Unity Dance Troupe presents “FOG: Adapted from the Story of Job” debuting this October.
Performed by Unity Dance Troupe and choreographed by its founder and director, Alexis
Ziarkowski Burleson, FOG is an artistic exploration based on the story of Job in the Old
Testament. Concentrated in modern dance technique, this show uses a completely new style of
dance than Unity’s former shows.
FOG will be performed October 4, 5, 6 and 7 at the Lee University Dixon Center with three
evening shows and two matinees.
This story portrays the conversations between Job and three of his friends as he journeys through a season of intense pain and loss. After suffering the sudden death of his children, having all his wealth stolen, and losing his own health to a disease and pain, his friends attempt to comfort him and explain why such affliction has come upon his life. Job is bombarded by his friends’ opposing perspectives as they offer him their own lens through which to view his life.
FOG is produced by Austin and Alexis Burleson and the Unity Dance Troupe Staff. The cast of
eight professional dancers will offer an intimate, 37-minute production that invites viewers to
engage personally with the story. It features handmade costumes by Unity’s costume designer,
Lauren Leggett, and professional theatrical lighting designed by Austin Burleson. "This
performance will surprise audiences with unique and powerful analogies and metaphors," officials said.
“FOG is a unique production in that it doesn’t follow a strict narrative storyline like Unity’s other
productions. Instead, it connects a series of analogies and conversations to portray Job’s experiential journey with God and his friends. We cannot wait to share this unique production with the community in just a few days,” said Ms. Burleson
The costumes are all created and designed in house by Ms. Leggett, who has been sewing
costumes for the company for five years. Ms. Burleson fondly refers to Ms. Leggett as the “miracle worker” because of how she can make the seemingly impossible come to life through her
artistic creations.
“Adding that extra push of excellence,” says Ms. Leggett. "Flowy costumes with rich, warm tones;
this year’s costumes will add a unique challenge for the dancers as they must perform
blindfolded for much of the show. Although the story is from years past, the costumes capture
and portray a timeless story that all ages will find relatable."
Unity is a Cleveland-based Christian dance company well known for its productions, The Veil
and Dreamer . Unity was founded in 2010 as a Lee University club by Ms. Burleson, who was
a student at the time. What started as a company of Lee students dancing in a gymnasium has
grown into a full-time, non-profit dance studio serving over 300 students.
"The hope of this production is to touch the audience’s hearts and spirits and inspire a new
outlook on the forces that drive everyday life," officials said.
The three friends will be played by Unity Dance Troupe members Chistin Smolinski (Pious),
Allison Barnes (Condemned) and Grace Watkins (Optimist). Ms. Smolinski has danced with
Unity for three years and helps in set and prop design. Ms. Barnes is in her sixth season with
Unity and has played a variety of roles in both The Veil and Dreamer. Ms. Watkins has been
in the company for two years and serves as the studio manager of Unity Dance Studios.
"In everything they do, Unity strives to inspire people to go after their passions," officials said.
Unity just returned from a summer traveling through Colombia where they performed The Veil and spread the gospel in eight cities. Over 8,000 people saw The Veil in Columbia this summer.
"It is Alexis’s hope that FOG will compel audience members to explore their own beliefs, rather
than relying on the views of others. Too often we live life wearing a blindfold, wondering why we
cannot figure why things are happening to us. Unity is excited to share this story with the
Cleveland community in just a few weeks," officials said.
Show schedule:
Oct. 4-7
Thursday - 7 p.m.
Friday - 7 p.m.
Saturday - 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sunday - 3 p.m.
Doors Open 30 minutes before each show.
FOG is free to the public, but preferred seating is available for purchase. Visit
www.unitydancetroupe.com for more information.