THE PHILADELPHIA DANCE COMPANY A SECREST ARTISTS SERIES EVENT AT WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY WINSTON -SALEM , NORTH CAROLINA WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2002 8PM IN BRENDLE RECITAL HALL

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The Philadelphia Dance Company Joan Myers Brown - Executive/ Arti stic Director panJ "lABESSII" Choreographer : David Brown (Company Premiere,2000 Music: Zap Mama - Philadelphia) Assistants to Mr. Brown: Akari Sasaki & Nadine Mose lighting Design/Execution: William H. Grant. Ill Costume Design. David Brown Costume Execution: Natasha Guruleva

Dawn Marie Watson with Tracy Vogt, Willia -Noel Montague , Hollie Wright Francisco Gella, Ahmad Maverick lemons, Antonio Sisk

"Labess"is a Tunisian expression meaning that, in the face of all we mustc in life, in each day,"It's all right .../'m okay" The piece is drawnfrom a simp a joyous place and a celebration of self-acceptance. Built in four sections ensemble of seven dancers, one woman carries a •thread throughout-lea,NOS following and opening the space. The dance is set to music by Zap Mama,pan) Euro a cape/la women's vocal ensemble.

"EXOTICA" Choreographer: Ronald K. Brown (Company Premiere, 1999Music: Wunmi & Various Artists - Philadelphia) Assistant to Mr. Brown: Telly Fowler lighting Design/Execution: William H. Grant, Ill Costume Design/Execution: Wunmi

Kristen J.S. Irby, Ahmad Maverick lemons , Roxanne lyst Willia -Noel Montague, Gabriele Tesfaguma, Dawn Marie Watson, Hollie Wright

"Exotica" is a variation of "No More Exotica," an excerpt from a full Ieveni, "Lessons''. "Exotica" begins with a judgment parade, drops down to 1a test of compassion and then goes into the contemporary plea ofWunmi O/aiya's, "Woman Child." The creation of "Exotica"was madeI SI in part by a grant from Meet the Composer, Inc. and the AT&T Foundatio

-INTERMISSION- r til ges From The Heart" "Messagesfrom the Heart"is an evening-length presentation, conceivedby Joan (excerpts) Myers Brown,Artistic Directorof PH/LADANCO. These excerpts representan forld Premiere,2001) integration of modern dance andfolk traditions into work encompassingissues of class,gender, race and spirit;cultural traditions that impact the veryhearts and the souls of women.

"MY SCIENCE" Choreographe r: Bebe Miller •anyPremiere - 2001) Music: La Voix Bulgare & Led Zeppelin Costume Design/E xecution: Natasha Guruleva Ligh t ing Design/Execution: William H. Grant, Ill

Francisco Gella, Roxanne Lyst, Odara Nefert iti Jabali -Nash , Mar c Aurel Nelles, Antonio Sisk, Allyson Triplett, Tracy Vogt, Dawn Marie Watson, Hollie Wright The imagination and scienceand how we act as cotatystsfor each other inspire this work.Set to the music of La VoixBulgare and LedZeppelin, the piece plays with the image of heavy water, the collisionof matter and the mechanics of relationship.After reading the biography of physicist RichardFeynman, I was inspiredby the kineticsof his ideasand how the sameflexibility of the imagination 1usta occursin life. I'm also inspiredby the passion and energy of Philadancoand use 1imp,~ their kinetic style to shape this. 1ons1 -/roilID SINGING SONGC>" Choreogra pher: Jawo le Willa Jo Zollar ma.~,any Premiere•2001) Assistant t o the Choreographer: Allyso n Triplett Original Score: M ichae l Wimberly Costume Design/Execution: Jackson Lowell Lighting Design/Execution: William H. Grant, 111

Francisco Gella , Warren B. Griffin , Ill , Kristen J.S. Irby, Ahmad Lemons , Roxan ne Lyst , Odara Nefertiti Jabali -Nash, Marc Aurel Nelles , Antonio Sisk, Gabriele Tesfaguma , Allyson Triplett, Dawn Ma rie Wat son, Hollie W ri ght Hand SingingSong., is a work that explores the use and idea of hand gestures, specificallythe "dap';In a symbolic manner expressingthe political and cultural aspects of a people, specificallythe AfricanAmerican. The "dap"is a name given to the hand to fist greeting during the BlackPower Movement to affirm African American identity and solidarity.

Hand Singing Song0 was originally commissioned by the American Dance Festivalthrough the Doris Dul

THIS PROGRAMIS SUBJECTTO CHANGE. 2 ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Joan Myers Brown Ms. Brown is the founder of thePhiladelphia Dance Company {PHIIADANCO) and The Executive/Artistic Director Philadelphia School of Dance Arts. She serves as honorarychairperson for the International Association of Blocks In Dance, organizationan she establlshed in 1991. She is also founder of the International Conference of Block Dance Companies. She Is a Distmgulshed Visiting Professor ot the University of the Arts, which bestowed upon her an honoraryDoctbrote of Fine Arts,and is a member of the donce faculty at Howard University in Washington. DC.Listed in Who's Who inAmerica and described as an "innovotorandcommunicator." Ms. Brown hasmade significant contributions to the national and internationalart> communities. Joan Myers Brownhas seNed a broad rangeof regional and national organizations. including NEFA's National Dance Project,the InformationAgency, Arts America, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Arts Councils of Pennsylvania,New Jersey. Michigan, Nevada, and Ohio and the National Forum for Female Executives. Locally, she has been a part of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, the Minority ResourceArts Council, the Philadelphia Mayor's Cultural AdvisoryCouncil, the Philadelphia Dance Alliance, The Women's Heritage Society. Dance/USA and the Coalition of African American Cultural Organizations, which sheseNed as vice president. Ms. Brown'sexpertise and counsel have been sought by many organizations, including the RockefellerFoundation's Arts& Humanities Program. SheseNes as a trusteeof the Stockton Rush Bartol Foundation andthe Media Performing Arts Center. Ms. Brown is a member of the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Arts& Business Council and other nan-profit organizations. She has convenedthree International Conferences of Black Dance Companies.facilitated the Smithsonian Institution's Conference of Black Dance Companies ond served as a consultant to East Coast Committee of Festivalwoo, the Bay AreaCultural Initiative, the NEA "Dance on Tour" ad hoc committeeand the Kennedy CenterAdult Education Task Force. Ms. Brown was recently honored as one of the "Dance Women;Living Legends" during a four-day series sponsored by New York area presenters, in tribute to five AfricanAmerican pioneer women whofounded distinguishedmodern dance companieswith deep roots in black communities around the country. Ms. Brown's efforts on behalf of dance excellence belie a much larger contribution to the arts and the community. She remains a tireless advocate and spokesperson and 1s a model of tenacity, hope and discipline. She is the proud mother of daughters Mar/isa and Dannielle, who teach at her school, The Philadelphia School of Dance Arts, and grandmother of Jade Greene. Francisco Gella Francisco graduated from the University of Washington with8.A. a in Dance. While/1, • Bacolod City. Philippines school, he performed with the Chamber Dance Company, Leaving/Ground Dance,Speqrum Dance Theater andthe Seattle Opera. Before joining Philadanco in 1998, Franciscodt['Pced with RepertoryDance Theater inSalt lake City, Utah. He has worked with many prominent choreographers: David Parsons, Shapiro and Smith, Zvi Gotheiner.Sharir, YacovBill Evans and LucindaChilds. Francisco alsoperformed at the Nagano Olympic closing ceremonies. This is his fourth season with Philadanco. Romnee Marisa Hayes Romnee studied ballet extensively withBarbara Walczak who is a soloist with New York • New York, NY City Ballet.She graduatedfrom laGuardia High Schoolof Performing Arts inNew York City and continued her education. earning a 8.F.A.from Ohio State University. At OSU she had the opportunity to perform choreography by the dance department faculty,her peers and her own choreography.Romnee has also performed works byRoger (.Jeffrey.Nathan Trice, 3 Jamel Gaines and Laila Sa.les. This is her first seasonPhiladanco. with Warren 8. Griffin, Ill Warren began his dance tro,ning under the direction of his uncle, Stephen Love.Mr Criffin -Camden, NJ latercontinued his studies and performed with 'Oh' {Danco /If• formerly The Next Generation Dance Company.Mr. Griffin attended the High S(hool of Creatwe & Performing Arts. Upon graduating. Warren toured the Un,ted States os a dancer with Pr,ncessCruise Lines.Warren also attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. PA He hos worked with world-renowned choreographer George Faisonon severalprojects and performed with the £/eone Dance Theater.This is Warren'sfirst season with Philadanco. Kristen J.S. Irby Kristen began his theater and dance training ot the age of 13while on scholarship at the - Chicago, fl ETACreative Arts Foundation. He Jatn become a scholonhip student ot thl' JosephHolmes Chicago Dance Theatre, Columbia CollegeChicago. Houstor! Bo/let Academy. Homer Hans Bryant Ballet, Deeply Rooted Productions and the Barat College Conservatory of Dance where he received his 8.A in Dance in May of 1999.Mr Irby con also be seen in the feature film "LesVisiteurs en Amerique" asfeatured dancer opposite ToraReed and Ch11stianClavier. Kristen has performed with companies such as Deeply Rooted Productions and the Dallas Block Dance Theatre. TlusIs Kristen's second season with Philadanco. Ahmad Maverick lemons Ahmad began his dance training ot the ogeof16 at tlIe Harlem Schoolof the Arts. Ahmad - Brooklyn, NY continued his studies in Philadelphia with Philodanco's Instruction & Train1119Program. Mr. Lemonsalso attended Fordham University on scholarship and the American Dance Center.Ahmad hos appeared in several music videos and worked with EleoneOonce Theatre and OPUSDance Theatre to study dance. Th,sis his first seosan with Philodonco. Roxanne Lyst Roxannebegan her training ot the Joy of Motion in Washington,DC. She received afe/lowsh,p - Annapolis, MD from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center and late, became a member of tl1eAlvm Ailey Repertory Ensemble.This is Roxanne's third season with Philadonca. Willia-Noel Montague Willia-Noel began her studies at her family's F/o,r Dance Studio. and cont,nued with - Baltimore, MD Stephanie Powell. hn mentor and teacher ot the Baltimore Schoo of the Arts. She won an NAACPCold Medal ,n the Notional Act-So compet1t1an,subsequently performing on the nationally televised "Image Awards." Willia-Noel received scholarships ta study dance ot the Dance Theater of Hor/em and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center.She performed with Diversity ,n Dance. This is her third season with Philadonco. Odara Nefertiti Jabali-Nash Odora began her training at the Duke Ellington Schoolof the Arts in Wosl11ngton,DC vnder - Oxon Hill,MD the direction af Ms. LynneB. Welters. After grad,;ating, she attended Virgima Commanweolth University in Richmond, VA In 1996,Ms. Nash moved to New YorkCity where she contmued her dance training ot the Alvin Ailey Ameri(on Dance Center where she was awarded a scholarship and shortly became a member of the Alvin Alley Repertory Ensemble{Atley II]. Ms. Nosh has worked with such artists as JessyeNorman, Ro110/dK. Brown, Kevin 'logo'Jeff. LouroGlenn, Shapiro & Smith and FrancescoHarper. This ,s her secondseason with Philodonco. Marc Aurel Nelles More received a Bachelor of Arts degreefrom the Dance Academy of Rotterdam/The - Hanover, Germany Netherlands. He receivedscholarships from David Howard DanceCenrer. the Martho Graham Schoolof Contemporary Danceand a generovsgrant from the Germon Amdemic Exchange Service.He hos performed and worked with Randoll Scott. Conny Janssen.Plete, de l?uiter and Colin Connor In the Netherlands and Avila Weeks/Danceand f?ayTadio in New York This is More's secondseason ot Philadanco. Anton io Sisk Raisedin Texas,Antonio began hrs tratning at Brookhaven College,n Dallas where he later - Forrest City. AR returned to instruct and choreograph. After two semesters.he auditioned for Dallas Black Dance Theater under the artistic vision of Ms. Ann Williams He continued h,s educot,on at Southern Methodist Universrty on scholarshrp.ma1or111g rn dance and commumcat,ons Mr. Siskhas performed with FortWorth Bo/let,Lula Wos/11ngtonOonce Company: Jubilot,ons/A Deeply Rooted Prodvct,on ond Bruce Wood DanceCompany He hos also worked w,th many choreographers such as David Browrt/Eliso Monte, KevinJeff. George Forson.Mox Stone, Hope Clarke.Sabrina Madison-Connon. Thismarks Antomo's first seasonwith Ph,lodonco.

4 Gabriele Tesfaguma G.abrielewas raisedin Italy,where, together with intensive musicalstudies in guitar,he -Addis Ababa, Ethiopia began to dance. When he arrivedfn the United States, he continued his dantie training, focusing on modern and ballet. He attended American Universityand later was awarded scholarshipsta the DavidHoward Dance Center, Ballet Academy East,JoffreyBallet School and STEPS.Gabriele has performed with MirobilandioGroup in Italy,Ajax MovingCompany. TakoshlWatanabe (Japan),JojfreyII the Dancersand others.He is also a professionalguitar player and was in the movie ''Beloved".This is Gabriele'sfourth season with Philadanco. Allyson Triplett Ms. Triplettstudied dance at LongBeach State University,and the Alvin Ailey American • , CA OanceCenter as a certificate and scholarshipstudent. Her musical theater creditsinclude "ThePajama Game", "Sophisticated ladies''. "The Wiz"and "St.Louis Woman''. She has also appeared in ml.isicvideos,jilms, rnmmercials and magazines.Allyson has performed with Momix and Forcesof Nature DanceTheater and as a prominent dancer with Philadanco from 1994to 1998.Most recently.she performed with UrbanBush Women and assisted the Company'sDirector, Jawole WillaJo Zollar.Ms. Triplettreturns to Phi/adancoas a dancer and company assistant to the ArtisticDirector, Joan Myers Brown. Tracy Vogt Tracybegan her trainingat the ErieCivic Ballet School. She attended the Universityof the · Erie, PA Arts in Philadelphiaand the Alvin Ailey American Dance Centeras a fellowshfp student. Professionallyshe has worked with ErieBoyfront Ballet, Wyllfoms/Henry DanseTheatre in KansasCity, MO. and FootprintsDance Company in New YorkCity. This is Tracy'sfifth season with Philadanco. Dawn Marie Watson Dawn Moriebegan studying at the Fournier-GregoPerforming Arts Center.She also studied · Brooklyn, NY with MarlaHitokowa ot Covenant DanceStudio. A gradvate of the New YorkHigh School of PerformingArts, she alsostudied at TheAlvin Ailey American Dance Center, Dance Theatre of Harlem,with FrondsPatrelle at BalletAcademy East and at the UsdanCenter for PerformingArts. She earneda B.F.A.from ThePurchase Conservatory of Oanceand apprenticed with the Jubilation!Dance Company. Dawn Marieis the recipientof the HelenTamiris Awardfor Excellencein Dancefr0m the HighSchool of PerformingArts and the Faculty and DeansAward for Excellencein Dancefrom Pl.irchaseCollege. In 1994,she was afinalist in TheArts Recognitionand TalentSearch. This is DawnMarie'.s fourth seasonwith Philadanco. Hollie Wright Holliebegan her training at the Arthur HallAfrican DanceTheater. Her mento,s ore Pat - Philadelphia, PA Thomasand the late Marion D.Ci.iyjet. Hollie is a recent graduate of the Universityof the Arts with o B.F.A.in DanceEducation. She receivedthe MorionD. Cuyjet Scholarship Award, the Stella MooreAward and the Most Outstanding Achievement Award in 1997& 1998. She alsoperformed with FreedomT/Teater and 'DancoII, and appearedin the movie Beloved. Thisis Hollie'sfourth season with Philadanco. Debora Chase Hicks After early da,,ce training in Denver,Debora stvdied at the PhiladelphiaSchool of Dance - Rehearsal Director Arts andjoined Philadancoin 1974,working with Gene HillSagan, TolleyBeatty and Billy Wilson,remaining for sevenyears and finishing as a soloist. In 1981,she joined the Alvin AileyAmerican DanceTheater and toured the world with them for 11years. Deborahad feature rolesin the Aileyballets "Cry"·ond "Witness''.She also reset "Witness" an the Danish Ballet.In 1992sire retiredfrom the Ailey C0mpany and returned to Philadelphiaand Philadanco.She also serveson the faculty of FreedomTheat:er. She was a 1997recipient of the InternationalCongress of BlackWomen-Shirley Chisolm Award and a 1998recipient of the OutstandingYot1ng Americans Award. Oeboro is currentlyRehearsal Director and Coach at Philadanco. William H. Grant, 111 Mr.Grant hos designedfor Dance,Opera and Theaterthroughout the UnitedStates, Canada, - Lighting Designer Europe.Africa, South America,the Caribbeanand the MiddleEa$t. He has designedextensively Fun for the MilwaukeeRepertory Theater Company. the PhiladelphiaDrama Guild, The Alabama ShakespeareFestiVal, The New FederalTheater, the New YorkShakespeare Festival and many fog other Regionaland Off Broadwaycompanies. Billhas been the resident lighting designer Nat and technicaldirector for The PhiladelphiaDance Company {Philadanco)for over 16 years. Foo He also designedfor the AlvinAiley AmericanDance Theater.American Ballet Theaterand W.! 5 Pen. hos taught lighting designat the City Collegeof New York.Mr.Grant 1srheouthor of "A BasicHandbook of StageLighting·· ond is the recipientof the 1993Monarch Mem Award presentedby the NotionalCouncil for Culturerurd A,t. In hisspa,e t,me he 1san accomplished harpist Vanes sa A. Thomas Vanessareceived a 8.FA.In DancePerformance/ Education from TempleUn1vers,ty Ajtl'r - Managing Director performmg w,th Philodanco.she spent 3years as a singertdonce,and supervisorat Walt DisneyWot Id in Florido.She later joined RinglingBros & BarnumBailey Circus and Ctrcus Vargas,before JOtn1n9 the New York-based819 Apple Cm~us. She was a port of the,r resident It ,so COf7lpanyfor manyyears and performeda wide variety of respons1biltt1eswhile attending 1h GraduateSchool In Arts Administrationat New YorkUniversity In 1997,Vanessa joined tl1c administrativestaff of the UniverSou/Circus as TalentCoordinator and PerformanceDirector 0 Upon returning to Philodelpl1io,n 1998.she joined Ph,lodancoas Monogtng D,rector. ht

PHILADANCO- The Philadelphia Dance Company 'tn OIi Professi o nal Sta ff Joan Myers Brown Founder, Executive/Artist,c Dlfector Allyson Triplett Artistic Assistant to Joan Myers Brown Marlisa Brown Artistic Administrative Assistant Debora Chase-Hicks Rehearsal Director William H. Grant, II/ Lighting, Techn,colDirector :eo Melody Beal Assistant to Technical O,rector Sarah Conway Stage Manager Milton Myers Resident Choreographer Donald T.Lunsford, II Artistic Director (Oh) VanessaA. Thomas Managing Director t Juana F.Collins Directo r of Development :ht Engrid R. Bullock Executive Administrative Assistant ;rd. t Frank Minerva Controller ·t!d Reho Satchell Admin,strot,ve Assistant Marc J.Bay/in Bay/,n Artists Management

The Philade lphia Dance Company (PHILADANCO) 9 North Preston St reet PHILADANCOWay Philadelphia , PA 19104 -2210 IOJ ph: 215-387-8200 to/ fax: 215-387-8203 a

Funded in part by the Not ional Dance Pro;ect of the New England Foundation for the Arts, with lead funding from Nat ional Endowment for the Arts and Doris Duke Chor,table N£W fN(i(ANO Foundation. Addit1onol funding provided by The Andrew r 'Id • r , W Mellon Foundation, Philip Morris Companies Inc., a I ts Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. and The Brtt,sh Council. 6 WAKE FORESTUNIVERSITY EXPRESSES ITS DEEP APPRECIATIONTO MRS. MARION SECRESTAND HER HUSBAND, THE LATEDR. WILLIS SECREST, FOR GENEROUSLYENDOWING THE SECRESTARTISTS SERIES.

Philadanco is excl usively represente d by: BaylinArtists Management, Inc. 18\Vest State Street,Suite 203 Doylestown, PA 18901 tel.267.880.3750 fax.267.880.3757 wwwbaylinartists.conz The performance of the Philadanco Dance Company and two master classes were co-sponsored by the Wake Forest University Dance Program. The Secrest Art1sts Series thanks Nina Lucas .Associate Professor and Director of Dance, for her pre-concert talk and APO Service Fracernity for ushering. Please disconnect all cellular phones, sigllal watches, and pagers. Video and other recording dellices are not allowed. Tickets for all Secrest Artists Series events ctre avclilable without charge to all Wake Forest students,faculty and staff. They are sold individually and by subscription to the general public. To purcbase tickets, call the Theatre Bo..'>i:Office at (336) 758-5295 or the SecrestArtists Series at (336) 758-5757. MasterCard and Visa c1cceptect.

REMAINING EVENT IN THE SECRESTARTISTS SERIES 2001-2002 SEASON

Camerata Romeu (Thursday, J\·larch 21 at 8pm in Brendle Recital Hall) - ,\ female Cuban string ensemble with an amazing display of e11ergy, inrensrty and abiHty in a program of contemporary and classical l.:1rin pieces . C',0-sponsored b1 theWFU Center for lncernational Studies and the Committee for th<: Symposium on Cuba .

WATCH FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE 2002 -2003 SEASON!

Visit the Secrest Series Website: www .wfu.edu/secrestartists/