SPOTLIGHT SERIES: WOMEN IN FOCUS

March 2-4, 2023 | The Brown Theatre | Choreography by Andrea Schermoly (Resident Choreographer), Ching Ching Wong, and the 2023 Dysart Award Winner, Robyn Mineko Williams with Designs by Victoria Bain (Lighting), Regina Garcia (Scenic), and Felicity Phillips (Costume)

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The second installation of this mixed-repertory series features three new works created by a team of women-only choreographers as well as scenic, costume, and lighting designers. This production will also feature work by the recipient of the Louisville Ballet 2023 Dysart Award, an annual award for choreographers on the rise.

Interested in attending the show with a group? Click here for information on group discounts, and check out special group event offers for Young Professionals and Girl Scout Troops.

Want to enrich your viewing experience? Check out our resource guide to learn about women pioneers in dance, ballet history, foundations of dance, bonus videos, and more! Our study guide was created by our Community Engagement team for students and educators, but the content is perfect for anyone curious about this dynamic, contemporary show. Click here to start exploring!

Thank you to our partner for this production, the Louisville Metro Office for Women (OFW). Visit their table at each performance, and catch the pre-show talk on Young Professionals Night, moderated by OFW Executive Director Gretchen Hunt.

 

PROGRAM

Company Artist Leigh Anne Albrechta in Andrea Schermoly’s LIMBIC

Click here to see an interview with Andrea Schermoly on LIMBIC

 

 

Content Note: LIMBIC deals with the processing and healing of trauma. The choreography contains brief simulations and suggestions of physical violence that may be distressing to some viewers.

LIMBIC | Choreography by Andrea Schermoly
Louisville Ballet Resident Choreographer

Rehearsal Assistant: Mikelle Bruzina
Consultant: Sarah Reynolds
Sound Design by Laura Ellis
Spoken Word by Andrea Schermoly, performed by Susaan Jamshidi 

Music:
Anna Meredith, “Nautilus”
Franz Schubert, “Piano Sonata No. 21 in B-Flat Major, D.960: II Andante. Sostenuto”

Choreographer’s Note:
The Limbic system is the physical region of our brain responsible for emotional processing, the development of empathy, memory keeping, and responses to trauma. It is a delicate, malleable and intricately responsive network that can become highly dysfunctional and limited in its adaptation to trauma. Through traditional and physical body therapies, including dance, and even the viewing of dance, we are capable of re-wiring those neural pathways that keep us in panic mode. We can re-grow the brain and lay “new snowfall” over engrained synaptic tracks that lead to negative survival responses. 

Through all adversity, the brain wants to and can heal trauma. This is hopeful. This is the work.  The light that leads to an abundant, flourishing life with acceptance. 

Cast:
Leigh Anne Albrechta, Sarah Bradley, Justin Michael Hogan, Mark Krieger, David Senti, Ryo Suzuki, Amber Wickey


Company Artist David Senti in Robyn Mineko Williams’ SET

Click here to watch rehearsal footage and learn the inspiration behind SET. 

SET | Choreography by Robyn Mineko Williams
2023 Dysart Award Winner

Rehearsal Assistant: Helen Daigle
Sound Design by Robert F. Haynes

Music:
Dan Deacon, “Weeping Birch”
Low, “There’s a Comma After Still”
Claude Debussy, Alexis Weissenberg, “Claire de Lune”

Choreographer’s Note:
SET was sparked by a perfectly imperfect old table and the life it absorbed over time.

Cast:
Leigh Anne Albrechta, Emmarose Atwood, Caleb Emory, Brandon Ragland, Aleksandr Schroeder, David Senti, Ryo Suzuki

Company Artists Lexa Daniels and Daniel Scofield in rehearsal for GRASS IS GREEN

Click here for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of GRASS IS GREEN.

GRASS IS GREEN | Choreography by Ching Ching Wong

Rehearsal Assistant: Harald Uwe Kern
Sound Design by Noelle Kayser
All props, sets, and costumes reused and repurposed from the storage warehouse and archives of 71 years of Louisville Ballet stock.

Music:
Freddie George, “Soul Coaxing (Ame Caline)”
Western Orchestra, “Per un pugno di dollari – dal film ‘per un pugno di dollari’”
Sync24, “Sequor” and “Feet in the Water”
Wadaiko Matsruiza, “Riki-Maru”
Vengaboys, “BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM!!”
The Singing Nun (Soeur Sourire), “Avec Toi”

Choreographer’s Note:
GRASS IS GREEN explores the age old idiom “the grass is always greener on the other side.” Our search for better pastures ignites our tenacity for wanting, repercussions of having, and the beautiful heartache of hoping.

Cast:
Natalie Ashikhmina, Elizabeth Abbick, Alexis Breen, Claire Churchill, Lexa Daniels, Anna Ford, JonMarie Johnson, Caitlin Kowalski, Tarique Logan, Minh-Tuan Nguyen, Sanjay Saverimuttu, Gabrielle Savka, Claire Schoellerman, Daniel Scofield, Gaven Stevens, Ashley Thursby, Charlotte Van Ermen, Brienne Wiltsie

CHOREOGRAPHERS

Andrea Schermoly | Resident Choreographer

Born in South Africa, Andrea Schermoly trained at the National School of the Arts, on full scholarship at both Rambert Ballet and Contemporary School and The Royal Ballet School, London. She competed internationally as a member of The South African National Rhythmic Gymnastics Team and danced professionally for Boston Ballet and Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT). 

She has choreographed nationally and internationally for companies such as Royal New Zealand Ballet and Kansas City Ballet, among others, and has choreographed for movies, music videos, and commercials in Los Angeles. 

Andrea choreographed an all-new Rite of Spring dance film for the Company’s 2020 – 2021 all-digital season. She most recently premiered VIBES for the Spring 2022 Spotlight Series.

Robyn Mineko Williams | Choreographer
2023 Dysart Award Winner

Robyn Mineko Williams is a multi-disciplinary artist, director, producer. She has made dances for Pacific Northwest Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago & Malpaso Dance Company among others and works as a creative on an array of projects including music videos, art installation, theater and film. A PGF-USA fellowship recipient and 2014 Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch,” Robyn’s work has been presented at Kennedy Center, Harris Theater, Jacob’s Pillow, MCA Chicago and more. In 2015, she founded Robyn Mineko Williams and Artists with a mission to partner with a variety of dynamic artists to make and create in the many lanes and intersections of performance, design, culture and place. Go to robynminekowilliams.com for more. Find out more about The Dysart Award here.

Ching Ching Wong | Choreographer

Born in Manila, raised in Los Angeles, and most happy in a studio, Ching Ching Wong is a performer, choreographer, rehearsal director for Ballets Jazz Montréal, and stager for choreographer Ihsan Rustem.

She is the recipient of the Princess Grace Award in Dance, was named Dance Magazine’s 25 to Watch, and is represented by Movement Talent Agency. Ching Ching also created Project Salamat and The Experience, a global outreach program which toured 17 cities and 11 countries. 

After graduating with a BFA in Dance Performance from the University of California Irvine working closely with the late Donald McKayle, her career began at Northwest Dance Project. As a freelance artist she has collaborated with numerous companies and artists including Roderick George, ZviDance, LED, Brendan Duggan, PARA.MAR Dance Theatre, CARLON, YYDC, OddKnock Productions, and SALT Contemporary Dance. Ching is thrilled to be in creation with her first work for Louisville Ballet.

DESIGNERS

Victoria Bain | Lighting Designer

Victoria Bain (she/ her) hails from Chicago and now splits her time working between Chicago and NYC. Victoria’s designs include Newsies and Cinderella at Paramount Theater Aurora, The Commons at 59e59, The White Dress at Access Theater, Orson Rehearsed at Roosevelt University, La Canción at Repertorio Español, and A Woman in Morocco with Kentucky Opera. Victoria spent a year at the Actors Theatre of Louisville apprentice program, and numerous summers working at Williamstown Theatre Festival. Victoria is a proud member of USA 829. Victoriaabain.com

Regina Garcia | Scenic Designer

Regina is a Chicago-based scenic designer from Puerto Rico. She has had long standing relationships with the Latinx Theatre’s renowned Teatros including Repertorio Español, the Puerto Rican Traveling Theater, Teatro Vista and Pregones Theater. Upcoming shows include American Players Theatre, Steppenwolf and the Seattle Children’s Theatre. Regina is a Fellow of the NEA/TCG Career Development Program for Designers and the Princess Grace Awards, USA; a Regional Associate member of the League of Professional Theatre Women; and company member with both Rivendell Theatre Ensemble and Boundless Theatre Company. She is the Head of Scenic Design at The Theatre School, DePaul University, and a founding organizational member of La Gente: The Latinx Theatre Production Network.

Felicity Phillips | Costume Designer

Felicity Phillips is a Louisville, Kentucky native who is currently finishing her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design at The Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California. Alongside her studies, Felicity is presently building her label while also collaborating with global brands such as Shein, with whom she launched her first collection in late December 2022.

Felicity is captivated by the escapism and imagination that fine art grants her by taking her illustrations from the page and turning them into real-life wearable works of art. She is excited to bring her knowledge and passion for garment construction to the stage, thus showcasing her skills as a visual artist.

PRODUCTION TEAM

Technical Director: Brian Sherman

Stage Manager: Kim Aycock

Costume Shop Director: Molly Duke

Resident Lighting Designer: Jesse AlFord

Sound Supervisor: Laura Ellis

Assistant Stage Manager: Moira Cassiday

Costume Shop Assistant: Joei Baldwin

Costume Shop:
Teresa Greer (cutter), Katie Joachim (stitcher + dresser)

Head Carpenter: Javan Roy-Bachman

Scenic Carpenter: Doug Aycock

Scenic Painter: Eric Allgeier

Click here for a complete listing of Louisville Ballet Company + Studio Company Dancers, Artistic + Production Staff, and Administrative Team.