Versa Style

FALL LINEUP 9

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SEP

OCT

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SEP VERSA STYLE Kingsbury Hall

REDUCED SHAKESPEARE Kingsbury Hall

Libby Gardner Concert Hall

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Nov

Nov

ELEPHANT & PIGGIE’S “WE ARE IN A PLAY!”

RAGAMALA DANCE COMPANY

Kingsbury Hall

MATT HAIMOVITZ

Kingsbury Hall

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Nov

INFORMED CONSENT Moot Courtroom in the S.J. Quinney College of Law

NANCY PEERY MARRIOTT

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LDA National Sport with a Side of Utility 420LDANX-P61704 420LDANX-P61643 C Playbill

Versa Style Dance Company

SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 7:30 PM

Please turn off all cell phones, pagers and other noisemakers.

The taking of photographs, and audio or video recordings is strictly prohibited.

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IDEA TEAM Account Executive: Project Manager: Executive Creative Director: Creative Director: Copywriter: Producer 1: Strategic Planner: Cost Control Specialist: Art Studio:

Rachel Clark Dawn Cochr Jason Stins Patrick Doug Scott Ivener Nick Bernal Ashleigh Ed Jorge Vallad Lisa Shiozaki

Program

Wonderful World Legacy They Don’t Hear Us Breaking Point Alone My Zion intermission Big Brother Full of Fire Oh Woman Box of Hope Moving Forward Move in Love

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About the Company

Versa Style is a dance ensemble that consists of young, committed and conscientious artists representing the diversity and beautiful complexity of Los Angeles. We create highly energetic work that fuses dances that are culturally significant to our community. These forms include Hip-Hop styles such as 90s Hip-Hop, House, Popping, Locking, Whacking and Boogaloo, and Afro- Latin styles such as Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia and Afro-Cuban to name a few. As a reaction to the widespread media misrepresentation of these dance forms, Versa-Style specifically aims to perform for the youth of Los Angeles to instill the roots, history, and social and political issues surrounding the art of our generation. Hip-Hop breaks color lines by creating a forum where people come together for a common passion rather than grouping themselves by race or socioeconomic backgrounds. Versa-Style demonstrates freedom of expression, freedom of individuality, hard work, self-discipline and dedication to the form.

VERSA STYLE

Artistic Directors Biography Jackie Lopez aka Miss Funk & Leigh Foaad aka Breeze-lee are the Founders and Artistic Directors of Versa-Style Dance Company.

Together they share a common passion for dance and performance, this connection resulted in the creation of Versa-Style in 2005. As LA Natives, they embrace the culture and honor the history/legacy of Hip-hop dance by passing it on to the future generations. They have been guest choreographers for Santa Monica College, LA Valley College, Columbia College and University of Utah. Lopez and Foaad served as cultural ambassadors for the U.S. through the Arts Envoy Cultural Exchange Program in which they were able to perform, teach and lecture in countries such as Israel, Egypt, India, and Colombia. As a mainstay of Hip-hop culture, Lopez and Foaad have traveled to several Hip-hop dance battles nationally and internationally, winning many victory titles in places such as Korea, Italy, Canada and France. In addition, Jackie and Leigh’s biography premiered in their documentary “Furious Beauty” at the LA Film Festival where it garnered glowing reviews. Most recently, they were awarded with a Lester Horton Artist Appreciation Award presented by the Dance Resource Center in June 2015. Currently, they are both Adjunct Lecturers for UCLA’s World Arts and Cultures/Dance Dept. They owe a lot of their fortune to the legends and culture of Hip-hop.

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UtahPresents Thanks

About the Company

NANCY PEERY MARRIOTT ALICE AND KEVIN STEINER

for supporting this performance of Versa Style Dance Company

Performer Bios Jackie Lopez

Co-Founder & Artistic Director since 2005 Jackie Lopez is a first generation Los Angeles native. She was the first in her family to graduate high school, continue her education in LA Valley College, transfer to a UC and graduate. This was all due to the impact of the arts in her life. Jackie graduated Summa Cum Laude from UCLA in 2004 from the Department of World Arts and Cultures, with a concentration in dance. For the last 18 years, Jackie has been working as a professional dancer, choreographer, teaching artist and cultural educator. She has worked with students and artists of all ages from LA, NYC, Philly, Israel, United Kingdom, France, Columbia and India. She currently is Adjunct Lecturer at UCLA’s Dept. of World Arts and Cultures teaching Hip-hop dance and is the Director of the UCLA Summer Dance/ Performing Arts Intensive for high school students. She is also currently the Executive Director for The Flourish Foundation, which is non-profit private philanthropic organization, which began as a response to lack of funding in the arts.

Leigh Foaad

Co-Founder & Artistic Director since 2005 Leigh Foaad aka Breeze-Lee, since birth, has been exposed to dance. His vocabulary ranges from a wide variety of styles from Classical Ballet to Hip-Hop. He has been working w/ Rennie Harris “Puremovement” since 2005 and experienced being a Cultural Ambassador for the United States, touring the Middle East and he is grateful for all the opportunities. He currently is Adjunct Lecturer at UCLA’s Dept. of World Arts and Cultures teaching Hip-hop dance and at Everybody Dance, where he takes pride in teaching the history and culture of Hip-Hop to the young community of today. He toured nationally and internationally with John Tesh as the first and only featured Hip-Hop dancer. He choreographed & was featured in the PBS special “ALIVE Music & Dance”, as well as setting choreography in numerous states in the USA. As a leader and member of Versa-Style Dance Company he is determined to express and share the knowledge and importance of Hip-Hop culture, while providing high intensity movement and passion for all artists around him.

Harry Weston

Principle Dancer since 2009 & Company Manager since 2012 Harry Weston grew up in Santa Cruz, California, surrounded by West African dance and drumming, his first artistic inspirations. He found hip-hop at the age of 8, but only later discovered his true love of not only hip-hop dance, but hip-hop culture and history itself, changing his life forever. At the age of 18, he moved to Los Angeles to study dance at UCLA where he met Jackie Lopez and Leigh Foaad, who eventually asked him to join their hip-hop dance-theater company, Versa-Style, in 2009. He has since traveled all over the world teaching and performing in places such Continued on next page

Performer Bios as India, Israel, Philadelphia, Oregon, New York, and San Francisco. In 2012, after graduating UCLA with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in World Arts and Cultures with a concentration in Dance, plus a minor in Civic Engagement.

Alli Gray

Principle Dancer since 2009 & Rehearsal Director since 2014 Allison “Alli” Gray is a dancer, choreographer, and teacher based in Los Angeles, California. Stepping onto the performing stage at the age of five, Alli has continued to pursue dance as her greatest life passion. Her versatile training and knowledge includes such dance styles as Hip Hop, West African, Modern and Contemporary. She graduated from UCLAʼs Department of World Arts and Cultures with a concentration in Dance in June 2010 and has since been very active in the dance education and performance world. She shares her strong passion and commitment to the arts by teaching and directing an after-school dance program at the East Los Angeles Performing Arts Magnet. Alli has been a member of Versa-Style Dance Company since 2009 and continues to be inspired to grow as an artist. She so grateful for the training, knowledge, and experience this family has provided!

Ernesto Galarza

Original Member of VSNG in 2009, Principle Dancer since 2013 & Social Media & Marketing Director since 2015 Ernesto Galarza a.k.a. “Precise” was born on January 7, 1993 in Sylmar, Ca, but has lived in the city of Pacoima, Ca his entire life. Ernesto first met Jackie Lopez aka Miss Funk through an after school program in the sixth grade at his middle school, Lakeview Charter Academy. Later Jackie helped him apply to receive some scholarships from the Flourish Foundation to take Hip Hop dance courses at the Jonette Swider Dance Center where Jackie then introduced him to Leigh Foaad. Ernesto Galarza was one of the original members of Versa-Style Next Generation starting in 2009, but is now a Principle Dancer and Social Media and Marketing Director for the Company. He graduated from UCLA in 2015 and has now been dancing Hip-hop for about 12 years. Ernesto continues to learn from and train with Jackie and Leigh and only wishes to pass on his knowledge and inspire the future generations.

Jackie Oka

Original Member of VSNG in 2010, Principle Dancer since 2012 & School Programs Coordinator since 2015 Jackie Oka a.k.a. “Okami” was born on August 30th, 1993 in Harbor City.

She has been dancing since the age of seven in various styles. Originally trained in jazz, Oka discovered Hip-hop dance at age 14 when she made the youth team, Future Shock Los Angeles. Three years later, Jackie was invited to join Versa-Style Next Generation. She has been involved with the company ever since 2010. In June 2015, Oka graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelor’s of Arts from the department

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Performer Bios of World Arts and Cultures/Dance, and a minor in Visual and Performing Arts Education. During her time there, she trained in Post-modern, West African, Improvisation, and Hip-hop. Oka’s biggest achievement as an undergraduate was being one of three producers for the only student-run production, WACSmash’D. Currently, Jackie is a Principle Dancer for Versa-Style Dance Company, where she is able to perform nationally and internationally with some of her best friends. Oka is also the School Programs Coordinator for Versa-Style, where she coordinates performances and workshops for various schools in the Los Angeles County. Oka truly believes in giving back to the youth and surrounding communities. She could not think of a better way to combine two of her passions, dancing and working with youth. While Jackie is continuously training as a dancer and artist, she is also mentoring students at UCLA and pursuing an acting career.

Alex Almarez

Original Member of VSNG in 2010 & Principle Dancer since 2014 Alex Almaraz a.k.a “Swift”, is a Los Angeles native who began to surround himself with other like-minded Hip-hop artists in high school. His passion for dance has led him to expand his knowledge in Hip-hop dance and culture, while also continuing his education in college. Alex is currently a junior at UCLA majoring in Dance. Alex is currently a Hip-Hop teaching artist at Esteban Torres High School. Alex began dancing with Versa style Next Generation in 2011 and has recently joined Versa-Style’s Core company. Versa-Style has provided opportunities for him to inspire the youth of Los Angeles as well as touring within the US. His love and passion for Hip-hop dance is what he hope to instill throughout the community.

Cynthia Hernandez

Original Member of VSNG in 2009 & Core Dancer since 2014 Cynthia Hernandez a.k.a “C-Soul” was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. Her passion for dance arose in 2006 when she met her mentors, Jackie Lopez and Leigh Foaad. In 2009, Cynthia was asked to join Versa-Style’s Junior Company (Versa Style Next Generation). There, her vocabulary in dance widened in a variety in styles such as House, Popping, Locking and Hip Hop social dances. Her hard work and dedication moved Cynthia up from Junior Company member to Core Dancer in Versa-Style.

She is currently attending Cal State University Northridge where she plans to earn her Bachelors of Science in Public Health. Cynthia aspires to connect her love for dance and passion for nutrition by raising awareness to her community on the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. Through her work, she aims to promote health while educating and inspiring the youth through Hip-hop dance and culture. She is very grateful to Jackie Lopez and Leigh Foaad for taking her under their wing and granting her the opportunity to be apart of such a beautiful movement.

Continued on next page

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Performer Bios Anthony Berry

Original Member of VSNG in 2009, Principle Dancer since 2011 Anthony Berry a.k.a. “Berry Groove” was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. He graduated from Community Charter Early College High School in 2010, and is currently attending Cal State Northridge as a Journalism Media major in hopes to have an Underground Hip-hop Radio station. During his junior year of high school he was introduced to Jackie Lopez and Leigh Foaad. He began training with Jackie and Leigh in Hip-hop dance, and his commitment led him to be an original member of Versa-Style Next Generation. After performing with Versa-Style Next Generation in Versa-Style’s “Positive Dose” in October 2011, Anthony was asked to join the core company, with whom he has been dancing with for 5 years now. He has loved dance ever since he can remember, and he puts his heart and soul into every performance and battle he participates in.

Sandy Vasquez

Member of VSNG in 2015 & Core Dancer since 2016 Sandy Vazquez a.k.a “Queen Flava” was born and raised in the City of Los Angeles. She identifies as a Xicana mujerista, first generation, daughter of undocumented immigrants, and artist– among other things. She has been dancing since the age of 6 and has been focusing on the movement and culture of Hip-hop since she joined Versa-Style Dance Company in 2015. Vazquez recently graduated from UCLA where she double majored in Dance and Chicana/o Studies. She hopes to continue focusing her energies in this field and help bring access to Arts Education in underrepresented communities throughout Los Angeles.

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TEDxSALTLAKECITY • SEPTEMBER 17

Kingsbury Hall Join us for the 4th annual TEDxSaltLakeCity event.

Enjoy a captivating, mind-expanding day of cutting-edge ideas as speakers and performing artists take us on a journey through our 2016 theme, Meraki, a Greek word meaning the soul, creativity, or love you put into something. You’ll leave surprised, awakened, and proud to be part of this community.

REDUCED SHAKESPEARE COMPANY: “THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF AMERICA (ABRIDGED)” • SEPTEMBER 24 Kingsbury Hall In this ninety-minute rollercoaster ride through the glorious quagmire that is American History, The Reduced Shakespeare Company tackles such controversial questions as: Who really discovered America? Why did Abe Lincoln free the slaves? How many Democrats does it take to screw in a lightbulb? Celebrate (or escape!) the election season with this hilarious take on our nation’s history.

SOUNDS OF CHINA • OCTOBER 2

Libby Gardner Concert Hall IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE Virtuoso soloists from the world-renowned National Chinese Traditional Orchestra will present a special celebration of Confucius Institute Day and kick off Chinese Culture Week on campus with this unforgettable performance.

Showcasing traditional Chinese folk music and instruments, this FREE event will highlight both contemporary Chinese and western classical music.

MATT HAIMOVITZ • “A MOVEABLE FEAST: THE BACH SUITES” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . October 7 ELEPHANT & PIGGIE’S “WE ARE IN A PLAY” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . November 5 RAGAMALA DANCE COMPANY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . November 12 INFORMED CONSENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . November 18 THE 7TH ANNUAL LOWER LIGHTS CHRISTMAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . December 5-10 Tickets and information at utahpresents.org

Donors Western States Arts Federation XMISSION

$25,000 + Anonymous Nancy Peery Marriott Foundation, Inc. Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts & Parks Steiner Foundation, Inc. $10,000–$24,999 Art Works For Kids Ezekiel R. Dumke, Jr. George Q. Morris Foundation Hampton Inn National Endowment for the Arts John and Marcia Price Family Foundation Salt Lake City Arts Council Sorenson Legacy Foundation Utah Division of Arts & Museums Wheeler Foundatios $5,000–$9,999 R. Harold Burton Foundation The M Lazy M Foundation Mountain West Small Business Finance Dinesh and Kalpana Patel Foundation Steven F. and Annette L. Suite

$1,000–$2,499 The Castle Foundation Sue J. Ellis Michael Feehan and Margaret M. DeAngelis John K. and Ilauna J. Gurr Audrey M. and Lee A. Hollaar Geoff and Jonette Mangum Robert E. and Mikelle Schlupp Mansfield Christine G. and Kurt Micek Peter J. and Michelle B. Morgan Robert and Barbara Patterson Memorial Foundation Jerry R. and Linda Rowley Summit Sotheby’s International Realty Jacquelyn Wentz $500–$999 Joni G, Glynn and Ty B. Fredrickson Lori K. McDonald Margaret Sargent

$250–$499 Eric N. and Shellie M. Eide Richard L. and Darlene Hirschi Kathie K. and Charles H. $2,500–$4,999 Horman Every Blooming Thing Jones, Waldo, Holbrook & Jeri N. and Richard P. Pugh Robert T. and Diane K. McDonough, PC Rolfs National Wood Products V. Randall and Susan F. Parsons Behle & Latimer Turpin Prince Yeates & Geldzahler R. Kyle Treadway and Greg Pedroza

$100–$249 Carolyn C. Abravanel Carson Anderson Brent and Cheri Andrus Charitable Trust Don P. and Jennifer Barlow Ina E. and John C. Barnish Ann P. and Paul S. Bernstein Richard Creer Bird Jessica Marie Bledsoe Darrel S. and Anne E. Brodke Katherine R. Brown Mark V. Christison Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Amalia L. Cochran Lawrence E. Coffman Patricia Cook Patrick S. and Lynn E. deFreitas Sandra Degraff Zach Emig Cynthia F. and Jeff Fleming Ginger Lee Fletcher G. Donald and Doris C. Gale Lil A. and Stan R. Graves Barbara J. and E. Dean Hamblin Janet K. and H. Ric Harnsberger Sarah Hecox Rosanne G. and Gary S. Henderson Jessica Henning Grant W. and Lunda Hicinbotham Brooke Horejsi Thelma P. Iker Jeffrey K. Jensen Robert R. and Sharon G. Kain David and Lisa Kieda Scott Kingsbury

Carolyn G. and Peter J.Kowalchik Siew Hong Lam Robina H. and Elliott Levine Vicki W. and David J. Mackay Anne and Stevan M. Madrigal Rory D. Mahony Suzanne Maloney Nicholas G. and Louise M. Morgan Melina Barr Nicolatus Ingrid Nygaar and Charles Saltzman Linda C. and Chris B. Oberle Renee Olesen W. Bradley and Connie Poss Purjes Foundation John M. Robbins and Heather Ambrose Alisa Ross Salt Lake Legal Defenders Association Michelle Seghini Shelly Sessions Alan K. and Paige P. Stotts Annette Tybur William and Donna R. Vogel David E. Waid and Elizabeth W. Young Lynn R. and Holly F. Webster Regina W. and Richard V. Williams Jacqueline Wittmeyer and Christopher P. Hill Cathie Zimmerman And other anonymous donors

All gifts made between January 1 and December 31, 2015.

UTAHPRESENTS ADVISORY BOARD Krista Sorenson, Chair Margaret Billings Bill Bireley Havilah Clarke Troy D’Ambrosio Michael Feehan Mike Ferro

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Jake Garn Don Gale Dave Gessel Marian Ingham Ti Kinikini David Kirby Geoffrey Mangum

Robert Mansfield Lori McDonald Chrissy Micek Alice Steiner R. Kyle Treadway Raymond Tymas-Jones

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UTAHPRESENTS STAFF Brooke Horejsi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Executive Director John Armstrong. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Events Manager

Dennis Busch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Development Specialist Brooke Day. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ticket Office Manager

Stephanie Gosdis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Event and Administrative Coordinator Janet Graham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Finance Manager Ryan Ireland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant Box Office Manager

Sheri Jardine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Communications Manager

Keven Myhre. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operations Director Jennie Nicholls-Smith.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Associate Director of Development Cody Watkins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Production Manager Robin Wilks-Dunn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Community Engagement Manager

Steve Wimmer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stage Manager Dan Miller, President; Cynthia Bell Snow, Office Administrator; Jackie Medina, Art Director; Leslie Hanna, Ken Magleby, Patrick Witmer, Graphic Design; Paula Bell, Karen Malan, Dan Miller, Paul Nicholas, Advertising Representatives; Jessica Alder, Office Assistant; Ruth Gainey Administrative Assistant The UTAHPRESENTS, Versa playbill is published by Mills Publishing, Inc.,772 East 3300 South, Suite 200, Salt Lake City, Utah 84106 Phone: 801.467.8833 Email: advertising@millspub.com Website: millspub.com Mills Publishing produces playbills for many performing arts groups. Advertisers do not necessarily agree or disagree with content or views expressed on stage. Please contact us for playbill advertising opportunities. Copyright 2016.

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Thank you to the people of Salt Lake County for supporting Zoo, Arts and Parks

George Q. Morris Foundation M Lazy M Foundation Wheeler Foundation The Steiner Foundation

Dinesh and Kalpana Patel Ezekiel Dumke, Jr. Kevin and Alice Steiner Lee and Audrey Hollaar

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Patron Information

• In the event of an emergency, please walk to the

nearest exit and follow instructions given by theatre personnel and ushers. Auditorium exits are clearly marked with lighted exit signs above each door.

Move away from the building to a safe place.

• Children under six are not admitted to

performances. All patrons must have a ticket regardless of age. Lap sitting is not allowed.

• Lost and found is located in the ticket office or by

asking the house manager. Please leave your name,

• Late-comers will be seated in accordance with the seating guidelines of the individual production.

• Cameras and recording devices are strictly

forbidden unless permission for their use is

authorized in writing by theatre management.

• Ticket office is located on the lower plaza at

Kingsbury Hall, east of the main staircase. For

phone number and description of the lost item with the ticket office (581-7100) or house manager.

• Disabled parking is located on the east side of Kingsbury Hall via Presidents Circle.

• Food and drink are not allowed in the auditorium.

• Please silence mobile phones, watches and any other

ticket information, call 801-581-7100.

noise-making devices.

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