November 5th, 2023 Recital
Kitchen Variations
BlackBox Studios
November 5th, 2023
2:30pm & 4:30pm
Oakland Theater Project, Oakland, CA
Directed by: Theresa Knudson
The mission of the BlackBox Studios is to provide high quality dance training in an inclusive space. Artists of all ages, backgrounds, abilities, gender identities, orientations, races, and body types are welcome!
Students receive instruction from teachers who are both professional dancers and experienced teachers. High quality dance training teaches students how to dance both technically and artistically, and also builds critical thinking skills, team work, dedication, and confidence.
Recitals are a wonderful way for students to share their technical progress and express their artistry. Thank you for being here to support your dancer!
Owned and operated by Theresa Knudson, BlackBox Studios offers dance classes (both in person & Zoom), private lessons, studio rental, and is home to professional dance companies Halcyon Dance Project and Ballet22.
BlackBox Studios opened in the Spring of 2021. This is the studio’s second recital! Thank you for your support!
November 5, 2023 Recital
Kitchen Variations
& Class Demonstrations
The Winner Is
Composed by: DeVotchKa, Mychael Danna
Choreographed by: Michelle Tara Lynch
Danced by:
Troy Clinton, Amy Ishiguro, Cora Schickler
Creative Movement & Basic Modern Class Demonstration (SHOW 1 ONLY)
Composed by: Bebo & Cachao
Choreographed by: Michelle Tara Lynch & Theresa Knudson
Danced by:
Luna Cantu, Vida Cantu, Runi Chojnacki Menon, Noelle Hernandez, Madelyn Kellner, Anaya Patel
Pre-Ballet Class Demonstration
Composed by: Ferdinand Hérold, Scott Joplin, Alexander Glazunov
Danced by:
Vaughn Cerday, Anisa Caroll, Rhea Garces, Chloe Mortiz, Evangaline Nguyen, Summer Henry, Iris Green
Basic Ballet Class Demonstration
Composed by: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Johann Strauss, Ayumi Hirusaki, Charles Gounod
Danced by:
Cora Knudsen, Ashlyn McCown, Lucy Gaffga, Isabel Roman, Phoenix Settles, Anaya Patel, Thea Nakanishi, Aria Lau, Norah Devaty, with Assistant Mylaya Lindsey
Youth Ballet Class Demonstration
Composed by: Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Riccardo Drigo, Ludwig Minkus, Hector Berlioz
Danced by:
Jerah Demant, Mylaya Lindsey, Naima Taylor, Frances Perron-Wallace, Akari Dphrepaulezz, Ximena Hernandez, Isabel Strozier
Set Yourself on Fire
Composed by: Stars
Choreography: Theresa Knudson
Danced by:
Amy Ishiguro
Kitchen Variations
Composed by: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Choreography: Theresa Knudson
Set to Tchaikovsky’s Suite No. 3 in G Major, Op 55, “Kitchen Variations” is an original ballet choreographed by Theresa Knudson on the children of BlackBox Studios. The score was composed by Tchaikovsky in 1884 in Ukraine and premiered in St. Petersburg, Russian in 1885. The musical score’s fourth and final movement is comprised of a “theme & variations.” The fourth movement begins simply by laying out the tune, and the following movements echo and abstract that initial theme. This fourth movement of Tchaikovsky’s Suite No. 3 in G Major was popularized in the ballet world through George Balanchine’s ballet“Theme & Variations”. Balanchine’s “Theme and Variations” premiered on American Ballet Theatre in New York City in 1947 , created on the iconic Cuban ballerina, Alicia Alonso, and Russian-Ukrainian premier danseur, Igor Youskevitch. “Kitchen Variations” opens with a quick ode to the opening of Balanchine’s “Theme & Variations” before diving into an imaginary kitchen world, where the kitchen tools, chefs, spices & herbs bring together a savory soup.
The Cast
The Wooden Spoon
Mylaya Lindsey
The Whisk
Akari Dphrepaulezz
The Pot
Ximena Hernandez
The Lid
Frances Perron-Wallace
Tongs
Naima Taylor
1/2 Cup
Isabel Strozier
The Spices & Herbs
Pepper
Vaughn Cerday
Salt
Evangeline Nguyen
Garlic
Anisa Carroll
Bay Leaf
Phoenix Settles
Basil
Chloe Moritz
Turmeric
Rhea Garces
Little Chefs
Lucy Gaffga, Cora Knudsen, Aria Lau, Ashlyn McCown, Thea Nakanshi, Anaya Patel, Isabel Roman
Crew
Oakland Theater Project
Lighting, Sound & Rehearsal Coaching: Ryan Rouland Smith
Stage Manager: Troy Clinton
Costumes: Theresa Knudson
Photography by: Theresa Knudson
Performance Day Volunteers:
Kyle & Samantha Nakanishi, Khadeaja Carroll, Stephanie Perron, Francisca Hamilton, Shola Olatoye, Matthew Strozier, Ben Hudson Jr., Grysel Hernandez, Shino Dphrepaulezz, Minh and Hien Nguyen, Tyrah Taylor, Shelby Starks, Jenny and Adrien Moritz
THANK YOU!
Please consider making a donation to the 2024 Scholarship Fund!
Venmo @BlackBox-Studios to make a donation
