On April 23 & 24, Rebecca Davis Dance Company presents DARFUR, a powerful and engaging multi-media modern dance production to raise awareness and funds for victims of genocide.  The production follows the journey of US Marine Brian Steidle as he witnesses the devastation unfolding in Sudan.

Serving as an African Union military observer, Brian Steidle spent six months in war-torn Darfur and recorded his experiences in the book and documentary film “The Devil Came on Horseback.”  Steidle, who has since co-founded HOPE Artists in support of those who use their crafts to speak out against genocide, shares his story with Rebecca Davis Dance Company in hopes that if people are no longer blind to the terrible conflict in Sudan, they will be moved to learn how they can support lasting peace.

Rebecca Davis Dance Company’s DARFUR audience can aid victims of the genocide simply through purchasing a ticket: 25% of each ticket sold will be donated to the non-profit organization Global Grassroots. Working to aid disadvantaged communities worldwide and especially focused on supporting peace in Sudan, Global Grassroots goes beyond donations of food, supplies or shelter. The organization invests its resources in individuals and communities, who, despite deep social and economic hardship, offer ideas for lasting social change. Working especially to support the women of disadvantaged countries, Global Grassroots strives for sustainable solutions motivated from within the community itself.

The ballet is performed by a cast of ten professional dancers and is set to alternative rock music by various artists, including: A Perfect Circle, Apocalyptica, Damien Rice and Green Day.

Behind the dancers, a special multi-media Second Life video plays out.  The video is the creation of Human + Nature, the producer of socially conscious film and video that inspires its audience to work for a better world.  

In asking Artistic Director Rebecca Davis why she decided to choreograph a ballet about Darfur, she says: “this is a human issue, and we all have the ability and the responsibility to make a difference. It’s my hope that no-one can learn about the atrocities in Darfur without feeling a moral obligation to help.”



MEET THE DANCERS:


LaMar Baylor (Father, Rehearsal Director)
Lamar Baylor began seriously studying dance at the Creative Arts High School here in Philadelphia.  He then went on to continue training at Philadanco and currently, University of the Arts, where he is completing his BFA in Jazz Dance in May 2008.  Throughout college, Lamar has been dancing professionally with Eleone Dance Theater as principal dancer and rehearsal director.   This is Lamar’s first season with Rebecca Davis Dance Company.



Lauren Putty (Mother, Rehearsal Director)
Lauren trained at Towson University Children’s Dance Division, the Dance Theatre of Harlem, and the Juilliard School Summer Intensive.  She holds an honors BFA degree in modern dance from the University of the Arts, where she received the Choreography Prize and Outstanding Performance in Modern Dance Award.    She is also the honorary recipient of the Maryland Distinguished Scholar Award. Lauren was a member of Washington Reflections Dance Company and this is her first season with The Rebecca Davis Dance Company.


Emily Wagner (Ensemble, Rehearsal Director)
Emily’s career started at the American Ballet Theater and led her onto companies such as Ballet Austin, International Ballet Theater, Dance Continuum and eventually to Europe.  In 2005, she performed Peter Breuer’s Bolero in Salzberg, Austria, as well as performed as a soloist with the Movement Network of Amsterdam and The Netherlands.  Back in the United States, she is working with The New Generation Dance Company, Virginia Civic Ballet, Chamber Dance Project in NY and Ballet X in Philadelphia.  Emily is also an internationally certified pilates instructor.


Gabe Stone Shayer (Boy)
Gabe has been training and choreographing since age eight and he is now fourteen.  He is a full time student at The Rock School of Dance Education.  Gabe has studied at Philadanco, Gwendolyn Bye Dance Center and Koresh School of Dance, training in ballet, Horton, afro-modern, jazz, ballroom and salsa.  He has also studied the martial art of Aikido.  Gabe was featured with Solaris Dance Theatre in the 2007 Fringe Festival.  This is his first time in a formal company show.


Voltaire Wade-Greene (Brian Steidle)
Voltaire has trained with The Orange School of Performing Arts, San Francisco Ballet, The Rock School, Dance Theatre of Harlem and University of the Arts.  He was a principal dancer in the Contrast Dance Theatre under the direction of Christopher Fleming (former New York City Ballet Principal) and has been a guest artist for the Metropolitan Ballet Academy, Civic Dance Center, Orange School of Performing Arts, and Les Jeunes.




Alex Crozier-Jackson (Ensemble)
Alex has trained at the Wissahickon Dance Academy, William Penn Charter School, Jeanette’s School of Dance and PA Governor’s School for the Arts.  He has performed in the Nutcracker with the Donetsk Ballet of Ukraine and has been a soloist in other ballets such as Giselle and Swan Lake. Alex also performed with Brandywine Ballet in 2007.

Jazmine Dugall (Ensemble)
Jazmine trained at the Santa Clara Ballet School under Benjamin and Josefa Reyes.  She spent summers at the Joffrey Ballet School, the Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance and on fellowship at The Ailey School.  She received her BFA in dance from Marymount Manhattan College.  She was a member of Washington
Reflections Dance company and currently dances with INSPIRIT and Hunter Dance Theater.

Kyle Dupree (Ensemble)
This is Kyle’s second show with The Rebecca Davis Dance Company.  Kyle is currently a student at the University of the Arts.  His past credits include: Meengojerrie in CATS, Enjorals in Les Miserable, and Montgomery McNeil in FAME.  Kyle was also nominated for best supporting actor at the Papermill Playhouse Raising Star Awards.  He is also currently working with Zane Booker’s Smoke, Lillies and Jade. 

Curtis P. Lassiter II (AU Captain)
Curtis graduated from The University of The Arts and then joined Koresh Dance Company.  He is currently freelancing with several companies. He will be joining the cast of Tokyo Disney this summer.

Kelli Venter (Ensemble)
Kelli began her training at Baltimore School for The Arts and furthered her studies studying under teachers such as Stephanie Powell and Edward Stewart.  Kelli recently graduated as a ballet major from the University of the Arts, where she worked with Ronen Koresh, Kim Bears-Bailey, Andrew Pap and Christopher Huggins. She is also a 4-year member of Eleone Dance Theater.

Brent Whitney (Ensemble)
Originally from Traverse City, MI, Brent performed with the Milwaukee Ballet for four years before moving to NYC to pursue a freelance career.  He currently dances with Fugate/Bahiri Ballet NY and Ballet X.  He has enjoyed performing in works by George Balanchine, Mark Godden, Paul Taylor, and Lila York.