Seiche Dance Collective Presents
Proximal Connections
Danielle Kaiser
Artistic Director
Jo Theisen
Company Manager
Andrew Ferguson
Technical Director
John Prior
Technical Support
Megan Jell
Visual Communications Director
Kristen Weibel
Production Manager
Andona Zacks-Jordan
Operations Director
Act I
Classical Divergence
Music: "Serenade for Strings in C major, Op. 48" by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Choreography: Danielle Kaiser, Jo Theisen, Jenna Swartz
Dancers: Emily Ferguson, Megan Jell, Corinne Justine, Alexis Snedeker, Jenna Swartz, Jo Theisen, Kristen Weibel, Madison Wieczorek, Andona Zacks-Jordan
Using the music from the famous ballet Serenade choreographed by George Balanchine, our idea was to explore the blend of classical music with contemporary movement. Through research, we discovered that Balanchine choreographed Serenade as a class exercise on stage technique, and used whatever happened in class as part of the choreography. In our own way, we decided to use a contemporary class as our inspiration for this piece. Beginning with choreography based on warm-up exercises, we moved through a typical class progressing through floor work, across the floor combinations, small and large jumps, improvisation, and partnering. We also chose to play with the idea of connections and relationships, fitting in with the title of our performance, Proximal Connections. As the piece progresses through our version of a contemporary class, there is also a progression of contact from none at all, to eye contact, to full partner work.
Intermission: 15 minutes
Act II
Sensible Apathy
Music: “On the Nature of Daylight” by Max Richter, Louisa Fuller, Natalia Bonner, John Metcalfe, Philip Sheppard, Chris Worsey
Choreography: Corinne Justine
Dancers: Emily Ferguson, Megan Jell, Corinne Justine (5/7 evening), Jenna Swartz, Jo Theisen, Madison Wieczorek (5/6, 5/7 matinee)
“Sensible Apathy” reminds viewers of the feeling of being disconnected from the world around you. Apart from the natural ebb and flow of life, there is a sense of not fully feeling like you belong: you’re always one step off, while everyone else has it figured out. For me, this piece serves as a reminder to stay living in the present; slow down and breathe, enjoy the good things happening around you and let life take its course.
Departing
Music: “The Departure” by Max Richter
Dancer: Alexis Snedeker
Choreography: Seiche Dance Collective
(re)connect
Music: “The Journey, not the Destination” by Max Richter
Choreography: Kristen Weibel
Dancers: Megan Jell, Corinne Justine, Alexis Snedeker, Andona Zacks-Jordan
"All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware." - Martin Buber
Departure
Music: “The Departure” by Max Richter
Dancer: Corinne Justine
Choreography: Seiche Dance Collective
Fusion
Music: “VIII. Orlando: Transformation” by Max Richter
Choreography: Danielle Kaiser, Jo Theisen
Dancers: Emily Ferguson, Madison Wieczorek
“Fusion” lives within the Seiche Dance Collective identity—a marrying and investigation of contemporary technique with the traditional boundaries of classical ballet. It presents a classical ballet variation (La Fille Mal Garde) and mirrors it against its contemporary interpretation. The living dichotomy of the two styles side by side showcases how both a traditional and newer age style can work together on stage and live within the same space.
Budding Exuberance
Music: “Spring 1, Autumn 3, Spring 3” Written by Max Richter; Performed by: Andre de Riddler, Daniel Hope, Kozerthaus Kammerorchester Berlin, and Max Richter
Choreography: Emily Ferguson
Dancers: Corinne Justine, Emily Ferguson, Jenna Swartz, Jo Theisen
Connections can be physical touch or verbal communication. This piece explores how verbal communication and connection can change as it is manipulated through time and with different people by using a single phrase of choreography. This phrase is used throughout the piece and is manipulated with changes in timing, space, and energy.
Finale
Music: "Orlando: Modular Astronomy" by Max Richter, Deutsches Filmorchester Babelsberg, Robert Ziegler
Choreography: Danielle Kaiser
Dancers: Emily Ferguson, Megan Jell, Corinne Justine, Alexis Snedeker, Jenna Swartz, Jo Theisen, Kristen Weibel, Madison Wieczorek, Andona Zacks-Jordan