Annual Spring Dance Concert wraps up School of Theatre and Dance production season
The 2023-2024 performance season in the NIU School of Theatre and Dance concludes with the annual Spring Dance Concert opening Thursday, April 25 with a 7:30 p.m. performance in the O’Connell Theatre in NIU’s Stevens Building. Subsequent performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27, with 2 p.m. matinees Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28.
Works to be performed in the Dance Concert are:
Cog/nition – choreographed by Brian Enos
377 Repertoire Syllabus – choreographed by Richard Grund
GLiTCH 2.0 Cozy Ghost – choreographed by Marc Macaranas
The Continuum of Change – choreographed by Sarita Smith Childs
Choreographers: Brian Enos, Rich Grund, Sarita Smith Childs, Marc Macaranas
Scenic Designer: Alicia Margerum
Costume Designer: Christina Leinicke
Lighting Designer: Brandon Wardell and Kev Kollmann
Properties Designer: Ski Sciaraffa
Technical Director: Tracy Nunnally
Stage Manager: Gwen Jones
This show is approximately one hour with no intermission.
Show Order
There is a three-minute pause between each work.
Cog/nition
Choreography: Brian Enos
Rehearsal Director: Richard Grund
Music: “Voices in the Static”, by Hybrid
Lighting Design: Brandon Wardell
Costume Design: Christina Leinicke
Performers: Alyssa Altadonna, Taneya Ball, Alyssa Berry, Celia Carpenter, Athei Chagai, Millicent Collins, Clara Coran, Darya Ellickson, Courtney Ellis, Antonio Houston, Anna Lindstrom, Ava Martin, Francesca Ryan, Talia Sigismondi, Kyia White, Kendall Woodberry
377 Repertoire Syllabus
Choreography: Richard Grund
Lighting Designer: Kev Kollmann
Costume Designer: Christina Leinicke
Section 1: The Wizard of Oz, Act I scene II
Choreography: Septime Webre
Music Composition: Matthew Pierce
Performers: Alyssa Berry, Clara Coran, Talia Sigismondi
Section 2: Coppélia, Act III scene IV
Choreography: Arthur Saint-Leon
Music Composition: Léo Delibes
Performers: Athei Chagai, Thomas Readling
Section 3: The Wizard of Oz, Act I scene IX
Choreography: Septime Webre
Music Composition: Matthew Pierce
Performer: Alyssa Altadonna
Section 4: Proprioception
Choreography: Richard Grund, Millicent Colins
Music: “Malena”, 2Cellos
Performer: Millicent Collins
Section 5: Swan Lake, Act II scene II
Choreography: Septime Webre
Music Composition: Pyotr Tchaikovsky
Performers: Celia Carpenter, Darya Ellickson, Anna Lindstrom, Ava Martin, Francesca Ryan
GLiTCH 2.0: Cozy Ghost
Choreography: Marc Macaranas
Music: Henry Mancini, Mulatu Astatke, La Lupe, Adriano Celentano
Lighting Designer: Kev Kollmann
Properties Designers: Alicia Margerum, Dave Doherty
Costume Design: Christina Leinicke
Performers: Millicent Collins, Clara Coran, Courtney Ellis, Ivan Flores Velazquez, Thomas Readling, Francesca Ryan, Kendall Woodberry
The Continuum of Change (2024)
Choreography: Sarita Smith Childs
Music: Max Richter, Dinah Washington, Louisa Fuller, Natalie Bonner,John Metcalf, Philip Sheppard, Chris Worsey, Break of Reality, DJ Kent featuring Mo-T
Lighting Designer: Kev Kollmann
Costume Designer: Christina Leinicke
Section 1: Earth Can Be Bitter
Performers: Alyssa Altadonna, Taneya Ball, Celia Carpenter, Athei Chagai, Darya Ellickson, Antonio Houston, Anna Lindstrom, Ava Martin, Darius Murray, Maya Paletta, Thomas Readling, Talia Sigismondi, Tianna Stubbs, Toby Thomas, Ariana Williams, Kyia White
As we move through life, we encounter loss that can be overwhelming, but we fight to remain resilient.
Section 2: The Precipice
Performers: Ava Martin/Darius Murray
A reimagining of the 2018 solo created for Visceral Dance Chicago’s fifth anniversary, Solus. Based on the concepts that “change is constant,” “change is continuous movement,” “change is necessary.” Movement was additionally inspired by work with post-9/11 military veterans, transitioning from the military as they worked to find a new purpose and place in society or worked through post-traumatic stress.
Section 3: A Change is Coming
Performers: Alyssa Altadonna, Taneya Ball, Celia Carpenter, Athei Chagai, Darya Ellickson, Antonio Houston, Anna Lindstrom, Ava Martin, Darius Murray, Maya Paletta, Thomas Readling, Talia Sigismondi, Tianna Stubbs, Toby Thomas, Ariana Williams, Kyia White
Get ready—embrace! We are ready.
Cast Bios
Alyssa Altadonna (she/her) is a third-year B.F.A. dance performance major. Before joining NIU SOTD, she lived in England, training at Cygnets and Hazelwood Dance studios. Before moving to England, she lived in Germany, where she trained in the Netherlands with Danziara. Since coming to the U.S., Alyssa has had the opportunity to be in many performances and hopes you will enjoy tonight’s show. After graduating, Alyssa hopes to move back to Europe and join a company. Particularly, she hopes to gain a position in the Dutch National Ballet Company.
Taneya Ball (she/her) is a senior dance performance major at Northern Illinois University. She started dancing at the age of 3, and she continued to dance her way through life by taking a few dance classes and training at the Chicago High School for the Arts. So far, Taneya has enjoyed her time being here at NIU. She feels like she’s learning how to be more comfortable as a dancer. She’s also excelling more in becoming a choreographer and entrepreneur. Taneya has a loving passion for kids, she loves how she gets to teach them about different aspects of life as they grow and become young adults/leaders and learners in the world. Kids in the world are very intelligent, and if we as adults and learners see that, we should add to their progressing intelligence. Taneya loves how she is comfortable being a part of the dance conservatory here at NIU. Her professors push her daily to be the best she can be as she develops her leadership and creative skills as an artist. Lastly, Taneya would like to give a special thank you to God, her family, friends and her professors for pushing her to come this far in life.
Alyssa Berry (she/her) has been a competitive dancer for more than eight years. She is a freshman at NIU and has already learned so much about dance. Enjoy the show.
Celia Carpenter (she/her) is a senior B.F.A. dance major. Her dance training includes Beth Fowler School of Dance, State Street Dance in Geneva, Illinois, with Guillermo Leyva and Vilma Machin, Dimensions Dance Academy and Sycamore Performing Arts Academy. She is looking forward to graduating this semester and is excited to have the opportunity to be performing again for her fifth and final semester here at NIU.
Athei Chagai (she/her) is a junior at NIU from Clinton, Iowa. Athei is a B.F.A. dance major and has been dancing for the past 17 years. Before NIU, Athei received most of her dance training at the Carousel School of Dance in Clinton, Iowa, where she was also a member of the Gateway Contemporary Ballet Company. Athei has also attended summer dance programs such as Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, Ballet Quad Cities School of Dance and Milwaukee Ballet School. Athei is very excited to be back performing in this 2023-2024 school year.
Millicent Collins (she/her) is a junior at Northern Illinois University, earning a B.F.A. in dance performance with a minor in non-profi t and nongovernmental studies. Before attending NIU, Millicent trained with Turning Pointe Academy of Dance in Maryville, Illinois, and was a member of TourDance pre-professional dance company. She performed in the Student Elevate Project with The Big Muddy Dance Company in St. Louis, Missouri, in 2018-2021. In 2018 and 2019, she performed in Dance For Food, an outreach performance to benefi t the St. Louis Area Food Bank. Millicent has also participated in summer intensives with The Big Muddy Dance Company, COCA St. Louis, Nashville Ballet and DanceWorks Chicago. Post- graduation from NIU, Millicent hopes to combine her love of social justice, community outreach and the performing arts to help others and inspire them through dance.
Clara Coran (she/her) is excited to be a part of this year’s Spring Dance Concert. Her past dance training includes Elise Flagg Academy of Dance, Ballet 5:8 Conservatory and Beth Fowler School of Dance. She has also performed as a member of the Embody Dance Company in Geneva. She thanks you for coming and hopes you enjoy the show.
Darya Ellickson (she/her) is a senior B.F.A. dance major with an English minor from DeForest, Wisconsin. She danced at Ultimate Leap Dance Center for nine years and also performed with DeFortes, a show choir, for four years. In summer 2021, Darya attended the Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre Summer Intensive program in Chicago and for the past three years, Darya performed for the Spirit of the Horse equestrian show in Lake City, Florida. She held the role of Northern Dance Theatre secretary for three semesters and now holds the role of Northern Dance Theatre president. Additionally, she directed two 2023 student-led productions, the Student Choreographic Showcase and the Art for Life Show. Darya plans to graduate this semester, spring 2024, and hopes to work on Broadway or dance with Disney.
Courtney Ellis (she/her) has been dancing since middle school and fell in love with it the second she started. She is from the St. Louis, Missouri, area and came all the way here to DeKalb for her second semester here at NIU as a dance performance major. Outside of that, she enjoys art, music, theater productions back home and teaching dance to her students. She believes anyone and everyone should be able to learn and enjoy dance. That is why her goal is to become a full-time dance teacher and to work with Christian-based dance and theater companies as a way to do what she loves and believes in all at once. She would like to thank God, family and friends for making her who she is today. And wishes you all a good time watching the show.
Ivan Flores (he/his) is a freelance dance instructor who was born and raised in Mexico City. Since childhood, he started exploring art by participating in several school festivals, dances and performances. At the age of 13, he moved to Round Lake, Illinois, where he discovered his passion in self-taught choreography by creating dances for high school and quinceañera events. After attending his first dance technique classes at College of Lake County, he decided to pursue dance as a full-time career. In 2013, he established LatinoXpressions (LTX), the first Latin dance studio in the Round Lake area. LTX’s focus is on Latin-inspired dance choreography for quinceañeras, weddings, school/community events and dance-fitness, amongst others. Ivan continues his dance passion by teaching Latin dance classes and workshops as well as choreographing for various events. He is currently an active student at Northern Illinois University for the dance B.F.A. program where he is in a pursuit to expand on his artistic and pedagogic portfolio.
Antonio Houston (he/him) is a junior B.F.A. dance major at Northern Illinois University. Originally from Aurora, Illinois, he has received dance training from Von Heidecke, Ballet Chicago, Next Generation Ballet, Madd Rhythms, Chicago Tap Theatre and many local dance studios. His passion is for tap, but he also enjoys doing many different styles of conventional and nonconventional dance. Antonio is also a photographer and videographer, and uses his own understanding of movement to produce captivating images and videos, mainly in the dance environment. Since 2021, Antonio has shot spring and fall dance concerts. He has also done work for the Fox Valley Nutcracker and Precision Arts Dance Competition.
Anna Lindstrom (she/her) is a senior B.F.A. dance major. Anna is from Morrison, Illinois. She danced at Jennifer’s Dance Center for 14 years and continues to help and teach students there. She trained in multiple styles with special interest in contemporary modern with a background in clogging. During high school she was involved with the dance team where she choreographed many routines and competed in high kick. She was also involved with summer stock theater at Timberlake Playhouse which included many dance ensemble roles. Last December, Anna was able to perform in Spirit of the Horse in Ocala, Florida, which is a show choreographed by Paula Frasz that helps with a nonprofit organization, Horses Without Humans Rescue. Post-graduation, Anna plans to try out for NFL cheerleading. To continue her love of field performing, she wants to teach and choreograph for younger dancers, and work with athletes to incorporate dancing in athletics.
Ava Martin (she/her) is currently a second-year illustration major and dance minor attending Northern Illinois University. She has taken dance since she was 3, and jumped into the competitive dance scene at the age of 9. As a competitive dancer, she won multiple scholarships and titles for her performances. She has been certified to teach ballet, tap and jazz through the Southern Association of Dance Masters (fall 2020), and was able to take on the role of dance teacher at her home studio, Kinner and Company Dance Studio, for a year and a half following her certification. After high school, she took a year off from intense training, but then rekindled her passion for dance by becoming more involved in NIU’s dance program. After college, she hopes to work for a performance company and/or as an independent choreographer in addition to her illustration career.
Darius Murray (he/him) is from Chicago and is a 21-year-old dance major who currently attends Northern Illinois University. Darius began his journey to dance at the age of 3, performing at various functions as well as church with praise and worship dance. Darius began his professional dance career at ETA Creative Arts, located in Chicago, where he studied hip-hop, modern, West African and majorette dance. He recently graduated from the Chicago High School For the Arts where he studied various dance styles such as ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, African, Spanish and hip-hop dance. He received many rewards such as the honor roll in 2018 as well as the scholar artist of the year from 2019 to 2020. Darius’ dream in life is to open up his own dance studio and be a choreographer as well. He is also a member of the Tantalizing Theta Chapter of Delta Phi Delta Dance Fraternity Inc.
Maya Paletta (she/her) is a graduating B.F.A. actor with a minor in dance. As an actor, recent NIU credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Egeus, Peaseblossom), Big Love (Olympia), She Kills Monsters (Agnes Evans) and Hit the Wall (A-Gay). Recent NIU dance credits include Art for Life 2023, and Best of Broadway Dance Concert. Paletta also served as movement director for NIU’s productions of Life is a Dream and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She also choreographed and performed her solo Living Laborious for NIU’s fall 2023 Art for Life performance. Maya has trained with Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre’s Summer Dance Intensive for the last three years, where she had works set on her by Nicole Clarke-Springer, Tracey Franklin, Gary Abbott and Kevin Iega Jeff. After graduation, Paletta will be signing on as a trainee with Water Street Dance Milwaukee. Special thanks to the NIU SOTD faculty, Maya’s family and her B.F.A. acting 2024 cohort. She couldn’t do any of this without you all. Instagram @mayapapaya5678
Thomas Readling (he/him) is a 19-year-old dance major here at Northern Illinois University. He has been dancing since third grade and has loved it ever since. He loves everything including regular class, tech week, performances, costumes and all the in-betweens. Before dancing at NIU, Thomas was involved at the Academy of Movement and Music where he got his ballet, Graham and modern training. Thomas also danced for his high school company, Orchesis, and for Salt Creek Ballet in The Nutcracker. This will be his second show here at NIU and he is honored to be in three different dances as a freshman. Thomas is extremely excited to put his experience to use at the NIU dance company and see where it takes him next.
Francesca Ryan (she/her) is a freshman B.F.A. dance major here at NIU. She began dancing when she was 3 years old. She has background training in various styles of dance, her favorite style being commercial jazz. Prior to dancing at NIU, Francesca trained at Studio 83 Dance Academy. She spent many years in the competition circle, earning many awards for her dancing and performance abilities. In addition to competitions, she has performed in a variety of different shows. A few of her favorites include The Nutcracker, Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland. Along with having a huge passion for dance, Francesca is also a screen actor. She hopes to someday combine acting and dancing. She is very thankful for the continual support of her family and friends throughout her journey.
Talia Sigismondi (she/her) is a sophomore B.F.A. dance major at NIU. Talia started dancing at the age of 3 at the Academy of Movement and Music in Oak Park, Illinois. She was also a part of Momenta Dance Company where she had the opportunity to perform in ballet, contemporary and the modern techniques of Doris Humphrey and Martha Graham. In 2019, Talia traveled to Cuba where she trained at the Pro Danza dance school and performed at Teatro Nacional De Cuba. She also enjoys teaching ballet and sharing her love of dance with young students. Talia is thankful for all the support from friends, family and the NIU dance faculty. Talia is very excited to dance in the upcoming dance concerts.
Tianna Stubbs (she/her) was born and raised in Chicago. She is now in her last semester here at NIU, pursuing her career as a dance performance major. Tianna began dancing at the age of 4, starting out at Mayfair Dance Academy. She then attended Walter H. Dyett High School for the Arts and trained under Stephaine Kawesch, where she got a lot of exposure, all while being a majorette captain for three years. Due to this training, experience and exposure, Tianna was more than prepared to start her college career. Since she has been on campus, she has joined a dance organization and was granted the vice president position. This opportunity was a great leadership and business experience. With this being her last semester, she has grown tremendously as a dancer, choreographer and person. As she wraps up her four years, Tianna is extremely excited to dance with her peers one last time and start her career.
Toby Thomas (he/him) is a senior and is a double major (B.F.A. in dance and B.S. in art). He is originally from Normal, Illinois, but he moved to Rockford, Illinois, in 2014, where he found his love for dance. Prior to attending NIU, Toby had been dancing for 12 years as a Rockford Dance Company member from 2014 until 2018, where he trained in ballet with Artistic Director Penna Browman. He also attended Rock Valley College, where he worked on receiving his Associate in Arts degree, before he transferred to NIU for his B.F.A. Toby has taught dance to elementary and middle school students in the after-school program where he worked with the Rockford Boys and Girls Club from 2017 to 2020. Toby has also performed in productions of The Nutcracker, danced as a gargoyle in Snow White and danced the lead role of Prince Lemon in Cipollino with the Rockford Dance Company. Toby danced in a production of Dracula as the lead role of Doctor Van Helsing, and performed with Dimensions Dance Academy in DeKalb in their production of Coppelia as one of the princes. Toby also has performed in Dance of the Decades, The Nutcracker, Spanish Couples and Waltz of the Flowers with Beth Fowler School of Dance in St. Charles, Illinois. He also danced the lead role of Michael Jackson in Thriller. Toby has also recently been nominated for the 2023 Performing Arts Award. After graduating from NIU with his B.F.A. degree, Toby’s dream is to dance with Alvin Ailey Dance Company in New York, or to dance with Disney in Orlando, Florida.
Kyia White (she/her) is a sophomore dance major. She has been dancing hip-hop since she was 5 years old and has been performing all her life. When she came to college, she learned a lot about diff erent other types of dances and has been working hard and did not give up. In the future, she wants to have a career in dancing, singing and acting. She also makes her own music. When she graduates from college she wants to be a professional performer and build her own studio with her family and have a family music business.
Ariana Williams (she/her) began dancing when she was 4 years old. Since then, she has participated in many genres of dance such as ballet, hip-hop, jazz and liturgical dancing. Ariana is currently a junior studying dance performance. After college, she plans on becoming a commercial dancer and a professional dance choreographer. In addition, she wants to own a dance studio. Ariana would like to give thanks to her mother, grandmother, family and friends and, most importantly, God for supporting her through her journey.
Kendall Woodberry (she/her) is a junior dance performance major, a Chicago native, and a graduate of Walter Payton College Prep who has been studying dance since the age of 5. Matriculating at the Ruth Page Center of Performing Arts, her training included classical ballet, modern, jazz, tap and Afro-Cuban. Kendall has performed in many productions throughout her years in dance and is looking forward to being involved in more in her time at NIU.
Production Team Bios
Brian Enos (he/him) Choreographer is originally from San Francisco, California, and is a choreographer, movement coach and dance educator. His original works have been performed by companies such as Royal New Zealand Ballet, Houston Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Ballet Met, Oklahoma City Ballet and Nashville Ballet, among others. Brian is also an accomplished teacher and movement coach who has led master classes and workshops internationally and has been a guest teacher for many professional companies and educational institutions. Brian danced professionally with the Houston Ballet and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, where he worked with and performed notable works by Ben Stevenson, William Forsyth, Jiří Kylián, Ohad Naharin, Nacho Duato, Twyla Tharp, Johan Inger, Jim Vincent, Lucas Crandall and many more.
Richard Grund (he/him) Choreographer began his dance training in the Northern Illinois University B.F.A. dance performance program. He started his professional career with the Dayton Ballet, performing principal and soloist roles in over 40 ballets in the company’s repertoire. There he received the Josie Award in 2008 for Outstanding Artistry in Dance. Professor Grund toured three years with David Taylor Dance Theater, now Zikr Dance Ensemble, performing throughout the United States and Canada. Other international credits include an invitation with the Finnish National Ballet, and performing a residency in Cuba commissioned through the Harkness Foundation. His credits include director and répétiteur for Hong Kong Ballet’s artistic director Septime Webre’s productions of Romeo and Juliet, The Wizard of Oz, Swan Lake, Peter Pan and Carmen ballets, for the Colorado Ballet, Dayton Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet and Royal Winnipeg Ballet companies. He earned his M.A. degree in dance education degree from the Royal Academy of Dance and the University of Bath. He is an American Ballet Theatre® certified teacher in pre-primary through Level 7 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum, and a registered teacher with RAD®. Richard is a associate professor of dance at Northern Illinois University, and teaching artist faculty at the Joffrey Academy of Dance, Chicago.
Gwen Jones (she/her) Stage Manager is a recent graduate from Northern Illinois University with a B.F.A. in dance performance and a minor in special education. As a B.F.A. dance service award-winner, she has had the opportunity to appear in pieces such as Rite of Spring, Carmina Burana, Pas de Quatre as Fanny Cerrito, as well as Spirit of the Horse in Ocala, Florida, with the Pas de Cheval dancers. In school, Gwen had the opportunities to choreograph for individuals with disabilities through Penguin Players, as well as direct student-led shows. Currently, Gwen dances with the Merkai Dance Company in Aurora, Illinois. After her professional performance career, she plans to teach classes for individuals with disabilities.
Kev Kollmann (he/they) Lighting Designer is in his second year as an M.F.A. student in lighting design. Kev received his B.A. in theater from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, focusing on directing and stage management. Kev’s previous works here at NIU have been: She Kills Monsters, Carmina Burana, The Children’s Hour, Big Love (assistant lighting designer) and most recently, lighting designer for Life is a Dream and the Spring Dance Concert. For more information about Kev, please visit their website at kevkollmanndesigns.com.
Christina Leinicke (she/her) Costume Designer Off-Broadway: Othello: the Remix (Westside Theater). Regional Credits: Bayard, Freedom Riders, Legendary, Walt & Roy (Allen & Gray Musical Festival), Dressing the Part (Shakespeare Festival St. Louis), Big Fish, A Little Night Music, Cyrano (BoHo Theatre), Notes & Letters, Proxy, Haymarket, Wife Material (Underscore), Birds of a Feather, Machinal (Greenhouse Theatre Center), Long Way Home (CCC), Shakespeare in Love, I Heart Juliet, Q-Gents (ISF), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Deathtrap (Palace Theatre), The Importance of Being Earnest (ASC), Star Girl (FSM). Educational tours: Taming of the Shrew, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet (USF). Costume shop and design associate, Paramount Theatre, Aurora. M.F.A., University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. www.christinaleinicke.com
Marc Macaranas (he/him) Choreographer is a choreographer, media designer and dance futurist. His creative practice includes choreography for proscenium stages and digital screens, projection and installation design, and Spotify canvases. His work has been seen in Chicago, Iowa City, St. Louis and the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain. Marc is an assistant professor at NIU School of Theatre and Dance and serves as dance program coordinator. He is an ensemble member of Lucky Plush Productions and Big Boy Dance. He holds a B.A. in dance from the University of California, Irvine and an M.F.A. in dance from the University of Iowa.
Alicia Margerum (she/her) Scenic Designer is a second-year M.F.A. student at Northern Illinois University studying scenic design. Credits include Big Love, Witch and Booked and Blessed… Or BUST! at Northern Illinois University, as well as Red, Once on this Island and All-American Boys at Mississippi State University where she completed her undergraduate degree.
Tracy Nunnally (he/him) Technical Director is the technical director and head of the design and technology area at the Northern Illinois University School of Theatre and Dance; the owner, president and system designer at VertigoTM and has worked in professional theatre since the 1980s. His professional credits span the full spectrum of genres, continents and spaces, and include the world tour and Broadway production of Medea directed by Fiona Shaw; the Broadway production of Curtains directed by Scott Ellis; the Broadway tours of Camelot, Dr. Dolittle, Tarzan and 9 to 5; the world tour of Nickelodeon’s Spongebob Squarepants, the Sponge Who Could Fly; Machine Gun Kelly’s Sold Out Tour concert in Cleveland; and the Splashdown Party for Space X’s Inspiration 4 astronauts in Orlando. He is an ETCP-certified rigger, recognized trainer and recognized employer; a certified trainer for lift trucks and MEWPs; a long-term member of IATSE, USITT, ESTA, NSC and the EdTA; and a member of the board of directors of URTA and the ITA.
Ski Sciaraffa (they/them) Properties Designer is a second-year M.F.A. costume and props design candidate. Previous works include props designer for Witch (NIU 2024) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (NIU 2023); costume craftsperson for The Three Musketeers (Montana Shakespeare in the Parks) and She Kills Monsters (NIU 2022); draper and stitcher for The Children’s Hour (NIU 2023); props designer for Just a Dream: The Green Play (Augustana College) and Anon(ymous) (NEIU); and costume designer for The Actor’s Garden’s productions of Becky Thatcher, Off to Olympus, Just So and Pots & Pan. They would like to thank their family, friends, professors and colleagues for their immense love and support.
Sarita Smith Childs (she/her) Choreographer is assistant professor in the School of Theatre and Dance where she teaches ballet, modern, jazz, Pilates, choreography, analysis of dance, and entrepreneurship innovation and the arts. Sarita is a native of Chicago’s West Side and a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, New York.
Sarita is a 2023 recipient of the 3Arts Chicago Award for Choreography and Teaching Artistry, a Ruth Page Awardee for Dance Performance and a Black Theatre Alliance Ira Aldridge Awardee for Best Performance in a Music or Dance Performance. A proud SAG member, she has appeared as a stunt artist and principal ballet dancer in Save the Last Dance, was a former soloist and rehearsal director for international choreographer Randy Duncan, and performed with Joseph Holmes Dance Theatre, Thodos Dance Chicago, Winifred Haun and Dancers, Robin Lakes Rough Dance, Chicago Repertory Dance Ensemble – New Dances and Momenta Dance Company.
Sarita is a former company class instructor for Giordance Dance Chicago, Thodos Dance Chicago, Inaside Dance Chicago, Joel Hall Dancers and Chicago Repertory ballet, and a guest teaching artist and choreographer for Joffrey Ballet Community Engagement. In addition to instructing at various studios in the Chicagoland area, including the Lou Conte Dance Center, she served as an adjunct faculty member at DePaul University Barat College Conservatory of Dance and Loyola University Chicago.
You can see her currently around Chicago guest teaching at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, Chicago Multicutural Dance Center and creating work for Winifred Haun & Dancers Third Coast Ensemble premiering in May 2024 at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts. Recent works have premiered on Visceral Dance Chicago, Grayscale Dance (Los Angeles), Chicago Blues Fest – Billy Branch, and Inaside Dance Chicago.
As a proud USMC military spouse (Ret.) and mother of two, she spends her free time volunteering for the arts and military and veteran causes. Sarita is currently president of the board of directors of the Oak Park Area Arts Council, chair of the advisory board for Blue Star Families Chicagoland Chapter, board member of the Veteran Chamber of Commerce and advisory member of the Driehaus Museum Learning Committee.
This is her second year teaching in the SOTD and she is extremely proud of the artistic work that our students are producing.
Brandon Wardell (he/him) Lighting Designer is a lighting and scenic designer based in Chicago. He is an ensemble member at Steep Theatre Company, an artistic associate with Griffin Theatre Company and associate professor of lighting design at Northern Illinois University. Recent designs include Light Falls, Birdland, Lela & Co. and Earthquakes in London (Steep Theatre Co.); Two Trains Running (Court Theatre); Blues in the Night (Porchlight Music Theatre); The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Steppenwolf Theatre Co.); A Number (Writers Theatre); Cardboard Piano and The Vibrator Play (TimeLine Theatre Co.); Men On Boats (American Theatre Co.); Solaris, Titanic, London Wall and Men Should Weep (Griffin); The Game of Love and Chance (American Players Theatre); and Million Dollar Quartet (Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival). Brandon earned his M.F.A. from Northwestern University. Brandonwardelldesign.com
Production Staff
Scenery
Scenic Coordinator – Sahin Sahingolu
Scene Shop Supervisor – Adam Rager
Scene Shop Graduate Employees – J. Cody Hunt, Paul Lang, Alicia Margerum, Tyler Page
Scene Shop Undergraduate Employees – Jade Doherty, Mike Kozel, David Mortenson, Sasha Norman
Student Technicians – THEA 295 students
Run Crew – Sebastian Vega, Kylee Moore, Zayveon Black
Costumes
Costume Design Advisor – Jeremy W. Floyd
Costume Director – Lori Hartenhoff
Costume Shop Supervisor – Elizabeth Galba
Costume Shop Graduate Employees – Elias Dennis, Ski Sciaraffa
Costume Shop Employees – Alyssa Altadonna, Alix Burkhardt, B. Leni
Costume Shop 395 Students – Alix Burkhardt, Emily Christanson, Danisha Gilmore, Elizabeth Karth
Student Technicians – THEA 210, 235 and 295 students
Costume Crew – Lexi Foelker, Gabriel Ford, Jonathan Perkins, Jai’Quan Simmons, Skylar Thompson
Lighting
Lighting Design Advisor – Brandon Wardell
Resident Head Electrician – Chris Kurszewski
Assistant Head Electrician – Emily Christianson
Lighting Shop Graduate Assistants – J. Cody Hunt, Paul Lang, Tyler Page
Lighting Shop Employees – Logan Bryant, Conall Doherty, Tim Peters
Student Electricians – THEA 210, 295 and 395 students
Properties
Properties Director – Dave Doherty
Properties Graduate Assistants – Eric Brockmeier, Alicia Margerum, Ski Sciaraffa
Properties Shop Employees – Sarah Blickem, Elizabeth Nowak
Properties Shop 295/395 Students – Lizzie Ciszczon, Dave Mortenson, Sasha Norman
Properties Crew – Richmond Fredrickson, Sam Garcia
Production Management
Technical Direction Advisor – Tracy Nunnally
Production Assistant – Jordan Clifton
House Management Supervisor – Cornelia Hayes
2024-2025 Production Season
NIU School of Theatre and Dance
Dates and times to come.
Mary Stuart by Fredrich Schiller, directed by Bethany Mangum-Oles
Macbeth by William Shakespeare, directed by Peter Andersen
Machinal by Sophie Treadwell, directed by Alexander Gelman
Fall Dance Concert, Paquita and other repertoire, music by Édouard Deldevez and Ludwig Minkus, choreography by Joseph Mazilier
Holler River by Caridad Svich, directed by Kendra Holton
Prowess by Ike Holter, director TBA
Anon(ymous) by Naomi Iizuka, director TBA
Spring Dance Concert
Alyssa Altadonna (We Gonna Be, Sea Songs) Alyssa Altadonna is freshman BFA Dance major in performing arts. She has been dancing for about 15. Prior to joining NIU she lived in England where she trained at Cygnets and Hazelwood dance studios. Before moving to England she lived in Germany where she would train in the Netherlands every day expanding her different types of techniques. Alyssa hopes to move back to Europe and join a company, and particularly hopes to gain a place at The Dutch National Ballet.
Taneya Ball (We Gonna Be, ENUF) Taneya Ball is a sophomore Dance Performance major. She started dancing at the age of three. She continued to dance her way through life by taking a few dance classes and training at the Chicago High School for the Arts, Taneya has enjoyed her time being here at NIU. She feels like she’s learning how to be more comfortable as a dancer. She’s also learning how to become a choreographer and also continue her journey and being comfortable being a part of the dance conservatory at NIU. Taneya would like to give a special thank-you to God, her family and friends, and lastly, her teachers for pushing her to come this far in life.
Shantez Branch (ENUF) Shantez Branch is a senior from Chicago majoring in Pre-Physical Therapy and minoring in Dance Performance. She has been on numerous interscholastic dance teams, danced at pageants, and choreographed for numerous groups. Her favorite style of dance is modern. She hopes to correlate her passion for dance in the physical therapy profession as a performance health specialist.
Marcell Boclair (ENUF) Marcell Boclair is a third year BA in Theater Studies candidate with a focus on acting, and a health and human sciences major here at NIU. He hopes you enjoy it!
Athei Chagai (ENUF, Carmen, We Gonna Be) Athei Chagai is a freshman at NIU from Clinton, Iowa. Athei is a BFA Dance major and has been dancing for the past 16 years. Before NIU, Athei received most of her dance training at the Carousel School of Dance in Clinton where she was also a member of the Gateway Contemporary Ballet Company. Athei has also attended summer dance workshops such as CNADM (Chicago National Association of Dance Masters) from 2016- 2019.
Millicent Collins (Sea Songs, We Gonna Be) Millicent Collins is a freshman BFA Dance major and plans to earn a minor in Non-Profit/Non-Governmental Studies. Before attending NIU, Millicent trained with Turning Pointe Academy of Dance, in Maryville, Ill., and was a member of TourDance pre-professional dance company. She performed in the Student Elevate Project with The Big Muddy Dance Company in Saint Louis, 2018-2021. Millicent participated in summer intensives with The Big Muddy Dance Company, COCA Saint Louis, Nashville Ballet, and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. In 2018 and 2019, she performed in Dance For Food, an outreach performance to benefit the Saint Louis Area Food Bank. Post-graduation from NIU, Millicent hopes to combine her love of social justice, community outreach, and the performing arts, to help others and inspire them through dance.
George Curtis (Carmen, We Gonna Be, ENUF) George Curtis is a senior Dance major at NIU. He had little to no experience in technical training starting his freshman year in college but now is proud to call himself a technically trained dancer. From performing “Opus Jazz” by Joel Hall to performing live on stage at Lyrical Lemonade he has gained versatility and the ability to flow easily in and out of dance styles, which is one of his most notable qualities.
Rachel Day (Pas de Quatre, Carmen) Rachel is a senior who will be graduating in December 2022. She is a soloist in both ballets this semester, dancing the role of Michaela in “Carmen” and Marie Taglioni in “Pas De Quatre.” She has spent her dance career studying ballet and plans to join a ballet company after graduation. She has worked with groups outside of NIU, most recently, DanceLoop Chicago on their latest dance film “Maybe We Don’t Know Love.” Rachel enjoys the artistry and dedication put into creating dance. She says that she “enjoys working with new choreography and being a blank canvas.”
Darya Ellickson (Carmen, We Gonna Be) Darya Ellickson is a sophomore BFA Dance major from DeForest, Wisc. She danced at Ultimate Leap Dance Center for nine years and has also performed with DeFortes, a show choir, for four years. This past summer, Darya attended the Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre Summer Intensive program in Chicago. Darya holds the role of Northern Dance Theatre secretary. Darya plans to graduate in Fall of 2024 and hopes to work on Broadway or dance with Disney.
Jack Goings (Sea Songs, ENUF) Jack Goings is a senior BFA Acting candidate with a minor in Dance. He is so excited to dance live for the first time at NIU. Previous dance roles include the Snow King in “The Nutcracker,” The Prince in the ballet rendition of “Sleeping Beauty,” and various NIU dance productions such as Art for Life, and the Student Choreographed Showcase.
Gwen Jones (Pas de Quatre) Gwen Jones is a junior BFA Dance major with a minor in Special Education. A Victoria Young Scholarship recipient, she has had the opportunity to appear in pieces such as “Shirtwaist Factory,” “Can-Can,” as well as “Spirit of the Horse” in Lake City, Fla. with the Pas de Cheval dancers. Alongside performing, Gwen is also assistant choreographer for Penguin Players, a musical theatre organization starring a cast of adults with disabilities. After graduation, and a professional performance career, she plans to teach classes for individuals with disabilities.
Abigail Kresno (Carmen, Pas de Quatre) Abigail Kresno is a third-year Dance major. She had repertoire choreographed on her from Joel Hall, a wildly acclaimed choreographer. Abigail studied under Richard Smith at the Inside summer intensive. She also had the opportunity to collaborate with Richard Grund on her solo for “Dancing Forward Together.”
Anna Lindstrom (We Gonna Be, Carmen) Anna Lindstrom is a sophomore BFA dance major. This is Anna’s third mainstage production at NIU plus the online video productions last year. Anna is from Morrison Ill., and danced at Jennifer’s Dance Center for 14 years. She had been training in multiple styles with special interests in contemporary and ballet but also has a background in clogging. During high school she was involved in the dance team where she choreographed many halftime routines and competed in high kick. She also performed summer stock theatre for TimberLake Playhouse in Mt. Carroll, Ill., which included several dance ensemble roles.
Franki Mastrone (Carmen) Franki is thrilled to be performing in this semester’s dance concert! They are a first year BFA Actor from Stamford, Ct. There they studied theater at Curtain Call Inc., where they performed roles such as Miss Honey in “Matilda”, and Gangster #1 in “The Drowsy Chaperone.” Franki is also a proud alum of The Ballet School of Stamford, where they had the privilege of performing in many contemporary and classical ballets. Thanks to all who made this production possible!
Darius Murray (ENUF, We Gonna Be) Darius Murray is a 19-year-old Dance major from Chicago. Darius began his journey on to dance at the age of three, performing at various functions as well as church with praise and worship dance. Darius began his professional dance career at ETA Creative Arts in Chicago, where he studied hip hop, modern, West African, and majorette dance. He recently graduated from the Chicago High School for the Arts where he studied various dance styles such as ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, African, Spanish, and hip hop dance. He received many rewards such as the honor roll student back in 2018 as well as the scholar artist of the year from 2019 to 2020. Darius’ dream in life is to open up his own dance studio and be a choreographer as well.
Ansley Pierce (Carmen, Sea Songs) Ansley Pierce is senior in her second year at NIU after studying at a conservatory in Kansas City for two years under the direction of Paula Weber. She trained in Kansas City with notable names such as Deeply Rooted founder Garry Abbott, renowned dancer Ronald Tice, and former Ailey dancer DeeAnna Hiett, amongst others. After her first year at NIU she was awarded the Jerry Tulk Choreography Scholarship. This past year she has also modeled for and represented Russian Pointe, along with being a Ballet Rosa Soloist.
Kai Poe (Carmen, We Gonna Be, ENUF) Kai Poe is a senior Dance major. Starting her technical training four years ago, she has since had the opportunity to work with choreographers such as Joel Hall, Nicole Clarke-Spriger, and Kevin Iega Jeff. One of her most exciting performances was with the Deeply Rooted Dance Theater company. This is her fourth production in the O’Connell Theatre and she couldn’t be more thrilled to showcase this semesters’ hard work. As vice president of the Northern Dance Theater board and student director she is not only dedicated to having a dance career but also a leadership role within the community.
Michael Rojas (ENUF, We Gonna Be, Eater of Hearts) Michael Rojas is a senior working to achieve his BFA in Performing Arts Dance. While Michael has trained, he has become an astonishing leader to other dancers. He is the 2021-2022 president of NDT. He’s been dancing for 3.5 year and has trained in various styles of dance while performing for the School of Theatre and Dance. Michael has been in four mainstage performances and two virtual performances. His mission is to spread awareness to younger adults through the movement of dance. During Michael’s training at NIU he has also worked for a nonprofit organization program, Trio Upward Bound, mentoring younger adults in the Aurora and Rockford area. He has taught many lessons to young adults by leading them into their future paths. Michael hopes to see all people chase their dreams, while teaching others to help one another by spreading awareness of abuse, suicide awareness, mental health awareness, and world issues.
Taryn Sarto (Carmen, Pas de Quatre) Taryn Sarto is a senior BFA Dance major with a minor in rehabilitation counseling. She is a recipient of both the Talented Student Tuition Waiver and the René LeBeau Memorial Endowed Scholarship from the NIU School of Theatre and Dance. She trained at Beth Fowler School of Dance prior to attending NIU and has been training for sixteen years in various styles, with a special interest in ballet and contemporary. Taryn is the current choreographer for Penguin Players – a musical theater organization comprised of a creative team of NIU students and starring a cast of adults with disabilities. She directed Northern Dance Theatre’s Student Choreographic Showcase in Spring 2021, as well as NDT’s production of Art for Life in Fall 2021. She is graduating from NIU this spring and will be pursuing a career in choreography, dance education, and coaching. Ultimately, she plans to own her own studio.
Tianna Stubbs (We Gonna Be) Tianna Stubbs was born and raised in Chicago. She is now a sophomore Dance major and minor in sports management. Tianna started dancing when she was four years old at Mayfair Dance Academy. She made her transition when she attended Walter H. Dyett High School for the Arts for four years. She was trained under one of the best, Stephaine Kawesch all while being a majorette captain for three years. Because of this training and experience, Tianna was more than prepared for her college career. Although this is Tianna’s second year, she has grown tremendously as a dancer and choreographer. She is extremely excited to showcase her different skills in this show.
Ariana Williams (We Gonna Be, ENUF) Ariana Williams began dancing when she was four years old. Since then, she has participated in many genres of dance such as ballet, hip hop, liturgical dancing, and poms. Ariana is currently a sophomore studying Dance Performance. After college she plans on residing in Texas to further her career as a professional dance choreographer with plans on owning her own dance studio. Ariana would like to give thanks to her mother, grandmother, teachers, family and friends and most importantly God for supporting her through her journey.
