Wagner College Theatre Presents THE DANCE PROJECT 2017

Wagner College Theatre continues its 2016-17 Stage One season with The Dance Project 2017.

The Dance Project 2017 features original choreography by WCT alums and adjunct dance faculty Carissa Bellando '04 and Patrick Ryan Heffernan '11. The creative inspiration for this year's Dance Project is "identity." According to choreographer Patrick Heffernan, "We are creating an evening of dance centered around that inevitable journey we all take of self-discovery, soul-searching, and truth-seeking. We're exploring through text, movement, and dance how that journey changes us, shapes our identity, and how we, in turn, use that to create change and shape the world we live in."
After graduating from Wagner, Carissa Bellando received her MFA in Contemporary Dance from Case Western Reserve University, choreographed the WCT Main Stage production of Beauty and the Beast. She has performed and choreographed for numerous theaters around the country, Norwegian Cruise Lines, and Aida Cruise Lines. Carissa performed in Taipei, Taiwan in 2013 and spent the last fourteen months living in Hamburg, Germany where she taught; in Berlin she choreographed "Comeback! Das Karl Marx Musical."

Patrick Heffernan is a dance and text/movement enthusiast! His work in this genre began with Claire Porter at Wagner, some six years ago. Patrick is a yoga teacher and NYC based actor who gravitates towards themes of searching, curiosity, love, compassion, joy and unity. He was recently in the national touring companies of Anything Goes and 42nd Street and choreographed WCT's recent production of Anything Goes.

The Dance Project 2017 features Wagner College students in the ensemble: Alexandra DeAngelis, David Dines, Alexis Eldredge, Justin Flores, Nina Gabriela Gross, Scott Hoke, Ruth Kupperberg, DeVonte McCray, Michelle Morris, Troy Rood, Tyler Ross, Sydney Session, John Thacker, and Katie Van Horn.

The creative team includes: Pam Pangaro (lights), Nina Gabriela Gross (costumes), Alexis Takaki (props). Sydni Session is assistant director/choreographer, Lauren Sellers and Molly Kilker are assistant stage managers. Nick Durst is production stage manager. WCT's Head of Dance Rusty Curcio is producing the work with Brian Sharron the Production Supervisor.

Performances of The Dance Project 2017 are Tuesday through Saturday at 8pm, with matinees Saturday and Sunday at 2pm.

For tickets, call the Box Office at 718-390-3259. Box Office hours are Monday through Friday 12:00-4:00pm. Single tickets ($10) are on sale now. Wagner College students attend free with current ID.