenations, Rite) has previously performed in Master Choreographers (2007, 2008, 2009), Moving Stories (2007), and Dance Emerge (2008). She performed in the gala concert at the American College Dance Festival in Meredith Rainey’s “Before They Fall”. Lindsay is a member of the Copasetic Rhythms tap group and the Perkulators dance team (20062009). Lindsay was a featured dancer in The Company Project at the Hershey Theatre (2007, 2008), and also worked at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg as a singer/ dancer in the show “This is Oktoberfest” (2009). Lindsay is also a member of the Biology Club and is a peer tutor in Chemistry. Alex Jo Natale (Rejuvenations, Rite) performed in the competitive dance company at Gloria Frances School of Performing Arts for ten years. At Muhlenberg, she has performed in faculty, student, and informal concerts, and choreographed “Raggedy Endings” for the informal concert. She is a member of the Jazztap Ensemble. AlexJo has also choreographed High School Musical at Gateway to the Arts and is a hiphop teacher at Patricia Bostick Dance Center. On campus, Alex Jo is a member of the Copasetic Rhythms tap group, Mint* hiphop team, and Alpha Chi Omega sorority. Denise Ozer (Rite) makes her Master Choreographers debut. She performed in Moving Stories (2009), and the informal concert (2008). She is a senior double-majoring in Dance and Theater. On campus, she in the president of Muhlenberg College Gospel Choir, and a member of Inacchord a cappella group, Black Students Association, Muhlenberg Dance Association, Muhlen- berg Theatre Association, and Six Meters. Sioned Papparotto (Crucible) makes her Master Choreographers debut. Sioned has trained in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, contemporary, hip-hop, pointe, partnering, and musical theatre at Experimental Movement Concepts. She performed as a principal dancer in the Susquehanna Youth Ballet and Repertory Ensemble. Sioned has attended the Point Park summer dance intensive and Radio City Rockette intensive. She has performed in The Nutcracker with the Moscow Ballet and performed in Germany, Austria, and France with the American Music Abroad program. At Muhlenberg, Sioned has performed in Moving Stories, Dance Emerge and the informal concerts. She is a member of Six Meters and a teacher for the Muhlenberg Community Dance Center. Cassi Perinotti (Spirit Rising, Brand New Day/The Bird Remix (excerpt from The Whiz)) began dancing at the age of three at a local studio. She began competing at Dance Arts Academy at the age of ten and performed with Synthesis Dance Company in their performance at Alvin Ailey. Cassi has also performed with and under the guidance of Melody Lacayanga and Ashle Dawson from So You Think You Can Dance. Currently, Cassi is a member of the newly formed Lehigh Valley Dance Exchange. Natalie Pulido (Spirit Rising, Rite) makes her Master Choreographers debut. She has previously performed in Moving Stories (2008, 2009) and Dance Emerge (2009) at Muhlenberg. Erika N. Samsky (The Line Will Move, Rite) has trained in all styles of dance for eighteen years. Erika performed at the Metropolitan Opera House at age 12 with the Kirov Ballet. She has attended Kaatsbaan, New Jersey Ballet, and Eglevsky summer intensives. She has performed lead roles, such as Clara, with the New Jersey Ballet. Erika has performed at Raritan Valley Community College, NJPAC, Bergan PAC, Morristown Arts Center, the Met, and Cape May Courthouse. On campus, Erika is a member of the Muhlenberg Dance Association, Alpha Chi Omega sorority, and Mint* hip-hop team. Vanessa Sandler (Spirit Rising) has trained in ballet, modern, jazz, and hip hop with Alvin Mayes, Helen Hayes, Helanius J. Wilkins, Corrie Cowart, Charles O. Anderson, Charlotte 19 Company Profiles CONTINUED concert, stage managing Master Choreographers, and working as a theatre electrician. Danielle Laurion (Paquita, The Line Will Move) trained at the Acton School of Ballet for fifteen years, where she studied classical ballet, pointe, and modern dance and was accepted into the school’s preprofessional company, The Commonwealth Ballet Company. She has attended programs at Walnut Hill School, Boston Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and Orlando Ballet. At Muhlenberg, Danielle has performed in Master Choreographers, Moving Stories, and Dance Emerge. Danielle is a Muhlenberg College tour guide and treasurer of the Muhlenberg Dance Association. Lynn Lisella (Paquita, Rejuvenations) has performed in Master Choreographers (2009), Moving Stories (2009), Dance Emerge (2009), and the informal dance concerts (2007, 2008). Lynn also choreographed for Moving Stories (2009), Dance Emerge (2009), the informal dance concert (2007). Lynn is a resident advisor, a teacher for the Muhlenberg Community Dance Center, and a member of Six Meters, the Muhlenberg Theatre Association, and the Muhlenberg Jazztap ensemble. Christine Marty (Brand New Day/ The Bird Remix (excerpt from The Whiz)) makes her debut in Master Choreographers. At Muhlenberg, Christine has performed in Moving Stories (2008, 2009), Dance Emerge (2009), and the informal concert (2009). Christine trained in hip-hop, jazz, tap, and modern dance with Lisa Isenberg and Meredyth Casey Smaretsky, and also studied with Bodiography Contemporary Ballet Company and Parsons Dance Company. Christine is a Dance major, a Student Government representative and a sister of the Delta Zeta sorority. She is also treasurer of the Perkulators, the Muhlenberg College dance team. Laura Mayerson (Crucible, The Line Will Move, Rite) is a senior Psychology major and previously choreographed “Ritual Disintegration” for Moving Stories (2009), “Pull Over At The Next Stop For Directions” for Moving Stories (2008) and “Variations on a Theme” for the fall 2007 informal concert. Laura has performed in Master Choreographers (2007- 08), Moving Stories (2007-08), and Dance Emerge (2007-08). She was also a member of the Six Meters improvisation dance ensemble in 2008. On campus, Laura is a writing center tutor. Jeramie Mayes (Crucible, Rite) makes his Master Choreographers debut. He has previously performed in the informal dance concert. Jeramie is also a member of the Muhlenberg Theatre Association, and the Muhlenberg Gospel Choir. Dana McGowan (Spirit Rising, Rite) performs in Master Choreographers for her fourth year. She has also performed in Moving Stories, Dance Emerge, and various dance concerts, and has also choreographed for the informal and student dance concerts. Her choreography, “(in) decision” was selected to be in the gala performance at the Northeast Conference of the American College Dance Festival (2008). Dana has performed with the Hamilton Ballet and American Repertory Ballet. She is president of the Muhlenberg Dance Association and a Dance and Communication double major. Kelly Mercer (Rejuvenations, Brand New Day/The Bird Remix (excerpt from The Whiz)) has previously performed in Master Choreographers and various student choreographed concerts. She choreographed “Take 3” for the informal concert (2008). Kelly is president of the Copasetic Rhythyms tap group and a member of the Muhlenberg Jazztap Ensemble. Kelly studied abroad at the Accademia dell’Arte in Arezzo, Italy in spring 2009. On campus, she is a sister of Phi Sigma Sigma sorority and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society. Heather Mill (Paquita) has been dancing since the age of three, receiving training in ballet from Schubert School of Dance Arts. Heather has performed with the Quakertown Youth Ballet in productions such as Alice in Wonderland, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, and The Phantom of the Opera. Heather is a senior Media and Communication major with minors in Dance and Business. On campus, she is involved in Student Government, Delta Zeta sorority, and the Dana Scholars. She is also the dance marketing assistant for the Department of Theatre and Dance. Tracy Miller 18 Miss Oliver has guested as tap soloist with The River City Brass, one of the nation’s premiere brass bands. She has conducted lecture demonstrations for Lincoln Center, New York City Public Schools, and Universities throughout the United States. She teaches a comprehensive jazztap program at Muhlenberg College and directs the Muhlenberg Jazztap Ensemble, providing community outreach programs in the Allentown area. She pioneered a tap and math program in New York State and Pennsylvania for elementary school children and special needs classes. Ms. Oliver has produced a series of “Tap Music for Tap Dancers” CDs designed as an educational device for tap dance professionals and students that have become a standard pedagogical tool in the tap dance world. Meredith Rainey The Line Will Move Meredith Rainey began dancing at 15 in his hometown of Fort Lauderdale. In 1985, he joined the Milwaukee Ballet. He was asked to join the newly formed Pennsylvania-Milwaukee Ballet. When the joint venture ended he remained with the Pennsylvania Ballet, and was promoted to soloist in 1999. For a brief period in 1997, he performed as a demi-soloist with the Dance Theatre of Harlem. Mr. Rainey has performed works by such choreographers as George Balanchine, Alvin Ailey, Mary Anthony, Paul Taylor, Lar Lubovitch, Jose Limon, John Butler, John Cranko, William Forsythe, Jean Grand-Maître, Robert Weiss, Jorma Elo, David Parsons, Trey McIntyre, and Kevin O’Day, touring throughout North and South America, Europe, and Seoul, Korea. Upon retiring from the Pennsylvania Ballet in 2006, he decided to further focus his creativity on his choreographic career. Meredith spent two years as a part of the Choreographer’s Project at the Susan Hess Modern Dance Studio (Philadelphia). In 2008 he was awarded a “New Edge” residency at the Community Education Center (CEC) of Philadelphia. During this 2008/2009 residency he founded his own company, “Carbon Dance Theatre”, a company that empowers performers and entertains audiences by creating work that is rooted in classical ballet and infused with the collaborative processes of theatre. Meredith has won numerous awards, including the 1995 & 2002 PA Council on the Arts Fellowship Grant for Choreography, the 2001 Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation Artist as Catalyst Grant, the 2002 Independence Foundation Fellowship in the Arts and a 2003 Pew Fellowship in the Arts Finalist. He has been commissioned to create works for Pennsylvania Ballet, Lincoln Ballet (Ballet Clássico Nacional de Colombia), Brandywine Ballet, Ballet X, Delaware Ballet, Hubbard Street 2, Phrenic New Ballet, and has had his work performed throughout North and South America and Europe including Miami International Ballet Festival, the International Ballet Festival of Ecuador, the First and Second International Ballet Festival of Calí, (Colombia) and Madrid, Spain. 11 -Artist ProfilesConstance Case Costume Designer Constance Case has designed the MTA productions The Beggar’s Opera, Pentecost, Brigadoon, Dido and Aeneas, The Country Wife, The Mikado, and Top Girls among others. She has also designed the SMT productions Once Upon a Time in New Jersey, Into the Woods, South Pacific, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. She has previously designed dance costumes for Shelley Oliver, Karen Dearborn, Charles O. Anderson, Zane Booker, Clare Byrne, Tiffany Mills and many other talented choreographers. She earned her M.F.A. from Wayne State University in Detroit, where she worked for the Harmonie Park Playhouse, The Hillberry Theatre, the Museum of African American History and Michigan Opera Theatre. Her work has also been seen at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the National Archives, Wolftrap, and the Woolly Mammoth. Karen Dearborn Artistic Director, Director of the Dance Program Karen Dearborn has choreographed over 70 works in concert, theatre, and musical theatre, including national tours of the Tony Award-winning National Theatre of the Deaf and several Equity theatres. Recently she has provided choreography for the Muhlenberg Theatre Association productions of Bat Boy, Oklahoma!, Urinetown, Cabaret, On the Town, Wonderful Town, and West Side Story; and Summer Music Theatre productions of The Sound of Music, The Who’s Tommy, Fiddler on the Roof, Carousel, Annie Get Your Gun, …Forum, Guys and Dolls, Man of La Mancha, Boys from Syracuse, and Oliver!. She also regularly choreographs concert dance works for the Master Choreographers concert. Her scholarly research has been published in the Journal of Dance Education and she contributed an essay to the book Performing Magic on the Western Stage. She serves on the executive board of the American College Dance Festival Association. Damon Gelb Technical Director Damon Gelb holds a B.F.A. from Penn State University and his experience includes five seasons with Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre. His design credits include lighting Quilters for the Berks Festival Theatre and designing lighting and scenery for The Nina Variations at the Theatre Outlet. He spent 8 years in the professional lighting industry working with architects, consulting engineers, and theatre consultants on lighting system designs, including Trinity Church in NYC. He is a former IATSE stage technician. 12 seven. At Muhlenberg, Katie has performed in Master Choreographers (2008, 2009) under the direction of Shelley Oliver, Corrie Cowart, and Charles Anderson. Katie has also choreographed for Moving Stories, Dance Emerge, and the informal dance concert. Katie participated in the Rockette summer intensive for four years. Nicholas Flatto (Crucible, Rejuvenations) makes his debut in Master Choreographers. He is a senior Theatre and Dance double major. Dance credits include Moving Stories, Dance Emerge, and the informal concerts. Nick also choreographed for the informal concert. Nick has performed at the offBroadway Roy Arias Theater, NYC Fringe Festival, Gretna Theatre, PA Youth Theatre, PA Playhouse, and the Civic Theatre of Allentown. On campus, Nick is a Baker scholar and a member of Noteworthy a cappella group, the college choir, and the chamber singers. Rebecca Glassman (Crucible) makes her Master Choreographers debut. At Muhlenberg, she has performed in Moving Stories, Dance Emerge, and the informal concerts. Rebecca was a Dance major at the Freehold Fine and Performing Arts Center and a soloist for the semi-professional Act Theater Company. Rebecca is the community service coordinator for the Muhlenberg Dance Association. Maggie Griffin (Spirit Rising, Brand New Day/The Bird Remix (excerpt from The Whiz)) has performed in Master Choreographers, Moving Stories, Dance Emerge, and in the MTA production of Caw. She also choreographed for the informal dance concert (2009). Maggie has been dancing for fourteen years and teaching dance for four years. She has been the dance captain for the Woodbridge Community Youth Players Group. She is also a teacher for the Muhlenberg Community Dance Center. Rebecca Haverson (Crucible, Rite) is a senior. She has previously choreographed “i say we, recollect(ive)” for Moving Stories (2008), which was additionally shown at Dance Theatre Workshop in NYC. Additional choreography includes “Suspiciously like a Standard” for Moving Stories (2009), “Withindependence” with Dana McGowan for the informal concert (2008) and “Displaced in the Between” for the informal concert (2007). Rebecca has performed in Master Choreographers (2007, 17 2008); Moving Stories (2006-2008); and at the American College Dance Festival in 2008. On campus, Rebecca is a member of Six Meters improvisation troupe, a writing tutor, and co-editor of The Advocate. Kelly Havran (Brand New Day/The Bird Remix (excerpt from The Whiz)) has been dancing since the age of four, and has studied jazz, ballet, pointe, hip-hop, modern, lyrical, and tap. At Muhlenberg, she has performed in Master Choreographers, Moving Stories, and Dance Emerge, and has choreographed for the informal concert. Kelly is captain and choreographer of Mint*, Muhlenberg’s hip-hop dance team, and is a member of the Muhlenberg Dance Association. She is a double major in Dance and Media and Communication. Kelly also teaches hip-hop at the Patricia Bostick Dance Center. Allison Hollows (Paquita) has been dancing since the age of 4. She has received training at Gotta Dance, New Jersey School of Ballet, and Princeton Ballet School. Allison has also attended summer programs at Briansky Saratoga Ballet Center and the University of the Arts. Performance experience includes “Showstoppers” dance company and The Nutcracker with the Moscow Ballet. At Muhlenberg, Allison has performed in Master Choreographers (2009), Moving Stories (2008, 2009), and the informal concerts. Allison is a member of the Muhlenberg Activities Council and secretary of the Communications Club. Julia Korzeniewski (Stage Manager) assistant stage managed MTA’s Ruddigore, Weldon Rising, and has stage managed Three More Sleepless Nights, Caw, and Bat Boy. Other credits include the HENRY Project; You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown; Wily Wonka Junior; and Belle Reprieve. On campus, she serves as the MTA historian. Aubrey Kupstas (Spirit Rising, Assistant to the Lighting Desgner) makes her debut in Master Choreographers. She has studied ballet, modern, tap, and jazz at Muhlenberg, including an intensive with Charlotte Boye-Christensen. Aubrey has also attended the Bates Dance Festival, where she studied with Cathy Young and Tania Isaac. Aubrey has also choreographed for Moving Stories, Dance Emerge, and the informal concerts. Additional experience includes lighting design for the informal dance concert and the senior solo Company Profiles CONTINUED and Dance Associations. Chelsea Corley (New Day/The Bird Remix (excerpt from The Whiz)) studied at the Westport’s Academy of Dance for ten years, as well as at the Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and the American Ballet Theater. She has performed in many productions of The Nutcracker, as well as other ballets. Chelsea has recently been involved in community performances around Bethlehem, PA. Emily Daly (Crucible, Rite, Production Manager) has performed in Master Choreographers, Moving Stories, and Dance Emerge; and previously choreographed “Under Control” for the informal dance concert in 2008. Emily trained and performed at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Alvin Ailey, Parsons Dance Company, The School at Steps on Broadway, Boston Ballet, and the American Academy of Ballet. She also interned at Mark Morris Dance Group. Emily studied abroad at the Accademia dell’ Arte in Arezzo, Italy, in the spring of 2009, and performed with Teriaca Company in Cortona. She serves as office assistant to Karen Dearborn. Ashley David (Paquita) has previously performed in Master Choreographers (2009) in Karen Dearborn’s “Echoes Through the Mist”. She trained in ballet and modern at Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater. Ashley has been cast in original works by Chiara Ajkun, artistic director of Ajkun Ballet Theater, and Jeremy Collins, former principal with the American Ballet Theater. On campus, Ashley is a campus delegate and a member of the Muhlenberg Activities Council. Barri DeFrancisci (Paquita, The Line Will Move, Rite) has studied at North Carolina School of the Arts and Kirov Academy of Ballet, as well as at summer intensives at American Ballet Theater, Harid Conservatory, Kaatsbaan International Dance Center, and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Barri has performed professionally with the Hartford Ballet and the Baltimore Ballet, and was offered a contract with the Rochester City Ballet. Barri is also a sister of Alpha Chi Omega sorority and a member of the Perkulators dance team. Ellen DiStefano (Crucible) makes her Master Choreographers debut. She was trained in ballet and modern dance at Albany Academy for Girls and Barbara’s School for the Dance, as well as at The Ailey School and Taylor II summer intensives. Ellen has performed in Moving Stories, Dance Emerge, and the informal concerts at Muhlenberg. She is a Dance major, a sister of the Delta Zeta sorority, and a tutor. Kimberly Dodson (Rite) is a first year student and makes her Master Choreographers debut. She has trained at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy Summer Intensive in LA, California, the Alvin Ailey School of American Dance Summer Intensive in New York City, and the Broadway Theatre Project in Tampa, Florida. She has experience in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, modern, contemporary, African, Dunham, and Horton. On campus, she is a member of the Muhlenberg Theatre Association and a campus delegate. Nelle Ed (Crucible) makes her debut in Master Choreographers. She has performed in Moving Stories (2006, 2009), Dance Emerge (2009), and several informal concerts, and has additionally choreographed for two informal concerts. Nelle is also a member of Six Meters Improvisation Ensemble. Nelle attended the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts for dance in 2005. On campus, she is a member and assistant master carpenter for the Muhlenberg Theatre Association, coordinator of the campus V-Day campaign, and a tour guide. Alexandra Faust (Paquita, Rite) has performed in Master Choreographers (2008) and Moving Stories (2008, 2009). Alexandra also choreographed for the informal concert (2007). She attended the Premier Dance Studio. Alexandra is also a member of the Muhlenberg Track and Field team. Erik Magnus Fiebiger (Crucible, The Line Will Move, Rite) has previously performed in Master Choreographers (2007, 2008), and Moving Stories (2006, 2007, 2008). Erik studied abroad at the dance program at Accademia Dell’Arte in Arezzo, Italy. Erik is a brother of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, and a member of the Muhlenberg Dynamics a capella group, and the Muhlenberg Theatre Association. Katie Fierro (Rejuvenations, Rite) has been a competitive dancer at the Gloria Frances School of Performing Arts since the age of 16 -Artist ProfilesSusan Hamburger Lighting Designer Susan Hamburger is excited to be returning to Muhlenberg for her eleventh year. She has designed for Urban Bush Women, Troika Ranch, Urban Tap, Alice Farley, Chrisopher Caines, Susan Chirniak, and Carol Nolte among others. She has also designed The Abundance Project, Hamletmachine, Logic of the Birds, On The Verge, A Child’s Christmas in Wales, Little Shop Of Horrors, Suddenly Last Summer, The Great Highway, West Side Story, The Cryptogram, Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing, Waiting for Godot, and Mame, as well as many other original plays and performance pieces. Susan is a graduate of Yale School of Drama and a professor at New York University. www.susanhamburger.com Paul E. Theisen Jr. Technical Director/Master Electrician Paul E. Theisen Jr. is a member of the technical staff of the Department of Theatre & Dance. Paul has contributed lighting, sound, and scenic designs to numerous MTA and SMT productions, including Cabaret, Dancing at Lughnasa, New Voices 2001, Into the Woods, Pentecost, The Game of Love and Chance, Wonderful Town, and Mother Hicks. He is the resident Technical Director and Lighting Designer for the Student Choreographers Showcases. He is a Wisconsin native who received his B.A. in Theatre from Viterbo College and his M.F.A. from the University of Delaware’s Professional Theatre Training Program. Paul is also the resident sound designer and master electrician for SMT. DANCE EMERGE Emerging Student Choreographers Concert Artistic Director, Corrie Cowart Dance Studio Theatre Trexler Pavilion for Theatre & Damce April 22-25 - Tickets 484.664.3333 www.muhlenberg.edu/tickets 13 Company Profiles Nicole Aboyoun (Brand New Day/The Bird Remix (excerpt from The Whiz)) makes her Master Choreographers debut. At Muhlenberg, she has performed in Moving Stories, Dance Emerge, and the informal concerts. Nicole has been trained in tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, hip-hop, and contemporary. Nicole is a member of the Muhlenberg College dance team, The Perkulators. Olivia Alvarez (Rejuvenations, Brand New Day/The Bird Remix (excerpt from The Whiz), Rite) is a senior and has performed in Master Choreographers, Moving Stories, and Dance Emerge over the past four years. She choreographed “Broken Space” for Moving Stories (2009) and pieces for the informal concerts (2006-2008). Olivia has performed with Gianni Bruschi and Teriaca in “Ritmi e Riti del Mediterraneo” at Teatro Signorelli in Cortona, Italy (2009). She also performed in Oklahoma! (2008). Olivia is the secretary of the Muhlenberg Dance Association and a member of the Psi Chi National Honor Society. Emily Ancona (The Line Will Move) makes her debut in Master Choreographers. She is a first year student and has studied ballet for sixteen years. Emily has performed in the Dance Theater of Pennsylvania’s The Nutcracker annually since 1996. Emily has trained at the Rock School summer intensive in Philadelphia and at Princeton Ballet School. At Muhlenberg, Emily is the historian of Colleges Against Cancer, writes for The Weekly, and is a member of Muhlenberg Activities Council, Dress Upon a Star, and STAND. Jeremy Arnold (Crucible, Rejuvenations, Rite) has been studying dance since the age of three. He was a member of the Tap City Youth Ensemble under the direction of the American Tap Dance Foundation. He performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra under the direction of Marvin Hamlisch in a tribute to Gene Kelly and the Orchestra’s Sound All Around children’s series. Most recently, Jeremy could be seen on the sixth season of FOX’s So You Think You Can Dance where he advanced to the Las Vegas callbacks. Matthew Austin (Crucible, Spirit Rising, The Line Will Move) makes his Master Choreographers debut. He is a Theatre and Dance double major and has performed in Dance Emerge (2009) and the informal concert (2009), and also stage managed Moving Stories (2008). Matt is a member of the Muhlenberg Jazztap Ensemble. In high school, Matt danced at the Amber Perkins School of the Arts and received high scores at the American Dance Awards national championships. Muhlenberg credits include Oklahoma! (2008). On campus, Matt is a member of the chamber singers and the Chaimonics a cappella group. Krista Bacchieri (Spirit Rising, Brand New Day/The Bird Remix (excerpt from The Whiz)) makes her debut in Master Choreographers. Muhlenberg credits include Moving Stories, Dance Emerge, and the informal concerts. Krista also choreographed for the informal concert (2009). She began dancing at the American Dance Academy and has trained at Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, Koresh, Brandywine Ballet, The Rock School West, and ContempraDance. Krista has worked with Abdur Bahim-Jackson and Olivia Bowman of Alvin Ailey and Rockette Purdie Bousman. Krista also danced competitively and performed in Disney World. Laura Baehr (Spirit Rising, Rite) has previously performed in Master Choreographers (2009), Moving Stories (2008, 2009), and Dance Emerge (2008, 2009). She also choreographed her first piece for the informal dance concert (2009). Laura danced with Koresh Dance Company and attended the American College Dance Festival in 2009. She also choreographed the musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Laura is a Dance and Neuroscience double major. Elle Barks (Brand New Day/The Bird Remix (excerpt from The Whiz), Rite) has previously performed in Master Choreographers, Moving Stories, Dance Emerge, and the informal concerts. Elle has also performed in Caw with the Muhlenberg Theatre Association. Elle is a member of the MTA and the Muhlenberg Dynamics a cappella group. Maya Basik (Spirit Rising) makes her Master Choreographers debut. Maya has danced with the Towson University Children’s Dance Division in ballet, modern, and jazz, and with the Rage Box Contem- 14 porary Dance Center in hip-hop and jazz. She spent three summers at the Young People’s Summer Stock camp and was also a part of the Towson University Children’s Dance Division Junior Performance Troupe. Maya has performed The Nutcracker with the Moscow Ballet and the Washington Ballet. She is a Philosophy major and Dance minor. Kiera Bianchini (Spirit Rising, Brand New Day/The Bird Remix (excerpt from The Whiz)) has previously performed in Master Choreographers and the student dance concerts at Muhlenberg. She began dancing at the age of four, and has studied ballet, jazz, modern, tap, and African dance. Kiera has trained at the Rock School and at Broadway Dance Center. Kiera took part in Spider Dance under the direction of Sarah Carlson in spring 2009. Recently, she has been performing as a company member with the ContempraDance Theatre, a professional dance company in the Philadelphia area. Kiera is a double major in Dance and Psychology, and is secretary of the Muhlenberg Dance Association. Sarah Biren (Paquita, The Line Will Move, Rite) makes her debut in Master Choreographers. Professional credits include various ballets with Pennsylvania Ballet and Orlando Ballet, originating the role of Young Caroline in the off-Broadway play At Risk; and she was a guest artist at the Youth American Grand Prix Gala in Lincoln Center. Sarah has studied with Gelsey Kirkland, Fernando Bujones, and Julie Kent. She is a double major in Dance and Sociology with a concentration in Neuroscience. Marissa Bottino (Paquita) makes her Master Choreographers debut. She is a first year student, and trained for fifteen years at The Dance Connection in NJ, as well as Atlantic City Ballet. She has attended workshops with Mia Michaels, Tyce DiOrio, and Wade Robson. On campus, she is a member of SHARE and the Newman Society. Ari Brandsdorfer (The Line Will Move) has performed in Master Choreographers (2008, 2009), and also performed in NYC for the National American College Dance Festival. He is a third-year pre-med student at Muhlenberg College. Kate Brenner (Paquita) makes her debut in Master Choreographers. She has had twelve years of training in ballet and jazz and eight years in lyrical. Kate competed with the Westchester Academy Dance Troupe. Marissa Broujos (Paquita) makes her debut in Master Choreographers. She has studied ballet, pointe, musical theatre, and character at the Academy of the Dance in Wilmington, DE. She previously danced in the informal concerts (2008, 2009). She plans to major in Art with a Dance minor. Kaitie Burger (Brand New Day/The Bird Remix (excerpt from The Whiz)) makes her debut in Master Choreographers. She has previously performed in the informal concerts (2008-2009) and was the production manager for Moving Stories (2009) and the informal concerts (2009). On campus, Kaitie is a dance office assistant, tour guide, and campus delegate; and a member of the Perkulators dance team, Copasetic Rhythms tap group, the Muhlenberg Theatre Association, and the Muhlenberg Dance Association. Jillian Casella (Rite) is a first year student and makes her Master Choreographers debut. She has received training in contemporary, jazz, ballet, tap, and hip-hop at Look Sharp Performing Arts Center and Robin Horneff ’s Performing Arts Center in Bergen County, NJ. Jillian intends to be a Dance major. Kasey Celona (Rejuvenations) makes her Master Choreographers debut. Kasey is a Dance major, and has been dancing since the age of three, studying ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip-hop, and ballroom at Brixham Danceworks in South Berwick, ME. Kasey performed with the Brixham Repertory Company for nine years and is now a member of the Muhlenberg Jazztap Ensemble. At Muhlenberg, she has performed in the informal concerts (2008, 2009). Andrew Clark (Crucible) makes his Master Choreographers debut. He has taken technique classes in ballet, modern, jazz, and tap at Muhlenberg for two years. Andrew is a member of the Muhlenberg Theatre and Dance Associations and the college choir, and he works in the scene shop. Lexi Clarke (Brand New Day/The Bird Remix (excerpt from The Whiz)) makes her debut in Master Choreographers. She has been dancing for sixteen years. She danced competitively, and also choreographed for youth theatre programs in Seattle, WA. Lexi is involved in the Muhlenberg Theatre 15
