the moonlight will persist.
Choreography: Madison Holtz
Music: Clair de Lune composed by Claude Debussy, performed by Brent Hugh
Costume Design: Margaret Wenk-Kuchlbauer
Lighting Design: Jim Albert
Dancer: Hayden Jensen
Inspired by the works of Paul Verlaine’s poem, Clair de Lune, and Claude Debussy’s composition of the same name, this piece is the culmination of a months-long study of deep introspection. There is a certain familiarity of the nighttime; of the moonlight reflecting in through the blinds; of lying awake in the middle of the night wondering if there are any “real” parts of us left or if they’ve been hiding all this time. But to really “find ourselves” — to truly understand our souls — we must first realize that the longing for who we are is never ending. The nighttime will always come, the moonlight will always persist and we may never know if we have found that “final” version of ourselves.
Madison would like to send a huge thank you to Kristin Marrs for her mentorship throughout this process full of inspiration and growth.
Madison Holtz is a fourth year undergraduate student at the University of Iowa double majoring in Dance and Psychology. While at Iowa, Madison has worked with Tony Orrico for Dance Gala 2021, Stephanie Miracle, Kieron Sargeant and Jennifer Kayle for the University of Iowa Dance Company in the 2021-2022 academic year and most recently, Armando Duarte for Dance Gala 2022. This is her choreographic debut at the University and she is so excited to have this opportunity.