The Fourth Annual
Kentucky NACHMO Dance Festival
March 22 - 23, 2024
7pm
Artistic Director
Amberly M. Simpson
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Associate and Technical Director
Joseph R. Brandt
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Lighting Design
Lindsay Krupski
Ambo Dance Theatre is proud to host the 4th Annual Kentucky NACHMO Dance Festival! This mixed-bill production features fifteen new works of choreography, including 9 created by dancers with Ambo Dance Theatre’s company, including pieces by their directors, professional company, pre-professional company, and community ensemble dancers. Additionally, this year’s show features five choreographic works from artists and companies outside of Louisville, including one work by Jair Simon (Louisville, KY), three works by Dance Uprising (Ann Arbor, MI), and two works by Deno Dance Company (Lafayette, IN).
Each of these works was created as part of the National Choreography Month January Challenge where choreographers are tasked with creating a new piece of choreography using a series of daily prompts for inspiration and movement generation.
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Duration
The show is approximately 2 hours.
This includes one 15 minute intermission.
The Program
Preshow
STACKED
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SCORE DEVELOPMENT:
Amberly M. Simpson
Ambo Dance Theatre - Artistic Director (Louisville, KY)
DANCERS:
Ambo Dance Theatre's Improvisational Company - Caeli Baker, Lydia Fletcher, Jade Frost, MAC, Heather Moran, Mysti Pride, Helena Smith-Pohl
PROGRAM NOTES:
A structured improvisational score exploring the idea of a Main Event and a Supporting Event!
1. Divided We Stand
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CHOREOGRAPHY:
Nakoma Ehrhart
Ambo Dance Theatre (Louisville, KY)
DANCERS:
Eva Bell, Joseph R. Brandt, Lydia Fletcher, Jade Frost, Mysti Jace Pride, Candace Kresse,
MAC, Heather Moran, Rylan Truman, Sheila Zeng Dudgeon
MUSIC:
“Rupture”, “End of the trip”, and “Is everything of this true?” by Komiku;
"66666666666666666666 66666666666666666666 66666666666666666666 66666666666666666666 66666666666666666666 66666666666666666666" by Monplaisir;
"Aiti, joku tuijottaa meita metsasta" by Salakapakka Sound System
SOUND EFFECTS:
Pixabay
SOUND DESIGN:
Joseph R. Brandt and Nakoma Ehrhart
PROGRAM NOTES:
“Divided We Stand” explores how political motivations and tensions have evolved in the United States from our day of independence, to present day, to what we hope to see in the future. The entire piece consists of 3 parts. Part 1, titled “Liberty”, paints a portrait of the ideation and collaboration of the USA’s early settlers and founding fathers, and how these ideas made their way into the foundation of our political system. Part 2, "Life", explores how political tensions and divisions have risen over time to result in the present-day bipartisan political climate. Finally, Part 3 "Pursuit" conlcudes with what the dancers and the choreographer hope our political system will evolve to represent for future generations.
2. Daily Grind​
CHOREOGRAPHY:
Nina Deno
Deno Dance Company (Lafayette, IN)
DANCERS:
Nina Deno
MUSIC:
“Clock Gears” by Michael Wall
PROGRAM NOTES:
An exploration of a prolonged state of being overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands as a result of being overworked and undervalued.
3. In the House
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CHOREOGRAPHY:
Mysti Jace Pride
Ambo Dance Theatre (Louisville, KY)
DANCERS:
Nakoma Ehrhart, Mysti Jace Pride
MUSIC:
Sounds from Quick Sounds
SOUND DESIGN:
Jon Wagoner
PROGRAM NOTES:
Part one in a series of five vignettes!
4. "Have you tried meditation?"
CHOREOGRAPHER:
Sofia Ritchie
Ambo Dance Theatre - Youth Apprentice (Louisville, KY)
DANCERS:
Cory Baca, Caeli Baker, Marie Cunningham, Carly Hay, Helena Smith-Pohl
MUSIC:
"Clock Ticking" by pixabay
"Big Room" by Jesse Spillane"
PROGRAM NOTES:
“Have you tried meditation?” explores the internal and external, physical and emotional struggles with anxiety as a modern-day teen and the tiring medical journey that comes with that. This piece concentrates on the constant feeling of running out of time, and how that affects everyday life.
5. Ethereal Love​
CHOREOGRAPHY:
Rae Dudek
Dance Uprising (Ann Arbor, MI)
DANCERS:
Nicole Heikkilä-Popkin, Mackenzie Kalinowski, Sam Krieg, Emma-Grace McAbee-Reher,
GingerAnn Neslund, Donna Roberts, Bridget Vander Hoff, Rob Wilson
MUSIC:
“Just a Feeling,” by The Marias
“Dream a Little Dream,” by The Mamas and the Papas
PROGRAM NOTES:
The blind trust of love and community. How scary it can be but how good it is to be supported and cared for.
6. In the Tank
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CHOREOGRAPHY:
Mysti Jace Pride
Ambo Dance Theatre (Louisville, KY)
DANCERS:
Nakoma Ehrhart, Candace Kresse, Heather Moran
MUSIC:
Sounds from Freesound
SOUND DESIGN:
Jon Wagoner
PROGRAM NOTES:
Part two in a series of five vignettes!
7. The Return to Spring (excerpts)
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CHOREOGRAPHY:
Heather Moran and Amberly M. Simpson in collaboration with the dancers
Ambo Dance Theatre (Louisville, KY)
DANCERS:
Dorothy Henning, Morgan Lester, Phil Murray, Jamie Nicolas, Jair Simon
MUSIC:
"Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, Violn Concerto in F Major, Op. 8 No. 3, RV 293 'Autumn': II Adagio molto" by Anthonio Vivaldi, Itzhak Perlman, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
"Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons: Winter 3 & Spring 1 - 2012" by Max Richter, Daniel Hope, Konzerthaus Kammerorchester Berlin, Andre de Ridder
PROGRAM NOTES:
Inspired by the changing of our seasons and the cycle of rebirth! Catch the full performance in our May production of The Four Seasons on May 18th!
8. Get Up Offa That Thing
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CHOREOGRAPHY:
Rob Wilson
Dance Uprising (Ann Arbor, MI)
DANCERS:
Nicole Heikkilä-Popkin, Sam Krieg, Emma-Grace McAbee-Reher, Donna Roberts, Rob Wilson
MUSIC:
“Get Up Offa That Thing” by James Brown
PROGRAM NOTES:
You. Betta. Werk.
9. The Pedestal
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CHOREOGRAPHY AND DANCER:
Amberly M. Simpson
Ambo Dance Theatre - Artistic Director (Louisville, KY)
MUSIC:
"Hidden Beyond" by Aiyo
"My Head Is under Water (Instrumental Version)" by Dajana
The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in F Minor, Op. 8 No. 4, RV 297 "Winter"/ III. Allegro - Vivaldi
Sound effects courtesy the Epidemic Sound library.
SOUND DESIGN:
Stephanie Wolf
PROGRAM NOTES:
Have you ever wondered if the people you describe as 'amazing' or 'super human' or 'robots/machines' ever had a choice in the matter?
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Intermission
15 Minutes
10. In the Pond
CHOREOGRAPHY:
Mysti Jace Pride
Ambo Dance Theatre (Louisville, KY)
DANCERS:
Nakoma Ehrhart, Candace Kresse, Heather Moran, Amberly M. Simpson
MUSIC:
Sounds from Quick Sounds
SOUND DESIGN:
Jon Wagoner
PROGRAM NOTES:
Part three in a series of five vignettes!
11. these hands that once held the world​
CHOREOGRAPHY:
Heather Moran in collaboration with the dancers
Ambo Dance Theatre (Louisville, KY)
DANCERS:
Jade Frost, Lydia Fletcher, MAC
MUSIC:
"3147" " Michael Wall"
PROGRAM NOTES:
I just really had a desire to play around with a trio and partnering work this season. There is a theme of supporting as well as being supported. I had the dancers create phrases representing their interpretation of being the supporter versus being supported and interwove them throughout the piece. It was important to have their individual styles of support represented, because we all have different views in that area. Personally I don't feel I have the verbal language to express everything this piece represents to me, the movement will interpret the words for itself.
12. When The Village Refuses
CHOREOGRAPHY:
Jair Simon (Louisville, KY)
DANCERS:
Jair Simon
MUSIC:
Mejores
PROGRAM NOTES:
In high school, I witnessed a friend of mine be brought in shackles to a courtroom. I can still hear hear the bailiff gruffly yelling his name. I can still hear his shackles rattle behind him. Still feel the smile cross my face as our eyes connected, and I can still feel the tears well up as the prosecution stated how my childhood friend supposed harmed somebody. He was convicted and faced nine years in an adult maximum facility prison. He was eventually released and his case reversed after the NY appellate court ruled that my friend should have been tried as a youth offender, not an adult. A child. Children should never be forced to into adult facility prisons. Because of my friend's landmark appellate case, NY can no longer send youth offenders to adult facilities. For my friend, this was not good news all together. His Village, His State, His Country refused to serve him effectively. When The Village Refuses, Children are Harmed. But know this: my friend and all other's like him are not forgotten. Let this piece serves as resistance to the lie that children deserve to be locked away from the world.
13. In the Coop
CHOREOGRAPHY:
Mysti Jace Pride
Ambo Dance Theatre (Louisville, KY)
DANCERS:
Nakoma Ehrhart, Candace Kresse, Heather Moran, Mysti Jace Pride, Amberly M. Simpson
MUSIC:
Sounds from Quick Sounds
SOUND DESIGN:
Jon Wagoner
PROGRAM NOTES:
Part four in a series of five vignettes!
14. Chaotic Neutral: A Punk PromSpite Dance​
CHOREOGRAPHY:
Amberly M. Simpson in collaboration with the dancers
Ambo Dance Theatre - Artistic Director (Louisville, KY)
DANCERS:
Cory Baca, Caeli Baker, Charli Buchwald, Marie Cunningham, Carly Hay,
Dakota Houghton, Je'Marion Miller, Helena Smith-Pohl
MUSIC:
"Rhapsody in Blue" (Prog Metal Version) by Liquid Tension Experiment
PROGRAM NOTES:
On one random rehearsal, I brought in my old prom dress that I knew I was never going to wear again: a purple cheetah print dress! My hope was that one of the youth dancers would enjoy wearing it and give it a loving home! They, however, proceeded to (lovingly) tease me for it and my fashion sense. So, to (lovingly) spite them, I made an entire dance inspired by it and you can even see Helena sporting the very same dress I wore at 17-years-old! Take that, youth of today! No one makes fun of my off kilter style and gets away unscathed ;)
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15. What does it mean?
CHOREOGRAPHY:
Jade Frost
Ambo Dance Theatre (Louisville, KY)
DANCERS:
Joseph R. Brandt, Jade Frost, Candace Kresse, Heather Moran, Amberly M. Simpson
PROGRAM NOTES:
What was that about? - I don’t know, was it supposed to mean something? - I don’t think it was about anything. - Maybe it was just dance? - And music I guess - Yeah. That’s something.
16. "You're too [outgoing/happy/young] to be _______________."
CHOREOGRAPHY:
Brianna Johnston, Rachel Yurek and Nina Deno
Deno Dance Company (Lafayette, IN)
DANCERS:
Brianna Johnston and Rachel Yurek
MUSIC:
“Rituals, Reverence and Confessions” by Michael Wall
PROGRAM NOTES:
Women of all ages and backgrounds are constantly judged and silently questioned about their mental state. This piece explores feminine experiences with various states of mental health that still face stigma. The truth is that we build a convincing facade to shield the reality of mental health struggles. What happens when those barriers are broken?
17. On the Farm
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CHOREOGRAPHY:
Mysti Jace Pride
Ambo Dance Theatre (Louisville, KY)
DANCERS:
Nakoma Ehrhart, Candace Kresse, Heather Moran, Mysti Jace Pride, Amberly M. Simpson
MUSIC:
"Old MacDonald" as sung by the Dancers
PROGRAM NOTES:
The idea for these 1 minute pieces came from a performance called Dance Carousel that a woman by the name of Ellen Bartel came up with in Austin, Texas. It is an evening length performance filled with 1 minute dances and each choreographer performs their first 1 minute piece first. Then, each choreographer performs their 2nd 1 minute piece and it goes around again like that for 2 more rounds. I performed in a few of these shows but was never able to think of a choreographic idea for 4 1 minute pieces until I moved here to Kentucky. So, I decided to try my hand at it. I found the whole process exhilarating but quite difficult all at the same time. I was encouraged by Amberly to come up with a 5th 1 minute section so I decided to oblige! What would you say if you just had a minute to say it in?
18. from off to on
CHOREOGRAPHY:
Ginny Jiang
Dance Uprising (Ann Arbor, MI)
DANCERS:
Mackenzie Kalinowski, GingerAnn Neslund, Bridget Vander Hoff
MUSIC:
"Hello Night" by Zoë Keating
PROGRAM NOTES:
“From off to on” is revolving around the theme of women embracing their identity, this piece employs breath, gaze, and slow motion to illustrate their vulnerability, wildness, stability, resilience.
19. Side Quest
CHOREOGRAPHY:
MAC
Ambo Dance Theatre (Louisville, KY)
DANCERS:
Eva Bell, Nakoma Ehrhart, Candace Kresse, MAC, Heather Moran, Mysti Jace Pride, Rylan Truman
MUSIC:
"The Great" by Broke for Free
PROGRAM NOTES:
Executive functioning skills include our working memory, emotional regulation, flexible thinking, planning, organizing, task initiation, and perseverance. When experiencing executive dysfunction, we might have difficulty remembering things, we can struggle to maintain focus and motivation, and it can be a real challenge to initiate a project, organize it, and stay with it to completion. We can also find it difficult to self monitor and self regulate when experiencing intense emotions. Executive dysfunction is often associated with ADHD, however many things, including stress and lack of sleep, can impede our ability to maintain baseline levels of executive functioning. This dance sprouted from those roots and aimed to play around with the question, "what would executive dysfunction look like if it were a dance?".
WHAT'S NEW AT AMBO?!
Auditions
We are excited to be auditioning dancers to join our company!
Participate in community performance, original productions, tours, festivals, and more!
We are seeking performers to join our...
Community Ensemble
Junior Company (Ages 8-12)
Pre-Professional Company (Ages 12-18)
Professional Company
April 21 & 28, 2024
Upcoming Performances
We are thrilled to have a full summer season of performances coming your way!
April 6 - Shawnee Library Music and Arts Festival
April 6 - Spotlight Dance Series (Spring Edition)
April 14 - Sunday Showcase at the Speed
May 11 - The How To Festival - Main Library
May 18 - Ambo Dance Theatre School presents "The Four Seasons"
May 30 - Improv Company @ Kentucky Shakespeare in the Park
June 6 - Main Library - A Universe of Stories
June 9 - Pre-Professional Company @ Kentucky Shakespeare in the Park
June 12 - Newburg Library - A Universe of Stories
June 15 - Professional Company @ Kentucky Shakespeare in the Park
June 28-30 - Dancing in Summer Festival (Ann Arbor, MI)
June 27 - Improv Company @ Kentucky Shakespeare in the Park
July 13 - Highlands Library - A Universe of Stories
July 18 - Pre-Professional Company@ Kentucky Shakespeare in the Park
July 25 - Northeast Regional Library - Telling Stories Through Movement
July 27 - Professional Company @ Kentucky Shakespeare in the Park
And many, many more!
