Step into a mesmerizing queer world where the "wild west" collides with the captivating realm of contemporary dance. TEN-GALLON is an exhilarating world premiere performance created and choreographed by Joshua L. Peugh that will ignite your senses, challenge your perceptions, and redefine the boundaries of masculinity in the iconic Western genre.

Our talented cast embarks on a groundbreaking journey that excavates the very essence of what the western has represented globally. We take the genre's deeply ingrained tropes and stereotypes and skillfully twist them into a new narrative, one that will leave you spellbound and eager for more.

This project is supported in part by New Mexico Arts, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, and by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Dark Circles Contemporary Dance was supported by New Music USA’s Organization Fund in 2023-24. 

Viewer discretion is advised. This performance contains elements that reference:

• Violence and Gunplay

• Racial and Cultural Themes

• Mature Themes

• Intense Atmosphere

Please assess your comfort level with these themes before attending.

Meet the Cast

George Avalos

George Avalos began his dance journey in El Paso, TX, at 13, training in various styles such as Hip Hop, Contemporary, and Jazz. Growing up as a competitive dancer, he has attended local, regional, and national competitions. George has taught in El Paso for the past six years at multiple studios.

Anthony Chacon

Anthony Chacon was born in El Paso, Texas. Coming from a border city, Anthony has been surrounded by culture and creativity his whole life, which was a big inspiration for starting his career. He is an eager and dynamic dancer excited to grow in the industry. Bringing forth 10+ years of well-rounded training/experience in styles such as hip hop, jazz, and contemporary, along with specific training in release technique, improv, partner work, turns and leaps, and ballet. Anthony graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso with a degree in Kinesiology while getting his dance training through Urban Movement Dance Company in El Paso. Anthony started as a competitive dancer, winning multiple titles at Regional and National competitions, to then booking multiple professional jobs such as music videos and stage performances for local artists and professionals. Also, as a teacher/choreographer, Anthony has participated in many dancers’ journeys across the city by teaching and choreographing at local schools and dance studios. Hoping to inspire his community through dance, Anthony looks forward to proving that you can follow your dreams no matter where you come from.

Salvatore Bonilla

Salvatore Bonilla (he/they) is a Puerto Rico native who started dance training in Mableton, GA, at their high school. They went on to receive a BFA from Meadows School of the Arts at SMU in 2017. They have danced in works by Adam Hougland, Bill T. Jones, Jose Limón, Joshua L. Peugh, Alysa Pires, Mike Ezperanza, Greg Bielemeier, and Shaun Keylock. They danced with Dark Circles Contemporary Dance in Texas for a few seasons while attending school. After briefly living in Europe and exploring different dance techniques, they now reside happily in Portland with a new dance community.

Sebastian Garcia

Sebastian Garcia (he/him) is currently a rising senior at Southern Methodist University, pursuing a BFA in Dance Performance with an artistic merit scholarship. Before transferring to SMU, he earned an Associate of Arts degree at Collin College while performing with the institution’s Collin Dance Ensemble. Sebastian has had the opportunity to work with artists including Joy Bollinger, Molissa Fenley, Jojo Gomez, Chris Martin, and Pat Taylor through choreographed works and training opportunities. Growing up in Wylie, Texas, he trained at the Dance Company of Wylie all during high school.

Ian Spring

Ian Spring (Middletown, Ohio) began his dance training under the direction of Phyllis DeWeese-Morgan before graduating with a BA in dance from Point Park University. Ian joined Parsons Dance in 2010 and performed in the Radio City Summer Spectacular (Mia Michaels). He has since danced in several productions with Austin McCormick’s Company XIV and Samson et Dahlila (Metropolitan Opera). Ian has performed in Edward Clug’s Sleeping Beauty Dreams and Jakob Karr’s Ain’t Done Bad and guested for Bruce Wood Dance. He’s a founding member of NYC-based Boca Tuya and is thrilled to be back with Dark Circles. 

Choreographer’s Note:

“A few years ago, I returned to my home in the desert southwest with my partner in tow. After spending a few evenings meeting friends and family in Mesilla, I realized that Billy the Kid might be an exciting icon to explore as a subject for an evening-length dance work that would connect with the local community and introduce our company to audiences in the region.

I’m always fascinated by the life some characters and stories have long after their first appearance. Billy the Kid died in 1881, but he continues to be reimagined repeatedly well over 100 years later. Unfortunately, Billy didn’t hold my attention. What did were the ideas and tropes of Western film and literature and how they continue to create and define masculinity and our part of the country in our zeitgeist.

The novels Outlawed by Anna North, Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas, and Lone Women by Victor Lavalle, as well as the films My Name is Nobody(1973), Once Upon a Time in the West (1968), Johnny Guitar (1954) starring gay icon Joan Crawford, and Zachariah (1971), have shaped and enriched my thinking about the Western, what it has been and what it can be.

This production is a culmination of all my training and previous work. Each of my teachers and mentors is reflected in this production, particularly Michele Self, Karen Peterson Kriete, Kim Abel, and Ahn Sung-Su. But Ten-Gallon is dedicated to Myra Woodruff, who taught me (and three other members of this cast) the pleasure of movement and the meaning of excellence.

Stephen King, Sanford Meisner, Ohad Naharin, Tarantino, Fosse, Sondheim, Michael Jackson, Anne Bogart, Tina Landau, William Shakespeare, and Larry McMurtry, I’m jealous of what you’ve made, I admire you, and I’m grateful for the magic you’ve given us.

My wonderful, supportive parents and sister have always encouraged and supported my dreams no matter what time of day.

Chadi El-Khoury is my partner, best friend, editor, and fiercely loyal support system.

The spectacular, generous artists you see on stage tonight, as well as my brilliant collaborators (Brandon, Liz, Nikki) behind the scenes, found personal ways to connect to this dream and, in doing so, clarified, challenged, and improved it; this production could not be what it is with another group of people.

Finally, thank you; more than half of the performance happens on your side of the footlights. We wouldn’t have a purpose without you.”

— Joshua L. Peugh