SUPERHERO 2018 Cast

SUPERHERO 2018 Cast!

Tyler McCants as Jesus Christ

“This marks the first time in my dance career where I’ve to play a role with so many responsibilities. Depicting that of a man who, at first, is not sure of his own destiny or how he will conquer God’s task is no easy feat. Superhero will always have a special place in my heart. It’s a story that anyone can relate to, believers and nonbelievers.”

Abbie Lessaris as Judas Iscariot

“I’m very excited to tackle the part of Judas. He is the villain, the tortured bad boy of the story. There is something so fun to play a part that is nothing like your true personality. Plus, I think it’s a great time in history to bring a strong female back into this role.”

Brittney Richards as Mother Mary

“Mother Mary is the embodiment of unconditional love and compassion. She is a way-shower of truth, and she teaches us how to see with divine vision. Just as she raised Christ, Mother Mary helps us to nurture the Spirit within each of us. Mother Mary acted from a place of wholeness and trust, and she shows us how to move through our lives with calm, present love. Her strength, wisdom, and faith have inspired me in many ways. I am deeply grateful to be portraying her in Superhero. ”

Taylar Green as Mary Magdalene

“I’m excited about doing Magdalene because she’s such a dynamic character. I’ve studied her through the context of the bible and in history and I’m excited to bring my understanding of a passionate, often misunderstood, follower of Jesus to the stage. Also, the costume is pretty amazing!”

Morgan Beane as Claudia Procula

“My role in SUPERHERO is Claudia, also known as Pilate’ s wife. She was an honorable woman who followed her intuitions, and was not afraid to stand up for what she believed in. Claudia is the only recorded person who spoke up against the decision to kill Jesus. I am honored to take on the role of such a strong and powerful female character. I hope to portray Claudia in an impactful way that empowers the audience to feel they too can stand up for what is right.”

Hannah Brown as Veronica

“Veronica was a woman who witnessed Jesus carrying the cross to Golgotha. She was moved with compassion to reach out to him and wipe his face with her veil, which left a perfect image of his face upon the veil. This solo has always been one of my favorite moments in the show and it is wonderful to be challenged by this beautiful role.”

Erica Steward as The Woman at the Well

“The Woman at the Well is the first person Jesus reveals his true identity to. Jesus broke the social rules by speaking to a woman of a lower social-class and asking her for water. This role is very important to me, as it represents breaking the barrier between gender and social class. Everyone is equal, and everyone should be treated equally.”

Skylar Thomas as the Cross

“The role of the cross is a very unique role. I have the honor and privilege of embodying the inanimate wooden cross that Jesus of Nazareth was crucified upon.   Receiving the opportunity to perform this role is unlike any other. The cross is a very iconic and therefore very impactful piece in the show. Having the opportunity to bring it to life while still maintaining the illusion  of the wooden cross is both the great challenge and beauty of the role. It means so much to so many and being able to physically embody this iconic and powerful symbol is truly special as well as incredibly humbling.”

Nutcracker Fundraiser

Calling all Bookworms! 

GHDT’s The Nutcracker is having a fundraiser that benefits you! We have teamed up with Barnes & Noble Bookstore again this year to raise money for our production of The Nutcracker. Get your holiday shopping done early at Barnes & Noble and GHDT will get a portion of the sales! Below are the two ways you can participate.

In Store

On Saturday, November 4th from 12PM – 3PM, visit the store in Carmel for early holiday shopping, Nutcracker story-time, and coloring with cast members. Don’t forget you MUST have the voucher below, to ensure GHDT gets a portion of sales. This in-store voucher is only for the Barnes & Noble at 14790 Grey Hound Pass, Carmel, IN, and only for the time period above.

Online

If you don’t live near this store, don’t fret! There is also a code for online purchases. The online code will work from November 4th, 2017- November 9th, 2017. At the checkout, enter our Bookfair I.D. number: 12232062

Seeking Male Dancers

Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre is seeking MALE dancers with strong classical, contemporary, and partnering technique for immediate hire. All applicants who live outside the US must have a valid work visa. All applicants must be available to audition in person.

Auditions will be held during company class and are by invitation only. To apply, please send a resume, recent head shot, and recent dance video to auditions.ghdt@gmail.com

All applicants must be available for one or more of the listed performances and rehearsal periods:

SIMCHA: Weekends February 3-18, 2018 (Rehearsals beginning ASAP)

SUPERHERO: March 30-31, 2018 (Rehearsals beginning in February)

THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME: June 29-30, 2018 (Rehearsals beginning in April)

Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre provides:

• Minimum of 30 week work schedule
  • Weekly salaries for company members and guest positions
  • Occasional national and international touring opportunities
  • Season performances as the resident dance company of the Tarkington at the Center for Performing Arts
  • Teaching and choreographic opportunities at The Academy of GHDT

Behind the Dances of CELEBRATION

The Pieces of CELEBRATION

Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre is celebrating 20 seasons of artistic choreography and dance! There are over 130 pieces in the GHDT repertoire choreographed by Artistic Director Mr. Hancock. Some pieces have been performed only once, but many others have been performed multiple times in various concerts based on popularity and/or concert design. Many patrons have followed the works of GHDT for the entire 20 years and find the concert experience to be inspiring, entertaining and thought provoking. For those who are first time GHDT patrons, CELEBRATION, will provide a peak into the past with a selections from the “classics.” A new work by Gregory Hancock will premiere during CELEBRATION. See the ever evolving artistry of the dancers during this intense, high energy, and encompassing concert.To buy tickets, click here.

DESTINY

DESTINY, first premiered in April of 2000 at the Indianapolis Civic Theatre. This piece is an abstract dance simply interpreting the beautiful Portuguese fado music.  A dance of joy. The original cast consisted of Deborah Barlow, Joy Havens, Dawn Hennig, Tara Hennig, Heather King and Christine Smerdel (Thacker). 

1968

The title refers to a period of time from January to August in 1968 in the former Czechoslovakia which became known as the “Prague Spring”. With the election of new government in January of 1968, the Prague Spring begins a brief period of reform with freedom of speech, press and artistic creativity, but comes to an abrupt end with the Russian invasion in August. The dance depicts the lives of people who are manipulated and controlled by the government. With the newly found freedom, the couple has difficulty understanding their new life. The transition to freedom is ultimately achieved only to be quickly taken away again by political control. In addition to the political tone of 1968, other typical Czech motifs have been utilized such as the marionettes, which are world-famous in Prague, and contemporary Czech music. 

Every Moment… Every Day…

This is a world premiere piece, the latest in Mr. Hancock’s repertoire. Loss…grief…and love. There is no ending to any of these. We think we understand, but we do not. They simply continue every day and every moment for as long as we remain. At some point in life, everyone will carry something. Sometimes it is easy to see, and other times it is in invisible. 

“cuchi cuchi”

“cuchi cuchi” was inspired by the famous words of Charo, a Spanish-American actress, comedian, and flamenco guitarist. The piece was performed at the Latvian National Opera House for the President of Latvia in 2006 when GHDT was representing the USA at the 11^th International Baltic Ballet Festival. “cuchi cuchi” is a fun, lively, and at times, comedic piece sure to have audience members dancing in their seats.

Bolero

Bolero is a Flamenco inspired piece that uses rythmic snaps, claps, and stomps, alongside smooth and fiery movements. BOLERO is both a dancer and audience favorite and has been performed with various cast sizes from seven to 32. 

For tickets for CELEBRATION, click here!

GHDT Welcomes New Dancers

New Dancers

Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre welcomes three new company dancers for their 20th Anniversary Season! Read their exciting stories below! Come see them perform in the season opener “CELEBRATION!” on September 22 & 23 at The Tarkington. Buy your tickets for the performances here!

Morgan Beane

Morgan Beane began her dance training in Rochester, Michigan with the Michigan Ballet Theatre. Morgan later attended Marygrove College where she graduated Cum Laude with a degree in dance theatre performance. Immediately following graduation, she joined the Dayton Contemporary Dance Second Company, where she performed and trained for a season. Morgan then moved back to Detroit to continue to perform and teach as a guest artist with various local companies throughout the Detroit Metro area. In May of 2017, Morgan joined GHDT as an intern and performed in the popular production of “A Night in India” in June. She joined GHDT this fall as a company member.

Look out for Morgan’s solo in Cuchi Cuchi in CELEBRATION!

Tyler McCants 

A native of Mobile, Alabama, Tyler McCants began his dance training as a young student and continued through high school. He was accepted into the Department of Dance at the University of Southern Mississippi under scholarship. Tyler graduated in 2014 with a B.F.A. in Performance and Choreography. After college, Tyler performed as a guest artist with Hub Dance Collective. He also worked and toured with Top 10 Dance Challenge, a dance competition and convention. He has performed in Dance Festivals in New York City and Kalamazoo. He joined GHDT in 2017 and performed with GHDT in “The Black Dahlia” last February as “the doctor.”

Don’t miss Tyler’s duet with company member Taylar Green in Cuchi Cuchi in CELEBRATION!

Chris Lingner 

Chris Lingner began his career joining the 2009 National Tour of Twyla Tharp’s Moving Out, dancing the principal roles of Eddie and James, making him one of the youngest performers to ever dance these roles. Lingner has been a featured guest artist with Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre, Indianapolis School of Ballet, New Albany Ballet, Peoria Ballet, in the Young Stars of Ballet Gala, presented by Indianapolis City Ballet and Chamber Dance Project in D.C. In 2012, Sonya Tayeh created a new work on him for an NFL Super Bowl-Super Cure event fighting breast cancer. Lingner studied ballet in the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University where he danced principal roles in works by Twyla Tharp, George Balanchine, Paul Taylor, Dwight Rhoden, August Bournonville, Josh Bergasse, Antony Tudor, Nicolo Fonte, and Peter Martins . Lingner joined Cincinnati Ballet in the 13-14 50th Anniversary Season in the Corps de Ballet. Since joining Cincinnati Ballet, Lingner has performed in works by Adam Hougland, Victoria Morgan, Trey McIntyre, Septime Webre, Viktor Plotnikov, Jessica Lang, Jennifer Archibald, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Yuri Possokhov, and Kirk Peterson. As a producer, Lingner was also nominated for a Tony Award as a member of the producing team for Broadway’s “On the Town” and “Best Show of 2016″ for his production of the first Ballet Royalty Gala in Havana, Cuba. Lingner is thrilled to return to the GHDT stage for it’s 20th season as he was a part of the original cast of both “Hunchback” and “Super Hero” and couldn’t be happier to celebrate the works of GHDT.

Come see Chris perform the fan-favorite piece, 1968, dancing with company member Erica Steward.