2023-24 State University of New York university at albany erforming rts enterC A Performing rts enter at State University of New York
The University atAlbany sits at the confluence of the Hudson andMohawkriversonthetraditionallandsoftheKanien’keháka and Muh-he-con-neok people, who stewarded this land for generations before the arrival of European colonists.The Kanien’keháka (People of the Flint) and Muh-he-con-neok (PeopleoftheWatersthatareNeverStill)aremorecommonly knowntodayastheMohawkHaudenosauneeandStockbridgeMunsee Band of Mohicans. Despite the similarity of their westernized names, the Mohawk and Mohican were culturally and linguistically distinct.
The UAlbany community recognizes that we live and work on the homelands of sovereign Indigenous nations with rich histories and cultures that continue today – both within NewYork and beyond.
As an institution devoted to teaching, scholarship, and service, we strive to understand and learn from our history and to affirm Indigenous rights and issues.To this end, we are committed to cultivating reciprocal relationships with Indigenous communities focused on equity, social justice, and sustainability – and dismantling legacies of colonization.
PerformingArts Center Music Program Theatre Program WELCOME! (518) 442-3995 (518) 442-4187 (518) 442-4200 www.albany.edu/pac www.albany.edu/music www.albany.edu/theatre
Cover photo: Tatiana Desardouin, Passion Fruit Dance Company | Photo by Loreto Jamlig
Photo this page: UAlbany Performing Arts Center | Photo by Patrick Ferlo
Visit the UAlbany Performing Arts Center website at www.albany.edu/pac for a full listing of this season’s events.
Photo: Dayton Contemporary Dance Company
Program
Stephanie Ward
The Woodland Dancers and A Basket of Pears
Marni Gillard
Historical stories about Ida B Welles, Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman
Claire Nolan
Nala and Damayanti from The Mahabharata
Aya Mahmoud
The Princess of Salt
About the Storytellers
Marni Gillard, a former educator, left the classroom in 1991 to be a fulltime teacher/artist with students and adults. Her book, Storyteller, Storyteacher, won the Anne Izard Award. Her recording of personal tales is a hit with children and adults alike. She’s sure to pull a story out of you!
Marni has traveled to Ireland, South Africa, and India where she has met storytellers and shared her tales. She was awarded the Northeast’s Regional Service Award from the National Storytelling Network in 2002. Find more info at her website www.marnigillard.com.
Programs: Marni specializes in workshops where students or adults find the life stories or folktales they can tell. "Discover the Storyteller in You!"; "Step Inside a Poem/Tale" where Marni brings poems and tales for listeners to try; "Elicit Life Tales from Others by Telling Yours” (for families, therapists, hospice/health workers, and clergy).
Every summer at Pyramid Life Center in the Adirondacks, Marni offers a three-day storytelling workshop for experienced and beginning tellers alike. Look for her this year Friday July 12 –Sunday July 14.
Aya Mahmoud, a rising Freshman at the University at Albany, embarked on her journey in storytelling in the summer of 2020 with the Children at the Well Program. During this period, Aya not only acquired the art of storytelling but also collaborated with individuals from various backgrounds, collectively sharing stories that represented their unique experiences.
Building upon this foundation, Aya took on the role of a Storytelling Coach Assistant during summer 2023 at the Underground Railroad Educational Center. Here, she further refined her skills, assisting others in crafting and delivering compelling narratives. Aya's deep connection to her roots in Sudan forms the heart of her storytelling, as she draws upon her personal experiences to share captivating tales with her audience.
Aya's journey in storytelling is a testament to her passion for cultural expression and the power of narrative to bridge diverse perspectives. As she steps into her freshman year at the University at Albany, Aya looks forward to continuing her exploration of storytelling as a means of fostering understanding and connection among communities.
Claire Nolan enjoys telling myths, literary tales, and folktales. As the seventh of ten children, she has a wealth of personal stories to share as well.
Claire can be found telling tales locally at Caffe Lena in Saratoga, Proctor’s Theater in Schenectady, the Performing Arts Center at UAlbany, Wiawaka Women’s Center at Lake George, and Thacher Park.
Claire’s love of history has sparked her interest in learning about women who have changed the world. She tells the stories of Mother Jones, Rachel Carson, Marie Curie, among others in personae. These programs are suitable for Middle and High School students and adults.
Claire also presents workshops on connecting storytelling and our sense of place.
You can contact Claire at cbnolou@gmail.com
Stephanie Ward (she/her) is a Teaching Artist based out of the Albany, NY area though she spends about half the year on the road performing. Stephanie has an eclectic blend of experience in the theatre arts with extended experience in improvisation, immersive theatre, actual play podcasts (ttrpg), children's character entertainment, stage combat and film. She is currently teaching for her third year as a story coach for Children at the Well, a youth storytelling class in the Capital District before she returns as Director of Improvisation at the Sterling Renaissance Festival.
She is grateful for the opportunity to share her voice and hopes that all women, cis and trans have space to feel heard and empowered this International Women's History Month.
Sponsors
Today’s performance is a collaboration between the UAlbany Performing Arts Center and the NYS Writers Institute. Funding support provided by the University at Albany Foundation, University Auxiliary Services, Office of Intercultural Student Engagement and the Alumni Association.
UALBANY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
PAC, 266
518-442-3995
www.albany.edu/pac
NEW YORK STATE WRITERS INSTITUTE
Science Library 320
518-442-5620
www.nyswritersinstitute.org
UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY FOUNDATION
University Administration Building, 226
518-437-5090
www.albany.edu/uafoundation
UNIVERSITY AUXILIARY SERVICES
University Administration Building, 232 518-442-5950
www.albany.edu/uas
INTERCULTURAL STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
Campus Center, B91
518-442-5565
www.albany.edu/multicultural
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Alumni House
518-442-3080
www.albany.edu/alumni
The UAlbany Performing Arts Center’s six theatres, three lounges and other spaces are available for rental.
The UAlbany Performing Arts Center’s six theatres, three lounges and other spaces are available for rental.
Performing rts enterC A
HOUSE POLICIES
Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of the management and its staff.
The use of photographic or recording devices of any kind during most performances is strictly prohibited.
There is no food or drink allowed in the theatres, nor is smoking allowed in UAlbany buildings.
. To avoid disrupting the performance, kindly disable any noise making electronic devices you may have with you.
Please take time to note the location of the fire exits nearest to you. In the event of an emergency, an announcement will be made from the stage. Please proceed to the nearest exit in an orderly fashion.
Created and produced by the University Art Museum, NYS Writers Institute and UAlbany Performing Arts Center in collaboration with WAMC Northeast Public Radio, this popular series features leading figures from a variety of artistic disciplines in conversation about their creative inspirations, their craft and their careers. “Roundtable” host Joe Donahue conducts live on-stage interviews followed by a Q&A with the audience.
Have your next event here... (518) 442-3995
www.albany.edu/pac PAC@albany.edu
university at albany State University of New York
Dayton Contemporary Dance Co
October 20
Passion Fruit Dance Co November 4
Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Co December 2
Mark Morris Dance Group January 25
with Ellen Sinopoli Dance Co
Capital Trio - January 27 *
Monica Bill Barnes & Co February 3
No Gravity Theatre February 9
Savion Glover April 13
Ellen Sinopoli Dance Co May 18
Packages
in 2023-24
Dance Albany
See all of these performances for only $110! Packages available through The Egg Box Office at the Empire State Plaza or by calling (518) 473-1845 university at albany State University of New York erforming rts enterC P A
Photo: Dayton Contemporary Dance Company
also available for choice of five or three at 25% or 10% discounts, respectively. * This show is free and does not factor into package pricing
Executive Park
Troy, Albany, Schenectady and SaratogaSprings,NY
The UAlbany Performing Arts Center is no longer operating a box office. All ticketing is done on-line and can be easily navigated from the web site provided through the QR code above or address below.
www.albany.edu/pac/tickets
