Jamie Jewett is the director of Lostwax Multimedia Dance, a multi-media dance theater company that seeks to examine the visceral cusp between installation, performance space and narrative through the use of technology. Jewett has been an artist in residence at HERE Center for the Arts in New York, at STEIM in Amsterdam, and at Perishable Theater in Providence, RI. His works such as After the Fall (Danspace at St. Mark’s), as well as Seven Veils (HERE), Rest/Less (HERE,), Snowblind (University of Michigan IMMEDIA commission), Kindly Bent to Ease Us, and as far back to the evening length works Glyph (1996), Cloud In Trousers (1997) utilize interactivity, cinematic imagery and live video. His on-going collaborations with author Thalia Field also include an online multimedia piece, Zoologic and SEVEN VEILS. His recent full length works MELT, BLINKING, and SEVEN VEILS were commissions from the Firstworks Providence Festival, where they premiered. Jamie received his BA in Dance and Buddhist Studies from Naropa University, an MFA in Dance and Technology from the Ohio State University, an MA from Brown University’s MEME@Brown program. He also completed his PhD in New Media and Performance at Brown. He currently teaches at Brown University, Dean College, and Rhode Island College. In 2012-2013 he will be a visiting professor in the Masters program in Sound, Image, and the Body at E.M.A. Fructidor in France. Jamie is the 2012 State of Rhode Island Choreographic Fellow, and was also the recipient of the 2010 RISCA Choreography Fellowship Merit Award. In 2011 Lostwax was voted the best dance company in RI by readers of the Providence Phoenix.
Aaron Henderson‚ creates videos and installations examine the personal, cultural and political ramifications of all action, from intimate gestures to displays of super-human acrobatics. Well acquainted with movement, he threw himself into walls and off of platforms for STREB Extreme Action, an acrobatic performance company from 2002-6. His videos, installations and projection designs have been presented at Lincoln Center, the Wexner Center and many other theaters, colleges and festivals across the country. These projects were aided by NYSCA and Creative Capital MAP grants. Aaron co-founded LOSTWAX, and edited and founded the International Thought Exchange, a now defunct mail art organization. Currently, Aaron is an Assistant Professor in the Studio Arts Department at the University of Pittsburgh.
R. Luke DuBois is a composer, artist, and performer who explores the temporal, verbal, and visual structures of cultural and personal ephemera. He holds a doctorate in music composition from Columbia University, and has lectured and taught worldwide on interactive sound and video performance. He has collaborated on interactive performance, installation, and music production work with many artists and organizations including Toni Dove, Todd Reynolds, Jamie Jewett, Bora Yoon, Michael Joaquin Grey, Matthew Ritchie, Elliott Sharp, Michael Gordon, Maya Lin, Bang on a Can, Engine 27, Harvestworks, and LEMUR, and was the director of the Princeton Laptop Orchestra for its 2007 season. An active visual and musical collaborator, Lukeis the co-author of Jitter, a software suite for the real-time manipulation of matrix data. Exhibitions of his work include: the Insitut Valencià d’Art Modern, Spain; 2008 Democratic National Convention, Denver; Weisman Art Museum, Minneapolis; San Jose Museum of Art; National Constitution Center, Philadelphia; Cleveland Museum of Contemporary Art, Daelim Contemporary Art Museum, Seoul; 2007 Sundance Film Festival; the Sydney Film Festival; the Smithsonian American Art Museum; and PROSPECT.2 New Orleans. His work and writing has appeared in print and online in the New York Times, National Geographic, and Esquire Magazine. He currently performs as part of Bioluminescence, a duo with vocalist Lesley Flanigan that explores the modality of the human voice, and in Fair Use, a trio with Zach Layton and Matthew Ostrowski, that looks at our accelerating culture through elecronic performance and remixing of cinema. Luke has lived for the last eighteen years in New York City. He is the director of the Brooklyn Experimental Media Center at the Polytechnic Institute of NYU, and is on the Board of Directors of the ISSUE Project Room. His records are available on Caipirinha/Sire, Liquid Sky, C74, and Cantaloupe Music. His artwork is represented by bitforms gallery in New York City.
Polly Hall is a maker and starter. She recieved an M.A. from Brown University in Computer Music and Multimedia (2006) and a B.A. in Multimedia Literature and Composition / English from Amherst College (2004). She lives in New York. In March 2007, Polly co-founded Antfood Music + Sound Design with Wilson Brown. She left the company in March 2010. Polly is currently freelancing as a composer, sound designer and producer. She is reading words, thinking thoughts, listening to music and working on some fun projects. She enjoys speculating on the future and eating toast.
Jen Rock is a New England based Lighting Designer whose work has been seen across the Northeast. Favorite recent credits include: Kuttner and Kropf’s On An Average Day. The Gamm Theatre: Mauritius, Much Ado About Nothing, Romeo and Juliet. Perishable Theatre: 1:23, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Anna Bella Eema. Totem Pole Playhouse: The Complete History of America (abridged), Unnecessary Farce, Ruthless! Stoneham Theatre: The Dinosaur Musical, Marathon. Connecticut Repertory Theatre: The Skin of Our Teeth, The Arabian Nights. Jen holds an MFA in Lighting Design from the University of Connecticut. www.jenrockdesign.com
‘PARTICULAR’ PERFORMERS
Ali Kenner Brodsky, originally from Rhode Island, moved to NYC after receiving a BS in Dance and Psychology from Skidmore College. Ali began her choreographic studies under Debra Fernandez and Martha Myers and continued to have the great fortune of being mentored by Phyllis Lamhut, while an Artist-in-Resident at Joyce SoHo (2003-2004). While in the Big Apple, Ali’s work was shown at Joyce SoHo, Movement Research at Judson Church, Skidmore College, SWEAT (NJ), OK Harris Art Gallery, WAX, University Settlement, Dixon Place, dancenow downtown arts festival, the Dumbo Dance Festival, the former DanceSpace Center, Dance New Amesterdam, as well as The Carriage House (RI) and in Cambridge, NY. Ali had her inaugural season in her hometown Providence, Rhode Island in 2001 and has since self produced two evening-length performances at the Joyce SoHo and has been produced by the Puffin Room, NYC. Ali has collaborated with musicians Blair Wells, Trevor Exter, Morgan Packard, Erica Glyn, Eric Schwartz, Tom Abs and Richard London on original compositions for her work. Ali has had the pleasure of being a guest choreographer at both Salve Regina and Providence College. Currently she is an adjunct professor of dance at Salve Regina University and Dean College.
Amanda Del Prete attended Columbia College in Chicago before graduating from Rhode Island College in 2008 with B.A. in dance. While in school, Amanda had the pleasure to work with many choreographers including Jennifer Nugent, Paul Matteson, Bridgman/Packer, and Chris Elam. She has also danced with Fusionworks Dance Company, where she enjoyed performing in works by Robert Battle and Pascal Rioult. Amanda teaches dance to children and adults in public school and private studio settings. She most recently opened a school in Massachusetts, Aspire Dance Academy. Having previously performed in BLINKING Amanda is thrilled to be dancing again with Lostwax this season
Alexander Drapinski is a recent graduate of Dean College’s dance program where he was trained in all styles of dance including: Ballet, Modern, Tap, Jazz and Hip Hop. He was the president as well as choreographer of the Hip Hop Team “Synergy” at Dean College for 3 years and has had the honor of participating in all dance shows on campus. He plans on going to graduate school to receive his Masters in Dance Therapy, to specifically work with children with autism. Alexander has danced for 19 years, first studying at Agnes Strecker Dance Studio. He has taken part in the Melrose Youth Ballet’s production of the Nutcracker, as the Nutcracker Prince, Arabian Prince, and Snow King. Alexander currently teaches Hip Hop at Franklin Dance Workshop & Dance Carousel as well as teaches and coaches swimming lessons to four to twelve year old children.
Kim Johnson is a 2008 graduate of Rhode Island College with a BA in Dance Performance. In 2004 she graduated from the Boston Dance Teachers Training Program. Kim was a recipient of the RIC dance performance Special Talent Scholarship and a 2004 recipient of the Rosemary H. Medeiros Scholarship for the Performing Arts. Throughout her four years at RIC, Kim was a member of the Dance Company. Since 2004, Kim has been a faculty member at Rosemary’s School Dance Education in Warren, Rhode Island where she teaches modern, jazz, tap, ballet and hip-hop. In 2008 Kim attended and received a scholarship to study at the Bates College Dance Festival. She has also participated in the 2009 Frazier Festival. Kim performed in the 2010 Rhode Island College Faculty/Alumni show with choreographer and RIC faculty member Olase Freeman. Most recently, Kim performed in Jamie Jewett’s BLINKING and SEVEN VEILS.
Joseph Nicastro is currently a senior at Rhode Island College studying Dance Performance and Public Relations. Through the Rhode Island College Dance Company, Joe has worked with choreographers such as: Jane Comfort, Clay Taliaferro, Billy Siegenfeld, Danny Buraczeski, and Marta Renzi. Last year, Joe performed a selection from the musical Pippin at the Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts in Washington, DC under the direction of William Wilson and Angelica Vessella. He has danced with Cavanaugh Dancers and is excited to now be dancing with Lostwax Multimedia Dance.
Luke Perkins – Has studied and performed with the New England Civic Ballet in Lawrence Massachusetts including roles such as The Nutcracker in “The Nutcracker” as well as The Faun in “The Enchanted Glen”. He has also studied Hip Hop at Steppin’ out Dance Academy in Kingston New Hampshire. Most recently he has been a dance major at Dean College. At Dean, Luke was the lead dancer in Dean College’s Hip Hop Company as well as the lead male dancer in the Contemporary Ballet Company.
‘BLINKING’ PERFORMERS
Shura Baryshnikov studied modern dance with Alison Mott, Dana Holby, and Zoe Mass Fyfe at Marlboro College in Marlboro, Vermont. There, she also studied puppetry, mask, and physical theater with Eric Bass of Sandglass Theater. Since Marlboro, Shura has developed theatrical work and performed with Steven Buescher of Workhorse Theater and Laura Munoz of Pequeno Teatro de Danza. Shura has also studied intensively with Anne Bogart and the SITI Company in New York City, training in the Viewpoints and Suzuki methods of actor training. Most recently, Shura performed as a guest artist with American Dance Legacy Institute and looks forward to her involvement with Jamie Jewett and Lostwax Productions.
Amanda DelPrete studied dance at Columbia College Chicago before graduating from Rhode Island College in 2008 with a B.A. in Dance Performance. While at RIC, Amanda was able to work with many choreographers including Chris Elam, Art Bridgman/Myra Packer and Shannon Hummel. Upon graduation, Amanda’s choreography was shown at the Frazier Festival and the Indie Arts Festival in Providence, RI. She has worked with Fusionworks Dance Company since 2008, where she has performed in works by Pascal Rioult, Robert Battle, and Deb Meunier. Amanda loves teaching dance and sharing her passion with children and adults throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Kim Johnson is a 2008 graduate of Rhode Island College with a BA in Dance Performance. In 2004 she graduated from the Boston Dance Teachers Training Program. Kim was a recipient of the RIC dance performance Special Talent Scholarship and a 2004 recipient of the Rosemary H. Medeiros Scholarship for the Performing Arts. Throughout her four years at RIC, Kim was a member of the Dance Company. Since 2004, Kim has been a faculty member at Rosemary’s School Dance Education in Warren, Rhode Island where she teaches modern, jazz, tap, ballet and hip-hop. In 2008 Kim attended and received a scholarship to study at the Bates College Dance Festival. She has also participated in the 2009 Frazier Festival: In Through With Around. Most recently, Kim performed in the Rhode Island College Faculty/Alumni show with choreographer and RIC faculty member Olase Freeman.
Elise Nuding is originally from London, England where she studied ballet and tap growing up. She is now based in Providence, RI where she enjoys both the dance scene and urban landscape. She was introduced to modern dance at Brown University where she is currently a senior, graduating in May 2011 with a degree in Archaeology. At Brown Elise dances with Dance Extension, a modern repertory company under the direction of Julie A. Strandberg, and has performed works by Jose Limon, Paul Taylor, David Parsons, Robert Battle, Maureen Fleming and Lisa Race among others. Elise has worked with Jamie several times over the last two years and thoroughly enjoyed the experience of creating this piece.
Michelle Struckholz has been studying dance since the age of four. With extensive ballet and modern dance training, she received her B.S. in Dance from James Madison University in 1997. Michelle then ventured to NYC where she studied dance with Jackie Villamil, David Dorfman, Kevin Wynn and many others, and performed with CORA. Two years later, Michelle landed and stayed in San Francisco for ten years and had the pleasure of working with Kathleen Hermesdorf and Albert Mathias of Motion Lab (now La Alternativa), Company Mecanique Dance Theater, Annie Rosenthal and Company, David Dorfman Dance, and EmSpace Dance. Michelle now resides in Providence, RI where she works as a personal fitness trainer, teaches modern dance at Motion Center, and performs with Jamie Jewett’s LOSTWAX.
Meg Weeks received her dance training at the Moving Company Dance Center in Keene, NH, studying modern under Paula Aarons and ballet under Reagan Messer. She is a member of Dance Extension, a modern repertory company directed by Julie Strandberg, and has performed works by Pilobolus, Donald McKayle, David Parsons, Kanji Segawa, Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, Jose Limon, and Lisa Race. She attended the American Dance Festival in 2008, where she studied with Abby Yeager, Kurt Haworth, Lisa Race, and Ruth Andrien, and performed in her mentor Paula Aarons’s MFA thesis. She has spent time in Argentina and Brazil, where she studied tango, samba and capoeira. Meg began choreographing her own work in 2008, and since then she has produced two pieces for performance, and is in the midst of creating two more.
‘MELT’ PERFORMERS
Eun Jung Choi-Gonzalez has worked in various cities, as a performer, teacher, choreographer, videographer and interaction designer. Her graduate studies in digital media have led her to explore collaborative works with artists from different disciplines. Her work has been presented in Korea, United States and Mexico, including Danspace Project, Mexico Now, Daegue International Festival and Sexto Encuentro in Mexico.
Ali Fischer, a native Kentuckian, has been dancing for the last 16 years. In 1995, after receiving a B.A. in fine arts from the University of South Florida, Ali’s dance career began in Salt Lake City, UT where she worked with Repertory Dance Theater. Since then, she has worked for numerous choreographers across the country such as Nancy McCaleb, Allyson Green, John Malashock, Stephen Brown, The Lower Left Collective, Lynne Wimmer, Lindsey and Jason Dietz Marchant, Elsa Valbuena, Eun Jung Choi, and Jamie Jewett. Ali currently resides in Queens, New York where along with making dance, she also is a professional of the healing arts using massage therapy, craniosacral therapy, and yoga to complete her movement practice.
Megan Mckenna – Whether she is skipping in the park, dancing on a roof, or reading children’s novels, Megan is committed to growing her imagination. In her worlds everyone is dancing. She is grateful for the friends from whom she has learned and with whom she has shared a stage, including Monica Bill Barnes, Larry Keigwin, and Ali Fischer. She currently resides in New York City.