ABOUT THE DANCES

Artistic Director Jennifer Bassage Bonfil’s debut piece for The Wooden Floor celebrates individuality and uniqueness through dynamic shifts, circular motifs, and the juxtaposition of structure and disorder. The dancers showcase their distinct strengths as they confidently perform both in unison and independently, highlighting each dancer’s extraordinary influence on the ensemble. With much of the original movement generated by the dancers themselves, the work is fueled by a youthful physicality and athleticism. This energetic piece is set to an original score composed by Patrick Vargas and Brian Wood.

Choreographer John Heginbotham’s new work focuses on distance and perspective. It is about the relatively large, like the Milky Way galaxy – our home – and the relatively small, like the planet Earth, North America, California, Orange County, 1810 North Main Street, ourselves, our cells – also our home. Drawing inspiration from NASA’s 1977 Voyager Program, which launched two unmanned spacecraft to explore our solar system (and beyond), this project considers the idea of the pale blue dot on which we live, where everything happens – including dance. Accompaniment by members of the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra.

Choreographer Keely Garfield’s piece, Spoondrift, is the spray of seawater swept from the canopy of waves that is propelled by strong winds. Similarly, the dance surges forth in an oceanic flow of perpetual motion, boosting streams of related activity into the atmosphere. Wave upon wave of inventive movement erupts and wanes, capsizes and rolls, drifts and darts, seeking the path of least resistance. In this sense, the dancers harness the power of working collectively to create harmony and counter the undertow. As it takes myriad drops of individual water to create the ocean, Spoondrift celebrates unity while lifting each dancer’s uniqueness. Original music by Jeff Berman underscores the dance with percussive soundscapes and lyrical twists.

MEET THE CHOREOGRAPHERS

Jennifer Bassage Bonfil is a respected Southern California-based modern dancer, dance maker, and dance educator and serves as The Wooden Floor’s Artistic Director. Jennifer earned her BFA from Chapman University in Dance Performance and a MA in Dance Education through the University of Northern Colorado. Jennifer was as a founding company member of Orange County’s critically acclaimed Backhausdance from 2003 to 2016 and performed in over 15 original works, touring nationally and internationally. Jennifer is an adjunct professor and lecturer who has taught at Chapman University, California State University Long Beach, Santa Ana Community College, and West Coast Conservatory of Ballet. Chapman University awarded Jennifer the Distinguished Alumni Award, and California State University, Fullerton recognized Jennifer at their annual Honor an Educator event, both in 2022.

John Heginbotham is a Brooklyn-based choreographer, performer, and teacher. John graduated from The Juilliard School with a BFA in Dance, and was awarded the Martha Hill Prize for Sustained Achievement in Dance. John was a member of the Mark Morris Dance Group from 1998 – 2012, performing lead roles in several productions, and has toured across the United States and abroad alongside artists including Mikhail Baryshnikov, Yo-Yo Ma, Zakir Hussain, and many others. John received a 2018 Guggenheim Fellowship and the 2014 Jacob’s Pillow Dance Award. In addition to his work with his dance company Dance Heginbotham, John is active as a freelance choreographer including for Netflix’s hit series Umbrella Academy, The Washington Ballet, and Daniel Fish’s highly-acclaimed production of Oklahoma!, which won a 2019 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. John’s growing list of opera commissions include work for San Francisco Opera, LA Opera, Dutch National Opera and many others.

Keely Garfield, a native of London, England, is based in New York City. Her company, Keely Garfield Dance (KGD) has been widely commissioned and presented at theaters and festivals nationally and internationally, garnering several Bessie awards and nominations. A spirit of philosophical investigation and compassionate concern continues to shape Keely’s path as an artist and is central in her creative endeavor. She has also made work for other modern dance companies, theater, musicals, ballet, film, MTV, site-specific projects, schools and universities. Her most recent work The Invisible Project premiered at NYU Skirball in March 2023. Keely is a Guggenheim Fellow, holds an MFA from UWM, and teaches at The New School. Alongside her artistic career, Keely is currently a hospital chaplain working in end-life, and trauma. Spoondrift is Keely’s second project with The Wooden Floor.

PARKING: 

The nearest parking structure is at the corner of Campus and West Peltason, and is right next to the theater.

Parking: Regular price is $13; IBT discounted pricing is $10. Upon entry, please tell the kiosk attendant that you are an Irvine Barclay Theatre patron.
Please note that the parking structure is operated by UCI and not by Irvine Barclay Theatre.

UCI Parking’s online pay-in-advance system is available. Click here to purchase parking in advance

We do not recommend parking in the shopping center across from the theater, as spaces are limited, and non-customer vehicles are subject to towing.

ACCESSIBILITY (can be found here)

LOCAL EATERIES (can be found here)

Arts Night Out

FREE bonus for Friday patrons!
Friday, June 3 at 6:45pm

Explore the work in Hope Abounds with the cast and choreographers Falon Baltzell, Kendra Portier, and Christina Robson at a free pre-performance chat.

Presented by:

Thank you to our
39th Annual Concert Underwriters!   

Honorary Underwriters
The Beall Family Foundation

Associate Underwriters
Marilyn McIntyre
Socie & Ernesto Vasquez

Concert Underwriters
Bobbi Cox
Davis/Dauray Family Fund
Sharon & Terry Hartshorn
Linda and Tod White Charitable Fund
Cath MacIver & Jim Slaughter

Concert Partners
Theresa & Jonathon Allen
Michelle & Timothy Dean
Gochnauer Family Foundation
Yvonne & Damien Jordan
Carole & Rich Lee

Concert Supporters
Hydraflow – The Ayloush Family
The John & CC Nelson Family

*As of 03/7/2022