Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
November 19, 2025
Wellspring's 45th Season: Epic Moments Dance Concert Celebrates Legacy
TLDR
- Wellspring's 45th anniversary concert offers exclusive access to rare revivals and premieres that showcase artistic innovation unavailable elsewhere in the region.
- Wellspring's Fall Concert runs November 21-23 at Cori Terry Theatre featuring five carefully curated dance works spanning 2001-2025 with multiple performance times and ticket options.
- Wellspring's 45th season celebration strengthens community bonds through accessible dance performances that inspire connection and artistic expression for all audiences.
- Experience stunning wearable chainmail art and sweeping lifts in Wellspring's vibrant dance retrospective featuring works created over 25 years in their Epic Center home.
Impact - Why it Matters
This celebration matters because it represents the preservation and continuation of cultural heritage in our communities. Wellspring has been a cornerstone of Kalamazoo's arts scene for 45 years, providing not just entertainment but meaningful artistic experiences that foster connection and creativity. In an era where local arts organizations often struggle, successful long-running companies like Wellspring demonstrate the enduring value of live performance and community-based art. Their work supports local artists, provides educational opportunities, and contributes to the cultural vitality that makes cities like Kalamazoo attractive places to live and work. The accessibility initiatives, including sensory-friendly performances and varied pricing options, ensure that dance remains available to diverse audiences, reinforcing the importance of inclusive arts programming. As one of the nation's longest-standing small professional modern dance companies, Wellspring's continued success serves as a model for how regional arts organizations can thrive while maintaining artistic excellence and community relevance.
Summary
Wellspring Dance Company celebrates its 45th anniversary season with the Fall Concert of Dance: Epic Moments, running November 21-23, 2025 at the Cori Terry Theatre in Downtown Kalamazoo's Epic Center. This landmark production serves as both a retrospective and forward-looking celebration, featuring works created within the Epic Center since Wellspring's 2000 move from the Park Trades Center. The concert showcases the artistic vision of founder Cori Terry alongside current Artistic Director Marisa Bianan, who emphasizes the program's thoughtful curation of pieces "made in these walls" during the company's 25 years at the Epic Center. The professional company includes Bianan, Rehearsal Director Alexis Smith, Angel Sutton, Emma Kent, Sarah Holcomb, Elliott Vargas, and Emily Prymula, with guest artist Sam Crouch joining for these special performances.
The concert features powerful revivals of Terry's classic works including Family Altar (2001) with original costumes by Elaine Kauffman and set design by Paul Marquadt, the rhythmic Dervish (2002) set to music by Kalamazoo-based Blue Dahlia, and the spectacular full-company work At This Very Moment Breaking (2008) known for its sweeping lifts and striking lighting design. These are balanced by two powerful new pieces by Bianan: The Ground Has Thawed (2025), originally premiered with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra's Burdick-Thorne String Quartet and performed here in its entirety for the first time, and Woven Together (2025), created for the YWCA's 140th Anniversary Gala featuring stunning wearable chainmail art by Elaine Unzicker. Tickets are available now through WellspringDance.org/season, with multiple pricing options including general admission at $30, pay-it-forward at $40, youth/student tickets at $15, and pay-what-you-can options starting at $5.
The performance schedule offers diverse accessibility with four shows including a Friday evening post-concert talkback with Wellspring and artist Eliane Unzicker, a Saturday afternoon sensory-friendly performance in collaboration with Unmask the Arts, plus additional evening and Sunday matinee performances. The Cori Terry Theatre provides full accessibility including wheelchair access and hearing loop assistive listening technology. This fall concert represents just the beginning of Wellspring's packed 45th season, which continues with events including the Koa Fund Sunrise Gathering in December, the 17th Annual RADFest in March 2026, and the Spring Concert of Dance in May 2026. Supported by numerous foundations including the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, and W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Wellspring continues its mission of awakening wonder, artistry, and connection through movement while advancing Kalamazoo as a home for modern dance that moves hearts, bodies, and minds.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by 24-7 Press Release. Read the original source here, Wellspring's 45th Season: Epic Moments Dance Concert Celebrates Legacy
