The Link to the Missing Link is a movement-theatre piece with a comic twist. It explores the dramatic and humorous effects of media on society.  Performers, writers and co-choreographers are Michelle Birmingham, Ali Burke, and Leanne Smith.  The work is co- choreographed, written, and directed by Gary Shore. Original Music is composed and performed by Michael DeQuattro.

 

 

Gary Shore is a choreographer, mime, and filmmaker. He studied mime in Paris with Etienne Decroux and as a solo artist he has been seen at the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland, The International Festival of Theatres in Switzerland, The Riverside Dance Festival and the Open Eye in New York City. The Scotsman, Edinburgh Scotland called his solo performance “a captivating show, a gem.” His film, First Movement Form, made in collaboration with Sean Curran was presented at Lincoln Center as part of the Dance on Camera festival.  Film Threat Magazine in reviewing the film stated, “Gary Shore and Sean Curran are the funniest comedy team of the year.”  His film Children of Providence won Best Feature at The Rob Knox Film Festival London. He has won many awards for his choreography including two choreography fellowships from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts.  He is an Associate Professor at Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I. and his choreography has brought the Roger Williams University Dance Theatre to the Kennedy Center in Washington as part of the American College Dance Festival National Gala Concert

 

 

Michelle Birmingham has worked with choreographers such as Sean Curran, Heidi Latsky, Jenny Rocha, and Lida Winfield.  She has choreographed for the Theater Workshop of Nantucket.  In Boston, Michelle is currently working with Angie Moon Dance Theater, and Kelley Donovan and Dancers.
 

Ali Burke studied at The London Contemporary Dance School while an undergraduate at Roger Williams University.  She has had the opportunity to work with many choreographers including; Sean Curran, Tiffany Mills, Elizabeth Spatz, Heidi Latsky, Jason Aryeh, Jenny Rocha, Hilary Easton, A'Keitha Carey, Deganit Shemy, and Melody Ruffin Ward as part of the "Turning House Project."Ali is currently the School Administrator at Dancewave, located in Brooklyn.
 

 

Leanne Smith has worked with such artists as A'Keitha Carey, Elizabeth Spatz, Lida Winfield, Hilary Easton, Jenny Rocha, and Kelley Donovan.  She has had the opportunity to perform at places including the Kennedy Center, Built on Stilts at Martha's Vineyard, and the Dragons Egg in Mystic Connecticut. Currently living in New York City, Leanne is working with choreographers Jenny Rocha and Samsam Yung.

 

 

Michael DeQuattro has been involved with theater orchestras, jazz ensembles, symphony orchestras, rock bands, and has played many styles including tango, improvisational, world, jazz, classical, and blues. He has performed with internationally acclaimed artists such as The Moody Blues, opera singer Maria Spacagnia, flutist Carol Wincenc, pianist Judith Stillman, and marimbist Nanae Mimura.  He is currently the timpanist for the Rhode Island Civic Chorale and Orchestra and has also played percussion for Boston Festival Orchestra, The Great Woods Festival Orchestra, and The Rhode Island Philharmonic. Michael has been involved with many modern dance companies as accompanist and composer.  He has worked with artists Bill T Jones/Artie Zane Co., Sean Curren,

Neta Pulvermarcher, Kathy Gordon Smith, Kelli Wicke-Davis, Randy James, Otis Saleid, Clay Taliaferro, Diane Arvanites, Tommy Neblett, Melody Ruffin Ward, David Dorfman, Lisa Race, Jenny Rocha, and Rhode Island’s Groundwerx, Fusionworks, and Island Moving Company among others. He holds aa Master of Music from The Boston Conservatory. He has won the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts Fellowship in Music Composition and the Bel Canto Opera Award.

 

 

Robert Ferland has provided lighting designs for drama, musical theatre, and dance productions throughout Rhode Island and Southern New England. For Providence Ballet Theatre, he serves as resident lighting designer and technical director. For Festival Ballet Providence he has lit the main company’s versions of Swan Lake and Cinderella. For Fusionworks, his design credits include the premiers of A Peek in the Window, and Mix it with Bixit.  Rob is an Associate Designer with RTW and Associates, drafting and designing numerous projects for the company. He currently serves as Technical Director for the Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts at Rhode Island College.