Mélange Dance Company

05/26/2026

“Praise the lord, and pass the ammunition!” On December 7, 1941, U.S. Navy Chaplain Howell M. Forgy was aboard the USS New Orleans as Japanese war planes suddenly and viciously attacked Pearl Harbor. As the ship was under repair and without steam or power to hoist ammunition, the crew was forced to create a human chain passing the heavy shells by hand to fight back. As the men grew weary and tired, Forgy uttered these words to motivate them, with great effect. The phrase Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition would become a patriotic song and rallying cry during WWII both on the battlefield and the home front.

2,335 service members (and 68 civilians) died on this day. On this Memorial Day, we remember those who selflessly sacrificed their lives in the name of freedom and humanity. We are honored to take a small part in the preservation of some of their stories through the art of dance.

Love Letters of WWII, Nov 2025 as artists in residence at 💌
📸
Composer:
Live music: & band
Choreo:

Catch it one last time in NOLA at Aug 28-30 before we head to Washington, DC to present Love Letters at The Coolidge Auditorium as part of the Library of Congress Veterans History Project 💌

Love Letters of WWII portrays an epic love story that persisted during a tumultuous time that shaped the world, when brave men and women rose against fascism in the name of human dignity and justice. Through dance theatre and live, original music by Sarah Quintana, we bring to life the love letters between Yvette and Roger, a young French couple separated in the German occupation of France. Interwoven in this moving courtship are powerful war stories of resilience, including Louisiana’s French speaking Cajun soldiers affectionately known as Frenchies who helped win the war. Love Letters of WWII brings to life the universal love letters that kept “the greatest generation” alive.

The third mounting will delve deeper into the Frenchie narrative, reveal more letters between Yvette and Roger, and introduce a new wartime love story.

05/11/2026

05/07/2026

Thank you FOX8 for the feature on Love Letters of WWII and our work with the Nous Foundation! Love Letters of WWII will present in Washington at the Library of Congress on September 10th and at The Josephine Nola Aug 28-30! Catch an exclusive preview tomorrow at The Nous Foundation Gala at the Pitot House!

05/05/2026

Love Letters is going to Washington! ALSO presenting locally one last time at the gorgeous 💌😍

This production has been such a special part of our growth, and we’re beyond honored to be invited by to present Love Letters of WWII at The Coolidge Auditorium, where THE Martha Graham premiered Appalachian Spring, on September 10, 2026. The third mounting will delve deeper the Frenchie narrative, reveal more letters between Yvette and Roger, and introduce a new wartime love story.

Catch it one last time in NOLA at Aug 28-30! 💌

We are incredibly grateful to for facilitating this opportunity with LOC and help to cover travel, lodging, and compensation for 30 + artists! This is a major milestone for us, and we thank all who have supported us, including our incredible audiences, collaborators, and peers in our 12 year journey to meet this moment.

We’re honored to be among amazing local Nola talent this GIVE NOLA DAY and would appreciate your help spreading the word. Any amount helps 💗 Link in Bio 💗

Love Letters of WWII 💌
in collaboration with producers Piment Rouge Production, Cie Nine Spirit, Mr. Thomas Paul & Mp2018, and Sarah Quintana
Original music:
Live music by
Choreo:
Dancers: .garafola

Love Letters of WWII portrays an epic love story that persisted during a tumultuous time that shaped the world, when brave men and women rose against fascism in the name of human dignity and justice. Through dance theatre and live, original music by Sarah Quintana, we bring to life the love letters between Yvette and Roger, a young French couple separated in the German occupation of France. Interwoven in this moving courtship are powerful war stories of resilience, including Louisiana’s French speaking Cajuns affectionately known as Frenchies who helped win the war. Love Letters of WWII brings to life the universal love letters that kept “the greatest generation” alive.

05/05/2026

"if one man is chained, no man will be free"

Honored to collaborate with Kristin Diable in this powerful message 🥰 Her new album "Impossible Things" is out now! Check out the full video for One Man On The Road here!

youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwY2xjawRmM3NleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEePcwKcDRfPzIMBXOuFLTTg1n16P1Zqtt-cP5kZFQRgm4xGT8zzSycZ_DghpU_aem_qBcfO8F3LAhbTQK2iNQ2QA&v=NSsuhBLFT1o&feature=youtu.be

One Man On The Road - Kristin Diable - Official Music Video with Melange Dance Theater

04/22/2026

In honor of , we are throwing it back to our original, innovative production that connects the climate crisis and humanity, while highlighting a sea of voices on the frontlines in Louisiana. In March 2020, we announced our upcoming premiere of RISE for Mother Earth 🌊🌎

🌏 a surreal escape into the curious depths of the sea in all its beauty, where life emerges and human and nature are inextricably connected in the great web of life. Submerged, we reach the bottom of the ocean which holds all of Earth’s history and are abruptly swept into a dystopian world dominated by the winding catastrophic effects of climate change 🌍

Then, COVID happened. Nevertheless, we continued to build RISE through research, collaboration, and a lot of outdoor masked performances, and finally premiered it in full form at on Earth Day in 2022!

In cooperation with Louisiana Sea Grant, RISE features Grand Isle oral diaries of residents of our last inhabited barrier island on the Gulf Coast, a haunting picture of beauty and disappearance, serving as a metaphor for our own place on Earth as sea levels continue to rise.

RISE includes original music recorded by , as part of our collaboration telling the story of Goldman Environmental Prize winner Sharon Lavigne of in her fight against the invasion of Formosa Plastics in St. James Parish.

We were also thrilled to collaborate with .world , melding art, science, technology, and grassroots organizing to get the world to .

So much time, heart and dedication went into this important work advocating for our people and planet, and there is more work to be done. Together, we can turn the tide to build a better future for us and Mother Earth 🫶

Who wants to see this come back?

RISE for Mother Earth, 2022
🎥 .j
Choreo:
Dancers:

04/10/2026

We are CASTING a strong, expressive male dancer for a featured lead role in Love Letters of WWII, presenting August 28-30 in New Orleans and September 10th in Washington, DC! Love Letters blends live music by acclaimed artist Sarah Quintana, dynamic choreography, theatre, and the heartfelt narration of authentic wartime letters to illuminate the true story of Yvette and Roger, a French couple separated at war, among other powerful stories of resilience during WWII, including Louisiana’s “Frenchies” who were key to the Allied victory. The lead role requires both technical skill and compelling stage presence.

ROLE
Lead male dancer (featured throughout the performance)
Strong partnering ability
Must be comfortable with expressive, character-driven movement

REQUIREMENTS
Advanced to professional-level dancer
Training in contemporary and ballet
Reliable and collaborative
Available for all rehearsals and performance dates

REHEARSALS
Sundays 10-2, Tuesdays and Thursday 7-9 (dancer will not be called for all rehearsal times)
June- Mid September
in New Orleans

PERFORMANCE DATE(S)
August 28-30 in New Orleans
September 10 in Washington, DC / travel September 9-11

COMPENSATION
Hourly for time at rehearsal with stipend for performances / travel will be paid for

TO SUBMIT
Please email the following to [email protected]
Name + contact information
Dance resume (or brief experience summary)
Headshot and/or dance photos
Video link (performance or rehearsal footage preferred)

We are seeking a performer who brings commitment, presence, and artistry this special piece. We look forward to hearing from you!

03/27/2026

💌 Remember the day I told you
that I love you
that I love you for all my life

Rappelles-toi
le jour que je t’ai dis
que je t’aime
pour toute ma vie 💌

LOVE lives ON 💌 we are casting for a very exciting opportunity to be announced soon. Must be able to perform in Washington, DC on September 10,2026 and locally Aug 28-30. Please email us at [email protected] with your resume and dance reel 💌

Happy to represent the magic that art brings to the world even in the darkest of times 💌 happy

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“Love Letters From WWII has blossomed from Sarah Quintana and Christophe Lampidecchia’s poignant recording on the story of Yvette and Roger, who were separated during the N**I occupation of France during WWII. Sarah Quintana and Mélange Dance Company brought this beautiful story to life in a previous production a few years back, but now in the current production at New Marigny Theater, the brilliant Artistic Director/Choreographer Monica Ordoñez has assembled a full-scale presentation with Melange Dance Company in collaboration with Sarah Quintana and the brilliant vocalist and music director Anna Laura Quinn. What transpires is a profoundly moving experience evoking the chaos, tragedy, and shattering impact of war, contrasted with the enduring hope of love played out by incredibly expressive dance forms and evocative music. The audience was left aghast and truly moved. The context and timing of Love Letters From WWII lends a sense of urgency. I can’t recommend this enough! You must go!”- Michael Dominici programmer at WWOZ radio in New Orleans.
Thank you 🥹

Original music by performed live by and band 🎶
Choreography:

03/19/2026

Long live ROUGE! 🎂🎂🎂

“She follows the fringe flapping down Royal Street…she enters the Speakeasy. She puts a foot on the brass railing. She is served. She is the flapper. She is free, and the bees knees 😉

Wishing the happiest of birthdays. We’re lucking to have had Adrienne dancing with us for many seasons in many different roles, from Rouge, to Yvette, Jane, all stealing the audiences’ hearts in different ways 🫶 She has an incredible range of talent from classical ballet training and movement that continues to grow in strength and style, stellar singing, acting, and palpable storytelling that has inspired us in our journey as a company. Cheers to you, you are the cat’s pajamas! 🥂

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Speak(Easy) December 2024 🫧
A glimpse into the jazz age and prohibition era, Nola style, where the ban of alcohol was merely a suggestion 😉 it was an era of liberation for women, hot jazz, races against the raids, and unparalleled prosperity and modernity, with bubbles of prosperity that would eventually burst 🫧 reflecting on the consequences and parallels that exist today & toasting to a fascinating city that never stopped drinking 🥂

03/12/2026

Clap your hands! It’s ’s birthday! 👏

What a star! 🤩 what an absolute honor and joys it’s been to have Natalie dancing with us for the past two seasons with already so many memorable moments! She is insanely talented and a such versatile dancer, exhibiting strength, sass, power, beauty, and grace. Passion pours from her veins, and you can feel her energy. It’s electric! We love you and hope you’ve had an amazing day!

Love Letters of WWII 💌
Nov 2025
in collaboration with producers Piment Rouge Production, Cie Nine Spirit, Mr. Thomas Paul & Mp2018, and Sarah Quintana
Original music:
Live music by
Choreo:
Costuming: and Daniel Rigamer
Set:
Dancers: .garafola

Love Letters of WWII portrays an epic love story that persisted during a tumultuous time that shaped the world, when brave men and women rose against fascism in the name of human dignity and justice. Through dance theatre and live, original music by Sarah Quintana, we bring to life the love letters between Yvette and Roger, a young French couple separated in the German occupation of France. Interwoven in this moving courtship are powerful war stories of resilience, including Louisiana’s French speaking Cajuns affectionately known as Frenchies who helped win the war. Love Letters of WWII brings to life the universal love letters that kept “the greatest generation” alive.