“This collaboration has helped to broaden my dancers’ horizons,” Martin said. “Not only do they get to perform such a unique work, but participating in a professional production like this is an amazing opportunity.”

Ware said, “In a state that is not incredibly diverse, especially in a predominately white suburb, these lessons are so valuable to our children.”

That very representation is the foundational reason Thomas, a former professional ballet dancer, started the company. He grew up not seeing himself reflected from the stage and was denied opportunity because of the color of his skin.

“Little Black boys need to see themselves on the stage,” he said. And that is just the tip of the iceberg of impact Collage, which now includes a conservatory alongside the professional company, and tours the country giving more of us the chance to experience inclusive ballet.

What ultimately manifested here in Utah were public performances in the Marriott Center for Dance — harmonious and dynamic presentations of artistry, meaning, and unity. In addition to the evening shows for the broader community, the project welcomed roughly 600 elementary school students who attended one of UtahPresents student matinees, which are funded, in part, by a ZAP (Zoo, Arts and Parks) grant.

Collage’s most iconic work, “Rise,” was one of the shows’ highlights. It’s a piece beautifully constructed with an original composition by Jonathan Kirkscey and Kirk Smith that combines music with the text of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speech “I’ve Been to the Mountain-top” which he gave April 3, 1968, the day before he was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.

The piece lands with the most meaningful and welcomed punch. It is a mighty portrayal of perseverance and possibility when we all come together to lift each other up.

Mercedes Stout (15) from West Point Ballet was cast to perform the Letter Solo in “Rise” where she plays a young white girl who had written to MLK, Jr. after he had been stabbed at a book signing in New York City. The girl had heard on the news that if he had even sneezed, he would have died. And she expressed gratitude that he hadn’t.

As a white girl of the same age, Stout felt a sincere connection to her character.

“We stand up for who we are, our rights to fight for freedom, and equality and for everything to be just,” she said. “Being part of this powerful production has opened my mind to see how discriminating people have been against others.”

Annalise Wood, a first-year student in the School of Dance, was also cast in the production. Being able to work with a professional company at such an early stage in her career — especially one that supported and connected with the local dancers with such generosity — was deeply inspiring. As was the content of the work.

“The message of the piece ‘Rise’ to me is that of unification and determination,” Wood said. “Unification of people from around the world, with different backgrounds and histories, in order to challenge the notion of equality.”

Her favorite part was when “a line of about ten women walk on stage holding on to one another, physically unifying and standing together.”

It echoed Thomas’ sentiments when asked how he feels about going to communities where most of the people he’ll work with might not be dancers of color.

He answered swiftly and with such intention: “We can’t move this alone.” ▪