IN/BEtween
a collaboration between Shana Simmons & Naina Roy
Music by Jeff Berman & Hiren Chate
Friday, December 2, 8pm
Saturday, December 3, 3pm & 8pm
Letter from the Artistic Director:
Welcome!
And I really mean that, I hope you feel welcomed and safe in this space together.
Since 2012, Shana Simmons Dance(SSD) has been producing artistic works here in Pittsburgh from building takeovers involving over 12 commissioned multi-disciplinary artists to intimate black box theatre shows. One of the core principles of SSD has been and continues to be collaboration. I believe in uplifting others' artistic voices and investigating where they intersect with my own. SSD exists to continually produce dance experiences of a forward thinking nature, pushing the borders of dance forms and creating thought provoking expressions. It is our mission to engage audiences stemming from our core values to promote education, produce performances, and foster collaborations.
SSD values movement and the confidence movement creation can bring. It is our goal to begin educational programming for youth in an effort to invigorate the city's artistic culture and exposure to the dance arts.
I hope you enjoy tonight's presentation!
~Shana
Founder & Artistic Director
And I really mean that, I hope you feel welcomed and safe in this space together.
Since 2012, Shana Simmons Dance(SSD) has been producing artistic works here in Pittsburgh from building takeovers involving over 12 commissioned multi-disciplinary artists to intimate black box theatre shows. One of the core principles of SSD has been and continues to be collaboration. I believe in uplifting others' artistic voices and investigating where they intersect with my own. SSD exists to continually produce dance experiences of a forward thinking nature, pushing the borders of dance forms and creating thought provoking expressions. It is our mission to engage audiences stemming from our core values to promote education, produce performances, and foster collaborations.
SSD values movement and the confidence movement creation can bring. It is our goal to begin educational programming for youth in an effort to invigorate the city's artistic culture and exposure to the dance arts.
I hope you enjoy tonight's presentation!
~Shana
Founder & Artistic Director
Letter from the Creators of IN/BEtween:
Dear friends,
We are so pleased you could join us from the beginning of this adventure together. Our experience started with a chance encounter where I (Shana) watched Naina perform an impromptu Kathak demonstration. We became colleagues and friends shortly after and Naina has been a part of the SSD board for the past year where she was able to absorb and truly see the behind the scenes action of the company. We started discussing our two dance forms and became interested in exploring the potential of seeing the two forms together on one stage.
This might not be uncommon, the blending of two cultural dance styles. It might not be uncommon even with the modern dance and Kathak dance communities. But what we've been discussing is not just one artist that does both dance forms (which can be more common), but two separate minds and bodies blending together on one stage. Beyond the simplicity of that, we've been discussing where we are at this moment in time with society (post pandemic, in this place of younger generations beginning to take over work spaces, technological advances booming etc) and how this relates to feeling in-between two points in time.
From my perspective, modern dance doesn't usually tell a story. It can, but it isn't my specific approach to how I create a work. I use my body first and the music follows. Naina says, "At the heart and soul of the form of Kathak is to tell a story. The word Kathak literally means "to speak" or "to tell" and this is one of the classical dance forms of India and the only form that is not Carnatic. Kathak is inextricably linked with complex musical scores and it uses a vocabulary with Persian roots that is percussive and highlights climactic moments. The creation of an updated dictionary for the form is a fast-developing, constantly changing landscape. It's controversial and at times can highlight the duality in all things."
We can already see and recognize how these two approaches have bent the other form slightly. We can see the influences as the evening work progresses and how the artists approach the performances. We feel this is only the beginning for more exploration into how deep this kind of collaboration can go and what kinds of works can come from it.
Thank you for being a part of this! We hope you enjoy the performance and would love to hear feedback!
Naina & Shana
We are so pleased you could join us from the beginning of this adventure together. Our experience started with a chance encounter where I (Shana) watched Naina perform an impromptu Kathak demonstration. We became colleagues and friends shortly after and Naina has been a part of the SSD board for the past year where she was able to absorb and truly see the behind the scenes action of the company. We started discussing our two dance forms and became interested in exploring the potential of seeing the two forms together on one stage.
This might not be uncommon, the blending of two cultural dance styles. It might not be uncommon even with the modern dance and Kathak dance communities. But what we've been discussing is not just one artist that does both dance forms (which can be more common), but two separate minds and bodies blending together on one stage. Beyond the simplicity of that, we've been discussing where we are at this moment in time with society (post pandemic, in this place of younger generations beginning to take over work spaces, technological advances booming etc) and how this relates to feeling in-between two points in time.
From my perspective, modern dance doesn't usually tell a story. It can, but it isn't my specific approach to how I create a work. I use my body first and the music follows. Naina says, "At the heart and soul of the form of Kathak is to tell a story. The word Kathak literally means "to speak" or "to tell" and this is one of the classical dance forms of India and the only form that is not Carnatic. Kathak is inextricably linked with complex musical scores and it uses a vocabulary with Persian roots that is percussive and highlights climactic moments. The creation of an updated dictionary for the form is a fast-developing, constantly changing landscape. It's controversial and at times can highlight the duality in all things."
We can already see and recognize how these two approaches have bent the other form slightly. We can see the influences as the evening work progresses and how the artists approach the performances. We feel this is only the beginning for more exploration into how deep this kind of collaboration can go and what kinds of works can come from it.
Thank you for being a part of this! We hope you enjoy the performance and would love to hear feedback!
Naina & Shana
Design Team:
Co-Creators: Shana Simmons & Naina Roy
Dancers: Chandler Bingham, Sonali Dadoo, Mansi David, Nicole Jones, Brittany Nettles, Bhavya Ram, Naina Roy, Shana Simmons
Composers: Hiren Chate & Jeff Berman
Live Music: Jeff Berman & Colter Harper
Lighting Design: Hope Debelius
Lighting Crew: Owen Zacharias
Lighting Design Services: Bob Steineck & Assoc.
Sound Technician: Ian Stoll
Sound Consultant: Ryan McMasters
Costuming: Shana Simmons & Naina Roy
Set Design: Shana Simmons & Naina Roy
Box Design: Nathaniel Green
On-Hand Crew: Peter Kope, Courtesy of Attack Theatre
The piece is made possible with the support of the Heinz Small Arts Initiative.
Dancers: Chandler Bingham, Sonali Dadoo, Mansi David, Nicole Jones, Brittany Nettles, Bhavya Ram, Naina Roy, Shana Simmons
Composers: Hiren Chate & Jeff Berman
Live Music: Jeff Berman & Colter Harper
Lighting Design: Hope Debelius
Lighting Crew: Owen Zacharias
Lighting Design Services: Bob Steineck & Assoc.
Sound Technician: Ian Stoll
Sound Consultant: Ryan McMasters
Costuming: Shana Simmons & Naina Roy
Set Design: Shana Simmons & Naina Roy
Box Design: Nathaniel Green
On-Hand Crew: Peter Kope, Courtesy of Attack Theatre
The piece is made possible with the support of the Heinz Small Arts Initiative.
Program:
IN/BEtween
The IN/BEtween immersive experience is approximately one hour long and runs with no intermission
PRACTICE/RIYAAC
Naina Roy: Ashtak
INTERVIEW/AMAD
Voice taken from interviews of Shana Simmons & Naina Roy
Sound editing: Shana Simmons
Music: Jeff Berman & Colter Harper
IN
Choreography: Shana Simmons
Dancers: Chandler Bingham, Nicole Jones, Brittany Nettles, Shana Simmons
Music Composition: Jeff Berman, played by Jeff Berman & Colter Harper
AND
Choreography: Naina Roy
Dancers: Sonali Dadoo, Mansi David, Bhavya Ram
Music: Hiren Chate
BE
Choreography/Dance: Shana Simmons & Naina Roy
Music: Hiren Chate
JUGALBANDI
Choreography: Shana Simmons & Naina Roy
Dancers: Full Cast
Music: Jeff Berman/Colter Harper/Hiren Chate
The IN/BEtween immersive experience is approximately one hour long and runs with no intermission
PRACTICE/RIYAAC
Naina Roy: Ashtak
INTERVIEW/AMAD
Voice taken from interviews of Shana Simmons & Naina Roy
Sound editing: Shana Simmons
Music: Jeff Berman & Colter Harper
IN
Choreography: Shana Simmons
Dancers: Chandler Bingham, Nicole Jones, Brittany Nettles, Shana Simmons
Music Composition: Jeff Berman, played by Jeff Berman & Colter Harper
AND
Choreography: Naina Roy
Dancers: Sonali Dadoo, Mansi David, Bhavya Ram
Music: Hiren Chate
BE
Choreography/Dance: Shana Simmons & Naina Roy
Music: Hiren Chate
JUGALBANDI
Choreography: Shana Simmons & Naina Roy
Dancers: Full Cast
Music: Jeff Berman/Colter Harper/Hiren Chate
Special Thanks:
Attack Theatre & Peter Kope
Jeff Berman
Hiren Chate
Colter Harper
Ryan McMasters
Ian Stoll
Bob Steineck
Hope Debelius
Our family and friends
Mark Minnaugh & the board of directors for Shana Simmons Dance
Jeff Berman
Hiren Chate
Colter Harper
Ryan McMasters
Ian Stoll
Bob Steineck
Hope Debelius
Our family and friends
Mark Minnaugh & the board of directors for Shana Simmons Dance
SSD's season is made possible by:
Arts, Equity, & Education Fund
Heinz Small Arts Initiative
The Opportunity Fund
Generous Donors
HOPE Academy/East Liberty Presbyterian Church
Heinz Small Arts Initiative
The Opportunity Fund
Generous Donors
HOPE Academy/East Liberty Presbyterian Church
Biographies:
Shana Simmons (Choreographer/Dancer), holds a BA Dance from Point Park University and an MA Choreography from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Dance and Music. Simmons’ choreography has been seen in New York City, London, Belgium, Chicago, Boston, and Pittsburgh. She taught for the Internationally acclaimed National Dance Institute, founded by Jacques D’Amboise, for three years whilst in New York City and is an independent teacher within the community along with being Adjunct Faculty at Point Park University and Seton Hill University. Simmons was a nominee for the Carol R Brown Award (2016) and received Pittsburgh's Best Dance listings (2014/2015/2018).
Performance Credits: NYC: Noemie Lafrance “Agora,” Alexandra Beller, Tomé Cousin, white road dance media. London: Flat Feet Dance Co, Stacy Abalogun, Nadine Doran-Holder Pittsburgh: Staycee Pearl Dance Project, Pittsburgh Opera, Atlanta Opera, Jamie Erin Murphy, Brady Sanders
Festivals: Revêrie Dance Festival, PEARLpresents Dance Festival, Spring Up Dance Festival, New Moves Festival, Three Rivers Arts Festival, APAP
Simmons is the Artistic Director of Shana Simmons Dance(SSD), a professional nonprofit organization based in Pittsburgh, PA. SSD aims to draw audiences into modern dance through immersive environments which highlight current societal topics. The company’s mission is to seek advancement of quality dance performance and increased engagement with audiences through financially accessible interactive productions. The work relies heavily on partnerships and outreach to explore topics relevant to our community at large with a heavy focus on the integration of movement in education. The vision and passion of the company is to encourage movement in all bodies.
Performance Credits: NYC: Noemie Lafrance “Agora,” Alexandra Beller, Tomé Cousin, white road dance media. London: Flat Feet Dance Co, Stacy Abalogun, Nadine Doran-Holder Pittsburgh: Staycee Pearl Dance Project, Pittsburgh Opera, Atlanta Opera, Jamie Erin Murphy, Brady Sanders
Festivals: Revêrie Dance Festival, PEARLpresents Dance Festival, Spring Up Dance Festival, New Moves Festival, Three Rivers Arts Festival, APAP
Simmons is the Artistic Director of Shana Simmons Dance(SSD), a professional nonprofit organization based in Pittsburgh, PA. SSD aims to draw audiences into modern dance through immersive environments which highlight current societal topics. The company’s mission is to seek advancement of quality dance performance and increased engagement with audiences through financially accessible interactive productions. The work relies heavily on partnerships and outreach to explore topics relevant to our community at large with a heavy focus on the integration of movement in education. The vision and passion of the company is to encourage movement in all bodies.
Naina Roychowdhury Green (Choreographer/Dancer), started her exploration of Kathak in 1994 at eight years of age, as Dr. Pallabi Chakravorty’s first Kathak student. Naina’s unique style of Kathak evokes a soft and subtle restraint combined with sharp lines, crisp footwork and evocative storytelling. Her dance company, “Naina Roy Kathak” offers a rigorous Kathak curriculum in academic and group formats along with a disappearing format of one-on-one apprenticeship.
Naina is a fixture in the local, national, and international dance community. She has sparked an important discussion on arts, activism, and abuse that was the impetus for a global #MeToo movement in Kathak that has led to agents of change such as journalists and filmmakers to take a closer look at the hidden and blatant abuse that lies in the pedagogy of Kathak.
Naina has performed on international television and was featured in J.J. Tiziou’s photographic installation “How Philly Moves,” that is permanently on display at the Philadelphia Airport as well as other Philadelphia landmarks. She conducts advanced abhinaya (emotive expression) training which is a fading skill in Kathak. Recently, she has been training professional Ballet and Modern dancers at the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Shana Simmons Dance.
Naina is a fixture in the local, national, and international dance community. She has sparked an important discussion on arts, activism, and abuse that was the impetus for a global #MeToo movement in Kathak that has led to agents of change such as journalists and filmmakers to take a closer look at the hidden and blatant abuse that lies in the pedagogy of Kathak.
Naina has performed on international television and was featured in J.J. Tiziou’s photographic installation “How Philly Moves,” that is permanently on display at the Philadelphia Airport as well as other Philadelphia landmarks. She conducts advanced abhinaya (emotive expression) training which is a fading skill in Kathak. Recently, she has been training professional Ballet and Modern dancers at the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Shana Simmons Dance.
Chandler Maria Bingham (Dancer), started her training in ballet, jazz, modern, and contemporary ballet at an early age. Chandler was accepted into the Conservatory of Performing Arts (C.O.P.A.) – Dance Program at Point Park University. Chandler graduated in 2019, obtaining her B.A. in Dance with a Minor History. She has performed choreography by; Daniel Karasik, Kiki Lucas, David Norsworthy, Kaylin Horgan, and many others. She has also performed in stage/film work with Rashaad Newsome, Allana Clarke, and several Netflix productions as a background artist.
In addition to being a multidisciplinary performance artist, Chandler also enjoys teaching and choreographing, working with local youth theatre companies.
In addition to being a multidisciplinary performance artist, Chandler also enjoys teaching and choreographing, working with local youth theatre companies.
Sonali Dadoo (Dancer), has been training in Kathak under Naina Roy Green since 2011 and was a touring cast member for the production, Riyaaz. She also completed her Dance Minor from Drexel University, with a focus on Modern Dance and Dance Composition. Sonali is an active Pittsburgh community dancer. As part of Pittsburgh's First Class Bhangra since 2011, she has served in leadership roles, is a competitive roster dancer, and founded the resurgence of First Class Bhangra Juniors. She has also taught Bollywood dance in Pittsburgh's North Hills for 10+ years. In 2020, Sonali combined her love for medicine and dance and founded a volunteer program at UPMC ShadySide that brought creative movement exercises to the bedside of cancer patients. Finally, after competing as lead dancer on her college dance team, Drexel Jhalak, Sonali now judges Bollywood dance competitions across the nation to inspire and educate new generations of dancers.
Mansi David (Dancer), has been with Naina learning Kathak for about a decade now. She is an engineering leader at a robotics company by profession. Born from a family of artists and musicians in India she is trained in classical music and is deeply drawn to Kathak for its minutiae of 'Nritta" and "Bhav". She is absolutely thrilled to be a part of IN/BEtween.
Nicole Jones (Dancer), holds a Bachelor of Arts in both Dance and in History from Point Park University. Originally from North Huntingdon, Nicole has professionally performed nationally and internationally. Some of her favorite credits include: dancing with Vertigo Dance Company’s international program (Jerusalem), & Reed Dance (Pittsburgh); performing in Broadway’s SWING! (Norwegian Cruise Line), and the national tours of Legally Blonde (Chutney/Dance Captain) and An American in Paris (Female Swing/Lise u/s/Dance Captain). Most recently she was associate choreographer for the 2022-2023 national tour of Legally Blonde.
Nicole lives and teaches in the Pittsburgh area at Donna’s School of Dance (Murrysville), Dancing J’s (Irwin), and Stage Right! (Greensburg). @nrae.j
Nicole lives and teaches in the Pittsburgh area at Donna’s School of Dance (Murrysville), Dancing J’s (Irwin), and Stage Right! (Greensburg). @nrae.j
Brittany Nettles (Dancer), is a choreographer and dancer from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and this is her first year performing with Shana Simmons Dance Company. She is a recent graduate of Point Park University where she received her BFA in dance with a concentration in jazz, and performed works by Colleen Hooper and Keisha Lallama. This past year she performed her original work, "Aphrodite" with PearlArts' Charrette Program.
Currently based in Pittsburgh, she continues to dance, teach and choreograph in a wide range of styles.
Currently based in Pittsburgh, she continues to dance, teach and choreograph in a wide range of styles.
Bhavya Ram (dancer), is a local Pittsburgh dancer/choreographer. She teaches Bollywood/Bollyfusion dance in Carnegie, PA. Bhavya has also been training in Kathak under the guidance of Naina since 2020.
Music:
Hiren Chate (Composer/Musician), As a classically trained player, Hiren Chate's musical passion has been influenced by the Punjab, Delhi and Ajarada Gharana (or musical school of thought). Whilst deepening his understanding and practice of these styles, Hiren Chate is energized about drawing upon a range of musical genres to create new sounds and musical repertoire. His musical work and experience ranges from teaching individuals and groups; practicing the authentic approach to Indian music; collaborating with eastern and western musicians for musical and theatre productions; composing music for dance productions; and accompanying Kathak and contemporary dancers. Hiren Chate has been learning tabla under the guidance of PANDIT YOGESH SAMSI since 2006. He also had the privilege of learning the AJARADA style of tabla from late SUDHIR KUMAR SAXSENA. Hirens other teachers are SHRI DIVYANG VAKIL and his father Late SHRI RAGHUNATH CHATE.
He moved to Mumbai in 2012 to spend more time with his guru Pt. Yogesh Samsi. He also runs his own company called ‘BEAT OF A DRUM’ through which he does events, lectures on music & math’s, teaches online to lots of student’s in Uk, USA , Canada and Greece. He started a concept called “BAITHAK” in Ahmedabad where he invites artists to perform and to showcase their art form to connoisseur’s of music. They have a Q & A session after every concert so that the audience can interact directly with the artist and ask questions regarding Raga and Taal. The first such BAITHAK has also started in Mumbai by his company BEAT OF A DRUM.
He moved to Mumbai in 2012 to spend more time with his guru Pt. Yogesh Samsi. He also runs his own company called ‘BEAT OF A DRUM’ through which he does events, lectures on music & math’s, teaches online to lots of student’s in Uk, USA , Canada and Greece. He started a concept called “BAITHAK” in Ahmedabad where he invites artists to perform and to showcase their art form to connoisseur’s of music. They have a Q & A session after every concert so that the audience can interact directly with the artist and ask questions regarding Raga and Taal. The first such BAITHAK has also started in Mumbai by his company BEAT OF A DRUM.
Jeff Berman (Composer/Musician), is a multi-instrumentalist, improvising artist, composer, and educator whose work reflects his unique musical vision. His genre-extending concept on vibraphone, mountain dulcimer, percussion, and drums has allowed him to collaborate, across stylistic, and cultural, boundaries, with a diverse group of artists from around the world. Josef Woodward has described his music as “worldly folk-jazz.” Jazziz magazine has written “…hypnotic vibes work…Berman not only play vibes, he sounds like he created the instrument”, the Los Angeles Times wrote “Berman bends a chord or strums his Appalachian dulcimer to stunning effect”, and Bill Milkowski has called Jeff’s writing “…hauntingly beautiful…”. He has performed internationally both as a solo artist and as a member of various ensembles. Some of the artists he has performed, recorded, and collaborated with include clarinet/mandolinist Andy Statman, pianist Paul Bley, tabla master Samir Chatterjee (India), singer Linda Thompson (UK), saxophonist Dave Liebman, seperawa master Osei Korankye (Ghana), pipa player Jin Yang (China), cellist/vocalist/composer Robert Een, banjo-master Tony Trischka, cellist/vocalist/producer Arthur Russel, singer Pasang Dolma (Tibet), Andy Irvine (Ireland), pianist/composer Blue Gene Tyranny, and guitarist/composer/producer Matt Balitsaris, to name just a few.
Jeff’s music has been used for dance, theater, and film, as well as performance. He is a founding member of the group APPALASIA along with Susan Powers and Mimi Jong. In 2019 they were invited by The Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC to create music for the silent film Broken Blossom by DW Griffith. Jeff works with the dance department at Point Park University/Conservatory of Performing Arts and is a Teaching Artist with the PA State Council of the Arts, creating residencies and professional development workshops based in developing and reinventing relationships to musical Rhythm, and it’s application in performance, communication, and the art of Improvisation.
Jeff’s music has been used for dance, theater, and film, as well as performance. He is a founding member of the group APPALASIA along with Susan Powers and Mimi Jong. In 2019 they were invited by The Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC to create music for the silent film Broken Blossom by DW Griffith. Jeff works with the dance department at Point Park University/Conservatory of Performing Arts and is a Teaching Artist with the PA State Council of the Arts, creating residencies and professional development workshops based in developing and reinventing relationships to musical Rhythm, and it’s application in performance, communication, and the art of Improvisation.
Colter Harper (Composer/Musician), is an ethnomusicologist and musician from the North Country of New York. In 2011, Colter completed a PhD in Music (Ethnomusicology) at the University of Pittsburgh, where his research focused on the city's vibrant jazz history. Colter's own music owes a great deal to Pittsburgh's musical community as well as his experiences traveling, performing, and studying in West Africa, Brazil, and Europe. In 2007, Colter joined the multi-platinum selling, world music influenced rock band Rusted Root as a guitarist, percussionist, and vocalist. He recorded on the band's latest albums; Stereo Rodeo and The Movement, and performed with the band nationally until the summer of 2013. From 2013 to 2015, Colter returned to Ghana as a visiting lecturer in music at the University of Ghana. From 2018 to 2020, He returned to the University of Ghana as a Fulbright Scholar to create a music production teaching facility for the Department of Music. Colter is currently a Visiting Assistant Professor in the University at Buffalo’s Department of Anthropology.