Wright State Dance

Program:

• About the Concert
• Director's Note
• Performances
• Choreographers
• Dancer Bios
   

About the Concert

Six world premiere works by Wright State University faculty and guest artists Ray Mercer, Jennifer Sydor, Hannah Williamson, DCDC2, and Dayton Ballet School Ensemble

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Director's Note

Dear Friends,

Welcome to the Spring Dance Concert 2024! Leave your worries behind and enter the enchanting art of dance. We are honored to share works by the Wright State University faculty and renowned guest choreographers Ray Mercer, Jennifer Sydor, and Hannah Williamson. We are proud to present works by our cherished collaborators The Dayton Ballet School Ensemble and Dayton Contemporary Dance Second Company (DCDC2), as well as our chosen senior piece choreographed by Macy Perry.

Our first guest choreographer is the nationally acclaimed Ray Mercer. He is in his 21st year as a dancer and fight captain in Disney's The Lion King on Broadway. Ray is a five-time winner of Broadway’s Gypsy of the Year Award for best onstage performance. Recently acknowledged for his choreography in The New York Times, Chicago Sun Times, and Movement Magazine, Ray has choreographed on Ailey II, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, New Jersey Ballet, The Pensacola Ballet, and Philadanco, landed him among New York City's most innovative, multiskilled director/ choreographers. Our second guest is choreographer Jennifer Sydor, who holds a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Butler University. She has enjoyed a 20-year career as a freelance dancer in New York City, most notably entering her 18th season with The Metropolitan Opera Ballet. Recently her work has been commissioned by Dayton Ballet, University of Dayton, and Sinclair Community College. We are also delighted to feature Wright State Dance alumna Hannah Williamson ’17. Hannah is a seven-season company member as well as the rehearsal director and choreographer of Mutual Dance Theatre, based in Cincinnati. Her third choreographic commission for MDT, Nacht, will premiere in its June 2024 Modern Mix production.

Spring Dance Concert 2024 is inspired by collaborations between dance and community. Dayton has been praised as one of the top cities in the Midwest for the arts. Dance in Dayton is a big part of that legacy. We are so proud to present these fierce choreographers and dancers. I had a wonderful process creating my new work with my cast. They are inspiring and hard-working and make it a joy to go to work. Wright State Dance encourages its students to develop their technique and artistry hand in hand as they experience a supportive environment.

Spring Dance Concert offers a unique opportunity to enjoy three wonderful dance companies: Wright State Dance, Dayton Ballet School Ensemble, and DCDC2, highlighting our region’s vibrant and diverse dance community. Dance fills the heart with joy and expresses emotions we cannot put into words. We hope you enjoy every step! 

Gina

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Performances

Stone Cold

Choreographer: Jennifer Sydor
Rehearsal Director: Elizabeth Sabol
Music: Phillip Glass
Lighting Design: Alexander Markley
Dancers: Ella Addison, Alia Dalton, Jessie Etling, Oliver Foster, Daniella Fuson, Justice Gardner, Gracie Harper, Audrey Lee, Emma McCaslin, Hannah McGuffey, Samantha Minneman, Jenna Mumford, Emma Cole
Understudies: Macy Perry, Rubi Vega

Stone Cold is an abstract retelling of the Myth of Medusa that elevates the fate of The Gorgon.  Myth is a lens in which to touch upon themes in our current world: female empowerment, autonomy, and the journey we take to identify what drives us in life.

Trust

Choreographer: Abby Leithart
Music Credits: Moon Ate the Dark
Lighting Designer: Dylan Serrano
Dancers: Kristin Allen, McKelynn Barber, Chelsea Bogue, Emily Bryan, Maiya Caldwell, Carly Hanson, Fara Ling, Hannah McGuffey, Victoria Stachelrodt, Mandi Weitz

This work depicts freedom that comes from a place of trust. Emmanuel is a name that means “God with us” and when our trust is placed in Him, we can then depend on those people He has placed in our lives. “Without God we are isolated…In Emmanuel, however, none of us is alone.” —Carolyn Webber

What Comes From Within

Choreographer: Macy Perry
Music: Demon in the Kingdom and El Cercamiento by Harry Mousiner, The Blessing by Bobby Krlic, and No Nights Dark Enough, II. Infamy sings by Valgeir Sigurosson, Reykjavik Sinfonia
Lighting Designer: Zachary Wuest
Dancers: Beth Sabol, Ariana Alvarado, Natalie Nagy, Gracie Harper, Audrey Lee, Emma McCaslin, Carly Hanson, Zoe Bees, Oliver Foster, Rubi Vega, Sawyer Hertel
Understudies: Rubi Vega, Sawyer Hertel

night light.

Choreographer: Hannah Williamson
Music: Nancy Sinatra, The Who
Lighting Design: Zachary Wuest
Dancers: Ella Addison, Ariana Alvarado, Jessie Etling, Audrey Lee, Emma McCaslin, Hannah McGuffey, Natalie Nagy, Oliver Foster Macy Perry, Lexi Wilson
Understudies: Ally Jo Buck, Kailey Colyer, Samantha Minneman

Intermission (15 minutes)
 

The Way Out

Choreographer: Gina Gardner-Walther
Music: Davidson Jackson, Julia Kent, Laura Karpman, Travis Lake
Costume Design: Zoe Still
Lighting Designer: Alex Markley
Dancers: Ariana Alvarado, Zoe Bees, Ally Jo Buck, Bri Chan, Emma Cole, Kailey Colyer, Alia Dalton, Gracie Harper, Carly Hanson, Sawyer Hertel, Lylla Kovacs, Jenna Mumford, Natalie Nagy, Beth Sabol
Understudies: Emma McCaslin, Jenna Mumford

Zlata Choros

Choreography: Megan Forney and Gabrielle Sharp
Music: Dvorak: Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Lighting Designer: Levi Fravel, Jennifer Dillard
Dancers: Ella Addison, Trudie Arling, Eliana Egbert, Jessie Etling, Mollie Juniewicz, Sophia Krapf, Ava McKinney, Jenna Mumford, Caroline Woessner.

Let it Rain

Choreographer: Ray Mercer
Music: Kangding Ray, The Belle Game, Ori Lichtik
Rehearsal Director: Gina Gardner-Walther
Costume Design: Sean Hannah
Lighting Design: Matthew Benjamin
Dancers: Ella Addison, Zoe Bees, Emma McCaslin, Alia Dalton, Justice Gardner, Carly Hanson, Gracie Harper, Audrey Lee, Natalie Nagy,, Hannah McGuffey, Oliver Foster

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Choreographers

Megan Forney is originally from St Louis, where she began her dance training. She trained as a student at Kanas City Ballet, Ballet Chicago, and Ballet Internationale. Forney graduated from Wright State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance in 2008. She has performed in many Dayton Ballet mainstage shows including Nutcracker, Swan Lake, American Cinderella, Sleepy Hollow, and Three Musketeers. She has been the recipient of the Josephine and Hereme Schwarz award, the Walter J McCaslin award, and the Dayton Ballet School peer award.  Megan has been a dance educator and choreographer for15 years. She is currently the education manager of the Dayton Ballet School and the co-director of the Dayton Ballet II companies.

Gina Gardner-Walther is a dedicated teacher/mentor and award-winning choreographer who has choreographed nationally, regionally, and on university stages. Her professional teaching experience includes Indiana University, Point Park University (PA), New Arts Festival (FL), RDA Craft of Choreography Conference, and RDA Pacific Festival (WA). While performing with the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, she toured Germany, Russia, France, and throughout the United States. She had the honor of performing at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center and the Joyce Theatre. She performed works by many of modern dance’s most influential choreographers, including Dwight Rhoden, Ulysses Dove, Donald McKayle, Merce Cunningham, Talley Beatty, Anna Sokolow, Donald Byrd, and many more. Her choreography has won several awards, including the prestigious National Choreographic Award. The New York Times called her work Still Present set on DCDC “a stirring dance” that “served as a sparkling introduction to the troupe.” Gardner-Walther earned her B.F.A. in dance performance from Southern Methodist University. She would like to thank her family and Jeraldyne Blunden for their support.

Abby Leithart, a native of Gahanna, was a member of DCDC2 Pre-Professional Ensemble (2010-2013) and later a professional dance artist with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company from 2013-2015 before performing with contemporary companies Company E, PrioreDance, S.J. Ewing and Dancers, and KyokoDansu. She has performed and taught throughout the world in Azerbaijan, Russia, England, Cuba, Ukraine, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and in the United States at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., the Joyce Theatre in New York City, and Jacob’s Pillow in Becket, Massachusetts. Her teaching credits include City Dance Conservatory (Rockville, Maryland), Ballet Nova Center for Dance (Arlington, Virginia), Joy of Motion Dance Center (Washington, D.C.), and Milwaukee Ballet, among others. Leithart earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance at Wright State University and furthered her dance studies with additional training at summer intensives at Hubbard Street Dance Company, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, and NW Dance Project. She was recognized with the Regional Dance America's Northeast Josephine Schwartz Award for best emerging choreographer in 2015. She was commissioned by Dayton Contemporary Dance Company funded by the Allegro Grant of the Dayton Foundation to create an original work on DCDC2 that will showcase at Wright State, Anderson University, Denison University, and DCDC2 concerts.

Ray Mercer is a native of Omaha and started his dance training at the University of New Orleans. He is presently in his 21st year as a dancer and fight captain in Disney's The Lion King on Broadway. Other performance credits include projects with Garth Fagan, George Faison, Aretha Franklin, Kevin Iega Jeff, Luis Johnson, Rod Stewart, and two years on the national tour of The Lion King, as well as Chicago's Deeply Rooted Dance Theater (company member), and Boston Ballet (guest artist). Throughout his tenure on Broadway, Mercer has also donated his time to create works for various initiatives within the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids (Dancers Responding to AIDS), Fire Island Dance Festival, Red Bucket Follies, and more. His presentations earned the coveted Best Onstage Presentation Award a record 10 times, making him the most celebrated choreographer at BCEFA's annual fundraising events, which raises millions of dollars each year to provide support to members of the theatre community. He was a part of the creative team that reimagined the iconic Harlem Globetrotters Spread Game tour. These accomplishments, coupled with creations for premiere dance companies (AileyII, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, New Jersey Ballet, The Pensacola Ballet, Philadanco), landed him among New York City's most innovative, multiskilled director/ choreographers.

Macy Perry (she, they) is originally from Ironton, where she trained at Yvonne Dekay School of Dance. She is a senior dance major at Wright State and is so thankful for the guidance and education she has received here. Macy also earned additional training from Los Angeles Contemporary Dance Company and Dayton Ballet.

Gabrielle Sharp is co-director of the Dayton Ballet School Ensemble. Gabrielle danced with Dayton Ballet. You saw her perform in Dracula, The Nutcracker, Tales from the Shadow, There Was a Time and America’s Robin Hood and recently as the fairy godmother in Cinderella and the nurse in Romeo and Juliet. While a member of DBII Sr. she received the Dancer Peer Award, Walter J. McCaslin Memorial Award, and Josephine and Hermene Schwarz award. Gabrielle was the previous director of the SSK Dance Ensemble.

Jennifer Sydor is an Iranian American New York City- and Ohio-based dancer, educator, choreographer, and artistic director of the Dayton Dance Initiative. She holds a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Butler University. She has enjoyed a 20-year career as a freelance dancer in New York City, most notably entering her 18th season with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet. Recently her work has been commissioned by Dayton Ballet, University of Dayton, and Sinclair Community College. She currently is part-time faculty at Wright State University, Sinclair Community College, and the Dayton Ballet School. jennifersydor.com

Hannah Williamson is a seventh-season company member as well as the rehearsal director and choreographer of Mutual Dance Theatre (MDT), based in Cincinnati. She is a 2017 graduate of Wright State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance. Her senior choreographic project, White Shores, received the Adjudicated Choreography Award and was performed in the 2017 faculty concert alongside Testament, choreographed by Dwight Roden, that she also had the honor of performing in. Her subsequent works have been selected for such presentations as two choreographic residencies for Columbus Modern Dance Company, The Area Choreographers Festival (2018 & 2021), MDT’s New Dance Laboratory, and Yes! Virginia Dance Festival. Williamson also received a commission from MDT for the creation of Variations in a Brainstorm. She was recently hired as an adjunct professor for Wright State’s advanced musical theater program for Spring Semester 2024. Her third choreographic commission for MDT, Nacht, will premiere in its June 2024 Modern Mix production.

DCDC2 l Pre-Professional Ensemble Comprised of recent graduate and undergraduate dance students, DCDC2 is the next generation of dance artists under the umbrella of the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, founded in 1968 by Jeraldyne Blunden, and currently led by Debbie Blunden-Diggs, artistic director. Rooted in the framework of DCDC’s arts culture, DCDC2, like its parent company, presents performances in traditional theatre and alternative venues. The ensemble plays an integral role in DCDC school and community engagement throughout the Miami Valley region. DCDC2 participates in DCDC’s established university partnerships, providing opportunities to engage in collaborative programs with University of Dayton, Wright State University, and Central State University campus-wide activities and dance programs. The ensemble has performed throughout the Miami Valley and the Midwest, Northeast, and South-Central regions of Ohio. In 2019, the ensemble was chosen to present at the OhioDance Festival in Columbus, and Denison University’s Ohio Five Annual Dance Conference, as well as showcased at the 31st International Blacks in Dance Established Dance Companies performance in Dayton. DCDC2 continues to be a resource for new dancers for DCDC’s main company and maintains an impressive record of successfully transitioning dancers into other professional companies, Broadway, film, television, media, and graduate schools.

Dayton Ballet School Ensemble (DBSE), divided into apprentice and junior ensembles, is a pre-professional training program available to dancers through audition only. This division is for dancers committed to a high level of dance training, strengthening, and artistic development, along with elective classes to supplement their dance education. This division includes additional performance opportunities.

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Dancer Bios

Ella Addison (she, her) is a sophomore dance major at Wright State. She earned the opportunity to join Dayton Ballet’s second company, where she performed in ballets such as Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. Ella is excited for her second Spring Dance Concert and to perform with the Wright State Dance Ensemble. 

Ariana Alvarado (they, them) is a junior dance major at Wright State. They had the privilege of performing in Wright State’s production of Cabaret last fall and attended both Hubbard Street’s CREATE Intensive and a Gagalab in New York last summer. They feel privileged to receive their training from Wright State and are honored to perform again with their fellow Wright State dancers.

Zoe Bees (she, her) is a junior dance major from Waynesville. She grew up dancing at Dancekids Studio, where she continues to teach. Zoe is grateful to be a part of this program and to have the opportunity to share her love of dance. She would like to thank her family, friends, and teachers for this amazing and unforgettable experience.

Allison Buck (she, her) is a freshman dance major from Loveland. She began her training at Broadway Bound Dance Academy where her teachers instilled in her a love for dance. She is so thankful for the opportunity to perform in her first Spring Dance Concert.

Brianna Chan (she, her) is from Columbus, and is a dual major in dance and biomedical engineering. Before joining Wright State University Dance, she trained at Judy Dollenmayer Studio of Dance. Bri is excited and grateful to be working with talented faculty as well as performing with her fellow ensemble members.

Emma Cole (she, her) is a freshman dance major from Toledo. Before joining Wright State, she trained at her local studio, Toledo Met. Emma is excited to be performing in her first Spring Dance Concert and is grateful for the opportunity to learn from such wonderful teachers and choreographers. 

Kailey Colyer (she, her) is a sophomore dance major from Cincinnati. She began dancing at the age 2, where she trained at Just Off Broadway dance studio. She continued her dance education at the School for Creative and Performing Arts during grades 4–12. Kailey is very excited to perform in her second Spring Dance Concert and feels fortunate to have worked with such talented teachers and choreographers.

Alia Dalton (she, her) is a sophomore dance major from Cincinnati. She has been dancing for 15 years, where she trained at her local studio Just Off Broadway and the School for Creative and Performing Arts. Alia is so excited to perform alongside her peers once again and would like to thank her family for their continuous support in her journey through dance.

Jessie Etling (she, her) is from Salisbury, Maryland, and a sophomore dance major. She has been dancing for 15 years and feels incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Wright State dance program. Jessie is also a part of Dayton Ballet’s second company and performed roles in The Nutcracker and Swan Lake alongside the first company.

Jonathan Oliver Foster (he, him) from Toledo, is a junior dance major at Wright State, pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance. He earned the Wright State Arts Gala scholarship in 2020–2021. Previously, he graduated from the Toledo School for the Arts under the guidance of Alison Rent and Talina Tolson. Jonathan has experience dancing with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company’s second company, led by Shonna Hickman-Matlock, for one season. Apart from dance, Jonathan enjoys cooking, reading, and paying attention to the small details of everyday life. 

Daniella Fuson (she, her) is from Cincinnati and is a senior Bachelor of Fine Arts major at Wright State. She started her dance training at Maria’s School of Dance. She also trained with College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) prep. 

Justice Gardner (he, him) is a freshman double majoring in dance and psychology. Born and raised in Mansfield, Justice received the majority of his training at Richland Academy of the Arts. He is excited to perform in his first Spring Dance Concert.

Carly Hanson (she, her) is a sophomore dance major from Lebanon, where she received her training from Dancekids Studio. She is also a current member of Dayton Contemporary Dance Company’s second company. Carly is so thankful for the opportunity to perform alongside her very talented peers in this year’s Spring Dance Concert!

Gracie Harper (she, her) is a junior dance major at Wright State, originally from Cincinnati. During her time at the university, she was a second company dancer with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, performed in the university’s production of Cabaret, and has been featured in the annual dance concerts put on by the program. Gracie would like to thank her fellow dancers, faculty, and the technical crew for their incredible work on this performance!

Sawyer Hertel (she, her) is a freshman dance major from Mount Juliet, Tennessee, performing in her first Spring Dance Concert. 

Lylla Kovacs (she, her) is a freshman dance major from Cincinnati. She has been dancing for 15 years. Lylla trained at Technical Dance Center for 13 years and Butler Tech School of the Arts for two years. This is her first Spring Dance Concert, and she can’t wait to perform with her peers. 

Audrey Lee (she, her) is a sophomore dance major from Springfield. She began dancing at a very early age and received her training from the Gary Geis School of Dance. Audrey is thrilled to be further continuing her education at Wright State, where she is incredibly fortunate to be a part of this exceptional program. 

Emma McCaslin (she, her) is a sophomore dance major at Wright State. She is from Avon, Indiana, where she studied at Curtain Call Dance Center for 14 years along with Avon High School Dance Team for four years. She is incredibly excited to grow her passion and love of dance during these next two years at Wright State! Emma is overwhelmed with joy to perform for you!

Hannah McGuffey (she, her) is a sophomore dance major at Wright State from Dayton. Hannah received her dance training through Gem City Ballet, Dayton Ballet, and Stivers School for the Arts. She is currently in Dayton Contemporary Dance Company’s second company. Hannah is excited to share her love of dance with you and looks forward to growing as a dancer in the upcoming years at Wright State. 

Sam Minneman is a second-year double major in dance and psychology from Dayton. She also has received the honor of becoming a member of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. Performing and creating dance and art is a life-long passion that Sam continues to cultivate at Wright State.

Jenna Mumford is a sophomore dance major and has been dancing for 14 years. She is currently a part of Dayton Ballet’s second company and has performed in The Nutcracker, The Great Gatsby, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and Dracula: Bloodlines. Jenna is also a photographer and videographer and has photographed the Dance Ensemble’s Fall Concert and Emerging Choreographer’s Concert. 

Natalie Nagy (she, her) is a senior graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance performance and an arts management certificate in April 2024. She is grateful to have spent two of her collegiate years performing with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company 2 under Shonna Hickman-Matlock. Wright State has given her the privilege to work with talented faculty, dancers, and guest choreographers. She is grateful for the opportunity to perform in her fourth and final Spring Dance Concert with Wright State, and she thanks God, and her family and friends, for supporting her!

Macy Perry (she, they) is originally from Ironton, where she trained at Yvonne Dekay School of Dance. She is a senior dance major at Wright State and is so thankful for the guidance and education she has received. Macy also earned additional training from Los Angeles Contemporary Dance Company and Dayton Ballet.

Elizabeth Sabol (she, her) is a senior dance major from Erie, Pennsylvania, where she trained at Erie Contemporary Ballet Theatre under the direction of Sarah Purvis. Beth has been a part of Dayton Ballet’s second company/school ensemble over her four years at Wright State and has performed in numerous productions alongside the first company. Elizabeth is sad she will not be able to participate in her last Spring Dance Concert due to an injury, but is excited to cheer on her friends and classmates as they take the stage.

Rubi Vega (she, her) is a freshman dance major from Midland, Texas. Rubi trained at Midland Festival Ballet for nine years and is now proud to say she dances with the Wright State Dance Ensemble. Rubi is extremely grateful for the opportunity to work hard and make her dreams a reality. Rubi would like to thank her family, friends, and the faculty of the Wright State dance program for supporting her journey.

Alexis Wilson (she, her) is a junior from Nashville. Lexi has been dancing since age 2 and is excited to be dancing in her third Spring Dance Concert. Thanks to the amazing faculty at Wright State, Lexi received many choreography job opportunities in Dayton. She is excited to expand her knowledge and love for dance in her remaining time at Wright State. 

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