Council on the Arts

Choreographers: Dr. Hannah Park in collaboration with the dancers

Videographer: Nicholas Carter

Performers: Madison Anderson, Laura Arroyo, Haley Aversa, Olivia Conte, Elizabeth DeLeo, Sierra Emener,Eileen Exama, Megan Fisher, Isabella Lopane, Sarai Perez,Jennifer Romain Melanie Sena, Victoria Shinnick

Music: Rhythm Talks by Groove Junkie by Kyle Preston

This dance uses the movement train structure (inspired by Mitchell Rose’s Exquisite Corps) as it examines specific issues related to social justice that are important to each of the dancers. These include various types of mental illnesses, the Black Lives Matter movement, domestic abuse, sexual violence, and LGBTQ, among others, for a continued choreographic exploration of individual expression within a chosen space, capturing personal perceptions of the details of the space and the environment in relation to the issue through embodiment. The process involved integrating and connecting with dance, visual art and/or images, research, and storytelling coming from one’s own experience and perspectives to highlight the need for bringing awareness of inclusiveness and social justice.

Choreographers: Dr. Hannah Park in collaboration with the dancers

Videographer: Nicholas Carter

Performers: Madison Anderson, Laura Arroyo, Haley Aversa, Olivia Conte, Elizabeth DeLeo, Sierra Emener, Eileen Exama, Megan Fisher, Isabella Lopane Sarai Perez, Jennifer Romain, Melanie Sena, Victoria Shinnick

Music: One Earth, One People, One Love by Terry Riley, Kronos Quartet

The piece highlights the need for people to be heard, understood, and embraced as it explores each individual dancer’s perceptions and embodied expressions of different social justice issues that have been revealed and experienced in the past year.

Choreographer/Performer: Dr. Hannah Park

Music: Skirmish by Kyle Preston

Using selected action words related to pulling and reaching as metaphors, the dance examines the need to speak, and reach out in order to validate, understand, and reflect on justice, injustice, and equity.

Choreographer: Ms. Lisa Harvie

Videographer: Nicholas Carter

Performers: Madison Anderson, Olivia Conte, Megan Fisher, Victoria Shinnick

Music & Lyrics: Shine on Your Shoes by Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz performed by Liza Minnelli

Originally from the Broadway musical The Band Wagon, this piece focuses on the idea of stepping forward with a purpose and eagerness to maintain a positive attitude and to better ourselves and the people around us. “With a shine on your shoes, there’s a melody in your heart…” Thus, simple acts start with one step at a time.

Choreographer/Performer: Laura Arroyo

Music: My Future by Billie Eilish

This piece experiments with the idea of women’s empowerment by examining different colors and aspects of female power and its relationship with one’s background, history, thoughts, and body.

Choreographers/Performers: Madison Anderson, Haley Aversa

Music: Lost in Thought by Jon Hopkins

This piece highlights awareness of suicide and examines ideas related to suicide through various physical and emotional expressions.

Choreographer/Performer: Megan Fisher

Music: Driver’s License x Praying by Olivia Rodrigo and Kesha

This piece examines the challenges and reality surrounding mental illness, specifically anxiety, and its possibly uncontrollable varied emotions and states.

Choreographer/Performer: Jennifer Romain

Music: Natural by Imagine Dragon, Woman by Kesha

This piece explores the general norms in society and one’s struggle to blend in because of one’s unique preferences and identity.

Choreographers/Performers: Olivia Conte, Elizabeth DeLeo

Music: You Don’t Own Me by SAYGRACe and G-Eazy

This piece highlights domestic abuse and its psychological impact.

Choreographer: Ms. Lisa Harvie

Videographer: Nicholas Carter

Performers: Madison Anderson, Laura Arroyo, Haley Aversa, Olivia Conte, Elizabeth DeLeo, Megan Fisher, Isabella Lopane Sarai Perez, Jennifer Romain, Victoria Shinnick

Music: “In the Heights” Original Broadway Cast Recording Music and Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda

Originally from Broadway’s In the Heights, this piece focuses on the importance of community and social connection. In both joyful and challenging times, we depend on the people within our own circles to continue moving forward.