View the full online Program for the 2014 Emerging Choreographers Showcase.

1. June 27th & 28th, 2014 at 7:30pm
Deeply Rooted Dance Theater Presents…
Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N Dearborn Street
The Emerging Choreographers Showcase

2. 01
Artistic Team & Dancers
*Performing Courtesy of HappyNia Dance Theater
**Performing Courtesy of Visceral Dance Chicago
Artistic Team
Kevin Iega Jeff__________________________________________Artistic Director
Gary Abbott___________________________________Associate Artistic Director
Nicole Clarke-Springer__________________________Dance Education Director
Joshua L. Ishmon_______________________Project Artistic/Producing Director
Dereque Whiturs___________________________Community Ensemble Director
2014 Emerging Choreographers
Tosha "Ayo" Alston, Nekira Grant, Keon Nickie, Kameron N. Saunders
Malikah Fernandez, Paige Fraser**, Alex Gordon,
Jordan Mercer, Leonard Perez*, Briana Robinson, Anna Sawyer*, Jane Sawyer,
Nina-Rose Wardanian, Jessica Winter-Troutwine, Christopher Woolfolk
2014 Emerging Artist Ensemble
Julie Ballard______________________________Technical/Lighting Director
Adriene Barber______________________________________Project Manager
Erin Murphy_________________________________________Stage Manager
Production Team
Management Team
Carmel Louis_______________________________________________Executive
Director
Yeeskah Radcliffe___________________________________________Managing
Director
Melissa Block_____________________________________________Company
Manager
Erinn Hernandez____________________________________Dance Education
Manager

3. About Deeply Rooted Dance Theater
Deeply Rooted programs are partially supported by The Alphawood Foundation; A City Arts Grant from The City of Chicago Department of
Cultural Affairs and Special Events; The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation; The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation; The Irving Harris Fund; The Arts
Works Fund; Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; and The Deeply Rooted Family of Friends.
The mission of Deeply Rooted Dance Theater is to re-imagine and diversify the aesthetics of contemporary dance by bringing
together modern, classical, and African-American traditions in dance. In its uncompromising pursuit of excellence in performance, the
development of new choreography, the training of dancers, and the creation of a diverse audience, the company seeks to
demonstrate how art and beauty play a transformative role in society.
Board of Directors
Judith Cothran, MD, Board Chair
Gary Abbott
Jane Brownley
Frank Gihan
Kevin Iega Jeff
Azim Ramelize
Domonique Rougeau
Associate Board
Richard Cahan
Imara Canady
Laurel Lipkin
Chris Zyzda
Deeply Rooted would like to extend special thanks to our partners, Ballet Chicago
and
Ruth Page Center for the Arts.
Deeply Rooted Dance Theater is proud to be a member of the vibrant Ruth Page Center for the Arts performing arts
community, and an Artist In-Residence. An incubator of artistic energy and excellence, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts
carries forward the vision of international dance icon Ruth Page to make dance accessible to everyone, as well as ensuring
that children, dance and performing artists have a place to study, work and perform at the highest level of excellence.

4. 01
Special Thanks….
Thank you to everyone who donated through our Indiegogo
Campaign!
Jeanray Barber, Charla Booth, Garthell Elkins,
Maggy Fouché, Carolyn McCrady,
Damalia Ruffin, Beatrice Jackson Cheryl Jackson, Valerie
Williams, and those of you who chose to give
anonymously—We couldn’t have done this without your
support!
Thank you to our fantastic photographer, Guy Rhodes and
Make-Up Artist Jessica Winter-Troutwine for the head shots,
dance shots and group shots of our 2014 Emerging Artist
Ensemble and Choreographers!

5. The Program
1. The Initiation- Between the lines (work in progress)
Exploring traditional dances of West Africa to create a pliable foundation
for technically trained dancers to break pass the comfort of the
ballet/modern lines. Dancers celebrate the discovery of their deeply
planted roots.
Choreography: Tosha Ayo Alston
Music: Sunu, Soko, Sorsorne,Lamba, Dansa: rhythms of Mali & Guinea
West Africa
Drummers: Ifetayo Gallardo and Kristopher Sanders
Lighting Design: Julie Ballard
Performed by:
The Ensemble
2. Until Lambs Become Lions
For those who have suffered at the hands of Female Genital Mutilation.
"The problem is not with the people who started this. The problem is with
us, all of us, who do nothing.”
Choreography: Nicole Clarke-Springer
Music: Nina Simone
Lighting Design: Julie Ballard
Costume Design:
Performed by:
Friday Night:
Malikah Fernandez, Jordan Mercer, Briana Robinson,
Nina-Rose Wardanian
Saturday Night:
Paige Fraser, Anna Sawyer, Jane Sawyer,
Jessica Winter-Troutwine
3. Preach
Choreography: Nekira Grant
Music: Kanye West, Lauryn Hill, James Blake
Lighting Design: Julie Ballard
Performed by:
Friday Night:
Paige Fraser, Alex Gordon,
Leonard Perez, Briana Robinson, Jane Sawyer,
Nina-Rose Wardanian, Jessica Winter-Troutwine
Saturday Night:
Malikah Fernandez, Alex Gordon,
Jordan Mercer, Anna Sawyer,
Nina-Rose Wardanian, Jessica Winter-Troutwine,
Christopher Woolfolk
4. Trapped Between Trinity
A personal interpretation of the battle to get your [now] reticent body to
respond to the commands of your mind upon waking from slumber and
the emotional tolls thereafter; The inner workings of Sleep Paralysis.
Choreography: Joshua L. Ishmon
Music: David Lanz
Lighting Design: Julie Ballard
Videography: Jason Chu
Costume Design: Alex J. Gordon
Performed by:
Malikah Fernandez,
Briana Robinson, Anna Sawyer,
Jane Sawyer, Nina-Rose Wardanian,
Jessica Winter-Troutwine
Act I

6. The Program
1. Sensual Feeling
Choreography: Keon Nickie
Music: John Powell, Ame
Lighting Design: Julie Ballard
Costume Design: Vin Reed
Performed by:
The Ensemble
2. A Woman’s Secrets
Choreography: Dereque Whiturs
Music: Olafur Arnalds, Arnor Dan
Costume Design:
Performed by:
Friday Night:
Paige Fraser Jordan Mercer,
Leonard Perez, Jane Sawyer, Jessica Winter-Troutwine,
Nina-Rose Wardanian, Christopher Woolfolk
Saturday Night:
Shanna Cruzat*,Leonard Perez, Briana Robinson,
Anna Sawyer, Jane Sawyer,
Nina-Rose Wardanian, Christopher Woolfolk
3. Treading Thin
Choreography: Kameron N. Saunders
Music: Zoë Keating, Hans Zimmer
Lighting Design: Julie Ballard
Costume Design: : Center of Creative Arts/Rosemary Pini
Performed by:
Friday Night:
Alex Gordon, Jordan Mercer, Leonard Perez,
Briana Robinson, Jane Sawyer,
Saturday Night:
Paige Fraser, Alex Gordon, Leonard Perez, Jane Sawyer,
Nina-Rose Wardanian
4. Nexus
Choreography: Joshua L. Ishmon
Music: Venetian Snares, 2Cellos
Lighting Design: Julie Ballard
Costume Design: Jeanray A. Barber
Performed by:
The Ensemble
Act II

7. Meet the Choreographers
2014 Emerging Choreographers Showcase

8. 01
Joshua L.
Ishmon
Artistic/Producing Director
Joshua L. Ishmon was born and raised in Gary, IN. Josh discovered his
attraction to dance at a young age and studied African dance and
musical theater under the instruction of Toni Washington Simpson and
Mark Spencer. He is a 2007 graduate of Emerson School for the Visual
and Performing Arts where he studied under Larry Brewer, Michal Davis,
and Porsha Woodson-Reese. Josh also studied under the teachers of
Ballet Chicago and M.A.D.D. Rhythms. In 2005, Ishmon discovered that
his love and passion for dancing was shared with choreographing. Since
then, he has choreographed forEmerson VPA, South Shore Dance
Alliance, Ballet Chicago, and Deeply Rooted Productions. After
graduating, Ishmon joined Deeply Rooted Dance Theater 2 where he's
performed works choreographed by Kevin Iega Jeff, Gary Abbott, Elana
D. Anderson, Brian Brooks, and Nikki Clarke-Springer. In 2009, he
matriculated into the 1st company in which he is still a current member.
In addition to that, he is the Artistic/Producing Director of Deeply
Rooted’s Emerging Artists and Choreographers Showcase. Ishmon is
also a current member of Winifred R. Harris’ Between Lines, Seamless
Dance Theater (directed by Erin Lustig), has danced as a guest artist
with Ballet Chicago, and shared the stage with Bobby McFerrin. Ishmon
has taught as an Artist-in-Residence at Kansas Wesleyan University
(Salina, Kansas), Swamp Gravy (Colquitt, GA), Choose Dance (Gillette,
WY), Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN), and Collage Dance
Collective (Memphis, TN). Joshua is always in a constant pursuit of
deepening his artistry, continuing to grow, and must pay homage to the
amazing people whose shoulders’ he stands on.

9. 01
Tosha ‘Ayo’
Alston
Tosha “Ayo” Alston, a quintessential Brooklynite, was raised in a family of highly skilled artists and
musicians. At the age of five; she embarked upon an impassioned arts odyssey which has evolved
into the dynamic theatrical style of dance, combined with acting, drumming, singing and the
trendsetting Chicago Shrine dancers & Songba-Drum dance that has become her signature. Ayo
recalls that it was when approaching adolescence she found her passion, joy and salvation in West
African dance and Orisha culture. Since that time, her journey has been one of meteoric artistic
exploration, technical development, and growth. It’s fitting that she has taken the name Ayo, the
Yoruba word for Joy; a childhood alias.
Ayo has both performed and studied with such dance luminaries as M’Bemba Bangoura
(G’Bassikolo), Moustapha Bangoura (Le Bagatae), Mouminatou Camara (Les Ballet Africains),
Diedre Dawkins (DishiBem), Baba Chuck Davis (AADE), the late Baba Olkuose Wiles (El Shabazz
Djembe & Dance Orchestra), and Rosangela Silvestre (Silvestre Technique)—to name a few. Under
the Artistic Direction of Amaniyea Payne, Ayo grew into the role of Dance Captain for Muntu Dance
Theatre of Chicago and an emerging choreographer showcasing her first major drum/dance piece
entitled, “Ayo’s Dream” for 2 consecutive annual concert seasons. Ayo’s residual performance with
Muntu has allowed her expression of love for humanity and creativity to flow throughout the city and
around the world.
In 2009, after a 3 year conception of, Ayo birthed the Ayodele Drum and Dance community; a
teaching organization created for women to affirm their self confidence and strength in our
communities. Through travel, research and performance, Ayodele personalizes African music and
dance in order to effectively infuse our women and children with cultural wealth.
Special reverence must be given to Jawolle Willa Zollar, as Urban Bush Women’s Summer
Leadership Institute 2011 uniquely escorted Ayo into the next step on the road to artistic and
personal maturity.
Years of dedication to acquiring knowledge and honing her exquisite artistic teaching style and
promoting a technical foundation for the next generation of African dance is shared in the NYC and
Chicago grade schools, Universities, and international dance exchange programs. Despite her
professional successes, “…watching children blossom as I introduce them to African culture through
music and dance,” remains one of Ayo’s most rewarding experiences.
Ayo, striving to follow in the footsteps of dance giants like Katherine Dunham, Judith Jamison,
Jawolle Willa Zollar and Debbie Allen, will figure prominently in the future health and vitality of
choreography, education, and performance for generations of dancers to come.

10. 01
Nekira Grant
Nekira Grant is a graduate of University of the Arts. She is an artist; a
performer and a choreographer. Growing up the basis of her training
came from Harlem School of the Arts. Also attending Alvin Ailey
American Dance Theatre, Earl Mosley Institute of the Arts, and dancing
with the company A Time To Dance under the direction of Melvin Miller.
She presently teaches under an organization called Applause at
various locations in NY. Her work entitled "Preach" was showcased at
the Salvatore Capezio Theater at Peridance. In addition, she has
collaborated on projects with choreographer Keith Anthony Lewis and
has been a guest artist as a choreographer at Urban Assembly School
of
the Performing arts. Nekira has worked with ILuminate on their off
broadway show "Artist of Light" which was a total success and is a
member of their New York Company and has been the Assistant
Director for a step team at Riverside Church called Children of Jericho.
Nekira J'mani is grateful to have worked with creators such as, Brian
Sanders, Roni Koresh, Zane Booker, Netta Yerushalmy, Earl Mosley,
Jesse Zaritt, and Douglas Becker during her participation in the
Foresythe project. She is a proud gold medalist of the NAACP Act-So
dance competition in New York and of McDonald's Gospel Fest for
three Consecutive years with Send Judah First step team. She hopes to
utilize her gifts and creativity to alter what she can in the world.Her art
is her voice and she will do nothing less, but diffuse positivity and
awareness of self and the beautiful energies that surround us.

11. 01
Keon K. Nickie
Keon K. Nickie, from Arouca, Trinidad and Tobago, began
his dance training in his native country before immigrating
to the United States to further his education and dance
studies. In 2007, Keon graduated with a BFA from Long
Island University in Brooklyn. He has studied with The Ailey
School, Balance Dance Theatre, Ballet Hispanico, Cheryl
Byron and Something Positive, Deeply Rooted Dance
Theater, Eclectic Dance Theatre, and Purelements. He has
performed works by choreographers Gary Abbott, Cheryl
Byron, Autumn Eckman, James Gregg, Kevin Iega Jeff,
Lisa Johnson-Willingham, Kevin A. Joseph, Bill T. Jones,
Michael Manswell, Harrison McEldowney, Mark Morris,
Troy Powell, Pearl Primus, Christian Spuck, Nathan Trice,
Dr. Melissa Vaughan, Lakai Worrel, Obediah Wright and
Edgar Zendejas. Keon was blessed to be a part of the
second company of Deeply Rooted Productions before
joining DanceWorks Chicago in September 2011. He also
became a teaching Faculty member of Dance Rogue LLC
in early 2012. This is his first year choreographing the
Emerging Artist Showcase.

12. 01
Kameron N.
Saunders
Kameron N. Saunders was born in St. Louis, MO. He is currently studying
the University of Missouri-Kansas City studying as a dance major to attain
his Bachelor of Fine Arts. He graduated from Metro Academic & Classical
High School while doing his dance training at COCA (Center of Creative
Arts). There he studied ballet, modern, jazz, hip hop, and choreography; all a
part of their Pre-Professional Program. His performance experience includes
UMKC's Conservatory of Dance, Webster University, COCADance and
Ballet Eclectica - COCA’s two student dance companies. He has performed
as a guest with Störling Dance Theater, and he has also performed with
Afriky Lolo; a West-African dance company in St. Louis, MO under the
direction of Diadie Bathily. Kameron has worked with renowned artists such
as Alicia Graf Mack, Antonio Douthit-Boyd, Sally Bliss, Christine O’Neal, Kirk
Peterson, Michael Uthoff, Jon Lehrer, Kate Skarpetowska, Kirven J. Douthit-
Boyd, Edgar Anido, Ray Mercer, Gary Abbott, DeeAnna Hiett, Cecil
Slaughter, Lara Teeter, and Daisha Graf. Kameron has choreographed for
the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Webster University, The Big Muddy
Dance Company, and COCA. In the spring of 2011 Kameron entered the
National Society of Arts and Letters “Art of the Solo” choreography
competition where his work ‘Runner’ won first place in the St. Louis chapter
sending him to compete nationally in Birmingham, Alabama where he won
fifth place. He premiered two choreographic works at the Spring to Dance
festival, presented by Dance St. Louis in May 2013. Most recently he
presented a work for City in Motion’s Modern Night at the Folly event at the
Folly Theater in Kansas City, MO. His greatest passion is choreography and
his biggest aspiration is to own a contemporary ballet company and dance
school to give back to the community and the world of dance.

13. 01
Nicole
Clarke-Springer
Artistic Team Member/Dance Education Director
Nicole Clarke-Springer began formal training under the guidance of Claudette
Soltis (Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and Joliet Ballet Society) and the
Indianapolis Ballet Theatre under Dace Diodonis. She received her B.S. in Arts
Administration-Dance from Butler University in Indianapolis, IN where she
received the award as Butler Ballet’s Outstanding Performer. Shortly after
graduating from Butler, Nicole found her dance home within the Deeply Rooted
Dance Theatre family- first as an apprentice and later as company member. As
a member of Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre, Nicole had the opportunity to
perform with artists such as Roberta Flack in Kevin Iega Jeff’s Flack as well as
Jennifer Holiday in the world-renowned Penumbra Theatre’s Black Nativity.
Upon briefly leaving the company in 2007, she served as Adjunct Professor at
Western Kentucky University’s Dance Department. While there, Nicole was
asked to join the Clifton Brown Dance Company-performing with the company
on its’ tour to Istanbul, Turkey. The same year, Clarke-Springer returned to the
Deeply family as Summer Intensive Program Director. During this time, she
began deepening her choreographic voice, creating and later setting works such
as Nine, Dounia and Femme for both the first and second company. She also
served as Assistant Choreographer to Kevin Iega Jeff for Congo Square
Theatre’s Nativity for two years. In 2013, Nicole was named Deeply Rooted
Dance Theatre’s Emerging Choreographer for the program Generations. Her
work Hadiya was met with favorable reviews and noted as“ a poignant memorial
tribute”…” filled with ….”Ritualistic gestures [that] carry a ceremonial theme.”…..
“a living eulogy not only for the slain Hadiya Pendleton, but for all children who
have lost their lives to violence.” -Lynn Colburn Shapiro See Dance
chicago.com. During the 2013 season, Nicole joined Kevin Iega Jeff and Gary
Abbott as the newest member of the Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre’s Artistic
Team. Crediting the Deeply Rooted mission, Nicole works to create an
environment that is challenging yet inspiring-helping each dancer find their
spiritual connection within the work and most importantly themselves

14. 01
Dereque Whiturs
Dereque Whiturs a native of Dallas Texas began his career as a performing artist at the
Booker T Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Artists. Mr. Whiturs has
been trained in ballet, modern, jazz, tap, and the Dunham techniques and he has trained
with such artists as Alvin Ailey, Ulysses Dove, Donald McKayle, Donald Byrd, Talley
Beatty, George Faison, Tina Yuan, Christine Lawson, Homer Bryant, and George
Skibine, and Maria Tallchiief, Mr. Whiturs is an Alumni of California Institute of the Arts in
Valencia California. Mr. Whiturs was a principle dancer with the Alvin Ailey Repertory
Ensemble under the direction of Sylvia Waters former principle dancer with the Alvin Ailey
American Dance Theatre and he went on to become a principle dancer with the Alvin
Ailey American Dance Theatre under the direction of Alvin Ailey where he traveled the
United States and Europe for 13 years. Mr. Whiturs is currently a principle dancer with
Deeply Rooted Productions in Chicago Illinois where he is also on the Associate Artistic
team for the Deeply Rooted summer intensive program and Deeply Rooted 2. He is also
a member of the Malone Group Incorporated in Washington D.C.
Mr. Whiturs has an extensive background in dance education he has taught in the United
States and Europe in such places as The Chicago Multi Cultural Dance School in
Chicago Illinois, Deeply Rooted summer intensive program in Chicago Illinois, Bertinos
School of Danceology In Chicago Illinois, Duke Ellington Performing Arts High School in
Washington D.C., Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts
in Dallas Texas, The Black Academy of Arts and Letters in Dallas Texas, and for the
Renalto Greco School of Dance in Rome Italy. Mr. Whiturs has recently started his own
company, HappyNia Dance Theatre. Because of his passion for building awareness in
the African American community about HIV/AIDS, Domestic Violence, Substance Abuse,
and Self Actualizing he wishes to use HappyNia Dance Theatre Productions as a means
to communicate to the people in his community to stand for something and not just settle
for anything, to work together to make a change through the arts.

15. Meet the Dancers
2014 Emerging Artist Ensemble

16. 01
Shanna Cruzat
Shanna Cruzat, born and raised in Chicago, Illinois
began her dance training at Homer Bryant Ballet Dance
School and continued to study dance throughout the
Chicagoland area. In 2008, Shanna attend the
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor as a dual degree
student majoring in Dance and English. During
Shanna's time at the University of Michigan, she has
worked with Dianne McIntyre, Robin Wilson, Rodney
Brown, and Jessica Fogel. Shanna has received
scholarships for University of Michigan Dance
Department, American Dance Festival, and ProDanza
Italia. During American Dance Festival, Shanna
performed in annual concert, Footprints, with
Choreographer Reggie Wilson. Shanna is currently
working with Dereque Whiturs and HappyNia Dance
Productions.

17. 01
Malikah
Fernandez
Malikah Fernandez, originally from
Memphis, TN, began her training at Dance
Dynamics, under Annette Wilson and
Natalie Fotopoulos. She moved to Chicago,
IL in 2010 to train with Deeply Rooted
Dance Theater professional training
program. Malikah joined the Emerging Artist
Ensemble in 2011. While in Chicago, she
has performed in musical theater such as
The Wiz with the Madhi Theater Company
and the Triumphant Love Dance Series,
under the production of K.K. Tyler
Entertainment with choreography by Dome
Lorusso. This is her third year participating
in the Emerging Choreographer’s Showcase
under the direction of Joshua L. Ishmon.

18. 01
Paige Fraser
Paige, born and raised in the Bronx, NY, began her
dance training at Ballet Atlantic Academy and later
went on to study at the Professional Performing Arts
High School in NY. She completed her freshman year
of college at the Dominican University of
California/Alonzo King's Lines Ballet. In 2009, she
attended The Ailey School as a scholarship student
and later transferred into the Ailey/Fordham BFA
program where she graduated Cum Laude 2012. She
received scholarships to the ABT, DTH, Jacob's Pillow,
and Juilliard summer intensives. Paige has also had
the opportunity to work with choreographers such as
Judith Jamison, Robert Battle, Troy Powell, Dwight
Rhoden and Desmond Richardson, Benoit-Swan
Pouffer, Amy Hall, Camille A. Brown, Darrell Grand
Moultrie, Stefanie Batten Bland, Pedro Ruiz, Thang
Dao, Iyun Harrison, Gregory Dawson. Paige performed
with Ailey II under the artistic direction of Sylvia Waters
and Troy Powell. She is currently a founding member of
Visceral Dance Chicago.

19. 01
Alex J. Gordon
Originally from Beaumont, TX, Alex J. Gordon began his training
at Washington University in St. Louis. Along with attaining his BA
in architecture and minor in modern dance, Alex also had the
opportunity to dance in Wash U’s annual dance concerts (2006-
2010). During his undergraduates studies at Wash U, Alex had
the opportunity to work with dance companies and artist
throughout Saint Louis which include Atrek Dance
Collective(2008), Ashleyliane Dance Company(2009) and Tom
Brady‘s Prodigal(2009). In 2008, Alex was given the opportunity
to join the Slaughter Project, a pre-professional dance company
made up of professional dancers and university students under
the artistic guidance of Cecil Slaughter. After graduating Wash U,
Alex attended ADF(the American Dance Festival) on a full
scholarship. There he had a chance to use his technical theater
skills as while studying dance. In 2010, Alex joined the Missouri
Contemporary Ballet and is currently a dancer and the resident
costume designer for the company. Alex has also had the
opportunity to dance and design for the Deeply Rooted Dance
Theater’s Emerging Choreographers Showcase in Chicago (2013-
2014). Roman author, architect, and engineer Vitruvius said it
best, ‘The architect must not only understand drawing, but
music...’ I hope that as an artist, I will be able to take part in the
creative process in some shape or form; whether I am a costumer,
a dancer or a choreographer, I am facilitating growth.”

20. 01
Jordan Mercer
Before recently moving to Chicago, Jordan
Mercer spent the last four years with the
Alabama Ballet in Birmingham, where she
danced in a variety of both contemporary
and classical works. She taught in the
School of the Alabama Ballet and
choreographed for the Young
Choreographers Project. She also
performed with Southern Danceworks and
Red Mountain Musical Theatre Company.
She has trained with Pittsburgh Ballet
Theater, Ballet Austin, Point Park University
and the Paul Taylor School. Jordan has
recently been involved in several dance
projects and currently teaches in the
Chicago area.

21. 01
Leonard Pérez
Leonard Pérez is a multi-talented artist born in Santo Domingo, Dominican
Republic. He began his training in Ballroom dance while attending Kelvyn Park
High School. From 2009-2012 he was a member of the Ensemble Español
Spanish Dance Theater, under the direction of Dame Libby Komaiko and Irma
Suarez Ruiz. While with the Ensemble Español he toured nationally and
internationally participating in events such as Chicago Latino Film Festival,
Chicago Dancing Festival, Dance For Life, and Stam-Pede in New York City.
Additionally, Leonard has performed solo roles with the Civic Ballet, including the
Nutcracker Prince, in their annual production of the Nutcracker. He has performed
for Links Hall’s THAW Chicago 2014.
In 2012 he was awarded a scholarship to begin extensive training in Ballet and
Modern dance at Ruth Page Center for the Arts. He has also studied
Contemporary dance styles and Ballet with Rachel Burton, Jamie Farrell,
Benjamin Law, Dolores Long, Ariel Cisneros, Randall “Randy” Newsome, Birute
Barodicaite, and Ana Czajun. In 2013 he was also awarded a scholarship to
study in Thodos Dance Chicago’s Summer Intensive Dance program. Leonard
has rigorously trained in Spanish dance with artists such as Dame Libby Komaiko,
Irma Suarez Ruiz, Jorge Perez, Jose Barrios, Raquel Gomez, Joaquin Ruiz, Maria
Torres, Christian Lozano, Julia Hinojosa, Carmela Greco, Paloma Gomez and
Edgar Serna. His training also includes West African, Columbian Folklore, and
Afro-Cuban dance styles.
Leonard is currently pursuing a degree in Dance and African/African American
studies at Northeastern Illinois University. He has been awarded a full scholarship
to Dance Theater of Harlem's Summer Intensive in New York City. He is a
member of HappyNia Dance Theater under the direction of former Ailey dancer,
Dereque Withurs.

22. 01
Briana Robinson
A native of Gary, Indiana, Briana Robinson
began dancing at her church when she was eight
years old. Ms. Robinson’s formal dance training
began at the age of eleven, at the Emerson
School for the Visual and Performing Arts, where
she graduated as the salutatorian of her high
school class. In 2013, Ms. Robinson graduated
and received her Bachelor in Fine Arts degree,
from The Juilliard School in New York City. She
continued on, in late 2013, to become one of the
dance captains in Julie Taymor’s production of
Shakespeare’s, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”,
in Brooklyn, NY. She is very thankful to be a part
of the 2014 Emerging Choreographers
Showcase and is looking forward to continually
sharing her passion for movement. (Jeremiah
29:11)

23. 01
Anna Sawyer
Ms. Anna Hope Sawyer began training at the Hyde
Park School of Dance, formerly the Hyde Park School
of Ballet studying with August Tye-Pauley, Aimee Tye
and Sarah Ford-Thompson. She also studied with
Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, participating in their
Summer Intensive programs from 2006-2009 where
she performed works by Kevin Iega Jeff, Gary Abbott
and Nicole Clark-Springer. She graduated from The
Ailey School with a Certificate of Dance and
performed works by Darrel Moultrie, Tina Bush, Amy
Hall, Eddie Stockton, Koryn Wicks and Josh King.
Since returning to Chicago in 2012 she has danced
with Tyego Dance Project and AER Dance Theater,
and in August 2013 began dancing for HappyNia
Dance Theater Productions under Artistic Director
Dereque Whiturs.

24. 01
Jane Sawyer
Jane Sawyer is a graduate of The Ailey
School's Certificate program, where she
performed works by Francesca Harper, Darrell
Moultrie, Peter London, Earl Mosely, and Tina
Bush. She is thrilled to be an apprentice with
Deeply Rooted Dance Theater and previously
performed as a member of the company's
Emerging Artists Ensemble. Ms. Sawyer
recently had the opportunity to perform 'Love
Not Me' by Randy Duncan as a member of
Winifred Haun and Dancers, and under the
direction of August Tye she has also appeared
in productions with Chicago Folk Operetta and
as a member of Tyego Dance Project. She is
excited to be a part of the Emerging
Choreographers Showcase!

25. 01
Nina-Rose
Wardanian
Nina-Rose Wardanian is originally from Chicago, IL. She
began her formal training at the Chicago Academy for the
Arts, under the direction of Randy Duncan, Guillermo
Leyva, Deborah Goodman and the late Anna Paskevska.
While in high school, she was given the opportunity to
work with choreographers such as Eduardo Vilaro, Nick
Pupillo, and Eddie Ocampo. She also attended Chicago
Multicultural Dance Center, where she studied under
Homer Bryant, and later went on to teach classes. Upon
graduating, she attended the University of Missouri
Kansas City, taught by Deeanna Hiett, Sabrina Madison-
Cannon, Rodni Williams, Mary Pat Henry, and Paula
Weber. She has performed nationally representing UMKC
at the American College Dance Association’s annual
festivals. During her last year of college, Nina was a
member of the Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Theater,
where she performed numerous works by Artistic Director
Bernard Gaddis as well as “Vespers” by the late Ulysses
Dove.Nina joined DRDT II in 2012 and became a DRDT
apprentice in 2013.

26. 01
Jessica Winter-
Troutwine
Jessica Winter-Troutwine began dancing at age 3 in
Grand Rapids, MI. At age 9 she began her formal
training on scholarship at the School of the Grand
Rapids Ballet Company. There she performed as a
member of both their Junior & Senior Company
programs for 8 years, and was asked to participate in
their European Summer Tour in 2005. Jessica attended
summer intensives at SGRB as well as the Joffrey
Midwest Workshop in 2001 & 2003. In 2009, she
graduated from Grand Valley State University where
she received a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. As a member
of GVSU’s Dance Ensemble, she performed soloist
roles in works by artists including Thang Dao of Thang
Dao Dance Company, Patrick Corbin, Mary Beth
Cabana of Ballet Tuscon, and Michael Philips of Rioult.
Upon graduation, she became a member of Grand
Rapids Dance Project as well as MoreDances
Contemporary Dance Company. Jessica joined DRDTII
in 2010 and became a DRDT Apprentice in 2012.

27. 01
Christopher
Woolfolk
Christopher Woolfolk was born in Detroit, MI where his dance
training at Wayne State University (WSU) started. Christopher’s
passion for dance has given him strength to accelerate and
achieve a great deal in a short time, performing in numerous
repertories and companies. Christopher has performed in the
WSU CompanyOne, which included a piece set by Christopher
Huggins and had an opportunity to share the stage with
Marlene’s Ballet Company in South America. Following this
remarkable start in his dance career he attended Deeply
Rooted Dance Theatre Summer Intensive in Chicago, IL where
he feels that his voice as an artist was awakened and a new
home was found. Returning to Detroit to complete his
Bachelors of Science in Dance Education, Christopher
performed with WSU African dance company To Sangana,
Body Rhythm Dance Theater and Guest performed with People
Dancing Dance Company, ArtLabJ and Ngoma Za Amen Ra.
Christopher believes dance to be a transforming art form of
expression and uses this art form to educate, teaching hip hop,
liturgical dance, contemporary and Congolese dance in local
venues of Detroit, MI and surrounding cities. Christopher is
excited to continue his growth through Deeply Rooted Dance
Theater and looking forward to all that will come from joining
The Emerging Choreographers Showcase.

28. 01
Thank you for joining us
for the 2014 Emerging
Choreographers
Showcase!
Enjoyed the Show? Check out Our Upcoming
Performances:
Deeply Rooted Dance Theater Summer Intensive
Performance
Saturday, July 19, 2014 at 7:30PM at Athenaeum Main
Stage
2936 N. Southport Ave.