Maskulinity is a contemporary movement performance project that explores gender. It is a wonderful program to bring to Middle and High school students to encourage discussion and exploration.

1. Maskulinity ~ Unfolding Codes of Gender
Produced by Salix & F.I.V.E. Productions

2. Thought-provoking, engaging, enlightening
Let students be part of the conversation!

3. Maskulinity
Maskulinity is a contemporary movement
production with choreography directed by Ras
Mikey C of F.I.V.E. Productions. The project
grapples with notions of gender and explores
societal pressures.

4. In-school programming
Maskulinity has been tailored to fit the middle
school and high school environment as a
performance that is age appropriate.
In October, Maskulinity was shown to students
from grades 6-9 at the Kinsella Magnet School of
Performing Arts. Students were led in a lively
discussion and participated throughout the event.

5. In-school programming
Students will be shown sections of Maskulinity
with opportunities for audience participation, on-
stage volunteers by students, feedback and Q&A.
Students will be asked to think about gender roles,
what it means to conform, how the media shapes
ideas of gender, and the concept of feeling
trapped in a box.
Students will be exposed to personal stories as
told through dance. The body becomes the voice.

6. Gender roles
Students will be asked to provide the answer to: “A man is _______?” and
“A woman is ______?”
The dancers will demonstrate gestures through movement and the students
will be led in a discussion.
Students will then see
a piece titled “What
We Are” which
explores how men
and women move
differently, and how
movement looks
differently on a man or
a woman.

7. Media
Students will see a
piece titled “Gepetto”
which shows the idea
of the media
controlling our ideas of
gender and race.
Students will be asked
to volunteer on stage
and do an exercise
related to the piece.

8. Conformity
We will discuss the idea of
conformity and how people feel if
they don’t “fit in.”
We will discuss different
metaphors for a box. Students will
create a box on stage as an
illustration.
Students will see a solo that
portrays the idea of being in a box.

9. Story telling through
dance
Students will see a
piece titled “Chosen
Nino” which tells the
story of a young man
growing up in Puerto
Rico and the dynamics
between himself, his
mother and his father.

10. Facilitator Qualifications
Lacey Byrne, Artistic Director of Salix Productions, will facilitate the
program.
Lacey has an extensive background in facilitating large groups, specifically
geared around discussing sensitive topics.
Lacey has a Masters Degree in Women’s Studies from Southern
Connecticut State University and is currently and adjunct professor at the
University of Connecticut.
In addition to teaching women’s studies, Lacey spent 2.5 years working as
an Education Coordinator at a Sexual Assault Center in Virginia. She has
also worked as a Planner for New Opportunities in Waterbury where she
facilitated trainings, workshops, large group discussions and programming.

11. Feedback on
Maskulinity
"What struck me when I saw the premiere of "Maskulinity" was its sensitive treatment of many of the complex
issues surrounding gender," said Rob Okun, editor of Voice Male magazine. "Using movement as its vehicle to
grapple with expressions of masculinity, the dancers invited me to consider the predicament contemporary men
find themselves in with their skill, not their politics. Far from being a polemic, in the end art triumphed," he said.
“Mary and I had the distinct honor and privilege to see this dance company perform in Northampton last night.
Not only are the dancers incredible, but the message and stories that compose the performances are amazingly
powerful.” ~ Jennifer Hardman, Audience Member

12. Costs
1 in-school performance $750
2 in-school performances $1,000
3 in-school performances $1,500
Maskulinity is approximately 1 hour. The program can be broken down into
smaller sections to allow multiple assemblies at your school. Movement
workshops can also be given to students.
Salix Productions is committed to working with your school to create the
maximum effect for your student body and is willing to work on a fee
structure to accommodate your budget.

13. Additional Information
• Biographies
Salix Productions
Salix Productions was formed in 2010 by Lacey Byrne and is located in Barkhamsted, CT. The company created its first full length production in
2010 with “Dancing in Pink;” a performance centered around women’s experiences with Breast Cancer. The production was performed at the
Warner Theatre’s Black Box theater in 2010 and again at the Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center. In the fall of 2011, Salix began working on
Maskulinity which premiered in June 2012 at the Kinsella School of Performing Arts and again in September 2012 at the Northampton Center for
the Arts and Luminz Studio in Brattleboro, VT.The company works collaboratively with choreographers and dancers in the community for each
project.
Lacey Byrne ~ Artistic Director of Salix Productions
Lacey, a resident of Barkhamsted, CT, grew up dancing since the age of 4; studying ballet, jazz and modern dance. She studied Classical Ballet at
the Connecticut School of Dance and Music as well as the Nutmeg Conservatory. While earning a degree in Sociology at James Madison
University, Lacey was introduced to feminism. She began studying the history and theory of feminist thought and eventually obtained a Masters
Degree in Women’s Studies from Southern Connecticut State University.
In addition to working in the non-profit sector for many years, Lacey began teaching Women’s Studies at the University of Connecticut in 2005. In
2006, Lacey began dancing with Kiva Dance Collective where she was able to explore dance and choreography. In 2010, Lacey formed Salix
Productions, combining her passion for dance, choreography, and feminism. Dancing in Pink, Salix’s first production premiered in 2010. Her
VISION is to apply a feminist perspective to the choreographic process; whereby using movement to contribute to the dialogue of feminist politics.
Ras Mikey C - Director of Choreography
Ras Mikey C is an African born American who received his B.F.A in Modern Dance from the University of the Arts in 2001. He has taught, performed
and choreographed dance world wide with his company Fore I’m a Versatile Entertainer (F.I.V.E.) Productions, as well as with Pilobolus Dance
Theatre, Raven-Symone, the Marley family and many others from the US. Ras Mikey is the former Artistic Director and Co-founder of the Eallaz
Dance Studio in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where he also co-produced numerous shows such as Adama Ethiopia 2000 and Reggae by the Nile. Ras
has performed with Ethiopian based artists, such as Aster Aweke and Kenny Allen. Ras Mikey’s works are a reflection of his spirit and his passion
for the performing arts as a cultural and social movement. He longs to bridge the gaps of cultural traditions and popular culture through education
and production in the performing arts and related projects. “More Love and Many Blessings through Progression.

14. Contact Us
Please visit www.salixproductions.com to
learn more.
Call Lacey Byrne at 860.921.3176 to
discuss Maskulinity coming to your school.
Email: lacey_byrne@yahoo.com
All photography used in this presentation
provided by Essennelle Studios.
www.essennellestudios.com