Through the Distance and Birds of a Feather
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
CLARICE SMITH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER & UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF DANCE PRESENT Through the Distance and Birds of a Feather A SHARED EVENING BY MFA CANDIDATES VANNIA IBARGUEN AND APRIL GRUBER THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2009 • 8PM FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2009 • 8PM DANCE THEATRE PROGRAM PROGRAM THROUGH THE DISTANCE Choreography: Vannia Ibarguen Costume Design: Stephanie Shaw Video by: Vannia Ibarguen and Betty Skeen THROUGH THE DISTANCE AND BIRDS OF A FEATHER Through the Distance was born as an idea based on the last seven years of my life after living in four different cities and visiting more than 12 different countries. Through this A SHARED EVENING BY MFA CANDIDATES VANNIA IBARGUEN journey, I have made amazing friends and seen extraordinary places but the hardest part was always to leave them behind. I would love being able to bring them with me, to have AND APRIL GRUBER close to me all the people who I care about the most. Pack them and check them at the airport? Probably not This evening’s shared concert is supported by an option. Directors: April Gruber and Vannia Ibarguen Technology offered me a way to stay in touch with those people and those places, Lighting Designer: Paul D. Jackson but it has been always limited. When will technology allow me to bring them with Stage Manager: Erin Glasspatrick me? When will I be able to go to them whenever I want disregarding where I am? Assistant Stage Manager: Baakari Wilder SECTION ONE “Doubt” PROGRAM ORDER Why separate miles from your friends and family? Why migrate? Why change? It is challenging to leave your place and go to another. A decision must be made. Some sort of sacrifice is necessary. Hopefully a rewarding experience is awaiting you BIRDS OF A FEATHER , SECTION I: wherever you are going. NESTLING Music: “When Angel Died” by Pauchi Sasaki Choreography: April Gruber Performance by: Vannia Ibarguen Japanese Fan Dance: Saki Kawakita Performance by: Alexandra Daniello, Jessica Goldberg, April Gruber, Saki SECTION TWO “Migration” Kawakita, Lauren Knudsen and Rachel Jordan Wolfe Communities and groups break up and sometimes they never join again. One by one, Music: Satomi Saeki, Alcvin Takegawa Ramos, Radiohead, Andrew Bird, everybody leaves saying good bye, leaving the place empty. Barbara Bonney and Daniel Bernard Roumain Music: “OsoII” by Pauchi Sasaki and “LaVie Quotidienne” byYann Thiersen Performance by: Christina Jackson, Molly Kirkup, Kathryn Lerner, Noelle The traditional Japanese fan dance, Takasago, featured in this piece tells the story of the red Ribsam, Emily Schwarz, KristenVlacancich crowned cranes’ annual migration from the Japanese city of the same name. SECTION THREE “Departing” INTERMISSION Once decided, it is time to pack your things, your feelings and your dreams.You will need them all where you are going. BIRDS OF A FEATHER , SECTION II: Music: “Wayno y Harawi” by Shin Sasakubo DREAMS OF FLIGHT Sound Editing by: EduardoVargas Choreography and Video: Dawn Springer Performance by: Vannia Ibarguen Performance by: April Gruber Music: “I am a Cinematographer” by Palace Brothers. Performed by Karinne Keithley with Josh Keithley. 24 301.405.ARTS (2787) THROUGH THE DISTANCE AND BIRDS OF A FEATHER 25 PROGRAM SPECIAL THANKS SECTION FOUR “Mentiras” April Gruber would like to extend her heartfelt thanks... Fight between two girls because of love, jealousy and insecurity. Distance creates misunderstandings, lack of communication. The body language is missed. How well To Mom and Dad for your unconditional love and support. There will never be you can hate at the distance? words to fully express my awe and gratitude for all you did to make me the woman I Music: “El Angel” by Astor Piazolla am today.You taught me how to work hard and follow my dreams — this moment is Performance by: Kathryn Lerner and Emily Schwarz possible because of you.You are simply amazing and I am so honored to be your daughter. I love you more than you will ever know. SECTION FIVE “Through the Distance” Distance creates absence of physical contact.You can bring yourself and the beloved To Alyssa, my little sister, whose childhood shyness caused Mom to enroll you into one to a common space, to see him, hear her, but you cannot touch, smell or taste dance classes. I vividly remember attending your first performance and realizing that’s through technology. At least not yet. what I want to do! Thank you for allowing me to follow your lead. I love you and am Music: “Legions” by Zoe Keating so proud to share this passion with you. Performance by: Vannia Ibarguen Live performance via Skype by: Antonio Ayesta from Magdeburg, Germany To my dancers — for your hard work, commitment and contributions throughout this process. SECTION SIX “Virtual Closeness” What if, through the distance, you are able to see people from other places, look at To Dawn Springer and Saki Kawakita for taking this leap of faith with me.Your them in the eyes and interact with them? What if technology brings your friends to gift of movement and dedication to this project leaves me speechless. I am honored. you even if they are far away? Music: “La Quebrada” by Pauchi Sasaki To my thesis committee: Anne Warren, Sharon Mansur, Paul Jackson and Dawn Performance by: Christina Jackson, Molly Kirkup, Kathryn Lerner, Noelle Springer for your thoughtful guidance and encouragement. Ribsam, Emily Schwarz, KristenVlacancich Video performance by: Adriana Arrunategui and Elizabeth Munoz from To all my family and friends — Each of you are in my heart throughout this Lima, Peru. Lauren Cosentino, Sara Loder and Megan Schaffer from Long performance and always. Thank you for your unending love and support. Beach, California EPILOGUE Vannia Ibarguen would like to extend sincere thanks... The future. Will technology really defeat the distance? Will people be able to meet each other through the distance? To Eduardo, for his love and support in every single aspect of my life. Performance by: Christina Jackson, Molly Kirkup,Vannia Ibarguen, Kathryn Lerner, Noelle Ribsam, Danilo Rivera, Emily Schwarz, KristenVlacancich To Maya, my beautiful 11-month-old daughter, whose smile is all I needed in times of despair! To her, for being the light Eduardo and I needed in our life. To Mom and Dad, for making me the person who I am. Join us for a post-performance Talk Back with the artists. 26 WWW.CLARICESMITHCENTER.UMD.EDU THROUGH THE DISTANCE AND BIRDS OF A FEATHER 27 SPECIAL THANKS ABOUT THE ARTISTS To Karen, for her bright academic advice and extraordinary coaching during these ABOUT THE ARTISTS – BIRDS OF A FEATHER three years. She has been extremely supportive as mentor and friend. For being always online and available “through the distance.” ☺ Born and raised in Pittsburgh, APRIL GRUBER (Co-Director/ Performer) is currently pursuing her MFA in To Paul, for sharing his great knowledge and for making my crazy ideas real. Dance Performance at the University of Maryland. Coupled with her graduate studies, she is a University of Maryland Graduate To Nejla, who is an inspiration of artistry and dedication. She taught me with her APRIL GRUBER Teaching Assistant and formerly the Take Five Coordinator for the amazing dance the art of the solo performance. Thanks for trusting me to assist her Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. For the past two summers, performing in the United States, Mexico and Turkey. Gruber has also served as the Program Assistant for Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. To Mim, who always believed in me as choreographer, and who gave me the right advice putting me always back on the right track to continue creating. Prior to graduate school, April Gruber served as the Education Director for Dance Alloy Theater. Here, she developed, managed and coordinated the Dance Alloy Theater To Sharon, Anne, Dawn, for their prompt and always right-on choreographic advice. School, community outreach and residency programs, and the annual summer intensive workshop. She taught for the company’s school and extensive outreach programs, To Betty, Lauren, Diedre, April, my fellow graduate students, without them life providing instruction to children and adults throughout the Pittsburgh region and its at school would have been incomplete and boring. I have learned from all of you public schools. Gruber has also severed as adjunct faculty at Penn State University New and I consider your friendship the most valuable thing I have gotten through the Kensington campus and been a guest master teacher at the University of Pittsburgh, MFA program. Penn State University Altoona campus, Duquesne University, James Madison University and Performática in Puebla, Mexico. To my amazing dancers who were able to get through the whole preparation and rehearsal process without getting insane because of me. I strongly respect your art and Throughout her career, Gruber has performed the work of Monica Bill Barnes, Beth performance. Corning, Maurice Fraga, Gesel Mason, Shane O’Hara, Colleen Thomas and many others. She is currently a company member of UpRooted Dance for whom she has performed To all my friends and family for listening to me, giving me advice, love and support. regionally and in Mexico. Her own work has been presented by the University of Pittsburgh, Squonk Opera and Joy of Motion. April Gruber is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of James Madison University where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance and was named Outstanding Dance Graduate. ALEXANDRA DANIELLO comes to the University of Maryland from the Fine and Performing Arts Center located within Howell High School, in New Jersey. As a sophomore in the College Park Arts Scholars Program, she is currently seeking degrees 28 301.405.ARTS (2787) THROUGH THE DISTANCE AND BIRDS OF A FEATHER 29 ABOUT THE ARTISTS ABOUT THE ARTISTS in both Dance and Journalism here at the University of Maryland.