A Night in India Patron Photos
We had wonderful audiences who came to see A Night in India this past weekend at The Tarkington. We had some lovely vendors in the lobby, including a Taj Mahal Photo Booth with photos taken by Norma Junes Photography. Click here to find yours!
Thank you to all of the sponsors, vendors, patrons, board members, dancers, tech crew, and our director, Gregory Hancock. This weekend wouldn’t have gone the way it did without any piece of the puzzle.
Stay tuned for the reveal of our 20th Anniversary Season!
A Night In India Cast
GHDT’s June show allows for us to invite dancers to come intern, apprentice, and guest artist with the company. For this concert, we have dancers from Ohio, Michigan, and India. Yes, you read that right – India! Scroll down to see the dancers who will joining the company in A NIGHT IN INDIA. To learn more about the GHDT company dancers, click here!
Abhishek Rathod
Kenneth Shelby Jr
Rahul Thahryani
Adrian Dominguez
Jameson Keating
Hannah Williamson
Morgan Beane
Hannah Johnson
Katie Brake
Come see these dancers join the GHDT Company Dancers in A NIGHT IN INDIA on June 9th and 10th at 7PM. For tickets, click here.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS – HYDERABAD SISTER CITY COMMITTEE, PATTAR & CO. CPA, INC., and INDIA ASSOCIATION OF INDIANAPOLIS
Thank you to our Performance Sponsors for their support of GHDT’s A NIGHT IN INDIA performed June 9 & 10th at The Tarkington in Carmel, Indiana. We appreciate their partnership!
HYDERABAD SISTER CITY COMMITTEE
Raju Chinthala, President
rajuchinthala@gmail.com
PATTAR & CO. CPA, INC.
Ravi Pattar
1455 East Southport Road
Indianapolis, IN. 46227
info@pattarcpa.com
INDIA ASSOCIATION OF INDIANAPOLIS
Sumeeta Bhatia
Chairwomen
Don’t miss A NIGHT IN INDIA on June 9th and 10th at 7PM. For tickets, click here.
G2 IN CONCERT
Come see the talented dancers of GHDT’s pre-professional company, G2, perform their annual concert. Dancers in G2 will be performing company repertoire. These student dancers have been working hard in rehearsals to refine these pieces of choreography. For this years G2 show, they will be performing Joan of Arc and Catholic School Girls. Joan of Arc is a GHDT classic. Three soloists represent Joan the Saint, Joan the Maid, and Joan the Warrior. Catholic School Girls is an audience favorite. Humorous and cheeky, this piece gives the dancers a chance to let loose a bit and work on their acting skills.
Academy Showcase
The Academy of Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre puts on an annual showcase. This gives our students a the opportunity to show their family and friends what they’ve worked on throughout the year and how they’ve improved. AGHDT has dancers from age 5 to 18. The Showcase will have dances from a variety of classes – Bollywood, tap, and classical ballet variations just to name a few.
The G2 in Concert and Academy Showcase is June 3rd at 7pm. Please come support our wonderful students! For tickets, click here.
SUPERHERO – Behind the Scenes
Stage and Lights
SUPERHERO The Story of a Man Called Jesus, is one of GHDT’s most well-known shows. One of the most
memorable parts of the show, is the numerous scrolls hanging at the back of the stage, providing a backdrop. Eleven years ago, when SUPERHERO first premiered, Artistic Director Gregory Hancock spent several weeks writing text from The Gospels in Latin, Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic onto the scrolls.
Along with the backdrop, what sets the scene so well is the lighting design. GHDT has worked with lighting designer Ryan Koharchik for 20 years. For SUPERHERO, Ryan uses lights create moods such as excitement, calmness, anger, and grief. Even more elaborate, he uses lights to create garden scenes, to portray the swirling mind of regret, and to cast a large shadow of Jesus on the cross.
Costumes
The costumes in SUPERHERO were all made by Gregory Hancock. Many costumes have character specific detail that are easy to miss if you aren’t paying attention. Mother Mary’s costume includes a shirt with artwork depicting Mother Mary’s face on it. Pilate’s Wife, Claudia, wears a beautiful set of jewelry that Mr. Hancock bought in India. The Cross, has red circles on her palms to represent where Jesus was nailed to the cross.
During The Last Supper and Hallelujah scenes, dancers are representing the 12 apostles. This costume includes white head shrouds with writing on them. These head shrouds were also, just like the backdrop, all hand written by Mr. Hancock eleven years ago for the premiere. Although during these scenes, characters like Mother Mary and Mary Magdalene are not included, the dancers portraying them are. These dancers get specific head shrouds with writings on them from Gospels including their character. Pictured is the head shroud for Mary Magdalene.
Cast
The cast of SUPERHERO this year has dancers from many places. Joining the GHDT company dancers, Liang Fu is coming back again this year as a Guest Artist to perform the role of Judas Iscariot. Liang Fu, originally from Qingdao, Shandong, China, is currently dancing with Kansas City Ballet. GHDT’s pre-professional company, G2, is also in this production. This year, GHDT reached out to Phoenix Rising Dance Studio and Broad Ripple High School to offer their students the opportunity to perform in a professional production. We’re glad to have students from both joining the cast this year as townspeople.
Tech Week
Tech week, is the week leading up to opening night of a performance. The usual tech week has the company rehearsing in studio Monday and Tuesday. Tuesday afternoons, the company takes every costume, prop, and accessory over to the theatre so its ready for rehearsal in theatre the next day. Wednesday and Thursday are long days. Tech runs are done during the early afternoon, meaning a light run through of the show for the dancers, but a heavy fun through of the show for lightning and tech crew backstage. Both Wednesday and Thursday evenings are full dress rehearsals.
This year for SUPERHERO, dancers spent part of their Monday getting henna on their hands for the show. Be sure to look for the beautiful detail on stage! Tuesday was spent welcoming guest artist Liang Fu to rehearsals as well as moving into the theatre. We hope to see you on Friday for the show!
For tickets, please click here!
SUPERHERO Dancer of the Day
Erica Steward – Woman at Bethany
How many times have you been in a production of SUPERHERO?
I’ve had the honor to perform in 4 SUPERHEROs, this year will be my 5th.
What is your favorite scene in SUPERHERO?
My favorite scene in the show changes everyday. However, one scene that will always give me the “good feels”, is when Jesus has been resurrected and Mary Magdalene comes to tell everyone else that He has returned. It’s a very uplifting moment following the emotional crucifixion, and everyone is filling the stage with beautiful colors, thanks to our costumes.
Do you have a favorite role in the show, whether it’s one you’ve performed or not?
Judas, definitely. There’s unique layers to his character, but his choreography in the show is some of the most fun in the whole show. I’ve gotten to understudy Judas before, which was a lot of fun.
Favorite costume or part of a costume in the show?
My favorite costume in the show is Demons. The majority of the costume is fairly basic and black, but we get to wear the coolest masks. They’re covered in tall red and black feathers and each mask has one peacock feather. The masks really help us transform from ourselves, into Judas’ demons.
What is your favorite piece of music in SUPERHERO?
My favorite song in the show is called I Am. It’s Jesus’ big solo at the end of Act I. I love the message of the song, “Who’s going to do it, if I don’t step to it? I am.” It’s also a very good song to belt out when you’re by yourself in your car.
What does SUPERHERO mean to you?
Superhero means a lot to me. It’s a show I’ve gotten to perform many times, and each time I’ve performed the piece has been during a different stage of my life. Each time we perform show brings back memories, and creates new ones. It reminds me of old friends I used to dance with when I was in G2 and all the dancers I’ve met because of this show. It reminds me of hilarious rehearsal moments like earrings getting stuck to other people’s earrings or the smallest dancer in the cast volunteering to do some heavy lifting. It reminds me of my journey as a dancer, starting as a townsperson and now being Woman at Bethany. I always looks forward to what new memories I’ll get during Superhero.
Why should everyone come see SUPERHERO A Story of a Man Called Jesus?
Everyone should come see Superhero, because there is something for everyone in this show. Gorgeous costumes, fantastic music, captivating dancing. This show isn’t forcing anything on anyone, it’s just telling a beautiful story, in a beautiful way.
Come see Erica perform the role of Woman at Bethany! Tickets can be purchased for SUPERHERO here.
To learn more about Company Dancer Erica Steward, visit her Artist’s Page!
SUPERHERO Dancer of the Day
Abigail Lessaris – The Cross and Pilate’s Wife, Claudia
How many times have you been in a production of SUPERHERO?
2017 will be my 6th time performing in Superhero.
What is your favorite scene in SUPERHERO?
I love the representation of Palm Sunday at the beginning of the show. The students run on with palm leaves in the air and there is a burst of color as Jesus makes his first entrance. It’s an explosion of excitement.
Do you have a favorite role in the show, whether it’s one you’ve performed or not?
Judas. I’ve been obsessed with the role of Judas since I sat in the audience at the world premiere of the show in 2006.
Favorite costume or part of a costume in the show?
Pilate’s wife, Claudia, wears an incredible floor length dress with a beautiful set of Indian jewelry.
What is your favorite piece of music in SUPERHERO?
My favorite is probably You’re the One I Love by Jane Olivor, but every single song is so great. If you asked me tomorrow my answer might change.
What does SUPERHERO mean to you?
Springtime! We are always rehearsing Superhero as the weather is getting warm, and we can open up the back doors in our studio. The wind blows the fabric of our headpieces and the sun warms up the marley floor that we dance on. It’s a little bit of heaven after the gray, cold winter.
Why should everyone come see SUPERHERO A Story of a Man Called Jesus?
It’s an emotional story with amazing music, athletic dancing, and colorful costumes. There is something for everyone.
Come see Abigail perform the roles of The Cross and Pilate’s Wife, Claudia! Tickets can be purchased for SUPERHERO here.
To learn more about Company Dancer Abigail Lessaris, visit her Artist’s Page!
The Nutcracker
Nutcracker season is back! Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre presents The Nutcracker at Pike Performing Arts December 2-4, 2016. This full-length modern version of the holiday classic features the highly-talented dancers of G2, the pre-professional company go GHDT. G2 is joined by students from The Academy Of Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre and other young dancers filling the stage with movement and color! The Nutcracker follows the same overall storyline from the original, but with a uniquely different twist. This magical updated version portrays Klara as a homeless orphan girl who discovers the true meaning of the season through the gift and giving spirit of a homeless man. The Nutcracker is sure to add joy and cheer to your holiday season.
Performance Info
The Nutcracker is December 2-4, 2016
Friday, December 2nd at 7:00 PM
Saturday, December 3rd at 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM
Sunday, December 4th at 3:00 PM
All Performances take place at Pike Performing Arts Center located at
6701 Zionsville Road, Indianapolis, IN 40268
Ticket Info
Ticket prices are:
$25.00 for Adults
$15.00 for students and seniors
Tickets for The Nutcracker can be bought here.
Tickets at the door can be bought with CASH OR CHECK ONLY.
Performing for a Cause
This past weekend, GHDT took part in a fundraiser for a wonderful organization. Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre, as well as the students in G2, performed in downtown Indianapolis. The performance was part of a 2-hour show raising money and awareness for Christel House. The company performed three pieces, and G2 one. Along with GHDT, there were many other performers working together. Anita Hjorth Lerche, a Danish singer who is well-known for her Indian songs, performed many numbers. Other appearances included flautist Gareth Laffely, Bollywood Beats dance group, Epiphany Dance Collective, Ballet Folklorico Mosaics, and singers Katie Schuman and Katy Gentry.
Together, the around 200 attendees raised over $180,000 for Christal House schools. Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre has been a part of this annual fundraiser for the past three years now. Christel House is a welcomed sponsor of the company, and the company loves giving back to this organization and helping raise so much money for the students of Christel House.
Christel House
Christel House is an organization that helps give children of poverty a better education. Founder and CEO, Christel DeHaan, immigrated to the United States from Germany in 1962. She founded Christel House International in 1998, and since then has opened 8 different schools around the globe. Currently, there are 4 schools around the Indianapolis area, 2 schools in India, 1 school in South Africa, and 1 school in Mexico. To learn more about Christel House schools, click here.
The Scarlet Letter
You may see this title and wonder, “Is GHDT doing a story ballet about Hester Prynne and her sins?” The answer to that question is, nope! Gregory Hancock adapted the literary classic analogically to tell the story of the legendary Marilyn Monroe and her struggles with the cruel and bitter side of Hollywood glamour. A bold and contemporary portrayal, GHDT’s The Scarlet Letter presents Marilyn as an allegory, a symbolic representation of beauty turned inside out. On top of that, the entire 45 minute piece is all to classic Annie Lennox songs, including ‘Walking on Broken Glass’ and ‘No More “I Love You’s”‘. Don’t miss the return of this fan favorite piece, along with the premiere of The Violin Under The Bed on October 7th and 8th at The Tarkington!
Guest Artists
The company is thrilled to have two guest artists joining us for this show.
Katrina Meske
Katrina Meske is originally from Riga, Latvia. She has performed with GHDT before, the last time being in 2009 for the premiere of Romeo and Juliet At The Disco. She is currently touring the country with Riverdance. She’ll join the company in rehearsal starting September 8th to portray the lead role in The Scarlet Letter — Marilyn Monroe.
Richard Link
Richard Link is originally from Los Angeles, California. He received his pre-professional ballet training with South Bay Ballet, as well as dancing summers at Milwaukee Ballet and Joffrey Ballet. He began his professional career as a trainee with Kentucky Ballet Theatre. From there, he joined Nashville Ballet’s second company where he danced the past two seasons. Richard is joining the company to perform in The Scarlet Letter as Katrina’s leading man.
