Frame of Mind

LOVE WINS

"I got inspired by this piece when watching many LGBTQ+ films and TV shows. It was interesting to see the conflict that occurs with so many people when trying to figure themselves out and their sexuality. As I was bullied so much in middle school and parts of junior high school because of being a male dancer, people always called me slurs, said I was gay, and were very homophobic towards me. In these movies and shows, I felt their pain and their suffering to hide behind this wall and to not be themselves. This piece is very sentimental to me because it tells the story of people finding the courage and self-confidence to be themselves, and to not let anyone else’s thoughts and opinions take over you."

Choreography:  Michael Aini

Light Design:  Vanessa Newbold

Capstone Mentor: Sam Kenney  

Sound Score:  “Yellow” by Coldplay, “Only Time” by Enya, “Music for A Sushi Restaurant” by Harry Styles. 

Music/Sound score edited by: Michael Aini

Dancers: Mia Ciechalski, Symphonie Giambelluca, Ella Leathersich, Lily Parzymieso, Aryanna Rich, Bobby Severs, Eva Wienke

 disquiet

“Anxiety was born in the very same moment as mankind. And since we will never be able to master it, we will have to learn to live with it—just as we have learned to live with storms.”

― Paulo Coelho, Manuscrito encontrado em Accra

Choreography: Eleanor Fish

Light Design: Vanessa Newbold

Capstone Mentor: Charles Fuller 

Sound: “DeSelby Part 1” by Hozier (edited)

Music/Sound score edited by: Eleanor Fish

Dancer: Eleanor Fish

Clock of Adrenaline

The Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami struck on March 11, 2011. As I am Japanese, it is an unforgettable historical event and I am responsible for telling the next generation how we survived after the natural disaster. A lot of people, even from other countries, helped and wished for the completion of the restoration. It also brought to my mind a strong bond between people. People never give up even if we cannot imagine a bright future after the terrible event that happened to us. We are strong!

Choreography:  Fu Kikuchi

Light Design: Vanessa Newbold

Capstone Mentor: Sam Kenney 

Sound Score: “Station and daily life BGM” (No copyright sound), Alarming for earthquake (J-sound), Earthquake Implode (videvo), “Nausicaa of the valley of the wind” by Joe Hisaishi, “I wanted to see the smiles of those three once more” by Animation of Gintama soundtrack, Suzume+Gasshow (sound mixing by Fu Kikuchi), “Time for two” by Radwimps, Flowers will Bloom (orgel version by music box)

Music/Sound score edited by: Fu Kikuchi

Dancers:  Christopher Buettner, Sunny Custer, Amber Giovene, Anna MacQueen,  Isabel Pino-Luz, Aryanna Rich, Emilia Vischi

To Be Carefree

On the path of self-acceptance, I've been trying to learn not to care what other people's opinions are of me. What anyone thinks of me shouldn't affect my life or my mental well-being.

Choreography: Kaylee Brott

Light Design: Vanessa Newbold

Capstone Mentor: Bri Kelly 

Sound: "Not My Responsibility" by Billie Eilish

Music/Sound score edited by: Kaylee Brott

Dancer: Kaylee Brott

How Many More?

“Every day, 327 people are shot in the United States.”

-bradyunited.org 

Choreography: Eleanor Fish

Light Design:  Vanessa Newbold

Capstone Mentor: Charles Fuller

Sound Score:  “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People (slowed), Various news clips from various sources, “Angry” by Paravi, Various political figures voices, “Preach” by John Legend, Chanting from protest March 14th, 2018 at Leonardo daVinci High School

Music/Sound score edited by: Eleanor Fish

Dancers: Madison Curcie, Valentina Duić, Aaliyah Freeman, Kaylee Obstarczyk, Mackenzie Phelps, Ava Sargente

2020

Mackenzie is so excited to share her senior capstone with you. Her piece represents the hardships that were faced by graduating seniors in 2020 as all of our lives were put on hold due to the pandemic. Though many issues were faced during Covid we would never get to experience the "now" without it. Mackenzie would like to thank her mom for giving her a love for dance, her teachers that have guided her, her dancers for bringing her vision to life, and the class of 2020. She would also like to dedicate this performance to Geoffrey Morgan, and thank him for always being a supportive figure who believed in her and her dreams, you will be missed.

Choreography: Mackenzie Waite

Light Design:  Vanessa Newbold

Capstone Mentor: Sam Kenney   

Sound: “La Vie en Rose” by Zaz, “American Horror Story Theme” by Cesar Davila-Irizarry and Charlie Clouser, Various News Clips from Various Stations, “Defeated Clown” by Hildur Guðnadóttir, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” by Elton John, “Here Comes the Sun” by Colbie Caillat

Music/Sound score edited by: Jason Winston

Dancers:  Mia Ciechalski, Cassie Gillen, Amber Giovene, Nastya Korsh, Sofia LaManna, Anna MacQueen, Isabel Pino Luz, Ava Sargente

On One’s Own

My solo is about the concept of loneliness and what it could do to a person. As the piece progresses, the audience will observe the feeling of being isolated, not well, and aloof. This piece explores my feelings towards many of the scenarios where I’ve felt detached from the world and moments and times in my life where I felt the saddest. I also investigate the internal and external feelings that loneliness can bring not only myself, but to others as well. 

Choreography:  Michael Aini

Light Design: Vanessa Newbold

Capstone Mentor: Sam Kenney   

Sound Score: “Adoration (Arr. Gray for Violin and Orchestra)” by Florence Price, Randall Goosby, The Philadelphia Orchestra, and Yannick Nézet-Séguin. “Eleanor Rigby” by The Beatles

Music/Sound score edited by: Michael Aini

Dancer: Michael Aini

What’s The Rush?

Ever feel like the world is going a-mile-a-minute and you feel stuck moving at snail's pace? "What's The Rush?" is an insight to my story of how I’ve dealt with the overwhelming thought of falling behind in life. Take life at your own pace.

Choreography: Kaylee Brott

Light Design: Vanessa Newbold

Capstone Mentor: Bri Kelly

Sound: "Experience" by Ludovico Einaudi, Daniel Hope, I Virtuosi Italiani, "What's the Rush - Interlude" by Joey Kidney,  Anthony Ortiz, "Vienna" by Billy Joel

Music/Sound score edited by: Kaylee Brott

Dancers: Chasey Folck, Aaliyah Freeman, Cassie Gillen, Mackenzie Phelps, Alorha Shantie, Emilia Vischi, Eva Wienke