THE SCHOOL OF THEATRE AND DANCE PRESENTS
DANCE IN CONCERT
Producers: Brooklyn Draper, Heidi Jones Eggert
Stage Manager: Paisley Wanamaker
Choreographers: Zoe Dehline, Jula Lauany Duarte, Hannah Dusek, Tara McFarland, Faith Morrison, Amber Moon Peterson, Noel Price-Bracey, Amy Ragsdale
Costume Coordinator: Paula Niccum
Lighting Coordinator: Terry Jorgensen
Sound/Projection Coordinator: Mike Post
*Partial fulfillment of the Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance (Junior Project)
**Partial fulfillment of the Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance (Senior Project)
MAKING ELECTRONIC OR OTHER AUDIO AND/OR VISUAL RECORDINGS OF THIS PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTING RECORDINGS OR STREAMS IN ANY MEDIUM, INCLUDING THE INTERNET, IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The School of Theatre and Dance acknowledges that these are the aboriginal territories of the Salish and Kalispel people, a number of whom are our colleagues, students, and friends. We honor the path they have always shown us in caring for this place for the generations to come.
*Es mistéʔes qe es lʔ, ci łu l ,T,atʔ̓ ayaqn u Qlispélixʷ sqlixʷúʔulexʷs t Nłʔaycčstm Kʷtis
Snacx̓ ̣łqe̓ ym̓ ín. Qe es putʔem łu Sqélixʷ m̓ im̓ éʔeye̓ ms x̣ʷl ,olqʷštulexʷ łu x̣ʷl ,qł sqlqelixʷ.
AUDIENCE STATEMENT OF EMPOWERMENT
The School of Theatre & Dance recognizes that art can provoke; therefore, during the course of this performance, patrons are empowered to leave if themes or situations make them uncomfortable.
AUDIENCE ADVISORY
“20 (or more) Questions” contains explicit language and adult themes.
“Shifting Once Again” contains explicit lyrics.
DANCE PIECES
Axé! (2022) *
Choreographer: Julia Lauany Duarte
Music: “Canto de Proteção” by Clarianas, “Amazonas” by Naná Vasconcelos, “Wind Drums” by Desert Wind, “Deep in the Ocean” by Colossal Music Trailer, “Flame” by Bhaskar Chandavarkar, “Wind Bells” by Peter Davison, “Japanese Drums” by Sound Effects Zone
Costume Designer: Paula Niccum
Lighting Designer: Terry Jorgensen
Performers: Hannah Dusek, Wren Gardner, Mia Johns, Elle Lundgren, Isabela Sant’Anna-Skites
20 (or more) Questions (2022) *
Movement Concept and Structure: Zoe Dehline
Text: “20 (or more) questions,” original spoken word written by Zoe Dehline with Karter Bernhardt, Hannah Dusek, Mia Johns, Elle Lundgren, Emma Piskolich, Isabela Sant’Anna-Skites, and Daria Porter
Sound Designer: Karter Bernhardt
Sound Assistance: Zoe Dehline, Hannah Dusek
Costume Designers: Zoe Dehline, Paula Niccum
Lighting Designer: Terry Jorgensen
Collaborators/Performers: Karter Bernhardt, Hannah Dusek, Mia Johns, Elle Lundgren, Emma Piskolich, Isabela Sant’Anna-Skites
PROGRAM NOTE: Special thanks to Josie Caringi and Daria Porter for contributions to this process and piece!
Flock (2023)
Choreographer: Amber Moon Peterson in collaboration with performers
Videographer/Editor: Amber Moon Peterson
Videography Assistance: Karter Bernhardt
Music: “Tumbling Lights” by The Acid
Performers: Lyris Daker, Hannah Dusek, Seely Garrett, McKenna Johnson, Elle Lundgren, Miranda Pernell, Emma Piskolich, Alma Stephens, Taylor Williams Guerrero
Go BE(fore) (2023)
Choreographer: Noel Price-Bracey in collaboration with performers
Rehearsal Director: Faith Morrison
Music: “Saturn Approach” and “Splendidissima insula” by Paul Matthew Moore
Costume Designer: Alessia Carpoca
Lighting Designer: Terry Jorgensen
Performers: Karter Bernhardt, Jake Cowden, Zoe Dehline, Hannah Dusek, Seely Garrett, Jaiden Hettick, Elle Lundgren, Miranda Pernell, Emma Piskolich, Rebecca White
PROGRAM NOTE: This guest-artist residency and development of original work was fully funded through an award made to Brooklyn Draper and Heidi Jones Eggert from UM’s University Grant Program (UGP).
~15-MINUTE INTERMISSION~
SELFIFY: verb selfified, selfifying 1. to be addicted to spin 2. to have an uncontrollable itch to post and check 3. to lose one’s soul (2023)
Choreographer: Amy Ragsdale and performers
Vocalist: Amy Ragsdale
Text: Amy Ragsdale and performers
Music: “Symphony No. 5 in C Minor” by Ludwig van Beethoven, “Dinner” by Cristobal Tapia De Veer, “Murmur” by man in a shed, “La Dispute” by Yann Tiersen
Costume Designer: Paula Niccum
Lighting Designer: Mike Post
Sound Designer: Karter Bernhardt
Projections: Amy Ragsdale
Performers: Karter Bernhardt, Josie Caringi, Hannah Halvorson, Elle Lundgren, Isabela Sant’Anna-Skites
Seers (2021)
Choreographer/Performer: Faith Morrison
Cinematographer: Robert Uehlin
Composer: Mike Wall
Editors: Faith Morrison and Robert Uehlin
Electro. Magneto. (2023)
Choreographer: Tara McFarland
Rehearsal Director: Emily Albright
Music: “Hyggs” by Prettybwoy, “Interlude: Slidy” by Project Trio, “Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67: I. Allegro con brio” by Ludwig van Beethoven, “My House” by Project Trio, “Electro-Magneto” by Vibrant Matters, “.breathe.” by Travis Lake
Costume Designer: Paula Niccum
Lighting Designer: Amber Moon Peterson
Projections: Tara McFarland in collaboration with Dr. Audrey Elias and UM's School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science’s Movement Science Lab
Performers: Hannah Dusek (also projection), Lyris Daker, Zoe Dehline, Taylor Ferguson, Seely Garrett, Lily Halvorson, Jaiden Hettick, Harley Hollibaugh, McKenna Johnson, Eryn Laramie, Regan Tintzman, Rebecca White, Paige Wisneski
Oyá (2023)
Choreographer/Performer: Julia Lauany Duarte
Music: “Ponto de Iansã” by Zé Maurício Machline, “Iansã” by Ilú Obá De Min
Costume Designers: Julia Duarte, Paula Niccum
Lighting Designer: Mike Post
Shifting Once Again (2022) **
Choreographer: Hannah Dusek
Music: “Tar” by Lucrecia Dalt, “The Demon Dance” by Julian Winding, “PURE/HONEY” by Beyoncé, “Fun at the Alley” by Labrinth
Costume Designers: Zoe Dehline, Liana Dillon, Hannah Dusek
Lighting Designer: Terry Jorgensen
Performers: Karter Bernhardt, Josie Caringi, Lyris Daker, Zoe Dehline, Taylor Ferguson, Wren Gardner, Hannah Halvorson, Jaiden Hettick, Mia Johns, McKenna Johnson, Eryn Laramie, Elle Lundgren, Kyli Mattfeldt, Emma Piskolich, Regan Tintzman, Rebecca White
PROGRAM NOTE: Special thanks to Liana Dillon, Sarah Gates, and Paige Wisneski for their creative contributions and all the love they put into this piece!
PRODUCERS' NOTE
It is our great pleasure to welcome you to Dance in Concert. The School of Theatre and Dance values originality, encourages experimentation, and seeks to share dances that are thoughtful, inventive, and that may challenge traditional conventions. This concert presents six live dance pieces that have been newly crafted this academic year. The student choreographers are Zoe Dehline, Julia Duarte, and Hannah Dusek. We are thrilled to produce two screendances by professional artists and educators: Faith Morrison and Amber Moon Peterson. Additional live dances are choreographed by adjunct faculty and invited guest artist Tara McFraland and nationally recognized choreographer/performer/teacher Noel Price-Bracey who has more info on their site. It has been an extraordinary honor to invite Professor Emeritus Amy Ragsdale to join us this year. Her wisdom, vision, and generosity are reminders of the deep roots and values that we hold dear in the Dance Program. To (re)introduce her to our current student body has been impactful.
While there is no single approach to making a dance, contemporary dances often utilize a highly collaborative approach, sourced from improvisational rehearsals that enable the dancers to generate much of the movement vocabulary. Later in the process, costumers, lighting designers, scenic artists and musicians interact with the choreographer and dancers, leading to a rich, multi-layered artistic experience. When so many creative artists collaborate on a single work, the sum is greater than its parts; the work belongs to no one and to everyone, all at once. We invite you to sit back and open yourself to whatever these dances bring to you.
~Brooklyn Draper and Heidi Jones Eggert
The Dance Program strives for innovation and amplification of diverse voices and is committed to advocating for inclusivity in our classrooms, in our studios, and on stage.
PRODUCTION STAFF
Production Manager: Jason McDaniel
Technical Director/Scene Shop Manager: Brian Gregoire
Scene Shop Staff: Ashley Milleson, Trevor Monsos, Jay Michael Roberts
Carpentry and Paint Crew: Wilder Ayer, Markus Charlson, Brielle Gould, Chris Lubitz, Nick Monsos, Benjamin Myers, Auna Noah, Gracie Ruiz, Kye Shaver-Graf
Prop Shop Manager: Laila Sisson
Costume Shop Manager: Jessica Lang
Costume Shop Staff: Emi Cerro, Ember Cuddy, Brenna Holgate, Jamie Howard, Megan Johnson, Auna Noah, Eleanor O’Brien, Jurate Varanavicius, Molly White
Costume Construction Crew: Ayla Andersen, Karter Bernhardt, Morgan Best, Liv Carmichael, Emi Cerro, Dani Clark, Alicia Griggs, Terra Honaker, Brynn Hughes, Emily Kirkpatrick, Kairi Lising, Eleanor O’Brien, Tye Schritz, Alma Stephens, Audrey Sylling, Regan Tintzman
Light/Sound Shop Manager: Terry Jorgensen
Lead Electrician: Terry Jorgensen
Projection Engineer: Mike Post
Light Shop Staff: Peter Fedock, Kendall Skoog
Light Hang and Focus Crew: Elise Clayton, Morgan Davis, Peter Fedock, Jamie Howard, Brady Grenfell, Jules Jensen, Andy Lottis, Chris Lubitz, Cubby Rodda, Gracie Ruiz, Rae Scott, Kendall Skoog, Jurate Varanavicius
Light Board/Projection Operator: Natalie Renk
Sound Board Operator: Rikky Johnson
Scenery/Props Crew: Octavio Jimenez, Conner Rorie
Wardrobe Crew: Emi Cerro, Harley Hollibaugh
House Manager: Sara Kutz-Yeager
House Manager Trainee: Lucy Schindler
GUEST ARTISTS
Noel Price-Bracey is a contemporary creator from Detroit, MI. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Western Michigan University in 2014, Noel moved to Seattle, WA, where she began her professional career as an artist, arts advocate, and educator.
In 2016 Noel wrote and performed her one-woman play Death and Other Rude Things at the once vibrant and beloved Pocket Theater in Greenwood. She performed live with cellist Gretchen Yanover at McCaw Hall for TEDx Seattle 2019 and received a SeattleDances “DanceCrush Award” for her commitment to advocacy through dance that same year. Price-Bracey presented at the Dance Educators Association of Washington Conference (2020) and the Vashon Center for the Arts “Shaping Movement: An Embodied Conversation on Dance and Body Image” panel in 2021 while acting as chair for the Black Alumni Advisory Council (BAAC) of West Michigan University. Noel developed as a dance educator by teaching for many dance institutions such as Cornish College of the Arts (2019-2021) and eXitSPACE School of Dance (2015-2021). Price-Bracey was commissioned to set work for the 2021 Gonzaga Law Human Rights Conference held in Florence, Italy. The creation, titled “Pay the Price,” explored the past and present narrative of racial and systemic injustice through the lens of the oppressor.
Noel’s passions led her to establish PRICEarts LLC in 2015. As the Executive Director and founding member of the Seattle-based PRICEarts Never Ending Work dance project, Noel continues to help uphold the company mission to empower communities to find freedom through art. Noel seeks to model this mission of finding freedom in her life and teaching.
Amy Ragsdale is a writer and choreographer living in Missoula, MT. After earning a BA in Art History from Harvard, Amy performed with several modern dance companies in Boston and New York. On moving to Montana, she was hired to head the Dance Program at the University of Montana and earned an MA in Movement Studies from Wesleyan. She went on to become a full professor, establish two dance companies (Mo-Trans with colleague Karen Kaufmann and Headwaters Dance Co.), earn UM’s award for Outstanding Faculty, and be honored with a 2009 Governor’s Arts Award for the State of Montana. Amy has taught dance on four other continents and had her site-specific dance work shown on CNN’s “World News” (as well as up every Missoula drainage for the Headwaters’ Bus Tours). Her travel memoir, Crossing the River: A Life in Brazil, was published in 2015—the year she closed her dance company. She is just delighted to have this opportunity to be back on campus working with such smart, motivated, talented students.
Originally from Salmon, ID, Tara McFarland studied dance at Mills College and Arizona State University and holds a BS in Dance from the University of Idaho and an MS in Dance Science from the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance (City University of London). She has danced professionally with Bare Bait Dance for the last six years and previously danced for Relay Dance Collective, Converge Dance Festival, Evolving Doors Dance, and Louder than Words Dancetheatre, and guested with 3rd Law Dance/Theatre. Tara has had choreography featured in BBD's Springboard (2018, 2021), Ballet Arts Academy’s Studio Company, Studio M’s Competition Company, and Garden City Ballet's The Nutcracker. She is currently on the dance faculty at Studio M, Ballet Arts Academy, and the University of Montana.
Faith Morrison was born in the tundra of Alaska and grew up dancing in the Rocky Mountains of Montana. She serves as an adjunct faculty member in the University of Montana School of Theatre and Dance and as the director of the College of the Arts and Media’s Creative Pulse summer graduate program. Her choreographic research combines elements of site-specific dance and screendance to investigate the creation and conveyance of a kinesthetic experience of place. Engaging in a collaborative creative process, Faith seeks to utilize dance and film as mediums to explore a physical, emotional, and sensual experience of place.
SPECIAL THANKS
Heather Adams
Shannon Flanagan
William Muñoz
Neva Oliver
The adjunct faculty in Dance who share their talents and love with our students: Joy French, Tara McFarland, Faith Morrison, Tarn Ream, and Laurel Sears
TALENT SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT 2022-2023
Hannah Dusek
Growing up in Chicago, Illinois, I was constantly surrounded by the arts and found dancing to be my passion at the young age of two. Training with my pre-professional company (Beyond Words Dance Company, under the instruction of Kate Jablonski) for eight years, I could not deny the drive and passion I had for dance and knew that it was always going to be a part of my life. Graduating from Beyond Words in 2019 allowed me to start discovering my own unique artistry through movement. Using my own experiences, emotion, and education to drive this curiosity, I was able to find a sense of comfort and strength through movement.
The fire within me fueled my determination to constantly create and move throughout my time here at the University of Montana. Once joining this amazing program in 2019, I was showered with innumerable opportunities that were graciously given to me through the love the faculty have for each one of us artists. Putting every ounce of my being into the training I’m getting here at UM has been one of the best experiences in my life … especially thanks to Brooklyn Draper and Heidi Jones Eggert, two powerhouse women who believed in me from the start. Had they not pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and find the true artist that lived right in my heart, I would not be where I am.
Performing and training in many styles including contemporary, lyrical, jazz, hip-hop, ballet, and tap have been most of my career up until my time at UM. The Dance Program of the School of Theatre and Dance introduced me to the modern style of movement; through this, I have been challenged and so beautifully introduced to the world of modern dance. The program allows for us artists to fully dive into our creative skills by consistently being shown the ins and outs of choreography and performance while being given the ability to create and showcase our own works from the very first day we walk through the studio doors. I am constantly inspired by my fellow majors, who have turned into the best family for which I could have ever asked. I want to thank all of them from the bottom of my heart for all the love and support they give me and give this program.
I am beyond grateful to have been awarded the Talent Scholarship and appreciate the help and encouragement it will bring to my senior year. This would not be possible without the generosity of donors or the encouragement from audience members, so thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. I am so honored to continue feeding my passion for dance through my senior year under this scholarship title and into the future. It is through your support and encouragement that performing artists continue to create and be seen. Thank you for believing in us and in our art.
UM THEATRE AND DANCE STUDENTS SUPPORTED BY
Ballet Beyond Borders Scholarship; Charles Ross Capps, Sr., and Agnes Ranjo Capps Scholarship; George & Louise Caras Scholarship; James Caras Family Scholarships; Sarah Crump Memorial Scholarship; Alexander & Virginia Dixon Dean Scholarships; W.K. & Alice Dwyer Scholarship Endowment; William P. Gillespie Scholarship; Riki Gordon Scholarship; Donal Harrington Scholarships; Bill Kliber Endowment for the Arts Scholarship: Jim Kriley Memorial Scholarship; Mary Cardell Moore and Robert & Florence Cardell Awards; Mott Ranch Scholarship; Odyssey of the Stars Scholarships; Sarah Ottley Memorial Scholarship; Sheila M. Sullivan Scholarship; Talent Scholarship; Thespian Scholarships; UM Dance Days Scholarships; Dick & Marith Willis Scholarships; May Carol Zeman Award
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DANCE IMPACT FUND
Thank you to Shannon Flanagan and our generous giving community for supporting the Dance Program this year! We are inspired by your support for our students.
Do you want to make a difference and help UM students keep dancing? Click this Donate link and select the Dance Impact Fund. Your gift of any amount supports our students as they pursue careers and lives of meaning.