Who are we?
MeCo is a non-profit 501c3 theater and dance production company that provides an artistic outlet for community members who seek to take part in dance and theater at the semi-professional level. Productions are usually new works and are intelligent, finessed, humorous, clever, emotional, and fulfilling to those on stage, backstage and in the audience. Besides production work, MeCo is committed to increasing dance notation awareness, education, and publication.
Artistic Director's Statement
Getting over the Throw-Away Dance culture
Dance is a beautiful and ephemeral art. The challenge with its temporal nature is that it appears and disappears in a moment only to live on in memory or on video. While there is incredible beauty in the transient nature of dance, it lends itself to what I call a “Throw-Away Dance Making Culture,” in which the field is consistently focused on the new, the fresh, the different. The old is mistakenly taken for stayed, stale, or simply old-fashioned. In any case, past works can end up being undervalued and underappreciated because they are simply left behind. In capturing dance on the page, the spirit and structures of the dance can be more easily accessed. The score serves as an artifact for study and growth. It is my hope that our scores will become inroads for MeCo repertory for years to come and that the spirit and joy of dance that exists in our unique flavor will find an appreciative audience in future generations.
- Beth Megill
Artistic Director Beth Megill
Beth Megill, MFA in Dance UC Irvine, BFA UC Santa Barbara, Language of Dance® Specialist, Certified Labanotation Teacher, teaches a variety of dance styles including Modern, Ballet, Tap and Jazz at Moorpark College. In addition to her technique courses, Beth enjoys teaching Improvisation, Choreography and Performance and Production. Under the umbrella of Megill & Company, Beth maintains a consistent relationship with a sister modern dance company Quinto Elemento in Puebla, Mexico where she often spends her summers teaching and choreographing. Beth believes in a comprehensive approach to teaching technique and performance often including her various backgrounds in Dance Theory, History, Yoga, Anatomy and Massage Therapy. Her work in Language of Dance® and Labanotation (dance notation) supports her advocacy work in getting dance literacy integrated into dance and core classrooms as a tool for deeper understanding of movement, conceptual thinking and creative expression. She aims to foster well rounded artists who are open to new opportunities, growth and expression. She is currently Co President of the California Dance Education Association (CDEA) for Southern California. Plus, she loves to laugh and does her best to bring joy and play to all that she does.
Executive Director Heather Megill Reba
Heather Megill Reba, MM (Vocal Performance) SUNY Buffalo, BA in Music UC Davis, is a director and playwright living in Indio, CA. She previously taught music and theater at the Idyllwild Arts Academy, the University of New Haven, and Finger Lakes Community College. Heather has directed musical productions with Oceanside Theatre Company, Carlsbad Community Theater, Encore Youth Theater, Megill & Company, Carlsbad High School, Turnpike Players (CT), Idyllwild Arts Academy, and the University of New Haven. She is also a performer, having performed with Performance Riverside, Sacramento's Music Circus, Moonlight Stage Productions, the Welk Resort Theater, and Starlight Musical Theater. Heather currently musical directs and costume designs for Desert Theatricals in Rancho Mirage, CA. Heather is the author/composer of four musicals (The Dollmaker, FATE, Ask Dorothy, Welcome to Sleepy Hollow) and the author of the novel FATE. www.HeatherReba.com
Technical Director Chris Reba
Chris Reba, MA in Music Composition SUNY Buffalo, BA in Bass Performance and Composition UC San Diego, AA in Music Recording MiraCosta College, is an Assistant Professor of Music at College of the Desert. Previously, Chris was Chair of the Music Department at Idyllwild Arts Academy and a tenured Assistant Professor of Music and Sound Recording at the University of New Haven, as well as an audio engineer at Firehouse 12 studios. He has studied composition with Pulitzer-Prize-winning composer Roger Reynolds, Chaya Czernowin, Cort Lippe, Steven Kazuo Takasugi, Rand Steiger, Jeffrey Stadelman and studied bass with legendary bassist Bertram Turetzky. Chris has extensive experience as a professional musician, live sound engineer for music and theater, and as a recording engineer. As a musician he has played with Sean Watkins, Sara Watkins, Chris Thile, Jason Mraz, Larry Mitchell and many others. In his capacity as an audio engineer he has worked with artists in numerous and varied areas of music including Charles Neville, Alvin Lucier, Barry Altschul, The Claudia Quintet, Bob Brozman, Tim Berne, Mary Halvorson, Rachel Z and many others. He has worked theater tech for California Center for the Arts, Escondido, The University of New Haven and Mandeville Theater in California. For more information please visit www.ChrisReba.com
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MeCo Board Members
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Beth Megill, President
Chris Reba, Secretary
Heather Megill Reba, Treasurer
Richard Hellstern, Board Member/Software Development
Brooklynn Reeves-Mallett, Board Member/Senior MeCo Dance Member
Karissa Smith, Board Member/Senior MeCo Dance Member
Erin Riddle Sofley, Board Member/Senior MeCo Dance Member