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Playbill
A Midsummer Night's Dream and Mixed Repertoire
Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 7:00pm
Sunday, May 21, 2023 at 2:00pm
Carroll Community College Theater
Westminster, MD
This performance is funded in part by a Community Arts Development Grant from the Carroll County Arts Council and the Maryland State Arts Council.
Ballet Embody is Maryland’s premiere contemporary ballet company located in Carroll County. Co-founded in 2019 by Emily Runkle and Melissa Lineburg, Ballet Embody produces original classical and contemporary works.
NOTES ON BALLET EMBODY’S A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM
If you’ve ever read this Shakespearean play, you know what kind of wild ride we’re about to experience! Last spring, when I was ruminating about the upcoming repertoire, I was reviewing all sorts of classic literature and simultaneously reflecting on the amazing humor and acting skills that our professional dancers showcased in our 2022 Murder Mystery Ballet…. and realized that Midsummer was the PERFECT ballet for our company. Prepare to smile, laugh, cry, and try to keep track of all the romantic misfortunes and butterflies that most of us humans have felt before in some capacity. You’re in for a real treat.
Emily Runkle
Artistic Director | Ballet Embody
A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTORS
To Emily Jarrett and Jessica Markiewicz:
We wanted to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to both of you for your outstanding contribution to A Midsummer Night’s Dream this performance season. Your dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment to excellence have not gone unnoticed, and we want to thank you both from the bottom of our hearts. You are truly the MVPs of this spring season.
We are amazed by your ability to juggle being double cast and to shift roles with such ease. Your talent, skill, and professionalism are truly inspiring, and we are so fortunate to be able to work alongside you both. Your grace is nothing short of incredible, and you have brought much joy and entertainment to everyone throughout our rehearsal process.
Due to injury, Emily Jarrett is unable to perform, and we are incredibly grateful, wanting to give her a shoutout, for being with us this weekend as a support both in the theater and in the box office. Jes, we’re sorry you’re unable to be Bottom this time around - there’s always next time! We want you both to know that your hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed. Emily, your presence onstage will be sorely missed, but your contribution to this season has been immeasurable. Jes, we know that you will continue to shine on stage.
Once again, thank you both for your exceptional work this season. You are both true professionals, and we are incredibly lucky to have you dance with and alongside us.
Much Love,
Emily Runkle + Melissa Lineburg
Mixed Repertoire
Co-op
Choreography by Emily Runkle and dancers
Music: Zoe Keating
ELLEN BAST MADISON BONVISSUTO FALKNER DISCHER REBECCA DUNPHY JULIA LATKO MELISSA LINEBURG MAX MAISEY JESSICA MARKIEWICZ MAYA RICHARD
Co-op was choreographed to simply give our dancers the chance to enjoy each other's presence in a movement style that explores contemporary ballet, in a setting that doesn’t call for a narrative. We hope you can feel the peace that we feel at Ballet Embody in being surrounded by people who are comfortable, confident, and communicative with each other and their own individual artistic abilities. The definition of cooperative (co-op) = involving mutual assistance in working toward a common goal.
Artistic Director's Welcome
Chlorine
Choreography by Emily Runkle
Music: Twenty-One Pilots
MADILYN CONROY JULIA LATKO JOY PASSERINI LOLAH PETERS ARIANNA SCHANBERGER LAUREN SCHREYER
Chlorine is an excerpt from If You Find Yourself, an original Ballet Embody work that premiered in 2021. This piece represents one character’s struggle with isolation. The gray costuming represents the “void” and loneliness that isolation can cause.
**Please enjoy a 5 minute pause**
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Choreography by Emily Runkle and Dancers
Music: Felix Mendelssohn, Edvard Grieg, Charles Gounod, Percy Grainger, Barry Manilow, Cher, Ronan Hardiman
Cast of Characters
Fairies
ELLEN BAST JULIA LATKO JOY PASSERINI LOLAH PETERS MAYA RICHARD
Butterflies
MADILYN CONROY ARIANNA SCHANBERGER LAUREN SCHREYER
Titania
MELISSA LINEBURG
Oberon
ERIK HOFFMAN
Puck
REBECCA DUNPHY
Hermia
MADISON BONVISSUTO
Lysander
MAX MAISEY
Helena
JESSICA MARKIEWICZ
Demetrius
FALKNER DISCHER
The Child
ISABELLA NALEWAK
Critters
ISABELLE KUADEY VICTORIA RAMSEY AINSLEY ROCKWELL ARIANNA SCHANBERGER
Actors
GABRIELLE JOHNSON REECE POLLACK MICA POPPEK VICTORIA RAMSEY DANIELLA WERTZ
Bottom
EMILY RUNKLE
The Story
Act I
Our story begins in the enchanted fairy kingdom of the forest, where the Fairy King Oberon and Queen Titania are locked in a fierce argument over the custody of their favorite child. Titania refuses to give up the child, infuriating Oberon and prompting him to seek revenge. He commands his cunning sidekick, Puck, to find a magical flower. When sprinkled into the eye of a sleeping person, the flower causes them to fall madly in love with the first thing they see upon waking. Although the trick is intended to cause chaos only for Titania, Oberon and Puck decide to use the flower to fix the relationship of a human couple, Demetrius and Helena. Apt to carelessness and mistaken identities, Puck’s recklessness causes two other humans, Lysander and Hermia, to become tangled in the web of love. Despite their previously flourishing relationship, Lysander falls for the wrong woman!
**5 Minute Pause**
Act II
Our local troupe of actors is gathered in the woods for rehearsal. Unfortunately, Bottom's less-than-stellar performance prompts Puck to heighten the chaos by turning Bottom into a donkey. This donkey, Puck decides, will be the first thing Queen Titania sees upon waking.
Because Puck mistook Lysander for Demitrius, King Oberon is angry at her and the Fairy King decides to intervene by using the love potion on Demetrius. Things only become more complicated now that there are TWO men in love with Helena! Meanwhile, a heartbroken Hermia wanders into the woods alone, and Oberon calls in a deep fog in an attempt to separate the quarreling humans.
**5 Minute Pause**
Act III
With the help of the fog and mischievous fairies, King Oberon and Puck are able to put the quarreling couples back to sleep and set things right. As the sun rises, the four lovers wake up and find themselves in their lover’s arms once again, their previous disputes forgotten. Queen Titania, realizing her mistake and her true feelings for Oberon, humbly apologizes and pledges her loyalty to him. Oberon, in turn, forgives her, apologizes for his trickery, and puts an end to their feud. The fairy kingdom is restored to harmony, and all the inhabitants of the forest, human and fairy alike, come together to celebrate love and loyalty.
**Curtain Call**
Management Team
Emily Runkle Artistic Director & Company Artist
Message from Emily
2023 marks Ballet Embody’s fourth year of existence, and each year as we grow, my heart does as well. Thanks to ALL who have made this possible. Our community at BE is bigger than anyone can imagine, and stretches from word of mouth praise or donating an empty box to our prop department. We see you and we appreciate you.
I'd like to thank:
My Synergy fam- Jen, Katy, and all of our amazing teachers and collaborators for providing and maintaining such a wonderful home for Ballet Embody.
My parents- Pam and Dave Runkle- if you see them, give them a hug! They're a huge reason I have the courage and drive to choreograph and run a dance company.
My husband- for putting all the set pieces on wheels, for occasionally being my dance partner, and for all of his support, brainstorm sessions, and intellectual property since 2019.
Andy, Rachel and Laura for your selfless help in all things….but especially for the errands and costuming department needs. :)
My students- teaching you and watching you perform is a joy. May you always give light to the world the same way that you are tonight.
My colleagues and ProCo people - working with you is fulfilling, uplifting, and an adventure. I learn from you on a weekly basis. I'm honored that you've chosen to dance with Ballet Embody.
Melissa- thanks for sharing a brain, and putting up with me getting ahead of myself on practically a daily basis. I love being able to reflect with you on Mondays and share the pride that we feel for our group. You’re the yin to my yang, and remind me it’s a wonderful thing to pause and think before I do (a novel concept for me!) Thanks for helping me learn to just “be."
Melissa Lineburg Managing Director & Company Artist
Message from Melissa
Yet again, I am simply at a loss for words. I am truly humbled and in awe of the talent and dedication that our dancers have displayed in bringing this magical story to life. It’s always a journey - from learning and solidifying new choreography both in our mind + body but then comes the character development. Easily this is my favorite part of bringing a full-length ballet with dynamic characters to the stage. I hope you enjoy and have even just half of the belly laughs that we experienced putting everything together in the studio. May you leave the theater with an extra spring in your step and maybe sore cheeks from smiling.
I would like to thank:
Emily, my partner in creativity, laughs, all the bunhead things, and continued pursuit forward. I cannot believe we are presenting yet another full length ballet in the span of 4 years. Our early morning talks, constant support, and never-ending supply of energy - I am so grateful for all of it and cannot wait to see what our future holds while we think, create, present, and dance. I never take for granted chances we get to perform together. 💜
Josh, my literal partner in love + life. For being that annoyingly calm human who’s there for me at the end of long days and your never-wavering level of support of my dancing, management, and ignoring my lack of completing chores when needed - thank you.
My family - you brought me up in life, dealt with my constant movement, guided me to utilize available resources, and to ask questions. Your continued support of my creativity and pursuits is unwavering.
Our company of artists - our largest cast yet! You all constantly leave me in awe, absolutely astounded + amazed with your talent, curiosity to push boundaries and see where your technique, artistry, and intuition can take you. Without each of you - our current, past, and future dancers - the company would not be what it has become nor where it is today. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for trusting and having patience with us on this journey together.
Our audiences, donors, volunteers, supporters, followers, anyone I have absent-mindedly left out - without you Ballet Embody wouldn’t be where we are today. Thank you so much, please relax and enjoy the show!
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Playbill Ads
Season Sponsors
Ballet Embody is grateful to many for helping to make A Midsummer Night's Dream a possibility. This production would not have been possible without support from:
Our dancers
Our donors
Our volunteers
Our stage crew
Matt Ryan and Falkner Discher for managing the Livestream of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Click here to see Ballet Embody’s Season Sponsors.
Costumes Curated and Provided by
Emily Runkle, Melissa Lineburg, Jessica Markiewicz, Company Dancers
Seamstress + Prop Support by Rachel Passerini, Andy Schreyer, David Witt
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation online through our fiscal sponsor Fractured Atlas.