As the culminating event of the first WAC Summer High School Dance Theatre Intensive, the students, faculty, counselors and I put together a full-length dance theater exploration of issues revolving around conflict and resolution. We called it Saying Our PEACE.
The entire cast was strong, talented, enthusiastic and committed. This first year program was a great success; actually quite a magical occurrence - 40 young people from all over the country, from as varied backgrounds as is imaginable, coming together for a week to create something moving and memorable - both onstage and off. They were a Dream Team!
An original dance theater production
Saturday, July 1, 2006
CAST
Megan Barker, Lizzie Baur, Lydian Blossom, Lizzy Brownstein, Bridget Case, Stephanie Castro, Austen Cazort, Gabriel Cortez, Raisa Donato, Ty Duong, Caroline Ekstrom, Lizzi Ekstrom, Jackilyn Escosio, Carlo Estella, Kendall Fritze, Stephanie Funt, Raymond Gonzalez, Flannery Gregg, Brittany Gregge, Krystle Hartsfield, Bran’D Hutalla, Mayura Pertel Jain, Jeanna Ashman, Christine Kim, Denise Larson, Christopher Lim, Maya Ludlow, Marissa Maizland, Albert Martinez, Chris Mimilis, Jessica Parizo, Lauren Sepe, Maya Sertic, Marissa Shue, Johnae Similton, Morgan Smith, Hai Tran, Kaylee Uribe, Omar Watkins, Daryl Webb
Gabriel:
Conflict is an unavoidable part of life, it is our constant change, our evolution, our humanity, and the ultimate judge of character. It can turn brother against brother and friend into foe,...
but can also take 40 very different individuals and create one combined effort in a matter of days. I have learned so much from the other 39 people in this class, allowing a piece of them to forever be embedded in me. We all come from different walks of life and that is why this experience has been so powerful: we are testament to the fact that all it takes is effort, a willingness to understand, and a common goal to create a magnum opus.
This is our magnum opus. I hope that we can all take this accomplishment home, the little spark that it is, let it spread like a wild fire so maybe everyone can get the idea, and spread the love...
Creative and Program Staff:
Show Creator and Director, Program Director: Kevin Kane
Assistant Director: Jackie Lopez
Program Counselors: Mo Marmesh, Tittus Mendez, Marissa Ruazol, Diane Palaganas Program Instructors: Amy Campion, Kevin, Nehara Kalev, Jackie, Taisha Pagget, Amy Shimson-Santo, Sara Wookey
Choreography: Kevin, Jackie, Mo, Marissa, Taisha, Nehara, Diane, Tittus, Amy,...and Entire Cast!
Text: Kevin, Tittus, Mo, Joeff Sunga, Gabriel Cortez, Raisa Donato, James Datu, Raymond Gonzalez, Maddy Kudritzki
Fight Choreography: Michael Domantay
Program Supervisor: Angelia Leung
Many Thanks To:
• The Department of World Arts and Cultures – most especially: Angelia Leung, Silvily Thomas, Carol Endo, Mimi Moorhead, Arsenio Apillanes, Wendy Temple, David Gere, Carl Patrick, Judy Mitoma.
• The Flourish Foundation, most especially: Monica H. Rosenthal for her generous support of this program.
• The Cast of Throwing Stones for their original participation in the development of this material.
• Russell Copley, Joy Downing, Jill Diamond, Linda Samuels, Howard Dando, and all the wonderful teachers and family members who helped prepare the students for the program.
• UCLA Summer Sessions, especially Susan Pertel Jain, Kathleen Micham, Heidi Hanzi, Irene Reyes, • The Fowler Museum, most especially Bonnie Poon and Gina Hall.
• 40 of the loveliest, most talented, tireless, and quick-learning young artists I have ever worked with -- Congratulations, together we have created something special, made wonderful memories and have reason to celebrate!
• And once again -- Mo, Jackie, Marissa, Diane, and Tittus for being the best assistants a guy could ever hope for !!
Music by:
Bjork, Nirvana, Tigerlillies, Michael Jackson, Sum 41, John Williams, Ciara, Badawi, Thomas Otten, Engleborn, Kanye West, House of Pain, Lost