Cracks

Cracks poses the question of whether or not fervent worship or adherence leads to one’s true evolutionary journey to the higher self. Where are the cracks in spiritual foundations that challenge the individual amidst tradition, and what is left when it all comes crumbling down?

Meleta Buckstaff
Costume Designer, PNB Costume Shop Manager 

Meleta Buckstaff grew up in Jackson, Wyoming, where she developed a love of dance at a young age. Meleta holds a BA in Dance and American Studies from Smith College and an MFA in Costume Design from the University of Washington. She joined the PNB costume shop in 2017 and was promoted to Costume Shop Manager in 2022. Creative highlights include years of collaboration with choreographer Babs Case, production designer Erin O. Kay, and her work at PNB.

Julie E. Ballard
Lighting Designer

Julie E. Ballard, USA829, is a professional lighting designer, ETCP-certified electrician, and production stage manager. She is affiliated with IATSE Local 2 and the Actors’ Equity Association. She has freelanced for 25 years in and around the Midwest, touring regionally, nationally, and internationally with companies such as Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Pilobolus, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, The Seldoms, and David Dorfman Dance. 

Theatre audiences have seen her designs in the U.S., across Europe, Siberia, and South Africa. She has designed for the Charlotte Ballet, Giordano Dance Chicago, Ballet West, Illinois Shakespeare Festival, First Folio Theatre, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, among others. 

Recent production stage management credits include Spring to Dance, Auditorium Theatre, and Bates Dance Festival. 

Ms. Ballard holds degrees in Theater (BA, 1999) and Lighting Design (MFA, 2004) from Kent State University and the University of Florida, respectively. 

Darryl J. Hoffman
Sound Designer

Darryl J. Hoffman, originally from Bronx, New York, is a composer based in Chicago. With his lifelong love for music, he developed a curiosity for sound and began creating at the age of 13. His resume of compositions includes works on Kansas City Ballet for choreographer Stephanie Martinez (2016), pieces for Danceworks Chicago (2016), Minnesota Dance Theatre (2017), Visceral Dance Chicago’s Synapse (2017), and three Philadanco works choreographed by Anthony Burrell and Christopher Huggins (2018-2019). He has also composed works for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Ballet X, Gibney Dance (choreographed by Rena Butler, 2018-2021), as well as full compositions for both Ebony Williams’ pieces entitled Title lX and Victoria, which premiered at Jacob’s Pillow in 2019. 

Along with serving as Musical Director for Regional Dance America’s National Choreography Summer Intensive in 2020, Darryl continues to live in his gift as he intends to shape the culture of music and dance with his sound.