TWO-WAY MIRROR
March 18, 2022
7pm
Artistic Director
Amberly M. Simpson
Associate and Technical Director
Joseph R. Brandt
Ambo Dance Theatre is kicking off their 2022 season with their mixed-bill production Two-Way Mirror: A NACHMO Production. This show features eleven new works of choreography created by members at all levels of Ambo Dance Theatre’s company: Directors, Company Members, Apprentices, and Junior Company dancers. 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.
The Program
1. What You Don't See
CHOREOGRAPHY:
Sheila Zeng
DANCERS:
Joseph R. Brandt, Heather Moran, Vivian Ortego, Amberly M. Simpson
MUSIC:
“Mundane” by HoliznaCC0; “Airflow” by Bio Unit
VOICEOVER:
Candace Kresse
SOURCE TEXT:
Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection by Brené Brown
PROGRAM NOTES:
"What You Don't See" explores how we navigate vulnerability in a society that constantly demands us to code switch between various spaces and contexts. It invites audiences to explore the question of “why do we show a different side of ourselves to others instead of our ‘normal’ selves?”, in order to take a deeper look at their relationship to vulnerability.
2. WALLZ
***Content Warning - this piece contains a single loud vocalization (scream) that may cause distress to some. Earplugs can be found for free at the merch table!***
CHOREOGRAPHY:
Linsey Gessner
DANCERS:
Rylan Cole, Carly Hay, Aila Kolehmainen, Eszti Krizsan, Mallory McCoy, Helena Smith-Pohl, Arie Washington
SOUND DESIGN:
Linsey Gessner
SOURCE AUDIO AND SOUND EFFECTS:
alquimista 4433; Outdoor Therapy; Sonoquilibrium; Sound SFX; Nature Sounds TV
VOICEOVERS:
Linsey Gessner and The Dancers
PROGRAM NOTES:
“WALLZ” takes a close examination of our understanding of, and relationship to, the word “home,” especially in the context of freedom vs. security. What is the difference between a house and home? What does it mean to be homeless? To what extent is our relationship with others built upon, and also hindered by, the protections and barriers that constitute a home? Through an exploration of these questions, this piece invites audiences to reexamine their relationship to the walls, both physical and metaphorical, that we find ourselves returning to. This piece comes as a continuation of Linsey’s work with this concept that she initially workshopped with Ambo Dance Theatre in November of 2021.
3. the flower and the sun
CHOREOGRAPHY:
Sofia Ritchie
DANCERS:
Allesandra Day, Izzy Parks
MUSIC:
“Jauntiness” and “Introitus” by Dee Yan-Key
PROGRAM NOTES:
“the flower and the sun” explores the nuances of intimacy, particularly in women’s relationships, whether platonic or romantic. Driven by the observation of how socialization encourages women, both through words and physical actions such as hugging, to be more nurturing toward one another than men, this piece asks audiences to take a deeper look at the relationships in their lives, and how the unconscious messaging of their upbringing may influence how they handle the people closest to them today.
4. Scream in D Major
***Content Warning - this piece contains loud vocalizations (screams) that may cause distress to some. Earplugs can be found for free at the merch table!***
CHOREOGRAPHY:
Amberly M. Simpson
DANCERS:
Zoe Huguley, Candace Kresse, MAC, Heather Moran, Vivian Ortego, Sofia Ritchie, Rylan Truman, Sheila Zeng
MUSIC:
“Music to Drive By” by Alan Moorhouse; “Ominous Things” by Joseph R. Brandt
PROGRAM NOTES:
“Scream in D Major” was created as a reflection of the frustration and angst that many of us have experienced over the past two years of the pandemic. The piece sets the dancers in a waiting room-type space and reflects their internal monologues, all the while the atmosphere around them remaining unchanged and their feelings unacknowledged, a sort of screaming into the void. While this piece is not about the pandemic persay, it zooms out on the past two years in order to focus in on one of the most frustrating components that has driven much of our anxiety: the feeling of constantly waiting for answers, clarity, and an understanding for how to move forward.
5. Happiness in the Presence of Others
CHOREOGRAPHY:
Semaiah Robertson
DANCERS:
Madalyn Durst, Evie Feldkamp, Mia Henry, Arnela Jasarevic
MUSIC:
“Mass (Re-Imagined)” by Phoria
PROGRAM NOTES:
Through a constantly shifting landscape of solos and unison work, “Happy in the Presence of Others” explores the challenges that come from being codependent on the presence of others to find joy in our lives. In doing so, it asks the audience to examine their relationship with themselves. Are you able to sit with yourself and find the same joy that you source from your relationships?
6. On the Outside
CHOREOGRAPHY:
MAC
DANCERS:
Evie Feldkamp, Linsey Gessner, Candace Kresse, MAC, Vivian Ortego
MUSIC:
“Sisyphus” by Evan Schaeffer; “So Much Pain” by Tricky Diesel
PROGRAM NOTES:
"On the Outside" explores the facades we wear in life, and how those masks reinforce disconnection with ourselves and each other. Join the dancers as they search for community and connection "on the outside" of the mask.
7. Balancing Act
CHOREOGRAPHY AND DANCERS:
Rachel Bucio Grote and Amberly M. Simpson
MUSIC:
“Expansion” by Ihsan & The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari; “Enchanted Journey” by Kevin MacLeod
PROGRAM NOTES:
“Balancing Act” brings to light the realities women face in their roles as career women and wives, academics and mothers. It lays bare the impossible bind that women find themselves in when the identities and titles that they carry are perceived as being in conflict with one another. This perceived conflict of identity can lead to an impossible predicament for women, resulting in the denial of their human nuances, and the overall derogation of women in a society that still clings to outdated notions of feminine roles, competence, and power.
8. Inertia
CHOREOGRAPHY:
Helena Smith-Pohl
DANCERS:
Madalyn Durst, Carly Hay, Dakota Houghton, Arnela Jasarevic, Aila Kolehmainen, Eszti Krizsan
SOUND DESIGN:
Helena Smith-Pohl
MUSIC:
“Can’t Feel My Head” by Unheard Music Concepts
SOUND EFFECTS:
Archil Zambakhidze; SoundSoSoothing; Relax24
PROGRAM NOTES:
“Inertia” reflects on the difficulty of isolation, and the challenges of reconnecting with others after prolonged periods without social contact. The dance draws inspiration from everyday sounds, showcasing the way we experience them differently when we are confined to stillness vs. living at our full activity level. In these current COVID-driven times especially, it’s hard navigating the challenges of shutting down our lives and then opening them back up again, constantly slaloming back and forth. This piece invites audiences to process through some of the resulting emotional weight of the ongoing pandemic, and serves as a reminder that, no matter how isolated we may feel, we are not alone in our struggles.
9. Carnival of the Aminals (Part Three)
CHOREOGRAPHY AND DANCERS:
Joseph R. Brandt and Amberly M. Simpson
MUSIC:
“Carnival of the Animals: No. 7 Aquarium” by Camille Saint-Saëns; “Romantic Moment” by Tony Hoagland
PROGRAM NOTES:
The “Carnival of the Aminals” (yes, that is intentionally misspelled) series began in the summer of 2021 as an exploration of comedy in dance, as well as a desire to combat the stereotype that modern dance always has to be heavy or serious in subject matter. This third segment to the saga continues to take inspiration from composer Camille Saint-Saens musical suite Carnival of the Animals while also incorporating the witty poetry of the late poet Tony Hoagland. Other excerpts of “Carnival of the Aminals” have been featured at Kentucky Shakespeare’s Dance in the City event as part of their Summer Festival, the Louisville Fringe Festival, and Ambo Dance Theatre’s production of Imprint. Ultimately each of these excerpts will form an evening length work that will be taken on tour in the Summer and Fall of 2023!
10. The Art of Joy In Grief
CHOREOGRAPHY:
Heather Moran
DANCERS:
Joseph R. Brandt, Allesandra Day, Madalyn Durst, Izzy Parks, Sofia Ritchie, Amberly M. Simpson
MUSIC:
“Heartbeat Sounds from Grandfather Clock” by The Kokorebee Sun; “Behold My Servant” by Austin Stone Worship
PROGRAM NOTES:
"The Art of Joy in Grief" is an exploration into the perception of grief, its causes, the way we carry it, and how we can allow it to transform, grow, and heal us. It also plays with the concept of the interconnected yet isolated nature of grief and the unique way that we all experience it in some form but must ultimately walk it alone. The dance invites the audience to examine and connect with the grief in their own lives and inspire them towards acceptance and healing.
11. Candle in a Crowd
CHOREOGRAPHY:
Arie Washington
DANCERS:
Allesandra Day, Heather Moran, Sofia Ritchie, Rylan Truman, Sheila Zeng
MUSIC:
“Hairy Fairy Hotaruna” by Monroeville; “Behind Our Efforts, Let There Be Found Our Efforts” by LG17; “Finding Light” by Xylo-Ziko
PROGRAM NOTES:
"Candle in the Crowd" exposes audiences to the false assumption and portrayal of introverts. It explores the effects of harmful stereotypes- that introverts are defined as unsocial people who live in solitude- and what life really is like being introverted in a world catered towards extraverts. It invites the audience to broaden their horizon as they listen to the inner monologues of events that happen in daily life from the perspective of introverted minds.
FIN
Thank you for sharing this experience with us!
WHAT'S NEW WITH AMBO?!
Auditions
We are excited to be auditioning dancers for our upcoming production of
Kids These Days, an original modern dance production exploring the unique and intersectional challenges of growing up in the 21st century.
We are seeking performers to join our...
Community Ensemble
Junior Company
Professional Company
March 30, 2022
Classes at Ambo
We offer a variety of classes designed for dancers of all body types, skill levels, backgrounds, etc. Classes are designed for dancers ages teen through adult with at least a minimal movement background. Come and join us for class!
Drop-In Classes
Modern Dance
Strengthening and Flexibility
Partnering
Dance Improvisation
Ambo Academy Program
Enrollment Classes
Contemporary
Jazz
Ballet
Rhythm Tap
Mixed Dance Forms
Pre-Pointe
Upcoming Performances
We are thrilled to have a full summer season of performances coming your way!
April 23 - National Water Dance @ The Big Four Bridge
June 2 - Bon Air Library
June 16 - Northeast Regional Library
June 26 - Main Library
July 2 - Fairdale Library
July 16 - "Syncopations" @ The Ambo Studio
July 23 - Southwest Regional Library
August 5 - Portland Library
August 19 & 20 - Kids These Days @ Art Sanctuary
And many, many more!
