A very special birthday party for America’s 250th delivered a gift to some William & Mary dancers: a chance to appear on national television as part of PBS’ live broadcast from Colonial Williamsburg on July 4.
“It is a pleasure and an honor to have this opportunity to participate in this national showcase on such a momentous occasion,” said Leah Glenn, the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Dance at William & Mary.
Leah Glenn Dance Theatre will perform as part of the two-hour live broadcast, “America Made in Virginia: 250 Years Together.” The show is part of the state’s VA250 celebration. Founded in 2013, Glenn’s company is made up of William & Mary students, alumni and professional dancers from across the country.
Current students Tiara Barlow ’27 and John Potash ’27 will perform alongside alumni Julianne Abenoja ’26 and Faith Dailo ’26 and guest artists, Chloe Abel and Martez McKinzy in the world premiere of “Through a Window,” choreographed by Glenn.
Broadcast live from Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area, where the path to independence began, the show will stream on PBS, PBS.org and the PBS app beginning at 8 p.m. on July 4.
Blending live performance, music, historical interpretation and large-scale visual spectacle to celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial, the show is designed as a celebration and a unifying national moment, according to a press release.
Highlights include musical performances by a line-up of American artists, including Grammy winner Ryan Speedo Green, an acclaimed opera singer who grew up in Suffolk; Tony Award winner Kelli O’Hara and legendary singer-songwriter Judy Collins.
Additional highlights include West African and English Colonial drum corps performing as one group and a dramatic presentation of excerpts from the Declaration of Independence.
The finale will feature a display of 400 synchronized drones and a thunderous fireworks show, accompanied by classic American favorites recorded by the United States Air Force Heritage of America Band.
Glenn’s students are thrilled to be included. Barlow, who is in Williamsburg for the summer doing research with Biology Professor John Swaddle, was hoping for a chance to dance.
“I had a conference with Professor Glenn about my capstone for my dance minor and mentioned to her that I was looking for dance opportunities over the summer,” Barlow said. “She asked, ‘Are you available on July 4th?’ I thought, ‘That’s really specific,’ but I was really excited to be included.”
Abenoja, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in neuroscience in May, will travel from her home in Birmingham, Alabama, to reunite with her dance friends for the performance.
“Professor Glenn recruited me to be in her company as an apprentice two years ago,” said Abenoja. “Last year we performed on July 4th at Fort Monroe, and it was definitely a lot of fun.”
Susan Corbett, Communications Specialist