Travelers learn a lot while we explore and meet new cultures and ways of being.
Erica Best (Performer and Editor of Beans, Tiny Holes, Sitting on the Bench, Compost, and Pimples) is a second-year Psychology and Dance double major from California. This is their second time performing in UCDC and, as of the move online, their second time doing tech for the show.
Kiela Brewer is a senior Psychology major with a double minor in Dance and AAAS. She’s from Philadelphia and has been dancing for almost 15 years now. This will be her second year being involved with UCDC and her third year of being an “honorary” member of EV. Ky is disappointed in her losing the rest of her senior year but more than grateful for the family she has gained within the arts department. As always, she would like to thank her family and friends for always supporting her in her artistic endeavors. She wishes to thank Dr. C and everyone involved in UC dance for pushing her to get back into her passion and to be the dancer she was born to be. Without them, she wouldn’t be the artist she is today.
Justine Cinalli is a senior Dance and Health and Exercise Physiology double major. This is her fourth year performing in UCDC productions. She grew up dancing in Miami, Florida and was a member of the Miami Youth Ballet. She is grateful to have been part of every UCDC performance throughout her college career while sharing the stage with her peers. She is excited to be a part of this virtual collaboration for an unprecedented Spring UCDC. Justine is looking forward to the next chapter, wherever her dance career takes her.
Moorea Cioppa is a graduating English major and Spanish minor. For her, this show is very bittersweet; she wishes more than anything that she could be performing live for the last time. Moorea would like to thank Professors Anderson, Clemente, McCain, and Powers-Klooster for helping bring her dreams of dance to fruition. Through dance, she has become both a better artist and better person.
Kevin Harris II is a fourth-year transfer student majoring in dance with a philosophy double major. He was born and raised in the uptown section of Philadelphia where he began his dance journey 7 years ago. This is his first year at Ursinus College and this is also his second semester performing with the Ursinus College Dance Company (UCDC). He is excited to share the stage with his peers for a second time and share his artistic expression for the audience to enjoy.
Jacqlyn Henigan is a junior Dance and Health and Exercise Physiology double major. This is her third year in UCDC and she’s also a member of the Escape Velocity Dance Company, Dance Team, and a sister of Tau Sigma Gamma on campus.
Elizabeth Kandler is a freshman at Ursinus pursuing a double major in Economics and Dance. This is her second UCDC and second semester participating in Escape Velocity. She is from Gilbertsville, PA and has been dancing since the age of 3. She is extremely thankful for the opportunity to dance at Ursinus with the faculty and students and hopes that everyone enjoys the show!
Greta Lagerberg is a senior Dance major with a Chinese minor. She has been dancing since she was 6 years old. This is her third time performing in UCDC. She is very happy to be able to be a part of UCDC for her last semester of college.
Raeann Risko is a sophomore Dance major. She has been dancing for the past 15 years and has enjoyed her opportunities to continue this with Ursinus. This is her fourth semester participating in UCDC, though this is clearly her first ever virtual show! Raeann is also a board member and dancer with Escape Velocity Dance Troupe. She is a member of many other things around campus like UC Ambassadors, a member of S.T.A.T and she is a UCARE Service Fellow. Raeann has enjoyed her time working on this special UCDC show and looks forward to being back on the real stage next year!
Breanna Swarctz is a junior Environmental Studies major with a potential minor in dance. Breanna has been with the company for three semesters now. She has also been a part of the student run program, Escape Velocity, for three years, and choreographs for EV as well. Breanna has been dancing now for a total of 17 years and plans to continue for her last year here as well.
Taylor Tobin is a freshman Psychology and Neuroscience double major. She grew up dancing competitively in Pennsylvania for 16 years and has been involved in UCDC and EV for the past two semesters.
Emma Warnick is a junior Dance and Environmental Studies double major with a minor in Spanish. She is from Silver Spring, MD and has been dancing since she was 3. This is her 4th semester participating in Ursinus College Dance Company and is excited to see UCDC on a different medium. Alyssa Weber is a senior Dance and Spanish double major. She is thrilled to be a part of her last UCDC function and is grateful for this opportunity to dance with the company under these unique circumstances. She would like to thank the theater and dance department for their efforts to make this presentation possible. She also owes a huge debt of gratitude to her family, friends and mentors for all of their support during her time at Ursinus.
Thanks to Amira Jowers, Gabriella Marrero, Addie Schwindt-Thompson, and Samantha Youngclaus who also contributed deeply to our research and movement explorations.
Bailey Anderson (Producer/Choreographer) is an activist, artist, scholar, and teacher who mediates knowledge through the body. Bailey has explored disability and choreography with Alice Sheppard, Rosemarie Garland Thompson, and Victoria Marks as part of UCLA’s inaugural Dancing Disability Cohort and their work has been presented at the Canadian Society for Dance Studies, Sans Souci Dance Film Festival, in London at the Society for Dance Research, and at the Body-Mind Centering Association Conference. Bailey is currently working on a project funded through the New York Public Library’s Short-Term Research Fellowship entitled “Disability Aesthetics in Early Modern Dance.” Bailey received degrees in both Dance and History from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and an MFA in Dance from the University of Colorado Boulder. Bailey is currently a Visiting Assistant Professor at Ursinus College.
Kierceton Keller (Costume Designer) is a Philadelphia-based costume Designer, wardrober, and performer. She’s excited to return for another UCDC here are Ursinus. Some of her most recent design credits include: Aida with the Boheme Opera Company and the Spring Dance Showcase at Drexel University. Kierceton is a proud graduate of Temple University (2017), where she received her B.A. in Theater.
Jason Sinks (Graphic Designer) is a Charlotte-based freelance illustrator and photographer. Specializing in visual E-commerce with clients like Kate Spade, Trina Turk, Chloe, Prada, Oscar de la Renta and Paul Smith. Jason received a B.A in Illustration at Savannah College of Art and Design.
Shannon Zura (Lighting Designer) is a lighting, sound, and scenic designer and is thrilled to be returning to join the production team for UCDC. Credits include designs for InterAct Theatre Co., Lantern Theater Co., Azuka Theatre, Portland Stage Co., Opera Maine, Delaware Theatre Co., and Stonington Opera House Arts among others. Upcoming projects include the lighting design for The Vertical Hour at Lantern Theatre Co., lighting design for Steal Her Bones at InterAct Theatre Co., and the lighting design for A Room at the Flamingo Hotel at Azuka. She recently collaborated with Christensen Lighting on an award-winning lighting design for the Weiss Energy Hall at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Shannon holds an M.F.A. from Temple University, was Associate Professor and Chair of Theatre at the University of Southern Maine, and currently teaches at Franklin and Marshall College.