We welcome you to Zodiaque Dance Company's 51^st fall concert, which embodies our commitment to presenting University at Buffalo dance majors in diverse styles of movement - including contemporary, jazz, tap, hip hop and modern. We are proud to be involved in the development of the next generation of performers, designers, choreographers, teachers, and scholars, who will make an impact in the field of dance. ZDC has become a source of inspiration on campus and in the Buffalo community over the last five decades and is energized by the process of sharing.

Enjoy the concert!

Kerry Ring and Michael Deeb Weaver

“When all of this is over”
Choreographer: Rachael Leonard
Dancers: Giovanna Antonini, Erinn Cosgrove, Mario Liguori, Kiera Oppelt, Vic Oshman-Bruce, Selena Pereyra, Abby Postle, William Schmidt
Understudy: Mackenzie Leone
Costumes: Mackenzie Leone
Music: “When All of This is Over” by the Westerlies, “How Glad I Am” by Nancy Wilson, “Roy the King” by Time Groove
Program Note: In this contemporary ballet, the dancers explore the intimate connection between love and breath.

“Step up to the Front”
Choreographers: Rebekah Bono and Dancers
Dancers: Nathan Eck, Lauren Guarna, Ella Hankinson, Jenna Hartke, Grace Rezin, Violet Schraver, Audree Woods
Understudy: Ava Crean
Costumes: Violet Schraver
Music: “Step Up to the Front” by Leigh Gracie, “Move on Up” by Curtis Mayfield, “If You Want Me to Stay” by Sly & The Family Stone, “Stomp!” by The Brothers Johnson
Program Note: This piece is inspired by the celebratory nature of funk music, reminding everyone that “It’s okay to DANCE”.

“Groupthink”
Choreographer: Kurt Adametz
Dancers: Giovanna Antonini, Sarah Chowaniec, Nathan Eck, Ella Hankinson, Mario Liguori, William Schmidt, Adriana Vetcha
Understudy: Kiera Oppelt
Costumes: Ella Hankinson
Music: "And Still They Move/Flight" by Colin Stetson and Sarah Neufeld, “Cadence” by Travis Lake
Program Note: This contemporary jazz piece is a playful exploration of the psychological phenomenon of the same name.

“Homecoming of the Queens”
Choreographer: Arianna Dixie
Dancers: Erinn Cosgrove, Lauren Guarna, Mackenzie Leone, Vic Oshman-Bruce, Selena Pereyra, Ariana Parsons, Abby Postle, Violet Schraver, Adriana Vetcha, Audree Woods, Jasmine White, Grace Wythe
Understudy: Ella Hankinson
Costumes: Erinn Cosgrove
Music: “Lose My Breath” by Beyoncé, “Diva” by Beyoncé, “Bow Down” by Beyoncé
Program Note: This group hip hop dance embodies the ambience of live music lead by a powerful and strong group of female dancers.

~15-Minute Intermission~

“DRIVEN”
Choreographers: Kerry Ring and Dancers
Dancers: Sarah Chowaniec, Erinn Cosgrove, Ava Crean, Nathan Eck, Jenna Hartke, Mario Liguori, Vic Oshman-Bruce, Ariana Parsons, William Schmidt, Violet Schraver, Jasmine White, Grace Wythe Understudy: Audree Woods
Understudy: Audree Woods
Costumes: Max Levitt
Music: “Concerto in D Minor” composed by Charles Avison after Dominico Scarlatti; performed by Cafe Zimmermann
Program Note: This group modern dance is a study about the passionate motivation to achieve a personal goal.

“Whole in the Bottom of the Sea"
Choreographers: Chanon Judson and Mame Diarra Speis
Dancers: Ava Crean, Lauren Guarna, Jenna Hartke, Mackenzie Leone, Selena Pereyra, Grace Rezin
Understudy: Abby Postle
Costumes: Selena Pereyra
Music: “Whole in Bottom of the Sea” arrangement and vocals by Grace Galu
Sound design: Chanon Judson
Program Note: "Whole in the Bottom of the Sea" is an excerpt of Urban Bush Women's "Haint Blu," a modern dance-theater work that takes an embodied look into the movements, histories and stories of our elders and ancestors to examine what has been lost across generations and what can be recovered.

“Queen Bee”
Choreographer: Michael Deeb Weaver
Dancers: Sarah Chowaniec, Kiera Oppelt, Ariana Parsons, Grace Rezin, Adriana Vetcha, Jasmine White, Grace Wythe
Understudy: Giovanna Antonini
Costumes: Grace Wythe
Music: “It's a Man's Man's Man's World” written by James Brown and Betty Jean Newsome, performed by Celine Dion; “Maybe This Time” written by John Kander and Fred Ebb, performed by Liza Minnelli; “Queen Bee” written by Rupert Holmes, performed by Barbra Streisand
Program Note: This jazz dance piece showcases seven dancers embodying the spirit, energy, charisma, and allure of live musicians onstage in a nightclub-style performance.

“Z’BOWS” (2012/2025)
Choreographer: Tom Ralabate
Dancers: ZDC Company
Costumes: Kerry Ring
Music: “Rock Prelude” by David Garrett
Program Note: The signature Z’BOWS is a powerful spectacle of movement and emotional energy, dedicated to all lovers of dance who have shared those creative and gifted moments with ZDC as a performer, choreographer, designer, technician, friend, or audience member - dream big and dance often.

ZDC dedicates Z’BOWS to the loving memory of Distinguished Professor Saul Elkin and Professor Vincent O’Neill, and to all lovers of dance who have shared those creative and gifted moments with ZDC as performers, choreographers, designers, technicians, friends, or audience members.

Meredith Conti
Cynthia Darling
Michael Deeb Weaver
Kate DeRosa
Stephanie Genco Gasiecki
Lynne Koscialniak
Eero Laine
Paul Liguori
Thomas Mitchell
Nicholas Quinn
Thomas Ralabate
Kerry Ring

Support UB Theatre and Dance’s students as they conduct innovative creative research and train for careers in the performing arts and entertainment industries. BECOME A UB THEATRE AND DANCE BOOSTER!

Chair/Artistic Director: Meredith Conti
Associate Chair/Producing Director: Lynne Koscielniak 
Department Administrator: Veronica Sedota
Senior Staff Assistant: Rob Falgiano
Administrative Assistant: Kristin Mann
Technical Director: Nick Quinn
Production Manager: Ally Hasselback
Assistant Technical Directors: Tom Burke and Erich Frank
Scenic Artist and Head of Stage Properties: J. Marc Quattlebaum
Scene Shop Instructional Support: Hannah D’Elia
Costume Shop Manager: Max Levitt 
Assistant Costume Shop Manager/Wardrobe Head: Cindy Darling
Costume Shop Assistant: Judith Curtis
Production Photographer: Eric Tronolone

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 2024-2025 season.

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 2024-2025 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.