TheJoyce JoyceTheater Theater at at Chelsea The ChelseaFactory Factory April 5-16, 2022 April
WELCOME TO Chelsea Factory exists to support artists, cultural organizations, and community groups as we navigate beyond the Covid-19 pandemic. With an emphasis on support for New York City-based artists from historically excluded communities, Chelsea Factory provides highly subsidized creation and presentation space, production resources, and dynamic networks to create transformative experiences for its partners across genres. Chelsea Factory was founded by Jim Herbert, Founder, Chairman and Co-CEO of First Republic Bank, with significant support from the First Republic Foundation. As a pop-up project with a finite organizational life, Chelsea Factory remains a collaborative and noncompetitive resource to the partners it serves as well as a place for New Yorkers to find connection, inspiration, and joy. To learn more, visit ChelseaFactory.org.
THANK YOU Founding Support
JIM AND CECILIA HERBERT
Corporate Support
Lead Corporate Sponsor
Thank you to all of our colleagues in the field who helped to shape Chelsea Factory in its earliest days with their brilliance and leadership. We extend our deepest gratitude to Julianne Blunt, Crystal Bryant, Shannon Houston, Kara Medoff Barnett, Gigi Palatnik, James Pincow, Consuelo Renoso, Lauren Shortt, Frank Vicari, Corinna Wan, and the entire First Republic team who helped turn the idea of Chelsea Factory into a reality. We also thank our collaborators at Ad Art Sign Co, Frank Loffredo & LB Architects, Media Well Done, and WB Engineering who generously contributed their expertise throughout the construction and design process. A special thank you to Linda Shelton, Aaron Mattocks, Jeff Segal, Andy Sheagren, Anjali Amin, Ross LeClair, Vernon Scott and the Joyce Theater team for embarking on this inaugural season with Chelsea Factory. We could not have asked for more knowledgeable, patient, and generous partners to help us bring Chelsea Factory to life. Photo Credit: Leigh Ann Esty
The Joyce Theater in partnership with Chelsea Factory presents
THE JOYCE THEATER AT CHELSEA FACTORY TUESDAY, APRIL 5 & WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6 AT 7:30PM #QUEERTHEBALLET FRIDAY, APRIL 8 AT 8:00PM & SATURDAY, APRIL 9 AT 2:00PM & 8:00PM KYLE MARSHALL CHOREOGRAPHY TUESDAY, APRIL 12 & WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13 AT 7:30PM LUKE HICKEY FRIDAY, APRIL 15 AT 8:00PM & SATURDAY, APRIL 16 AT 2:00PM & 8:00PM CALPULLI MEXICAN DANCE COMPANY
Leadership support for The Joyce Theater Foundation has been received from the LuEsther T. Mertz Charitable Trust. Leadership support for The Joyce Theater’s presentation of dance is provided by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. Leadership support for The Joyce Theater's annual programming is provided by Howard Gilman Foundation. Major support for The Joyce Theater has been provided by Booth Ferris Foundation, Ford Foundation, The Harkness Foundation for Dance, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, The SHS Foundation, and The Shubert Foundation. Lead corporate support provided by First Republic. Special support for The Joyce Theater at Chelsea Factory presentation of #QueertheBallet has been provided by the Executive Director's Fund at The Joyce Theater Foundation, with support from Jessica Lang Dance, Inc. Creation support for #QueertheBallet has been generously provided by Donya and Scott Bommer, and Meryl Rosofsky and Stuart H. Coleman.
#QUEERTHEBALLET TUESDAY, APRIL 5 & WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6 AT 7:30PM
Photo by Leigh-Ann Esty
OVERLOOK (2020) Choreography: Adriana Pierce Dancers: Sierra Armstrong, Remy Young Music: Julia Kent
THE BEECH TREE WORLD PREMIERE
Choreography: Adriana Pierce Dancer: Fleming Lomax Music: Caroline Shaw
BRICK BY BRICK WORLD PREMIERE
Choreography: Adriana Pierce Dancers: Sierra Armstrong, Felix Bryan, Remy Young Music: Joy Oladokun
I AM ENOUGH (2019) Choreography: Adriana Pierce Dancers: Miriam Miller, Devon Teuscher Music: Daphne Willis
Q.U.E.E.R
WORLD PREMIERE
Choreography: Lenai Alexis Wilkerson Dancer: Lenai Alexis Wilkerson Music: Simple Stuff by Loraine James
UPTAKE (FILM) Filmed & Directed By: Rachel Malehorn Choreography: Annia Hidalgo, Rachel Malehorn Dancers: Annia Hidalgo, Rachel Malehorn Music: The Accidentals
ANIMALS & ANGELS (2021) Choreography: Adriana Pierce Dancers: Cortney Taylor Key, Lenai Wilkerson Music: Joy Oladokun Costume Design: Sylvie Rood Special support for Animals & Angels, a Joyce Theater Production by #QueertheBallet, provided by Jeffrey Davis and Michael T. Miller, Dr. Margaret and Mike Edison, Meryl Rosofsky and Stuart H. Coleman, and the Executive Director's Fund at The Joyce Theater Foundation, with support from Jessica Lang Dance, Inc. Additional support for Animals & Angels provided by Deborah and Charles Adelman, Toby Lerner Ansin, Dr. Amy Buchman and Vicki Haupt, P. C. Hurewitz, and Robert A. Schulman.
PULSE
WORLD PREMIERE
Choreography: Adriana Pierce Dancers: Naomi Corti, Devon Teuscher Music: Caroline Shaw
PARTY OF ONE WORLD PREMIERE
Choreography: Adriana Pierce Dancer: Adriana Pierce Music: Brandi Carlile PANEL DISCUSSION WITH THE ARTISTS TO FOLLOW
ABOUT THE COMPANY Adriana Pierce and Patricia Delgado created #QueertheBallet to broaden the definition and representation of classical ballet to meaningfully include lgbtq+ narratives and creative voices. Focusing on queer women and non-binary dancers in ballet, #QueertheBallet explores choreographic connections often absent from ballet stages and seeks to “queer” our ballet spaces with intention, authenticity, and pride. By developing and producing works by queer artists, providing aid and support for lgbtq+ dancers and creators, and promoting and facilitating outreach and education, #QueertheBallet hopes to expand ballet partnering and choreography, open new models of ballet gender representation, shift perspective, inspire conversation, and include communities that have not seen themselves represented on ballet stages. Artistic Director: Adriana Pierce Dancers: Sierra Armstrong, Felix Bryan, Naomi Corti, Cortney Taylor Key, Fleming Lomax, Miriam Miller, Adriana Pierce, Devon Teuscher, Lenai Alexis Wilkerson, Remy Young Lighting Design: Rachael N. Blackwell Costume Design: Taylor Barnett Video: Alejandro Gonzalvez Stage Manager: Nicole Mitchell Producers: Patricia Delgado, Joyce Theater Productions
ABOUT THE ARTISTS ADRIANA PIERCE (Artistic Director) (she/her) is a queer dancer, choreographer, and actor based in New York City. She seen in the original cast of Broadway's 2018 revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel at the Imperial Theater, as well as the FX mini series, Fosse/Verdon. You can catch her in Steven Spielberg's film remake of West Side Story, which premiered December, 2021. Pierce began her professional dance career as an apprentice with New York City Ballet, and completed seven seasons with Miami City Ballet under the direction of Edward Villella and Lourdes Lopez. She attended the School of American Ballet as a scholarship student and graduated from the Professional Performing Arts School in 2007. She first began choreographing dance for musical theater and modern/contemporary projects, and created her first strictly balletic works for the School of American Ballet’s Annual Student Choreography Workshop. In Miami, Pierce sought projects which encouraged collaboration between art forms, including a performance piece for the annual O, Miami Poetry Festival. In March 2014, she curated and choreographed for the cross-disciplinary Movements with dancers from the Miami City Ballet and fellows from the New World Symphony. Pierce was selected to participate in New York Choreographic Institute's Fall 2014 and 2019 choreographic sessions, and completed an inaugural residency in the Resident Fellows program with the Center for Ballet and the Arts at New York University. She debuted a choreographic work at The Joyce Theater for The Ashley Bouder Project in August 2015. For five years, she was commissioned to create dance elements for Miami’s annual Mainly Mozart Festival by the Miami Chamber Music Society, performed at the Adrienne Arsht Center's Knight Concert Hall. In March 2017, Pierce’s duet, Dreaming, was featured as part of the Adrienne Arsht Center’s 11th Annual Gala: A Celebration of Women in the Arts, and was presented alongside performers such as Chita Rivera, Rita Moreno, and Vanessa Williams. Carolina Ballet premiered her duet Silence and Song during their 2020 season, and American Ballet Theater included Overlook, a pas de deux that Pierce created while in #QueertheBallet residency at Bridge Street Theatre, as part of their 2021 spring tour. SIERRA ARMSTRONG (Dancer) was raised in Advance, North Carolina and began dancing at the age of five. From 2006-2013, Sierra trained in the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) Preparatory Program. She continued training in the high school program under the direction of American Ballet Theatre (ABT) alumna Susan Jaffe. Armstrong attended multiple summer intensive programs on merit scholarships including ABT, School of American Ballet, Houston Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet. In 2015 Armstrong was a finalist at the Prix De Lausanne competition in Switzerland, placed second in the classical division and Top 12 in the contemporary division at YAGP Semi-Finals. In 2022, she was selected as one of Dance Magazine’s 25 to Watch. Armstrong joined ABT Studio Company in 2016, ABT as an apprentice in 2017 and became a Corps de Ballet member in 2018. Her repertoire includes Leading roles in New American Romance and City of Women, Moyna in Giselle, Spanish Dance in Alexei Ratmansky’s The Nutcracker, a featured role in Deuce Coupe and roles in all the Company’s fulllength ballets. Armstrong created roles in Jessica Lang’s Zig Zag, Gemma Bond’s A Time There Was, and Adriana Pierce’s Overlook. FELIX BRYAN (Dancer) is a Brooklyn-based dancer and multidisciplinary creator. Born and raised in Boulder, Colorado, they are a graduate of the Hubbard Street Professional Program and hold a BA in dance and mathematics from Mt. Holyoke College. Felix is currently a dancer with HIVEWILD, and has worked for companies including Owen/Cox Dance Group, BODYVOX Dance Company, and Oregon Ballet Theatre II. They have had the opportunity to perform works by artists including Sidra Bell, Bill T. Jones, Robyn Mineko Williams, Rena Butler, and Peter Chu. Additionally, Felix’s choreographic work has been presented at COMMON Conservatory, The Craft Performance and Brews, The School for Contemporary Dance and Thought, and the Rooted Space. NAOMI CORTI (Dancer) is a member of New York City Ballet’s corps de ballet. Ms. Corti was born in Luxembourg and began her dance training at the age of three at L’école de danse MarieFrance Ceschel in Menton, France. In 2009, she began training at the California Dance Theater in Agoura Hills, CA under Kim Maselli. She attended the 2014 summer program at the School of
American Ballet, NYCB’s official school, and joined the school full-time for the winter term that year. Ms. Corti became an apprentice with NYCB in August 2018. As an apprentice with New York City Ballet, Ms. Corti performed a featured role in William Forsythe’s Herman Schmerman and originated a corps role in Gianna Reisen’s Judah. Ms. Corti joined NYCB as a member of the corps de ballet in August 2019. ANNIA HIDALGO (Dancer) began her training in the province of Holguín and continued at the Cuban National Ballet School in Havana under Professor Ramona de Saa. In 2004, she was awarded the Gold Medal in the International Ballet Competition. That same year, she joined The Cuban National Ballet as a soloist, under Alicia Alonso. Her repertoire includes soloist and principal roles in La Fille Mal Gardée, Coppélia, Giselle, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Paquita, The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, La Bayadère, Scheherazade, and Prince Igor. Hidalgo has performed as a principal with Media City Ballet and a soloist at Los Angeles Ballet. Since joining Milwaukee Ballet, she has danced as Alice in Septime Webre’s ALICE (in wonderland) and featured roles Michael Pink’s ballets, including Musetta in La Bohème, Odile in Swan Lake, Lucy in Dracula, Snow White in Mirror Mirror, Belle in Beauty and the Beast and the title roles in Giselle and Cinderella. She also appeared in the winning pieces from Genesis 2013 (Gabrielle Lamb’s Manifold) and 2015 (Garrett Smith’s Mortal Form). Hidalgo has danced as a guest artist with Rockford Dance Company and was proud to appear in the premiere performance of Refuge Foundation for the Arts. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of classical ballet as a teacher in various summer programs around the country. CORTNEY TAYLOR KEY (Dancer) began her ballet training at 15 years old. She trained at the Northwest School of the Arts, BB dance Productions, and North Carolina School of the Arts. She then moved to New York City and trained at Dance Theatre of Harlem. After college, she also took the time to train privately with teachers Elena Kunikova, Willy Burmann, Stacey Calvert, and now Bethania Gomes and Eva Draw to refine her technique and artistry. As a professional, Cortney has worked with many companies and choreographers, including Bill T Jones/Arnie Zane Dance company Apprenticeship 2013, The Francesca Harper Project Apprenticeship 2015, Dance Theatre of Harlem PTP, Brooklyn Ballet Apprenticeship 2016-2018, The Arthur Mitchell Project 2017, Columbia City Ballet 2017-2018, Gleichdances 2017-2019, and Konverjdans 2018- present. Her repertoire includes an array of works such as The Brooklyn Nutcracker Marzipan, guest artist at Friends University as Clara in The Nutcracker, Square Game and Beach Birds by Merce Cunningham, “Rhythmetron” by Arthur Mitchell, “D’man in the water” by Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, and ‘Touch and Agree” by Juel D. Lane. She also guested with Collage Dance Collective for their production of Swan Lake. FLEMING LOMAX (Dancer) began dancing as a young girl in her hometown of Goldsboro, NC. She danced with Goldsboro Ballet and continued her training in high school at North Carolina School of the Arts. She attended UNC-Greensboro on scholarship; there she received the Virginia Moomaw Award for dance theory and performance and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Dance Education. Fleming's teaching career includes faculty positions at Dreyfoos School of the Arts (West Palm Beach, FL), Denver School of the Arts (Denver, CO), the company school of Ballet Nouveau Colorado, and currently at Asheville Center of Performing Arts where she is Director of Asheville City Ballet. Fleming's performing career includes two seasons with Kim Robards Modern Dance Company and four seasons with Ballet Nouveau Colorado. She retired from professional ballet in 2005 but enjoys an occasional return to the stage as a guest artist, most recently as Emily Webb in Phillip Jerry's ballet adaptation of the Thornton Wilder classic, Our Town. RACHEL MALEHORN (Dancer) is a photographer and videographer based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. During her 13-year career with the Milwaukee Ballet, Rachel developed a strong interest in photographing dancers. She relishes the challenge of capturing a sense of movement through still images, while also celebrating the inherent sculptural nature of ballet. Through her work as the president of the nonprofit Milwaukee Dancers’ Fund, she expanded her work into the videographic medium, collaborating with local musicians, directing, and shooting videos as meditations on her interest in time, memory, history, and growth. MIRIAM MILLER (Dancer) is a member of New York City Ballet’s corps de ballet. Born in Iowa City, Iowa, Miriam began her dance training in 2001 at the University of Iowa Youth Ballet and
School of Dance. She later attended summer courses at the School of American Ballet and enrolled as a full-time student during the 2012 winter term. Miriam became an apprentice with NYCB in January 2015 and joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet in January 2016. As a professional dancer, Miriam has performed work by many notable choreographers, such as, George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Peter Martins, Justin Peck, Alexei Ratmansky, Christopher Wheeldon, Pam Tanowitz, and Lauren Lovette. She is also a recipient of the 2017 Princess Grace Award. Off stage, Miriam is pursuing an anthropology and sociology degree at Fordham University, and will graduate in the Spring of 2022. DEVON TEUSCHER (Dancer) began her dance training at the age of nine under Deanna Doty of the Champaign Urbana Ballet Academy in Champaign, IL. When her family moved to Vermont, she continued her training at the Vermont Ballet Theatre School in Essex, Vermont under the direction of Alex and Kirsten Nagiba. At the age of eleven, Teuscher attended The Kirov Ballet Academy summer intensive. She also attended the Pacific Northwest Ballet summer intensive on full scholarship for two years. From 2002 to 2006 Teuscher attended American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensive, and was a National Training Scholar from 2003 to 2006. In January 2005, Teuscher relocated to New York City to dance at American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School on full scholarship. Teuscher joined ABT Studio Company in 2006 where she danced leading roles in Raymonda, Les Sylphides, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and various works by Jessica Lang. She joined American Ballet Theatre as an apprentice in December 2007 and the corps de ballet in June 2008. She became a Soloist in August 2014 and Principal Dancer in September 2017. REMY YOUNG (Dancer), of Belmont, North Carolina, began her classical training at the age of three at the Charlotte School of Ballet under the direction of Gay Porter and Bridget PorterYoung. There, she achieved the highest awards in the Royal Academy of Dance and Cecchetti methods. In 2013, she received awards from Youth America Grand Prix and American Ballet Competition. Young joined American Ballet Theatre’s main Company as an apprentice in January 2016 and became a member of the corps de ballet in June 2016. Her repertoire includes one of the Nutcracker’s Sisters in Alexei Ratmansky’s The Nutcracker and a featured role in Songs of Bukovina, as well as roles in all of the Company’s full-length ballets. She created a featured role in Praedicere. LENAI ALEXIS WILKERSON (Dancer) is from Washington, D.C. where she attended the Baltimore School for the Arts. Lenai graduated from the University of Southern California as a Glorya Kaufman scholar with a BFA in Dance and a minor in Political Science in 2019. She is one of the seven 2016-17 dance scholars to be awarded a scholarship from Nigel Lythgoe’s DizzyFeet Foundation. At USC Kaufman, Lenai performed the works of Forsythe, Kylián, Graham, Marshall, Barton, Balanchine, Grimes, and Rhoden, among others. Additionally, she has trained seasonally with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Bolshoi Ballet, Miami City Ballet, and with legendary ballerina Suzanne Farrell. Lenai is in her second season with Ballet Hispánico. PATRICIA DELGADO (Producer) (she/her), first generation Cuban-American, was born in Miami, Florida. She was a principal dancer with the Miami City Ballet where she worked for almost 20 years and is currently a freelance artist living in NYC and a member of the dance faculty at The Juilliard School, where she is also a part of their mentorship program. She began her dance training, under cuban tutelage at five years old. She spent summers training in NYC at the School of American Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. In 2000, she was the Princess Grace Nominee and Edward Villella invited her to join his company as an apprentice. She has performed works by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Twyla Tharp, Paul Taylor, Anthony Tudor, Richard Alston, Christopher Wheeldon, Edward Villella and Trey McIntyre as well as classical works such as Coppelia, Giselle, and Don Quixote. One of her most memorable performances was performing the role of Juliet in John Cranko's Romeo and Juliet. Patricia has also been incredibly fortunate to have created feature works with choreographers Alexei Ratmansky, Justin Peck, Pam Tanowitz, Jamar Roberts, Lauren Lovette, John Heginbotham, among others. She has performed at The Bolshoi, in Moscow, at the Theatre du Chatelet, in Paris, France, at the Chicago Dancing Festival, at the Vail International Dance Festival in Colorado and in New York City; at Fall for Dance at City Center, at The Joyce Theater and at the Koch Theatre at Lincoln Center among others. Patricia has written several essays for dance publications.
One entitled “Why I Dance” in January of 2015 for Dance Magazine and one for Dance Spirit Magazine in April of 2013. She performed as Maggie Anderson in the musical Brigadoon, directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon at Encores! City Center, she starred in the music video “The Dark Side of the Gym” for The National and also appeared as a guest performer on The Tonight Show. She is a repetiteur for Justin Peck. She staged “In Creases” on Boston Ballet, Ballet Arizona, and for members of The American Ballet Theatre and “Heatscape” in Dresden, Germany at the Semperoper Ballett. She was an Associate Producer on the 2020 Broadway revival of West Side Story and she is an Associate Choreographer on the feature film West Side Story, directed by Steven Spielberg to be released in December 2021. She is devoted to creating a nurturing and positive environment of authenticity, inclusivity, vulnerability and belonging in all that she embarks upon, especially as she ventures into producing work for artists she admires, most recently Adriana Pierce’s #Queertheballet. Delgado and her husband, Justin Peck, welcomed their daughter Lucia Isabella into this world in March, 2021. RACHAEL N. BLACKWELL (Lighting Design) is a native of the Hampton Roads area of Virginia but now calls Raleigh, NC home. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts with an emphasis on Technical Theatre from Alabama State University in Montgomery, AL in May 2016. She received her MFA in Lighting Design & Technology in May 2020 at CCM, University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, OH. Rachael's main interests lie in working collaboratively with other creatives across the many different mediums of art. She enjoys working on original and new works as well as opportunities that allow her to stay connected to her African American roots. She was the 2020 recipient of both the Gilbert Hemsley Lighting Internship and he Judy Dearing Design Competition for Lighting, presented by the Black Theatre Network (BTN) and in 2021, Rachael received an Off Broadway nomination for her NY lighting design of new musical Rathskeller: A Musical Elixir. Rachael currently has design experience in lighting for live events, drama, opera, and dance. Rachael has worked with the Cincinnati Ballet, Yale Repertory Theatre, The Alley Theatre, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Montgomery Ballet, NSU Theater Company, and The VA Arts Festival. My experiences as a queer woman in professional ballet, especially early on in my career, were often isolating and confusing. My work with #QueertheBallet is driven by a desire to make sure that no one ever has to feel that way. In the past year, I have worked to connect with as many queer women and non-binary ballet dancers as I can. We assemble together for Zoom parties to connect and share our queer journeys and the ways in which they have affected our relationships with ballet. Many of these dancers have spent years feeling isolated in ballet companies. The lack of any meaningful representation in our art form, or even acknowledgement of our existence in ballet’s professional space, has led so many of us to feel that we are alone in our queerness. Through the creation of our new community, it has become clear that the only shared experience we all have as queer dancers is the lack of shared experience. The time I spent dancing in the ballet world has truly shaped my dancing and my identity as an artist, but I am often reminded that the impact of our art does not end on the stage. We need to make ballet a safe space for all identities by promoting mainstream inclusion through narratives, choreography, education, and outreach, and engaging in respectful discourse as much as we can. From the moment #QueertheBallet launched, we have received notes, comments, emails, and texts from lgbtq+ people, both artists and art lovers, about how they feel as though they have been waiting their whole lives to see work which reflects their experiences, and sometimes even disclosing their feelings about their own sexuality. Reading those testimonials not only reaffirms my commitment to the work, but also creates the community that I have always craved. And it is an honor to reply to those messages: “You are seen, you matter, and you are not alone.” The truth is that there are so many lgbtq+ artists who are navigating and challenging ballet spaces. I feel immensely proud to be one of them, and I am committed to creating authentic work, cultivating dynamically inclusive communities, and using my voice to make sure that others are heard. - Adriana Pierce
KYLE MARSHALL CHOREOGRAPHY FRIDAY, APRIL 8 AT 8:00PM & SATURDAY, APRIL 9 AT 2:00PM & 8:00PM
Photo by Pauline St. Denis
STELLAR (2021) Choreography and Improvisational Scores: Kyle Marshall Sound Design and Performance: Dial Winfield Lighting Design: Amanda K. Ringger Costume Design: Malcolm-x Betts Makeup Artist: Edo Tastic Performers: Bree Breeden, Kyle Marshall, and Ariana Speight Stellar was supported by a residency at MANA Contemporary. The original film STELLAR was commissioned by the Baryshnikov Arts Center.
- PA U S E -
I & I (2021) Choreography, Performance, and Sound Editing: Kyle Marshall Music: the Congos, Dawn Penn, Bob Marley and the Wailers Lighting Design: Itohan Edoloyi Hair, Makeup, and Stylist: Edo Tastic Clothing Alterations: Meagan Woods Green Fabric: Olivia Allen I & I was instigated by a 2019 New Traditions Caribbean Explorations Fellowship from the Dance Carribean Collective. Additional support came from Bethany Arts Community and Bernie Arts Center at Ramapo College. Kyle Marshall is grateful to Caribbean dance scholar Dr. Adana K. Jones, and Jamaican mentors Charmine Warren and Kimani Frowlin for their insight, conversation, encouragement and wisdom.
- INTERMISSION -
RISE (2021) Choreography: Kyle Marshall Sound Design and Performance: Cal Fish Lighting Design: Itohan Edoloyi Costume Design: Russell Peguero Makeup Artist: Edo Tastic Performers: Bree Breeden, Kyle Marshall, José Lapaz-Rodriguez, and Ariana Speight Rise was commissioned by The Shed Open Call with residency support at MANA Contemporary, Nimbus Arts Center, and a grant from the New Jersey Arts and Culture Recovery Fund of the Princeton Area Community Foundation.
ABOUT THE COMPANY “A choreographic voice like no one else’s” (The New York Times). Founded in 2014, Kyle Marshall Choreography (KMC) is a company that sees the dancing body as a container of history, an igniter of social reform, and a site of celebration. KMC believes in the creation, sharing, and teaching of dance as a way to deepen our knowledge of who we are as individuals, how we develop relationships, and ultimately societies. KMC has performed at venues including: BAM Next Wave Festival, Jacob’s Pillow Inside/ Out, Joe’s Pub, Philadelphia’s FringeArts, Actors Fund Arts Center, Little Island, The Shed, New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, and The New World Center (Miami, FL). Commissions have included: Baryshnikov Arts Center, “Dance on the Lawn” Montclair Dance Festival, NJPAC, and Harlem Stage. KMC has received residences from County Prep High School, Bethany Arts Community, 92nd St Y, CPR, the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, and MANA Contemporary. The company is currently in residence at The Center for Ballet and the Arts at NYU.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS KYLE MARSHALL (Artistic Director, Choreographer, Teacher, Performer) is a recipient of a 2020 Dance Magazine Harkness Promise Award, a 2018 NY Juried “Bessie” Award, and a NJ State Council of the Arts Fellowship. His dance company, Kyle Marshall Choreography (KMC), has performed at venues throughout NYC and regional area including; BAM Next Wave Festival, Jacob’s Pillow Inside/Out, Joe’s Pub, Philadelphia’s FringeArts, Actors Fund Arts Center, Little Island, The Shed, New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, and The New World Center (Miami, FL). As a teacher, Kyle has conducted masterclasses, creative workshops, set choreography at schools including; American Dance Festival, Ailey/ Fordham University, Trenton Central High School, Montclair University, County Prep High School, Rutgers University, Bayonne High School, and Bloomfield College. Kyle is currently a Caroline Hearst Choreographer-In-Residence at Princeton University and is a research fellow at the Center for Ballet and the Arts at NYU. Kyle has danced with the Trisha Brown Dance Company and has also worked with doug elkins choreography etc., and Tiffany Mills Company. Kyle graduated from Rutgers University with a BFA in Dance and is a resident of Jersey City.
BREE BREEDEN (Performer) is a freelance performing and media artist. Her choreography and performance work has been presented at Post/Future Performance Festival in 2020, Gibney Work Up program in 2019, Embodied Spaces Festival I and II in 2018, and at Earl Mosley Institute of the Arts dance talk series in 2016. She is a dancer and the Managing Director for Proteo Media + Performance, and performs with VON HOWARD PROJECT, MICHIYAYA Dance, Kyle Marshall Choreography, along with other freelance projects. She is from Cheraw, S.C. and received a BFA in Dance from Montclair State University. JOSÉ LAPAZ-RODRIGUEZ (Performer) is a freelance dance artist and model from the Dominican Republic currently living in New Jersey. José is a Hanya Holm award recipient and he graduated from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University with a BFA in Dance performance. José researches the interconnection of contemporary dance and voguing in concert dance in queer bodies as he is part of the ballroom scene. He has performed works by Matthew Rushing, Pam Tanowitz, Jordan Lloyd, Stefanie Batten-Bland, Roderick George, and Darrell Grand Moultrie. Aside from concert dance, he has performed as a cameo artist in the Off-Broadway Hercules by Chase Brock, he collaborated with Mandy Moore for the Facebook Messenger commercial, Jermaine Browne for Rowan Papier’s Telfar “The Same Beat," and danced in Chad Lawson’s Prelude in D Major VEVO music video. ARIANA SPEIGHT (Performer), a graduate of Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University with a BFA in Dance and a minor in Africana Studies, is a contemporary artist invested in researching the curiosities of life through various mediums. Originally from Los Angeles, she had the opportunity to dance abroad at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance where she studied Gaga technique and repertory from Batsheva company members and Vertigo Dance Company. In addition to working with artists like Kyle Abraham, David Dorfman, and Yin Yue during the course of her professional training, she has performed with a number of artists, most recently in a dance film by Jordan Lloyd that premiered through the platform Issue Project Room. She is also certified as a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) under Om Factory School of Yoga/Yoga Alliance where she continues to nurture her teaching practice. CAL FISH (Sound Collaborator) is a multi-disciplinary artist from Sea Cliff, NY currently based in Brooklyn. They graduated from Bard College with a joint degree in studio art and music. Since graduation they have shared interactive works and multi-sensory performances at galleries, DIY venues, festivals, community art spaces, and public parks, including: CANADA Gallery, Governor’s Island, Flux Factory, and Peace Park. Sound as a medium for communication and userfriendly kinesthetic technologies have remained at the center of Cal’s work. They have toured extensively with various music and art projects in the U.S. and have also performed in Europe and Canada. Cal currently hosts a radio show called Anthroapology, organizes interdisciplinary art events, makes clothes out of their studio at the Living Gallery, and works in collaboration with many amazingly inspiring artists and organizers.
DIAL WINFIELD (Sound Collaborator) is an artist from Jersey City, NJ currently based in Brooklyn, NY. Her work in sound attempts to emphasize the changeable nature of musical instruments through extended technique and exploration. Dial draws a line connecting possible sonic expressions back to the instrument via the body, betraying the intended use of instrument parts. She adds amplification to brass instruments that themselves amplify the micro-movements of the mouth and cavities within the body, approaching near-trance consciousness in performance and practice to project herself outside of a body. The body extends into the sound, within melodic and rhythmic incantations that imply a trajectory not influenced by parts, pieces, or internal chemistry. EDO TASTIC (Makeup and Stylist) is a makeup artist living in New York City. His work has been published in Solstice Magazine, Malvie, IMirage Magazine, McGlory Magazine and others. His film makeup work includes the upcoming series Lower East Side Asides produced by Steve Becker and Invasion directed and produced by Dennis Thomas. His makeup work includes numerous web series and assisted Ezel Mustafa in the Amazon series Big Dogs. Edo began his career in awe of makeup artists like David Frank Ray and Donyale McRae. As an assistant to stylist Andre Austin, he learned to have a vision that never clashes and dedication to his beloved craft which continues to inspire his work today. MALCOLM-X BETTS (Costume Designer) is a Bronx based curator, visual, and dance artist who believes that art is a transformative vehicle that brings people and communities together. The frame of his artistic work is around using embodiment for finding liberation, Black imagination, and directly engaging with challenges placed on the physical body. Betts recently developed and presented excerpts of Black Bodies Gone Down at La MaMa Umbria International in Spoleto, Italy, Gibney Dance Center, Movement Research at Judson Church, Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), The Bronx Museum, and Dixon Place. Betts has a community engagement practice allowing artistic freedom and making art accessible to everyone. Betts has also been involved with HIV Stops With Me, Edgar Allen Poe Visitor Center (Bronx), and many other projects all around New York City. Betts is also currently working with Luciana Achugar and has performed in works in collaboration with Jonathan Gonzalez and Mersiha Mesihovic. RUSSELL A. PEGUERO (Costume Designer), a young Dominican immigrant, arrived at the states at nine years old into the hard cold winter of the NYC Washington Heights neighborhood. Life’s rough touch was the conductor to many of the survival skills of the now 31-year-old Russell A. Peguero learned when coming to America. He learned to draw paper dolls for his sister as a kid, his family noticed his ability to design. They pushed and supported his newfound skill using Oscar De La Renta as the example of the one to be, eventually leading to graduating with his first fashion design and merchandising degree in 2009 and recently another degree in fashion production management from the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC. As he likes to say, if anyone wants to be in the business of fashion, it requires a certain presence in the room. After meeting several nightlife socialites, he started working with self-released and up-and-coming artists in the metropolitan area to create their stage looks. There was always a party/event/place to make a statement. This was the main reason and inspiration for his first official collection titled “The Scene – Vol. 1” under his fashion label LLESSUR, launched this last September. He continues to collaborate with other artists on custom pieces that speak to a nonbinary and socially conscious consumer and plans to release his next collection by the end of 2021.
ITOHAN EDOLOYI (Lighting Designer), Brooklyn-born and based lighting designer, has worked and toured around Europe and North America. She has worked as a lighting designer and associate designer on multiple shows varying from experimental theater to events as well as tours, Off-Broadway and Broadway shows. Itohan is also currently the resident Lighting Design Coordinator for The Shed's Open Call Series, working with various artists and designers around NYC. Edoloyi was the 2018 recipient of the Hemsley Internship, and an MFA graduate from Brooklyn College. AMANDA K. RINGGER (Lighting Designer) has been designing locally, nationally and internationally for over 20 years with artists such as Faye Driscoll, Doug Elkins, Cynthia Oliver, Leslie Cuyjet, Kyle Marshall, Darrah Carr, Jennifer Archibald, Antonio Ramos, Alexandra Beller, Deborah Lohse, Donnell Oakley, LMnO3, Molly Poerstel, Kota Yamazaki, Sean Donovan & Sebastián Calderón Bentin, and cakeface, among many others. She received a BA from Goucher College in Baltimore, MD and an MFA from Tisch School of the Arts at NYU. She is the recipient of a 2009 Bessie award for her collaboration on Faye Driscoll's 837 Venice Boulevard at HERE Arts Center. SOPHIA LEEWAH (Stage Manager) is a Stage Manager from Brooklyn, NY. She is excited to be working with KMC on this tour. Some of her credits include Unmaking Toulouse-Lautrec (dir. Mara Lieberman), Cracks performed at the NYC Fringe Festival (dir. Anna Strasser), and Bring a Weasel and a Pint of Your Own Blood Festival at The Public Theater. In her spare time, she is learning new ways to create art through different mediums. MADALYN RUPPRECHT (Company Manager) is a dancer, choreographer, and arts administrator born in Baltimore and now based in Brooklyn. As a dancer, she has performed works by Doris Humphrey, Martha Graham, Jodi Melnick, Kathleen Kelley, Fredrick Earl Mosley, Alwin Nikolais, and Abby Zbikowski, and has performed at venues such as the 92nd Street Y, Jacob’s Pillow, and The Joyce Theater. As a choreographer, she has been selected to present her work at NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Montclair State University, Bridge for Dance’s Uptown Rising Performance Series, and as part of the Post/Future Performance Festival, and the Bailar al Sol International Dance Festival in Puerto Rico. As an arts administrator, Madalyn has worked with Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Michelle Tabnick PR, Proteo Media + Performance, and Eryc Taylor Dance in various managing and marketing positions. In addition to being KMC’s Company Manager, she is a Communications Assistant at Dance/NYC. She holds a BFA in Dance and a BA in Journalism from Montclair State University.
KYLE MARSHALL CHOREOGRAPHY Kyle Marshall, Artistic Director Madalyn Rupprecht, Company Manager Sophia Leewah, Production Manager Itohan Edoloyi and Amanda K. Ringger, Lighting Designers Cal Fish and Dial Winfield, Sound Designers Russell A. Peguero and Malcolm-x Betts, Costume Designers Edo Tastic, Visual Consultant and Stylist Bree Breeden, José Lapaz-Rodriguez, Kyle Marshall, Ariana Speight, Performers
LUKE HICKEY TUESDAY, APRIL 12 & WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13 AT 7:30PM
Photo by Steven Pisano
LUKE HICKEY: A LITTLE OLD, A LITTLE NEW Choreography and Direction: Luke Hickey with improvisation by the dancers and musicians Lighting Designer: Christopher Gilmore Sound Designer: Christopher Marc Associate Sound Designer: Henry Mayr Dancers: Elizabeth Burke, Luke Hickey, and Tommy Wasiuta Musicians: Charles Goold (percussionist) Liya Grigoryan (pianist) Mark Lewandowski (bassist) Original Compositions & Arrangements by: Charles Goold, Liya Grigoryan, Luke Hickey, Mark Lewandowski Additional Music:
“It’s Your Thing” Written by Ronald Isley, O’Kelly Isley Jr, & Rudolf Isley A&R Studios
"So Into You" Written by Tim Kelley, Bob Robinson, Tamia Washington, Lionel Richie & Ronald LaPread Performed by Tamia Produced by Tim & Bob “Yes Sir, That’s My Baby” Written by Walter Donaldson and Gus Kahn “In A Sentimental Mood” Written by Duke Ellington & Emanuel Kurtz Produced by Bob Thiele “Stolen Moments” Written by Oliver Nelson Performed by Ahmad Jamal
“What’s New” Written by Linda Ronstadt Performed by Ahmad Jamal
“Runaway” Written by Pete Rock, Jeff Bhasker, Pusha T, John Branch, Malik Yusef, MIKE DEAN, Emile Haynie & Kanye West Produced by Universal Music Group, G.O.O.D. Music, Def Jam Recordings & Roc-A-Fella Records “Speak Low” Written by Kurt Weill & Ogden Nash “Fly Me To The Moon” Written by Bart Howard Performed by Frank Sinatra and the Count Basie Orchestra Arranged by Quincy Jones Produced by Reprise Records
ABOUT THE PROGRAM "Excellent in execution and entirely delightful" (The Fjord Review), Luke Hickey presents the percussive revue A Little Old, A Little New. Directed and choreographed by Hickey, the work accentuates the powerful synergy created when tap dancers and jazz musicians are in conversation, while offering an exciting array of historical and contemporary musical explorations. "A true crowd pleaser" (BroadwayWorld), this high-energy & virtuosic evening of world class dance and music offers something for everyone, leaving the audience feeling further connected to the treasured American art form of Tap Dance. The work features tap dancers Elizabeth Burke and Tommy Wasiuta, pianist Liya Grigoryan, percussionist Charles Goold, and bassist Mark Lewandowski. "Whether in unison, in the round, or riffing off one another, the trio was extraordinarily tight with a marvelous swing." A Little Old, A Little New is Luke Hickey’s first evening-length body of work. Its inception was sparked by Hickey’s consistency dancing at Jim Caruso’s Monday Night Cast Party at Birdland Jazz Club. In the fall of 2018, Caruso (a good friend of Hickey’s and a booker at the club) graciously offered the space for Hickey to create and explore his choreographic ideas. Soon after, the show made its world premiere with a sold out weekend in the club’s newly constructed Birdland Theater. A year later in the summer of 2019, the show traveled to the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival as a part of their Inside/Out Performance Series. Finally, after performances returned in the summer of 2021, A Little Old, A Little New returned to the stage for Battery Dance Festival’s 40th Anniversary. It came full circle when Luke was asked back to Birdland in November of 2021, almost three years to the date that the work first premiered. The show aims to capture the synergy and intimacy of tap dance in the jazz clubs, no matter the venue. Luke is honored to bring this work to the beautiful new Chelsea Factory venue.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS LUKE HICKEY (Director/Choreographer/Performer) is a NYC based tap dancer, choreographer, and actor hailing from Chapel Hill, NC. Named by Dance Magazine among their "25 To Watch" in 2020, Hickey began studying with his lifelong mentor, JUBA Award recipient Gene Medler, at the age of eight. Under the tutelage of Mr. Medler, Hickey completed 10 consecutive seasons studying and touring with the internationally acclaimed North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble (NCYTE). Hickey is an alumna of the School at Jacob’s Pillow and Pace University NYC (BA Film & Screen Studies, BA Communications Studies, cum laude). In the Fall of 2018, Hickey made his choreographic and directorial debut with his work A Little Old, A Little New at the world famous Birdland Jazz Club in NYC. The show has since traveled across the country, including to Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and Battery Dance Festival. Hickey's choreography is also seen in Patrick Wang’s feature film, A Bread Factory, which was listed on The New Yorker's "The Best Movies of 2018." Stage credits include Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Appel Room, The Kennedy Center, the Guggenheim Museum, Oslo Jazz Festival, The Joyce Theater, MGM National Harbor, and New York City Center.
ELIZABETH BURKE (Performer) is a “sinuous and sizzling" (IndyWeek), "elegant and expressive" (Broadway World), and “deft and impassioned" (The New York Times) tap dancer originally from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, who now works out of Brooklyn, primarily as the Co-Dance Captain of 2015 MacArthur Fellow Michelle Dorrance's acclaimed company, Dorrance Dance. Burke has been with Dorrance Dance since 2010, and prior to that, spent 11 years under the tutelage of her mentor, Gene Medler, in the North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble (NCYTE). She holds a BA in Political Science and a BA in Communication Arts from Marymount Manhattan College (magna cum laude) and is an alumna of The School at Jacob’s Pillow. Aside from her current work with Dorrance Dance, Elizabeth pursues her own choreographic and teaching work, and various artistic collaborations with fellow tap dancer and artist Luke Hickey. TOMMY WASIUTA (Performer) is a New York City based tap dancer and choreographer. He trained at Performing Arts Centre in St. Charles, Missouri, under the direction of Tracy Davenport and his mentor, Anthony Russo. Wasiuta is an alumnus of The School at Jacob’s Pillow (2017) and the University of Missouri – St. Louis (2020). He is a co-founder of the St. Louis based professional tap company, moSTLy Tap. In 2021, he was the featured tap dancer on an original album in collaboration with EBTKS. He was also a co-creator, choreographer, and performer for “In Due Time, a live music and tap dance tribute to the Dave Brubeck Quartet” with the St. Louis Rhythm Collaborative. Tommy is very excited to be performing at Chelsea Factory. CHARLES GOOLD (Musician) is one of New York City’s hardest working jazz drummers of his generation. Born to an American jazz saxophonist father and a Haitian immigrant mother, Goold has used these influences to shape his voice and message in the jazz community. After a short-lived pursuit in collegiate track and field at Temple University, while studying Communications, Goold transferred to the Berklee College of Music where unfortunately, after one semester he had to withdraw for financial reasons. Deciding not to give up on his dream of becoming a jazz musician, Goold moved back to New York city at the age of 19 and began playing in any musical situation possible. Finding success after years of hard work through teaching and performing, Goold auditioned and received a full scholarship to the Juilliard School, from where he graduated and was awarded the JCAF grant. Goold has performed with a wide variety of acts across varying styles, from Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, John Hendricks, and Johnny O’Neal, to rap icons Cam’ron, Talib Kweli, and Ghostface Killah. LIYA GRIGORYAN (Musician) is an Armenian born, New York based jazz pianist. At age five, Liya began taking part in piano competitions and performance tours throughout Russia and Europe. In 2010, she moved to Amsterdam to pursue a degree at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. Liya has won high-profile international competitions and awards, including the Getxo Jazz Award and the Keep an Eye International Jazz Award. In 2018, she was selected as one of the semifinalists of the prestigious Thelonious Monk Competition. Liya actively performs in the United States and across Europe.
MARK LEWANDOWSKI (Musician), a New York City-based bassist, originally hails from Nottingham, England. His interest in the bass took him to London to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Whilst studying at the school, Mark was rapidly producing a strong name for himself on the London scene; playing regularly at the world famous Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club by only his second year in the capital. He was also awarded the Yamaha Jazz award, and is now continuing his studies in New York City as part of the celebrated Artist Diploma programme at the prestigious Juilliard School. He has been lucky to perform with a diverse range of musicians including such names as John Surman, Wynton Marsalis, Buddy Greco, Sheila Jordan, Henry Grimes, Steve Wilson, Paul Dunmall, Vic Juris, Martin Carthy, Jean Toussaint, Tcha Limberger, Julian Joseph, Bobby Wellins, Peter King, Soweto Kinch, and Zoe Rahman. CHRISTOPHER GILMORE (Lighting Designer) designs for theatre, opera, live performance, and dance. The New York Times described his work for AMOC’s CAGE as “Imaginative.” Recent designs include Ensemble Connect Up Close: Through Movement (Carnegie Hall), CAGE (American Modern Opera Company), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (New York Film Academy). Assistant/Associate: Trevor: A New Musical (stage42), Assembly (Armory), The No One’s Rose (AMOC/Stanford Live/Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra), Radio Golf (Two River), Log Cabin (Playwrights), also multiple productions at American Repertory Theatre and Huntington Theatre Company. Current: Assistant Lighting Designer at Boston Ballet. Thanks to Luke for bringing me on board and the staff of the Chelsea Factory/The Joyce! Proud graduate of Emerson College. CHRISTOPHER MARC (Sound Designer), has been designing sound for tap dance with companies such as Dorrance Dance, Music From the Sole, and CT&Co. Marc has also worked as a sound engineer with several companies around the country including the Kennedy Center, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Mills Entertainment, Aquila Theatre, and Harlem Stage. OffBroadway: The Black Book, Aquila Theatre's National Tour: Wuthering Heights, The Tempest, Fahrenheit 451, and Twelfth Night. Skylark Opera: Berlin to Broadway, Candide, Putting it Together, and La Rondine. Other: CT&Co’s More Forever and Pacific Symphony’s The Magic Flute.
SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Aaron Mattocks Andre Imanishi Anthony Morigerato Ayodele Casel Christopher Marc Elizabeth Burke Gene Medler Gianni Valenti Gregory Richardson
Jim Caruso John Manzari Kurt Csolak Leonardo Sandoval Michelle Dorrance Mike & Melissa Hickey Operation: Tap Pamela Tatge
This performance is dedicated to my lifelong mentor, Gene Medler. His continued leadership, awe-inspiring words of wisdom and endless support has and continues to guide me through every aspect of my artistic path.
Founder and active Artistic Director of
to Donate to his company of 40 years, please visit NCYTE.ORG/SUPPORT or scan the code below.
CALPULLI MEXICAN DANCE COMPANY FRIDAY, APRIL 15 AT 8:00PM, SATURDAY, APRIL 16 AT 2:00PM & 8:00PM
Photo by Julieta Cervantes
PUEBLA: THE STORY OF CINCO DE MAYO Artistic Director and Co-Founder: Alberto C. Lopez Herrera Music Director: George Saenz Associate Artistic Director: Grisel Pren Monje Lighting & Projections Director: Carolina Ortiz Story Written by: Alberto C. Lopez Herrera & Juan Castaño CAST Lovers/ Soldiers: Isabella Vergara and Jose Maria Rojas President Benito Juarez: Carlos Islas/ Miguel Ceron Napoleon III: Juan Castaño Maximilian: David Ayala La Maringuilla: Cindy Garcia Charlotte/ Carlota: Agostina Mocibob Friar: Gabriel Sanchez Pueblo/ Townsfolk/ Mexican and French Soldiers: Alejandra Arochi, Felicia Avalos, David Ayala, Eli Cano, Juan Castaño, Miguel Ceron, Crystal Deosaran, Cindy Garcia, Carlos Islas, Adina Lopez, Desiree Lopez, Alesa Mendoza, Agostina Mocibob, Yhasmine Moran, Jose Maria Rojas, Gabriel Sanchez, Isabella Vergara, Diana Vivar, Yisel Xique Musicians: Luisa Bastidas (Violin), Ali Bello (Violin), Lautaro Burgos (Percussion), Jackie Coleman (Trumpet), Farid Cure (Guitar/ Jarana), George Saenz (Bass) The creation, development, and touring of the new work was made possible largely by the National Dance Project Award from the New England Foundation for the Arts. Major support was received from the New York State Council on the Arts, the McGraw Foundation, the Harkness Foundation for Dance, and New York City Council member Daniel Dromm and Council member Jimmy Van Bramer via the City Council Cultural Immigrant Initiative. Donated fabric and trimmings from Materials for the Arts adorn many of the costumes made in New York City. The creation of this work was also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM PUEBLA LINDA
Choreography: Grisel Pren Monje; Noemy Hernandez Songs: 1) Son Apareado 2) Jarabes Poblanos (El guajito y El durazno) Costumes: Alberto C. Lopez Herrera; Agustina Juarez; Araceli Mendez Musical Interlude "El Canto de la Chinaca"
LOS FRAILES/ THE FRIARS
Choreography: Juan Castaño Songs: excerpts from “Kyrie Chant,” “Agnus Dei Polyphony," and “Dies Irae” Recording by Chanticleer/ Brainwave Sync Costumes: Jose Ixcoy; Agustina Juarez
ACULTZINGO
Choreography: Grisel Pren Monje Song: Danza de Negritos Costumes: Alberto C. Lopez Herrera; Jose Ixcoy; Alonso Ojeda
CARLOTA & MAXIMILIANO
Choreography: Noemy Hernandez; Grisel Pren Monje; Javier Dzul Songs: 1) The Merry Widow 2) El Schottische 3) China Poblana 4) Espuelas de Amazoc 5) Dios Nunca Muere Costumes: Alberto C. Lopez Herrera; Araceli Mendez; Alonso Ojeda; Agustina Juarez; Amanda Gladu
- INTERMISSION LOS QUETZALES Choreography: Noemy Hernandez & Juan Castaño Songs: 1) Danza de los Quetzales 2) Danza de la Mariposa Costumes: Agustina Juarez; Alberto C. Lopez Herrera Musical Interlude "Los Comanches"
THE 4TH OF MAY
Choreography: Javier Dzul Songs: 1) Tambours 2) La Marseillaise Flotte de Toulon Costumes: Amanda Gladu Musical Interlude "La Chinaca"
MEXICANOS AL GRITO (MEXICANS TO WAR)/ NOCHE TRISTE (THE SAD NIGHT) Choreography: Carlos Islas; Javier Dzul Songs: 1) El Pahuatleco 2) Las Poblanitas 3) Adiós al Soldado Costumes: Alberto C. Lopez Herrera; Jose Ixcoy
LA BATALLA DE PUEBLA (THE BATTLE OF PUEBLA)
Choreography: Alberto C. Lopez Herrera; Noemy Hernandez Song: La Muerte Chiquita Costumes: Alberto C. Lopez Herrera; Amanda Gladu Musical Interlude “Canción Mixteca”
ATLIXCO DE LAS FLORES
Choreography: Alberto C. Lopez Herrera Songs: 1) Puebla Linda 2) Que Chula es Puebla Costumes: Alberto C. Lopez Herrera; Agustina Juarez; Alonso Ojeda; Araceli Mendez
ABOUT THE COMPANY CALPULLI MEXICAN DANCE COMPANY STAFF Executive Director & Co-Founder: Juan Castaño Managing Director Operations: Noemy Hernandez Development & Finance Compliance Officer: Jay House Wardrobe Manager: Rosalba Vivar Board of Directors: Danny Garza (President), David Ayala, Juan Castaño, Lisa Labrado, Angelica Guel, Alberto C. Lopez Herrera, and Julio Urbina Founded in 2003, Calpulli Mexican Dance Company celebrates and explores Mexican and Mexican-American culture via dance including live music. Based in New York City (Queens), Calpulli produces professional performances via its international touring company, designs arts-in-education programming, and leads community outreach activities, most notably Calpulli Community in Queens, Staten Island, Red Bank, NJ, and New Rochelle. The word calpulli (pronounced cawl-pool-lee) is an Aztec word that means “big house,” “clan,” and “family.” We are a calpulli of dancers, musicians, and teachers that, as a non-profit organization, contributes to the city, country, and community we love. To learn more about Calpulli, visit us online at www.calpullidance.org SUPPORT CALPULLI Calpulli Mexican Dance Company is non-profit (501c3) arts organization. Donations from individuals like you are critical to our sustainability and growth. Support future artistic works, artin-education programs, and Calpulli’s community outreach. Donations can be made via paypal to donations@calpullidance.org or at www.calpullidance.org/donate. Donations can also be made to “Calpulli Mexican Dance Company” and mailed to: 2512 77th St., East Elmhurst, NY 11370 STAY IN TOUCH! Stay updated by signing up to our newsletter for upcoming shows and events! Manténgase al tanto de las presentaciones de Calpulli añadiendo a nuestra lista!
Join our mailing list by texting CALPULLIDANCE to 22828 Thank you! Gracias! ALBERTO C. LOPEZ HERRERA (Artistic Director) is a choreographer, costume designer and maker, and teaching artist with more than 30 years experience in Mexican folk dance. Originally from San Antonio Chiltepec in Puebla, Mr. Lopez Herrera began his studies of Mexican folkloric dance at the age of 12 at the Centro Escolar Benito Juarez de Acatlán de Osorio. Most recently, he completed the National Dance Institute’s intensive Teaching Artist training in New York City. In the U.S., Mr. Lopez Herrera was a dancer and choreographer with several companies working with distinguished choreographers Francisco Nevarez and Clarissa Marcovich. With great attention to detail, he continues to create traditional costumes used in Mexican folkloric dance. His pivotal role in costuming can be seen throughout the Company’s repertoire. Under his Artistic Direction, Calpulli Mexican Dance Company performed at noted venues including Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival (Inside/Out Series), Wortham Center (Houston, TX), Humboldt State University (Arcata, CA), the Kingdom of Bahrain, Penn State Erie, and Lincoln Center Out of Doors, where dance critic for The New York Times Brian Siebert hailed Calpulli a “terrific company.” Mr. Lopez Herrera was named “Star of Queens” by the Queens Courier for his artistic accomplishments and commitment to community arts programming. He was also recognized
by Time Magazine in the documentary series American Voices. Most recently, Mr. Lopez was Dramaturg and Folk Choreographer for the Off-Broadway production A Crossing produced by the Barrington Stage under the direction of Joshua Bergasse. GEORGE SAENZ (Music Director), trombonist/Multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and educator, is originally from Laredo, Texas. He graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA where he studied music performance and Jazz Composition and currently resides in New York City. He serves as musical director and educator for Calpulli Mexican Dance Company, and works as a freelance musician with various acclaimed musical projects in and around NYC, including as trombonist-accordionist and arranger with multi Grammy Award-winning artist Lila Downs. His travels have led him to performances and productions around the world throughout Europe, Latin America, as well as extensive tours of the United States and Canada. GRISEL PREN MONJE (Associate Artistic Director & Choreographer) was born and raised in Cancun, Mexico and always had a strong, passionate love for dance. She began dance training at a young age in local dance studios and the Casa de la Cultura Mexico. She was a professional dancer and entertainer in many of the Resorts in the Riviera Maya. Beginning in 2007, she studied at Broadway Dance Center under the International student program, Steps on Broadwayand The Alvin Ailey School. She performed with Arthur Aviles Typical Theater Company, Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance, Legros Cultural Arts, and has appeared as a dancer in music videos produced by Weras Music and Tiny Baby Giants. Ms. Pren Monje made her Off Broadway debut in 2012 with Zapata! The Musical at the New York Musical Festival, where she played the role of Curandera and served as Dance Captain and Assistant to the Choreographer. Her training, teaching, and performance skills are varied among Classical Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Mexican Folk Dance, and many Latin styles. She is currently a Teaching Artist with the Society of the Educational Arts and, most recently, she completed the Mexican Folk Dance Teacher certification from the Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernandez. Recently, Ms. Pren began her own private event company Luhna Choreography. JUAN CASTAÑO (Choreographer, Executive Director, and Co-Founder) co-founded Calpulli Mexican Dance Company with the vision of celebrating and serving the Mexican community across the USA. Mr. Castaño, a native of El Paso, Texas, holds an MBA in Management and a BA in Chemistry from Grinnell College. There he also began his studies of folk dance with student instructor Alicia Gonzalez. He continued his training in NYC with several choreographers most notably Noemy Hernandez, Daniel Jaquez, and Alberto C. Lopez Herrera. With over 20 years of folk dance experience, Mr. Castaño is a Master Teacher with the Young Arts Foundation and dance educator in NYC. His first choreographic work and story-writing for Calpulli was in 2014 for Boda Mexicana. He has since continued to choreograph for the company and co-wrote the stories for Navidad: A Mexican-American Christmas and Puebla: The Story of Cinco de Mayo. JAVIER DZUL (Guest Choreographer) grew up in the jungles of southern Mexico, performing Maya ritual dance and studying ancient Maya teachings under the direction of his parents. Formal dance training began at the Universidad de Veracruz, followed by the Ballet Nacional de Cuba and the Martha Graham School. Javier performed as a Principal Dancer with Ballet Nacional de Mexico and Ballet Folklorico de Mexico and in New York with the Martha Graham Dance Company, Pearl Lang Dance Theater, Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble and American Indian Dance Theatre. Javier created Dzul Dance in 2003. He and his diverse company of performers have been presented throughout the world, garnering reviews that hail Dzul’s “acrobatic wizardry” (Attitude: The Dancers’ Magazine) and his ability to turn his dancers of “remarkable elasticity into creatures of the air as well as of the earth” (The New York Times). Javier was commissioned by Calpulli in Spring 2018 to create “Xibalba” for the production Boda Mexicana. NOEMY HERNANDEZ (Guest Choreographer, Managing Director) is a passionate choreographer, artistic director, and arts administrator. Ms. Hernandez earned Certificate in Arts Management from the UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business And Claire Trevor School of the Arts and a B.F.A. in Dance from the University of California, Irvine with a Choreography Specialization. She works extensively in New York and Los Angeles. As Artistic Director of Calpulli Mexican Dance Company in New York City through 2014, she choreographed for The Brooklyn Philharmonic and collaborated with Grammy Award-winning artist Arturo O’Farrill &
his Jazz Orchestra. Her choreography was presented at the Bahrain Grand Prix in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the New York Metropolitan Museum, the Brooklyn Museum, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, and NYC’s Shakespeare in the Park. She coached finalists for the Young Arts Foundation, and has worked as a Teaching Artist in public schools and for several non-profit organizations. Ms. Hernandez co-founded the nonprofit organization, Everyday Arts, and is part of Calpulli's administrative team as Managing Director of Operations. CARLOS ISLAS (Guest Choreographer) is originally from Mexico City, Carlos. He began dancing at age six and was 12 when he entered the Escuela Nacional de Danza Folklórica, where he served as a representative group dancer for six years. Mr. Islas graduated with a degree in Mexican folkloric dance from the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes de México. He performed with several companies in different important forums in Mexico such Palacio de Bellas Artes, Auditorio Nacional, Teatro de la Ciudad, Teatro de la Danza, Estadio Azteca y Centro Nacional de las Artes to name a few. In 2005 he founded "Estampas de México" dance company with which he has represented Mexico in more than 20 countries on four continents. He has worked as a teacher and choreographer at the Escuela del Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández, Academia de la Danza Mexicana, y Escuela Nacional de Danza Folklórica. He has judged dance competitions in the Philippines, South Korea, and Romania. ALEJANDRA AROCHI (Dancer) was born in Mexico City and holds a degree in Mexican Popular Dance from the Academia de la Danza Mexicana del INBA and a degree in Show Production from the Universidad del Claustro de Sor Juana. She has made multiple presentations in contemporary, classical, and folkloric dance. As a dancer in the company Estampas de Mexico, she has participated in more than 17 International Folkloric Dance Festivals in countries of America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania. FELICIA B. AVALOS (Dancer) is a performer, choreographer, and educator of modern and Mexican folklórico dance forms based in New York City. She received her BFA in Dance from Sam Houston State University, and her MFA at The George Washington University (GWU), where she was awarded a University Fellowship. Felicia’s work focuses on Mexican and Central American political and social issues,inspired by her own father’s journey crossing the Mexican border. Avalos uses Muay Thai boxing and Brazilian jiu jitsu, two movement forms that deeply inform her choreographic process and movement aesthetic. Her own choreographic work has been presented in Israel, Australia, Washington, DC, New Jersey and extensively throughout New York. Avalos is a performer and educator with Calpulli Mexican Dance Company. With the company, she has performed at Jacob’s Pillow, The New Victory Theater on Broadway, the Met, Summer Stage with Lila Downs, Is Sanat Theater in Istanbul, Turkey, and Apollo Theater in Harlem. DAVID AYALA (Dancer) is Mexican-American born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He began his dance journey at age ten with the Ballet Folklorico of Detroit. He is currently a fashion design executive for an American retailer and has danced professionally with Calpulli for over 15 years in New York City as well on international tours for the company. ELI CANO (Dancer) holds a B.F.A. in Ballet from Texas Christian University. He studied with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and at The American Dance Festival at Duke University. He has performed choreography by Robert Battle and Mark Dendy. Mr. Cano is an active dancer for The Kennedy Dancers and Calpulli Dance Company. He has appeared in Gossip Girl, Law and Order SVU, and the HBO movie The Normal Heart, among other television programs. Eli is a recipient of the Iconic Award, and he loves teaching the young about the arts and dance. Mr. Cano lives in New York City. MIGUEL CERON (Dancer) began his dance career with ballet folklorico at the age of nine, learning with a family run group in San Diego and sparking an interest and hunger for dance that he sporadically fed through school shows and multicultural organizations. He revisited folklorico in college, even running the Harvard Ballet Folklorico de Aztlan for two years, and dabbled in other dance styles which stimulated a desire to invest time in training and improving his dance skills. In New York, he found Latin dance and immersed himself in learning and training as a "salsero" and "bachatero," with short stints in ballet, tango, hip-hop and fusion styles until eventually finding his way back to folklorico with Calpulli.
CRYSTAL DEOSARAN (Dancer) began her training as a dancer with Calpulli and has been a performer with the company since 2010. She has traveled and performed with Calpulli nationally and internationally in places like Lincoln Center, Jacob's Pillow, and the Kingdom of Bahrain. She has learned from wonderful directors and teachers such as Alberto C. Lopez Herrera, Grisel Pren Monje, Juan Castaño, Noemy Hernandez, Roberto Lara, Martha Zarate, Pilar Maez, and others. CINDY GARCIA (Dancer) started dancing at the age of seven at Callina's Classical School of Ballet in Astoria, NY. She went to CUNY, Queens College and earned a BA in Drama Theatre and Dance, where she had the opportunity to study with Professor Edisa Weeks and Yin Mei. She was part of the Queens College competitive dance team. In 2014, she participated in ACDFA (American College Dance Festival Association) representing Queens College with her choreographed flamenco piece "Cinco Flores," and was awarded The Farah Marcelus Award for Choreography at Queens College. ADINA LOPEZ (Dancer) played music from the age of eight and continued until she was 18 years old. Thereafter, she began dancing and joined Ballet Tierra Nueva Mexicana for six years. Adina has been a dancer with Calpulli for ten years. She credits many different artists who have helped her grow as a dancer and performer learning zapateado, skirtwork, ballet technique, and dance theater from choreographers including Martha Zarate, Daniel Jaquez and Noemy Hernandez. She has learned about the history of dances, different regional styles, and how to be a Teaching Artist from current Artistic Director, Alberto C. Lopez Herrera. DESIREE LOPEZ (Dancer) has a love for dance that started in her hometown of Acapulco, Mexico. She continued studying Mexican Folkloric Dance, Flamenco, Latin Rhythms, Hip Hop, Heels, and various technique styles until she graduated from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy with her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Theatre. As a member of Calpulli Mexican Dance Company she performed in venues such as The Playstation Theatre and The Town Hall. Desiree has performed for international artists such as Nicky Jam, Gente de Zona, Lila Downs, Enrique Iglesias, Blue Face; and has danced in TV shows such as "Hoy Dia'' and reality show "Asi se Baila" from Telemundo. Desiree's most recent success is dancing at the Super Bowl LVI halftime show. ALESA MENDOZA (Dancer) is originally from Morelos, Mexico, and began dancing local regional dances at age seven at the institute ‘El Nigromante.' At age 14 she participated in several productions directed by Maria Cecilia Govela Elizondo. Later, she performed with Ballet Folklorico Mazatl in San Miguel de Allende, directed by Omar Alvarez Villalobos. Also a talented yoga teacher, she trained at Joschi Schwartz Yoga Institute and has been participating with Calpulli Mexican Dance Company since 2017. AGOSTINA MOCIBOB (Dancer) is a professional dancer from Cordoba, Argentina. She began her studies in ballet with Ballet Sandra Racedo,and contemporary dance with Mariana Massera, as well as participating in many dance competitions all over the country. To further her commitment to danza, Agostina then moved to Buenos Aires' world renowned Instituto Superior de Arte Teatro Colon. Where she studied ballet, modern, folklore, flamenco and character dance. She then moved to NYC to study at The Ailey School, and Tango with Dardo Galletto. Worked with the Ballet Estable Teatro Colon directed by Lidia Segni. She also was part of The Table of Silence in 2018, directed by Jacqulyn Buglisi performed at The Lincoln Center Plaza. Agostina danced with Ajkun Ballet Theater in New Rochelle and NYC. She also worked on a short film, Coda, directed by Justine Browning. Agostina danced with Compania Nueva Linea back in Argentina, and is currently dancing with Dardo Galletto Dance, Benjamin Briones Ballet, and Calpulli Mexican Dance Company in NY. YHASMINE MORAN (Dancer) is a Mexican indigenous advocate, dancer, teaching artist and choreographer based in NYC. Born in Brooklyn, Yhasmine was raised in Acatlan de Osorio Puebla, Mexico. She earned her BA in Dance at Hunter College and is currently a dancer and Rehearsal Assistant with Calpulli Mexican Dance Company. Yhasmine has performed with the company at Lincoln Center, Town Hall, Queens Theatre, Jacobs Pillow, the New Victory Theater, and the Apollo Theater. In 2022, she was selected as a Latinx emerging artist to be part of the First National Cohort in David Herrera Performance Company’s LatinXtensions program.
JOSÉ MARÍA ROJAS (Dancer) is a dancer and choreographer of Argentine folklore, ballet, and contemporary dance. Born in Paraná, Entre Ríos, Argentina, José danced folkloric dance since he was six years old and since then has participated in many renowned festivals in Argentina as well as different companies around the country. Jose's passion for dance encouraged him to develop other dance techniques such as ballet, jazz, contemporary and tango, which afforded him the opportunity to train with world renowned dance instructors. In 2015, José received a full scholarship for the contemporary jazz summer course at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City, during which he then received a full-year scholarship for said institution. Currently, José is a dancer for Calpulli Mexican Dance Company, a Teaching Artist for Ballet Hispánico, and a dancer for the American Swiss Ballet Company and Connecticut Ballet. GABRIEL SÁNCHEZ (Dancer) is from El Paso, TX. He holds a multidisciplinary performing arts degree from The University of Texas at El Paso. Since moving to New York City he has worked for many local companies. His favorites include Touch Theory Dance and Estado Flotante. He has been working with Calpulli for 16 months, first as a stage manager and now as a dancer. Mr. Sanchez was accepted into NYU Steinhardt to pursue a Master’s degree in Dance Education in the Professions. He would like to dedicate his performance this season to his mom Imelda Perez who has supported him every step of the way. ISABELLA VERGARA (Dancer) is a dancer, yoga teacher, filmmaker from Westfield, New Jersey. Isabella graduated summa cum laude with a B.F.A. in dance from Mason Gross School of The Arts at Rutgers University. She has performed nationally at the Kennedy Center, Jacob’s Pillow, The Joyce Theater, and The Apollo, as well as internationally in the Philippines, China, and Taiwan. Throughout her career, she has performed work by artists such as Yvonne Rainer, Martha Graham, Lar Lubovitch, Pam Tanowitz, and Maxine Doyle. Isabella is a freelance dancer in the greater New York area, performing regularly with Calpulli Mexican Dance Company and OCA Dance. DIANA VIVAR (Dancer) began her training with the Calpulli Community Program in 2007 with previous training in ballet from 92 Street Y ballet program at the age of five years old. After being a part of the community program for over eight years, she joined Calpulli Mexican Dance Company in 2015. She has toured with Calpulli in various performances at The Town Hall, New Victory Theatre, Queens Theatre, and many more! Diana is proud to celebrate her culture and share it with the audience. YISEL XIQUE (Dancer) graduated as a Dance Theater major from the American Musical and Dramatic Arts Conservatory in New York. A student of Calpulli Community since the age of 12, she now not only performs with Calpulli Mexican Dance Company, but also is a Teaching Artist in training with the company's Arts-In-Education division. She is grateful for her parents who always pushed and supported her throughout her journey. LUISA BASTIDAS (Musician) is a Latin Grammy nominee that gives the violin a unique sound. She was born and raised in Cali Colombia and migrated to New York City in 2000. She has shared the stage with Red Bull World Champion Dancer Bboy Neguin as the resident violinist for the Kinetic Junglist Movement founded by dancer Amy Secada. ALI BELLO (Musician) is Venezuelan-born, and has become one of the most dazzling and sought after violinists, distinguishing himself for his versatility among different music styles in addition to his well-founded classical training and multidimensional improvisational skills, which have made him a top violinist of the Latin jazz arena. LAUTARO BURGOS (Musician) was born in Chaco, Argentina. He studied music in Escuela De Musica Contemporanea in Buenos Aires. He has played with traditional figures of Argentine folk and tango, such as Maria Volonte, Marina Santillan, Broder Bastos, and Sebastian Ibarra, as well as avant-garde jazz with trio del futuro and Javier Lozano. MARILYN CASTILLO (Musician) is a singer and songwriter from Juarez, Chihuahua and El Paso, TX. She has worked extensively with many Mexican and Latin-American musical groups and entities that promote arts and culture throughout NYC. She was awarded a ‘Premios Fama’ in 2019. Living in NYC, and being far from Mexico, she finds that music helps her find herself and the perfect vehicle for bringing people together in a sense of unity.
JACKIE COLEMAN (Musician) was born in Indiana. As a Trumpeter and Electric Bassist, Coleman is well trained in a wide variety of musical styles. After receiving a Bachelors degree from Indiana University and a Masters degree from NYU, she decided to pursue music in New York full-time. In 2017 she won a Latin Grammy with the all-female group Flor de Toloache for their album Las Caras Lindas. In the past, she has worked with artists such as Solange, Leon Bridges, Wu-tang Clan, Kali Uchis, Miguel, Natalia Lafourcade, Mon Laferte, Cuco, and Chris Perez. She was also able to work with H.E.R., Fantasia, Yolanda Adams, Victory, Jazmine Sullivan, and Ledisi as part of the 2018 Black Girls Rock Band. Currently, she can be seen performing with Durand Jones and The Indications, Antibalas, and many more artists. FARID CURE (Musician) is a NY based Multi-Instrumentalist and producer born in Colombia. His musical trajectory started when he was seven, learning and playing in church, and later continued his studies with private guitar instructors like Alejandro Briceño and Alex Castillo, the University of Miami F.R.O.S.T school of music and Berklee online. He now teaches, performs, plays, and produces across diferent styles like pop, Hip Hop, Rock, Latin Jazz, and World Music; and works with artists and music groups the likes of, Eric Kurimski, Jorge Glem, bachaco, El Puma, Dygo, Kevin little, Innercat Music group, big Honey Records, and others, as well as teach private students and group classes. Dear Friends: Being born and raised in the south of Puebla, it fills me with pride to be part of a beautiful little corner of Mexico. Puebla is a very special place and it will always be in my heart. I think there is much to show and educate with each other and those who have grown up in the United States hearing about Cinco de Mayo. Why do we celebrate Cinco de Mayo? And why does it matter today? After seeing this production, it is my hope that you will understand more about this special date and be filled with so much pride because you are from Puebla, you are Mexican, and by seeing all your beautiful dances and traditions on stage. And if you are not Mexican, my wish is that you see more of what we have in common within our stories. I have this incredible opportunity to share an artistic interpretation - a story - based on history, about the heroes and heroines who gave everything for their people. Creating a production that honors the Poblanas and Poblanos and reminds them of the strength they have has always been a dream of mine that now culminates with this beautiful production. Thank you all for your continued support. Fondly, Alberto C. Lopez Herrera, Artistic Director Estimados Amigos: Haber nacido y criado en el sur de Puebla, me llena de orgullo ser parte de un hermoso rinconcito de México. Puebla es un lugar muy especial y siempre estará en mi corazón. Creo que hay mucho que mostrar y educar entre nosotros y los que han crecido en los Estados Unidos escuchando sobre el Cinco de Mayo. ¿Por qué celebramos el Cinco de Mayo? ¿Y por qué importa hoy? Después de ver esta producción, espero que entiendan más sobre esta fecha especial y se sientan tan orgullosos porque son de Puebla, son mexicanos y al ver todas sus hermosas danzas y tradiciones en el escenario. Y si no eres mexicano, mi deseo es que veas más de lo que tenemos en común en nuestras historias. Tengo esta increíble oportunidad de compartir una interpretación artística, una historia basada en hechos históricos, sobre los héroes y heroínas que dieron todo por su pueblo. Crear una producción que honre a las Poblanas y los Poblanos y les recuerde la fuerza que han tenido siempre ha sido un sueño mío que ahora culmina con esta hermosa producción. Gracias a todos por su continuo apoyo. Con Cariño, Alberto C. Lopez Herrera, Director Artístico SCAN FOR PROGRAM SYNOPSIS AND MORE
ABOUT BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jim Herbert - Founder and Board Chair, Executive Chairman & Founder, First Republic Bank Shilla Kim-Parker - Director, Co-Founder and CEO, Thrilling Andrea Miller - Director, Founder and Artistic Director, GALLIM Linda Shelton - Director, Executive Director, Joyce Theater
ADVISORY COUNCIL Jeff Burroughs, Co-Founder, WHTWRKS Stacey Feder, Chief Marketing Officer, Hudson Yards, Related Companies Damien Hooper-Campbell, Chief Diversity Officer, Zoom Pamela Joyner, Founder, Avid Partners Larry Milstein, Founder, PRZM Jose Sebastian, Founder, Hamptons Dance Project; Director, ABT Incubator Alex van Helden, Founder, The van Helden Group
2021 - 2022 CHELSEA FACTORY RESIDENT ARTISTS Raquel Almazan, Troy Anthony, Hope Boykin, Kristoffer Diaz, Andrea Miller, Chelsea Odufu, Leonardo Sandoval & Gregory Richardson
STAFF
CREW
Executive Director - Lauren Kiel
Head Video - Julia Frey
Managing Director - Donald Borror
Head Electrician, Programmer - Evan Herman-Chin
Director of Production and Venue Operations - Barry Stagg
Head Audio - Dio Garcia
Head of Marketing and Community - Laurel Toyofuku
A2 - Henry Mayr
Programs Producer - Raynel Frazier
Deck Crew Head - Zach Jenkins
Technical Director - Carly Shiner
Deck Crew - Max Carlson
Administrative Coordinator - Purna Venugopalan
Accounting - Lutz and Carr
CONSTRUCTION / VENUE DESIGN PARTNERS
Branding and Design - DoubleDay & Cartwright
Theatrical Design Consultants - Auerbach Pollock Friedlander
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT Event Booking Agency - Karrie Goldberg/The Kagency
Acoustician - Longman Lindsey
Facilities Services - Izee Figueroa/AARBM
Architect - Frank Loffredo/LB Architects
Financial Management Services - ArtsFMS
AV System - Masque Sound
Graphic Design - Gigi Palatnik, Heejung Kim
Drapery/Rigging - IWEISS
Legal - Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC
Exterior and Digital Signage - Ad Art Sign Co.
Management Consulting - Odell Mays and Keline Adams/
Flooring - Harlequin Floors
Mays2Consulting
Lighting Systems - Barbizon Lighting Company,
Publicity - Billy Zavelson/Richard Kornberg & Associates
4Wall Entertainment Seating Units - Jezet Seating
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ABOUT THE JOYCE THEATER FOUNDATION The Joyce Theater Foundation ("The Joyce," Executive Director, Linda Shelton), a nonprofit organization, has proudly served the dance community for over three decades. Under the direction of founders Cora Cahan and Eliot Feld, Ballet Tech Foundation acquired and The Joyce renovated the Elgin Theater in Chelsea. Opening as The Joyce Theater in 1982, it was named in honor of Joyce Mertz, beloved daughter of LuEsther T. Mertz. It was LuEsther’s clear, undaunted vision and abundant generosity that made it imaginable and ultimately possible to build the theater. Ownership was secured by The Joyce in 2015. The theater is one of the only theaters built by dancers for dance and has provided an intimate and elegant home for over 400 U.S.-based and international companies. The Joyce has also expanded its reach beyond its Chelsea home through off-site presentations at venues ranging in scope from Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater, to Brooklyn’s Invisible Dog Art Center, and to outdoor programming in spaces such as Hudson River Park. To further support the creation of new work, The Joyce maintains longstanding commissioning and residency programs. Local students and teachers (K–12th grade) benefit from its school program, and family and adult audiences get closer to dance with access to artists. The Joyce’s annual season of about 48 weeks of dance now includes over 340 performances for audiences in excess of 150,000 patrons. Visit Joyce.org for more information.
FUNDERS Many Thanks to The Joyce's Institutional Funders for Keeping Us Moving Forward An abundance of gratitude to Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Representative Jerrold Nadler, and Representative Nydia M. Velázquez for their visionary leadership that established the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program, which has helped make the reopening of The Joyce Theater and the reemergence of many dance companies possible.
Leadership support for The Joyce's year-round programs and services:
Major support for The Joyce's operations and special projects:
LuEsther T. Mertz Charitable Trust Leadership support for The Joyce’s presentation of dance:
Season Sponsor:
The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation
Major support for The Joyce’s Artist Residency Center:
Lead corporate support: Major support for The Joyce’s American Dance Platform and Harkness First debuts:
ABOUT THE JOYCE THEATER FOUNDATION VISION STATEMENT
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Joyce Theater Foundation is committed to fostering and supporting a diverse and inclusive environment, both on and off stage. We embrace and celebrate diversity in all its forms, and value the rich experiences and perspectives that arise from differences in race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and cognitive and physical ability.
The Joyce Theater operates on the Lenape island of Manhahtaan (Mannahatta) and acknowledges that it was founded upon the stolen land and erasure of many Indigenous communities. This acknowledgement demonstrates our institution’s commitment to the process of dismantling the legacies of colonialism and cultural imperialism.
We strive to counteract the social injustices and racism that exist within our communities, our nation, and our world. Our aim as an organization is to embody the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. To achieve this, we will:
We acknowledge the ongoing violence towards Indigenous people through systemic inequality. We pay our respect to the Indigenous peoples who lived and continue to live upon this land, and whose rich history, artistic practices, and spirituality are tied to this land. It is within our responsibility as a cultural institution and our commitment to diversity and inclusion to embody a commitment to Indigenous rights and cultural equity.
• Create and implement proactive diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice initiatives; • Establish and maintain a culture of safe sharing, intentional listening, learning, and growth; • Engage with and support disenfranchised communities by sharing information and resources and ensuring accessibility; • Develop metrics and conduct regular reviews of our programs and policies to hold ourselves accountable and shift as neededs.
We sincerely invite you as an audience member to take a moment to reflect on the history and legacy of displacement, migration, and settlement. It is our intention to work with local Native American arts councils to better inform our land acknowledgment practices and anticipate that it will evolve over time.
With these goals in place and our Vision Statement in mind, we are dedicated to the continued learning and growth needed to foster an inclusive environment for all. This is an ongoing process and by nature will be an evolving statement.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.............................LINDA SHELTON Assistant to the Executive Director........Ayo Janeen Jackson ADMINISTRATION General Manager.............................................Huong Hoang Associate General Manager.................................Katy Myers Human Resources Manager.........Sharonica Williams Office Manager..............................................Erika Langmeyer Director of Development................................................OPEN Director of Institutional Giving..........................Jean M. Ross Assistant Director of Individual Giving............Meg White Assistant Director, Special Events.................Vernon Scott Individual Giving Manager.....................................Jesse Chin Institutional Giving Manager..............Myriam Varjacques Special Events Associate..................................................OPEN Development Coordinator.............................Catherine Eng Director of Programming..........................Aaron Mattocks Programming Manager.....................................Christine Tully Interim Artist Services Manager.....................Barb Domue Artist Services Manager............................................Tym Byers Programming Associate...........................Noa Rui-Piin Weiss Director of Dance Education & Family Programs........... .........................................................................Heather McCartney Dance Education & Family Programs Assistant.................. ....................................................................Marianne Rose Weber Director of Marketing..................................Andy Sheagren Associate Director of Marketing Strategy.....Anjali Amin Digital Marketing Manager........................Julia Thorncroft Marketing Manager..............................................Nadia Halim Marketing Assistant..................................................Annie Marx Director of Finance............................Margaret Hollenbeck Finance Associate.......................................Savá M. B. Martin Finance Clerk...................................Andrew Williams-Leazer Database Administrator.....................................Jim Seggelink Director of Information Tech....................Patricia A. Yost PRODUCTION Director of Production.............................................Jeff Segal Lighting Supervisor..................................................Kelly Atallah Technical Director.............................................Lou Albruzzese Head Audio.................................................................Sean Mullins Lighting Board Operator......................................Kyle Hagen Head Carpenter................................................Web Crittenden Head Electrician..............................................Brittany Spencer Stage Technicians................................Edward Hill, Kahlil Jahi Donald J. Rose, MD Director, Harkness Center for Dance Injuries at NYU Langone Health is the orthopedic and dance medicine consultant for The Joyce Theater Foundation. First Republic is the preferred private bank of The Joyce Theater Foundation.
JOYCE THEATER PRODUCTIONS Producer.....................................................................Ross LeClair Company Manager for Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE & Associate Producer for Joyce Theater Productions ...............................................................Meghan Rose Murphy FRONT-OF-HOUSE House Manager.................................Samantha Fernandez Assistant House Managers........Joseph Burke, Xavier DelValle, Charis Lord-Haines, Kenneth Harlin, Chikako Iwahori, Di’Shai Oquendo, Utafumi Takemura, Nicholas Thomas BOX OFFICE Box Office Manager..............................................Lisa Gendell Supervisors.............................Maeve Brady, Vanessa Moton Box Office/JoyceCharge Staff..........................Kiersten Foster, Tatiana Gomez, Yulidal Hernandez Kin, Roy Odom, Agnes Scotti, Jasmine Webb FACILITIES Facilities Manager....................................................Jimmy Ortiz Maintenance Staff.........................................Madelin Estrella, Yohanna Hernandez, Pablo Rodriguez, David Matos SPECIAL SERVICES FOR THE JOYCE THEATER Ross F. Moskowitz Esq..................................................................... .....................................................Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP Kimberly M. Maynard, Esq...................................................... ..............................................Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC J. Stephen Sheppard......................................................................... ....................Cowan DeBaets Abrahams and Sheppard LLP Harry H. Weintraub, Counsel....................................................... ...............................................................Glick and Weintraub PC Accounting...................................................................Lutz & Carr Digital Marketing Firm.........................Capacity Interactive Publicity.....................................................................Billy Zavelson Printer....................................Direct Printing Impressions Inc. Insurance..........................................Risk Strategies Company Architects.......................................................Hugh Hardy, FAIA General Contractor.....Yorke Construction Corporation Official Donut Sponsor...................................The Donut Pub Official Flower Sponsor.......The FlowerSchool New York Associate Director of Production/Lighting Coordinator for The Joyce at Chelsea Factory..............Burke Wilmore Crunch Fitness is the Official Gym Sponsor of The Joyce Theater. The Joyce Theater is a member of APAP, Dance/NYC, and Dance/USA.
THE JOYCE THEATER FOUNDATION, INC. BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Virginia A. Millhiser, Chair Amit Wadhwaney, Vice Chair Stephanie R. Breslow, Treasurer Jane E. Goldberg, Secretary
Kerry Clayton, Chair Emeritus David D. Holbrook, Chair Emeritus Stephen D. Weinroth, Chair Emeritus
R. Richard Ablon Charles M. Adelman Rob Ashford Monica F. Azare John M. Basnage de Beauval Ajay Bhandaram Tracy Brown
Keane Ehsani Ronald Gumbaz Toni Hoover Robert Musiker Susan Gluck Pappajohn Steven M. Pesner Meryl Rosofsky
Saul Sanders Linda Shelton Susan Fawcett Sosin Lauren E. Shortt Monica B. Voldstad Madelyn Wils
In Memoriam: Theodore S. Bartwink (Trustee 1993-2014), R. Britton Fisher (Trustee 1990-2020), Richard Lukins (Trustee 1998-2011), Anh-Tuyet Nguyen (Trustee 2007-2020), Richard Shea (Trustee 2015-2022)
Founders and Trustees Emeriti: Cora Cahan and Eliot Feld
ENDOWMENT CAMPAIGN The Joyce honors the following individuals, corporations, and foundations for their visionary support of our mission of advancing the vibrant and extraordinary art of dance. Funds contributed to the endowment campaign will allow The Joyce to continue its support of the dance community and to commission new work. $1 Million and above LuEsther T. Mertz Charitable Trust Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Endowment Fund Stephen and Cathy Weinroth Charitable Trust $500,000 and above Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Richard B. Fisher and Family R. Britton Fisher and Family Rockefeller Brothers Fund $250,000 and above David & Andrea Holbrook Richard A. Lukins & Karen Fry Saul & Mary Sanders Susan Fawcett Sosin $100,000 and above Anonymous (1) Alphawood Foundation Kerry Clayton & Paige Royer The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation The Estate of Dorothy Lefkof The William Randolph Hearst Foundations Lynne & Richard Pasculano Michèle & Steve Pesner The Fan Fox & Leslie R. Samuels Foundation The Starr Foundation $50,000 and above R. Richard & Margery Ablon Apollo Management, L.P. Stephanie Breslow & Paul Watterson The Coca-Cola Foundation Ronald Gumbaz & Juliet A. Cozzi JPMorgan Chase Foundation
Jerome A. and Estelle R. Newman Assistance Fund, Inc. Rudolf Nureyev Dance Foundation $25,000 and above Jane E. Goldberg Cecilia & Jim Herbert Jane Kendall & David Dietz Elysabeth Kleinhans Arnie & Susan Scharf Richard Shea Jennifer & Jonathan Allan Soros Fiona J. Tilley & Gürhan Orhan Dave Waks & Sandy Teger Chris & Lonna Yegen Carol Yorke & Gerard Conn $5,000 and above Anonymous (3) Barbara & Robert Berkley Philanthropic Fund Barbara Berliner & Sol D. Rymer The Cory & Bob Donnalley Charitable Foundation Jim & Linda Ellis Mr. & Mrs. Ira Haupt, II The Lawton W. Fitt & James I. McLaren Foundation James H. Ottaway, Jr. Kathleen A. Scott Linda Shelton Ferne Goldberg Sperling & Allan Sperling
JOYCE PROGRAMS ARE MADE POSSIBLE WITH PUBLIC FUNDS FROM: The Joyce is supported in part by an American Rescue Plan Act grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to support general operating expenses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Joyce programs are made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts; the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature; and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council with special thanks to Council Member Erik Bottcher.