| Series: Intersections 2020 | Genres: Dance, Movement

Lab Theatre II

This is where/I Begin… is a solo dance exposing the plight of a DACA recipient/Dreamer and the relationship of living in the U.S.A. The work creates and moves through memory. The dance exposes treasured moments and movements. The dance highlights intersectionality while exposing the complexity of politics, status, body, and home. This performance includes audience participation and a post-show artist talk-back.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Gabriel Mata is a Mexican-American dance choreographer, educator, and performer. The StarTribune has called him “Sly, subtle and totally virtuosic, theatrical dancer-choreographer Gabriel Mata holds the stage with expressive movement and witty words.” Gabriel Mata/Movements is his project-based performance company. His most recent work DREAMING was awarded the 2018 MN Fringe Festival Audience Pick and in 2017, he was awarded The Twin Cities Arts Reader Best of Fringe Award for his Out of the Shadows. His dances have been performed in Minnesota, California, New York, North Carolina, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington DC, and the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. His work has been commissioned and performed by sjDANCEco, the Festival of Latin American Contemporary Choreographers, the Luna Dance Institute, Joy of Motion, Dance Place, and the Charlotte Dance Festival. He has performed for companies such as haus of bambi, sjDANCEco, Post:Ballet, PEARSONWIDRIG DANCETHEATER, and Zenon Dance Company. Mata has also performed for artists such as Monica Bill Barnes, Diane Frank, Mark Foehringer, Joel Smith, Keith Johnson, Wynn Fricke, and the work of José Limón. He trained in Limón technique and applies its theory in his teaching with contemporary influences. He has also been awarded the Sadie Rose Artist Residency Award, the Mina Garman Award for Excellence in Choreography, the Carol Ann Haws Award for Excellence in Performance, and 2018’s “Best Arrival for DC Dance” editors pick for Washington City Paper. He is currently a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Maryland - College Park.

| 13-17; 18 and older | Series: Intersections 2020 | Genres: Dance, Movement

Lab Theatre II

Jess Hoversen explores the human condition presented in Ernest Hemingway's works. "The Light of Slow Descent", uses an all-female cast to express the main themes of perseverance and defeat in "Old Man and the Sea." Mariah Lopez's "Indelible" explores the duality created by social norms that force victims of assault to bear the burden of responsibility.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Mariah Lopez and Jess Hoversen are local DMV based artists and recent graduates of the ICONS Choreographic Institute. After collaborating at the Institute, we decided our pieces were complementary and not yet finished. We are eager to contribute to the DC arts community and are hoping to do so at this iconic festival by featuring local dancers in expanded and refined versions of our ICONS thesis works.

| Series: Intersections 2020 | Genres: Dance, Movement

The Theresa and Jane Lang Theatre

In a new evening-length performance pairing contemporary dance with multimedia, "The Fate of Choice," beautifully and provocatively explores the world through opposing landscapes: Free Will vs. Determinism. “Do we truly have free will or are our lives pre-determined?” With a post-show artist talk-back.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Motion X Dance DC (Motion X) is a contemporary dance company based in the Washington DC area. Stephanie Dorrycott founded the company in 2013 with the goal of creating a contemporary modern repertory company that supports the individuality and artistic development of dancers. Motion X is passionate about creating relatable dance pieces that reflect on the human experience while seeking to attract new audiences for dance. Our mission is to share innovative and thought-provoking dance works to all kinds of people, artistic and not, presented from a diverse range of choreographers working in a collaborative environment. Motion X is also committed to dance education and outreach, holding multiple events per year that invite the community to take part in the company’s creative process. The Motion X Summer Workshop is the company’s fastest-growing program, bringing together dancers from across the east coast for an intense and immersive weekend of training. Motion X has produced successful productions as part of Capital Fringe Festival and Atlas Intersections Festival, receiving accolades from critics and reviewers of DC Theatre Scene, DC Metro Theater Arts, Washington City Paper, and The Dance Journalism Project. In addition, the company has also appeared as part of TEDx Herndon and has performed at The John F. Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage. They have been presented at Charlotte Dance Festival, the Richmond Choreographer’s Showcase, and most recently at the 36th Annual Choreographer’s Showcase at the University of Maryland. Motion X Dance DC is a resident company of Joy of Motion Dance Center.

| Series: Intersections 2020 | Genres: Dance, Movement

The Paul Sprenger Theatre

The Golden Road to Samarkand brings the fabled Central Asian city to life with exciting dance traditions and sumptuous costumes. Named for the eponymous poem by James Elroy Fletcher, this current production updates the 2006 premiere with new choreographies and elements performed by Silk Road Dance Company® and guest artists. Stay for the post-show artist talk-back. 

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Founded in 1995 by Artistic Director Dr. Laurel Victoria Gray, the award-winning Silk Road Dance Company (SRDC) presents traditional and contemporary women's dances from Central Asia, the Middle East, South Asia, China, and the Caucasus. Their pioneering performances offer a unique glimpse of the life and art of little- known cultures, especially the Islamic world. Silk Road Dance Company has performed internationally in Uzbekistan, Qatar, Singapore, Canada, and the UK. Nationally they have performed in 18 states and at some of the most prestigious venues in the Washington DC area, including the White House, the Kennedy Center and the Library of Congress. Silk Road Dance Company has performed for Empress Farah Pahlavi and HM Queen Rania of Jordan; SRDC has also been featured at events for fourteen different embassies. They are often engaged by cultural organizations in the Iranian, Afghan, Turkish, Arab and Central Asian communities. With an impressive repertoire of more than 200 dances, Silk Road Dance Company offers programs with a depth reflecting decades of field research and study by Dr. Gray who has received many awards for her lifetime of creative work. Company dancers have also studied and traveled extensively throughout the East.

Silk Road Dance Company enchants audiences with beautiful and inspiring productions. Dressed in breath-taking costumes, the ensemble performs Afghani, Albanian, Algerian, Arabic, Azerbaijani, Baluchi, Bollywood, Classical Persian, Crimean Tatar, Egyptian, Georgian, Indian, Iranian, Iraqi, Kazakh, Kurdish, Kyrgyz, Montenegrin, Moroccan, Qashqai, Russian Romani (“Gypsy”), Tajik, Turkmen, Uzbek, and Uyghur dances.

| Series: Intersections 2020 | Genres: Dance, Movement

Lab Theatre II

The connotation of “eyesore” (an unpleasant sight in a public place) spins into EyeSOAR. This performance includes audio, video visuals and movement, which highlight people and organizations in an industrial neighborhood. Space is getting tighter and longtime occupants nestle within the changes. Bus routes intersect while bike paths and footbridge traffic is drawn to the auto repair shops, the Dog Park, AFAC, New District, and other businesses. With post-show artist talk-back. 

ABOUT THE ARTIST

A vibrant part of the Washington DC/Northern Virginia cultural community, Jane Franklin Dance has been presented at multiple venues and festivals and internationally in Mexico. A recipient of the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region Creative Communities Award, Jane has developed innovative and collaborative projects combining dancers with the round wall skateboarding community, with a life-size kinetic sculpture, with the architecture of a specific site, with dogs & owners, and with interactive live video and sound for numerous public art projects. Jane Franklin is a recipient of the American Association of University Women Elizabeth Campbell Award for the Advancement of the Arts in Arlington, and her video work Four Mile Run Footbridge was selected for PHOTO/VIDEO 13: Juried Mid-Atlantic Exhibition. Jane Franklin Dance has been recognized by Virginia’s Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts. The company tours for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Paul Mellon Arts in Education Program and the Virginia Commission’s Tour Directory.

| Series: Intersections 2020 | Genres: Dance, Movement

The Paul Sprenger Theatre

Celebrating West African, Caribbean, South American, and America music with contemporary ballet and modern dance, Diaspora explores the connectivity of human feeling, its celebration and subtleties, while transcending from various music genres of soca, blues, samba, soul, and Afro-beat. Diaspora blends contemporary ballet against the tapestry of urban and indigenous "feel", marrying the East and West concepts of dance and music. Artist Talk-Back after the show.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Named “One of the 11 small-but-mighty dance companies outside of LA and NYC” by Dance Spirit Magazine, Dissonance Dance Theatre is a Washington, DC-based professional dance company founded in 2007 by Shawn Short. Since its inception, Dissonance Dance Theatre has performed for local and national audiences on the east coast and in the mid-west states.

Evoking emotional experiences in the audiences we touch, Dissonance’s cutting-edge repertoire features works that are socially and visually appealing to audiences while remaining true to its mission; challenging the audience’s assumptions about the human experience through dance. DDT is the Resident Ballet of Ngoma Center for Dance.

| Series: Intersections 2020 | Genres: Dance, Movement

The Theresa and Jane Lang Theatre

Join us and discover how shocking news twists and turns in this new work ‘Breaking News’ by GDC Artistic Director, Shu-Chen Cuff and enjoy a unique cultural experience with ‘We, The Moon, The Sun’ – an Asian culturally influenced work combining Chinese Opera movements and modern dance. Includes audience participation.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Gin Dance Company (GDC) is a Metropolitan DC/Northern VA based performing arts modern dance company that was founded in 2011 to provide a professional environment for artists to learn, grow, and express themselves and to bring refreshing and vitalizing works of Artistic Director Shu-Chen Cuff to the community. Each of GDC’s works uniquely reflects Shu-Chen’s rich Asian Dance heritage and Eastern philosophy blended with Western fluidity of movement and culture. GDC’s works have been recognized and named finalists at the Dance Metro DC Awards in the categories of Outstanding Choreography and Outstanding Individual Performer. GDC has also been selected and invited to several prestigious events and performances reaching out to thousands of people including at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, The 30thAnnual DC Mayor’s Arts Awards at the Lincoln Theatre, The Embassy of The People’s Republic of China in the U.S., the DUMBO Dance Festival and SoloDuo Dance Festival in NYC, the Yes! Dance Invitational in Richmond, the Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival and VelocityDC Dance Festival in DC, Taiwan Night Concert in MD, and the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival and Reston Multicultural Festival in VA.

Artistic Director, Shu-Chen Cuff was born in Kaohsiung, Taiwan where she established a well-rounded background in dance with training in Ballet, Modern, Chinese Opera movements, and various Chinese folk dances. She immigrated to the United States to continue her training and pursue her dance journey. Shu-Chen received a B.F.A. from the University of Florida’s New World School of the Arts where she graduated with honors on the Dean’s list. Shu-Chen performed numerous classical and contemporary works while dancing with the Miami Ballet and Nevada Ballet Theater. After relocating to the Washington, DC area in 2002, Shu-Chen worked with Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company and has left her footprints around the world, touring to Asia, Central America, and Europe. Shu-Chen has also performed at the International Dance Festival in Japan, Malaysia, and Taiwan.

With her strong desire of creating refreshing and vitalizing works for the community, Shu-Chen established Gin Dance Company in 2011. Shu-Chen’s works have been featured on FOX5 DC News as well as numerous publications including the Washington Post, Washingtonian Magazine, Capital Hill Rag Magazine, Washington Flyer Magazine, Northern Virginia Magazine, Virginia Living, Viva Tysons Magazine, Reston Connection, Fairfax Times, MetroDC Theater Arts, and Shu-Chen was a featured model for Summer Chic Fashions at Lincoln Theatre with Washington Life Magazine. In 2015, Shu-Chen was commissioned to create a work in response to well-renowned sculptor Patrick Dougherty’s sculpture ‘Bird in the Hand’. Same year Shu-Chen was also commissioned to present ‘Chasing Horizons’ in Reston CenterStage’s Professional Touring Artists Series and collaborated with visual artists, Teri Ann Labuwi and CinCin Fang. In 2016, Shu-Chen was commissioned to create a work in response to artist Mary Ann Mears’ sculpture ‘Reston Rondo’. In 2017, Shu-Chen collaborated with two-time Grammy nominee, David Taylor. Shu-Chen had an exclusive radio interview with Denise Turney. Shu-Chen also has been a Finalist in the category of Outstanding Choreographer and Outstanding Individual Performer at the Dance MetroDC Awards and is a recipient of the Strauss Artist Grant by the Arts Council of Fairfax County.

Shu-Chen has a great passion to pass on her knowledge, experience, and her love of dance to young aspiring dancers. In this regard, she has taught Masterclasses and choreographed many works at Metropolitan School of the Arts, Ashburn Academy of Dance, Russell School of Ballet, Skye Ballet Center, Classical Ballet Theater and has been a guest instructor at numerous dance schools throughout Taiwan. She is currently on the faculty of The Washington Ballet School, BalletNova Center for Dance, Metropolitan School of the Arts, and has served on the Board of Director for Dance MetroDC.

| Series: Intersections 2020 | Genres: Dance, Movement

The Theresa and Jane Lang Theatre

Come experience the power and passion of a true American art form - JAZZ DANCE, from blues to Broadway, Contemporary to tap, fresh, rhythmic, and electric. Artist Talk-Back after the show.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Dancin' Unlimited was founded in 1973 and is now a professional jazz dance co. who's primary goal is to promote, produce, and perform quality jazz works. The co. focuses on theatrical dance concerts, with technical excellence, broad variety, and a vision of bringing forward the true American art form of Jazz dance. Our repertoire ranges from classical to contemporary jazz, and from the Big Band Era to Broadway. As the culture changes so does dance. The convergence of styles is very prevalent in today's choreography, and we produce many fusion works. This is all a part of preserving the art of Jazz dance.

| Series: Intersections 2020 | Genres: Dance, Movement

The Paul Sprenger Theatre

Enter our village as we share short stories that are a part of the full scope of the black experience. The narrative of being black has been seen through a small lens for many years. Yet, our stories are as vast as the shades we come in. Enter our village as we share short stories that are apart of the full scope of the black experience. Stay for the post-show discussion.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

From the Washington, D.C Metropolitan Area, Rachael Sutherland began her dance training at Divine Dance Institute in Capitol Heights, MD under the direction of Founder and Director Dr. Amanda F. Standard. Rachael graduated from Duke Ellington School of the Arts with an academic and dance diploma in 2013 under the direction and tutelage of Charles Augins, Katherine Smith, Sandra Fortune-Green, Nikki Sutton Mackey, and Melvin Deal. In 2017, she attended and received her Bachelors of Arts in Dance/Business with a minor in Marketing from Anderson University in Anderson, IN. Over the years, she attended prestigious intensives including Earl Mosley's Institute of the Arts, Earl Mosley’s Diversity of Dance Winter Intensive, Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre, Pneuma Dance Project, MetDance Professional Intensive, and many others being able to work with choreographers like Earl Mosley, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Rennie Harris, Greg Sinacori, Kevin Wynn, Daniel Moore, Nathan Trice, Kevin “Iega” Jeff, Nicole Clarke Springer, Joe Celej, Troy Powell, Deborah Wingert, Camille A. Brown, and many others. Rachael is currently the Administrator at the Kirov Academy of Washington, D.C. & is in the process of launching a business that will bridge the gap between the worlds of artistry and business.

| Series: Intersections 2020 | Genres: Dance, Movement

The Theresa and Jane Lang Theatre

Contemporary Ballet Artists Therese Gahl and Elizabeth Gahl Le Nôtre are collaborating to create an evening of mixed repertory featuring artists across international borders and dance styles. Therese will be exploring the theme of Nocturne and Elizabeth’s new work is an original interpretation of Cinderella’s evening at the ball. Stay for the post-show artist talk-back. 

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Therese Gahl studied at the Washington School of Ballet. In 2007, she danced with Ballet West II in Salt Lake City and then graduated cum laude from George Mason University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She is a teacher and choreographer at the CityDance School and Conservatory. Her choreography has been presented at the Sidney Harman Hall Center with the VelocityDC Festival and at the Atlas INTERSECTIONS 2018 and 2019 Festivals in Washington, DC. In the fall of 2018, she was an adjunct professor/guest choreographer at Towson University and a guest choreographer at Georgetown University. She has been a performing local artist with Teatro de Danza Contemporanea and Gin Dance Company. She is currently a member of Stephanie Droycott’s Motion X Dance DC.

Elizabeth Gahl Le Nôtre, born in Washington, DC, studied at the Washington School of Ballet (TWSB) where she often performed with the Washington Ballet. While obtaining her degree in Psychology from Georgetown University, she worked as a teacher and choreographer at TWSB. After her studies, she danced with CityDance Ensemble, participating in several international tours, and was a teacher and choreographer for the CityDance School and Conservatory. She was a dancer and rehearsal director for Christopher K Morgan & Artists and was the project liaison for the CityDance Conservatory’s “Brazil Project”. In 2012 she obtained her Master’s degree in International Affairs at the American University of Paris. Currently, Elizabeth is an Artiste Chorégraphique with the Compagnie José Montalvo and is Artistic Director of Dancing Beyond Borders.

| Series: Intersections 2020 | Genres: Dance, Movement

The Paul Sprenger Theatre

Reimagined: Celebrates Capitol Movement's 15 years and the culmination of nearly two decades of building better lives through dance. Featuring all three CMI dance companies and special guest performances, this ultimate Capitol Movement production brings all your favorite DMV dancers together on stage for a celebration of the arts. Audiences will enjoy a night of powerful and diverse movement as we revisit crowd-favorite pieces from years past as well as brand new and innovative works from some of today's most sought-after artists in the industry. Artist Talk-Back after the show.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Capitol Movement's mission is to build better lives through dance. Capitol Movement provides programs and opportunities for all dancers, regardless of socioeconomic barriers, through studio classes, workshops, outreach, scholarships, and a variety of community engagements. The lessons learned in dance reach far beyond steps and tricks. All our programs build confidence, teamwork, commitment, and discipline, bringing together dancers from all walks of life. Together, we can all build better lives through dance. At Capitol Movement, Inc. (CMI) we have three primary objectives:

| Series: Intersections 2020 | Genres: Dance, Movement

The Paul Sprenger Theatre

In the process of removing the mask, there is an inherent sense of conflict in the revelation of what lies beneath. Via a night of exciting and spellbinding modern, contemporary, and ballet works, the choreographers explore themes of video games, nature elements, society's history of abandonment, and humanity's struggle with letting go. With post-show artist talk-back.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Wound together by DC’S ever connecting arts web, 4 women from 4 different walks of life come together with a collective goal to use their express their artistic voices through movement. Kyoko, Fujimoto began her dance training in Japan. After performing in local theaters in Boston and New York City, she moved to Honolulu and began choreographing for seasonal showcases at a local ballet school. Her works include Petrushka, Heigh-Ho, Flavorland, and 00100110. She holds a B.A. in Physics from Boston University and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

Marie McNair presented her work SHADOWLARK as part of the Intersections Festival in 2018 alongside Truly Bennett and Therese Gahl. She started her ballet training at The Washington School of Ballet in Washington, D.C. Ms. Bennett received her B.F.A. from the Conservatory of Dance at The State University of New York Purchase College. Currently, Ms. McNair is also a teacher at CityDance School and Conservatory and is Head of the Dance Department at Sidwell Friends School, Washington DC.

Truly Bennett presented her piece,[de]Spite It All, as part of the 2018 Intersections festival. She received her BFA in Dance Education from East Carolina University, her MFA in Dance from Hollins University, and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Art Theory and Philosophy through the Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts.

Becky Lallande is an instructor and company member of Word Dance Theater, a certified teacher in Duncan children's pedagogy by Dicki J. Macy of the Boston Children's Foundation, she earned a BA in Religion from the University of Mary Washington and also studied dance and vocal performance. Becky is a teaching artist with Wolf Trap’s Institute of Early Learning through the Arts, InnerCity-InnerChild, Go Banana's Dancing, and Sitar Arts Center.

| Series: Intersections 2020 | Genres: Dance, Movement

The Paul Sprenger Theatre

Capitol Tap and District Tap with special guests Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble, presents Sole Beats: Percussive Dances Spanning the Globe! Hear and see percussive dances from Ireland, Hungary, Canada, the United States, and more as Capitol Tap, District Tap, and Footworks share their common percussive beats in this rousing hour using the soles of their feet, and more! This show includes audience participation!

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Capitol Tap and District Tap are cultivating tap’s next generation of musicians, dancers, technicians, historians, improvisors, performers, and educators of all ages. With a repertoire including historical works from Bojangles, Eddie Brown, and Buster Brown to contemporary works from Michelle Dorrance, Caleb Teicher, and Heather Cornell, they’ve collaborated with a 50-piece orchestra in an evening-length program, garnered two award nominations their first season, and were chosen by Capital One Small Business for a marketing campaign with an online ad and multi-week print inserts in The Washington Post. They’ve been co-presented by Dance Place in Washington, DC with three evening-length productions (2017, 2018, 2019). Ensemble members have been awarded merit-based scholarships, booked for professional gigs and tours, and selected for the prestigious School at Jacob’s Pillow for tap dance. Directors Lisa Swenton-Eppard and Baakari Wilder.

www.capitoltap.com

| Series: Intersections 2020 | Genres: Dance, Movement

The Theresa and Jane Lang Theatre

The nine planets (or nava graha in Sanskrit) are worshipped as deities in Vedic Astrology. In the body, they facilitate the working of individual karma, while in the world, the unraveling of collective karma. Based on the idea that each of us has traits of Navagraha within us, dancers will explore and use the 9 energies to connect the Self with the Universe. These planets according to Hinduism are Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangala (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Guru/Brihaspati (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu & Ketu (North & South Nodes). With post-show artist talk-back.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Jayamangala is a premier Indian arts institution that has served the DMV area for 25+ years through performances, classes, workshops, retreats, and conferences in music, dance, and theater. Jayamangala dancers and musicians have traveled and performed across the USA, Africa, Mexico, Asia, and Europe in a professional capacity to critical acclaim.