Afternoon of Student Choreography

A Note from our Artistic Director and Assistant Artistic Director

Artistic Statement

Thank you all for coming this afternoon! I am Atiya Pope, Artistic Director of this year’s Afternoon of Student Choreography (ASC). I have been dancing at Poly since I was in sixth grade, starting out in Young Dancers with Ms. Hacker, and now as one of the captains of Poly’s Dance Team and a student leader of the African Dance and Drum Club. ASC is very special to all of the dancers because it gives us a chance to be in charge and take full creative liberty both on the stage and behind the scenes.

To start the process, Mr. Turner tasked every dancer in Poly’s dance program to choreograph 30 seconds in any style to a song of their choice. This provided everyone with the opportunity to expand our creative toolboxes and explore our talents as dancers and as choreographers. We then had to expand our compositions to two minutes and present them to our classes. Many of the pieces that you will see stem from those in-class compositions. Having full creative control over what we envision and presenting it to our family and friends is the best part of ASC.

ASC also bridges the gap between people who dance in classes at Poly and those who do not. An invitation to choreograph is always extended to the entire student body, so the compositions in the show are created by dancers from a wide range of experiences, making each piece unique. Other performances that you will see include dances from clubs at Poly, including the Poly African Dance and Drum Club and the Dance Team.

Atiya Pope ’23

Hello! I’m Sophia Chamorro, Assistant Artistic Director of ASC. The dance genres in each of the pieces you will see vary, making for a more interesting production; no one dance is the same, but, instead, showcases a bit of the choreographers themselves. Of course, the dancers themselves are an integral part of making this production come to life. However, we recognize that it also could not have been done without the help of the Dance Department faculty, Mr. Turner, Ms. Hacker, and Dr. Gittens, who have been alongside the dancers for the past few weeks, guiding them through the process, always being more than willing to lend a helping hand, and nurturing courage and confidence in each individual. A shout-out to the dancers themselves who have worked incredibly hard to be able to bring their pieces to the stage is more than due. Thank you to all for the efforts you have made. As for the audience, thank you for your support; we hope you are able to fully enjoy the intricacy and beauty of each piece presented.

—Sophia Chamorro ’24

A Note from the Performing Arts Department

The process of creating is one filled with profound vulnerability. Choreographers and dancers move through the act of devising together, while also learning to navigate dance construction through compromise, clarity, and communication. Often, especially as performance nears, we feel stretched to our very limits, striving to achieve the best possible piece imaginable. However, it is the product of all this effort that ends up on display, not our process. Today, I want to shine a light on the process itself, giving recognition to our choreographers and dancers who are both brave, and lucky, to be supported through such a deep, and sometimes exposing, activity.

I am beyond excited to welcome you to this year’s showcase where we get to celebrate the dedication of our amazing Poly dance community. Our students searched music genres, movement styles, and their very souls to share their amazing work today, embracing and learning to trust their own artistry and vision along the way. We hope you enjoy the show.

Ashley Hacker MS/US Dance, Debate & Drama Coordinator

Production Staff:

David Higham .............................................................................................. Theater Director

Annakaecia Clarke Sound & Lighting Manager

All proceeds may be donated to the below designated dance affiliated organizations helping to bring dance enrichment into communities outside of ours.

DONATE TO BROWN GIRLS DO BALLET®

DONATE TO ARTS FOR ALL

GIFTS ARE 100% TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

Pure Honey

Choreographers: Atiya Pope & Miyana Holden

Our composition was largely inspired by Ball Culture. The dance is set to Beyonce’s “PURE/HONEY,” which samples drag legend Moi Renee’s iconic performance of “Miss Honey.” We are very excited to share this piece that pays homage to a culture that we admire and brings excitement to ASC!

Music: PURE/HONEY by Beyonce

Advanced Dancers: Laila Baluk, Anna Sophia Chamorro, Miyana Holden, Sasha Lifton Lewis, Adrianna Neal, Atiya Pope, Ali Schuman

Another Lifetime

Choreographer: Angelique Lopez

This song talks about making mistakes, waiting, and hoping for the best for somebody. I really enjoy listening to this song and had fun choreographing to it.

Music: Nao

Dancer: Angelique Lopez

DOLL

Choreographer: Ezekiel Wise

DOLL is a piece meant to symbolize the societal pressure to be what people consider “normal.” It displays the crippling control that the opinions of others have on the individual and how that affects our day-to-day life.

Music: Cure for Me by AURORA

Dancers: Ryan Geisler, Lucia McDonald, Sadie Schoenberger, Ezekiel Wise

DANCE TEAM

Captains/Choreographers: Adrianna Neal and Atiya Pope

Music by: Mix Various Artists

Dancers: Laila Baluk, Cecilia Berkeley, Akeelah Binns, Bo Casey, Genevieve Fitzpatrick, Miyana Holden, Ella Lille Yerington, Angelique Lopez, Carolina Mannino, Adrianna Neal, Kyra Neamonitakis, Atiya Pope, Ali Schuman, Olivia Sperling, Suri Sun

Listen Before I Go

Choreographer: Sadie Schoenberger

This contemporary dance is choreographed to an original Billie Eilish mashup composed by sophomore Sophia Taylor. The piece evokes the line between life and death and tells that story from two perspectives: of someone struggling and of somebody who loves them. I’ve choreographed this dance with Eilish’s lyrics in mind, with a goal of utilizing the many shapes, levels, and layers that can be created when a group works together. Thank you for watching!!

Music by: Billie Eilish

Composed by: Sophia Taylor

Block E Dancers: Ariana DiCarlo, Genevieve Fitzpatrick, Ryan Geisler, Isabelle Gerling, Eden Golomb, Mia Gordon, Ella Lille Yerington, Katherine Lopez, Carolina Mannino, Lucia McDonald, Alice Shinder, Fiona Stephenson, Olivia Umeh, Drew Waldman, Ezekiel Wise

They Don’t Care About Us

Choreographer: Akeelah Binns & Angelique Lopez

We created this piece to inspire our generation and the next to speak out and to not let anyone underestimate them. No matter what environment you’re in, always go all out for the things you want to achieve.

Music by: J. Cole and Michael Jackson

Dancer: Akeelah Binns, Loren Bullen, Angelique Lopez

Don Quixote ACT III

Kitri’s Variation—Trio

Choreographers: Marius Petipa & Carlos Acosta

Restage: Nina Harris & Kyra Neamonitakis

Music by: Ludwig Minkus

Dancers: Eve Harris, Nina Harris, Kyra Neamonitakis

Ain’t No Sunshine

Choreographer: Adrianna Neal

The dancers on stage may not play a certain character or role, however, are very crucial in representing the concept of chaos highlighting the ups and downs of a relationship.

Music: Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone by Billy Withers

Advanced Dancers: Laila Baluk, Cecilia Berkeley, Anna Sophia Chamorro, Genevieve Fitzpatrick, Nina Harris, Miyana Holden, Margot Janicik, Sasha Lifton Lewis, Adrianna Neal, Atiya Pope, Ali Schuman

Gone Girl

Choreographer: Olivia Sperling

“Gone Girl” touches on the idea of love being out of reach. The dance represents the artist’s meaning of longing for love through the movements.

Music: Gone Girl by SZA

Dancer: Olivia Sperling

Your Name

Choreographer: Suri Sun

The music I chose is the theme song from the animated movie called “Your Name” which is mainly about a high school boy in Tokyo and a high school girl in the Japanese countryside who suddenly and inexplicably begin to swap bodies. I was inspired by the lines from the beginning of the movie, which represents that characters feel incomplete and their eagerness to find each other.

Music: Zenzenzense by Radwimps

Dancer: Suri Sun

Regret It All

Choreographers: Isabelle Gerling & Fiona Spillane

Our piece is a modern contemporary dance that explores intimacy; it is a duet about two people gravitating toward each other, and feeling the push and pull of attraction.

Music by: Awkward by SZA

Dancers: Isabelle Gerling & Fiona Spillane

DANCE TEAM

Captains/Choreographers: Adrianna Neal and Atiya Pope

Music by: Mix Various Artists

Dancers: Laila Baluk, Cecilia Berkeley, Akeelah Binns, Bo Casey, Genevieve Fitzpatrick, Miyana Holden, Ella Lille Yerington, Angelique Lopez, Carolina Mannino, Adrianna Neal, Kyra Neamonitakis, Atiya Pope, Ali Schuman, Olivia Sperling, Suri Sun

Say Yes

Choreographer: Nina Harris

This dance was meant to bring together dancers of many different levels in the class through simple yet graceful choreography. I opted for a ballet/ contemporary style of dance that matched the flowy music.

Music: Say Yes To Heaven by Lana Del Ray

D Block Dancers: Cecilia Berkley, Sylvie Dorsch, Eve Harris, Nina Harris, Margot Janicik, Danielle Jason, Myka Modeste, Kyra Neamonitakis, Mia Pineda, Elena Piquet, Fiona Spillane, Shuhan Zhou

Come Thru

Choreographer: Akeelah Binns

The theme and intention of the dance is to remind and inspire people to take charge of their talents. I created this piece by combining different steps I learned and creating a new choreography.

Music: Intro by DMX and Dior by Pop Smoke

Dancer: Akeelah Binns

Bluebird Florine’s Variation, Sleeping Beauty Act III

Choreographer: Marius Petipa

Restage: Kyra Neamonitakis

Music by: Pyotr Tchaikovsky

Dancer: Kyra Neamonitakis

Yebba’s Heartbreak

Choreographer: Miyana Holden

This piece is danced to “Yebba’s Heartbreak” by Yebba and was inspired by one of the themes that I discovered: amidst the chaos in life you will always find a pocket of calm. When choreographing this piece, the tempo, cadence, angelic lyrics and meaning resonated with me and allowed me to manipulate the breaks and flow of movement I chose. I hope you enjoy this piece.

Music by: Drake and Yebba

Dancer: Miyana Holden

Opportunity

Choreographer: Angelique Lopez

I believe everybody can connect in some way to the song that emphasizes a moment of opportunity. I’m glad to have this opportunity to choreograph something fun that invokes a positive feeling for all.

Music: Motion Picture ANNIE by Greg Kurstin and Will Gluck

DanceFIT Dancers: Akeelah Binns, Julie Chalk, June Dorsch, Devan Jiang, Juliet Michaelis, Angelique Lopez, Olivia Sperling, Suri Sun

The Great Escape

Choreographer: Ali Schuman

This dance is about trying to escape and avoid coming to terms with hard times and things that are happening. My process of choreographing this piece was mostly by playing the music on repeat, closing my eyes and picturing movement in my mind. I listen to the music and just see where it takes me.

Music: The Great Escape by Patrick Watson

Dancer: Ali Schuman

Lamban, A West African Rhythm & Dance

Choreographers: Atiya Pope & Mia Edwards with the Poly African Dance and Drum Club

Lamban was the special dance and rhythm done in the king’s court of the Old Mali Empire, West Africa. It remains a dance that commemorates one’s life transition from one state to another and is still often performed at occasions such as weddings, baptisms/naming ceremonies, graduations, and funerals. Student percussionists will play their own blend of traditional Lamban, combined with a contemporary flair of rhythm to show their ability to “make beats.”

Drummers: Sundiata Gittens (Music Captain), Emilio Gittens, Josiah Bartholomew, Bryce Trent, Zachary Ramseur, Jordan James, Jordan Campbell, Jeremi Lewis (Club Advisor), Joan Ashley (Professional Percussionist & Teacher)

Song & Additional Percussion: Dr. Angela Gittens (Club Advisor)

Dancers: Atiya Pope (Co-Captain), Mia Edwards (Co-Captain), Annakaecia Clarke, Chantal Guthrie, Rani Green, Miyana Holden

Our Production Would Not Be Possible without the Generous Support of:

Audrius Barzdukas P’20

Head of School

Michal Hershkovitz P’16, ’18

Assistant Head of School, Academics

Sarah Bates Head of Upper School

Michael S. Robinson Head of Arts

Daniel Doughty Director of Music

Ashley Hacker

MS/US Dance, Debate & Drama Coordinator

Sam Turner US Dance

The members of the Performing Arts faculty, the Engagement & Communications Department, the Admissions Department, the FUN Committee, the Poly Prep IT Staff, the Facilities and Maintenance Department, the Security Staff, the Kitchen Staff, and the US 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

Join Us for These Upcoming Performing Arts Events

Upper School Musical—The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Book by Rachel Sheinkin, Music and Lyrics by William Finn, additional materials by Jay Reiss

Thursday–Saturday, March 2–4, 2023

7:00 PM | RICHARD PERRY THEATRE

Sunday, March 5, 2023

2:00 PM | RICHARD PERRY THEATRE

Spring Dance Concert

Saturday, April 15, 2023

11:00 AM–3:00 PM | DYKER HEIGHTS, CAMPUSWIDE

Spring Arts Festival Vocal Music Concert

Thursday, April 20, 2023

7:00 PM | MEMORIAL CHAPEL

Arts Festival & Instrumental Music Concert

Thursday, April 27, 2023

7:00 PM | MEMORIAL CHAPEL

MS Musical— Bye Bye Birdie

Thursday & Friday, May 11 & 12, 2023

7:00 PM | RICHARD PERRY THEATRE

Stay tuned for more information about our upcoming events!