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NCSU Center Stage Liz Lerman Dance Exchange and in partnership with the The Hallelujah Project: Saturday, April 20, 2002, at 8 p.m. Conceived and Directed by Peter DiMuro, Associate Artistic Director Music Director: Robert Een Liz Lerman Dance Exchange Company: The Liz Lerman Dance Exchange Hallelujah Project is supported in part by grants from the North Carolina Arts Council, a state agency; the National Endowment for the Arts; the Wallace-Reader's Digest Funds; and the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Southern Arts Federation and the North Carolina Arts Council. PROGRAM Excerpts from Dances At A Cocktail Party (2002) HALLELUJAH: In Praise of Animals and Their People Intermission UNEASY DANCES Body Map (1998) Anatomies and Epidemics (2002) COMMUNITY MEMBER BIOS Mandy Acree is a 10th grader at Enloe High School. She spends most of her time with friends, on school work, or dancing. She loves playing with her dog Paco, who is a Terrier-mix. She has been dancing since age 4 and plans on minoring in dance education in college. Thanks! (Hey Rachel!) Rachel Ash is a 10th grader at Enloe High School who spends her days counting down until her high school graduation and planning her retirement to Sardinia. Besides dance, Rachel loves pasta, Quizno's, and anything involving artichokes. Some day she will open her own restaurant. Thanks! Hi Mandy and Gras! Ashley Barbour is in her second year with Orchesis (dance company) at Saint Mary's School. She trained at Arts Together and danced with Rainbow Dance Company. Ashley will attend Governors School West this summer. Along with dance, she loves music and singing in musical theater productions. If Ashley could be any animal she would be a dolphin, mainly because they dance and sing. She would like to thank Liz Lerman Dance Exchange for this opportunity. Carlie S. Blake Age 11, grade 5. I play the flute, I play soccer and basketball, and I love drawing dogs. My dog Chrissy sleeps with me at night. Julie O. Blake Occupation: Graphic artist. I loved animals as a child. We always had dogs growing up. At present, we share our home with three English Cocker Spaniels. I started participating in the sport of dog agility three years ago and became hooked. Nancy Carter is a senior dance major at Meredith College. After she graduates she plans to hide! Nancy loves cats and she would be a cat is she were an animal. Nancy would be a cat because they are independent, self-reliant, strong, agile, and beautiful, but they still need lots of attention. The best part of Nancy's day always is coming home and having a conversation with cats Frog and Daisy. Gessica Chadic is 11 years old and in the fifth grade at Brentwood Elementary. She has a cat named Vicky and two bunnies. She used to be a cheerleader. Sally Cook I am a retired primary school teacher. I believe everyone is creative. I have seen very good results and happy participants in arts & craft projects. Stephanie Davis is 11 years old and is in 5th grade at Brentwood Elementary. Her favorite subject in school is math. She has lots of pet fish. Stephanie's favorite color is pink and she likes to eat pizza. Kay Gallagher is a part of the Autumn Winds Dog Agility and Training Center family, and the mom of Sy the Great Dane. Marie Garlock is a 15 year old sophomore at Enloe High School. She is a dancer at Enloe with Mrs. Rhynard. Marie is also a pianist, actress and poet. If she were an animal, she would be a hybrid of the unique, adorable and caring koala; the intelligent, friendly and creative border collie; and the big- brained, social, graceful dolphin. Ursala Graves: I have been a Western Style Square dancer for 15 years. I also occasionally take care of friends' animals when they go away. I especially like Kitty, a small cat. Andrea Greer: I am 10 and in 4th grade at Brentwood Elementary. I love to dance and create art. When I grow up I want to be a doctor, a scientist, and a model. Or maybe all three! I have a dog named Hannah Louise and a cat named Cotton. Jeanne Harned: I am 53 years young and a slave to my animals. If my dogs gave me a name, it would be "keeper of the cookies." Dani Harris: I am 16 and in 10th grade. I love animals and I love to dance! Dance is my passion! I could live the rest of my life dancing! Samantha Hartford: When I was born, my family had a black Lab named Charcoal. My first word was "Charc!" My first experience with horses was getting bitten by a carriage horse in Montreal. This "infected" me with the horse bug, and I have been horse crazy ever since. I currently share my life with my horse, Lestat; cat, Houston (aka Hootie); Turtle, Sydney; fish, Smudge, Henry, Jane, Emily, Charlotte, Skunk, Hoover & Oreck; and Golden Snail, Sheldon. Greta Hervey: I have a 14 year old dog "Boots." At the present time she is deaf but in good health. I have always loved to dance. I have been a square dancer since 1984 and I still dance at least once a week. I love to line dance and ballroom dance. I am a retired nurse. Patricia Hiatt was a dance major at Ohio State University and furthered her training in NYC. She has acted, danced, and sung in many theatre productions throughout the country. She and husband Stephen and son Zach moved to Raleigh two years ago. Patricia choreographed "Little Shop of Horrors" for Raleigh Little Theatre last summer. She and her family perform a cabaret act in various outreach programs. Patricia is very excited to be a part of the Hallelujah Project. Tracy Hollister is excited to be in her fifth community dance project. A major fan of ADF, Tracy started dancing herself at age 27. She is the proud owner of one sweet muted gray tortie cat named Misty (age 7), and has also loved a few black labs namely Pepper and Josie. Tracy has "that animal vibe" and wants to shake it on stage. Liz Sprague Holt: Dancing brings people together and is central to celebration in many cultures. We've drifted away from that in this society, but projects like this bring us back to dancing as a community, telling stories and creating movements. I started taking modern dance as an adult. I love to move, have fun, and celebrate contact with people, and in this case with animals. Animals make us think about our connection to earth and make us smile! Janaya Monique Hopson is in fifth grade at Brentwood Elementary. If she were an animal, she would be a leopard. Sarah Kenney Hussey is eleven years old and in 6th grade. She has been dancing since she was three years old. Sarah really enjoys dance and certainly will continue. She dances with Cary Academy (company) and Broadway Dance Project. Enjoy the Performance! Jenifer L. Itenson: I grew up in Arizona with Mom, Dad, and Morgan a Siamese cat. Other than school, the Blue Bird troop, and dance lessons, the desert did not provide many opportunities for other activities (especially during the mid-day heat). Most of my childhood memories involved events centered on the cat who shared 19 years of my life. Morgan has passed on, but I continue to share the special bond that we had with five other furry friends and various foster "children" (my husband has been very understanding regarding the little kittens that we help raise and adopt to good families). As a veterinarian, I will be able to give love and care to many other animals by preventing disease and overpopulation, treating injuries, and teaching clients to be responsible caretakers of their pets. Ikea "Diamond" Johnson: I am 11 years old. I am in the fifth grade. My favorite animal is a puppy because they are so gentle. I like to dance. I have been dancing since I was 2 years old. I think I'll have a good time during this because I love to dance. Karen Juntilla: I am tolerated by 2 cats. One is agoraphobic and the other has an eating disorder. I have had the pleasure of participating in "Veil" with Even Exchange Dance Theatre and other community dance projects with Michelle Pearson. I am a readjustment counselor with veterans. I am also a mother of 3 kids who made it to young adulthood! Kathleen Kelley: I am 18 and in the process of choosing a college. I have been dancing for 12 years and work as a dance teacher and a nanny in Raleigh. Max Larson: I'm an 11 year old 5th grader at Hunter Elementary. Beau, my cat, is one of my best friends. When all of my human friends are on vacation, I frolic with Beau instead. I think Beau likes frolicking! As for dancing, I'm in the Dance Ensemble at Hunter. I take a ballet class at Arts Together taught by Michelle Pearson. I've been dancing since third grade. Even when I'm not dancing, I'm still dancing. Rob Larson: Although every other member of this company appears to have emerged dancing from the womb, my entire dance experience consists of the following: Head of Lion, Chinese New Year; Tail of TRIGON the dragon, First Night Raleigh; Dad, Hunter Elementary School Family Dance Project; Driver, dance class carpool. During the day I can be found designing roads and bridges for a local engineering firm. I also enjoy watercolor painting and hiking. Julia Leggett is a wheelchair dancer based in Raleigh. Julia's last dance credits include "Building Bridges," choreographed by Marylee Hardenbergh, and "Rebirth," an original dance theatre piece written by the love of her life Tom Leggett and choreographed by Betsy Ward Hutchinson. Julia would like to thank her sponsors, Stalls Medical and TiSport, her parents for the dance classes, and Betsy, Margaret, Ms. Betty and Michelle for believing in her. Le'Shequa Marable is a funny person. She likes to act crazy. She is in 5th grade at Brentwood Elementary and is a smart student. Her favorite subject is gym. She has one dog. Le'Shequa would like to be a doctor when she grows up. Elizabeth Matthews is a student at Enloe High School. If she were an animal, she would be a dog, because there is no animal as sweet, caring, and loving. Olivia May is 16 years old, attends Enloe High School, has been dancing since middle school, and loves to perform! She would like to thank Mom, Dad, Sophie and Cecilie for all their support. I love you guys, Love Olivia. Abby Merrick is 15 years old, and a sophomore at Enloe High School. She has been dancing since she was 5, taking ballet and tap. She is currently studying modern dance at Enloe. Evan Moody: If I was an animal, I would be a lion because lions are kings of the jungle, and I would love to be king for a few days. My animal name would be Cyclops because Cyclops is a very strong name and that name is in X-Men. I chose this project because I wanted to do something new in my life, instead of basketball and I thought it would be fun. I am in the fourth grade and I am 10 years old. Torshequa Nelson: Hi, my name is Torshequa, short for Ray-Ray. I'm 10 years old. I have long hair, brown eyes, I'm beautiful. I like playing football, kickball, and a little bit of basketball. Canthi Puih is 10 years old and attends Brentwood Elementary. Her favorite subject is science. She has a cat named Oreo. Her favorite color is blue, and her favorite sport is basketball. Bridget Rawls will be graduating from Meredith College in May 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts in dance education. Over the past year, Bridget has been exploring the idea of community involvement in dance through the competition of her senior thesis and her work with NCSU Center Stage and Michelle Pearson on the Hallelujah Project. She would like to thank her family and friends for their continued love and support. She would also like to thank Michelle, Sharon, Jeanne and everyone else involved in the Hallelujah Project for giving her the opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful and inspiring project! Tiffany Rhynard is a dancer, choreographer and teacher. Currently a teacher at Enloe High School, Tiffany enjoys feverishly creating work, riding her motorcycle, and sitting quietly with her 18 year old cat, Charlie. Cameron Robbins is a 12 year old sixth grader at Cary Academy. She has been dancing at Arts Together for 5 years. Cameron has been a member of the Rainbow Dance Company for 3 years and dances with the Cary Academy Dance Company. Jan Santel: My husband and I own Autumn Winds Agility and Training Center. I have worked with dogs for many, many years. I also am a Field Trainer for "Paws with A Cause." We work with handicapped people and train dogs to do the tasks they cannot do. I also evaluate Therapy Dogs. I have found my passion in life with animals. They make me very comfortable and certainly teach me something new every day. I have the "Perfect Job." Graciela Seila: I am 16 and have been dancing for 4 years. I did gymnastics prior to dance. I have no animals, but I did go to Costa Rica over spring break and saw a lot of wildlife. I go to Enloe High School. If I could be an animal, I would be a beautiful toucan. I would be this because they have a lot of freedom. They can fly, I would love to be able to fly. Chelsea Snyder: I am 16 and go to Enloe High School. I have had dance experience in ballet, jazz and modern. I share a house with a green iguana named Gorva and an apricot poodle named Roxy. Julee Snyder is a dancer, somatic educator, independent choreographer, and member of Even Exchange Dance Theatre. She graduated in 1994 with a BA in Anthropology and Music from UNC-Greensboro, where she later completed a year of graduate studies in dance. She went on to study new dance techniques, improvisation, and composition at the School for New Dance Development, Amsterdam School of the Arts (1997-99). Christina Sutton describes herself as generous. She attends Brentwood Elementary and gets good grades. Her favorite subject is science. She hates math. Her favorite color is Carolina Blue. Christina has a dog named T.Cie. Bethany Swartwood is currently a sophomore at Enloe High School. Her short term goals include enduring the next two years of high school and using them as a springboard for college in Western Europe, where she plans to spend the rest of life. Her dream pet would be an ocelot that she would keep on a diamond collar in her London flat that overlooks Hyde Park. I would like to thank my family and friends. A special thanks to John you're the greatest friend and dance partner a girl could ask for. Thanks Sara and Grace, my two dearest friends in the world I love you guys! Shawn Travis describes himself as nice and that he likes sports. He likes to play practical jokes. Shawn's favorite subject is math. He has two sisters and dogs and cats. His favorite color is blue. Hi to friends Hayden, Boghon, Edward, Eric, Erric, Evan, Danny, and Xavier! Lorna Troast is a 16 year old Enloe sophomore who enjoys not answering questions properly and, among other things, dance. She has been taking dance for 5 years. She has two cat companions who she frequently compare her flexibility to. She has determined this is not good for self-esteem. Not making sense, confusing others including herself while not "hobbies," are probably what she does the most. If "free time" actually existed, she would enjoy reading, playing video games, listening to music, and crashing her computer. Maria Troiani-Howard: Dancing is part of Maria's Life! Her favorite was performing in Jesus Christ Superstar at RLT and choreographing 42nd Street with the kids at Harnett Middle School. She is excited about bringing the "Differently-Abled" dancers and ADF together and dancing with them. An "at- home" mom, Maria home-schools her son Matthew and cares for her animal farm of horses, dogs and more.†Love to her husband Benny and family! †Maria is dancing for her love of her animals and all the homeless, abused creatures of the world. Animals bless us and freely give their gifts to us humans. Bryan Vallejo is 10 years old and is in 4th grade at Brentwood Elementary. He likes to play sports, especially football and basketball. Bryan has a lot of friends and likes to tell jokes with them. He has one brother and one sister. Betsy Ward-Hutchinson: I have always danced and I have always lived with animals. My best friends are dancers and dogs and cats. I learn everyday from the animals in my life, just as I learn from the people in my life. I am over 40, a dancer with Even Exchange Dance Co., the Rainbow Dance Co., and I teach dance at Cary Academy. If my companion animals gave me a name, it would be "Keeper of the dog biscuits" and "Queen of the food bowls." Hayden Wills is in fourth grade at Brentwood Elementary, and is a Boy Scout. He likes soccer and basketball. Hi to friends Evan, Shawn, Eric, Edward, Boghon, Erric, Bryce, and Justin!
FOUR LEGS GOOD, TWO LEGS... Autumn Winds Semper Fi: Known as Sy the Great Dane, Kay Gallagher's dog. He is a three year old Great Dane, brindle male, 181 pounds. Trained in Agility and Obedience and as a Therapy Dog. He loves his giggle ball and loves to go Nada's (his grandmother). He is great with older people and children. He has never met anyone who does not like him, dog or person. Blake Acres Carley's Chrissy is an English Cocker Spaniel, who is 8 years old. Chrissy already has a leg on an Agility title. Blake Acres Carley's Mudge is 5 years old and has an AKC Novice Title in Agility, and is now working on his Open Title. Mudge is the baby of the family. Jeanne's Meg Ryan is a dachshund who is 8 years old. She loves cats and Agility, and she thinks she is a puppy. Does not know she is a small dog, thinks she is a big dog. She lives with Jeanne Harned. Lestat the Wonder Horse (as Himself): I am a very people-oriented horse. I find humans quite entertaining. I have been with my Mom (Samantha Hartford) for almost eleven years now half my life! She spoils me a lot, which is how it should be. I have always wanted to be on stage! My Mom says I am a ham. Dear Friends, On behalf of Center Stage and our partner the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, I am thrilled to welcome you to this evening's program. Tonight's performance is first and foremost about powerful dance and inspired choreography. It is also just as importantly about community. It is about hours of shared stories, reflective conversations, new relationships, and many, many rehearsals with local dancers and choreographers, elementary and middle school students, young adults and seniors, families, and NC State faculty, staff and students. The Hallelujah Project, In Praise of Animals and Their People has been a journey that truly began in the Spring of 1990 when Center Stage first brought the Liz Lerman Dance Exchange into our community. Since that time, we have worked with Liz and her talented dancers and staff on a number of occasions B nurturing a relationship and building a trust that was critical in leading us to this performance tonight. In January 1999, we learned of the new community dance initiative that the Dance Exchange was developing and calling simply Hallelujah. Through a combination of dance, music and storytelling, the company planned to bring communities together around the country to honor and celebrate the many cultures, generations, disciplines, visions and voices that community represents. Determined to include Raleigh as one of these communities, in June of that year we invited Associate Artistic Director Peter DiMuro and Producing Director Jane Hirshberg to Raleigh for a meeting with a collection of interested folks at the home of Art Waber and Alyson Colwell Waber to think and dream about the possibilities. It was on that summer night that the seed was planted. In Praise of Animals and Their People grew out of a shared love for animals that crosses all boundaries. It promised the opportunity to celebrate the special place of companion animals in our lives and to work in a meaningful way with one of NC State's premiere colleges the College of Veterinary Medicine. Along the way, many people have been instrumental in bringing Hallelujah to life - Leigh Ann Wilder, first in her role at the College of Veterinary Medicine, who so believed in the potential of this project from day one, and then later as cheerleader and volunteer extraordinaire who offered constant support and encouragement; Vicki Vitiello of the North Carolina Arts Council, who sat on the floor of the Dance Exchange's Takoma Park studio with me in July 2000, and decided then and there that we would find a way to bring Hallelujah to North Carolina; John Ellis in Asheville, Perry Mixter in Boone and Mary Alice Kurr-Murphy in Greensboro, who took a collective leap of faith and embraced Hallelujah in their own communities. We extend special thanks to Dr. Oscar Fletcher, Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and the CVM Open House Committee for including us in the programming and planning of that popular community event. In particular I must thank Dan Tucker, Samantha Hartford, Kathryn Byrd, Dr. Andrea Miles, and Celeste Brogdon for their willingness to try something new, and for welcoming us into the CVM family to share their stories with us. From the monumental Hurricane Floyd rescue operation to the heroic tale of Nero, the dog who took a bullet and saved the life of his companion officer, to the careful rehabilitation of injured turtles by the Turtle Team in so many ways and with so many stories the critical role that the College plays in the health and well being of both animals and people in our state was reinforced repeatedly. Finally, in addition to the people performing in tonight's program (noted elsewhere in the playbill), I want to recognize the people and organizations below. These individuals either shared their stories with us this past year, enriching this project and our lives, or simply helped make our Hallelujah possible by contributing their talents and support.
AND last but absolutely not least, Michelle Pearson and Marvin Webb of the Dance Exchange, who are quite simply brilliant and magical and have made us laugh and cry and feel over these past few months. Mark, Jeanne and I are happy to welcome you as part of this community of extraordinary people tonight and would like to dedicate this performance to the animals we love: Sundance, L.B., Zoe, Alex and Milo. Thank you, "In Praise of Animals and Their People" owes so much to the investigative nature of the folks in Raleigh. Stories poured forth from people who would never consider themselves "creative" or "artistic." These testimonies are proof that where there is personal passion – and, in this instance, it is the passion for those beings who truly give us love unconditionally – there is a catalyst for actions that bring individuals outside their day-to-day realm of activity, and bring them into the arena of performance. Students, faculty and staff from NCSU's College of Veterinary Medicine provided numerous stories of the human-animal bond and contributed much to the process of creating this evening's work. We heard tales of sacrifice and reward, animal rescues and personal revelations. We then invited folks of all ages from the community to share their animal experiences and gleaned insights of each other in so doing. Folks sacrificed time away from biomedical communications, poultry health, turtle team talk, elementary school recess, high school classes and senior center activities – all this in the name and honor of their pets and animal friends! To all those who shared so freely their stories and images for tonight's performance, thank you. The Dance Exchange has made a rotation of visits to fourteen other cities in the last four years on the "Hallelujah" Trail - each one with a process and performance outcome as diverse as possible. Some highlights - January 1, 2000: a dance at dawn, on the docks of the eastern most tip of the United States with the fishermen and their families who inhabit Eastport, Maine. May 2001: in the sculpture garden of the Walker Arts Center, Minneapolis, the company performs the gestures of the Hmong tradition, interspersed with what the Hmong teens called "American" gestures, in a dance that bridges continents and centuries. Late September 2001: on stage in Ann Arbor, Michigan, at a time when questions seemed endless, and answers only seemed relevant when they came intertwined in movement, text and the voices of Rudy Hawkin's Gospel Singers. These "Hallelujahs" - along with many others - bring us to Spring/Summer 2002, experiencing the contagious pride and quest to answer that beginning question in four North Carolina cities, "So, what is it y'al1 are in praise of?’" It's this spirit of curiosity from around the country, and in your neighboring Hallelujah sites in the state, that has become a necessary link and foundation to Raleigh and it's "Animals" dance of praise. Those of us at Dance Exchange would like to extend our thanks as well to the North Carolina Arts Council and all those that made this, and all our visits throughout the state, possible. This project's statewide scope was enabled by the creative collaboration of our presenters in Asheville, Boone and Greensboro, and of course, Sharon Moore – along with Mark Tulbert and Jeanne DuVall, and the staff – of NCSU Center Stage. It is almost ten years since the Dance Exchange last performed at Stewart Theatre, and Sharon's guiding and gracious vision was present then, as it is today. We are grateful for the chance to share our art on this stage again, with old and new friends present. Join us for our remaining North Carolina Hallelujahs in Boone (next week!) and in Greensboro at the end of June. And by all means, join us at our culminating national Hallelujah event, in early August at College Park, MD. Drop a line or give us a call to find out more, or let us know of your responses to this evening's performance. Michelle Pearson, North Carolina Project Director |
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