Presents

Wichita Contemporary Dance Theatre

Respite

Choreography: Mina Estrada

Music: ”My Way" by Jacques Revaux, “Seasons (Summer): III. Presto” by Antonio Vivaldi,

“Asleep in a Moonbeam” by Reid Willis

Poem: “Keeping Things Whole” by Mark Strand, read by the cast and edited by Mina Estrada

Dancers: Andrae Carter, Hannah Chandler, Evelyn Chaisson, Cooper Green, Audrey Jagodzinske, Abbey Littrell, Sydney Mason, Cassie McAllister, Alexandria Nickel, Piper Patterson, Liberty Peterson, Cobie Reeves, Lucas Shroyer, Gavin Tanner

Raices De Mi Tierra Ballet Folklorico (April 25, 26, & 28)

Concheros: Caracol de Guerra

Dancers: Isabela, Emily, Isaac

Canto Nahuatl: Xochipitzahuatl

Dancers: Isabella, Valeria, Daleysa, Amor, Cataleya, Camila C, Camila V, Adilene, Nora, Ana

Veracruz: La Bruja

Dancers: Maira, Montse, Lolita

Michoacan: "Juan Colorado”

Dancers: Leilani, Karelly, Gael, Dominick

Zacatecas: "Pájaros Azules"

Dancers: Elise, Sofia, Camila C, Yaretzi, Alexia L, Camila S, Luis Julian, Emmanuel, Isaiah

Sinaloa: "El Cable"

Dancers: Ari, Chela, Luna G, Luna C, Anahi, Abby

Jalisco: "Son de la Negra"

Dancers: Full cast

Dance Works

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Kalakrit School of Art (April 27)

Ashtapadi

Performers: Krisha & Shirtha

Music: Mahalakshmi Iyer, Shreya Ghoshal

This composition is a famous Sanskrit literary work by 12th century poet Jayadeva. Here, the poet describes the arrival of spring and the longing of Radha (RAA-DHAA) for her beloved Krishna (KRISH-NAA) at their usual meeting place. The cool breeze embraces the tender clove vines, cuckoos singing beautiful songs, bees buzzing on flowers, the wind heavily laden with the aroma of various flowers all reminding her about how much she misses him. This will be performed by the students of Kalakrit School of Art.

Garjat Barsat

Performer: Manasi Kulkarni, founder and artistic director of Kalakrit School of Art

Music: Bageshree Vaze

This composition is a classic written by Sahir (SAA-HIR) Ludhianvi (LOO-DHEE-AAN-VEE). Composed in the 16-beat time-cycle of Teen taal, this classical composition depicts the onset of the rainy season. It is written as a conversation between two friends describing the separation from the beloved as well as the excitement in the longing for a meeting with their beloved in the picturesque month of monsoon.

Reverie

Choreography: Denise Celestin

Music: Frédéric Chopin, “Prelude Op. 28 No. 15 D-flat Major”, “Prelude Op. 45 No. 25 C-sharp minor"; archival recording played by Lynn Celestin

Dancers: Bailey Buchanan, Tabitha Buffalo, Hannah Chandler, Alexandria Nickel, Kimmy Aguilar, Liberty Peterson, Liberty Joy, Olivia Lockwood, Samantha Zimmerman

Understudies: Abbey Littrell, Audrey Jagodzinske, Cobie Reeves, Cooper Green,

Evelyn Chaisson

This piece is a wistful, dreamlike ballet which may evoke personal memories for the dancers and audience alike.

Dance Works

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A Pale Blue Dot

Choreography: Sabrina Vasquez in collaboration with the dancers*

Music: “3 120 & 3 200" by Michael Wall

Dancers: Lille Nightingale (soloist), Alaycea Kremier, Andrae Carter, Claire Gray, Nick Macias, Sydney Mason, Cassie McAllister, Lucas Shroyer

Understudy: Charisma Brown

*Original collaboration with Aviance Battles, Simone Davis, Elleigh McClelland,

Sarah McGuyer, Rile Reavis

A Pale Blue Dot is inspired by the photo of Earth as imaged from the Voyager 1 spaceship

as it exited the solar system in 1990.

“Consider again that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. The aggregate of the history of our species - on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.” Carl Sagan

Half-Time

Choreography: Cheyla Clawson

Music: Finnolia Effects, The Hollywood Edge Sound Effects, Lechuga Zaire, and Sound Ideas

Music Editing Credits:

Irving Aguirre, Audio Production Supervisor

Mackenzie King, Audio Recording Engineer

Lucas Gill, Assistant Audio Recording Engineer

Dancers: Bailey Buchanan, Claire Gray, Liberty Joy, Alaycea Kremeier, Olivia Lockwood,

Piper Patterson, Samantha Zimmerman

Understudy: Cooper Green

This piece originally premiered in the spring of 2021, Half-Time is a collaboration with research done by Dr. Brittany Lockard and Jodie Simon. This feminist theory inspired piece abstractly explores gradations of sexual empowerment and the objectification of the female body, especially through media, culture, and the male gaze.

Dance Works

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no party

Choreography: Piper Patterson

Music: "Think of Me Once In a While, Take Care" by Take Care and

"39.28" by Childish Gambino

Dancer: Piper Patterson

Clear Elevation (world premiere)

Choreography: Darrell Grand Moultrie

Music: “Liebestraum No. 3 in A-Flat Major” by Franz Liszt,

“Piano Quintet: III. Lively” by Jonathan Dove; grand rights by Wise Music Group

Dancers: Kimmy Aguilar, Bailey Buchanan, Tabitha Buffalo, Andrae Carter, Liberty Joy, Alaycea Kremeier, Nick Macias, Cassie McAllister, Lille Nightingale, Samantha Zimmerman,

Understudies: Lena Castro, Evelyn Chaisson, Abbey Littrell, Piper Patterson, Cobie Reeves

*This work is supported by the Bloomfield Foundation Connoisseur Series, Annie Visiting Guest Artist Fund, and the Performing Arts Angels

CREATIVE TEAM

choreographers

Denise Celestin (Choreographer) Professor of Ballet at Wichita State University, received her early ballet training in New Orleans and the BFA/MFA in Ballet from Texas Christian University. She performed with the New Orleans Ballet, Fort Worth Ballet and BalletMet Columbus. Ms. Celestin has participated as a coach in the USA International Ballet Competition, and she has choreographed a wide range of works for Ballet and Opera, many of which have been presented on tours throughout Europe, in Taiwan and Mexico. Awards received include the Kansas Arts Commission Individual Artist Fellowship for Choreography, the WSU College of Fine Arts Excellence in Creative Activity and Excellence in Teaching Awards, the WSU President’s Award for Distinguished Service, and the Dorothy Johansen Hauck Faculty Fellowship in Dance. She has presented research at the International Conference on Arts and Humanities and for Conseil International de la Danse. Her special interest in music and dance has led to presentations on historical dances with her colleague Dr. Sylvia Coats, at numerous national and international music conferences. Well versed in all styles of ballet, she has a particular love for Russian style and aesthetics, and has studied teaching methods at the International Vaganova Method Conference in St. Petersburg, Russia, in addition to studies with Russian teachers in the U.S.

Cheyla Clawson ( Director of SPA , Producer, and Choreographer; MA Sociology/Wichita State University and MFA Modern Dance/University of Oklahoma) is an Associate Professor of Dance and the Director of the School of Performing Arts at Wichita State University. Chandler’s modern dance research is focused on Horton Technique, and she attended the Horton Dance Technique Certificate Program 2013-2020 at The Ailey School in NYC. Her two duets, Anam Chara (2014) and nosuchSymbiosis (2016) were invited to The American College Dance Association National Festival at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Cheyla presented her latest research focused on community integration curriculum in dance performance degrees at The International Arts in Society conference in June 2022 (Australia), gave a workshop on Dance and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the American College Dance Association online National Workshop series in March of 2021 as well as community-based intergenerational research at The American Dance Symposium in NYC in January of 2023. At WSU, Cheyla is a member of the Student Success and Persistence Coalition, the President’s Diversity Council, and the University Assessment Committee. She coordinates the College of Fine Arts Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, and Belonging Committee and is a doctoral candidate in the Educational Leadership Program. Beyond WSU, Cheyla is a Policy Board Member for the National Dance Education Organization.

choreographers

Mina Estrada (Director and Choreographer) commits a substantial amount of time to teaching, creating, and facilitating some kind of dance experience for herself and those who care to join. She received her MFA in Dance at Temple University, and her choreography and workshops, which are rooted in contemporary movement concepts and improvisation, have been commissioned by several college, high school and studio dance programs, and professional companies including Spelman College, Grand Valley State University, Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre, and Todd Rosenlieb Dance. Mina has served as faculty for the dance programs at Temple University, Old Dominion University, Christopher Newport University, and Drexel University, among others. While teaching and choreographing at Drexel, Mina also served as the Dance Departments concert producer and assistant director of the FreshDance Ensemble. She is often producing shows in collaboration with other artists and contributing dance works in festivals around the country. While in Philadelphia, she performed in the Live Arts Festival, Philly Fringe Festival, and Collage Festival, received the New Edge Residency at the CEC, worked with notable artists Jumatatu Poe, Silvana Cardell, Shavon Norris, and Leah Stein Dance Company. Transitioning to the South, Mina served as Director of Artist Resources for the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, served as faculty at Louisiana State University, produced shows and other dance experiences with CoCo Loupe via their company CKA: currently known as, and began creating intergenerational dances and movement workshops for folks living with dementia and Alzheimer’s. For the past 5 years Mina has been traveling to Austin, TX to study intensively with postmodern maven Deborah Hay to fortify her experimental performance practice. Currently, she is teaching at Wichita State University, serves as co-creator of Benevolent Instruction (creative modality and podcast), and is Managing Director of Harvester Arts. Mina continues to make community building a priority with Smack Dab Dance Lab, which creates opportunities for local choreographers and dancers to experiment, play, commune, and share their work. When she is not busy making dance stuffs, Mina continues to be in hot pursuit of great storytellers, generous muses, equilibrium, and more time to pet her cats, smile at her husband, and hang out with Mother Nature.

choreographers

Darrell Grand Moultrie (Choreographer) A recipient of the Princess Grace Choreography Fellowship Award, Darrell Grand Moultrie has established himself as one of the most diverse and sought-after choreographers and master teachers.

Moultrie has created and staged works for dance companies across the world including American Ballet Theatre, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, BalletX, Atlanta Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet Colorado Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, BalletMet Columbus, Ailey 2, Tulsa Ballet, Richmond Ballet, Smuin Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, Grand Rapids Ballet, The Juilliard School, North Carolina Dance Theatre, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, and NBA Ballet in Japan among others.

Moultrie served as the choreographer for the Pulitzer Prize Winning & 2023 Tony Nominated Play FAT HAM. His work can currently be seen in Disney’s new revival of the Tony Award winning musical AIDA, currently playing The Netherlands. For his work, he received a “Best Choreography” nomination at the Netherland's Musical Awards. Additional credits include the world premiere of the new musical, GODDESS, at Berkeley Repertory Theatre directed by Tony Nominee Saheem Ali, MCC’s SPACE DOGS, The Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park production of MERRY WIVES, the world premiere of Jeremy O. Harris’s off-Broadway play DADDY, WITNESS UGANDA at American Repertory Theater directed by Tony Winner Diane Paulus, SUGAR IN OUR WOUNDS at Manhattan Theatre Club, the off-Broadway musical INVISIBLE THREAD at Second Stage, the world premiere of REDWOOD at Portland Center Stage Theater, and EVITA and PRIDE & PREJUDICE at Kansas City Repertory Theatre. Moultrie has collaborated with Tony Award-winning dancer Savion Glover and choreographed EL PUBLICO, a new opera at the world famous Teatro Real in Madrid, Spain directed by Robert Castro and Conducted by Robert Heras-Casado. Darrell served as a choreographer on Beyoncé’s record breaking tour, the Mrs. Carter World Tour. Moultrie is a proud New Yorker, born and raised in Harlem, and a graduate of Laguardia High School and The Juilliard School.

choreographers

Piper Patterson (Choreographer) (She/Her) is currently in completing her BFA in Dance at Wichita State University (WSU). During her time at WSU, she trained in various styles of dance under faculty members including Denise Celestine, Sabrina Vasquez, Mina Estrada, Cheyla Clawson, among others, and performed in many faculty works including Logged in and Buffering (Cheyla Clawson), Angels Rising (Nick Johnson) and From the West Side (Sabrina Vasquez). She enjoys exploring movement through a choreographic lens as well, creating new works every opportunity she has. Some of the pieces Piper has created include Binary Fission, Inseparable and Grief to Grace with dancers Liberty Joy, Hannah Chandler, and Bailey Buchanan. Her most recent piece, no party, was selected to represent WSU at the American College Dance Association regional festival and she is excited to showcase this choreographic work to new audiences as well. Recently, Piper started an internship with Club Parkinson’s at WSU to lead a dance class for their members and has found great joy in choreographing for this lively group of individuals. When she isn’t in the WSU studios, she can be found passing on her love for dance to her students at Andover Dance Academy and Raeann’s Fancy Footwork.

Sabrina Vasquez (Choreographer) is proud to be a part of the Wichita Contemporary Dance Theatre team. She is currently a senior educator in dance at Wichita State University, celebrating 21 years of service at WSU. Her previous professional work includes Arizona Dance Theatre, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, James Kellet Choreography Project, Alithea Mime Theatre, and The Ruth Page Foundation’s production of the Nutcracker under the direction of Larry Long. Sabrina is grateful for her partner Nick Johnson, daughter Zoe Johnson and their house zoo of 3 dogs and 4 cats! Life is good!

Community Guest Artists

Raíces de mi Tierra Folkloric Ballet of Wichita, Kansas, was founded in March 2019 by a group of parents seeking a positive and productive activity for their children. With the support of the Wichita community, the group had a busy and successful year. However, the pandemic hit in 2020, forcing a long break for health and safety reasons, halting their activities. In 2021, the group essentially started from scratch. They rallied together, and with determination and hard work, grew to over 30 members! With the assistance of parents, administration, and teacher Maira, they had the incredible opportunity to participate in the River Fest parade, winning the "People's Choice" and "Most Unique" awards, capturing the hearts of Wichita. They've also performed at venues like Exploration Place and Independence Day events, thanks to support from businesses and public figures such as Los Compadres Mexican Grill and announcer Arnoldo "El Tigre" González. These talented dancers pour their hearts into every rehearsal, every dance, and every performance. Their dedication to sharing Mexican culture with the Wichita community is truly admirable. Our members, aged 5 to 25, hail from various regions of Mexico: Durango, Chihuahua, Zacatecas, Mexico City, Guerrero, Michoacán, Baja California, Jalisco, Sinaloa, and more. Folkloric dance not only enhances their physical well-being but also instills a deep love for their culture, traditions, and roots. It's a tremendous honor for us to represent not only Mexico but also Wichita and the state of Kansas.

For more information

Instagram: @raicesdemitierraa

Facebook: @ Raicesdemitierraballetfolklorico

Kalakrit School of Art - Manasi Kulkarni (Founder) is a passionate and creative performing arts professional with experience in performing, teaching, creative development, and execution of performing arts events. She is the founder and artistic director of Kalakrit School of Art, where she practices and teaches the Indian classical dance form of Kathak. She has been collaborating with several organizations in Wichita including Wichita State University's School of Performing Arts, Harvester Arts, Cultural Association of India, and more to provide cross-cultural awareness and developing an appreciation of the Indian classical arts in Wichita and beyond. She is a valued member of the local performing arts community and loves not only to showcase Kathak at various events, but is deeply committed to continuing the legacy of the rich and beautiful art of Kathak as she passes it down to the next generation.

For more information

Instagram: @kalakritschoolkathak

Facebook: @kalakritschoolkathak

YouTube: @kalakritschoolkathak

dance company

Coming SoOn

WSMTC

Musical Theatre Showcase

May 1st, 2024

Litwin Theatre

7:30 PM

Dance informal showing

May 2nd, 2024

Wilner Auditorium

5 PM

The Performing Arts Angels exists to provide educational and training opportunities for talented dance, musical theatre, and theatre (performance and design/tech) students in the School of Performing Arts - opportunities not funded through the state or university.

We apologize in advance for any omission or errors in this list. Please bring corrections to the attention of Matt Fisher at matthew.fisher@wichita.edu or 316-978-3078. Listings may shift from one program to another depending on the timing and receipt of gifts.

Giving for March 2023 - April 2024

*Deceased

Producer ($1,000 +)

Marty and Donna Perline

Stev Overstreet

Sally Ottaway

Gary Wood

Anita Jones

Julie and Stan Longhofer

Mike & Susan Pompeo

Margaret Fulton-McKay

Richard & Cynthia Carl

Marlene Hayes

Emily Bonavia

Paul & Michelle Witte

Christine Kubik Living Trust

Director ($500-$999)

Pam Postier

Raymond & Diane Gans

Jerry Martin

Harriet Hickman

Dennis & Genell Arnold

Director ($500-$999)

Jane McHugh

Dee & Linda Starkey

Louise Brinegar & Gene Carr

Pete & Renea Goforth

Keith & Georgia Stevens

Thom & Adrienne Rosenberg

Shoko Sevart

Marie Bukowski

Choreographer ($200-$499)

Wes Henderson

David Stone & Marni Vliet Stone

Lance & Della Lickteig

Walter & Kaye Myers

Richard Muma & Rick Case

Steven & Kitchel Woods

Performing Arts Angels

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Performer ($25-$99)

Ted & Debra Kimble

Dean Cleverdon & Nancy Nyberg

Anne Welsbacher

Johanne Pachankis

Brian & Sarah Walden

Patrick & Sandra Hannon

Elizabeth Wine

Rob, Denise & Arri Simon Charitable Fund

Magnus & Marena Assarsson

Nadia Karim

choreographer ($200-$499)

Cheyla Clawson

Deborah Gafvert & Kenneth Gibbs

Nancy Anderson

Groves Retail Liquor

Nathan Miller

Designer ($100-$199)

Eric Engstrom

Stephen Sowards & Jane Wilcox

Daniel & Martha Housholder

Harold & Evelyn Gregg

Alan & Sharon Fearey

Hew & Judy Goodpasture

Stephen Sowards & Jane Wilcox

Deb Bringegar & John Diel

John & Mary Shellito

Jeffry Koch & Lesley Riddell-Koch

Ann Marie Siegwarth

Rondey Miller & Pina Mozzani

Marlene Markley

Matt Fisher

Kathleen Moore