Created and Directed by

Founding Artistic Director
Mark Howard

Associate Artistic Director
Chelsea Hoy

Original music by
Brendan O’Shea & Mark Howard
With contributions from Mike Altergott, Chris Devlin, Jake James, and Steven Rutledge
Additional original music by Sheila Chandra, Liam Gallagher, and Mike Kirkpatrick

Production and Lighting Design by
Al Crawford 

Sound Design by
Christopher Marc

Costume design by
Lauren Carmen

Production Management by
Garvin Jellison

JIG is dedicated to the grace and power of Howard and O’Shea’s resilient Irish mothers,who shared the optimistic sentiment: ‘Things will turn out.’

For more about JIG and Trinity Irish Dance Company, visit trinityirishdancecompany.com

For future booking information, please contact:

Barbara Frum - outer/most

416.727.0725 | bfrum@outermostagency.com  | www.outermostagency.com

The Band
Christopher Devlin
Jake James
Brendan O’Shea
Steven Rutledge

The Dancers
Courtney D’Angelo
Maggie Darlington
Ali Doughty
Lydia Fredrick
Anna Gorman
Abigail Graham-Luke
Chelsea Hoy
Francisco Lemus
Sergio Téllez

Production Staff

Lighting Director & Stage Manager
Haley Burdette

Sound Engineers
Mike Altergott and Henry Mayr

IT’S NOT A LONG WAY

JUMBLE THE WORDS

HORNPIPE

I’VE ALL I NEED

GODDESS

- Intermission -

SEISUÍN

LISTEN

STILL

SOLES

PUSH

HOME

Additional music by Chris Devlin (‘Jumble the Words’), Sheila Chandra (‘Goddess’), Liam Gallagher (I’ve All I Need’), and Mike Kirkpatrick (‘Listen’)

Additional choreography by Sean Curran (‘Goddess’), and Colin Dunne (‘Listen’)

TRINITY IRISH DANCE COMPANY (TIDC) has significantly changed the direction and scope of Irish dance, re-introducing the art form as the phenomenon it is today. TIDC is constantly in search of an original means of expression while maintaining a high regard for tradition. This cutting-edge nonprofit company was created to celebrate the pioneering work of Founding Artistic Director Mark Howard. Howard’s uniquely Irish-American company was the birthplace of progressive Irish dance, an innovative movement genre which opened new avenues of artistic freedom that led directly to commercial productions such as “Riverdance.”

By using Irish dance as an instrument and a metaphor, TIDC redefines the medium with passion, flair, and precision. Through a unique blend of uncompromising power and grace, TIDC sends a consistent message of female empowerment with a repertory that has elevated the art form for over three decades.

Considered an American treasure by critics and enthusiasts worldwide, TIDC has performed sold-out tours in Europe, Asia, and North America, appearing in distinguished venues, such as New York's The Joyce Theater, Washington D.C.'s Kennedy Center, UCLA's Royce Hall, Ottawa's National Arts Center of Canada, Tokyo’s Orchard Hall, and Chicago's Auditorium Theatre, among many others. TIDC has traveled to entertain dignitaries as varied as Monaco’s royal family, Irish and American presidents, Japanese royalty, and Indian meditation masters.

TIDC holds an important place in the dance world, offering both a highly skilled presentation of traditional Irish step dance and a brilliantly engaging interpretation of contemporary world vision.

FOUNDING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

MARK HOWARD (Founding Artistic Director/Choreographer) For more than three decades, this pioneering choreographer has been striving for and achieving that which is profoundly significant and equally difficult to attain—the transcendence of craft to art and the synthesis of forms to create something that is forward-looking and new. His work maintains integrity while simultaneously going beyond the framework of ethnicity to carve new traditions.

Born in Yorkshire, England, and raised in Chicago, Howard began his dancing career at eight years old at the Dennehy School of Irish Dance. He began teaching when he was only 17 years old, and by 19 he had launched the Trinity Academy of Irish Dance, subsequently leading them to unprecedented World Championship team titles for the United States—the first when he was only 25.

Howard’s groundbreaking work in the late 80s led to his unique transition from the competitive stage to the performing arts stage and began his gradual evolution from coach to artistic director. By 1990, these formative years led to the creation of a nonprofit forum, Trinity Irish Dance Company (TIDC), to celebrate and further his work. From its inception, TIDC has been met with great critical acclaim across the world.

Howard was a regular guest on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson from 1989 until 1991, and his choreography has accumulated a multitude of national and international television credits including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, CBS This Morning, The Today Show, Live with Regis, Good Morning America, MARTHA, and CONAN, to name a few. From PBS and ABC specials, to extensive film work for Disney, Touchstone, Universal, and Dream Works, Howard has worked with the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Ron Howard, and Sam Mendez. He was the personal dance coach for actors Tom Hanks and Daniel Craig while working on the film Road to Perdition. Howard’s work has led to numerous Choreographer's Fellowships awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts and he has been named three times as one of Irish American Magazine’s “Top 100 Irish-Americans.” He was inducted into the Irish American Hall of Fame in 2023, joining fellow arts and humanities inductees including Bill Murray and Conan O’Brien.

Howard continues to choreograph new works, as well as expand his independent career to work in theater, television, concert, and film. The feature film screenplay SOLES, which focuses on Howard and Trinity, is currently in the works. 

ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

CHELSEA HOY (Associate Artistic Director/Choreographer) At 28, Denver-born Hoy has already become a major player in the performing arts world. Generous, rebellious, creative and complex, her choreographic influence has significantly shaped TIDC’s newest works, from Communion, to Soles and Push.  Hoy has co-choreographed two works alongside Mark Howard, An Sorcas (The Circus), which saw its preview in Tokyo and had its New York premiere at the Joyce Theater, and Taking the Mick which will celebrate its world premiere at Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre this March.

In the dance studio, Hoy finds the creative process to be a rewarding and therapeutic combination of fluid expression and technical configuration. She is a game changer with a big vision, motivated by the ability this art form has to deeply connect strangers and friends alike.

Chelsea grew up dancing competitively for the Wick School of Irish Dance in Denver, Colorado. She joined TIDC in 2014 after she began her studies at Loyola University Chicago. She graduated in 2017 with bachelors degrees in Psychology and Photography.  In addition to helping guide the company’s future, she is a professional photographer, dance instructor, and visual artist. Hoy’s love of empowering children through the arts continues to shape TIDC’s outreach programming. A powerful activist and artist, she has been entrusted with TIDC’s ethos and future.  

THE BAND

CHRISTOPHER DEVLIN (Guitar and vocals) is a Chicago-based musician who began playing guitar at 8 years old. He has since grown as a multi-instrumentalist and is a professional analog recording engineer and producer. Devlin has been a collaborator with varied musical acts across the country and was a key member of the band Rookie, which saw nationwide success as a touring rock band. Dedicated to community and culture, Devlin is a founding member of the Treehouse Collective, which owns one of the most prestigious analog recording studios in Chicago. Devlin’s dream is to open “The Workshop”: an accessible studio for Chicago artists in need of a space to create.  Devlin took his first trip to Japan with the company in 2016, and is incredibly honored to share his talents with TIDC on international stages.

JAKE JAMES (Fiddle and bódhran) is a two-time All-Ireland fiddle champion, bodhrán player, and dancer from New York City. He has been called “one of the finest and most accomplished young musicians around.” The Irish Echo called his 2018 album “Firewood” an “outstanding debut solo recording.” Since then, he has released “In Reel Time” with fellow NYC flute player Brenda Dowling and become a member of The Consequences who released their debut album “When You Weren’t Looking” in summer 2023. Jake has performed at various venues including the Irish Arts Center, BB King's, Gracie Mansion, and Carnegie Hall. Additionally, he has a Masters in Composition from the Aaron Copland School of Music.

BRENDAN O’SHEA (Guitar, vocals and composer) is a singer-songwriter originally from Killarney, Ireland who moved to the United States in the late 90′s. Since then, he has become a veteran of New York City’s songwriter scene and has released five albums that have garnered praise from critics and press around the world. TIDC’s lead singer for over 25 years, with or without a guitar in hand, O’Shea excels at drawing people in. His latest album “Midatlantic Ghost,” a beautiful acoustic record with songs of leaving and of love, is available on iTunes. Visit www.brendanosheamusic.com for more info.

STEVEN RUTLEDGE (Percussionist) is a Portland-born, Chicago-based freelance musician and music instructor with a strong passion for playing and teaching music. Growing up in Portland, Steven studied at the University of Oregon and received a B.A. in Drum Set and Percussion Performance from Columbia College Chicago. While there, he spent three years studying privately with Chicago-based musician Tom Hipskind, who is currently one of the most sought-after drummers in the Midwest. Rutledge has worked as a performing, recording, and touring artist for several premiere Chicago acts, and is currently working on projects with artists such as STREGA, Ari Lindo, and Nicholas. He joined the TIDC band in 2018 for his first tour of Japan and will be entering his sixth touring season with the company.

PRODUCTION CREW

GARVIN JELLISON (Production Manager) is a Minneapolis-based lighting designer / stage manager / production manager. Graduating from The Theatre School at DePaul University, he started his career in Chicago, working with Joffrey Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and of course Trinity Irish Dance Company. Garvin has worked with William Shatner, Anthony Bourdain, Bill Nye, and others on touring productions while Director of Production at iAE, a Chicago promoter. He was Production Manager for Wild Kratts Live! for 5 years and currently Head Electrician at The Cowles Center for Dance and Performing Arts.

ALBERT ROBERT CRAWFORD III (Production & Lighting Designer) Al is a lighting artist, designer, industry leader, educator, entrepreneur, inventor, and manufacturer. General Manager City Theatrical Inc. (2 Years). Lighting Director AlvinAiley American Dance Theater (25 Years).  CEO and founder of global lighting design firm Arc3design (20 Years). Lighting design for choreographers Judith Jamison, Robert Battle, Matthew Rushing, Hope Boykin, Garth Fagan, Ron Brown, George Faison, Mark Dendy, Trey McIntyre, Osnel Delgado, Jeanguy Saintus, Yori Possokhov, Melissa Hayden and many others. Knight of Illumination and Telly Award recipient. Al has served on the Board of Directors of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and Hemsley Lighting Programs as well as the Advisory Board of the Studio School of Design. Guest Faculty Lighting programs UNCSA and University of Connecticut. BFA University of North Carolina School of the Arts. USA 829 and IATSE Local 635. www.arc3design.com

HALEY BURDETTE (Lighting Director / Stage Manager) is a New York based lighting designer and programmer.  Select credits include programming for the Williamstown Theatre Festival’s 2022 Main Stage season, design for Yin Yue Dance Company’s Ripple, both the 2021 world premiere at 92St Y and the 2022 and 2024 European tours; and programming for DanceAfrica 2022 and 2023 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (LD: Al Crawford).  Haley holds a BFA from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

CHRISTOPHER MARC (Sound Designer) is a NYC-based Designer from Minneapolis, MN specializing in percussive dance. Christopher has designed works with Michelle Dorrance/Dorrance Dance, Music From the Sole, Luke Hickey Dance, Turn it Out With Tiler Peck, NYCTE, Allison Miller’s Boom Tic Boom, Flamenco Vivo, Lincoln Center Restart Stages, Luke Hickey Dance, and Michael Jellick, as well as several regional and off-broadway productions with the Kennedy Center, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, IJB Productions, Aquila Theatre, and Mills Entertainment. Christopher also designs/builds custom floors for percussive dance and is owner/operator of @CMarcAudio.

MICHAEL ALTERGOTT (Sound Engineer) is a Chicago-based musician, composer, and educator. Mike is proficient on saxophone, piano, guitar, and bass guitar. He currently performs in Chicago-based bands Space Gators, Winter Mako, Pub League and Doc, while also working as a freelance sound engineer and record producer. Mike combines his backgrounds to ensure that the awe-inspiring experience of live performance is transmitted to audiences. When not working, you can find him playing soccer and absorbing all things related to Arsenal F.C.

HENRY MAYR (Sound Engineer)

For more information visit us at www.trinityirishdancecompany.com, like us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram.

Be sure to stay in your seat after the performance for a special talk-back with the artists, led by Trinity Irish Dance Company's Associate Artistic Director Chelsea Hoy.