Director's Note
“…Faith is an openness of attitude, a readiness to accept the truth, whatever it may turn out to be. It is a commitment of oneself to life, to the universe, to one’s own nature as it is, in the realization that we really have no alternative.” — Alan Watts
These last few years have been incredibly destructive, that I have often wondered what there is to truly Believe in. What do I need to sacrifice in order to feel connected to something greater than myself? I have spent so much time wishing for it and fighting for it, that I am now physically and emotionally depleted. Where is it? When will I Believe?
Faith is different. There are no wishes or sacrifices. There is only Truth. And acceptance. It would be such a relief to give over to Faith. For all of us to do it! But I’m scared. Despite my exhaustion, it’s easier to fight for Belief than to release into Faith. The Truth lies in humanity. In all its flaws, beauty and catastrophe. Could we trust each other enough to allow it in? And if so, what would we find there?….
These last few years have been incredibly destructive, that I have often wondered what there is to truly Believe in. What do I need to sacrifice in order to feel connected to something greater than myself? I have spent so much time wishing for it and fighting for it, that I am now physically and emotionally depleted. Where is it? When will I Believe?
Faith is different. There are no wishes or sacrifices. There is only Truth. And acceptance. It would be such a relief to give over to Faith. For all of us to do it! But I’m scared. Despite my exhaustion, it’s easier to fight for Belief than to release into Faith. The Truth lies in humanity. In all its flaws, beauty and catastrophe. Could we trust each other enough to allow it in? And if so, what would we find there?….
Ensemble
Alisa Nipp
Photo Credits: Tori Turnbow - Courtesy of Ballet Hartford
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Born and raised in Laguna Hills, CA, Alisa was introduced to the arts at the age of four. Focusing on ballet, she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Belhaven University. Alisa then danced with Ballet 5:8 in Chicago before moving to Hartford where she currently dances with Ballet Hartford. Throughout her training and professional career, Alisa has embraced the variety of art forms and enjoyed branching out in other genres. She is thrilled for her first physical theatre experience to be with Joni Weisfield and The Other Voice.
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Victoria Jaenson
Photo Credits: Paul DuBois
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Originally from Kampala, Uganda, Victoria began her formal dance training at the age of seven in Vermont. She later studied at the Rock School in Philadelphia, under directors Bo and Stephanie Spassoff. In 2017, Victoria spent a year studying at The Hartt School at University of Hartford. In 2018, she began her professional career by joining Charlotte Ballet II under the artistic direction of Hope Muir. Last summer, 2021, she performed with Des Moines Metro Opera as a dancer for the operas “Platée” and “Queen of Spades.” This past season she danced with Ballet Theatre Company under Stephanie Dattellas, as well as Dimensional Dance under Ruth Lewis. Victoria grew up acting in musical theater, so she has been so excited to explore her acting more with The Other Voice theater in “Believe.”
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Missy Burmeister
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MISSY BURMEISTER is a theater director, performer and arts educator making her debut with The Other Voice’s BELIEVE. For the past thirteen years, she has been teaching at the Greater Hartford Academy of Arts and in 2021 was named the Academy’s Artist Instructor of the Year. Missy is also the director of Looking In Theater, a youth social justice ensemble. Missy received her BFA in Theatre and Television from Texas Christian University and her MA in Directing from Texas State University. Gratitude to the entire ensemble and her family.
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The Crew
Joni Weisfeld
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Joni is The Artistic Director of THE OTHER VOICE. She is an actor and director who has trained in a variety of movement techniques including Suzuki, Animal Essence, LeCoq and Butoh. As an actor Joni has performed throughout New York City, New England and in National Tours. Her experience ranges from classical to contemporary. She has acted in published plays, new work, and devised pieces. Joni is also a comedian, specializing in the physical realm, with a background in stand-up. As a Director, Joni has reinvigorated older works such as THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, ROMEO AND JULIET, THE SEAGULL and MEDEA. She has created new work for the New York and Hartford Fringe Festivals. Fiercely collaborative, Joni has fostered new play development with Bated Breath Theater Company and Hartbeat Ensemble. Her passion lies in creating theatrical experiences generated from the deep questions that lie in the body.
(http://www.joniweisfeld.com) |
Adam Bintz
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Adam Bintz has worked around the country at various regional theaters and venues including Portland Center Stage, Hartford Stage, and Walt Disney World. This is Adam’s second collaboration with Joni and The Other Voice. Sound Design credits include: Masks and the Monster (The Other Voice), Elton Undressed, Every Brilliant Thing. Regional: Count, Sense & Sensibility, Dot, A Christmas Carol, Leaving Eden (PlayMakers Repertory Company), Love Letters (Long Wharf Theater) Romeo & Juliet, The Tempest (Hall High School), She Kills Monsters (Hartford Academy of the Arts) Adam is currently the Audio Visual Supervisor at TheaterWorks Hartford.
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K. Ashlynn Abbott
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K. Ashlynn Abbott, a Connecticut native, is thrilled to return to her roots and some of her favorite humans to help develop this piece. Since leaving Connecticut, she has served as a Senior Stage and Production Manager for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, and as a Stage Manager or Assistant Stage Manager for opera companies all over the country, including Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Arizona Opera, and Indiana University Opera Theatre. Her favorite projects are the opera world premieres she has been a part of, particularly the (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, and Harvey Milk. She would like to thank Joni and the entire ensemble for reigniting her belief in the artistic process and her fiancee, Jenn, for supporting her no matter how many miles away her dreams take her.
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Nora Hardee
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Nora Hardee is a theatre maker and artist who graduated this May from Muhlenberg College with concentrations in Performance Studies, Acting, and Directing. She chose to step out of her comfort zone into the role of ASM because she knew how enjoyable it is to work with Joni and Missy, who were two of her favorite teachers in high school at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, on similar physical theatre projects. She is honored to join the incredible group of people working on this show upon her return to the Hartford area.
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Eric Ambrosino
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Eric Ambrosino is a Retired Avionics Electrical Engineer. Currently owner of AMBROSONICS, LLC Music Products. A Musician, Composer and Performer Guitars, Bass Guitar and a bit of Piano.
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Ben Haseltine
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Recently graduated from the University of Hartford's B.F.A Actor Training Program with a minor in marketing, Ben is passionate about all things inventive and he couldn't be more thrilled to be working on a theatrical escapade that is THE OTHER VOICE's "BELIEVE."
(http://www.benhaseltine.com) |
Ashley Grace Pope
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Ashley Pope is currently a rising senior at the University of Hartford and is completing a degree in Acting. Ashley is very passionate about clothing & personal style so being the costume designer in Joni’s piece has helped invigorate her creative passion. A message that Ashley wants to get across through her costume work is the idea that even though we are all so different, through colors we can find similarities we thought did not exist.
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James Keller
Production Consultant
Made Possible By:
The Music and Arts Committee at the Aslyum Hill Congregational Church
The CREATION OF NEW WORK Grant from the Edward C. and Ann T. Robert’s Foundation
The EVENTS GRANT from The Greater Hartford Arts Council and Hartford Creates
LetsGoArts.org
With support from The Charter Oak Cultural Center.
Special Thanks to TheaterWorks for Technical and Equipment Support.
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