Ivyside Dance Ensemble
Fall 2025 Performance
With Allied Motion Dance Company
Thursday and Friday, November 13 and 14
7:30 p.m.
Wolf Kuhn Theatre
Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts
Featuring Pieces by KT Huckabee, Ruth Packard, and Ana Rossi-Lanzendorfer
Performances are free and open to the public thanks to the Kjell Meling Arts for All Initiative.
Program Order
False Start
- Choreography: KT Huckabee
- Music: John Adams
- Dancers: Victoria Bates, Sarah Christofer, Layna Henry, Riley Jandora, Sage Rumberger, Samantha Wolfe
Rinse And Repeat
- Choreography: KT Huckabee
- Music: Chilly Gonzalez
- Dancers: Samantha Bacza, Natalie Berrena-Barr, Sarah Saylor, Ana Rossi-Lanzendorfer, Olivia Ruble, Ruth Packard, Nicholle Ventura
I Am Code
- Choreography: Ana Rossi-Lanzendorfer
- Music: Anna von Hausswolff and found sound
- Poems: code-davinci-002
- Dancers: Victoria Bates, Layna Henry, Brianni Hilaire, Nia Hubbard, Sage Rumberger, Joshua Scott, Samantha Wolfe
The Dinner Party
A gathering of six random historical women.
- Choreography: KT Huckabee
- Music: Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Cassandra Wilson
- Costumes: Ana Rossi-Lanzendorfer
- Dancers (in order of appearance):
- Ruth Packard as Elizabeth Báthory
- Samantha Bacza as Audrey Hepburn
- Nicholle Ventura as Marie Antoinette
- Olivia Ruble as Jane Goodall
- Sarah Saylor as Clara Barton
- Natalie Berrena-Barr as Lucille Ball
Equinox
- Choreography: Ruth Packard
- Music: René Aubry
- Costume construction: Charlie Popson
- Dancers: Juliana Beyers, Layna Henry, Nia Hubbard, Scarlett Paez, Charlie Popson, Joshua Scott
Sonnet
No more be griev’d at that which thou hast done;
Roses have thorns, and silver fountains, mud;
Clouds and eclipses stain both moon and sun,
And loathsome canker lives in sweetest bud.
All men make faults, and even I in this,
Authorizing thy trespass with compare,
Myself corrupting, salving thy amiss,
Excusing thy sins more than thy sins are;
For to thy sensual fault I bring in sense—
Thy adverse party is thy advocate—
And ‘gainst myself a lawful plea commence.
Such civil war is in my love and hate,
That I an accessory needs must be
To that sweet thief which sourly robs from me.
—William Shakespeare
- Choreography: KT Huckabee
- Music: Harry Christopher
- Dancers: Natalie Berrena-Barr, Sage Rumberger
The One Who Perches
- Choreography: KT Huckabee and dancers
- Music: Bernard Purdie
- Dancers: Genevieve Henderson, Nia Hubbard, Riley Jandora, Rachel Jung, Charlie Popson, Lissette Ruiz, Sage Rumberger, Joshua Scott, Cassara Stanley
Yours, Ours, Mine
- Choreography: KT Huckabee with Sarah Christofer and Nia Hubbard
- Music: Basement Jaxx
- Dancers: Sarah Christofer and Nia Hubbard
Ivyside Dance Ensemble Biographies
Victoria Bates is a first-year student from Collegeville, Pennsylvania, majoring in architectural engineering. She grew up dancing in Skippack, Pennsylvania, where she trained in various dance styles. Her background in studio and competition dance, and love for the art, push her to continue performing at Penn State Altoona.
Juliana Beyers is from Staten Island, New York. She is a second-year student studying kinesiology. She is looking forward to becoming a physical therapist specializing in the treatment of dancers.
Sarah Christofer is a fourth-year student from Tyrone, Pennsylvania. She is majoring in communications and working to complete the dance studies minor. Before attending Penn State Altoona, she danced at Andrea’s School of Dance and was a member of the MainStreet 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.
Genevieve “Gen” Henderson comes from the Pittsburgh area and is a fourth-year student studying security and risk analysis. She plans to continue recreationally with dance, alongside her primary career in technology.
Layna Henry is a fourth-year psychology student from Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. She hopes to continue her education in graduate school studying neuropsychology. This is her third semester in Ivyside Dance Ensemble, but she has a long history of dance and other involvement in the performing arts.
Brianni Hilaire, also known as Bri, is from Queens, New York. She is a second-year criminology major who plans to transfer to University Park for the spring semester. She hopes to continue dancing and performing as much as possible.
Nia Hubbard is a fourth-year nursing major with a dance studies minor from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She has been dancing with Ivyside Dance Ensemble since her first year and has enjoyed every moment. She loves to perform and plans to continue dancing after graduation.
Riley Jandora is from Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. She is a third-semester student pursuing a degree in early childhood education. She is excited to perform in her second semester with Ivyside Dance Ensemble! She is grateful for all the opportunities dance has provided her, and she is looking forward to what the future holds.
Rachel Jung moved many times throughout her childhood and had opportunities to live in cross-cultural communities in New Hampshire, New York, and Pennsylvania. Dance was a constant form of expression for her as she moved from place to place. She is scheduled to graduate in December 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with an additional focus in ESL and social justice in education.
Scarlett Paez is a second-year student at Penn State Altoona. Hailing from New Jersey, she hopes to complete a law degree after obtaining her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology.
Charlotte (Charlie) Popson is in their third year of a human development and family studies major at Penn State Altoona. They have ambitions to complete a master’s degree in social work. Charlie loves performing and is proud to continue expanding their understanding of dance and exploring new styles with Ivyside Dance Ensemble.
Sage Rumberger is a third-year student from Tyrone, Pennsylvania. She is an early childhood and education major with goals to continue dancing and instructing dance while teaching in the schools. This is her second year with Ivyside Dance Ensemble.
Lissette Ruiz is from New Jersey and is a first-year student studying business management. She plans to minor in theatre and hopes to continue growing as both a dancer and a performer, with dance and theatre remaining an important part of her future.
Joshua Scott is a third-year student from the Bronx, New York, majoring in business management and minoring in real estate. This is his first semester with Ivyside Dance Ensemble.
Cassara Stanley is from Altoona, Pennsylvania. She is in her final semester of an early childhood education major and dance minor. She plans to continue with her passion for dancing, and to keep growing her performance ability after graduating. She aspires to travel abroad and navigate the ways in which her knowledge of dance can be expanded through her travels.
Samantha Wolfe is a first-year student from Quakertown Pennsylvania, pursuing a degree in business. She attended a performing arts high school in Lehigh Valley where she studied a wide variety of dance styles. Her love for dance and performing will continue at Penn State Altoona.
Allied Motion Biographies
Samantha Bacza has danced with Allied Motion Dance company since 2019. In college, she danced with Ivyside Dance Ensemble. She spends her free time on her farm with her family.
Natalie Berrena-Barr is a member of Allied Motion Dance Company and danced competitively at Dance Fusion 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 is a member of Allied Motion. She has studied tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, and lyrical dance. 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 in 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 of 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!
Nicholle Ventura is a Penn State Altoona alumna with a degree in integrative arts. After graduation, she attended the Integrative Bodywork School of Massage Therapy in State College. Nicholle works as a licensed massage therapist at the Circle of Life in Greenwood, Pennsylvania. She is happy to be dancing with Allied Motion Dance Company.
Production Team Biographies
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) received her B.F.A. in dance from East Carolina University, her M.F.A. in dance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and her certification in Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analysis from the Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies in New York, which she utilizes for all her teaching, choreography, and body work in consultation situations with individuals and groups. Huckabee came to Penn State Altoona in 1998 to start the dance program and assist in the development of the integrative arts major. She is currently a teaching professor of dance and is the college's performing arts coordinator. Huckabee utilizes her love of collaboration to find new inspirations for creativity, movement, and program development.
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 (choreographer) 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.
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
- Dec. 4, 2025, 4:00 p.m.
VAST Student Gallery Reception - Dec. 4-5, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
Ivyside Pride Performance: "Uplifted" - Dec. 11, 2025, 12:15 p.m.
Titelman Cabaret - Dec. 13, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
University Jazz Band Performance
Acknowledgements
- Dr. Ron Darbeau, chancellor and dean
- Leigh Ann Haefner, interim 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
- Christian Howard, theatre and gallery assistant, Misciagna Family Center
- Maxwell Doherty, technical director, Misciagna Family Center
- Benjamin Weaver, technical theatre assistant, Misciagna Family Center