New Years Eve - Fort Lewis College

Conceived and Directed by Rulan Tangen
NOVEMBER 2014
great art lives at the fort
great art lives at the fort...
C O L L A B O R AT I V E P E R F O R M A N C E W I T H T H E D U R A N G O A R T S C E N T E R
Welcome to another amazing Fort Lewis Theatre season!!!
This season offers collaboration and social/political awareness. Our first show was Miller’s politically charged
All My Sons in collaboration with the DAC and Merely Players. And then, in conjunction with the FLC Common
Reading Experience, the Theatre Department presented a staged reading of Sr. Helen Prejean’s book, Dead Man
Walking—brought to the screen and stage by Tim Robbins. Where else but the stage can we provide a healthy and
productive environment to examine contemporary issues such as war profiteering and the death penalty?
And now, guest artist, Rulan Tangen, Artistic Director of Dancing Earth out of Santa Fe, has brought us SEED.
This original work is inspired by Native American traditions surrounding the planting, growing and harvesting of
foods juxtaposed to the conglomerate barrage of chemically-enhance “fast foods.” We are so very fortunate to
have Rulan, as well as members of her company, join our season this year and so generously share her gifts with
our students and the entire surrounding community. This performance—inspired by the stories of ancestors and
nature—is an experience to be treasured!
Early next term, we explore the silliness of love in three one-acts, A Checkovian Sonata: Love in 3 Acts.
Then, to bring our season to a close, we’re offer the film classic brought to stage, Mel Brook’s The Producers.
This uproarious musical comedy, in collaboration with the FLC Department of Music, spoofs the entire Broadway
industry glorifying the “con artists” and a totally inappropriate send-up of Hitler’s Third Reich.
As you can see, our work here is two-fold; first, providing our students life changing experiences and second,
providing the most innovative theatre for Durango and the entire Southwest. We are grateful for your support
and are always looking for ways to bring our students and community together. We have lots of ways to make
this happen—please contact us immediately to find out how to become a part of Theatre at Fort Lewis College.
Dr. Dene Kay Thomas
President
PLEASE DON’T FORGET:
Dr. Maureen Brandon
Dean, School of the Arts,
Humanities & Social Sciences
Dr. Dennis Elkins
Chair,
Department of Theatre
• Turn Off All Electronic Devices
• Flash Photography is Prohibited
Spend the night in
historic downtown and enjoy
an intimate cocktail in the
Rochester Hotel Lounge
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
www.rochesterhotel.com
(970) 385-1920 • (800) 664-1920
721 East Second Ave., Durango, CO 81301
[email protected]
Proud supporter of the arts.
I am so honored to have been welcomed by the generous community of
Fort Lewis College and Durango, who have given fertile ground to
truly cultivate a seed into living flowering: a dream of creating dance
as a functional ritual -by, with, and for a community - on behalf of
wellness for the earth and all her life forms. This work also represents
the embodiment the collective dream of countless cultural advocates and
food justice advisors who have given the support, as well as the creative
and conceptual contributions of the artists themselves who have been
been so generous in the process
.I
give thanks for this collaboration
with so many hearts, bodies, minds, and helping hands– may it take root
in your soul
! In
the spirit of a bountiful and colorful harvest season,
let us celebrate the diversity of this planet
roots, dreams!”
In
-
sharing our foods, seeds,
GENESIS
a winter world of hording
the children of hunger
.They
,
removed from natural resources, are
are pushed and pulled into the edges of
existence, by the temptations of a fast- paced, fast-food artificial world.
Sensing
the youth falling into a state of unhealthy living and lethargy,
the ancestors respond, emerging with compassion from four corners
of mountains.
Birds
escape the cold sky to share warmth and seeds
-
snow.
Ancestral foragers leave their tracks for new generations to
remember.
Spring sunrise is greeted by an ancient planter, who opens the
acequia to welcome the water’s flow of life. When the moon is at the
ideal point, the planting begins, with a new generation renewing the
practices of planting with sticks, spiral and terraced gardens, milpa
mounds, waffle gardens and listening to the earth. Seeds begin to
sprout with strength and beauty, to become plants of endless generosity - providing paint for warriors, sustenance and hiding places for
hunters and animals, medicine for healers, and weavings of Jicarilla
basket weavers.
Summer reveals squash, one of the most ancient vegetables, while
humans cultivate teosinte over thousands of years to create corn. The
three sisters of corn, beans and squash intertwine in their botanical
forms, joined by sunflower, moonflower and other flowers. Pollen attracts the bees, birds and butterflies. The earth grows warm as the climate
changes. The man-made science of genetic modification changes the
world reducing the diversity - until we are left wondering where have all
the bees gone, where have all the flowers gone?
Fire brings change. With endings, come new beginnings. In the emptiness between, a vision of resilience and renewal emerges for the earth
and her people. With each breath, there is life given so that others may
live. The deer remind us that we must show ourselves to be humble and
generous, to value all life, and to be worthy of sacrifice. The rising
spirals of smoke bring prayers to the stars, and the vision for diversity
returns like plants all connected by a wide root system becoming a
Fall
is harvest time and brings celebration of feasting with
reciprocity and gratitude.
-Rulan Tangen
Her work balances a
commitment to bring
dance to regional, national and international
communities at venues
as varied as festivals,
universities, Native
wellness gatherings,
art museums, desert
canyons, dried riverbeds and symposiums
for social-environmental
justice.
the
promise and potential of life hidden under the earth, beneath the quiet
tree of life.
Rulan Tangen is the director, choreographer
and featured dancer
at Dancing Earth
contemporary dance
ensemble.
Tangen
engages
community
through
intergenerational
dance
training
workshops and full-length
theater productions.
Her internationally
cclaimed choreography
has been commissioned
by the Heard Museum,
the Santa Fe Art Institute, the Hemispheric
Institute of Performance
and Politics, Teatro
Nunes (Brazil), Centro
Cultural de Recoleto
Argentino and the
International Aboriginal Choreographers
Workshop.
In 2012, she was
honored with an NACF
Artist Fellowship for
Dance.
2015 SPRING SEASON
Tickets on sale now: www.durangoconcerts.com
February 13.14.19.20.21- 7:30
February 15- 3:00
FLC Black Box Gallery
April 3.4.9.10.11-7:30
April 5- 3:00
FLC Mainstage
735 MAIN AVENUE 970.382.8355
When the lights go out
and the curtain goes up.
CUE
ST YLE
FORM
EMOTION
SCRIPT
CRISIS
DESIGN
S
POSITION
UME
COST
E
LOGU
O
N
MO
DIREC
ION
T
A
TOR MAKE-UP
S
OVI
R
COMM
P
IM
LE
UNIT Y
B
M
E
S
GENRE
EN
CHARACT
ERIZATIO
PUPPETRY
CREATIVI
TY
N
A
MELODRAM
HEARSAL
E
R
Y
D
E
M
O
C
PROSCENIUM
TRAGEDY
ST
ONI
G
A
T
AN
BLEAU
A
T
ON PROT
I
T
A
V
AGONIST
MOTI
Theatre and the arts are a vital part of our community - they breath life into
our hearts and love into our lives through imagination and dedication.
FALL
Autumn and Fire: Teresa Stone with Deollo Johnson and Trey Pickett
Visioner: Rulan Tangen
Deer with Hunters: Natalie Benally, Justine Collins, Haruka Ogawa,
Justin Giehm (cover Alicia Aron ) with Anne Pesata, Jason Govreau, and Trey Pickett
Seed Savers: Leah Brewer, Haley Sandford, Chloe Speshock, Cami’ Leonard, Kristen Britain
Spiraling smoke of prayers rising to the sky: Andrea (Bear King) Thompson
Smoke sisters: Anne Pesata, Kaelin Roach, and Haruka Ogawa
Tree of Life: LIly Russo and all cast
Solar energy: Spencer Dallas and Zack Bauer
FINALE
Bala Sinem Choir, with DJ Beeso (Kino Benally), Flutist Zack Bauer, Percussionist Spencer Dallas,
and full cast with community guests Kailani Michelle Nuhn (9 yrs. old) and
Jariah Scott Eaglehawk Nuhn (5 yrs. old)
________________
RT acknowledges with profound gratitude the circle of Fort Lewis College who has welcomed Dancing Earth and made this
dream possible. We also thank Kenny Frost of Southern Ute for our cultural welcoming, Karlos Baca for sharing of forager
food gathering practices, Tony Skrelunas for sharing desert planting practices, Thaddine Swift Eagle for sharing samba,
photos and painting skills
We warmly acknowledge our local community members:
Krista of Matriarch Gathering and Karlos Baca for support with potlucks; Turtle Lake Refuge, Lucinda Long-Webb and
Teri Nuhn of Title 7, Karl Herr and Oscar Coscio of Ignacio Elementary,
Casandra Sanchez of Ignacio Boys and Girsl Club - for welcoming DANCING EARTH to work with area youth.
Dancing Earth acknowledges our cultural advisors and community supporters, advocates, volunteers, collaborative contributors to
this multi-year project, including NWI, Kim Marcus, Gr Canyon Trust, Marie Gladue, Marrie Mumford and IPI and Little Nest,
Daystar Rosalie Jones of Daystare Native Dance Theater for her sharing about deer society, William Kingfisher and the Ayaandagon
and Gitigaan gardens; Ras K Dee, Teao Sense, Joana Cruz of Audiopharmacy; Aanmitaagzi Dances of Resistance including Randy
Sawyer’s Anishnaabe cultural story; UC Riverside Indigenous Choreographers Symposium for commission of first seed solo;
DE 2014 Cultural Artist Ambassadors who participated in creative incubation of seed solos; Rose Simpson and Flowering Tree
Permacultural Institute, Roxanne Swentzel of Pueblo Food Experience, Bangka Canoe project; Bioneers Indigenous Forum;
Cultural Conservancy; Native SeedSearch, Desert Alchemy; Upaya Zen Center’s Roshi Joan Halifax, poet Rafael J Gonzalez,
Ethan Green of Real Food Challenge Southwest, Gerardo Marin of Rooted in Community, the Cultural Conservancy, Anemone
and the Mars family of Narragansett First Nation for sunflower dance reflections.
Anne Pesata acknowledges “Teahonna James and Kevin for opening their home to me during my time working on this project.
Thank you for your kind hearts and unending generosity. Thank you to Melanie Pesata, Colton Monarco and Bryce Turner
for your support love during this creation process.”
Dancing Earth is grateful for additional support from Lupita Salazar, Mykel Diaz, Seamus Mills, Candice Hopkins, Jennifer KilTho-Biaz, Jesse
Armijo, John Walking Star Martinez, Mitra Lujan, Javier Stell Fresquez, Janet Eigner, Robert Abrams and Tria Andrews.
bourne, Ann Millican, Michele Laroe, Solar Banner, Sina Soul, Valeria Alarcon, Dr Mijan Celie Tho Biaz, Njoroge
New Years Eve
Masquerade Ball
Dec. 31 • 7pm-Midnight
Photos Complimentary of Douglas Chapin Photography
Production
DANCING EARTH
Conceived and Directed by: Rulan Tangen
guest artists:
Choreographed by: Rulan Tangen with all artists
Lighting Design: Keenan Bloom
Deollo Johnson, Trey Pickett,
Scenic Design: Peter Salinger
Shane Montoya, Anne Pesata,
Admin/Media: Shan Wells
apprentice Justin Giehm,
Assistant Lighting Designers: Monique Cuyler and Fletcher Norris
and guest Carmile Leonard
Assistant Projection Designer: Sara Kazmier
(special mentor for our youth
Backstage Projection Operator: Geoy
cast members)
Stage Manager: Heather Pina
Assistant Stage Manager: Taryn Bargy
Running Crew: Michael Collett
Light board operator: Izzy Struss
Sound board operator: Cody Green
Costume designer: Jane Gould
With some garments reworked from Dancing Earth archives, originally created by
Consuelo WindWalker and Marama Tracey Lloyyd)
Costume Captains:
Winter - Sonja Begay, Spring - Genoa Martin, Summer - Heather Pina, Fall - Travis Pina
Backstage Costume Runners: Travis Pina and Genoa Martin
Bird Costumes: Izzy Struss
Costume Crew:
Sonja Begay,Genoa Martin, Heather Pina, Travis Pina, Brianna Devore, Alex Brunner,
Kaelin Roach, Netsuko Hanatani
Costume Assistants:
Alex Bednarz, Monique Cuyler, Jacyln Drummond, Haley Macomb, Andrew Mangold, Ethan Riser,
Haley Sandford, Matthew Socci, Zachary Tafoya
Special Thanks for costuming assistance:
Anne Pesata, Arielle Vicenti, Andreana Cerda, Haruka Ogawa, Camille Libouban-Gundersen,
Kristin Britain, Sara Kazmier
Makeup Design: Natalie Benally
Selected video projections: Marion Wasserman of Elemental Designs
Musical montage samples from:
Voices of community and songs by composers David Geet and Bosch , Tasheena Sarazin (as mixed by
Alejandro Ronceria and Louis Leray) , Alfredo Roel, Audiopharmacy, Teao Sense, Ras K’ dee, Sango, Dead Brothers, Joan Baez, John McDowell, Ashley Vanstone, Mickey Hart, Michelle St John
(special thanks to the Womens Voices of Attawapiskat project and CD !), Cris Derksen, Primeaux
and Mike, Xochimoki, Olivia Tailfeathers , Quetzal Guerrero, Joeanne Argue and UNITY singers,
Herbalizer, Anthony Collins, Barrett Martin, Jennifer Kreisberg, Pure Fe, Robert Mirabal,
Tanya Tagaq Gillis.
Audio collected and blended by Teao Sense and DJ Offerings of Audiopharmacy
Additional mixing by DJ Beeso (Kino Benally)
Live DJ : Kino Benally (DJ Beeso)
Choir : Bala Sinem Choir
Performers (in order of appearance)
WINTER
Smoke woman: Andrea (Bear King) Thompson
Hunger : Natalie Benally, Justin Giehm, Anne Pesata, Shane Montoya, Gabriela Perky
Fast Food Temptations: Jason Govreau, Teahonna James, Justine Collins, Shaunibah Morfin,
Talavai Denipah-Cook, Alicia Aron, Kaelin Roach, Hayley Hudson, Zachary Tafoya., Trey Pickett, Charlotte, Haruka
Ancestors: Camille Libouban-Gundersen, Arielle Vicenti, Chihiro Tsuji, Teresa Stone
Voices: Teahonna James, Talavaii Denipah-Cook, Zachary Tafoya, Shaunibah Morfin
Birds: Natalie Benally, Anne Pesata, Teahonna James, Haruka Ogawa,
Wendolyne Omaña, Deollo Johnson and Trey Pickett
Winter with Seeds Beneath Snow: Camille Libouban-Gundersen, with Justine Collins, Alicia Aron, Kaelin Roach
First Forager: Deollo Johnson
Foragers: Justin Giehm, Anne Pesata, Gabriela Perky or Shane Montoya (cover: Natalie Benally)
SPRING
Water Woman: Teahonna James
First Planter: Natalie Benally
Moon Woman: Lily Russo
Water Spirits: Talavai Denipah-Cook, Charlotte Emm, Kaelin
F R I ERoach,
N D SGabriela
O F TPerky,
H E TShaunibah
H E A T RMorfin
E
(covers : Justine Collins, Alicia Aron, and Anne Pesata)
Returning Planters: Natalie Benally, Jason Govreau, Zachary Tafoya, Haley Hudson
Seed Savers : Kristen Britain, Leah Brewer, Haley Sandford, Chloe Speshock
Spring Ancestor and Sprouts: Chihiro Tsuji and Justine Collins, Alicia Aron, Haruka Ogawa, Kaelin Roach
Healers : Camille Libouban-Gundersen, Chihiro Tsuji, Arielle Vicenti, Teresa Stone
Hunter/Warriors, Animals and Willow: Trey Pickett, Shane Montoya,
Zachary Tafoya, Justin Giehm, Zack Bauer, Jason Govreau
Basket Weaver: Anne Pesata
INTERMISSION
SUMMER
Planters and Ancestors of Corn, with ancient Squash: Jason Govreau, Hayley Hudson,
Camille Libouban-Gundersen, Arielle Vicenti, Chihiro Tsuji, Teresa,with Haruka Ogawa
Three Sisters - Corn ,Beans, and Squash: Kaelin Roach, Anne Pesata, Haruka Ogawa
Sunflower: Wend Omaña
Moon Flower: Justine Collins
Indian Paintbrush: Natalie Benally
Bee Flower: Alicia Aron
Summer pollen: Arielle Vicenti
Queen Bee: Teahonna James
Bees: Jason Govreau, Shane Montoya, Deollo Johnson
Birds: Trey Pickett, Talavai, Zachary Tafoya, Shaunibah Morfin, Justin Giehm
Butterfly: Kristen Britain
Sun : Ancestors of Spring and Summer with Haley Sandford, Leah Brewer, Chloe Speshock, Cami’ Leonard
Changing Leaves: Teresa Stone
GMOs: Spencer Dallas and Zack Bauer
CONTINUEDPolluted Water: Lily Russo