by UNH Dance Company
February 22-25
Artistic Directors: Gay Nardone and Assaf Benchetrit
Choreographers: Gay Nardone, Assaf Benchetrit, Susan Endrizzi And Mary Beth Marino
Projection Design: Assaf Benchetrit
Costume Design: Victoria Carot
Lighting Design: Lih-Hwa Yu
Assistant Lighting Design: Eli McKenna '25
Sound Design: Catie Sneath
Stage Manager: Reeve Lounsbury
'26
Assistant Stage Manager: Lola Ward '26
The Magic of Bugs
Director/Choreographer: Gay Nardone
Choreographer: Mary Beth Marino
Additional Choreography:
Choreographer for Winter Solstice Moon: Shayla Wilkinson
Choreographer of Spring Awakening: Nathan Duszny
Assistant Choreographers for Spring Awakening: Annie LeBlanc and Brooke Dempsey
Aerial Coaches: Alex Poulis, Hannah Beck, Shayla Wilkinson
“We are perpetually on the way thither, being by nature winged insects and honey gatherers of the mind. If all mankind were to disappear, the world would regenerate back to the rich state of equilibrium that existed ten thousand years ago. If insects were to vanish, the environment would collapse into chaos.” -Friedrich Nietzsche
Night Sounds
Amphibian Rhythm:
Frogs: Amanda Heintzelman, Olivia Elliott, Reese Whittaker
Music in the Dark:
Jugglers: Annie Leblanc, Tristan McCartney
Glow Balls: Evan Chadbourne, Megan Schmidt
Summer
Bug Magic:
Aerialists and Spotters: Alyssa Chiodi, Jaida Michetti, Emilie Buchanan, Amanda Heintzelman, Brooke Dempsey
Summer Beetles:
Olivia Elliott, Emilie Buchanan, Natalia Covish, Kate Webber, Leah Weeden, Ashley Hamilton, Reese Whitaker, Julia McDevitt, Brooke Dempsey, Ana Liz Bourassa, Hannah Pezzelli, Reilly McGowan
Butterflies:
Alyssa Chiodi, Megan Schmidt, Abby Lancaster, Sofia Kurtz, Delaney Hodsdon, Maddie Firmin
Fall
Bees vs. Ants:
Bees: Annie Leblanc, Olivia Elliott, Hali Schwalb, Olivia Van Buskirk, Hannah Pezzeli, Natalia Kovish, Lexi Geddis
Ants: Amanda Heintzelman, Sarah DuBois, Ana Liz Bourassa, Emily Palermo, Ashley Hamilton, Evan Chadbourne
Winter
Winter Solstice Moon:
Reilly McGowan and Jaida Michetti
Spotters: Olivia Elliott, Alyssa Chiodi
Winter Winds:
Maddie Firmin (featured soloist), Emile Buchanan, Emily Palermo, Olivia Van Buskirk, Sarah DuBois, Leah Weeden, Alyssa Chiodi, Julia McDevitt, Olivia Elliott
Spring
Spring Awakening:
Megan Schmidt, Ana Liz Bourassa, Ashley Hamilton, Tristan McCartney , Amanda Heintzelman, Natalia Covish, Hali Schwalb, Reese Whittaker
Dragon Fly:
Emilie Buchanan
Spotter: Olivia Elliott
Spring Breeze:
Featured Soloist: Alyssa Chiodi
Maddie Firmin, Evan Chadbourne, Tristan McCartney, Brooke Dempsey, Reilly McGowan, Abby Lancaster, Sofia Kurtz, Delaney Hodsdon, Annie Leblanc, Megan Schmidt, Hannah Pezzelli, Kate Webber
Bug Families:
Company
The Feast:
Frogs and Company
Aerialists and spotters: Emilie Buchanan, Jaida Michetti, Brooke Dempsey, Reilly McGowan, Alyssa Chiodi
Additional spotter: Megan Schmidt
::Intermission::
Don Quixote: A Ballet of Dreams and Revelry
Choreographers: Assaf Benchetrit and Susan Endrizzi
While inspired by Miguel de Cervantes’ classic novel “Don Quixote,” first published in 1605, the ballet adaptation, choreographed by Marius Petipa with music by Ludwig Minkus, first premiered by Moscow’s Bolshoi Ballet in 1869 and later presented in an expanded form in St. Petersburg in 1871. This ballet not only captures the whimsical adventures of the delusional knight, Don Quixote, but also vividly brings to life the captivating subplot of Kitri and Basilio’s romance. While echoing the spirit of Cervantes’ work, this ballet focuses on the colorful escapades of the young lovers, intertwined with the quixotic pursuits of its titular character.
Prologue - In the Realm of Dreams and Dust
In a chamber where shadows dance with the flickering candlelight, Don Quixote, a knight of dreams and starlit fantasies, dwells. Here, in the gentle embrace of ancient stories, he sees himself as a valiant hero, a guardian of the delicate and ethereal Dulcinea, woven from the fabric of his dreams. Into this tapestry of reverie and moonlight steps Sancho Panza, his feet rooted in earthly sojourns yet his heart beating in rhythm with tales untold. Together, they embark on an odyssey, a ballet of dreams and daylight, where reality and fantasy embrace under a canopy of starlit hopes.
Romance and Revelry - Barcelona’s Vivid Heart
Beneath the azure expanse of Barcelona’s sky, where the sun paints the world in hues of gold and cerulean, a vivid tapestry of life unfurls. In its weave, Kitri and Basilio dance a silent waltz of love, their whispers echoing like melodies in the wind. Amidst roses and thorns, Kitri’s father, lost in visions of grandeur, dreams of binding her to the ludicrous Gamache. Into this carnival of joy, laughter, and hidden sorrows, wander Don Quixote and Sancho, casting their own shadow of chivalrous illusion and tender confusion. In the masquerade of the day, Don Quixote, with eyes clouded by dreams, beholds in Kitri the incarnate of his Dulcinea, and thus, the dance of hearts and fates entwines.
The Tavern - Where Dreams and Reality Waltz
In the tavern’s glow, a sanctuary of mirth and shadow, the story finds its crescendo. Here, Basilio weaves a tapestry of trickery with threads of desperate love, feigning harm to win his beloved Kitri’s hand. As the veil of deception lifts in a dance of revelation, the lovers leap into the unknown, trailed by gazes of wonder and disbelief. This moment blooms into a grand finale, a symphony not of words but of a rapturous ballet. The stage bursts into life, awash with a kaleidoscope of performers, each a stroke of emotion and vibrancy, painting a world where dreams and waking moments waltz in harmony. In this climax, where whimsy and heartfelt paths converge, the essence of Don Quixote’s world is captured - a mesmerizing homage to the art and spirit of ballet, a canvas of dreams painted in the colors of passion and whimsy.
CAST LIST
The Magic of Bugs
Ana Liz Bourassa '26: Beetle/Ant/Worm
Emilie Buchanan '26: Bug Magic Aerialist/Beetle/Winter Winds/Dragonfly/Feast Aerialist
Evan Chadbourne '25: Glow Ball/Ant/Spring Breeze
Alyssa Chiodi '25: Bug Magic Aerialist/Butterfly/Winter Solstice Moon/Feast Aerialist Spotter/Winter Winds/Spring Breeze Soloist/
Natalia Covish '26: Beetle/Bee/Worm
Brooke Dempsey '25: Bug Magic Aerialist/Beetle/Spring Breeze/Feast Aerialist
Sarah DuBois '26: Ant/Winter Winds
Olivia Elliott '26: Frog/Beetle/Bee/Winter Solstice Moon Spotter/Winter Winds/Dragonfly Spotter
Maddie Firmin '24: Butterfly/Winter Winds Soloist/Spring Breeze
Lexi Geddis '26: Bee
Ashley Hamilton '27: Beetle/Ant/Worm
Amanda Heintzelman '24: Frog/Bug Magic Aerialist/Ant/Worm
Delaney Hodsdon '26: Butterfly/Spring Breeze
Sofia Kurtz: Butterfly/Spring Breeze
Abby Lancaster '27: Butterfly/Spring Breeze
Annie LaBlanc '25: Juggler/Bee/Spring Breeze
Tristan McCartney '27: Juggler/Worm/Spring Breeze
Julia McDevitt '27: Beetle/Winter Winds
Reilly McGowan '25: Beetle/Winter Solstice Moon/Spring Breeze/Feast Aerialist
Jaida Michetti '24: Bug Magic Aerialist/Winter Solstice Moon/Feast Aerialist
Emily Palermo '26: Ant/Winter Winds
Hannah Pezzelli '26: Beetle/Bee/Spring Breeze
Megan Schmidt '25: Glow Ball/Butterfly/Worm/Spring Breeze/Feast Aerialist Spotter
Hali Schwalb '27: Bee/Worm
Olivia Van Buskirk '27: Bee/Winter Winds
Kate Webber '27: Beetle/Spring Breeze
Leah Weeden '27: Beetle/Winter Winds
Reese Whittaker '27: Frog/Beetle/Worm
CAST LIST
Don Quixote
Lisa Angelopoulo '24: Seguidilla
Emily Beller '25: Spanish Lady
Assaf Benchetrit: Lorenzo
Evan Bigos: Toreador
Phoebe Bowen '25: Mercades/Seguidilla
Jackson Bowser '23: Espada/Toreador
Rebekah Brooks '25: Seguidilla
Jon Donahue '22: Basilio/Toreador
Fiona Fitzpatrick '26: Pikilio
Audrey French '25: Bar Maid/Seguidilla
Olivia Graves-Witherell '24: Juanita/Dulcinea Understudy
Tess Hornbeck '24: Seguidilla
Emily Hourihan '27: Seguidilla
Alexander Marchant '27: Toreador
Nicholas McPherson '24: Sancho Panza
Jaida Michetti '24: Kitri/Seguidilla
Lily Neher '23, Grad '24: Spanish Lady
Juliet O'Brienhalla '26: Seguidilla
David Rheed: Gamache
Ella Roberts '26: Kitri/Seguidilla
Katherine Sanroma '27: Spanish Lady
Abigail Saucier '25: Seguidilla
Megan Schmidt '25: Mercades/Seguidilla
Jonah Snyder: Don Quixote
Jordan Stanley '26: Dulcinea
Nate Straussberg '25: Basilio/Toreador
Emmy Van Dorn '25: Seguidilla
/Bar Maid
Sarah Louise Whittier '24: Seguidilla
Hayden R. Wink '25: Toreador
Melanie Yelle '26: Spanish Lady
Bios
Gay Nardone
Gay Nardone teaches and choreographs grounded and aerial dance at UNH. She instituted the aerial arts program at UNH for the Department of Theatre and Dance in 2002. This was the first aerial program of its kind housed at a university in the United States. It has been featured on CBC Radio in Canada as well as on WMUR’s “Chronicle” in New Hampshire and nationally by CBS Television. She received her M.F.A. and B.F.A. from the Boston Conservatory. Gay has performed in musicals, nightclubs, the concert stage and TV and began her career with the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. Gay also danced with the famed June Taylor Dancers of the Jackie Gleason television show. Gay has most recently performed at Lincoln Center in the Lifetime Achievement Awards for Dean Diggins, toured with tap great Brenda Bufalino in “Off The Beaten Path: A Jazz Tap Odyssey” also featuring Josh Hilberman, Drika Overton and Olivia Rosenkrantz. She choreographed and performed in “Clara’s Dream,” the “Jazz Nutcracker,” stage production. The film is currently being shown at theatres in New York and Portsmouth NH during the Holiday seasons 2017-2019. In the spring of 2017 Gay took three Dance Majors to perform in universities, theatres and Tea Houses in Chengdu China. This cultural exchange was a collaboration with the UNH Music Department. It is known as the Panda Project!
Assaf Benchetrit
Assaf Benchetrit began his dance and music studies at the Rubin Academy for Music and Dance in Jerusalem, Israel. Upon graduation, he danced with the Jerusalem Dance Theater, the Panov Ballet, and later with The Israeli National Ballet Company. During his military service, Assaf received the “Remarkable Dancer” prize from the Israeli government which allowed him to continue dancing while serving. After completing his military service, he arrived in the United States to dance with companies such as The Joffrey, Metropolitan Classical Ballet, Alabama Ballet, Connecticut Ballet, and Gelsey Kirkland Ballet. Throughout his career, Assaf toured through England, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and numerous other countries. Assaf holds a joint B.S in computer science and B.F.A in dance degrees with academic honors from Montclair State University, and an M.F.A degree in dance from Hollins/ADF/Frankfurt. He was a faculty member at Yale University, Columbia University (Barnard College), Rutgers University, Montclair State University, and Raritan Valley Community College.
Susan Endrizzi
Susan Endrizzi received her B.F.A. in dance performance from Butler University. Her professional credits include performances with Ballet New England and Ballet Theatre of Pennsylvania. Endrizzi joined José Mateo's Ballet Theatre of Boston in 1995 where she danced original choreography for 9 years, taught all levels of ballet, and was a rehearsal assistant. Other teaching credits include University of Massachusetts Boston, Portsmouth School of Ballet and Northeastern Ballet Theatre. Endrizzi teaches Ballet for Cross-Training, Ballet I, Ballet II, and Pointe. In addition to her courses, she is a rehearsal assistant for the UNH Dance Company and choreographed the following productions in collaboration with the UNH Orchestra: selections from the Nutcracker, Peter and the Wolf, and Reminiscence for UNH’s 150th celebration at the Music Hall in Portsmouth. Most recently she restaged Michel Fokine’s Polovetzian Dances from the opera Prince Igor in collaboration with the UNH Orchestra and Choir.
Mary Beth Marino
Mary Beth has been a dance educator for over 20 years. She is a Senior Lecturer here at the University of New Hampshire teaching jazz, tap and dance history. She is a dance adjudicator on the regional and national level. Mary Beth’s most recent choreography projects include Beauty and the Beast for the Prescott Park Arts Festival, Bright Star and the Panda Project’s celebration of Music and Dance for the Confucius Institute in Chengdu, China. Much love to C and A for being my everything. For more, please visit: http://marybethmarino.wixsite.com/mbmarino
Production Staff & Crew
Technical Director
CJ Sneath
Costume Shop Supervisor
Victoria Carot
Events Manager
Catie Sneath
Marketing Assistants
Kaci Kneeland '24
Master Electrician
Lauren Rose '24
Second Electric
Juliana Desnoyers '26
Fly Crew
Kevin McDonough '24
Property Master
Sam Flurey '24
Properties Assistant
Eli McKenna '25
Scenic Artist
Emily Casko '24
Costumes
Lizzie Schwarze '24, Casey Dow '25
Sound 1
Izze Titus '25
House Manager
Frankie Minich '26
Deck Crew
Grace Bauer '27, Toby Laber-Smith '24, Marell Perry '25, & Shanna Smith '27
Light Board Operator
Jessica Bell '25
Sound/Projection Crew
Anujin Udaanjargal '26 & Courtney Kostopoulos '25
Wardrobe
Alexis Efstratiou '26, Kaitlyn Beauchemin '24, Mia Cosco '24, & Sam Flurey '24
Special Thanks
In memory of Sarah Jane Marschner for her unwavering love and support of UNH Dance. We miss her dearly.
We would like to thank our dancers for their talent and input in making “The Magic of Bugs” come to life. Special thanks to our seniors! We love you and will miss you!
Love, Gay and Mary Beth
The Adventures of Harriet the Bumblebee
Continue exploring the magic of bugs with "The Adventures of Harriet the Bumblebee", a children's book series for ages 5-9 illustrated by Ana Liz Bourassa, a member of the UNH Dance Company. For every book sold 2/22 - 2/27 $1.00 will be donated to the UNH Dance Company. Books sold at Amazon.com or at harrietthebumblebee.com Thank you for your support!
Acknowledgements
This season would not be possible without their generosity and community spirit.
Donations were received July 2023 – September 2023
Friend up to $50: Mr. Thomas Alsip, Ms. Alice Anderson, Mrs. Karen & Mr. Kevin Baldwin, Ms. Tara & Mr. Justin Belanger, Ms. Julia Bingham '01, Mr. Robert Bizzotto & Mrs. Julia Tristan, Ms. Meghan Blakeman '11, Ms. Kathryn Ellis '18G & Mr. Thomas Crossman, Christine Gallardo, Ms. Emme Johnson '23, Ms. Riane and Mr. Clifford Metcalfe, Ms. Nina Morrison, Mrs. Kimberly & Mr. Christopher Neher, Mr. Michael & Mrs. Michelle Pellerin, Mr. Michael & Ms. Karen Randall, Mr. Dan Schiffmacher, Ms. Kimberly Schmidt '88 '94G, Ms. Marlena Schroeder '73 & Mr. William Maher, Mrs. Alice Seaman '49, Ms. Catie Sneath, Mr. James D. Fellows '87, Mrs. Tracy A. Speller '90 & Mr. Andrew Lawrence Speller, and Mr. Michael Wood '99
Supporter $50-$99: Mrs. Traci & Mr. Christopher Bowen, Ms. Victoria Carot '11, Mr. Michael Casella, Ms. Jamie Clavet '07 & Mr. Justin Limberger, Mr. Patrick & Mrs. Lynda D'Amico, Ms. Victoria Leonard '18 & Mr. Skyler Szucs, Mrs. Kathleen McGourthy & Mr. Craig Schwarze, Mrs. Pamela '84 & Mr. Phillip Sapienza, Mr. Richard Whitney '68 & Ms. Sandra Sherman, and Mr. Lih-Hwa Yu
Sponsor $100-$499: Mr. Steven Alsip, Ms. Szu-Feng Chen, Mr. Jason Craven Esq. '95JD & Mrs. Annmarie Craven, Mr. Philip Hammond Jr. '80 & Ms. Laura Schmalzl, Mrs. Carolyn & Mr. Scott Kneeland, Mrs. Mary Beth Marino '99 & Mr. Christian Gompert, Ms. Gay Nardone & Mr. Martin Wilkinson, Mr. Matthew Petrin, and Mrs. Shirley '73 & Mr. Louis Surgent, Mrs. Elizabeth '73 & Mr. Brain Burgess, Mr. Dameon & Ms. Kathleen Carot, Ms. Marilyn George, Mr. David '73 & Mrs. Janet Leong, Mr. Russell '90G & Mrs. Linette Miles, Ms. Lynn Parsons '74
Producer $500- $999: Mr. David & Mrs. Mary Kaye, Mr. Stephan '74 & Dr. Patricia Gianotti, Mr. Stephan Hellus, Ms. Eleanor & Mr. Wade O'Neal
Star $1000+: Ms. Carol Lucha-Burns & Mr. Michael Burns, Mrs. Jennifer Seifert-Gerney & Mr. Eric Gerney
Congratulations, 2023-2024 award recipients!
Scholarships
These students were chosen because of their ambition, hard work, positive attitude, grade point average, and desire to develop their talent in theatre and dance. Each award recipient would like to thank those who contributed to their education through donations to these scholarship funds.
Gilbert B. Davenport Theatre Scholarship: Krista Farrell, Kaci Kneeland, Eliza Ingersoll
Joseph D. Batcheller Memorial Scholarship: Kaci Kneeland, Lizzie Schwarze
Raymond J. Bernier Scenic Arts Scholarship: Krista Farrell
John C. Edwards Theatre Scholarship: Pheobe Bowen, Juliana Desnoyers, Julianna Giordano
William G. Hennessy Scholarship: Maeve Bentley
Elizabeth Jones Class of 1922, Scholarship: Kaitlyn Beauchemin, Brendon Kelley, Siena Vitone, Madailein Demler, Krista Farrell, Braedon Meattey, Gavin Blonda, Diana Gibson, Ciara Hoehmann, Samantha Rizzo, Kaci Kneeland
Jean Mattox Memorial Scholarship in Dance: Sarah Whittier
Gary R. O’Neal Musical Theatre Scholarship: Eliza Ingersoll, Juliana Desnoyers
Undergraduate Fellowship in the Arts Award: Krista Farrell, Kaitlyn Beauchemin, Lizzie Schwarze, Sydney O'Toole, Nick Tavares
Theatre Education Endowment Award: Madailein Demler, Julianna Giordano
Mask & Dagger Achievement & Scholarship Award: Eliza Ingersoll
Richard A. Morse Scholarship: Kaci Kneeland, Fiona Fitzpatrick, Bryanna Toohey, Emmy Van Dorn
Make a Gift that Lasts Forever
Scholarships & Endowments
Make a contribution to the education of UNH theatre and dance students. Please indicate the fund you would like to support in the special instructions field. (Link to scholarship list)