Rouge

February 14, 9pm

February 15, 5pm & 9pm

Booth Playhouse, 130 N. Tryon St.

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Expect the unexpected.  From comedy to thrills, the circus artists and dancers will entertain you cabaret-style.  Led by our Madame of Ceremonies Rachael Houdek, we have an exciting evening for you filled with gravity-defying aerial acts and tantalizing dance. This show is for mature audiences (PG).

Preferred beverage partner

Caroline Calouche, Artistic & Executive Director 

Caroline Calouche has created contemporary and aerial dance work for numerous programs including Dance Department in the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Winthrop University, Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance (SEAD)and Contemporary Ballet Dallas. She has received several grant awards to further her artistic vision with her company, Caroline Calouche & Co. She believes in continuous learning and experiencing the world will help not only develop you as an artist but as a person too. Her dancing roots began in the little town of Gastonia, North Carolina and branched out to Fort Worth, Texas at Texas Christian University where she had the pleasure of working with Li-Chou Cheng, Elizabeth Gillaspy, Susan Douglas Roberts, Kerry Kreiman and Fernando Bujones. From there she studied in Europe at SEAD in their post-graduate choreography program receiving training from Susan Quinn, Joao da Silva, Andrew Harwood, Libby Farr, Keren Levi and Ori Flomin. In 2007, Caroline began her aerial dance training and has worked with Susan Murphy, Elsie and Serenity Smith, Kevin O’Connor and Amy Ell. Caroline is also certified in the BASI Pilates Method, Gyrokinesis and Nimble Arts Silks Foundation Level 1. She is the founder and director of the Charlotte Dance Festival.  (www.charlottedancefestival.org).  www.carolinecalouche.com

Kaila Dockal is a graduate from Winthrop University with her B.A. in Dance with a Concentration in K-12 Teacher Certification. For the past 23 years, Kaila has studied ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, modern and lyrical. She has taught at Fascinating Rhythm Studio, Charlotte Cirque and Dance Center, and New Attitide Performing Arts Center. Kaila is the current dance teacher at Northwestern High School in Rock Hill, SC. Kaila became interested in aerial arts while participating in the Charlotte Cirque & Dance Center's Summer Intensive program. Kaila has the pleasure of continuing her professional dance and aerial career with Caroline Calouche and Co. and is excited for what is to come.

Javier Gonzalez (4th Season) began his career in dance in 2008 studying hip-hop and various Latin Style Dances.  In 2009 He became a company member of Ballet Folclórico de las Americas and LeColours Latino Dance.  He was the principal dancer for the modern department at CPCC Dance Theater from 2010 to 2015.  He has also danced with ECHO Contemporary Dance Company and the Moving Poets of Charlotte as well as a guest dancer for Carnaval Carolina, Charlotte’s largest Latin festival.  He has been a backup dancer for Latin artist including Las Fenix, Jorge Celedon and former Miss Universe Alicia Machado.   On the side Javier enjoys teaching dance to Latin girls preparing them for their quinceañeras celebrations. Javier is a faculty member at the Charlotte Cirque & Dance Center.

Byron McDaniel is originally from Columbia South Carolina where he began training in classical ballet at the age of five.  He later was accepted into the Governor’s School of the Arts in Greenville South Carolina under full scholarship.  Since then Byron has traveled around the world as a professional dancer and aerialist for Celebrity Cruise lines.  Byron Is now in school full time for physical therapy and is very excited to be working with Caroline Calouche & Co.!

Carolina  Quirós Otárola (1st Season) began her dance life at age 6 at the Conservatory of Castella in Costa Rica taking classes in ballet and creative movement. She graduated from this institution in 2005 with a Bachelor in Media Education and a Medium Art Technician with an emphasis in Dance- Ballet and Piano. She graduated from the School of Dance at the National University of Costa Rica.  She has danced professionally with the National Dance Company of El Salvador and "Metamorfosis" directed by Sol Carballo Bolaños, where she developed as a dancer and aerialist. She now lives in Mooresville with her husband and two children.  

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Photo: Ronny López

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Megan Raferty (1st Season)  is from Lake Charles, LA. She is a graduate of St. Louis Catholic High School and Louisiana State University. She was a member of St. Louis Sweethearts for four years where she served as captain her senior year. During her freshman year of college, she attended the University of Houston where she was a member of the Cougar Dolls Dance Team. After transferring to Louisiana State University, she performed with the LSU Dance Ensemble and was a member of the physical theater club. Megan has trained in dance for 20 years. She studied at Glenda Moss Academy of Dance, the Houston Metropolitan Dance Center, and Broadway Dance Center. She has won numerous scholarships and awards through Dance Masters of America and Showtime International competitions. Megan is very excited for her first season with Caroline Calouche & Co. 

Sarah Small (8th Season) began as an aerial student with Caroline Calouche & Co. in 2011.   She has trained dance and circus arts with Jen McQueen, Ukoiya Mastin, April Skelton, Susan Murphy, Tanya Burka, Maria Caruso and Pauline Legras.  She is currently a dance major at Central Piedmont Community College under the instruction of Clay Daniel and Tracie Chan. Sarah has been performing in musical theater since the 5th grade, and also has spent much of her formative years as an oboist, pianist, vocalist, and percussionist. Sarah is a faculty member at the Charlotte Cirque & Dance Center as well as a performer for Elevate performance company.  

Johnny Millwater (3rd Rouge Appearance)

Johnny Millwater has dedicated his life to making people laugh.

Johnny has been performing comedy ‘on the road’ since his 17th birthday.

He has delighted thousands of audiences in all 50 states with his vaudevillian fusion of standup comedy, music, impressions, improv and variety performance.

He’s rocked the Rockies, smoked the Smokies and appalled the Appalachians!

His superb use of language, rapid-fire delivery, and old-school showmanship have earned him a reputation as an intelligent, high-energy and one-of-a-kind entertainer.

Johnny now lives with his family in Charlotte, NC, where he hosts the late night talk show “Crazy Late with Johnny Millwater.”

Here’s what other comedians have to say about Johnny:

“Johnny is the Funniest, Greatest Man On The Earth.”- Louis CK

“Don’t get Johnny started…”- David Letterman

Rachael Houdek (7th Rouge) is both honored and excited to be a part of the 7th rendition of Rouge. Cabarets are her forte having produced them in Charlotte for over 10 years, she loves collaborating and working with a variety of talents and artists. 'I'd like to thank my family of friends, Mom, Dad and Austin for your continued support - and Jenn - life wouldn't be the same without you.'

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