The Spring MISHMOSH
presented by Shana Simmons Dance
Saturday, May 10, 7pm
Sound Operator: Renee Tysiac
Lighting: Bob Steineck
Lighting: Bob Steineck
THE PROGRAM
Run time: Approximately 1 hr
This program runs with no intermission
The Spring MISHMOSH is a variety performance featuring new works by Shana Simmons Dance company members and participants of the Creative Performance Workshop(CPW). The CPW is a 9-week process facilitated by Simmons for any person that wants to experience a choreographic process with supportive feedback along the way. These concepts were developed and created in the past 9 weeks, some are works in progress, but all are made with deep thought and investigation.
We hope you enjoy the Spring MISHMOSH!
1. Lina's Love
Concept/Choreography/Performance: Alexis Bousamra (CPW Participant)
Music: Gacabe and Jecabe
Program Note: Parental love is unconditional, even if imperfect. This is dedicated to my mother and all parents whose love knows no bound.
2. Untitled
Choreography: Shana Simmons
Performance: Madisyn Montgomery (SSD)
Music: "Summer in the High Grassland" by Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble
3. Sunburn
Concept/Choreography: Brittany Nettles and Jillian SinkoPerformed by: Brittany Nettles (SSD) and Jillian Sinko (Texture Contemporary Ballet), poem by Natalie Brandt
Music by: Agnes Obel, poem/audio mixed by Natalie Brandt
Program Note: A warm thank you to Natalie, for creating these beautiful words to bring this vision to life.
Have you ever flown too close to the sun, in the name of love?
4. it’s getting bad again
Concept/Choreography/Performance: maddie castelveter (CPW Participant)
Music: ethan jewell
5. yesterday / tomorrow
Concept/Choreography/Performance: Autumn B-C and Tyler Anderson
Music: Piers Faccini
6. Regeneration
Concept/Choreography/Performance: Holly Ray Oakley (CPW Participant)
Music by: Kishi Bashi (edited)
Program Note: The American Chestnut tree was once called the “Redwood of the East”. It provided abundant lumber, nutrients, and habitat until its demise by logging and a deadly blight from overseas. The once giant and prolific tree became virtually extinct in the early 1900s, dramatically changing the Pennsylvania landscape in just two decades. The tree continues to live alongside us in our railroads, telephone poles, and built environment. Although the blight destroyed all of the mature trees, it could not kill the underground root system. Each year saplings vigorously sprout from the roots of these ancient giants only to succumb to the blight once again.
“This cycle of death and rebirth has kept the species alive, although it is considered functionally extinct.” - The American Chestnut Tree Foundation
Today there is hope to restore our forests again with the American Chestnut tree through developing a blight resistant variety.
7. I’m under your spell
Concept/Choreography/Performance: Alexis Bousamra (CPW Participant)
Music: The Weeknd
Program Note: Sometimes, a person comes into our lives and we get enamored by them. They awaken all our senses and the initial attraction is pure, raw and animalistic.
8. #janet
Choreography: Shana Simmons
Dancers: Tyler Anderson, Autumn B-C, Madisyn Montgomery, Brittany Nettles
Music: Janet Jackson
Editing & Arrangement: Andy Hasenpflug (@rabbitplow)
Program Note: I pay homage to the incredible choreographers for these iconic songs, tours, and music videos, which created an entire persona for the iconic Janet Jackson. The choreography will never be as good as the original, but a celebration of the rhythms, sensuality, and fun that is this genre.
Concept/Choreography/Performance: Alexis Bousamra (CPW Participant)
Music: Gacabe and Jecabe
Program Note: Parental love is unconditional, even if imperfect. This is dedicated to my mother and all parents whose love knows no bound.
2. Untitled
Choreography: Shana Simmons
Performance: Madisyn Montgomery (SSD)
Music: "Summer in the High Grassland" by Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble
3. Sunburn
Concept/Choreography: Brittany Nettles and Jillian SinkoPerformed by: Brittany Nettles (SSD) and Jillian Sinko (Texture Contemporary Ballet), poem by Natalie Brandt
Music by: Agnes Obel, poem/audio mixed by Natalie Brandt
Program Note: A warm thank you to Natalie, for creating these beautiful words to bring this vision to life.
Have you ever flown too close to the sun, in the name of love?
4. it’s getting bad again
Concept/Choreography/Performance: maddie castelveter (CPW Participant)
Music: ethan jewell
5. yesterday / tomorrow
Concept/Choreography/Performance: Autumn B-C and Tyler Anderson
Music: Piers Faccini
6. Regeneration
Concept/Choreography/Performance: Holly Ray Oakley (CPW Participant)
Music by: Kishi Bashi (edited)
Program Note: The American Chestnut tree was once called the “Redwood of the East”. It provided abundant lumber, nutrients, and habitat until its demise by logging and a deadly blight from overseas. The once giant and prolific tree became virtually extinct in the early 1900s, dramatically changing the Pennsylvania landscape in just two decades. The tree continues to live alongside us in our railroads, telephone poles, and built environment. Although the blight destroyed all of the mature trees, it could not kill the underground root system. Each year saplings vigorously sprout from the roots of these ancient giants only to succumb to the blight once again.
“This cycle of death and rebirth has kept the species alive, although it is considered functionally extinct.” - The American Chestnut Tree Foundation
Today there is hope to restore our forests again with the American Chestnut tree through developing a blight resistant variety.
7. I’m under your spell
Concept/Choreography/Performance: Alexis Bousamra (CPW Participant)
Music: The Weeknd
Program Note: Sometimes, a person comes into our lives and we get enamored by them. They awaken all our senses and the initial attraction is pure, raw and animalistic.
8. #janet
Choreography: Shana Simmons
Dancers: Tyler Anderson, Autumn B-C, Madisyn Montgomery, Brittany Nettles
Music: Janet Jackson
Editing & Arrangement: Andy Hasenpflug (@rabbitplow)
Program Note: I pay homage to the incredible choreographers for these iconic songs, tours, and music videos, which created an entire persona for the iconic Janet Jackson. The choreography will never be as good as the original, but a celebration of the rhythms, sensuality, and fun that is this genre.
Special thanks: HOPE Academy and East Liberty Presbyterian Church, Anqwenique Kinsel & Gloria Wide, without whom this annual show would not be happening! The support of the arts is STRONG from this powerhouse team!