Digital Program | Baryshnikov Arts Center Presents: I Believed It Too

ABOUT

I Believed It Too is about a performer trying to find her way out of a destructive false reality. She takes us on an unraveling journey as she reveals the many ways she has given her life to a world that fails to reciprocate. This work is a boisterous, sweaty, and glamorous concert about the blurred lines of passion, labor, and love.

Please be advised that the production features flashing lights and haze/fog.

All details subject to change.

CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM

Kashia Kancey (Choreographer/Director/Performer) is a Miami-born performer and dance-theatre choreographer who earned her BFA in Dance from New World School of the Arts. Kancey creates work surrounding themes of joy, nostalgia, urgency, power, indulgence, intimacy, and reclamation of space through the black queer femme lens. Kancey has worked with Rosie Herrera Dance Theatre, Adele Myers and Dancers, Abby Z and the New Utility, David Dorfman Dance, Urban Bush Women, and the Metropolitan Opera. She has also worked with artists like Donna Uchizono, Tendayi Kuumba, Annie-B Parson, Larry Keigwin, Valentina Baché, Cristina Moya-Palacios, and Symara Sarai.

Kancey’s work has been presented around New York City at CreateART Performance, Triskelion Arts, Movement Research at Judson Church, New York Live Arts, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and Ars Nova. Kancey has been a recipient of residencies such as the GALLIM Moving Artist Residency (2023), Baryshnikov Arts Center Residency (2024), Triskelion Arts Fellowship (2025), and the Fresh Tracks Residency at New York Live Arts (2025). Most recently, Kancey was recognized as one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” 2026 as a choreographer and performer. Currently based in Brooklyn, she is excited to continue making work where she can exist unapologetically and dream without any limits.

Alondra Balbuena (Performer), born in New York City and raised in Miami, Florida, is a freelance dance artist with a BFA from New World School of the Arts. Since graduating she has worked with Adele Meyers and Dancers, National Water Dance, Motus Dance company, Geovanna Gonzalez as well as New York–based artists Kashia Kancey, Kar’mel Antonio Wade Small, and Corinne Lohner. In her journey as an evolving performer, she is excited to continue using movement to deepen her understanding of human connection. Currently she is based in Queens, NY and touring internationally with comedian Josh Johnson.

Lakeria Robinson (Performer), born and raised in Miami, Florida, is a BFA graduate student from New World School of the Arts. Robinson has studied ballet, modern, Jazz and Afro dance techniques and is an alumna of The School at Jacob’s Pillow Dunham Legacy and Afro Latin intensives. Having been a part of programs like Archcore40 and the Overtown Youth Center, she is also well versed in commercial styles like hip hop, jazz funk, and musical theatre. Robinson has had the opportunity to perform works by Kashia Kancey, Robert Battle, Ronald K. Brown, Darshan Singh Bhuller, and several others who influence her creative process today.

Kyla Thomas (Performer) is a Brooklyn-based performer and movement director. Originally from Miami, she graduated with her BFA from New World School of the Arts. Her focus shifts between the worlds of dance and fashion, movement directing for publications like HYPEBEAST, Nike and more. Thomas is currently working as a freelance performer, movement director, and stylist. She has been performing choreographic works of Kashia Kancey since 2023 and is excited to reprise her role in I Believed It Too this fall.

Cristina Moya-Palacios (Sound Designer) is a Venezuelan-born, Miami-raised artist with a BFA from New World School of the Arts. She’s had the pleasure of working with Adele Myers and Dancers, Rosie Herrera Dance Theatre, and Larry Keigwin. Now in Brooklyn, she’s taken on more collaborative roles with peers and is currently performing with Kashia Kancey, Miguel Alejandro Castillo, Skyla Schreter Dance, Valentina Bache, Demetris Charalambous, and Luis A. Lara Malvacías. Beyond performing, Moya-Palacios enjoys crafting sonic scores for fellow artists and choreographing her own work that focuses on the immigrant experience, Latin American identity, and surrealism through a blend of extreme physicality and theatrical portrayals. Most recently, she has presented a collaborative duet with Kashia Kancey at the Lincoln Center Atrium along with solo work in Triskelion Arts Split Bill #47, the Performance Mix Festival, in the AbidWe Komorebi exhibition at L’SPACE Gallery for New York Textile Month, as well as in Xenoduo’s “A Mobile Home” installation and performances at Sunset Park and Union Square. In 2024, Moya-Palacios became a New Dance Alliance LiftOff Resident Artist and a Gallim Moving Artist Residency recipient in 2025.

Connor Sale (Lighting Designer) is a New York–based designer and the Resident Lighting Designer of Triskelion Arts in Brooklyn. Recent collaborations include projects with Julia Antinozzi, Verbal Animal, Dorchel Haqq, Valentina Baché, Christian Warner, Meaghan Robichaud, Tushrik Fredericks, Roderick George, Jo Warren, and Das Besties. In addition to Triskelion Arts, his work has been seen at: The Brick, New York City Center, PS21 Chatham, PAGEANT, The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Life World, Bates Dance Festival, among many others. He’s toured internationally with Pina Bausch’s The Rite of Spring (Sadler’s Wells/École des Sables), Akram Khan’s Gigenis, and Faye Driscoll’s Weathering. More of his work can be found at connorsale.com and at @connorsalelight.

Chanel Pinnock (Stage Manager) currently serves as the Director of Production and Operations for New York Live Arts, bringing her expertise and dedication to the forefront of every production. With a solid background in production management, Pinnock has managed productions regionally, on- and off-Broadway, and has collaborated with leading institutions including TRIBE, Manhattan Theatre Club, and the Alliance Theatre, significantly contributing to the success of their productions. Originally from the Bronx and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Pinnock’s passion for theatre led her to earn a B.A. in Theater from the University of Georgia. Since graduating, she has furthered her education by completing a Master of Business Administration at the University of Tennessee-Martin, enhancing her managerial skills and business acumen.

Pinnock is thrilled to be a part of the I Believed It Too team and is grateful for the trust they’ve placed in her.

ABOUT BARYSHNIKOV ARTS CENTER

Founded in 2005 by Artistic Director Mikhail Baryshnikov, Baryshnikov Arts Center supports multidisciplinary artists through residencies, performances, commissions, rentals, and artistic partnerships. BAC’s mission is to provide artists with the space, resources, and freedom to pursue creative exploration and share innovative work with audiences.

BARYSHNIKOV ARTS CENTER STAFF

Mikhail Baryshnikov, Founder and Artistic Director
Jamie Burns, Director

ADMINISTRATION
Nicole Proto, Business Administration Manager

PROGRAMMING
Sam Black, Artistic Associate
Pedja Muzijevic, Artistic Administrator

DEVELOPMENT
Chani Sebazco, Development Manager

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
Lydia Murray, Marketing and Communications Manager
Victoria Zdunkiewicz, Box Office and Digital Marketing Manager

PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS
Tyler Benware, Director of Production and Operations
Natasha Bruno, Technical and Operations Manager
Jesse Campbell, Lighting Director

PRODUCTION OVERHIRE CREW FOR I BELIEVED IT TOO
Morgan Elise Bailie, Wardrobe

Chantel Edwards, Head Audio-Video/Sound Board Operator

Emily Vizina, Head Electrician/Light Board Operator

Carpenters/Electricians: 
Eugene Cadabra
Emily LaRochelle
Ben Levine
David Perez
Michael Propster
Sebastian Sanchez
Dale Villaruel

CONSULTANTS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS
Stephen Viksjo, Graphic Designer
Eric Wolfram, Web Developer
Sean Regan, Perfect Balance Bookkeeping, Inc., Bookkeeper

FRONT-OF-HOUSE STAFF FOR I BELIEVED IT TOO
Jennifer Rico, House Manager

Box Office Assistants/Ushers:
Tatum Backer

Khadijah Danielian

Kymber Dodd

Rebecca Kaye

Katie Kirk

Hanna Kolasinka

Kentrell Loftin

Petar Miloshevski

Elsa Mota

Molly O’Connor

Nelson Rivera

Annie Sauerburger

Yua Watanabe

Special thanks to our production crew, front-of-house staff, and volunteers.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dave Hattem, Chairman
R. Jarrett Lilien, Treasurer
Steven C. Dupré, Secretary
Mikhail Baryshnikov
Jamie Bishton
Frank Cordasco
Carlo Di Dio
William James Earle
Sandra Foschi
Jennifer Frautschi
Slavka B. Glaser
Rebecca Goldring
Anton LeRoy
Darryl Pinckney
Shelley Washington

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Baryshnikov Arts Center is grateful for the contributions of its generous supporters.

Individual

Charles and Deborah Adelman; Sarah Arison; Jody Arnhold; David Aron; Adrienne Arsht; Ella Baff; Mark Baillie; Malaga Baldi; Joanne Barak; Karen Barbarese; Mikhail Baryshnikov and Lisa Rinehart; Martha Bedrosian; Lori Belilove; Maureen Bennett; Miriam Roskin Berger; Glenn Bergman; Joseph Bernardo; Anne Boardman Miller; Christine Bonde; Wendy Born; Judith Bowman; Sophie Bronstein; Bob Bronzo; Carolyn Broomhead; Lynne Brownstein; Anthony Bruni; Christopher Buckley; Margo Cates; Stacy China; Anne Clark; Daniel Cohen; Andrew Cohen; Anya and Peter Cole; Amy Collins; Mary Colvi; Nicole Contreras; Beth Cooper; Frank Cordasco; Katie Cordova; Jovan Dansberry; Alice de Young; Emme Deland; George Delapena; Monroe Denton; Jennie DeScherer; Jacqueline Deslauriers; Janet Dewan; Carlo Di Dio; Alyce Dissette; Julian Dooley; Murray Dubin; Larry Dubinski; Emilee Dupre; Laura Einstein; Peter Farrell; Lynn Feinson; Aurelia Fenouil; Bradley Fenton; Robert Fisch; Alan Fishman; Brian Fitzpatrick; Gustave Fleury; Anne and Chris Flowers; Marjorie Folkman; Marci Frankenthaler; Barry Freedman; Diane Friedman; Nancy Fuchs; Bruce Garetz; Joseph George; Kirk Gerchberg; Steven Gilbert; David Goldenberg; Daniel Goleman; Tatiana Gordon; Joan F. Gottfried; Laura Hamilton; Cynthia Harvey; Dave Hattem; Huong Hoang; Lewis Holman; Joan Hooker; I gail Howard; James F Ingalls; Pamela Ingram; Edward Jackson; Michael Jenkins; Lesli Jo; Kate Johnson; Susan Justman; Tamra Katcher; Richard Katz; Donalee Katz; Collen Keegan; Eugene Korolkov; Olga Kovalishina; Larry Krantz; Joshua Krawitz; Linda Larson; Eugene and Deborah Lefevre; Emily Lemer; Patricia Lent; Svetlana Leonova; Anton LeRoy; Abigail Levy-Westhead; Lester Libow; Jarrett Lilien; Michael Lillys; Lucy Lin; Katherine Litteral; Vanessa Lukas; Josefina Lyons; Elaine Lyte; Mary MacFarlane; Lynne MacLare Sandhaus; Michael Maier; Rebecca Malcolm-Naib; Leslie Marcus; Daniel Markley; Eric Marlin-White; Tonda Marton; Cynthia Mayeda; Jill McDonnell; Karen McLaughlin; Susan Meltzer; Laura Michalchyshyn; Justyn Millamena; Adam Miller; Catherine and Bill Miller; Maurizio Montobbio; Mark Morris; Debra Morse; David Mortimer; Kirsten Munro; Marty Nealon; Franci Neely; David Neumann; Zoe Nousiainen; Stacey Oborne; Jeffrey Oppenheim; Marylin Ornati; Lorenza Panero; Katerina Papacosma; Mary Papenfuss; Christopher Pelham; Steven Pesner; Stephen Petronio; Bashir Phillip; Hardy Phippen; Tricia Pierson; A. Robert Pietrzak; Loren and Carol Plotkin; Noah Poses; Arin Prisand; Aidan Quinn; Svetlana Rabey; Frank and Haydée Rainieri; Gary Rego; Ronald Rego; Jenny Rickard; E Gerald Riesenbach; Laila Robins; John Robinson; Robert Rosener; Carmen Ross; Isabella Rossellini; Howard and Ann Sacks; Anna Salloum; Herbert Sambol; Catherine Samuel; Kristy Santimyer-Melita; Jennifer Sargent; Paul Sartori; Mark Schaffer; Elizabeth Schneider; Laura Schoen; Alan Schuster; Laura Schwartz; Wallace Shawn; Linda Shelton; Diann Sichel; Sondra Siegel; Sheree Silvey; Kraemer Sims; Leslie Smolan; Lenore Steiner; Ellen Steiner; Christina Sterner; Karin Strasswimmer; Sarah Taylor; Michael Tersigni and David Palachek; Alexander Tetradze; Jennifer Tipton; Marc Turkel; Sophia Tytel; Laurie Uprichard; Vikrum Vishnubhakta; Roberta Waldman; Deborah Elizabeth Ward; Gwen Welliver; Jedediah Wheeler; Thomas Whitburn; Edgar Wilson; Joe Wisenblit; Suri Wong; Cooper Wright; Maggie Wu; Kat Wyn Jones; Lisa Yeargin; Matthew Yee; John Yonover; Peter Ziemba.

As of September 16, 2026.

Institutional

Alphadyne Foundation; Apotheosis Events; Arnhold Foundation; KK Auchincloss Creativity Fund; Norris & Debra Bishton Foundation; Cohen & Company; Cyrus Capital Partners; Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation; New York City Department of Cultural Affairs; Enoch Foundation; The Marshall Frankel Foundation; Global Atlantic; Howard Gilman Foundation; The Goldring Family Foundation; The Harkness Foundation for Dance; The Francena T. Harrison Foundation Trust; William Talbott Hillman Foundation; Alex Katz Foundation; Danny Kaye and Sylvia Fine Kaye Foundation; New York State Council on the Arts; Omega Systems; Muriel Pollia Foundation; The Poses Family Foundation; Fundación Frank & Haydée Rainieri; The Jerome Robbins Foundation; The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, The Shubert Foundation; The Thompson Family Foundation.

As of September 16, 2026.

Baryshnikov Arts Center is grateful for:

Funding made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.

Funding made possible in part by public funds provided by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

Yamaha is the official piano of Baryshnikov Arts Center.