To view a choreography clip, click on the excerpts highlighted in red.
I AM ________. (May, 2012)
Following on the heels of Urbanity’s critically-acclaimed Between the Lines (a Boston Globe Editor’s Pick), “I am ________” is a mixed repertory show that seeks to bring together and showcase the best of what contemporary dance has to offer. Urbanity Associate Director Kat Pantos and Urbanity Underground Director Kate Patten Cook join Graves, Keigwin, and guest choreographers Michelle Chasse, Director of Dance for Musical Theater at Boston Conservatory and New-York based comedian and choreographer, KK Apple, showcasing a total of six new pieces: FAST, FEISTY, STILL, LYING, AIR, and SOFT.
May we collectively find the strength and guts to still move, still step forward, and still dance, no matter what challenges await when we lift our heads from the pillow each morning. May we do anything but just stand still and be daunted.
Choreographer: Kate Patten Cook
Music: Max Richter
Dancers: Jerusha Aman, Lori Celeste, Chantal Doucett, Vanessa Driscoll, Carolyn Dumser, Jennifer Fo, Kristen Himmelberger, Carrie Kerstein, Erica Ligeski, Meghan O’Hare, Danielle Pastuszak, Lara Park, Amanda Rey
SOFT
Rock on Rock. Rock on Skin. Skin on Skin.
Choreographer: Betsi Graves
Music: Benzedrine Monks of Santo Domonica, Discovery Osaka Loop-Line, Jeroen Van Veen, Charlotte Martin, Terry Davies & BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Kelly Valeau
Soloist: Tom Kaplan-Maxfield
Dancers: Carolyn Breton, Lisa Cole, Melenie Diarbekirian, Dahne Ledford, Nicole Pavone, Kayla Skerry
Urmaniity Dancers: Jose Clase, Theo Martinez, Ryan Valente
Racing towards the moment when women with bodies are audacious enough to use them.
Choreographer: KK Apple
Music: Yann Tiersen
Dancers: Jerusha Aman, Kate Patten Cook Jennifer Fo, Kristen Himmelberger, Erica Ligeski, Lara Park, Amanda Rey
When truth is replaced by silence, the silence is a lie.
Choreographer: Kathleen Pantos
Music: AGF/Delay, Trent Reznor, and Atticus Ross
Dancers: Carolyn Breton, Melenie Diarbekirian, Danielle Pastuszak, Nicole Pavone, Kayla Skerry
Choreographer: Michelle Chassé
Music: Elmer Bernstein
Dancers: Chantal Doucett, Vanessa Driscoll, Carolyn Dumser, Carrie Kerstein
AIR
Choreographer: Larry Keigwin
Rehearsal Director: Jaclyn Walsh
Music: The 5th Dimension and Phillip Glass
Dancers: Carolyn Breton, Lisa Cole, Melenie Diarbekirian, Chantal Doucett, Dahne Ledford, Kat Pantos, Nicole Pavone, Amanda Rey, Kayla Skerry
“The Story of Stuff” PROMO (November, 2010)
Inside the making of The Story of Stuff
The Story of Stuff Press Release
Urbanity Dance’s first holiday revue, inspired by Annie Leonard's animated documentary, The Story of Stuff. Blending professional contemporary dance with entertaining music, costumes, and sets, it inspired all ages and left the audience dancing in their seats!
Choreography: Betsi Graves
Lighting Design: Matt Breton
Set Design: Leah Johnstone-Mosher, Severin Lanfranchi
Set Production: Leah Johnstone-Mosher, Severin Lanfranchi, Patrick Lausell, Tagore Hernandez
Costume Design/Costume Production: Linda Elaz
Music Composition: Abel-Steinberg-Winant Trio, Deutsches Famorchester Babelsberg, Di, Escala, Efterklang, Florence & The Machine, Libana, The March Hare, Dario Marianelli, Mozart, Mystic Fire, Metallica/Apocoliptica, Frank Nimsgern, Keith Terry & Crosspulse, Royksopp, Tribal Council, Vitamin String Quartet
Vocals: Erica Lustig
Dancers: Jon Arpino, Brett Bell, Kate Patten Cook, Colleen Edwards, Betsi Graves, Carrie Kerstein, Marissa Krolewski, Tabitha Liversidge, Theo Martinez, Adrienne Matthews, Kate McCusker, Kathleen Pantos, Lara Park, Nicole Pavone, Amanda Rey, Hannah Schon, Danielle Stanford, Erica Toedt, Cara Willis, Kristina Wright
MIXTAPE (April, 2011)
MIXTAPE Press Release
Celebrating its three year anniversary, Urbanity presents an entertaining repertory show which exposes the newly coined “Urbanity Aesthetic.” The Aesthetic has become known for its gutsy, polished product... it’s nod to the classics yet respect for urban funk. Mia Michaels commented “I loved watching their work... beautiful and engaging.” MIXTAPE will feature choreography by Urbanity dancers and internationally sought guest choreographers, including Hani Abaza and Gianni Di Marco.
Production Manager / Lighting Design: Matt Breton
House Manager: Lynda Rieman
Costume Manager: Kathleen Pantos
Sound Operations: Matt Cost
Stage Manager: Mandie Holt
Backstage Manager: Julia Harding
Artistic Director: Betsi Graves
Interim Executive Director: Alexis Cooke
Administrative Interns: Aurelia Corcoran, Hannah Schon
Print Design: Paul Montie
Press Relations: Cara Willis
Company Photographer: Liza Voll
Company Videographer: Bob Packert
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away.” - Unknown
Choreography: Hani Abaza
Music: “Out the Window, with the Window” by Tunng
Dancers: Brett Bell, Betsi Graves, Tabitha Liversidge, Kate McCusker, Kathleen Pantos, Nicole Pavone, Danielle Stanford
Choreography and Poem: Ryan Casey
Dancers: Kate Cook, Jennifer Fo, Marissa Krolewski, Kate McCusker, Hannah Schon, Erica Toedt
Choreography: Kathleen Pantos
Music: “Hardest Button to Button” by The White Stripes
Dancers: Jon Arpino and Erica Toedt
Borge in Two Parts (A: Mozart Opera, B: Phonetic Punctuation)
For my family and loved ones, especially my sister, to put a smile on your face :)
Choreography: Tabitha Liversidge
A: Mozart Opera
Music: “A Mozart Opera” by Victor Borge
Narrator: Adrienne Matthews
Tenor: Brett Bell
Soprano: Cara Willis
Father: Theo Martinez
Chorus: Colleen Edwards, Jennifer Fo, Carrie Kerstein, Marissa Krolewski, Kate McCusker, Megan O’Hare, Danielle Standford, Kristina Wright
Understudy: Hannah Schon
B: Phonetic Punctuation
Music: “Phonetic Punctuation” by Victor Borge
Narrator: Danielle Stanford
Eleanor: Kristina Wright
Henry: Brett Bell
Jennifer Fo
Colleen Edwards
Theo Martinez
Carrie Kerstein
Marissa Krolewski
Kate McCusker
Nicole Pavone
Megan O’Hare
Understudy: Hannah Schon
Where the Sidewalk Ends
“Yes we’ll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we’ll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends” - Shel Silverstein
Choreographer: Nicole Pavone
Music: “Saeglopur” by Sigur Ros
Dancers: Betsi Graves, Kathleen Pantos, Erica Toedt
Place
Choreographer: Colleen Edwards
Music: “The Bird and the Worm (Instrumental)” By The Used, “Wisdom Justice and Love” By Lincoln Park, “Blue Lips” By Regina Spektor
Soloist: Tabitha Liversidge
Corps: Kate Cook, Carolyn Dumser, Carrie Kerstein, Nicole Pavone, Amanda Rey, Kristina Wright
Epigenesis
Drawing from the science of the human condition, this piece is inspired by the transgenerational epigenetics underlying the transmission of life experiences through a mother, a daughter and a granddaughter, emphasizing the innate connection along the female life line.
Choreographer: Lara Park
Music: “Coda” and “Fern” by Zoe Keating
Soloists: Carolyn Dumser, Betsi Graves, Amanda Rey
with Theo Martiez and Brett Bell
Corps: Kate Cook, Colleen Edwards, Marissa Krolewski, Tabitha Liversidge, Adrienne Matthews, Kristina Wright
If You Don’t Have Spare Change, Just Smile
Choreographer: Theo Martinez
Music: “All You Deliver” by Jose Gonzales, “Justified (ft. Eerin)” by Breakage, “Successful” by Cover Guru, “Reel Life (Evolution II)” by The Cinematic Orchestra
Dancers: Brett Bell, Jennifer Fo, Theo Martinez, Adrienne Matthews, Kate McCusker, Meghan O’Hare, Hannah Schon, Cara Saudelli, Erica Toedt
Looking For Answers
Choreographer: Gianna DiMarco
Music: “Between the Black Hole” by The Vitamin String Quartet, Composed by (Muse)
Dancers: Carolyn Dumser, Carrie Kerstein, Colleen Edwards, Kristina Wright
Going Up
When the bell sounds and the silver doors part, what will await you?
Choreographers: Kate Cook, Carolyn Dumser
Music: “Gobbledigook” by SIgur Ros
Dancer: Amanda Rey
Dum Spiro Spero
This work is dedicated to all fathers whose lives were cut short. Your memories will forever be embraced.
Choreographer: Danielle Stanford
Music: “Little Bird” (Instrumental) and “Half Life” (instrumental) by Imogen Heap
Dancers: Brett Bell, Kathleen Pantos, Danielle Stanford
Time Asylum
The mind is a very complex place and when time is short, frustration will build.
Choreographer: Brett Bell
Music: “Unreleased Suite” by Mark Isham
Dancers: Theo Martinez, Adrienne Matthews, Kate McCusker, Amanda Rey, Hannah Schon, Danielle Stanford
“Big Red Door & Other Stories” PROMO (February 2010)
“Big Red Door” (February, 2010)
“Tralfamadorians don’t see human beings as two-legged creatures. They see them as giant millipedes - with babies’ legs at one end and people’s legs at the other. And Tralfamadorians can see how permanent all moments are, and they can look at any moment that interests them. It is just an illusion we have here on Earth that one moment follows another one, like beads on a string, and that once a moment is gone it is gone forever.” - Slaughterhouse Five (excerpt)
Choreography by Betsi Graves, in collaboration with dancers
Music: Thom Willem, Thomas Newman, Phillip Glass, Kronos Quartet
Dancers: Betsi Graves, Becky Anderson, Jon Arpino, Whitney Hoke, Theo Martinez, Kat Pantos, Lara Park, Nicole Pavone, Erica Toedt, Kristina Wright
Set Design: Tagore Hernandez and Leah Johnstone-Mosher
In an unique experiment, the score was composed after and for the choreography.
Choreography by Betsi Graves, in collaboration with dancers
Composer: Mu-Xuan Lin
Musicians: Rene Moore (clarinet), David Calvin Robbins (piano), Ethan Wood (violin)
Conductor: Nathan Lofton
Video Design: Andy Lantz
Dancers: Whitney Hoke, Tabitha Liversidge, Kat Pantos
Blog entry: Inspired by GPS and digitized maps.
Excerpt from Installation dance performance, Boston Center for the Arts, 10.30.09.
“Red Smoke Rises” (2010)
Choreography by Michelle Chassé
Music:Elmer Bernstein, Ron Silverman
Dancers: Betsi Graves, Jon Arpino, Carolyn Dumser, Tabitha Liversidge, Lori LoTurco, Claire McGregor, Peter Mills, Meghan O’Hare, Derek St. Pierre, Cara Saudelli Willis
“Little Black Dress” (2010)
Choreography by Betsi Graves
Music:Vitamin String Quartet
Dancers: Kate Patten Cook, Erin Craig, Carolyn Dumser, Claire McGregor, Lara Park, Kristina Wright
“Big White Moon” (2010)
Choreography by KK Apple
Music:The Cinematic Orchestra, Ennio Morricone and Yo-Yo Ma, Sigur Ros
Dancers: Betsi Graves, Kate Patten Cook, Jennifer Fo, Whitney Hoke, Marissa Manzare Krolewski, Tabitha Liversidge, Lori LoTurco, Kat Pantos, Lara Park, Cara Saudelli
All flesh is grass: An awe-inspired homage and sacred exploration of grass, the ultimate mediator between soil and sun.
Choreography by Betsi Graves
Music: “Einstein on the Beach: Knee Play 1” by Michael Reisman and Phillip Glass
Dancers: Kate Patten Cook, Olivia Coombs, Erin Craig, Joseph DiDonato, Carolyn Dumser, Julia Harding, Carrie Kerstein, Marissa Manzare Krolewski, Tabitha Liversidge, Lori LoTurco, Claire McGregor, Meghan O’Hare, Kat Pantos, Lara Park, Nicole Pavone, Danielle Stanford, Erica Toedt, Cara Saudelli Willis, Kristina Wright
For Charlie,
You wanted to know what the bad guys looked like. Now you know. It may happen again. My
job is to take care of you. I was appointed to do that by God. I will kill anyone who touches
you. Do you understand?
Yes.
He sat there cowled in the blanket. After a while he looked up. Are we still the good guys? he
said.
Yes. We’re still the good guys.
And we always will be.
Yes. We always will be.
-Cormac McCarthy, The Road
Choreographer: Kate Cook
Music: “Building Steam with a Grain of Salt” and “Stem/Long Stem” by DJ Shadow
Dancers: Jon Arpino, Carolyn Dumser, Betsi Graves, Lori LoTurco, Lara Park, Danielle Stanford, Erica Toedt
A to B
What’s the point in trying when you never get anywhere?
Choreographer: Kate Cook
Music: “Overture (for Other Halfs)” by Brian McBride
Dancers: Brenann Stacker with Julia Harding, Carrie Kerstein, Meghan O’Hare, Danielle Stanford
Watch Brenann Stacker promo video
(biology) The first pheromone to be categorized chemically; it is an unsaturated straight-chain alcohol secreted in microgram amounts by females and is capable of attracting males at large distances
Choreography: Jon Arpino, Kate Cook, Carolyn Dumser
Music: “Bucephalus Bouncing Ball” by Aphex Twin
Dancers: Jon Arpino, Kate Cook, Joe DiDonato, Carolyn Dumser, Courtney Grassia, Theo Martinez, Peter Mills, Lara Park
For Amanda DaPonte, Emily Arnold and Jessica Meitzer for being patient special educators and inspiring women. I dedicate this piece to Annie Ferrell of Excellence Boys Charter School of Bedford-Stuyvesant who transformed me from a college student into a reading intervention teacher. She navigates the tensions of urban education with courage and love.
Choreography: Catherine Prefontaine
Music: “Dishwasher” by Fujiya and Miyagi
Dancers: KK Apple, Lindsay Cowan, Amanda McPheeters, Catherine Prefontaine, Michelle Tebsherany
Choreography: Kat Pantos
Music: “People Are Strange” by the Doors
Dancers: Jennifer Fo, Betsi Graves, Tabitha Liversidge, Erica Toedt
Choreography: Betsi Graves
Music: “April Showers, April Tears” by Saul Williams and Stuart Davis
Dancer: Nicole Pavone
Choreography: Betsi Graves
Music: “Kaleidiscope” by Alberto Hernandez (Viernes Viernes)
Music composed for the choreography
Dancers: Brenann Stacker with Kate Cook, Carolyn Dumser, Julie Harding, Carria Kerstein, Marissa Krolewski, Tabitha Liversidge, Claire McGregor, Meghan O’Hare, Lara Park, Erica Toedt, Cara Willis, Kristina Wright
if society fits you comfortably enough, you call it freedom. - Robert Frost
Choreographer: Marissa Manzare Krolewski
Music: “The World is Gone” and “Circle of Sorrow” by Various Production
Dancers: Julia Harding, Carrie Kerstein, Lori LoTurco, Claire McGregor, Meghan O’Hare, Lara Park, Danielle Stanford, Erica Toedt, Cara Willis
Choreography: Julia Harding
Music: “How it Ends” by DeVotchka
Dancers: Courtney Grassia, Marissa Manzare Krolewski, Meghan O’Hare, Kat Pantos, Nicole Pavone, Danielle Stanford, Erica Toedt, Cara Willis
Choreography: Carrie Kerstein
Music: “15 Step” by Radiohead
Dancers: Kate Cook, Carolyn Dumser, Tabitha Liversidge, Lara Park, Kristina Wright
Where is your will to be weird?
Choreography: Kat Pantos
Music: “People Are Strange” by Trans-Sylvanian Orchestra
Dancers: Jennifer Fo, Betsi Graves, Tabitha Liversidge, Erica Toedt
Choreography: Betsi Graves
Music: “Eart Zoom (In)” by Carter Burwell
Dancers: Jon Arpino, Peter Mills, Nicole Pavone with Company
“Cage Free” (2009)
Choreography by Betsi Graves, with collaboration from dancers and Lea D’Arminio
First Movement: Expecting Different Results
Second Movement: Vulner-Ability
Third Movement: Façades
Fourth Movement: In-Dependence
Fifth Movement: Moving Boulders
Sixth Movement: Apart/A Part
Seventh Movement: Saving We
Music: Dario Marianelli
Dancers: Betsi Graves, Becky Anderson, Kate Patten Cook, Joseph DiDonato, Carolyn Dumser, Whitney Hoke, Lori LoTurco, Meghan O’Hare, Kat Pantos, Cara Saudelli, Erica Toedt
“Urban Avia-Shun and Flying Objects: Transcending the Cage” (2009)
Urban Avia-Shun Choreography Excerpts
“The Windy City” (2009)
Choreography by Kate Patten Cook
Dancers: Betsi Graves, Becky Anderson, Kate Patten Cook, Nicki DeVicci, Carolyn Dumser, Julia Harding, Whitney Hoke, Carrie Kerstein, Meghan O’Hare, Kat Pantos, Katie Rutledge and Mary Wroth
Music: Sufjan Stevens
“Nucleic” (2009)
Choreography by Marissa Manzare Krolewski
Music: Massive Attack
Dancers: Betsi Graves Akerstein, Karen Carberry, Kelli Carberry, Julia Harding, Lauren Haskell, Whitney Hoke, Lori LoTurco, Kat Pantos, Cara Saudelli, Mila Thigpen, Mary Wroth
“Bones and Skin” (2009)
Choreography by KK Apple
Dancer: KK Apple
Music: Sufjan Stevens
“La Belle et Le Bad Boy” (2009)
Choreography by Kate Patten Cook and Carolyn Dumser
Dancers: Kate Patten Cook, Nicki DeVicci, Carolyn Dumser, Carrie Kerstein, Kara McCann, Katie Rutledge
Music: MC Solaar
Costume: Pan Lei
“Misty Mountain” (2009)
Choreography by Betsi Graves, with dancer collaboration
Dancers: Betsi Graves, Becky Anderson, Michelle Costello, Carolyn Dumser, Whitney Hoke, Kat Pantos, Erica Toedt
Music: Ferron
Costume: Kelly Higgins
“Little Bird” (2009)
Choreography by Julia Harding
Dancers: Kate Patten Cook, Kendra Heithoff, Meghan O’Hare
Music: Jewel
Costume: Pam Harding
“AviaPhobia” (2009)
Choreography by Mila Thigpen
Dancers: Lauren Haskell, Julia Harding, Marissa Krowleski, Mila Thigpen
Music: Daniel Bernard Rourmain
Costume: Linda Elaz
“Broken Wings” (2009)
Choreography by Betsi Graves and Kara McCann
Dancer: Kara McCann
Music: Nick Cave and Warren Ellis
Costume: Linda Elaz
Choreography by Betsi Graves
Dancers: Becky Anderson, Kate Patten Cook, Whitney Hoke, Meghan O’Hare, Kathleen Pantos with Claire McGregor
Music: “Diables” and “Jungle Birds” by Guy Dubuk and William C Harrington
‘Inversion’ made possible through funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council
“High Wiring” (2009)
Choreography by KK Apple
Dancers: KK Apple, Jen Fo, Julia Harding, Cate Prefontaine, Michelle Tebsherany
Music: CocoRosie
Choreography by Kate Patten Cook
Dancers: Kate Patten Cook, Nicki DeVicci, Carolyn Dumser, Lauren Haskell, Carrie Kerstein, Marissa Krolewski, Katie Rutledge
Music: The Postal Service
Choreography by Betsi Graves
Dancers: Betsi Graves, Becky Anderson, Jonathan Arpino, Kate Patten Cook, Michelle Costello, Joseph DiDonato, Carolyn Dumser, Jennifer Fo, Julia Harding, Lauren Haskell, Kendra Heithoff, Whitney Hoke, Carrie Kerstein, Marissa Krolewski, Meghan O’Hare, Kathleen Pantos, Erica Toedt
Music: Seal
Choreography by KK Apple and Lea D’Arminio
Dancers: KK Apple, Kate Patten Cook, Lea D’Arminio, Betsi Graves, Brie Mills, Robin Skory
Music: composed by Clint Mansell; performed by the Kronos Quartet
Choreography by Betsi Graves
Dancers: KK Apple, Kate Patten Cook, Lea D’Arminio, Carolyn Dumser, Betsi Graves, Julia Harding, Marissa Krolewski, Brie Mills, Amanda O’Flaherty, Meghan O’Hare, Robin Skory, Mila Thigpen
Music:
Tori Amos, The Granary Girls, Tuck & Patti, H.P.P., Mambayaga Project, The Rhythm & The Cadence, Christopher Young, Deva Premal
Vignettes:
“Must Get Out of This” – Danced by Betsi Graves
“Distinctly Beautiful” – Danced by Julia Harding, Marissa Krolewski, Amanda O’Flaherty (May), Mila Thigpen
“Women at Work” – Danced by Kate Patten Cook, Brie Mills
“HSN, Aisle 3” – Danced by KK Apple (June), Amanda O’Flaherty (May)
“FemBots” – Danced by Kate Patten Cook, Julia Harding, Marissa Krolewski, Brie Mills, Mila Thigpen
“SleepWalkers” – Danced by Lea D’Arminio (June), Carolyn Dumser (May), Betsi Graves (June), Amanda O’Flaherty (May), Meghan O’Hare, Robin Skory
“Oral” – Danced by Robin Skory
“What Women Mean” – Danced with improvisation by KK Apple (August)
“Estranged Angels” – Danced by Carolyn Dumser, Meghan O’Hare
“The Awakening” – Danced by KK Apple (June), Julia Harding, Marissa Krolewski, Amanda O’Flaherty (May), Mila Thigpen
“Om Asatoma” (For Personal, Community, Eternal Peace)– Danced by Kate Patten Cook, Carolyn Dumser (May), Betsi Graves (June), Brie Mills, Meghan O’Hare, Robin Skory
“Still Emancipating”, choreographed by Betsi Graves, is a 20-minute collection of ten vignettes which premiered in 2008 as part of the Emerging Artists Concert Series. Mentors for this project included Nicole Pierce of EgoArt, Inc. and David Parker of The Bang Group.
Repertoire
Urbanity Dance exists to inspire, engage, and empower individuals and communities through the art of dance and movement.