AGON
*agon [ag-ohn, -on, ah-gohn] ἀγών (noun): a debate between opposing forces*

Am I awake or dreaming?
When I close my eyes my dreams are agon.
When I open my eyes the agon continues.
Freedom has its price.

Direction & Concept: Hannah Walter
Choreography: Hannah Walter in collaboration with dancers
Dancers: Sarah Chowaniec, Erinn Cosgrove, Selena Pereyra, Adriana Vetcha
Music: “And All the Spirals of the World” by Felicia Atkinson & Jefre Cantu
“Clouds, The Mind on the (Re)Wind” by Ezio Bosso
Architectural Entity Design: Hannah Walter

Note: This piece is a work in progress version of Hannah Walter’s thesis project which will be presented in its entirety in April 2024 during the MFA Dance Thesis Concert.

Being a-Part (Lesbians v. Stage 2023)
Choreographer and Performer: Dani Schofer
Recorded Sound: “Get Happy/Happy Days are Here Again” by Judy Garland and Barbara Streisand
Live Sound:
“Don’t Rain on My Parade” from Funny Girl
“Lost in His Arms” from Annie Get Your Gun
“The Girl that I Marry” from Annie Get Your Gun
“Maybe this Time” from Cabaret
“Don’t Try to Change Me” by Fiona Apple
“And What that Means” by Dani Schofer
Additional original composition and text by Dani Schofer.

Black Tales
Choreography: Joshua Ikechukwu and Charity John
Dancers: Rebekah Bono, Mia Dischiavo, Isabella Guerrucci, Charity John
Narrator: Joyce Jekayinoluwa
Percussionists: Dantrae Alonso, Joshua Ikechukwu, Kuhle Mbawu

Note: This is a piece created out of the African Tales by moonlight stories that goes on almost every night, where we relive our culture and get inclined with our roots. Folklore never dies in Africa.

INTERMISSION

hers for the reading
Direction, Concept, Script: Natasha McCandless
Choreography: Natasha McCandless, with improvisations by the dancers
Dancers: Mia Dischiavo, Vic Oshman-Bruce, Lauren Saab, Violet Schraver
Sound Design: Alicia Campbell
Technical Direction: John Rickus
Set and Props Design: Jennifer Lynn Carter
Costumes: Thank you to the UB Costume Shop and Zechariah Saenz.

Notes:
"From that moment on, the world was hers for the reading. She would never be lonely again." - Betty Smith
This is a work in progress showing; the final version will be performed at the MFA Dance Thesis Concert in April 2024.
Sponsored by a Public Humanities Grant from Humanities New York. 

Pass the Vibe
Choreography: Rebekah Bono and Dancers
Dancers: Erin Devine, Kenny Harrison, Rachel Hunt, Kiera Oppelt
Sound: "Say That" by Toro Y Moi

Choreographic Mentors: Melanie Aceto, James Beaudry, Anne Burnidge, Jeanne Fornarola, Chanon Judson, Ariel Nereson, Kerry Ring, Michael Deeb Weaver, Jenna Zavrel
Props Warehouse Manager: Gina Boccolucci
Technical Assistant: Marie Costa
Sound Technologist: Tom Burke
Costume Technician: Judy Curtis
Assistant Costume Shop Manager: Cindy Darling
Technical Assistant: Nathan Eck
Box Office Manager: Rob Falgiano
House Manager: Ally Hasselback
Costume Shop Manager: Zechariah Saenz
Production Photographer: Ken Smith

Department Chair: Eero Laine
Associate Chair: Lynne Koscielniak
Production Manager: Rick Haug
Assistant Production Manager: Ally Hasselback
Department Administrators: Rachel Olszewski, Veronica Sedota
Senior Staff Assistant: Rob Falgiano
Administrative Assistant: Kristin Mann

The UB Department of Theatre and Dance is a proud member of the UB College of Arts and Sciences.

With a firm commitment to the advancement of creative research, experiential learning, and community engagement, the UBTHD 2023-2024 Production Season is administered by the Department of Theatre and Dance. We acknowledge the full faculty and staff for their part in preparing students for work on stage and behind the scenes.

We thank UB Center for the Arts for their support in making these productions possible.

The UB Department of Theatre and Dance acknowledges the generous continued philanthropic support of Fox Run at Orchard Park, an official contributing sponsor of the UBTHD 2023-2024 season.

Our season is also made possible by ticket purchases and donations from patrons like you. To further support our work, we invite you to join our donor wall.

SAVE THE DATE
MFA DANCE THESIS CONCERT
Directed by Anne Burnidge
Choreography by Natasha McCandless and Hannah Walter
Apr. 19 – 20, 2024
UB Center for the Arts Black Box Theatre