Jennifer Kuhnberg, Director
OnStage Board of Directors:
Emily Hong, President
Teresa Dominick, Secretary
Kaitlyn McCarron, Treasurer
Allie Somers, Membership Engagement Manager
Sam Thone, Marketing Strategist
Lacey Intoppa, Community Engagement Manager
Stephanie Howell, Lighting Design
Mickey West, Photography
Jack Tan, Videography
Special Thanks to:
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Lynda Rieman and Staff at the Boston University Dance Theater
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Paula Terenzi at Paula Terenzi’s Dance Complex in Malden
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Jackie Bowden at Mini Movers Studio in Charlestown
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Jenna Robey Mendiola at J & L Dance Studio in Malden
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Meghan McCaffrey at Infinity Dance Studio in Woburn
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Callie Chapman at SOMart Spaces in Somerville
THANK YOU TO OUR MONTHLY DONORS!
Scholarship Sponsor:
Bernadette Somers
Super Fans:
Monica Aurilio
Hilary Clausius
Carolyn Sayre
Herbert Perry
Friends & Family:
Eleanor Carr
Kaitlyn McCarron
Supporters:
Annamae Aurilio
Teresa Dominick
RYAN P. CASEY is an educator, choreographer, performer, and writer who has brought joyful, rhythm-driven movement to arts programs throughout the country and abroad. He is on faculty with Summer Performing Arts with Juilliard and The Dance Inn, and choreographed for Endicott College and Bridgewater State University. Named one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch,” he was a founding member of Dorrance Dance, and danced for Aaron Tolson, Billy Siegenfeld, Lorraine Chapman, and Adrienne Hawkins. His company, Off Beat, performs throughout the Northeast. His writing appeared in Dance Magazine, Dance Teacher, and the Journal of Dance Education. Ryan is a proud alumnus of the Legacy Dance Company, YoungArts, The School at Jacob’s Pillow, NYU, and the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
EMILY CHANG is thrilled to be back choreographing her third piece for OnStage Dance Company this season. Growing up in North Carolina, she trained primarily in ballet at the Ballet School of Chapel Hill. Over the years, she has also picked up contemporary, swing dance, Chinese dance, and jazz funk. Outside of dance, Emily is working toward her PhD in Biomedical engineering and loves to bake.
MELISSA deFRIESSE has been a member of OnStage for fifteen seasons. A lifelong dancer, she trained at The Dancing School in North Reading, MA before earning a bachelor's in dance from Springfield College. Melissa holds a master's in arts administration from Boston University. Her choreography has been featured in many OnStage season performances, NACHMO Boston, and the Boston Dance Film Festival. She works as a professional fundraiser and dance instructor, and lives in New Hampshire with her husband and two children. Melissa is incredibly grateful to OnStage for providing her with a place to continue her passion for performing and for bringing so much joy to her life!
DANIELLE DOODY is choreographing her 3rd dance with OnStage Dance Company, and has been a member for 23 seasons. A dancer since 4 years old, she is thankful for the opportunity to continue dancing. Outside of dance, Danielle is heavily involved in feline rescue work. She has volunteered at PALS in Salem, MA for over 12 years. In that time, she has become a cat mom of 6. Danielle also has a passion for true crime, and has a YouTube channel, 'Dani After Dark'. Danielle would like to thank her husband Chris, family, and friends for all of their love and support.
WILLOW GERTZ is excited to choreograph her 4th dance for OnStage and dance in her 17th season. She grew up dancing at 5678 Dance Studio in Dracut, MA and performed in her middle and high school theater company. Willow competed and performed in local and national competitions including the Junior Theater Festival in Atlanta, GA, National Performing Arts Festival in NYC, and the National Performing Arts Festival in Orlando, FL. She was a member of the UNE Dance Team and served as captain during her senior year. When not dancing, she works as a middle school science teacher and dance instructor. Willow would like to thank her dancers for all their hard work this season.
ALLIE HAHN has been a member of OnStage Dance Company for 8 seasons and choreographed 3 pieces as part of the company. Allie began her dance journey at Miss Janice’s Dance Studio in her hometown of Swansea, MA. She went on to serve as president of her dance company at Emerson College while receiving her BFA with a minor in Dance. After years off from performing, Allie was thrilled to find a performance-based company and now can’t imagine dancing anywhere else. Outside of dance, Allie is a Children’s Librarian at the Brighton Branch of the Boston Public Library and president of Boston Librarians Union. She’d like to thank her wife and family for their support and her dancers for all the laughter and work they’ve put into her piece.
MEGAN HALL is a movement artist and choreographer whose work is shaped by curiosity, expression, and a longing to translate her lived experiences into dance. Based in Massachusetts, she took her first steps at Arlington Dance Place. She now teaches in the same studio she once learned in, hoping to continue to foster confidence, individuality, and joy in young dancers. In her third season with OnStage, and alongside her cast, whose openness, creativity and energy have been invaluable, she is overjoyed to have the opportunity to share her first piece of choreography with this community!
EMILY HONG is excited to be back with OnStage Dance Company for her 8th season. Emily began her training in ballet and ethnic Chinese dance and finished her IB dance training in Beijing, China. She expanded to commercial/hip-hop styles at the University of California, Irvine. Outside of dance, Emily works as a Clinical Trials Manager at Adagio Medical.
JASMINE KARAUL is a first-season dancer and choreographer for OnStage! Originally from New York City and growing up internationally, she started dancing in Bangkok, Thailand. After completing her IB dance training at the International School of Bangkok, she received her BS degree at Skidmore College in Health and Human Physiological Sciences and Dance. Jasmine is pursuing her Masters in Dance Science at the University of Bern, in Switzerland. When not dancing, Jasmine works as a middle and high school teacher. Her hobbies include reading, traveling, and going to concerts. She is incredibly excited for her first season with OnStage and looks forward to many, many more!
JENNIFER KUHNBERG is the Director of OnStage, a choreographer, performer, producer and dance educator. Her work was featured in Salem Arts Fest, Dance For World Community, Providence Movement Festival and Southern Vermont Dance Festival - and her evening-length productions have debuted throughout the Greater Boston Area. Jen’s dance films were selected for the Boston Dance Film Fest, International Fine Arts Film Festival, From This Earth Film Festival, and Film Fest by Rogue Dancer. She produces the annual community dance festivals: OnStage 360° & Dance Class Marathon, serves on the board of the Malden Cultural Council and is a co-founder of the Malden Farmers Market.
ALEX MYERS is excited to make her choreographer debut in her 3rd season with OnStage. She grew up dancing at Elite Dance Academy in Richboro, Pennsylvania and at Olga Kresin Ballet Studio in Northeast Philadelphia. She trained in jazz, tap, ballet, and lyrical, and took great pride assistant teaching younger dancers on her team. Alex continued her dance career in the dance company at Sacred Heart University.
When not dancing or at work in grade school admissions, she enjoys going to as many concerts as possible and spending time with her silly little cat Rio. Alex would like to thank her dancers for their outstanding commitment to this piece and for making every rehearsal so joyful!
HANNAH PERRY is excited to return for her 21st season with OnStage Dance Company! She received training in tap, ballet, jazz, and hip-hop at Brixham Danceworks in South Berwick, Maine, and continued dancing throughout her college years at Lesley University. When she's not in the studio, Hannah works as a Program Coordinator at Danny’s Place.
CATHERINE SHORTLIFFE is thrilled to return to OnStage Dance Company this season to restage "You, Sailor," a tribute to her godfather first created in 2019 for the Season 17 performance. She has performed in twenty seasons with OnStage, presenting many pieces choreographed for both the stage and film, and her work has been featured at Dance for World Community and the Boston Dance Film Festival. Catherine grew up dancing at the Darien Arts Center in Darien, CT, where she also taught dance from 2012-2013. She began choreographing in student showcases with the Theater and Dance Department at Trinity College in Hartford, CT.
ERICA THORP is so happy to be back with her dance family after taking last season off. She is honored to be choreographing her 18th piece for OSDC’s 30th Season! She feels incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to create and dance with so many wonderful humans! She wants to thank her dancers for their trust, input, open hearts & beautiful performances. She also wants to thank her family John, Emma & Liam for all of their support and love!
ADI WOLLNY is thrilled to be back for her fourth season dancing with OnStage and is excited to be choreographing her second piece for this incredible company! Adi grew up dancing in Virginia and served as the president of the Dance Company at Virginia Tech in college. Her favorite styles of dance are hip hop and commercial, and she loves the creativity and energy that performing brings. When she is not dancing, Adi works as a second grade teacher in Watertown and enjoys spending time with her two hound dogs, husband, and daughter, Peyton. She would like to thank her dancers for their hard work, dedication, and passion while dancing in this piece. They truly stepped UP!
SEASON 30 PERFORMANCE
Runtime is approximately 75 minutes. There will be a brief 10 minute intermission.
ACT I
NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS
Choreography by Jennifer Kuhnberg
Dancers: Lucy Dieringer, Kim Grzesik, Jennifer Kuhnberg, Sue Oziemblewski,
Hannah Perry, Abby Solom, Sam Thone, Erica Thorp
Music from “Annie Get Your Gun”, featuring Tom Wopat and Bernadette Peters
GRIP STRENGTH
Choreography by Megan Hall
Dancers: Julie Carrier, Lizzy Gnocchi, Megan Hall, Emily Hong,
Lacey Intoppa, Jessica Taddeo
Music: “Grip Strength” by Eva Snyder
POP
Choreography by Allie Hahn
Dancers: Shannon Bushee, Paige Campbell, Catie Coumounduros, Lucy Dieringer,
Teresa Dominick, Danielle Doody, Willow Gertz, Allie Hahn, Rithika Reddi,
Jil Sapienza Hunt, Sarah Scarbrough, Abby Schwartz, Allie Somers
Music: “Pop” by Harry Styles
STEP UP
Choreography by Adi Wollny
Dancers: Emily Chang, Maddy Dugan-Siniscalchi, Megan Hall, Emily Hong, Jasmine Karaul, Alex Myers,
Sue Oziemblewski, Hannah Perry, Nikki Sanborn, Emily Skaug, Adi Wollny
Music: “I’mma Shine” by Youngbloodz, “‘Bout It” by Yung Joc & 3LW,
“Show Me the Money” by Petey Pablo
THIS IS WHO I AM
Choreography by Melissa deFriesse
Dancers: Molly Berard, Ashley Birman, Julie Carrier, Kayla Coleman, Melissa deFriesse, Teresa Dominick,
Lizzy Gnocchi, Kellie Johnson, Valeria Santangelo, Jessica Taddeo,
Sam Thone, Erica Thorp
Music: “This Is Who I Am” by Celeste
HUSH, HUSH
Choreography by Emily Chang
Dancers: Emily Chang, Emily Hong, Jennifer Kuhnberg, Lindsay Maher, Alex Myers,
Loghan Nace, Victoria Rousseau, Sarah Scarbrough
Music: “Hush Hush; Hush Hush/I Will Survive - Medley” by The Pussycat Dolls
CAN’T HOLD US
Choreography by Hannah Perry
Dancers: Kayla Coleman, Allie Hahn, Kate McKendry, Hannah Perry, Rithika Reddi,
Allie Somers, Rylan Wertz, Adi Wollny
Music: “Can’t Hold Us (feat. Ray Dalton)” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
YOU, SAILOR [THROWBACK]
Choreography by Catherine Shortliffe
Rehearsal Director: Sarah Scarbrough
This piece originally debuted in our Season 17 Performance in June of 2019.
Dancers: Danielle Doody, Kim Grzesik, Elaina Murphy,
Loghan Nace, Jil Sapienza Hunt, Sarah Scarbrough
Music: “You, Sailor” by Erin McKeown
ASTRONOMY
Choreography by Jennifer Kuhnberg
Dancers: Annamae Aurilio, Hilary Clausius, Melissa deFriesse, Megan Hall,
Emily Hong, Lacey Intoppa, Jennifer Kuhnberg, Lindsay Maher, Rithika Reddi,
Victoria Rousseau, Valeria Santangelo, Emily Skaug, Megan Zhang
Music: “Astronomy” by Conan Gray
ACT II
TUSK
Choreography by Alex Myers
Dancers: Molly Berard, Paige Campbell, Hilary Clausius, Kim Grzesik,
Jasmine Karaul, Jennifer Kuhnberg, Lindsay Maher, Alex Myers, Rithika Reddi,
Emily Skaug, Jessica Taddeo, Sam Thone, Megan Zhang
Music: “Tusk” by Fleetwood Mac
BOARD TO DEATH [THROWBACK]
Choreography by Teresa Dominick
This piece originally debuted in our Season 25 Performance in January 2024.
Dancers: Shannon Bushee, Teresa Dominick, Allie Hahn, Rithika Reddi,
Jil Sapienza Hunt, Sarah Scarbrough
Cinematographer, Editor: Andres Calderon @dresticHaus
Director: Jennifer Kuhnberg; 1st AC: Josh Fuller; 2nd AC: Zoe Smith Gaffer/Grip: Felix Schoeck; Production Assistant: Annamae Aurilio
Filmed at The Lyman Estate in Waltham, MA
Music: “A Lavish Affair” by Daniel Pemberton
HERE ALL NIGHT
Choreography by Jasmine Karaul
Dancers: Annamae Aurilio, Molly Berard, Julie Carrier,
Catie Coumounduros, Melissa deFriesse, Lizzy Gnocchi, Megan Hall,
Lacey Intoppa, Jasmine Karaul, Emily Skaug
Music: “Here All Night” by Demi Lovato
SURPRISE, SURPRISE
Guest Choreography by Ryan Casey
Rehearsal Director: Allie Somers
Dancers: Shannon Bushee, Hilary Clausius, Kellie Johnson,
Hannah Perry, Abby Solom, Allie Somers
Music: “I’ve Got You Under My Skin’” by Frank Sinatra
CUP OF LIFE
Choreography by Willow Gertz
Dancers: Lucy Dieringer, Danielle Doody, Willow Gertz, Allyson LaConte,
Jil Sapienza Hunt, Sarah Scarbrough, Abby Schwartz
Music: “The Cup of Life” by Ricky Martin
LOST IT TO TRYING
Choreography by Erica Thorp
Dancers: Annamae Aurilio, Hilary Clausius, Mykayla Cohen, Kayla Coleman,
Melissa deFriesse, Teresa Dominick, Allie Hahn, Sue Oziemblewski, Erica Thorp
Music: “Lost It to Trying” by Son Lux
BEST SONG EVER
Choreography by Danielle Doody
Dancers: Danielle Doody, Kim Grzesik, Kaitlyn McCarron, Loghan Nace, Rylan Wertz
Video Clips featuring past OnStage dances, edited by Teresa Dominick
Music: “Best Song Ever” by One Direction
NO BROKE BOYS
Choreography by Emily Hong
Dancers: Annamae Aurilio, Emily Chang, Mykayla Cohen, Maddy Dugan-Siniscalchi,
Megan Hall, Emily Hong, Lacey Intoppa, Jasmine Karaul, Hannah Perry,
Victoria Rousseau, Nikki Sanborn, Adi Wollny
Music: “No Broke Boys” by Tinashe & Disco Lines, “Chanel” by Tyla,
and “Rude Boy” by Rihanna (DJ Klean Remix)
FINALE
Choreography by Catie Coumounduros, Jasmine Karaul,
Valeria Santangelo, and Rylan Wertz
Dancers: Season 30 Members
Music: “Encore” by Norma Jean Martine