A Note from the Performing Arts Department
When construction began at the end of last school year, the excitement of breaking ground and everything that was to come was palpable. But an equally competing emotion, anxiety, was there too, riding just beneath the surface and reminding us that our productions would need to adjust in the coming year. We quickly learned that sometimes, when you feel boxed in, that’s where the best ideas bloom.
Sam and I are thrilled to welcome you to this year’s reimagined Dance Concert. One where we are honoring the elements of the new building by including dance, visual arts, and music in our production, and celebrating our campus in a way that shines a light on the possibilities surrounding us. Edgar Degas’ quote “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see” is a beautiful explanation of our campus journey—and we hope that you are able to see our artists and physical space in a whole new way. We invite you to let your senses be enveloped along the way, hearing and seeing with new wonder, afresh with potential.
Please join us in congratulating our artists and appreciating their investment while beautifully fulfilling their teachers’ out-of-the-ordinary vision. And we thank you, our audience, for going along for the ride! We hope you enjoy.
Ashley Hacker MS/US Dance, Debate & Drama CoordinatorCell Block Tango
Choreographer: Sam Turner
Music: Chicago Soundtrack—Overture/And All that Jazz & Cell Block Tango
Advanced Dancers: Laila Baluk, Genevieve Fitzpatrick, Nina Harris, Margot Janicik, Sasha Lifton Lewis, Adrianna Neal, Atiya Pope, Ali Schuman
Statues
Choreographer: Sam Turner
Music: The Winter by Balmorhea—Rivers Arms
D Block Dancers: Sylvie Dorsch, Eve Harris, Nina Harris, Margot Janicik, Danielle Jason, Angelique Lopez, Myka Modeste, Mia Pineda, Elena Piquet, Fiona Spillane, Wendy Zhou
Poly African Dance and Drum (PADD)
1. The Drummers’ Call: This piece introduces the drummers of the Djembe Orchestra as they play an arrangement of Lamban & Sunu through the audience and to the stage and the passing of the baton from the seniors (Sundiata Gittens & Josiah Bartholomew) to the next generation of drummers who will remain at Poly.
2. Sunu, A Dance of Celebration: This Djembe rhythm & dance, known throughout Mali, Senegal, & Guinea, will be celebrating and highlighting our senior, Mia Edwards, with the support of her advisor (Dr. Gittens) and her dance “sisters” in preparation for the next part of her journey beyond high school.
Club Advisors: Dr. Angela Gittens and Jeremi Lewis
Choreographers: Dr. Angela Gittens, Sundiata Gittens* (Musicians’ Movement)
Professional Percussionist & Teacher: Joan Ashley
Drummers: Sundiata Gittens*, Emilio Gittens, Josiah Bartholomew, Bryce Trent, Jordan James, Zachary Ramseur**, Jeremi Lewis
*Sundiata Gittens (a senior) is not present but will be represented by Emilio Gittens, Lead Djembe Soloist
**Not present
Dancers: Mia Edwards (Captain), Annakaecia Clarke, Chantal Guthrie, Rani Green, Victoria “Tori” Eanes
Afternoon of Choreography Review
Curated/Created by: Sam Turner
Jasmine Donald
Music: Take a Bow by Rhianna
Photo Opportunity
Steady
Choreographer: Ashley Hacker
Music: Hold My Hand, by Lady Gaga
Tower Dancer: Soleil Peña
3 OVAL String Quartet
Musicians: Marie Culmine, Jack Pfeifer, Amalia Rimmon, Cinthya Sanchez
Check-In Table
Say hello to our Head of Arts!
LEGEND PERFORMANCE ONE: 11:00 AM–12:30 PM
COMMONS RECEPTION: 12:30–1:30 PM
Jump
Choreographer: Sam Turner
Music: Jump by Heritage O.P.
E Block Dancers: Ariana DiCarlo, Genevieve Fitzpatrick, Ryan Geisler, Isabelle Gerling, Eden Golomb, Mia Gordon, Ella Lille Yerington, Katherine Lopez, Carolina Mannino, Lucia McDonald, Sadie Schoenberger, Alice Shinder, Fiona Stephenson, Olivia Umeh, Drew Waldman, Ezekiel Wise 6
FIRST FLOOR HALLWAY Gallery Walk, pt. 1
7 LIBRARY
spinning towards polaris
Choreographer: lisa nevada, inspired by Paul Taylor’s Polaris
Music: Excerpt—Osvaldo Golijov—Azul for cello obbligato for group orchestra
Grade 8, Semester 2, Dancers: Blake Baird, Jenesis Bartholomew, Jack Collier, Logan Geisler, Ben Goldberg, Cate Goldschmid, Jack Harris, Emmanuel Nikitiades, Lila Rice, Brianna Sylvain, Annabelle Thompson
8
Swag Shop
Please visit our shop for Poly, PolyArts, and one-of-a-kind PolyDance Swag
10 CHAPEL
Monsters of the Mind
Choreographer: Ashley Hacker
Music: Darkside by Neoni & Overwhelmed by Ryan Mack Grade 7, Semester 2, Dancers: Charlotte Arzouian, Barzel Ben-Dov, Nico Chamorro, Samara Charles, Magnus Coleman, James Green, Bodhi Kehoe, Eleanor Kempf, Anissa LeBlanc, Charlotte Merchant, Phileep Nowakowski, Gabby Pipitone, Emma Schlesinger, Genevieve Simmons, Stella Taendler, Desmond Weber, Leonardo Yang, Chris Zang
11 COMMONS
Afternoon of Choreography Review
Curated/Created by: Sam Turner
Jasmine Donald
Music: Take a Bow by Rhianna
Dance Team (Jazz)
Club Advisors: Alia Carponter-Walker and Sam Turner
Choreographers: Adrianna Neal and Atiya Pope
Dancers: Akeelah Binns, Sarai Dudley, Genevieve Fitzpatrick, Ella Lille Yerington, Angelique Lopez, Carolina Mannino, Adrianna Neal, Atiya Pope, Ali Schuman, Olivia Sperling, Suri Sun
Reception in Commons
12:30–1:30 PM
Pop into the Trophy Room to take a look at our swag
Additional Thanks To:
David Higham ................................................................................................ Lighting Design
Kim Griffin ..................................................................................................... Costume Design
Cynthia Babak, Chris Benvegna, Alia Carponter-Walker, Faculty Helpers
Daniel Doughty, Mariko Watt
Eliza Barrett, Cecilia Berkley, Tessa Cooper, Lila Dubin, Student Leaders
Devan Jiang, Athena Lampert, Gabby Pipitone
The Computer Information and Science Technology Department for the sound, video, and technical preparation and assistance.
Our Production Would Not Be Possible without the Generous Support of:
Audrius Barzdukas P’20
Head of School
Michal Hershkovitz P’16, P’18 Assistant Head of School, Academics
Sarah Bates Head of Upper School
André Del Valle P’29, ’33 Head of Middle School
Michael Robinson Head of Arts
Daniel Doughty Director of Music
Laura Coppola ’95, P’29, ’35 Chair of Visual Arts
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 Middle & Upper School Deans.
Please follow our Poly Prep ARTS social media pages on Facebook and Instagram for all-things-art at Poly featuring students Nursery–Grade 12.
Join Us for These Upcoming Performing Arts Events
Spring Vocal Concert
Thursday, April 20, 2023
7:00 PM | MEMORIAL CHAPEL
Spring Visual Arts Exhibition
Thursday, April 27, 2023
6:00 PM | STUDENT CENTER
Spring Instrumental Music Concert
Thursday, April 27, 2023
7:00 PM | MEMORIAL CHAPEL
Special Reunion Performing Arts Showcase
Saturday, April 29, 2023
Location and Time TBD
MS Musical: Bye Bye Birdie: Youth Edition
A Musical Comedy, Book by Michael Stewart, Music by Charles Strouse, Lyrics by Lee Adams
Thursday & Friday, May 11 & 12, 2023
7:00 PM | RICHARD PERRY THEATRE
Poly Conservatory Spring Recitals
Tuesday–Thursday, May 16–18, 2023
Details to follow
Grade 4 Spring Dance and Music Concert
Thursday, May 25, 2023
6:00 PM | RICHARD PERRY THEATRE
Grades 5 & 6 Music Share
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
10:00 AM | MEMORIAL CHAPEL
Stay tuned for more information about our upcoming events!