Presented by Ivyside Dance Ensemble and Allied Motion Dance Company
Thursday and Friday, April 16 and 17
7:30 p.m.
Wolf Kuhn Theatre
Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts
Free and open to the public.
Director's Note
In summer of 2025, I decided to choreograph an evening-long dance for spring 2026, and here we are! I had no inspiration, no real focus. As I have had to do throughout my career as a choreographer, I had to trust in the dance, trust that something would come along to inspire me. I had my returning students, and that was all I had in mind.
Many things must happen before I can truly be inspired to choreograph—I see something, hear something, or read something that sparks interest, then I jump down the rabbit hole to find out more and see if there is enough substance for me to be moved to begin creating.
For this dance, Amor Fati, there were two rabbit holes. I don’t even remember what inspired me to begin delving into mythology of the sun, moon, and aurora borealis, but I pulled on that string of thought and found the beginnings of the dance.
Mythology and storytelling surround the celestial figures of the Sun, Moon, and Aurora Borealis. While I chose to use the names of the Roman mythology, I kept the genders all female, although the Roman, Greek, Norse, Celtic, and indigenous peoples all had their own versions of gender, story, and lessons of the celestial bodies. Some myths identified them as siblings, some as romantic partners, some were involved with humans and impacted the lives on the earth.
The second moment of inspiration came when I was gifted a handbook on Stoicism, a philosophy and practice that when applied, allows people to find calm in a chaotic world. One principle of Stoicism is Amor Fati, translated to “love of fate,” that allows people to embrace all that happens in the world, both positive and negative. Living in a time where so much happens in a single day, I, and many people I know, have been attempting to apply Amor Fati in our own lives—just to maintain sanity within the chaos. I do not embrace all the negative but find hope that the negative brings about positive in due time. Utilizing the principles and exercises I read about assisted me in finding the correct voice (and in many cases, titles) for each section of the dance as they relate to Helios, Selene, and Aurora.
I think we can all agree that the celestial bodies of the sun, moon, and aurora borealis impact us. They change our mood, assist us in finding our way, and remind us of the beauty and harsh reality of the natural world. Our dance Amor Fati looks at this relationship between the celestial and human worlds.
I would like to take this moment to thank every student I worked with in the past 28+ years. It has been a joy and honor learning from you and watching you on your journey! Keep dancing!
KT Huckabee, Teaching Professor of Dance
Director, Ivyside Dance Ensemble and Allied Motion
Program Order
Amor Fati (Love of Fate)
- Choreography: KT Huckabee
- Costume painting, masks and headdresses: Ana Rossi-Lanzendorfer
- Costume dyeing: Charlie Popson
- Helios, Selene, Aurora costume design and construction: Audrey Wawrynovic
Three Sisters
- Music: Lou Donaldson
- Choreography assistance and dancers: Victoria Bates, Sarah Christofer, Nia Hubbard
Rising
- Music: Sufjan Stevens, Bryce Dessner, Nico Muhly, & James McAlister
- Dancers: Juliana Beyers, Genevieve Henderson, Layna Henry, Scarlett Paez, Lissette Ruiz
Helios: The Wonder of Existence
- Music: Written by DuBose Heyward, George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin; performed by The Jive Aces
- Dancers: Victoria Bates, Genevieve Henderson
Daydream
- Music: Adrién Berenguer
- Dancers: Layna Henry, Riley Jandora, Sage Rumberger
Closer to Umbra
- Music: George Winston
- Dancers: Juliana Beyers, Layna Henry, Riley Jandora, Scarlett Paez, Charlie Popson, Samantha Wolfe
Selene: The Force of Gratitude
- Music: Written by Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers; performed by Billie Holiday
- Dancers: Sarah Christofer, Layna Henry
Ghost Stories
- Music: Chris Martin, Guy Berryman, Jon Hopkins, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion—Coldplay
- Dancers: Natalie Berrena-Barr, Ruth Packard, Abigail Quinn, Olivia Ruble, Cassara Stanley
Breaking Through
- Music: Clint Mansell OR original composition by Rick Wertz
- Dancers: Genevieve Henderson, Layna Henry, Riley Jandora, Charlie Popson, Lissette Ruiz, Sage Rumberger
Aurora: Amid the Chaos
- Music: Sun Ra and his Intergalactic Arkestra
- Dancers: Nia Hubbard, Charlie Popson
Imagine Forever
- Music: Kevin Greenberg, Kenneth Rhoads
Crossing Over
- Music: Jonas Stuppin & Stefan Berger
- Dancers: Natalie Berrena-Barr, Ruth Packard, Abigail Quinn, Olivia Ruble, Cassara Stanley with Genevieve Henderson, Layna Henry, Riley Jandora, Charlie Popson, Sage Rumberger, Samantha Wolfe
Ivyside Dance Ensemble Bios
Victoria Bates is a first-year architectural engineering student from Collegeville, Pennsylvania. She grew up dancing at The Dance Centre in Skippack where she was trained in multiple styles of dance including ballet, jazz, tap, and contemporary. Victoria was also a member of the X-Tensions Dance Company through the studio. While at Penn State, Victoria plans to continue her dance education and share in her passion for the arts and performance.
Juliana Beyers is a second-year student from Staten Island, New York. She will transfer to University Park in the fall to study kinesiology and plans to do something in sports medicine specializing with dancers. She hopes to continue dancing at University Park.
Sarah Christofer is a fourth-year student from Tyrone, Pennsylvania. She is currently majoring in communications and minoring in dance studies. Before attending Penn State Altoona, she danced at Andrea’s School of Dance and was a member of the Main Street Dance Company. Sarah has been in multiple Ivyside Dance Ensemble productions including A Tribute to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, and Flights of Fancy and Other Modes of Transportation. This is Sarah’s final semester with the Ivyside Dance Ensemble, and she is so thankful for all the opportunities she has been given and the memories she has made.
Genevieve “Gen” Henderson is a fourth-year student from Pittsburgh majoring in security and risk analysis and minoring in psychology. This is her third semester with Ivyside Dance Ensemble, and she plans to continue dancing recreationally after graduation.
Riley Jandora is from Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. She is in her fourth semester majoring in early childhood education. She has always danced and is excited to perform again with Ivyside Dance Ensemble. She is grateful for all the opportunities dance has provided her with and looks forward to what the future holds.
Layna Henry is a fourth-year psychology student from Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. She plans to attend graduate school for neuropsychology. This is her fourth semester with Ivyside Dance Ensemble, but she has a long history of dance and other involvement in the performing arts.
Nia Hubbard is a nursing major and dance studies minor from Philadelphia. She has been a member of Ivyside Dance Ensemble since her first year and has enjoyed every moment spent performing. Her favorite style of dance is tap. She plans to become a pediatric nurse and continue incorporating dance into her life.
Scarlett Paez is a sophomore from New Jersey who plans to study law. She enjoys spending her free time dancing with Ivyside Dance Ensemble.
Charlie Popson is a third-year student pursuing a major in human development and family studies with ambitions to get a master’s in social work. Charlie loves performing and is proud to continue expanding their understanding of dance and exploring new styles with Ivyside Dance Ensemble.
Lissette Ruiz is from New Jersey and is a first-year student studying business management with plans to minor in theatre and legal studies. She hopes to continue growing as a dancer and performer, with dance and theatre remaining an important part of her future.
Sage Rumberger is an early childhood education major from Tyrone, Pennsylvania. She plans to become a teacher and continue dancing and teaching dance after graduation.
Samantha Wolfe is a first-year student from Quakertown, Pennsylvania, majoring in business. She grew up dancing and teaching at a local studio in Quakertown and attended a performing arts high school in the Lehigh Valley where she studied a wide variety of dance styles. This is her second semester performing with Ivyside Dance Ensemble and she continues to follow her passion for dance and performing at Penn State Altoona.
Allied Motion Bios
Natalie Berrena-Barr danced competitively at Dance Fusion dance studio in styles ranging from modern to tap. Natalie grew up and still lives in Warriors Mark, Pennsylvania, and is a nanny for a local family.
Olivia Ruble has studied tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, and lyrical. Most recently, she took classes at Central Pennsylvania Dance Workshop in State College and delved into Scottish Highland Dance.
Sarah Saylor is a second-year music education student who primaries with flute and double bass at University Park. She is the recipient of several scholarships and the Presidential Walker Award. She has been involved with eight different ensembles at Penn State including the Philharmonic Orchestra, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and Undergraduate Woodwind Trio/Quintet. She is also a member of numerous clubs, two on which she serves as vice president. In high school, Sarah studied at Pauline Baker Rodgers School of Dance. She's very excited and honored to join Allied Motion this year to continue dancing.
Abigail Quinn is a senior from Altoona, Pennsylvania. She is majoring in multi-disciplinary studies and double minoring in dance and entrepreneurship. She hopes to own and teach at her own dance studio after college.
Cassara Stanley is an Altoona native. She graduated from Penn State Altoona with a bachelor's degree in early childhood education and a minor in dance. She currently works as a day-to-day substitute teacher. She plans to continue her passion for dancing and to keep growing her performance ability. She aspires to teach abroad and navigate the ways in which her knowledge of dance can be expanded through her travels.
Production Team Bios
Maxwell Doherty is the technical director of the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts. He is a graduate of the Penn State School of Theatre where he worked on productions such as Brigadoon, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Seawall, Angels in America, To Kill a Mockingbird, Legally Blonde, and many more. He has also worked on shows for Disney’s Hollywood Studios including The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and The Wonderful World of Animation.
KT Huckabee (director, choreographer) is proud to have been the visionary and developer of the dance program and dance studies minor at Penn State Altoona beginning in 1998. On to her next chapter of discovery, creation, and newfound forms of expression. She would like to thank all her students, past and present, for all they have taught her; the administration for giving her the ability to create such a wonderful program; and her daughter, Sarafina and family as they get first row seats to what comes next. All my love!
Ruth Packard (choreographer) graduated from Sweet Briar College in 2017 with a B.F.A. in dance and writing. She lives in State College, Pennsylvania, where she teaches jazz, lyrical, and hip hop at the Central Pennsylvania Dance Workshop. She is a competitive Scottish Highland dancer and a member of the British Association of Teachers of Dance, which allows her to teach other competitive highland dancers
Ana Rossi-Lanzendorfer (costume painting, headdresses, and masks) is a principal with Allied Motion Dance Company and a dance educator at Dance Fusion in Tyrone, Pennsylvania. As an educator at Dance Fusion, Rossi-Lanzendorfer has received numerous awards for excellence in choreography and has been nominated for entertainer of the year and choreographer of the year at Star Dance Alliance. She received higher education at Seton Hill University and Penn State Altoona, where she was a founding member of Ivyside Dance Ensemble. Her dance background includes intensive training with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company in New York City and a recent performance in What Problem with the Bill T. Jones Company on tour. Her current projects include choreography for Penn State Altoona and management of the Community Choreography Project for the Central PA Theatre and Dance Festival. Rossi-Lanzendorfer is a professional tattoo artist at Railroad City Tattoo in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
Benjamin Weaver (theatre technical assistant, lighting designer) graduated from Centenary University in 2021 with a degree in technical theatre. His past credits include serving as the scenic designer for 1984, Avenue Q, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Sweat, and The Wake of Jamey Foster. He was the scenic artist for A Christmas Carol with Centenary Stage Co. and assistant scenic artist for The Evolution of Mann with the American Theatre Group.
Audrey Wawrynovic is a third-year student in their graduating semester. As a multi-disciplinary studies major, they are versed in English literature, art history, and theatre studies. A seamstress for more than 15 years, they have been sewing for the theatre's various productions since they came to Penn State Altoona. Popular productions with their involvement include A Tribute to Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” and The Wake of Jamey Foster.
Production Team
- Director—KT Huckabee
- Choreographers—KT Huckabee, Ruth Packard, Ana Rossi-Lanzendorfer
- Technical Director—Maxwell Doherty
- Theatre Technical Assistant—Benjamin Weaver
- Lighting Designer—Benjamin Weaver
- Costumer—Ana Rossi-Lanzendorfer, Charlie Popson
Upcoming Performances in the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts
- April 30, 2026, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
VAST Student Gallery Reception - May 2, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
University Jazz Band Performance
Acknowledgements
- Dr. Ron Darbeau, chancellor and dean
- Leigh Ann Haefner, vice chancellor, Academic Affairs
- Dr. Nicholas L. Pyeatt, interim division head, BHHSS
- Jonathan O’Harrow, director, Strategic Communications
- Marissa Carney, media and public relations coordinator, Strategic Communications
- Melissa Wilt, graphic designer, Strategic Communications
- Kylea Myers, theatre and gallery coordinator, Misciagna Family Center
- Courtney Fowler, theatre and gallery assistant, Misciagna Family Center
- Maxwell Doherty, technical director, Misciagna Family Center
- Benjamin Weaver, technical theatre assistant, Misciagna Family Center
Performances are free thanks to the Kjell Meling Arts for All Initiative.