A Tale of A.I. Ascension
Commissioned by Chautauqua Dance
Premiered: June 2025, Chautauqua Amphitheatre
Performed by: Chautauqua Dance Pre-Professional Division
Cast: 12 dancers
Length: 11 minutes
Music: “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” by Paul Dukas
Live music: Chautauqua Music Symphony Festival Orchestra
Choreography, story & costume design: Kara Wilkes
Wardrobe director: Jessica Lustig
Prop & set design: Kara Wilkes
Lighting design: Jenni Propst & Kara Wilkes
Program Director: Sasha Janes
Photo credit: Victoria Bastian
A whimsical reflection of the Intelligence Age, A Tale of A.I. Ascension tells the story of two overwhelmed roommates struggling to keep up with work and household tasks. A humanoid (human-like robot) is mysteriously delivered who proves extremely helpful. Thrilled, the roomies order several more humanoids but are soon challenged when the dutiful robots begin to evolve.
this nostalgia
Commissioned by Ballet Idaho Trainee Program
Premiered: March 2025, Boise State University
Performed by: Ballet Idaho Trainee Program
Cast: 17 dancers
Length: 13 minutes
Music: “The Barrenness of a Busy Life” by Libelle; “Another Sacred Place” (feat. Silvan Strauss) by Lisa Wulff; “The Tilt Of The Axis” by Daniel Herskedal; “Remember This” by Rupert Cox
Choreography & costume design: Kara Wilkes
Wardrobe director: Keri Fitch
Prop design: Kara Wilkes
Lighting design: Dan Feith & Kara Wilkes
Program Director: Stephanie Orza
Photo credit: Michael Paz courtesy of Ballet Idaho
this nostalgia reflects the complex journey of remembering and longing for the past. Viewers follow a main character through various layers of emotion that lead to a final act of letting go. The work also nods to escapism through the use of technology (e.g.: A virtual headset worn by dancers).
For the trees
Commissioned by Chautauqua Dance
Premiered: June 2024, Chautauqua Amphitheatre
Performed by: Chautauqua Dance Pre-Professional Division
Cast: 16 dancers
Length: 13 minutes
Music: “Barfuss Durch Gras” by Hauschka; “Symphony no. 7, II: Allegretto” by Ludwig van Beethoven
Live music: Chautauqua Music Symphony Festival Orchestra
Choreography, story & costume design: Kara Wilkes
Wardrobe director: Jessica Lustig
Prop & set design: Kara Wilkes
Lighting design: Jenni Propst & Kara Wilkes
Program Director: Sasha Janes
Photo credit: Emilee Arnold for The Chautauquan Daily
A piece inspired by research surrounding the communication networks found in forests. Dancers represent layers of activity found in wooded, symbiotic communities: Seed, soil, sand, mycelium, trees, and weather elements. Set to Beethoven’s rich Seventh Symphony, the work weaves various terrain using intricate formations and lush movement reminiscent of Mother Nature’s life cycles.
MORE
Commissioned by Chautauqua Dance
Premiered: June 2023, Chautauqua Amphitheatre
Performed by: Chautauqua Dance Pre-Professional Division
Restaged: November 2024, Florida State University
Performed by: BFA & MFA Students
Cast: 13 dancers
Length: 14 minutes
Music: “The Chairman Dances” by John Adams
Live Music: Chautauqua Music Symphony Festival Orchestra
Choreography, story & costume design: Kara Wilkes
Wardrobe directors: Jessica Lustig; Katrina Lundquist
Lighting designers: Jennifer Propst; Russell Sandifer; Kara Wilkes
Prop design & creation: Kara Wilkes
Program Directors: Sasha Janes; Anjali Austin
Photo credit: Meagan Helman
*Video clip features FSU cast with recorded music
MORE inspires discussion of Consumer Culture. Viewers are swept into a fast-paced cycle featuring three conspiring retailers, eight dutiful delivery people, and two overwhelmed consumers. The fourteen-minute piece examines the power of businesses to sell more merchandise, and faster, via the Internet…capitalizing on society’s addiction to digital devices and the act of acquiring more stuff.
1.5 DEGREES
Commissioned by Traverse City Dance Project
Premiered: July 2022, Maple City, MI
Performed by Traverse City Dance Project
Cast: 5 dancers
Length: 16 minutes
Music: Untitled composition by Jordan Hamilton & Andy Catlin
Live music: Jordan Hamilton & Andy Catlin
Choreography & costume design: Kara Wilkes
Prop & set design: Kara Wilkes
Company directors: Brent Whitney & Jennifer Lott
Photo credit: Susan Kettering
Choreographed during a New Voices (NuVo) Choreographic Residency, 1.5 DEGREES was performed in several cities across northern Michigan. The original score was created in collaboration with cellist Jordan Hamilton & producer Andy Catlin; the musicians played live during most performances. 1.5 DEGREES reflects on urgent aspects of Climate Change in three sections: Drought & Wildfires; Rising Sea Levels; Intensifying Storms.