The 2025 UNH Dance Company presents...
Magical Forest and Untitled, Literally
Artistic Directors: Assaf Benchetrit and Gay Nardone
Choreographers: Assaf Benchetrit, Susan Endrizzi, Mary Beth Marino, and Gay Nardone
Projection Design: Assaf Benchetrit
Costume Design: Victoria Carot
Lighting Design: Lih-Hwa Yu
Sound Design: Alexander Velasco-Butler-Farlow
Stage Manager: Sierra Quigley
Take a Moment...
Untitled, Literally is an experience- and we want to know how it landed. Take a moment during intermission to share your thoughts.
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5 minutes of no pressure, just perspective. All multiple choice and no wrong answers... unless you overthink it.
Untitled, Literally
Director: Assaf Benchetrit
Choreographer: Assaf Benchetrit and Susan Endrizzi
A Note from the Director:
This is an ordinary program. Truly, it is. Somewhere along the way, words decided to wander off- slipping into cracks, floating into the air, or hitching a ride on a teacup spinning into the unknown. What remains are fragments. don't take it too seriously; the gaps may be more honest than the words.
- Assaf Benchetrit
Section 1: Drink Me
"Drink Me," whispers the disembodied voice, echoing surreal . The poised ballet
ensemble into a pointe-shoe line dance as the golden
palace and . emerges in , a world where and collide,
inviting into its depths.
Section 2: I e ti y
struggles with curiosity, doubt, and . Visualized fabric stretched and, shifting
forms distort her sense of , while Father William's absurd provokes laugher and .
The cryptic question-- "Who are you?"-- forces to confront the of her
fragmented .
Section 3: Th o gh Cr pt c Ma e
A transforms into , each revealing shifting . X and Y explore fluid as dancers form
a living maze of and walls. navigates its , where every and deepens her
understanding of complexity in a , shared .
Section 4: G i a ce
traverses a maze of arrows, each pulling her into, . The orchestrates a
surreal "Red Light/Green Light" game, where reappear, their reflecting learned.
Amid absurdity and , begins to find in her .
Section 5: T ro gh Met op lit n Ci y
The city pulses with : regimented crossings blur into , reshaping individuality in
the . threads through this chaos, seeking amidst . The logic
dissolves into the layered , blending structures with personal .
Section 6: C a s
The tea party into absurdity as a soccer match overtakes the rules. The
ball wildly , control and . Twinkle Twinkle in distorted ,
while faces and , confronting its and truths. A
scarf through , tethering the to surreal .
Section 7: D m ni n
The Pas de Quatre begins atop dancers, where ballerinas embody and , supported
by the Staff. As roses are to hide , the command into . quiet
defiance contrasts the absurd , fragile and .
Section 8: A th r ty
All characters from journey converge in a ballet of collapsing . Cones and a soccer
ball symbolize as ensemble into . The voice looms,
but stillness firm, her challenging unraveling .
Section 9: Undo Me
" , the King, and the exchange cryptic as loops on . The floor-
bound returns, confines yet , before into . Colors , ,
and anchors the finale, offering a quiet over .
Unwritten Names, Unseen Steps
The cast of Ballet Company's Untitled, Literally:
Abigail Saucier: A step whispered between worlds, where paths split unseen.
Audrey French: The grin that lingers after the ghost is gone.
Chase Johnson: A path of sincerity, drawn between order and flux.
Ella Roberts: A shape untethered, shifting between what was and what will be.
Emily Beeler: An unraveling thread, weaving space into motion.
Emily Hourihan: A thought mid-flight, shaping the wind as it moves.
Emmy Van Dorn: Memory before it happens, déjà vu in motion.
Erik Hilyard: A pulse between silence and sound, waiting to be heard.
Fiona Fitzpatrick: A voice that hums even in silence.
Finn Graff: A flicker where light and shadow trade secrets.
Hannah Kuhlmeier: The pause where all things are possible.
Hayden Wink: A name unwritten, yet already remembered.
Jackson Bowser: Footsteps that write riddles only the air can read.
Jared Splaine: A seeker of the unseen, shifting between architect and anomaly.
Jenna Bobrowski: Fingers reaching beyond the veil of the seen.
Jordan Stanley: A whisper of movement, so soft it bends the air.
Juliet O'Brienhalla: A step folded inside time, where the past and future touch.
Katherine Sanromá: A ghost of an answer, whispering between moments.
Kristen Hansen: A rhythm traced in air, vanishing before the echo.
Kylie Czarnik: A reflection between worlds, seen only in starlit eyes.
Mariah Curtis: A step borrowed from another dream.
Megan Schmidt: Movement unraveling into endless possibility.
Megan Stearns: A ripple skipping across time, never touching the water.
Nate Staussberg: The path that shifts only when walked upon.
Natalie Wagner: A force sculpted in motion, stretched toward infinity.
Niko McPherson: The echo of a choice yet to be made.
Phoebe Bowen: A flicker, caught between here and beyond.
Rebekah Brooks: A breath turned into melody.
Reese Whittaker: A footstep placed where none existed before.
Ty Hetrick: A story rewriting itself with every movement.
Magical Forest
Director: Gay Nardone
Choreography: MaryBeth Marino (jazz and contemporary), Gay Nardone (tap and aerial), Shayla Wilkinson (aerial lyra)
Aerial Assistant Choreographer: Emilie Buchanan
Additional Choreography: Natalia Covish (contemporary)
Aerial Coaches: Shayla Wilkinson, Alex Poulis, Hannah Beck
A Note from the Director:
"When we come to it,
We must confess that we are the possible,
We are the miraculous, the true wonder of this world.
That is when, and only when,
We come to it."
- Maya Angelou, excerpt from A Brave and Startling Truth
The evocative passage by Maya Angelou serves as the guiding force behind Magical Forest, where dance, music, and storytelling merge to embody the journey toward harmony. Through dynamic choreography featuring contemporary, tap, and aerial dance, the production brings to life the beauty of the natural world, the chaos of imbalance, the hope of renewal through human connection.
In a time of global uncertainty, we wanted to create a work that reminds us of our potential to coexist- not only with nature, but with one another. Maya Angelou's words are a call to recognize our collective strength. This concert is a reflection of that journey- the struggle, the awakening, and possibility of healing.
- Gay Nardone
THE FOREST: People and the Elements of the Forest Cohabitate in Peace
Music: "Love Story"- Indila
Dancers: Full company
Fabric: Alyssa Chiodi, Brooke Dempsey, Olivia Elliott, Reilly McGowan
Spotters: Emilie Buchanan, Phoebe Bowen, Megan Schmidt
TSUNAMI: Upheaval
Music: "Underground"- Lindsey Sterling
Web: Emilie Buchanan
Fabric: Alyssa Chiodi, Olivia Elliott
Spotters: Alyssa Chidi, Brooke Dempsey, Olivia Elliott, Reilly McGowan, Hannah Pezzelli
ELEMENTS: Forces of Nature Take Over
Music: "Elements"- Travis Lake
Dancers: Leah Weeden, Reese Whittaker, Sally Koscho, Natalia Covish, Coutney Kostopoulos, Gianna Lanni, Tristan McCartney, Hali Schwalb, Hannah Pezzelli, Annie Leblanc, Ellie Francoeur, Ashley Hamilton, Olivia Elliott, Brooke Dempsey
SONGBIRDS: The First Sign of Life Returns to Restore Peace
Music: "Songbird"- Alexis French
Dancers: Abby Lancaster, Phoebe Bowen, Ana Liz Bourassa, Alyssa Chiodi, Reilly McGowan, Katie Webber, Julia McDevitt, Savannah Hayes, Jadyn Kyes, Bella Cannon, Delaney Hodsdon
SHADOWS OF NEW BEGINNINGS: The Sprits and Voice of the Forest Rise to Restore Life
Music: "Baka Beyond"- Ohureo
Dancers: Olivia Van Buskirk, Sally Koscho, Reese Whittaker, Courtney Kostopoulos, Annie Leblanc, Leah Weeden, Ashley Hamilton, Lexi Geddis, Emily Palermo, Gianna Lanni
*Ground Choreography: Natalia Covish
Triple Trap: Emilie Buchanan, Olivia Elliott, Megan Schmidt
Spotters: Hannah Pezzelli, Reilly McGowan, Alyssa Chiodi
WATER FLOWS: The First Element to Appear with Force and Fluidity
Music: "Agua Y Porta"- Lechuga Zafiro
Dancers: Natalia Covish, Sally Koscho, Katie Webber, Emily Perlmo, Courtney Kostopoulos, Gianna Lanni, Olivia Van Buskirk, Emilie Buchanan, Tristan McCartney, Abby Lancaster, Lexi Geddis, Annie Leblanc, Brooke Dempsey
MOON: The Moon Rises and the Forest Sleeps
Music: "Sleepwalking"- Lindsey Sterling
Dancers: Phoebe Bowen and Megan Schmidt
Spotters: Alyssa Chiodi and Reilly McGowan
FIRE: Heat and Light are Restored
Music: "Kairos"- Derek Hough
Dancers: Olivia Van Buskirk, Olivia Elliott, Reese Whittaker, Ana Liz Bourassa, Emily Palermo, Ellie Francoeur, Bella Cannon, Hali Schwalb
REGROWTH: The Forest Finds Roots and Wings
Music: "The Struggle (Slagverks Mix)"- Sheila Chandra
Assistant Choreographers: Natalia Covish, Annie Leblanc, Brooke Dempsey
Dancers: Natalia Covish, Annie Leblanc, Brooke Dempsey, Alyssa Chiodi, Reilly McGowan, Phoebe Bowen, Emilie Buchanan, Hannah Pezzelli, Delaney Hodsdon, Julia McDevitt, Tristan McCartney, Megan Schmidt, Leah Weeden, Savannah Hayes
Tubes: Phoebe Bowen, Tristan McCartney, Megan Schmidt, Lead Weeden
RESURFACE: The Elements Find Harmony in Unity
Music: "Balkanize"- Tzusing
Dancers: Full company
CELEBRATE!
Music: "Baiao Destemperado"- Barbatuques
Dancers: Full company, Reese Whittaker, Ellie Francouer, Bella Cannon, Olivia Elliott
Spotters: Phoebe Bowen, Megan Schmidt
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
Jason Wright
Costume Shop Supervisor
Victoria Carot
Manager of Theatre Operations
Alexander Velasco-Butler-Farlow
Marketing
Olivia Krick '26
Lighting Board Operator
Polina Datsko '27
Sound/Projection
Alexis Bucci '28, Julianna Giordano '25
Wardrobe Supervisors
Casey Dow '25, Chloe Ferraro '25
Costume Support
Grace Bauer, Allie Mansperger
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