“From the Ground Up” @ IdeasCityWS
One year ago, Wake Forest Facilities staff performed the original dance piece “From the Ground Up” on Hearn Plaza – earning emotional hugs and standing ovations from those who watched. Directed by Allison Orr (‘93) of Forklift Danceworks in Austin, this production elevated the dedicated people whose skillful work so often goes unseen. The latest IdeasCityWS Beta Bonfire features a closer look at this remarkable event, through the lens of workforce development.
Celebrate the anniversary of this groundbreaking event by joining us for a panel discussion on Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 5:00pm! To register for the event, click here.
The Making of From the Ground Up: A Short Film
Moderator
Christina Soriano
Associate Provost for the Arts and Interdisciplinary Initiatives
Associate Professor
Christina Soriano is the associate provost for the Arts at Wake Forest and an associate professor of dance. She joined the WFU community in 2006. Christina’s research looks at the way movement can be a tool to aid in balance, mobility and quality of life in older adult communities. She is fortunate to work closely with Dr. Christina Hugenschmidt at the Sticht Center for Healthy Aging and Alzheimer’s Prevention at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Together they share a National Institutes of Health-funded grant to measure the effects of her improvisational movement curriculum, IMPROVment®, in older adults living with Mild Cognitive Impairment and their care partners. More info can be found at www.improvment.us.
Panelists
Allison Orr
Founder and Artistic Director of Forklift Danceworks in Austin, TX, Allison creates award winning choreography with unlikely performers. Her dances feature the often overlooked choreography of work that sustains our everyday life. Allison holds a BA in Anthropology from Wake Forest University and a BA in Choreography and Performance from Mills College and was named the Austin Chronicle’s “Best Choreographer” of 2016, 2017, and 2018.
Cynthia Wilson
Cynthia Wilson has worked at Wake Forest in the custodial department for 7 years and has recently moved her way up to the team lead role. She describes herself as an outgoing person who enjoys working with the people that are on her team and interacting with the students.
Kobak Taylor
Kobak Taylor has worked at Wake Forest for 32 years, starting in the carpenter shop and transitioned to the lockshop almost 25 years ago. His favorite parts of working in the lockshop are facing day to day challenges working with locks and greeting the people he comes in contact with across campus.
Stephanie Poskin
Stephanie Poskin serves as Senior Director of Facilities Support Services & Operations. Stephanie has over 20 years of functional leadership in higher education, aerospace manufacturing, and privately owned industries. Accomplished and highly respected leader in planning, developing and implementing operational strategies. When not at work, Stephanie enjoys spending spare time socializing and spending time with friends and family.
John Shenette
John Shenette is serves as Vice President of Facilities and Campus Services at Wake Forest University.
Matt Crawford
Matt Crawford is a Wake Forest alumnus from the Class of 2020. Before working on From The Ground Up, Matt was involved in the making of another Forklift Danceworks project – Givens Swims. After a summer spent devising, rehearsing, and performing with Forklift and the patrons of Givens Pool in Austin, Matt entered into another Forklift project in the Fall of 2019 – From The Ground Up. If you were extra perceptive during performances of FTGU, you might have seen Matt directing dancers and vehicles alike from the side of Wake Forest’s Hearn Plaza. He is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have assistant stage managed and collaborated on such a wonderful production!