Becoming We
Artistic Director
Kristin Alexander |
Costume Shop Manager
Ellen Swick |
Technical
Director
Evie Palmisano |
Technical Director
JD Stallings |
Stage Manager
Cat Champlin |
March 25-26, 2023
Sottile Theatre, 44 George Street
Jump to: Production Team | Acknowledgements | Cast and Production Team Biographies
Dance Pieces and Program Notes
Lost & Found
Choreography by Emily Falcone
Music by Patrick Watson
Music Editing by Emily Falcone
Lighting Design by Bootsie Baldwin
Performed by Aidan Baumann, Avé-Ella Blanchette, Maya Everett-Wilson, Lindsey Ferguson, Angela Levasseur, Sidney Shanahan, Emily Monahan*, Cheyanne Stankiewicz*
“There is no growth without change, no change without fear or loss, and no loss without pain.” – Rick Warren
Pendulum
Choreography by Kylee Poole
Music by Charles W. Miller, Harold Brown, Howard E. Scott, Lee Oskar, Leroy L. Jordan, Morris Dickerson, Sylvester Allen, and Thomas James
Music Editing by Kylee Poole
Lighting Design by Zachary Kobylarz
Performed by Madison Fisher, Sophie Ketchum, Gabby Perales, Elizabeth Vazquez, Ally Keschinger*, Libbie Krey*
“The pendulum of the mind alternates between sense and nonsense, not between right and wrong.” Carl Jung
Not My Responsibility
Choreography by Halle White
Music by Olafur Arnalds, Alice Sara Ott, and Finneas
Lighting Design by Isabella Gardener
Performed by Elli Batchelor, Destiny Humphrey, Irina Moul, Sidney Shanahan, Sophia Wirta, Jenna Bush*, Mia Moran*
This piece is inspired by the collaborative voices of the dancers and myself as we explored the impacts of social media and societal standards on body image.
Weathered Rhythm
Choreography by Whitney Green
Music by Alibi Music, Rain Sounds Lab
Music Editing by Whitney Green
Lighting Design by Sara Whitehead
Performed by Angela Levasseur, Helene Nemeth, Gabby Perales, Alyssa Guardino*, Emily Monahan*
“Things turn out the best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.” – John Wooden
10 MINUTE INTERMISSION
Breaking the Mold
Choreography by Mary Galemmo
Music by Zoë Keating, Wil Baptiste, and Kev Marcus
Music Editing by Rob Alexander and Cameron Robins
Lighting Design by Bootsie Baldwin
Performed by Aidan Baumann, Ayushi Gaur, Katie Higens, Dylan Horwitz, Madison Jackson, Kailee Rafalko, Jenna Bush*, Leila Crane*
When you step into the studio even you have preconceived notions about yourself. Growing is knowing that you don’t have to be trapped in one style of dance.
“I look back, and I have no regrets, truly. Everything led me to the place where I am now.” – Wendy Whelan
How It Ends
Choreography by Maya Everett-Wilson
Music by Mychael Danna
Lighting Design by Sara Whitehead
Performed by Emily Falcone, Camilla Linkin, Claire Natiez, Corrina Castillo*, Elizabeth Vazquez*
“I’m poison, I come from poison, I have poison inside of me” – Will Arnett
Symbiotic
Choreography by Katie Higens
Music by Efterklang and Danish National Chamber Orchestra
Lighting Design by Heaven Egan
Performed by Elli Batchelor, Izzy Byers, Glenna Durbin, Mary Galemmo, Madison Jackson
Ava Woods*
This piece explores the parallels between relationships in nature and human connections and how nature is a reflection of the human experience.
Juntos
Choreography by Alejandra Casco
Music by Marc Anthony & E. E. Garcia
Music Editing by Alejandra Casco
Lighting Design by Heaven Egan
Performed by Lindsey Ferguson, Madison Fisher, Libbie Krey, Ally Keschinger, Camilla Linkin, Kylee Poole, Cheyanne Stankiewicz, Gianna Trimboli, Maura Dougherty*, Dylan Horwitz*
The Latin culture revolves around family and community, and that’s exactly what this piece is about. This piece is all about people coming together and living life, because no one is in this alone.
*indicates understudies
Production Team
CofC Stages Artistic Director: Janine McCabe
Director of Dance: Gretchen McLaine
Production Manager: Ellen Swick
Stage Management Advisor: Susan Kattwinkel
Assistant Stage Manager: Cheyenne Comitz
Costume Designer and Coordinator: Maddie Robertson
Costume Design Advisor: Ellen Swick
Wardrobe Crew: Taylor Bennett, Glenna Durbin, Trinity Griffin, Ashleigh Meadows
Sewing & Alterations: Students of Costume 1 class
Costume Shop Staff (select students hired by the Department of Theatre & Dance with support from donor funding): Brandon Alston, Molly Belle, Savannah Blake, Zachary Kobylarz, Olivia Maness
Lighting Design Advisor: Lauren Duffie
Head Lighting Designer: Bootsie Baldwin
Light Board Programmer and Operator: Gillian Huntley
Electric Shop Staff (select students hired by the Department of Theatre & Dance with support from donor funding): Mia Bowersox, Alex Jones, Chris Warzynski
Sound Engineer: Eli Salas
Sound Board Operator: Cat Champlin
Fly Rail Operator: Bristol Barnes
Operations Coordinator: Miles Boinest
Marketing & Communications: Nandini B. McCauley
Graphic Designer: Rob Alexander
Photography: Madison Berry
Publicity: Madison Berry, Zach Kobylarz
Box Office: George Street Box Office
House Manager: Isabella Gardner
Office Assistant: Ngaa Magombedze
Special Thanks
Anja Kelley and the Sottile Theatre staff; Carolyna Ramirez and the George Street Box Office staff
Thank you to all of our donors!
Become an Impact Sponsor
The Department of Theatre and Dance offers opportunities to become an Impact Sponsor. Impact Sponsors have a direct financial and personal impact on individual students with whom you’ll be connected. You will be honored at special events, receive recognition in the 2022-2023 season programs and other department reports and receive updates from your student. For more information, visit theatre.cofc.edu/support and contact our office at 843.953.6306 to declare your impact.
Impact Sponsor Levels:
BENEFACTOR $2,500+ (for incoming student scholarship)
Add your name here!
GUARDIAN $750 (Clarence Student Award)
Karl & Charlene Bunch
Tap & Jean Johnson
Evelynn & Bill Putnam
Mindy Seltzer & Bob Lovinger
Sam & Nancy Stafford
Charlotte Townsend
Louis & Andrea Weinstein
Chester & Arlene Williams
Anonymous (4)
Special Gifts: (Leave a lasting legacy. Learn more: 843.953.5348 or cofclegacy.org)
Anonymous – legacy gift
Charleston Academy of Music
John Covington & Robert Lukey – legacy gift
Michael & Susan Master – legacy gift
Become a Season Sponsor
As we transitions back to live in-person audiences and mask-free performances last season, we worked hard to keep our students and audiences engaged. We preserved the student experience during these last two years, but we lost essential revenue that plays a huge role in funding our season’s productions. Your donations contribute to funding the essentials needed for scenery, lighting, sound, and costumes, but more importantly, they help support student employees, student research and travel, and other student-focused experiences. We can’t do this without your generosity!
Season Sponsor Levels:
PRODUCER $1000+
Karl & Charlene Bunch
Jenny Hane
Tap & Jean Johnson
Anthony Laneve
Anne & Allen Lyndrup
Sam & Nancy Stafford
Chester & Arlene Williams
ADVOCATE $750-999
Susan Kattwinkel
Janine McCabe
Matt & Gretchen McLaine
Susan Morrison
Evelynn & Bill Putnam
Mindy Seltzer & Bob Lovinger
Nancy & Sam Stafford
Louis & Andrea Weinstein
Jonathan & Janine Wentz
STAR $500-749
Michael & Susan Master
James McKenna
Valerie B. Morris
DIRECTOR $250-499
Kristin Alexander
Sandra N. Bumgarner
Janice and Jay Messeroff
FAN $100-249
Donnetta L. Grays
Todd McNerney
Jillian & Michael Smallwood
Emma Simmons
Justin Van Beusecum
PATRON up to $99
Mary Berry, Laura C. Bayless, Stephen & Allegra Litvin, James Rozier, Bari Perales, Claire Steffens, Laura Turner
Cast and Production Team Biographies
Kristin Alexander is an Associate Professor of Dance at the College of Charleston. She is the Artistic Director of Annex Dance Company and serves on the City of Charleston’s Commission on the Arts. Kristin most recently choreographed the department’s production of Violet as well as a piece for Shifting Perspectives in the fall.
Bootsie Baldwin is a sophomore majoring in Computing in the Arts with a concentration in Theatre and minoring in Mathematics from Charleston, SC. This is her first mainstage show as a designer at the College of Charleston.
Elli Batchelor is a sophomore majoring in English, with a concentration in Literature, Film, and Culture and a minor in Medical Humanities, from Greenville, SC. This is her second mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen performing in Wanderlust.
Aidan Baumann is a junior double majoring in Dance and Hospitality & Tourism Management from Philadelphia, PA. This is her fifth mainstage show at The College of Charleston. She was last seen as Frenchie in the Musical Cabaret.
Taylor Bennett is a senior double majoring in Dance and Early Childhood Education from Aiken, SC. This is her eighth mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen performing in Shifting Perspectives.
Avé-Ella Blanchette is a sophomore double majoring in Dance and Special Education from Nashua, NH. This is her third mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen performing in Shifting Perspectives.
Jenna Bush is a freshman majoring in Biology with a minor in Theatre from St. Louis, MO. This is her first mainstage show at the College of Charleston.
Izzy Byers is a senior double majoring in Dance and Accounting from Greenville, SC. This is her eighth mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen performing in Shifting Perspectives.
Corrina Castillo is a freshman majoring in Communication with a double minor in Spanish and Dance from East Hampton, NY. This is her first mainstage show at the College of Charleston.
Alejandra Casco is a junior from Summerville, SC majoring in Dance with a concentration in performance and choreography and minoring in Arts Management.This is her sixth mainstage show at the College of Charleston and second time choreographing. Her work was last seen in Wanderlust in Spring 2022.
Cat Champlin is a senior double majoring in Arts Management and Theatre with a concentration in Performance and a minor in Italian Studies from Greenville, SC. This is her eighth mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen performing as Anne De Bourgh in Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley in Fall 2022 and she last stage managed Once More in Fall 2021.
Cheyenne Comitz is a sophomore majoring in Theatre with a concentration in Theatre Studies and English with a concentration in Creative Writing from Mount Pleasant, SC. This is her first mainstage show at the College of Charleston.
Leila Crane from Atlanta, Georgia is a sophomore double majoring in Dance and English on the pre-law track. This is her third performance with the College of Charleston and was last seen in Shifting Perspectives.
Glenna Durbin is a senior double majoring in Theatre (Performance) and History, and minoring in Dance. This is her eighth mainstage show with the College of Charleston. She was last seen as Mary Bennet in Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley.
Heaven Egan is a Junior majoring in Theatre with a concentration in Lighting Design and Technology from El Paso, Texas. This is their first mainstage show at the College of Charleston.
Maya Everett-Wilson is a junior Dance Major from Natick Massachusetts. This is their fourth mainstage show at the College of Charleston. They were last seen performing in Finding Place.
Emily Falcone is a sophomore double majoring in Dance and Psychology from Smithfield, Rhode Island. This is her third mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen performing in Shifting Perspectives.
Lindsey Ferguson is a freshman majoring in Psychology and minoring in Dance from Greenville, SC. This is her second mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen performing in Shifting Perspectives.
Maddie Fisher is a sophomore majoring in Dance with a concentration in performance/ choreography and minoring in Finance from Ocean, New Jersey. This is her fourth mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen performing in Shifting Perspectives.
Mary Galemmo is a senior majoring in Exercise Science with a minor in Dance from Greenville, SC. This is her sixth mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen performing in Shifting Perspectives.
Ayushi Gaur is a freshman majoring in Dance and Marine Biology from Memphis, TN. This is her second mainstage show at the College of Charleston.
Whitney Green is a junior majoring in Arts Management and minoring in Marketing and Psychology. This is her fourth mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen performing in Shifting Perspectives.
Katie Higens is a junior double majoring in Dance (Performance and Choreography) and Biology double minoring in Neuroscience and Crime, Law, and Society. This is her fifth MainStage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen performing in Shifting Perspectives.
Dylan Horwitz is a sophomore majoring in Dance and minoring in Arts Management and Jewish studies from Fairfield, CT. This is her second mainstage production with the College of Charleston. She was last seen performing in Wanderlust.
Destiny Humphrey is a junior double majoring in Arts Management and Marketing with a minor in Entrepreneurship from Anderson, SC. This is her fifth mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen performing in Shifting Perspectives.
Gillian Huntley is a senior majoring in Theatre Performance. This is her first time working on a dance concert. She is excited to finish her year working on Becoming We.
Madison Jackson is a sophomore majoring in Psychology from Greenville, SC. This is her first mainstage show at the College of Charleston.
Ally Keschinger is a sophomore double majoring in Dance and Psychology and minoring in Crime, Law, and Society from Irmo, SC. This is her second mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen performing in Wanderlust.
Sophie Ketchum is a freshman majoring in Dance and minoring in Studio Art from Nashville, Tennessee. This is her second mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen in the fall 2022 production Shifting Perspectives.
Zach Kobylarz is a senior majoring in Theatre with a concentration in Costume Design, from Pawleys Island, SC. This is their fourth mainstage show at the College of Charleston. Their work was last seen in Shifting Perspectives as a costume designer and in Wanderlust as both a costume and lighting designer.
Libbie Krey is a freshman currently Undecided from Richmond, VA. This is her first mainstage show at the College of Charleston.
Angela Levasseur is a freshman majoring in Chemistry with a minor in Biomedical Physics from Spartanburg, SC. This is her second mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen performing in Shifting Perspectives.
Camilla Linkin is a freshman majoring in Business Administration with a concentration of Leadership for Sustainability from Greenville, SC. This is her first mainstage show at the College of Charleston.
Ashleigh Meadows is a senior majoring in Arts Management and minoring in Dance from Sumter, South Carolina. This is her first mainstage show at the College of Charleston.
Emily Monahan is a sophomore majoring in English with a minor in Dance from Landrum, SC. This is her second mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen performing in Wanderlust.
Mia Moran is a freshman majoring in Psychology with a minor in Dance from Fort Mill, SC. This is her first mainstage show at the College of Charleston.
Irina Moul is a senior majoring in Dance with a performance and choreography concentration and a minor in Russian studies. She is from both Asheville, NC and Columbia, SC. This is her filth mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen performing in Shifting Perspectives.
Claire Natiez is a senior double majoring in Arts Management and Dance with a concentration in Performance and Choreography from Greenville, SC. This is her sixth mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen performing in Shifting Perspectives.
Helene Nemeth is a freshman majoring in Marine Biology and minoring in Dance from Levittown, PA. This is her first mainstage show at the College of Charleston.
Gabby Perales is a sophomore majoring in Psychology with a double minor in Communication and Jewish studies from Sumter, SC. This is her second mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen as an understudy in Wanderlust.
Kylee Poole is a sophomore double majoring in Dance and Communication from Knoxville, TN. This is her fourth mainstage production at the College. She was last seen in Shifting Perspectives.
Kailee Rafalko is a sophomore double majoring in Dance and Communication from Hackettstown, NJ. This is her fourth mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen performing in Shifting Perspectives.
Maddie Robertson is a recent alumna of the College of Charleston. As a dance major she had the opportunity to expand her education and work on designing costumes for dance. She is excited to return for her second main stage show designing costumes. Her work was last seen in Shifting Perspectives.
Sidney Shanahan is a junior double majoring in Business Administration and Dance with a concentration in Performance and Choreography and minoring in Spanish from Shelton, SC. This is her sixth mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen performing in Shifting Perspectives.
Cheyanne Stankiewicz is a sophomore majoring in Marketing with a double minor in Arts Management and Business Administration from Greenville, South Carolina. This is her third mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen performing in Shifting Perspectives.
Gianna Trimboli is a junior double majoring in Dance and Theatre with a concentration in Performance from Rochester, New York. This is her fourth mainstage show for the College of Charleston and she was most recently seen in Five Women Wearing the Same Dress, a Center Stage show, as well as the mainstage production of Cabaret.
Elizabeth Vazquez is a freshman majoring in Marine Biology with a minor in Dance from Columbia, South Carolina. This is her second mainstage show at the College of Charleston.
Halle White is a sophomore double majoring in Arts Management and Dance with a concentration in Performance and Choreography from Greenville, SC. She has performed in three Mainstage productions including the fall dance concert Shifting Perspectives. This is her first time sharing her choreography.
Sara Whitehead is a senior majoring in Theatre with a concentration in Lighting Design and Technology. She has previously designed dance pieces for the department as well as the plays Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley and Two Gentlemen of Verona. She is excited to be designing this concert as her senior capstone.
Sophia Wirta is a freshman majoring in Dance from Bangor, ME. This is her first mainstage show at the College of Charleston.
Ava Woods is a Sophomore majoring in Dance and minoring in Biomedical Physics from Towson, Maryland. This is her fourth mainstage show at the College of Charleston. She was last seen performing in Shifting Perspectives.
Land Acknowledgement: We would like to acknowledge that we are located on the traditional lands of the first people of Charleston: The Etiwan, Kiawah, Edisto Natchez Kusso, Santee, and Wassamassaw people (also known as Varner Town Indians).
We acknowledge and honor all the indigenous people who lived, labored and were faithful stewards of the land. We express our deep gratitude for the land and continued faithful stewardship to the next seven generations.
We also acknowledge the lives and labor of the Africans who were enslaved to build Charleston, South Carolina.
On this campus and in this space, African and African-descended people used skilled labor in ornamental ironwork, historic architecture, and low country agriculture and food production. On behalf of the College of Charleston, we acknowledge the Black lives and labor that built our city and our campus.
Men on Boats takes us back to an actual 1869 expedition of the Colorado River, in which explorer John Wesley Powell led nine other men to “discover” the Grand Canyon. First produced in 2015, Men on Boats cleverly deconstructs the idea of discovery as we know it and invites audience members to reconsider the records of American history.
The Department of Theatre and Dance is pleased to announce our offerings for Stelle di Domani 2023! Our annual contribution to the Piccolo Spoleto Festival, Stelle di Domani showcases the work of students, faculty, and alumni and features theatre, dance, and staged readings.
Tonya S. Williams (she/her) is a College of Charleston alumna with a B.A. in Theatre. As an actress and singer, she has had the performed all around Charleston at venues such as The Dock Street Theater in 
The Department of Theatre and Dance would like to take a moment to acknowledge the hard work of our students!