SKETCH 12: Dear Diary
July 15-16, 2022
Cowell Theater, Fort Mason Center

Featuring three world premieres by Artistic Director Amy Seiwert, Imagery’s new Artistic Fellow Natasha Adorlee, and Choreographer Joshua L. Peugh.

SKETCH 12: Dear Diary challenged the choreographers and eight collaborating dance artists to create new works that explore themes of nostalgia while participating in a critique group, or “crit group,” a creative feedback process rarely seen in ballet settings.

“Pop culture is drawn again and again to moments from the past. The Greek root of nostalgia loosely translates as an ache to return home. This practice of returning to the past was heightened during the pandemic, as nostalgia became an ‘emotional pacifier.’* It pulled us collectively back to the time before the virus, to a world that we understood, that felt safe, possibly to a moment we felt loved. However, the perils of nostalgia as a coping mechanism include avoiding the future and missing the opportunities for change from a crisis. ‘Dear Diary’ invites the choreographers to explore both sides of this emotion.”

- Amy Seiwert, Artistic Director & Choreographer

*New York Times, July 28, 2020

SKETCH 12 introduced Amy Seiwert’s Imagery new multi-year Artistic Fellow Natasha Adorlee. Adorlee, a first-generation Asian American, is Imagery’s second Artistic Fellow (2022-23). Selected for the integrity of her work, multidisciplinary talents, and desire to experiment with new technology, Adorlee’s dynamic choreographic style is ballet-based, fused with martial arts, modern, and contemporary techniques. Adorlee is a former dancer with ODC/Dance, Robert Moses’ Kin, and a guest artist with Kate Weare Company (New York). In 2018, Adorlee received a Regional Emmy for her performance and music composition work in the TV special “Baseballet: Into the Game.” In addition, Natasha was selected to create the original song “Pink and Purple” for the Pixar Sparkshort “Out,” which was shortlisted for the Oscars in 2021.

SKETCH 12 also featured a world premiere by Joshua L. Peugh, a choreographer based in New Mexico and Founder/Artistic Director of Dark Circles Contemporary Dance (Las Cruces, NM). Peugh has a unique movement style that he utilizes to share untold stories; exploring his personal experiences as an individual who identifies as LGBTQIA. This was Peugh’s first commission for a Bay Area dance company and the first time that his work is being shown to San Francisco audiences. Peugh has created 40+ works on notable contemporary companies like BODYTRAFFIC, BalletX, and Whim W’Him.

SKETCH 12 dancers include Brandon Alexander (Smuin Ballet), Anthony Cannarella (Sacramento Ballet), Matisse D’Aloisio (Sacramento Ballet), Joseph A. Hernandez (ODC/Dance, Opera Parallele), Jenna Marie (Ballet Hispanico, Ailey II), Kelsey McFalls (PARA.MAR, Amy Seiwert’s Imagery), Isabella Velasquez (Sacramento Ballet), and Isaac Bates Vinueza (Sacramento Ballet).

Set and Lighting Design by Brian Jones. Costumes by Susan Roemer/C-Curve Apparel & Design.

ACCESSIBILITY

• Blind a Low Vision Audiences: Live Audio Description and Haptic Access Tour on July 16  by Europa Grace of Gravity Access Services for visually impaired audience members. Haptic Access Tour begins at 6:10pm

Please call 415 342 6661 to pre-register and reserve a headset.

A text only program will be made available here in PDF format.

Blind and Low Vision users, please click here for more information on Audio Description and what to expect.

• D/deaf Audiences: American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be provided on Saturday, July 16.

• Wheelchair Access: Cowell Theater is wheelchair accessible.

• Public Transportation: Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture is served by the following MUNI lines: 28, 30, 30X, 43, 47 and 49
  For more information on how to get there visit: https://fortmason.org/visit/

Please email or call us for any additional accessibility needs.

PRESS

Please contact Shannon Atlas for PR and Press Inquiries

Dear Diary

Choreography:
Amy Seiwert
Natasha Adorlee
Joshua L. Peugh

Dancers:
Brandon Alexander
Isaac Bates-Vinueza Anthony Cannarella
Matisse D’Aloisio
Joseph A. Hernandez
Jenna Marie
Kelsey McFalls
Isabella Velasquez
Click here for dancer bios

Costumes:
Susan Roemer, S-Curve Apparel and Design

Lighting:
Brian Jones

Filmmakers:
Ben Estabrook