What we especially appreciate about the programs at the Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut is their wonderful diversity, a heady mélange that range from music, to lectures, to Met Opera Live in HD, dance, theatre, and much more. On Friday, September 26, 2025, we had the pleasure of experiencing Rebcca Lazier’s Noli Timere (from Latin as “be not afraid”) that deftly combined Rebecca’s passion and experience as a director and choreographer with renowned sculptor Janet Echelman’s net sculpture that paired 8 contemporary dancers and circus artists, along with 4 riggers to create an exciting aerial dance performance. With the extra bonus of an original music composition and performance by Jorane to accompany the performers it was a night to remember with the exciting and enthralling combination of art, dance, and aerial work. Fabulous!
Rebecca Lazier – Noli Timere – based on Sculpture by Janet Echelman
When it comes to pushing boundaries and the proverbial envelope, the Quick Center for the Arts, celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, continues to inspire with its bold creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. For their 2025-2026 season, the Quick Center for the Arts has curated an impressive season of wonderful programming.
Rebecca Lazier – Noli Timere – photo courtesy Rebecca Lazier
On Friday, September 26, 2025, we experienced Rebecca Lazier’s Noli Timere, an extraordinary production that artistically combined Rebecca’s passion and vision with different genres, art (Janet Echelman’s incredible net sculpture), contemporary dance, and circus arts for a phenomenal aerial production quite unlike anything that we had ever experienced. It is interesting to note that this was the culmination of a five-year collaboration between Rebecca and Janet, and the first time that Noli Timere was presented.
Rebecca Lazier – Noli Timere – photo courtesy Rebecca Lazier
For the Noli Timere, Rebecca brought together an international cast of 8 dancers and avant-garde circus artists: Joaquín Barral Yarian (dance/circus), Zed Cézard (circus), Clark Griffin (dance), Valmont Harnois (dance), Bia Pantojo (circus), Raphaëlle Renucci (dance), Gillian Seaward-Boone dance), and Madi Ward (circus), who created an enthralling and engaging aerial performance, with Janet Echelman’s net sculpture as the “ninth dancer.”
When we first saw the colorful net sculpture on the stage, we could not even imagine how it would be used in the performance. When the performance began, the performers moved around it, under it, and then finally climbed on it where it at 25-feet in the air, their movements affected the movement of the sculpture. It stretched, it moved, and it became the “ninth dancer” as the performers interacted with it. Initially, what looked like tightly woven mesh from our seats in the auditorium changed over the course of the performance with the performers pulling it, stretching it, and even putting their hands, legs, and feet through the openings.
Rebecca Lazier – Noli Timere – Madison (Madi) Ward – photo courtesy Rebecca Lazier
It was a performance of daring, of circus arts as Madi Ward and other performers pulled themselves up higher on the sculpture showing their dexterity and accomplishment of the aerial arts. Engaging, exhilarating, and beautifully presented, Rebecca Lazier created a masterful composition with Noli Timere. We cannot wait to see more from this dynamic choreographer.
Noli Timere is dedicated to the memory of John Lazier and David Feldman.
Until next time, keep enjoying and supporting the arts!
Rebecca Lazier – Noli Timere performers & Edward F. Nesta
Noli Timere
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Rebecca Lazier
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Director
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Rebecca Lazier
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Choreographer in collaboration with the performers
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Jorane
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Music Composition and Performance
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Leigh Ann Vardy
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Lighting Design
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Mary Jo Mecca
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Costume Design
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Joaquín Barral Yarian
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Performer
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Zed Cézard
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Performer
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Clark Griffin
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Performer
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Valmont Harnois
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Performer
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Bia Pantojo
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Performer
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Raphaëlle Renucci
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Performer
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Gillian Seaward-Boone
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Performer
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Madi Ward
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Performer
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Gregg Parks
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Creative Producer
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Bea Crowther
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Technical Director
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Dominic Clément
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Rigger
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Rosaleen Rogmans
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Rigger
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Gillian Seward-Boone
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Project/Company Manager
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Sigrid Adriaenssens
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Engineering Consultant
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William Baker
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Engineering Consultant
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Laurelle Favreau, GAMI/Simonds
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Tour Representation
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A Sampling of Upcoming Programs at the Quick Center for the Arts 2025 – 2026
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Emily Coates: tell Me Where It Comes From (dance)
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October 9-10, 2025
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Bellini’s La Sonnambula (The Met: Live in HD, opera)
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October 18, 2025
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Dan Colley and Company: Lost Lear (theatre)
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October 21, 2025
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Cirque Kikasse: SANTÉ! (circus)
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October 24, 2025
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A Conversation with Scott Jennings (lecture)
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October 27, 2025
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Cia Marco Flores Rayuela (dance)
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November 1, 2025
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Silkroad Ensemble w/ Wu Man American Railroad (music)
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November 7, 2025
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Puccini’s La Bohème (The Met Live in HD, opera)
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November 8, 2025
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yMusic (music)
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November 14, 2025
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Mrs. Warren’s Profession by Geo. Bernard Shaw (theatre)
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November 18, 2025
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Strauss’s Arabella (The Met: Live in HD, opera)
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November 22, 2025
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A Feast of Carols: Glee Club Christmas Concert (music)
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December 5, 2025
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The Fifth Step by David Ireland (National Theatre Live)
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December 9, 2025
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It’s A Wonderful Life (film)
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December 20, 2025
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Bellini’s I Puritani (The Met: Live in HD, opera)
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January 10, 2026
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Life of Pi by Yann Martel (National Theatre Live)
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January 26, 2026
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George Packer (Inspired Writers Series)
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January 27, 2026
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Drum Tao: The Best (music)
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February 1, 2026
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A Conversation with Ken Burns (lecture)
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February 3, 2026
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BodyTraffic (dance)
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February 20, 2026
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Minty Fresh Circus by Monique Martin
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February 22, 2026
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Elizabeth Weitzman: American Women In Film (lecture)
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February 25, 2026
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Eileen Iveras and the Universal Roots (music)
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March 1, 2026
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Manuel Roque bang bang (dance)
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March 3, 2026
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Orchestra Lumos (music)
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March 8, 2026
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To learn more about the Quick Center for the Arts, see their complete program schedule, or to purchase tickets for their upcoming programs, please visit their website: https://quickcenter.fairfield.edu/2025-26-season-calendar/index.html or call the Box Office: +1-203-254-4000 X 2973
Quick Center for the Arts
Fairfield University
1073 North Benson Road
Fairfield, Connecticut 06824
Box Office: +1-203-254-4000 X 2973
Website: https://quickcenter.fairfield.edu/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FairfieldQuick
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fairfieldquick/ @fairfieldquick
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