IOWA STATE CENTER IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PERFORMING ARTS COUNCIL PRESENTS
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011 7:30 pm
TRAFFIC World Premiere February 2003 – Dayton, Ohio Choreography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Debbie Blunden-Diggs and Dancers Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kodo Lighting Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ken Keith Costumes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Maurita Elam
I. Changing Lanes II. Intersections, Crossings and Mergers III. Rush Hour DANCERS Alexis Britford, Alexander James Edwards, Michael Green, La Moi Hedrington, H. D. Horner III, Amy R. Jones, Kimberly Jones, Marlayna Locklear, William B. McClellan, Jr., Susanne Payne, Nabachwa Ssensalo, DeMarcus Akeem Suggs, Jarel D. Waters, Sheri “Sparkle” Williams
DANCERS Alexis Britford, Alexander James Edwards, Michael Green, LaMoi Hedrington, H.D. Horner III, Amy Jones, Kimberly Jones, Marlayna Locklear, William B. McClellan, Jr., Susanne Payne, Nabachwa Ssensalo, Jarel D. Waters
Apprentices: Heather Bayley, Cameelah Pennington, Mar Romero Trafffic — 1 traf-fic/’traf-ik/n [MP trafique, fr traficare to traffic] 4 a: the movement (as of vehicles or pedestrians) through an area or along a route b: the vehicles or pedestrians moving along a route c: the information or signals transmitted over a communications system: MESSAGES 5 a: the passengers or cargo carried by a transportation system b: the business of transporting passengers or freight.
FOUNDER Jeraldyne Blunden Artistic Director Debbie Blunden-Diggs
Executive Director Ro Nita Hawes-Saunders
Company Manager/Rehearsal Coach G.D. Harris Lighting Director John Rensel
Wardrobe Supervisor Maurita Elam
DAYTON CONTEMPORARY DANCE COMPANY CSU-Dayton Campus 840 Germantown Street Dayton, Ohio 45402 Phone: (937) 228-DCDC (3232) Fax: (937) 223-6156 www.dcdc.org
EXCLUSIVE TOUR REPRESENTATION Rena Shagan Associates, Inc. 16A West 88th Street New York, NY 10024 Phone: (212) 873-9700 Fax: (212) 873-1708 www.shaganarts.com
The world-class Dayton Contemporary Dance Company is supported in part by National Endowment for the Arts, Ohio Arts Council, Montgomery County Arts & Cultural District, Culture Works, Dayton Power & Light Foundation, Virginia W. Kettering Foundation, Dayton International Airport, Premier Health Partners, Chase, University of Dayton, Central State University, Lion, Thompson-Hine LLP, Battelle & Battelle LLP, Combined Federal Campaign, Emerson Climate Technologies, Cox Ohio Publishing, Dayton Daily News, the Dayton Foundation, CareSource, The Shubert Foundation, Ohio Valley Smart Set, Emery Continuum, Gem City Physicians, Light Fantastic.
Debbie Blunden-Diggs created Traffic in 2003. Set to the percussive rhythms of Kodo, the ballet is an abstracted work that illustrates patterns of movement, the ebb and flow of life reminiscent of traffic patterns. The choreography is presented in three movements — Changing Lanes; Intersections, Crossing, and Mergers; and finally Rush Hour evocative of changing traffic patterns and routes of daily life.
THE NEARING World Premiere 2011 – Dayton, Ohio Choreography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rodney A. Brown Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Wall Lighting Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Maurita Elam Costumes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .John Rensel
DANCERS Alexander James Edwards, Michael Green, LaMoi Hedrington, H.D. Horner, III William B. McClellan, Jr., Mar Romero, DeMarcus A. Suggs, Jarel D. Waters
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VESPERS
BIOGRAPHIES
World Premiere 1986 – Dayton, Ohio Choreography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ulysses Dove Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mikel Rouse Costume Consultant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A. Christina Giannini Costume Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Terri Reed Lighting Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .William H.Grant III
DANCERS First movement: Sheri “Sparkle” Williams and Alexis Britford Second movement: Alexis Britford, Kim Jones, Marlayna Locklear Susanne Payne, Nabachwa Ssensalo, Sheri “Sparkle” Williams Vespers captures the passion and spirituality of women who have a faith and belief in God that sustains and support them all their lives. The work is a recreation of the spirit Ulysses Dove got from watching these women in church and is dedicated to his grandmother. Vespers is made possible through a grant from the National Choreography Project, a pilot program funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, Exxon Corporation, and the National Endowment for the Arts and administered by PENTACLE, a non-profit service organi-zation for the performing arts.
CHILDREN OF THE PASSAGE World Premiere 1999 – Dayton, Ohio Choreography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Donald McKayle and Ronald K. Brown Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dirty Dozen Brass Band Costume Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Omotayo W. Olaiya Lighting Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .William H. Grant III Movements: 1. Dark Mansion 2. Indulgent Spirit 3. Cortege 4. Yesterday’s Whispers 5. Shout
DANCERS Alexis Britford, Michael Green, LaMoi Hedrington, H.D. Horner III, Amy Jones, Marlayna Locklear, William B. McClellan, Jr,, Susanne Payne, Nabachwa Ssensalo, Jarel D. Waters, Sheri “Sparkle” Williams Set to the vibrant rhythms of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, it follows a party of decadent lost souls that are haunted and later rescued by spirits that reconnect them to their ancient and ancestral character. A cadence that is drawn from the traditional marching jazz bands of New Orleans with the grind and groove of the contemporary jazz and soul music. The language of movements is translated from the visual poetry of African and African American dance and the celebration of cultural rituals of yesterday and today. This project commission was made possible by the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center, Wilberforce, Ohio and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional support from The Dayton Foundation.
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JERALDYNE BLUNDEN Founder “Man has created boundaries for race, religion, and culture. If we can get past that, we can realize that there is much more in life which connects us.”
Overcoming boundaries and inspiring others to do the same may well be the overarching theme of Jeraldyne Blunden’s legacy. Inspired by two pioneers in dance, Ms. Blunden began her dance training at the age of eight under the guidance of Josephine and Hermene Schwarz, founders of The Dayton Ballet. The Schwarz sisters helped Ms. Blunden gain access to greater opportunities including summer scholarships to the American Dance Festival in Connecticut, (ADF has since relocated to Durham, North Carolina) where she studied with Martha Graham, Jose Limon, George Balanchine and James Truitte, teachers who later became her professional peers and personal friends. Ms. Blunden’s exposure to the dance world outside of Dayton began to shape her vision and dreams for the future. She also studied at the American Dance Festival and performed with the Dayton Ballet, Antioch Summer Theatre and the Connecticut College Dance Theatre Workshop. At the age of 19, when she took over the dance school at the Linden Center, started by the Schwarz sisters, Ms. Blunden continued the tradition of providing opportunities for her dancers, sending them to study during summers at such notable training centers as the Dance Theatre of Harlem, ADF and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center. Throughout her life Jeraldyne Blunden received numerous awards and commendations including the prestigious John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation “Genius” Fellowship Award in 1994. Ms. Blunden has also been the recipient of the Dance/USA 2000 Honors Award (posthumously), the Katherine Dunham Achievement Award (1998), the
Dance Magazine Award (1998), the National Black Festival's Lifetime Achievement Award (1998), Dance Women Living Legend Honors (1997) and the Regional Dance America Northeast Award (1991). Ms. Blunden was also awarded honorary Doctorate degrees from the University of Dayton and Wright State University. On November 22, 1999 Jeraldyne Blunden passed away at the age of 58. Ms. Blunden leaves a living legacy in the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company and the hundreds of lives she touched through her vision and dreams. “That no-nonsense approach to life was mixed with steely determination, a great personal warmth and humor and an unsentimental humanity that made her (Jeraldyne Blunden) a much-loved figure on the national dance scene.” — Jennifer Dunning, The New York Times, November 24, 1999
RO NITA HAWESSAUNDERS Executive Director Ro Nita Hawes-Saunders joined the worldrenowned Dayton Contemporary Dance Company in August 2005. A native Daytonian, Ms. Hawes-Saunders was formally the owner of awardwinning radio stations WROU-FM and WRNB-FM in Dayton, and she was one of fewer than 10 AfricanAmerican women in the United States who owned and operated radio stations. During her three year tenure at DCDC Ms. HawesSaunders has brought new energy and life to the administrative team of the company. Her focus is to establish financial stability and a strong, progressive long-term strategic plan for DCDC’s future. Through new development initiatives, educational programs and community partnerships, Ms. Hawes-Saunders has used her business savvy and personal commitment to community, arts, and economic development to help DCDC plan the 40th Continued on next page
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anniversary celebration of the world-class Dayton Contemporary Dance Company.
No Room, No Place, No Where for which she received a Monticello Award in 1982.
Ms. Hawes-Saunders is also an advocate for minorities and women in business ownership and has received numerous awards for her service, dedication, and commitment to her community, as well as her passion for going “beyond excellence” in business. She has been named one of Dayton’s Top Ten Women and served on many boards, including PACE (Parents Advancing Choice in Education), the Denison University Board of Trustees (her alma mater), the Downtown Dayton Partnership, Inc., and the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce. In 2002, she was named one of Dayton’s Ten Top African American Female Firsts and was recently inducted into the Dayton Area Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
In addition to her choreographic and performance contributions to DCDC, Ms. Blunden-Diggs is the Executive Director of Jeraldyne's School of the Dance, the cornerstone of the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, and works closely with the preprofessional company, DCDC2. In 1990, Ms. BlundenDiggs was made Associate Artistic Director and in 2003 became Deputy Director for Arts and Operations. When Kevin Ward retired on July 1, 2007, Ms. Blunden-Diggs became DCDC’s new Artistic Director.
Ms. Hawes-Saunders is married to Don L. Saunders, an aeronautical engineer at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. They have a 24-year old daughter, Donnica, who is a second year law student at the University of Dayton.
DEBBIE BLUNDEN-DIGGS Artistic Director Debbie Blunden-Diggs like her mother, founder Jeraldyne Blunden, began her dance training at the age of five at the Schwarz School of the Dance. She joined the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company at the age of 12 and won national recognition for her choreographic talents by the time she was age 17. Her first piece, Variations in Blue, was submitted as an entry in the Young Choreographers Showcase and selected for inclusion in the National Choreographic Plan and made available to dance companies across the country. During her more than 30 years with DCDC, Ms. Blunden-Diggs has appeared in most of the Company’s repertoire and has been resident choreographer for more than 20 years. She has contributed an impressive body of work, including Insert 6
ABOUT THE WORLDCLASS DCDC DANCERS HEATHER BAYLEY is originally from Long Island, New York. Upon moving to Illinois, at the age of ten, she continued training at The Faubourg School of Ballet and Gould Academy of Dance Arts. In 2010, she graduated from Western Michigan University with a B.F.A. in Dance. While at Western, she had the opportunity to perform works by Antony Tudor, Ron de Jesus, and Frank Chaves. She Thanks her friends and family for their undying love and support. Ms. Bayley joined the company in 2010. ALEXIS BRITFORD is a native of Columbus, Ohio and began training at Theatre Street Dance Academy. She also studied at The Cincinnati Conservatory of Music’s Preparatory Program, Jeraldyne’s School of the Dance, the Dayton Ballet, and Columbus Youth Ballet. She completed her high school diploma with a concentration in ballet from North Carolina School of the Arts and attended the Boston Conservatory for two years performing works by Sean Curran and Antony Tudor, before transferring to Wright State University, where she received a B.F.A. in Dance cum laude. Ms. Britford has spent summers studying with The Hungarian National Ballet Academy, Boston Ballet, and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. As a former Continued on next page
DCDC II member, she is excited, honored, honored, and blessed to be dancing with DCDC. She thanks her family and friends for their continuing support. Ms. Britford joined the company in 2009.
ALEXANDER JAMES EDWARDS started his dance training at the age of four with Stacia’s School of Dance in DeSoto, Texas with Stacia Woodlan and with the formerly-known Encore! Dance Company of Grand Prairie,Texas Holly Belford-Davis and Lanita Moore. He owes his core training to Jana Block Mitchell, Malana Murphy, and Michelle Sherrill, his teachers at the formerly-known Dancin’ Feet Performing Company of Lewisville, Texas. Mr. Edwards is an alumnus of the world-renowned Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas and a graduate of Point Park University with a B.A. in Dance. He has worked alongside notable choreographers such as Robert Battle, Debbie Allen, Christopher Huggins, Alexander Pelham, and Jason SamuelsSmith, and performed with artists such as MC Hammer and Destiny’s Child. In addition to his dance experience, Mr. Edwards is a freelance teacher, choreographer and the owner and founder of The eXperience Dance Project (theXdp.com). He owes everything he has to God, his family, and everyone who has supported him and is ecstatic to be in his second season with DCDC. Mr. Edwards joined the company in 2010. MICHAEL GREEN is in his fifth season with DCDC. A native of Richmond, VA, Mr. Green studied with Ingrid’s Dance Theater, Richmond Ballet, and Virginia School of the Arts. In 2007, he graduated from Butler University with a B.F.A. in Dance Performance. Mr. Green was a guest artist for several companies including the Alexandria Ballet, Ballet Arkansas, the Long Island Philharmonic, and the American Cabaret Theater. Over the summers he trained with Ballet Austin, the National Taiwan University of the Arts, the Rimsky-Korsakov, Boston Ballet, the School of American Ballet, and Interlochen Performing Arts School. Mr. Green would like to thank his parents and sisters for pushing him to continuously pursue his art. Mr. Green joined the company in 2007.
G.D. HARRIS (Rehearsal Coach & Company Manager) started dance studies in St. Albans Queens, New York at the Gloria Jackson Dance Studios. He also went to the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Arts and Performing Arts; the original “Fame” school. While in High School, Mr. Harris trained at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center on scholarship. After graduating cum laude with a B.F.A. in Dance from Ohio State University he began his career with DCDC, receiving many honors through the years, such as the first annual “Josie Award” for best male performer 1996 and the Montgomery County Individual Artist Fellowship 1998, 2002, and 2008. In 2000, Mr. Harris was promoted to rehearsal coach and most recently appointed Company Manager. He thanks everyone for their love and support as he enters his retirement year from the stage. Mr. Harris joined the company in 1991.
LAMOI HEDRINGTON is originally from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. He began training at the Conservatory of Dance and Fine Arts in Decatur, GA. He was awarded the Future Star Scholarship from the New York City Dance Alliance. He has danced for the Ballethnic Dance Company where he danced the lead role in the Leopard Tale, The Brown Project and DCDC2. Mr. Hedrington has taught master classes across the country including in his hometown St. Thomas. He has performed works by Donald McKayle, Rennie Harris, Donald Byrd, Warren Spears and Ron K. Brown. He is honored to be in his third season with the company. Mr. Hedrington joined the company in 2009.
H. D. HORNER III, from Nashville, TN where he began training at the Nashville School of the Arts and Nashville Ballet. After High School he continued training at The New World School of the Arts in Miami, FL. Mr. Horner performed works by choreographers such as Alvin Ailey, Donald McKayle, Milton Myers, Matt Maddox, Susanna Linke, Jose Limon, and Christopher Huggins. He is honored to have danced with Nashville Ballet, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Continued on next page Insert 7
Ensemble and The Martha Graham Ensemble. Mr. Horner is extremely excited to be returning to Dayton and dancing once again with DCDC. Thank you for your continued support. Mr. Horner first joined the company in 2003 and re-joined in 2011.
AMY RENEE JONES begins her fourth season with DCDC. Originally from Huntington, WV, she trained with the Huntington Dance Theatre and the RiverCities Dance Company in Greenup, KY. In 2007, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Point Park University with a B.A. in Dance. Over the past few summers Ms. Jones has worked for the West Virginia Governor’s School of the Arts, and currently choreographs and teaches dance throughout Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia. At DCDC, she was originally a member of DCDC2 before joining the first company. She thanks her family, friends, and God for their unconditional love and support. Ms. Jones joined the company in 2008. KIMBERLY JONES from Centerville, Ohio. She began her training with the South Dayton School of Dance (where she is now proud to teach modern dance) and went on to attend Point Park University. Ms. Jones graduated with honors in 2009 with a B.F.A. in dance and performed works by Martha Graham, Heidi Latsky, Edgar Zendejas, Kiesha Lalama-White, and Douglas Bentz. She spent one season with DCDC2 before joining the first company. She graduated from the Dayton School of Medical Massage in the spring of 2011 and soon after earned her license in massage therapy. She thanks her parents for supporting her dreams of dancing professionally and is honored and proud to be a part of this exceptional company. I love you Mom and Dad, I dance for you guys. Ms. Jones joined the company in 2010. MARLAYNA LOCKLEAR hails from Milwaukee, WI. and has been immersed in the dance culture since the age of 12. She began her training at City Ballet Theatre under the direction of Marjorie Yoshida and Lee Palmer. She later attended Milwaukee High School of the Arts and became a founding member of Milwaukee Dance Connection. Ms. Locklear Insert 8
received her B.F.A in Dance Performance from the University of the Arts with a focus in ballet and jazz. While in college she was a member of Eleone Dance Theatre and since then went on to join Cleo parker Robinson Dance Ensemble and Dallas Black Dance Theatre. She is pleased to be in her fourth season and thanks her family, friends and fellow dancers for their continued support. Ms. Locklear joined the company in 2008.
WILLIAM B. MCCLELLAN, JR. (Resident Choreographer) Hailing from the South side of Chicago, Illinois, Mr. McClellan studied dance at the Sammy Dyer School of Theater, Joseph Holmes Chicago Dance Theater, Joel Hall Dance Center, and Whitney Young High School. Following his passion he was granted a full scholarship at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he graduated with a B.F.A. in dance in 2000. During this time he danced at Martha’s Vineyard: A Colony of Artist and Dancespace in New York City, and became the first African-American to perform Susan Marshall’s “Arms”. Following graduation he moved to Detroit, Michigan where he became an original and cofounding member of CounterGroove Dance Company under the direction of Erica Wilson-Perkins. He enters his tenth season serving as teacher and resident choreographer for both DCDC and DCDC2. As an artist he has won awards such as the 2004 and 2008 MCACD Individual Artist Fellowship, 2005 and 2006 RDA Northeast Region National Choreographic Award, 2006 OAC Individual Excellence Fellowship, 2005 Josie Award and a 2006 Princess Grace Award nomination. As a choreographer he has created works for Cincinnati Ballet, Pennsylvania Regional Ballet, South Dayton Dance Theatre, and of course DCDC; kicking off the choreographer’s Initiative Project in 2006. He thanks his family and the DCDC family for their constant love and support. Mr. McClellan joined the company in 2002.
SUSANNE PAYNE born and raised in Dayton, Ohio grew up studying intensely in both New York and California at accredited schools such as Idyllwild Arts Academy, Interlocken and New York University/Tisch Continued on next page
School of the Arts. Summer study scholarships include Thodos Dance Chicago, River North Chicago Dance Company and Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre. She graduated in 2006 magna cum laude with a B.F.A. in Dance with a minor in Psychology from Wright State University where she was awarded the Dayton Ballet Foundation Merit Scholarship and was the only dance major to be named a “Martin Sheen” Artistic Scholar. Between DCDC and DCDC2, Ms. Payne has been with the company for a total of 7 years. She has been blessed to study under and perform works by such noted choreographers as Eloe Pomare, Donald Byrd, Rennie Harris, Ronald K. Brown, Ulysses Dove and Talley Beatty, just to name a few. In 2008, she was awarded the “Josie” for best Female Performer. She has been a member of NY based NaiNi Chen Dance Company and Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre in Chicago, IL. Ms. Payne has been a faculty member for Stivers School for the Arts and teaches modern dance throughout the Dayton area. She also choreographed works for DCDC2, Dayton Ballet, WSU, dance studios and Performing Art High Schools. She is a NASM certified personal trainer and a Juice Plus + representative (vitalandstrongjuiceplus.com) and enjoys singing, musical theatre and piano. Ms. Payne joined in 2005 and re-joins the company in 2011. in 2002.
Performance. Mr. Romero has performed various works by choreographers such as Alvin Ailey, Robert Battle, Antonio Brown, Ernesta Corvino, Kara Davis, Mark Dendy, Fritz Ludin, Martha Graham, Austin Hartel, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Helen Simoneau and Paul Taylor. He has also had the opportunity to take master classes with Betty Jones, Alonzo King, Maxine Sherman, Nathan Trice and Violette Verdy. This is his first season with DCDC and he is honored to be a part of such a renown company. Mr. Romero joined the company in 2011.
NABACHWA SSENSALO was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. She has trained with the Lula Washington Dance Theatre (LWDT), The Ailey School, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Bella Lewisky and Stefan Wenta. She toured professionally with LWDT for eight years and continues to work with the company as a guest artist. In 2004, she received the MCACD Individual Artist Fellowship for excellence in dance performance. She has also judged for Midwest Starz and Encore dance competitions. Ms. Ssensalo also holds a BA in Economics from Occidental College where she attended as a full merit scholar through the Irvine Foundation. Currently, she is in her twelfth season with DCDC. Ms. Ssensalo joined the company in 2000.
DEMARCUS AKEEM SUGGS began his professional CAMEELAH PENNINGTON is a native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She began training at Classen School of Advanced Studies, where she was a dance performance major. She then graduated in 2007 with an International Baccalaureate Dance Degree. In Spring of 2011, she graduated with a B.F.A. in Modern Dance Performance from the University of Oklahoma. There she performed pieces by Martha Graham, Betty Jones, Fritz Ludin, and Austin Hartel. This is her first season with DCDC. She is very excited and proud to be working with this exceptionally talented company. Ms. Pennington joined the company in 2011.
MAR ROMERO is originally from Houston, Texas where he began his studies in high school under the direction of Anna Ashy and Catherine “Cookie” Joe. He recently graduated from the University of Oklahoma in May 2011 with B.F.A. in Dance
training under the tutelage of Marcus Sherman. He continued his studies at Zion Worship Center for the Arts (Charlotte, NC), Dance Central, Masterworks Festival and the USA International Ballet Competition/School. In 2011, he received his B.F.A. in dance from Belhaven University (Jackson, MS) where he was a full-tuition scholarship recipient. While at Belhaven, Mr. Suggs was selected for the 2009 Bezalel Award for Outstanding Artistic Achievement and was also a member of TALK Dance Company with whom he toured internationally. He has had the opportunity to be impacted by many distinguished artists, namely April Berry, Randall Flinn, David Keary, Steve Rooks, Robert Wesner and Stephen Wynne. He’s excited to begin his first season with DCDC and gives credit to God, family and friends for their incredible support. Mr. Suggs joined the company in 2011. Continued on next page Insert 9
JAREL D. WATERS is originally from Flint, Michigan
DAYTON CONTEMPORARY DANCE COMPANY
and began training in tap dance under Bruce Bradley at Creative Expressions Dance Studio. He then began ballet and modern training when accepted into Marygrove College in Detroit, Michigan under Penny Godboldo and Jordeen Ivanov-Ericson. In the summer of 2003 he attended The Ailey School’s summer intensive and then transferred to The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Mr. Waters received his B.F.A. in Dance Performance from University of Michigan after performing works by Doug Varone, Peter Sparling, Sandra TorijanoDeyoung, and Leyya Tawil. After graduating, he performed with The Detroit Legacy Project and was a guest artist for Tapology 2009. He is grateful to be a part of DCDC. Mr. Waters joined the company in 2010.
COMPANY HISTORY
SHERI “SPARKLE” WILLIAMS (Company Fitness Trainer) is a native Daytonian who has come to be known, among her colleagues and dance enthusiasts, as Sparkle. Currently, she embarks on an unprecedented 39th season with DCDC and is also an original member of the New York based Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Ms. Williams has received numerous awards throughout her career, including the JOSIE Award, Fisk University’s Excellence in Artistry Award, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District, and the coveted New York Dance and Performance Award (the Bessie) to name a few. All to which she attributes the nurturing bestowed upon her by many dance educators and creators and most of all company founder, Jeraldyne Blunden. As a nationally certified fitness professional Ms. Williams serves as company Fitness Trainer charged with challenging the dancers to improve cardiovascular, strength, plyometric, and overall aesthetic prowess. Inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society with a 4.0 GPA working toward a dual major in Systems and Software Engineering, she credits any and all of her accomplishments to the exceptional discipline acquired through dance. As she says, “In my world it’s all choreography.” Ms. Williams joined the company in 1973.
MISSION Rooted in the African American experience, DCDC is a culturally diverse contemporary dance company committed to reaching the broadest audience through exceptional performance and arts-integrated education. DCDC reaches this audience with local performances, through national and international touring, and through the company’s educational programs in the Miami Valley and on tour.
FOUNDING Founded in 1968 by Dayton, Ohio native, Jeraldyne Blunden, DCDC is the oldest modern dance company in Ohio and one of the largest companies of its kind between Chicago and New York City. DCDC has won national and international acclaim and is renowned for powerful, artistic performances, a diverse repertoire of works by world class choreographers, and excellence in educational programming.
REPERTOIRE AND NEW WORKS Jeraldyne began early in the company’s history to build DCDC’s outstanding repertoire, which includes works by master choreographers, such as Eleo Pomare, Alvin Ailey, Ulysses Dove, Merce Cunningham, Donald McKayle, and Talley Beatty. Today, DCDC continues to acquire new works by contemporary choreographers including Bebe Miller, Sir Warren Spears, Dwight Rhoden, Doug Varone, Shapiro and Smith, and Ronald K. Brown. Recently, DCDC invited Bill T. Jones, Bebe Miller, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Dwight Rhoden, and Doug Varone to create new works celebrating Dayton’s native Wright Brothers’ first flight 100 years ago and artistically explores what the invention of flight means to our contemporary world. This five-piece program, The Flight Project, premiered the summer of 2003. The company has also commissioned The Clearing in the Woods, an innovative jazz/dance collaboration with noted jazz pianist Mulgrew Miller and the acclaimed, choreographer Ronald K. Brown. And this past October commissioned Lyric Fire,
choreographed by Dianne McIntyre to celebrate the life and poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar. To further expand its repertoire, DCDC has currently commissioned more new works from choreographers Donald Byrd, Rennie Harris, and Reggie Wilson to launch colôr-ógraphy, n. the dances of Jacob Lawrence; dance works inspired by the powerful paintings of Jacob Lawrence. In 1988, DCDC was one of four dance companies chosen by The American Dance Festival to participate in ADF’s Black Tradition in American Modern Dance project. The project involved the reconstruction of classic dance works by AfricanAmerican choreographers and led to an extensive touring schedule for DCDC. Through extended state tours of North Carolina, New Mexico, Minnesota, and California, the company built a reputation as technically proficient and artistically superb. Since the late 80s, DCDC has toured to almost every state in the union and has also traveled internationally to Russia, Germany, France, Poland, Korea, Bermuda,
and Canada. DCDC has performed numerous times at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and at the American Dance Festival. Additional major appearances in the United States have included The Joyce Theater in New York City, Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors, The Kennedy Center, and The Kennedy Center’s Satellite Program for Schools televised nationally and the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s, Next Wave Festival. In February 1999, DCDC premiered Children of the Passage by Donald McKayle and Ronald K. Brown. This work was commissioned by the National AfroAmerican Museum and Cultural Center as part of a major project, When the Spirit Moves: the Africanization of American Movement. The creation and debut of Children of the Passage, along with numerous other classic works performed by DCDC, have been captured in Free to Dance, a documentary on the history of Black modern dance in America, aired on PBS “Great Performances”, June 24, 2001.
Enjoy the timeless family favorite, The Nutcracker Ballet! Saturday, December 10 at 1:30 pm & 7:30 pm | Sunday, December 11 at 1:30 pm With more than 200 local dancers, professional dancers performing the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier, and Tchaikovsky’s famous and beautiful score, The Nutcracker Ballet has been a tradition for families at Stephens each December for the past 30 years. We are delighted to host this enchanting holiday classic, with choreography by Ames’ own Robert Thomas and Miyoko Kato Thomas.
Joy Voelker Sugar Plum Fairy
Adrian Danchig-Waring Cavalier
This year’s performance will feature principal dancers Ames native Joy Voelker and Adrian Danchig-Waring of The New York City Ballet.
Tickets: $20 and $18 (Adults) | $18 and $16 (18 & under/55 & over/ISU Students ID) For Tickets: Stephens Auditorium Ticket Office Ticketmaster: www.ticketmaster.com or 1-800-745-3000 | All Ticketmaster Outlets
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Thank You for Supporting the Performing Arts Fund at Stephens Auditorium The Iowa State Center gratefully acknowledges those who contribute to the Performing Arts Fund at Stephens Auditorium. Every gift plays an important part in the success of the Performing Arts Series’ far-reaching programs. By bridging the gap between expenses and ticket revenues, the Performing Arts Fund at Stephens Auditorium provides critical support for all Performing Arts Series activities. Gifts listed are current as of October 13, 2011. We make every effort to be accurate and present your name in the way you wish. If we have made an error or your preference has changed, please contact Patti Cotter, Sponsorship & Development Manager, at 515-294-1238 or pcotter@iastate.edu. IMPRESARIO $ 5,000 and above The Lauridsen Family Endowment EXECUTIVE PRODUCER $ 2,500 and above Jim Beckwith George C. & Susan J. Christensen Harry & Cecilia Horner Kawaler Family Charitable Foundation Jayne Larson & Ira White Beverly & Warren Madden Sue & Al Ravenscroft DIRECTOR $ 1,000 and above Irene Beavers Elizabeth Cole Beck Kelli Bennett Jay & Karen Heldt-Chapman John & Judy Clem Wayne P. & Ferne Bonomi Davis Durbin, Zheng & Son, Inc. David Coe & Anne C. Durland 1st National Bank — Ames Willa & Dave Holger Mitchell & Sherilyn Hoyer Arthur Klein Jane W. Lohnes James & Jody Mueller John & Cynthia Paschen Mary Jean & Maurice Reimers Gary F. & Harriet M. Short PRINCIPAL ARTIST $ 500 and above Anonymous (2) Brian & Tanya Anderson Claire Andreasen Rick Bartosh Insert 12
Jane & John Baty Jen & Ed Buckingham Stewart L. Burger Bonny & Ray Callahan R.L. & Lenita Carstens Patricia Cotter & Peter Orazem Elizabeth Dahm Dieter & Renate Dellmann M. Burton Drexler Tom Flack Jan & Cornelia Flora Charles & Joanne Frederiksen Homer & Sandra Gartz Ethel George Susan & David Grant Bryan & Joy Graveline Justin & Heather Greenlee Wil & Marjorie Groves Esther & Herbert Harmison Sandy & Rick Hoenig Judie & David Hoffman Patricia Hulsey Jean & Bob Humphrey Charles Hurburgh & Connie Hardy Vicki Jahr Jim & Mary Kincart Janann King Todd & Jill Klindt Kenneth & Michelle Koehler Greg & Sue Lamont Allen & Joy Lang Phyllis J. & Larry L. Lepke Doug & Wanda McCay Louise M. McCormick Roger & Ruth McCullough Diane Muncrief Patricia A. Murphy Mark & Andy North Jim & Frankee Oleson John & Helen Olson
Kathy A. Parsons Mary Jane Pearson & Ramon A. Runkel Peter & Rae Reilly Dick & Sharon Richman Dan & Leslie Saftig Suzan & John Shierholz Chelon Stanzel & Ken Pap Clayton & Ruth Swenson Dorothy Timmons Connie J. & Roger C. Underwood Jeff & Ann Ver Heul Gary & Evonn Walling Jim & Mary West Duane & Megan Wolf Carol Wright Robert & Elizabeth Wych Brent & Maggie Wynja Roland & Barbara Zimany RISING STAR $ 250 and above Anonymous (2) Marc & Christianne Anderson Doris Bacot Sheila Rae Baker William Barry & Lisa Banitt Tom & Betty Barton Mary & Bob Baumann Kay & Roger Beckett LeRoy & Kathy Bergmann Diane & Ken Birt Mark & Deborah Blaedel Donald & Jamie Blomgren Roberta Boeke Deanne Brill & Dean Janssen Nancy E. Brown Lee & Lori Burras Ann H. Campbell Do-Biz Foods, LLC Mary & Alan Christy
RISING STAR continued Dan & Anita Clayberg Frank & Kathy Comito Charles & Teresa Connell John D. Corbett Roger A. Deal Meg E. Dobson - State Farm Insurance Larry & Barb Ebbers Dennis & Susan Eichner Dorothy Ekberg Brian & Lisa Eslinger Frank & Vikki Feilmeyer Cynthia & Lehman Fletcher Jan Fryer Wayne & Evelyn Fuller Sarah Garst Jeanne G. Gehm David & Carole Gieseke Matthew & Erin Gillaspie Chuck Glatz Thomas & Allison Greenwald Milford & Barbara Grotnes Melba & Karl Gschneidner Barbara & Karl Gwiasda Darrin T. & Mary Hamilton Judy Hankins Larry & Linda Hansen Eugene & Ruth Harris Jennifer & Chad Hart Joseph & Mary Herriges William Hillyard Dorothy Ferguson & Joseph Hineman Drs. M. Peter & Lorraine J. Hoffman Jon & Bonnie Hunziker Etha S. Hutchcroft Darren & Sue Jarboe Tom & Debra Johnson Susan Johnson Delma L. Kernan LeRoy & Susan Kester Elizabeth Keys Paul & Adele Knop Marina Kraeva Keith & Brenda Kutz John Landgraf & Phyllis Jones John Langeland Teresa & Jami Larson John & Mary Lawless William & Susan Lawyer Eudene & Susan Lund Elizabeth K. Lyons Duane Madoerin Greg & Carol Madsen Beverly & Bill Marion Charles & Barbara Markus
Maribeth Martin Jane & John Mathison Tom & Judy McDonald Thomas & Dorothy McGee Arlo & Lori Meyer John & Pam Miller Rosemary & Lester Moore Charles & Mary Ann Mulford Donna Newbrough & Lee Burchinal Don & Evelyn Nystrom Ruth Anne Ohde Larry & Cheryl Olofson Bonnie & David Orth Pat & Randy Parker John F. Patience John Pesek John E. Pierce Pat & Linda Plummer Ellen M. Rasmussen Klaus Ruedenberg Kent & Lou Ann Sandburg Dirk & Lucinda Scholten Norm & Sue Scott Jerry & Joann Sell Barbara A. Shedd Steiner & Mary Anne Silence Raymond & Jane Stanley Sue & Thad Stanton Georgia & Carl Vondra Daniel & Sherrie Vos Fred & Darlene Walker Marisa Weisskopf Joan E. Welch Becca Wemhoff B. Joan White Scott & Jan Williams Maureen Wilt Della Jane Wright COMPANY MEMBER $ 100 and above Anonymous (1) Barb & Jack Adams Leigh & Ed Adcock La Donna Allen Chris Andersen Wayne Anderson Martha Anderson Jose & Jeanie Angel Bob & Elizabeth Angelici Sandi & Dave Austin Rod & Janice Avey Terry & Debbie Barger JoAnn Barten Richard J. Baumhover
Charles & Jan Beall Senator Daryl & Jo Ann Beall Amy & Steven Becker Judy & Don Beitz Kay & Roger Berger Robert & Mary Bergmann Nancy L. Besch Kiran & Kalyani Chuck & Carmel Biskner Gail & Janeen Boliver Charlene Boll Diane Borcherding Angela Bradley Jean Krusi & Ed Braun Jeff & Jan Breitman Rick & Janet Brimeyer John Britt & Diane Vigneau Donald & Ruth Ann Buck Robert O. & Anne K. Buck Bob & Rosemary Bulman Kathryn Burkholder Daniel & Sandra Buss Margy Chamberlin Gale Chatterton Stephanie Clark John & Donna Cleasby Gladys & Peter Colwell Randy & Sara Compton Jim & Carolyn Cornette Roger & Bette Coulson Harold & Rachel Crawford Paula J. Curran Nancy & Pete Cyr William & Kathryn David Herbert A. David Stan & Helen Davidson Mary M. de Baca Michelle Delury Deborah Dice Drake Holding Co. David & Diane Drake Dee Dreeszen Carl Duling Frank Dunn Carol Elbert George Englesson Dorothy Ewing Kay Faaberg Anne & Richard Farr Marvin Beck & Jane Farrell-Beck Maria Fedorova Walter & Elinor Fehr Taena Fowler & Jon Greising Mim & Jim Fritz Rebecca Fritzsche Insert 13
COMPANY MEMBER continued
Herb & Katherine Fromm John E. Galejs Mary Jo Ganske Mary Garst Ann & Howard Garton Helen K. Geisler Tom & Mary Jo Glanville Kenneth Graham Lowell & Jennie Greimann John & Sally Greve Jean Griffen Timothy & Kellie Guderian Margaret Dempsey & William Gutowski Curt & Kathryn Robertson Hammer Melissa Hanna Mary Harms Duane Harris Marjorie Hartman Jerry & Pat Hatfield Marian Heady Thomas Andre & Susan Hegland Steve & Nancy Heideman Craig & Martha Heineman Martha Helland Isabel Hendrickson Pete & Janet Hermanson Richard & Janet Hersom Randy & Liz Hertz Joan Herwig Mary Ann & John Hicks Gary & Debra Hintze Bill & Judy Hoefle Robert & Janice Holland William & Barbara Holt Tim & Susan Hooper Frank Horn Dick & Sandy Horton Ted & Karen Huiatt Marcia Imsande Lincoln & Janet Jackson Mina Hertz Jacobs Mary James Marian & Roger Jansen Tim & Sue John Marilyn & Wendell Johnson Ken & Sue Johnson Marilyn R. Johnson Kent & Sara Johnson Bruce & Marie Johnson Margaret S. Johnson Carolyn Johnson Darron & Julie Jones Rich & Judy Jones Steven D. Jordening Cheryll & Tom Kierski Insert 14
Bette & Jim King Barbara Kiser Karen & Wayne Klaiber Jim & Joyce Kliebenstein Catherine Kling Marianne Klinsky Jerry & Margaret Knox Bianca Zaffarano & Nicholas Koszewski Richard & Nelle Kottman Dan & Sharon Krieger Asrun Yr Kristmundsdottir Richard Kruger Marilyn Kruse John & Diane Kubik Richard & Kim Langholz Randy & Beth Larabee Ruth G. Larson Michael Lazere & Lynn Anthony Rev. Selva Lehman Nels & Patricia Lersten Alfredo & Amelia Lim-Yao Efstathia Lingren Mark & Angela Logsdon Marion & Robert Lorr John & Lorijo Lounsberry Lowell & Elma Lynch Carole Magilton Dick & Jackie Manatt Audrey & Steve Marley Gary D. Mason James Maxwell Edith A. McClure Richard & Donita McCoy John & Renee McPhee Laura McVay Clete & Joyce Mercier Todd & Barbara Meyer Terrence Meyer Kris & Al Jergens John B. Miller & Kathryn Madera Miller Patricia & Kemp Miller Larry & Sara Mitchell Marilyn Moehlmann Leland & Virginia Molgaard John & Laurel Mors Karen Neff Thomas & Lynn Nehls Jim & Sara Nelson Don & Becky Nibe Michael & Ginger O'Keefe Olson & Kushkowski Family Ruth & LeRoy Ornberg Sue & Gary Osweiler David Otis Linda Papouchis Carol & Arlen Patrick
Don & Jan Payer Alec & Charlton Pendry Barbara Peterson Richard & Carol Pletcher Arthur & Bernadene Pohm Emil & Mary Kay Polashek Jim & Marlys Potter Mabel Prescott Jane Punke Larry & Sharron Quisenberry Frank & Jolene Randall Jean Ranney Denise & Randy Rettleff Kathy Rhode Thomas & Doris Rice William Rich Robert & Harriet Ringgenberg Ryan & Jodi Risdal Charles B. Ritts & Kathleen L. Epstein-Ritts Joe & Jennifer Rivera William S. Robinson Jo & Bob Rod Teresa Rohret Dick & Karen Ross Malcolm Rougvie Barbara Royer Carolyn Cutrona & Daniel Russell Dorothy & Robert E. Rust Tom & Lorna Safley Charles & Priscilla Sage Dean & Judy Sampson Steve Sapp & Lisa Enloe Thomas J. & Patricia A. Sauer Candy & Steve Schainker Bradley Schetzsle Jane & Frank Schill Lester Schmerr, Jr. Suzette Schmidt Matt & Kim Schryver Richard & Jasmine Seagrave George Seifert Phyllis Seim Dennis & Joan Senne Dr. & Mrs. Sam Senti Hilary Seo & Paul Rounds Carole & Leverne Seversike Kenneth & Shirley Shaw Debra Shenk-Boudart Mark & Amy Slagell John & Sandra Slaughter Jim & Diane Smith Clifford Smith Richard & Frances Smith Gary Sorensen Galina & Philip Spike
COMPANY MEMBER continued
Dr. & Mrs. W. Robert Stephenson Bernard & Victoria Stephenson Mr. & Mrs. David Stephenson Curtis Struck & Megan Fairall Robert & Deanne Summerfelt Doris Roettger-Svoboda Calvin & Susan Swan Margaret & John Tait M. Thompson Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Thompson Ron & Meg Thompson Betty Toman Ted Tostlebe & Marilyn Hanson John & Marjorie Uitermarkt Ardy & Dean Ulrichson Beverly Van Fossen
Stephen Van Houten Greg & Lana Voga Doug & Kim Walker Jim & Madeleine Walker Karen Walker Barb & Don Wandling Bobbie Warman Mary T. Watkins Fritz Wehrenberg & Jennie LeGates Marion & Harry Weiss Tom Wessels & Glenice Varley Mr. & Mrs. Richard C. White Bill & Toni Whitman Craig & Kyra Wilcox-Conley Bill & Amanda Fales-Williams Carla Wood Richard & Patricia Wood
Kent & Linda Woodworth Sharon L. Youngquist Suzanne Zaffarano Bill & Jean Zmolek MATCHING GIFT HONOR ROLL Alliant Energy Foundation AXA Foundation Bank of the West General Electric Merck Company Foundation Meredith Corporation Foundation Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. State Farm Companies Foundation Wells Fargo & Co.
PLANNED GIFTS These generous individuals have included the Performing Arts Series in their wills. Wayne P. Davis Frankee and Jim Oleson The late James Watson To learn how you can support the arts while honoring a loved one, or to create a legacy gift, contact Patti Cotter, Sponsorship & Development Manager, at 515-294-1238 or pcotter@iastate.edu.
Ames International Orchestra Festival Association Board of Directors Meg Dobson Karl Gwiasda Larry Hansen Esther Harmison Herb Harmison
Jacob Harrison Sandy Hoenig Willa Holger Arthur Klein - President Marilyn Johnson
Jane Mathison Mary Richards David Stephenson Joan White Maureen Wilt
Iowa State University Performing Arts Council A university committee comprised of Iowa State University faculty, staff, and students, as well as Ames community members, the Performing Arts Council advises the Iowa State Center on programming for the Performing Arts Series at Stephens Auditorium. Michael Golemo, President, Faculty–Music Tanya Anderson, Ames–Community Janice Baker, Faculty–Dance Sara Compton, Iowa State Center Patti Cotter, Iowa State Center Jane Cox, Faculty–Theater William David, Faculty–Music Homer Gartz, Ames–Community Debra Gibson, Faculty– Journalism & Mass Communication
Karl Gwiasda, Ames International Orchestra Festival Association Sam Johnson, Student–Music Nancy Marion, Ames–Community Nick Miller, Student–Music Patricia Miller, Faculty–Lectures Program Mark North, Advisor, Iowa State Center Lee Plummer, Student–Music Alissa Stoehr, Graduate Student–Microbiology Victoria Stafford, Student–Performing Arts Nolan Vallier, Student–Music Insert 15
SPONSORS — The Iowa State Center recognizes and thanks its sponsors for their support of the 2011-2012 Performing Arts Series at Stephens Auditorium: University Park Inn & Suites
Proud Sponsor of
BLAST!
Proud Sponsor of
My Fair Lady
Proud Sponsor of
Beauty and the Beast
Proud Sponsor of Young Frankenstein and Danú
GRANTS — The Iowa State Center recognizes and thanks the following organizations for their support of the 2011-2012 Performing Arts Series at Stephens Auditorium:
Ames International Orchestra Festival Association (AIOFA) and Ames Commission on the Arts Proudly Supporting Iowa State Symphony (Youth Matinee Series Concert), Irish Chamber Orchestra
and “Tschaikowski” — St. Petersburg State Orchestra
Iowa Arts Council Proudly Supporting Macbeth and Doubt This project supported in part by a grant from the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Arts Midwest Performing Arts Fund, Iowa Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities
Proudly Supporting Macbeth This project supported in part by the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs and by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. This presentation is supported by the Performing Arts Fund, a program of Arts Midwest, funded by the National Endowment of the Arts, with additional contributions from the Iowa Arts Council, General Mills Foundation and Land O’ Lakes Foundation.
Ancient Greeks/Modern Lives: Poetry-Drama-Dialogue is a program that has been made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Great ideas brought to life. www.ancientgreeksmodernlives.org Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Get two tickets to any Performing Arts Series event when you book a specially-priced hotel package at participating Ames hotels. Visit www.visitames.com for details. Sponsored by the Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau Insert 16