CHOREOGRAPHY OFAFTERNOON
SUNDAY
JANUARY 26 2025
STUDENT
3: 00 PM
RICHARD PERRY THEATRE
A Note from our Artistic Directors and Assistant Artistic Director
Welcome! We are Sadie Schoenberger and Isabelle Gerling, the Co-Artistic Directors of today’s performance. Alongside Assistant Artistic Director Eden Golomb and Dance Captain Eve Harris, we’ve worked together to bring this special event to life.
Both of us have been part of the Poly Dance program since Middle School and have had the privilege of growing as dancers under the mentorship of Mr. Turner in Upper School. His unwavering encouragement, patience, and dedication to supporting his students—both as artists and as people—have been an inspiration to us. This performance, and every dance event on campus, would not be possible without his guidance. As we prepare to leave Poly, we are deeply grateful for the lessons we’ve learned from him, which will continue to shape us in everything we do.
This benefit performance holds deep meaning for us as dancers and artists. It has given us the opportunity to take on leadership roles, overseeing both the creative and logistical aspects of the event. Our goal has been to create an inclusive space where students of all backgrounds and skill levels can express themselves through movement. We hope the range of styles presented today—from contemporary to jazz, hip hop, and modern—showcases not only the diversity of dance but also the power of collaboration and community.
This year, we are especially honored to partner with Cora Dance Brooklyn, a nonprofit arts organization founded by former Poly Prep Lower School teacher Shannon Hummel, that embodies creativity, accessibility, and inclusivity through dance. With its pay-what-you-can model, Cora Dance offers professional performances, classes, and workshops that serve people of all ages and abilities, ensuring that financial barriers never limit participation. Ms. Hummel’s passion for building connections and breaking boundaries has amplified the power of dance in countless lives, and we are proud to support Cora Dance’s vital work through this benefit.
Thank you to our fellow dancers for your dedication, creativity, and leadership. The time you’ve invested—whether during class, lunch periods, after school, or on weekends—has resulted in the stunning work on stage today. We also want to extend our deepest gratitude to the adults who have supported us throughout this production. Your feedback and guidance have been invaluable every step of the way.
Enjoy the show!
A Note from the Performing Arts Department
Creating a dance is an act of discovery. Every step, every gesture is an exploration of the body’s capacity for communication. As the students crafted their dances, they delved into a deep understanding of rhythm, structure, and emotion, while also navigating the complexities of collaboration and decision-making with their peers. This annual showcase never fails to remind me of the depth of our students and the sheer authenticity in their every movement.
The Afternoon of Student Choreography is unique for many reasons; namely, students’ hands-on involvement in every aspect of the production—from rehearsing the choreography to designing elements that elevate the performance—the show truly encourages leadership and responsibility. The creative process requires resilience, teamwork, and the ability to problem-solve on the fly.
In addition to their roles as performers and creators, students have learned the invaluable skill of finding their own voice within a larger community. Whether through a solo piece or a collaborative work, the dancers have embraced the challenge of speaking through movement, creating space for themselves within the vast language of dance, and taking ownership of their own artistic journey to showcase it to the fullest extent. The transformative nature of the collective process has truly shaped today’s performance.
Today, I invite you to witness not only these finished products but the growth, the labor, and the heart behind every movement. These young artists have pushed themselves beyond their comfort zones, embraced the trials of creation and production, and emerged with a show that is truly their own. Please join me in congratulations.
Ashley Hacker Performing Arts Department Chair
Excellence in the Arts Certificate:
Class of ’25: Ariyah Bobo, Annakaecia Clarke, Isabelle Gerling, Juliet Michaelis, Mia Pineda, Sadie Schoenberger, Ali Schuman, Ava Rose Vitali, Drew Waldman, Jasper Whiteley
Class of ’26: Maggie Cochran, Tessa Cooper, Sylvie Dorsch, Eden Golomb, Eve Harris, Konatsu Iwai, Devan Jiang, Carolina Lisk, Angelique Lopez, Olivia Sperling
Artistic Team:
Directors Sadie Schoenberger ’25 and Isabelle Gerling ’25
Assistant Director ...................................................................................... Eden Golomb ’26
Dance Captain Eve Harris ’26
Production Team:
Lighting ................................................................................................
Annakaceia Clark ’25
Sound Quinn Marloe ’26
Stage Managers .................................................................................... Isabelle Gerling ’25
Sadie Schoenberger ’25
Eden Golomb ’26
I Found Her
Choreographers: Sadie Schoenberger ’25 and Mia Pineda ’25
Assistant Choreographer: Nicolette Avdeychik ’27
Music: Her by JVKE
Block D Dancers: Nicolette Avdeychik, Margaret Cochran, Mia Pineda, Sadie Schoenberger, Suri Sun, Brianna Sylvain, Drew Waldman
I Found Her explores the ebb and flow of relationships, both platonic and romantic, posing questions about connection and loss: Is there always another “her”—someone new who draws focus, leaving another behind? Our piece utilizes seven dancers to amplify these questions of imbalance and exclusion as duets and trios form and dissolve, leaving one dancer adrift. Set to JVKE’s orchestral and cinematic “Her,” the piece attempts to capture the heartache, yearning, and fleeting joy of relationships existing against time.
In This Shirt
Choreographer: Angelique Lopez ’26
Music: In this Shirt by The Irrepressibles
Advanced Dancers: Sylvie Dorsch, Sarai Dudley, Eden Golomb, Eve Harris, Konatsu Iwai, Devan Jiang, Angelique Lopez, Olivia Sperling, Jasper Whiteley
This is a contemporary piece that I have worked countless days on. I chose this song because of its different dynamics. This song has sparked so many new ideas in my choreography; fortunately, it has paid off in the end.
Mind Over Matter
Choreographers: Valentina Aberle ’27, Nicolette Avdeychik ’27, Charlotte Turkewitz ’27
Music: Mind Over Matter by Young the Giant
Dancers: Valentina Aberle, Nicolette Avdeychik, Charlotte Turkewitz
Our dance, Mind Over Matter, explores the complexity of growing up, depicting three teenage girlfriends evolving while undergoing separate development that takes a toll on their past congruity as a trio. The choreography explores the dynamics between duos, trios, and solo moments and how they impact the whole, also speaking to the different entities within friendships. We were inspired by the universal experience of growing apart while struggling to digest change and personal issues that get projected onto the ones you love most. Ultimately, the girls know their love for one another will remain and that it’s healthier for them to celebrate each other’s self-discovery.
M.A.Y. in the Backyard
Choreographers: Eve Harris ’26 and Chloe Guedes Smith ’26
Music: M.A.Y. in the Backyard by Ryuichi Sakamoto
Dancer: Eve Harris and Chloe Guedes Smith
We were inspired by the song title and the feeling of spring that it brings. Spring is a time of rebirth and emergence. We choose to use the dance to reflect on our fleeting youth and imminent adulthood.
Bluer Than A Butterfly
Choreographer: Margaret Cochran ’26
Music: Blue by Billie Eillish (Sophie Taylor - EDITED)
Dancer: Margaret Cochran
Growing up, I have always loved dance. I am unable to hear this song, along with many other songs by Billie Eillish, without choreographing in my mind. The music is so moving that it converts itself into choreography without having to brainstorm too much. This song, “Blue,” allows me to move freely and feel the music in an incredible way.
Cell Block Tango
Choreographer: Isabelle Gerling ’25
Music: Cell Block Tango by John Kander; lyrics written by Fred Ebb
Advanced Musical Theater Class Dancers: Tessa Cooper, Isabelle Gerling, Carolina Lisk, Juliet Michaelis, Grayson Monacelli, Sophia Taylor, Ava Rose Vitali, Drew Waldman
In this dynamic reinterpretation of the iconic Cell Block Tango from Chicago, the classic number brings a fresh perspective by being infused with intricate jazz technique and a bold musical theater flair. Through stylized movement and sharp isolations, the choreography intensifies the vibrant spirit of the original while building a dialogue between the classic and the contemporary. Thank you also to our incredible Drama teacher, Ms. Watt, who brought the choreography to life by directing the acting aspects.
Hard Truth
Choreographer: Akeelah Binns ’26
Music: Various Artists - Mix
Dancer: Akeelah Binns
Hard Truth explores the difference between advertising and having a community. This piece starts off with the continuous back and forth of either staying within the standard norms expected or breaking cycles and expectations. It also includes a personal experience at a predominantly white high school, highlighting the hard truth that many refuse to accept and vocalize. The theme of this piece emphasizes the difference between authenticity and facades, while also demonstrating the contrast between conformity and resistance.
Jealous
Choreographer: Angelique Lopez ’26
Music: Jealous by Labrinth
Dancer: Angelique Lopez
This is a contemporary piece that I choreographed. I debuted a brief version of it at Poly Prep’s Homecoming during the Arts Showcase in October. I have always admired Labrynth’s music, so being able to showcase my work to one of my favorite songs by him is such a blessing.
Ultra Violence
Choreographer: Drew Waldman ’25
Music: Ultra Violence by Lana Del Rey
Dancers: Drew Waldman, featuring Margaret Cochran
In Ultra Violence, I explore the inner turbulence and overwhelming emotions that arise when anxiety takes hold of the mind. Through this solo, I aim to capture the intense energy that often accompanies moments of mental unrest, using movement to express the struggle between vulnerability and strength. Set to the haunting, evocative tones of Lana Del Rey’s music, this dance delves into the complex emotions of navigating inner turmoil, offering a glimpse into the raw and unsettling reality of anxious thoughts. With each movement phrase, I hope to convey both the fragility and resilience of the human spirit, reflecting the way anxiety can simultaneously break us and push us to endure. I hope you enjoy it!
Atten-hut!
Captains and Choreographers: Madison Shepherd ’25 and Annakaecia Clarke ’25 Epiphany Step Team: Annakaecia Clarke, Samara Charles, Iman Jean-Baptiste, Taylor Moore, Savannah Parks, Gabrielle Stervil, Roselynne Tejeda, Tochukwu Ugboajah
This production is the Upper School Epiphany Step Team’s first performance in two years. Inspired by drill sergeants in the military, the girls embrace fun chants and sharp movements. Performing “Atten-Hut,” Epiphany is ready to bring the step world back to Poly.
Severance
Choreographer: Isabelle Gerling ’25
Music: Solitude by M83
Block E Dancers: Valentina Aberle, Jenesis Bartholomew, Isabelle Gerling, Aniya Kirkland, Andrew Sion, Charlotte Turkewitz
Severance captures the essence of closure within the final stages of each chapter in life. The combination of fluid and sharp movements embodies the emotional complexities of letting go. Severance invites the audience to witness the beauty of moving forward while honoring the past.
The Middle of the Ride
Choreographer: Eden Golomb ’26
Music: The Middle by Jimmy Eat World
Tower Dancers: Ruth Cheng, Eve Furst, Hayden Glaser-Lin, Julia Power, Kiera Reddy, Adelaide Tilove
Understudy: Olivia Harris
The inspiration of this dance is from the lyrics of The Middle by Jimmy Eat World, the song that I choreographed it to. This song is about someone reassuring a little girl that everything will be alright and explaining that she shouldn’t focus on what other people think about her. I wanted Middle School students to dance with this message in mind because they are at this point in their lives when they are figuring out who they are and it is important that they aren’t hard on themselves when they go through this process.
First and Last
Choreographers: Ariyah Bobo and Jordin Walker
Music: Various Artists - Mix
Dancers: Ariyah Bobo and Jordin Walker
For our first ASC performance, we decided to bring back out our dancing skills from years ago. We both have a history with dance before high school and are finally taking the opportunity to have fun with this long-lost passion. But other than having fun, this dance is a tribute to our friendship and adventures that lie ahead. Unfortunately, this is our first and last duet together before we graduate so we’re making the most of it!
Sweet Disposition
Choreographer: Eden Golomb ’26
Music: Sweet Disposition by The Temper Trap
Dancer: Eden Golomb
The inspiration for this piece is the song that I choreographed it to: Sweet Disposition by the Temper Trap. The song focuses on appreciating the small but beautiful moments in our lives. This message is especially important to my peers and me because it is easy to get caught up in the stress of school and let it overwhelm all other parts of our lives. Ultimately, it is crucial that we cherish the experience of growing up while also preparing for our futures.
InBalance
Choreographers: Akeelah Binns ’26
Music: Various Artists - Mix
Dancers: Akeelah Binns, Angelique Lopez, Sarai Dudley, Konatsu Iwai, Jenesis Bartholomew, Jordin Walker, Aniya Kirkland
This piece explores the tension between individuality and the continuous pressure to stay within societal norms. Additionally, this dance reflects the desire to be unique while also being united with others. Through the diverse dance genres this piece celebrates the beauty in diversity as well as the challenge to put differences aside and unite as a whole. This dance showcases the cycle of searching for acceptance, true identity, and the struggle of finding balance as a whole.
Echoes of Silence
Choreographer: Brianna Sylvain ’27
Music: Bored by Billie Eil
Dancer: Brianna Sylvain
In Echoes of Silence, the choreography captures the inner turmoil of modern life, using a mixture of sharp, fluid, and fragmented movements to express the isolation and weight of stress and anxiety. Set to Billie Eilish’s haunting song Bored, the dance explores the suffocating stillness of loneliness, the desire for escape, and the turbulent cycle of overthinking.
Supernova
Club Leaders and Choreographers: Jenesis Bartholomew ’27 and Suri Sun ’26
Music: aespa - Mix
X-Over Dancers: Jenesis Bartholomew, Konatsu Iwai, Taylor Moore, Suri Sun
Inspired by K-pop group aespa’s futuristic concept, our group uses a mashup of songs from aespa’s newest album Armageddon. Our dance attempts to display a robotic type of movement along with a normal type of K-pop dance. We hope you enjoy it!
Heartstrings
Choreographer: Aniya Kirkland ’27
Music: Love on the Brain by Rihanna
Dancer: Aniya Kirkland
I created a dance dedicated to my mom, inspired by the bond we share and the times we’ve spent listening to Love on the Brain by Rihanna. Growing up, this song became a symbol of our connection, and I wanted to honor that through movement. She loves watching me create, and this piece was my way of showing her how much she means to me.
It Was Helpless
Choreographer: Ali Schuman ’25
Music: Vienna (In Memoriam) - The Army, The Navy
Dancer: Ali Schuman
The people who inspired me while creating this piece were my dance teachers Lucy Vallely and Rae Ann Thomas, and dancer/choreographer Molly Long. It took me a while to put this dance together. My mom used to love watching me dance. I know she’s watching me from above today.
Oasis
Dance Team Captains: Angelique Lopez ’26 and Olivia Sperling ’26
Music: Various Artists - Mix
Varsity Dance Team: Jenesis Bartholomew, Akeelah Binns, Ariyah Bobo, Sarai Dudley, Iman Jean-Baptiste, Anyia Kirkland, Angelique Lopez, Taylor Moore, Olivia Sperling, Tochukwu Ugboajah, Jordin Walker
JV Dance Team: Maya Gadsby, Georgia Krasner, Sloane Millar, Gisu Rafaat, Karina Simeon, Mila Smith
This is a group dance performed by the Dance Team and choreographed by its captains Angelique and Olivia. We recently performed this dance at Poly Prep’s Oasis Night. This mix consists of songs by Timbaland & Magoo, The Migos, Jennifer Lopez, Tyler The Creator, and Rihanna. Hope you enjoy it!
Our Production Would Not Be Possible without the Generous Support of:
John Rankin
Interim Head of School
Michal Hershkovitz P’16, ’18
Assistant Head of School, Academics
Sarah Bates Head of Upper School
Daniel Doughty Head of Middle School
Michael S. Robinson Head of Arts
Ashley Hacker
Performing Arts Department Chair
Samuel Turner
Upper School Arts Faculty, Dance
The members of the Performing Arts faculty, the Engagement & Communications Department, the Admissions Department, the Poly Prep IT Staff, the Facilities and Maintenance Department, the Security Staff, the Kitchen Staff, and the Middle & Upper School deans.
Please follow our new Poly Prep ARTS social media pages on Facebook and Instagram for all-things-art at Poly featuring students Nursery–Grade 12. FOLLOW US @polyprepARTS POWERED BY ANNUAL GIVING
Please scan the QR code for more information on Cora Dance and how to support them.
Join Us for These Upcoming Performing Arts Events
Upper School Musical: 9 to 5, the Musical Music and Lyrics by Dolly Parton, Book by Patricia Resnick
RICHARD PERRY THEATRE
Friday & Saturday, March 7 & 8, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Sunday, March 9, 2025 | 2:00 PM
Annual Spring Dance Concert
RICHARD PERRY THEATRE
Thursday & Friday, April 10 & 11, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Spring Arts—Vocal Concert MEMORIAL CHAPEL
Thursday, April 24, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Spring Arts Festival
Thursday, May 1, 2025
VISUAL ARTS | 6:00 PM | PAC GALLERY INSTRUMENTAL | 7:00 PM | MEMORIAL CHAPEL
Speech and Debate Showcase
JOSEPH DANA ALLEN LIBRARY
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 | 4:00 PM & 6:10 PM
Middle School Musical: Disney’s Newsies Jr. Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Jack Feldman, Book by Harvey Fierstein
RICHARD PERRY THEATRE
Friday, May 16, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Saturday, May 17, 2025 | 2:00 PM
Stay tuned for more information about our upcoming events!