Aqueous Myth: Tales of a Water Planet is foremost an interdisciplinary, collaborative process that culminates in an original, evening-length production of dance and technology, a synthesis of media and motion that explores human experience in relation to water. Unified by a liquid theme, consecutive vignettes explore contrasting approaches to expression through the moving body partnered by illusionary projection designs in an ever-changing, mediated atmosphere of reflective surfaces. A seamless blending of production elements results in an intrinsic work of total theater that undeniably acknowledges the mentorship of Alwin Nikolais. As an innate element of the production, digital video is used as both choreographic tool and illumination of landscape and architecture, yet attention to the use of technology is minimized and emphasis is given to the fusion of elements united to create an integrated whole.

Screen Shot 2017-01-21 at 8.49.06 PM

The episodic nature of the work offers the potential for involvement from a large team of creative artists. A number of choreographers will contribute movement vocabulary for the work through a number of movement translation techniques including video, dance notation, direct interaction, verbal description, and coaching through internet performance conferencing. An original sound score for the piece will be the result of a collaborative process including the talents of a number of composers, orchestrated by a sound designer.

With audience accessibility in mind, an extensive array of movement and musical genres will be interwoven into the work, engaging an expansive gamut of viewers. The all-encompassing evening of dance maintains curiosity and attentiveness through its continuum of contrasting approaches to the marriage of dance and technology. A spectrum of relationships between moving images results in wide-ranging responses, blurring perceptions of reality, leaving an audience of onlookers wide-eyed and assiduously attentive.

Narrated from an objective, futuristic point of view, Aqueous Myth abstractly encompasses a humanitarian message through the tale of a once-existent world, dependent on water. It explores, both pleasures associated with water, and the devastation of extinction due to evaporation and misuse of this valuable resource. The work addresses issues of wildlife preservation, specifically endangered aquatic species, as documentary images are interwoven into the content of the work. An underlying warning suggests the need for awareness and exposure to the currently threatened population of wild dolphins, whales, manatees, and sea turtles.

The spectacle of total theater, experienced live within the Nancy Smith Fichter Dance Theatre on the Florida State University campus in Tallahassee, is to be archived and shared live on the internet with members of Internet2, a consortium of over two-hundred universities working in partnership with industry, academia, and government.

From raindrop to the oceanic depths, Aqueous Myth is a kinetic voyage through the annals of aquatic evolution unveiled in a multifaceted composition of live, dimensional cinema. Fables of a liquid planet chronicled through the synergy of motion, set design, original surround sound score, and projected video challenge the senses to reconsider the definition of dance theater, the product of a Modernist creating in a Post Post-Modern world.


PROGRAM

Prelude to Aqueous Myth
Composer: Tim Glenn
Vocalist: Holly Matyas
Audio Engineer: Jeffrey Rolf

Aqueous Myth (Theme 1)

Aqueous Myth (Theme I)
Choreographer: Tim Glenn
Composer: Rob Eisenberg
Original Theme: Jeffrey Rolf
Recording Engineer: Jeffrey Rolf
Performer: Justin Kahan
Deck Crew: Lauren Birnbaum, Brittany Brindel, Kristin Campbell, Renee Frangione,
Kelly Hauck, Meghan Keeran, Jessica Pizer
Deck Crew Understudy: Brittany Sellers

Voyage

Voyage
Choreographer: Tim Glenn
Composers: Jeffrey Rolf & Tim Glenn
Recording Engineer: Jeffrey Rolf
Vocalist: Holly Matyas
Performers: Terence Duncan, Douglas Gillespie, Katie Weir, Courtney Whittemore
Voyage is inspired by the 1953 choreography, Aqueoscape, by Alwin Nikolais.
This section was coached by Murray Louis in December 2004.
Video Interlude I
Video Designer: Chris Cameron
Composer: Tim Glenn

Video Interlude I

Video Interlude I
Video Designer: Chris Cameron
Composer: Tim Glenn

Anemones

Anemones
Choreographer: Tim Glenn
Composer: Sergi Rachmaninov
Pianist: Giacomo Battarino
Performers: Rebecca Bliss, Sarah Jacobs, Mayela G. Mathews, Christina Morris,
Mariola Rodriguez, Shelley Walker, Tamara Williams
Understudies: Lauren Birnbaum, Monifa Suber


Clownfish

Clownfish
Choreographer: Lindsay Meeks
Performer: Lindsay Meeks
Composer: Tim Glenn

Video Interlude II

Video Interlude II
Video Designer: Chris Cameron
Composer: Tim Glenn

Storm

Storm
Choreographers: Tim Glenn, Lindsay Meeks, and dancers
Composer/Pianist: Giacomo Battarino
Recording Engineer: Jeffrey Rolf
Performers: Rebecca Bliss, Jason Giles, Sarah Jacobs, Justin Kahan,
Mayela G. Mathews, Lindsay Meeks, Heather Seagraves, Tamara Williams

Goldie I

Goldie I
Choreographers: Karen Bell & Tim Glenn
Composer: Tim Glenn
Performer: Karen Bell

Video Interlude III

Video Interlude III
Video Designer: Chris Cameron
Composer: Tim Glenn

Jellyfish I

Jellyfish I
Choreographer/Composer: Tim Glenn
Recording Engineer: Jeffrey Rolf
Performers: Natasha Barreda, Desiree Betancourt, Brittany Brindel, Kristin Campbell,
Renee Frangione, Amanda Gates, Vanesa Giannini, Holly Gooch, Kelly Hauk, Laura Howard, Meghan Keeran, Robert Kendall, Lauren Lipnick, Kimberly McFarlane, Maria Montanez, Christina Perez, C.J. Perry, Jessica Pizer, Jennifer Santoro, Monifa Suber, Shelley Walker
Understudy: Brittany Sellers
Rehearsal Assistant: Jason Gomez

Nautiloids

Nautiloids
Choreographer: Anthony Morgan
Composer: Ted Kalmon
Musicians: Douglas Corbin, John O'Neal
Performers: Jennifer Davis or Whitney Earnhardt, Terence Duncan

Jellyfish II

Jellyfish II
Choreographer/Composer: Tim Glenn
Recording Engineer: Jeffrey Rolf
Performers: Natasha Barreda, Desiree Betancourt, Brittany Brindel, Kristin Campbell,
Renee Frangione, Amanda Gates, Vanesa Giannini, Holly Gooch, Kelly Hauk, Laura Howard, Meghan Keeran, Robert Kendall, Lauren Lipnick, Kimberly McFarlane, Maria Montanez, Christina Perez, C.J. Perry, Jessica Pizer, Jennifer Santoro, Monifa Suber,Shelley Walker
Understudy: Brittany Sellers
Rehearsal Assistant: Jason Gomez

Mermaids

Mermaids
Choreographer: Alberto del Saz
Composer: Alwin Nikolais
Performers: Jason Giles, Mayela G. Mathews, Curtis Schroeger, Sarah Stockman,
Katie Weir, Marko Westwood, Ruka White, Tamara Williams
Understudy: Sarah Jacobs

Video Interlude IV

Video Interlude IV
Video Designer: Chris Cameron
Composer: Tim Glenn

Hatch

Hatch
Choreographer: Wallie Wolfgruber
Composer: Franz Schubert
Pianist: Giacomo Battarino
Performer: Beatrice Corbin

Waterbirds

Waterbirds
Choreographer: Rick McCullough
Composer: Mark Wingate
Performers: Mayela G. Mathews, Holly Matyas, Heather Seagraves, Sarah Stockman

Goldie II

Goldie II
Choreographers: Karen Bell & Tim Glenn
Composer: Tim Glenn
Performer: Karen Bell

Video Interlude V

Video Interlude V
Video Designer: Chris Cameron
Composer: Tim Glenn

Rain

Rain
Choreographer/Composer: Tim Glenn
Recording Engineer: Jeffrey Rolf
Performers: Terence Duncan, Douglas Gillespie, Katie Weir, Courtney Whittemore
Understudies: Amanda Gates, Laura Howard, Meghan Keeran
Video Interlude VI
Video Designer: Chris Cameron
Composer: Tim Glenn

Drip

Drip
Choreographer: Tim Glenn
Composer: Mark Wingate
Performers: Sarah Asprinio, Whitney Earnhardt, Mayela G. Mathews, C.J. Perry,
Nicole Romano, Caroline Smith, Amanda Treiber, Shelley Walker
Understudy: Amanda Gates

Goldie III

Goldie III
Choreographers: Karen Bell & Tim Glenn
Composer: Tim Glenn
Performer: Karen Bell

Splash

Splash
Choreographer: Tim Glenn
Composer: Mark Wingate
Performers: Sarah Asprinio, Whitney Earnhardt, Mayela G. Mathews, C.J. Perry,
Nicole Romano, Caroline Smith, Amanda Treiber, Shelley Walker
Understudy: Amanda Gates

Goldie IV

Goldie IV
Choreographers: Karen Bell & Tim Glenn
Composer: Tim Glenn
Performer: Karen Bell

Ice

Ice
Choreographer: Tim Glenn
Composers: Michael Strickland & Jeffrey Rolf
Recording Engineers: Michael Strickland & Jeffrey Rolf
Performers: Amanda Gates, Doug Gillespie, Merrick Hinterscher, Mandy Jessen,
Justin Kahan, Holly Matyas, Curtis Schroeger, Heather Seagraves, Sarah Stockman
Understudies: Laura Howard, Meghan Keeran

Vapor

Vapor
Choreographers: Tim Glenn & Lindsay Meeks
Composers: Tim Glenn & Jeffrey Rolf
Vocalist: Holly Matyas
Recording Engineer & Musician: Jeffrey Rolf
Performers: Amanda Gates, Doug Gillespie, Merrick Hinterscher, Mandy Jessen,
Justin Kahan, Holly Matyas, Curtis Schroeger, Heather Seagraves, Sarah Stockman,
and Company
Understudies: Laura Howard, Meghan Keeran

Aqueous Myth (Theme II)

Aqueous Myth (Theme II)
Choreographer: Tim Glenn
Composer: Rob Eisenberg
Original Theme: Jeffrey Rolf
Recording Engineer: Jeffrey Rolf
Performer: Justin Kahan


Postlude to Aqueous Myth
Composer: Tim Glenn


"Dance...going digital with an aqueous edge...undergoing a miraculous film-enhanced facelift,
this age-old art has never looked so modern."
— The Chattanooga Pulse



banner photos by Jon Nalon