2022
PRESENTS
© 2022 BERKS BALLET THEATRE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
CAMPS + INTENSIVES NOW ENR OLL ING FOR S UMME R 2022 SOME T HING FOR EVE RYONE! S E L ECT IO N O F PRO G RA MS BE LOW
BERKSBALLETTHEATRE.COM/ENROLL
Welcome
TO THE 2022 SPRING SHOW, FORGOTTEN FAIRY TALES Berks Ballet Theatre is excited to welcome audiences back to the Miller Center for the Arts for our annual Spring performance. Following a successful production of The Nutcracker, we’re elated to share these ballets with the community! We remain committed to bringing our best to the stage, while keeping audiences, our dancers, and staff safe. The health and safety of our community is our highest priority. Did you know Berks Ballet Theatre is celebrating its 46th season? The nonprofit (501(c)3) was founded with the philosophy that given the training and opportunity, the child next door could grow up to be anything, including a dancer in a national ballet company. Berks Ballet Theatre is committed to educating young dancers in classical ballet and contemporary dance, providing an opportunity for expression through performance, and enriching the Greater Reading community with the art of dance. Thank you for your continued support and enjoy the show!
Want to learn more about dance classes, upcoming performances and more? Visit www.BerksBalletTheatre.com. Have questions or feedback? Email us at Info@BerksBalletTheatre.com
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Kelly Barber Kelly Barber is a native of Reading. She began her studies when she was nine at Carol Ennis Dance Arts (what is now the BBT Conservatory of Dance). Four years later, she became a member of Berks Ballet Theatre and continued performing through her teens as a soloist with the company. Kelly spent summers studying at Burklyn Ballet Theatre, the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts, and Pennsylvania Ballet. In 1995, Kelly went on to dance with Ballet Theatre of Maryland (formally Ballet Theatre of Annapolis) under the direction of the late Edward Stewart, rising to the rank of soloist. While in Annapolis, she danced in many classical & contemporary ballets including Swan Lake, Paquita, Dracula, and Carmina Burana. In Swan Lake, Kelly shared the stage with Christine Dunham and Wes Chapman, former principals with American Ballet Theatre. She also danced the role of Snow Queen in the Nutcracker, as well as other leading roles like the Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty, and the Grand Pas de Deux from Le Corsaire. Kelly eventually returned to Reading and Berks Ballet Theatre, where she began teaching at the school and performing as a guest artist with the company. She was appointed Associate Director of BBT in 2006, and Artistic Director in 2007. Since then, she has been a part of staging many ballets, choreographing original works and carrying on the traditions of the company set forth by founder Carol Ennis. As a choreographer, her ballet “Bach Sonata Quartet” was performed during the 2005 Regional Dance America Northeast Festival in Harrisburg, and at the 2019 Delaware Dance Festival her ballet “Summa” premiered. Kelly is also the co-choreographer of BBT’s production of The Nutcracker. Along with her job as Artistic Director of BBT, Kelly is the Principal Teacher at the Berks Ballet Theatre Conservatory of Dance, teaching levels 1 through PreProfessional 3. Her teaching philosophy is made up of positivity, perfecting the basics and instilling a love of dance to serious students. Kelly is always striving to inspire drive, determination and focus and believes that not just dance is taught in the studio, but life lessons as well. As BBT’s Artistic Director and BBTCD’s Principal Teacher, Kelly hopes to continue to promote excellence in ballet training and performance in Berks County. .
BALLET MASTER / RESIDENT CHOREOGRAPHER
Nathan Bland
Nathan Bland began his dance training in California under Margret Lloyds Smallie and Sandy Thomas. He later continued his training with Melissa Bowman of American Ballet Theatre, while training at Pittsburgh Youth Ballet. Nathan began his professional career with Kansas City Ballet where he performed in ballets by renowned choreographers George Balanchine, Todd Bolender and Twyla Tharp, to name a few. For 10+ years Nathan’s professional career has taken him all over the United States and the world. He has danced for such companies as Eugene Ballet/Ballet Idaho, Oklahoma City Ballet, Connecticut Ballet, LazarBallet NYC and Rebecca Kelly Ballet. He has worked with many choreographers based in New York City, and has been featured as a guest artist throughout the United States. In 2010 Nathan had the opportunity to join The National Ballet Theatre of Croatia as a Soloist where he danced The Cavalier in The Nutcracker, Hilarion in Giselle along with featured roles in Bournonville’s Napoli and Valentina Turcu’s Carmen. While with the National Ballet Theatre, Nathan also had the opportunity to perform in Italy, Germany and throughout Croatia. Upon returning to the United States, Nathan continued his freelance performing career working with such companies as Owen/Cox Dance Group of Kansas City and SENSEDANCE of New York City. His association with Berks Ballet Theatre began in 2006 and in 2012, he became the Owner and Director of Berks Ballet Theatre Conservatory of Dance. Nathan has always had a passion for teaching and enjoys passing along his knowledge of dance to the young dancers of our future. Recently, Nathan has studied the Revolutionary Principles of Movement under Ruth C. Petrinovic and Wes Chapman as well as The Cuban National Ballet Technique under Ramona de Saa. Nathan believes that learning never stops and that his continuing education allows him to offer his students the best opportunities. Nathan has been a choreographer for many years, most recently for Berks Ballet Theatre he has choreographed Bolero for their virtual season as well as Hansel + Gretel, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Variations on a Theme. BBT’s annual production of The Nutcracker is cochoreographed by Nathan and Artistic Director, Kelly Barber. Nathan is beyond grateful for all the support BBT received through the pandemic that has allowed a return to live performances. He is very much looking forward to all that is yet to come this season!
THANK YOU TO OUR 2021-2022
Sponsors PLATINUM
(Title Sponsor)
GOLD Margaret Folga ROG Orthodontics Sovle IT Solutions, LLC The Singletary Family Tompkins VISIT Bank SILVER Daryl Tillman Realty Group, LLC
Bluestone Dental
Crosskeys Insurance
Spotts, Stevens and McCoy
Exeter Chick-fil-A
Diamond Credit Union
ProAsys
Neo Pangea
Morrissey Insurance
Joan and Roger Noback
Frank Singleton State Farm
Moyer Insruance & Financial Solutions
Mail Shark
Robert and Christine Keeler
Peter and Hilary Folga
First Contact HR
THANK YOU TO OUR 2021-2022
Sponsors BRONZE
Aunt Agnes, Lily and Family
Jeff and Michele Azzato
Marilyn Stewart and Deborah Sieger
Barrer & White Orthodontics
Shirley Kimmel
New Castle Lawn & Landscape
The Wegman Dental Group
Vanity Hair & Nails
Meat Me At Floren’s
Daphne Martens and Spencer Dize
Sweitzer & Zillhardt Family Dentistry PC
Siobhan Pocius
Morrissey Insurance
Jeff and Linda Sychterz
James Ginder
Donna & Karen VanderWaal
Judith Kraines & Dr. Neil Hoffman
Adam & Kristina Shober
Bodden Construction Group, Inc
3 West Productions
Sue and Mike Frederick
Troy and Barbi Kantner
Brian and Jenna Markowitz
Joanne Bieber
Eugene & Darlene Biever
Gloria Seifrit
Phyllis M. Kopecky
Hannelore E. Bealer
George & Mayme Morrison
Judy and Ron Stoudt
Vision Mechanical Inc.
Clyde and LInda Bailey
John and Beth Gerlins
Jack & Jean Causa
The Drummonds
Frank and Chris Singleton
Ed Spayd ReMax of Reading
Joseph and Jana Romanski
Grandma and Grandpa Hartman
Kyle Frederick
Anne and Dave Hoover
Centre Park Chiropractic
UGI Corporation
Gary Reneau IN KIND
Ady Cakes John and Jill Scheneman
Hoffman Publishing Group & Reading Avenues Magazine
Goggleworks Center for the Arts
Panera Bread
GIANT Food Stores
Weaver’s Orchard
Redner’s Warehouse Markets
Sweet Ride Ice Cream
Weis Markets
OUR 2021-2022
Company Members
Company Jessica Bealer, Molley Ginder, Faith Hartman, Gretchen Kimmel, Christina Kopecky, Lorelei Obst, Nicole Ratajczak, Evie Romanski Junior Company Kourtney Bodden, Kaia Kantner, Hennessey Kehs-Rossi, Maeve Keeler, Trinity Shober, Alexis Spitz Junior Company Apprentices Madisyn Dietrich, Colette Jordan, Tessa Morrissey, Harper Singleton, Julia Traffas
Artistic Director:
Kelly Barber
Ballet Master/ Resident Choreographer:
Nathan Bland
Choreography:
Nathan Bland
Score:
Kundage Riisager, George F. Handel
Production Coordinator:
Brett Buckwalter
Costumes:
Bethany Kehs-Rossi, Natalie Kimmel, Michelle Obst, Kim Spitz
Marketing & Program:
Lee Singletary
Parent Support Organization:
Friends of Berks Ballet Theatre
631 Penn Avenue, West Reading, PA • (610) 898-4064
The Board of Directors and Friends of Berks Ballet Theatre gratefully acknowledge the generous support of the following companies and individuals: Ady Cakes Barnes & Noble Berks County Living Magazine Christine Boud and the Borough of West Reading Heck Bros. Florist Hoffman Publishing Group and Reading Avenues Magazine GoggleWorks Center for the Arts Jason Hugg and Berks Weekly/Reading Magazine Justin Heimbecker & Mamie Covell and Berks Arts Katie Ging Photography Lauri Getz and Exeter Township Parks & Recreation Lisa Mitchell and Southern Berks News Meyer’s Costume Shoppe Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Pocadiz Bridal Boutique Sweet Ride Ice Cream
A BALLERINA’S TALE This original work brings to life a scene from an Edgar Degas-inspired painting. Still dancers donning flowering tutus awaken to express the beauty of ballet through sumptuous movement and a French impressionist motif. Featured: Gretchen Kimmel, Christina Kopecky Ensemble
Kourtney Bodden, Molley Ginder, Faith Hartman, Nicole Ratajczak, Evie Romanski
PAUSE (~5 min)
Tim Morrissey, CPIA tim@insuringyourfuture.com (717) 345-3373 (CELL) (800) 422-8335 890 N. Reading Rd. Ephrata, PA. 17522 www.insuringyourfuture.com
RED ROSE & SNOW WHITE An original adaptation based on The Brothers Grimm fairy tale, the ballet excerpt tells the story of Red Rose and Snow White, two sisters on a journey through an enchanted forest. As the sisters make their way through the forest, woodland creatures dance and delight, and flowers come to life.
Red Rose: Jessica Bealer Snow White
Lorelei Obst
Birds:
Kaia Kantner, Maeve Keeler, Trinity Shober, Harper Singleton, Alexis Spitz
Deer: Madisyn Dietrich, Colette Jordan, Hennessey Kehs-Rossi, Julia Traffas *Flowers: Gemma Brunner, Julia Diamond, Liv Jackson, Callahan Kehs-Rossi, Elenny Marte, Chris Saintil, Evan Seltzer
*Berks Ballet Theatre Conservatory of Dance Students
ROG ORTHODONTICS
P R O U D LY S P O N S O R S
Berks Ballet Theatre WE’RE SUPER PROUD TO SEE SO MANY
Fantastic Smiles
G R AC I N G T H E S TAG E ! 610.374.4097 FantasticSmiles.com
We are proud supporters of the Berks Ballet Theatre. Thank you for all the amazing performances.
VISTBank.com | TompkinsIns.com TompkinsFinancialAdvisors.com
OUR BOARD OF
Directors
Berks Ballet Theatre gratefully acknowledges the generous contributions of time and talent made by its Board of Directors and The Friends of Berks Ballet Theatre. Our Friends tirelessly raise funds, embellish costumes, create and move sets, feed hungry dancers, and sometimes appear on stage. It is with their support and that of our sponsors that we are able to continue to offer dance performance opportunities to aspiring dancers throughout Berks County. Kelly Barber, Artistic Director Nathan Bland, Ballet Master, Resident Choreographer Randolph Blatt, Member Susan Hughes, CPA, Treasurer Elizabeth Henry, Member Nancy Henry, Secretary Christopher Kunkle, CPA, CFE, President Lee Singletary, Member
FRIENDS OF
The Ballet
2021-2022 Officers: Julie & Wayne Bealer, Co-Presidents Kristina Shober, Secretary
BERKS BALLET THEATRE
Founder
Carol Ennis
Proud to support
The Berks Ballet Theatre
A Dedicated Team Serving Dedicated Clients
Christopher S. Kunkle, CPA, CFE, CITP Senior Manager
1.855.HC.Today www.herbein.com
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Contact us today with your Information Technology problems.
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Our work touches everyday life. From the water you drink to the air you breathe to the buildings and communities where you live, work and play.
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GOGGLEWORKS
CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Open 9am-9pm daily // Free admission & parking on-site Private tours also available *Pre-registration required
VISIT YOUR WAY
View rotating exhibitions in our galleries Catch a movie at the Boscov Film Theatre Explore our 35 Juried Artist Studios
MAKE ART
Monthly Maker Dates Workshops & Classes Studio Demonstrations *Pre-registration required
Learn more at GOGGLEWORKS.ORG Untitled-1 1
11/15/2021 4:45:53 PM
This project was funded in part through a grant from Berks Arts and the PA Council on the Arts.