cross gather transform (2023)
Direction and Concept: Ariel Nereson
Choreography: Ariel Nereson, Amelia Rojek, Sophia Fino, and Dancers
Dancers: Colligan, Fino, Hankinson, Hartke, Hassouna, Healey, Lopez, Mandik, Nanfro, Parsons, Quinn, Tran
Understudy: Guarna
Voiceover Artists: Robyn Lee Horn and Kaylie Horowitz
Music: “Across the Blue Ridge Mountains” by Rising Appalachia, “Fugue in E Minor” by Yo-Yo Ma, Chris Thile, and Edgar Meyer
Dramaturgy: Jane Barnette
Research Assistant: Amelia Rojek
Set Design: Jacob Clouse
Costume Design: Zechariah Saenz
Lighting Design: Mallory Tirone
Sound Design: Chris Ochman

Forging (2023)
Direction and Concept: Kerry Ring
Choreography: Kerry Ring and DancersDancers: Gorny, Harrison (Guest Performer), Hartke, Liguori, Wingo, Wythe
Understudy: White
Rehearsal Assistant: Eck
Music: “Kronetics” by Joel Christian Goffin, “Alive” by David Charrier
Set Design: Jacob Clouse
Costume Design: Zechariah Saenz
Lighting Design: Ethan Borrok
Sound Design: Chris Ochman

My Lost Heart (2023)
Choreography: Jenna Zavrel
Dancers: Guarna, Lopez, Marshall, Nanfro, Tuholski
Understudy: Parsons
Music: “Moonlight” by Travis Lake, “Plantage” by Swod, “Human Heartbeat” from Sound Effects Music Set, “Goodnight, Day” by Johann Johannsson
Videography: Jenna Zavrel and Neal Ten Eyck
Costume Design: Zechariah Saenz
Lighting Design: Mallory Tirone
Projection Technologist: Ethan Borrok
Sound Design: Chris Ochman

“Zam Ekpele” (2023)
Choreography: Joshua Ikechukwu
Dancers: Colligan, Hankinson, Lopez, Mandik, Quinn, Tran, Tucker, Wingo
Understudy: Liguori
Offstage Signers: Zodiaque Dance Company Orchestra
Percussionists: Dantrae Alonso, Charity John, Joshua Ikechukwu
Costume Design: Cindy Darling
Lighting/Projection Design: Ethan Borrok
Note: “Zam Epele” is an intercessory piece connecting us to a supernatural power with movement vocabulary instigated from the eastern part of Nigeria”
“A man who pays respect to the great paves the way for his own greatness.” - Chinua Achebe

~15-Minute Intermission~

Inspiration: Fosse (2023)
Choreography: Jeff Shade
Dancers: Fino, Gorny, Guarna, Hassouna, Healey, Marshall, Nanfro, Parsons, Tuholski, White
Understudy: Wythe
Music: “Caravan” by John Wasson from Whiplash
Set Design: Jacob Clouse
Costume Design: Zechariah Saenz
Lighting Design: Ethan Borrok
Sound Design: Chris Ochman

Excerpt from Walking with ‘Trane (2015/2023)
Choreography: Jawole Willa Jo Zollar (Urban Bush Women Founder) and Mame Diarra Speis (Uran Bush Women Co-Artistic Director)
Restaging: Tendayi Kuumba, Stephanie Mas, and Visiting Associate Professor Chanon Judson (Urban Bush Women Co-Artistic Director)
Dancers:  Colligan, Hartke, Marshall, Quinn, Tucker, Tuholski, White
Recorded Music: “Psalm: A Conjuring, Walk On” Composed by Philip White
Pianist: Harry Graser (Oct. 20 @ 10:30am, Oct. 21 @ 2pm, Oct. 22 @ 2pm)
Pianist: Lamont Tyler (Oct. 20 & 21 @ 7:30pm)
New Costume Design: Cindy Darling
New Lighting Design: Mallory Tirone
Original Projection Design: Wendall K. Harrington
Original Associate Projection Design: Shawn Boyle
Projection Technologist:  Ethan Borrok
Sound Coordinator: Chris Ochman
Images of John Coltrane and his compositions licensed courtesy of Jowcol Music.
Note: WALKING WITH ‘TRANE (2015) Created and Co-Choreographed by Urban Bush Women Founder/Visioning Partner Jawole Willa Jo Zollar and veteran UBW dancer Samantha Speis in collaboration with Talkvin Wilks and the UBW Company. WALKING WITH ‘TRANE offers two unique experiences, SIDE A and SIDE B, inspired by the musical life and spiritual journey of John Coltrane, a composer at the forefront of jazz innovation in a racially-charged America of the ‘50s and 60’s. Informed by the unpredictability of the bandstand, the “Band State,” the scary, risky place that potentially extends into “transcendence,” this ethereal investigation lives within multiple layers of Coltrane’s music, Coltrane’s spirituality, Coltrane’s life… Choreography by Jawole Willa Jo Zollar and Samantha Speis in collaboration with The Company.

Lazuli (2023)
Choreography: Autumn Eckman
Dancers: Fino, Gorny, Hankinson, Hassouna, Healey, Liguori, Mandik, Wingo, Wythe
Understudy: Tran
Rehearsal Assistant: Eck
Music: “Rhapsody in Blue” Performed by Nicola Frisardi. Composed by George Gershwin.
Costume Design: Zechariah Saenz
Lighting Design: Ethan Borrok
Sound Design: Chris Ochman
Note: [on composing 'Rhapsody in Blue'] There had been so much chatter about the limitations of jazz, not to speak of the manifest misunderstandings of its function. Jazz, they said, had to be in strict time. It had to cling to dance rhythms. I resolved, if possible, to kill that misconception with one sturdy blow. Inspired by this aim, I set to work composing with unwonted rapidity. No set plan was in my mind - no structure to which my music would conform. The rhapsody, as you see, began as a purpose, not a plan. I tried to conceive the composition as a whole. I heard it as a sort of musical kaleidoscope of America - of our vast melting-pot, of our unduplicated national pep, of our blues, our metropolitan madness. -George Gershwin

Z’Bows (2012/2023)
Choreography: Thomas Ralabate
Dancers: The Company
Music: “Rock Prelude” Performed by David Garrett. Composed by David Garrett and Franck Van Der Heijden.
Set Design: Nicholas J. Taboni
Scenic Coordinator: Jacob Clouse
Lighting/Projection Design: Ethan Borrok
Sound Design: Chris Ochman

THE VIDEOTAPING OR OTHER VIDEO OR AUDIO RECORDING OF THIS PRODUCTION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

ZDC FALL 2023 PRODUCTION POSITIONS
Technical Director: Jacob Clouse
Assistant Lighting Designer/Head Electrician: Mallory Tirone
Assistant Stage Manager: Alexandria Connolly
Assistant Lighting Designer: Mallory Tirone
Light Board Operator / Programmer: Marcus Harter
Sound Board / Projection Operator: Amaya Sonubi
Fly Captain: Tony Tong
Fly Crew / Deck Crew: Bethany Balster, Kenny Harrison, MacKenzie Pedersen, Grace Rezin
Dresser Supervisor: Sam Meireles
Dresser: Selena Pereyra, Larisa Rivera-Vasquez
Student House Manager: Tim Nunez

DEPARTMENTAL PRODUCTION POSITIONS
Season Graphics: Elisabetta Antonacci
Costume Shop Assistants: Ein Ayala, Jen Marquez
Projection Technologist: Ethan Borrok
Head Electrician: Ethan Brod
Sound Supervisor: Joyce Cheng
Props Manager: Sheila Fastoff
Carpenter: Luigi LoCascio
Voice Artist: Tobias Pfluke
Scenic Artist: Katja Rabus
Projection Technologist/Info-Tech: Braxton Stone
Assistant Scenic Artist: Cameron Thompson

UBTHD FACULTY/STAFF CONTRIBUTORS TO ZDC FALL
Paint/Props Mentor: Gina Boccolucci
Light, Sound, and Video Supervisor / Sound Mentor: Tom Burke
Costume Technician: Judy Curtis
Assistant Costume Shop Manager / Wardrobe Supervisor: Cindy Darling
Assistant Technical Director / Head Carpenter: Erich Frank
Technical Director Mentor: Rick Haug
Sets/Lights/Projections Mentor: Lynne Koscielniak
Production Stage Manager: Melinda J. Lamoreux
Costume Shop Manager: Zechariah Saenz
Senior Staff Assistant: Tom Tucker
Crew Instructor/SM Mentor: Hannah S. Wolland

UBTHD ADMINISTRATION
Department Chair: Eero Laine
Associate Chair/Producing Director: 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 encouragement, 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.

Excerpts from Walking with ‘Trane are part of the “Improvised Journeys” research project are supported in part by the UB Arts Collaboratory and Department of Music.

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

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

Our season of programming is also made possible by ticket purchases and donations from patrons like you. We thank you for your continued support of our works. If you would like to further support THD, please visit: https://arts-sciences.buffalo.edu/theatre-dance/about/support.html

We invite you to celebrate the upcoming 50^th Anniversary of Zodiaque Dance Company by joining our donor wall.