The Cohort 2024 – Program

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REMINDERS:

• Prior to the show, please silence your devices, and be advised that taking photos and/ or videos of the show is not permitted. 
• While there will be no full intermission, there will be 3-5 minute breaks between each piece: when the house lights come up between the first and last two pieces, feel free to exit the theater quick to grab a drink or use the facilities.
• There’s a talk-back after the Friday night show – stick around to hear more about the work!

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

We acknowledge that our work occurs on the traditional lands of the Dakhóta Oyáte (Dakota People), and honor with gratitude the land itself and the people who have stewarded it throughout the generations. We also acknowledge that as a company built around jazz and American social dances, forms with African diasporic roots and branches, anti-racism and intersectional justice efforts must also be central in our work. We view bettering these efforts as an ongoing journey, and welcome you to read more about this at our Anti-Racism page.

 

ABOUT:

Hey folks! RS Artistic and Executive Director Erinn Liebhard here. Welcome to Rhythmically Speaking presents The Cohort 2024, and thank you for joining us – we’re thrilled you’re here! This is our sixth installment of The Cohort, a reimagining of our annual Summer anchor program that has been running for 16 years. The Cohort program has stretched us in how we fulfill our mission, which is to spark vibrancy and connectedness through jazz and American social dance ideas. It has allowed for deepened dancer engagement and improved compensation while offering audiences more substantial works to experience. It continues our support of local artists and provides opportunities for choreographers from outside Minnesota to share their work with a new community. 

This installment of The Cohort program feels really exciting thanks to the art it shares with you. I’m really excited about how this show lives up to the program goal of ‘offering different perspectives on and via jazz and American social dance ideas’: this year, we’re continuing to stretch this idea and ourselves by offering the most commercial, social and theatrical works we’ve ever programmed, plus, we are TAPPING! It’s long been a goal of mine to be able to program tap works, which I see as part of the jazz continuum: thanks to the talent, patience and dedication of company member and local choreographer Jake Nehrbass and to four additional company members braving the lacing up of their taps (that many of us haven’t worn in YEARS!), that goal has become a reality. 

We are invested in jazz and American social dance ideas because they prioritize experiencing embodied rhythm together: in other words, we are all capable of feeling a beat together, becoming whole-heartedly connected in all our vibrancy, complexity and joy. Amidst particularly polarized times, acts like this are essential expressions of appreciating and celebrating shared humanity. I look forward to continuing to stretch the ways we connect people to themselves, one another, music, history and the moment through our work inspired by jazz and American social dance ideas. 

Thank you for being here to experience JOY through JAZZ together: I hope the works you experience speak to you, rhythmically 🙂

Erinn

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SPECIAL THANKS: 

To the Southern Theater, the RS Advisory Board for their enthusiastic and ongoing support, and to the dancers and choreographers – without your dedication to this work, it wouldn’t exist!

 

PROGRAM:

Chasing The (1) = One (2022)

• Choreographer: Maurice (Visiting Artist – Greensboro, NC)
• Dancers: Nieya Amezquita, Doug Hooker, Amy Jones, Erinn Liebhard, Kelli Miles, Javan Mngrezzo, Jake Nehrbass, and Betsy Schaefer Roob
• Music:  “Jazz (Interlude)” by Gil Scott-Heron & Jamie xx, “TRUMPETS (feat. 070 Shake)” by _BY.ALEXANDER, Mountain – Fiendsh, “Angele Ni Fie” by Juls & Sango and “Cirrus” by Bonobo
• Costumes: Maurice Watson, Erinn Liebhard and Dancers
• Artist Note: Chasing the (1) = One explores the interconnections between identity, individuality, artistic expression, and love for oneself. Deepening that thought, it questions, how to be an individual amongst a community? Here, in our social community, music binds us together, dance uplifts us, and the combination of all these things situates this work at the corner of Groove Avenue and Musicality Lane. I wanted the audience – YOU – to feel the vibe of the music’s cool, smooth, and groovy sounds. I wanted you to witness the individuality of each dancer separately, but notice how no one’s light was dimmed from being a part of this jazz community. Me and the dancers recognized that you don’t have to Chase the (1) = One, once you realize you are the ONE!
• Special Thanks: To Grayson Kelsh for always holding me down and having my back. To the elders who raised me, the streets who made me, and to the artist whose shoulders for which I stand – I say thank you!

Follow My Lead (premiere)

• Choreographer: Erinn Liebhard (RS Artistic and Executive Director)
• Dancers: Doug Hooker, Amy Jones, Sara Karimi, Kelli Miles, Kathleen Pender and Betsy Schaefer Roob
• Audio: “Party (Instrumental)” by The Beatnuts, quote by William Jennings Bryan, text from Arthur Murray’s Dance Book (1941), excerpt from 1938 record “Arthur Murray Teaches the Fox Trot, “In A Bossa Mood” by Gordon Rees, “The “In” Crowd” by Ramsey Lewis Trio, “Morning Broadway” by Keith Mansfield and the KPM Orchestra, “Out of Control” by Sepalot, “The Thief” by Herbie Hancock, “When the Ship Goes Down” by Cypress Hill, excerpt from 1937 video “How to Shag” featuring Arthur Murray, “Buck” by Drama Hights, “Vavavoom” by Big Muff, voiceovers of all included text by Brian Kelly, audio edited by Erinn Liebhard and Brian Kelly
• Projections: Images from Arthur Murray’s Dance Book (1941) and How to Become a Good Dancer: Revised Edition (1942) by Arthur Murray, formatted by Doug Hooker
• Set, Props and Costumes: Erinn Liebhard and Joy Liebhard and Dancers
• Artist Note: Follow My Lead explores the personal and cultural ideas embedded within historical dance step instructional manuals sparked from conversations with my best friend, which she likened to diagrams – like dance step patterns – that only we could follow. While I initially thought the work would focus on the art of conversation, digging deeper into the research that preceded its creation unearthed quite a bit I felt moved to address about the social mores – both eyebrow-raising and heartwarming – that have become embedded within social dancing itself. 
• Special Thanks: To my best friend (and stage manager!) Sarah Salisbury for sparking the idea for this piece over 10 years ago, the dancers for trying something that felt new and different for me, to Brian Kelly for his voiceover and audio editing talent, and to my family for putting up with how I get when I’m making and producing art 🙂

1-800-SonicLeather (premiere)

• Choreographer: Jake Nehrbass (RS Company Member)
• Dancers: Sara Karimi, Erinn Liebhard, Jake Nehrbass, Kathleen Pender and Betsy Schaefer Roob
• Audio: “Bawllz” and “Smack ‘em” by Ghost-Note, voiceovers co-written by Rush Benson and Jake Nehrbass and performed by Rush Benson
• Costumes: Jake Nehrbass, Erinn Liebhard and Dancers
• Artist Note: 1-800-Sonic Leather had its origins in a passion for tap dance, a hunger for rhythm, and a desire to illuminate the intricate layers of improvisatory communication and interaction among the dancers. From the powerful resonant sounds in the first section, to the full-bodied tap movements in the concluding section, I wanted this piece to illustrate the transformative impact of embracing color and rhythm in life, and how these sensations can enrich interactions with each other and even change the most sour of moods to ones of happiness.
• Special Thanks: Thank you to my family, friends, and fellow Minneapolis artists who have inspired and supported me along my artistic journey thus far.

Welcome to Soulsville (2022)

• Choreographer: Eboné Amos (Visiting Artist – Clarksville, TN)
• Dancers: Doug Hooker, Amy Jones, Sara Karimi, Kelli Miles, Erinn Liebhard, Javan Mngrezzo, Jake Nehrbass and Kathleen Pender
• Music: “Land of 1000 Dances” by Wilson Pickett, “Gee Whiz” by Carla Thomas, “Get Up Offa That Thing (Release the Pressure)” by James Brown, “Try a Little Tenderness” by Otis Redding, “Soulville” by Dinah Washington and “Move on Up” by Curtis Mayfield
• Costumes: Eboné Amos, Justin Tinker, Erinn Liebhard and Dancers
• Artist Note: Welcome to Soulsville is a tribute to the music produced by Stax Records from the late 1950s to early 1970s, as well as the Memphis neighborhood it was housed in and where I grew up – affectionately known as Soulsville, U.S.A. Highlighting storytelling and celebrating the individual within the collective, this dance explores the vibrant tapestry of American social dances that grew from Black vernacular jazz traditions and connected the whole country. The performance invites audience participation, so feel free to let loose and join the energy through shouting, clapping or even singing – however the spirit moves you! Consider Welcome to Soulsville your invitation to experience the joy, freedom, and the communal spirit of Black culture embedded in American culture through music and dance.
• Special Thanks: Huge thanks to my original cast from Austin Peay State University, my assistant Justin Tinker, Erinn Liebhard for seeing something special in my work, and the RS dancers who helped bring it to life. Thank you to Memphis. Thank you to Soulsville.

 

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PEOPLE:

Advisory Board: Brian J. Evans, Doug Hooker (Dancer Representative), Erinn Liebhard, Kristoffer Olson and Shannon Nemer (and Advisory Member Zoe Sealy, with Legal Advisor Reilly Liebhard)

Nieya Amezquita (Dancer)

Nieya Amezquita is a Minnesota-based professional dancer working with Rhythmically Speaking and Threads Dance Project. She has also performed works with Concerto Dance, Yuki Tokuda, Off-Leash Area and Alexandra Bodnarchuk Dance Projects. In 2019, Nieya earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Georgia. There she had the opportunity to perform nationally and internationally with founding company CADE:NCE before studying in Portugal with the Addo Platform. Nieya launched Amez Dance, her own dance company, a little over a year ago and had a successful premiere show at the Southern in June.  She has been a Rhythmically Speaking company member since 2020. Website | @Ni_Amez

Bill Cameron (Photographer)

Bill Cameron is a Minneapolis photographer who loves photographing people. He specializes in working with local dance companies and their wonderful dancers. | @Bill.Cameron

Doug Hooker (Dancer and Administrative Associate)

Doug graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in Dance. He has had a variety of professional performing opportunities, including with the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum & Bugle Corps, the Broadway show Blast! and the Dancing People Company, and locally with ARENA DANCES, Collide Theatrical Dance Company, Concerto Dance, Shapiro and Smith Dance and Threads Dance Project. He has been in Rhythmically Speaking productions since 2017, and has been a company member since 2019. Website | @MisterHookerSir

Mike Grogan (Lighting Designer | Technical Director)

Mike has been designing lighting for dance, theater and music for more than twenty years. He started working on the technical side of theater while studying acting in the early 1990’s, and when he began designing lighting for dance productions, he realized he had found his career. In the years since he has had the privilege of designing for numerous groups spanning the disciplines of dance, theater and music. He has been privileged to work with many great artists during the course of his career, and notes “if my work looks good it is only because their work is good.” We’re lucky to have him on board again! 

Amy Jones (Dancer)

Amy performs, teaches and generates concert, commercial, interdisciplinary and experimental work. She graduated from Luther College with a double-major in Theatre/Dance and Management and studied on scholarship with Jennifer Muller/The Works, Susan Marshall & Company, Eva Dean Dance and Broadway Dance Center. In NYC, she performed for Noemie LaFrance; a mindfulness, arts and activism group; and freelance. Locally, she has worked for The Mystic Dancers, Emily Johnson, St. Paul City Ballet, Stuart Pimsler, Morgan Thorsen, Alternative Motion Project, Laurie Van Wieren, Zhauna Franks and Enticing Entertainment. She loves sharing her joy of movement and community as a pilates instructor and bungee dance and Cirque-It Fitness teacher-trainer. She has been in Rhythmically Speaking productions since 2016, and has been a company member since 2020. | @dancerunspirit

Sara Karimi (Dancer)

Sara Karimi is a Wisconsin native and a graduate of the University of Iowa (BFA in Dance Performance, BA in English). She performed and toured with 10,000 Feet Dance Company, The Architects, and Kayle + Co. before relocating to Minneapolis. Performance credits include Borealis Dance Theatre, Dance & Other Behaviors, RJDT, Rogue & Rabble Dance, and 43X94 Movement Research. She is a current company member with Threads Dance Project and Concerto Dance. Sara is also a Mat Pilates instructor and a certified 500 E-RYT yoga instructor, leading classes and workshops locally and nationally. She has been in Rhythmically Speaking productions since 2016 and a company member since 2019. | @Karimi__Sara__

Erinn Liebhard (RS Artistic and Executive Director | Producer | Choreographer | Dancer)

Erinn is a dance artist (MFA University of Colorado Boulder, BFA University of Minnesota) making opportunities for people to experience the reflective and connective power of groove through performance and education. In performance (besides RS!), she freelances and performs as self-created character entertainer “Nerdette” for Saint Paul Saints Baseball. In education, she is an active residency artist, is on faculty at Carleton College, St. Olaf College and Winona State University, conducts educational outreach through RS and is an active writer and conference presenter. Photo by Galen Higgins. Website | @ErinnLiebhard.DanceArtist

Ben McGinley (Videographer)

Kelli Miles (Dancer)

Kelli is a Minneapolis-based dancer, choreographer, teacher and arts manager. She graduated from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities in the Spring of 2018 with a BFA in Dance and a minor in Leadership. Throughout her training, she has spent time dancing in New York City, San Francisco, Nashville and Israel. She has had the honor of performing works by Ohad Naharin, Banning Bouldin, Gina Patterson and Angharad Davies. Kelli is constantly inspired by way in which this movement form sparks conversation, invokes visceral reactions and creates community. She has been a Rhythmically Speaking company member since 2019. Website | @KelliBelliii

Javan Mngrezzo (Dancer)

Javan (he/him) is a California native who relocated to Minnesota in 2021 by way of Portland, OR. He graduated from Western Oregon University in three years, magna cum laude, with a Bachelor of Science in Dance and Sociology. Presently, he dances with Rhythmically Speaking and has previously been a company dancer with Amez Dance, Black Label Movement, James Sewell Ballet, BodyVox, Threads Dance Project, and Collide Theatrical. As a guest artist, he is honored to have performed with Hatch Dance, ARENA Dances, Analog Dance Works, Ballet Co.Laboratory, Heidi Duckler Dance, Cynthia Gutierrez’s Company Movimiento, and Zoë Koenig – among others. Javan is a certified instructor of The Ellové Technique® and has taught dance and fitness at many studios in Oregon and Minnesota. He has been a Rhythmically Speaking company member since 2022. | @DillyDallyDancerDood

Jake Nehrbass (Dancer)

Born and raised in Minnesota, Jake is a teacher and performing artist in the Twin Cities. Having tap danced since the age of three, and being trained in ballroom dance, modern dance, as well as having an interest in physical therapy, Jake graduated from St. Olaf College with degrees in Dance and Exercise Science. Along side being a member of Rhytmically Speaking, Jake has danced with Threads Dance Project, Flying Foot Forum, Katha Dance Theatre, Eau Claire Dance, Stephan Koplowitz’s Northfield Experience, and has danced in Au, a Live at the Shed work with Hatch Dance and Honey Works. Jake also teaches tap dance at Praire School of Dance as well as Ballare Teatro Performing Arts Center. He has been a Rhythmically Speaking company member since 2022. Website | @Jake_Nehrbass

Kathleen Pender (Dancer)

Kathleen Pender is a performer, dance educator, arts administrator, and massage therapist with a B.A. in Dance from St. Olaf College and an A.A.S. in Therapeutic Massage from Northwestern Health Sciences University. She has performed in works by choreographers Erinn Liebhard, Suzanne Costello, Gretchen Pick, Julie Warder, Taja Will, Kathleen Doherty, Laura Ann Smyth, and Pat Taylor/JazzAntiqua, among others. She teaches with Young Dance, where she also works as Program Manager, and practices massage with TC Fit at Motion St. Paul, a physical therapy clinic. Kathleen is passionate about community and relationships cultivated through movement exploration, education, and performance. She has performed in Rhythmically Speaking productions since 2013, and has been a company member since 2019. Photo by Bill Cameron. | @KatDewPen

Sarah Salisbury (Stage Manager)

Sarah Salisbury (She/Her), proudly a life-long Minnesotan, has been causing a ruckus with Erinn since the 6th grade as besties. After receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre with an emphasis in Stage Management from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri, Sarah moved home and immediately started working on theater and dance shows all over the Twin Cities as a stage manager, technician and then later as a props designer and a production manager. She has worked with such companies as Eclectic Edge Ensemble, Alternative Motion Project, Jagged Moves, and Young Dance, as well as working at the Southern Theater as a house stage manager. Once Covid changed the world, Sarah transitioned into working in emergency veterinary medicine as a triage technician or front desk staff. But as Sarah has been stage managing Rhythmically since it’s founding, it seems only right that she revisits her dance roots to work with Erinn and the amazing team of artists every year. | @SteakKnives13

Betsy Schaefer Roob (Dancer)

Betsy (she/they) was born and raised in Elm Grove, WI. Based in Minneapolis for fifteen years, she has worked with ARENA DANCES, Threads Dance Project, Dance & Other Behaviors, 43X94 Movement Research, and has performed works by over 25 choreographers (Sasha Kleinplatz- Montreal, Salia Sanou- Burkina Faso, Pat Taylor- LA among others). Betsy has been grooving with Rhythmically Speaking since 2019. Their own work with faux pas, a duo with Julie Marie Muskat, has been presented as part of CANDY BOX Dance Festival at the Southern Theater. Betsy holds a self-designed Bachelor of Individualized Studies in English, Dance, and Sustainability Studies from the University of Minnesota. Her career path has encompassed the arts, education, and healthcare, and she’s mama to one. She has been a Rhythmically Speaking company member since 2019. | @betsy_kae

Justin Tinker (Choreographer’s Assistant to Eboné Amos)

Justin was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. He is currently a senior at Austin Peay State University, working toward his BFA in Musical Theatre. This is Justin’s second time working with Rhythmically Speaking, as he assisted Visiting Choreographer Dr. Ayo Walker with her piece for the 2021 Cohort show. Since, he has had the opportunity to dance in Canada for IABD (the International Association of Blacks in Dance) and in Boston with Danza Orgánica for their “We Create Festival.” | @official_justintinker

 

SPONSORS & FUNDERS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This show is made possible in-part through appropriations from the Minnesota State Legislature.

We also couldn’t spread JOY through JAZZ without the generous support of our FY24 individual donors listed below (up to date as of 8/2/24):

Adam & Karen Aalgaard
Danielle Alfano
Marilee Anderson
Ian Anderson & Kelly Paul
Jason & Jesse Anschutz
Sarah Batz
Jillian & Luther Bell
Ben Borgert
Sarah Brennecke
Emily Broeker
Barbara J. Brooks
Tami Buckholz
Bill & Connie Cameron
Jan & Steve Campell
Joseph Chvala
Pat Cohen
Patsy Dew
Ashok Dhariwal
Kathleen Doherty
Nate Dungan
Justin Dux & Biz Mills
Rose Eastman
Nina Ebbighausen
Stephanie Eichman
Kristine & Mike Elias
Hannah Elias
Michelle Farmer
Jessica Fett
Lillian Figg-Franzoi
Karyl Frye
Quinn Gaalswyk
Karla & Tom Grotting
Michelle Haaland
Nora Hennick
Laura Holway
Stephen Hooker
Ayumi Hori-Shafer
Dena Hotchkiss
Judith Howard
Leah & Aaron Janz
Molly E. Johnston
Jessica Jones
Barbara Karimi
Ellen Keane
Matthew Keefe & Brittany Fridenstine-Keefe
Kerry Keen
Heather Klopchin
Rachel Koep
Erinn Liebhard & Kris Olson
Reilly Liebhard
Nancy Logatto
Theresa Luther-Dolan
Hannah MacKenzie-Margulies
Erika Martin
Kimberly McAndrews
Lauren Middleton
Ron & Caryn Miles
Jennifer Miles
Fred Miles
Robert Miniaci
Robin Moede
Jean Montgomery
Jeremy Motz
Betsy Nelson
Charles Nemer
Shannon Nemer
David Olson
Mary Beth & Paul Onkka
Carol Ottoson
James Peitzman
Kathleen Pender
Jeffrey Peterson
Mandy Pfeffer
Harry Plendl
Rosa Prigan
Dawn Putnam
Sarah & Phil Rickert
Danielle Robinson-Prater
Rick Schaefer
Rob Schauinger & Linda King
Chris Schmidt
David Schneider
Crystal Secor
Christopher Serico
Andrea & Nick Sodahl
Emily Stark
Gerald Timm
Ridgely Trufant
Joseph Vogel
David Wallraff
Heather Westerlund
Laurel Wiehe
Cathy Wind
Julie & Bob Young Walser

And a big thank you to all our anonymous donors and folks who donated in cash (it’s hard to track!) at our fundraising event earlier this month!

 

:: Wish to SUPPORT BEYOND THE PRICE OF YOUR TICKET? CLICK HERE! ::

::Help us better our efforts by filling out this SHORT SURVEY!::

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Thank you again for joining us!