wise as serpents (2018)

"wise as serpents"

Choreography: Alicia Díaz in collaboration with the cast at the University of Richmond.

Collaborative Assistant: Christina Carlotti Kolb

Music: Composed by Snowden Family Band, performed by the Carolina Chocolate Drops.

Text: Quoted from the diary of Elizabeth Van Lew with additional text by the cast.

Sound Score: Cristina Leoni Osion

Costume Design: Johann Stegmeir

Lighting Design: Maja E. White

Scenic and Projection Design: Josafath Reynoso

Historical Consultant: Free Bangura, Untold RVA

Dancers: Julia Oates, Edie Sanders, Gabriela Telepman, Briana Williams

PROGRAM NOTE:

"wise as serpents" is inspired by the public and private lives of Civil War Union spies Elizabeth Van Lew and Mary Bowser in Richmond, VA. Van Lew, a white woman, was a prominent member of antebellum Richmond society. Bowser was a freed and educated black woman, born into slavery in the Van Lew household. Risking their lives, they forged a secret alliance against the institution of slavery, successfully communicating messages to the Union through a cypher code and infiltrating the Confederate White House.

PRESENTED AT:

--CONVERGE: University Dancers 33rd Annual Concert

Alice Jepson Theatre, Modlin Center for the Arts, The University of Richmond

March 2-4, 2018

--American College Dance Association Mid-Atlantic South Regional Conference, Adjudicated Concert

Virginia Commonwealth University

March 6, 2018

-- American College Dance Association Mid-Atlantic South Regional Conference

Gala Performance

Virginia Commonwealth University

March 7, 2018