“Botanica Season 2”
LENSIC PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
JULY 11
Founder & Artistic Director MOSES PENDLETON
Associate Director CYNTHIA QUINN
with
Lyvia Baldner, Blake Bellanger, Jared Bogart, Elias Brzezinski, Sierra-Loren Chapman, William Clayton, Heather Conn, Nathaniel Davis, Adrienne Elion, David Gouldin, Seah Hagan, and Piper Jo Whitt
MOMIX
PO Box 1035, Washington, Connecticut 06793
1-860-868-7545 I [email protected] I www.momix.com
REPRESENTATION
Margaret Selby – Selby Artists/Management 262 West 38th Street, Suite 1701 New York, NY 10018 1-212-382-3260 I [email protected] I SelbyArtistsMgmt.com
Instagram @MomixOfficial | Facebook @OfficialMomix | Twitter @Momix #MOMIXBOTANICA
BOTANICA Production Credits
Conceived and Directed by: Moses Pendleton
First Assistant & Associate Director: Cynthia Quinn
Assisted by: Tsarra Bequette, Eric Borne, Jennifer Chicheportiche, Cass Christopher,
Josh Christopher, John Corsa, Simona Ditucci, Jonathan Eden, Michael Holdsworth,
Donatello Iacobellis, Rob Laqui, Natalie Lamonte, Nicole Loizides, Heather Magee, Steven Marshall, Tim Melady, Sarah Nachbauer, Roberto Olvera, Rebecca Rasmussen, Brian Sanders,
Pedro Silva, Jaime Verazin & Jared Wootan
Restaged by: Rebecca Rasmussen, Jason Williams, Amanda Hulen, Morgan Hulen Production Manager / Lighting Supervisor: Woodrow F. Dick III
Original Lighting Design: Joshua Starbuck and Moses Pendleton
Additional Lighting Design & Adaptation: Colin Montgomery Neukirch
Production Stage Manager / FOH Engineer: Colin Montgomery Neukirch
Production Electrician: Alexa Denney
Lead Carpenter / Rigger: Austin Downs Costume Design: Phoebe Katzin, Moses Pendleton, Cynthia Quinn
Costume Construction: Phoebe Katzin
Puppet Design: Michael Curry
Prop Construction & Artwork: Pedro Silva Video Projections & Photography: Moses Pendleton
Video Editing: Woodrow F. Dick III
Music Collage: Moses Pendleton
Music Editing: Joshua Christopher, Andrew Hansen Ballet Mistress: Victoria Mazzarelli
Communications Manager: Quinn Pendleton
Company Manager: Paula Budetti Burns
BOTANICA
“The plant strains its whole being in one single plan: to escape above ground from the fatality below; to elude and transgress the dark and weighty law, to free itself, to break the narrow sphere, to invent or invoke wings, to escape as far as possible, to conquer the space wherein fate encloses it, to approach another kingdom, to enter a moving, animated world.”
Maurice Maeterlinck, The Intelligence of Flowers
ACT ONE – WINTER SPRING
The Dead Of Winter
Fantasy Tree-Flower
Loons Laugh in Darkness
Echoes of Narcissus
Old Bones Romance with Ancient Stones
Night Crawlers
Spring Pods
Marigolds Bloom
Hornets Hop
Milkweeds
The Arrival of Centaurs
ACT TWO: SUMMER FALL
Aurora Rose
August of Wind, Storms & Rain
Aqua Flora
Meet the Beetles and Egg On
Birds of a Feather
Sun Flower Finches
Charge of Indian Summer
Branches Gathering for Autumnal Ball
The Last Leaf
* Performance time is approximately 90 minutes.
BOTANICA SOUNDTRACK: Frozen Land – Composed and Performed by Martin Franklin from the album “The Frozen Lands” (Amplexus Records) http://www.codetrip.net; Leaving Babylon/ Cliff Diving/ Mezzamorhic– By Evan Bluetech aka Evan Bartholomew/Evan Marc from the Album “Prima Materia”, Courtesy of Waveform Records. http://www.waveformrecords.com; Loons & Winter Wren – by Lang Elliott from Nature Sound Studio; NaNO & braiNwavE – by Kevin Doolley zerO One from the Album “ozOne”, Courtesy of Waveform Records http://www.waveformrecords.com; Space Weaver – By Lisa Gerrard & Michael Edwards. Published by Sony/ATV Music Publishing Australia. Performed by Lisa Gerrard (P) 2007 Cloverleigh Downs Pty.ltd; Amongst the Ruins & Sphere– By B. Leeb & R. Fulber performed by Delerium, Kobalt Music Publishing America, Nettwerk Music USA; Savannah Walk – By Rishi & Harshill, Published by Mother Earth Music; Elemental Trigger – By Robert Rich and Brian Williams, From the Album “Stalker” Catalog: HOS/Fathom HS 11059) Published by Amoeba Music (BMI) and Brian Williams (BMI). “Elemental Trigger” © 1995 by Robert Rich and Brian Williams; Primavera – By Antonio Vivaldi, as played by Anne-Sofie Muter; The Wheel– By U-zig Michael Paradinas; Destination – By Suphala; Eastern Winds & Spark of Sound– By Aaron Dysart from the Album “Dub Tactik” Courtesy of Waveform Records http://www.waveformrecords.com; Starseeds – By Malte Marten & Chantress Seba; The Heat & Slow Water– Written and Performed by Peter Gabriel, Published by Real World Music Ltd./Sony Music Publishing, Courtesy of Peter Gabriel Ltd. use under license; Gayatri Mantra– By Deva Premal is used in this performance with permission of Prabhu Music Ltd © 1998 Prabhu Music. Music composed by Deva Premal and Miten and published by Prabhu Music. All Rights Reserved http://www.devapremalmiten.com; Voices from the Lake – By Donato Dozzy and Neel, Published by Spazio Disponibile; A Positive Life – By Aqua Sonic, from the Album “Two A.D.” Courtesy of Waveform Records http://www.waveformrecords.com; Apogee – By Lloyd Grotjan from the album “Twelve Moons”; The Voice – By Brendan Graham, Celtic Woman from the Album “A New Journey”, Published by Hal Leonard Publishing; Aj Ondas– By Azam Ali from the album “Portal of Grace”, Published by Nara Music, Inc.; Rang De – by Deva Premal is used in this performance with permission of Prabhu Music Ltd © 2002Prabhu Music. Co-written by Jagjit Singh and Manish Vyas and published by Manish Vyas. All rights reserved www.devapremalmiten.com
ABOUT THE COMPANY
MOMIX, a company of dancer-illusionists founded and directed by Moses Pendleton, has been presenting work of exceptional inventiveness and physical beauty for more than 40 years. From its base in Washington, Connecticut, the company has developed a devoted worldwide following. In addition to stage performances, MOMIX has also worked in film and television, as well as corporate advertising, with national commercials for Hanes and Target, and presentations for Mercedes-Benz, Fiat, and Pirelli. With performances on PBS’s “Dance in America” series, France’s Antenne II, and Italian RAI television, the company’s repertory has been beamed to 55 countries. The Rhombus Media film of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition with MOMIX and the Montreal Symphony was the winner of an International Emmy for Best Performing Arts Special. MOMIX was also featured in IMAGINE, one of the first 3-D IMAX films released in IMAX theaters worldwide. MOMIX dancers Cynthia Quinn and Karl Baumann, under Moses Pendleton’s direction, played the role of “Bluey” in the feature film F/X2, and White Widow, co-choreographed by Pendleton and Quinn, was featured in Robert Altman’s movie The Company. With nothing more than light, shadow, fabric, props, and the human body, MOMIX continues to astonish and delight audiences on five continents.
WHO’S WHO IN THE COMPANY
MOSES PENDLETON (Artistic Director) has been one of America’s most innovative and widely performed choreographers and directors for over 50 years. He co-founded the ground-breaking Pilobolus Dance Theater in 1971 while still a student at Dartmouth College. Pilobolus shot to fame in the 1970s. By the end of the decade, he had begun to work outside of Pilobolus, performing in and serving as principal choreographer for the Paris Opera’s Intégrale Erik Satie in 1979 and choreographing the Closing Ceremony of the Winter Olympics at Lake Placid in 1980.
In that same year, he created MOMIX, with Alison Chase, which rapidly established an international reputation for inventive and often illusionistic choreography that pushes physical boundaries and defies imagination. The troupe has now been creating new work under his direction and touring worldwide for over four decades. Mr. Pendleton has also been active as a performer and choreographer for other companies. He has worked extensively in film, TV, and opera, and as a choreographer for ballet companies and special events. He staged Picabia’s Dadaist ballet Relâche for the Paris Opera Ballet and the Joffrey Ballet, and Tutuguri, based on the writings of Artaud, for the Deutsche Oper Berlin. He created the role of the Fool for Yuri Lyubimov’s production of Mussorgsky’s Khovanschina at La Scala, choreographed Rameau’s Platée for the U.S. Spoleto Festival, and contributed choreography to Lina Wertmuller’s production of Carmen at the Munich State Opera. Mr. Pendleton has created new works for the Arizona Ballet and the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, and he teamed up with Danny Ezralow and David Parsons, both former MOMIX dancers, to choreograph AEROS with the Romanian National Gymnastics Team. Mr. Pendleton choreographed The Doves of Peace, featuring Diana Vishneva and 50 Russian ballerinas,for the Opening Ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics at Sochi.
Film and television work includes the feature film F/X2 with Cynthia Quinn, Moses Pendleton Presents Moses Pendleton for ABC ARTS cable (winner of a CINE Golden Eagle Award), and Pictures at an Exhibition with Charles Dutoit and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, which received an International Emmy Award for Best Performing Arts Special in 1991. He has also created music videos with Prince, Julian Lennon, and Cathy Dennis, among others.
Mr. Pendleton is also an avid photographer whose work has been presented in Rome, Milan, Florence, and Aspen. He was a John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellow in 1977, a recipient of the Connecticut Commission on the Arts Governor’s Award in 1998, received the Positano Choreographic Award in 1999, and the 2002 American Choreography Award for his contributions to choreography for film and television.
In 2010, he received an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from the University of the Arts, where he delivered the commencement address. In 2021, Mr. Pendleton received a Doctor of Arts, honoris causa, from Dartmouth College for his lifetime contributions to the arts.
In 2024, Moses Pendleton was the recipient of the prestigious Taobuk Award — a recognition given annually to intellectuals and artists who have made a remarkable cultural impact on the global stage. In 2025, Pendleton was honored with the Richard Brettell Award in the Arts by the University of Texas at Dallas. Most recently (2026), he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Boston Conservatory at Berklee, where he also delivered a commencement address.
CYNTHIA QUINN (Associate Director) grew up in Southern California, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of California at Riverside, then continued on as an Associate in Dance for five years. As a member of Pilobolus in the 1980s, she performed on Broadway and throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, Israel, and Japan.Ms. Quinn began performing with MOMIX in 1983 and has toured worldwide with the company. She has appeared in television programs, films, and music videos, and has assisted Moses Pendleton in the choreography on numerous projects. She has also appeared as a guest artist with the Ballet Théâtre Française de Nancy, the Deutsche Oper Berlin Ballet, and the Munich State Opera, as well as international galas in Italy, France, and Japan. Ms. Quinn is a board member of the Nutmeg Conservatory in Torrington, Conn., and is on the advisory board of Torrington’s Susan B. Anthony Project. She was featured with Ru Paul and k.d. lang for M.A.C. Cosmetics’ “Fashion Cares” benefit in Toronto and Vancouver. More recently, she co-choreographed The Doves of Peace, featuring Diana Vishneva,for the Opening Ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics. Her most rewarding and challenging role, however, has been as a mother to her daughter, Quinn Elisabeth.
LYVIA BALDNER (Dancer) is originally from Onalaska, Wisconsin. She recently graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BFA in Ballet, BA in Strategic Communication, and a Pilates Teaching Certificate from Texas Christian University (TCU). She was acknowledged as a Paul and Judy Andrews Honors Scholar and as the senior scholar among her dance cohort. Her early training was with Kennet and Larissa Oberly. Lyvia performed with the Align Dance Theater, Zion Dance Project, Elevator Project at AT&T Performing Arts Center, and in Ballet Concerto. Performance highlights at TCU include works by Elizabeth Gilaspy, Keith Saunders, Kara Wilkes, Peter Pucci, and La Bayadere “Kingdom of the Shades,” re-staged by Dr. Jessica Zeller. Lyvia’s dance film was acknowledged as a quarter-finalist in the Student World Impact Film Festival. Lyvia joined MOMIX in 2024.
BLAKE BELLANGER (Dancer) is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where he received a BFA in Contemporary Dance with a minor in Arts Administration. He began dancing in the small town of Clinton at the age of nine. Blake also attended UNCSA for his senior year of high school, where he was introduced to modern dance techniques such as Limón and Cunningham. In 2022, Blake joined the Marigny Opera Ballet in New Orleans. He has performed works by numerous choreographers, including Yoshito Sakuraba, Diogo de Lima, and Gina Patterson, while also choreographing original works for himself and fellow students during his time at UNCSA. Blake has had the privilege of working with and performing pieces by several choreographers, including Christian Denice, Giovanni Castellon, Cassi Abranches, and Gina Patterson. He has performed extensively throughout Italy and the United States with MOMIX on stages including The Joyce Theater, Jacob’s Pillow, and the Teatro Romano. For Blake, dance is about creating connection through the expression of human emotion and storytelling. He draws inspiration from dancers of the past while striving to bring their influence into the present. An Eagle Scout and self-described “jack of all trades,” Blake enjoys hands-on projects and creative pursuits beyond the stage. He joined MOMIX in 2023.
JARED BOGART (Dancer) graduated with a BFA in Dance from Jacksonville University and trained during the summers at Orlando Ballet School, Archcore40, Florida Dance Masters, and Florida Dance Festival. At Jacksonville University, Jared worked with artists such as Jennifer Muller, Robert Moses, Jennifer Archibald, Ronen Koresh, and Stephanie Martinez. Jared danced five seasons with Ballet Hispánico under Artistic Director Eduardo Vilaro, where he worked with renowned choreographers such as Ronald K Brown, Gustavo Ramirez Sansano, and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa. He also performed and taught with PARA.MAR Dance Theater under founder and director Stephanie Martinez. He has also performed with Diavolo in Los Angeles under Director Jacques Heim. Jared most recently performed with Dua Lipa as a backup dancer at the 2024 Grammy Awards. Jared joined MOMIX in 2024.
ELIAS BRZEZINSKI (Dancer) is from Baltimore, Maryland, and received his BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from Towson University, where he was honored with the Outstanding Choreography Award. He has performed works by artists including Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, and Robert Kleinendorst, and has danced with TOTEMA Dance Company and Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company. While at Towson, Elias also co-taught the Baltimore County Public Schools Men’s Dance Ensemble, an after-school program providing young men with expanded performance opportunities and technical training. He was a founding member of VTDance II and later served as Assistant Rehearsal Director for VTDance. Elias trained with PILOBOLUS and at the Taylor School’s professional division in New York City, performing works by Paul Taylor, José Limón, and other modern dance masters. He joined MOMIX in 2025.
SIERRA-LOREN CHAPMAN (Dancer) was born in Paducah, Kentucky, and grew up in Central Florida. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Contemporary Dance from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts under the direction of Dean Endalyn Taylor Outlaw. During her time at UNCSA, she performed works by Jim Vincent, Juel Lane, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Brenda Daniels, Merce Cunningham, Robert Battle, and José Limón, and performed Dark Meadow Suite by Martha Graham at The Joyce Theater in New York. While at school, Sierra-Loren developed her choreographic voice, creating both live and film works, and in 2025, she presented her choreography at SOLOCOREOGRAFICO Solo Dance Festival in Germany. This is Sierra-Loren’s first season with MOMIX, where she continues to explore the intersection of physicality and imagination through movement.
WILLIAM CLAYTON (Dancer), from Riverside, California, earned his BFA in Dance Theatre from AMDA in 2016 and his MFA in Interdisciplinary Art from Wilson College in 2023. He has performed with numerous companies across the country, including Los Angeles–based contemporary groups BrockusRED, Invertigo Dance Theatre, and Ezralow Dance. His versatility extends to musical theater, with performances in Evita at Musical Theatre West and West Side Story at the Glendale Centre Theatre. From 2018 to 2022, William danced with Wonderbound, a contemporary ballet company in Denver, Colorado, and later appeared as a guest artist with RKDC in Wichita, Kansas. In 2025, William relocated to Connecticut with his husband, Isaac Huerta, a dancer with Pilobolus. He is deeply grateful for his family, friends, and the many experiences that have shaped his artistic journey. William joined MOMIX in 2025.
HEATHER CONN (Dancer) is originally from New York. She attended the Long Island High School for the Arts as a dance major and holds a BFA in dance from the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. Additionally, she has trained with the Joffrey Ballet School, the Bolshoi Ballet, and the Boston Conservatory, among others. Heather has performed professionally across the United States and beyond, in contemporary dance, musical theater, film, and live production art. She has performed in such notable venues as Radio City Music Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Apollo Theater, Jacob’s Pillow, and the Folies Bergere in Paris, France. Heather has danced for Nickerson-Rossi Dance, Schoen Movement Company, and The Orsano Project as assistant to Phil Orsano. She was given a leading role in Busch Gardens Christmastown production of their show Miracles. She performs for TEN31 Productions as a “living art” performer at events and for the live arts company Moving On. Heather is featured in the published photography book Dance Across the USA by Jonathan Givens, as a dancer representing the state of New York. She is a certified Yoga teacher, a certified Animal Flow® instructor, and an Essential Oil Specialist. Heather has a passion for healing arts and is a strong advocate for social justice, wildlife, and the Earth. Heather joined MOMIX in 2018.
NATHANIEL DAVIS (Dancer) was born in Toronto, Canada. He started training at the age of seventeen and attended the New World School of the Arts college, graduating cum laude in 2015 with a BFA in dance. He has worked with the Peter London Dance Company in Miami, Florida, and Artichoke Dance Company in Brooklyn, New York. He has performed works by Robert Battle, Daniel Ulbricht, George Balanchine, Jose Limon, Kyle Abraham, Bill T. Jones, and Darshan Bueller. Nathaniel joined MOMIX in 2017.
ADRIENNE ELION (Dancer) has been involved in the arts her whole life, starting onstage at 8 months in her mother’s arms, and growing up in many Pittsburgh theatres. As a wandering soul, she has traveled across America for dance training, performances, and internships, and internationally for workshops and research. She studied Dance and Physics at Shenandoah University, receiving a Master’s Degree in Performing Arts Leadership and Management. Performance highlights include working for Beth Gill, Tiffanie Carson, Dani Maloney Dance, and Synetic Theatre. Adrienne feels so blessed to continue her journey with MOMIX, where she gets to deepen her love of storytelling, illusion, and props through dance. Adrienne joined MOMIX in 2021.
DAVID GOULDIN (Dancer) is a professional dancer originally from Oneonta, New York. He was introduced to modern dance at the age of 13 through Perkins School of the Arts. A year later, he attended the New York State Summer School of the Arts, where he deepened his understanding of modern dance and formed artistic connections that continue to inspire him today. He went on to study in the High School Contemporary Dance program at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, graduating in 2022. David continued his training at UNCSA, earning a B.F.A. in Contemporary Dance in December 2025. His training includes Limón, Cunningham, and Horton techniques, as well as Countertechnique and floorwork. While at UNCSA, he performed works by Martha Graham, Rena Butler, Trey McIntyre, and Endalyn Taylor, and was featured as a soloist in Catherine Meredith’s The Space Inbetween. David joined MOMIX in 2025 and is excited to share his passion for dance with audiences around the world.
SEAH HAGAN (Dance Captain). Born and raised in Tallahassee, Florida, Seah is a third-generation dancer. She began her training at the Southern Academy of Ballet Arts under the tutelage of Natalia Botha and Charles Hagan. As an Advanced Company member of the Pas de Vie Ballet, she performed many classical and contemporary soloist and principal roles. In addition to ballet and modern training, Seah is also an accomplished ballroom dancer, having competed in multiple world championships. At age 16, she graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Florida State University Schools. Before MOMIX, she worked for the State of Florida at the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. On her 18th birthday, Seah began her professional dance career with the world-renowned company MOMIX. She has since toured across the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, and Asia, performing in three original shows, VIVA MOMIX, Opus Cactus, and Alice, where she has performed featured solos in all three. As Dance Captain, Seah was heavily involved in the creation of their newest show, Alice. Seah joined MOMIX in 2017.
PIPER JO WHITT (Dancer) grew up in Dallas, Texas, and has been dancing since the young age of three, studying under Brent and Judy Klopfenstein and Janie Christy. She completed the Jazz & Contemporary Trainee Program at Joffrey Ballet School in NYC, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a BFA from New Jersey City University and the Joffrey Ballet School. At Joffrey, she worked with numerous choreographers, including Angelica Stiskin, Michael Waldrop, Adam Barruch, Yoshito Sakuraba, Chris Bloom, and Attila Csiki. Piper Jo has participated in several intensive workshops, including Tulsa Ballet, the University of Colorado Dance Program, and Joffrey Ballet School. In the last year, Piper Jo has also modeled and performed at New York Fashion Week. Piper Jo joined Momix in 2024.
VICTORIA MAZZARELLI (Ballet Mistress). Following an impressive and extensive professional international ballet career, Mazzarelli returned to her roots at the Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory in Torrington, Conn., where she serves as Artistic Director, training the next generation of dancers.
PHOEBE KATZIN (Costume Designer) After graduating from Endicott College’s fashion design program, Phoebe worked for Kitty Daly, building dance costumes and dressmaking. For several years, she lived in New York making costumes for Kitty Leach, Greg Barnes, and Allison Conner, among others. Phoebe has been instrumental in designing and constructing costumes for MOMIX and Pilobolus for more than 20 years.
MICHAEL CURRY (Puppet Design) has collaborated with Julie Taymor on many stage and opera productions. On Broadway, he has worked on numerous shows, including Crazy For You and Kiss of the Spider Woman. He has been awarded the 1998 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Puppet Design for The Lion King, several Emmys, and the 1999 Eddy Award for Outstanding Contribution in the Technical and Design Field. Michael is one of the country’s leading production design consultants and works widely in both conceptual and technical development for some of the world’s foremost entertainment companies. He owns and operates Michael Curry Design, Inc. in St. Helens, OR, which produces large, live-performance-oriented production designs, such as those seen at the 1996 Olympic Opening Ceremonies, Super Bowl 2000, New York City’s Times Square 2000 Millennium event, and Super Bowl 2015.
JOSHUA STARBUCK (Lighting Designer) collaborated with Moses Pendleton on his world premiere of “Opus Cactus” for Ballet Arizona. He has designed numerous productions and tours for Ballet Arizona. He has toured five continents with many of his designs for dance, ice skating, opera, industrials, concerts, and theater. He has designed for Arena Stage, Playwrights Horizons, The Manhattan Theater Club, The Public Theater, Coconut Grove Playhouse, Walnut Street Theater, Williamstown Theater Festival, and others. He has also worked with the Kirov Ballet, the Royal Ballet, the Spanish National Ballet, and the English National Ballet.
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