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Mutual Dance Theatre: MODERN MIX '24

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DATES & TIMES

Fri • May 31, '24

7:30pm performance
+ free post-show Q&A

Sat • Jun 1, '24

7:30pm performance
+ 7:00pm pre-show interview


LOCATION

Aronoff Center for the Arts
Jarson-Kaplan Theater

650 Walnut St
Cincinnati, OH 45202


Ticket Prices

$32

early bird special

(buy before May 5)

$37

regular price

(starting May 6)

$20

students & seniors

available only in-person at the box office

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More Information

Tickets: 513.621.ARTS (2787)

Content: 513.494.6526 or hello@mutualarts.org

A season finale that will

surprise, intrigue, and warm you

Mutual Dance Theatre commissions resident artists and guest artists of national repute to create a collection of new Modern Dance works.

Experience a mesmerizing dance fusion of contemporary flair and raw expression with “Modern Mix.” Mutual Dance Theatre’s season finale promises surprises, warmth, and intrigue. Don’t miss the celebratory and mesmerizing “Womb” by Jasmine Snellen, the mystical “Nacht” by Hannah Williamson, the journey of “hRev•et•ni” by Dallas Black Dance Theatre’s McKinley Willis, and the refreshing and melodramatic “Torn Sole” by Miami’s Cecilia Benitez.

 

“WOMB” BY JASMINE SNELLEN

A womb is a place where things are made, combined, shaped, and transformed: it is a world in itself where potential transcends into something more

“NACHT” BY HANNAH WILLIAMSON

“Nacht” explores the other world that emerges after the sun descends. What does the night bring forth? What does it conceal? What awakens?

“hRev•et•ni” BY MCKINLEY DANIELLE WILLIS

hRevetni is a fictional word that translates to “Reflection of a Spiritual Journey” and explores the depth and richness of yoga philosophy, in its symbolism, history, and connection to mind, body and spirit.

“TORN SOLE” BY CECILIA BENITEZ

Inspired by the film The Red ShoesTorn Sole is an exploration of the sacrifice, passion, and self-doubt woven into the fabric of dance.

 

Stick around on Friday night or come early Saturday night for a Q&A with the company or deep-dive interview with choreographers. All bodies (no experience needed!) are invited to a Modern Dance class on Saturday.

This project was supported by a National Performance Network (NPN) Artist Engagement Fund, with funding from the Doris Duke Foundation, the Mellon Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts (a federal agency). For more information, visit www.npnweb.org.

Meet the Choreographers

Jasmine Snellen

of Mutual Dance Theatre

Jasmine Snellen began her dance training at Louisville Youth Performing Arts School where she studied Martha Graham’s technique and classical ballet. She is a graduate of the selective and esteemed Kentucky Governor’s School For the Arts. Snellen earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Shenandoah Conservatory and University where she trained with equal emphasis in Ballet, Jazz (classical, contemporary, and commercial), Modern (Graham, Limón, Horton), composition, and pedagogy. Snellen has had the honor of training with Alan Arnett, Tiffanie Carson, Ting-Yu Chen, Maurice Fraga, Elijah Alhadji Gibson, Erica Helm, Linda Miller, and Lisa Startsman among others, including mainstage features by Mike Esperanza of Bare Dance Company NYC, Company | E of Washington DC, and Brussels-based artists Katie Vickers and Albert Quesada. Jasmine has performed at Peridance Salvatore Capezio Theater in NYC, trained with LA Contemporary Dance Company and Sidra Bell Dance New York, and presented work at the Kentucky Center for the Arts. Snellen has a passion for design and digital media and works as Mutual Dance Theatre’s Marketing Manager, as well. She also teaches for the organization and has created two works on the company since joining in 2019. She conceptualized, choreographed, and edited a five-part dance-for-camera entitled FFIFF (2020), which explores society’s rapidly shifting polarity, clashes of beliefs, and the tethers of groupthink. In 2022, she created “Cingularity,” a 20-minute work exploring the idea that “singularity” might be reached, when humans and technology eventually become one (the title is also a nod to the 90s cell phone network, Cingular).

Hannah Williamson

of Mutual Dance Theatre

Hannah Williamson, a 7th year performing member of Mutual Dance Theatre (formerly MamLuft&Co. Dance), is choreographer, Rehearsal Director, and performing member. She is a 2017 graduate of Wright State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance – Magna Cum Laude.  She has performed in works by Dwight Rhoden and Clifford Williams of Complexions Contemporary Ballet and the Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre in Carmel, IN.

Through her passion for choreography, she strives to communicate eternal truths where mere words come up short. Her prior works have been selected for such presentations as Columbus Modern Dance Company’s January 2018 Emerging Choreographer Residency, The Area Choreographers Festival (Contemporary Dance Theater), and Yes! Virginia Dance Festival (Richmond, VA). Williamson also received a commission from MDT for the creation of “Variations in a Brainstorm” (premiere 2021), which was heralded by many audience members as their favorite MDT work.

Ms. Williamson is also a performer in the company.

McKinley Willis

formerly of Dallas Black Dance Theatre

McKinley Willis is a native of Dallas, Texas and graduate of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Modern Dance Performance with a minor in Health and Exercise Science from The University of Oklahoma. During her time at OU, her choreography was featured in the Young Choreographer’s Showcase, paving her journey to creative discovery. As a senior, McKinley collaborated with composer Leah Kennedy for the production of “Not Buying It”, a show reflecting the dark reality of the human trafficking system in America. McKinley’s Capstone Project, The Experience: Love, Life, Light, was a 45 minute, one-act show created in collaboration with various artists – it was this production that sparked her fiercest desire to collaborate, in turn leading to the development of her arts organization The Artist Kinnection.

McKinley has performed with 6 O’clock Dance(2015), Bruce Wood Dance Project(2011 & 2015), and Dallas Black Dance Theatre (2015-2023), where she as worked with choreographer Bruce Wood, Matthew Rushing, Christopher Huggins, Tommie Waheed-Evans, Hope Boykin, Stephen Mills, and Dianne McIntyre.

She’s had several choreographed works featured in DBDT’s annual Black on Black series, premiering works such as “Black Angels”, “Gus” and “A Suite Christmas”. McKinley has also been commissioned to choreograph for several special events including weddings, birthdays, and various corporate events throughout the DFW metroplex. In 2019 she choreographed Arts Visions’ production of “Hair Spray Jr.” under the Direction of Fran Anderson and in the midst of the pandemic in 2020, she choreographed and organized Arts Visions’ virtual edition of “The Wiz Jr.,” recognized for its creativity and ingenuity. Most recently She has choreographed on Houston Contemporary and Dallas Black Dance Theatre.

McKinley’s invigorating take on movement defines dance by way of the human experience and encourages connections to happen – creating space for vulnerability, exploration and authenticity. Her goal is to cultivate spaces that encourage the dancers to put themselves in it.

Cecilia Benitez

of Rosie Herrera Dance Theatre

Cecilia Benitez was born and raised in Miami, Florida, where she currently resides. She earned her BFA in dance from Point Park University in 2020. In the spring of 2019, she studied abroad in Madrid, Spain at the Conservatorio de Danza Superior “María de Avíla”. Upon graduation she worked as a freelance artist in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania performing with an improvisation-based company The Pillow Project under the direction of Pearlann Porter. She also served as the lead dancer and rehearsal director in the original production of “Milton” choreographed by Kaylin Horgan. Now a freelance artist based in Miami, she dances for Rosie Herrera Dance Theater while teaching, dancing, and choreographing for Syncopate Collective. Her dance films have been featured in both ScreenDance Miami and the 305 & Havana International Improv Fest. Her choreography has been commissioned by Miami Light Project’s “Here and Now” program, Pioneer Winter’s “Grass Stains”, Bistoury Physical Theater and Film, and Miami- Dade County Cultural Affairs. Through her choreographic process she aims to unearth memories from one’s cultural and social background in order to inspire improvisational scores and movement generation. When not dancing or creating you can find her reading, biking, writing letters, or making Cuban coffee.

Claire Dieringer
Linda Garza
Ana Hart
Evelyn Lackney
KC Lyphout
Caroline Nymberg
Jasmine Snellen
Hannah Williamson
MOVE WITH MUTUAL

Masterclass with Mutual Dance Theatre

SATURDAY, JUNE 1, 2023 AT 12PM

Join MDT choreographer Jasmine Snellen as she introduces you to Modern Dance! No experience needed. At Mutual Arts. Pre-register to save $5.

More information on Artist Workshops

Accessibility

All our venues are ADA accessible

Plan Your Visit

Parking and where to go before or after the show

Presented by Mutual Dance Theatre and the Jefferson James Contemporary Dance Theater Series

Dallas Black Dance Theatre

Oct 20-21, '23

Aronoff Center for the Arts

MORE INFO

Mutual Dance Theatre: Up-Close

Dec 1-9, '23

Mutual Arts Center Hartwell

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Presented by Mutual Dance Theatre and the Jefferson James Contemporary Dance Theater Series

Rosie Herrera Dance Theatre

Mar 8-9, '24

Aronoff Center for the Arts

MORE INFO

Mutual Dance Theatre: MODERN MIX '24

May 31 - Jun 1, '24

Aronoff Center for the Arts

MORE INFO

2023-2024 Sponsors

Our work is supported in part by: individual donors, big and small; the generosity of more than 40,000 contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign; the National Endowment for the Arts; and state tax dollars allocated by the Ohio Legislature to the Ohio Arts Council. To support Mutual Dance Theatre’s important work that keeps the genre of Modern Dance in Cincinnati, please visit mutualdance.org/support