Limón Dance Company

Thursday, September 25, 2025 AT 8PM

Performance Sponsor
The City of Irvine

This performance will include a 15-minute intermission.

LIMÓN DANCE COMPANY

FOUNDERS
José Limón and Doris Humphrey 

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Dante Puleio

EXECUTIVE   DIRECTOR
Michelle Preston

ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Logan Frances Kruger
 

THE COMPANY

Natalie Clevenger, Joey Columbus, Ian Debono, Mariah Gravelin, Johnson Guo,  Stephen Haley, Deepa Liegel, Ty Morrison,   Olivia Mozie, Jessica Sgambelluri, Savannah Spratt, Lauren Twomley

The José Limón Dance Foundation, Inc. is supported with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. Additional support is generously provided by the following institutions: Henry and Lucy Moses Fund; The Howard Gilman Foundation; Miriam and Arthur Diamond Charitable Trust; New York Community Trust; Jody and John Arnhold; The Varnum De Rose Charitable Trust; The Shubert Foundation; West Harlem Development Corporation; The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, Inc.; Mex-Am Cultural Foundation; Withers Bergman LLP; The Harkness Foundation for Dance; Bank of America Charitable Foundation; The Jerome Robbins Foundation; WQXR.

The Limón Dance Company is a member of Dance/USA, Dance/NYC, Association of Performing Arts Presenters, Western Arts Alliance, National Association of Schools of Dance, the Arts & Business Council, and the United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce.

ORFEO

(17 minutes)

Choreography: José Limón (1972)

Music: Ludwig van Beethoven, String Quartet Op. 95, No.11,  Performed by Guarneri Quartet*

Reconstructor: Jonathan Riedel

Performance Mentor: Risa Steinberg

Costume Design: Charles D. Tomlinson

Lighting Design: William Brown

Dancers

Orfeo:  Joey Columbus

Eurydice: Mariah Gravelin

Guardians: Deepa Liegel, Savannah Spratt, Lauren Twomley

Orfeo, dancing his lyrical lament of love and loss, calls his beloved Eurydice from the dead. Swathed in veils and protected by her Guardians, she comes and their duet of the love of the souls ensues. The reality of death comes and Eurydice returns to Hades leaving Orfeo once again with his tortuous doubts and hopes.                                                                             

First Performance October 2, 1972, ANTA Theater, NYC by the Limón Dance Company

*Courtesy of Philips Classics Records under license from Universal Music Enterprises

SUITE FROM A CHOREOGRAPHIC OFFERING

(25 minutes)

Choreography: José Limón (1964)

Staging and Direction: Logan Frances Kruger

Music: J.S. Bach, Musical Offering

Rehearsal Assistant: Savannah Spratt

Costume Design: Caitlin Taylor

Lighting Design: William Brown

Dancers

Solo - Olivia Mozie

Duet - Joey Columbus and Deepa Liegel

Solo with Quartet - Savannah Spratt with Mariah Gravelin, Olivia Mozie, Deepa Liegel, Lauren Twomley 

Septet - Joey Columbus, Mariah Gravelin, Johnson Guo, Olivia Mozie, Deepa Liegel, Savannah Spratt, Lauren Twomley

This work, in loving memory of Doris Humphrey, is based on variations, paraphrases, and motifs from her dances. 

First performed by the Limón Dance Company, August 15, 1964, at the American Dance Festival

-INTERMISSION-

TWO ECSTATIC THEMES

(6 min)

Choreography: Doris Humphrey (1931)

Staging: Gail Corbin
Music: Tragoedie - Fragment in A Minor, Op. 7, No. 2 by Nikolai Karlovich Medtner; Maschere Che Passano for Piano by Gian Francesco Malipiero*

Pianist: Michael Scales

Original Costume Design: Pauline Lawrence

Lighting Design (2024): Liz Schweitzer

Dancer

Lauren Twomley

A. Circular Descent

B. Pointed Ascent

Two Ecstatic Themes is the keynote to Miss Humphrey’s mature work. 

“The first part is in circular and spiral movements, soft and sinking, to convey a feeling of acquiescence. The second part, in contrast to the first, moves in pointed design to a strident climax suggestive of aggressive achievement. The whole is a counterpoint of circular and angular movement, representing the two inseparable elements of life as well as design.” (D.H.)

First performance October 31, 1931 at Washington Irving High School, New York.

The Dance Notation Bureau, a non-profit service organization, has provided a Labanotation score for this staging of Two Ecstatic Themes. 

*Presented under license by G. Schirmer, Inc. o/b/o Chester Music Ltd., copyright owners.

THE MOOR’S PAVANE

(25 minutes)

Choreography: José Limón (1949)

Music: Henry Purcell (arranged by Simon Sadoff)  

Staging and Direction: Logan Frances Kruger

Costume Design: Pauline Lawrence

Lighting Design: William Brown

Dancers 

The Moor: Johnson Guo

His Friend: Joey Columbus

His Friends Wife: Savannah Spratt

The Moor's Wife: Mariah Gravelin

In the form of a pavane and other dances of the high Renaissance, the legend is told of the hapless Moor, his wrongfully suspected wife, the Moor's treacherous friend and his wife.  The four characters portray the tragedy of Everyman, and are timeless in its implications.  This work has been cited by critics the world over as José Limón's "masterpiece.”

First performed by the Limón Dance Company, August 17, 1949, at the American Dance Festival

The Limón Dance Company (LDC) has been at the vanguard of dance since its inception in 1946. The first dance group to tour internationally under the auspices of the State Department, and first modern dance company to perform at Lincoln Center in New York, it has performed twice at The White House. The José Limón Dance Foundation, with Company and Institute, is the recipient of a 2008 National Medal of the Arts. José Limón holds a special place in American culture for his social awareness, which transcended individual groups to explore our shared search for common ground. It is with this ethos that we continue to commission works by critically acclaimed and emerging international voices 50 years after Limón’s passing. His works continue to influence the evolution of the art form with their arresting visual clarity, theatricality, and rhythmic and musical life. www.limon.nyc

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ivan Sacks - Chair

Robert A. Meister - Treasurer & Past Chair

Tina Evans - Secretary

Paula Carriço 

Kurt Douglas

Sylvia Ann Hewlett

Jill Javier

Jonathan Leinbach, M.D. 

Cecilia Picón

Katrina Robinson 

STAFF

Dante Puleio, Artistic Director

Michelle Preston, Executive Director

Logan Frances Kruger, Associate Artistic Director

Lena Lauer, Director of Limón Institute

Daniel Fetecua Soto, Trainee Program Director

Cristina Moya-Palacios, Institute Administrator

Donnell Williams, Licensing Manager

Deborah Corrales, Company General Manager

Gabriel Cirio, Development & Communication Manager

Elizagrace Madrone, Membership & Development Operations Manager

William Schaffner, Stage Manager

Corey Whittemore, Technical Manager

Gabrielle Corrigan, Wardrobe Supervisor

Domestic (U.S.) Bookings 25/26

Red Shell Management, LLC; Edward V. Schoelwer, 646-495-156 | 

eschoelwer@redshellmgmt.org

26/27 Management, New Works Inquiries & Booking:                   

Sozo Artists; +1 (917) 791-3680 | limon@sozomedia.com | www.sozoartists.com

Press Representation

Michelle Tabnick 646.765.4773 | michelle@michelletabnickpr.com

JOSÉ LIMÓN (Founder/Choreographer, 1908-1972) electrified the world with his dynamic masculine dancing and dramatic choreography. One of the 20th century’s most important and influential dance makers, he spent his career pioneering a new art form and fighting for its recognition. Born in Culiacán, Mexico in 1908, he moved to California in 1915, and in 1928 came to New York where he saw his first dance program. Limón enrolled in Doris Humphrey and Charles Weidman’s dance school and performed in several of their works from 1930 to 1940. In 1946, with Doris Humphrey as Artistic Director, Limón formed his own company. Over the next 25 years, he established himself and his company as a major force of 20th century dance. Limón created a total of 74 works, including The Moor’s Pavane, Concerto Grosso, and Missa Brev. 

DORIS HUMPHREY (Founder/Choreographer, 1895-1958) is recognized as a founder of American Modern Dance. She developed a distinctive movement approach based on the body’s relationship to gravity and the use of weight. The company she formed with Charles Weidman produced great dances as well as outstanding performers, José Limón among them. When physical disability ended her career as a dancer, she became the Artistic Director for José Limón and his company, creating new works for him and for The Juilliard.

DANTE PULEIO (Artistic Director, He/Him), a widely respected former member of the Limón Dance Company for more than a decade, Puleio was appointed the sixth Artistic Director in the Company’s 80-year history, a position that originated with Doris Humphrey. After a diverse performing career with the Limón Dance Company, touring national and international musical theatre productions, television and film, he received his MFA from University of California, Irvine. His research focuses on contextualizing mid 20th century dance for the contemporary artist and audience. He is committed to implementing that research by celebrating José Limón's historical legacy and reimagining his intention and vision to reflect the rapidly shifting 21st century landscape.

LOGAN FRANCES KRUGER (Associate Artistic Director, She/Her) an Atlanta, Georgia native, received her early training from Annette Lewis and Pamala Jones-Malavé, and went on to receive a BFA from The Juilliard School.  Her extensive performing career has included work with renowned artists such as Shen Wei, Jonah Bokaer and Adam H Weinert. Logan was a principal dancer with the Limón Dance Company for 9 years, and was the Company’s Rehearsal Director for 4 years before being appointed Associate Artistic Director in 2021.  Logan has taught master classes and workshops across the globe, and is a reconstructor of Limón’s repertory. 

NATALIE CLEVENGER (Dancer, She/They), from Mooresville, IN and received her BFA in dance from the University of Arizona in 2018. Upon graduation, Natalie joined Dance Kaleidoscope in Indianapolis, IN and danced with the company for three seasons. Natalie joined Limón Dance Company in 2022.

JOEY COLUMBUS (Dancer, He/Him) began his dance training in the Chicagoland area before obtaining his BFA in dance from the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program. He has performed with companies such as RIOULT and Company XIV as well as at the Metropolitan Opera.

IAN DEBONO (Dancer, He/Him), from San Francisco, graduated from The Juilliard School in 2023 with a BFA in Dance. There, he has performed works by Ohad Naharin, Medhi Walerski, Norbert De La Cruz III, Spenser Theberge, and Jermaine Spivey, among others. Currently, Ian is a performing member of The Metropolitan Opera and is thrilled to be joining the Limón Company! 

MARIAH GRAVELIN (Dancer, She/Her) joined the Limón Company in 2019 where she has performed and taught nationwide. She holds a BFA from Alvin Ailey/Fordham University (2018). She is on faculty for the Limón Institute and can be found with her camera in hand photographing when not dancing. 

JOHNSON GUO (Dancer, He/Him) began his dance training at NYC’s Ballet Tech Program. He continued his learnings at the Conservatory of Dance at SUNY Purchase. Before graduating with a BFA degree in dance performance, Johnson joined the esteemed Limón dance company in 2021.

STEPHEN HALEY (Dancer, He/Him) Born in New Jersey, earned a BFA from the SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance, where he graduated with a composition concentration and received the inaugural Dance Leadership Award. Stephen is also an up-and-coming choreographer and finds fulfillment in creating. Stephen is also a recipient of the Merce Cunningham Barbara Ensley Award 2025. 

DEEPA LIEGEL (Dancer, She/Her) joined Limón Dance Company in 2021. She was born in Calcutta, India and raised in Seattle, Washington. Liegel trained with Cornish Preparatory Dance, Seattle Theatre Group and Leela Kathak Dance. BFA in Dance Performance and minor in arts administration from SMU. Previously with: Mark Morris Dance Group and Metropolitan Opera. Classical pilates instructor and avid reader. Online: @deepaleaps.  

TY MORRISON (Dancer, He/Him), from Boston, received his BFA from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee performing works by choreographers Darrell Moultrie,  Catherine Coury, and Bradley Shelver. He then joined BODYTRAFFIC internationally performing works by choreographers Micaela Taylor, Alejandro Cerrudo, Fernando Magadan, Juel D. Lane, and more. 

OLIVIA MOZIE (Dancer, she/her), born in Greenville, SC began dancing at the age of four and continued her studies at The South Carolina Governor’s School, graduating in 2020. In 2024, Olivia graduated from Boston Conservatory at Berklee with a B.F.A. in Contemporary Dance Performance. Olivia joined the Limón Company in January 2024. 

JESSICA SGAMBELLURI (Dancer, She/Her) is a 2014 graduate of Marymount Manhattan College. Jessica has danced for Graham 2, TED Talks Live, Caterina Rago Dance Company, The Metropolitan Opera, and Buglisi Dance Theatre. Jessica joined the company in 2019. 

SAVANNAH SPRATT (Dancer, She/Her) joined the company in 2016. Hailing from Rochester, PA, she holds a BFA in Contemporary Dance from UNCSA where she was a recipient of the Sarah Graham Keenan Scholarship. Beyond Limón, she has collaborated with Madeline Hollander, Hélène Simoneau Danse and the Merce Cunningham Trust, notably performing in the Los Angeles installation of Night of 100 Solos. Beyond dance, she enjoys knitting. 

LAUREN TWOMLEY (Dancer, She/Her), born in Brooklyn, New York, graduated from SUNY Purchase with a BFA in Dance and a minor in Arts Management. Lauren works as a dancer and operations manager for Peter Stathas Dance, and is a teaching artist for the José Limón Dance Foundation. She joined the Limón Dance Company in 2019 and values connection, diversity, and play in her artistic endeavors. 

Bob Romney, Chairman
Community Leader

Gary Fabian, Treasurer
Chief Financial Officer
Kind Lending

William Parker, Secretary
Professor Emeritus Physics and Astronomy
University of California, Irvine

DIRECTORS

Eugene Choi
Betty Martinez Franco
Harason Horowitz
Terry Jones
Mike Kerr
Jennifer Klein
Dr. Tiffany Ana López
Bonnie Lubock
James Mai
Sherry L. K. Main
Jerry Mandel, Ph.D.
Christopher Ramsey
Richard and Cheryll Ruszat
Kathleen Treseder, Ph.D.
Stuart Winston
Anu Worah

HONORARY

Larry Agran
Mayor, City of Irvine
 
Howard Gillman, Ph.D.
Chancellor
University of California, Irvine

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