Same Planet Different World Dance Theatre

Upcoming Events

Dance for Life

August 29, 2009 (Saturday)

Harris Theater for Music and Dance
205 East Randolph Drive
Millennium Park
for tickets and information go to

Fall Open Company Classes

on Fridays at Visceral Dance Chicago

Begin September 11, 10-11:30
visit www.visceraldance.com

LUSH Fundraiser

2232 W. Roscoe, Chicago

October 8 - 7:30 pm
Wine tasting and food
$45.00 a person, purchase via pay pal or send check to 832 w. lakeside pl. 2s chicago, il 60640 (check orders due by september 30)
Click Here to purchase tickets through Paypal

The Other Dance Festival

October 17, 18 7:30 P.M.

Hamlin Park Field House
for more information visit www.chicagomovingcompany.org

Fall Performances at Links Hall

November 19,20,21 8pm, tickets $20.00

Featuring choreography by Liz Burrit, Paige Cunningham, Ashleigh Leite, Molly Shanahan and Eduardo Vilaro
visit www.linkshall.org for tickets

About Us

Mission Statement

Same Planet Different World Dance Theatre is dedicated to presenting the most perfect embodiment of dance -- dance that is evocative and enjoyable.

SPDW Dance acknowledges that the audience is as important to the dance as the movements and steps themselves. The company presents work that is inspiring, vibrant and relevant. SPDW's intriguing repertoire consists of work from formidable Chicago artists as well as choreographers from across the nation, with styles that incorporate classical and contemporary modern dance, jazz and improvisational experimentation.

Company History

Since 1997, SPDW Dance Theatre has continuously exceeded expectations by showcasing repertoire that is rich and varied. In this way, audiences as well as SPDW Dance Theatre's performing artists are fulfilled by the work. The company self-produces two shows a year and participates in festivals throughout the Chicago area. Festival credits include Dance Chicago, the Next Dance Festival, Choreography Now, Focus on the Arts, the Dance-Along Nutcracker at the Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago Association of Dance Masters and the Other Dance Festival. SPDW Dance was one of the companies featured In HMS's Chicago Dance Project, which aired on Channel 11 in 2005.

Bios

Joanna Rosenthal - Artistic Director

Joanna received her B.F.A. in dance from the University of Iowa. Since moving back to Chicago, Joanna has performed extensively in the city. Performing credits include Mordine and Company Dance Theatre, Hedwig Dances, The Chicago Moving Company and other independent choreographers. While dancing with Mordine and Company Dance Theatre, she was Associate Artistic Director and director of YDC, Mordine's youth dance company. Currently, Joanna also dances with Lucky Plush Productions. Joanna teaches dance at the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago. She also teaches throughout the suburbs and sets choreography on area high schools.

Katie Saifuku - Executive Director

Katie Saifuku is a founding member of Same Planet Different World Dance Theatre. She received a BFA in Dance from SUNY-Purchase, and studied at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center in NYC and Rotterdamse Dansacademie in the Netherlands. Katie has performed with Melissa Thodos and Dancers, Cerulean Dance Theater, The Dance COLEctive, Dance For Life and Capacitor Dance of San Francisco. She is a certified massage therapist and is known in her private life as Katie La Varre.

Ayani Herrera Cruz - Company Member

Ayani Herrera-Cruz was born in Acapulco, Mexico and raised in Chicago, IL. She studied dance at Webster University in St. Louis, MO, and graduated with a B.F.A. in 2006. Mrs. Cruz danced leading roles in the Webster University Dance Ensemble and attended the American College Dance Festival where she had the privilege to perform in the Gala. Upon graduating from Webster she joined Inside Chicago Dance as an apprentice and performed with them all over the Chicago land area for 2 years. She has danced in the annual Dance Chicago festival and has worked with professional choreographers such as Eddie OCampo, Nick Pupillo, Richard Amaro, Autumn Eckman, and Lizzie Mckenzie. Mrs. Cruz is excited to start her first year with Same Planet Different World.

Charlie Cutler - Company Member

Charlie Cutler hails from the Big Cornfield just South of Decatur, IL. He studied acting at New York University and Illinois State University, earning his B.A. from the latter. He is currently a pilates and GYROTONIC instructor. He also danced with The Chicago Dance Crash as well as The Seldoms.

Connie Fagan - Company Member

Connie Fagan has been dancing for 19 years. She has advanced level mastery in the art of Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Modern and Hip Hop. Growing up in LaGrange, IL, with Jo's Footwork Studio, she trained under Jay Fagan(Tap), Jackie Farina(Ballet), Corey Nagel(Modern), Mari Jo Irbe(Jazz) and Kirby Reed(Hip Hop). She continues her training at Lou Conte's Studio. She is currently on staff at Jo's Footwork Studio in Western Springs, and Dance Workshop in Orland Park. In 2001, she was awarded the Regional Presidential Scholar in the ARTS, NFAA, Madison, WI. She received the Plantinum in the category of Dance(Tap), and Honorable Mention for Dance in Jazz. She has also worked with Kirby Reed and the "KIRBY REED/ASCENSION PROJECT", been a member of "MATRIX DANCE IMPROV", a member of "RHYTHM ISS", an all female tap ensemble, and a former company member of INSTRUMENTS OF MOVEMENT. She is also one-half of "SIBLING RIVALRY", a tap duo featuring her brother Jay Fagan. She has been a member of SAME PLANET DIFFERENT WORLD for 4 years.

Jeff Hancock - Former Company Member and Resident Costume Designer

Jeff Hancock was a founding member and principal dancer for River North Chicago Dance Co. from 1991-2001. He also danced for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Dance Kaleidoscope, Jan Erkert and Dancers, Joe Goode Performance Group and others. He has appeared in 5 productions with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, most recently working with Wayne McGregor of Random Dance, and Sir Peter Hall. Jeff is currently on faculty at Columbia College, Northwestern University, and Lou Conte Dance Studio. He teaches Master classes nationally and internationally, at Ballet Nurnberg, University of Arizona Tucson, Ohio Northern University and others. He has developed outreach programs with SPDW and River North Chicago Dance Co. His choreography has been set on River North Chicago Dance Co., Hubbard Street II, SPDW, Columbia College, Ohio Northern University, Chicago's Next Dance Festival, the Edinburgh Festival and numerous regional companies. He was nominated for Ruth page Awards for his dancing and his choreography and is a grant recipient from the Illinois Arts Council. Jeff has designed and constructed costumes for numerous companies and artists, River North Dance Chicago, Columbia College, Ginger Farley, Same Planet Different World, Shirley Mordine's YDC and many others.

Liz Jenkins - Company Member

Liz Jenkins is currently a member of Mordine and Company Dance Theater, and continually works with Cocodancegroup. She has had the opportunity this year to perform in the Dance USA Conference with Mordine and Co. Prior to her professional work in Chicago she attended The Chicago Academy for the Arts and Point Park University, graduating with a B.A. She is very honored to be back and performing in her home town. Liz joined SPDW Dance as a full company member in 2007.

Jessica Marasa - Company Member

Jessie Marasa, an Illinois native, received her B.A. in Journalism with a Dance Concentration from the University of Iowa. While living in New York she worked for Good Morning America and Spotlight Communications. Returning to Chicago to re-connect with her love for movement, Jessie has been fortunate enough to work with some of Chicago's amazing organizations, including The Museum of Contemporary Art, Thodos Dance Chicago and Khecari Dance Theatre. Jessie is a current member of Molly Shanahan/Madshak and is also working towards her Yoga Teacher Certification at Moksha. She is overjoyed to dance alongside the rockstars in Same Planet Different World.

Carrie Nicastro - Company Member

Carrie Nicastro is a recent graduate from the University of Iowa, receiving a BA in Dance and Psychology. While at the University, she was privileged to perform the choreography of guest artists David Dorfman and Toni Pimble. Carrie was also a member of Duarte Dance Works Contemporary Dance Company and Jennifer Kayle Company, with recent performances at Links Hall in Chicago and Joyce SoHo in New York City. She is currently studying on full scholarship at the Lou Conte Dance Studio, home of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Carrie is honored and excited to begin her first season with Same Planet Different World.

Jon Sloven - Company Member

Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Jon Sloven began his formal dance training at Colorado College where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics and business with minors in both music and dance. Dancing in numerous shows at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, Jon trained primarily with Colorado Jazz Dance Company where he had the opportunity to perform pieces created by talented choreographers including Chet Walker, Bill Hastings and Sherry Zunker. Continuing his training, Jon attended the University of Arizona where he earned a Masters of Fine Arts in dance with an emphasis in choreography as well as performance. Studying at the U of A, Jon not only danced in works by world-renowned faculty members but he also created various choreographic works, some of which have won awards. While working first hand with Sam Watson and Susan Quinn as their rehearsal directors, Jon also taught a number of different academic as well as dance classes on campus and was awarded the School of Dance Most Outstanding Teaching Assistant. Jon is dancing professionally in Colorado before he joins Same Planet, Different World and he is extremely excited to be apart of this dynamic company.

Christopher Tucker - Company Member

Christopher Tucker, a native of the Detroit area, has been performing in dance and theater since 1989. After graduating Magna Cum Laude from Cornish College of the Arts he performed with Eisenhower Dance Ensemble in Michigan. Christopher has also been a featured performer in works by noted choreographers Martha Graham, Jose Limon, and Jason Ohlberg. Before that he attended Interlochen Arts Academy where he had the privilege of studying with Sharon Randolph, Mark Borchelt, Tina Curran, and Earl Mosely. There he received the Young Artist's Award as well as the Emerging Choreographer's Award. This is his first season with Same Planet Different World.

Apprentices - Adam Gauzza, David Gerber, Angela Palladini

Adam Gauzza is in his final year at Northwestern University where he's completing a B.A. in Dance and Gender Studies. At Northwestern, he has had the privilege of working with Jeff Hancock, Molly Shanahan, Jan Bartoszek, and Laura Wade, among others. Originally from Philadelphia, he began his training with the Koresh School of Dance and the Rock School of the Pennsylvania Ballet. Additionally, Adam studies Feldenkrais® with Kathleen Aharoni and occasionally ventures into musical theater endeavors where he first discovered his love of performing movement.

David Gerber is originally from the suburbs of Minneapolis, MN where he started dancing at the age of six. David is currently a senior at Columbia College Chicago pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Dance. David has recently trained with Zenon Dance School in Minneapolis, MN. While at Columbia David has performed in works by Columbia faculty Lisa Gonzales, Kirby Reed, and Paige Cunningham as well as many student works. David is also a dancer with The Get Down/Pick Up Company under the artistic direction of Emily Miller. David is excited to be working with Same Planet Different World as an apprentice.

Originally from Palos Verdes, CA, Angela Palladini began her formal dance training at age five with Center Stage Dance Academy. She continued studying dance at South Bay Ballet under the direction of Diane Lauridsen, Charles Maple, and Alicia Head from 2003 to 2007. She has also attended summer programs with the Milwaukee Ballet, Alonzo King's Lines Ballet, and Les Ballet Jazz de Montreal. After graduating high school in 2007, she moved to Chicago to join the scholarship program at the Lou Conte Dance Studio, where she participated in many workshops with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Angela joined SPDW Dance as an apprentice in 2008. She’d like to thank her wonderful family, friends, Claire Bataille, and mentor, Sarah Fuller for their unconditional love and support.