Love of Power vs. Power of Love
Love of Power vs. Power of Love explores the choice between exerting power over others or acting out of love. The piece unmasks the divisiveness, isolation and intolerance that evolves from misuse of power, and reveals the power of love to heal, unite and remind us of our shared humanity. Inspired by his experience as a gay man in WV, choreographer Donald Laney confronts LGBTQ discrimination and hate speech; while choreographer Toneta Akers-Toler examines women’s history, (in)equality, and distributions of privilege and power in marginalized communities.
Choreographer: Toneta Akers-Toler, Donald Laney
Music: Richard Grimes, Lady D
Story Vocals: Adam Booth, Toneta Akers-Toler
Catching Light
Catching Light is inspired by the long history of glassmaking in Appalachia and the colorful work of well-known glass artist Ron Hinkle. Elements of energy, rhythm, color and shape will be explored including the physical, sometimes improvisational movements of the makers during the glassmaking process.
Choreography: Toneta Akers-Toler
Sound/Story: Adam Booth
Music: Richard Grimes
Dancers: 6
Remembering When I Was Ashes
Traditional storytelling through contemporary movement, this piece was inspired by the Ethiopian proverb, “The fool speaks, the wise man listens.”
Choreography: Danah Bella
Dancers: 1
Queen of Bones
New for 2018-19, Queen of Bones is inspired by the life of Marie Antoinette – the girl, the woman and the queen.
Choreography: Angela Dennis
Dancers: 1
Evanescent
A contemplative work that raises awareness of the interconnected nature of humanity and the challenges we face as our needs and priorities intersect. Through connective phrase work and solo movement, the work conveys how small individual actions impact the choices of others and cumulatively, the direction our world takes and questions whether individual striving is always to the benefit of the greater good of humanity.
Choreography: Donald Laney
Dancers: 6
Sarpashana
This intense, highly physical new work explores the destructive force of addiction in our lives and the role of fear in driving those addictions. References will be made to the Sarpashana Sourcebook, a diverse collection of essays about addiction from a number of vantage points, including the Buddhist, Alcoholics Anonymous, Al Anon, scientific, and the psychoanalytic. The name Sarpashana, meaning “poison eater,” refers to the power of the recovery process to defeat addiction, or the “poison.”
Choreography: Heather Taylor-Martin, Donald Laney, Toneta Akers-Toler
Dancers: 6
Schubert Variations
Choreographed to the second movement of Franz Schubert’s String Quartet No. 14 in D minor, this American Masterpiece explores the use of theme and variation through the microcosm of young people and their relationships.
Choreography: Gerri Houlihan
Music: Franz Schubert
Dancers: 6
From the Depths
From the Depths, by Artistic Director, Toneta Akers-Toler, offers a personal reflection on the universe within each of us and the infinite possibilities for harmony (or discord) between humans as our energies intersect. Latin jazz was chosen for this piece, as a parallel to the improvisational nature of our lives.
Choreography: Toneta Akers-Toler
Dancers: 6
Ahava and the Residual Holocausts
In 2006, the United Nations instituted an International Day of Commemoration, declaring that, “the Holocaust, which resulted in the murder of one-third of the Jewish people along with countless members of other minorities, will forever be a warning to all people of the dangers of hatred, bigotry, racism and prejudice.”
A solo that contemplates the darkest time of the 20th century and the question:
“Do any of us really have freedom, if one of us does not?”
Choreography: Toneta Akers-Toler
Dancers: 1
Sketches of Fall
Sketches of Fall is a reflection on the writing of Pearl S. Buck about the first time she experienced fall in WV. Rich colors and high-energy movement attract the eye, immersing the observer in the vibrant and ever-changing patterns and rhythms of the season.
Choreography: Toneta Akers-Toler
Dancers: 6
Spirit Chaser
Spirit Chaser is an artistic interpretation of a traditional African folktale about the relationship between predator and prey. Brought to life by the use of a dynamic mask and set against a background of original music, this collaboration parallels the cross-pollination of artistic ideas shared between the countries of Africa. Audiences will appreciate the influence of African art on our own cultural traditions.
Choreography: Carli Mareneck
Music: Mark Davis
Mask Design: Ricki Peters
Dancers: 1
The Mountains Speak
With exciting, athletic movement and haunting vocals, The Mountains Speak shares a fiery story of injustice and perseverance drawn from WV’s labor history.
Choreography: Toneta Akers-Toler, Donald Laney
Music: Jake Krack, Bare Bones
Text/Story: Adam Booth
Dancers: 6
Dynamic Equilibrium
A rhythmic, physical expression of images from Chinese culture.
Choreography: Heather Taylor-Martin
Dancers: 6
Paraguas
A humorous and playful duet inspired by a chance encounter.
Choreography: Carli Mareneck
Dancers: 2
Five Chapters from a Broken Novel
Drawn from a collection of quotes from books, films and overheard conversations, Five Chapters from a Broken Novel is a collection of 20 short dances: some humorous, some dramatic, some purely physical. Together, they form a continuously unfolding sequence of intimate portraits, in which human nature is revealed in all its beauty and rawness.
Choreography: Doug Varone
Original Costume Design: Liz Prince
Dancers: 6
Sunflares
An abstract interpretation of the scientific, astronomical happening known as “sun flares.” Lifts and movement show the flares themselves in the circle of space.
Choreography: Donald Laney
Music: Corelli, Concerto Grosso in D
Dancers: 6
