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Spring Dance Concert 2026

Special Thanks
Production Team
Dances
Choreographers
Dancers
Show Poster for Spring Dance Concert 2026: Roots and Horizons

Special Thanks

President Connie Book, Provost Rebecca Kohn, Dean Hilton Kelly, Performing Arts Chair Fred Rubeck, all production staff and the entire TDT team, Jen Guy Metcalf, David McGraw, the extraordinary students whose commitment, courage, and generosity of spirit brought these works to life, and the incredible warrior women choreographers whose artistry helped shape this performance into everything it was meant to be.

Production Team

Artistic DirectorKeshia Gee
Production ManagerSuzanne D. Lucas
Scenic CoordinatorJustin A. Miller
Costume CoordinatorHeidi Jo Schiemer and Choreographers
Asst. Costume CoordinatorsMallory Caballero
Sadie Gompf
Lead Lighting DesignerTyson Miller
Assistant Lighting DesignerCasey Spielman
Audio SupervisorMichael Smith
Stage ManagerJulia Sgoupis
Asst. Stage ManagerAllie Bensimhon
Technical DirectorLuis Silva
Assistant Technical DirectorAnthony Cacchione
Props CoordinatorJessica Hightower
Costume Shop ManagerHeidi Jo Schiemer
Deck CrewLainey Gaston
Sebastián González Layton
Jonas Hinsdale
Wardrobe CrewVictoria Evans
Leilani Miranda
Gennie Philpott
Light Board OperatorOwen Harsch
Sound Board OperatorTreasure Capers
House ManagersLachlan Apple
Lillian Chen
Laird Stearns
Poster DesignSydney Dye

Dances

Lévé épi Nou ~ Rise with Us

Choreographer: Zoia Cisneros

Music Credit: Accompaniment by Lamar Lewis and Sandy Blocker

Costume Design: Heidi Jo Schiemer

Associate Costume Designer: Mallory Caballero and Sadie Grompf

Lighting Designer: Casey Spielman

Dancers: Natalie Dixon, Hannah Furey, Winell Henriquez, Hannah Louis, Carlyn Moore, Aleah Newman, Hannah Rouse, Sophie Seitchik, Lila Snodgrass, Ellie Weston

Vocalists: Lainey Gaston, Sebastián González Layton, and Jonas Hinsdale

This piece honors the cultural lineage of Bèlè and my time studying in Martinique, a Caribbean island that is part of France (much like Puerto Rico is to the United States) where I trained with elders who worked to revive Afro-Martiniquan dances from being erased. It includes call-and-response, communal and grounded movement vocabulary inspired by Bèlè traditions. I am deeply grateful to the amazing dancers and collaborating musicians, whose full commitment to learning and connecting with the dances and people’s histories/herstories of the island of Martinique has shaped every rehearsal with curiosity, discipline, and joy. They showed up twice a week at 8 a.m. ready to move, listen, and get down. Make sure you rise with us! Lévé épi Nou! To my teachers in Martinique, mèsi an pil. I’ll be there soon to keep walking this path you opened for me, to continue learning with you.

subterranean h_o_l_d

Choreographer: Caitlyn Schrader in collaboration with dancers

Music Credit: “The Theme” by Mowat ; “Albatross” by Matija Strniša ; “Bathed in Sound” by Cosmo Sheldrake

Costume Design: Heidi Jo Schiemer

Assistant Costume Coordinators: Mallory Caballero and Sadie Gompf

Lighting Design: Tyson Miller

Dancers: Angelina DeMartino, Analiese Jacobson, Taylor Quinn, Lilly Sears, Sophie Verrecchia, Caitlin Wicker

subterranean h_o_l_d explores the power and root of innate desires in all of us that linger and ignite from the depths of our being and drive us forward and onward. Special thanks to my Elon cast of dancer-collaborators for their creative energy and commitment this semester to re-making this work together, crafting it as authentically theirs. This work was originally created with students at UNC-Greensboro’s School of Dance, whose creative contributions still powerfully linger at its core.

Quiet Gravity

Choreographer: Jiwon Ha

Music Credit: Einaudi: Golden Butterflies Var. 1 (Day 2) by Ludovico Einaudi, Federico Mecozzi & Redi Hasa

Lighting Design: Tyson Miller

Dancers: Anaya Agard, Izzy Carl, Laila Cottman, Evelyn Ealey, Hannah Furey, Brooke Goldstein, Alyssabelle Lasecki, Noah Macam, Kevin Rodriguez, Lila Snodgrass, Gianna Stedjan, Elliot Sullivan

Revival

Choreographer: Angelica Kankam

Music Credit: “Africa” by Culture Capital Music ; “Emathandweni” by Supta (feat. Thalitha & Dj Jim)

Lighting Design: Tyson Miller

Dancers: Alana Abraham, Blakely Boles, Simone Goldenberg, Winell Henriquez, Noah Macam, Reagan Nasky, Taylor Quinn, Lilly Sears, Ellie Weston

Understudy: Katie Williams

Revival embodies an act of spiritual reconnection, of return and surrender. This piece invites a reflection on what it means to return, surrender and be transformed, to root deeply enough that growth becomes inevitable. A thank you to the dancers for their commitment, vulnerability and artistic generosity. Your trust in this process and contribution shape this work in ways words cannot express. A special thank you to Keshia Gee and the entire team.

Bodies That Refuse to Freeze

Choreographer: Lisa Hines

Music Credit: Accompaniment by Lamar Lewis and “Locura Sin Frenos (CIT Tiene Bomba)” by Manana Club, Los DJs Timberos

Lighting Design: Tyson Miller

Dancers: Anaya Agard, Blakely Boles, Kelley Calvillo, Brooke Goldstein, Analiese Jacobson, Alyssabelle Lasecki, Abigail Mulvaney, Aleah Newman, Benta Owino, Ashley Rossignol

Understudies: Izzy Carl, Lulna Ghirachi, Max Stavnezer

Rehearsal Assistant: Caitlyn Wicker

A special thank you to the Elon cast for embracing both the familiar and unfamiliar within their bodies, allowing the narrative to unfold with presence, care, and compassion. Both the dancers and accompanist Lamar contributed their artistry to shape this collective reflection. You come to know a culture through how its people move together—the memories carried in their bodies, and the ways music and dance become vessels of resilience, preservation, and collective remembrance. This piece stands in recognition of every person who has been unjustly detained, every life lost, and every family living in fear. It honors those who understand that within our current political climate, to freeze is to remain silent and immobile during a time that calls for courage, presence, and action.

L’héritage se Poursuit

Choreographer: N. Pinky Thomas

Music Credit: Lamar Lewis, Forrest Matthews, Ajai Shaw

Associate Costume Designer: Mallory Caballero and Sadie Gompf

Dancers: Alana Abraham, Sanai Crosby, Angelina DeMartino, Natalie Dixon, Evelyn Ealey, Lulna Ghirmai, Simone Goldenberg, Alyssabelle Lasecki, Madelyn Neal, Ashley Rossignol, Sophie Seitchik, Max Stavnezer, Gianna Stedjan, Katie Williams

Rehearsal Assistant: Hannah Rouse

Continuing the legacy of Katherine Dunham, using the arts as a powerful pathway to healing, empowerment, and self-expression, my gratitude extends beyond words to Elon, Keshia, Lamar, Forrest, Ajai, and the extraordinarily talented and dedicated dancers who braved the snow to honor those who walked so we could soar. Your commitment, artistry, and spirit embodied the very essence of this work. A heartfelt thank you to our exceptional production team for helping bring this story to life with such care and excellence. Together, we did more than present a performance, we honored a legacy and affirmed the power of art to uplift, unite, and inspire. Ashè

Choreographers

Zoia Cisneros

Jiwon Ha

Lisa M. Hines

Angelica Kankam

Caitlyn Schrader

Nicole ‘Pinky’ Thomas

Zoia Cisneros

Zoia Cisneros is a mother of three, a registered nurse and a teaching artist who earned an MFA in Choreography from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro to continue to develop her identity as a dance scholar, choreographer and pedagogue.  Born and raised in the barrios of the west side of Caracas, Venezuela, Zoia started dancing Salsa, Rigui, Boleros and Tambor at a young age at family gatherings and creative dance while accompanying her mother teaching on roof tops. At age six, she began her studio dance career training in Jazz with Raquel Díaz and later traditional Venezuelan dances, Flamenco and Ballet with Yolanda Moreno’s Danzas Venezuela. Transported in 1993 to small towns of Southern Maine and later moving to Philadelphia in 2001, she widened her vocabulary in Jazz, Hip Hop, Belly Dance, West African, Afro-Cuban, Samba, Capoeira and Contemporary dance. Earning her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and French from Bates College and enriched by the environment of the Bates Dance Festival, Zoia received research awards to conduct field studies in Venezuela, Trinidad, Martinique, The Gambia, Senegal and Australia. Currently, Zoia takes turns engaging students at UNCG, UNC Chapel Hill, and Elon University by cultivating learning spaces where students feel supported, challenged, and encouraged to connect movement with memory, culture, and community.

Jiwon Ha

Jiwon Ha, born and raised in Busan, South Korea, is a dancer, educator, and choreographer with expertise in contemporary and modern techniques, ballet, and Korean folk dance. Her passion for dance has driven her to perform, teach, choreograph, and organize events across the U.S., Canada, and South Korea for over 20 years. Jiwon has been a recipient of the ACGG grant, an Artist in Residence with the North Carolina Dance Festival, and her work has been featured in numerous festivals in North Carolina and abroad.

Lisa M. Hines

Lisa Hines is a Greensboro, NC–based artist, choreographer, and educator whose work centers on Latin social dance as cultural practice and communal ritual. She earned her MFA from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She choreographed the musicals Spring Awakening and Lucky Stiff and has performed with K’Lokoe Dance Project, Rock City Ritmo Latina, and Dance Theatre of the World. As founder of Gate City Latin Dance, she cultivates spaces that expand visibility, access, and community engagement around social dance forms. Her interdisciplinary installation Encroachment reflects her commitment to place, culture, and embodied memory. She serves as adjunct faculty at Elon University, teaching Dance History I & II.

Angelica Kankam

Angelica Kankam is a multifaceted artist, choreographer, educator, and performer from Ghana, West Africa. She is known for her foundation in traditional West African dance and versatile artistic vocabulary in Jazz, Ballet, Hip-Hop, and Modern Dances. Thus allowing her to blend diverse movement aesthetics into her work. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and Theatre from the School of Performing Arts Ghana, and a Master of Fine Arts in Dance with a Concentration in Choreography at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Caitlyn Schrader

Caitlyn Schrader is a dance artist, educator, curator, and choreographer. As a mover and maker, she is steeped in the practice of Safety Release technique, certified as a Safety Release Master Teacher by B.J. Sullivan Safety Release Inc., and rooted in somatic perspectives. A New York native, Caitlyn has made her way to Boston, Massachusetts, France, and Australia before arriving in North Carolina. Caitlyn has been a member of professional dance companies, BIODANCE (NY) and EgoArt, Inc. (MA), as well as performed in works by several independent choreographers. Her live and filmic works have been presented widely across the Northeast, the Midwest, the South, and abroad in Ireland. She makes choreographic works under the monikers DanSeries Collective and liminality project and teaches both in the Triad/Triangle communities and at regional NC universities. In 2025, she co-founded Dance Assembly NC, LLC, dedicated to fortifying and invigorating the professional, contemporary dance communities in North Carolina. She earned an MFA in Dance from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. To learn more visit www.caitlynschrader.com

Nicole ‘Pinky’ Thomas

Nicole Thomas, affectionately nicknamed “Pinky” is a multidisciplinary artist, educator, ethnographer, and cultural ambassador with roots in St. Louis, MO. Mentored by the iconic Katherine Dunham, Theodore Jamison and other prominent Dunham Technique instructors, she embodies a rigorous understanding of dance as a vehicle for communication, cultural expression, and social transformation. Her interdisciplinary practice fosters creative development and critical engagement, challenging students to explore diverse movement and musical vocabularies and aesthetics, while promoting versatility, cultural fluency, and embodied understanding. Pinky’s work continues to bridge artistic practice and academic inquiry, affirming the role of dance as both an expressive art form and a tool for interdisciplinary scholarship.

Dancers

Anaya Agard

Blakely Boles

Kelley Calvillo

Izzy Carl

Laila Cottman

Angelina DeMartino

Natalie Dixon

Evelyn Ealey

Hannah Furey

Lulna Ghirmai

Simone Goldenberg

Brooke Goldsein

Winell Henriquez

Analiese Jacobson

Alyssabelle Lasecki

Hannah Louis

Noah Macam

Carlyn Moore

Abigail Mulvaney

Madelyn Neal

Aleah Newman

Benta Owino

Ashley Rossignol

Hannah Rouse

Lilly Sears

Sophie Seitchik

Lila Snodgrass

Max Stavnezer

Gianna Stedjan

Elliot Sullivan

Sophie Verrecchia

Ellie Weston

Caitlin Wicker

Katie Williams

Anaya Agard

Anaya is a Senior Dance Performance & Choreography and Arts Administration double major from Norwalk CT. She trained in ballet and modern at The New England Academy of Dance starting at 5 years old. At Elon, Anaya has studied abroad in Florence, Italy, where she performed at the Florence Dance Festival and also had professional performance experience in a featured solo in a piece presented on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve Live Show. This year, she will be performing in Dancing in the Landscape, the Fall Dance Concert, and the Spring Dance Concert. She is so excited to share her love of dance with you!!

Blakely Boles

Blakely Boles is a sophomore pursuing a double major in Dance Performance & Choreography and Arts Administration. She is originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, where she trained at the Academy of Dance Arts for fifteen years. She has previously performed in Dancing in the Landscape, Spring Dance Concert, Fall Dance Concert, and is excited for her second time performing in the Spring Dance Concert!

Kelley Calvillo

Kelley Calvillo is a sophomore Dance Choreography and Performance major with minors in Women’s and Gender Studies and English Literature. She is also an Honors Fellow. Originally from Raleigh, NC, she trained with Chania Wilson, Katherine Champion, Kirstie Spadie, and many others. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Izzy Carl

Izzy Carl is a First-Year BFA Dance Performance and Choreography and Political Science double major from Douglassville, Pennsylvania. She is so excited to be a part of her first Spring Dance Concert. She has previously been in Elon’s Fall Dancing in the Landscape. Her favorite performance opportunities outside of Elon so far were dancing at the Philadelphia Youth Dance Festival at Drexel University and in the Philadelphia Performance Garage for Nickerson Rossi Dance Company. During her time in high school, she directed and choreographed three Choreography Concerts and used the proceeds for multiple mental health charities. She would lastly like to thank her family and friends for always supporting her!

Laila Cottman

Laila Cottman is a sophomore majoring in Strategic Communications with a minor in Dance. Prior to her commitment to Elon, she trained for over a decade at her home studio in Delaware, DANCE4LIFE School of the Arts and Training Institute. Laila had the opportunity to train during the summers at PHILADANCO! and the Dance Theatre of Harlem. She has had the honor of performing in local and nationally televised events like Le Dîner en Blanc Wilmington and The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade. Laila has proven to be an impactful performer and hopes to touch every audience she meets.

Angelina DeMartino

Angelina DeMartino is a senior double major in Dance Performance and Choreography and Dance Science at Elon University from Holland, Massachusetts. This year, she will be performing in one work in the Fall Dance Concert, and two works in the Spring Dance Concert. She has also had the opportunity to showcase her choreography at the Composition II and III Showcases at Roberts Studio Theatre. Angelina is immensely grateful to be a part of the Elon Performing Arts community and is so excited to be a part of these performances!

Natalie Dixon

Natalie Dixon is a senior double major in Dance Performance & Choreography and Dance Science from Annapolis, Maryland. This year she has performed in the fall dance concert Echoes and Currents, and presented choreography in Boundaries and Breakthroughs. She is excited to perform in her last Spring Dance Concert!

Evelyn Ealey

Evelyn Ealey is from Charlotte, North Carolina and a double major in Dance Performance & Choreography and Strategic Communications. While at Elon, she has been featured in Dancing in the Lanscape, Fall Dance Concert, Spring Dance Concert, and Black History Month Dance Concert. As an Honors Fellow her thesis research Rhythms of Resilience, aims to understand the experiences of Black B.F.A. Dance students, and uncover the mental health effects they face in navigating their PWI environment. These experiences have shaped her unique artistic identity that she hopes to use to uplift her community and encourage diverse voices to be heard.

Hannah Furey

Hannah Furey is a Senior from Sturbridge, Massachusetts, pursuing a double major in Dance Performance & Choreography and Public Health Studies. She began her dance training in competitive and concert settings, exploring a variety of styles. Since arriving at Elon, Hannah has performed in numerous works by both faculty and guest artists from across the country. This year, she will perform in the Fall and Spring Dance Concerts, excited to continue developing her artistic and academic skills. Hannah looks forward to expanding her experience and furthering her growth as both a dancer and a scholar throughout the year.

Lulna Ghirmai

Lulna Ghirmai is from Fulton, Maryland and is a first-year here at Elon University. She is a well trained dancer with a background in all styles. Some of her highlights include dancing with the All-County and All-State Dance Ensemble, dancing with two companies, and performing in the Maryland Public High School Dance Showcase. She also enjoyed her countless years dancing competitively with her home studio. Lulna is beyond excited to continue her dance journey at Elon and for the many years to come!

Simone Goldenberg

From Vienna, Virginia, Simone Goldenberg is a sophomore pursuing the Dance Performance and Choreography BFA. She has performed in Dancing in the Landscape, Dance Composition II and III, Elons’s Finest Fall Showcase, Elon Cares Benefit Cabaret Emanation(Spring dance concert), Elon’s Finest Spring Showcase, and Dancing in the Landscape: Boundaries and Breakthroughs in her time at Elon University so far. Between her freshmen and sophomore year, she performed at the A.C.E Awards and joined the 312/412 intensive’s pre-industry track program. Inspired for her sophomore year, Simone is excited to dive deeper into her favorite art form.

Brooke Goldsein

Brooke Goldstein, from Rockland County, New York, studies Dance Performance, Choreography, and Sociology at Elon University. She has trained at the New York State Summer School of the Arts, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet School, Steps on Broadway, and Peridance Contemporary Dance Company. Brooke completed Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s CREATE program (2023) and performed at the Florence Dance Festival (2024). She has taught and choreographed at Coupé Theater Studio, contributed choreography to Elon’s Fall Dance Concert and performed in the Fall, Spring, and Black History Month Dance Concerts, as well as Dancing in the Landscape. Her research project, “Support for Every Body,” advocates for body-neutral language and inclusive costuming so every dancer feels celebrated. This fall, Brooke will pursue a Master of Science in Dance/Movement Therapy at Sarah Lawrence College. She is deeply grateful to her Elon Dance community for the love, growth, and art they have shared, and is honored to perform in her final spring concert.

Winell Henriquez

Winell Henriquez is a junior from Clayton, North Carolina, pursuing a BFA in Dance Performance & Choreography while also completing her master’s degree in Accounting through Elon University’s 3+1 Accelerated Program. She has attended intensives at American Ballet Theatre, Charlotte Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, the American Dance Festival, and the Complexions Winter Intensive in NYC, and participated in a ShaLeigh Dance Works workshop. At Elon, she has performed in Fall Dance, the Black History Month Concert, Dancing in the Landscape, and previous Spring Dance concerts, and choreographed for Fall Dance and student showings. She is excited to return to the stage for this year’s Spring Dance concert.

Analiese Jacobson

Analiese is a sophomore Dance Performance & Choreography and English double major from Wilmington, Delaware. Her previous Elon performances include Dancing in the Landscapes, Spring Dance, and Fall Dance. She is so excited to continue performing at Elon University!

Alyssabelle Lasecki

Alyssabelle Lasecki is a part of DanceWorks and Elon’s Finest HipHop Team. She has been in the fall and spring showcases for DanceWorks, and the fall and spring showcases for Finest. Alyssabelle is a double major in Statistics and Dance and she is hoping to blend the two fields together in her Honors research project.

Hannah Louis

Hannah Louis is a First-Year from Northern Virginia and is majoring in Dance Performance & Choreography as well as Psychology. She trained for 14 years with Ashburn Academy of Dance, and competed for 9 years with the Edge Performance Company. Hannah can’t wait for the upcoming year, and is so thrilled to be at Elon continuing her dance and choreography journey!

Noah Macam

Noah Macam is a junior BFA Dance & Arts Administration double major and is grateful to be on the McCrary stage once again for The Spring Dance Concert: Previous Elon credits: Spring Dance Concert (2024, 2025), An American in Paris (Ensemble), Legally Blonde (Nikos/Ensemble), A Chorus Line (Mike Costa), The Drowsy Chaperone (Co-Choreographer/Swing). Other credits: North American premiere of Top Hat and Gower Champion’s 42nd Street at The Surflight Theatre, both under the direction of Paula Hammons Sloan, as well as 9-5: The Musical and West Side Story. Endless gratitude to his friends and family.

Carlyn Moore

Carlyn Moore, from Bainbridge Island, Washington, is a first-year Dance Performance and Choreography Major. Her recent roles include Diana in Sylvia and Sugarplum in The Nutcracker with Sunny Hsieh (Canyon Concert Ballet). She received her training at Bainbridge Ballet where she also performed tap, contemporary, jazz, and self-choreographed pieces. In addition to performing, she enjoyed teaching classes at Bainbridge Ballet and acting as the student liaison on Bainbridge Ballet Performance Group’s board, where she organized several community outreach fundraisers and directed, choreographed, and performed for their student choreography showcase. Carlyn is excited to pursue dance at Elon!

Abigail Mulvaney

Abigail Mulvaney is a Junior majoring in Accounting and Economic Consulting and minoring in Dance. Originally from Richmond, Virginia, Abigail grew up dancing at multiple studios including West End Academy of Dance. Abigail has enjoyed furthering her passion and artistry while at Elon through participation in classes, student choreography, and extracurricular involvement.

Madelyn Neal

Madelyn Neal is a first-year Dance and Exercise Science double major and is so excited to be a part of her first Spring Dance Concert! Previous Elon credits include Dancing in the Landscape and the past Dance Composition Concert. Her favorite roles include Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy (The Nutcracker) and the Fall Fairy (Cinderella). Madelyn is a choreographer for her home studio, Design In Motion, and teaches classes during the summer. She is so grateful to be a part of the Elon Dance community. Madelyn would like to especially thank her family for all of their unwavering support through her artistic journey. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Aleah Newman

Aleah Newman is a senior Dance Performance and Choreography major and double minor in Expressive Arts and Psychology from Chicago. She has been in many Elon shows such as Dancing in the Landscape, Fall Dance Concert, and Spring Dance Concert. She is so excited to dance in her final Elon dance concert.

Benta Owino

Benta is a lifelong dancer trained in classical ballet, tap, contemporary, and pointe. She studied at The Ballet Theatre of Maryland’s Conservatory, performing in professional productions including The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, The Sleeping Beauty, and Swan Lake. Passionate about sharing dance beyond the stage, she has choreographed and performed original works for high school plays and cultural outreach events, bringing movement and joy to her local community. As an Arts Angels Ambassador and Rob Sutton Young Artist Award recipient, Benta brings dance to diverse audiences with joy and purpose.

Ashley Rossignol

Ashley Rossignol is a second year Dance Performance and Choreography major from Massachusetts. She danced with the Franklin School For the Performing Arts and performed in shows such as The Nutcracker, Cinderella, and Alice in Wonderland. She also has trained with The Carolina Ballet, Butler Ballet, and The Rock Conservatory. At Elon, Ashley has performed in Dancing in the Landscape and the Spring Dance Concert.

Hannah Rouse

Hannah Rouse is a first-year in the Dance Performance & Choreography BFA. She’s been a dancer for sixteen years and has attended competitions all over the east coast. Hannah is also an award-winning, published writer of poetry and creative nonfiction essays.

Lilly Sears

Lilly Sears is currently a Senior at Elon University. She is pursuing a major in Dance Performance and Choreography with two minors in Psychology and Expressive Arts. At Elon University she has participated in their shows Dancing in the Landscape, Fall Dance Concert, Black History Month Concert, and the Spring Dance Concert. Lilly is from Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina where she was trained in ballet, modern, and jazz. She is excited to be a part of this amazing show.

Sophie Seitchik

Sophie Seitchik is a senior from Woodstock, MD pursuing her BFA in Dance and BS in Dance Science. She is thrilled to be part of such a beautiful show back on the McCrary stage for her final time. Previous credits include An American in Paris, Legally Blonde, (Ensemble/Stenographer), Spring Dance Concerts, and Black History Month Dance Concerts at Elon University. Endless gratitude to her friends, her incredible roommates, and her family for their unwavering support throughout these incredible four years she has had at Elon. Thank you McCrary for the memories <3

Lila Snodgrass

Lila Snodgrass is a senior from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania pursuing a double major in Dance Performance and Choreography and Mathematics. This semester, Lila choreographed for Dancing in the Landscape and choreographed for and performed in the Fall Dance Concert. Additionally, as a Lumen Scholar, Lila is continuing her research on the intersection between math and dance through knot theory under the mentorship of Dr. Nancy Scherich. Lila is honored and excited to be part of Roots and Horizons!

Max Stavnezer

Max Stavnezer is a first-year Dance Science and Dance Performance/Choreography double major from Ohio. He was trained at Tamala Taylor Academy of Dance in the styles of contemporary, jazz, ballet, and tap. He has passed 5 levels of Cecchetti ballet exams. Max was an assistant teacher at his studio for 3 years. One of his greatest dance accomplishments is winning the title of Mr. Dance of Ohio in 2024, and competing at the Dance Masters of America national competition. Since being at Elon Max has performed in DIL, Junior Choreography showcase, and now the Spring Dance Concert.

Gianna Stedjan

Gianna Stedjan is a First-Year student pursuing a double major in Dance Performance & Choreography as well as Dance Science. She is originally from New York where she trained at Coupè Theater Studio for 13 years in all styles. She has also trained at the BOCO and UNCSA summer intensives where her love of dance grew and interest in choreography blossomed. She has previously performed in Dancing in the Landscape as well as Dance Composition II & III here at Elon. Gianna is so excited to be a part of her first Spring Dance Concert and to share her love of dance with you.

Elliot Sullivan

Elliot Sullivan, a Sophomore at Elon University, is majoring in both Music Theatre and Arts Administration and minoring in dance. Since performing as a bluebird in his first musical, Cinderella Kids, Elliot has nurtured a deep passion for musical theatre. Recently, he has appeared in Elon’s productions An American in Paris (Henri) and Merrily We Roll Along (Jerome/Ensemble). He extends heartfelt gratitude to his family and friends for their constant support, and above all, to God for blessing him with the opportunities that have shaped his journey. “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” 1 Chronicles 16:34

Sophie Verrecchia

Sophie Verrecchia is a senior Psychology major with a double minor in Dance and Neuroscience from Mechanicsburg, PA. She has been dancing for 18 years and has trained in various styles. At Elon, Sophie has performed in Dancing In The Landscape, the Fall Dance Concert, and the Spring Dance Concert, as well as participating in numerous student works. She is also the President of Elon’s Finest Hip Hop dance team, a student-run organization. This year, she will be performing in the Fall Dance Concert and the Spring Dance Concert. Sophie is so excited for you to see the show!

Ellie Weston

Ellie Weston is a first-year double majoring in Dance Performance/Choreography and Professional Writing. She has experience in many musical theatre productions and a background in competitive dance. She has previously performed in the Elon Dance Program’s Dancing in the Landscape, along with many small performances with Elon’s Finest Dance Team. This will be her first performance on Elon’s big stage. She wishes to express deep gratitude to Angelica, Zoia, and Professor Gee for alltheir hard work in Roots and Horizons. She is also grateful for her parents’ constant support and is excited to perform once again.

Caitlin Wicker

Caitlin is a first year Arts Administration major minoring in Dance, and is excited to perform with the Elon Dance Department. She has been dancing since age 5 developing as both a competitive dancer and musical theatre performer. Caitlin has also spent time as an assistant dance teacher. She looks forward to becoming more involved with the dance department and performing arts in her time at Elon. She thanks her family for their support.

Katie Williams

Katie is an Arts Admin major minoring in dance. She currently trains with Dance Project NC along with her studies at Elon. She would like to thank her mom, Candy Williams, and all her teachers at Dance Project for believing in her!

Production Team

Keshia Gee

Jessica Hightower

Tyson Miller

Michael Smith

Allie Bensimhon

Mallory Caballero

Lainey Gaston

Sadie Gompf

Jonas Hinsdale

Sebastian Gonzalez Layton

Keshia Gee

Keshia Gee earned a BA in Dance and African American Studies from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and an MFA in Dance at Hollins University in collaboration with Künstlerhaus Mousonturm and the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts with support from the Dresden Frankfurt Dance Company. Currently an Assistant Professor at Elon University where she teaches traditional West African and contemporary dance. In 2023, she was named a Woman of Color Leadership Project Fellow by the National Women’s Studies Association. She is also the author of Roots of Rhythm: An Introduction to West African Dance (2024)

Jessica Hightower

Jessica Lynn Hightower has worked as a scenic designer & scenic fabricator in various venues across the U.S.. Recent designs include Little Women, The Seagull, and People, Places & Things. She has received two Kennedy Center national awards for her projection design work on The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, a national award for the ASTC-USITT Venue Renovation Challenge, and multiple regional awards in both scenic and media design from Southwest USITT, USITT Ohio-Valley, and KCACTF Region 6. Jessica received her MFA in Scenic Design from The Ohio State University. Visit her website, jessicalynndesigns.com.

Tyson Miller

Tyson is thrilled to be joining Elon University for his debut lighting design. His work spans many disciplines including music, theatre, dance, and museum installations. Clients include Jim Brickman Music, Arlekin Players Theatre, the Joanne Langione Dance Center, the Edward Kennedy Institute for the US Senate, and the Winnipesaukee Playhouse. Internationally he has worked with Rakvere Teater (Estonia), White Rabbit Creative Agency (Dubai/ Egypt), and Sadlers Wells Theatre (London). Tyson holds a BFA in International Theatre Production from Ohio Northern University and an MA in Light in Performance from Rose Bruford College, London. More information can be found at www.twmlighting.com.

Michael Smith

Michael is an Associate Professor in the Theatrical Design and Technology program at Elon University. Michael has been designing in theatre for over 20 years, designing in professional, academic, regional and community theatre across the county. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family and being in the outdoors.

Allie Bensimhon

Allie Bensimhon is a junior majoring in Theatrical Design and Technology. She is thrilled to be the Assistant Stage Manager for the 2026 Spring Dance Concert! Her recent credits from Elon include Love & Information (Assistant Stage Manager), the 2025 Fall Dance Concert (Stage Manager), and Paradise Lost (Scenic/Props Coordinator). Enjoy!

Mallory Caballero

Mallory Caballero is a sophomore majoring in Theatrical Design & Technology and is excited to be working on another season of shows at Elon! Recent Elon Credits include An American In Paris (Asst. Costume Designer) and Natasha, Pierre, and The Great Comet of 1812 (Asst. Costume Designer). She would like to thank her family for always supporting her big dreams!!

Lainey Gaston

Lainey Gaston is a First Year from Concord, North Carolina. You may have seen her at the 2024 Jimmy Awards for her role as Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Other shows that shaped Lainey include, Beauty and the Beast (Mrs.Potts), Sister Act (Deloris Van Cartier) and Rock of Ages (Justice Charlie). Lainey has won many awards including the Blumey and Maestro Awards. She would like to thank God, her parents, Dr. Corey and Laura Gaston. Instagram: @lainery_06

Sadie Gompf

Sadie Gompf is a sophomore Theatrical Design and Technology major with a costume design concentration. Some of her work at Elon includes Assistant designer on RENT and Grapes of Wrath and Wardrobe Supervisor for An American in Paris and Grapes of Wrath.

Jonas Hinsdale

Jonas Hinsdale is a freshman Music Theatre major thrilled to make his Elon debut. Regional: “A Christmas Carol“, “Matilda“. Favorite credits include “Alice by Heart“, “The Prom“, “A Chorus Line“, and “Anything Goes“. Endless thanks to his family, teachers, and friends for their unwavering support.

Sebastian Gonzalez Layton

Sebastian is super excited to be making his Elon performing debut in Collage! He is a freshman Music Theatre major and is incredibly grateful to be attending this awesome program. His most recent credits include: Officer Lockstock in Urinetown, Mitch Mahoney in Putnam, and Billy Flynn in Chicago. He would like to thank his family, friends, and awesome girlfriend Cate for their continued support of his passions!