Washington & Lee Dancers Create
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, Virginia
Artistic Direction by Jenefer Davies / Technical Direction by Tom Hackman / Costume Design by Elizabeth Wislar Costume Design for "Our Thin Veils" by Da'zhona Clark
November 2023
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Description of the varying pieces are below the images
Geometry Lesson
Choreographer: Elise McPherson
Music: Black X White, Glider pt. 1 and 2 from The Thomas Crown Affair, Bill Conti; Les Etoiles by Melody Gardot
"Women are often put in boxes: you are this type of woman, or this type, or that type. Maybe you're none of them. Maybe the box should be a circle instead..."
Dancers: Charley Harrar, Elizabeth Helwig, Lily Petsinger, Mikaela Schon, Angela Tu
"Our desire for intimacy and tenderness are entwined with moments of empathy and vulnerability. In this piece, the harmonious balance of giving and receiving love is articulated through grounded and aerial movement."
Dancers: Misha Lin
Featuring an aerial lyra
Cherished
Choreographer: Misha Lin
Music: Isabella's Lullaby by Takahiro Obata, Romantic Flight by John Powell
Sustained
Choreographer: Charlotte Peete
Music: Sleeping Beauty, Op. 66, Prologue: "The Christening: Entrance o the Fairies," Variation III: "Breadcrumb," Variation I: "Candide," Variation VI: "The Lilac Fairy" by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Andre Preven, London Symphony Orchestra
"The rhythm of life can be overwhelming at times. True freedom emerges when, through it all, we dare to be overcome by the brilliance of this world and to sustain ourselves through life's joys along the way."
Dancers: Carmen Marley & Charlotte Peete
"This piece was created in response to personal experiences and Kim's research into the philosophies and lexicon of Confucian Analects for Women - ancient teachings that have persisted as a basis for East Asian/Asian-American women's lifestyles, behavior, and self-worth. Born into a traditional South Korean family but raised int he United States, Kim, through this piece, explores her personal experience of reconciling Eastern and Western lifestyles and life-expectations."
Dancers: Tanner Barlow, Rebecca Bundrant, Charley Harrar, Joe Lee, Misha Lin, Carmen Marley, Elise McPherson, Lily Pesinger, Mikaela Schon, Sarah Stockton
Sit. Stay. Down.
Choreographer: Vivian Kim
Music: original musical composition by Collin Hill
Olive Trees
Choreographer: Irina Koleva assisted by Olesia Soukhoveev
Music: Cavern and Prologue by Mark Mancina, Forest Bird by Epic Soundscapes, and Secret Garden by Fawaris
"This work embodies the process of healing parts of our self and nervous system that have been wounded. It is a process of recognizing patterns and coping mechanisms that were necessary for survival in the past, but no linger serve us. What happens when you dare to question what what you have learned , and change? Key to such wounds is collective compassion, support, and courage in the face of fear."
Dancers: Irina Koleva & Olesia Soukhoveev
Featuring an aerial bungee
"The work explores the desire to break hive mentality while navigating the instinct to retreat into belonging. In it, each individual is celebrated as completely unique, bumping up against the cultural, societal, and familial conditioning that limits and simultaneously grows us all. Throughout the work, the dancers gradually expose their vulnerability, gaining the courage to share their humanity."
Dancers: Guangpu Chen, Ka'maya Clark, Skylar Hollins, Sierra Johnson, Georgia McSwain, Mary Musteric, Timi Patterson, Shphia Soderburg, Sarah Stockton, Morgan Stoudt, Brianna Tran, Angela Zahn, Jasmine Zhang, Jingling ZZahng
Our Thin Veils
Choreographer: ShaLeigh Comerford
Costume Design: Da'zhona Clark
Music: Original compositions bvy Mike Wall
Duality
Choreographer: Lily Petsinger & Angela Tu
Music: Experience by Ludovico Einaudi, Run Boy Run Instrumental by Woodkid
"This piece juxtaposes the light and dark, the humility and pride, and the feebleness and grit of women, and highlights the power in combining femininity and ferocity."
Dancers: Cass Dalton, Ella Dorman, Elizabeth Helweg, Sierra Johnson, Madison Lilly, Misha Lin, Elise McPherson, Sophia Soderberg, Olesia Soukhoveev, Cindy Xie