Grand Theatre
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
April 2 - 5, 2025
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
Derryl Yeager Artistic Director
Dear Patron,
The world premiere of our new holiday show, Christmas Spectacular, SPECTACULAR, starring David Osmond— was enthusiastically received by audiences and critics alike!
The Deseret News said:
“Odyssey Dance Theatre’s “Christmas Spectacular Spectacular!” covered every
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
corner of Christmas…everything you could want in a Christmas show: the Grinch, ugly Christmas sweaters, Santas doing hiphop moves and Donny Osmond’s nephew.”
We spent the last few months in rehearsal for this, our 30th Anniversary Shut Up and Dance Season where we put together what, I believe, is an incredible program. It’s been a pleasure to work with Former Odyssey Dancers Christian Denice and Jeffrey Louizia, who each bring a unique voice to their pieces. My world premiere work, Chichester Psalms, inspired by the music of the same name by Leonard Bernstein, has such a profound message during these troubled times. Please read our Program Notes below to more fully appreciate these meaningful pieces as you experience them.
Shut Up and Dance is where the dancers and choreographers get to stretch their artistic muscle and really show off their abilities and different styles in smaller repertory-style works. We again stress accessibility but we are not afraid to explore more innovative choreographic styles of movement. The title says it all. Dance is an amazing form of expression that doesn’t require manuals and textbooks to under-
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
stand. It communicates to all and across all boundaries.
Odyssey’s Spring Repertory Season is a dance lover’s buffet, with something for everyone. Critics agree Deseret News said, “Odyssey Dance Theatre’s Shut Up and Dance season only proves that it is a company to be taken seriously. Bravo!”
Odyssey has produced original, innovative works and, to date, has created over 60 original works, including seven fulllength productions.
Please watch our website for updates on Odyssey’s 2025-2026 season, which will include six locations of our Halloween Spectacular Thriller: Ogden, Logan, Park City, Salt Lake City, Tuacahn and, new this year, The Kenley Amphitheatre in Layton. Tickets are already on sale in Layton and at Tuacahn.
ODT has been a dream come true, and I wish to thank all of you for your support and attendance.
Best wishes,
Derryl Yeager Artistic Director
ODYSSEY RÉSUMÉ
REPERTORY WORKS
» Windchimes
» Prayer of the Children
» Sarah’s Letter
» Three Preludes
» Motif
» Solimbula
» Andante
» Heap
» Joplin Variations
» Vision of Love
» Move-Dance-Be Born
» Deep Forest
» Dance Fever
» Sledgehammer
» Meandres
» Haun’s Mill
» Degrees of Separation
» Purple Rain
» Jump
» Transitional Illuminations
» Shed My Skin
» No Strings Attached
» Prodigals
» 6
» The Krew
» Moulin Rouge
» Club Calloway
» The Factory
» Between Two Worlds
» SoundTrax
» Between Disconnect
» Fusion
» Adir Adirim
» It Goes…
» Soul Catchers
» Elegy
» All That Jazz
» Black Binasuan
» Rain
» Dances in the Garden
» Incertitudes
ODYSSEY RÉSUMÉ
» Ancient Future
» Interruptions
» Obsessions Possession
» “_____” –Undefined space is opportunity waiting to happen
» Heartland
» Collide
» Glory Box
» Monsieur Loyal
» Crave
» Crew Jam
» Clean Up Crew
» Scherzando
» Teardrop
» Here…Now
» One Man Dance
» Mobile
» Contredanse
» Meraki
» All spirit
» Chicester Psalms
» Hold Tight
FULL LENGTH WORKS
» Giselle
» Carmen
» Romeo + Juliet
» MJ
» Let It Be
» Chicago Nights
» A Midsummer Night’s Dream
PRODUCTION SHOWS
» Thriller
» Joy to the World
» It’s A Wonderful Life
» ReduxNut-Cracker
» The Dance
» Christmas Spectacular, SPECTACULAR!
ARTISTS
Boston Cervinski-Baldwin
Athena Rogers
Allie Renner
Carson Oliver
Ashley Schrader
Becca Mitchell
Emily Brooks
Gwen Tessman
RyLee Altenburg
Ian Sabatine
Ramses Contreras
Peiter Mortensen
Jamie Helfer
Mos Hernandez
Libby Brooks
ARTISTS
Naomi Reid
Natalie Riggs
Diego Ballesteros
Jeremy Platt
Sierra Minio
SHUT UP & DANCE PROGRAM
Hold Tight
Choreography: Christian Denice
Music: Jamie xx and The Blaze
Dancers:
Libby Brooks Boston Cervinski-Baldwin Becca Mitchell
Allie Renner Ashley Schrader Natalie Riggs
RyLee Altenburg Peiter Mortensen Ian Sabatine
Diego Ballesteros Ramses Contreras Jeremy Platt
*** PAUSE ***
All Spirit
Choreography: Jeffrey Louizia & the Boom camp
Music: SKY SKY - Flume
A DOOR – Caye
Pale Blue Dot – Big Wild
Feel the Love – Pusha T (Kids See Ghosts)
Tic Tac - MEMBA
TRYING TO SAY SOMETHING - ZEP holy ghost – Nikita, the Wicked
Dancers: Boston Cervinski-Baldwin
Jamie Helfer Becca Mitchell Allie Renner
Natalie Riggs Athena Rogers Gwen Tessman
Naomi Reid Libby Brooks Emily Brooks
Ashley Schrader RyLee Altenburg Sierra Minio
SHUT UP & DANCE PROGRAM
Peiter Mortensen Carson Oliver Ian Sabatine
Diego Ballesteros Jeremy Platt Mos Hernandez
Ramses Contreras
*** PAUSE ***
Chichester Psalms
Chroreography: Derryl Yeager Veronica Cabling
Peiter Mortensen Mos Hernandez
Music: Leonard Bernstein
Chichester Psalms is in 3 movements with these major themes:
Part 1
Psalm 100 – Make a Joyful Noise unto the LordServe the Lord with Gladness
Part 2
Psalm 23 – The Lord is My Shepherd – I shall not want – Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of Death – I will fear no evil for thou art with me
Part 3
Psalm 2 – Why do the nations rage? The kings of the earth set themselves against the Lord and his anointed!
Psalm 131 – Lord my heart is not haughty – nor my eyes lofty – Let Israel hope in the Lord
SHUT UP & DANCE PROGRAM
Psalm 133 – Behold how good and how pleasant it is –for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Dancers: The Entire Company
*** INTERMISSION *** Can Can Club
Choreography: Derryl Yeager Eldon Johnson
Thayne Jasperson Peiter Mortensen Veronica Cabling
Music from the movie “Moulin Rouge” Soundtrack
Satine - Darby Jones
Christian - Ramses Contreras
Toulouse Lautrec - Peiter Mortensen
The Duke - Carson Oliver
Harold Zidler - Derryl Yeager
Da Boyz and Girls - Entire Company
PROGRAM NOTES
Odyssey’s Spring Repertory Season Shut Up and Dance
You’ve heard of Odyssey Dance Theatre’s Thriller, and our popular Christmas Spectacular, but what is Shut Up and Dance all about? It’s our annual Spring program, celebrating the exciting variety of dance.
This year, one piece will be choreographed by well-loved former Odyssey Dancer Christian Denice, and another, a Hip-Hop piece will be choreographed by the highly sought-after former Odyssey Dancer Jeffrey Louizia.
A special event will be the World Premiere of Chichester Psalms, choreographed by our Founding Artistic Director Derryl Yeager, bringing his lifetime experience in stage and screen to the powerful music of Leonard Bernstein.
Chichester Psalms
What is Chichester Psalms? And who is Leonard Bernstein?
“Lenny,” as he was affectionately called, was a prodigious composer and one of the greatest orchestra conductors of all time.
PROGRAM NOTES
His works include the extremely popular Broadway musical “West Side Story” which continues to be performed worldwide.
In 1963, Bernstein was commissioned, from West Sussex, England, to write a new work for the 1965 Southern Cathedrals Festival, which would be hosted by the Chichester Cathedral. He wrote the new piece in the Vatican, celebrating of the 10th anniversary of Pope Paul VI’s ascension to the papacy.
Considered one of Bernstein’s most popular and enduring works, and a mainstay of the 20th-century choral-orchestral repertoire, Chichester Psalms has been performed by orchestras, choirs, and ballet companies the world over, and now by Odyssey Dance Theatre.
Its story of peace and reconciliation is found in the Bible, in the complete texts of Psalms 100, 23, and 131, and in verses from Psalms 108, 2, and 133.
Bernstein specifically called for the text to be sung in Hebrew (there is not even an English translation in the score), using the melodic and rhythmic contours of the Hebrew language to dictate mood and melodic character.
PROGRAM NOTES
By combining these richly expressive words with Christian choral tradition, Bernstein was pleading for peace in Israel during a turbulent time in the young country’s history.
Since the lyrics are in Hebrew, will it be hard for us to follow what’s happening?
“Not likely,” says its choreographer, Derryl Yeager. “We think the story being told by these gifted dancers is the most powerful yet. Bernstein had this goal all his life, to bring people together regardless of their religions, origins, generations, and life aspirations. He showed all of us the way, decades ago. And now his goal is ours, as we join the symphony orchestras, the opera houses, the choirs, concert presenters, and now the dance world, to break boundaries and stereotypes. You have to see it to believe it. If you open your mind, you will be moved. It’s powerful.”
Hold Tight
Hold Tight explores how we hold onto connections and relationships through the energetic, frantic, and chaotic pace of life; this attempt to hold tight to moments in time only to have them leave as soon
PROGRAM NOTES
as they arrive and how we can make meaningful and necessary connections inside this pulse and rhythm of life.
All spirit
All spirit is about discovering your closest version of yourself through the multi layers applied on us since the beginning of birth! Being guided by your guardians, who will then teach you their perspective and output in life to make sure that they are raising you to their best guidelines from what is right and wrong to what a good human being should be. This number is a reminder that you don’t have to be a product of your past if it’s not serving you in your current life. Connecting with your inner spirit and exploding past our vision of many generational limitations that we might have believed to be real can be broken!
Stand tall, spread love and really make a difference with your time on this planet!! There is not a duplicate of you out in the world so be you proudly and share your one unique soul with the universe!
WHAT’S COMING COMPANY
AUDITIONS
Always wanted to dance with Odyssey or know someone who does? Then here’s the chance!
Odyssey Dance Theatre (Salt Lake City, UT) will be holding auditions and casting its 2025-26 season.
Odyssey is looking for strong Jazz/ Ballet dancers who can also do Hip-Hop and Tap - male and female, ages 18-29. Available contracts include: a one-show contract for the fall production of the Halloween spectacular Thriller (runs August 11th to Nov. 1st), and/or the entire season (runs August 11th - April/ May 2026).
AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD: Saturday, May 31st, 2025 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM
COPA/Odyssey Studios
352 West 12300 South Suite 400 (around back) Draper, Utah 84020
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would like to thank all those who made this performance possible, including:
The Grand Theatre
- SALT LAKE CITY -
Artistic/Executive Director
Seth Miller
Box Office Manager
Natalie Trumbo
Social Media, Marketing, and Outreach Coordinator
Sophia Mancilla
Technical Director
Adam Day
Odyssey’s Staff, Consultants and Board of Directors
Ronald B. Cutler, CPA
Technical Director/Lighting
Designer/Stage Manager
Lukas Orton
Assistant Stage Manager
Matt Jennings
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Associate Artistic Director
Veronica Cabling
Dance Captain
Darby Jones
Costumes
Cheryl Yeager
Daurene Turpin
Graphics
Eric Christensen
Media
Susie Carlson
Photography
Greg Baird
Playbill
Mills Publishing
Dancewear, Shoes and Accessories
Puttin’ on the Glitz - Paula Fry
DanceWorks - Cristian Torres
Theatrical Make-Up
Taylor Maid - Richard Taylor
Production Storage
Intermountain Trailer
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Production Supplies
Oasis Stage Werks
Season Sponsor
Athlecare Scenery
Scenery designed by Michael Yeargan for Utah Symphony & Opera and constructed by Utah Symphony & Opera Production Studios
Transported by Kerry Dennis, Intermountain Trailer
This production was funded, in part, by: All music licensed through ASCAP and BMI
GUEST ARTIST
Christian Denice
Choreographer - Hold Tight
Christian Denice is a dancer and choreographer originally from Los Angeles, California. His professional dance experience includes Odyssey Dance Theatre, River North Dance Chicago, and BJM Danse (Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal). Christian was named one of the top ten male dancers of 2010 by Time Out Chicago and recognized as a notable Chicago dancer of 2010 by the Chicago Tribune.
As a choreographer, Christian has created new works for such companies and organizations as Cincinnati Ballet, Moving
GUEST ARTIST
Arts with dancers of Kansas City Ballet and Cincinnati Ballet, Chamber Dance Project, University of Missouri Kansas City, Ballet22, Marigny Opera Ballet, Nevada Ballet Theatre, Odyssey Dance Theatre, DanceWorks Chicago, Interlochen Center for the Arts, the Los Angeles Contemporary Dance Company, Missouri Contemporary Ballet, Western Michigan University, Modern America Dance Company, Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance Company, Eisenhower Dance Detroit, Houston Contemporary Dance Company, Wright State University, Kit Modus, Dance Lab New York, Santa Barbara City College, Manhattanville College, and Dreyfoos School for the Arts. His work spans across classical ballet and contemporary dance companies as well as universities and professional dance programs. As a dance educator, Christian brings his movement language both nationally and internationally, and has been on faculty with Modas Dance, Open Doors Dance Festival, EPIC Dance Utah, Eisenhower Dance Detroit NEWdanceFEST, Kansas City Jazz Dance Fest, DanceWorks Chicago Dance360, AXIS Connect Los Angeles, Peridance Center in New York City, and SALT Dance Link Festival. Christian was
GUEST ARTIST
one of the choreographers selected for the Kennesaw State University 2023 Summer Residency as well as a recipient of the 2023 Keshet Dance and Center for the Arts Makers Space Experience residency. He is the 2015 winner of the University of South Florida’s Echo Choreographic Competition and was selected as one of the three choreographers for the Joffrey Academy’s Winning Works Choreographic competition in 2016.
Christian works for Greek choreographer Andonis Foniadakis, restaging his work for companies throughout the United States and Europe, as well as dancing in his Greece based productions of “Salema Revisited” and “LENTO”. Christian worked with New York City based filmmaker Alexander Sargent on a dance film of his work “Dwellings” created on Chamber Dance Project which premiered at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC in October 2022. Christian made his Broadway debut in “The Little Prince ‘’ which opened in New York in 2021 and served as répétiteur and rehearsal director for Texas based contemporary company ISHIDA Dance in 2023.
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GUEST ARTIST
Jeffrey Louizia
Choreographer - All spirit
Born and raised in Boston, MA, Jeffrey Louizia has choreographed for MC Hammer, Disney’s “The Andi Mac Show,” Kia, BMW and doTERRA. He co-choreographed for one of the top hitmakers in pop named Poo Bear, who wrote major hits for artists like Justin Bieber. He has also been in many music videos and industrials, including Sketchers, Black Eyed Peas “Rock Your Body,” Taio Cruz’s “Dirty Picture,” “Ace Hood,” featuring Lil Wayne and Rick Ross’ “Hustle” and was the Featured Dancer in the movie “Dear Dumb Diary.”
GUEST ARTIST
Jeffrey was able to share his love for movement all over the world touring with Odyssey.
Jeffrey’s ultimate passion is to teach, motivate and inspire, as well as being inspired by all who share and do not share his love for dance, which he is able to do as Director of the “Boom crew company.” He truly believes in using the platform of dance as a tool to practice believing in ourselves, really discovering our capabilities, maximizing our life and embracing our infinite worth!
GUEST ARTIST
Darby Standing Can Can Club - Satine
Darby Jones was born and raised in Utah, starting her dance career at Center Stage Performing Arts Studio. She furthered her education, on scholarship, at Idyllwild Arts Academy. Darby joined Odyssey Dance Theatre in 2014. While on the company she danced many principal roles including: Solimbula, Helena(Midsummer Night’s Dream), Juliet(Romeo and Juliet), Roxie Hart(Chicago Nights), and Violet(It’s a Wonderful Life). She is the dance captain for the company, and enjoys helping the dancers find success on the stage. Darby
GUEST ARTIST
was awarded Best Of State Individual Dancer in 2021 for her work with Odyssey, and influence in the Utah dance community. Darby loved being back on stage in the Christmas Spectacular, and is excited for the opportunity to be back with the company for their Shut Up and Dance season!
ODYSSEY STAFF
» Founder and Artistic Director
Derryl Yeager
» Associate Artistic Director
Veronica Cabling
» Dance Captain
Darby Jones
» Executive Director
Annie Van Alstyne
» Director of Development
Nick Mitchell
» Web & Graphic Design Consultant
Eric Christensen, egDesign
» Media Consultant
Susie Carlson, Energy 8 Media
» Social Media
Lily Farrar
» Technical Production
Technical Director/Lighting Designer/ Stage Manager - Lukas Orton
Assistant Stage Manager - Matt Jennings
» Costume Production
Costume Designer and Costume
Production Director - Cheryl Yeager
Costumes and WardrobeDaurene Turpin
» Guild President
Amy Asay – Former Odyssey Principal
Dancer
BOARDS, CONSULTANTS
» Derryl Yeager, President and CEO BOARD MEMBERS:
» Kristy Olsen – Former Odyssey Principal Dancer
» Heather Osmond, Owner – Osmond Designs
» Ralph C. Petty, Attorney
» Erin Reid - Former Odyssey Principal Dancer
» Karen Standing, Educator
» Darren Reid, Partner – Holland & Hart
IN MEMORIAM:
» Rowland Butler, Dance Director, Choreographer and Performer BOARD CHAIR EMERITI:
» John Holmgren, MBA, ChFC
» Lance Schiffman
» Scott F. Smith, Ph.D. IN MEMORIAM:
» Robert P. McComas ADVISORY BOARD:
» David Osmond, Market President –TribeHouse and Musical Entertainer
» Michael Ballam, Ph.D., General DirectorUtah Festival Opera
BOARDS, CONSULTANTS
» Sam Cardon, Composer
» Daniel Darger, Attorney
» Leo Hopf, Management Consultant
» Michael McLean, Songwriter, Playwright, Filmmaker, Author and Performer
» Marie Osmond, Entertainer
» Dave Winder, Corporate Director IN MEMORIAM:
» Fred Adams, Founder - Utah Shakespearean Festival
» Hyrum Smith, Founder Franklin Quest
HONORARY BOARD:
» Lewis Billings, Former Mayor of Provo
» Gary Herbert, Former Governor of Utah
» John Valentine, Former Utah State Senator
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
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DONORS
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Dancer Well-Being Program
» Odyssey Dance Theatre thanks the following dance and sports injury prevention specialists for their generous pro bono services and for keeping the Company strong and healthy.
Athlecare
» Justin Decker - Dancer Health Specialist
» Jill Griffiths - Nutritionist
» Savannah Brown - Head Trainer
» Ian Ulrich - Head ATC Draper
» Carolyn Billings - Head ATC Pleasant Grove
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