Daniel Duell – Artistic Director
Patricia Blair – Associate Artistic Director
Sponsored by
December 17, 18, & 19 at the Athenaeum Theatre Photo by Margo Ruter
Ballet Chicago 1
presents
THE NUTCRACKER GUEST ARTISTS Ellen Green, Joshua Ishmon, Hamilton Nieh, Matthew Renko, Ted Seymour ARTISTS OF THE COMPANY Jessica Alatorre, Liliane Baptistucci, Susan Belles, Talita Villa Rubio Bezerra, Cindy Denadai Dias, Julia Fisher, Brittany Hurst, Elyse Jost, Irina Kirilova, Madeleine Kodat, Jordan Nelson, Drew Pearson, Laura Palya, Robin Perkins, Camille Plesha, Elizabeth Quander, Sarah Quander, Marcella Silva Rezende, Mia Sanchez, March Saper, Rachel Seeholzer, Elizabeth Shy, Christiann Steelman, Casey Wilson THE SCHOOL OF BALLET CHICAGO STUDENT PERFORMERS Lukia Artemakis, Meghan Behnke, Karolyn Buie, Kiarra Buie, Beatrice Chen, Dana Coons, Payton Dailey, Alexandria Davis, Isaiah Doherty-Roque, Claire Duval, Siena Forest, Eva Gross, Hana Habib, Nada Hentati, Di’Jianai Howard, Jacqueese Howard, Nyah Joubert, Devin Johnson, Fiamma Johnson, Donisha Keaton, Naomi Lindquist, Rebecca McCain, Citlali Navarro-Pardo, Lucy Ordman, Anna Osipova, Harmony Palmore, Cynthia Paterson, Miles Hsiao-ling Pei, Taylor Richard, Jeannine Rios, Payton Olivia Robinson, Samantha Salcedo, Emily Sanchez, Costanza Siniscalchi, Kate Stutts, Lexi Sullivan, Amina Walker, Margaret Ward, Samantha Weidner, Sara Jayne Weidner, Tayhiana Welch, Chaniya Williams, Allison Yusim THE SCHOOL OF BALLET CHICAGO PREPARATORY DIVISION PERFORMERS Joey Animashaun, Maliyah Arteaga, Ava Baldassari, Cyemona Belk, Annabel Berk, Robin Blackmon, Kameron Bradbury, Bria Brown, Corrina Bucataru, Markea Bucataru, Miracle Burrell, Jeremiah Carrasco, Ashlyn Dailey, Kendall Dailey, Aaron Doherty-Roque, Gabriella Dong, Ben Felix, Lonora Fowler, Arnon Gafni-Kane, Brooke Gillespie, Niamh Hagen, Ajanae Jarrett, Ludovica Johnson, Senia Johnson, Claire Kallen, Alyssa Kantner, Claudia Kantner, Helen Kraemer, Amelia Lawson, Madelyn Lawson, Beatrice Layton, Ashley Lee, Avery McDonald, Kayla Mercado, Sophia Isabela Michalowski, Krista Morrell, Natalie Pivec, Alejandra Prado, Elizabeth Rhee, Lucie Richard, Genesis Rivera, Audra Rosenzweig, Bernadette Schwegel, Ruby Sindelar, Saqura Slater, Megan Sowell, Pfifer Spruill, Stacie Sullivan, Nataline Sylvertooth, Kaiah Tendrick, Ninah Tendrick, Isabela Torres Reyes, Anna Volk, Brooklyn Winter-Butler, Isabel Xie, Lucia Yusim Party Scene Guest
Mr. Charles Richard
The School of Ballet Chicago Parent Organization is spearheading a drive to benefit the Philip and Marsha Dowd Merit Scholarship Fund. Many enchanting holiday gifts are available to you as a thank you for your donation. Please take a moment to visit our donor table in the lobby. Thank you and blessings to each of you for a wonderful holiday season. The 2010/2011 Ballet Chicago performance season is dedicated to David L. Fleener with deepest gratitude for his leadership and support.
2 Ballet Chicago
PROGR A M ACT ONE When the curtain rises, we are in the Stahlbaum home. Dr. Stahlbaum and his wife, their young daughter Marie, and their son Fritz are preparing for their Christmas Eve party – a family affair for relatives and close friends, but most of all, a party for the children. The children arrive with their parents as the doors open. All rejoice at the large, lighted tree, and the children speculate about what is in the packages. While everyone greets each other, puzzling things begin to occur - the lights flicker and build to a frenzy, it’s almost as though there’s a lightning storm in the grand parlor. Then, at the door, an eerie glow fills the portal and a mysterious old gentleman appears. We soon learn that the gentleman is none other than Herr Drosselmeyer, a dear family friend, and Marie’s godfather. He wears a black patch over one eye. He is a marvelous inventor of moving toys, and he has brought with him magical gifts. Drosselmeyer brings out a large Nutcracker doll and gives it to Marie. He shows everybody how it works and Marie is clearly delighted with her present. Drosselmeyer conjures magic dolls and they perform, after which the children dance, and all enjoy sharing in holiday spirit. After the festivities, the children are tired and clearly in need of sleep. Dr. Stahlbaum and his wife perform a final dance. At the end, the guests shake hands solemnly, reluctant to say goodnight to each other, hoping that they will meet again soon. Everyone goes off to bed, the room darkens, and only by the lights of the Christmas tree can we make out the empty space. It is midnight. Marie has fallen asleep with her Nutcracker doll. Drosselmeyer enters and sends Marie wondrous dreams of dancing mice, a battle between the fearsome Mouse King and the Nutcracker doll (now life-size) and a magical forest with a Snow King and Queen and dancing snowflakes. ACT TWO When the curtain rises, we are inside a magical Land of Sweets. Angels glide about the stage. The Sugarplum Fairy, who rules this land, makes a regal entry. She dances a charming variation and welcomes a full assortment of delightful treats: Chocolate, Coffee, Tea, Russian Cossacks, Marzipan Sweets, Polichinelles, and a bouquet of sparkling, jeweled flowers. Next, Marie enters and meets the Sugarplum Fairy, who asks Marie how she came to be in this magical place. Marie relays, in pantomime form, that on Christmas Eve, after a grand and glorious party, she dreamt of tiny mice and a fight between the Mouse King and the Nutcracker Doll. Defending her Nutcracker, she threw her slipper at the King of Mice, magically dispatching him with one mighty throw. The mysterious Drosselmeyer then rewarded her with this extraordinary journey. The Sugarplum Fairy congratulates Marie and escorts her to a place where she can watch the entertainment that has been arranged for her pleasure. We now watch a series of dances by the denizens of the Land of Sweets. When they are finished, the Sugarplum Fairy and her Cavalier perform the grandest dance of all. All return for a spirited finale as the Sugarplum Fairy, her Cavalier and Marie bid everyone farewell. Ballet Chicago 3
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W H E R E A R E YO U G O I N G TO S T U D Y B A L L E T ?
The region’s conservatory for Balanchine-based training and performance of his choreography
Ballet Chicago Alumni Lara O’Brien, soloist – Carolina Ballet, and Luke Manley, in a photograph from Concerto Barocco, Choreography by George Balanchine, ©The George Balanchine Trust. Photograph by Mark Niekrasz 2010 / 2011 Full Year Program – 2nd Semester January 24, 2011 – June 4, 2011 Auditions by appointment 2011 Summer Course June 20 – July 22, 2011
2011 Advanced Intensive July 25 – August 5, 2011
Ballerina Dream Summer Camp June 13 – June 17, 2011 Ballet Chicago enjoys a strong reputation as one of the top Balanchine-based training programs in the country and recruits gifted students from all over the world. The Professional Training Program and the Ballet Chicago Studio Company attracts students from as far away as Australia, British Columbia, Eastern and Western Europe and South America. Admission to this unique program is by audition only. Ballet Chicago offers classes in Creative Movement, Pre-Ballet, Introduction to Ballet, Beginner Youth Ballet, Ballet 1 through 4, and “Ballerina Dream Camp.” Ballet Chicago also offers open ballet classes for adults.
ENROLL NOW for the School of Ballet Chicago! Classes are offered for ages 3 through adult
For more information, call 312-251-8838 or visit www.balletchicago.org Ballet Chicago 5
BALLERINA DREAM SUMMER CAMP --- Explore the Magical World of Ballet --your child will
Take a Ballet Class Create and Perform a Dance Have fun with Music Learn Stories of Great Ballets Be Inspired By Ballet Videos Decorate a Costume Make a Princess Tiara and Wand Imagine - Dream - Explore - Create - Play Ages 4-7 • Lots of Dancing • Lots of Fun June 13 – 17, 2011 Monday thru Friday 9:00 am to 11:30 am TUITION IS $230* FOR THE FULL ONE-WEEK SESSION *Students who register before January 24, 2011, pay only $200 Please visit www.balletchicago.org to register
NO PREVIOUS BALLET EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED
Ballet Chicago 17 N. State Street – 19th Floor – Chicago, IL 60602 312-251-8838 www.balletchicago.org
A Balanchine Celebration Join us for Ballet Chicago’s critically acclaimed Spring Repertory Series May 2011
Ballet Chicago Alumna Alicia Fabry and Orlando Julius Canova in a photograph from Who Cares?, Choreography by George Balanchine, Š The George Balanchine Trust. Photograph by Mark Niekrasz.
C O M PA N Y I N F O R M AT I O N BALLET CHICAGO BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ellen L. Layton – President Daniel Duell – Vice President Brigitte Lenz – Treasurer Sandra Popik– Secretary Susan Calomino, Mary Ann Cronin, Carol Devine, Rebecca Halpern, Audrey Mroczek, Richard Rosenbaum BALLET CHICAGO ADVISORY BOARD Susan Aurinko, Meta Berger, Sonia Cooke, David Fleener, Charles Gardner, Carlene Jones, Deborah Kelly, Richard Page, Jr., M.G. Rose, Beth Rubin, Lauren F. Streicher, M.D., Sondra Thorson BALLET CHICAGO ARTISTIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Daniel Duell – Artistic Director Patricia Blair – Associate Artistic Director/School Director Robert Bondlow – Manager of Operations Ryan Uecke – Finance Manager Danny Valente – School Administrator Sara Ludington – Summer Course Administrator Margo Ruter – Web Intern/ Reception Val Jambois – Reception/Administration Anne Braxton – Reception Nicole Peacock - Reception Mikaila Koenig - Administrative/Marketing Intern Lauren Bryant Liggett - Marketing Intern SCHOOL OF BALLET CHICAGO FACULTY Thalia Aurinko-Mostow Bruehl, Tiffany Bovard, Sarah Hess, William Miglino, Cheryl Olendzki, Natalie Rothgeb, Taylor Stewart, Ted Seymour, Elizabeth Shy ACCOMPANISTS Mara Dukor (Principal Pianist), Hubert Clay, Natalia Kushnir, Kyle Nelson, Patricia Spaeth SCHOOL OF BALLET CHICAGO PARENT ORGANIZATION Cherrie Sanchez and Ivelise Pearson – Co-chairs We would like to extend a special thank you to all the members of the SBC Parent Organization for their invaluable and inspired support and their steadfast commitment to Ballet Chicago. BALLET CHICAGO PRODUCTION STAFF Margaret L. Nelson – Production Manager and Lighting Designer Kay Lea Meyers – Stage Manager Charles Rick Combs – Technical Director Jacob Snodgrass – Master Electrician / Assistant Lighting Designer Peter Rademacher – Prop Master Pete Mug, Peter Rademacher – Running Crew Dave Naunton – Sound Engineer, The Goodman Theatre Michael Tanko – Sound Operator Bob Bagnolo, Dennis Fiori – Fly Ops / House Techs Production Management and Staff provided by Lumen Siccum Productions, Inc. Ballet Chicago 9
C O M PA N Y I N F O R M AT I O N ( c o n t .) THE GUILD OF THE GOLDEN NEEDLE – WARDROBE COMMITTEE Kathy Niekrasz and Val Jambois – Co-chairs A very special thank you to all the volunteers who help sew, iron, fit, and alter our beautiful Nutcracker costumes! We truly appreciate their time and talent. MEDICAL CONSULTANT Dr. Peter F. Zid Lincoln Park Chiropractic Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Certified Kinesio Tape Practioner Certified Corrective and Performance Exercise Specialist ADDITIONAL MEDICAL CONSULTANTS Michael Haak, M.D., Orthopedic Surgeon Michael Hollander, DPM, Podiatrist Trish Palmer, M.D., Sports Medicine Lisa M. Schoene, DPM, ATC, Podiatrist/Sports Medicine IN-KIND – WITH SPECIAL THANKS! Cherrie Sanchez – Webmaster Jennifer Colgan – Graphics Design Margo Ruter – Graphics Design Lynn and Rob Belles, Mark Niekrasz – Photographers Alfred Mueller – Contractor/Painter Motion Unlimited – Dance Apparel Doug Pederson – Intern Consultant League of Chicago Theaters – Intern Consultant Russian Pointe – Dance Apparel Metro Achievement Center – Ballet Barres Brent Young – InterPark Jose Chao, Jason Roberts – Chicago Cultural Center The Sanchez, Rios, Duval, Lindquist, Wilson, Stutts, Chen and Dailey Families – for their continuous support The Barrington Youth Dance Ensemble IN-KIND LEGAL SERVICES Ellen Layton – Barnes & Thornburg, LLP Jonathan Froemel - Barnes & Thornburg, LLP Wes Broquard – Barnes & Thornburg, LLP Beth Rubin – Riemer and Braunstein, LLP Matt Leahy – Schiff, Hardin and Waite Diana C. Bauerle – Sidley Austin LLP Lucy Kurczewski – Sidley Austin LLP Timothy G. Payne – Sidley Austin LLP Matthew Wollack – Sidley Austin LLP
10 Ballet Chicago
D OW D S C H O L A R S H I P D O N AT I O N S
Ballet Chicago extends a special thank you to
Philip & Marsha Dowd for their continued support of
The Philip & Marsha Dowd Merit Scholarship Program The Philip and Marsha Dowd Merit Scholarship Program was established in 2002 through a generous gift from Mr. and Mrs. Dowd. The Merit Scholarship Program offers tuition assistance to gifted students and supports the funding of teachers and guest teachers. Many of the dancers you see on stage are part of the Scholarship Program. Philip and Marsha Dowd have generously offered a $45,000 scholarship challenge and will match your donation dollar for dollar up to $45,000. Matching donations to The Philip and Marsha Dowd Merit Scholarship Program Challenge Grant (November 15, 2009 – November 15, 2010) Members of the Barre ($1,000 and up) Susan Calomino Lincoln Financial Foundation Sandra Popik Rebecca Halpern Marje Locke Dance Education Jack Reed John and Carlene Jones Scholarship Fund Stanford Tack
YOU INSPIRE US. The complexity of the movement...the fluidity and grace...the dedication to practice. Barnes & Thornburg LLP is proud to support Ballet Chicago. You inspire us to be the best we can be.
Ballet Chicago 11
D OW D S C H O L A R S H I P D O N AT I O N S ( c o n t .) Principals ($500-$999) James Brennan
Mr. and Mrs. Laurence Askin
Mary Ann Cronin
Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Weiss
Soloists ($250-$499) Kevin Driscoll Ellen and Orion Layton
Brigitte Lenz Alfred M. Mueller, Sr.
Corps de Ballet ($100-$249) Mr. and Mrs. Gus Abello Lydia Aurinko-Mostow Helen Baker Father John Barrow David and Cheryl Bek John Blosser Nicole Cantello John and Karen Coons Ione Culler Amy Diaz Richard and Roel Doherty-Roque Donald and Doreen Duba Maggy FouchĂŠ
Eileen Henderson Mary Hess Michael Golden The Johnson Family Paul and Laura Jost Paula Kahn Jacqueline Keaton-Ford James Lenz Ms. Eleanor Lieberman Sylvia Lueza Charles-Gene McDaniel Christopher and Spes. Mekus Robert and Tina Muzikowski
Christine Archer Stanley and Gunvor Adelfang Susan Aurinko-Mostow Lindsey Berns Alma Bicknese Wesley Broquard Lisa Butler Sheila Chin Alan Cook Richard Covello Wende Dalliah Patricia Defilippo Adelina Diamond Samella Dillard Thomas Elden Kathryn Erickson Samantha Fox Nicolas Gage Omar and Amina Habib Lucyna Habina Margaret Hughes Heather Intres Kathleen Jones Lundberg Diane Kantner Rose Kirkland
Donors ($1-$99) Holly Kretekos Amy Lambrecht Marilyn London Louise Mandel McClure and Margaret McCombs J. McKenzie Julie Miller Gail Missner Audrey Mroczek James Muenzer Louis Nachal Alyson Nash Lisa O’Brien Jenny Olsztenski Ashley Ortiz Dennis Palmer DuRhona Palmore Rosalia Pardo-Navarro Ivelise Pearson Michelle Peluso B. Peterhaus Ms. Pinkers Yeeskah Radcliffe Charles and Erica Richard Erica Robinson Rita Robinson
12 Ballet Chicago
Michael and Gloria Plesha John and Ivelise Pearson Emil and Cherrie Sanchez Stephen and Caroline Speranza Alan and Xiufeng Stutts Bernard and Carol Susman Mrs. Robert Tice Joseph and Ann Wilson Iris Witowski Dr. Peter F. Zid
Theresa Ruck Walter Salcedo Abbe Saltzman Eve Shikanov Susan Shinon Megan Sindelar Marciano Siniscalchi Daniel Soles N. Stulao Maureen Sullivan Sean and Amy Sullivan Dawn Tanis Beth Tidmarsh Ellen Tomich Millicent Tracy Shannon Troncoso Lynn Turner Benjamin Villagran Francine Walker Lene Washington The Weidner Family Cherese Williams Iva Williams Alise White Mary and Gus Wilhelmy Ahrianne Young Beth Zerman
R AISING THE BARRE Ballet Chicago would like to thank all the businesses and individuals who supported Raising the Barre on September 30, 2010. The event raised funds to benefit the Dowd Merit Scholarship Program. Christina Archer Susan Aurinko-Mostow Father John Barrow Lindsey Berns Jean Boeshart James Brennan Wesley Broquard Susan Calomino Nicole Cantello Patrick Charles John and Karen Coons Alan Cook Richard Covello Mary Ann Cronin Adelina Diamond Richard and Roel Doherty-Roque Kevin Driscoll Donald and Noreen Duba Tom Elden Kathryn Erickson
Michael Golden Lucyna Habina Rebecca Halpern Eileen Henderson Jean Perkins and LeLand Hutchinson Ryan Hutchinson Heather Intres Margi and Terry Johnson Ted Jones Paul and Laura Jost Paula Kahn Jacqueline Keaton-Ford Susan Lorraine Kennedy Amy Lambrecht Ellen and Orion Layton Brigitte Lenz James Lenz Jen Lester Alice Martin Christopher and Spes. Mekus
Tina and Robert Muzikowski Dennis Palmer John and Ivelise Pearson John Pintozzi Michael and Gloria Plesha Sandra Popik Charles and Erica Richard Fran Riley Emil and Cherrie Sanchez Megan Sindelar Daniel Soles Beth Sullivan Linda & Ronald Thisted Cory Vogt Alise White Mary and Gus Wilhelmy Joseph and Ann Wilson Dr. Peter F. Zid
In Kind Donors Auditorium Theatre Bank of America Theatre Belles Firm of Architecture, Inc. Billy Elliot Broadway in Chicago Chicago Bears Chicago Cubs Chicago Line Cruises Chicago Symphony Orchestra Chicago White Sox Chinese-American Museum of Chicago Classic Kids Photography Hubert Clay
David Fleener Architects, Inc. Philip and Marsha Dowd Christine Duboulay Ellis Fitness Formula Club Flowers by Rosa Harris Theater Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Kathy Larkin Ellen and Orion Layton Lincoln Park Chiropractic Mary and Larry Selander Michael Anthony Spa Michael’s Barber Shop Michelle and Andy Heath
Million Dollar Quartet Alfred M. Mueller, Sr. Orion Ensemble The Palmer House Playboy Enterprises, Inc. John Popik Sandra Popik Rosebud Restaurants Russian Tea Time Michael Ruiz Small Business Transportation Studio Hair Trends The Talbott Hotel Goodman Theatre Whole Health Chicago
For more information about contributing to The Philip and Marsha Dowd Merit Scholarship Program, please contact Bob Bondlow at (312) 251-8838 or at bbondlow@balletchicago.org Ballet Chicago 13
DONORS
Thank you to our donors for Supporting Artistic Excellence (contributions received between November 15, 2009 – November 15, 2010) $100,000 and up Philip and Marsha Dowd $10,000-$99,999 Target
$5,000 - $9,999 Donnelly Foundation Harris Foundation
Illinois Arts Council NIB Foundation
Anonymous Barnes and Thornburg LLP Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Behnke Insurance Susan Calomino Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs Mary Ann Cronin Carol Devine
David Fleener Rebecca Halpern Harkness Foundation Hightower Mrs. Paul W. Guenzel Ellen and Orion Layton Brigitte Lenz John and Carlene Jones Lincoln Financial Foundation
James Brennan Ordman Charitable Trust
Dennis Palmer
Northern Trust Stanford Tack
$1,000 - $4,999 Marje Locke Dance Education Scholarship Fund MB Financial Bank Audrey Mroczek Playboy Foundation Sandra Popik Jack Reed Richard Rosenbaum Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Weiss Alise White
$500 - $999 Charles and Erica Richard Beth Rubin
$250 - $499 AllState Mr. and Mrs. Laurence Askin Sonia and Tracy Cooke Kevin Driscoll Paul and Leasha Elledge Mr. and Mrs. Gus Abello Gunvor and Stanley Adelfang The Artemakis Family Lydia Aurinko-Mostow Helen Baker Father John Barrow David and Cheryl Bek John Blosser Joyce Chelberg Robert and Laura Chen Ian and Sheila Chin John and Karen Coons Ione Culler Inge De La Camp Amy Diaz Adelina Diamond Richard and Roel Doherty-Roque Donald and Noreen Duba Maggy FouchĂŠ Michael Golden 14 Ballet Chicago
Dan and Nikki Glickman Thomas Roberts and In Memory of Joan Davis Lenz Teresa Grosch Susan Lorraine Kennedy Norman Sloan Jean Perkins and Thomas L. and LeLand Hutchinson Sondra J. Thorson Alfred M. Mueller, Sr.
$100 - $249
Pearl Grau Eileen Henderson Mary Hess Rose Houston Charitable The Johnson Family Paul and Laura Jost Jacqueline Keaton-Ford Anna Lackschewitz and Alvin McCall Esther Laventhol James Lenz Robert Levin Ms. Eleanor Lieberman Mrs. David Lowum Sylvia Lueza Kathleen Jones Lundberg Charles-Gene McDaniel Christopher and Spes.Mekus Robert and Tina Muzikowski Lois Magaret Nora, MD Lynn and Donald Owen
John and Ivelise Pearson William Paterson William Peterson Michael and Gloria Plesha Emil and Cherrie Sanchez Joseph and Marily Schonthal Jeffrey and Laura Seymour Rose L. Shure William Simpson Megan Sindelar Caroline and Stephen Speranza Alan and Xiufeng Stutts Mr. and Mrs. Bernard M. Susman Linda and Ronald Thisted Mrs. Robert Tice Joseph and Ann Wilson Iris Witowski Dr. Peter F. Zid
D O N O R S ( c o n t .) $1 - $99 Christine Archer Susan Aurinko-Mostow Lindsey Berns Alma Bicknese Wesley Broquard Lisa Butler Alan Cook Richard Covello Wende Dalliah Brooks Davis Patricia Defilippo Dr. Ellen Diamond Samella Dillard Tom Elden Kathryn Erickson Samantha Fox Nicolas Gage Stanley and Dona Gerson Omar and Amina Habib Lucyna Habina Madison Harland Margaret Hughes Heather Intres Paula Kahn Diane Kantner Jacqueline Keaton-Ford Linda Kim Rose Kirkland Holly Kretekos
Amy Lambrecht Marilyn London Louise Mandel McClure and Magaret McCombs J. McKenzie John and Lori Memsic J. McKensie Julie Miller Gail Missner James Muenzer Louis Nachal Alyson Nash Annette Nikolich Lisa O’Brien Jenny Olsztenski Ashley Ortiz DuRhonda Palmore Ivelise Pearson Natalie and Mark Peiser Michelle Peluso B. Peterhaus Ms. Pinkers Yeeskah Radcliffe Erica Robinson Rita Robinson Jan and Lawrence Rosenberg Thersa Ruck Walter Salcedo
Abbe Saltzman David Schwartz Eve Shikanov Susan Shinon Marciano Siniscalchi Daniel Soles Gina Songer N. Stulao Maureen Sullivan Sean and Amy Sullivan Dawn Tanis Beth Tidmarsh Ellen Tomich Millicent Tracy Shannon Troncoso Lynn Turner Francine Walker Lene Washington The Weidner Family Ruth Weintraub Barbara Weisberger Mary and Gus Wilhelmy Cherese Williams Iva Williams Ahrianne Young Kenneth and Karen Zaegel Beth Zerman Benjamin Villagran
In Kind Donors Mary Brennan Tina Coppens Mary Ann Cronin
David Fleener Architects, Inc. Lincoln Financial Group
Rena Prizant Fran Riley
Ballet Chicago 15
THE NEXT STEP Ballet Chicago would like to thank the following donors who supported the company’s move to its new studio space on the nineteenth floor at 17 North State Street $5,000 and up Susan Gaspari Forest and Robert Forest $1,000-$4,999 W. Christopher and Erin Behnke Westwood College $250-$999 Sonia and Tracy Cooke John and Karen Coons Charles and Erica Richard Laurence and Jan Rosenberg Maureen Sullivan Beth Zerman $1-$249 Serhat and Cigdem Cicekoglu Diane Daniels Amy Diaz Mark and Fern Fox McCain Roy and Kate Plush Norm and Carol Wilson
Ballet Chicago’s Studio 3 on the 19th Floor - 17 N. State Street.
FOR THEIR ONGOING SUPPORT, BALLET CHICAGO ALSO THANKS
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16 Ballet Chicago
T H E B A L L E T C H I C AG O S T U D I O C O M PA N Y ( B C S C ) The Ballet Chicago Studio Company, initially named the Ballet Chicago Youth Company, was established in the fall of 1997. Composed of advanced students from the School of Ballet Chicago, BCSC replicates a professional company experience and is recognized as one of the top training programs in the country. Through a special arrangement with the George Balanchine Trust, BCSC performs an extensive Balanchine repertoire, including fifteen of his most beloved works. These ballets anchor the company’s repertoire of over 50 works and offer unparalleled artistic growth. All the ballets performed, including Duell and Blair’s exquisite production of The Nutcracker, are intentionally selected to prepare the dancers for the technical and artistic demands of a professional career, and to provide a curriculum vitae that shows professional level experience in a recognized repertoire known for its standard of excellence the world over. Since its inception, BCSC has given over 250 performances in a variety of venues throughout Chicago, the Midwest and Canada.
The School of Ballet Chicago The School of Ballet Chicago was founded in the fall of 2004 and began classes in January 2005. Two significant catalysts influenced the decision to begin the school. The first was a formal appeal made by parents whose children experienced the teaching and coaching of Daniel Duell and Patricia Blair while rehearsing for and performing in Hansel and Gretel; the second was an offer by Christine and Richard Ellis to pass on their school and studios to Ballet Chicago. The School of Ballet Chicago has grown from 40 students in its beginning months to now over 350 students annually who range in age from three to adult. The training is Balanchine based and offers the most advanced methods available to ballet dancers today. The curriculum is carefully stepped and provides students with the skills necessary to pursue a career in classical ballet. Ballet Chicago’s Professional Training Program and Summer Intensive currently attract students from around the globe. Since 2000/2001, the school’s first students began embarking on professional careers; over 40 of Ballet Chicago’s graduates are dancing with companies across the US and in Europe. Community Ballet Chicago has a long and strong history of educational performances and outreach programs, bringing the beauty of classical ballet to all ages, ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds. With over 500 educational programs and seminars in a variety of venues throughout the city, and over 15,000 classes conducted, Ballet Chicago is a community leader in educational programming and has provided access to the arts to over 200,000 children and adults throughout Chicago.
Ballet Chicago 17
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Gurnee Podiatry 351 S. Greenleaf St. Suite C Park City (847) 263-6073
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B A L L E T C H I C AG O A L U M N I – W H E R E A R E T H E Y N OW...
Ballet Chicago Alumni are spanning the globe!
Since 2001, when our first students began branching out on their own, they have joined companies, attended universities, become professional dancers, teachers, choreographers, actors and designers, doctors, lawyers, writers, business professionals, and most of all, wonderful human beings. We are proud of each and every one of them and are honored to have helped them on their way.
Companies Joined Alabama Ballet American Ballet Theatre II American Repertory Ballet Ballet Austin Ballet Austin II Ballet Magnificat Ballet Memphis Ballet Met Ballet NY Carolina Ballet Cedar Lake Ensemble Charleston Ballet Theatre Cincinnati Ballet
City Ballet of San Diego Colorado Ballet Company C Dance Theatre of Harlem Georgia Ballet Grand Rapids Ballet Los Angeles Ballet Louisville Ballet Madison Ballet Mama Mia/Las Vegas Miami City Ballet Milwaukee Ballet Minnesota Dance Theatre
Nashville Ballet New York City Ballet Oakland Ballet Oklahoma City Ballet Pennsylvania Ballet Pennsylvania Ballet II Richmond Ballet River North Dance Royal Danish Ballet Sacramento Ballet St. Louis Ballet Suzanne Farrell Ballet Tyego Dance Project
Universities Attended Bard College Brigham Young University Butler University Cornell University DePaul University Duke University Fordham University Harvard University University of Nebraska University of Pennsylvania Loyola University Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Middlebury College Northwestern University NYU – Tisch School of the Arts Pomona College Princeton University Sarah Lawrence College TSU – Thurgood Marshall School of Law University of Illinois – Champaign Urbana University of Illinois – Chicago Indiana University, Bloomington University of Wisconsin, Madison Yale University
“I can honestly say that without the School of Ballet Chicago and the Ballet Chicago Studio Company I would not have a career in professional ballet. The Ballet Chicago organization did for me what it did for a number of my contemporaries: It welcomed those of us who possessed the mere desire and determination to dance, and proceeded to mold and shape our talent into a tangible force. Along the way I believe that Daniel Duell and Patricia Blair cultivated in each of us skills - poise, commitment, and confidence among them - that have served us all well regardless of the specific path we each ultimately chose. I feel privileged to have grown up in the Ballet Chicago family – and it is a family - and know that I am a more completely developed dancer and fully realized individual as a result of my years there.” - Genevieve Custer Weeks, Ballet Chicago Alumna
Ballet Chicago 19
PROFILES
Daniel Duell - Artistic Director, Ballet Chicago Founder and Artistic Director of Ballet Chicago, Duell is passionate about the pursuit of contemporary classicism in its purest form. As a dancer with the New York City Ballet from 1972-1987, he was taught and coached daily by George Balanchine. Quickly rising through the ranks, Duell was promoted to Soloist in 1977, and then Principal Dancer in 1979. He embodied a wide-ranging repertoire, dancing leading roles in the ballets of George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Peter Martins, and Jacques d’Amboise, among others, including multiple works that were created for him. A Ford Foundation Scholarship recipient from the age of 13, he trained with the Dayton Civic Ballet, then at the School of American Ballet, and at the age of 19 was invited to join NYCB. In addition to his fifteen years at NYCB, he was a featured guest artist for numerous companies nationwide and performed for several PBS Dance in America public television programs. Duell has been choreographing since 1980 and has created works for Ballet Chicago, Ballet Hispanico of New York, Dayton Ballet, Harkness Dance Theatre, the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, and the School of American Ballet. He also collaborated with WTTW Channel 11 in Chicago to design two programs; the first, an Emmy Award winning special (outstanding cultural programming) on Ballet Chicago, and the second entitled “Love in Four Acts”, a program showcasing four Chicago choreographers selected by Duell. He was awarded the 2000 Ruth Page Award from the Chicago Dance Community for Artistic Direction of the Ballet Chicago Studio Company. Duell is a frequent lecturer on ballet, music, and the arts, serves on several not-for-profit boards and advisory boards, and has been an adjudicator for
20 Ballet Chicago
P R O F I L E S ( c o n t .)
the National Endowment for the Arts and the Illinois Arts Council. Duell is a repetiteur for the George Balanchine Trust and stages ballets across the United States. He conducts master classes in both the United States and Europe, most recently completing teaching engagements at the School of American Ballet, Indiana University at Bloomington, the University of Iowa, and the Bulgarian National Dance Academy in Sophia, Bulgaria. Patricia Blair – Associate Artistic Director/School Director Patricia Blair was born in New York City, began studying ballet at the age of 7, and began her performing career at 17. While a student at North Carolina School of the Arts, she was chosen to dance the role of “Myrtha” in Giselle opposite Svea Ekloff and Burton Taylor. In 1979 she joined the Eglevsky Ballet, under the direction of Edward Villella and then Michael Vernon. In 1984, while still dancing full time with the company, she became one of the company’s Ballet Mistresses, rehearsing the repertoire of George Balanchine, Michael Vernon and others. Throughout her years at Eglevsky Ballet she was an active teacher in NY, teaching company classes for Eglevsky as well as classes at the Harkness House for Ballet Arts, and at Steps. During off seasons, she was a guest artist for many NY choreographers, danced in musical theatre productions across the US and on Broadway, and briefly entered the LA movie world with Pavanne for a Dying Princess, a solo dance film created especially for her. She came to Chicago in September 1987 upon the recommendation of Balanchine repetiteur Victoria Simon. She staged several ballets for Chicago City Ballet’s fall season, after which Duell invited her to move to Chicago and join his artistic team. She was the Ballet Mistress for Ballet Chicago from 1987 – 1997, was appointed Director of the School of Ballet Chicago in 1995, and now also serves as Associate Director for the company. Ms. Blair is highly committed to the training and artistic education of dancers, as well as their personal well being. Her great love for teaching caused her to start working with children when she was only 15 years old. In addition to her work with the School of Ballet Chicago and the Ballet Chicago Studio Company, Ms. Blair gives master classes throughout the region and has been a guest teacher for Pacific Northwest Ballet School and Gem City Ballet. Ms. Blair has a lifelong love for the ballets of George Balanchine. She deeply appreciates the privilege of having performed his ballets and the joy of passing them on to younger dancers. She has been responsible for a large body of repertoire at Ballet Chicago, and in 2007 she staged Mr. Balanchine’s Serenade for the St. Louis Ballet. In May 2007 Ms. Blair had the honor of teaching at the School of American Ballet. Ellen Green – Guest Artist Ellen Green is from Illinois and has been dancing since she was a young child. She began her training with Judith Svalender, and later studied at The School of Ballet Chicago, performing with the Ballet Chicago Youth Company. She also was a summer and year-round student at the Rock School and the School of American Ballet, both on full scholarship. Ms. Green was an apprentice with the New York City Ballet in 2000 and joined the Royal Danish Ballet as a corps de ballet member in 2001. She has danced a large body of repertoire including George Balanchine’s Serenade, Swan Lake, Stars and Stripes, Walpurgisnacht, and Brahms-Schoenberg Quartet, August Bournonville’s Napoli, La Ballet Chicago 21
P R O F I L E S ( c o n t .)
Sylphide, and A Folk Tale, Jerome Robbin’s West Side Story Suite, John Neumeier’s Romeo and Juliet, The Little Mermaid and The Odyssey, Peter Martins’ Fearful Symmetries, and Helgi Tomassan’s Sleeping Beauty. Ms. Green is thrilled to be back in the US and performing with Ballet Chicago again.
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Joshua L. Ishmon – Guest Artist Joshua L. Ishmon was born and raised in Gary, Indiana. Mr. Ishmon discovered his attraction to dance at a young age and studied African dance and musical theater under the instruction of Toni Washington Simpson and Mark Spencer. He is a 2007 graduate of Emerson School for the Visual and Performing Arts where he studied under Larry Brewer, Michal Davis, and Porsha Woodson-Reese. Mr. Ishmon also studied under the teachers of Ballet Chicago and M.A.D.D. Rhythms. In 2005, Mr. Ishmon came to know himself as a choreographic visionary. Since then, he has choreographed for Emerson VPA, South Shore Dance Alliance, Ballet Chicago’s Summer Intensive, and Deeply Rooted Dance Theater’s second company and summer intensive students. Mr. Ishmon joined Deeply Rooted Dance Theater 2, and in 2009 he matriculated into the 1st company. Mr. Ishmon is always in a constant pursuit of deepening his artistry, continuing to grow, and must pay homage to the amazing people whose shoulders he stands on. This is Mr. Ishmon’s fifth Nutcracker with Ballet Chicago.
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22 Ballet Chicago
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P R O F I L E S ( c o n t .)
Hamilton Nieh – Guest Artist Hamilton Nieh grew up in Hong Kong and received his dance training from Víctor Ullate in Madrid, Spain, and at the San Francisco Ballet School. Before joining Luna Negra Dance Theater, he danced professionally with the Alberta Ballet, Sacramento Ballet and Victor Ullate Ballet performing repertoire by Petipa, Balanchine, Béjart, Trey McIntyre and Septime Webre to name a few. Nieh has created roles in works by Kirk Peterson, Peter Quanz, Jean Grand Maître and Helen Pickett. This is Nieh’s third season with Luna Negra Dance Theater, and his fourth season as a guest artist. Matthew Renko – Guest Artist Matthew Renko was born in Tampa, Florida, and raised in Sumter, South Carolina where, at age 8, he began his ballet training at Miss Libby’s School of Dance, then later at Columbia Conservatory of Dance. At 15, he continued his training at North Carolina School of the Arts on scholarship, and then after attending the School of American Ballet summer course in 2003 and 2004, he was asked to stay for the winter term on scholarship. He became an apprentice with New York City Ballet in September 2007 and then joined the corps de ballet for the 2008-2009 season, and had done featured roles with the company. He also has performed in the Metropolitan Opera’s production of Aida with choreography by Alexei Ratmansky during their 2009-2010 season. He joined The Suzanne Farrell Ballet as a corps de ballet member in February 2010. This is Matthew’s second season with Ballet Chicago as a guest artist. Ted Seymour – Guest Artist Ted Seymour was born in Dallas, Texas where he began his training at the Dallas Metropolitan Ballet. He later moved to Chicago to study with Dan Duell and Patricia Blair at the School of Ballet Chicago as a member of The Ballet Chicago Studio Company. Mr. Seymour choreographed his first ballet for BCSC, Toccata for 5, in 2001. Later, Ted moved to New York to attend the School of American Ballet. While at SAB, Ted choreographed two ballets for the Student Choreographic Workshop and was invited by Peter Martins to create a new work for The New York Choreographic Institute. Upon leaving SAB, he joined Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, dancing for choreographers such as Edward Liang, Nicolo Fonte, and Benoit-Swan Pouffer. Mr. Seymour is currently a member of The Suzanne Farrell Ballet, where he has danced leading roles in George Balanchine’s Episodes, Midsummer Nights Dream, and La Valse. He has been a frequent guest teacher for The School of Ballet Chicago and joined the faculty in the fall 2009. He continues to dance and choreograph throughout the country, and presented his fifth world premiere for Ballet Chicago last season.
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