Welcome to the Advanced Dance Theater Group
of Beverly
Hills High School
The COMPANY 2002
The Beverly Hills High School
Advanced DanceTheatre Group gives new meaning to the word homecoming.
The Company 2001 has returned to the refurbished K.L. Peters
Auditorium to perform their annual concert on January 16, 17,18,19
at 7:30 p.m. This amazing group of dancers is one of the top
high school dance companies in the country. The Company has produced
many dancers that have gone on to dance in television, films,
and music videos, as well as professional dance companies such
as Bella Lewitzky, Naomi Goldberg, and ISO. This year's performance
is a combination of artistic inspiration and personal reflection.
Artistic Director Janet
Roston has drawn on her experience as a mother to choreograph
a piece that will have audiences laughing from beginning to end
as she explores the ups and downs of pregnancy. The final section
of the dance explores the power of family. Three generations
of BHHS Dance Company will perform; dance company alumnae with
their children, current company members and siblings of members
who hope to join the Dance Company in the future.
Following the tradition of including alumni choreographers, Rachael
Robbins has returned to choreograph a piece that reflects her
interpretations of the four seasons. Ben Levy, another alumni
Dance Company member, has also returned to choreograph a piece
which utilizes a set and live cello accompaniment. The Company
is honored to have as its guest choreographer John Pennington,
winner of Los Angeles's premier dance honor, the Horton Award
for Outstanding Performer of the Year.
Students are very involved as choreographers for the concert.
Senior Schuyler Sorosky's piece journeys into the world of nightmares
where only fear is real. Seniors Roberta Berredo and David Oh
have taken the tragic events of September 11 to create a piece
that not only reflects the pain of that day, but the strength
of life. Junior Ryan Weiss has choreographed a large-scale dance
with 25 dancers in collaboration with BHHS student composer Kevin
Blumenfeld.
CONTENTS
COMPANY 2002 ROSTER
Natasha Attal - Grade 12 * Roberta Berredo - Grade
12
Ryan Cooper - Grade 12 * Aaron Harvey - Grade 12
Kathryn Ivanova - Grade 10 * Melissa Joseph - Grade
10
Michelle Kaye - Grade 12 * Shelby Kraushaar - Grade
12
Maddy Lasry - Grade 12 * Galit Prince - Grade
12
Alessandra Rizzotti - Grade 11 * Nicol Ruber - Grade
11
Sharone Sayegh - Grade 12 * Dana Shprung -
Grade 11
Schuyler Sorosky - Grade 12 * Gabriella Vallone
- Grade 11
Ryan Weiss - Grade 11
APPRENTICES
Orian Ben-Artzi - Grade 9 * Gregory Frances - Grade
10 * Toby Karlin - Grade 11
Robby Nadler - Grade 10 * David Oh - Grade 12 * Nathaniel
Smith - Grade 10
Marcus Toji - Grade 12 * Vienna Willems - Grade 10
Heloise Van Eeghan - Grade 9 * Anushe Vafadar - Grade
11
(CLICK on the Company Photos for Full Size Images)
The Company 2002
Seniors:
On Floor, Natasha Attal; First Row (L to R.) Michelle Kaye, Shelby
Kraushaar,
Maddy Lasry, Roberta Berredo, Ryan Cooper; Second Row, Michelle
Monsef,
Schuyler Sorosky, David Oh, Marcus Toji;
Third Row, Sharone Sayegh, Galit Prince, Lindsay Tucker
Juniors:
On Floor, Toby Karlin; Second Row (L. to R.) Anushe Vafadar,
Dana Shprung, Gabrielle Vallone;
Third Row, Ryan Weiss, Alessandra Rizzotti, Nicol Ruber
Sophmores:
First Row (L. to R.) Vienna Williams, Gregory Frances, Kathryn
Ivanova, Robbie Nadler;
Second Row, Nathaniel Smith, Mihal Ansik, Diana Oh, Melissa Joseph
Freshmen:
Heloise Van Eeghan, Orion Ben-Artzi
Artistic Directors:
(L. to R.) Christy Bolingbroke, Janet Roston, Rachael Robbins
(Company portraits by Alice Kuo * Concert photos by
Barry Weiss)
The PROGRAM
THE COMPANY IS IN THE HOUSE
Choreography: Christy Bolingbroke
Music: The Grid
Dancers: The Company 2002
LACMA: 6:12 P.M.
Inspired by the exhibition "Jasper Johns to Jeff Koons:
Four Decades of Art From the Broad Collection"
at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Music: René Aubry Saxophone: Toby Karlin
The Walk Home - Inspired by the art of Julian Schnabel
Choreography: Melissa Joseph
Dancers: Alessandra Rizzotti, Nicol Ruber, Schuyler Sorosky,
Gabriella Vallone, Heloise Van Eeghan, Ryan Weiss
Bedflower - Inspired by the art of Ross Bleckner
Choreography: Gabriella Vallone
Dancers: Melissa Joseph, Ryan Weiss, Heloise Van Eeghan,
Robby Nadler, Alessandra Rizzotti, Ryan Cooper
Man Wrapped, Nailed, and Clothed - Inspired by the
art of Charles Ray
Choreography: Alessandra Rizzotti
Dancers: Natasha Attal, Ryan Cooper, Gregory Frances, Dana Shprung
Schuyler Sorosky, Melissa Joseph, Gabriella Vallone
THE CRACK IN CONFORMITY UNLEASHES THE ACTIVE SOUL
"If a man does not keep pace with his companion, perhaps
it is because
he hears a different drummer." Henry David Thoreau
Choreography: Ryan Weiss
Music: Original Composition, Keven Blumenfeld, Senior BHHS
Dancers:
Society: Orian Ben-Artzi, Ryan Cooper, Lauren Douglas, Talia Eichenbaum
Gregory Frances, Margo Horowitz, Caroline Joseph, Melissa Joseph,
Toby Karlin
Erica Laurent, Amanda Leiter, Robby Nadler, Dana Sprung, Nathaniel
Smith
Schuyler Sorosky, Anusche Vafadar, Gabriella Vallone, Heloise
Van Eeghen, Vienna Willems
Nonconformists: Roberta Berredo, Kathryn Ivanova, Shelby Kraushaar,
Alessandra Rizzotti, Nicol Ruber
ONE GIANT LEAP FOR THE HIP-HOP NATION
Choreography: Bradford Robinson-Mathews
Music: P. Diddy, Fabolous
Dancers: The A.P. Posse: Natasha Attal, Roberta Berredo, Ryan
Cooper, Aaron Harvey
Kathryn Ivanova, Shelby Kraushaar, Maddy Lasry, Galit Prince,
Sharone Sayegh, Heloise Van Eeghe
SWEET DREAMS
Choreography: Schuyler Sorosky
Music: Roy Shakked Costumes: Nirit Lechtman
Dancers: Kathryn Ivanova, Sharone Sayegh, Melissa Joseph, Dana
Shprung
Maddy Lasry, Schuyler Sorosky, Galit Prince, Gabriella Vallone,
Alessandra Rizzotti, Nicol Ruber
TOTEMS
Choreography: John Pennington
Music: David Karagianis
Dancers: Natasha Attal, Sharone Sayegh, Roberta Berredo, Dana
Shprung
Ryan Cooper, Ryan Weiss, Gregory Frances, Schuyler Sorosky, Kathryn
Ivanova
Melissa Joseph, Toby Karlin, Shelby Kraushaar, Maddy Lasry, Robby
Nadler
David Oh, Galit Prince, Vienna Willems
INTERMISSION
- 2002 Concert Photo Page
GIRL FOR ALL SEASONS
Choreography: Rachael Robbins
Music: Neil Sedaka, Stephanie Pompougnac and Yves Montand, Dominic
Bugatti and Frank Musker
Sound Design: David Karagianis Lyric read by: John DiFusco
Dancers: Winter: Shelby Kraushaar - Spring: Alessandra
Rizzotti
Summer: Roberta Berredo - Fall: Kathryn Ivanova
For Michael: My love for all seasons.
pOrtal
Choreography: Ben Levy
Music composed and performed by Chris Lancaster
Set design and construction by Laura Merage
Dancers: Roberta Berredo, Melissa Joseph, Shelby Kraushaar, Ryan
Weiss
The choreographer would like to thank the dancers for their generous
contribution to the choreography.
MVP (Most Valuable Posse)
Choreography: Aaron Harvey, Shelby Kraushaar
Music: Linkin Park, Usher, Fat Joe
Dancers: The A.P. Posse
ONE LAST BREATH
Choreography: David Oh, Roberta Berredo
Music: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Rest in Peace, Dear Friends
Dancers:
Bodies: Natasha Attal, Ryan Cooper, Greg Francis, Robby Nadler,
Galit Prince,
Sharone Sayegh, Marcus Toji
Souls: Roberta Berredo, Aaron Harvey, Maddy Lasry, Dana Shprung,
Schuyler Sorosky, Gabriella Vallone, Ryan Weiss
Understudy: Toby Karlin
The Earth Still Turns
Music: Franz Schubert
Dancers:
Homeless Man: Aaron Harvey - Lonely Woman: Natasha Attal
Couple in Love: David Oh, Sharone Sayegh
Angels:
Roberta Berredo/Soloist
Maddy Lasry, Galit Prince, Gabriella Vallone, Ryan Weiss
Dedicated to those lost on 9/11/01
MELANGE
Choreography: Shelby Kraushaar
Music: Lisa Germano
Dancer: Shelby Kraushaar
HOW I SPENT MY SUMMER VACATION
For Jonathan: 7/28/90
Choreography: Janet Roston
Preggers (Originally performed by The Company '91)
Music: Ned Washington
Dancers: The Women of The Company 2002
Special Guests: Lauren Douglas, Talia Eichenbaum, Caroline Joseph,
Margo Horowitz
Erica Laurent, Amanda Leiter. Paige Saxby, Lauren Spieller
Babies (Originally performed by The Company '91)
Music: Bobby McFerrin
Dancers: Ryan Cooper, Gregory Frances, Toby Karlin, Robby Nadler
David Oh, Nathaniel Smith, Marcus Toji, Ryan Weiss, Sharone Sayegh,
Galit Prince
Family (Premier)
Music: Andy Monroe
Dancers: Three Generations of The Company
The Present: The Company 2002
The Past and Future:
Company Alumnae:
Nell Alano Abrams Her daughter: Hannah Abrams, Age
11
Kathy Bronte Her daughter: Jenna Hughes, Age 8
Michelle Berman Kaye Her daughter: Danielle Kaye,
Age 8
Laura Ordin Lahijani Her daughter: Aliya Lahijani,
Age 7
Siblings and More:
Ariel Lasry, Age 11 Erin Goldman, Age 12
Tali Ruber, Age 10
Lilli Vallone, Age 12 Jonathan Roston Weiss, Age 11
CAST BOWS
Choreography: Janet Roston
Music: Basement Jaxx
Dancers: The Cast
Guest Choreographer
John Pennington is a Los Angeles based dance artist. His recent
choreographic commissions were seen with The Los Angeles Philharmonic,
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, LA Solo Festival, and in Santa
Barbaraís FIESTA. He is currently creating dances for Rocky
Mountain Ballet Theater and Hotchkiss Dance Company. He is honored
to be this yearís recipient of three Lester Horton Awards
including individual performer of the year in 2000. John danced
for 14 years with the Bella Lewitzky Dance Company and continues
his association with the Lewitzky Dance Foundation. He has held
faculty positions at UCLA and Loyola Marymount University and
currently instructs at Pomona College. He is the recipient
of several grants and awards including the Princess Grace Grant
and the California Community Foundation Grand for choreography.
John would like to thank his cast for a great experience...The
Company '02 Rocks!
Alumni Choreographer
Benjamin Levy is a student at UC Berkeley double majoring
in Dance and Public Relations and Representation. He graduated
from Beverly Hills High School in 1998 after having danced in
The Company for three years. Since then he has danced professionally
and toured nationally with The Bay Area Repertory Dance Company,
KIN Dance Company, and Lula Washington Dance Theater. His choreographic
work has been honored at UC Berkeley and the American Dance Festival
where it was called "one of the most refreshing works of
the summer." He would like to thank the dancers for their
extraordinary dedication, faith and perseverance, and Janet for
welcoming him back to his alma mater.
Composer/Performer
Chris Lancaster and his cello Lucy emerged from Orange County
and are currently working as artists in residence for the Dance
Department at Hollins University in Virginia. They have had quite
a diverse career together; playing in master classes for Yo-Yo
Ma, touring with ex-Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward, designing
music therapy for blind children, and performing for over 30 dance
theater and film scores. He met Ben Levy at the American Dance
Festival where Chris is a full time faculty member. Chris is very
excited to be working with Ben and other young talented choreographers
who will be shaping the face of modern dance in the 21st Century.
A.P. Posse Choreographer
Bradford Robinson-Mathews is currently a student at West Los
Angeles College. This is his third year choreographing for
The Company. Brad has created hip-hop choreography for M.A.D.
Degrees Productionís instructional dance video, "Hip-Hop
Habit 4," and recently had his work performed at The Mayan
with "Hot Property," a choreography showcase for the
KSA Agency. Brad is co-director of the hip-hop performance group
"Dimes and Dubs Dance Connection.".
Artistic Director
Janet Roston has worked as a choreographer in a wide variety
of media. She has created choreography for numerous commercials
including Disney, ABC, Barbie, and Motorola. Television credits
include the mini-series "Seduced by Madness" starring
Ann-Margret and Peter Coyote, "Ned and Stacey," and
"A League of Their Own." Theater choreography includes
the recent 20th Anniversary production of "Tracers"
and "Avenue X" at the Odyssey Theater (for which she
received a Drama-Logue Award), "A...My Name is Alice"
and "Bed and Sofa" at the Long Beach Center Theater,
and "Nite-Club Confidential" starring Scott Bakula (which
won an L.A. Weekly Award for outstanding musical production).
Her work as a director includes the National Tour for Nashville
recording artists Lonestar and producing and directing the instructional
video "Principles of Choreography" which won medals
at the New York Film Festival, Houston Film Festival, and Columbus
Film Festival. Through her company, M.A.D. Degrees Productions,
Janet produces instructional dance videos that are marketed worldwide.
This is her 20th year as Artistic Director of The Company. She
thanks her extra special participants this year; younger and older,
The Company lives on!
Assistant Artistic Director
Rachael Robbins Received her BFA in Dance from Calfornia State
University, Long Beach where she performed in works by Martha
Graham, Lar Lubavitch, Keith Johnson, and Jeff Slayton.
In 1996 she received the Fine Art Affiliate Scholarship for her
solo "Enfold Me in Your Wings." She performed with Naomi
Goldberg's L.A. Modern Dance and Ballet and the Keshet Chaim Dance
Ensemble who performed her choreography in Moscow. Rachael also
works professionally as a lighting designer and stage manager.
Last year Rachael choreographed "The Music Man" for
BHHS. Rachael was a member of The Company from 1991-93.
She has been Assistant Artistic Director for five years.
This year's choreography for The Company is her third as an alumni
choreographer.
Assistant Artistic Director
Christy Bolingbroke graduated from UCLA with a BA in Dance
in 1999. She was a member of the UCLA Dance Team for two years
and graduated from an intensive program at the Alvin Ailey American
Dance Academy in New York. She has performed in works by
local choreographers David Rousseve, Ron Brown, and Julie Carson.
In addition to choreography and performance Christy has produced
many shows including Tiny Banditsí Jesus Christ Superstar,
David Rousseve's The Ten Year Chat, and most recently Dan Frootís
Shlammer at the Los Angeles Theater Center. She is
in her first term as Board President for the Dance Resource Center
of Greater Los Angeles. This is Christy's third year as Artistic
Director for The Company.
Special Thanks to:
Sport Fun, California Sunshine, Playboy Sportwear,
Karen Feinstock for Bingo Night Prizes, Marilyn Tucker for so
many Garage Sales, Jennifer Logan, Alice Kuo, Barry Weiss, Fiona
Karlin, The Company Parent Committee, The Performing Arts Department,
Pam Kraushaar for your many years as Parent Committee Chairperson.
PRODUCTION STAFF
Artistic Director: Janet Roston
Assistant Artistic Directors: Rachael Robbins, Christy Bolingbroke
Company Manager: Lindsay Tucker
Publicity Manager: Michelle Monsef
Assistant Publicity Manager: Mihal Ansik
Costume Manager: Diana Oh
Costume Design: Nirit Lechtman
Lighting Design: Rachael Robbins
Technical Director: Annie Terry
Assistant Stage Managers: Evan Barquist, Lizzie Weiss
Set Shift/Prop Director: Megan Bialek
Fly Master: Shelly Shalev
Set Shift/Fly Crew: Tiffany Brown, Luis Ruiz
Lighting Director: Josh Greenspoon
Light Crew: William Brown, Stephi Efron, Arnold Lesin, Efrat Tsykoriev
Sound Directors: Max Baines, Nora Rahimian
Parent Committee Chairperson: Pam Kraushaar
Poster and Program Design: Jennifer Logan
Poster and Program Photos: Alice Kuo
Audio-Visual Director: Dave Stiles
Concert Program Coordinator: Fiona Karlin
BEVERLY HILLS HIGH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
MR. BEN BUSHMAN Principal
MR. RICHARD MUNITZ Assistant Principal
MRS. GAYLA RABIN Assistant Principal
MR. DAN STEPANOSKY Assistant Principal
DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION
DR. GWEN GROSS
Superintendent
MR. CLAYTON CHAPUT
Deputy Superintendent
MR. W. REX COMER
Assistant Superintendent
MR. JEFFREY HUBBARD
Assistant Superintendent
BOARD OF EDUCATION
MRS. VIRGINA MAAS
President
MR. BARRY BRUCKER
Vice-President
DR. WILLIAM BRIEN
Board Member
DR. MYRA DEMETER
Board Member
MRS. ALISSA ROSTON
Board Member
MS MICHELLE HALIMI Student
Representative
Janet Roston/Barry Weiss
Dance!90210.com
