Emily & James
Enter the worlds of James Joyce & Emily Dickinson through dance, theatre & music
August 2, 2026
Danse Lumière presents an intimate dance theater program featuring choreography by Kathryn Roszak, inspired by the literary worlds of James Joyce and Emily Dickinson. The company recently returned from the European premiere of the James Joyce Ballet in Dublin, Ireland, marking an exciting expansion of its international presence, with additional performances in New York and San Francisco.
Part I: James Joyce
Roszak’s James Joyce Ballet draws from The Dead, Ulysses, and Finnegans Wake, bringing Joyce’s richly layered narratives into a vivid physical language. The work explores the emotional and psychological landscapes of Joyce, Nora Barnacle, and their daughter Lucia Joyce, weaving themes of memory, longing, and identity. Featured artists include dancers from American Ballet Theatre and Pacific Northwest Ballet, whose performances bring depth and vitality to Roszak’s vision.
“So engaging was last night’s performance. The dancer epitomized why ballet remains vibrant and alive. I marveled at the nuanced and rich interpretations.”
— Theater Beyond Broadway, New York City
“The performance was a sophisticated and moving interpretation of Joyce’s world. Roszak’s work reflects a rare combination of literary depth, choreographic precision, and cultural sensitivity.”
— Liam Reidy, President, United Irish Cultural Center
Part II: Emily Dickinson — Pensive Spring
The Emily Dickinson Ballet: Pensive Spring draws from Dickinson’s letters written across many years and seasons, offering a window into her inner world. Roszak interprets Dickinson as deeply psychological, modern, and radical.
A scientist of the soul, Dickinson approaches themes of love, pain, and death with striking fearlessness. Her correspondence reveals a passionate and expansive spirit, shaped by the constraints of the Victorian era yet transcending them. In Roszak’s interpretation, Dickinson’s voice emerges as both intimate and universal, echoing her own words: a “soul of fire in a shell of pearl.”
“Roszak translates the poetry into eloquent physical language and poignantly illuminates the soul of the poet.”
— Contra Costa Times
Meet the Artists
Max Barker
Max Barker began dancing at age five at the ABT JKO School, where he trained for 9 years. In 2020, he was a finalist at the Prix de Lausanne. He continued his training privately for 2 years at the Fabrice Herrault Studio before joining the Royal Ballet School in London. During his time there, he performed on the stage of the Royal Opera House and in Yondering with the Hamburg Ballet for John Neumeier’s 50th Anniversary. Barker danced with Balletto di Venezia in Venice, Florence, across northern Italy, and in Dublin in July of 2025. He has also performed as a guest artist in YAGP galas in Tampa, New York City, Milan, and Lake Como. Barker joined ABT Studio Company in September 2023 under the artistic direction of Sascha Radetsky. He has originated roles in ballets by Amy Hall Garner and Houston Thomas, and performed in commissioned works by Jamar Roberts, Lauren Lovette, James Whiteside, and
Brady Farrar. His repertoire includes the principal role in Country Garden from Twyla Tharp’s Brief Fling; pas de deuxes – Black Swan, Diana & Acteon, and Gerald Arpino’s Birthday Variations, the Neapolitan Dance from Swan Lake; the solo boy in Jerome Robbins’ Interplay; and George Balanchine’s Tarantella. In January 2026 he performed Le Corsaire and Black Swan for E’prodictions Gala in Seoul, South Korea. He has also performed in Alexei Ratmansky’s The Nutcracker and Firebird with the main Company of American Ballet Theatre and is now an Apprentice with ABT.
Allegra Carlin
She trained with and performs alongside Miami City Ballet, and is currently continuing her training and performance work with Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle. She has also performed in choreography by Kathryn Roszak with the San Francisco Symphony, including a groundbreaking ballet that incorporated a robotic element by Carol Reiley—marking the first time the symphony presented a ballet featuring robotics.
Leslie Katter, soprano
Praised for her “shimmering tone,” award-winning soprano Leslie Katter is celebrated for her “effortless high notes” and “captivating performances” across a wide range of styles. Most recently, she recorded a full-length album of Gordon Getty’s Plump Jack under Maestro Nicole Paiement and made her film debut in the feature-length adaptation of the work, performing the principal roles of Boy and Clarence; the release is forthcoming. In the film, her “natural exuberance is contagious.”
Ms. Katter has appeared with Ars Minerva as Olimpia in Olimpia Vendicata under Maestro Matthew Dirst. With Lamplighters Music Theatre, she created Lady Lilette Sauvoirfaire in the world premiere of By Georges! (Burwell and Sasser) under Maestro Mary Chun and sang Sibella Hallward in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder under Maestro Brett Strader. She made her role debut with West Edge Opera as Aveline Mortimer in Kevin Puts’s Elizabeth Cree under Maestro Robert Mollicone and also appeared with the company in Brecht’s The Threepenny Opera under Maestro David Möschler. She made her professional debut as DieKönigin der Nacht in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte with Waffle Opera. On the concert stage, Ms. Katter performs with ensembles throughout Northern California and the West Coast. She recently debuted as soprano soloist in Orff’s Carmina Burana with the Willamette Master Chorus and Orchestra and was thrilled to return to the stage with the Sacramento Choral Society & Orchestra as the soprano soloist in Dvořák’s Requiem. A native Oregonian, Ms. Katter earned degrees in Voice Performance from Willamette University and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She received the Encouragement Award from the Washington District of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and studies privately with Jane Randolph.
Kevin Korth, pianist
As an in-demand recitalist and coach, pianist Kevin Korth has collaborated with such legendary artists as Isabel Leonard, Jake Heggie, Nadine Sierra, Frederica von Stade, Anthony Roth Costanzo, Sasha Cooke, Davóne Tines, John Holiday, and Deborah Voigt. Praised by Gramophone for playing that is “superb”, and “full of color and character,” his debut album, Out of the Shadows, a recording of American art song with soprano Lisa Delan and cellist Matt Haimovitz on the Pentatone Classics label was warmly received. As an avid interpreter of contemporary work, the album features premieres by Jack Perla and David Garner, in addition to previously unrecorded works by Norman Dello Joio and John Kander. Last fall brought the release of his newest album for the Pentatone Label, a collection of chamber music by composer David Conte. Other recent recordings include an album of Brahms, Mussorgsky, and Schubert songs with baritone Lester Lynch for Pentatone, and an album of Robinson Jeffers settings by composer Christopher Anderson-Bazzoli with mezzo-soprano Buffy Baggott for the Delos label. A frequent recital artist for Festival Napa Valley, other recent performances include a concert appearance at Teatro di San Carlo in Naples, a concert for Marilyn Horne's 90th birthday celebration, and a collaboration with jazz legend Dee Dee Bridgewater. Mr. Korth currently holds a position on the vocal coaching faculty at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
Kathryn Roszak
Kathryn Roszak is Artistic Director of Danse Lumiere, a choreographer, and an advocate for women in dance. She is committed to supporting equity and diversity in the arts. She founded the Women Directors, Choreographers, and Composers Residency at Djerassi Resident Artists Program, in San Francisco and New York City. Her major choreography credits include being presented by Martha Graham Dance Series/Graham Gathering and San Francisco Symphony, in addition to working for American Conservatory Theatre and San Francisco Ballet. In NYC, her choreography has been presented by the 92-Y, La MaMa, and Scandinavia House. Select grants include Laurance S. Rockefeller, Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation, California Arts Council, John and Susan Diekman, Phyllis C. Wattis, Fleishhacker and Zellerbach Foundations.
Danse Lumiere
Based in New York City and the San Francisco Bay Area, Danse Lumière creates dance theater that links the arts, environment, and humanity. Founded as Anima Mundi by Kathryn Roszak in 1995, and renamed in 2006, the company is best known for adapting outstanding works of literature for the stage, giving new form and added context to these works through a fusion of dance, music, and theater, often focusing on some of the most pressing social issues of our time. Artistic Director Kathryn Roszak is recognized for her adaptations for the stage including works by writers Isabel Allende, Maxine Hong Kingston, Emily Dickinson, Tomas Tranströmer, and Rainer Maria Rilke. For more information, please visit https://www.dlkdance.com.