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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. 

Memory Through Rhythm - A James Brown Tribute

Conceived by Jelani Davis

Performed by Jelani Davis & Sujai Cobb

Music Credits: There Was a Time & I Got the Feeling by James Brown from James Brown's Boston Garden Concert - April 5th,1968

Audience participation is highly encouraged. You will be asked to call and respond. 

Call: "I"

Respond: "I"

Call: "Got That Feeling!"

Respond: Got That Feeling!"

This performance features popular dances like The Mashed Potato and The Camel Walk. The Mashed Potato originated in African American communities in the 1950s, this dance gained national fame in the early 1960s. This dance was associated with Dee Dee Sharp's 1962 hit song "Mashed Potato Time" but was popularized earlier by James Brown in 1959-1960. The Camel Walk became popular in the 1950s and 1960s as a retro dance. James Brown often used this dance in his routines on stage.

Five Minute Pause

A Note from Andre Williams
Creative Director
Relevations Dance Theatre

Stained, Staining is a world created through stained glass—reflecting, refracting, and revealing what we leave on one another through interaction and relationship.

 

This was, admittedly, a difficult bill to produce. It required RDT to dig deep, using our bodies as archives of lived experience to make these works tangible and authentic. What you’ll witness tonight is raw, bringing forth the internal experience of emotional reckoning and self-discovery.

 

I find myself enamored with this cast and their commitment to telling these stories with conviction and honesty. Their inquiry in the studio brought laughter, tears, love, and clarity throughout the process, and I’m deeply grateful to work with artists who continue to push the work toward deeper meaning and connection. The depth of this work is simply not possible without their commitment.

 

Thank you for witnessing. May something meet you where you are—and move with you—when you leave.

Love Within (2024)

Choreography: André Williams

Dancers: Kylie Williams & Lexie Carlson

Musical Artist Credits: Love Within by James Tillman

Love Within was commissioned for Enigma in 2024. 

Treason (2024)

Choreography: André Williams

Dancers: Corey Mc Kenzie, Kylie Williams, Lexie Carlson, Lauren Marshall, Amelia Kramer, Ainsley Glenn, Spencer Aneshansel, Katie Zheng, Jillian Hagerty, Yakira Rupenthal

Understudies: Ash Patel & Ava Benvenutti

Musical Artist Credits: Treason by Tinashe

A Naked Walk in the Woods (2026)

Choreography: André Williams

Dancers: Kylie Gerberding & Maggie Stephens

Musical Artist Credits: Said and Done by Nils Frahm

Crown (2019)

Choreography: André Williams

Dancers: Corey Mc Kenzie, André Williams, Maggie Black Stephans, Kylie Williams, Lexie Carlson, Kylie Gerberding, Lauren Marshall, Amelia Kramer, Ainsley Glenn, Ava Benvenutti, Spencer Aneshansel, Katie Zheng, Jillian Hagerty, Yakira Rupenthal
Understudy: Ash Patel

Musical Artist Credits: The Frozen Cathedral by John Mackey, peformed by John R. Locke & The Mclver Quartet

Crown was commissioned for Phoenix Rising Dance Company in 2019. 

10 Minute Intermission

Stained/Staining (2026)
Movement I. Swipe
Movement II. Refract
Movement. Reveal

Choreography: André Williams

Dancers: Kylie Williams, André Williams, Lexie Carlson, Maggie Black Stephans, Kylie Gerberding, Lauren Marshall, Amelia Kramer, Ainsley Glenn, Ava Benvenutti, Katie Zheng, Spencer Aneshsansel, Yakira Rupenthal, Jillian Hagerty
Understudy: Ash Patel

Musical Artist Credits: Pentaptych by Ryan Lott

Set Design by Robert Negron of Indy Convergence

Sour Flour (2026)

Choreography: André Williams

Dancers: André Williams

Musical Artist Credit: Sour Flower by Lianne La Hava

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.

Meet The Choreographers

Meet Relevations Dance Theatre

Creative Director

Andre Williams

 

Operations Director

Kylie Williams

 

Rehearsal Director & Social Media Manager

Lexie Carlson

 

Community Engagement Coordinator

Letitia Bailey

 

Resident Technical Director

Paully Crumpacker

 

Company Dancers

Maggie Stephens

Lexie Carlson

Kylie Williams

Kylie Gerberding

Andre Williams

Apprentice Dancers

Lauren Marshall
Yakira Rupenthal
Amelia Kramer
Jillian Hagerty
Ainsley Glenn
Ava Benvenutti
Katie Zheng
Spencer Anashansel
Corey McKenzie

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