1. Nachthexen

CHOREOGRAPHY:

Amberly M. Simpson in collaboration with the dancers

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DANCERS:

Lyric Burris, Gillian Jarett, Vivian Ortego, Izzy Parks, Sofia Ritchie

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MUSIC:

“Clever Old Bastard" by ROZKOL; "Rider" by Nctrnm; "Delirium" by Kai Engel

SOUND EFFECTS:

“32 Minutes of Soothing, Relaxing, Meditating World War 1 Sounds for Studying and Thinking" by The Long Youtuber

PROGRAM NOTES:

"Nachthexen" explores the history of Soviet Union’s all-female volunteer aviators of the 588th Night Bomber Regiment and the role they played in turning the tables against the Germans in World War II. This highly successful unit earned their name from the very strategies they used that, while highly effective, were incredibly dangerous. As women were ordinarily not allowed to serve in the military at this point in history, they were provided only with bare-bones, open cockpit plywood biplanes. They flew all their missions at night without parachutes, radios, or other important gear, and, as their planes were quite loud, the only way to avoid being heard in their descent upon German encampments was by cutting their engines and coasting until they were within range to drop their bombs. The sound of the wind rushing by/through the plane produced a sound that resembled a sweeping broom, a rather eerie sound to hear right before total chaos ensues. And, thus, the scourge of the Nazis was born. But, naturally, going out on mission all night without proper gear, followed by immediately working all day has its toll.

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To learn more about "The Night Witches," click here!

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