THE SAMFORD DANCE COMPANY AND SANSPOINTE DANCE COMPANY PRESENT [to]

based on the book ����Jonathan Livingston Seagull

Michael J. and Mary Anne Freeman Theatre and Dance Series DIRECTOR’S NOTE

“…keep working on love...” I don’t think it was an accident that we chose to dig into the story of Jonathan Liv- ingston Seagull for this year’s collaborative Dance Concert. We began this project in March 2020, well before many of the country’s divisive events occurred. Over the past year, God continually brought to my mind a central theme of this story – perfect love.

In order for Jonathan Livingston Seagull to learn the elements of perfect flight, he had to first learn the principles of perfect love. After being disheartened, looked down upon, and ultimately cast out from the Flock, Jonathan had only himself to look after. His love for flying and the pursuit of perfect flight at the expense of all SAMFORD UNIVERSITY else amounted to a selfish desire for himself. It served him reasonably well for a while, but what he truly lacked was the highest principle of all life: perfect love. SCHOOL[ DEPARTMENT OF OF THEATRETHE ANDARTS DANCE ] With the help of his mentor, Chaing, Jonathan learned more than just how to fly. He learned how to love. All along, perfect flight simply served as a metaphor for perfect love. That’s what Chaing truly hoped Jonathan would learn. MAJORS If you want to turn your calling into a career, Bachelor of Fine Arts cultivate your craft, and become a well-rounded I can’t help but think that if we hope to achieve “perfect flight” in our families, Musical Theatre communities, and country, we all need to let go of selfish desires and “keep working thespian, Samford is for you. Samford’s Theatre for Youth on love”. 1 John 4:19 Department of Theatre and Dance develops Bachelor of Arts the whole person . . . in a collaborative creative Theatre: Acting and Directing Alisa McCool community, through purpose driven, personalized Coordinator of the Dance Program Theatre: Production Design and Technology Catalyst projects, to impact the world as Samford University Theatre storytellers and artists. Worship Leadership

MINORS • Dance • Film Production (in cooperation with journalism and mass communication) • Theatre

For more information contact: [email protected] | 205-726-4111 | Samford.edu/arts Samford University is an Equal Opportunity Institution/Employer. SANSPOINTE DIRECTOR’S NOTE

ost of the collaboration for this project has taken place through long emails or word of mouth; not so much by movement or shared space. While we wish it had been the latter, watching this performance come together has beenM unique and exciting. The idea for this project came in passing.

And when I say “in passing” - it was one minute of hopeful conversation in the hallway after a faculty meeting that focused on moving forward with classes at the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic.

We were hopeful and excited to make something happen - no matter what it might look like.

Enter, Jonathan Livingston Seagull. While I do not have much experience flying, I had a lot of fun figuring out how to adapt the story of Jonathan to the stage. There were challenges to creating that movement. Try asking a modern dancer to not touch a duet partner or to improv through the space six feet apart.

One of my favorite lines from the story is:

“Don’t believe what your eyes are telling you. All they show is limitation. Look with your understanding. Find out what you already know and you will see the way to fly.”

This project presented its fair share of limitations, but what we know best is how to make dance happen, and dancing is a lot like flying.

Anna Foshee Artistic Director Sanspointe Dance Company STORY SUMMARY Part of the Michael J. and Mary Anne Freeman Theatre and Dance Series

onathan Livingston Seagull is a young gull who struggles to fit in with his flock; where the other birds are only concerned with finding food, Jonathan loves Jflying for its own sake. His attempts to fly faster and higher than his fellow gulls make him suspect, and his own parents pressure him to conform. After a particularly disastrous dive, Jonathan nearly resigns himself to the life of an ordinary seagull, only to have an epiphany: by flying on only his wing tips, Jonathan is successfully able to reach a speed of over 200 miles per hour. He returns to the Flock excited and eager to share his knowledge, but to his dismay, the Flock instead declares him an Outcast for his exploits. [to] soar Jonathan grows old alone, never ceasing in his efforts to teach himself more about fly- ing. One night, he encounters a pair of luminous seagulls who tell him they have come to take him to his true Flock, which he is now ready to meet. Jonathan accompanies presented by them up into the sky and to an entirely new realm he initially believes to be heaven. Over time, he learns that it is in fact simply a different plane of existence in which he can continue to learn and grow. To that end, he begins studying with an old gull THE SAMFORD DANCE COMPANY named Chiang, who teaches him that true heaven and true perfection consist of an AND SANSPOINTE DANCE COMPANY awareness of oneself as infinite. With Chiang’s help, Jonathan learns to travel instan- taneously through space and time. However, before Chiang leaves for another world, he reminds Jonathan to “keep working” on the most important form of flight: love. Jonathan ultimately concludes that in order to do so, he must use the skills Chiang taught him to return to Earth and share his knowledge with his former Flock. February 19-21, 2021

Back on Earth, Jonathan takes on several students who have been made Outcasts by the Flock, teaching them not only to fly more skillfully, but also to understand their true spiritual nature. The students struggle to understand the latter, and Jonathan ul- timately decides that they must all return to the Flock and resume their lessons there. Jonathan and his students show off their skills, and slowly, members of the Flock begin to take notice and join in. When one gull with a bad wing manages to fly after speaking to Jonathan, rumors begin to spread that he is divine.

One day, while Jonathan’s most advanced student, Fletcher Lynn Seagull, is working with a group of newcomers, he is forced to swerve into a cliff. However, rather than dying, Fletcher manages to jump to a different plane of consciousness, and with Jonathan’s help, he is then able to return to Earth. The stunned Flock concludes that Jonathan brought Fletcher back from the dead and must be a devil, so they try to kill him. However, Jonathan and Fletcher are able to jump to a safe distance at the last minute. Here, Jonathan explains that it’s important to try to see and nurture the best in the Flock despite their actions. He then leaves to teach seagulls in other worlds, putting Fletcher in charge of preserving his legacy on Earth. Morning Flock Reach Out and Touch Perfection Choreography: Anna Foshee Choreography: Anna Foshee Music: Ghosts by Stephan Moccio Music: Justin Wallace Dancers: Entire Cast Dancers : Audrey Douglas, Ashley Gilliam, Stephanie Murphy, Jordan Prough , Ariana Pellegra, Sara Pulmano, Sara Wallace It was morning, and the new sun sparkled gold across the ripples of a gentle sea. For each of them, the most important thing in living was to reach out and touch Among Friends perfection in that which they most loved to do, and that was to fly. They were Choreography: Alisa McCool with contributions from dancers magnificent birds, all of them.. Music: Sunset on M – Piano and String Quintet by Dardust Dancers: Grace Brewster, Brittany Chambers, Olivia Phipps Can You Teach Me How to Fly? Choreography: Sara Wallace If you must study, then study food, and how to get it. Music: Justin Wallace Spoken word: Wilder Adkins Wind and Waves Dancers: Meredith Cox, Audrey Douglas, Stephanie Murphy, Choreography: Alisa McCool Jordan Prough Music: Petricor by Ludovico Einaudi Dancers: Brittany Chambers, Jillian Clark, Cara Colletti, I want to learn to fly like that,” Jonathan said, and a strange light glowed in his Catherine Craighead, Anna Johnson, Anna Medley, Elise Pettitt, eyes. “Tell me what to do.” Chiang spoke slowly and watched the younger gull Jillian Tombul, Abigail Williams ever so carefully. “To fly as fast as thought, to anywhere that is” he said, “ you must begin by knowing that you have already arrived. Such promises are only for the gulls that accept the ordinary. One who has touched excellence in his learning has no need of that kind of promise. Outlaw Choreography: Alisa McCool The Council of the Elders Music: Cold Wind Var. 1 – Day 4 by Ludovico Einaudi Choreography: Therese Laeger Dancers: Elena Potter with Brittany Chambers Music: Hanging D – Cello Octet Amsterdam Version by Joep Beving Dancers: Catherine Cowden, Abby Denning, Lenox Jones, Anna Kate There’s so much more to flying than just flapping around from place to place!... Medlin, Ashlyn Moody, Ann Parker, Grace Wilson Can’t they think of the glory that it’ll be when we really learn to fly?

To be centered for shame meant that he would be cast out of gull society, From Wingtip to Wingtip banished to a solitary life on the Far Cliffs. Choreography: Alisa McCool Music: Light by Poppy Ackroyd They Came In The Evening Dancers: Grace Brewster, Presley Burk, Brittany Chambers, Abi Grace Choreography: Anna Foshee Kimsey, Olivia Phipps, Faith Poentinske, Elena Potter, Jensen Sutton Music: Hurricane by Slow Meadow Dancers: Ariana Pellegra, Sara Wallace with Brittany Chambers By the end of three months, Jonathan had six other students, Outcasts all, yet curious about this strange new idea of flight for the joy of flying. The two gulls that appeared at his wings were pure as starlight and the glow from them was gentle and friendly in the high night air. But most lovely of all was the skill with which they flew, their wingtips moving a precise and constant inch from his own. A Tenth of a Second PRODUCTION STAFF Choreography: Alisa McCool Music: Experience by Ludovico Einaudi Director...... Alisa McCool Dancers: Grace Brewster, Presley Burk, Brittany Chambers, Cara Colletti, Catherine Craighead, Abi Grace Kimsey, Olivia Phipps, Faith Poentinske, Director ...... Anna Foshee Elena Potter, Jensen Sutton Music Editor...... Justin Wallace The only true law is that which leads to freedom…there is no other. Lighting Designer ...... Christian Specht The Way to Fly Choreography: Alisa McCool with contributions from the dancers Technical Director...... David Glenn Music: Fake Magic is Real by Slow Meadow Dancers: Brittany Chambers and Elena Potter Stage Manager...... Lydia Berryman

Look with your understanding, find out what you already know, Assistant Stage Managers...... Lilly Burchfield, Haley Earle, Lana Stringer and you’ll see the way to fly. Master Electrician/Assistant...... Carson Blalock Level Flight Choreography: Anna Foshee, Therese Laeger, Alisa McCool, Sara Wallace Deck Electricians.....Shirley Brown, Charley Castle, Grayson Johns, Carmen Murray Music: Un nuovo inizio a Neukolln by Dardust Dancers: Entire Cast Light Board Operator...... Rachel Harris

You have to practice and see the real gull, the good in every one of them, Light Board Programmer...... Goldie Hatch and to help them see it in themselves. That’s what I mean by love. It’s fun, when you get the knack of it. Sound Board Operator...... Alexis Wentworth

Projections...... Camden Gammiccia

Followspot Operators...... Sofia Rossi Benitez, Brandon Szep

Costumes...... Jacey Robinson, McKenna Varner

Props/Health Check...... Gracen Fisk, Caylie Jane Howard

House Manager...... Jenna Foster

Ushers...... Emma Badger, Rachel Bass, Garrett Coppock, Drew Fillinger, Benjamin Harding, Brianna Harding, Stephanie Leary, Trevor Miller, Anna Wiley, Ava Williams, Lydia Yates, Jake Lane

Fire Watch...... Mallory McKinney, McKenna Varner SANSPOINTE DANCERS SAMFORD DANCERS

Meredith Cox Audrey Douglas Ashley Gilliam Grace Brewster Presley Burk Brittany Chambers

Stephanie Murphy Ariana Pellegra Jordan Prough Jillian Clark Cara Colletti Catherine Cowden

Sara Pulmano Sara Wallace Catherine Craighead Abby Denning Anna Johnson SAMFORD DANCERS SAMFORD DANCERS

Lenox Jones Abi Grace Kimsey Anna Medley Elena Potter Molly Sullivan Jensen Sutton

Anna Kate Medlin Ashlyn Moody Ann Parker Jillian Tombul Abigail Williams Grace Wilson

Elise Pettitt Olivia Phipps Faith Poentinske CHOREOGRAPHER BIOGRAPHIES CHOREOGRAPHER BIOGRAPHIES

Anna Foshee graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Dance from the Alisa McCool is originally from El Reno, OK. She received her Master University of Alabama. After UA Anna joined Sanspointe Dance Company of Fine Arts in Choreography and Performance from New York University’s (SDC) and has been working with the company since 2009. In January Tisch School of the Arts in 2010. Prior to moving to NYC, Alisa graduat- 2015, Anna was named Artistic Director. Since then, Anna has led the ed summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree company in three state tours, a site specific performance in collaboration from the University of Oklahoma and has a Master of Education and dance with the metal arts residents at Sloss Furnace, co-directed SDC’s first teacher certification from Texas Christian University. dance for film, “Things We Carry”, and launched SDC’s first pre/profes- sional modern dance summer intensive in Birmingham, AL. Anna is also an Throughout her training, Alisa has studied with a number of influential danc- adjunct professor at UAB and Samford University where she teaches jazz ers and choreographers including Ko Yukihiro, Mel Wong, Elizabeth Gillaspy, and and a teaching artist at The Dance Foundation. Anna resides in Deborah Jowitt, Phyllis Lamhut, Gus Solomons Jr., and Doug Varone. Alisa Bluff Park with her husband and three boys. has taught, choreographed for, and performed around the country with companies such as Dance Revolution (nationwide), Contemporary Dance/ Therese Laeger is a graduate of the Alabama School of Fine Arts and Fort Worth (Texas), The Second Avenue Dance Company (New York), and Birmingham-Southern College with a B.A. in Dance Arts Management. Sanspointe Dance Company (Alabama). Therese began her professional career as a dancer with Birmingham Ballet, and then . Returning to Birmingham, she joined the Ala- Alisa is the dance coordinator and an adjunct professor at Samford Univer- bama Ballet/Ballet South performing soloist and principal roles under the di- sity. She is thrilled to direct the Samford Dance Company and is constantly rection of Dame Sonia Arova and Thor Sutowski. Following her performance inspired by the talented students, their creativity, and their love for the art. career, she held leadership positions with Alabama Ballet, AROVA Con- She and her husband, Trent, are blessed with three little ballerinas who love temporary Ballet, and as Chair of the Alabama School of Fine Arts Dance to wear tutus and dance around the house. Department. Collaborating with filmmaker Colleen Laeger, she produced the award-winning film AROVA. Therese completed pedagogical studies Sara Wallace is from Toney, AL. She holds a B.A. in English and Dance with The School (Bessy, Golovine, NYU), The Vaganova from the University of Alabama. While at UA, she received the Edith Barnes Syllabus (White), The Royal Academy of Dance (London), The Revolution- Choreography Award. Sara is in her 9th season as a company member of ary Principles of Movement (Chapman) and teacher training at The Pilates Sanspointe Dance Company, where she regularly performs and choreo- Center (Boulder, CO). graphs. She was made the company’s interim artistic director in August 2015 and is now the assistant director. Sara co-produced and co-choreo- Most recently, she received an artist fellowship from the Alabama State graphed the company’s first dance film, “Things We Carry”. She has been a Council on the Arts (2019) to develop seminars focusing on the Art of teacher with The Dance Foundation since 2012. Teaching Ballet. Therese travels as an independent teaching artist, coach and repeteur in the U.S. and Canada, staging classical and neo-classical reper- toire. Currently she is on faculty with University of Montevallo, The Dance Foundation and Founder/Co-Director of Edgewood Dance. DANCER BIOGRAPHIES DANCER BIOGRAPHIES

SANSPOINTE DANCE COMPANY Stephanie Murphy is from Gadsden, AL where she started dancing at the age of 10 under Rachael Inman. She then attended the Alabama School Meredith Cox, a native of Athens, AL, began dancing at age nine under of Fine Arts and continued her training as a dance major under then director the tutelage of Susan Fisher Nesbitt and Deborah Bailey. Upon graduating Therese Laeger. In 2017 Stephanie began her role as a teaching artist at The from high school, she attended the University of Alabama where she re- Dance Foundation. Throughout her dance career she has been a part of the ceived her B.A. in Dance in 2009. While attending the university, Meredith local hip hop community which has inspired her to be an advocate for the performed as a company member of the Alabama Repertory Dance The- inclusion of hip hop in dance curriculums. In 2019 she initiated local Open atre and choreographed and performed for the student-organized Dance Cyphers and Breaking Fundamental classes alongside bboy Kuni from the Alabama. Meredith received the honor of the Edith Barnes Award for crew Kids in the Cypher. Stephanie has enjoyed the freedom and experience choreography during her time at Alabama. She has attended the American of being a freelance dancer and choreographer, but she is excited to be a Dance Festival and participated in summer intensives with Margi Cole and part of the Sanspointe Dance family. the Florida Youth Ballet. Meredith teaches dance at Soles Dance Center in Huntsville. Ariana Pellegra grew up traveling the world as an army brat. Her foundation was paved at Alabama Dance Academy under the direction of Audrey Douglas grew up in Jackson, MS where, after high school, Pamela Merkel. Ariana is a graduate of Birmingham Southern College with she completed Ballet Magnificat’s Trainee Program. As a trainee, she had a B.A. in Dance (performance emphasis). Before transferring to BSC, she the opportunity to perform all over the Southeast as well as in Mexico and had the pleasure of training at Columbia College of Chicago where she Honduras. Also in Jackson, Audrey had the pleasure of dancing with Front studied under Margi Cole, Carrie Hanson, and Ariel Cisneros. Ariana is a Porch Dance Company and Kinetic Etchings Dance Project. In 2017, Au- former dancer of Philadanco!, the Philadelphia Dance Company. In 2013 drey relocated with her husband Tyler to Birmingham to dance with Arova she returned to Birmingham as a freelance artist. Ariana worked with Arova Contemporary Ballet. Today, in addition to Sanspointe, Audrey performs Contemporary Ballet and served as their Marketing Director before getting locally with Formations Dance Company, Swallowtail Dance, and various married in 2017. Ariana received her certification in Progressive Ballet Tech- theatre companies. nique and teaches throughout the community. This is her second season with Sanspointe Dance Company. Ashley Gilliam is an Alabama native originating from Tuscaloosa, where she attended the University of Alabama. There she simultaneously received Jordan Prough initially began dancing in studios and in church at a young her B.A. in Dance, B. Ch. in Biochemistry, and Masters of Organic Chem- age. In 2011 she was accepted into the Alabama School of Fine Arts as a istry through the accelerated master’s program. Ashley has a very diverse dance major. Here she had the opportunity to train and perform extensively background in dance with a compilation of teaching, choreographing, and under Terri Weksler, Martha Faesi, David Keener, and several prominent guest performing as well as collaborative projects. She grew up as a competition artists. While in high school, Jordan frequently attended the Alabama Dance dancer from the age of three but fell in love with academic dance during Festival, the National High School Dance Festival, and the Regional High college. Ashley has performed and/or choreographed for numerous organi- School Dance Festival. She graduated from the Alabama School of Fine Arts zations with UA such as Dance Collection, Dance Alabama, Alabama Rep- in 2016 and was accepted on scholarship into Troy University’s dance pro- ertory Dance Theatre, and the Dance Alabama Film Festival. She was also gram. While in college, Jordan traveled abroad to Pietrasanta, Italy where she part of an original student choreographed performance called “Carousel” trained and performed in works by Kevin Stea and the Richard Alston Dance by Grace Kurosaka. Ashley is excited to continue to grow as a dancer and a Company at the DAP Festival. The summer of 2019, she traveled to Orlando, professional artist with her new Sanspointe Dance Company family. Florida to perform in two of her colleagues’ original works at the CDC Festi- val. Jordan has choreographed and premiered several original pieces during her time a Troy, including “Cultivation”, which was also showcased at the 2020 Alabama Dance Festival. In May of 2020, Jordan graduated summa cum laude with a B.F.A. in Dance from Troy University. She is currently teaching dance and launching her first season with Sanspointe Dance Company. DANCER BIOGRAPHIES DANCER BIOGRAPHIES

Sara Pulmano has been dancing with Sanspointe since November 2018. Cara Colletti is a sophomore nursing major from Mobile, AL. This is her Originally from Kennesaw, GA, Sara moved to Birmingham to attend Sam- first year in the Dance Company and she has loved every minute of it! A few ford University where she studied Human Development and Dance. During of Cara’s favorite performances in the past are as one of the 4 Little Swans her time at Samford, Sara was a member of the Samford Dance Company in Swan Lake and her senior solo to “I Can Only Imagine.” and performed with them for four years. While her favorite style is currently musical theatre, her first love is modern dance. This is her second season Catherine Cowden is an ESEC (education) major from Montgomery, with Sanspointe and will hopefully dance for many more to come. AL. She has danced in the Montgomery Ballet and Alabama River Region Ballet youth companies, and she currently dances with the Samford Dance SAMFORD DANCE COMPANY Company. Catherine has also danced overseas in the Danza en Arte Pietrasanta Festival in Italy. Catherine has enjoyed dancing roles such as Grace Brewster, of Decatur, IL, is a junior theatre for youth major and the Dew Drop Fairy in and Zelda Fitzgerald in Zelda. This is psychology minor. She began dancing at age seven and has been with Sam- Catherine’s third year in the Samford Dance Company, and she has enjoyed ford Dance Company for the past three years. Grace enjoys many forms every second of it. of dance, but tap, ballet, and modern are her favorites. Her other interests include acting, piano, drawing, and climbing. Grace is thankful for the op- Catherine Craighead is from New Orleans, LA. Catherine is a junior portunity to share the arts with others. Enjoy the show majoring in accounting with a Dance minor. She has been in the Dance Company for two years. Catherine’s favorite Company experience was Presley Burk is from Columbia, TN. She is a freshman, and this is her when we went to New York last winter break. It was so much fun to dance in first year with the Samford Dance Company. Presley is a nursing major. She New York studios and discover the city with the other Company girls. has performed various roles in her home studio’s adaptation of The Nutcracker. Her favorite role was as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Presley can’t wait to perform Abby Denning is a freshman accounting major from Chattanooga, TN. alongside her new friends as part of the flock! She has been dancing for 13 years and has loved being part of the Company this year. One of Abby’s favorite things about the last semester is meeting Brittany Chambers is a native of Frisco, TX. She is a junior exercise so many amazing girls who love dance just as much as she does and becom- science major and is in the fast tract physical therapy program. Brittany has ing close friends with them. “Through all the classes, rehearsals, and Mamma been dancing since the age of 3 and fell in love with ballet when she joined Mia dance parties, I can say that I’ve found a great group of friends. I can’t Hathaway Academy of Ballet. Here she trained in ballet, contemporary, and wait for everything to come!” modern for 10 years. Brittany was part of the Collin County Ballet Compa- ny and attended Regional Dance America for 5 years. She also performed Anna Johnson is a senior theatre for youth major from Pensacola, FL. at the Youth America Grand Prix for two years. Brittany spent one summer She has been a part of the Samford Dance Company for 3 years. Last year, dancing with the Joffrey School of Ballet. Her favorite roles have been Ara- she stage managed the dance concert, Passages, and was the assistant bian, Snow, Waltz, Spanish, and Chinese – all from The Nutcracker. She has choreographer for Ella Enchanted. Previously, Anna apprenticed at Ballet also loved playing the Summer Fairy in Cinderella. Brittany is very excited to Pensacola. She would like to thank Alisa for giving her this opportunity and be playing the role of Jonathan Livingston Seagull and is very grateful that for her support and encouragement over the last few years. the Samford Dance Company is part of her college experience! Lenox Jones is a sophomore from Griffin, GA. She is majoring in exer- Jillian Clark is from Flowery Branch, GA and grew up dancing at Buford cise science with a minor in dance. This is Lenox’s second year in the Dance School of Ballet in the Georgia Christian Dance Theatre Company. Jillian Company. One of her favorite memories is doing a Horton class outside in is a freshman majoring in communication sciences and disorders with the Boren Courtyard. “Despite any awkwardness from passing students, it’s so hopes of becoming a speech language pathologist. This is Jillian’s first year fun to do modern dance outdoors!” in the Samford Dance Company, but she has fond memories of dancing as Dew Drop in her old studio’s The Nutcracker. Enjoy! DANCER BIOGRAPHIES DANCER BIOGRAPHIES

Abi Grace Kimsey is from Albany, GA and is a freshman nursing major. Elise Pettitt is excited to perform in her first concert with the Samford This is Abi Grace’s first year with the Samford Dance Company, and she Dance Company! Elise is a Sophomore Nutrition & Dietetics major with a is so excited to perform with everyone she has met. Abi Grace’s favorite Dance minor. Dance has always been a huge part of her life, and she can’t dance experience was a Pirate Ballet she was in with Georgia Contemporary wait for you all to see what we’ve been working on! Sit back, relax, and enjoy Dance Works a few years ago. It was an absolute blast! the show!

Anna Medley is a senior musical theatre major from Louisville, KY. This Olivia Phipps is from Franklin, TN. She is a junior majoring in human is her first year in Dance Company and she couldn’t be more thankful for development and family science and minoring in nutrition and dance. Olivia such a welcoming and fun group! Anna has been dancing for 18 years and has been dancing since the age of 3. She has been trained in a variety of her favorite style is tap. She has previously been seen acting on the Samford styles including modern, tap, ballet, pointe and jazz. During her younger stage as Icarus in Wings of Ambition, Benjamin Franklin in 1776, and Theresa years, Olivia performed in the Nutcracker. Olivia has been a part of the in Circle Mirror Transformation. She would like to thank her family, friends, company at Franklin School of Performing Arts since 2012. She quickly and Alisa McCool for giving her this incredible opportunity! Enjoy the show! advanced to Senior company the following year and was given the Young Dancer Award. Since then, she has been given many lead roles. In 2016 Anna Kate Medlin has danced for 17 years, and this is her third sea- Olivia received the New York City Dance Alliance Scholarship. This will be son with the Samford Dance Company. Anna Kate was a member of The her third year as a member of the Samford Dance Company. One of her fa- Nutcracker of Middle Georgia cast for 10 years and a company member with vorite memories from the company was the trip to New York last year where the Middle Georgia Youth Ballet for 5 years. At Samford, she has participat- they got the opportunity to learn from choreographer Gierre Godly. Olivia ed in the 2018 and 2019 School of the Arts Celebrate Christmas program, is excited to be part of the company once again and she is looking forward to the 2019 Samford Dance Company concert In the Round, and the 2020 the performance ahead. Samford Dance Company concert Passages. Anna Kae is very excited about the show and hopes everyone enjoys it! Faith Poentinske is from Nashville, Tennessee. Faith is a freshman at Samford with a business major and a dance minor. This is Faith’s first year Ashlyn Moody is a junior from Flowery Branch, GA. She is an exercise to be part of the Samford Dance Company and says that it has been an science major and is in the physical therapy fast track program at Samford. amazing experience. “I truly could not have imagined a better company Ashlyn grew up with classical ballet training through the Georgia Christian to be a part of! I have loved everything about it!” One of Faith’s favorite Dance Theatre, and this is her third year as a member of the Samford Dance dance experiences from the past was dancing at Ballet Magnificat’s summer Company. Since being at Samford, Ashlyn has had the opportunity to dance intensive and being part of their dance performance at the end of the sum- in performances such as In the Round, Passages, and Celebrate Christmas mer. All of the dancers who came to the intensive were taught by company with the Samford School of the Arts. She has had so much fun preparing for members, and Faith learned so much from the professional dancers. It was this production and hopes you enjoy the show! unforgettable.

Ann Parker is a junior political science major and dance minor. This is her Elena Potter is a sophomore journalism mass communications major third year to have the privilege of being a member of the Samford Dance from Houston, TX. She has studied ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern, tap, Company. Ann is looking forward to the feeling of taking the final bow on and musical theatre for 16 years. Her favorite style is contemporary. Elena opening night, knowing that she is sharing in my favorite activity with the is so excited for her role as Fletcher in tonight’s performance and wants to most special friends. thank her family and friends for their endless support. DANCER BIOGRAPHIES THEATRE AND DANCE FACULTY

Molly Sullivan is a junior biochemistry major and dance minor from Huntsville, AL. She has been dancing for 17 years. Growing up, she stud- Mark Castle...... Professor of Theatre, Department Chair ied ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, and hip hop at North Alabama Dance Center. Her favorite styles of dance are contemporary, tap, and hip hop (it’s Laura Byland...... Professor, Theatre for Youth so hard to choose!). Molly has danced in multiple regional competitions, as well as community performances. During her time in the Samford Dance Jane Caswell...... Department Assistant Company, she has performed in In the Round and Passages. She also had the opportunity to travel to New York City with the Company in December Sonia Crist...... Costume Shop Assistant 2019 to learn a piece for the 2020 concert, which became one of her fa- vorite memories! Molly is very excited for this year’s performance and can’t Christopher Crews...... Lecturer, Scenic Charge Artist wait to show what the company has worked hard on all year! Joanna DeHart...... Lecturer, Dance Jensen Sutton is a freshman from Rome, GA. She is a history major with a minor in dance. This is Jensen’s first year dancing with the Samford David Glenn...... Associate Professor, Director of Technology and Design Dance Company. One of her favorite past performances was dancing to the Bruno Mars mashup at her home studio. Mary Gurney...... Instructor, Director of Costume Shop

Jillian Tombul is from Chattanooga, TN and is a freshmen member of Jen Lane...... Lecturer, Theatre the Samford Dance Company. Jillian is a business major and dance minor. This is her first year in the Company. Some of Jillian’s favorite dance mem- Alisa McCool...... Lecturer, Coordinator of Dance Program ories include her high school’s company’s trips to New York City to dance and see performances together as well as performing alongside her fellow Chelsea Nicholson...... Assistant Professor, Musical Theatre company members in their Thanksgiving and spring concerts. Don Sandley...... Professor, Theatre Abigail Williams is a junior musical theatre major and dance minor. This is her third concert with the Samford Dance Company, and she is very Christian Specht...... Assistant Professor, Lighting and Sound excited to be performing again! Some other Samford credits include: Little Red (Into the Woods), Martha Jefferson (1776), and Danielle (Freaky Friday). Lindsay Troha...... Lecturer, Dance Enjoy the seagull-rific show! David Odenwelder...... Lecturer, Dance Grace Wilson is a freshman from Charlotte, NC majoring in health sci- ences. This is Grace’s first year in the Samford Dance Company. One of her Therese Laeger...... Lecturer, Dance favorite dance performances was when she performed the Walpurgist Night variation at YAGP last spring! SPRING EVENTS

Emma Taylor Theatre for Youth Tinker Bell March 17-21, Harrison Theatre

Michael J. and Mary Anne Freeman Theatre and Dance Series Little Women, the musical April 21-25, Harrison Theatre

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April 21-25, 2021 Harrison Theatre

Little Women is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIshows.com