HQ Review: MADCO kicks off its 50th Anniversary Season with SET: The Legacy Concert
MADCO kicked off its 50th anniversary season with SET: The Legacy Concert at COCA’s Catherine B. Berges Theatre on October 11-12, 2025. The performance began by honoring the company’s history with a collage of past company dance videos. This video and another presented later in Act I included interviews of company members, collaborators, and former artistic directors:
Co-founder Ross Winter spoke on how sad it was to see people within the performing arts leaving St. Louis to go to bigger cities like New York City.
Choreographer Janice Garrett shares how proud she is that the company held together, bringing up the importance of finding happiness in what you are doing. Garrett discussed how dance is an “animated connective form” and how it “demands focus and energy,” something that is easy to recognize throughout the entire performance of SET. She discusses how there needs to be a “drawing upon a life force to put together a piece.”
Choreographer Michael Foley speaks about his piece, “The Carpet” saying “everything evolves, the only thing permanent is the carpet,” suggesting that MADCO dancers, old and new, stay connected through tradition, even when things like choreographic movements and dancers change.
Lindsay Hawkins, former MADCO dancer and re-stager of “The Carpet,” talked about how interesting and beautiful it is to see how the company evolves. She also reminisced that when MADCO first formed, it felt like the underdog but never stopped fighting for its mission.
Former Artistic Director Nicole Kropatsch expresses with confidence that this evolution is exactly what the original MADCO would want. She also highlighted that MADCO was founded on educational outreach with a passion for supporting the community.
Former Artistic Director Belicia Beck shared that MADCO always prioritizes what is relevant in the time of creating a dance and the importance of dancing with intention.
Long-time Artistic Director Stacy West closes the introductory video stating that it has been an amazing 50 years, acknowledging how special her time with MADCO was and stating confidently that the company is vital to the artistic fabric of St. Louis.
“Fast Brass” by Janice Garrett
The curtain opens for the first piece to begin: “Fast Brass.” The stage began in a blackout before one stage light appeared in the middle just in time for a solo dancer to appear. Soon, all five dancers filled the stage in their own spotlight, beginning with their hands clasped together and dancing to lively band music in all black costumes with French berets. The tension of their hands clasped together added suspension to the big movements they were about to create, and their welcoming gestures drew the audience into the work’s performance.
The Carpet by Michael Foley
Michael Foley choreographed the second piece “The Carpet,” and the audience was immediately engaged. In this fierce piece, the dancers seem to be working in opposition to obtain something, or to achieve an overall goal. Dancers had moments of audible breath sounds to heighten their emotions and physicality. The piece ends with the dancers back on the carpet where they began, finishing in unity.
“DIRT” by Jennifer Archibald
The next work, “DIRT,” was choreographed by renowned choreographer Jennifer Archibald. The dancers began this piece by giving the audience information on their personal background, highlighting each dancer’s individuality. The dancers actually spoke to the audience about the things that helped shape who they are, such as where they are from, their educational backgrounds, family history, etc. When the dancers began moving through the choreography, the intention of the work became clear. Each dancer expressed their different stories beautifully, in some parts connected with the other dancers, and at other times conflicted, highlighting the tension of different relationships and perspectives.
“Crimson Momentum” by Alcine Wiltz
After intermission, the stage became immersed in red at the start of MADCO co-founder Alcine Wiltz’ work “Crimson Momentum.” Dancer Katherine Kennedy entered with a demanding energy, welcoming the audience into the work. Each of the four dancers had passionate and purposeful full-body intentions. Domino-effect movements helped add a flowy-liveliness to the piece.
“She’s My Spiderweb” by Annie Mitchell
The following duet by company artist Annie Mitchell, She's My Spiderweb, had a more serious tone. As one dancer acknowledges the other, their movement immediately feels like a battle. Yet, moments of togetherness appear at times in stillness. By the end of the piece the dancers are unified. Olivia Cesarano and Chloe Ryherd did a great job of portraying the work’s intention and characterization.
“Right Here, Right Now” by Arianna Russ
Artistic Director Arianna Russ appears on stage to discuss the final piece of the performance, Right Here Right Now. The work initially premiered in 2023 during a time of crisis for the company due to funding cuts, leaving the company with overall feelings of uncertainty. Now in 2025, the restaged performance of this work holds more hope.
Overall, the performance of SET: The Legacy Concert made it evident that MADCO will continue to be an enthusiastic company, sharing its high-spirited movement and storytelling throughout St. Louis. By recreating past pieces, this performance was able to commemorate MADCO’s amazing history, and looking ahead, it is exciting to think about the future of MADCO.
Photos by Carly Vanderheyden