Nebula Dance Lab presents
Inspired by the short story โThe Childโs Storyโ by Charles Dickens.
Choreography: Chloe Roberts
Artistic Director: Devyn Duex
Rehearsal Director: Ashely Kohler-Reynolds
Performers: Amanda Keller, Nathan Burdine-Ortega, Ashley Kohler-Reynolds, Emily McKinney, Monique Nadeau, Rachyl Pines, Tara McAninch, Devyn Duex
Guest Choreographers: Karyn Laver & Sunny Reichert
Guest performers: Caitlin Davis, Lauren Hovey, Lindsay Huddle
Music: Ella Fitzgerald, Gershwin, New York City subway, Aurelia Fierro, RJD2, Elton John, Orchestra Filarmonica Veneta, Romolo Gessi, George Benson, The Sondheim-Gershwin Suite, Grandmaster, Tchaikovsky, Puff Daddy, Earth Wind and Fire.
Media/Video/Lighting: Meredith Cabaniss
Lighting: Brad Spaulding
Wardrobe Director: Nicole Thompson
Stage Manager: Kate Williams
A Message from the Artistic Director Devyn Duex
Welcome and thank you from the entire company for joining us this evening for our first full in-person season since Spring 2019. What an incredibly unprecedented two and a half years. Navigating a global pandemic is something none of us have weathered in our lifetime, itโs an experience that connects us, and makes us all stronger. As we began creative meetings for our show in February 2020, who would have known we would be going completely dark 6 weeks later in a collective effort to keep our community safe from an unknown threat COVID-19, and the darkness continued more than a year before the Arts were given a green light to perform once again in person. But rather than sit around waiting, the Arts got creative; Nebula shifted HHII Dance Festival to a fully virtual event in March 2020, showcasing artists worldwide including masterclasses, professional performances, and artist interviews. A truly special experience, and opportunity to support our mission. As we shifted into 2021 , we longed to be back together in person creating work, and performing in front of audiences however we were uncertain what health protocols and community readiness would support. Thanks to technology, and CDC guidelines offered for in-person events, we were pleasantly surprised to be able to offer Hybrid experiences for audiences and talent in both HHII 2021, and our Lobero premiere of HUMANITY November 2021. But we are thrilled to be fully back in person, once again, in 2022.
Tonightโs work Humanity, inspired by the short story โThe Childโs Storyโ by Charles Dickens began back in April 2021 with the goal of creating a new work to inspire and celebrate life. As we all emerge back into social experiences Art is critical in helping us create opportunities to dialogue, connect, be transported, and entertained. The company worked tirelessly throughout the summer of 2021, and premiered HUMANITY to a hybrid in-person/Zoom audience in November 2021. Once again the company got back together to dedicate their talents to restage this phenomenal new work, taking on a variety of styles of dance including contemporary ballet, modern, jazz, broadway, aerial, tap, and two new scenes featuring ballet en-pointe and hip-hop to bring this vision to life. Appreciative of the dedication and efforts of our entire company, we are thrilled to present to you the fruits of this dynamic collaboration featuring choreography by multi-talented Chloeโ Roberts, and guest choreography by Karyn Laver & Sunny Reichert, performed by the amazing company of Nebula Dance Lab.
Thank you for choosing the Arts, we are humbled by the support of the community, both individuals and businesses, that believe in the vision of Nebula and the benefits of dance in our lives, and your patronage helps to support work for Artists that were impacted heavily by COVID-19. On behalf of the entire company, thank you for choosing to join us in this exciting production โHUMANITYโ.
Humanity, inspired by the short story โThe Childโs Storyโ by Charles Dickens. An exploration of living oneโs truth, being present, and celebrating our differences. Join us on this magical journey through New York City and the splendid characters upon which we meet. Open your minds to be entertained and inspired.
Opening
โManhattanโ, Ella Fitzgerald
Dancer: Amanda Keller
Scene 1 | Grand Central Station
โRhapsody in Blueโ, Gershwin
Dancers: Amanda Keller, Ashley Kohler-Reynolds, Emily McKinney, Monique Nadeau, Nathan Burdine-Ortega, Rachyl Pines, Tara McAninch
Scene 2 | Subway
NYC subway sounds
Dancer: Amanda Keller
Scene 3 | Little Italy
โA Pizzaโ- Aurelia Fierro
Dancers: Amanda Keller, Ashley Kohler-Reynolds, Emily McKinney, Nathan Burdine-Ortega, Rachyl Pines, Monique Nadeau, Tara McAninch
Scene 4 | Five Points
โLiving in New York Cityโ, Robin Thicke
Dancers: Caitlin Davis, Lauren Hovey, Lindsay Huddle
Choreography: Karyn Laver
Scene 5 | Subway
NYC subway sounds
Dancer: Amanda Keller
Scene 6 | Financial District
โA Beautiful Mineโ RJD2
Dancers: Amanda Keller, Ashley Kohler-Reynolds, Emily McKinney, Monique Nadeau, Nathan Burdine-Ortega, Rachyl Pines
Scene 7 | East Village
"Shining Star", Earth, WInd & Fire
Dancer: Rachyl Pines
Scene 8 | West Village
โPhiladelphia Freedomโ, Elton John
Dancers: Amanda Keller, Emily McKinney, Monique Nadeau, Nathan Burdine-Ortega, Tara McAninch
Scene 9 | Broadway
โNew York, New Yorkโ, Orchestra Filarmonica Veneta, Romolo Gessi & โOn Broadwayโ, George Benson
Dancers: Ashley Kohler-Reynolds, Emily McKinney, Rachyl Pines
Scene 10 | Central Park
"The Man I Love" - Gershwin
Dancers: Amanda Keller and Nathan Burdine-Ortega
Scene 11 | Freestyle
โThe Messageโ by Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five & โCanโt Nobody Hold Me Down (feat. Mase)โ by Puff Daddy
Dancers: Ashley-Kohler Reynolds, Monique Nadeau, Nathan Burdine-Ortega
Choreography: Sunny Reichert
Blocking: Devyn Duex
Scene 12 | A Night at the Ballet
Swan Lake Theme - Tchaikovsky & Boogie Wonderland - Earth Wind and Fire
Dancers: Emily McKinney, Rachyl Pines
Scene 13 | Subway
NYC subway sounds
Dancer: Amanda Keller
Scene 14 | Grand Central Station II
โOur Love is Here to Stay/Anyone Can Whistle, A Broadway Extravaganza!โ, The Sondheim-Gershwin Suite & โRhapsody in Blueโ, Gershwin
Dancers: Amanda Keller, Ashley Kohler-Reynolds, Emily McKinney, Monique Nadeau, Nathan Burdine-Ortega, Rachyl Pines, Tara McAninch
Learn About Nebula Dance Lab and Dancer Bios
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Founded in 2010 under the Artistic Direction of Devyn Duex, a proud recipient of the 2016 Indy Dance Award for the HHII Dance Festival, provides an incubator for creative art in motion- allowing the professional company of artists in modern and contemporary dance the opportunity to experiment, push boundaries, and create new language in dance through physical exploration. Nebula has quickly garnered the attention of the industry showcasing their work from intimate venues to large theaters, outreach to concerts. Nebula has been invited to showcase their work in the US and Internationally.
We are gratified to give back to the community that supports us through our outreach program, which provides performances and movement workshops, and Student Matinee Program at The Lobero Theater busing in students for a live theater experience, thanks in partnership with The Lobero Fund, Santa Barbara Education Foundation, CAPTRUST Community Foundation, Towbes Performing Arts Fund, Ann Jackson Family Foundation, CA Arts Council and the Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation. Nebulaโs student matinee program has provided 8000+ students an opportunity to see live professional performance since 2015.
As a producer Nebula launched the Indy Award Winning festival, HHII Dance Festival in 2015. History of HHII;
2015 HHII Launches showcasing over 30 works across 3 unique shows highlighting performances by 20 companies and over 100 artists from across the US.
2016 HHII Dance Festival expanded to include international artists, an electrifying opportunity for the community to experience a broad range of professional dance works all under one roof over a 3 day exhilarating festival format.
2016 HHII Introduced the Apogee Awards honoring excellence in dance performance.
2017 Apogee Awards expanded & revised including an Opening Night celebration featuring Awards honoring excellence in Dance Education, and highlighting youth and pre-professional performances throughout this exciting night of celebration!
2017 Master Class series launched. HHII Artists teach at UCSB.
2019 HHII launched the Mix & Mingle Friday Night, which offers small bites, live music and a curated bite-size performance night, followed by an After-Party.
2020 Annually, HHII Dance Festival produces over 45+ dance works, all styles, youth-professional, offers masterclasses, workshops, networking and more! 200-300 artists participate each year.
2021 HHII Dance Festival VIRTUAL, featured artists from across the US, Canada, Budapest Hungary, including 10 masterclasses with artists in NY, Canada, CA, 40+ professional performances, and 15+ interviews connecting artists and audience worldwide.
March 31st-April 3rd 2022, HHII Dance Festival is back LIVE!
May 4th-May 7th 2023: Center Stage Theater. Stay tuned as the HHII Festival continues to push the envelope on live arts in the community!
As we look forward into the 13th season, we remain focused on strengthening the sustainability of our organization so that we may continue to provide dance arts to the community through our performances, outreach program, and training opportunities.
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Named as one of the Top Women in Business by the Pacific Coast Business Times, and 2021 recipient of the Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award, Arts & Entertainment, by Womenโs Economic Ventures, has an eclectic background performing extensively in the United States as a dancer/ actress/singer on stage and in film/TV. Devyn has performed with the James Sewell Ballet, Straw Hat Players, The Pittsburgh Playhouse, Cabrillo Music Theater, Buena Vida Productions, Universal Pictures, American Entertainment, Moorhead State University, Cabrillo Music Theater, Skits Outreach Company, and more. With her prior dance company, Universal Dance based in LA, she performed at over 200 events in two years; performing in the US/Internationally. As a choreographer, Devyn has had the opportunity to work with the Pittsburgh Playhouse, Pittsburgh Playhouse Junior, Straw Hat Players, and Fargo Elementary School choreographing for the Theater. Since moving to Santa Barbara in 2003, Devyn has dedicated her energy to modern dance, working with Motion Theater Dance Company, Sonne Blauma Danscz Theater, and independent choreographers: Marcos Duran, Heather Shea, and Nicole Helton โAs We Areโ. Her new work โReleaseโ was debuted in 2008 & 2009 in collaboration with the Fusion Dance Companyโs show Intertwine and Daughter of Zion Dance Companyโs show Jeโ Taime, and reworked in 2012-2013 into a six section piece debuted under Nebula, as its fourth original new work โSand Into Glassโ in 2012 and 2013 to sold out houses. In 2015 she was proud to premiere Nebulaโs 9th new original work Push & Pull in collaboration with choreographer Shelby Lynn Joyce, โIf Strangers Werenโt Strangersโ a comedic work exploring social interaction, and collaborated to choreograph a scene in Through the Looking Glass. Primarily serving as Nebulaโs Artistic Director and Producer, Devyn is thrilled to be back in 2021 live on-stage, with a tremendously talented company, at the Lobero with HUMANITY. Devyn holds a BA in Theater Arts- Musical Theater from Point Park University and an MBA/MKT degree from the University of Phoenix. She is a member of SAG and AFTRA. Devyn would like to thank her husband Shawn, two kids Addyson and Zander, and her friends and family for their continued unconditional love and support.
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Chloรฉ was born and raised in Houston, Texas. Chloe is trained in ballet, contemporary, jazz, modern, musical theatre, hip-hop, ballroom, and improvisation. She has worked with esteemed choreographers including Eddy Ocampo, Sabrina Phillip, Jodinik Jo of the Centre du Danse Marais in Paris, Sharon Wong of Alvin Ailey, and Tucker Knox of So You Think You Can Dance. Company work includes Urbanity Dance Company (Boston), Selah Dance Company (SB). Nebula Dance Company (SB), The Prague Shakespeare Company (CZ), and Reject Dance Theatre (NYC). Recent productions include Chicago (Liz and Dance Captain), Grease (Cha-Cha and Dance Captain), How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying (Co-Choreographer with Tracy Kofford), and High Society (Mavis and principal dancer), and Out Of the Box Theatre Companyโs American Psycho (Choreographer). Chloe has a BA and MA in History from Fort Lewis College and Boston College, and is pursuing her PhD at UCSB. She is a judge and member of Impact Dance Adjudicators. She is also the Jazz Director at Santa Barbara Dance Arts. She is represented by the Movement Talent Agency in Los Angeles. @chloerobertsdance, #chloerobertschoreo *Artist 2018-Current
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Meredith is a multi-creative artist based out of Southern California. Her work has been commissioned and performed throughout the United States and Europe, most recently in Estonia, Finland, Spain, and Italy. She continues to travel and advocate for the arts both nationally and internationally as a dance educator and choreographer. Organizational work: Founder/Artistic Director Selah dance collective, Sespe Dance Co.- Co-Director/Choreographer, Santa Barbara Dance Alliance- Executive Director, Artspace Inc. Center Stage Theater -Board Member, Camarillo Performing Arts Academy- Faculty, Childrenโs Creative Project- Program coordinator. Nebula Dance Lab- Artist 2014-Current
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Amanda Keller is a current artist based out of Santa Barbara, California, graduating magna cum laude in Exercise Science and Dance Performance from Grand Canyon University.
Professional credits: Sespe Dance Co., Selah Dance Collective, and as a choreographer, she had the opportunity of presenting her group piece โHumanโ for Selahโs spring show โThe end of the end of the Worldโ, and looks forward to performing as well as choreographing for the company again soon. Amandaโs movement style and choreographic choices have been heavily impacted by summer intensives with companies such as Los Angeles Contemporary Dance Company and festivals such as the American College Dance Association.
After choreographing work with GCU that was presented at the Herberger Festival of the Arts and performing in seven formal dance concerts with Ethington Dance Ensemble, Amanda is always grateful for an opportunity to take the stage. She is thrilled to be working as a Principal dancer with Nebula Dance Lab and looks forward to continuing dancing and creating for as long as she can.
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Ashley has been a member of the Santa Barbara Dance community for over 14 years.
In this time, she has danced with several Companies and Choreographers such Selah Dance Collective, Robin Bisio, Weslie Ching, Dancers by Design Project, and Nebula Dance Lab. Ashley is also a Dance Instructor for Los Olivos Dance Gallery and Arts Outreach in the Santa Ynez Valley.
*Founding Company Member, Dancer 2009, 2016- Current
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Rachel moved to Santa Barbara and earned a PhD in Communication at UCSB. Credits include: City Ballet of San Diego (3 years); George Balanchineโs Walpurgisnacht, the companyโs productions of The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliette, Firebird and Giselle. Selah Dance Collective (Something Like the Desert) and Nebula Dance Lab (multiple credits)
Additional credits: Shelby Lynn Joyce (Individuation) and Monique Meunier (Memory of Hope) and George Balanchineโs Agon and Who Cares. Rachyl is excited about this being her fifth season with Nebula Dance Lab. *Dancer 2018-Current
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Nathan a Santa Barbara native, graduated from UCSB with a BFA of Fine Arts in Dance, choreography emphasis. Training in a variety of styles including ballet, modern, jazz, gymnastics and diving. Performing US and Abroad. Credits include: The Wade Robson Projects (MTV), Music videos (credits vary), Europe (Prague and Italy) UCSB Senior Dance Company. Choreography credits include colleges CA, WA, AZ, creating works to bring joy, comedy and thoughtful art to the minds of audience members. Nathan also teaches throughout Ventura and Orange County. *Dancer 2021 - current
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Emily is from the Bay Area California, studied at the Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet in New York City, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, and Boston Ballet. Through Emily's extensive training she has developed skills in classical ballet, contemporary dance, and musical theater. She graduated magna cum laude from Dominican University in 2018, with a BFA from the Alonzo King LINES Ballet program and a minor in Communications. After graduating, she joined State Street Ballet's Professional Track where she performed with the company in Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Evenings, and American Masters. Emily joined the company as an apprentice in 2020. This is Emilyโs first performance with Nebula Dance Lab and is truly thrilled to be dancing alongside such lovely dancers. *Dancer 2021 - current
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Originally from Orange County, Monique moved to Santa Barbara in 2003 and has been a multidisciplinary dancer in the community with credits including UCSB Dance Team, Rhythm Street Team, and Fusion Dance Company. Her current works include SELAH Dance Collective, and this will be her sixth season with Nebula Dance Lab. Monique spends her days as a Labor & Delivery nurse at Cottage Hospital. *Dancer 2017-Current
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Tara graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance at the University of California, Santa Barbara. During her time at UCSB, McAninch completed the 2015 Divison II Summer Intensive at the Complexions Contemporary Ballet in NYC and received the opportunity to Apprentice for the Santa Barbara Dance Theater's 2016-2017 Season. Through Christopher Pilafian, she had the pleasure of working with amazing choreographers including Andi Schermoly, David Maurice and Rebecca Lemme. McAninch was also a company member in the UCSB Dance Company from 2017-2018, working hand-in-hand with Monica Bill Barnes and Company, Jacqulyn Buglisi and Nancy Colahan, touring and performing throughout Europe and Santa Barbara County.
Since graduating, McAninch has performed Fleur with Palm Dance Collective at the San Francisco Movement Arts Festival, Journey with Motion Theater Dance Company, Nebula Dance Lab's 10th anniversary season, Selah Dance Company (2019-Present) and Arianna Hartanov's production of Bolero.
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Nicole is from Santa Barbara and has a BA in Apparel Design and Merchandising and a BA in Business Administration from San Francisco State University. Credits include: Wardrobe Director for State Street Ballet, including designing and creating costumes for The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Womenโs Work, An American Tango, Modern Masters, Mozart's Requiem and the SSB Summer Intensive. She has had the opportunity to work with Nebula Dance, Santa Barbara Dance Theatre, Santa Barbara City College, Westside Dance, Santa Barbara Junior High and other local artists. *Artist 2018-Current
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The Dance Network is a dance and fitness studio in Santa Barbara, CA, under the direction of Karyn Laver. We offer classes in tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, ballet, and more to students of all ages, abilities, and experience levels. Our mission is to provide a comprehensive, enriching, customized, and fun dance experience for all! We work towards uniting the dance community and creating a family where everyone can feel welcome. Visit our website at www.thedancenetworksb.com for more information and to sign up for your first free class. We canโt wait to have you dance with us!
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Sunny Reichert was born in rural Illinois where she started training in dance at the age of 5. At the age of 10, she joined her first dance company and began traveling nationwide, competing in various dance competitions. Throughout high school she received numerous dance scholarships and earned national recognition with her dance companies.
Sunny moved to Los Angeles in 2004 to pursue her career in dance and quickly began working in film, TV and print. Some of her career highlights were working for Aamco, Comedy Central, FOX, Matchbox 20, NBC, Pepsi and William Morris Entertainment. While working, Sunny also received her degree from Cal State Northridge in 2009, where she minored in dance. Sunny is trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, contemporary and hip-hop and has used her well-rounded training to build a successful teaching career.
For 20 years now, Sunny has been a teacher producing and choreographing many of her own dance performances and productions. She has also directed two different dance companies for children and pre-professionals. Sunny is proud to say some of her dance students have gone on to train at Julliard, NYU Tisch School of the Arts and The American Ballet Theatre. Sunny continues teaching dance full-time while also traveling to teach as a master teacher at other schools and dance intensives; she is especially excited to call Santa Barbara Dance Arts her new home!
Nebula Dance Lab
2021-2022 Support Network - Annual Fund
Donors:
Angel | Gold | Silver
Duex Family, Lobero Fund, Strategic Incentives
Business Sponsors:
Strategic Incentives, Pacific Premiere Bank, Graphic Ink
Foundation Support:
Nebula Dance Lab is funded in part by the COMMUNITY ARTS GRANT PROGRAM using funds provided by the City of Santa Barbara in partnership with the Santa Barbara County Arts Commission, The Lobero Theater Fund, CAPTRUST Community Foundation, Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation, Santa Barbara Education Fund in partnership with funds provided by the Leni Fe Bland Partnership, Ann Jackson Family Foundation, Santa Barbara Foundation- Towbes Performing Arts Fund, & CA Arts Council.
Thank you for your support in the dance arts. We will see you next year!
Please consider making a donation to Nebula Dance Lab
NEBULA DANCE LAB- Board of Directors
โข Ashley Kohler-Reynolds
โข Heather Shea
โข Devyn Duex
Special thanks to:
โข The company members of Nebula Dance Lab
โข Chloe Roberts
โข Meredith Cabaniss
โข Denise Easton
โข Brett Larson
โข Ashley Kohler-Reynolds
โข Heather Shea
โข Nebulaโs board of directors
โข The Lobero team Marianne, Gina, Cecilia, Rick, Betsey, and David Asbell
โข The Duex Family
โข Kathee Miller
โข KEYT
โข Kendall Klein โ Graphic Arts <3
โข PLUS a special shout out to all our dedicated patrons, your attendance is what makes these shows possible!