Gradient Dance Theater and Community Presents “Tortoise and the Hare”
Art by Canvas and Leaf
Photos by Kendra Giles Photography
Staff & Cast
Staff
Co-Directors: Joanna Hardy-West and Taylor Ostronic
Choreographers: Joanna Hardy-West, Taylor Ostronic, Grace Kurosaka, CJ Wade and select 3rd-6th graders from Booker T. Washington K-8
Original Music composed by Post Cool Art Collective. Post Cool is comprised of the musicians Joshua Holt, Harper Ellenburg, Alexander Carroll Horn, Mila Oliveira.
Costumes: Taylor Ostronic with support from Caroline Seamons and Grace Kurosaka
Lighting Design : Mary Ashley Deese
Set Design: Joanna Hardy-West, Millie Dawson-Hardy, and Taylor Ostronic
Stage Management: Cameron Hart
Narration: Ali B. Gorie or Daniel Enrique Hernández
Music Arrangement: Taylor Ostronic
Face Paint: Elaine Tindill-Rohr of Painted Personalities
Cast
Tortoise : Caroline Seamons
Hare : Casey Pippin
Owl: Emily Magda
Duck: Milo Hickman
Student Community Dancers:
Raina Amerson
Millie Danks
Emmylou Hobbs
Evelyn Kutny
Mary Kutny
Isabella O’Hare
Naomi Scalici
Charlotte Taylor
Isabelle Taylor
Gradient Dance is proud to be a community arts partner for the Governor’s Turnaround School Arts Initiative! This initiative pairs arts programming with schools to support learning in other subjects. We have structured our program to support choreographic development as well as various Alabama State content standards for science learning. Students investigated and responded to prompts based on Alabama wildlife, ecosystems, and biology. Movement created by the elementary school students is woven into our presentation of Tortoise and the Hare. We are so proud of these budding choreographers!
Turn-Around School’s Arts Initiative
&
Dance Creation Lab
Entrance of the Owl
Choreography by Taylor Ostronic
Dancers: Emily Magda
Opening Scene
Choreography by Taylor Ostronic & Washington K-8 Creation Lab Participants
Dancers: Casey Pippin, Caroline Seamons, Emily Magda, Milo Hickman with
Raina Amerson - Chicken
Millie Danks - Lizard
Emmylou Hobbs - Snail
Evelyn Kutny - Rat
Mary Kutny - Skunk
Isabella O’Hare - Crow
Naomi Scalici - Fox
Charlotte Taylor - Squirrel
Isabelle Taylor - Racoon
Narration voice: Ali B. Gorie
“This story is about two characters who find their way to balance. Balance of the big and small, fast and slow, busyness and rest maybe even play. Which one is right? Who could it be? We shall see!!”
Tortoise and Hare Meet Each Other
Choreography by Taylor Ostronic
Dancers: Casey Pippin and Caroline Seamons, Emily Magda, Milo Hickman with Raina Amerson, Millie Danks, Emmylou Hobbs, Evelyn Kutny, Mary Kutny, Isabella O’Hare, Naomi Scalici, Charlotte Taylor, Isabelle Taylor
Tensions build
Choreography by Grace Kurosaka and CJ Wade
Dancers: Casey Pippin and Caroline Seamons
Let’s Settle This
Choreography by Joanna Hardy-WestDancers: Casey Pippin, Caroline Seamons, Emily Magda, Milo Hickman
Let’s Race!!
Choreography by Joanna Hardy-West
Dancers: Casey Pippin, Caroline Seamons, Emily Magda, Milo Hickman
“Ooooooo it’s exciting to see a journey unfold. Our friends are off to show that they are right…. Fast and free, or slow and cautious. Little do they know, they might learn something unexpected from each other…”
This is a Sensory Inclusive™ Event
For guests who have sensory processing needs Gradient Dance Theater & Community has partnered with KultureCity®to enhance our ability to assist and accommodate guests with sensory needs. Our goal is to provide an inclusive experience for all guests during all events. We strive to raise awareness of the needs and challenges faced by individuals with sensory processing needs by supplying our staff with annual training and by offering the resources and accommodations below to our guests.
Hare
Choreography by CJ Wade
Dancers: Casey Pippin
Veggie Garden
Choreography by Joanna Hardy-West
Dancers: Raina Amerson, Millie Danks, Emmylou Hobbs, Mary Kutny, Charlotte Taylor
Hare Falls Asleep
Choreography by Joanna Hardy-West
Dancers: Casey Pippin
Tortoise
Choreography by Grace Kurosaka
Dancers: Caroline Seamons
Flower Garden
Choreography by Grace Kurosaka
Dancers: Evelyn Kutny, Isabella O’Hare, Naomi Scalici, Isabelle Taylor
Star Gazing
Choreography by Taylor Ostronic
Dancers: Evelyn Kutny, Mary Kutny, Isabella O’Hare, Naomi Scalici, Charlotte Taylor, Isabelle Taylor
“One single act of kindness can change everything. Finding space to truly see one another our friends begin to see that maybe there are times to speed up, and times to slow down. Finding balance and a new perspective can lead to beautiful collaboration.”
Tortoise and Hare See Things Differently
Choreography by Grace Kurosaka and CJ Wade
Dancers: Casey Pippin, Caroline Seamons
Finish Line
Choreography by Joanna Hardy-West
Dancers: Casey Pippin, Caroline Seamons, Emily Magda, Milo Hickman with Raina Amerson, Millie Danks, Emmylou Hobbs, Evelyn Kutny, Mary Kutny, Isabella O’Hare, Naomi Scalici, Charlotte Taylor, Isabelle Taylor
“With fresh perspectives Tortoise and Hare celebrate their growth, knowing that balance and empathy ultimately win the race”
Finale
Choreography by Taylor Ostronic & Washington K-8 Creation Lab Participants
Dancers:Casey Pippin, Caroline Seamons, Emily Magda, Milo Hickman with Raina Amerson, Millie Danks, Emmylou Hobbs, Evelyn Kutny, Mary Kutny, Isabella O’Hare, Naomi Scalici, Charlotte Taylor, Isabelle Taylor
Your movement, celebrated!
Born somewhere between an open studio and a dream, Gradient Dance aims to provide tangible avenues for leadership, collaboration, and cross discipline training for all of Birmingham’s dance communities. Fostering an environment that encourages growth and enrichment for our dance community we center ourselves around the belief that all bodies can dance and that each person has a unique voice to bring to the floor.
Established in 2018, we began our journey to create access to dance for adults across Birmingham Alabama. From complete beginners to professionals of all kinds we strive to create a space to celebrate the uniqueness of your movement and style.
Gradient is a charitable organization through our fiscal agent, Fractured Atlas. This allows all monetary donations to be tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
Full of Gratitude
Thank you to the people and organizations that make shows like this happen
The Dance Foundation
Encore Performance Company
Booker T. Washington K-8 Elementary
S&B Nicholls
Birmingham Arts Collab
Francesca Scalici
Kemberly Muncher
Millie Dawson-Hardy
Greg Hardy
Dave West
Brett Ostronic