The Playground

About the evening

The program begins with an immersive performance inviting you, the audience, to actively participate in live chance operations. Throughout the performance, graphics will appear inviting you to approach the pedestal to draw a card and roll the dice. Then, watch as the dancers respond to your directions. Here are the graphics you should look out for:

The dancers are relying on your cues, so don’t be shy to approach the table with the dice and cards! Other than that, sit back and enjoy the performance. Julia will be around afterwards and welcomes any questions and/or observations.

You’re invited to stick around after the performance for a reception to celebrate the opening of “The Playground”! You’ll also have a chance to play on the game board yourself! Locate the pedestal with the “Let’s Play!” signage and begin mirroring the dancers’ experience – rolling the dice and executing the corresponding task. After completing the task, reflect on the sensation of participating in restricted play, and pin your reflection to the blue square, becoming part of a collective community.

Born in Horsham, Pennsylvania, Micaelina (Mic) Carter started dancing at the age of three and fell in love with the artform. She trained at Metropolitan Ballet Academy under Lisa Collins Vidnovic, where she performed excerpts from ballets such as Coppelia, Sleeping Beauty, and Le Corsaire in addition to works by Kanji Segawa, Jessica Lang, Sarah Mettin Schorr, and Tommie Waheed Evans. Mic continued her education and dance training at the Ailey School and Fordham University, earning a BFA in Dance with a minor in Comparative Literature. While at the Ailey School, Mic performed works by Alexander Anderson, Maleek Washington, Rebecca Margolick, and Hollie Wright. She additionally was part of the New Directions Choreography Lab, where she worked in close collaboration with Nattie Trogdon, Hollis Bartlett, and Annie Rigney. Mic was also honored to perform at Jazz at Lincoln Center in Hope Boykin’s Chasing the Spirit for the Ailey Spirit Gala alongside members of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Ailey II. During her summers, Mic trained with companies like Abraham in Motion, BodyTraffic, and Gallim. In addition to dancing, Mic participated in internships at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and Vail Dance Festival. Mic is incredibly grateful for those who inspired and guided her during her career thus far and is excited to continue cultivating equitable and accessible art spaces while developing her own artistic voice.

Casey Schwarz is a Burmese and Jewish dance artist from Brooklyn, New York. She began her dance training at her local studio in Brooklyn at the age of 10. She is a graduate of Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, class of 2020. During her time at the acclaimed “Fame” school, Casey had been a part of multiple school productions such as the LaGuardia Dance Ensemble and Rising Stars. She continued her dance education at the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program in Dance where she participated in the fall ‘22, spring ‘23, and fall ‘23 New Directions Choreography Lab (NDCL) where she worked in close collaboration with Maria Bauman, Quilan Arnold, Annie Rigney, Nattie+Hollis, Marla Phelan, and Babacar Top. During the fall of ‘22, NDCL was selected to be featured in a limited documentary series featured on ALL ARTS on PBS, focusing on the raw creative process that happens within the studio. Throughout her dance career, Casey has performed works by Alex Anderson, Roderick George, Maleek Washington, Rebecca Margolick, Adam Barruch, and Travis Wall. She has performed at acclaimed venues such as, the Apollo Theater, New York Live Arts, Madison Square Garden, and Bryant Park. She has participated in various intensives such as Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Orsolina 28, Gibney Company, SpringBoardX, French Academie of Ballet, and YYDC. In entering the professional world, Casey continues to explore her passion for creativity in the arts through dance.

Julia Boberg is a artist, dancer, and choreographer deeply committed to sharing her artistic expression through movement. During her creative process, Julia taps into a childlike adventurous spirit, granting herself the freedom to experiment and take risks. This serves as a significant departure from her daily life, which is typically characterized by meticulous planning and attention to detail. In the creation process of “The Playground,” Julia employed restriction-based scores for performers, coupled with minimal pre-planned choreography, allowing the final product to unfold naturally.

As an extension of Julia’s artistic world, she invites you to explore more of her work on her website and connect with her on Instagram @jules.boberg. On these platforms, you can delve deeper into her creative process, view behind-the-scenes footage, and stay updated on upcoming performances and exhibitions.

Choreography by Julia Boberg, with improvisational collaboration by the dancers

Danced by Micaelina (Mic) Carter and Casey Schwarz

Sound and video design by Julia Boberg

A special thank you to Anibal Pella-Woo for assisting me with all the technology to bring my vision to life, and to my advisor, Casey Ruble for guiding me along the way. And thank you to the Fordham Visual Arts Department for awarding me this opportunity.