Perspectives

PREMIERING A NEW WORK BY CHLOE ROBERTS INSPIRED BY THE WORK OF WOMEN ARTISTS FROM THE 18TH CENTURY TO CURRENT DAY, BROUGHT TO LIFE BY NEBULA'S
BI-COASTAL CAST OF DANCERS FROM SANTA BARBARA AND NYC.

Nubula Dance Lab Company:
Devyn Duex Artistic Director/Founder
Ashley Kohler Reynolds Rehearsal Director/Dancer
Chloé Grace Roberts Choreography/dancer
Meredith Ventura Lighting/Dancer
Sam Dei Rossi Stage Manager
Callie Rosenbaum Dancer
Eliza Summerhays Dancer
Emily McKinney Dancer
Kaitlyn Soloway Dancer
Monique Nadeau Dancer
Nathan Burdine-Ortega Dancer

View Bios

Perspectives Show Order:

“text”
Dancer: Meredith Ventura
Music: “I Get Along Without You Very Well” by Chet Baker

“power, home, balance”
Dancers: Kaitlyn Soloway, Eliza Summerhays, Callie Rosenbaum
Music: “Fée - Just Piano Version” by FKJ, “Rue des trois frères” by Fabrizio Paterlini, “Ode to Vivian” by Patrick Wilson, “An Encounter” by the 1975, “Ylang Ylang” by FKJ (((O)))

“Starry Night and the Astronauts”
Dancers: Monique Nadeau, Ashley Kohler-Reynolds, Emily McKinney
Music: “Jasper’s Song” by Flume

“Red Poppy”
Dancer: Chloé Roberts
Music: “Song On The Beach” by Arcade Fire

“Remember”
Dancers: Monique Nadeau, Ashley Kohler-Reynolds, Emily McKinney
Music: “Remember” by Balmorhea

“Group IV, The Ten Largest, No. 7, Adulthood”
Dancers: Kaitlyn Soloway, Eliza Summerhays, Callie Rosenbaum, Chloé Roberts
Music: “The 1975” by The 1975

“The Two Fridas”
Dancer: Ashley Kohler-Reynolds
Music: “Self Portrait With Hair Down” and “Solo Tu” by Elliot Goldenthal

“Lakes Drying, Tides Rising”
Dancers: Meredith Ventura, Emily McKinney
Music: “Nature Boy” by Nat King Cole
Choreography in collaboration with Meredith Ventura

“Violets”
Dancer: Monique Nadeau
Music: “Je Te Veux” by Erik Satie, Juliette, and Alexandre Tharaud

“Mechanical Cabaret”
Dancers: Callie Rosenbaum, Eliza Summerhays, Kaitlyn Soloway, Chloé Roberts
Music: “Voodoo (Wabash Blues + Voodoo) by Frank Don Five, Swizz Beats

“Lady Hamilton as a Bacchante”
Dancer: Emily McKinney
Music: “San Solomon” by Balmorhea

“Fireflies on the Water”
Dancers: Emily McKinney, Kaitlyn Soloway, Eliza Summerhays, Callie Rosenbaum, Chloé Roberts, Monique Nadeau, Ashley Kohler-Reynolds
Meredith Ventura
Music: “Ba Ba” by Sigur Rós

The Dance Network
Director: Karyn Laver
Music: Air Mail Special

Guest Performances

In the Bleak Midwinter
Music: The Four Seasons Concerto No. 4 by Antonio Vivaldi
Choreography: Meredith Ventura
Costumes: Meredith Ventura
The Dance Network Company

Dancers are split by soloists/corps

Soloists: Hailey Maynard, Gabrielle Mitchell, Alexis Robards
Corps: Audrey Coomes, Aidan Crow, Isabelle Cummings, McKenzie Gosney, Elianne Holt, Madison Huntington, Isabel Koontz, Natascha Leddy, Selene Parke, Maddie Stiner, Katie Thomas, Avery Wallace

Air Mail Special
Music: Air Mail Special (Club des Belugas Remix) by Ella Fitzgerald
Choreographer: Karyn Laver
Dancers: Shae Cogswell, Caitlin Davis, Lauren Hovey, Lindsay Huddle, and Karyn Laver
The Dance Network Company

Perceptions inspired by:

Carol Ann Duffy, b. 1955 – ‘Text’

Rupi Kaur, b. 1992

Joy Harjo, b. 1951 – ‘Remember’

Louise Gluck, b. 1943 – ‘The Red Poppy’

Frida Khalo, b. 1907 – “The Two Fridas” 1939

Alma Thomas, b. 1891 – “Starry Night and the Astronauts”, 1970

Pauline Powell Burns, b. 1876 – “Violets”, c. 1890

Vigée le Brun, b. 1755 – “Lady Hamilton as a Bacchante” c. 1790

Hilma af Klint, b. 1862 – “Group IV, The Ten Largest, No. 7, Adulthood”, 1907

Yayoi Kusama, b.1929 – “Fireflies on the Water” 2002

Nazgol Ansarinia, b. 1979 – “Lakes Drying, Tides Rising”, 2022

Nebula Dance Lab Company

DEVYN DUEX (Founder/President & Artistic Director), named as one of the Top Women in Business by the Pacific Coast Business Times, has an eclectic background performing extensively in the United States as a dancer/ actress/singer on stage and in film/TV. Devyn has performed with the James Sewell Ballet, Straw Hat Players, The Pittsburgh Playhouse, Cabrillo Music Theater, Buena Vida Productions, Universal Pictures, American Entertainment, Moorhead State University, Cabrillo Music Theater, Skits Outreach Company, and more. With her prior dance company, Universal Dance based in LA, she performed at over 200 events in two years; performing in the US/Internationally. As a choreographer, Devyn has had the opportunity to work with the Pittsburgh Playhouse, Pittsburgh Playhouse Junior, Straw Hat Players, and Fargo Elementary School choreographing for the Theater. Since moving to Santa Barbara in 2003, Devyn has dedicated her energy to modern dance, working with Motion Theater Dance Company, SonneBlauma Danscz Theater, and independent choreographers: Marcos Duran, Heather Shea, and Nicole Helton “As We Are”. Her new work “Release” was debuted in 2008 & 2009 in collaboration with the Fusion Dance Company’s show Intertwine and Daughter of Zion Dance Company’s show Je’ Taime, and reworked in 2012-2013 into a six section piece debuted under Nebula, as its fourth original new work ‘Sand Into Glass’ in 2012 and 2013 to sold out houses. In 2015 she was proud to premiere Nebula’s 9th new original work Push & Pull in collaboration with choreographer Shelby Lynn Joyce, ‘If Strangers Weren’t Strangers’ a comedic work exploring social interaction, and most recently collaborated to choreograph a scene in Through the Looking Glass. Devyn holds a BA in Theater Arts- Musical Theater from Point Park University and an MBA/MKT degree from the University of Phoenix. She is a member of SAG and AFTRA. Devyn would like to thank her husband Shawn for his continued support, and her two children for their constant examples of movement expression and unconditional love.

Ashley Kohler Reynolds is a Santa Barbara based Dancer and Instructor. She has been performing with Nebula Dance Lab for seven seasons, and has acted as Rehearsal Director for two. She is also a Company Member of local Contemporary Dance Company, Selah Dance Collective, under the direction of Meredith Ventura. Aside from performing, Ashley also has a passion for teaching. She has been on staff at Los Olivos Dance Gallery for 15 years, and also teaches in local schools through Children’s Creative Project.

Chloé Grace Roberts is a New York City-based dancer, educator, and choreographer. Roberts earned her BA in History from Fort Lewis College, her MA from Boston College, and is currently a PhD candidate at UC Santa Barbara. She was the recipient of the Franco-American Fulbright Fellowship in Paris for the 2021-2022 year, and has choreographed and performed internationally for the past 12 years. Company work includes Urbanity Dance Company (Boston, MA), Selah Dance Collective (Santa Barbara, CA), Nebula Dance Lab (Santa Barbara, CA), The Prague Shakespeare Company (Prague, Czech Republic), PMT Dance Company (NYC), and Reject Dance Theatre (New York City). As associate artistic director for the New York City branch of Selah Dance Collective, she recently co-produced an evening-length performance at Gibney Dance with dancers from throughout the United States. Recent theater productions include Chicago (Liz and Dance Captain), American Psycho (Choreographer), Grease (Cha-Cha and Dance Captain), How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying (Choreographer), Marilyn Exposed (ensemble), and High Society (Mavis and dance captain). A sought-after choreographer for both competition, theater, and concert stages, Roberts travels nationally and internationally as a dance educator and adjudicator. She is a judge and member of Impact Dance Adjudicators, as well as a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association. She is represented by Lakey Wolff at Lakey Wolff & Co in NYC.

IG: @chloerobertsdance

Meredith Ventura graduated with honors from the University of California, Santa Barbara, with a B.F.A. in Dance. During her studies, she traveled to Tel Aviv, Israel, to study with Batsheva Dance Company. Ms. Ventura received her M.F.A. in dance at Hollins University in collaboration with the Künstlerhaus Mousonturm, Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt am Main, and The Dresden Frankfurt Dance Company (formerly the Forsythe Company) and is now pursuing a Ph.D. in Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies at UC Santa Barbara. As the founder and artistic director of Selah Dance Collective, Ms. Ventura has produced full evening-length performances and presented works throughout the United States and abroad, most recently in France, Estonia, Norway, Finland, and Italy. She travels nationally and internationally as a dance educator and advocate for the arts and most recently, she was named the Professional Track program director at State Street Ballet. Meredith has worked with Nebula Dance Lab since 2015 as a dance artist and collaborator.

Callie Rosenbaum is a NYC based dancer and performer. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. Recent productions include Footloose (Dancer/ Ensemble), Guys and Dolls (Hot Box Dancer), and original works by COLLIDE Theatrical Dance Company. She recently performed as a guest artist with Selah Dance Collective (dir. Meredith Ventura, chor. Chloé Roberts) for the Gibney POP series in NYC and appeared in a premiere work by Adrian Lee at the Steps on Broadway NYC Industry Showcase in 2023. This is her premiere season with Nebula Dance Lab. She is represented by Lucille DiCampli Artist Representation.

IG: @calrosenbaum

Monique Nadeau is a dancer from Orange County. Monique studied at La Danse in La Mirada before moving to Santa Barbara in 2003. She has been a multidisciplinary dancer in the community with credits including UCSB Dance Team, Rhythm Street Team, and Fusion Dance Company. Her current works include SELAH Dance Collective, and this will be her seventh season with Nebula Dance Lab. Monique spends her days as a Labor & Delivery nurse at Cottage Hospital.

Eliza Summerhays is a New York City based dancer. She graduated with a degree in Dance Performance from Brigham Young University and has toured internationally to Prague, Slovakia, Budapest, Wurtzburg, Vienna, and Italy. Recent work includes: Steps On Broadway Industry Showcase 2023 (dir. Adrian Lee), Disney's Tarzan (leopard/featured dancer), Our Roots: A Celebration of Who We Are, as well as commercial and music video work. This is her premiere season with Nebula Dance LAb. Eliza is represented by Paige Chambers Rutsche at Resolute Artists Agency.

IG: @elixza

Emily McKinney, from California’s Bay Area, studied at the Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet in New York City, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, and Boston Ballet School. Through Emily's extensive training she has developed skills in classical ballet, contemporary dance, and musical theater. She graduated magna cum laude from Dominican University in 2018, with a BFA from the Alonzo King LINES Ballet program and a minor in Communications. After graduating, she joined State Street Ballet's Professional Track where she performed with the company in Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Evenings, and American Masters. She then joined State Street Ballet for the 20/21 and 21/22 seasons, and is a company member with Nebula Dance Lab and Selah Dance Collective. Emily is now an instructor at Nashville Ballet and is beyond thrilled to be back in Santa Barbara to return for a third season with Nebula Dance Lab!

Kaitlyn Soloway is a NYC based dancer, choreographer, teacher, and performer. She received her BFA in DAnce from the University of Michigan with highest honors from the School of Music, Theatre & Dance. She has performed in works choreographed by Shannon Gillen, Meredith Monk, Jawole Willa Jo Zolar, Ron DeJesús, Laya Barak, Kellen Stancil, Bo Park, and Josh Assor. She recently performed in Candide, dir. by Matthew Ozawa, choreography by Todd Rhoades and Ann Evans Watson. Her award winning choreography has been recognized by the University of Illinois, the American College Dance Association (“ACDA”) and Dance Chicago. Training includes: Movement Invention Project, Axis Connect, Gibney Dance Company, DanceWorks Chicago and Marcat Dance. Recent performances include Broadway Bares, Night of Life, Selah Dance Collective, and for Creative Streak Entertainment. She is a member of PMT Dance Company, and this is her premiere season with Nebula Dance Lab. Commercial work includes: Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and the Mean Girls Musical Movie. Follow along with Kaitlyn on Instagram

IG: @katiesoloway

Nathan (instructor) is a Santa Barbara native. He studied dance at Ventura and Moorpark Colleges and graduated from UCSB with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance with an emphasis in choreography. Picking up dance at a late age of 18, his training started with a rigorous gymnastics and diving regime for ten plus years. He then went on to dance in college and found a love for hip-hop. In 2004 he was on MTV’s show The Wade Robson Projects as one of the top 25 finalists in Los Angels, as well as dancing in music videos and has graced his presence across international stages. In 2014 he toured with UCSB’s Senior Dance Company across Europe through Prague and Italy. He has choreographed for many colleges throughout California, Washington and Arizona, creating works to bring joy, comedy and thoughtful art to the minds of audience members. He has been teaching since he was 16, and for the past several years has taught at many studios, gymnastics and Cheer Gyms in the Ventura and Orange Counties.

Thank you to our Sponsors

Nebula Dance Lab is funded in part by the COMMUNITY ARTS GRANT PROGRAM using funds provided by the City of Santa Barbara in partnership with the Santa Barbara County Arts Commission, The Lobero Theater Fund, CAPTRUST Community Foundation, Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation, & Santa Barbara Education Fund in partnership with funds provided by the Leni Fe Bland Foundation.