Divergence
Friday, and Saturday, November 7-8 @ 7:30
Saturday, November 8 @ 2:00
Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre, Swope Music Building
817 S. High St.
The focus of the UDC is to promote dance as an art form at West Chester University and to provide students with interests in arts administration, choreography, design, performance, and stage management the opportunity to create and shape their voice within this art form. As a member of this organization, students will receive a complete understanding of the workings of a dance company as well as the aspects of being involved in a university organization. UDC has two concerts every season; the fall concert focuses on faculty and guest artist work, while the spring concert mainly presents student choreography and design. Students work with both faculty and guest artists in the creation and management of new choreography and design. Community outreach and service is a component of membership to this organization as it currently is for all professional arts organizations. UDC also offers students the opportunities to attend, present and perform at various conferences annually to add to their dance and movement education.
The University Dance Company is an SSI-sponsored organization.
Biographies
Faculty and Guest Artists
Gretchen Studlien
Professor Gretchen Studlien-Webb, Director and Choreographer, is the coordinator for the dance minor program in the Department of Theatre and Dance at West Chester University. She holds an M.F.A. from Temple University and a B.F.A. from The Ohio State University's Department of Dance. Professor Studlien-Webb is the advisor for the University Dance Company where she has directed more than 35 full-length concerts and choreographed over 50 dances. In addition, Studlien-Webb taught and presented work internationally at the Ladek Zdroj International Dance Festival in Poland (2008 and 2013) and Claremont Project in London, England (2014). Her scholarly research for the past twenty years often focuses on environmental sustainability which translates into her choreographic compositions; E.A.R.T.H. (Evolution Arises Revealing True Humanity) (2007), Shared Ignorance (2011), Re[F]use (2013), Continuous Cycle (2015), and Environmental Intervention (2016), Carnival of Ruin (2018-2021), a multi-disciplinary, collaborative, full-length installation performance with set and costumes created entirely out of post-consumer waste, and (re)Surge (2022). In addition, Studlien-Webb maintains an active private yoga practice and has been teaching yoga in both the corporate and private sectors for 25 years.
Tammy Carrasco
Tammy Carrasco, Guest Artist, is dance-artist based in the Philadelphia area who has also lived, choreographed, and taught in Raleigh-Durham, New York City, Columbus, OH, Rochester, NY, and St. Pete, FL. Her choreography credits include Boston Contemporary Dance Festival, Dumbo Dance, Jennifer Mueller/The Works, Triskelion Arts, Movement Research at Judson Church, and national Fringe Festivals along the east coast. Tammy has performed professionally in her own work and with Heidi Brewer, Robbie Cook, Cara Hagan, Dana Katz, Melinda Mcguire, and Helen Simoneau Dans, and most recently for Silvana Cardel Dance Theater. Tammy has taught and staged work at colleges nationally and internationally for the past 10 years, and is currently a Visiting Assistant Professor at Bryn Mawr College. She holds an MFA in Dance from The Ohio State University, BFA from University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and is a Walnut Hill School for the Arts alum. For more about Tammy and her creative work, visit tammycarrasco.org
Richard Dieter III
Richard Dieter III, Guest Artist, Ricky traveled globally as a professional performing artist in numerous concert dance, musical theater, cruise ship, resort, and casino entertainment production shows created by internationally recognized industry professionals, including Barry Manilow, Patti Colombo, Gustavo Vargas, John Charron, Jill Hillier, and Carla Kama. As a lead entertainer, event host, and instructor aboard multiple Holland America Line cruise ships, Ricky performed over 30 shows created by Stiletto Entertainment. Ricky has taught for dance studios, academic institutions, and arts education organizations throughout southeast Pennsylvania, including as an Adjunct Professor of Jazz Dance Technique for the Theatre & Dance department at Muhlenberg College. Ricky earned his certification as a Stretching & Flexibility Coach from the National Academy of Sports Medicine.”
Ty Tansy
Ty Tansy, Light Designer, recently graduated from West Chester University with a Theatre Design/Production degree. He is a freelance designer and technician currently working for companies such as Longwood Gardens, FringeArts, and People’s Light. Moreover, he is the resident lighting designer at Reading’s Miller Center for the Arts, where he has worked with several artists including Iris Dement, Naturally 7, and Solar Federation. Past companies and organizations he has worked for include Advanced Staging Productions, USITT, Touch of Class Dance, KCACTF, Berks County’s Annual Jazz Fest, and Jamison Celtic Rock. Ty has recently went down the education route and is now an adjunct professor of technical theatre and lighting design at Reading Area Community College, helping build their brand new technical theatre certificate program.
Student Choreographers, Officers, and Stage Manager
Lucy Morrin
Lucy Morrin, President/Choreographer, is a senior elementary education major. This is her fourth and final year with UDC in which she has been a part of several student pieces and choreographed two of her own. Since her fall semester freshman year, she has fallen in love with dance more than ever before and has found a home at UDC. As a previous competition dancer, UDC has opened a new world of dance for her. She has been dancing for about 19 years and hopes to keep dancing after graduation. Lucy wants to thank the entire fall 25 cast for sharing their talent, her hard-working and kind exec board for facilitating a fun and organized semester, and Gretchen for continuing to grow this company year after year!
Teagan Bittner
Teagan Bittner, Vice President/Choreographer, is a junior and an elementary education major at West Chester University. She is going into her third year with UDC as vice president and has loved getting involved while taking on more responsibilities! This is Teagan’s third time choreographing for UDC, and she is grateful for the opportunity to create with such talented dancers and humans. She began her versatile dance training at the age of two and values trying new styles and discovering new ways to move. Teagan would like to give a big thank you to everyone involved with UDC for their support and for this amazing community!
Meredith Steirer
Meredith Steirer, Secretary/Choreographer, is a senior majoring in communication studies and minoring in digital marketing. This is her 5th semester with UDC and has the honor of choreographing her first piece for this fall show. Meredith has been dancing for over 10 years and is glad she found UDC to continue her passion through college. She would like to thank all her teachers, friends, and family who have helped her grow into the person she is today!
Emalea Kiernan
Emalea Kiernan, Treasurer, is a junior this year at West Chester University, majoring in nutrition with a concentration in dietetics and minoring in dance. This year she is apart of the executive board as the treasurer for the 2025-2026 school year. She has been dancing for 19 years starting at her Mill Ballet Studio going into a pre-professional ballerina. She continued her love of dance at West Chester being apart of UDC since her sophomore year. She wants to thank her dance teacher mother Laurie Kiernan for encouraging her to put herself out there and always giving her the confidence to sparkle. She loves meeting learning new forms of dance and working with everyone.
Elya Bergstein
Elya Bergstein, Historian, is a junior majoring in Media and Culture with a minor in Digital Marketing. She has been dancing for 16 years and has been a part of the University Dance Company for five semesters. Elya has loved growing both as a dancer and as part of the UDC community and is excited to serve on the executive board this year. Her background in social media management and passion for creativity make her eager to document and promote all the company’s achievements. She is incredibly grateful for the friendships, growth, and memories UDC continues to bring her each semester.
Ryann Beyer
Ryann Beyer, Social Chair, is a junior this year at West Chester University, majoring in Pre- Physical Therapy and minoring in dance. This year she is apart of the executive board as the social chair for the 2025-2026 school year. She has been dancing for 15 years starting at her hometown studio, Danstation school of Dance. She continued her love of dance at West Chester being apart of UDC since her freshman year. She wants to thank her dance teacher Miss Becky and her mother Lesley Beyer for encouraging her to put herself out there. She loves meeting new people and working with everyone.
Olivia Bissol
Olivia Bissol, Choreographer, is a computer science major with a dance minor. She has been dancing for 18 years and has been a part of UDC for three years. This is her first time choreographing for the company. Before college, Olivia graduated from Council Rock North and danced at The Dance Academy in Holland, PA. Since college has started she has joined the school's dance team and had spent three weeks in Italy studying dance with Staib Dance. For her piece, she wants to thank her mom for encouraging her and helping with costumes. She also wants to thank her cast for doing such an amazing job.
Gina Byrne
Gina Byrne, Choreographer, is a senior majoring in Secondary Education for English with a minor in dance. She has been a part of UDC for 3 years and this is her second time choreographing. Gina is also a member and captain of the WCU Dance Team. Gina teaches at Horizons Dance Conservatory and hopes to continue teaching dance after graduating college. She is thankful for all the years of dancing she has had at WCU and will forever cherish the memories she has made. Gina would like to thank her mom for her ongoing support and helping her reach her goals. She is excited to share this piece as a reflection of her growth, passion and love for dance and her family.
Sam Calabro
Sam Calabro, Choreographer, is an early education and special education major with a dance minor. She has been dancing for 18 years and has been a part of UDC for three years. This is her first time choreographing for the company. Before college, Sam graduated from Council Rock North and danced at Debra Sparks Dance Works in Newtown, PA. Since college has started she studied abroad and went to Madrid with the dance program and she has spent a week in Massachusetts studying dance with Teddy Forance. She wants to thank Gretchen and everyone on the UDC board for all they have done. She also wants to thank her cast for doing such an amazing job.
Emily Gilligan
Emily Gilligan, Choreographer, is a senior, early grades preparation major with a minor in dance and special education. This is her ninth and final semester performing with the company. Emily was a member of the West Chester University Dance Team and served as captain for two seasons. Outside of school, she works as a teacher and choreographer, helping to develop the next generation of young talented dancers. Emily has 19 years of training in all disciplines of dance. She would like to thank her amazing family, friends, and teachers for always supporting her and the company for the unforgettable memories and opportunities to share her love of dance.
Jade Salmon
Jade Salmon, Choreographer, is a senior Criminal Justice major. She has been dancing for 19 years, and this is her 5th semester with the university dance company. As a second time choreographer she is eager to entertain the audience. Jade is excited to introduce something never seen before at UDC. As a December ’25 graduate, she aims to create a piece that will be remembered and talked about for years. She also thanks her mom for always pushing her beyond expectations, and her family and friends for their constant love and support. Jade is excited to show everyone what she and her cast have been working on!
Abby Sklenarik
Abby Sklenarik, Choreographer, is a senior majoring in Business Management with a minor in Digital Marketing. This is her fourth semester dancing with UDC, and it is her first time choreographing for UDC. She has been dancing for 18 years and is also currently one of the captains of the West Chester University Dance Team. She thanks her family and former dance teachers for all their support over the years. She also wants to congratulate her cast for being so dedicating and hardworking this semester.
Anna Taylor
Anna Taylor, Stage Manager, Previous stage credits include The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged, The Music Man, The Little Mermaid, The Miracle Worker, The Sound of Music, Rumors, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? The Nerd, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Steel River Playhouse (Props Master). The Glass Menagerie, 13: The Musical, Peter and the Starcatcher, The Little Mermaid, Legally Blonde Jr., Santaland Diaries, A Christmas Carol, Newsies, Sweeney Todd, and Miracle on 34th Street at Steel River Playhouse (Stage Manager). The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Peter and the Starcatcher at Pottsgrove High School. Shrek, Peter and the Starcatcher, Hairspray, Into the Woods, Gypsy, Chicago, Les Miserables, and Shakespeare in Love at The Hill School (Stage Manager). The Apple Boys, She Loves Me, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Bucks County Playhouse (Deck Crew).
SCHOLARSHIP DONATIONS
The WCU Dance program in the Department of Theatre and Dance currently offers two scholarships:
- The Barbara J. Lappano ’67, M’73 Dance Scholarship
- The Emerging Dance Minor Scholarship
Donations received would increase the amount of the funds awarded to students each year.
Donate HereContact the WCU Foundation at 610-436-2868 for more information.
Land Acknowledgement
“The land upon which we gather is part of the traditional territory of the Lenni-Lenape, called “Lenapehoking.” The Lenape People lived in harmony with one another upon this territory for thousands of years. During the colonial era and early federal period, many were removed west and north, but some also remain among the continuing historical tribal communities of the region: The Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation; the Ramapough Lenape Nation; and the Powhatan Renape Nation, The Nanticoke of Millsboro Delaware, and the Lenape of Cheswold Delaware. We acknowledge the Lenni-Lenape as the original people of this land and their continuing relationship with their territory. In our acknowledgment of the continued presence of Lenape people in their homeland, we affirm the aspiration of the great Lenape Chief Tamanend, that there be harmony between the indigenous people of this land and the descendants of the immigrants to this land, “as long as the rivers and creeks flow, and the sun, moon, and stars shine.”
From the Nanticoke Lenni- Lenape Tribal Nation website (nlltribe.com)