Elevate: Legacy
Dance Concert
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Department of Theatre acknowledges the land we are on in Tennessee is the original homeland of the Cherokee, Yuchi, Shawnee, and Chickasaw tribal nations. We honor these indigenous people, their heritage, culture, and legacy.
DIRECTOR'S NOTE
Elevate: Legacy began as an idea last summer when I reflected on who our rising seniors were in Foundation Dance Theatre. When I realized that we had nine amazing seniors who would graduate in 2025, I knew that our dance concert this year needed to highlight them, especially since these seniors have been such amazing leaders and role models in our program. Each senior was asked to write a letter and to give advice, either to their younger self, to the group, or to the younger dancers in the company. What you experience tonight in some of our interludes are these seniors narrating parts of these letters as they each navigate the five different sections of the show and the sub themes within them. Acting as narrators and mentors to the rest of the company, the seniors walk us through how we can leave our legacy through Inspiration, Faith and Connection, Love, Transitions, and through Reflecting on our past.
We hope that the advice of our seniors and the stories each of these pieces will tell tonight inspires you to think about the impact that you have on those around you. We hope that you are inspired to think about the legacy that you leave and how through art we are able to make our legacies long-lasting and impactful. As the curtain closes on their time here in our company and in our program, we want these seniors to know that they have continued to build upon a strong foundation, and we are so grateful to them for their contribution to our program and to this art form. Seniors, we love you and are proud of all that you have accomplished and all that you will do in the future. More importantly, we are proud of who you are and how big you love! Our legacy continues through you all as life takes you to your next adventure!
A heart-felt thank you goes out to my fabulous Assistant Choreographers, Emma, Haden, and Olivia, and special thanks to Olivia as Assistant Director. Working with the three of you on this show all year has been not only so much fun, but also very rewarding! Thanks to the full company for sharing your talent and also your sweet spirits with me this year. You each have contributed so much to this show and to our growing program, and I have loved watching all of you grow this year. Finally, thank you to the theatre faculty and staff for supporting our dance concert each year.
From all of the dancers in our company, we hope that you enjoy our exploration of what it means to build a legacy, to leave a legacy, and to be a legacy. Enjoy the show!
Kari Smith, M.F.A.
Director/Choreographer
COMPANY
Olivia Eley
Lillian Brown
Makinley Smith
Emily Stephens
Aleia Eagleton
Emma Stanard
Téa Doherty
Emma Ramsey
Haden Lindsey
Callie Jean Tysdal
Mackenzie Gregory
Jaidyn Smart
Jackson Thomas-Clark Martin
Keely Hudspeth
Kayla Hill
James Wier
Megan Ammons
Ella Haganman
Sophie Simmons
Alyssa Freeze
Elly Kate Smith
Madelyn Newsom
Eva Heinrich
Sh’Ahr Blackburn
PRODUCTION TEAM
Producer: Beki Baker
Director/Choreographer: Kari Smith
Production Manager: Andrew Bleiler
Lighting Designer: Anne Willingham
Technical Director: Hendrick Shelton
Stage Manager: Preslie Cagle*
Assistant Stage Manager:Haley-Kate Nelms*
Master Electrician: Riley Hickey
Assistant Director: Olivia Eley*
Assistant Choreographers: Olivia Eley*, Emma Ramsey*, Haden Lindsey*
Guest Choreographers: Leigh Anne DeLisle, Maddie Williams, Bakari King
Student Interlude Choreographers: Kayla Hill*, Kenzie Cogswell*, Mackenzie Gregory*, Jaidyn Smart*, James Wier*, Emma Stanard*, Callie Jean Tysdal*, Jackson Thomas-Clark Martin*
Costume Designer: Kari Smith
Wardrobe Heads: Arianna Miller*, Erin Crandall*
Production Assistant: Callie Jean Tysdal*
*denotes students
ACT I
Legacy of Inspiration
Program notes: In this section of the show, the seniors take us through music and dance that reminds all of us to embrace being an inspiration to others.
Vogue
Choreographer: Kari Smith
Dancers: Full Company
Dance Captains: Olivia Eley, Makinley Smith
Music: “Vogue” by Madonna
Interlude: Letters of Inspiration
Choreographers: Olivia Eley and Kari Smith
Danced by Elevate Seniors: Makinley Smith, Emma Stanard, Haden Lindsey, Olivia Eley, Lillian Brown, Aleia Eagleton, Emma Ramsey, Emily Stephens, Téa Doherty
Music: “Watchers” by Siddhartha Khosla
Love Yourself
Choreographer: Bakari King
Dancers: Sh’Ahr Blackburn (soloist), Emily Stephens (soloist), Lillian Brown (dance captain), Emma Ramsey (dance captain), Haden Lindsey, Ella Haganman, Jaidyn Smart, Madelyn Newsom, Aleia Eagleton, Callie Jean Tysdal, Téa Doherty, Sophie Simmons, Eva Heinrich
Swings: Kayla Hill, Keely Hudspeth
Music: “Love Yourself” by Billy Porter
Interlude: How I Feel
Choreographers: Kayla Hill, Makenzie Cogswell
Dancers: Makinley Smith (soloist), Téa Doherty, Lillian Brown, Emma Ramsey, Aleia Eagleton, Emily Stephens
Music: “How I Feel” by Flo Rida
Don't Bring Me Down
Choreographer: Kari Smith
Dancers: Makinley Smith (soloist), Mackenzie Gregory, Elly Kate Smith, Alyssa Freeze, Kayla Hill (dance captain), Jackson Thomas-Clark Martin
Swing: Megan Ammons
Music: “Don’t Bring Me Down” by Electric Light Orchestra
Interlude: What a Feeling
Choreographer: Makenzie Cogswell
Dancers: Emma Stanard, Callie Jean Tysdal, Jaidyn Smart
Music: “What a Feeling” by Drew Ryn
Heroes
Choreographer: Emma Ramsey
Dancers: Kayla Hill, Madelyn Newsom (dance captain), Keely Hudspeth, Emma Stanard
Swing: Emma Ramsey
Music: “Heroes” by Harper
Legacy of Connection and Faith
Program Notes: Seniors present what they have learned about connecting with others and how their faith can play a role in this journey.
Interlude: Discovery
Choreographers and Dancers: Haden Lindsey, Emma Ramsey
Music: “Birth Mother” by Siddhartha Khosla
Human Heart
Choreographers: Olivia Eley, Kari Smith
Dancers: Emily Stephens (dance captain), Téa Doherty, Lillian Brown, James Weir, Jackson Thomas-Clark Martin, Sh’Ahr Blackburn (dance captain)
Swing: Olivia Eley
Music: “Human Heart” by Coldplay, We Are KING, Jacob Collier
Breathe Again
Choreographer: Kari Smith
Dancers: Emma Ramsey (soloist), Kayla Hill, Emma Stanard, Madelyn Newsom, Makinley Smith, Aleia Eagleton, Keely Hudspeth (dance captain), Jaidyn Smart
Swings: Callie Jean Tysdal, Eva Heinrich
Music: “Breathe Again: by Joy Oladokun
Interlude: Anyone
Choreographer: Kari Smith
Dancer: Haden Lindsey
Music: “Anyone” by Skylar Astin
Lovely/Blue: A Suite
Choreographer: Kari Smith
Dancers: Megan Ammons (soloist, dance captain), Haden Lindsey (soloist), Olivia Eley, Mackenzie Gregory, Elly Kate Smith, Alyssa Freeze
Swings: Téa Doherty, Jaidyn Smart, Sh’Ahr Blackburn
Music: “Lovely” and “Blue” by Billie Eilish
Interlude: Blip on the Radar
Choreographer: Olivia Eley
Dancers: Haden Lindsey, Megan Ammons, Eva Heinrich, Sophie Simmons, Emma Ramsey
Music: “Blip on the Radar” by Siddhartha Khosla
Drops of Jupiter
Choreographer: Leigh Anne DeLisle
Dancers: Lillian Brown (soloist), Ella Haganman, Haden Lindsey, Sophie Simmons, Madelyn Newsom, Emma Stanard, Emily Stephens, Keely Hudspeth, James Wier, Jackson Thomas-Clark Martin (dance captain), Sh’Ahr Blackburn
Swing: Kayla Hill
Music: “Drops of Jupiter” by Train
Seven
Choreographer: Kari Smith
Dancers: Aleia Eagleton (soloist), Mackenzie Gregory, Jaidyn Smart, Callie Jean Tysdal, Emma Ramsey, Olivia Eley, Makinley Smith (dance captain)
Swings: Eva Heinrich, Megan Ammons
Music: “Seven” by Sleeping at Last
Legacy of Love
Program Notes: The Seniors give advice on how to best navigate the emotions we feel on the journey of love.
Interlude: You Two
Choreographer: Olivia Eley
Dancers: Olivia Eley, Lillian Brown
Music: “You Two” by Siddhartha Khosla
Fake Flowers
Choreographer: Leigh Anne DeLisle
Dancers: Olivia Eley (soloist), Kayla Hill (soloist), Megan Ammons, Lillian Brown, Téa Doherty, Eva Heinrich
Swing: Jaidyn Smart (dance captain)
Music: “Fake Flowers” by Maggie Rose
Interlude: At the Met
Choreographer: Jaidyn Smart
Dancers: Mackenzie Gregory, Sh’Ahr Blackburn
Music: “At the Met” by Siddhartha Khosla
Winner Takes It All
Choreographer: Kari Smith
Dancers: Mackenzie Gregory (soloist, dance captain), Olivia Eley, Jaidyn Smart
Swing: Elly Kate Smith
Music: “Winner Takes it All” by Mack Loren
Interlude: A Safe Place to Land
Choreographer: Emma Stanard
Dancers: Mackenzie Gregory, Lillian Brown
Music: A Safe Place to Land” by Sarah Bareilles and John Legend
Too Many Fish in the Sea
Choreographer: Olivie Eley
Dancers: Mackenzie Gregory (soloist), Olivia Eley (soloist), Megan Ammons (dance captain), Aleia Eagleton Alyssa Freeze, Elly Kate Smith
Swing: Makinley Smith
Music: “Too Many Fish in the Sea” by Bette Midler
Suite Symphony: A Suite
Choreographer: Kari Smith
Dancers: Olivia Eley (soloist, dance captain), Haden Lindsey (soloist, dance captain), Emma Stanard, Emma Ramsey, James Wier, Kayla Hill, Emily Stephens, Jackson Thomas-Clark Martin, Lillian Brown, Mackenzie Gregory, Jaidyn Stephens, Callie Jean Tysdal, Keely Hudspeth
Swings: Ella Haganman, Megan Ammons, Sh’Ahr Blackburn
Music: “Every little thing she does is Magic “ by Sleeping at Last, “Wherever is Your Heart” by Brandi Carlisle, “Sweet Symphony: by Joy Oladokun and Chris Stapleton
Interlude: I'm Gonna Be
Choreographer: Kari Smith
Dancers: Sh’Ahr Blackburn (soloist), Haden Lindsey, Jackson Thomas-Clark Martin (dance captain), James Wier
Music: “I’m Gonna Be” by Sleeping at Last
Ce Soir
Choreographer: Maddie Williams
Dancers: Olivia Eley, Jaidyn Smart, Mackenzie Gregory (dance captain), Lillian Brown, Callie Jean Tysdal, Kayla Hill, Keely Hudspeth, Téa Doherty, Megan Ammons, Alyssa Freeze, Elly Kate Smith, Madelyn Newsom
Swings: Emma Stanard, Aleia Eagleton
Music: “Ce Soir” by El Profesor, Laura White, HUGEL
ACT II
Legacy of Transition
Program Notes: Times of transition in life can be difficult, but the seniors guide us through by reminding us that we are never alone.
Hometown Glory
Choreographers: Kari Smith, Haden Lindsey
Dancers: Téa Doherty (soloist), Elly Kate Smith (soloist), Haden Lindsey (dance captain), James Wier, Mackenzie Gregory, Olivia Eley (dance captain), Makinley Smith, Aleia Eagleton, Alyssa Freeze, Megan Ammons
Swings: Ella Haganman, Madelyn Newsom
Music: “Hometown Glory” by Adele
Rivers and Roads
Choreographers: Emma Ramsey, Kari Smith
Dancers: Callie Jean Tysdal (soloist, dance captain), Jackson Thomas-Clark Martin (soloist) Emma Ramsey, Jaidyn Smart, Lillian Brown, Emily Stephens, Keely Hudspeth, Emma Stanard, Sh’Ahr Blackburn, Eva Heinrich
Swings: Sophie Simmons, Kayla HIll
Music: “Rivers and Roads” by The Head and the Heart
Interlude: Fly On
Choreographers: Callie Jean Tysdal, Jackson Thomas-Clark Martin
Dancers: Téa Doherty, Olivia Eley, Mackenzie Gregory, Sophie Simmons, Madelyn Newsom, Aleia Eagleton
Music: “Fly On” by Coldplay
Don't Stop Me Now
Choreographer: Kari Smith
Dancers: Haden Lindsey, Jackson Thomas-Clark Martin, James Wier, Makinley Smith, Emma Stanard, Ella Haganman, Kayla Hill, Megan Ammons (dance captain), Elly Kate Smith, Emily Stephens, Mackenzie Gregory (dance captain), Jaidyn Smart, Olivia Eley, Madelyn Newsom, Callie Jean Tysdal, Alyssa Freeze, Lillian Brown, Aleia Eagleton
Swings: Téa Doherty, Sh’Ahr Blackburn
Music: “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen
Interlude: Will You Love Me
Choreographer: James Wier
Dancers: Emily Stephens, Sh’Ahr Blackburn, Megan Ammons, Elly Kate Smith
Music: “Will You Love Me” by Chaka Khan
Double Life
Choreographers: Olivia Eley, Kari Smith
Dancers: Megan Ammons, Elly Kate Smith, Haden Lindsey, Jackson Thomas-Clark Martin, James Wier, Makinley Smith (dance captain), Emily Stephens, Emma Stanard, Ella Haganman, Sophie Simmons, Kayla Hill (dance captain), Callie Jean Tysdal, Alyssa Freeze
Swing: Aleia Eagleton
Music: “Double Life” by Pharrell Williams
Legacy of Reflections
Program Notes: Seniors reflect back while also inspiring us to look ahead to the future.
Interlude: Childhood Friends
Choreographer: Kari Smith
Dancers: Aleia Eagleton, Keely Hudspeth, Ella Haganman, Alyssa Freeze, Eva Heinrich
Music: “Jack in AA” by Siddhartha Khosla
Nobody Knows
Choreographers: Haden Lindsey, Emma Ramsey, Olivia Eley, Kari Smith
Dancers: Makinley Smith, Emma Stanard, Haden Lindsey, Olivia Eley, Lillian Brown, Aleia Eagleton, Emma Ramsey, Emily Stephens, Téa Doherty, Keely Hudspeth, Ella Haganman, Eva Heinrich, Madelyn Newsom, Alyssa Freeze, Elly Kate Smith, Sophie Simmons, Megan Ammons, Mackenzie Gregory
Swings: Kayla Hill, Jackson Thomas-Clark Martin
Music: “Nobody Knows” by The Lumineers
Interlude: All is Well
Choreographer: Olivia Eley
Dancers: Haden Lindsey, Olivia Eley
Music: “All is Well” by Avi Kaplan, feat. Joy Williams
Take Me Home Country Roads
Choreographer: Kari Smith
Dancers: Jaidyn Smart (dance captain), James Wier
Swings: Mackenzie Gregory, Sh’Ahr Blackburn
Music: “Take Me Home Country Roads” by The Well Pennies
Interlude: Jack’s Theme Pt 2
Choreographer: Mackenzie Gregory
Dancers: Aleia Eagleton, Jaidyn Smart, Jackson Thomas-Clark Martin, Makinley Smith
Music: “Jack’s Theme Pt 2” by Siddhartha Khosla
You’re Gonna Go Far
Choreographer: Emma Ramsey
Dancers: Jackson Thomas-Clark Martin (soloist), Emma Ramsey, Emma Stanard, Makinley Smith, Elly Kate Smith (dance captain), Téa Doherty, Emily Stephens, Alyssa Freeze
Swing: Eva Heinrich
Music: ”You’re Gonna Go Far” by Noah Kahan
Interlude: Closing Theme
Choreographer: Kayla HIll
Dancers: Alyssa Freeze, Elly Kate Smit, Aleia Eagleton
Music: “Closing Theme” by Siddhartha Khosla
Constellations
Choreographer: Haden Lindsey
Dancers: Olivia Eley, Emma Ramsey, Haden Lindsey, Lillian Brown, Aleia Eagleton, Callie Jean Tysdal, Mackenzie Gregory, Jaidyn Smart, Jackson Thomas-Clark Martin, Keely Hudspeth, Kayla Hill, Megan Ammons (dance captain)
Swings: Alyssa Freeze
Music: “Constellations” by The Oh Hellos
Can You Feel It (Finale/Bows)
Choreographer: Kari Smith, Olivia Eley
Dancers: Full Company
Music: “Can You Feel It” by The Jacksons
STUDENT RUN CREW
Wardrobe Heads: Erin Crandall, Arianna Miller
Stage Crew: Sarah Blair, Kaelyn Rozgony
Wardrobe Crew: Samantha Scattini, Isabella Wickham, Madelyn Jones, Izzy DeCesare, Jude Williams
Light Board Operator: Kayla Dunn
Sound Board Operator: Brock Loyd
STUDENT PRODUCTION CREW
Costume Shop Staff: Emma Stanard, Lin Lescalleet, Arianna Miller, Allie Andres, Ella Haganman, Jaidyn Smart
Costume Practicum: Erynn Barrett, Elanah Bruce, Makenzie Cogswell, Sophia Hassevoort, Kaylee Johnson, Rachel Penner, Heidi Thomas, Phoebe Countryman, Mackenzie Curle, Maya Mezgel, Channing Smith, Nylah Watts, James Wier, Lillian Brown, Madison Hickey, Anna Jones, Sara Kovich, Ashlyn Sears, Elly Kate Smith, Abigail Clark
Scene Shop Foremen: Peyton Lewis, Phoebe Countryman, Sophie Simmons, Nate Mann, Makinley Smith, Maegan Kirkland
Scenic Practicum: Maegan Kirkland, Nathan Mann, Grace Mullins, Luna Range, Kaelyn Rozgony, Sarah Blair, Erin Crandall, Aleia Eagleton, Kenses Garabito, Lawson Karber, Kaden Kinney, Regan Mills, Jaidyn Smart, Allie Andres, Isabella DeCesare, Jackson Martin, Dawson Wise, Sh'Ahr Blackburn, Gunnar Cowden, Téa Doherty, Alyssa Freeze, Hayley-Kate Nelms, Hayden Smith, Jude Williams
Lighting Foremen: Nylah Watts, Justin Littrell
Lighting Practicum: Connor Adair, Allie Andres, Knoelle Antley, Kayla Dunn, Katarina Kell, Berkley Landreth, Lin Lescalleet, Brock Loyd, Claire Pals, Samantha Scattini, Bowen Sellers, Jonah Smith, Emma Spillman, Emily Stephens, Isabella Wickham
SPECIAL THANKS
Christopher Bailey, June Kingsbury, Riley Hickey
SUSTAINABILITY STATEMENT
Lipscomb University Theatre is the only university in Tennessee that is recognized as an educational theatre member of the Broadway Green Alliance. We have both faculty and students who serve as “Green Captains”, helping our department stay aware of ways we can reduce our carbon footprint, consumption of energy, and the amount of waste we produce.
“The Broadway Green Alliance (BGA) is an industry-wide initiative that educates, motivates, and inspires the entire theatre community and its patrons to implement environmentally friendlier practices on Broadway and beyond. As a community of industry and environmental professionals connected by the shared goal of normalizing greening practices on Broadway and beyond, the BGA has successfully implemented significant sustainability reform at the forefront of the industry since its inception in 2008.”
“It is impossible to be 100% “green” - we can only be greener. Each of us can begin by doing something to benefit our environment today, no matter the size of the action. The climate crisis is the result of millions of decisions and it demands action - big and small - from each of us. Change results from the cumulative effect of our actions. Climate neutrality is insufficient. In order to lessen the damage caused by climate change and restore our climate to historically safe levels of atmospheric CO2, the BGA works to promote climate positive action and commitments. We must build an equitable and just climate movement and address the disproportionate effect of environmental degradation on poor and BIPOC communities. There is no climate justice without racial justice.”