Boston Conservatory presents its annual senior choreographers concert, Patchwork(s). The word patchwork is defined as “a thing composed of many different elements so as to appear variegated” and this production is just that. Patchwork(s) premieres nine works created by the senior dance student choreographers Kaiti Bachman, Rowan Casillas, Abby Fuller, Amber Gott, Andrea Gregoriade, Lila Kushner, Pete Pierantozzi, Adrian Ruiz, and Alana Stubbs. This collage of work produced by Artistic Director Diane Arvanites features a wide variety of genres, music, and intentions, highlighting the many ways that art takes form through various choreographic perspectives.
Audience Advisory: This performance utilizes flashing light displays.
Program Information
Welcome Note
Welcome to Patchwork(s), an evening of dance exploring how individuality acts as a common thread unifying nine unique choreographic voices. Choreography emphasis students Kaiti Bachman, Rowan Casillas, Abby Fuller, Amber Gott, Andrea Gregoriade, Lila Kushner, Pete Pierantozzi, Adrian Ruiz, and Alana Stubbs present an evening of original dance compositions as their capstone senior project. Patchwork(s) is a compass of the times and view of the world as expressed by young artists. Enjoy!
—Diane Arvanites, Boston Conservatory at Berklee Associate Professor of Dance and Patchwork(s) Producer
Do I turn away? *World Premiere*
Choreography: Andrea Gregoriade
Music: Ethan Jewell (“sick of talking”); Wonderclouds (“Storm”); Rolipso & SITHEA (“Smalltown Boy”)
Music Editing: Stavros Vakis
Costume Design: Andrea Gregoriade
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Sabril Amin, Amanda FitzGerald, Demetrius Lee, Dafna Melamoud, Marissa Miller
Program Note: Is it really worth the risk?
Artist Statement: As a choreographer, my main goal is to create meaningful pieces for dancers and audiences alike. With an emphasis on musicality and authenticity, I strive to make my choreography move each viewer and make their experience unique. I love to push boundaries by exploring new realms of my creativity while remaining true to myself as an artist, so as to get my message across to the audience through each of my choreographies. —Andrea Gregoriade, Choreographer
what do you feel when you say I? *World Premiere*
Choreography: Abby Fuller, in collaboration with the dancers
Music: Grouper (“Fallow”); Ben von Wildenhaus (“Al Azif”); Marisa Anderson (“Into the Light”)
Music Editing: Abby Fuller
Costume Design: Abby Fuller
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Natalia Andrade, Katie Corrao, Mia Nolte, Bridget Suchar, Madison Wagaman, Giovanna Ward
Program Note: “When we were children, we used to think that when we were grown-up we would no longer be vulnerable. But to grow up is to accept vulnerability…To be alive is to be vulnerable.” ―Madeleine L'Engle
Artist Statement: I am a performance and visual artist inspired by the things that are prevalent in day to day life. Whether it be great beauty or immense pain, I find ways to let life experience serve purpose through my work. As an artist, one of my only goals is to inspire others to feel deeply and interpret my movement in their own way, and I do this through honesty and vulnerability; with meaning and integrity. I believe that vulnerability is one of the most admirable qualities a person can have, because sharing yourself with the world in an authentic way is one of the most rewarding things in life. —Abby Fuller, Choreographer
Id *World Premiere*
Choreography: Pete Pierantozzi, in collaboration with the dancers
Music: Oneohtrix Point Never ("Chrome Country"); Sofia Kourtesis ("Trains & Airports"); Visible Cloaks, featuring Miyako Koda ("Valve"); Oklou & Casey MQ ("Lurk")
Costume Design: Pete Pierantozzi
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Bella Baklayan, Cara Breeding, Ali Cederholm, Tricia Dietrick, Molly Jane Dunne, Alyssa Lucas, Ava Grebe, Solana McGonagle
Program Note: come back when you get this message, i'll be somewhere.
Artist Statement:
i have grown past
the desire to understand
why i make art
at the core of my being
i know who i am
and what i want
and these things choose to
reveal themselves
through movement
my way of achieving
otherworldly self-expression
the question isn't why do i
it's why can't i stop
and i don't need an answer
—Pete Pierantozzi, Choreographer
A Mute Sky *World Premiere*
Choreography: Alana Stubbs
Music:* Algiers (“Our Collective Spirit Is a Hammer to Crush the Oppressors’ Skulls”); Clarice Jensen (“Sada”); Geographic North House Band (“Ch. I: Cement Dossier”, “Ch. III: Want & Wilt”)
*All music is from Don’t Look Now: Aural Apparitions Geographic North album.
Costume Design: Alana Stubbs
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Sabril Amin, Trea Dipkin, Shaun Ferren, Jaqi Gendreau, Dafna Melamoud, Punch Purichat, Uma Roberts, Justine Schmaltz, Madison Wagman
Artist Statement: I became engaged with dance and the creation of art: to connect with my own humanity and the humanity of others. I aim to create works that offer observers impressions and perspectives with the intention of provoking thought about life's complexities. Adding theatrics to dance enhances this offering. By adding props, sets, vocal use, and gesture, the observer is able to be more immersed in the worlds and scenarios that are presented before them. —Alana Stubbs, Choreographer
Fantastically. Unbelievable. Nonsense. *World Premiere*
Choreography: Adrian Ruiz
Music: George Kranz (“Din daa daa”)
Costume Design: Adrian Ruiz
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Yazmine Akamine, Rowan Casillas, Alyssa Lucas, Maria Pellegrino, Mar Rivero-Carretero
Program Note: When is fun no longer fun?
Artist Statement: I am an artist, performer, entertainer, actor, and storyteller because I can be all of those people and I don’t have to choose just one. As an artist my inspiration comes from the joy of being on stage. I wish to transport not only myself, but the audience to a different world. Joy in life can be one of the most elusive emotions to find. For me, in creating my work, something that is lost in life can be found in art. —Adrian Ruiz, Choreographer
—INTERMISSION—
Being and Doing *World Premiere*
Choreography: Rowan Casillas
Music: Harold Budd (“Bismillahi 'Rrahman 'Rrahim”); Portico Quartet (“Next Stop”)
Costume Design: Rowan Casillas
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Kasey Aguilar, Bianca Brown, Somer February, Marissa Miller, Aja Simms, Bella Soo-Hoo
Artist Statement: As an artist I am seeking to explore rather than perform. Through exploration, I push to find the true depth of my boundaries. I yearn to find these boundaries and move through them to create new experiences. Creating these new possibilities within my movement allows me to keep the exploration going. I want others to feel how liberating it can be to break through one's own boundaries and allow exploration to lead. —Rowan Casillas, Choreographer
Terraverde *World Premiere*
Choreography: Amber Gott
Music: John Williams (“Cavatina”); Ralph Vaughan Williams (“Bushes and Briars”)
Costume Design: Amber Gott
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Isabella Baklayan, Penn Burrall, Teresa Castaneda, Ana Delgado, Abigail Desmond, Jayda Escobar, Solana McGonagle, Alana Stubbs
Artist Statement: Although narrative and story changes, I like to traverse the natural world when creating, always drawing inspiration from the imagery and motion of living things. Occasionally and cautiously I connect to the stillness of what is no longer alive and has passed onto the next world. I aim to create movement that satisfies something within both viewer and performer, through this connection to the earth and its inhabitants. —Amber Gott, Choreographer
Renaistre *World Premiere*
Choreography: Lila Kushner
Music: Antonio Vivaldi (“Cum Dederit”); Luigi Boccherini (“Guitar Quartet No. 4 in D Major”)
Costume Design: Lila Kushner
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Samantha Blanton, Bianca Brown, Katie Corrao, Ana Delgado, Somer February, Olivia Mozie, Jocelyn Scullion, Aja Simms, Alana Stubbs
Understudies: Trea Dipkin
Artist Statement: In my work, community is paramount, both in the artistic environment as well as the final creation. I strive to create pieces that are inspired by the artistic community as a whole and utilize the individuality of the people in the space with me. I explore community in contemporary dance by encouraging collaboration, as well as through the investigation of contemporary partnering. Though I aim to develop my singular artistic voice, it is my strong belief that if everyone in the space has had a chance to have their individual voice acknowledged, then the work can be founded in unity and respect. I am interested in creating work that the performers resonate with and are inspired by, and feel that they can share equally. —Lila Kushner, Choreographer
Flicker, Flash & Flare *World Premiere*
Choreography: Kaiti Bachman
Music: Duke Ellington (“Satin Doll”); Billy Stewart “(Summertime”)
Costume Design: Kaiti Bachman
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Performers: Hannah Bilodeau, Jaqi Gendreau, Amanda FitzGerald, Hailey Fleming, Mia Pereira-Mendoza, Tess Stevens
Program Note: Dedicated to my dad, David Bachman.
Artist Statement: I am a Boston-based choreographer and artist who utilizes classical technique to create contemporary and jazz choreography that explores dynamics, identity, and individuality. I am interested in how movement and musicality can create experiences that inspire movers and audience members alike. I am fascinated by the way our identities shape us as artists and how we individually experience the world. By creating work that reflects humanity, joy, and sensuality I hope to understand the world around me. I am continuously growing, learning, and expressing my journey through my creative work. —Kaiti Bachman, Choreographer
Production Credits
CREATIVE TEAM:
Producer – Diane Arvanites
Directors – Kaiti Bachman, Rowan Casillas, Abby Fuller, Amber Gott, Andrea Gregoriade, Lila Kushner, Pete Pierantozzi, Adrian Ruiz, Alana Stubbs
Lighting Designer – Paul Marr
Dean of Dance Division – Tommy Neblett
Chair of Dance Division – Dr. Mila Thigpen
Dance Division Administrative Coordinator – Margaret Falcone
PRODUCTION STAFF:
Interim Director of Performance Services and Producer – Hanna Oravec
Stage Manager – Katie Arnold
Technical Director – Greg Rishoi
Temporary Technical Director – Taylor Kaufman
Zackbox Technical Director – Audrey Kimball
Costume Shop Manager – Alison Pugh
Assistant Costume Shop Manager – Leah Foley
Draper/Stitcher – Caroline Seeley, Sam Martin
Stitcher – Carly Wilcox
Wardrobe Manager – Blue Barber
Audio Supervisor – Steve Younkins
Audio Engineer – Maddy Poston
Lighting Supervisor – Matthew Martino
Production Electrician – Gabe Goldman
Props Manager – Larry Dembski
STUDENT PRODUCTION STAFF:
Student Assistant Stage Manager – Annabella Hunt
Production Assistants – Meghan Hoey, Julia Kelly, Olivia Monarch, Brogan Nelson, Lori Newsom, Kalika Reece, Aidan Rufer, Cooper Sheehy, Trisha Soo, Preston Milne
Costume Assistants – Maya Boyce, Penn Burall, Jacob Fincannon, Carson Hollingsworth, Oliva Martinez, Emily O’Connor
Performance Services Department Assistant – Anthony Paredes
CONCERT OPERATIONS:
Senior Manager for Concert Services – Luis Herrera
Senior Manager of Performance Technology – Wes Fowler
Performance Technology Technicians – Goran Daskalov, Sara Pagiaro
Production Manager – Kendall Floyd
Concert Operations Coordinator – Matthew Carey
Special Thanks
A huge thank you to guest artist Emilie Leriche, for offering invaluable artistic feedback to each of the choreographers during the process. A special thank you to Tommy Neblett, Dean of Dance, Mila Thigpen, Chair of Dance, and Margaret Falcone, Administrative Coordinator for supporting this annual concert, myself, the choreographers, and the dancers. As always, a special thank you to the amazing Paul Marr and the incredible production crew for making it all possible.
—Diane Arvanites, Boston Conservatory at Berklee Associate Professor of Dance and Patchwork(s) Producer
Boston Conservatory thanks audience members for viewing this program information online. This paperless program saved 4,200 sheets of paper, 449 gallons of water, and 377 pounds of CO2-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions.
