Cincinnati Ballet - Playlist 2024

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ARONOFF CENTER FOR THE ARTS

REP 5 | MAY 10-12, 2024
KATHERINE OCHOA | PHOTOGRAPHY: RACHEL NEVILLE

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OF CONTENTS LETTERS FROM LEADERSHIP SEASON SPONSORS PRODUCTION SPONSORS CINCINNATI BALLET LEADERSHIP REP 5: PLAYLIST BLAKE WORKS II (The Barre Project) CONSTRUCTive SOUND | WORLD PREMIERE EVERMORE CASTING AND DANCER BIOGRAPHIES THE COMPANY SECOND COMPANY – CB2 BOARD OF TRUSTEES CINCINNATI BALLET STAFF DONOR HONOR ROLL EXPLORE CINCINNATI BALLET FOR YOUR INFORMATION 6 9 11 12 15 16 18 22 24 25 30 35 37 39 47 48 PHOTOGRAPHY BY RACHEL NEVILLE FEATURING BELLA URETA
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LETTERS FROM LEADERSHIP

DEAR FRIEND OF CINCINNATI BALLET,

It is my sincere pleasure to welcome you to PLAYLIST, an extraordinary production to conclude our 60th Anniversary Season. PLAYLIST is a collection of works all set to lyrical music from Nat King Cole, Annie Lennox, and James Blake from esteemed choreographers William Forsythe and Dwight Rhoden, along with a world premiere from Peter Chu. This work challenges both the athleticism and artistry of our dancers and I am so proud of what they have created for our community. The entire 2023–2024 Season has been a journey through the rich and diverse world of dance. It began with MORE ROOM TO PLAY, Kaplan New Works which featured world premieres from New York City Ballet dancer and choreographer Tiler Peck and Dresden-based choreographer Houston Thomas, David Morse with the energetic title work, along with emotional pieces from choreographers Jennifer Archibald and Amy Seiwert. The Fall was a celebration of our Diamond Anniversary with the exquisite Jewels by famed choreographer George Balanchine. To witness our dancers’ technical prowess for Rubies, Emeralds, and Diamonds demonstrated the high caliber of our Company. They worked so hard on this ballet as did our artistic staff; to watch it come to life was a true labor of love. We welcomed the joy of the holidays in Cincinnati with The Nutcracker presented by Sheakley Family, before heading to sunny Spain with Anna-Marie Holmes’ Don Quixote in February. This production was pure entertainment with wit, color, and jaw-dropping dance that ended in standing ovations at every performance. Spring brought us to Mercurial Landscapes, a visionary world of dance including a world premiere from New York–based artist Rena Butler, the title work from choreographer Jodie Gates, and two works from one of the greatest of all time, Czech choreographer Jiří Kylián. We then shared ballet with our kiddos with a trip under the sea with our Family Series: The Little Mermaid in April.

This season has been an inspiring journey for me as well, both professionally and personally. When I was chosen as the Company’s interim artistic leader in the fall of 2023, I was so honored to be at the helm for a season filled with so much incredible dance. Personally, I truly cherish this new role, as the Company has been my home for many years and has greatly shaped who I am today.

For our upcoming 2024–2025 Season, be prepared to be blown away by what we have in store! From the hauntingly beautiful Giselle to the return of The Wizard of Oz, as well as world premiere contemporary works and innovative ballets from renowned choreographers Alexander Ekman and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, along with David Morse’s incomparable Our Story, which explores the emotional impact of the Holocaust. It will be a season that explores the depth of the art form, immerses you in fantastic stories, and leaves you wanting more!

I look forward to seeing all of you in the theater as we take the next step in the Company’s extraordinary journey.

Sincerely,

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CERVILIO MIGUEL AMADOR Interim Artistic Director

LETTERS FROM LEADERSHIP

DEAR FRIEND OF CINCINNATI BALLET,

Thank you for joining us for PLAYLIST, the final production of our 60th Anniversary Season! It is an honor to have assumed leadership of this esteemed Company at such an auspicious moment in its history. During our 60th Anniversary Season, we have presented a rich tapestry of repertoire that demonstrates the versatility of Cincinnati Ballet which has long been a source of pride. We have gone from world premieres in MORE ROOM TO PLAY, Kaplan New Works to the extraordinary Jewels by choreographer George Balanchine to a witty and colorful full-length ballet Don Quixote to PLAYLIST, the innovative production you are about to enjoy. PLAYLIST features a trio of incredible contemporary works, created by groundbreaking choreographers, all set to lyrical music. Just like my favorite playlist, it features music I have loved for years—like the classic songs of Nat King Cole, which you will hear paired with choreographer Dwight Rhoden’s Evermore, and choreographer Peter Chu’s world premiere which includes well-known songs from the legendary Annie Lennox. It also includes songs that I may have heard on my daughter’s playlist (and immediately added to mine!)—like the song “Lullaby for My Insomniac” from musician and songwriter James Blake, which is one piece of music choreographer William Forsythe chose for BLAKE WORKS II (The Barre Project). Just like the best kind of playlist, this production is one you’ll want to enjoy again and again.

As we prepared for our 60th Anniversary Celebration during the last few months, it has been such a joy to see all the photos and videos from seasons past, to hear from so many Ballet alumni, and to share the wonderful stories of how Cincinnati Ballet has had such a positive impact over the last six decades. I hope those of you who attended the Celebration performance earlier this week loved it as much as I did. More than a few tears were certainly shed! If you have a moment at intermission or after the performance, I encourage you to enjoy the 60th Anniversary costume and video retrospective on display in the lobby. Without you—our community of supporters—these 60 years of world-class dance would not have been possible. We are truly humbled by your enthusiasm for this artform and your continued support. It has also been a pleasure to get to know so many of you this season and I am looking forward to deepening my connection to our Cincinnati Ballet community when we return in the fall for the 2024–2025 Season.

From the entire Cincinnati Ballet family, thank you.

Sincerely,

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A proud sponsor of the musical arts

2023–2024 SEASON SPONSORS

SEASON PRESENTER

60 TH DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY PRESENTER

SEASON FUNDER

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SPONSOR

LIVE MUSIC SPONSOR

SUSTAINABILITY SPONSOR

ADDITIONAL SEASON SUPPORT

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INVEST ENGAGE INNOVATE LEAD

Grantee Spotlight: CINCINNATI BALLET

Two of Cincinnati Ballet’s principal dancers, Sirui Liu and Rafael Quenedit, performing Diamonds from George Balanchine’s Jewels. Image credit: Rachel Neville

Investing state and federal dollars, the Ohio Arts Council funds and supports quality arts experiences for all Ohioans to strengthen communities culturally, educationally, and economically.

Learn more about our grant programs and resources, find your next arts experience, or connect: OAC.OHIO.GOV.

PRODUCTION SPONSORS

PRESENTING SPONSORS

CHOREOGRAPHY SPONSORS

Friends of Joel Stone

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY HIROMI PLATT FEATURING KATHERINE OCHOA
John and Jen Stein

CINCINNATI BALLET LEADERSHIP

CERVILIO MIGUEL AMADOR

INTERIM ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

The Cincinnati Ballet Board of Trustees appointed Cervilio Miguel Amador Interim Artistic Director in September 2023. A skilled artist, entrepreneur, and change agent for the world of dance, Amador received his education and training from the Vocational Ballet School in Camagüey, Cuba, and the National Ballet School of Cuba. He danced with the National Ballet of Cuba as a Corps de Ballet dancer and then as a Corifeo (demi-soloist) before joining Cincinnati Ballet in 2004 as a Soloist.

In 2006, Amador was promoted to Principal Dancer, becoming one of the youngest Principals in the history of the Company. He remained a Principal for 15 years and performed in a number of world premieres by renowned choreographers Victoria Morgan, Adam Hougland, Travis Wall, Val Caniparoli, Jessica Lane, Luca Vegetti, and many more. Amador also represented Cincinnati Ballet dancers as a union delegate for more than 10 years. After retiring as a Principal Dancer in the 2019–2020

DEBBIE BRANT PRESIDENT AND CEO

The Cincinnati Ballet Board of Trustees named Deborah S. Brant Interim President and CEO of Cincinnati Ballet effective January 2024. She will assume the role from Scott Altman, who after more than seven years as the organization’s administrative leader, announced his departure at the end of the calendar year. For many years, Brant has fostered a deep and meaningful relationship with Cincinnati Ballet and has been one of the organization’s biggest supporters. Brant is the current Chair of The Cincinnati Ballet Foundation, former chair of the Cincinnati Ballet Board of Trustees, and led the capital campaign committee that secured funding to construct the 62,000 square foot, $32 million Cincinnati Ballet Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance in Walnut Hills.

Ballet has been an important part of Brant’s life since her childhood in Akron, Ohio. She started ballet lessons at age 9, beginning a life-long love of the artform. Brant stopped dancing in high school before attending Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts, where she studied American Studies

season, he transitioned to Rehearsal Director for Cincinnati Ballet and participated in the Cincinnati Ballet Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Task Force leading sustainable change for dancers now and future artists.

Amador is very proud to be a part of the vibrant Cincinnati arts community. Over the years, he has collaborated with Cincinnati Opera, performed in the wildly popular Lumenocity events, and since 2018, also served as the Artistic Director/Co-Founder of Moving Arts. Amador was also honored to participate in an Emmy award-winning PBS documentary that chronicled his story of defecting from Cuba to pursue his love of dance.

During his professional career, he has also performed as a guest artist in productions and galas all over the world as well as teaching for numerous schools. He has staged pieces for Victoria Morgan and Jennifer Archibald and judged several international ballet competitions such as Universal Ballet Competition (UBC), Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), and Valentina Kozlova International Ballet Competition (VKIBC).

and Art History. She went on to create a successful fundraising career that included work in Washington, D.C., and New York City as a fundraiser and grants writer for The Kennedy Center | National Symphony Orchestra, as well as a fundraising consultant for New York City Ballet, Paul Taylor Dance Company, and Jacob’s Pillow, among others. Brant moved to Cincinnati in 1998 where she continued as a fundraising consultant for Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, Prospect House, and the Art Academy of Cincinnati. As much as Brant loves the arts, she also values the Cincinnati community. Philanthropy is a family tradition, one Brant learned from her parents and grandparents who were themselves dedicated volunteers. In addition to her tireless philanthropic work for Cincinnati Ballet, Brant is also a former Board Chair of the Mayerson JCC and Jewish Federation of Cincinnati and Member of the Board and Executive Committee for Most Valuable Kids of Cincinnati, Inc. (MVK). Brant is a past recipient of The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Women of the Year Award, the 2021 Volunteer of the Year Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Cincinnati Chapter, and Volunteer of the Year Award from the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati.

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CINCINNATI BALLET LEADERSHIP

DALE SHIELDS REHEARSAL DIRECTOR

Dale Shields trained at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and Butler University before joining Indianapolis Ballet Theatre, where she rose to principal dancer under Artistic Director George Verdak. Shields performed principal roles in productions including Giselle, The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Romeo & Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Coppelia, Night Shadow, The Moor’s Pavane, and many original works. She served as Principal Bal-

YOSHIHISA ARAI

let Mistress for Ballet Internationale, assisting with the original choreography of full-length ballets by Artistic Director Eldar Aliev and worked alongside Irina Kolpakova in staging many well-known classics. Accepting Artistic Director John McFall’s invitation to join Atlanta Ballet as Ballet Mistress gave her the opportunity to assist in mounting numerous full-length productions. She assisted on works by inspiring national and international choreographers including Alexander Ekman, Helen Pickett, Twyla Tharp, Liam Scarlett, David Bentley, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, and Amy Seiwert, among others. She is now in her third season with Cincinnati Ballet.

REHEARSAL DIRECTOR/DIRECTOR SECOND COMPANY – CB2

Yoshihisa Arai began his ballet training at the International Ballet Academy in Japan before he was accepted to The Royal Ballet School in London in 2005. After graduating with honors and receiving the Achievement Award in 2008, Arai joined Northern Ballet in Leeds, UK, under the direction of David Nixon CBE and Ballet Mistress Yoko Ichino. He began his professional career performing in many original ballets by David Nixon. In 2011, Arai joined Tulsa Ballet where he performed works by William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Douglas Lee, and Edwaard Liang. The following year Arai joined The Joffrey Ballet Chicago under

CARLOS QUENEDIT

the leadership of Ashley Wheater MBE. As a choreographer, Arai created several successful new works for The Joffrey Ballet such as Boléro, Élégie, and Afternoon Watch, which premiered at The Lyric Opera House and Auditorium Theater in Chicago. He has also choreographed a new Appalachian Spring for The Joffrey Ballet Studio Company in collaboration with the Illinois Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra. In 2023 Arai choreographed and directed his first mini chamber opera Cåraboo: A Chamber Opera, composed by James M. Stephenson and librettist Matt Boresi and performed by International Chamber Artists. Arai joins the leadership team as a Rehearsal Director of Cincinnati Ballet and Director of Second Company – CB2.

GUEST REHEARSAL DIRECTOR

Carlos Quenedit is an accomplished artist renowned for his captivating performances in classical and contemporary ballet productions. During his career, Quenedit was principal dancer with several companies including San Francisco Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Houston Ballet, as well as Principal Guest Artist with the Joffrey Ballet, and Soloist with the National Ballet of Cuba. He has graced the stage in a wide array of principal roles, including Albrecht in Helgi Tomasson’s Giselle, Romeo in Romeo & Juliet, and Basilio in Tomasson/ Possokhov’s Don Quixote. His repertoire extends

to the works of iconic choreographers, including a variety of George Balanchine pieces, Jerome Robbin’s In the Night (second movement), and Dances at a Gathering as the Purple Boy. Quenedit has also collaborated with world-renowned choreographers such as Helgi Tomasson, Yuri Possokhov, Christopher Wheeldon, Alicia Alonso, Justin Peck, Alexei Ratmansky, and Liam Scarlett, and danced in notable productions such as Rudolf Nureyev’s Raymonda Act III and Ashly Page’s Guide to Strange Places. Throughout his career, Quenedit has graced stages at venues worldwide, from San Francisco War Memorial Opera House, The Kennedy Center, and Lincoln Center to Sadler’s Wells and the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City, among others.

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The Austin E. Knowlton Foundation is a proud season partner of Cincinnati Ballet

BLAKE WORKS II (The Barre Project)

CHOREOGRAPHY, STAGE, AND COSTUME DESIGN William Forsythe

MUSIC James Blake: Buzzard & Kestrel, Lullaby For My Insomniac,200 Press

STAGING Noah Gelber and Chyrstyn Mariah Fentroy

LIGHTING DESIGN Tanja Ruehl, based on original design by Brandon Stirling Baker

SOUND SUPERVISOR Benjamin Young

Premiere: March 4, 2022, Tiler Peck, Lex Ishimoto, Brooklyn Mack, and Roman Mejia, City Center, New York, NY

Originating from The Barre Project (Blake Works II), created and filmed in 2020 with Tiler Peck, Lex Ishimoto, Brookly Mac, and Roman Mejia for its first broadcast on March 25, 2021, on the CLI Studio Digital Platform. www.clistudios.com

CONSTRUCTive SOUND | WORLD PREMIERE

CHOREOGRAPHY Peter Chu

MUSIC Annie Lennox: Cold, Why, You Placed a Chill in My Heart, Soundscape by Djeff Houle (contains samples from “Cold” composed by Annie Lennox)

ASSISTANT TO THE CHOREOGRAPHER Erina Noda

COSTUME DESIGN Linda Chow

LIGHTING DESIGN Tanja Ruehl

ASSISTANT LIGHTING DESIGN Rachael N. Blackwell

EVERMORE

CHOREOGRAPHY Dwight Rhoden

MUSIC Nat King Cole: Stardust, Let’s Face the Music and Dance, Can’t I, The VeryThought of You, Straighten Up and Fly Right, Just One of Those Things, Smile, L-O-V-E

STAGING Clifford Williams

COSTUME DESIGN Brooke Arthur

LIGHTING DESIGN Tanja Ruehl

ASSISTANT LIGHTING DESIGN Rachael N. Blackwell

Premiere: March 2013, Peridance Contemporary Dance Company at the Salvatore Capezio Theater, New York, NY

The featured works are listed in alphabetical order by title.

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REP 5: PLAYLIST

REP 5: PLAYLIST

BLAKE WORKS II (The Barre Project)

CHOREOGRAPHY, STAGE, AND COSTUME DESIGN

William Forsythe

MUSIC

James Blake: Buzzard & Kestrel, Lullaby For My Insomniac, 200 Press

STAGING

Noah Gelber and Chyrstyn Mariah Fentroy

LIGHTING DESIGN Tanja Ruehl, based on original design by Brandon Stirling Baker

SOUND SUPERVISOR Benjamin Young

CREATIVE TEAM

WILLIAM FORSYTHE

CHOREOGRAPHY, STAGE, AND COSTUME DESIGN

William Forsythe has been active in the field of choreography for over 50 years. His work is acknowledged for reorienting the practice of ballet from its identification with classical repertoire to a dynamic 21st century art form. Forsythe danced with the Joffrey Ballet and later the Stuttgart Ballet, where he was appointed resident choreographer in 1976. In 1984, he began a 20-year tenure as director of the Ballet Frankfurt after which he founded and

directed The Forsythe Company until 2015. Forsythe’s deep interest in the fundamental principles of organization of choreography has led him to produce a wide range of projects including installations, films, and web-based knowledge creation. While his work for the stage resides in the repertoire of ensembles worldwide, his installations are presented internationally in exhibitions and museums. Forsythe has been the recipient of numerous awards which include the Golden Lion of the Venice Biennale and Der FAUST German Theatre Award, both for lifetime achievement.

CHYRSTYN MARIAH FENTROY STAGER

Los Angeles native Chyrstyn Mariah Fentroy is a principal dancer with Boston Ballet. A graduate of the Joff rey Ballet School in New York City, she received her early training from her mother, Ruth Fentroy. Prior to joining Boston Ballet, Fentroy was a leading dancer with Dance Theatre of Harlem, under the direction of Virginia Johnson, where she gained national and international touring experience.

Fentroy’s performance repertoire is rich and diverse, including leading roles in ballets by George Balanchine, Jiří Kylián, Rudolph Nureyev, Jorma Elo, among many others. Her extensive collaborations with William Forsythe in ballets like Blake Works I, Blake Works 3, In the Middle Somewhat Elevated, +Pas/Parts 2018, and Playlist (EP) have

distinguished her as a ballerina who adds to the “palette of what is possible.” (Brian Seibert, The New York Times.)

As a choreographer, her work for stage and film has been commissioned by Boston Ballet and Boston Ballet School. She has also worked as a stager for choreographer Helen Pickett.

Fentroy was featured on the March 2023 cover of Dance Magazine and in January 2015 as a “25 to Watch.” She received the Princess Grace Honoraria Award in dance in 2016. In 2018, she was recognized as one of WBUR’s “Artery 25,” which highlights influential artists of color in the Boston area. Other artistic collaborations include the development of the Color Our Future Mentorship Program at Boston Ballet School, a limited edition shoe design for Rothy’s, and a marketing partnership with OOFOS.

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CHYRSTYN MARIAH FENTROY PHOTOGRAPH BY LIZA VOLL PHOTOGRAPHY

NOAH GELBER STAGER

Noah Gelber was born in New York City. He studied 11 years at the School of American Ballet, becoming a principal dancer at 16 with the American Ballet Company. He toured the U.S. and Mexico as a principal guest-artist before moving to Europe. He was a soloist with the Royal Ballet of Flanders before William Forsythe invited him to join the Frankfurt Ballet. Over nearly a decade as one of William Forsythe’s featured artists, Gelber performed the greater portion of the company’s repertoire, notably premiering in the original cast of “The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude.”

Gelber was active in the choreographic processes at the Frankfurt Ballet, creating considerable solo

and pas de deux material contained in some Forsythe pieces. His first story ballet for the Kirov/Mariinsky Ballet, The Overcoat after Nikolai Gogol, won three major awards including St. Petersburg’s Golden Sofit for Best Ballet of the Year and Russia’s highest theatrical prize, the Golden Mask. His choreographic works have been presented in Moscow, St. Petersburg, New York, London, Montreal, Tel Aviv, and Frankfurt. Since 1997, while still dancing, Gelber has maintained the responsibility of choreographic assistant for 14 different ballets from William Forsythe’s repertoire, working with over 50 different ballet companies in major theaters around the world. He is often invited to perform in international Galas, dancing solos and duets created especially for him by William Forsythe and other choreographers.

BRANDON STIRLING BAKER LIGHTING DESIGNER

Brandon Stirling Baker’s lighting can be seen in the repertories of New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Houston Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Penn-

sylvania Ballet, Paul Taylor’s American Modern Dance, Berlin Staatsballet, Semperoper Dresden and many others. Since 2010, Baker has been a frequent collaborator with choreographer Justin Peck of the New York City Ballet. His work has been presented internationally by major ballet companies in Europe, South America, Cuba, Jamaica, Israel, United Kingdom, and Canada. www.stirlingbaker.com

REP 5: PLAYLIST
PHOTOGRAPHY BY HIROMI PLATT FEATURING TAYLOR CARRASCO Cincinnati Balle t 17

CONSTRUCTive SOUND | WORLD PREMIERE

CHOREOGRAPHY Peter Chu

MUSIC Annie Lennox: Cold, Why, You Placed a Chill in My Heart, Soundscape by Djeff Houle (contains samples from “Cold” composed by Annie Lennox)

ASSISTANT TO THE CHOREOGRAPHER Erina Noda

COSTUME DESIGN Linda Chow

LIGHTING DESIGN Tanja Ruehl

ASSISTANT LIGHTING DESIGN Rachael N. Blackwell

PROGRAM NOTES

Inspired by the iconic voice of Annie Lennox, CONSTRUCTive SOUND embraces the art of construction, enriching the physical realm with a touch of architectural finesse. As architects lay foundations and shape structures, dancers and choreographers mold movements and rhythms, weaving a tapestry of beauty and grace. The word “construct” encapsulates the essence of action, establishing a solid base and giving form to our creative endeavors. With a constructive mindset, I approach our craft with proactivity and transparent communication, nurturing growth and fostering a supportive environment. Throughout this creative process, I relish the opportunity to start anew, delicately reshaping the contours of the physicality with gentle precision. I find comfort in the guidance of an inner voice, a mentor that resonates with unwavering support and encouragement. Annie Lennox’s voice provided this guiding light during the dance-making journey. CONSTRUCTive SOUND showcases the power of expression, capturing the raw emotions we feel when bringing something new into existence.

CREATIVE TEAM

PETER CHU

CHOREOGRAPHER

Peter Chu (he/him) is an award-winning multi-faceted movement artist, director, choreographer, stager, mentor, educator, and performer. Chu’s passion for the arts and entertainment drives his vivid imagination and creativity throughout his work. Born in the Bronx and raised in Cocoa Beach, Peter’s interest in Traditional Chinese Medicine was a gateway to a deeper understanding of his Chinese identity. Chu began his dance training as a competitive gymnast and nurtured his artistry at Dussich Dance Studio. As a BFA student at The Juilliard School, he further developed his skills as a technical mover and embarked on a journey into choreography. Chu was awarded the Hector Zaraspe Prize for Choreography upon graduation.

Chu’s career spans over three decades across

both concert and commercial dance industries, nationally and internationally. He has performed with renowned dance companies such as Ballet Jazz de Montreal, Crystal Pite’s Kidd Pivot, EZdanza, Aszure Barton and Artists, and Celine Dion’s A New Day. Chu has also choreographed for Ballet Augsburg, Backhaus Dance, Charlotte Ballet, Cirque du Soleil, DART Dance Company, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT) Summer Intensive, Paul Taylor Dance Company, and more. In 2008, Chu formed his project-based company, chu this., which combines innovative lighting and sound with live contemporary movement. In 2018, Chu received the Harvard Blogett Award for Distinguished Artist for his creative process and piece at the Theater, Dance, and Media Department at Harvard University. Chu has also served as Rehearsal Director for Nederlands Dans Theater 2 and Guest Rehearsal Director for NDT1.

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REP 5: PLAYLIST

ERINA NODA

ASSISTANT TO THE CHOREOGRAPHER

Native of Yokohama, Japan, Noda spent the majority of her performing career with Cincinnati Ballet, where she danced many works of Victoria Morgan, Septime Webre, Val Caniparoli, and George Balanchine. After leaving Cincinnati Ballet, she was engaged to dance with Broadway musical

LINDA CHOW

COSTUME DESIGN

Based out of Vancouver, Canada, Linda Chow has collaborated with Peter Chu on Rhythmic Identities, Smile Masking, and Nothing Sticks for Chuthis, and Right(s) for Charlotte Ballet. Recent works include Passing with Johan Inger for

Phantom of the Opera as a leading soloist dancer for seven years. Noda was a faculty member for the academy of Cincinnati Ballet and academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre, as well as many other arts organizations throughout the country. She served as artistic director for an annual benefit gala, Hope, in Las Vegas, Nevada, from 2008 to 20016. She is currently a stager for Septime Webre’s The Wizard of Oz.

Ballet BC, Barocco Rave with Wen Wei Wang and Francesca Lettieri for Wen Wei Dance, and Adarte Compagnia The Wolf of Lafontaine with Wen Wei Wang for Ballet Edmonton. She has also collaborated with Aszure Barton, Crystal Pite, Emily Molnar, Gio Barbuto, José Navas, Medhi Walerski, Serge Bennathan, Shawn Hounsell, and Simone Orlando.

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REP 5: PLAYLIST
PHOTOGRAPHY BY RACHEL NEVILLE FEATURING SIRUI LIU

TANJA RUEHL LIGHTING DESIGN

Ruehl is a freelance lighting designer and lighting supervisor. She was born and resides in Germany. In 1999 she began her theatrical engineering apprenticeship at Frankfurt Opera House. After completion of the apprenticeship with distinction, Ruehl joined Ballet Frankfurt under the artistic direction of William Forsythe in 2002 as Assistant to the Lighting Supervisor. She was then appointed Lighting Supervisor with the newly founded Forsythe Company in 2005. In 2006 she completed her master of theatrical engineering majoring in lighting. Since 2007 Ruehl has been acting as the company’s lighting designer, mostly in cooperation with her mentor Forsythe

as well as with her colleagues in the company’s lighting department. Being a member of Forsythe Productions, Ruehl acts as technical and design consultant, collaborating with ballet and dance companies in matters of Forsythe licensed works. Since 2014 she has worked full-time as a freelance lighting designer, collaborating with choreographers, companiesm and artists throughout the world. As a designer she is still working with William Forsythe on his new works and on recreations of his existing repertoire. Productions she has created the original design for have been performed at Opéra Garnier, Paris; Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York; Tate Modern, London; Kawasaki Arts Center, Japan; Ruhrtriennale Jahrunderthalle, Bochum and Taichung National Theater, Taiwan. www.tanjaruehl.com

RACHAEL N. BLACKWELL ASSISTANT LIGHTING DESIGN

Rachael N. Blackwell is a native of the Hampton Roads area of Virginia but now calls Atlanta, Georgia, home. She received her B.A in Theatre Arts with an emphasis on Technical Theatre from Alabama State University in 2016 and her MFA in Lighting Design & Technology in 2020 from CCM-University of Cincinnati. Blackwell’s main interests lie in working collaboratively with other creatives across the many different mediums of art.

She enjoys working on original and new works as well as opportunities that allow her to stay connected to her African American roots. Blackwell was the 2020 recipient of both the Gilbert Hemsley Lighting Internship and the Judy Dearing Design Competition for Lighting, presented by the Black Theatre Network (BTN) and in 2021, Rachael received an Off Broadway nomination for her NY lighting design of new musical _Rathskeller: A Musical Elixir. Blackwell currently works full-time at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta as Lighting & Projections Director.

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REP 5: PLAYLIST

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EVERMORE

CHOREOGRAPHY Dwight Rhoden

MUSIC Nat King Cole: Stardust, Let’s Face the Music and Dance, Can’t I, The VeryThought of You, Straighten Up and Fly Right, Just One of Those Things, Smile, L-O-V-E

STAGING Clifford Williams

COSTUME DESIGN Brooke Arthur

LIGHTING DESIGN Tanja Ruehl

ASSISTANT LIGHTING DESIGN Rachael N. Blackwell

CREATIVE TEAM

DWIGHT RHODEN

CHOREOGRAPHER

Dwight Rhoden has established a remarkably wide-ranging career, earning distinction from The New York Times as “one of the most sought out choreographers of the day.” A native of Dayton, Ohio, Rhoden began dancing at age 17 and has performed with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Les Ballet Jazz De Montreal, and as a principal dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. In 1994, Rhoden and Desmond Richardson founded COMPLEXIONS Contemporary Ballet. They have brought their unique brand of contemporary dance to the world for over two decades.

Under Rhoden’s direction, COMPLEXIONS has become a dance institution high in demand, as a center for innovation and cutting-edge programming. Rhoden’s choreography has been the lynchpin of the development of COMPLEXIONS

repertory. Since 1994, Rhoden has created over 80 ballets for COMPLEXIONS, as well as for numerous other companies.

Rhoden has also directed and choreographed performances for shows across a range of media, including So You Think You Can Dance, E! Entertainment’s Tribute to Style, Amici, and Cirque Du Soleil’s Zumanity, and he appeared in the feature film One Last Dance. He has collaborated with, or created work for, a number of celebrated artists, including Prince, Lenny Kravitz, Kelly Clarkson, The Drifters, Paul Simon, Billy Strayhorn, Nina Simone, Marvin Gaye, and U2. Rhoden is a recipient of various honors and awards including The New York Foundation for the Arts Award, The Choo San Goh Award for Choreography, and The Ailey School’s Apex Award. Rhoden received an honorary doctorate degree from the Boston Conservatory in recognition of his extensive contributions to the field of dance.

C incinnati Balle t 22
REP 5: PLAYLIST

CLIFFORD WILLIAMS STAGER

Clifford Williams began his dance training at F.H. LaGuardia High School of Art and the Performing Arts. He attended The Ailey School and The School of American Ballet, both on scholarship. He was a first-level recipient of a National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts award in 1998. In 1998, he attended The Juilliard School, where he danced works by many choreographers including Lar Lubovitch, Igal Perry Hans Van Manen, Jose Limon, and Mauricio Wainrot. In 2001, he was invited to join the Dance Theatre of Harlem, where he danced until 2003. In 2004, Williams joined Complexions Contemporary Ballet (New York, NY). He has danced works by Dwight Rhoden, William Forsythe, Nicolo Fonte, Jae Man Joo, and many others Since 2004, Mr. Williams has assisted Director/Choreographer Dwight Rhoden on numerous projects including ballets for Peridance (PCDC), North Carolina Dance Theater,

BROOKE ARTHUR COSTUME DESIGN

Brooke Arthur is a native of Cincinnati and a B.F.A. graduate of the College-Conservatory of Music’s Costume Design and Technology Program at the University of Cincinnati. She has

Pittsburgh Ballet, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, The Diana Vishneva Project, San Francisco Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet as well as for the television show So You Think You Can Dance. In 2008, Williams left Complexions to dance as a Principal dancer with Compañia Nacional De Danza under the Direction of Nacho Duato. Williams rejoined Complexions from 2009 to 2012. In 2014, Williams was featured in Debbie Allen’s The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker, which aired on BET. In 2020 Williams was featured in Netflix’s Debbie Allen’s Nutcracker Dreams as well as In The Heights. Between 2018 and 2022 Williams began a more in-depth role with Complexions Academy serving as the Director of the Pre Pro Division as well as being one of few certified in teaching “Nique,” the official Contemporary Ballet technique of Complexions Contemporary Ballet. From 2020 to 2022 Williams served as Rehearsal Director for Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Williams continues to teach and choreograph, in addition to staging Rhoden works all over the world.

designed for Florida Repertory Theatre, Queen City Opera, and Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati. Arthur has design assisted for Tuacahn Center for the Arts and Arizona Opera as their Shop Assistant. In 2020 Arthur returned to Cincinnati and in 2023 joined Cincinnati Ballet as the Costume Manager.

Cincinnati Balle t 23
5: PLAYLIST
REP

Melissa Gelfin De-Poli

THE COMPANY

PRINCIPALS

Sirui LiuAlejandro Olivera Rafael Quenedit

FIRST SOLOISTS

Chandler ProctorMinori SakitaMaizyalet Velázquez

SOLOISTS

Maine ChernjavskyKatherine OchoaMarcus RomeoJoshua Stayton CORPS DE BALLET

Nikita Boris

Taylor Carrasco

Sasha Chernjavsky

Luca De-Poli

Thomas Dilley

Samantha Griffin

Jhaelin McQuay

Tatiana Melendez

Michael Mengden

Amanda de Jesus

Pérez Duarte

Caroline Perry

NEW DANCERS

Llonnis del Toro CintraJulia Gundzik

APPRENTICES

Simone MuhammadScott Reed

SECOND COMPANY – CB2

Simon Plant

Bella Ureta

Lenai A. Wilkerson

Annie Fitzpatrick

Giovanny Garibay

Kannen Glanz

Amber Harper

James Jobson-Larkin

Eileen Kim

Ramsay Miller

The Artists of Cincinnati Ballet are represented by the American Guild of Musical Artists, AFL-CIO.

Nicholas Motley

Gavin Nicholson

Salomé Tregre

Cincinnati Balle t 25

THE COMPANY

PRINCIPALS

MELISSA GELFIN DE-POLI (SHE/HER) PENNSYLVANIA | 2014

ALEJANDRO OLIVERA (HE/HIM) CUBA | 2023

CHANDLER PROCTOR (HE/HIM) NORTH CAROLINA | 2021

SIRUI LIU (SHE/HER) CHINA | 2011

RAFAEL QUENEDIT (HE/HIM) CUBA | 2021

FIRST SOLOISTS

MINORI SAKITA (SHE/HER) WASHINGTON, D.C. | 2019

MAIZYALET VELÁZQUEZ (SHE/HER) PUERTO RICO | 2012

C incinnati Balle t 26
PHOTOGRAPHY BY HIROMI PLATT

THE COMPANY

SOLOISTS

MAINE CHERNJAVSKY JAPAN | 2023

MARCUS ROMEO (HE/HIM) PENNSYLVANIA | 2017

NIKITA BORIS (SHE/HER) NEW JERSEY | 2020

LUCA DE-POLI (HE/HIM) FLORIDA | 2014

KATHERINE OCHOA (SHE/HER) CUBA | 2022

JOSHUA STAYTON (HE/HIM) OHIO | 2019

CORPS DE BALLET

TAYLOR CARRASCO (HE/HIM) NEW MEXICO | 2015

THOMAS DILLEY (HE/HIM) AUSTRALIA | 2023

SASHA CHERNJAVSKY NEW YORK | 2023

SAMANTHA GRIFFIN (SHE/HER) NORTH CAROLINA | 2023

Cincinnati Balle t 27

THE COMPANY

CORPS DE BALLET

JHAELIN MCQUAY (HE/HIM)

CALIFORNIA | 2019

AMANDA DE JESUS PÉREZ DUARTE (SHE/HER)

CUBA | 2023

TATIANA MELENDEZ

FLORIDA | 2023

CAROLINE PERRY (SHE/HER)

CALIFORNIA | 2022

BELLA URETA (SHE/HER)

WASHINGTON | 2017

MICHAEL MENGDEN (HE/HIM)

TEXAS | 2016

SIMON PLANT (HE/HIM)

AUSTRALIA | 2022

LENAI A. WILKERSON (SHE/HER)

WASHINGTON, D.C. | 2022

C incinnati Balle t 28
PHOTOGRAPHY BY HIROMI PLATT

THE COMPANY

NEW DANCERS

CUBA | 2022

APPRENTICES

SIMONE

Cincinnati Balle t 29
LLONNIS DEL TORO CINTRA (HE/HIM) MUHAMMAD (SHE/HER) MISSOURI | 2022 JULIA GUNDZIK (SHE/HER) OHIO | 2021 SCOTT REED (HE/HIM) GEORGIA | 2019
– CB2 C incinnati Balle t 30
SECOND COMPANY
ANNIE FITZPATRICK (SHE/HER) MASSACHUSETTS | 2023 JAMES JOBSONLARKIN (HE/HIM) NEW YORK | 2023 AMBER HARPER (SHE/HER) OHIO | 2021 NICHOLAS MOTLEY (HE/HIM) MARYLAND | 2023 SALOMÉ TREGRE (SHE/HER) OHIO | 2021 GIOVANNY GARIBAY (HE/HIM) WASHINGTON | 2023 EILEEN KIM (SHE/HER) ILLINOIS | 2023 KANNEN GLANZ (HE/HIM) WYOMING | 2023 RAMSAY MILLER (SHE/HER) ILLINOIS | 2020
PHOTOGRAPHY BY HIROMI PLATT
GAVIN NICHOLSON (HE/HIM) FLORIDA | 2023

MEMORIAL SEASON

The upcoming 2024-2025 Season is dedicated to Larry Kellar, longtime Cincinnati Ballet champion and patron of Cincinnati arts. Larry’s leadership and passion continue to be an inspiration to the entire Cincinnati Ballet family.

S E A S O N MINORI SAKITA | PHOTOGRAPHY:JOE LYMAN

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TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 2024-2025 SEASON

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PHOTOGRAPHY: Feinknopf 5 | PHOTOGRAPHY: Feinknopf The MargaretAnd MichaelValentine Center For Dance 2,3,4 |ALLTABLEWARE:All Occasions Event Rental To BookYour Next Event Contact Chuck Beatty | Director of Events events@cballet.org 4 3 1 2 5 SCAN QR CODE For More Information is now open for private events! Host your next meeting, party, or dream wedding in the 62,000 square feet of space with spectacular views. The Center for Dance offers a variety of unique indoor and outdoor options. e n Dan o er en e enti Va el Mich And t a Mar The ac o n C v n f rg e r o Ev o et t re a ex D b N @ ur tt nt ou a e Y B ev ok c o u B Ch To party, iv or n f o w n

2023 –2024 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

2023–2024 GOVERNING BOARD

Joel Stone CHAIR

Sergio Arreola

Fran Carlisle

Smokey Clay

David Cook

Andrea Costa

Judy Dalambakis

Zahki Davis

Michael Bailes

Bernie Calonge

Sheila Cohen

Connie Dow

Sandra Eisele

Jerry Ewers

Kathryn Harsh

Edmond Hooker

Beth Levy

Debbie Brant

Kelly Brown

Laura Brunner

Trish Bryan

Otto Budig

Nancy Clagett

William Cordes

Jen Stein INTERIM CHAIR

Debbie Brant

Jennifer Damiano

Joe Dehner

Emerson Moser VICE CHAIR

Sarah Frank Fogarty

Jodi Geiser

Rico Grant

Linda Greenberg

Kateri Moll Haskett

Patti Heldman

Lydia Jacobs-Horton

Kristin Fishbaugh TREASURER

Marcie Kinney

Peter Laffoon

Megan McCarthy-Wolf

Jack Miner

Shekhar Mitra

Katy Moeggenberg

2023–2024 SUSTAINERS

Leon Loewenstein

Madelynn Matlock

Larry McGruder

Skip Merten

Alex Munoz

Cathy Nwankwo

Jim Papakirk

Joselyn Pfeil

Julie Richardson

Kitty Rosenthal

Morleen Rouse

Diane Rumpke

Keke Sansalone

Tom Schiff

Beth Snyder

Chris Sprecher

Brett Stover

Mary Talbott

2023–2024 EMERITI

Lynn Good

Larry Kellar+

Charles MacDonnell

Richardson McKinney

Tom Neyer

Carol Duane Olson

Paul Ose

Melody Sawyer Richardson

Michael Rozow

James Sammarco

Kathleen Selker

Rhonda Sheakley

2023–2024 FOUNDATION BOARD

Madelynn Matlock TREASURER

Kristin Fishbaugh

Emerson Moser

Alex Munoz

Rhonda Sheakley

HONORARY TRUSTEES

Craig F. Maier

Rhoda Mayerson+

Faith Whittaker SECRETARY

Alexandra Ollinger

Alandes Powell

T. Quinn

Lisa Riccardi

Toilynn O’Neal Turner

Brenden Zenni

Heather Theders

Pamela Thompson

Serena Tsuang

Kelly Vanasse

Catherine Vernon

Gary West

Barbara Weyand

George Wilkinson

Russell Shelton

Shelly Sherman

Julie Shifman

Linda Smith

Ronna Willis

Kelly Brown SECRETARY

Joel Stone

Joe Carolin*

Cincinnati Balle t 35
Ex Officio + In Memoriam
*

ACADEMY AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Cincinnati Ballet’s Otto M. Budig Academy serves the greater Cincinnati area through world-class dance education programs and unparalleled performance opportunities. Whether students aspire to dance as a profession or pursue it as a personal passion, we believe dance training allows them to unleash potential that proves impactful in all aspects of their lives. Led by nationally recognized faculty, our guiding principles are to teach, challenge, and inspire the whole student to achieve their

CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH DANCE PROGRAMS

Enrollment based on age with beginning and progressing levels

Designed to inspire a lifelong love of dance, the Academy’s Children’s and Community Divisions offer entry-level and advancing classes in creative dance, ballet, and a wide array of

Ages 8 – 18

Enrollment based on experience with an accelerating curriculum

Our highly regarded ballet training, coupled with well-rounded

ADAPTIVE DANCE PROGRAMS

Ages 4 – Adult

Placement determined by student support resources

Cincinnati Ballet’s CB Moves program, developed in partnership with Cincinnati Children’s Department of Physical Therapy, fosters a love of dance and creative expression for students with specific needs.

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING DIVISION

Ages 16 and Up Enrollment by invitation

For students on the cusp of careers in dance, the Professional Training Division provides dancers with a full-day immersive training program and opportunities to perform alongside Cincinnati Ballet’s professional Company.

For more information or to register connect with us at: Email: cbacademy@cballet.org | Phone: 513.562.1111 | Website: cballet.org/academy

Address: 1801 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio
Photography: Hiromi Platt Photography: Angie Lipscomb Photography: Angie Lipscomb Photography: Aaron M. Conway

CINCINNATI BALLET STAFF

Debbie Brant PRESIDENT AND CEO

ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE

Joe Carolin VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE AND CFO

Melissa Santomo CONTROLLER

Tiffany Whitcomb, SHRM-SCP VICE PRESIDENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

Tyler Parker SENIOR EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT AND BOARD LIAISON

Laura Linneman FINANCE (SPECIALIST) AND ACADEMY COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Chuck Beatty DIRECTOR OF EVENTS

Mary French ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF DATA SERVICES

Thomas E. Johnston, CCI, CHI™ INTERPRETER

ARTISTIC

Dale Shields REHEARSAL DIRECTOR

Carlos Quenedit GUEST REHEARSAL DIRECTOR

Yoshihisa Arai REHEARSAL DIRECTOR / DIRECTOR SECOND COMPANY – CB2

Allison Evans YOUNG PERFORMERS COACH

Annie Fitzpatrick

Nicholas Motley YP REHEARSAL ASSISTANTS

Angelika Bonyhati-Kovacs

Brian Cashwell

Janet Langhorst

Ted Seaman BALLET ACCOMPANISTS

PHILANTHROPY

Adrijana Kowatsch VICE PRESIDENT OF PHILANTHROPY

Katharine Nemeth MAJOR GIFTS OFFICER

Payton Field DONOR RELATIONS MANAGER

Ilona Piaskowy INDIVIDUAL GIVING MANAGER

MARKETING AND BRAND STRATEGY

Nicole Doll VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING AND BRAND STRATEGY

Louanna Wyatt ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF PATRON EXPERIENCE

Nicholas Peltz SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER AND CONTENT MANAGER

Dan Wood VIDEOGRAPHER

Eli Frances SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

Pam Taylor

PATRON EXPERIENCE SUPERVISOR AND MARKETING PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Ja’Nay Brown

Reed Carter

Butch Hamm

Lisa Malsom

Ethan Mann

Brian Miller

Da'Shawn Mitchell

Neehar Phadke

PATRON EXPERIENCE ASSOCIATES

Francine Kellar MARKETING INTERN

OTTO M. BUDIG ACADEMY AND EDUCATION

Ginger Johnson VICE PRESIDENT OF ACADEMY AND EDUCATION

Blanca Huertas-Agnew ACADEMY DIRECTOR

Maura Korn STUDENT SERVICES MANAGER

Elizabeth Metz REGISTRATION SERVICES MANAGER

David Morse PRINCIPAL, PROFESSIONAL TRAINING DIVISION

Carolyn Guido Clifford EDUCATION COORDINATOR

Sirui Liu

ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL, ENSEMBLE

Cervilio Miguel Amador

INTERIM ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Kate Stark

CB MOVES COORDINATOR

Kelly Daley

Emily Schau YOUNG PERFORMERS COORDINATORS

Donna Anderle

Oliver Arana

Ja’Nay Brown

Alison Cole

Rosa Compostella

Jacqueline Damico Amador

Kiersten Edwards

Isabele Elefson

Kerry Enders

Jackie Engelkamp

Jeri Gatch

Donna Grisez

Sasha Hart

Nicole Hershey

Andrew Hubbard

Helen Jardon

Julius Jenkins

Mary Kamp

Eileen Kim

Christina LaForgia Morse

Sirui Liu

Kara Louis

Daimy McInroe

Mae Miller

Victoria Morgan

Shane Ohmer

Patty Pille

Carlos Quenedit

Jennifer Rutherford

Rowan Salem

Joshua Stayton

Cassidy Steele

Shauna Steele

Kimberley Stewart

Rose Sunila

Rebecca Walther

Michelle Ziegler

Missy Lay Zimmer ACADEMY AND EDUCATION INSTRUCTORS

Frankie Bennett

Finlay Hinkle

Iliana Rich

Sierra Severt STUDENT EXPERIENCE REPRESENTATIVES

PRODUCTION

Brian R Sherman VICE PRESIDENT OF PRODUCTION

Carissa Gandenberger PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER

Dena D’Andrea COMPANY MANAGER

Brooke Arthur COSTUME MANAGER

Laura Hofmann WARDROBE SUPERVISOR

Cherl Beyersdoerfer FIRST WARDROBE ASSISTANT

Jackie Andrews

SECOND WARDROBE ASSISTANT

Scott Berkley MASTER CARPENTER

Kevin Barth PROPERTY MASTER

Chanelle Dau Pino MASTER ELECTRICIAN

Mary Comtois

ASSISTANT ELECTRICIAN

James Geier

WIG AND MAKE-UP CONSULTANT

Annalee Crosser

Morgan Piper

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS

Jules Cabrera CCM LIGHTING INTERN

SPORTS MEDICINE

Kelly Jo Rodrigo, MS, LAT, ATC COURTESY OF TRIHEALTH AND BEACON ORTHOPAEDICS & SPORTS MEDICINE

ARTISTIC EMERITI

Victoria Morgan

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR EMERITA

Carmon DeLeone

MUSIC DIRECTOR EMERITUS

Cincinnati Balle t 37

Space reservation is happening now!

Support the local arts community as it takes the stage this fall and reach an engaged, affluent audience.

THE CURTAIN IS RISING
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Fran and Dan Bailey

Eileen and John Barrett

Don Beck and Lawrence E. Eynon MD

Trish and Frederick Bryan

David W. Cook and Loretta Motz Cook +

Dianne Dunkelman and Peter Schwartz

Anonymous

Anonymous in Honor of Victoria Morgan

Debbie and Jody Brant

Susan Brenner and Steven A. Mombach

Bret and Alison Caller

Susan Domonkos

Connie and Leslie Dow

Jerry S. Ewers and Brian L. Tiffany

Sergio Arreola

Elaine and David Billmire

Debbie and Jody Brant

Kelly J. Brown

James H. Brun

Fran and Wayne Carlisle

Jennifer Conklin

FOUNDER

Linda and Harry Fath

Susan Friedlander+

Lynne S. Friedlander

Linda and Gary Greenberg

Karen F. Maier and Delane Starliper

Debby and Jim Mason

Kristin and Chris Fishbaugh

Lane and Skip Merten

Halle and T. Quinn

Julie and John Richardson

Dianne and J. David Rosenberg

Kitty and Richard Rosenthal

Rhonda and Larry Sheakley

DIRECTOR

Patti and Fred Heldman

Arna and Bobby Fisher

Sarah Frank Fogarty and Timothy Fogarty

Jodi M. Geiser and James Miller III

Arielle Goldberg

Suzanne and J. Frank Hall

Kateri Moll Haskett

Andrea Costa

Christine and Terence Horan

Lydia Jacobs-Horton and Jeff Horton

John and Peter Laffoon

Elizabeth and John LaMacchia

Madelynn and Raymond Matlock

PRINCIPAL

Bobbi and Aaron Crary

James Crosset

Judy and Christopher Dalambakis

Maureen and John Doellman

Peter M. Frey

Jennifer and John Stein

Susan and John Tew

Heather and Jonathan Theders

Judith B. Titchener+

Margaret and Michael Valentine

Dr. and Mrs. Robert Heidt

Sally D. Hernandez

Peggy Johns

Zofeen Khan

Jeffrey and Jody Lazarow

Martha and Carl Lindner

Frances and Craig Lindner

Megan McCarthy and Steve Wolf

Mitzie and Emerson Moser

Barbara K. Myers

Kristen and Scott Oyler

Julie and Steven Shifman

Lisa and Joel Stone

Dr. William and Therese Tobler

Anne and Craig Maier

Jack Miner and Brian Dozer

Anu and Shekhar Mitra

Mary Lou Motl

Anne and Charles Pierce

Lisa M. Riccardi

C incinnati Balle t 39
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DONOR HONOR ROLL
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Hiromi Platt Photography

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Gayle and William Sherman

DONOR HONOR ROLL

Valerie L. Newell and Timothy Smith

Susie Tweddell

Laurie and John Acklen

Amy and Michael Bailes

Pam and Bernard Barbash

Flavia C. Bastos and Larry Huston

Bonnie and Charles Bensonhaver

James H. Brun

Mary Kay and Bernardo Calonge

Daniel Cifuentes

Paula and William Cordes

Cindy Crilley

Jennifer W. Dakers

Lisa and Richard Damico

Marianna B. Bettman

Ruth E. Bley

Jacklyn and Gary Bryson

Otto M. Budig Jr.

Louise and Lanthan Camblin

Debbie Campbell

Michael L. Cioffi

Ariella and Andrew Cohen

Kelly and Guy Vanasse

Diane and Gary West

Faith Whittaker

SOLOIST

Noël Julnes-Dehner and Joseph Dehner

Martha and Stuart Dornette

Vallie and Rodney Geier

Louis and Beth Guttman

Kathryn and Keith Harsh

Lauren Hannan Shafer

Genita and Rob Heidenreich

Karlee Hilliard

Theresa and Edmond Hooker

Jane Hopson

Esther and Steven Johnson

Renee Combs

Paula I. Comisar

Peggy Dossman

Greta Elenbaas

Joyce Elkus

Jennifer and Ron Erdmann

Jack Fogarty

Tom Fogarty

Valerie Folger

Daphne and Jason Jurgensen

Kristin and Carl Kalnow

Barbara Kellar and Larry Kellar +

Anne and Dean Kereiakes

Katherine and Robert Lawrence

Christine and Rick Lefever

David Martin

Stacey and Mark Miller

Susan Murray

Susan and Joseph Pichler

Penny and Stephen Pomeranz

CORPS

Claire Frank

Kristine and David Freitas

Ralph Ginocchio

Ricardo Grant

Bill and Christy Griesser

Margaret and Edmund Hess

Sally Kelsall

Marcene Kinney

Jeanie Knuth

Jo Ann Wieghaus

Michael G. Williams

Marilyn and Paul Porcino

Martha and Nick Ragland

Amy and Bradley Resch

Jack Rouse

Dawn and Robert Schiff

Susan and Russell Shelton

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Schlagheck

Barbara M. Weyand

Kathy and George Wilkinson

Ronna and James Willis

Ann B. Wissman

Jaclyn and Brenden Zenni

Sara and Alex Muñoz

Carol and Robert Olson

Lois and Steve Oyler

Andrew Quinn

Jennifer and Jake Ragland

Rachel and Luke Robinson

Rosemary and Mark Schlachter

Susan and David Smith

C incinnati Balle t 40
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DONOR HONOR ROLL

Gale D. Snoddy and Alan

L. Margulies

Anonymous (2)

Lois and Ken Allen

Jane S. Anderson

Carolyn Barham

Carrie and Michael Barron

Charlotte Brooks

Angelia and Gary Butterbaugh

Shannon and Lee Carter

Tracy D. Cheever

Kathleen A. Compton and Raymond C. McNeil

Kristin and David Coppage

Sarah Corathers and James Anthony

Robert Corgan

Natalia Cristo

Michael Currey

Jennifer and Vito Daminano

Mark Dauner

Zahki Davis

Cynthia and Stephen DeHoff

Amy and Andrew DeWitt

Brian A. Doyle

Merry Ewing

Evelyn and Marc Fisher

Mary Kate Vanderglas

Christine and John Willig

Jennifer Yeung and John Gould

THIRD POSITION

Barbara and Ashley Ford

Courtney Fox

Michael Frabetti

Catherine Hamilton

Eloise and Howard Hamilton

Amy Hanley

Becky Hogya

Linda Holthaus

Beth Hudepohl

Laura Hurley

Valerie Jacobs

Elaine Jaeger

Brenda Jones

Steven Kenat and Heidi Jark

Carol L. Kruse

Kristin and Tom Lamarre

Joanie and Louis Lauch

Susan Lauf

Geoffrey Leder

Becky and Thomas Long

Sean Luther

Sherie Marek

Emily Mathews

Sophia McAllister

Kim and Barbara McCracken

Jill and Larry McGruder

IN-SCHOOL RESIDENCIES

Cassie and Lachlan McLean

Emily and Steven Morgan

Holly and Mike Mott

Leslie and Larry Newman

Mardie and Robert Off

Alexandra and S. Cole Ollinger

Nan L. Oscherwitz

Sandy and Gregg Pancero

John Pape

The Patel-Curran Family

Kathy Perry

Joselyn Pfeil

Julia and Daniel Poston

Beth Plummer

Ellen Rieveschl

Carole and Edwin Rigaud

Jean S. Robson

Priya and Dave Rolfes

Elyse M. Roth

Judith Roth

Janet and William Sarran

Julie and Charles Scheper

Thomas Schiff

Martha and Lee Schimberg

Marianne Schwab and George Stricker

Karen Zaugg Ph.D.

Susan Zaunbrecher

Stephen Schwartz

Elizabeth Shaughnessy and James Stapleton

Ruth and John Sikorski

Joanne and John Smale

Debbie and Michael Snyder

Paul Spitz

Diane M. Spitznagel

Dee and Thomas Stegman

Elena Stein

Sandra Stern

John U. Tan

Amy and William Thaman

Rob Thornton

Heather and Andrew Vecellio

Nancy and Christopher Virgulak

Elizabeth B. Vollmer

Barbara Wagner

Kim A. Walker

Tiffany and John Whitcomb

Angela J. White

Andrea Wilson and Clifford Goosmann

Anne Warrington Wilson

Cincinnati Ballet is delighted to provide elementary schools in the greater Cincinnati area with FREE residency experiences sure to inspire your students to move and to develop an appreciation for the art of dance.

Focus: Second Grade

Available: September - December

The CincyDance! program starts in the classroom using a combination of physical education curriculum and dance training to activate a student’s desire to express themselves through movement. Following the residency, students are invited to audition for scholarships to continue their training at Cincinnati Ballet.

Focus: Pre-K

Available: January - April

The CincyDance! Pre-K program activates a student’s imagination while introducing them to the joy of creative movement and ballet. Students will explore locomotor movement, balance and other key coordination skills with highly skilled Cincinnati Ballet teaching artists.

Photography: Hiromi Platt

Cincinnati Balle t 41
TO JOIN THE RESIDENCY EXPERENCE EMAIL: education@cballet.org CALL: 513.562.1124 VISIT: cballet.org/cincydance

DONOR HONOR ROLL

SECOND POSITION

Anonymous

Janice M. Amatulli

Pamela Ashmore

Pam Biederman

Pamela and Robert Bosley

Chris Bowling

Dawn and Douglas Bruestle

Dr. Onassis Caneris

Anne Charles

Phil and Katharine Clayton

Lisa Cohen

Kate Costlow and John D’Amore

Candace Crouse

Madison and Yvonne Cuffy

Patricia and William Culp

Regina Daily

April and Harry Davidow

Thomas M. Deutsch

Barbara Doviak

Kenneth Frey

Mary Ann Gardner

Judith and Samuel Gilardi

Beverly Grant

Pamela Heydt

Bridget and Brian Hoffman

Nelson Horseman

Francy Hughes

Kara and Guido Jackson

Jan and Randy Johnson

Patricia Joseph

Crystal L. Kendrick

Kathryn E. Kipp

Mary and John Kmet

Jacqueline Mack and Dr. Edward Silberstein

Anne Maddox and John Berninger

Janet McDaniel

Alice Palmer

Patricia and Michael Rozow

Gabriella Scacchetti

Vivian and Jim Schwab

Barbara Sferra and Herbert Robinson

Philip Smith

Linda and Nicholas Spadaccini

Robert W. Strauss and Phyllis G. Bossin

Jennifer and Chad Taylor

Claire and Zachary Tempel

Torey and Tom Torre

Elizabeth and Chad Warwick

Sarah L. Weiss

Sandra Wittman-Shell and Keven Shell

Gregory and Deborah Wright

Lisa Zaring

Marcia and Robert Ziek

Robert and Lindsay Zierolf

Tamela and Tim Zimmerman

*Funds held at the Greater Cincinnati Foundation + In memoriam

Thank you to the donors whose gifts we received by March 13, 2024. The above donor pages represent the information available at the time of print. If you find that you are listed incorrectly or we did not recognize you appropriately, we apologize and want to include you. Please contact our Donor Relations Manager, Payton Field, at pfield@cballet.org or 513.562.1136.

June 17 – 28 and July 8 – 19, 2024

Ages 9 – 14 Summer Dance Workshop

June 3 – 7, June 10 – 14 and July 29 – August 2, 2024

Ages 8 – 11

Dance Camp

June 3 – 7, June 10 – 14 and July 29 – August 2, 2024

Ages 4 – 8

SCAN FOR MORE INFORMATION OR CALL 513.562.1111
Kids
YOUTH SUMMER PROGRAMS PHOTOGRAPHY: HIROMI PLATT
C incinnati Ba ll e t 42
Award Winner Re R gionaal - Interviiew/DDiiscuussioon P Program SATURDAY 6:30PM CET SUNDAY 8:30 PM CET ARTS Join Barbara Kellar as she showcases artists and cultural leaders from the Greater Cincinnati community. www.CETconnect.org
Emmy

BUSINESS CIRCLE

$100,000+

$50,000–$99,999

$25,000–$49,999

$10,000–$24,999

$5,000–$9,999

$2,500–$4,999

$1,000—$2,499

Thank you to the donors whose gifts we received by March 13, 2024. The above donor pages represent the information available at the time of print. If you find that you are listed incorrectly or we did not recognize you appropriately, we apologize and want to include you. Please contact our Donor Relations Manager, Payton Field, at pfield@cballet.org or 513.562.1136.

TRENDPRESCIENT ART + INTERIOR DESIGN C incinnati Ballet 44

FOUNDATION,

GOVERNMENT,

AND INSTITUTIONAL DONORS

$100,000 +

$50,000–$99,999

$15,000–$49,999

Bailey Lamson Family Trust Building Healthy Lives Foundation

Chemed Foundation Crosset Family Foundation

Edelweiss Foundation

Joni Herschede Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Fdtn

$5,000–$14,999

Morgan Judd Memorial Fund Parkinson's Support and Wellness

Charles Scott Riley III Foundation

$1,000–$4,999

Ez & Lynn Housh Family Foundation

Andrew Howe Scholarship Foundation

Johnson Foundation

Schwab Charitable Fund Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation

Peter T. Joseph Foundation

Lewis and Marjorie Daniel Foundation Innovative Worthy Projects Foundation

Nabama Foundation

Willow Hill Foundation

OFFICIAL SPORTS MEDICINE PARTNER

OFFICIAL IT PROVIDER

Cincinnati Balle t 45

ARTSWAVE PARTNERS

Cincinnati Ballet acknowledges the following partner companies, foundations, and their employees who generously participate in the annual ArtsWave Campaign at the $100,000+ level.

Thank you!

$2 MILLION + P&G

$1 MILLION –$1,999,999

Fifth Third Bank and Fifth Third Foundation

$500,000–$999,999

altafiberGE Aerospace

$250,000–$499,999

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation

Cincinnati Business Courier

Cincinnati Reds

Duke Energy

The E.W. Scripps Company and Scripps Howard Foundation

The Cincinnati Insurance Companies

$100,000—$249,999

The Enquirer|Cincinnati.com

Great American Insurance Group

Greater Cincinnati Foundation

The H.B., E.W. and F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, N.A., Trustee

Western & Southern Financial Group

The Kroger Co.

Messer Construction Co.

PNC

U.S. Bank

C incinnati Balle t 46
PHOTOGRAPHY BY RACHEL NEVILLE FEATURING RAFAEL QUENEDIT

EXPLORE CINCINNATI BALLET

MEET THE ARTIST

Cincinnati Ballet is pleased to offer Meet the Artist, a pre-performance discussion series connecting audiences to select dancers, choreographers, and members of the creative team who bring our performances to life. Admission to Meet the Artist is included in your ticket to the current production.

ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

Throughout the year Cincinnati Ballet offers dynamic and interactive experiences to deepen your love of the art form. This season, we are pleased to present family-friendly activities at the Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance, including Trick or Treat at The Ballet and Nutcracker Sampler. Please check cballet.org for details.

BALLET & BEER

Ballet & Beer is an event series providing an insider’s view into Cincinnati Ballet while enjoying drinks, light bites, and socializing. This season we will host these happy hour–style events at the new Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance in Walnut Hills. Due to space limitations for the rehearsals, advanced reservations are necessary. Events include a cash bar.

COMMUNITY PERFORMANCE SERIES

Cincinnati Ballet is excited to open the Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance to the community for an inviting introduction to ballet and dance performance. These performances are designed to welcome new audiences to dance through accessible storytelling, relatable themes, fun choreography, and community partnerships. Join us at the new Center for Dance on select Sunday afternoons with your family and friends for these hour-long performances.

VOLUNTEER

Cincinnati Ballet offers a variety of volunteer opportunities. Get involved and support Cincinnati Ballet while meeting new people and learning more about ballet. Volunteering for Cincinnati Ballet is fun, educational, and a great way to support the arts. Volunteers are vital in supporting the mission of Cincinnati Ballet.

Cincinnati Balle t 47

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

AT THE ARONOFF CENTER FOR THE ARTS

FOOD AND BEVERAGES are available at various lobby locations throughout the Aronoff Center. For many performances, a selection of the concessions we sell, including most drinks, may be taken into the theater. Our concessions staff and ushers can indicate whether or not you may take your snacks and beverages into the theater.

ALL RESTROOMS in the Aronoff Center are accessible to people with disabilities. Restrooms in the Procter & Gamble Hall are located in the side corridors on both sides of the lobbies (except Balcony—restrooms located on the north side of the lobby only).

COAT CHECK can be found on the street level of the Aronoff Center.

IF YOU LOSE AN ITEM while attending an event at the Aronoff Center, check with one of our ushers before leaving the building. If they are unable to locate the item, call the Security Desk at (513) 9774128 during regular business hours, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, Monday-Friday.

YOUR PARTICIPATION IN OUR RECYCLING effort is appreciated! Blue or silver recycling containers are located near every concession stand. If you don’t want to keep your program, you may recycle it in the program bins in the lobby at the Aronoff Center.

PLEASE NOTE

THE LOBBY at the Aronoff Center opens one hour prior to curtain and you may enter the theater 30 minutes prior to the start of the performance.

LATE SEATING is at the discretion of the Front of House Manager. For many events, there may be a seating hold for latecomers. These holds vary in length depending on the show. Should you need to leave the auditorium during the performance, readmittance and seating will also be at the discretion of the house manager.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO of Cincinnati Ballet performances is strictly forbidden.

SMOKING IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED at the Aronoff Center.

FREE TOURS OF THE ARONOFF CENTER are available for groups up to 50 people and are typically off ered Monday – Friday between the hours of 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, pending theater availability. Weekend or early evening tours also may be possible and can be discussed with a representative. The Aronoff Center tour lasts approximately one hour. To schedule a tour, call (513) 977-4117, ext. 3 and leave a message with the date(s) and time(s) you are interested in attending. An Aronoff Center representative will respond within 2 business days.

ACCESSIBILITY

All theaters and meeting spaces within the Aronoff Center are accessible to patrons with physical disabilities. Once inside the building, all levels are accessible by elevator. The Jarson-Kaplan Theater is equipped with one elevator for patron use. Automatic accessible doors are located on the south end of the building near Sixth and Walnut Streets.

A COURTESY WHEELCHAIR IS AVAILABLE upon request on a first-come, first-served basis for patrons needing assistance from the lobby to their seats. Patrons can ask any staff member or volunteer usher for assistance.

ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES for the hearing impaired are available at the coat room in the lobby of the Jarson-Kaplan Theater. These assistive listening devices operate on an infra-red system and are not compatible with other frequency-based units.

ACCESSIBLE SEATING is available in all theaters for patrons not able to transfer out of their wheelchairs or with other seating needs. Please contact the Ticket Office at (513) 621-2787 in advance to discuss your needs.

SERVICE ANIMALS are always welcome at the Aronoff Center in order to accommodate patrons with disabilities.

For more information about Cincinnati Ballet please visit our website www.cballet.org, call (513) 621-5282, or visit us at 1801 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45202.

C incinnati Balle t 48
@CINCINNATIMAGAZINE FOLLOW US 2,20451.3K1,049

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