Performance Transcript: Opening Remarks for Paul Taylor Dance Company

Hello, everyone, and welcome to Northrop. My name is Kristen Brogdon. I’m Northrop’s director of artistic and community programs, and I’m so glad you’re here with us and Paul Taylor Dance Company.

I’d like to begin with gratitude to the voters of Minnesota. You’ve made possible a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Voters, give yourselves a round of applause!

Northrop is rooted in Minnesota, a name inspired by the Daḳota name for this region, Mni Sota Makoce, the land where the waters reflect the skies. We are proud of and thankful for our place here as part of a public university. We also know that this land has complex and layered history. I invite you to remember that Northrop is located within past, present and future homelands of Dakota people. We show up in support of Native and Indigenous culture builders, and if you’d like to join us in that effort, I encourage you to visit the Weisman Art Museum exhibit that opened today on campus. It’s titled “‘Merciless’: Indigenous Lands since 1776,” and it features art by Natchez Beaulieu, Marlena Myles and Missy Whiteman.

I also invite you to join us at Northrop next month, Oct. 9-12, for a very special premiere titled Overflow Radio by Emily Johnson and Catalyst. It includes dance, learning, food and most of all deep listening to stories, all within a quilt installation here on stage. I’ll be in the lobby at intermissions if you want to learn more about Overflow Radio or the rest of our season.

Land acknowledgement is one of the ways we educate our campus and community about our relationships with the land and each other. We are also responding to our history by welcoming you to Northrop. You belong here, whether you’re here for the first time or have been attending for decades. How many of you are here for the first time tonight? Welcome. Regulars, thank you for your ongoing support, and please join me in helping our newcomers feel at home.

Here are a few reminders for community care: First, please silence your phones and other devices that make noise. If you want to applaud to show your appreciation, there’s no need to wait until the bows. Second, this performance has two intermissions, and I invite you to use that time to connect with your neighbors in the theater or in the lobby. Third, we have a Sensory Lounge on Level 1 if you or anyone with you needs a break at any time.

Tonight, you’re in for a journey with a program that features inspiring choreography, versatile dancers and live music from the Twin Cities-based orchestra STRINGenius. Now it’s my pleasure to pass the microphone to the Artistic Director of Paul Taylor Dance Company, Michael Novak!