Backstage Passes: Nick Von Hagel Managing Director of Westminster Arts Center

An interview with Nick Von Hagel, Lighting Designer

for Mosaic Dance Theater Company 

    You may not know Nick Von Hagel by sight, but if you've seen our productions at Westminster Arts Center (WAC), you know his work! His sorcery with light gives Sir Isaac Newton pause. As Managing Director of WAC at Bloomfield College, Nick is responsible for the technical aspects of the theater.  In addition he is "it" for managing the countless operational details necessary to keep this popular venue at the ready, not only for Bloomfield College, but for the many arts organizations which, like MDTC, call WAC "home."  Here's your chance to get to know "the guy in the booth."

How did you become involved in technical theater? 

   I became involved in theater about mid-way through my sophomore year of high school.  A number of my friends were assisting with our production of Little Shop of Horrors, so if I was looking to hang out with them after school, I ended up with only one option -- working on the show with them. From building sets to working on lighting crews,

Nick Von Hagel at the sound console at WAC.

I became stoked for every new production we put on. My father, who was a hobby woodworker and built a number of pieces of my bedroom and our living room furniture, instilled in me an enjoyment for working with my hands. Using some of those skills taught by my father for theater was a catalyst for me.  I had never had much desire to just make things out of wood beyond spending time with him and assisting my father, previous to my high school introduction to theater.

What drew you to lighting design?

   Necessity! Though I design lighting for Mosaic, my primary expertise is in live mixing, skills and practice brought on after attaining my position as the Technical Director of the Westminster Arts Center.  Many people will be okay with a simple lighting design, lights up/down, but most people can't stand bad/unclear audio.  For many events that require both lighting and sound, I'll generally fulfill the sound mixing role for those reasons.  But as live reinforcement is not needed by many dance shows, and minimally even for Mosaic, I get to do the other thing I love -- stage lighting.

Can you note any differences working with dance theater vs. theater?    

   I think dance theater sometimes has more impact than a standard theatrical production.  Dance theater is so much more about conveying mood through lighting and music.  Which is not to say those things are not conveyed using those disciplines in other arts forms.  Narration/exposition are simpler in a dance theater piece so you require a little more from the other technical/artistic aspects to flesh out such pieces.

Is there any piece in Mosaic’s repertory that has particular meaning for you, and why?  

 I particularly like Ubar, The Lost City of Brass, maybe because it lets me lean on a color palette that I usually shy away from for many other lighting needs I fulfill. Ubar also runs the full gambit of storytelling and emotion from slow and sneaky mysterious action to "run for your life." 
(At left are the many moods of Ubar, The Lost City of Brass, from MDTC's production of Tales from the Arabian Nights, with examples of Nick's exquisite lighting. Photos by Gary Heller.)

 
What are the challenges for you, working in technical theater?  

    The moment of having to accept the technical limitation for what my artistic vision may be for a given moment.  Sometimes having to sit back and realize that I don't have the twenty thousand dollar magic bullet light, or the perfect lighting angle to get it the effect I want.  In the end, working with your space with the  equipment you have available to you, while still creating something amazing is something a technical artist needs to come to terms with.  
(A special lighting effect achieved in Fo(u)r Women. Photo by Gary Heller.)

How has your time with Mosaic changed or enhanced your experience in technical theater?   

Mosaic was one of my first ventures into lighting and working on dance theater.  I had designed and worked on many productions through my college years, but Mosaic was one of my first times delving into "artistic" lighting design outside of the safe "higher education" world.  I'm grateful to Mosaic for their patience with me and that first show in 2008, as I fought the terror of what I feared

may end up to be horrible lighting (it wasn't),  but terrifying nonetheless.  Ten years later, I look forward to the next time Mosaic is on my calendar, and what new story piece they may have for me to play with. 
(At left, two pieces from MDTC's 2008 production at WAC, Red Desert  and The Boating Party. Nick's lighting design captures just the perfect quality for the particular moment in each dance.  Photos by Gary Heller.)

Remembering Eddie "The Sheik" Kochak

 

 The world at large lost an indescribable force in the world of Middle Eastern music and dance, in the passing of Eddie "The Sheik" Kochak in December 2018, at 98-years young!

  Eddie was a tremendous influence on many, many dancers and musicians, creating recordings of new and traditional music in his trademark "Amer-Abic" sound. His recordings, having made the transitions from LP to cassette to CD to iTunes were (and still are) "musts" for every dancer's music library. 

And who better to remember Eddie than those who knew him well.

  Samara, MDTC's Artistic Director for Dance and Choreographer:

L to R: Gary Kupper, Samara, Eddie Kochak, Jehan Kamal

   There are some people in life who are so unique they hold a special meaning in your heart, and therefore contribute a significant  perspective of how you see the world. Eddie "The Sheik" Kochak was one of those people. He was an interesting combination of Arabic/American culture. He was a bridge for so many artists from the Middle East that immigrated to the US. They all knew the best thing was to contact Eddie Kochak and he would advise them.

   Eddie was always very supportive since the beginning of my career. His humor and warm-hearted personality always made it fun to work with him. He had a very personable way of entertaining and making people laugh and enjoy themselves. The humorous delivery of his songs and his wonderful music makes him one of the most memorable entertainers in our field! I feel so lucky to have Eddie as a dear friend.  He was actually more like family to me.
  I will never forget all those wonderful dinners on Atlantic Avenue (Brooklyn) with Eddie, where he would go into the kitchen to make sure our Baba Ganoush was fresh! He was the King of the neighborhood! Rock, Rock, Rock, Ya Habbibi! Eddie you are bigger than life! You will live on and on in your music and all who loved you. Thank you for all the wonderful memories! Priceless!

L to R: Dr. Phyllis "Phaedra" Saretta, Eddie Kochak, Soraya Melik

Phaedra
 
This article (see link below) about Eddie by Phaedra (Dr. Phyllis Saretta), MDTC's special artistic consultant, and dance legend appeared in Arabesque Magazine. 







http://www.brooklynartscouncil.org/files/downloads/Arabesque_A_Journal_of_Middle_Eastern_Dance_and_Culture.pdf

  At MDTC's October 2009 gala benefit, a special tribute was paid to Eddie and his music.  (The color photos by Gary Heller shown here are from that delightful evening.)  The evening was a perfect occasion for comedy.  Below, as a parody of B-movie interpretations of Middle Eastern dance, the Company performs Samara's choreography to to Eddie's "Salaam to You."

  No celebration of Eddie "The Sheik" would be complete without everyone joining in on the chorus of his unforgettable "Calories." In the video clip below, Samara, Jehan, are Eddie's onstage back-up dancers, while Gary Kupper plays the keys.

But Eddie's music wasn't always about comedy. Enjoy a short clip from our Harem Fantasy, a dreamy veil dance to one of his incredibly romantic rumbas.  Choreography by Samara.

  We love you, Eddie, and we miss you! You've got all those angels in heaven who are used to dancing on the head of a pin now doing drum solos!

Who Was Enheduanna?

Four thousand years ago, where the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers flowed, civilization was evolving, with the concept of the city -- Ur, to be specific. Temples were established to the many deities in the Sumerian pantheon. One woman, in particular, dared do what none had done before her -- she signed her name to the poems she wrote!  That woman was Enheduanna, a priestess/poet to the goddess Inanna, and her story is told in the eponymous work created by Samara, MDTC's Artistic Director for Dance (who choreographed) and singer/songwriter Gary Kupper (who directed).  Enheduanna (excerpted from Fo(u)r Women -- learn more), premiered in New Jersey in 2015, and makes its New York premiere on November 17, 2018.

To provide a little pre-show "extra credit", Dr. Phyllis "Phaedra" Saretta, Egyptologist and specialist in the art and archaeology of the ancient Near East, graciously shares some of her knowledge on this fascinating woman of the past.

 

Click here for the video with Dr. Saretta.

                    

Now Hear This!

Using a language of movement, a dancer can speak volumes without uttering a single word. MDTC's cast members are masters of this non-verbal vocabulary.  We were lucky enough to catch them on a break, and found them far from silent.  Hear what this group of exceptional artists has to say about our upcoming 15th Anniversary production (and catch a few sneak previews in rehearsal!).

Snapshots of Summer

Though the Company was in rehearsal during the summer, preparing for the fall, all work and no play -- you know the rest. Our hard-working dancers managed to take a little time off to enjoy the best the season has to offer, and share some moments of summer fun.

Samara in Spoleto

Artistic Director for Dance/Choreographer Samara: "Spoleto has a very artistic atmosphere. The home of the famous Spoleto festival. It is a mixture of ancient Roman Ruins and winding medieval stone streets and buildings. I loved Assisi, a very spiritual atmosphere. It reminded me of the feeling of the wailing wall in Israel. The painted panels on the walls are astounding. Many Many stories based on the life and times of Saint Francis." 

On feeding cats in Trevi:  "These cats really know how to work the neighborhood. Of course I wanted to take all of them home...If I only could!" 

Back home in NY:  "Spending time with my two nephews from France. They come every August
and every year we get to know each other a little better! I have watched more action movies this week then I ever have! Here we are spending a lovely time at Centerport Beach in Northern Long Island. "

 
Kendra in Cooperstown

 Dancer Kendra Dushac McCarthy visited the baseball capital of the world and Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. She watched her hubby, Matt pitch and coach his team in their 25th annual Harlem Shaskys vs. the Albany Shaskys baseball game at the Historic Doubleday Field.  Also pictured is the lovable, furry four-footed mascot Shasky Russell.  





Carlos in Castile


Mosaic guest artist Carlos Fittante: "This summer, after a long absence, I returned to Madrid, Spain. There I visited my extended family and enjoyed being in a Spanish speaking country, great food, Spanish dance lessons, viewing art, and a visit to the Escorial, a World Heritage Site (the palace, monastery, and royal mausoleum built between 1562-1584 by Spanish King Felipe II.)"  Upon returning to NYC, Carlos performed his choreography "Icarus," Saturday, August 18 at Dance at Socrates, Socrates Sculpture Park, NYC. ("Icarus" photo by Stephen Speliotis.)


Danielle in DC

Danielle Hartman, first-time guest dancer with Mosaic: "In July, I spent an exciting dance-filled weekend in Washington, DC. I was invited to dance at a sacred music concert, where I performed Sufi whirling for nearly an hour over the course of the event. Dancing to live
music always gives me the energy to keep going!
The next day there was more dancing at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, where my sister and I attended several Armenian folkdance workshops and enjoyed a beautiful day on the National Mall.  This official Smithsonian video shows a bit of what it was like:"
https://festival.si.edu/blog/rituals-symbols-armenian-wedding-celebration

Bob on Board

 MDTC Tech Director Bob Greenwald: "While visiting family in upstate Maine this summer, my sisters arranged for us all to have combined lessons in yoga and standup paddleboard. Maybe this was my chance for a shortcut to the grace, flexibility and flair that the Mosaic dancers all seem to naturally have. Fortunately the pictures all show me during the times I was on top of the water and not under it."

Mosaic Dances: Celebrating 15 Years of Mediterranean Magic

Mosaic Dances: 

Celebrating 15 Years of Mediterranean Magic

It doesn’t seem so long ago, that hot summer of 2003, when rehearsals were underway at Fazil’s for Mosaic: A Celebration of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Dance. Those three performances held in early November in Montclair, NJ as part of the 12 Miles West Theater Company’s Guest Artist Series were the genesis of what was to become Mosaic Dance Theater Company. The fifteen years since have been an exciting journey of artistic growth and discovery.  It’s time to celebrate, and we enthusiastically invite you to join us.

We have three performances to share with you some favorite pieces from MDTC’s repertory. We open on November 17 with one performance at Manhattan Movement & Arts Center (MMAC) in New York City, then we cross the Hudson for two performances on December 1 at the Doris M. Byrne Performing Arts Center at Mount St. Dominic Academy in Caldwell, NJ. We have a dynamite cast who can’t wait to delight you. Mosaic Company dancers Samara, Morgiana Celeste Varricchio, Nina Brewton, Kendra Dushac McCarthy. We welcome back guest artists Heather Panikkar, Carlos Fittante, and Allan McCormick, and welcome as new guest performers Danielle Hartman and Kaitlin Hines.

As opening night approaches, you’ll receive complete information on each of our engagements, as well as more in-depth information about the different works planned for the production.  But, for now, to whet your anticipation, here are three (the BIG three!) of the pieces in the program:

·      “Raks al-Sai’idi,” a joyous folkloric dance of Upper Egypt, and one of MDTC's signature dance works, featuring sagat (finger cymbals), assaya (cane), and balas (water jug);

“Enheduanna” an excerpt from “Fo(u)r Women,” a theatrical multi-media work celebrating the life of this first non-anonymous author of the ancient Mesopotamian civilization of Sumer;

   

  “La Lettera d’Isabella,” an original scenario for the commedia dell’arte, portrayed through movement and dance to an underscore of traditional Italian folk music.

Oh! What a time we’ll have.

Mosaic Auditions, February 18, 2018