MFA DANCE CONCERT
December 4, 2020
Welcome to a very exciting event for the University of Alabama Dance Program: the first public performance of choreography by our inaugural class of Dance MFA students!
The four screendances in this virtual concert represent the culmination of a course in Dance Composition/Improvisation. Under normal circumstances, this final project would be performed live. However, because of Covid-19 safety restrictions, students studied not only composition and improvisation this semester, but also had a crash course in cinematography and editing - requiring them to absorb and apply a tremendous amount of theory and practical skill in the span of a few months.
One of our focuses in Dance Composition/Improvisation was choreographic and musical form; how they intersect, how they differ, and how form and content intertwine. For these final projects, the Dance MFA students were privileged to experience this synergy in collaboration with graduate students in the UA Music Composition program; creating original choreography and music together in pairs from concept to final film. The Dance Program is grateful to be able to work with these talented composers. We also appreciate the continuing partnership of Dr. Amir Zaheri, Director of the Music Composition Program.
I hope you enjoy these four screendances, and I encourage you to follow the developing work of these talented young music and dance composers over the rest of their UA careers and beyond.
MFA DANCE CONCERT
Nothing Comfortable, Nothing Familiar
Choreography: Derreck L. Williams with Alexandria Dailey Cinematography and Editing: Derreck L. Williams
Music Composition and Performance: Colin Kemper Dance Performance: Alexandria Dailey
Costume Design: Tiffany Yeager
Special thanks to Rebecca Salzer and Amir Zaheri
Fragile
Choreography, Cinematography, and Editing: George C. Berry Music Composition and Performance: Brandon Hall
Dance Performance: Mia Horton Costume Design: Tiffany Yeager
Special thanks to Rhonda Tew, owner of Twice as Nice for generous use of space, Lyndell McDonald for procuring set elements, Grant H. Wilson for assisting with the set, and to Rebecca Salzer for guidance and feedback along the way.
Florescence
Choreography, Cinematography, and Editing: Bria J. Tyner Music Composition and Performance: Tyler Jones
Dance Performance: Ashleigh Hartnett, Jaylin C. Martin, and Kyndal Williams Costume Design: Tiffany Yeager
Special Thanks to Tiffany Yeager, Rebecca Salzer, and Felecia Crumble.
Rounds
Choreography and Editing: Morgan A. Jackson Music Composition and Performance: J.R. Speake Dance Performance: Eryn Cade
Cinematography: Alexandria Dailey and Morgan A. Jackson
Special thanks to Lyndell McDonald, Rebecca Salzer, Ashleight Hartnett, and Delon Woods
CHOREOGRAPHERS
George C. Berry completed his BA in Dance at The University of Alabama in May 2016 and is currently working on his MFA at UA. George began his dance training in 2011 at Atlanta Ballet. While at The University of Alabama, George starred as Don Quixote in Don
Quixote, Lucien in Paquita, Hilarion in Giselle, and the
Knight in Rita Snyder’s El Dorado, under the direction of Cornelius Carter. In addition, George has performed modern works by Jane Wiener, George Staib, and Gregory Catellier. He has performed as a guest artist for The
Nutcracker as Snow King, Spanish, and Arabian at the Southeast Alabama Dance
Company and at the Bama Theatre. While participating in Broadway Dance Center’s Professional Semester, he worked with Matthew Powell, Wes Veldink, and Jim Cooney. Following graduation, George worked as a company member with the Proia Dance Project in his hometown of Atlanta as well as two seasons at Roxey Ballet in Lambertville, NJ. His works have been featured at the Young Choreographer’s Festival, the Broadway Dance Center, and the Alabama Dance Festival for multiple years. George has an amazing support system of parents, grandparents, and friends who encourage and help him grow as an artist and as a person.
Derreck L. Williams is a native of Mobile, AL. He received his Bachelors of Fine Arts from the University of Southern Mississippi in Dance Performance and Choreography. He taught in the Mobile County Public School System for two years where he founded Chastang-Fournier K-8 School’s dance program, teaching all levels of ballet, modern, jazz, composition, liturgical, and improv. He is now a graduate student at The University of Alabama pursuing his Masters in Fine Arts in Dance degree.
Professionally, Derreck has trained in many dance styles including African, hip-hop, praise dance, flag, mime, and majorette. He has performed professionally with several companies and choreographers, including The Dance Company Experience, RAW Artistry Dance Company, Kavin Grant, Juelz D. Lane and Amari Marshall. He was a member of the RAW Artistry Dance Company for five years and the Repertory Dance Company for three years. He currently works as part of Danze 101 Academy of Ballet Studio and Company’s staff, located in Mobile, AL.
CHOREOGRAPHERS
Bria J. Tyner is a native of Fairfield, AL. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from The University of Alabama in 2017. She has toured and danced professionally with the world-renowned black dance company, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble of Denver, CO.
She has taught dance in public schools and studios in Denver and throughout the Birmingham metropolitan area. Bria is choreographer and dance instructor for Red Mountain Theatre Company of Birmingham, Al. She is a studio manager and dance instructor at Ebony Arrington Dance and Performance of Birmingham. She has performed works by Cleo Parker Robinson, Gary Abbott, Rennie Harris, Garfield Lemonius, and Donald McKayle. Bria is a recipient of the Alabama Repertory Dance Theatre Award and The Lenny Williams Innovation and Choreography Award. Bria is currently a first year MFA graduate student at The University of Alabama. Bria hopes that the fruit of her labor will be used to inspire youth around the world.
Morgan A. Jackson is from Birmingham, AL. Her love for dance was evident at a very young age. Growing up in the church, she was first introduced to liturgical and African dance but sought out for more. Years later, after training in classical ballet, jazz, hip hop, African and modern dance under Jacqueline Lockhart, she decided to obtain her Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance from The University of Alabama. Her work includes “The Shattered Mind”, “Hypnotic”, and “PSALM 23:6” to name a few. The Atlanta Dance Connection played a pivotal role for her as she was a principal artist in the company from 2017-2020. In 2018 she was appointed Dance Director at Benjamin E. Mays High School in Atlanta, GA, where she also coached the viral Raiderette Dance Team. Morgan is the CEO of MJ ACTIVE, an athleisure wear brand specializing in quality materials anyone would be comfortable being “active” in. She’s also in the process of developing her own non-profit charity, Daughters for Dance. Morgan’s plans to continue evolving include obtaining her Master of Fine Arts degree in Dance and Choreography. Currently, she is a first-year MFA student at The University of Alabama, in their inaugural dance program. Her focus is on dance pedagogy and jazz vernacular movement. She also plans to expand her choreography worldwide and work in both the concert and commercial areas of dance and performance. She hopes to direct a collegiate dance program and continue teaching and pouring into the young artists. She will continue to work as operating CEO of MJ ACTIVE and hopes to grow her charity and provide scholarships to inner-city girls with a passion for the arts to be able to train in Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Tap, Hip Hop, and African. She hopes that this opportunity will shape young dancers who may not have had the opportunity without the support, and enable them with the abilities to audition and gain scholarships to college.
COMPOSERS
Brandon Hall is a composer, conductor, and teacher from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He has had works performed nationally and has worked with choirs at The University of Alabama and directed high school choirs across Alabama and overseas. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education and Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting at The University of Alabama and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in music composition there. Additionally, he serves as a graduate teaching assistant in the Theory and Composition department and is also involved in the Choral Music department.
Colin Kemper is a Composition Graduate Student at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa, where he has studied with Drs. Amir Zaheri and Craig First. Prior to his entering the program, Kemper earned a Master of Arts in Composition at Tulane University, where he studied with Drs. Maxwell Dulaney, Richard Snow, and Barbara Jazwinski. Colin has written for stage, theater, ensembles, orchestra, soloists, games, and dance film. His music has been performed by members of the Dal Niente Ensemble, the Lunar Ensemble, the Meridian Percussion Trio, Houston’s Foundation for Modern Music, the University of Alabama Contemporary Ensemble, the University of Alabama Department of Theatre and Dance, and soloist Orlando Cela. Recently he completed the full soundtrack to Earthborn Interactive’s “Flutterbombs”. It was released on Xbox360 and PS4 American and European marketplaces.
Tyler Jones is a composer and conductor currently working in the American Southeast. Exploring intriguing rhythmic-metric structures and earthy, evocative colors, Tyler’s work is concerned with community, perspective, and sound behavior within a given space. His music has been reviewed as “intense” and “richly detailed.” Recent work includes a wind ensemble premiere at Carnegie Hall and a collaboration with the violinist Davis Brooks, who recorded Tyler’s five- movement suite Solitude for the solo album Early Musings: New Music for Violin, available from Navona Records.
Tyler holds a master’s degree in composition and a bachelor’s degree in music theory, both from The University of Alabama. His teachers at Alabama included Amir Zaheri, composition; Blake Richardson, conducting; Tim Feeney, percussion; and Thomas Robinson, music theory research and methods. Tyler is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and the Millennium Composers Initiative.
DESIGNERS
Tiffany Yeager Originally a freelance costume designer from Texas, Tiffany is excited to serve UA Theatre and Dance in the new role as Faculty Costume Designer for Dance. She is a proud graduate of The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa (MFA) and Texas State University, San Marcos (BFA), with both degrees in Costume Design and Production. Having returned to Tuscaloosa in 2014, her freelance focus over the last several years has been mainly competition costumes for local Dance Studios, as well as a variety of costumes and clothing for solo dancers, majorettes, cheerleaders, Mardi Gras participants and formal/bridal gowns. Costume design show credits include: Separate and Equal, Dialogues of the
Carmelites, Into the Woods, The Spanish Tragedy, Cymbeline, Othello, Misalliance, Hell: Paradise Found, and Animal Crackers.
J. R. Speake is an Alabama-born composer, arranger, and conductor currently residing in Tuscaloosa, AL pursuing his Masters in Music Composition at the University of Alabama. With an eclectic style and a wide range of musical interests, his music includes works for solo, chamber, and large ensemble; acoustic and electronic; music for dance, and music for film.
As a composer, J. R. is interested in connecting with people through his music, hoping to make a positive impact on the lives of others through what he loves: creating art.
Join the UA Dance Advisory Board!
The UA Dance Advisory Board is a group of community leaders who promote the mission of the UA Dance program by supporting its community interface and strategic fundraising efforts. To achieve this purpose, the Board:
· Fosters beneficial relationships in the community · Enhances public awareness of the Dance program
· Supports the Dance program’s financial needs through personal
contributions, collaboration in staff-led fundraising efforts, and cultivation of new Board members, patrons and donors.
The UA Dance Advisory Board members help advance the mission of the UA Dance program by acting as Ambassadors in our fundraising efforts. They are enthusiastic voices in our community and encourage others to help support the dance program, its students and faculty. The Board has neither governance nor fiduciary responsibilities. Board members are passionate about the
dance program, have a track record of leadership, and support the UA Dance Program financially as one of their philanthropic priorities.
SCHOLARSHIP CONTRIBUTIONS
Diamond ($5,000+)
Your name could be here!Platinum ($1,000+)
Benefactor ($20,000+)
Allen Bales Memorial Fund Clark West Endowed Scholarship Fund
Dianne Baker
Ed Williams Endowed Scholarship in Theatre Education
Edith Barnes Endowed Scholarship
Lauren A. Wilson & Andy Fitch John Ross Theatrical Design Scholarship
Robert Odus and Mary Pettus Wilson Endowed Scholarship
T. Earle & Francis Johnson Fund
Alpha Chi Omega James Atkinson Mary & Bill Battle
Mary Burke & Dr. John Burke Lori Hunt
Stephen Hunt Fran & Jack Jecen
April Landon in honor of Brelyn Reece Richard LeComte
Dalana Moore
Patricia & Dr. Richard M. Snow MD Dianne & William C. Teague Dr. & Mrs. Kevin Whitaker Edith D. Barnes
Barbara Britton,
in honor of Anne Dillon Loflin Alpha Lambda Delta
Daphne & Jim McMullen Linda L. & Robert Shumilas Stacy K. Young
Ed & Julia Williams
Gold ($500+)
Silver ($100+)
Preston Adair Madeline Adams John Alexander Karen Arrigo Julie Bartine Wendy BeeBeverly & Donald J. Benson Jr.
Dr. Larry J. Bowen Ian W. Brown & Easty Lambert-Brown Fidelity Charitable Lucy Craven Erika Davis
Christine & Neil Dietsch Christine Powless- Dixon & Dr. David Dixon Robert Fugate in honor of Marissa Swanner Anne Game William Gantt Dr. Jeffrey Goldberg Tara Grenz Stacey Hall Jim Hammond Jeffrey L. Harris Dr. Luvada Harrison, in honor of Hylan “Dotts” Johnson
Nita & H. Scott Hestevold Kym Hoffmann
Don Noble & Jennifer Horne
Laura & Thomas E. Hunter Joanna G. Jacobs Renee Johnson Karen Julian Kappa Delta April Landin Miriam Lane Susan & Steven P. Lindamood
Linda & John Lochman Barbara & John Loflin
Michael Malinconico LeNa & Lyndell McDonald Dr. & Mrs. Michael J. Mendle
Barbara & John Millwee Angie Murdock
Nicole O’Brien John C. O’Connell Ellen Odom
Drs. Linda & Terry Olivet Jill & Michael Picone Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program Nathaniel Reid Mark Reynolds
Janet & Norvin Richards Schwab Charitable Fund Sharron & Mike Skipper Laura Smith
Dwight Stewart Alice Taylor Jennifer Weske
Bronze Star ($25+)
Amanda Akridge Patricia Alfin Patrice Arnold Helena & Trevor Bain Clifton Baker Kelly Bond Heather Briggs Karen Brister Derrick Brown Emma Brown Maximiliano Cabrera Arevalo Cindy Calhoun Corinne Calhoun Shelley Carr Beth Chapman Sarah Chappell Harper Coleman Zachary Colantrello Danielle Corerro Katie Ritchie Cork Claire Craig Christine Crowther Gabrielle Cruz-Uribe Barbara Curtis Stephanie Curtis Anita Daily Matthew Davis Emma Dean Tammy Dean Shaeffer Diebolt Dr. Rona J. Donahoe Tammy Dran Emma Claire Dykes Mary Easley Therrin Eber Dawson Estes Sonja Fincher Cody Floyd Lee Freeman Alison George Kendra Giles Mira and James E. Griffith, Jr. Lana Hagan Lauren Hailey Lori A. Hales Austin Hanover Ned Hart Jessica Hatfield James E. Hedgspeth, Jr. John Heins Daniel Henderson Allison Hetzel Caroline Hill Grayson Hill Lexi Hivner Brandon Hobbs Lindsay Howard Patricia Hubbs Alaina Jones Lucy Kaufman Jeane Kemp Bethany Knight Lisa Kuchuk Laura Leverett Michael Lynch Sherry McColgin Heather McCraney Utz McKnight Mary Meares Ann Marie Meeker James Merrell Jerry Mims Tammy Mixon Santiago Morales Charlotte Mustard Teagen Nabity-Grover Matthew Nash Marie Nearing Ana Nettles Arie Nettles Joseph Newman Gary Pacos Laura Pacos Maria Pacos Cassandra Pierce Dalton Pridmore Morgan Potts Stephanie Puffer George Rable Lauren Richardson Liz Richardson Lisa Gerios-Rohl Liz Savage Mary Sealey Dr. Craig Shwery Barbara Smith Harrison Smith Doug Starzec Skye Travis Theodore Trost Margaret Turner Julie E. Vaughn Melvin Waits Sandra WebbThomas Weida, in honor of Dr. Jane Weida and Cindy Spitko
Tara Williams Kathy Yarbrough Victoria Yeager
SCHOLARSHIP CONTRIBUTIONS
Your participation doesn’t have to end when the show is over!
Give to the Annual Scholarship Campaign and invest in the
future of these gifted artists.
The Department of Theatre and Dance depends upon the generosity of our donors to help us provide the highest level of training and scholarship support to future professionals in the performing arts and behind
the scenes. The generosity of our donors helps sustain the standard of excellence within the Department of Theatre and Dance and shapes the future of the next generation of young artists. The Department welcomes the opportunity to discuss ways to support our educational and artistic activities, including unrestricted gifts, currently funded or endowed scholarships, special project support, bequests, and other planned gifts. If you would like to donate, please visit ua.universitytickets.com.
For more information about the dance program, please visit dance.ua.edu If this list is missing names or contains an error, please email theatre.dance@ua.edu
FACULTY AND STAFF
GRADUATE ASSISTANTS
Taylor Ackerman, Osama Ashour,Rachel Bagley, Abigail Barbier, Christy Baumeister, George Berry, Marie Bonds, Tyler Felton, Laura Fischer, Elisha Jake Goodman, Madison Grant, Sarah Greene, Evan Hart, Caitlyn Hicks, Katarina Kristensen, Morgan Jackson, Lindsey Jones, Jenny Jianing Ling, Samuel Marchitto, Asterilla Monteiro, Joseph
Musgrove, Sam Nelson, Jeremiah Packer, Shaina Pierce, Jennifer Raineri, Elizabeth Blanco Sáenz, Jennie Tanner, Christian Tripp, Bria Tyner, Benjamin Verge, Teila Vochatzer, Reid Watson, Derreck Williams, Mallory Wintz, Claire Wisniewski, Sara York, Kiawei Yuan, Ashley White, Natasha White-Alonso, Libby Zamiska, Yaci Zou
Chair of
Theatre and Dance
SARAH M. BARRY Contemporary/Choreography Administrative Staff NANCY CALVERT Office Associate Sr. CINDY FRANKS Administrative Secretary Acting SETH PANITCH Acting ALLISON HETZEL Acting/Voice KELLEY SCHOGER Acting/Stage Movement History/Playwriting DR. STEVE BURCH Theatre History/Playwriting MISHA HADAR Theatre History Directing/Stage Mgmt MATT DAVIS Directing/Stage Management Dance LAWRENCE M. JACKSON
Associate Chair of Dance Jazz/Contemporary QIANPING GUO Ballet DR. FEN KENNEDY Dance History/Choreography LYNDELL T. MCDONALD Lighting/Sound Design AIDAN S. NETTLES Modern/Jazz JAMORRIS RIVERS Dance History/Choreography REBECCA SALZER Dance/Technology RITA SNYDER Ballet/Anatomy TIFFANY YEAGER Costume Design Arts Management WILLIAM GANTT Patron Services Mgr. DOMINIC YEAGER
Associate Chair of Theatre Arts Management
Musical Theatre
STACY ALLEY
Musical Theatre Dance
DR. LUVADA HARRISON
Vocal Instruction
HENRY LEWERS
Musical Theatre
DR. WILLIAM A. MARTIN
Director of Vocal Instruction
ALVON REED
Musical Theatre Dance
Design & Production
F. RANDY DECELLE
Production Manager
CAMI HUEBERT
Costume Technology
JEANETTE LACKEY
Scenery Studio Supervisor
DONNA MEESTER Costume Design/Production CHRIS MUELLER Scenic Design MATT REYNOLDS Lighting/Sound Design TODD ROBERTS
Costume Shop Manager
MATTHEW STRATTON
2020-2021 SEASON
