ROCKFORD DANCE THEATER: THE (FUTILE) SEARCH FOR EQUILIBRIUM

JAN 31 - FEB 16, 2025

DIRECTED by Stephanie Foster
CHOREOGRAPHED by Kate Blair, Nailah Brooks, Sarah Irvin, Ella Lakey, Brandi Mather

Join us for a unique evening of dance theater, created collaboratively by five choreographers working under the direction of Stephanie Foster.

The (Futile) Search For Equilibrium explores our daily movements through different spaces and circumstances. Each interaction adds to or subtracts from our "cup"—our sense of peace, balance, and well-being. Our goal is equilibrium: a "filled cup."

This balance can be brief or lasting— but it’s always shifting.

At The West Side Show Room, we dreamed of creating a space that could be home to all kinds of performing arts, not just theater. WSSR Dance Theater fulfills our long-held wish to present an original dance work.

Presented in an extended run, this modern dance show will use space and objects as a creative springboard to create an exciting and unique evening of dance entertainment.

TICKETS

Free Public Access Tickets are available for reservation starting 1 week prior to show time:

THU Jan 23, 2025

Early Access Tickets are available ahead of time with a WSSR Membership.

DIRECTOR

STEPHANIE FOSTER

Stephanie began dancing at age 7 under the instruction of Pauline Baker Rogers in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where she studied ballet until attending college at the University of Richmond. Stephanie has been finding balance through dance her entire life—from making up dances in her living room with neighborhood friends to discovering peace at the ballet barre, and now watching with joy as her tiny ballet students grow into remarkable human beings. She also has a deep love for her family, tea, computer programming, and cats. Steph is forever grateful for the community and opportunities WSSR provides for her and others.

CHOREOGRAPHERS

Kate Blair

Kate Blair grew up in Decorah, Iowa, frequently visiting Rockford because of her extended family connections here.  She moved to Rockford in 2020, & enjoyed blessed times with her grandmothers in their last years of living.  She is a graduate of the Luther College theatre/dance program.  She is a certified Movement Fundamentals® artist, a Moving for Life Instructor, & trained in Yoga thru Blue Soul Yoga & Breathe for Change.  In Rockford, she has worked as an Outreach Dance Instructor thru Rockford Dance Company. She now also teaches gentle aerobics at Peak Fitness, & online, through Moving for Life. She works as a kindergarten transition support staff in Rockford Public Schools.  She is also a gardener and musician, and enjoys singing and playing in a variety of settings.

Nailah Brooks

Nailah Brooks is a passionate performer, choreographer, and dance instructor from Rockford, Illinois. With a deep love for dance and musical theatre, she specializes in tap, jazz, and hip hop. She also works as an instructor at Rockford Dance Company and Beauty in Motion Dance Arts in styles including hip hop, jazz, and contemporary. Recent choreography credits include You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (2023) and The Addams Family (2023) at Auburn High School, along with working as Assistant Choreographer for Guys and Dolls (2024) at RVC Starlight Theatre. Up next, she is thrilled to be choreographing Beetlejuice with Children's Theatre Project and returning as an assistant choreographer for Grease at RVC Starlight Theatre.

Sarah Irvin

Sarah Irvin is a Rockford University graduate with a passion for ballroom dance, crafting, and really bad puns. She's worked with several local art and movement communities such as RUPA, RAACE, AMDS, The Studio Rockford, and Artists Ensemble Theater and is honored to add WSSR to her list of acronyms. Quirky, Abstract, and Pedestrian are a few ways she describes her work, but she hopes you come to think of it as just plain fun!

Ella Lakey

Ella Lakey is a freelance dancer and choreographer based out of Chicago. She is originally from Rockford, IL and trained at Rockford Dance Company and the RPS CAPA program for seven years. Ella has been choreographing for years, debuting work in Seattle, WA and Milwaukee, WI. Her most recent work in Rockford was the award winning production of Somnium. Previous works can be viewed on YouTube @ellalakey4480.

Brandi Mather

Brandi Mather, owner and director of Beauty in Motion Dance Arts in Loves Park, has 38 years of experience in the dance world. From dancing and competing herself to teaching since age 16, her greatest joy is sharing knowledge and the passion for dance to everyone that comes through her path. Brandi has been dancing,  singing, and acting her way through life since a very early age performing in many plays, musicals, and local performances, often in the leading roles. She has also choreographed for many local productions and Voices of Harlem, Choraleers, and the Spring musicals at Harlem High School over the years. Currently, in addition to running BMDA, she is the dance instructor for the Fine Arts Program at Machesney Elementary.  Brandi is an avid reader, proud Ravenclaw, and busy wife and mom of two.

DANCERS

EmberLynn Bennett

EmberLynn Bennett is a freshman at Rock Valley College. She has trained in various dance styles with an emphasis on ballet and was a member of the Rockford Dance Company. She recently performed her final Nutcracker season, dancing the role of Spanish. She has loved the challenge of dance theater and is excited to dedicate herself to this new art form.

Nailah Brooks

Nailah Brooks is a passionate performer, choreographer, and dance instructor from Rockford, Illinois. With a deep love for dance and musical theatre, she specializes in tap, jazz, and hip hop. She also works as an instructor at Rockford Dance Company and Beauty in Motion Dance Arts in styles including hip hop, jazz, and contemporary. Recent choreography credits include You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (2023) and The Addams Family (2023) at Auburn High School, along with working as Assistant Choreographer for Guys and Dolls (2024) at RVC Starlight Theatre. Up next, she is thrilled to be choreographing Beetlejuice with Children's Theatre Project and returning as an assistant choreographer for Grease at RVC Starlight Theatre.

Raemah Dempsey

Raemah Dempsey is a senior in high school and has been dancing since she was six years old. She has trained in various styles and is currently a member of the Rockford Dance Company. Performing with The West Side Show Room has been an exciting opportunity for her to expand her professional path in the dance world.

Marielle Keaggy

Marielle Keaggy began her dance journey at the age of five. Training with Rockford Dance Company has allowed her to refine her skills and grow as a performer. Her favorite role so far has been Hot Chocolate (Spanish) in The Nutcracker (2024 season). She hopes audiences enjoy the performances and embrace the vibrant ambiance of The West Side Show Room.

Jaliyah Lopez-Jonelis

Jaliyah Lopez-Jonelis is currently attending Rock Valley College. She has been dancing since the age of three, primarily focusing on ballet at the Rockford Dance Company. Always eager to explore new styles, she saw this West Side Show Room production as a great opportunity to branch out and experiment with different forms of movement.

Jessica Moreno

Jessica Moren0 is an enthusiastic dancer, performer, and actor from Rockford, Illinois. She’s dipping her toes back into the dance world while sinking deeper into theatre. Her forte is musical theatre, heels, and jazz dance. During the fall season, she works as a scare actor at Twisted Crypt. She’s excited to step out of her comfort zone in this blend of dance and theater and hopes you have a wonderful time!

Danika Tiem

Danika Tiem is a second-year student at Rock Valley College, working toward her associate degree in arts. She has trained with the Rockford Dance Company for 14 years, with a primary focus on ballet, though she also has experience in modern and contemporary dance. This is her first time creating dance theater, and she has found it to be a fun and eye-opening experience. The process has challenged her to step outside her comfort zone, discover more about herself, and incorporate her own character into her dancing.

PUBLIC ACCESS THEATER

WE BELIEVE EVERYONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE THE PERFORMING ARTS…

Here’s how it works:

1. We make all of our tickets FREE

2. You help us do it by DONATING

This simple, yet powerful approach makes sure everyone can attend!

BECOME A MEMBER

When you become a WSSR Member, you are partnering with us to support Public Access Theater and make sure everyone can come to the show!

With a WSSR Membership, you can reserve more than 2 tickets at a time!

Plus, you get things like early access to tickets, guaranteed seats, WSSR merch, invites to special events, and more!

HEALTH SAFETY

If you aren’t feeling well or are experiencing symptoms of illness, please stay home.

Any questions? contact@wssr.org