Training Student Showcase: Maesie Kost

August 29, 2024
7:30 PM ET
Gibney: Agnes Varis Performing Arts Center
The Theater (Studio H)

Gibney proudly presents an evening of work by Professional Training Student Maesie Kost. Experience Maesie Kost’s film “Only a Quarter” and live work “The First Astronaut” and “Please Watch Me!”—in a culminating performance of her time as a Gibney Professional Training student.

CAST AND COLLABORATORS

The First Astronaut
Choreographed and Performed by Maesie Kost
Lighting Design: Beaudau Banks

Only a Quarter
Director/Choreographer: Maesie Kost
Cinematographer: Charlie Desgagne
Performers: Bryn Bridgen, Linnea Goldstrom, Keili Massicotte, Veronica Allen, Anna Limbera, Hannah Featherstone, Alicia Steeves, Maddie Musgraves
Editors: Maesie Kost and Charlie Desgagne
Additional Camera: Kamen Staykov and Sydney Ramage
Production Assistants: Tori Oberin and Felix Ford
16mm Processing and Scans Provided by Kodak Film Labs, NY

Please Watch Me!
Please Watch Me! is a work in process. The piece researches observation and the relationship between dancer and audience. There is a privilege in the act of watching others, to witness is to participate. We are all active collaborators, the creation propels itself forward. We gather from others, what does it mean to share?
Choreographer: Maesie Kost
Assistant Choreographer: Ben Moleta
Performers: Gabby Flanders, Veronica Allen, Isaac Velazquez, Alicia Steeves, Maddie Musgraves, Alana Averett, Hannah Featherstone
Lighting Design: Beaudau Banks
Composer: Matt Bryce
Cover Art: Syd Lewis

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Maesie Kost is a multi-disciplinary artist from Calgary, Canada. She graduated from the Professional Division of Alberta Ballet School under the artistic direction of Ashley McNeil. Throughout her training, Maesie had many opportunities to expand her horizons, including studying at Batsheva Dance Company’s summer intensive. Maesie’s freelance career began in Vancouver, where she developed a passion for choreographing film and music videos. This journey led her to New York City, where she is currently attending the Gibney Dance Choreographic Process Program. The faculty and environment of study have infused knowledge, diversity, and integrity into Maesie’s work. Also being a film and theatre actor, Maesie integrates her experiences across various artistic disciplines. She draws inspiration from this nuance, using collaboration and physical sensation as central elements in her choreography. Driven by a profound admiration for her peers, Maesie is dedicated to engaging in projects that challenge conventions and inspire growth.

Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Veronica Allen (she/her) is a movement artist motivated by collaboration and authenticity. She graduated with a BFA in Dance Performance from UC Irvine in 2023, where she was recognized for her excellence in dance as a Donald McKayle scholar. She has done additional intensive training in programs with OBOC (Countertechnique), Doug Varone and Dancers, and Gallim Dance. Allen attributes much of her influence and inspiration to her recent completion with the GibneyPRO training program directed by Alexandra Wells. Here she worked in process with distinguished artists such as Adam Barruch, Sidra Bell, Peter Chu, Laja Field, Ana Maria Lucaciu, and Lea Ved. Moving forward, she strives to continue bringing curiosity, joy, and playfulness into creative processes.

Alana Averett is an artist currently based in New York City. Since graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2023 from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Dance and Psychology, she has joined the Gibney Independent Training Program to continue her dance training. She works to maintain her movement versatility while integrating her faith and research into her practice.

Hannah Featherstone (She/Hers) is a New York based artist who grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She went to Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists and trained with Crash Dance Productions during her time in highschool. She attended Point Park University as a Modern Concentration where she was able to learn and perform works by many choreographers such as Norbert De La Cruz III, LaTasha Barnes, Lloyd Culbreath, Marc Spaulding, and Christopher Huggins. Hannah received her certificate from the Gibney Independent Study Program in February 2024 where she has been able to work with many talented artists who have inspired and challenged her into growing into the artist she is today. Through this program, she has had the opportunity to learn from Baye and Asa, Ohad Nahirin, Laja Field of LAJAMARTIN, Nicole von Arx, Adam Barruch, Mark Caserta, and Dual Rivet. She continues to immerse herself into the NYC dance scene and is thankful for everyone who has been a part of this wonderful journey

Gabriella (Gabby) Flanders, originally from Monterey California moved to New York to attend NYU Tisch School of the Arts where she graduated cum laude. After graduating she joined the inaugural cohort of the GibneyPRO professional training program under the direction of Alexandra Wells and Gilbert T Small II. She has performed works by world-renowned artists such as Yin Yue, Rena Butler, Dwight Rhoden, Maleek Washington, Laja Field and many others. Most recently Gabriella joined the Sean Curran Company and has performed several world premieres with the company including ones at The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., Museo Del Barrio, and The Irish Arts Center in New York City.

Maddie Musgraves (she/her) is originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan and is now based in Brooklyn, New York. Maddie is a freelance mover, maker, and instructor with a passion for sharing her perspectives on the world through movement. In May of 2023, she received her BFA in Dance and a minor in Spanish from Indiana University. This past April, she made her NYC performing debut with Go.Co, directed by Maggie Golder, at Westfest Dance Festival. Since then she has performed at WAXworks and in various dance films, most recently “Mein Herr” choreographed by Brayden Singley. Maddie has participated in programs such as the Gibney Company Intensive, NVA & Guests workshop, and Dance Italia’s Advanced Training Intensive – all of which have furthered her dance exploration and understanding.

Alicia Steeves is from a small town outside of Toronto where she started her dance training at her local studio. She began her formal training at Alberta Ballet School and continued her education at Marymount Manhattan College and where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a gold key achievement award in ballet and choreography with a minor in photography. During that time she was member of the MMC Dance Company for 3 seasons. She has worked with Sidra Bell, Jenn Freeman, Joy Alpuerto Ritter, Darshan Bhuller, Christian Von Howard, Katie Langan, Netta Yerushalmy, and Jennifer Archibald. She has also performed in Dance Against Cancers Youth Movement, Candy Box Dance Festival, Steps Choreography Lab, WAXworks, and Earl Mosley’s Diversity of Dance.

Isaac Velazquez, 19, is a dance major at NYU from Reading, PA. Since moving to NYC, he has appeared in commercials, music videos, and films and has worked with brands like Ralph Lauren, Kiehl’s, and Miniso. Isaac has trained with various studios around the city including Joffrey Ballet School where he practiced both concert and commercial styles. As a teacher’s assistant at NYU and Elizabeth Town College, Isaac has taught an array of techniques, sharing his passion for dance with students of all levels. To keep up with Isaac and watch him pursue his dream, follow his Instagram @isaacxvelazquez

Matt Bryce is a young composer entering the industry with a diverse musical background. They have a foundation in jazz piano and have worked as a classical pianist, playing for class at Alberta Ballet and for Cecchetti Examinations. Currently studying Film Scoring online at Berklee College of Music, they are actively building a portfolio in theater and cinematic composition. They have had enriching experiences in the industry thus far, such as being an on-site composer for a dance company in Vancouver, BC. Matt currently dances with a classical ballet company in Miami, FL, consuming and appreciating both sides of the creative process. For this project, their work draws inspiration from Ryuichi Sakamoto, Phillip Glass, and Bernard Herrmann. Despite their long-standing friendship with Maesie, this collaboration marks the first of many.

Charlie Desgagné is from Chicago, Illinois, based in Vancouver, Canada. Since he could barely hold a camera, Charlie has been fascinated by capturing and controlling light. He now works as a Cinematographer, shooting narrative and commercial projects across Canada and the United States. Charlie’s visual style is complex and provocative, focusing on the relationship between memory and identity. His tone and technique both toe the line between the natural and the unnatural, which pair strongly with Maesie’s choreography. Their choice to shoot “Only a Quarter” on 16mm film displays a confidence that is palpable throughout the entire piece.

Based in Vancouver and New York City, Syd Lewis is a Canadian visual artist whose ardent interests in abstract expressionism, color field painting and lyrical abstraction have inspired a formalistic approach to art-making, primarily concerning the activation of feelings and emotional associations through art, and relationships between colors, forms, materiality, and place. Lewis, 22, is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of British Columbia, and has studied at The Art Students League of New York under artists Pat Lipsky, Ronnie Landfield and James Little.

GIBNEY INDEPENDENT TRAINING PROGRAM

The Gibney Independent Training offers students from across the world the opportunity to train full time at Gibney, New York City’s premiere destination for contemporary dance. Training Students at Gibney have the opportunity to train with NYC’s foremost dance educators, gain practical skills toward building a sustainable career in the arts, and join a network of incredible dance artists. Each Training Student in the Choreographic Process Track spends six to twelve months creating and producing an original work, culminating in a final performance in The Theater at Gibney.

Photo by Charlie Desgagné