Open Stage is a new opportunity for local dance makers, presented by Indianapolis Movement Arts Collective and made possible by the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation. Open Stage is presented in partnership with the Indianapolis Opera & Indy Convergence.

Earth Angel

Choreographed by Ryan Jaffe

Performed by Gavin Kimmel, Briah Napier, Sarah Taylor, and Zay

Music Credits: “Winter Storm” by cracknoise; “Branches” by Library Tapes and Julia Kent; "Earth Angel" by The Penguins; “Looking After” by Alex Somers; and “Le lac” by Jean-Michel Blais

Costumes by Paula Jaffe

In loving memory of Matthew Jaffe 2007-2021

This piece is dedicated to my younger brother, Matthew, who tragically
passed away at the age of 13 in 2021. The title Earth Angel is
inspired by one of Matthew's favorite songs, "Earth Angel" by the
Penguins. This song has continuously reminded me of Matthew's loving
spirit; he has become my angel, guiding me while I navigate life on
Earth. As five years have gone by, I want to reflect on my
relationship with him. The work explores themes of healing, memory,
love, and resilience, reflecting the emotions I feel about him and his
passing today.

10 Minute Intermission

Menhir

Conceived, directed, and scored by Neil Cain

Performed by Neil Cain, Shelby Adams, Kassie Woodworth, Maya Black, Rose Saylor, Brittany Fukushima, Jenny Delfuego, & Laura Bobeck

Choreography by Neil Cain & Shelby Adams with Kassie Woodworth, Maya Black, and Rose Saylor

Costumes by Neil Cain with Omer Gal

Menhir, named for the standing stones of the ancient world often associated with ritual and the sacred, is a ‘dreaming back’ of ancient ritual consciousness in the form of immersive dance theater. Intended as a vessel to transmit, and be nourished by, the vitality of our planet, Menhir explores the embodiment of surrender, mystery, transcendence, and transformation.

Thank you for coming.

Indianapolis Movement Arts Collective is a non-profit movement arts organization dedicated to supporting and connecting the Indianapolis community through shared movement experiences - because every human can dance.

DONATE

Meet The Choreographers

Ryan Jaffe

Ryan Jaffe is originally from West Palm Beach, Florida, where he trained at Bak Middle School of the Arts and A.W. Dreyfoos High School of the Arts. Ryan continued his studies at Southern Methodist University, graduating in 2024 with a BFA in Dance Performance and a BS in Applied Physiology and Health Management. While at SMU, Ryan has performed works by choreographers such as Adam Houghland, Stephanie Martinez, and Matthew Neenan. He has also attended summer and winter intensives at Jacob’s Pillow, the Martha Graham School, BalletX, and Bruce Wood Dance.

After graduating, Ryan joined Dance Kaleidoscope, a contemporary dance company in Indianapolis. Now in his second season, he has performed works by Joshua Blake Carter, David Hochoy, Robyn Mineko Williams, Robert Battle, and Autumn Eckman. As a teacher and choreographer, Ryan has instructed dancers ranging from four years old to adults and has created works for studios and companies across South Florida, Indiana, and Texas.

In addition to performing and choreographing, Ryan has volunteered and shadowed at Neurosport Physical Therapy and Westside Dance Physical Therapy, learning from leaders in performing arts and dance medicine. Dedicated to his craft and community, Ryan continues to explore new creative and educational opportunities that advance the ever-changing world of dance.

Neil Cain

Neil Cain is an interdisciplinary artist, musician and composer working at the intersection of performance, visual art, conceptual art, and collaborative curation. They have performed at hundreds of venues throughout the United States and exhibited their art nationally and internationally. They hold a degree in Composition and Audio Technology from the Jacobs School of Music and hope to meaningfully contribute to the development of the Arts in Indianapolis.

Earth Angel Performers

Gavin Kimmel

Gavin Kimmel was born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he trained at TU Dance under the direction of Laurel Keen and Toni Pierce-Sands. He recently graduated from the University of Arizona, receiving his BFA in Dance and a minor with honors in Human Development & Family Science. During his time there, he had the opportunity to perform works by Paul Taylor, Alvin Ailey, Bill T. Jones, and Kayla Farrish, as well as create and choreograph his own projects. Beyond dance, he has a passion for acting, singing, and videography, and works to explore the intersections between various forms of art and expression. Gavin is currently in his first season with Dance Kaleidoscope.

Briah Napier

Briah Napier is a dynamic dance artist with a BFA in Dance from the University of Texas at Austin and an MBA from the University of Houston. Originally from the Bay Area, California, and later based in Houston, Texas, she is a graduate of The Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, where she developed her artistry under the guidance of accomplished teachers and choreographers.

Beginning her dance journey at the age of three, Napier has cultivated a versatile practice through extensive training across multiple styles. A former member of Social Movement Contemporary Dance Theater, she has collaborated with artists from diverse disciplines and continues to expand her creative voice through performance, teaching, and choreography. Napier remains deeply committed to sharing her passion for dance and inspiring the next generation of artists! Briah is currently in her first season with Dance Kaleidoscope.

Sarah Taylor

Sarah Taylor hails from Portland, OR, where she began ballet training under the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus and passed every major examination with distinction. She has performed with Ballet Concerto, Lake Erie Ballet, SoMar Dance Works and Northwest Dance Theatre. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Mercyhurst University with a B.F.A. degree in dance where she was granted both dance and academic scholarships. She has been highlighted in the second violin in Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco, a principal role in Dennis Spaight’s Gloria, the Arabian soloist, Merliton, and Waltz of the Flowers soloist in The Nutcracker, and several principal roles in newly choreographed classical and contemporary works. During the summers, Sarah attended intensives at Oregon Ballet Theatre and American Ballet Theatre and was a semi-finalist at the Genée International Ballet competition in Antwerp, Belgium. Sarah is currently in her 6th season with Dance Kaleidoscope. She is grateful for the love and unwavering support of her friends, family, and dance mentors and colleagues. Without them she wouldn’t be where she is today.

Zay

Zay’s journey in this art form began with liturgical dance in his church in Colorado Springs. At twelve, he was training at Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education–marking his official leap into concert dance training. Later, he progressed to the pre-professional division and performed pieces such as Konservatoriet and The Nutcracker. At the Cobb County Centre for Excellence in the Performing Arts, he studied Jazz, Horton, performed at the National High School Dance Festival in 2018, and he had his work accepted to the Regional High School Dance Festival in 2019.

During his senior year of high school, he studied at Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre, and in 2021, he had the pleasure of performing in Tara Lee’s film The Poet. At the USC Kaufman School of Dance, he honed his versatility, all thanks to artists such as D. Sabela Grimes, Ebony Williams, Bruce McCormick, Patrick Corbin, and Moncell Durden. Zay has danced in original works by Hope Boykin, Kyle Abraham, Saleemah E. Knight, and Amy O’Neal. Highlights include pieces by Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson, In Creases by Justin Peck, and Forgotten Land by Jiří Kylián. Zay is currently in his 2nd season with Dance Kaleidoscope.

Zay is grateful to his family, friends, teachers, and mentors for constantly supporting his journey thus far. “Thank you mom and dad for allowing me to follow my dreams. Thank you grandma for making sure I made it to ballet after the bus ride from school.”