Dance Evolve: VSU stages Ga. premiere of epic ‘Gaia’
Published 5:42 pm Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Dean Poling | The Valdosta Daily Times Valdosta State University dancers perform a segment of 'Gaia Evolution.'
Dean Poling | The Valdosta Daily Times Valdosta State University Theatre had to cancel the musical 'Chicago' after Hurricane Helene last fall. The cast performs excerpts as part of the annual dance show.
Dean Poling | The Valdosta Daily Times Tara Cooper performs an aerial dance segment in 'Gaia Evolution.'
Dean Poling | The Valdosta Daily Times Valdosta State student dancers perform choreographer Caroline Gonsalves Bertho's 'Resistência.'
Peter Fischer
VALDOSTA – The story of Earth’s rebirth and rejuvenation needs a lot of space.
The first hour of Valdosta State University Theatre & Dance’s “Spring Dances: Evolve” is devoted to the Georgia premiere of the epic, “Evolution of Gaia.”
The dance is a joint collaboration between Ali Duffy, choreographer, with Texas Tech University and Flatlands Dance Theatre, Peter Fischer, composer, with Texas Tech. Melissa Pihos, a VSU dance faculty member, creates choreography and film for “Gaia.” Sarah Wildes Arnett, a VSU dance faculty member, is also a choreographer for the work.
Pihos said she and Duffy have known each other for years. In 2019, they began working together on “Evolution of Gaia.” Fischer joined them to compose an arrangement of music specific for “Gaia” and to create the story.
Fischer was already in Valdosta earlier this week for rehearsals for “Gaia.” Duffy had not yet arrived but noted in an artistic statement that “as a choreographer, the opportunity to develop a completely original evening-length work from the ground was a new and exciting experience.”
She added, “Our process of collaboration centered on generation of imagery, story and innovation through multidisciplinary ‘play’ and a lot of experimentation, editing and revisions along the way. Getting to see the production on this stunning cast of performers at Valdosta State University is a dream come true. And to witness new choreographic development from the students and faculty member, Sarah Wildes Arnett, is delightful.”
The work combines live dance, filmed dance, graphics, live and recorded music, etc.
A VSU Theatre synopsis details the dance work’s themes: “The production tells the tale of Gaia, the personification of Earth. Through a compelling story centered on human relationships and cultures, the production interweaves topics such as the destruction and regenerative capacity of Earth’s natural landscapes and resources, environmental awareness and justice, cycles of birth and rebirth, and of conflict and resolution.”
All three choreographers perform in “Gaia.” Caroline Gonsalves Bertho, the newest VSU dance faculty member and choreographer of two works in the show’s second half, also performs in “Gaia.”
Featured performers: Deja Holden, Carly Fults, Jada Allen. Ensemble: Madeline Allen, Tiyrai Anderson, Carol Bertho, Tara Cooper, Sarah Wildes Arnett, Rachel Brown, R.J. Detemple, Jameila Fulton, Elizabeth Grace Gibbs, Emma Laslie, Isabella Patillo, Lillabeth Pendley, Melissa Pihos, Kennedi Powers, Brynna Norris, Kelcy Ricketson, Bridget Walsh. Film-only performers: Ashlyn Brown, Sarah Dawn, Ali Duffy, Sarah Estrada, Emma Hale, Kris Olson, Molly Roberts, Sarah Sabin, and Rachel Ure, Anne Wharton.
Choreography: Ali Duffy, Melissa Pihos and Sarah Wildes Arnett. Music Composition and Story: Peter Fischer. Take Me to Gardens and [for So Long Reprise] by Peter Fischer and Steven West. Films: Melissa Pihos. Costumes: Ali Duffy, Chalise Ludlow and Molly Roberts. Musicians: Jeannie Barrick, vocals for “Take Me to Gardens,” “Labyrinth,” “So Long Reprise,” “The Healing of Hearts,” and “Children’s Earth,” David Dees, alto saxophone for “…the land I once lived in…,” David Shea, clarinet for “…the weaving of peace… (aka The Rope Dance),” Lauren Pokorzynski, violin for “…the darkness in the light… (aka The Conflict Dance),” Sarah Mondle, voiceover performance for “Prelude to Act I” and “Prelude to Act II.”
‘All That Jazz’
The second half of the dance concert features four works including “All That Jazz,” a collection of songs from the musical “Chicago.”
VSU Theatre & Dance was scheduled to produce and perform “Chicago” last fall. Hurricane Helene made it impossible to rehearse and build sets for the show scheduled for late October. VSU was not granted a long enough time extension for the rights to stage the show.
“All That Jazz” allows members of the VSU “Chicago” cast to share some of the songs and dances they had prepared to perform until Helene.
Choreography: Sarah Wildes Arnett. Stage Direction: Hank Rion. Music and Vocal Direction: Joe Mason. Costume Design: Chalise Ludlow. Featured performers: Annabelle Rose, Arianna Mangus, Tiah Carthers, Demetria Wright, Malaysia Dorsey, Lillabeth Mason, Elinor Fenimore (dance captain). Ensemble: Mattis Ahlgrimm, Raymond Brown, David Cooper, Savanna Davis, Dayanara Dominguez, Matthew Duck, Trey Harrell, Tyler Kent, Donavon Martin, Ulysses Martinez, Carmen Mason, Cody Ortega, Nemo Rico, Nick Singleton, Brooke Thomas, Emma Treece, Bridget Walsh (dance captain).
Other works
Caroline Gonsalves Bertho is the newest faculty member of the VSU dance team. She came to VSU last August. From Brazil, Bertho has been in the States for three years, she said.
She has choreographed two pieces for the dance concert: “Remanso” and “Resistência.” Bertho performs in “Resistência.”
Remanso. Choreography: Caroline Gonsalves Bertho in collaboration with the dancers. Music: Daniel Thorne and Get The Blessing. Costume Design: Megs Cullen. Performers: Jada Allen, Tara Cooper, Savanna Davis, Malaysia Dorsey, Austin Ellison, Carly Fults, Emma Laslie, Carmen Mason, Annabelle Rose, Bridget Walsh.
Resistência. Choreography: Caroline Gonsalves Bertho. Music: Emicida, Majur and Pabllo Vittar (Sample from “Belchior”). Costume Supervision: Chalise Ludlow. Performers: Tiyrai Anderson, Chantal Bernard, Rachel Brown, Jameila Fulton, Caroline Gonsalves Bertho, Deja Holden, Adanna Moore, Anna Perry, Kelcy Ricketson, Anna-Rae Spence, Kaleana Washington.
Sarah Wildes Arnett opens the second half of “EVOLVE” with “as in certain, intertwined,” a piece she choreographed with the dancers. Music: Michael Wall. Costume Design: Dr. Anna Rogers. Performers: Jada Allen, Carly Fults, Deja Holden, Emma Laslie, Carmen Mason, Annabelle Rose, Bridget Walsh.
VSU Theatre & Dance’s “Spring Dances: EVOLVE” plays 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 27 through March 1; 3 p.m. Sunday, March 2, Sawyer Theatre, VSU Fine Arts Building, corner of Oak and Brookwood. Tickets, reservations, more information: Call (229) 333-5973 or visit www.valdosta.edu/comarts.
