Categories
2011-2012

Headshots

Charlie
Charlie Biers ’13: Charlie Biers is a Political Science major from Los Angeles, California. Although fairly new to the world of ballet and modern dance he is a seasoned hair whipper and booty shaker. When he isn’t dancing he can be found stuffing his face with salty/spicy food, sleeping, or just attempting to find a way to change his birth certificate so that Beyonce Knowles is his mother. He would like to thank the dance faculty and company for giving him a home away from home and his family for the undying and unconditional love/support ever since he entered this crazy world.
Elly

Elly Dembo ’13: Elly is a junior economics major from New York City. She began her dance studies at Studio Maestro and continued there until her acceptance to the School of American Ballet. In 2006, she left SAB to study at the JKO School at American Ballet Theatre. Elly is so excited to spend another year with such an incredibly talented group of people!

Kelly

Kelly Harrington ’14: Kelly Harrington is a sophomore and a Neuroscience and Behavior major from Syracuse, NY where she studied at the Center of Ballet and Dance Arts for 13 years taking ballet, jazz, and modern classes. When she’s not dancing, you will find her playing horn in various music groups, eating lots of vegetables, being the Vice President of Noyes, ellipticizing at the gym, or playing piano for fun. This is her second year in VRDT and she hopes to have another amazing year with everyone and dance even more than she did last year.

Emily

Emily Dunuwila ’12: Emily is a senior Urban Studies major from Syracuse, NY (go Orangemen!!) She grew up in the very special world of competition dancing—performing countless jazz and tap routines for panels of sleepy judges and crowds of neurotic stage moms (I love you Mom). When she joined VRDT in her freshman year at Vassar, Emily discovered a new world of dance—one that didn’t involve itchy sequin costumes or cheap plastic trophies. In her three years in the company, she has fallen in love with modern dance and has had incredible performance opportunities, including dancing Steve Rooks’s “Griot” solo in 2010. After spending a life-changing semester abroad in Sri Lanka, Emily is excited to be back in VRDT alongside all her dancing pals. She’d like to extend a special thanks to Steve, Kathy, Abby, John and Jeanne for their enthusiasm, support and inspiration.

Charmaine

Charmaine Branch ’14: Charmaine is a sophomore from Madison, Wisconsin and hopes to become an Art History major. She has been dancing since early childhood and even now her enthusiasm for dance continues to increase. She would like to thank VRDT and Flypeople for helping her grow as a dancer and enjoy movement. Of course she would also like to thank her parents, sister and Dancer (the much loved family dog) for being her inspiration.

MIke

Mike Graceffa ’14: Mike is a junior from Waltham Massachusetts and is super excited to spend his second year in VRDT. A musical theatre boy at heart, he is very excited to be studying other dance disciplines like modern and ballet. Michael has been dancing since the age of three and would like to give his love to his extremely supportive Mom and Dad, his Aunt Joanne for bringing the love of dance into his life, and his fellow VRDT and Fly People dancers who bring the aspect of friendship and love into his passion.

Matt

Matt Ortile ’14: Matt is a sophomore Media Studies major from Las Vegas. A musical theatre performer since birth, he first started dancing in his freshman year at Vassar, where he trained in modern, ballet, and hair-whipping with the illustrious dance faculty. A social media junkie, a Nutella fiend, and a Ben & Jerry’s connoisseur, Matt is extremely grateful and excited to carve the space with the incredible VRDT for a second year.

Jeremy

Jeremy Busch ’14: Jeremy is honored to be a member of VRDT’s 2011-2012 season. He is a sophomore Drama and Psychology double major who has danced for 12 years and has studied ballet, tap, jazz and modern. His mentors include Ginger Cox, Stacey Webster, Michelle Dorrance, Dawn Hillen, and Claudia Rahardjanoto, all of who inspired him when he was a student at Broadway Dance Center in New York City. After one year in the company, Jeremy would like to again thank the VRDT faculty for this amazing opportunity.

Max

Max Lapides: Max is a sophomore computer science major from Doylestown, PA. When not dancing or attending various other rehearsals, he can usually be found in front of his computer doing computer science homework, building websites, or probably watching Netflix. Max lost the 6th grade spelling bee on the word “exercise,” he is endlessly amused by recursive acronyms, and he is very excited to be performing with VRDT for his second year!

Katey

Katherine Taylor ’15: Katie is a Pre-Med freshman from Ithaca, NY. She’s been dancing since the age of 3 and hasn’t stopped since. Katie trained at the Ithaca Ballet until leaving for Walnut Hill School for the Arts for the last two years of high school, and she is now a happy member of VRDT.

 
Bella

Isabella Kosmcher ’14: Bella is a sophomore and potentially majoring in Geography (the dance of cultures, environments and peoples). She has been dancing forever and was the co-producer, co-choreographer, and co-director of Isabella and Sophie Dance: Living Room Theater. Bella would like to thank the Vassar dance faculty for giving her the opportunity to celebrate movement again this year and her family for their boundless love, support, and inspiration. Take flight!

Juliana

Juliana Rodzinski ’14: Juliana is a sophomore from Fort Worth, Texas. She has been dancing since age three, attending summer programs at San Francisco Ballet School, Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell at the Kennedy Center, Texas Ballet Theater, The Kirov Academy of Ballet, and the Jillana School. At 16, she took a year off of school to dance as a trainee with Texas Ballet Theater under the direction of Ben Stevenson.  She would like to thank the VRDT family for helping her remember how much she loves to dance.

Simone

Simone Dubé Levine ’13: Simone is a junior from Memphis, TN, who is majoring in Philosophy and correlating in Art History.  She has always danced and always will dance.

Katherine

Katharine Gripp ’13: Katharine Gripp is a junior from the exciting and well-know metropolis of Fairhope, Alabama. She is an English major with a Medieval and Renaissance Studies correlate in the works, and consequently looks forward to not having a job when she graduates. On the rare occasion she’s not in rehearsal or writing papers, Katharine is also a seamstress and costume designer, professional nap-taker, and dedicated Whovian. This is her third year with VRDT, and she’s loved every minute of it.

Emma

Emma Burke ’15: Emma is a Sophomore and has been dancing for 15 years. She is a native Long Islander and will most likely be an International Studies major. She is thrilled to be a part of the VRDT again this year!

Ally

Ally Hamilton ’15: Ally is a freshman from Kingston, Jamaica. She has been dancing for over 15 years and has studied ballet and modern at the Tony Wilson School of Dance, and at the Taft School (Watertown,CT). She also enjoys jazz and hip-hop and dance parties. You can catch her doing the latest Jamaican dancehall moves or pointing and flexing in her spare time. Ally is extremely excited for the VRDT season ahead and can’t wait to work with everyone!

Niya

Niya Nicholson ’14: Niya is a sophomore that hails from the Fabulous New York City!! Since the tender age of three, Niya has developed an immense passion for the art of dance. She has been trained in various dance techniques such as: modern, ballet, jazz, african, and hip hop at the Harbor Conservatory for the Arts as well as Fiorello H. LaGuardia H.S. Niya is ecstatic about her second year in VRDT!!!

Brian

Brian Heil ’14: Brian is a sophomore from San Diego, CA. He trained for nine years at the San Diego Academy of Ballet studying Russian classical ballet with Maxim Tchernychev. He couldn’t be happier with the program at Vassar, and would like to especially thank John Meehan for his incredible direction and instruction.

Alex

Alex Cornaccia ’14: Alex is a sophomore from Westborough, MA with an immense appreciation for boxers, buttons, and gazing at the night sky. On the rare occasions that she is not dancing, you might find her obsessively reading the science section of the New York Times, strolling thought art museums, or trying to find something that was there just a second ago. She plans on majoring in being passionately curious with a correlate in interpretive jellyfish dance, and she is thrilled to be part of the VRDT this year.

Emma K

Emma King ’15: Emma is a freshman from New York City. She began dancing as a tiny tot and went on to study ballet at the School of American Ballet. After a much needed two year hiatus, at which point she considered herself a 14 year-old ballet retiree, Emma regained her love of dance. At 16 she was introduced to modern dance at the 92nd Street Y where she learned the repertoire of Jean Urdman, Douglas Dunn, Doug Varone, Netta Yerushalmy and many other amazing choreographers. She also discovered her love for choreography and has never looked back! Emma would like to thank her family for their love and support. She would also like to thank the members of Flypeople and VRDT for the warm welcome to the Vassar family!

Maura

Maura Toomey ’15: Maura Toomey is a freshman from Montclair, New Jersey, where she first got her training in Modern and Ballet. She is ecstatic to spend her first year at Vassar in the company of all the talented VRDT dancers.

Elise

Elise Presser ’12: Elise is a senior biochemistry and political science major originating from Missouri – you know, that state in the middle. She started rolling around in the studio at the tender age of 5 and started seriously dancing when she first came to Vassar oh so many years ago. She is so excited to be in VRDT for her last year here and wants to thank all her fellow VRDTers for making it memorable.

Isaac

Isaac Lindy ’14: Isaac is a sophomore at Vassar double majoring in Urban Studies and Drama with a correlate in tantrums.  He has been a competitive figure skater for 14 years, so he’s supremely confused as to why this company is called the Vassar Repertory Dance Theater. Won’t we be skating? Whatever. That being said, he is thrilled to be a part of this (figure skating) company and to have the opportunity to work with such talented peers, faculty, and choreographers.

Hannah

Hannah Cushing ’14: Born and raised in Canandaigua, New York, Hannah Cushing has enjoyed dancing through the cornfields since early childhood. She is more than thrilled to be working with such talented choreographers, teachers, and dancers.  When not struggling to fulfill her majors in Environmental Studies and Economics, Hannah can be found dancing with FlyPeople, watching Shark Week re-runs, and stealing large quantities of creamsicles from the dining hall.  She would like express her infinite gratitude and love for her incredibly supportive family and friends (she would still be lost in the cornfield if it weren’t for you).

Karlin

Karlin Gatton ’15: Karlin is a freshman hailing from the wonderful city of Chicago.  She began her training at the age of three at the Hyde Park School of Dance, and continued training there in both ballet and modern through the end of high school.  She has spent summers at Ballet Austin and the Alonzo King LINES Ballet School.  She is thrilled to be a part of the VRDT community, and is looking forward to all of the amazing adventures to come!

Menen

Menen Stroud ’15: Menen is a freshman from Oakland, California. She has been dancing for nine years, but has been training in modern, contemporary, and ballet at Oakland School for the Arts for the past three years. When she’s not dancing, Menen enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her friends and family. She is so excited to be joining VRDT this year!

Thomas

Thomas Hochla ’13: Thomas Hochla is a junior pursuing a major in Music (Voice and Piano) with a correlate sequence in Adolescent Education.  Seen onstage since the age of nine, Thomas began taking dance “full time” his freshman year of high school.  This is Thomas’ third year in the company. Dance and Music are his passions, and he would like to thank all his teachers, friends, and family here and back home for their undying love and support in these artistic endeavors year after year.

Mickey

Mickey Mahar ’12: Mickey Mahar: vehicles ran down there.

Categories
2003-2004

Bardavon Publicity

Categories
2003-2004

Photoshoot

Categories
2003-2004

Bardavon 2004

I FEEL PRETTY

Choreography:   Miriam Mahdaviani
Music:  Leonard Bernstein

Dancers: Katherine Greenberg, Liza Hoffman, Sam Petersson, Kitty Sailer,
Laura Scileppi, Caitlin Teres, Kathy Wasik, Jessica Waxler,
Understudy: Ashley Otremba

ASSIMILATE

Choreography:   Dana Fitchett
Music:  Fluke

Dancers: Kaitlin Butler, Danna Colon, Emily Little, Claudia Rea, Tova Grunes

LOVE SONG

Choreography:  Tommy Noonan
Music:  Susan Botti, Daniel Kirk Foster, Art of Noise, Jesse Manno
Sound Design:  Daniel Pressler, and Tommy Noonan

Dancers: Tommy Noonan, Kitty Sailer, Kathy Wasik,
Tiffany Watson, Adam Weinert

TASTED

Choreography:  Peggy Cheng
Music:  Tom Waits, Kodo
Sound Design:  Brian Nishii (’93)/Westwell Productions

Dancers:  Dana Fitchett, Rama Jaima, Patrick Kearns, Maya Lau

RUSH HOUR

Choreography:  Abby Saxon
Music: Alessando Scarlatti

Dancers: Amena Ogio (soloist), Kaitlin Butler, Bailey Eckhardt, Tova Grunes,
Erica Hunter, Emily Little, Ashley Otremba, Ilia Smith,
Matt Stempson, Caitlin Teres, Jessica Waxler

MAZURKAS

Choreography:  José Limón (1958)
©The José Limón Foundation
Restaged by:  Sarah Stackhouse
Music:  Frédéric Chopin
Pianist: Martina Cukrov
Costume Design: Katherine Wildberger
Rehearsal Director: Katheirne Wildberger

Dancers:  (Saturday, Feb. 28th)
Rama Jaima, Patrick Kearns, Suzy Letourneau,
Kitty Sailer, Laura Scileppi, Matt Stempson, Tiffany Watson, Adam Weinert

Dancers: (Sunday, Feb. 29th)
Dana Fitchett, Rama Jaima, Emily Little,
Tommy Noonan, Matt Stempson, Tai Verley, Kathy Wasik

Entrance (Opus 68 No. 1)
Duet (Opus 41 No. 4)
Solo (Opus 30 No. 2)
Solo (Opus 41 No. 2)
Quartet (Opus 56 No. 1)
Trio (Opus 33 No. 2)
Solo (Posthumous A minor)
Duet (Opus 30 No. 4)
Finale (Opus 30 No. 3)

                 First performed August 15, 1958 at the American Dance Festival, New London, CT by the José Limón Dance Company. Originally called Dances in Honor of Pozman, Wroclaw, Katowice, and Warsawa, it was created by José Limón in tribute to the resilient spirit of the Polish people and as a girft to the dancers of his company who had toured Poland with him in 1957.

Excerpts from WHO CARES?*

Choreography:  George Balanchine (1970)
©The George Balanchine Trust
Répétiteur:  Kathleen Tracey
Costume Design and Execution:  Ellen McNally
Music:  George Gershwin
Rehearsal Director:  Jeanne Periolat Czula

“Somebody Loves Me”

Claudia Rea
Understudy:  Kathy Wasik

Danna Colon   Ashley Otremba   Kathy Wasik   Jessica Waxler
Alternate:  Caitlin Teres
Understudy:  Liza Hoffman

“Embraceable You”

Katherine Greenberg and Tommy Noonan
Understudies: Claudia Rea and Adam Weinert

*The performance of “Who Cares?”, a Balanchine® Ballet, is presented by arrangement with The George Balanchine Trust and has been produced in accordance with the Balanchine Style® and Balanchine Technique®. Service standards established and provided by the Trust.

THURSDAY NIGHT SLOW JAM AVENGERS

Choreography:  Kitty Sailer
Music:  Polaris

Dancers: Dana Fitchett, Pat Kearns, Maya Lau, Kitty Sailer, Adam Weinert

BLOOM

Choreography:  Katherine Wildberger
Music:  Ludwig von Beethoven
Costume Design:  Katherine Wildberger

Dancers:  Rachel Betz, Jessica Jacobson, Rama Jaima, Emily Little, Tommy Noonan,
Claudia Rea, Kitty Sailer, Laura Scileppi, Matt Stempson,
Tai Verley, Kathy Wasik, Tiffany Watson

SNAPSHOTS

Choreography:   Steve Rooks
Music:  Ryan Lott, 0.2 Liters

I. Prelude: “She’s Gone”
Katherine Greenberg (2/28), Danna Colon (2/29)
and Sam Petersson

II. “Snap! You dissed me!”
Dana Fitchett and Sam Petersson

III. “The Clan at Nehshara”

IV. “Group Photo”

Dancers: Danna Colon, Bailey Eckhardt, Rachel Elliott, Dana Fitchett,
Katherine Greenberg, Tova Grunes, Rama Jaima, Patrick Kearns, Suzy Letourneau,
Amena Ogio, Sam Petersson, Adam Weinert
Understudy: Liza Hoffman

MUJERIEGO

Choreography:  Tova Grunes
Music: Yerba Buena

Dancers: Jessica Jacobson, Maya Lau, Suzy Letourneau, Emily Little, Jessica Waxler

A QUESTION OF LOYALTY

Choreography:  Rama Jaima
Music Composed and Performed by:  Daniel Rosen (Bass/Oboe)

Dancers:  Danna Colon, Rama Jaima, Maya Lau, Sam Petersson, Ilia Smith

A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

Choreography:  Livia Vanaver
Music:  Bill Vanaver

Dancers:  The Company

  

   

 

 

Categories
2004-2005

Photoshoot

Categories
2004-2005

Candids

Categories
2004-2005

Bardavon 2005

(All photos  from Steven Powell, Eagle Videos)

Variations from LES SYLPHIDES (1909) (Chopiniana)

Choreographer:  Michel Fokine
Music:  Frédéric Chopin,

Pianist:  Daniel Pressler
Staged by:  J. Periolat Czula
after the version by A. Danilova
Costume Design:  Galina Solovyeva after  traditional
Costume Execution:  Theatrical Workshops Vozrozhdenie (St. Petersburg, Russia)

Solo Variations
Prelude:  Ashley Otremba (2/26),  Jessica Waxler (2/27)
Mazurka:  Caitlin Teres
Waltz:  Lindsay Barrick

Pas de deux
Anna Behrens (2/26),  Miriam Greenstein (2/27)
and Blaine Hoven*

KLINGHOFFER’S TALE

Choreographer:  Steve Rooks
Music:  John Adams

Klinghoffer – Tommy Noonan
Klinghoffer’s Wife – Tiffany Watson
Soldiers – Dwayne Brown, Ben Proffer, Pedro Rodriguez
Chorus – Danna Colon, Jessie Feller,  Maya Lau

 “…after her dream that night, Klinghoffer was taken hostage by the soldiers.
 Three women looked on in disbelief…”

Solo Variations
Prelude:  Ashley Otremba (2/26),  Jessica Waxler (2/27)
Mazurka:  Caitlin Teres
Waltz:  Lindsay Barrick

 Pas de deux
Anna Behrens (2/26),  Miriam Greenstein (2/27)
and Tommy Noonan

ALONE TOGETHER

Choreographer:  Dana Fitchett
Music:  Ur Tchun Tan Tse Qi by Matmos (Remixed)

Dancers:  Rachel Elliott, Dana Fitchett, Martha Leonard

UTTER SIBILANCE

Choreographer:  Tommy Noonan

Music:  Score composed by Tommy Noonan.–samples include:
Les Tambours du Bronx, Gerhard Ruhm, GYBE, Fantomas, and Josef Anton Reidl

Dancers:  Anna Behrens, Dwayne Brown, Jessie Feller, Patrick Kearns, Julia Sabangan, Tiffany Watson

COME THE SPRING: A Vassar etude

Choreographer:     Andrij Dobriansky

Music:   Finale from Symphony in G Minor by Vadym Zhuravytsky

Dancers: Lindsay Barrick, Rachel Betz, Lauren Duff, Katharine Ehly, Miriam Greenstein, Kaitlyn Hipple, Martha Leonard, Sacha Manov

MARTHA GRAHAM SUITE

Choreographer:  Martha Graham

Excerpts from Appalachian Spring (1944)
“Ballet for Martha”
Music: Aaron Copeland
Reconstruction by:  Steve Rooks

 Husbandman/ Bride Duet  
The Husbandman:  Tommy Noonan
The Bride:  Liza Hoffman (2/26), Kaitlin Butler (2/27)

Bride Solo
Tiffany Watson (2/26), Julia Sabangan (2/27)
Preacher Solo
The Revivalist:  Patrick Kearns

 “Final Chorus” from Night Journey (1947)
Music: William Schuman
Reconstruction by:  Steve Rooks
Daughters of Night
Rachel Elliott with:   Anna Behrens, Danna Colon, Jessie Feller, Dana Fitchett, Maya Lau, Amena Ogio
“Seduction” from El Penitente (1940)
Music: Louis Horst
Reconstruction by:  Steve Rooks
Apple designed by Ryan Headd after Isamu Noguchi
Penitent: David Rodriguez
Mary as Magdalene:  Lauren Duff (2/26), Jessica Waxler (2/27)

Steps in the Street
Excerpt from Chronicle (1936)
Devastation—Homelessness—Exile
Music: Wallingford Riegger
Restaged for Vassar College by:  Joyce Herring
Labanotator:  Ray Cook

Lead Woman: Julia Sabangan (2/26), Tiffany Watson (2/27)
Chorus:  Anna Behrens, Rachel Betz, Kaitlin Butler, Danna Colon, Rachel Elliott, Jessie Feller, Dana Fitchett, Catlin Henderson,
Liza Hoffman, Lindsay Kozlowski, Maya Lau, Amena Ogio, Ashley Otremba, Ilia Smith, Caitlin Teres

Original Costumes for Graham works presented: Martha Graham
Costumes adapted by:  Steve Rooks and Kathy Wildberger
Costumes for Steps in the Street provided courtesy of Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance
Original Lighting for Graham works presented:  Jean Rosenthal
Lighting Adapted for Vassar College by:  Beverly Emmons and Joshua Starbuck

All dances in the Martha Graham Suite are presented by arrangement with Martha Graham Resources, a division of the Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance.
Martha Graham Resources is responsible for facilitation of productions of Graham dances worldwide.  For information contact info@marthagrahamdance.org

RICERCAR Á 6

Choreographer:     Miriam Mahdaviani
Music:   J.S. Bach (from A Musical Offering)

Dancers:  Lindsay Barrick, Katherine Brown*, Miriam Greenstein, Ashley Otremba, Caitlin Teres, Jessica Waxler understudy – Miranda Robertson

*Katherine Brown ‘08 ia a guest with the company this year

A MOMENT

Choreographers:  Danna Colon and Maya Lau
Music: The Revolution Will Not Be Televised by Gil Scott-Heron
Harsky and Starch by Mixmaster Mike

Dancers:  Dwayne Brown, Kaitlin Butler, Danna Colon, Rachel Elliott, Catlin Henderson, Maya Lau

SCARRED

Choreographer:  Julia Sabangan
Music:  John Zorn, King Crimson and Ron Kuivila
Arranged by: Daniel Pressler

Dancers:  Anna Behrens, Dana Fitchett, Tommy Noonan, Julia Sabangan, Tiffany Watson

Excerpts from SWING SUITE (1979)

Choreographer:  Danny Buraczeski
Restaged by:     Abby Saxon (assisted by Martha Ross Tobias)
Music:    Glenn Miller and the Army Air Force Band

Trio:  Dwayne Brown, Kaitlin Butler, Tommy Noonan
Understudy:  Ashley Otremba
Solo:  Jessie Feller
Finale: Rachel Betz, Dwayne Brown, Kaitlin Butler, Jessie Feller, Claire Grandison,
Martha Leonard, Tommy Noonan, Ashley Otremba, Caitlin Teres
Understudy: Ben Proffer 

SWEET DREAM OF SPIDER WALKING

Choreographer:  Kathy Wildberger
Music:  Arvo Pärt—Summa
Crow Reservation children’s karaoke—Eurythmics

Sprider Walking:  Patrick Kearns
Dancers:  Anna Behrens, Dwayne Brown, Dana Fitchett, Maya Lau, David Rodriguez, Pedro Rodriguez, Julia Sabangan

Little Ones:  Ariana Rooks and Kirstin Rooks

“The Crow children stopped dancing to watch the trail of the spider. 
When the earth is in great danger, one spider will carry the secret of the universe back into mother earth.”

 Special Thanks to the Friedman Fund for assisting Sam Petersson in his travels to Crow.  Aho to Peggy White, Center Pole, Susie Kelly and The Kelly Foundation.

SCHACKLEFORD ROAD

Choreographer: Lauren Duff
Music:  Bela Fleck

Dancers:  Lauren Duff, Katharine Ehly, Cat Henderson

EMPIRE OF DREAMS

Choreographer:  Paul D. Mosley
Music:  “Esa Eynai” composed and performed by Howard Kilik

Dancers:  The Company

In the first page of my dream book
It is always evening,
In an occupied country…
Alone and coatless,
I am on a street corner
Where I shouldn’t be.      
                        —Charles Simic

Categories
2005-2006

Photoshoot/Publicity

Categories
2005-2006

Candids

Categories
2005-2006

Bardavon 2006

CLAUDIA’S WALTZ

Choreographer:  John Meehan
Costumes:  Richard Prouse
Music:    Shostakovitch:   Excerpts from Jazz Suite

Opening:   Rebecca Ain, Miriam Greenstein, Marina Hitosugi-Levesque,
Marianne Kies, Sarah Knerr, Claudia Rea, Miranda Robertson, Jessica Waxler

Ashley’s Waltz:   Ashley Otremba with
Miriam Greenstein, Marina Hitosugi-Levesque, Claudia Rea, Miranda Robertson

Jessica’s Polka:   Jessica Waxler with
Rebecca Ain, Marianne Kies, Sarah Knerr

Claudia’s Waltz:   Claudia Rea with
Miriam Greenstein, Miranda Robertson

Finale:   Rebecca Ain, Miriam Greenstein, Marina Hitosugi-Levesque,
Marianne Kies, Sarah Knerr, Ashley Otremba, Claudia Rea,
Miranda Robertson, Jessica Waxler

HOME

Choreographer:  Rachel Elliot
Music:  Come Sunday by Duke Ellington
featuring Mahalia Jackson

Dancers:  Dwayne Brown, Lisa Field, Dana Fitchett, Catlin Henderson,
Danielle Patterson, Kaia Ross-Duggan

I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of courage and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.  —Psalm 27:13-14

CHANGED MY MIND

Choreographer:  Ashley Otremba
Music:  The Killers

Dancers:  Rebecca Ain, Miriam Greenstein, Ashley Otremba, Claudia Rea,
Miranda Robertson, Jessica Waxler

VOODOO RENDEZVOUS

Choreographer:  Abby Saxon and Martha Tobias
Music:    Ben Charest–from the soundtrack of Triplets of Belleville

Dancers:    Dwayne Brown, Lisa Field, Suzanne Gerdes, Claire Grandison, Kaitlyn Hipple (3/5, Marianne Kies (3/4),
Sacha Manov, David Rodriguez, Kaia Ross-Duggan, Marion Spencer(3/4), Analiese Umana (3/5)

 

KALIEDOSCOPE FACE

 Choreographer:  Gabrielle Revlock

Music: Original music by Ennio Morricone.  Arranged by Kerry Kenney
Costumes: Kerry Kenney, Gabrielle Revlock, Kathy Wildberger

Dancers:  Robin Cherof, Ariel Braverman, Dana Fitchett, David Rodriguez, Claire Grandison, Kaia Ross-Duggan,
Jessica Jacobson, Lindsay Kozlowski, Bianca Londono, Marion Spencer

end’s ending then these dolls of joy and grief
these recent memories of future dream
these perhaps who have lost their shadows if
which did not do the losing spectres mime
  -e.e. cummings

“O to be self-balanced for contingencies,
To confront night, storms, hunger, ridicule,
accidents, rebuffs, as the trees and animals do.”
  -Walt Whitman

WIEN* (1995)

Choreographer:  Pascal Rioult
Reconstructionist:  Joyce Herring
Lighting:  David Finley     Costumes:  Russ Vogler
Music:  La Valse by Maurice Ravel

Dancers:    Dwayne Brown, Rama Jaima, David Rodriguez
March 4th— Dana Fitchett, Marina Hitosugi-Levesque, Ashley Otremba,
March 5th— Ariel Braverman, Suzanne Gerdes, Catlin Henderson,

Faithful to Ravel’s intentions, Wien is a fantastic and fatal swirling of tragic dimensions.  The Viennese waltz, the very image of social refinement, becomes the symbol of a disintegrating society taken into a whirlpool of violence and humiliation.  The piece has the poisoned atmosphere of despair and fatalism.  It is the trail of failed humanity.  It is a premonition of triumphant evil.

*Wien (Vienna) is the original title of the musical score.
 
(First Performed January 13, 1995 – Sylvia and Danny Kaye Playhouse, New York)
 
 Acquisition of Wien for VRDT’s 2005-06 season was made possible through a grant from Dance/USA’s National College Choreography Initiative.  Costumes courtesy of SUNY Purchase Dance Conservatory.

  TAKE 5

Choreographer:   Claudia Rea
Music: Take Five by David Brubeck

Dancers: Miranda Robertson, Miriam Greenstein, Ashley Otremba, Claudia Rea

 

KNEE DEEP IN DARK WATER

Choreographer:  Kathy Wildberger
Music:    Beethoven  (opus 27 no.2, third movement, played by Arthur Rubenstein)

Dancers:  Nick DeCarlo, Lisa Field, Claire Grandison, Kaitlyn Hipple, Rama Jaima,
Jessica Jacobson, Sarah Knerr, Lindsay Kozlowski, Bianca Londono,

black/red

Choreographer:  Steve Rooks
Music:  Howard Kilik

Dancers:  Dwayne Brown, Rachel Elliott, Dana Fitchett, Miriam Greenstein,
Catlin Henderson, Marina Hitosugi-Levesque, Rama Jaima,
Cameron Lussier, Ashley Otremba, Claudia Rea

SKIN DEEP

Choreographer:  David Rodriguez
Music:  Tosca Tango Orchestra

Dancers:  Robin Cherof, Marina Hitosugi-Levesque, Marianne Kies, Cameron Lussier, Jackson Reeves, David Rodriguez, Kaia Ross-Duggan

 

dystopian paradise (section III)

Choreographer:  Dana Fitchett
Music:  Clint Mansell remixed by Josh Wink
(edited by Keith Croxton)

Dancers:    Dwayne Brown, Dana Fitchett, Suzanne Gerdes, Miriam Greenstein, Catlin Henderson,
Rama Jaima, Cameron Lussier, Claudia Rea, Leah Wilks

JAMAICAN SUITE (1991)

Choreographer:  Barrington Moncrieffe

Music:    Traditional
Percussionists: Henry Miller, Leaford Jeremiah McFarlane, Cedric Thomas, Douglas Carnes
Flautist:  Orawan Gardner
Costume Design:  Barrington Moncrieffe
Horse Head Construction:  Paul O’Connor

Dancers:    The Company: