December 12, 13, 14 // 8:00 p.m.
Space Place Theater

This performance will feature nine works choreographed by graduate and undergraduate students from the University of Iowa Department of Dance.

Program

Us - Crossing choreographed by First Year Seminar Ensemble under the direction of Melinda Jean Myers

Open Arms, Out of Reach choreographed by Olivia Farmerie

From the Outside In choreographed by Allyson Meinders in collaboration with the dancers

Deceptions on E Davenport St. choreographed by Snack Break Movement Arts

Reaching Within choreographed by the dancers under the direction of Kristin Marrs

– Intermission –

Aftertense choreographed by Lauren Linder in collaboration with the dancers

Conjunct Crossings choreographed by Olivia Farmerie in collaboration with dancers

Through Her Eyes choreographed by Rachel Carpenter

Frequency Space choreographed by Lindsey Wildman in collaboration with Emily Culbreath

Act 1:

Us - Crossing

Choreographed by First Year Seminar Ensemble under the direction of Melinda Jean Myers
Music: Jarrett Purdy and Lex Leto
Lighting Design: Jim Albert
Costume Design: Juliana Waechter
Dancers: Victoria Adams, Andi Bartlein, Elise Burnett, Gianna Cardamone, Allie Fairman, Madeline Greenberg, Ari Harrell, Ella Kempen, Samantha Lorenc, Addison Magruder, Noelle Michael, Tyler Phi, McKenna Stephens, Emma Wagner

Open Arms, out of reach

Choreographer: Olivia Farmerie
Music: The Wonder of You: The String Quartet, The Wonder of You: Rebecca Barnes
Lighting Design: Jim Albert
Costume Design: Juliana Waechter
Dancers: Olivia Farmerie

This work shows the process of grief after losing a loved one.

From the Outside In

Choreographed by Allyson Meinders in collaboration with the dancers
Music: "Disquiet" composed and recorded by Douglas Baker
Lighting Design: Jim Albert
Costume Design: Juliana Waechter and dancers
Dancers: Jemma Hoffman, Ella Kempen, Samantha Lorenc, Natalie Prill, Emily Pyburn, Allyson Radke, Trinity Woody

Portraying the feeling of being trapped in a mental loop—an endless cycle of emotions that move through sadness, anger, desperation, and brief glimmers of hope, only to return to despair. It creates a sense of inevitability, like a loop with no clear beginning or end, experiencing emotional states that feel never-ending. Even when it feels like there is sense of hope or escape, you are ultimately pulled back, constantly fighting this emotional force in their head.

Diving deep into the psyche, one can witness the dancers’ struggle as if peering into the heart of their minds. Each movement is more than just physical; it becomes a raw projection of the dancers’ inner world as if pulling emotions out to show the depths of their mental battle.

Thank you to Stephanie Miracle for guiding me in this process and making me think outside the box.

Special thanks to all my dancers for pursuing this process and coming into it with full force and trust in my process. I couldn't have imagined this piece transforming into what it is now without you.

Deceptions on E Davenport St.

Choreographer: Snack Break Movement Arts
Music: Arranged by Lady Em, "Forward" by Alfa Mist
Lighting Design: Jim Albert
Costume Design: Juliana Waechter
Dancers: Emily and Joshua Culbreath

Reaching Within

Choreographed by the dancers under the direction of Kristin Marrs
Music: Atlys String Quartet: Diamonds and Call Me Maybe
Lighting Design: Jim Albert
Costume Design: Juliana Waechter
Dancers: Clare Danz, Norah Jordan, Emmy Kroymann, Samantha Patterson, Natalie Prill, Avery Provorse, Cece Robinson, Lillie Smithart

This work is a personal exploration of the dancers' identities, inspirations, and aspirations. Set to the exuberant music of Atlys String Quartet, the dancers co-created this work while engaging in embodied self-reflections of their first semester at Iowa.

Special thanks to Sasha Lotz for her contributions to the choreographic process.

Act 2:

Aftertense

Choreographed by Lauren Linder in collaboration with the dancers
Music: Untitled by Brian Orozco
Lighting Design: Jim Albert
Costume Design: Juliana Waechter
Dancers: Fabiola Castaneda-Santiago, Garianna Clinton-Nelson, Natalie Prill

Thank you to Brian Orozco for their ongoing support and brilliance.

Conjunct Crossings

Choreographed by Olivia Farmerie in collaboration with dancers
Music: Composed by Kevin Swenson
Lighting Design: Jim Albert
Costume Design: Juliana Waechter
Dancers: Iliana Banu, Clare Danz, Addison Magruder, Abbey Thornton

This work explores the similarities between animals and humans and how each adapt to each other's habitat.

Through Her Eyes

Choreographer: Rachel Carpenter
Music: Queen - Acoustic by Jessie J
Costume Design: Rachel Carpenter
Lighting Design: Jim Albert
Dancers: Rachel Carpenter

This solo performance seeks to challenge the way we perceive the female body, not as an object for consumption, but as a subject with agency, complexity, and presence. Can you, the viewer, look beyond the surface, beyond what the naked eye can see? Can you move past conventional boundaries and engage with me in a shared space of intimacy and vulnerability?

In a culture that often feels fractured, especially in times of political turmoil, I stand here to declare: I am present. I am strong. I am sensual. And I am a woman. I am not just what you see. I am also what I allow you to see.

If something resonates with you, if you feel moved or connected, don’t hold back, engage with me. Respond, verbally or otherwise, and let us break through the usual confines of performance together. Your voice, your energy, adds to the space we create.

I thank my cohort for supporting me and encouraging me to do this solo in the first place. For the support I receive from everyone in the department, for the encouragement and advice from all the other graduate students.

Frequency Space

Choreographed by Lindsey Wildman in collaboration with Emily Culbreath
Music: Live music performed by Jose Medrano 
Lighting Design: Jim Albert
Dancers: Lindsey Wildman, Emily Culbreath

Frequency Space explores the connection between music and dance—the unspoken, unseen frequency where artists meet and communicate. Through live bass, street dance-inspired movement, and a practice in vulnerability, this piece delves into how performers listen, respond, and create within this shared space.