HCCDF 2023
September 29 & 30
Aerial Dance Chicago
Electric Current
“Electric Current” is inspired by the electricity that exists within relationships and within a community - a flow of energy, connecting us and charging us as we move through life. This piece was born out of the pandemic, with the suspended fabric rigging design and the choreography created to uphold physical distancing requirements of the time. But, even with distance in-between, there is an invisible electric current that still connects us together.
CHOREOGRAPHERS: CHLOE JENSEN AND KAREN FISHER DOYLE
MUSIC: SI BEGG
LIGHTING DESIGN: JACOB SNODGRASS
PERFORMERS: KATIE HARMON, CHLOE JENSEN, CINDY JOHNSON, HANNAH JOHNSON, TATIANA CASTAÑEDA
ORIGINAL RIGGING CONCEPT AND DESIGN BY CHLOE JENSEN
RIGGING BY KIP CONWELL
2. The Seldoms
Reroute En Route
“Reroute En Route” was created within The Seldoms’ “Toolbox” project; a translation process between visual and dance artists, designed to engender new dancemaking tools. Maggie was paired with painter Jackie Kazarian; through that dialogue, Maggie forged a new tool – “masking” which was defined as “play with diverting flow and cutting pathways, by shifting quality and direction often and quickly.” This solo employs that tactic as a base and starting point.
CHOREOGRAPHER: Maggie Vannucci
MUSIC: Sima Cunningham
COSTUMES: Maggie Vannucci
PERFORMERS: Maggie Vannucci
Projection/Paintings by Jackie Kazarian
3. Mordine Legacy Project & BraveSoul Movement
Collisons II, A Line Through
Originally debuted in 2018, “Collisions II, A Line Through”, is the premier collaboration between Mordine & Company Dance Theater and BraveSoul Movement. This work is a further examination of Shirley Mordine’s “Collisions”, which addressed ideas of immediate impact on our lives: tensions between generations, cultures, and ideologies. This project is a culmination of the depth, history, invention, teaching, and collaborations that Shirley Mordine experienced through her years of exploration. While still relevant today, it continues to be re-imagined through themes and insights of the current cast.
CHOREOGRAPHY: Shirley Mordine & Kelsa Rieger-Haywood, in collaboration with the dancers
MUSIC: Score Arranged by Fred Simon
COSTUMES: Kelsa Rieger-Haywood & Melissa Pillarella
PERFORMERS: Mordine Legacy Project Dancers: Danielle Gilmore, Melissa Pillarella, & Emily Stepleton
BraveSoul Movement Dancers: Lani “Jiig” Anderson, Taraja Mumbeja, & Wyatt “Willard” Sutter
4. Elijah Richardson
Last/First Breath
"Last/First Breath" expresses the precious breath of life. From lamenting over lost loved ones to breathing in relief that comes from letting go of control, we all can have hope in the one true Lord Jesus Christ who gives us breath till the end…to our new beginning.
CHOREOGRAPHER: Elijah richardson
MUSIC: "Exhale" by Jonsi, "Holding the Contradiction" by The Brilliance
COSTUMES: Elijah Richardson
performer: elijah richardson
5. Tristen Sanborn
Hold Dear (recall)
“Hold Dear (recall)” is an exploration of the ideas around memory. Seeing how our memories of people, experiences and places shift, and how we go about the acceptance of letting go and continuing forth. The piece was created by Tristen for his final BFA Capstone concert with Columbia College Chicago.
CHOREOGRAPHER: Tristen Sanborn
MUSIC: AGF, F. S. Blumm, The Vernon Spring, and SAULT
PERFORMERS: Adam Salame, Isis Schmugge, Jayda Heflin, Charles Pierson, Amaya Arroyo, Taylor Wren, Alyson Owens, Konnie Kakridas
special thanks: To Carrie Hanson for her great guidance; to the cast, who helped shape this work through collaboration; and lastly to the powerful film crew who helped direct the dance film created in tandem with the live performance.
6. Jacksonville Dance Theatre
Protecting Sparsity
Choreographed in 2014, Rebecca R. Levy’s theatrical work, “Protecting Sparsity” originally created as a response to the artist's constant questions about her body, and how to reconcile how to let oneself be truly seen on-stage. Now danced by company member Sarah Gowdy, the work asks the question: What does it mean to present oneself, authentically, for an audience.
CHOREOGRAPHER: Rebecca R. Levy
MUSIC: Mark Snyder, Ludwig Van Beethoven
LIGHTING DESIGN:
Costumes: Rebecca R. Levy courtesy of Jacksonville University
PERFORMERS: Sarah Gowdy
artwork by: Mico Fuentes
7. Giordano II
G-Force
Autumn Eckman’s “G-Force” uses widely inventive and unique patterns and partnering to express the scientific principal of g-force, the acceleration on a body in motion.
CHOREOGRAPHER: autumn eckman
MUSIC: Starkey
COSTUMES: Branimira Ivanova
ORIGINAL LIGHTING DESIGN: Kam Hobbs
DANCERS: George Brous, Gina Daugherty, Emma Kempson, Talia Luzzo, Simon Schuh, Analysse Vance
INTERMISSION
8. Joel Hall Dancers
Etude en Jazz #4
Choreographed by Joel Hall, “Etude en Jazz #4” is a study in Jazz/house music. This is the fourth of five studies, which are A SIGNATURE of Joel Hall's Urban Jazz technique, combining classic dance with club influences.
CHOREOGRAPHER: Joel Hall
MUSIC: the Kikumoto Allstars
LIGHTING DESIGN: Jacob snodgrass
Costumes: Alice Broughton, Heather Zimny, and William Gill
PERFORMERS: Michelle Bronstein, Julie Matolo, Melissa Metro, Dorianne Thomas, Kristin vollmer, Heather Zimny
9. Movement Migration
Traces
"Traces" explores power dynamics, empathy, and reflection on the memory of a loved one. Anne O’Donnell Passero is a freelance performing artist based in Chicago and New York City. Recently completing a decade-long career with Martha Graham Dance Company as a Soloist. For full bio, see https://movementmigration.org
CHOREOGRAPHER: kim jones
MUSIC: Roberto Cacciapaglia edited by Alex Davis
COSTUMES: Wendy Yang
PERFORMER: Anne O’Donnell Passero
10. Elijah Motley
Your Applause Please
"Your Applause Please" is a duet that sparks a conversation about the significance of applause. Beginning with an upbeat and lively tone that reflects the excitement of performing, the duet gradually becomes more contemplative and introspective. Eventually, Nina Simone's voice joins the dialogue, ushering in themes of time, relationships, and the delicate art of letting go.
CHOREOGRAPHER: Elijah Motley in collaboration with the dancers
MUSIC: Alain Romains and Nina Simone
PERFORMERS: James Morrow and Megan Thompson
11. Purus Motus
Capstone
“Capstone” is a dance film that was created to depict the intricacies of always having to climb uphill in all the impositions and facets of life as people of color. Whether it be protecting women, going at it alone between the sexes or even as a group.
CHOREOGRAPHER: Daniel Williams
MUSIC: Arca
Costumes: Daniel Williams and Katie Carey
PERFORMERS: Rachel “Prysm” Johnson, Dion “iCrisis” Randle, Kiana “KrYme aka Street Kaution” Cook,
Eddie “Blaxx” Skinner, Tavares “K-Dot” Marshall
12. Emma Draves & Helen Money
Obscured Graphite
“Obscured Graphite” explores the making and unmaking of identity as an individual evolves, adapts, and responds to the passing of a life. Like a penciled self-portrait, the clear image disrupted as the graphite particles are smudged by the artist’s own hand. The essence remains, though - tenacity concealed under action.
CHOREOGRAPHER: Emma Draves
MUSIC: Helen Money
LIGHTING DESIGN: jacob snodgrass
Costumes: Emma Draves
PERFORMERS: dancer, Emma Draves
cellist, Alison Chesley
13. MitchellMovement
All You Need Is
All You Need Is…” premiered with New Dances 2015 and toured the US as part of Thodos Dance Chicago repertoire. The work was also showcased with Chicago Repertory Ballet and Washington & Lee University. It is a charming spoof and satire inspired by love and connection.
CHOREOGRAPHER: Taylor Mitchell
MUSIC: Stephane Wrembel, Czech National Symphony Orchestra, Francois Parisi, Claude Lutur et son orchestra
COSTUMES: Taylor Mitchell
PERFORMERS: Jade Hooper, Cameron Lasater, Sydney Markert, Taylor Mitchell, Joe Musiel, Carrie Ruiz, Ricky Ruiz
Special Thanks: Thank you Wade Schaaf for your support with the props/costumes of this work. Huge thanks to all the generous underwriters of this rewarding project.
THANK YOU!
HCCDF IS PRODUCED BY NICOLE GIFFORD DANCE
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR: jACOB SNODGRASS
HOUSE MANAGER: SUZANNE WROBEL
Board of Directors: Joshua Blake Carter, Jim Gifford, Nicole Gifford, Danielle Gilmore
Special thanks to Rachele Black, umraan Sayed and all of our volunteers
This show was made possible by the generosity of donors like you, we appreciate your continued efforts to help keep modern dance alive and thriving in the city of Chicago and beyond.
If you would like to learn more about HCCDF, donate to our organization or be among the first to learn of next year’s show, visit us here https://www.hccdf.com/support.