Performance Playbill
Beacon Dance
Presents
Moving Bodies/Moving Hearts/Moving Minds II:
An evening of 3 new dances
March 29, 30, 31, 2024
The B Complex Gallery
1272 Murphy Avenue SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
Program
I'm sorry for your loss, a movement memoir (Premier)
Choreographed by Jacquelyn (Jacque) Pritz in collaboration with Madison Lee
Performed by Madison Lee and Jacque Pritz
Voice coach: Frankie Mulinix
Music by: GRIEF by Tony Ann, A Barely Lit Path by Oneohtrix Point Never, Chalkboard by Jóhann Jóhannsson, The Cry by Samora Pinderhughes, Watching over (Bless up Dad) by Theon Cross
From the Choreographer: “Grief is praise, because it is the natural way love honors what it misses.” - Martín Prechtel
This work is dedicated to Suzanne Walker Pritz (1932-2023)
Thank you Grandma for showing me unconditional love. I miss you every day.
15 Minute Intermission
Hydrostatic (Premier)
Choreographic Direction: D. Patton White
Music by Luis Miehlich, State Azure
Costume Design: D. Patton White after David White
Performed by AK Bayer, Leah Behm, Susan Keller, Matthew Smith, Onur Topal Sumer and Carly Wynans
From the Choreographer: The work of somatics pioneer Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen and her body of work 'Body-Mind Centering' is at the center of this new piece. Through the Fluids System of the body, we can connect with our ancestors as well as find ways to navigate our current familial and social connections in awareness, pulsing, flowing, rubbery, swirling, sponginess and direct specificity. This work is dedicated to the memory of my father David S. White, and his father, L. Smiley White.
Pause
De-Sire (Premier)
Choreographed by Andre D. Lumpkin in collaboration with Dancers
Music by Geminelle, Billie Holiday, Amy Winehouse, Jill Scott, Beautiful Chorus, Samara Joy, Prince, Nina Simone and Chloe
Costumes Designed by Andre D. Lumpkin in collaboration with dancers
Scenic Design by Andre D. Lumpkin and Beacon Dance
Performed by Walter Apps, Laila Campbell, Patsy Collins, Antonio Davis, Ilo Elder, Meg Gourley, Virginia Spinks, Alfredo Takori
Technical Staff
Lighting Design and Light Board Operator: Noah Hill/Enquiring Mind Productions
Stage Manager and Sound Board Operator: D. Patton White
Tech Crew: Anderson England, Katherine Martinez, Thales Lathrop, Gamble Everett
Front of House--
Welcome Table: Nancy White
Concessions: Terry White, Anderson England
Biographies
Walter Apps (performer)
Walter Apps, born and raised in Detroit, MI, started his dance training at the age of 4. He received his Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance from Point Park University in 2016. During his training, Apps has had the privilege to perform works by Aszure Barton, Lar Lubovitch, MADBOOTS, Mark Morris, Luke Murphy, Septime Weber and Ohad Naharin to name some. Immediately upon graduating, he joined Texture Contemporary Ballet in Pittsburgh, PA. Apps then moved to New York City to work with Yin Yue, Rubén Graciani, Patrick O’Brien and Andrea Ward. Since moving to Atlanta in 2019, he has worked as an artist with Core Dance based in Decatur, GA. Apps spends his free time working with photography / videography, editing film and teaching throughout the metro area.
AK Bayer (performer)
AK Bayer is an interdisciplinary artist, dancer, writer and emerging choreographer in Atlanta, GA. After falling in love with creative expression and performance at a young age, AK began training at Atlanta Dance before continuing with Decatur School of Ballet and Decatur City Dance. In addition to performing with Beacon Dance and other local choreographers, they are in their second season as a company member with Full Radius Dance.
Leah Behm (she/her) (performer)
Leah Behm is a dance artist who is inspired by the connections and relationships between people and how that can shape the self. Working in the event and marketing industry during the day, her continued involvement in dance with local artists and as a company member with EXCAVATE BODY and Beacon Dance is very meaningful to her. As a 2021 graduate from Emory University, Leah cherishes being a part of the ever flourishing dance community in Atlanta and all of the amazing artists and humans she has the pleasure of knowing because of it.
Laila Campbell (performer)
Laila Campbell, originally from New York City started dancing at the age of three with Uptown Dance Academy (UDA) in Harlem, New York. At UDA She trained under Robin Williams, a former principal dancer with the Dance Theatre of Harlem’s ensemble. Laila was one of the youngest dancers in the Performing Company at UDA and had opportunities to dance across New York City performing yearly with UDA’s well-known Annual Black Nutcracker. At the age of eleven, she later relocated to Atlanta, Georgia and auditioned for The Visual & Performing Arts Program for dance at Tri-Cities High School where was accepted as a student. While at Tri-Cities she had the opportunity to learn from many outstanding choreographers and perform in events at various venues including the NYC Macy's Thanksgiving Parade and the Fox Theater. She graduated from Georgia State University- Perimeter College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology. Laila has developed appreciation and enjoyment for all styles of dance and further recognized this in 2017 when she was accepted into the Debbie Allen Dance Academy’s Summer Intensive Program in Los Angeles, California. During the month-long program, she was under intense training learning new styles of dance and choreography she’d never studied before some of which included: Flamenco, Latin Jazz, Character, Tai Chi and many more. Her professional dance career began at Komansé Dance Theater (KDT) where she had the opportunity to perform for several events and festivals in Georgia. Laila strongly desires to continue dancing and being involved in the performing arts for as long as she lives on this earth.
Patsy Collins (performer)
Patsy Collins is an Atlanta-based dancer and choreographer, originally from Chicago. She performs with staibdance and Komansé Theater, most recently at the 2023 American Dance Festival. Patsy is currently in choreographic residency at the High Museum with ImmerseATL, and completed the Meli Kaye Residency at the Decatur School of Ballet in spring 2023. She is also a freelance marketing consultant in the Atlanta area. Learn more at patsycollins.com and at @patsy_collins.
Antonio Davis (performer)
I’m Antonio Davis, 28 years old, a Gemini. Born and raised in the Sunny & beautiful Miami FL. I’ve been dancing since 2009. Trained under Traci Young-Byron. Also attended New World School Of The Arts. I’m trained in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary & Vogue. Only thing I can dream of me doing is dancing across the world. I’m so grateful I was able to meet Andre and connect with other dancers. My dance journey has been a little unplanned, but the experience is satisfying. I want to thank Andre for believing in me and allowing me to be a part of his vision and be my full authentic self unapologetically.
Ilo Elder (he/they) (performer)
Ilo Elder is an Afro-Caribbean artist from Brooklyn, NY. He is a junior at Emory University studying dance and movement studies as well as women’s, gender, and sexuality studies. Prior to college, Ilo has always engaged with an arts-integrated education. In addition to his schooling, he has also worked with companies such as Harlem School of the Arts and Earl Mosley’s Institute of the Arts. Since attending college, Ilo has made strides to connect with other dance communities in order to define and expand his own artistry. In the past year, he has worked with Atlanta-based artist and Emory Alumni Andre D. Lumpkin on a house piece titled Body Talk, premiered at Dance Canvas 2023, and its rework Em-Body, presented at Fall for Fall 2023. Ilo has spent his last two summers dancing in Maine at Bates Dance Festival working with artists such as Moncell Durden, Kevin Iega Jeff, Kimani Fowlin, Shakia Barron, and Duane Lee Holland Jr. At Emory, he has been involved in Emory Dance Company, Vibez Afro-Caribbean Dance Troupe, and is the current work study of the Emory Dance department. Ilo has spent the last year (2023) as a Teacher’s Assistant for Hip Hop guided by Professor Julio Medina. Beginning in August, he will be a Hip Hop instructor at Atlanta Dance and Music Academy, and Decatur School of Ballet. Ilo believes in the intrinsic connection between art and activism.
Meg Gourley (performer)
Meg Gourley is a graduate of the University of Georgia with her BFA in Dance and a minor in Anthropology with a K12 Certification for Dance, with which she completed her student teaching at North Gwinnett High School in 2017. She began her dance training at the age of three at Decatur School of Ballet. Meg has had the pleasure of studying at the Joffrey Ballet School, Staibdance, the Governor's Honors Program, and the American Dance Festival. While at UGA, she was chosen to perform work by notable guests such as Alexandre Munz, Luis Piedra, and Urban Bush Women. Furthermore, she had the opportunity to perform in Costa Rica with Danza Universitaria in San Jose, as well as travel and dance in Voronezh, Russia with the UGA Department of Dance. Meg continued her education with ImmerseATL, studying under George Staib, Sean Nguyen-Hilton, and Sarah Hilmer, having the opportunity to perform work by her peers, as well as with Staibdance in "Moat".As a professional dance artist, she has performed and worked with Jessica Bertram, Poetica, Atlanta Dance Collective, Dance Canvas, Bautanz Here, and Valleto Dance. In recent years, she has worked with independent artists Patsy Collins and Leo Briggs on evening length productions. Currently, Meg is also in her fifth season as a company member of Kit Modus, under the direction of Jillian Mitchell. During her time with Kit Modus, Meg has been privileged to premier new works by Mitchell, including "Figment"(2019), as well as guest work by Mark Caserta, Pulkit Sharma, Ruben Julliard, Alexander Espinosa, Maddie Hanson, and Yoshito Sakuraba. As a choreographer, Meg has collaborated with Catherine Messina to create two new works, being presented in Atlanta, Philadelphia, and New York. She was a member of DanceATL's AM Collaborative's 2022-2023 Cohort, creating a collaborative work with Andre Lumpkin and Jordan Young entitled "Tethered Together", which was performed at Underground Atlanta and in Fly On A Wall's Excuse The Art. Meg is also a dance educator in the Atlanta area and serves as guest faculty and on the audition tour for The Joffrey Ballet School.
Susan Keller (performer)
Susan Keller: I love to dance. I have danced all of my life in various forms, with joy if not well. I took ballet as a child and modern dance in college. To my delight, I was introduced to Contact Improvisation in my late 20's. I particularly enjoy the creative process of making dances with Beacon Dance. And I am honored to share the stage with so many beautiful, talented, and thinking dancers.
Madison Lee (any pronouns) (performer)
Madison Lee is a senior at Emory University studying Dance and Marketing. They were awarded the Stipe Fellowship in the Fall of 2023, and are currently conducting research for their honors thesis. Originally from Dallas, Texas, they trained intensively in hip hop and other styles and have performed with the Dallas Cowboys and Royal Caribbean Cruises. Since coming to Atlanta, they have begun training in contemporary and modern techniques and have presented multiple works throughout their time at Emory. They have gotten the opportunity to work with choreographers such as Jacque Pritz, Jacqui Hinkson, Leo Briggs, Julio Medina, George Staib, Annalee Traylor, Xan Burley, and Alex Springer. Currently, Madison is a company member with Catching Mangoes, led by Jacque Pritz, and Excavate Body, led by Jacqui Hinkson.
Andre Lumpkin (choreographer, performer)
Andre Lumpkin is an artist, educator and entrepreneur from Athens GA. Although immersed in different cultural dance forms from a young age, he started his formal training at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Under the guidance of the dance program, he worked with artists and companies such as Blake Beckham, Kyle Abraham, Jennifer Archibald, StaibDance and Catellier Dance projects. Majoring in Sociology and minoring in Dance and Theater Studies, Lumpkin’s focus and passion centers the integral nature of arts and creativity in community and everyday life. As an alumnus of Emory, Lumpkin continued on to earn his M.F.A in Choreography and Performance from The Florida State University School of Dance in 2017. During his graduate studies, He had the chance to work with renowned artists such as Jawole Zollar, Rodger Belman (R.I.P.), Jaamil Kosoko and Joya Powell, and hone his unique artistic voice. Post Graduate School Lumpkin continues to create, educate and perform nationally and internationally. As a professional, Lumpkin has dedicated himself to a holistic approach to choreography, teaching, performing, production design and community empowerment.
Jacquelyn (Jacque) Pritz (choreographer, performer)
Jacquelyn (Jacque) Pritz is an Atlanta based choreographer, dancer and arts administrator. She recently launched Catching Mangoes Dance with the goal to share and uplift hyphenated American stories by creating meaningful artistic experiences. Jacque’s choreography is autoethnographic, often examining her personal identity and life experiences as a Filipino-American woman, embodying her study of Filipino/Filipino American culture and history, and connecting with people through the spirit of kapwa. Her current work, I’m sorry for your loss, a memoir, began as a means to find healing from her grandmother’s passing and to make space for her grief. The dance explores the connection of life and death, ancestral relationships, ritual and celebration. Jacque’s works have been presented at various festivals, performances and events in Georgia, New York and Florida. She has garnered recognition with prestigious residencies, including the Meli Kaye and Rise City Dance programs, and has been commissioned by esteemed organizations such as Beacon Dance and Kalayaan Atlanta. Currently, Jacque is program coordinator at Emory Arts of Emory University and freelances as a project manager and creative problem solver. She is a founding member of DanceATL and on the board of several arts organizations in Atlanta, Beacon Dance included. Jacque's commitment to diversity and inclusion in the arts is underscored by her recognition as a 2022 South Arts National Leader of Color fellow. Jacque has performed for Beacon Dance, ALA Dance, Bautanzt Here, SOMOS, Dance Canvas, and several independent choreographers in Atlanta. She holds a BFA in Dance and BSBA in Marketing from the University of Florida. Jacque Pritz embodies professionalism, artistic excellence, and a profound commitment to advancing the transformative power of dance, not only in the artistic realm but also as a catalyst for positive societal change.
Matthew Smith (performer)
Matthew Smith: Having started his dance career with Full Radius Dance in 2018 as an apprentice and joining as a company member in 2019 Matthew Smith is happy to make his premiere with Beacon Dance.
Virginia Sparks (performer)
Virginia Spinks is a dance artist moved by vulnerability, connectivity, and the power those traits hold. A native of Atlanta, she earned a BA in Dance, Religion & Anthropology from Emory and is currently pursuing her master’s in public policy at GSU. When she’s not dancing or studying, Virginia spends her time working in nonprofits, cooking, or spending time outside.
Alfredo Takori (performer)
Alfredo Takori is an Atlanta-based dancer who first started performing after being introduced to dance at Emory University where he received his formal training. During the daytime, he works as a software engineer, but makes sure to leave time for rehearsals and classes at night. Throughout his career, Alfredo has had the privilege of collaborating with several choreographers and companies including Staibdance, Dana Woodruff, and Patsy Collins.
Onur Topal Sumer (performer)
Onur Topal Sumer has a B.F.A. in dance from Istanbul and an M.F.A. in dance & digital technology from UC, Irvine where she worked with pioneering dance artist such as Donald McKayle, Ismael Ivo, Douglas Dunn, Milton Myers, Yvonne Rainer, Pina Bausch Company members David Zambrano and many more. She has professionally created and performed for over two decades as a dance artist, freelance dance & multimedia artist, producer, educator, and dance film curator (2D&VR). Onur is Dance Camera Istanbul Festival Curator and also builds national and international collaborations on creating immersive dance works. She has staged her original dance, film, and video installations at many acclaimed festivals, universities and events across Europe, USA & Asia. As a teaching artist, Onur taught dance, performance, and dance & multimedia throughout Turkiye, USA, Germany, Holland, Italy, and Romania. Along with Onur’s international curatorial projects; in Atlanta, GA she has been living, curating and producing dance film screenings, and extended reality (XR) dance projects/installations and has been teaching as a visiting/guest artist/lecturer at many acclaimed universities and international festivals around the world. Onur has extensive experience and passion for working with dance and digital technology, organizing and producing events, festivals, panels, and leading cultural administrative work. She is also a published author.
D. Patton White (choreographer)
D. Patton White has worked as a dancer and choreographer since 1982, for the stage, site-specific work, and dance for the camera. As Artistic/Administrative Director of Beacon Dance since 1990, he has sought innovative ways to bring art to the public, including site works throughout DeKalb County parks and nature centers, the High Museum of Art, in the former Sears building in Atlanta, in Freedom Park, at the Atlanta Contemporary Arts Center, the B Complex in southwest Atlanta, the Emory University Campus, and on the Atlanta BeltLine. White was the Company Manager of Core Dance from 2008-2019, and currently teaches part time at Emory University. He has been an artist in residence at UNLV, Rice University, and Emory University, and has conducted numerous community residencies and his work has been funded by the NEA, South Arts, GCA, Florida Council on Arts & Culture, among others. He has been a member of Alternate ROOTS since 1997.
Carly Wynans (performer)
Carly Wynans is an Atlanta-based performer whose choreographic debut took place in Beacon Dance's inaugural Moving Bodies/Moving Hearts/Moving Minds in 2023. A graduate of Emory University with degrees in Dance and Movement Studies and Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology, Carly has performed in works by Leo Briggs, Gregory Catellier, Sammy Spriggs, Jacque Pritz, and George Staib. Carly was honored to be Bates Dance Festival's 2023 Box Office Fellow, working alongside Kristin O'Neal and Betsy Miller. Currently a member of ALA Dance, Carly is looking forward to investigating the various fluid states in Patton White's upcoming work, Hydrostatic.
With Deepest Gratitude!
Our performances this weekend have been made possible by the generosity of our individual donors as well as several public funding agencies. Listing represents gifts made between July 1, 2023 and March 29, 2024. We sincerely regret any omissions.
Christopher McCord, Jean Heinrich, Susan Keller, Tina Cox, Kristin O’Neal, Lori and Mark Teague, Lynn Farmer, Andy Weiskoff, Kimberly Merritt, Ted Pettus, Cyndy Vaughn, Shannon Turner, David Mendoza, Carol Sandiford, Jeff Mather, Leon Clymore, John and Martha England, Susan Sunay, Trisha Clymore, Bailey Barash, Elizabeth Geiger, Karen Hammeras Zfaty, Celeste Miller, Rebecca England, Nancy White, Douglas Scott, Jennifer Scully-Thurston, D. Patton White, James Waters, Joe Follman, Lynn Hesse, Ann Ritter, Terry White, Gregory Pierce, Kathie de Nobriga, William Kinsey, Rose Shields
This program is supported in part by the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, Fulton County Arts & Culture, Alternate ROOTS and by Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly. Georgia Council for the Arts also receives support from its partner agency – the National Endowment for the Arts