Attila Mosolygo, Director
WIZARD OZ the
of
FEBRUARY 23-25 & MARCH 3-4, 2018 | PETER MARTIN WEGE THEATRE
BALLET CAMPS
Now enrolling for Spring & Summer 2018
DANCE DOES YOUR CHILD GOOD Dance plays an important role in the healthy development of your child. And it’s also a lot of fun! Our ballet camps for children ages 3-9 are the perfect social and physical activity for your son or daughter during spring break or summer vacation.
For more information, call 616.454.4771 x17 or visit grballet.com/2018balletcamps.
A NOTE FROM DIRECTOR ATTILA MOSOLYGO Welcome to Oz! The inspiration for this ballet came from the novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, written by L. Frank Baum. At first glance, it’s simply an adventure of a young girl. However, when you think about the characters and their journeys, it becomes clear the story has more depth than what the cover suggests. It is a classic tale of, “Be careful of what you wish for“ mixed with “Can’t see the forest from the trees,” and a hint of “You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone.” In my opinion, the struggles and obstacles of these characters are very mature; seeing it through the perspective of a child makes it a timeless classic for all. Dorothy’s journey is something many of us have experienced in our own lives: Who hasn’t said or done something they immediately regret? She is not happy with her everyday life so she wishes for something different. Not until this change happens, through the event of the tornado, does she realize what she was looking for was already surrounding her. This discovery is within the first few pages of the book and the rest of the story unfolds as she tries to get back what she lost and “get back home.” I am extremely proud of each one of the dancers and I applaud their dedication and commitment to their characters as we bring this story to life. I’d like to thank the Grand Rapids Ballet School staff and parent volunteers who have helped throughout the season, and you—the audience—for your continued support. If you are not traveling for Spring Break, you’re invited to see the Junior Company perform Mother Goose’s Friends April 2-6 at Peter Martin Wege Theatre. You can also catch us at our annual performance of Who Am I? A Butterfly Ballet March 17-18 at Frederik Meijer Gardens. I hope you enjoy following Dorothy and her friends down the yellow brick road—it was a joy for me to create this ballet for you!
Attila Mosolygo, School & Junior Company Director
For more information about all the good things happening at Grand Rapids Ballet School, please visit grballet.com/school or call 616.454.4771 x17 today.
THANK YOU, SPONSORS! A Grand Rapids Ballet School Junior Company Family A Grand Rapids Ballet School Junior Company Family A Grand Rapids Ballet School Junior Company Family
Performing Arts + Community + Warner
ADULT BALLET CLASSES
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James Sofranko, Artistic Director
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MEET OUR NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR grballet.com/sofranko
Rosie, Ganbatte kudasai! Love, Your Family
kitchen studio
Merde, Ella Rose Lennon! We are so proud of you! Love, Mom, Dad, Jack, Patrick & Kervens “I am a good witch, and all the people love me. I will use all the magic arts I know of to keep you from harm…. I will give you my kiss, and no one will dare injure a person who has been kissed by the Witch of the North.” -The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900)
Julia, Ballerina, bio-med genius, and best friend: we are so glad we’ve gotten to know you in the past couple of years. It’s been amazing watching you thrive and flourish at everything you put your mind to, and we are all SO proud of you. Follow that yellow brick road wherever it may lead you, but know you’ll always have supportive, loving friends waiting for you back home in Kamsc-as (Kansas). Love ya, girlie! —Audrey, Sierra, Carter, Roberts, and Kate
Julia, Congratulations on all you have accomplished in school and dance! I am so proud of you and excited to see what you do in the future. Love, Rachel
Julia, Your passion for dance was felt from your first performance. We are so proud of the hard work you give towards achieving your dreams. We are all excited for the next chapter. —Mom & Dad
Julia, A dancer with grace and beauty: Determined. Committed. Dedicated. A student who keeps up with her studies Knowing the importance of education. A young lady with goals and ambition Working hard to achieve her dreams. A granddaughter to be proud of And we love her. A girl who never quits. That’s our JULIA —Grampa & Kara
Julia, I have watched you dance from a small child who loved to dance to a young Lady with dreams for her future. Thank you for all the memories you have given me. Love, Grandma H.
Julia, You are a gift from the Lord. Love, Grandma Rudlaff Julia Grace, We have enjoyed watching you grow into the bright, talented young woman you are today. Seeing you achieve your goals, both artistically and academically, through self motivation, focus, and determination, has made us proud to have you in our family. Never stop dreaming and never stop achieving. Sending much love from your Morales and Rudlaff families!
GYROKINESISÂŽ NEW EXERCISE CLASS NOW AVAILABLE!
For more information, call 616.454.4771 x17 or visit grballet.com/adult.
GRAND RAPIDS BALLET STAFF COMPANY Artistic Director Patricia Barker Incoming Artistic Director James Sofranko Executive Director Glenn Del Vecchio Creative Director Michael Auer Development Director Elizabeth McCarthy Musil Marketing Director Michael Erickson Production Stage Manager Mellissa Slack Costumer Shop Manager Jessica Gilbertson Costumers Sadie Rothenberg, Brennan Smith Company/Facilities Manager John Ferraro Box Office Manager Kelly Herremans Artistic Coordinator Dawnell Dryja Black Ballet Master Steven Houser Guest Services Manager Errol Shewman
SCHOOL Director & Junior Company Director Attila Mosolygo Curriculum Coordinator Mindy Mosolygo Administrator SarahJean Bos Faculty Lara Faucher, Connie Flachs, Jillian Gasper, Ednis Gomez, Steven Houser, Melissa Hudecz, Gina McFadden, Win Marcinak, Claire Millard, Yuka Oba, Taryn Streasick, Kara Taylor, Jessica Winter-Troutwine Pianists Ryan Blok, Kenneth Creager, Brendan Hollins, Idalmira Lopez, Mark Moran, Lonnie Ostrander Night Receptionists Mary-Ann Carpenter, Madeline Harrington
5 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT
THE WIZARD OF OZ 1. Dorothy’s shoes were silver, not ruby red.
In the book, Dorothy is given “silver shoes with pointed toes.” The color was changed for the movie starring Judy Garland because the filmmakers thought that ruby red looked better in Technicolor.
2. Dorothy was misquoted.
When Aunt Em asks Dorothy where she came from, she says she was in the Land of Oz, then adds, “I’m so glad to be at home again!” She never said “There’s no place like home” in the novel.
3. The name “Oz” came from a filing cabinet.
The author, L. Frank Baum, had trouble coming up with a name for the magical land Dorothy visits. Then one day he found himself looking at the filing cabinet in his study. There were three drawers marked “A to G,” “H to N,” and “O to Z.” And so Oz was born.
4. Baum never lived in Kansas.
The novel was written while Baum lived in Chicago. The location may have been inspired by a 1893 tornado that ripped through the state.
5. The first movie was made in 1910. It was a silent film made by Selig Polyscope Company 29 years before the version we’re familiar with today.
WITH GREAT APPRECIATION TO ATTILA & MINDY MOSOLYGO For the love and time you devote every day to develop us not only into better dancers, but into better individuals, as well. Thank you for the memories we will cherish forever! —Grand Rapids Ballet School Graduating Seniors
Space Age
RECOVERY After surgery for a foot injury, Grand Rapids Ballet’s Junior Company dancer Charlie Pietryga began rehabilitation in an anti-gravity treadmill at Mary Free Bed. The AlterG, a product of NASA technology, enabled therapists to adjust the amount of body weight Charlie put on her foot in a nearly-weightless environment. From pain to pirouette, Charlie’s back on the boards.
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