Brown Rice Productions and Sackerson will soon begin construction on The Break; a multi-room intimate nightclub and home of the immersive dance party theatre experience, You by Graham Brown. The show will emerge within the evening of house, funk, and breaks mixed by The Crate Dwellers. Audience members will then find themselves immersed within the public and private lives of Nick, Pascal, Charlie, and Warner as they navigate friendship, love, and loneliness amid the crowd. With an audience limited to 50 per night, the show will be an intimate and individualized experience for all.
"Stunningly intricate...a true tour de force"
Rick Westercamp, DC Metro Theatre Arts
Rick Westercamp, DC Metro Theatre Arts
Listed as one of "Utah's arts standouts"
Kathy Adams, Salt Lake Tribune
"...of art that has made a huge impact on me, You is in the top ten.
I am telling you, it will be with you for years."
C. Jane Kendrick, Blogger/Columnist
I am telling you, it will be with you for years."
C. Jane Kendrick, Blogger/Columnist
"an intimate, exciting, thought-provoking, unique, interesting, playful experience.
...I left wanting to hug the entire cast and audience"
Molly Jorgensen, Idaho State University
...I left wanting to hug the entire cast and audience"
Molly Jorgensen, Idaho State University
"A strong, clear, new vision in the community.
One of the best dance/theater experiences of the year”
Eric Handman, University of Utah
One of the best dance/theater experiences of the year”
Eric Handman, University of Utah
"I truly have not been witness to anything like this production!"
Joseph Blake, dance artist
Joseph Blake, dance artist
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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LEAD PERFORMERS
Francisco Avina has been working as a dancer and choreographer in movies, television, music videos, rock tours, and contemporary concert dance for more than two decades. He began his career in Hollywood in the hit Disney film, Newsies, and has since performed with and worked for Celine Dion, Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson, Bette Midler, Elton John, Michael Jackson, Gianni Versace, Christine W and Ricky Martin to name a few. Francisco moved to Chicago in 1998 where he danced with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, River North Dance Chicago, Ron De Jesus Dance, and the boundary pushing Lucky Plush Productions, whose brilliant Artistic Director Julia Rhoades was the recipient of the MacArthur Award.
Francisco's choreographic credits include High School Musical Mexico- the TV show and the Movie, Yo Mexico -The centennial anniversary of Mexico's Revolution; a large scale multimedia production involving more than 350 artists and was viewed by 1.5 million people live. He has choreographed for contemporary dance companies such as Hubbard Street 2, Luna Negra, The Second Company at the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago, Dance Works Chicago and Thodos Dance Co. He wrote and directed the one-man show A.R.T. which was performed in Chicago and Los Angeles in 2014 and 2015. Francisco has taught for The Joffrey Ballet, Hubbard Street, The National Ballet of Mexico, Giordanos Dance Chicago, River North, The Edge Performing Arts Center, Broadway Dance Center NY, and Broadway Dance Center Tokyo.
Francisco's choreographic credits include High School Musical Mexico- the TV show and the Movie, Yo Mexico -The centennial anniversary of Mexico's Revolution; a large scale multimedia production involving more than 350 artists and was viewed by 1.5 million people live. He has choreographed for contemporary dance companies such as Hubbard Street 2, Luna Negra, The Second Company at the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago, Dance Works Chicago and Thodos Dance Co. He wrote and directed the one-man show A.R.T. which was performed in Chicago and Los Angeles in 2014 and 2015. Francisco has taught for The Joffrey Ballet, Hubbard Street, The National Ballet of Mexico, Giordanos Dance Chicago, River North, The Edge Performing Arts Center, Broadway Dance Center NY, and Broadway Dance Center Tokyo.
Shawnee Jo Haycock graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Dance from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in August of 2013. She was then accepted as an international apprentice with Budapest Dance Theatre for six months. Upon returning to Utah, she was invited to dance with Repertory Dance Theatre as a guest in their show Land in 2014.
While abroad, Shawnee worked with many international choreographers including Béla Földi, the director of Budapest Táncszínház; Sergei Ostrenko, a prominent physical theatre master; Adrienn Réka, of Kibbutz Dance Theatre; and Lorand Zachar. She was granted a scholarship by IUGTE for the Physical Theatre Conference which took place in Austria in December 2013. Notable recent performances include The Gala Concert with Budapest Dance Theatre; and Carmina Burana, a large scale collaborative project with artists from Santiago, Cuba.
While abroad, Shawnee worked with many international choreographers including Béla Földi, the director of Budapest Táncszínház; Sergei Ostrenko, a prominent physical theatre master; Adrienn Réka, of Kibbutz Dance Theatre; and Lorand Zachar. She was granted a scholarship by IUGTE for the Physical Theatre Conference which took place in Austria in December 2013. Notable recent performances include The Gala Concert with Budapest Dance Theatre; and Carmina Burana, a large scale collaborative project with artists from Santiago, Cuba.
Jordan Simmons, an androgynous versatile dancer, was born and raised in Plainfield New Jersey. She graduated from the University of Maryland where she pursued a degree in Dance while being a collegiate track athlete. Jordan has had the opportunity to travel to Japan and California, where she studied abroad and trained under some great choreographers such as Antoine Troupe and Kolanie Marks.
She is affiliated with Culture Shock DC, a company based in Washington DC, Dynamic Dance Team at the University of Maryland, and Delta Chi Xi Honorary Dance Fraternity Inc. Jordan hopes to inspire young women like herself to follow their passions in being comfortable with who they are in today's society.
She is affiliated with Culture Shock DC, a company based in Washington DC, Dynamic Dance Team at the University of Maryland, and Delta Chi Xi Honorary Dance Fraternity Inc. Jordan hopes to inspire young women like herself to follow their passions in being comfortable with who they are in today's society.
Eliza Tappan moved to Salt Lake City from Long Island, NY in 2011 to pursue her undergraduate degree in modern dance at the University of Utah, which she completed in 2016. During her time in the university, she performed in works by artists such as John Beasant III, Eric Handman, Meghan Durham Wall, Daniel Clifton, Emmy Thomson, and Daniel Charon. Eliza is interested in creating work for intimate, alternative spaces that allows audiences to engage in more immersive, felt experiences with the performers and with themselves. In 2015 she produced a show at The Photo Collective with peers Marissa Mooney and Breeanne Saxton, in which the audience traveled from room to room to experience three different works that blurred the lines between dance, dance theater, and performance art. In 2016, Eliza and Breeanne choreographed and performed an evening length duet entitled Day One, in which the two pushed limits of physical, mental, and emotional endurance. Eliza is currently working in creative partnership with violinist, vocalist, and poet Alyssa Pyper.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Graham Brown - Artistic Director; Choreographer
(BFA: U of UT; MFA: U of MD) Graham is invested in creating performance work that conveys personal narratives within a highly athletic and rhythmically infectious physicality. Graham has performed a short solo excerpt of You at the Open Look Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia, the NextNOW Festival in College Park, MD., and in Havana, Cuba. His work has also been presented by Queen’s College (NY), The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (MD), The Roundhouse Theatre (DC), and The Sugar Space (SLC). In 2004 Graham founded the SLC based improv company Movement Forum, and co-directed it until 2010. He has free-lanced with many choreographers and currently tours with PEARSONWIDRIG DANCETHEATER (NYC/DC). Graham is an Assistant Professor of Dance at Brigham Young University and is sustained by his wife Lehua and their children Isobella, Oliver, Elliette, and Ana.
Brown Rice Productions is the vehicle through which the work of Graham Brown and creative partners is created and presented.
(BFA: U of UT; MFA: U of MD) Graham is invested in creating performance work that conveys personal narratives within a highly athletic and rhythmically infectious physicality. Graham has performed a short solo excerpt of You at the Open Look Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia, the NextNOW Festival in College Park, MD., and in Havana, Cuba. His work has also been presented by Queen’s College (NY), The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (MD), The Roundhouse Theatre (DC), and The Sugar Space (SLC). In 2004 Graham founded the SLC based improv company Movement Forum, and co-directed it until 2010. He has free-lanced with many choreographers and currently tours with PEARSONWIDRIG DANCETHEATER (NYC/DC). Graham is an Assistant Professor of Dance at Brigham Young University and is sustained by his wife Lehua and their children Isobella, Oliver, Elliette, and Ana.
Brown Rice Productions is the vehicle through which the work of Graham Brown and creative partners is created and presented.
Rick Curtiss - Dramaturg
Aundrea Frahm - Installation Artist
Sackerson - Co-Producers
Dave Mortensen - Production Manager
Alex Ungerman - Theatrical Director
Daniel Whiting - Technical Director
Dave Mortensen - Production Manager
Alex Ungerman - Theatrical Director
Daniel Whiting - Technical Director
Michael Wall - Composer, Sound Designer
Mike is a sought after composer of music for dance, video, instillation, jazz, and multimedia collaborations. He has been praised by the New York Times for his “haunting piano score.” His works are performed widely in the U.S. and abroad. Michael has collaborated with Bebe Miller, David Dorfman, Ailey II/Jennifer Archibald and many other choreographers. He has scored, along with Oscar Award Winning composer Darren Morze, “Bel Borba Aqui” and “Neurotypical” which aired on PBS. He is in demand as a educator and performer. Michael has worked for NYU, Princeton University, Rutgers University, The Ohio State University, The American Dance Festival, Bates Dance festival and is currently faculty at The University of Utah. He received a BFA in Jazz Piano from Rutgers University, where he studied with Kenny Barron. Michael performed on Kenny Barron’s Grammy Nominated recording, “Spirit Song”, which also received a special award from Verve Records. He is the founder of soundFORMovement.com, a website dedicated to music for dance with over 300 tracks released in the last year.
Mike is a sought after composer of music for dance, video, instillation, jazz, and multimedia collaborations. He has been praised by the New York Times for his “haunting piano score.” His works are performed widely in the U.S. and abroad. Michael has collaborated with Bebe Miller, David Dorfman, Ailey II/Jennifer Archibald and many other choreographers. He has scored, along with Oscar Award Winning composer Darren Morze, “Bel Borba Aqui” and “Neurotypical” which aired on PBS. He is in demand as a educator and performer. Michael has worked for NYU, Princeton University, Rutgers University, The Ohio State University, The American Dance Festival, Bates Dance festival and is currently faculty at The University of Utah. He received a BFA in Jazz Piano from Rutgers University, where he studied with Kenny Barron. Michael performed on Kenny Barron’s Grammy Nominated recording, “Spirit Song”, which also received a special award from Verve Records. He is the founder of soundFORMovement.com, a website dedicated to music for dance with over 300 tracks released in the last year.
Joel Brown - Composer, Song Writer
Joel is a singer/songwriter and dancer based in London, England. He danced with AXIS Dance Company 2012-2105 and currently dances with Candoco Dance Company. He grew up learning dance and gymnastics from his dancer-mother and gymnast-father. He has produced two solo music albums, From the Dance Studio and In Retrospect as well as created music for Graham Brown's Apple Falling. Joel has performed work and collaborated with choreographers such as Yvonne Rainer, Marc Brew, Alex Ketley, Victoria Marks, Amy Seiwert, Sonja Delwaide, Sebastian Grubb and Graham Brown. He has toured extensively throughout the United States and internationally in Russia, the United Kingdom and Sweden. Joel performed with AXIS on FOX's So You Think You Can Dance in 2012. He was nominated for an Isadora Duncan Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Performance for AXIS's 2013 home season performance.
Joel is a singer/songwriter and dancer based in London, England. He danced with AXIS Dance Company 2012-2105 and currently dances with Candoco Dance Company. He grew up learning dance and gymnastics from his dancer-mother and gymnast-father. He has produced two solo music albums, From the Dance Studio and In Retrospect as well as created music for Graham Brown's Apple Falling. Joel has performed work and collaborated with choreographers such as Yvonne Rainer, Marc Brew, Alex Ketley, Victoria Marks, Amy Seiwert, Sonja Delwaide, Sebastian Grubb and Graham Brown. He has toured extensively throughout the United States and internationally in Russia, the United Kingdom and Sweden. Joel performed with AXIS on FOX's So You Think You Can Dance in 2012. He was nominated for an Isadora Duncan Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Performance for AXIS's 2013 home season performance.
David Schulman - Composer
The music of electric violinist and composer David Schulman has aired nationally on NPR’s Weekend Edition, and has been described as "mysterious and beautiful" by The Washington Post A student of the jazz, salsa, and disco violinist Eddie Drennon, David loves to improvise and generate new work with modern dance companies. He has created original scores for choreographers including Christopher K. Morgan, Andrea Olsen, Daniel Burkholder, Stephanie Miracle, Uprooted Dance, and Dance Exchange. and has toured and performed at the Kennedy Center with PEARSONWIDRIG DANCETHEATER. To hear his debut album, "Quiet Life Motel," and more music, visit quietlifemotel.com
The music of electric violinist and composer David Schulman has aired nationally on NPR’s Weekend Edition, and has been described as "mysterious and beautiful" by The Washington Post A student of the jazz, salsa, and disco violinist Eddie Drennon, David loves to improvise and generate new work with modern dance companies. He has created original scores for choreographers including Christopher K. Morgan, Andrea Olsen, Daniel Burkholder, Stephanie Miracle, Uprooted Dance, and Dance Exchange. and has toured and performed at the Kennedy Center with PEARSONWIDRIG DANCETHEATER. To hear his debut album, "Quiet Life Motel," and more music, visit quietlifemotel.com
FOR MORE INFORMATION
[email protected]
Acknowledgements for the black box theatre premiere in January, 2015
The creation of You was made possible with generous support from the Brigham Young University Fulton Endowment for Dance and the College of Fine Arts and Communications
The Salt Lake City premiere was presented through Repertory Dance Theatre's LINK series which is supported by the Salt Lake County Zoo Arts and Parks initiative
Rowland Hall St. Marks School donated rehearsal space
loveDANCEmore is Brown Rice Productions' fiscal sponsor
The Salt Lake City premiere was presented through Repertory Dance Theatre's LINK series which is supported by the Salt Lake County Zoo Arts and Parks initiative
Rowland Hall St. Marks School donated rehearsal space
loveDANCEmore is Brown Rice Productions' fiscal sponsor