Presented by Princeton University’s Program in Dance.
Roots: New Dance Works by Naomi Benenson + Mandy Qua
Run Time
Approximately 1 hour, 15 minutes with one 15-minute intermission.
Program Note
Roots is an evening of two distinctive dance works by Princeton seniors Naomi Benenson and Mandy Qua. These pieces both explore and challenge traditional ways of connecting with oneself and one’s community.
Special Notes
Please silence all electronic devices including cellular phones, beepers and watches for the duration of the performance. Please refrain from text messaging during the performance. Please do your best to stay within the designated seating areas and keep all personal belongings off the stage. Thank you.
Content Warnings
This production uses haze.
Production Team
Lighting Designer: Cat Tate Starmer
Costume Designer: Keating Helfrich Debelak
Stage Manager: Christine J. Colonna
Sound Operator: Neil Jernigan
Run Crew: Jakob Rosenthal
Student Run Crew: Kyle Ikuma ’23*, Anastasia Poverin ’23*, Storm Stokes ’24*
Faculty Advisor
Aynsley Vandenbroucke, Choreographic and Production Advisor
Order of Performances
Inextricably Linked
Choreographer: Naomi Benenson ’23*
Music: Live improvisation by Rachel Hsu ’23 (violin), Christien Ayers ’23 (Electric Guitar), Konstantin Howard ’24 (Tenor Saxophone), Benny Rosenzweig ’23 (Tenor Saxophone), Alexander Egol ’24 (Piano)
Dancers: Naomi Benenson ’23*, Olivia Buckhorn ’24, Adam Davis ’25*, Leah Emanuel ’23*, Natalia Lalin ’24*
Inextricably Linked explores the collective effort to combat acts of self-imposed isolation through the use of a bench, non-binary partnering, and the intricate relationship between the dancers and the musicians. The work opposes the traditional connectivity between dance and music by challenging the musicians to compose a distinctive work each evening as informed by the dancers’ physicality within the space.
Special thank you to Mei Geller ’24* and Max Fineman G3 for being a part of the rehearsal process.
— Intermission —
Pamana
Choreographer: Mandy Qua ’23*
Music: Soundscape by Vince di Mura; music based on “Make it with You” by Ben & Ben, “Salve Regina, Dalagang Filipina” by Louie Ocampo, “Panalangin Sa Pagiging Bukas Palad” by Bukas Palad Music Ministry, “Magkaugnay” by Joey Ayala
Dancers: Marissa Mejia ’23*, Mandy Qua ’23*, Eudan Mojados ’24, Kirsten Pardo ’24, Martina Qua ’25, Cassie Eng ’25, Maddy Mejia ’26
Pamana (the Tagalog word for “heritage” or “legacy”), choreographed by Mandy Qua ’23, features an all-Filipino cast. The piece is rooted in “seed stories”—stories about seeds that are personally significant to individuals and aim to capture the rich cultures, histories, and connections between people that are embedded in the seeds.
* denotes a certificate student in the Program in Dance
A Note from the Choreographers
We are deeply grateful to the Lewis Center for the Arts’ Dance Program for the opportunity to put on this show. Thank you to the production team, communications team, costume department, our lovely casts, our advisor Aynsley Vandenbroucke, and our musical director Vince di Mura. This show would not be possible without all of your support and generosity. We are excited to share this evening with you that is the culmination of our dance experiences at Princeton. Enjoy the show!
— Naomi + Mandy
Land Acknowledgement
We invite you to learn more about:
- The Native and Indigenous Studies Initiative at Princeton
- The lesser-known history of Princeton
- Review a map of native lands to discover the Indigenous history of the lands to which you are connected
Lewis Center for the Arts
Chair: Judith Hamera
Executive Director: Marion Friedman Young
Director of Program in Dance: Susan Marshall
Associate Director of Program in Dance: Rebecca Lazier
View a full list of the Program in Dance Faculty & Guest Artists
For a look at all the people working behind the scenes to bring you this event, view a full list of LCA staff members »
