Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre presents SAGAS AND SUPERSTITIONS at The Tarkington at The Center for the Performing Arts, June 7-8, 2024. GHDT closes its 2023-2024 season with SAGAS AND SUPERSTITIONS on June 7 & 8, 2024 at 7:00 pm at The Tarkington at The Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana. Featured in the program with be the premiere of DON’T SIT AT THE CORNER OF THE TABLE, Mr. Hancock’s latest creation inspired by superstitions of Eastern Europe.
Company dancer, Chloe Holzman will also premiere her first choreographic work set of GHDT, featuring music and stories of Brazil. Rounding out the program will be GREEK MYTHOLOGY inspired by tales and superstitions and set to Greek music, and THE WEDDING featuring Polish music.
This concert will mark the farewell performances of three long-time dancers of GHDT. Hannah Brown, Chloe Holzman, and Camden Lancaster will retire from the concert stage with this performance. Please join us as we celebrate their contributions to GHDT over the years. We will miss their powerful and beautiful performances on stage. We wish them all the best on they move on to new journeys in their lives.
GHDT Season Title Sponsorship by ORTHOINDY FOUNDATION and Drs. Mihir and Chandrika Patel, MD. Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre is the resident professional dance company at The Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana.
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For additional information about this performance or for interview/media information, contact Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre at 317-844-2660 or ghdt@sbcglobal.net. For information about Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre, visit www.gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org. Photo Credit: Lydia Moody Pictured: Olivia Payton, Camden Lancaster
Join us for G2 In Concert. This May GHDT’s pre-professional company takes the stage with new choreography from Thomas Mason, Chloe Holzman, and Olivia Payton, as well as iconic pieces from GHDT’s repertoire. AGHDT’S Competition team performs alongside G2 with their pieces from the 2024 competition season. Come witness the wonderful talents of these young and passion-filled students.
The Mélange Series returns with 3 new remarkable artists.
Mélange: concoction, mixture, combination. In this new series of performances, audiences will experience art coming to life in front of their eyes in an intimate theatrical setting. Each series will feature a musician (a vocalist or instrumentalist), a dancer (from Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre), and a visual artist. Together they will create art at The Florence (Carmel’s newest black-box theatre space), in a collaborative and organic manner. The singer will present a set of songs, while the dancer creates choreography inspired by the music, as the visual artist creates art inspired by the movement of the dancer and the music of the vocalist. Audiences will experience live art in a new manner, bringing groundbreaking and creative art to Central Indiana.
Christel DeHaan’s life epitomized the American Dream. Born during World War II in Germany and immigrating to the United States in 1962, she started typing and ironing services upon her arrival in Indiana. In 1974 she co-founded RCI, the company that pioneered vacation exchange and became the leader in its industry. When she became the sole owner of RCI in 1989 Christel led the company’s global expansion, creating over 30 international offices. At the time she sold the company in 1996 to NYSE-traded HFS, RCI had over 4,000 employees.
Christel’s passion for life, for causes, for people and for the arts, music and nature was underscored by a deep commitment to excellence in all that she did. She made a difference as an employer, as a community leader and as a philanthropist. The Christel DeHaan Family Foundation (CDFF) has made grants supporting over 700 arts, education, child welfare and human needs organizations. In 1998 she founded Christel House, a public charity that helps children around the world break the cycle of poverty and become self-sufficient, contributing members of society.
Through her careful planning, the work of Christel House will continue. Currently serving nearly 6,000 students, Christel House uses a holistic approach which ensures that a child’s basic needs are met, and then provides top-quality education, character development, career-planning, and ultimately, job placement. As a thoughtful and strategic philanthropist, Christel DeHaan desired CDFF to close following her death and corpus assets be provided to designated organizations through Legacy Gifts. The Foundation closed in 2023 after awarding millions of dollars in grants over its lifespan.
Through these efforts, Christel DeHaan will be remembered for providing educational opportunities to children in Indianapolis and around the globe, and for strengthening arts and cultural institutions in Indianapolis. Christel’s philosophy of life was, “to care, to share, to make a difference,” and nothing could summarize her life more clearly.
Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre (GHDT) is eternally grateful for the vision, generosity, and legacy of Christel DeHaan. GHDT is honored to be a recipient of a Christel DeHaan Legacy Gift. This gift is in the form of an endowment that will be managed by the Central Indiana Community Foundation. Because of Christel’s passion for the arts and especially the work of Mr. Hancock, our organization is strengthened, enriched, and inspired. We are humbled that Christel DeHaan selected GHDT to continue her legacy of philanthropy for generations to come.
If you are interested in contributing to this endowment fund for GHDT, please contact us.
Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre announces their 2023-2024 performance season with the presentation of culturally inspired new artistic works as well as the return of audience favorites including Pinocchio, La Llorona, and The Wild Wild West at two venues, The Tarkington and The Florence.
Entering into GHDT’s 26th season, Executive Artistic Director Gregory Hancock will continue his legacy of eloquent and passionate storytelling through music and dance. Presenting a thread of everyday universal truths told through a selection of mystical and magical tales, the artists of GHDT will provide a backdrop this season for uniting audiences through inspirational and entertaining experiences.
LEGENDS AND FAIRYTALES
The Tarkington
October 27 – 28, 2023 – 7 pm
An audience favorite, LA LLORONA, is a work derived from a Mexican legend about love and spirits. It will captivate the audience through imagination and layers of theatrical nuance. A new work, ANGELS AND DJINN, will use Turkish classical and folk music, stunning costumes, movement and lighting to help tell these meaningful stories which will engage audiences and make deep emotional connections.
THE NUTCRACKER
The Florence
Weekends December 1-10, 2023
This magical student production performed up-close in the new Florence black box theatre, is a reimagined, retelling of GHDT’s contemporary holiday classic. Celebrating the magic that can happen through small acts of kindness, GHDT’s performance reminds us of the true spirit of giving and will touch the hearts of each audience member. THE NUTCRACKER is an annual family favorite.
THE WILD WILD WEST
The Florence
Weekends February 10-25, 2024
GHDT brings the American Old West into the black-box cabaret setting for a fun theatrical experience giving a nod to the Western movies of old Hollywood. Complete with cowboys, gunslingers, bandits, townsfolk, lawmen and saloon girls, this interactive performance will feature renowned music from popular TV and movie Westerns with costumes of yesteryear.
FABLES AND FOLKLORE
The Tarkington
April 5-6, 2024 – 7 pm
Join GHDT for the highly anticipated return of the popular PINOCCHIO! In Executive Artistic Director Gregory Hancock’s adaptation of PINOCCHIO, the lonely Geppetto, an inventor of “Steampunk” dolls and robots, longs for a real human child which results in consequential adventure. Two World Premieres created by Mr. Hancock will also be performed. GOLEM, drawn from Czech folklore is the story of a clay golem created by a rabbi to protect the Jewish ghetto of Prague from persecution. And the final tale featuring original music by GHDT collaborator and composer Cory Gabel, XOCHITL AND HUITZILIN will tell the Aztec story of young love, separation and reunification.
SAGAS AND SUPERSTITIONS
The Tarkington
June 7-8, 2024 – 7 pm
Known for their masterful global storytelling, Executive Artistic Director and Choreographer Gregory Hancock and the artistic dancers of GHDT will bring to the stage two world premieres this June. SUPERSTITIONS, a new work in the creative process willdraw its inspiration from the stories and superstitions of the Roma and other Eastern European cultures resulting in a vibrant celebration. In addition, a to-be-announced new work will close the final concert of GHDT’s 26th season. Through brilliant theatrical dance, vibrant costumes and beautiful cultural music, GHDT will continue to transport audiences through meaningful and heartfelt storytelling experiences.
Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre is the resident, professional dance company at The Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana.
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For additional information about this performance, contact Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre at 317-844-2660 or ghdt@sbcglobal.net . For interview/media information, Ivy Heazeltine, iheazeltine.ghdt@gmail.com. For information about Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre, visit www.gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org.
Photo Credit: Joe Phillips Pictured: GHDT Company Dancers
With over 150 pieces spanning 25 years, Executive Artistic Director Gregory Hancock selected and designed this production with works that still resonate with him in a deep and meaningful way. With a variety of musical styles and electric and passionate movements with varied and connected themes, GHDT and Mr. Hancock invite you to peek into the heart of their artistic work to guide you to find our connection to each other through our shared human experiences.
Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre – Director’s Choice
Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre is the resident, professional dance company at The Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana.
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For additional information about this performance, contact Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre at 317-844- 2660 or ghdt@sbcglobal.net.
Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre presents ILLUMINATION at The Tarkington at The Center for the Performing Arts, April 7-8, 2023.
GHDT’s 25th Season Celebration continues with ILLUMINATION, a collection of dances as well as excerpts from larger original theatrical dance works curated by Executive Artistic Director Gregory Hancock, which are inspired by faith, hope, and light. Spanning years of his creative work, Mr. Hancock has selected these dances to celebrate the diversity of our world through stories of unwavering faith and commitment. Audiences will experience a retrospective glance at a grouping of introspective and beautiful dances that have brought GHDT to where it is today. During this season of holiness and reflection, GHDT takes audiences on an emotional journey of awakening, connectedness, and peace. Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre is the resident professional dance company at The Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana.
Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre will present the annual student production of The Nutcracker at Pike Performing Arts Center, Friday, December 2, 2022 at 7PM and Saturday, December 3, 2022 at 3PM and 7PM. GHDT’s popular, full-length contemporary version features the talented dancers of G2, the pre-professional company of GHDT, students from The Academy of Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre and other young student dancers who will fill the stage with color and excitement!
Picture by: Lydia Moody
The Nutcracker follows the same overall story line as the classical version, but is uniquely different with a modern twist. This enchanted production portrays Klara as a homeless orphan girl who discovers the true meaning of the season through the gift and giving spirit of a homeless person. GHDT’s The Nutcracker presents a wide range of world and cultural music and is a holiday family favorite. Add joy and cheer to your season and experience the magic of GHDT’s The Nutcracker!
Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre presents THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME at The Tarkington at The Center for the Performing Arts, October 28-29, 2022.
Back by popular demand after The World Premiere in October of 2021, this critically acclaimed, full-length contemporary ballet, THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME, will return to The Tarkington stage with all its beauty and grandeur. This original, autobiographical work created by Executive Artistic Director Gregory Hancock will present to audiences an emotional and truth-seeking story about a boy from Kansas who sets out on a journey down the Golden Path to India. Looking for meaning and purpose in life after devastating losses and challenges, he encounters deities from the Hindu pantheon who impart wisdom, compassion and courage. Through the blend of cultural themes, theatrical dance and unique music, THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME will transport the audience through a maze of inspirational experiences ultimately discovering that home is really a place in the heart. This concert is a perfect way to launch Diwali, one of the most celebrated festivals of India.
Photo Credit: Vernon Jones Pictured: Abigail Lessaris
“The combination of music, costumes, lighting, and sound in Hancock’s work made for a sensory experience that was, at times, staggering, yet left me feeling I had witnessed a theatre event that was truly astonishing in its breadth and scope,” comments Tom Alvarez, concert reviewer and publisher of “On the Aisle,” November 2021.
The powerful score of music will combine the sounds of America and India using American pop, folk and gospel music along with classical, devotional and film genres of India. Diverse dance styles, costumes and lighting will enhance the ambience and authenticate the journey. Original artwork of picturesque India created by local artist Madhuchhanda Mandal will provide a stunning theatrical backdrop for the production.
“The result is a tour de force art piece, rendered in dance, color and emotion. It is, without doubt, one of the most gorgeous theatre offerings I have ever seen,” writes Ken Klingenmeier, blogger for “A Seat on the Aisle,” November 2021.
As a world traveler, Mr. Hancock draws on his experiences to create art that inspires others through the international languages of dance and music and strives to create works of beauty and emotion that cause audiences to respond on a spiritual level. “The arts are a powerful tool that contribute to global connectiveness and commonality which runs through all mankind,” said Mr. Hancock.
“To say that Hancock is a risk-taker and visionary is an understatement. Add to that a cultural ambassador for all he has done to educate, inform and inspire audiences, as he builds bridges of understanding through his art, world view and sensibilities that benefit us all,” Alvarez states.
Photo Credit: Joe Phillips Pictured: Thomas Mason
This concert is sponsored by OrthoIndy and Drs. Mihir and Chandrika Patel, MD.
For additional information about this performance, contact Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre at 317-844-2660 or ghdt@sbcglobal.net. For interview/media information, Ivy Heazeltine at iheazeltine.ghdt@gmail.com. For information about Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre, visit www.gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org.
Our grand opening weekend of our newly renovated Black Box Theatre, The Florence.
Seating is limited! Join us for a tour of the new theatre and performance!
“My mother worked tirelessly and sacrificed so the company could survive and flourish. She would be thrilled to see this happening for the company. We are working to create a special performance space that is reflective of my mother’s passion for the arts and her belief in the transformative qualities of art. The theatre is named after her.”
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