Colorado Ballet -- The Wizard of Oz -- March 2022 by The Publishing House

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CONTENTS Letter From the Director...........................8 2022-2023 Season Announcement.......14 Program Following page.........................17 Ballet MasterWorks Feature..................24 Cover Photo: Leah McFadden by Rachel Neville COLORADO BALLET PUBLICATION 2021/2022

6 Colorado Ballet

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FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR It’s back—three years after its world premiere to sold out audiences, Septime Webre’s The Wizard of Oz has returned to Denver. Colorado Ballet is thrilled to present this whimsical and wonderful production for the second time, and it is my pleasure to welcome you (and your friends, family, and munchkins) on this unforgettable journey to the Emerald City. Developed in partnership with Kansas City Ballet and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, The Wizard of Oz is truly a testament to collaboration and artistic innovation in dance. It took two years of dedication, creativity, and hard work—as well as a lot of brains, heart, and courage—to bring The Wizard of Oz to the stage in 2019 and, I must say, it was worth it. After all, where else can you see the Yellow Brick Road spring into life, witches soar across the stage on bicycles and bubbles, and L. Frank Baum’s beloved characters pirouette, jeté and “floss” through Oz? We are delighted to share a homecoming performance of The Wizard of Oz with you today. If you joined us for our magnificent production of Romeo and Juliet in February, we thank you. Next month, Colorado Ballet’s 2021/2022 season crescendos to a mesmerizing close with our annual repertory program, Ballet MasterWorks. Featuring three masterpieces from the 20th century repertoire—George Balanchine’s Theme and Variations, Jirí Kylián’s Petite Mort, and Nine Sinatra Songs by Twyla Tharp—this production embodies the incredible versatility of the art form and beautifully merges music with movement. Artistically, I know that MasterWorks is our dancers’ favorite program of the season, and I look forward to seeing our very talented Company perform these monumental works in April. Without the endless work and support of many, the organization would not be where we are today, and we want to take a moment to extend our gratitude to everyone who continues to make it possible. We are forever thankful to everyone who has supported Colorado Ballet this season and attended performances. It was an indescribable joy to return to the stage and to share our love of this art form with our audiences once again, and I cannot wait to continue this beautiful journey with you. I am excited to announce the five productions planned for Colorado Ballet’s 2022/2023 season at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House—Dracula, The Nutcracker, Lady of the Camellias, Cinderella and Ballet MasterWorks. I hope you will join us for another tremendous season of world-class ballet. And with that, friends and supporters, let us be off to see the wizard. Enjoy the performance.

Gil Boggs Artistic Director

8 Colorado Ballet

Ariel McCarty by Rachel Neville

Presented by

de n v e r b a ll e t g u i ld

a p r i l 1 5 – 2 4 , 2 022 Ellie C aulki n s Op e ra H ou s e WITH LIVE MUSIC FEATURING THE

Co l o r a d o Ba l l e t Or c h e s t ra Presented by:

Supported by:

Colorado Ballet applauds its official sponsors of 2021/2022 season.

COLORADO BALLET BOARD OF TRUSTEES EXECUTIVE BOARD Board Co-Chairs Greg Laugero Susan W. Bailey Secretary JoAnne Zboyan Finance Co-Chairs Brent L. Backes Curt Hockemeier Advancement Co-Chairs Merry Logan Denise Sanderson Academy Co-Chairs Raydean Acevedo Holly Baroway, CFP Governance Co-Chairs Colleen Curran Michael E. Korenblat, Esq.

* Deceased

10 Colorado Ballet

Long-Range Planning Co-Chairs Elizabeth Katkin Michelle MoormanApplegate

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Allen Lim Geoff Long Timothy Mottet Jane Netzorg Christina Raya Lexie Rhodes Douglas Richards Cheri Rubin Dick Saunders Suzan Schlatter Zach Smith Brad Sonnenberg Nancy Stevens Bernee Strom Susan Struna

Trustees Jean Armstrong Heather Beiser Steven Blazek Kaye Ferry Ann Frick Jenna Grange Alyson Graves Anne Hillary Gail Kassan

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David Ramsay Jim Ruh Lisa Snider Harry M. Sterling Lifetime Trustees Raydean Acevedo Duke Hartman Dick Saunders Arts & Venues Representative Molly Wink Auxiliary Co-Presidents Christine Fedorowicz Linda Heiss Backstage Barre Co-Chairs Mandi Horvath Lisa Strachan Artistic Director Gil Boggs

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Founders Lillian Covillo and Freidann Parker Artistic Director Gil Boggs Ballet Masters Sandra Brown, Lorita Travaglia, Maria Mosina Musical Director and Principal Conductor Adam Flatt Associate Conductor Catherine Sailer THE COMPANY Principals Dana Benton, Jennifer Grace, Mario Labrador, Jonnathan Ramirez, Yosvani Ramos, Asuka Sasaki Soloists Leah McFadden, Christophor Moulton, Nicolas Pelletier, Kevin Gaël Thomas, Sarah Tryon Demi-Soloists Mackenzie Dessens, Sean Omandam, Melissa Zoebisch Corps de Ballet Joshua Allenback, Liam Hogan, Ever Larson, Bryce Lee, Francesca Martoccio, Ariel McCarty, Christopher Mitchell, Jessica Payne, Alexander Roy, Jeremy Studinski, Sara Thomas, Alexandra Wilson Apprentices Catherine Aoki, Alexandra Gilliom, Sheridan Guerin, Catherine McGregor, Patrick Mihm, Jacob Ray Studio Company Roman Aldrete, Lily Bines, Mylie Buck, Vanessa Childress, Claire Curran, EmmaRose Forbus, Leopold Foster, Jacqueline Gionet, Kyra Hughes, Fiona Hutchens, Cate Jesser, Hannah Lesold, Stefanee Montesantos, Ryan Nemmers, Gabriela Rodriguez, Sonata Ross, Timothy Ruelas, Tate Ryner, Lili Travaglia, Ali Walters, Leah White Colorado Ballet | 1075 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO 80204 | 303-837-8888 | COLORADOBALLET.ORG Out of courtesy to the dancers, the taking of photographs of any nature is strictly prohibited during performances. Please silence all cellular telephones, pagers and audible devices. Colorado Ballet productions are made possible in part by funding from the citizens of the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District. The Dancers of Colorado Ballet are represented by The American Guild of Musical Artists, AFL-CIO; the union that represents Artists in the fields of opera, ballet, modern dance and choral presentations.

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THE WIZARD OF OZ March 11–20, 2022

Ellie Caulkins Opera House Original Story by L. FRANK BAUM The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, written in 1900 Choreography by SEPTIME WEBRE Music by MATTHEW PIERCE Scenic Design by MICHAEL RAIFORD Costume Design by LIZ VANDAL Lighting Design by TRAD A BURNS Projection Design by AARON RHYNE Puppetry Design by NICHOLAS MAHON Design Coordination TRAD A BURNS Conducted by ADAM FLATT AND CATHERINE SAILER Music performed by COLORADO BALLET ORCHESTRA Ballet Masters Sandra Brown, Colorado Ballet; Kristi Capps & Parrish Maynard, Kansas City Ballet; Philippe Larouche, Royal Winnipeg Ballet; Suellen de Villiers, Academy The Wizard of Oz Rehearsal Director, Colorado Ballet; Rich Grund, special assistant to Mr. Webre, Northern Illinois University Story lines and visual elements from the classic motion picture provided by Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures. The ballet production of The Wizard of Oz is a joint commission by Colorado Ballet, Kansas City Ballet and Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet. World Premiere: Friday, October 12, 2018. Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Kansas City, Missouri SYNOPSIS KANSAS It is morning on Uncle Henry and Aunt Em’s farm in Kansas and the farmhands goof off between chores, ignoring Dorothy, who feels unappreciated and dreams of a place far away. Their unpleasant neighbor, Miss Gulch arrives to complain about Dorothy’s little dog, Toto, threatening to take him away. Toto escapes and Dorothy runs away with him. On the road, Dorothy meets a showman, Professor Marvel, who urges her to return to the farm as a twister approaches. THE TWISTER & MUNCHKINLAND Dorothy is lifted into the sky by the twister and travels for what seems like an eternity. Suddenly she plops to the ground with a thud. The twister has taken her to the Land of Oz, where she meets the Munchkins and Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. Dorothy’s bed has fallen upon the Witch of the East, killing her, and freeing the Munchkins from her power. As the Munchkins celebrate, the Wicked Witch of the West arrives to claim her sister’s magical ruby slippers and avenge her sister’s death. But in a flash, the ruby slippers appear on Dorothy’s feet, thwarting the Witch… for the moment. Dorothy wants to go home to Kansas. The Munchkins tell Dorothy that, surely the Wizard of Oz will help her, and she sets off down the Yellow Brick Road towards the Emerald City to find him. ALONG THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD Along the way, Dorothy and Toto meet three new friends who need help: a Scarecrow whose head full of straw; a Tin Man with an empty chest, and a Lion who is afraid of his own tail. Dorothy invites them to join her to see if the Wizard can help them too. When the Wicked Witch fails to intimidate Dorothy and her friends, she creates a beautiful field of poppies whose scent is poisonous. Glinda causes it to snow, and the poppies melt away, revealing the gates of the Emerald City. Dorothy and her friends boldly knock on the gates but the Guard with the Green Whiskers and his Assistant send them away. – Intermission – THE EMERALD CITY The Guard sees that Dorothy is wearing the ruby slippers and assumes she must be a person of great importance. He welcomes the friends into the Emerald City. As they are preparing to meet the Wizard, the Witch flies by with another warning to Dorothy: give her those slippers! Unsettled, the group is led into the Wizard’s throne room where they ask for his help. He tells them that to prove themselves worthy of his assistance they must bring him the broom stick of the Wicked Witch of the West.

2 The Wizard of Oz • Colorado Ballet

WINGED MONKEYS AND THE WITCH’S CASTLE Dorothy and her friends depart in haste, and as they make their way to the Witch’s Castle, they are set upon by the Witch’s Winged Monkeys who capture Dorothy, The Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion, sneak into the castle to try to free Dorothy and Toto, who have been imprisoned by the Witch and the Winkies, her slaves. Amid the chaos, the Witch makes a grab for the ruby slippers and Dorothy defends herself by throwing a bucket of water on the Witch, who melts into nothingness. The friends take her broomstick and return to the Emerald City. THE HUMBUG AND DOROTHY’S RETURN HOME In the Throne Room, the Wizard is reluctant to help Dorothy and her friends, when Toto discovers a befuddled man behind an emerald wall: it turns out that the Wizard is a humbug. He’s not a wizard at all, but an ordinary man from Kansas who found himself in Oz after he lost control of his hot-air balloon. The Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion impatiently remind him that he promised to help them, but the Wizard points out that they don’t need his help-they have already shown brains, heart and courage beyond measure. As for Dorothy, he tells her that he will take Toto and her to Kansas himself in his hot-air balloon. As they prepare to depart, Toto runs off, and Dorothy chases him, but it’s too late—the wind has already taken the Wizard, leaving Dorothy and Toto behind. Glinda appears, telling Dorothy that her ruby slippers will take her home. Dorothy says farewell to her friends, and with the aid of the slippers, wills herself home. Dorothy awakens to finds herself at home in Kansas, with Toto asleep at her feet. PROGRAM NOTES Septime Webre | Choreographer My relationship with all things OZ, in four easy steps: 1. I grew up in the Bahamas until I was about twelve, and every Sunday, driving to a small missionary church my family attended we’d pass a tiny greying abandoned house plopped in the brush near a beach. We called it Dorothy’s house and it looked as though a Caribbean hurricane had dropped it there, like Dorothy’s house landing in Munchkinland. My siblings and I were obsessed with the Oz books and read every book in the series multiple times. 2. When I was twelve years old we moved to South Texas, and my brothers and sister and I bought a whole suite of marionettes for 99 cents each in Mexico. We spent the whole summer re-costuming these string puppets to create a full cast of Oz, and we painted elaborate backdrops to fit the full-sized puppet house my parents had ordered for us from FAO Schwartz. We created what we thought was a rather extravagant puppet version of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz which we toured all over South Texas—from nursing homes, to orphanages, to church bazaars 3. A few years later, in my late teens, I ran a youth summer program for the local Parks and Recreation Department, in partnership with the Texas School for the Blind and a social service agency which provided support for kids with Down Syndrome. That summer I directed a production of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz with the majority of the principal roles played by blind teens and the Munchkins played by youth with Down Syndrome. It was such a celebration of humanity. 4. And now, Oz, the ballet. Over the years I had toyed with working on a ballet adaptation of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, but had resisted— both the book and the film are such perfect works of art and I wasn’t quite sure I could illuminate anything about the story that hadn’t been said by the source material. But over time I realized the marvelous characters invented by Frank Baum beg to be danced, and that so much could still be discovered using our metaphorical language of ballet. I’ve been living with this magical tale for so long, working on this ballet has been like coming home. And there’s no place like it….. MUSIC NOTES Matthew Pierce | Composer Music or choreography, what comes first? People ask this frequently when they witness a new ballet. Music, the simple answer, has always preceded choreography in the collaboration Septime and I have enjoyed through five full length ballets. Septime crafts a libretto that defines a sequence of storytelling moments and dances and I translate the psychology of the narrative and the muscular movement into music. Dancers need a rhythm to move to and a melody to inspire them. Anything can be an inspiration: a snip of song, a dance step, a simple count, a painting, a tone of voice, an episode from a television series, a character description. Free association and improvisation shape the creative process and this spontaneity is the reason for our success. Studio time with Septime follows where I humbly witness the mysterious kinesthesia and “listen” to the dancer’s moving song. The happiness of the music in this ballet is a direct reflection of the working relationship Septime and I have. The mélange of influences creating the joy span the decades, 1920’s Big Band, 1950’s Cool Jazz, 1970’s Glam Rock, late 1970’s Disco and 1980’s New Wave. Septime and I examined our collective 20th Century popular music Colorado Ballet • The Wizard of Oz 3

favorites and rendered the memories into a playful aural journey. You’ll hear a reference to screaming electric guitars in the brash and noisy orchestration, Big Band swing in the liberal use of glissandi (slides) in the strings and trombones and cool jazz in the unusual inclusion of a Tenor Saxophone in the orchestra announcing to Dorothy, “We aren’t in Kansas anymore.” L. Frank Baum’s story of Dorothy and the 1939 film spurred the creation of this collaborative project that required an open mind, an open heart, a fantastical spirit and an unrestrained imagination.

CASTING

Casting for March 11–13 Performances Dorothy Dana Benton (3/11, 3/12 eve), Leah McFadden (3/12 mat, 3/13) Farmhand / Scarecrow Nicolas Pelletier (3/11, 3/12 eve), Bryce Lee (3/12 mat, 3/13) Farmhand / Tin Man Jonnathan Ramirez (3/11, 3/12 eve), Sean Omandam (3/12 mat, 3/13) Farmhand / Lion Christophor Moulton (3/11, 3/12 eve), Kevin Gaël Thomas (3/12 mat, 3/13) Toto Puppeteer Leopold Foster Miss Gulch / Wicked Witch Asuka Sasaki (3/11, 3/12 eve), Jennifer Grace (3/12 mat, 3/13) Aunt Em / Glinda Jennifer Grace (3/11, 3/12 eve), Ariel McCarty (3/12 mat, 3/13) Uncle Henry Joshua Allenback (3/11, 3/12 eve), Christophor Moulton (3/12 mat, 3/13) Professor Marvel / Wizard of Oz Mario Labrador (3/11, 3/12 eve), Nicolas Pelletier (3/12 mat, 3/13) Kansas Puppeteers Cobin Tonsmeire, David McGovern, Timothy Ruelas, Roman Aldrete, Ryan Nemmers, Thomas Fontana, Axel Rickard, Tate Ryner, Ryder Rickard MUNCHKIN LAND Munchkin Ladies Sara Thomas, Ariel McCarty, Catherine McGregor, Francesca Martoccio, Alexandra Gilliom (3/11, 3/12 eve), Ever Larson, Lili Travaglia, Gabriela Rodriguez, Alexandra Wilson, Sonata Ross (3/12 mat, 3/13) Munchkin Men Jeremy Studinski (3/11, 3/12 eve), Joshua Allenback (3/12 mat, 3/13), Liam Hogan, Alexander Roy (3/11, 3/12 eve), Tate Ryner (3/12 mat, 3/13), Patrick Mihm, Christopher Mitchell Curly Cues Mackenzie Dessens, Jessica Payne, Sarah Tryon (3/11, 3/12 eve), Francesca Martoccio, Sara Thomas, Catherine Aoki (3/12 mat, 3/13) Ruffians Sean Omandam, Kevin Gaël Thomas (3/11, 3/12 eve), Alexander Roy, Jacob Ray (3/12 mat, 3/13), Jeremy Studinski

Please note that all casting is subject to change. For the most up-to-date casting, please visit COLORADOBALLET.ORG/THE-WIZARD-OF-OZ Story lines and visual elements from the classic motion picture provided by Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures.

4 The Wizard of Oz • Colorado Ballet

Grasshoppers* Pauline Lyons, Piper Beunier, Grace Drachenberg, Gianna Daniel, Mackenzie Roark (3/11, 3/12 eve), Emma Boggs (3/11, 3/12), Griffin Ho, Lola Weigel, Caroline Heck, Gabriela Geurin, Julia Del Ciotto (3/12 mat), Adelaide Lynott, Gena Carter, Gianna Kust, Juliette Steirer, Claire Coughlin, Molly Rosenberg (3/13) ALONG THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD Yellow Brick Roadies Alexander Roy (3/11, 3/12 eve), Joshua Allenback (3/12 mat, 3/13), Christopher Mitchell, Tate Ryner, Roman Aldrete, Ryan Nemmers, Liam Hogan, Jacob Ray (3/11, 3/12 eve), Timothy Ruelas (3/12 mat, 3/13), Patrick Mihm Trees Hannah Lesold, Lily Bines, Vanessa Childress (3/11, 3/12 eve), Fiona Hutchens, Claire Curran, Stefanee Montesantos (3/12 mat, 3/13) Female Poppies Catherine Aoki, Jessica Payne, Alexandra Gilliom, Catherine McGregor, Ariel McCarty (3/11, 3/12 eve), Alexandra Wilson (3/12 mat, 3/13), Ever Larson, Sara Thomas, Francesca Martoccio Male Poppies Sean Omandam (3/11, 3/12 eve), Ryan Nemmers (3/12 mat, 3/13), Christopher Mitchell, Joshua Allenback (3/11, 3/12 eve), Alexander Roy (3/12 mat, 3/13), Jacob Ray, Liam Hogan, Jeremy Studinski, Roman Aldrete, Patrick Mihm Poppy Seeds* Ella Michie, Penelope Rayfield, Lior Korenblat, Sophia Michie, Zoe Loosbrock, Chloe Drachenberg, Grace Reilly, Kennedy Kintner (3/11, 3/12 eve), Adelaide Bassett, Juliette Jones, Lucia Weigel, Mason Jones, Cary Lu, Lillian Bray, Klara Kiesey, Caroline Liu (3/12 mat), Rigel Martinez, Hudson Koranda, Juliette Wright, Annslee Hamamoto-Creuziger, Nisa Notides, Clara Hattan, Emilia Herr, Audrey Cumberland (3/13) THE EMERALD CITY Guard with Green Whiskers Kevin Gaël Thomas (3/11, 3/12 eve), Jonnathan Ramirez (3/12 mat, 3/13) Guard Assistant* Willett Pring (3/11, 3/12 eve), Kevin Gaytan (3/12 mat), Griffin Ho (3/13) Poser Ladies Ever Larson, Alexandra Wilson, Francesca Martoccio, Catherine McGregor, Ariel McCarty (3/11, 3/12 eve), Alexandra Gilliom (3/12 mat, 3/13) Poser Men Liam Hogan, Patrick Mihm, Alexander Roy (3/11, 3/12 eve), Joshua Allenback (3/12 mat, 3/13), Jacob Ray, Christopher Mitchell Bell Hops Sean Omandam (3/11, 3/12 eve), Alexander Roy (3/12 mat, 3/13), Jeremy Studinski Popcorn Girls Mackenzie Dessens and Sarah Tryon (3/11, 3/12 eve), Jessica Payne and Sara Thomas (3/12 mat, 3/13) Emerald Officer Mario Labrador Emerald Ballerina Jennifer Grace (3/11, 3/12 eve), Ariel McCarty (3/12 mat, 3/13)

Colorado Ballet • The Wizard of Oz 5

Baby Ballerinas* Mia Hanflig, Keara Nichols, Emerson Riegler, Kate Miller, Brooke Janney, Ryan Smallwood, Bailey Bleskan, Keira Martin-Williams (3/11, 3/12 eve), Evangeline Ruff, Caroline Sowers, Anastasia Smirnova, Kasey Fox, Lilly Lieber, Jacqueline Del Ciotto, Delfina Todd, Harper Fischer (3/12 mat), Emerson Barnes, Catalina Long, Samantha Milshtein, Jordan Henry, Kaelyn Biskner, Addyson Popp, Zoe Popp, Tatum Benedict (3/13) THE WITCH’S CASTLE Winged Monkeys Roman Aldrete, Timothy Ruelas, Ryan Nemmers Monkey Puppeteers McGovern, Tonsmeire, Ryder Rickard, Tate Ryner, Thomas Fontana, Axel Rickard, Vanessa Childress, Hannah Lesold, Claire Curran Snake Puppeteers Axel Rickard, Ryder Rickard Winkie Men Patrick Mihm, Christopher Mitchell, Liam Hogan, Jeremy Studinski Winkie Women Sara Thomas, Ever Larson, Ariel McCarty (3/11, 3/12 eve), Catherine Aoki (3/12 mat, 3/13), Alexandra Wilson, Jessica Payne, Alexandra Gilliom, Catherine McGregor, Francesca Martoccio Conductor Adam Flatt, Principal Conductor and Music Director (3/11-3/13)

*Colorado Ballet Academy students, rehearsed by Suellen de Villiers.

Casting for March 18–20 Performances Dorothy Dana Benton (3/18, 3/19 eve, 3/20 eve), Leah McFadden (3/19 mat, 3/20 mat) Farmhand / Scarecrow Nicolas Pelletier (3/18, 3/19 eve, 3/20 eve), Bryce Lee (3/19 mat, 3/20 mat) Farmhand / Tin Man Jonnathan Ramirez (3/18, 3/19 eve, 3/20 eve), Sean Omandam (3/19 mat, 3/20 mat) Farmhand / Lion Christophor Moulton (3/18, 3/19 eve, 3/20 eve), Kevin Gaël Thomas (3/19 mat, 3/20 mat) Toto Puppeteer Leopold Foster Miss Gulch / Wicked Witch Asuka Sasaki (3/18, 3/19 eve, 3/20 eve), Jennifer Grace (3/19 mat, 3/20 mat) Aunt Em / Glinda Jennifer Grace (3/18, 3/19 eve, 3/20 eve), Ariel McCarty (3/19 mat, 3/20 mat) Uncle Henry Joshua Allenback (3/18, 3/19 eve, 3/20 eve), Christophor Moulton (3/19 mat, 3/20 mat) Professor Marvel / Wizard of Oz Mario Labrador (3/18, 3/19 eve, 3/20 eve), Nicolas Pelletier (3/19 mat, 3/20 mat)

6 The Wizard of Oz • Colorado Ballet

Kansas Puppeteers Cobin Tonsmeire, David McGovern, Timothy Ruelas, Roman Aldrete, Ryan Nemmers, Thomas Fontana, Axel Rickard, Tate Ryner, Ryder Rickard MUNCHKIN LAND Munchkin Ladies Sara Thomas, Ariel McCarty, Catherine McGregor, Francesca Martoccio, Alexandra Gilliom (3/18, 3/19 eve, 3/20 eve), Ever Larson, Lili Travaglia, Gabriela Rodriguez, Alexandra Wilson, Sonata Ross (3/19 mat, 3/20 mat) Munchkin Men Jeremy Studinski (3/18, 3/19 eve, 3/20 eve), Joshua Allenback (3/19 mat, 3/20 mat), Liam Hogan, Alexander Roy (3/18, 3/19 eve, 3/20 eve), Tate Ryner (3/19 mat, 3/20 mat), Patrick Mihm, Christopher Mitchell Curly Cues Mackenzie Dessens, Jessica Payne, Sarah Tryon (3/18, 3/19 eve, 3/20 eve), Francesca Martoccio, Sara Thomas, Catherine Aoki (3/19 mat, 3/20 mat) Ruffians Sean Omandam, Kevin Gaël Thomas (3/18, 3/19 eve, 3/20 eve), Alexander Roy, Jacob Ray (3/19 mat, 3/20 mat), Jeremy Studinski Grasshoppers* Pauline Lyons, Piper Beunier, Grace Drachenberg, Gianna Daniel, Mackenzie Roark (3/18, 3/19 eve), Emma Boggs (3/18, 3/19, 3/20 eve), Griffin Ho, Lola Weigel, Caroline Heck, Gabriela Geurin, Julia Del Ciotto (3/19 mat, 3/20 eve), Adelaide Lynott, Gena Carter, Gianna Kust, Juliette Steirer, Claire Coughlin, Molly Rosenberg (3/20 mat) ALONG THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD Yellow Brick Roadies Alexander Roy (3/18, 3/19 eve, 3/20 eve), Joshua Allenback (3/19 mat, 3/20 mat), Christopher Mitchell, Tate Ryner, Roman Aldrete, Ryan Nemmers, Liam Hogan, Jacob Ray (3/18, 3/19 eve, 3/20 eve), Timothy Ruelas (3/19 mat, 3/20 mat), Patrick Mihm Trees Hannah Lesold, Lily Bines, Vanessa Childress (3/18, 3/19 eve, 3/20 eve), Fiona Hutchens, Claire Curran, Stefanee Montesantos (3/19 mat, 3/20 mat) Female Poppies Catherine Aoki, Jessica Payne, Alexandra Gilliom, Catherine McGregor, Ariel McCarty (3/18, 3/19 eve, 3/20 eve), Alexandra Wilson (3/19 mat, 3/20 mat), Ever Larson, Sara Thomas, Francesca Martoccio Male Poppies Sean Omandam (3/18, 3/19 eve, 3/20 eve), Ryan Nemmers (3/19 mat, 3/20 mat), Christopher Mitchell, Joshua Allenback (3/18, 3/19 eve, 3/20 eve), Alexander Roy (3/19 mat, 3/20 mat), Jacob Ray, Liam Hogan, Jeremy Studinski, Roman Aldrete, Patrick Mihm Poppy Seeds* Ella Michie, Penelope Rayfield, Lior Korenblat, Sophia Michie, Zoe Loosbrock, Chloe Drachenberg, Grace Reilly, Kennedy Kintner (3/18, 3/19 eve), Adelaide Bassett, Juliette Jones, Lucia Weigel, Mason Jones, Cary Lu, Lillian Bray, Klara Kiesey, Caroline Liu (3/19 mat, 3/20 eve), Rigel Martinez, Hudson Koranda, Juliette Wright, Annslee Hamamoto-Creuziger, Nisa Notides, Clara Hattan, Emilia Herr, Audrey Cumberland (3/20 mat) THE EMERALD CITY Guard with Green Whiskers Kevin Gaël Thomas (3/18, 3/19 eve, 3/20 eve), Jonnathan Ramirez (3/19 mat, 3/20 mat) Please note that all casting is subject to change. For the most up-to-date casting, please visit COLORADOBALLET.ORG/THE-WIZARD-OF-OZ Story lines and visual elements from the classic motion picture provided by Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures.

Colorado Ballet • The Wizard of Oz 7

Guard Assistant* Willett Pring (3/18, 3/19 eve), Kevin Gaytan (3/19 mat, 3/20 mat), Griffin Ho (3/20 eve) Poser Ladies Ever Larson, Alexandra Wilson, Francesca Martoccio, Catherine McGregor, Ariel McCarty (3/18, 3/19 eve, 3/20 eve), Alexandra Gilliom (3/19 mat, 3/20 mat) Poser Men Liam Hogan, Patrick Mihm, Alexander Roy (3/18, 3/19 eve, 3/20 eve), Joshua Allenback (3/19 mat, 3/20 mat), Jacob Ray, Christopher Mitchell Bell Hops Sean Omandam (3/18, 3/19 eve, 3/20 eve), Alexander Roy (3/19 mat, 3/20 mat), Jeremy Studinski Popcorn Girls Mackenzie Dessens and Sarah Tryon (3/18, 3/19 eve, 3/20 eve), Jessica Payne and Sara Thomas (3/19 mat, 3/20 mat) Emerald Officer Mario Labrador Emerald Ballerina Jennifer Grace (3/18, 3/19 eve, 3/20 eve), Ariel McCarty (3/19 mat, 3/20 mat) Baby Ballerinas* Mia Hanflig, Keara Nichols, Emerson Riegler, Kate Miller, Brooke Janney, Ryan Smallwood, Bailey Bleskan, Keira Martin-Williams (3/18, 3/19 eve), Evangeline Ruff, Caroline Sowers, Anastasia Smirnova, Kasey Fox, Lilly Lieber, Jacqueline Del Ciotto, Delfina Todd, Harper Fischer (3/19 mat, 3/20 eve), Emerson Barnes, Catalina Long, Samantha Milshtein, Jordan Henry, Kaelyn Biskner, Addyson Popp, Zoe Popp, Tatum Benedict (3/20 mat) THE WITCH’S CASTLE Winged Monkeys Roman Aldrete, Timothy Ruelas, Ryan Nemmers Monkey Puppeteers McGovern, Tonsmeire, Ryder Rickard, Tate Ryner, Thomas Fontana, Axel Rickard, Vanessa Childress, Hannah Lesold, Claire Curran Snake Puppeteers Axel Rickard, Ryder Rickard Winkie Men Patrick Mihm, Christopher Mitchell, Liam Hogan, Jeremy Studinski Winkie Women Sara Thomas, Ever Larson, Ariel McCarty (3/18, 3/19 eve, 3/20 eve), Catherine Aoki (3/19 mat, 3/20 mat), Alexandra Wilson, Jessica Payne, Alexandra Gilliom, Catherine McGregor, Francesca Martoccio Conductor Catherine Sailer, Associate Conductor (3/18–3/20)

*Colorado Ballet Academy students, rehearsed by Suellen de Villiers.

8 The Wizard of Oz • Colorado Ballet

Gil Boggs, Artistic Director

ARTISTIC STAFF

Gil Boggs began his dance career with the Atlanta Ballet. He joined American Ballet Theatre in New York in 1982 and was promoted to soloist dancer in 1984 and principal dancer in 1991. Boggs was a member of the company for 17 years. Boggs also performed with the Twyla Tharp Dance Company, Baryshnikov and Company, Nureyev and Friends, and made several guest appearances around the world. During his career with ABT, he was recognized as both an accomplished virtuoso and one of the company’s most popular performers. Boggs has worked with numerous noted choreographers, including Agnes de Mille, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, Paul Taylor, Mark Morris, Jerome Robbins and Merce Cunningham and has an extensive performance repertoire of both classical and contemporary works. Boggs accepted the position of Artistic Director with Colorado Ballet in the Spring of 2006. In Boggs’ tenure with Colorado Ballet he has restaged full-length productions of Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Don Quixote and Coppelia along with adding new full-length productions of Romeo & Juliet, Cinderella, Le Corsaire, Beauty and the Beast and Peter Pan. Boggs has also presented 15 world premieres and 15 Colorado Ballet premieres by such renowned choreographers as Twyla Tharp, Lar Lubovitch, Anthony Tudor, Val Caniparoli, Dwight Rhoden and Lynne Taylor-Corbett.

Sandra Brown, Ballet Master/Assistant to the Artistic Director Sandra Brown joined the corps de ballet of American Ballet Theatre in 1987 under the directorship of Mikhail Baryshnikov and was promoted to soloist in 1992 where she remained until 2003. During that time, she danced not only numerous classical full length principal roles, but gained recognition for her leading contemporary roles as well. Most notably, she created and danced the world premiere role of Desdemona in Lar Lubovitch’s full-length Othello in 1997 and appears in ABT’s film productions of Romeo and Juliet, Le Corsaire, and the documentary Ballet. In 2000, Brown was featured in the movie Center Stage and appears in the film The Company. Brown also holds the honor of appearing on Broadway as the original Louise Bigelow in the Tony Award-winning 1994 revival of Carousel, directed by Nicholas Hytner and choreographed by Sir Kenneth MacMillan at the Lincoln Center Theater. In 2003, Brown left ABT to pursue work as a freelance artist with Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Stiefel and Stars, Vladimir Malakhov, Peter Boal and Company, Chamber Dance Project, Dancers Patrelle, Ballet Hawaii and Madison Ballet. During this time, she also was asked to perform as a guest artist at the Vail International Festival, became certified to teach Pilates, taught for the ABT Summer Intensive, and choreographed the ballet Synchronicity. In 2006, she joined her husband, Gil Boggs, to work with Colorado Ballet. Since then, she has assisted staging the full-length productions of Giselle, Don Quixote, and Christopher Wheeldon’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Brown has also assisted with choreographing and staging of The Nutcracker, Coppélia, The Sleeping Beauty, and Swan Lake. In addition, she assisted staging Lar Lubovitch’s Smile with My Heart, Dwight Rhoden’s Ave Maria, Twyla Tharp’s In The Upper Room, Clark Tippet’s Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1, and Edwaard Liang’s Feast of the Gods. Brown restaged her ballet, Synchronicity, for Colorado Ballet’s Studio Company. In 2007, she was asked to stage Smile with My Heart for the

Joffrey Ballet. In 2013, she staged Lynne Taylor-Corbett’s Great Galloping Gottschalk at the University of South Carolina and in 2014 at NBA of Japan. In 1989 and 1990, she was chosen by Mikhail Baryshnikov to choreograph for the American Ballet Theatre Choreographic Workshop. During her tenure, she has choreographed for the Bal de Ballet, an event hosted by the Denver Ballet Guild. Her creations are From Within, Crimson Surges, Unforgettable, Grand Pas Fantastique, Heart Strings, One by One, Set Fire to the Rain, The Secret Garden, Young and Beautiful, The Charleston, Scheherazade, and Pirates of the Caribbean. In 2014, she gained critical acclaim for the ballet The Last Beat, which she created on the dancers of Colorado Ballet to the music of DeVotchKa.

Generously supported by Duke and Pam Hartman

Lorita Travaglia, Ballet Master Lorita Travaglia is originally from New Zealand. She received her ballet training at the National School of Ballet and later the Royal Ballet School in London. Lorita made her debut as a professional dancer with the Berlin Ballet. After six years with the Company, she moved to the United States where she worked with Princeton Ballet, Boston Ballet, Atlanta Ballet and International Ballet Rotaru, dancing solo and principal roles in a wide range of repertoire. Her favorite roles include Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, Swanhilda in Coppelia, Cinderella, Sugarplum Fairy in The Nutcracker and Paquita. In 1992, Lorita returned to New Zealand, but continued to perform as a guest artist with companies in the United States as well as Company Z, a contemporary dance company in New Zealand. Lorita began teaching in 1988 while still performing and studied the Vaganova methodology. She was the principal teacher for a professional training program in Auckland, New Zealand and later, as artistic director of Canyon Concert Ballet in Fort Collins, Colorado, she set up a similar aspirant program. In 1999, Lorita joined Colorado Ballet as director of the Apprentice Program and company repetiteur, and has been ballet master since 2006. Her choreography includes Equanimity, Aspects, Pictures at an Exhibition, Piazzolla and, most recently, The Angel of Buenos Aires for Colorado Ballet and a full-length The Nutcracker for Canyon Concert Ballet. Lorita graduated from the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2000 and has a private practice in Denver. She is an avid tango dancer and is the Creative Director of Parasol Arts.

Generously supported by Raydean Acevedo Maria Mosina, Ballet Master Maria Mosina was born in Moscow and graduated from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Russia. Upon graduation, Maria joined the Bolshoi Ballet Grigorovich Company and immediately was chosen for principal roles. She toured the world appearing on all major European, American, African and Asian stages. In 1995, Maria was invited by Colorado Ballet to join as a leading principal dancer. She performed all major parts in classical productions and also had the chance to show her talent in neoclassical, modern and contemporary choreographed master pieces. Maria was a featured dancer on the cover of Dance Magazine and has been featured in other magazine articles. She holds a bachelor’s

Colorado Ballet • The Wizard of Oz 9

ARTISTIC STAFF degree in methodology and pedagogy from the Moscow State Academy of Choreography. She is also an active ballet instructor throughout the United States. She participated as a master teacher and judge for the Youth American Grand Prix. Maria performed leading roles in all major productions as a member of the Company, as well as a guest artist with many other festivals, galas, and companies. After 21 seasons as a principal dancer with Colorado Ballet, she retired at the end of the 2016/2017 season. She has now joined the artistic staff of the company.

Generously supported by Paul Goodspeed and Mary Poole

Adam Flatt, Music Director & Principal Conductor Adam Flatt has served as Music Director and Principal Conductor of Colorado Ballet since 2007, conducting hundreds of performances in the Ellie Caulkins Opera House and leading the Colorado Ballet Orchestra to a widely recognized period of excellence. Well known to Colorado audiences, Adam served as Associate Conductor of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, where he led over 250 concerts in an acclaimed five-year tenure, and Music Director of the Denver Young Artists Orchestra for seven years, leading that orchestra at home in Denver and on international tours. In addition to his work at Colorado Ballet, Adam is Music Director of the Newport Symphony Orchestra on the Oregon coast, and the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra. As a guest conductor he has led performances with orchestras all over the United States and productions for the major ballet companies of Portland and Salt Lake City. He has served on the musical faculties of both the Rocky Ridge Music Center and Summerfest at the Curtis Institute of Music. Adam Flatt has his bachelor’s degree in music with honors from the University of California at Berkeley, and his master’s degree in instrumental and opera conducting from the Indiana University School of Music. Adam Flatt and his family make their home in Denver. www.adamflatt.com

Generously supported by Sandy Elliott

10 The Wizard of Oz • Colorado Ballet

Catherine Sailer, Associate Conductor Catherine Sailer, Director of Choral Studies at the University of Denver, conducts the Lamont Chorale, Lamont Women’s Chorus and the Evans Choir. She is also the Associate Conductor of the Colorado Ballet Orchestra. She was named the winner of the Robert Shaw Fellowship in 2005, chosen by Chorus America and supported by Warner Brothers and the National Endowment for the Arts. Her other awards include first place at the American Choral Director’s Association Conducting Competition. Conducting Credits include the Atlanta Symphony Chorus and Orchestra, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra, Beijing Symphony Orchestra, the National Opera of China, the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music Orchestra and the Central City Opera. Sailer has been a conducting fellow with the Dale Warland Singers, the Kansas City Chorale, the Chicago Symphony Chorus, the Carnegie Hall Workshop Chorus, and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s. She has collaborated as conductor or chorus master with singers William Warfield and Marilyn Horne and conductors Victor Yampolsky, Marius Szmolij, Stephen Alltop, David Amram, Tan Dun, David Fanshawe, and Marin Alsop. Sailer was invited to conduct in the National Conducting Institute with the National Symphony Orchestra as a student of Leonard Slatkin. She also conducted performances of the festival chorus and orchestra at the Oregon Bach Festival under the tutelage of Helmuth Rilling. Catherine Sailer received the Doctor of Music with honors in conducting from Northwestern University and the Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Piano Performance and Conducting from the University of Denver. She has served as Assistant Conductor of the Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra, the Denver Young Artists Orchestra and as Music Director of the Musica Sacra Chamber Orchestra. She is an active guest and festival conductor for choir and orchestra and her collegiate ensembles have appeared at Colorado Music Educator’s Association and Southwest divisional conferences of the American Choral Director’s Association.

DANCERS PRINCIPALS Dana Benton Dana Benton was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and at the age of 9, she was accepted to the National Ballet School in Toronto where she trained for eight years. Dana graduated from the National Ballet School with Honors in Academics and was awarded the Peter Dwyer Award for Excellence in Dance. Upon graduating in 2000, Dana received a contract with Alberta Ballet Company in Canada. She spent one year with the Company as an Apprentice. In 2001, she joined Colorado Ballet and she has performed many Soloist and Principal roles with the Company. Dana was promoted to Soloist in 2007 and then to Principal in 2014.

Generously supported by Jane and Skip Netzorg Jennifer Grace

Jennifer Grace was born in Bozeman, Montana. She trained at The Dance Center in Bozeman, The Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, Russia and Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy in Southern California. Jennifer was hired by Tulsa Ballet’s Second Company in 2013 and was promoted to Corps de Ballet in November of that same year. By 2017 she was a Soloist with the company and had performed many Principal and Soloist roles. She has had the opportunity to perform works by choreographers such as Christopher Wheeldon, Derek Deane, Ben Stevenson, William Forsythe, Nacho Duato, Wayne McGregor and Alejandro Cerrudo. Jennifer was Pointe Magazine’s August/September 2018 Cover Star.

Generously supported by Ann and Ford Frick Mario Labrador

Mario Vitale Labrador was born in Antioch, CA. At the age of 10, he began his ballet studies under the tutelage of Ronn Guidi. At the age of 19, Mario decided to attend the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, Russia. During his time at the Academy, Mario performed as the lead in many school productions, including their production of La Fille Mal Gardee, Paquita, Harlequinade and Classical Symphony. In 2012, Mario graduated top of his class and received an invitation to join the Mikhailovsky Theatre in St Petersburg, Russia, where he eventually became a Soloist. While there, he had the opportunity to work with world famous choreographers Nacho Duato and Lar Lubovitch. He also danced a number of lead roles in classical ballets such as Swan Lake, Chippolino, and Giselle. Other notable ballets in his repertoire are The Nutcracker, La Fille Mal Gardee, Don Quixote, Flames of Paris, Class Concert, Romeo and Juliet and The Bronze Horseman. In 2016, Mario left the Mikhailovsky Theatre, where he took a two year break from ballet. In 2018, Mario joined Central West Ballet as a Principal, where he danced the leads in all the ballets. His favorite role to dance while at Central West Ballet was Dracula in Rene Daveluy’s

World Premiere production of Dracula. This is his first season with Colorado Ballet.

Generously supported by Mary Ellen and David Wright Jonnathan Ramirez

Jonnathan Ramirez is originally from Cali, Colombia. At the age of 8 he began his training at the Colombian Institute of Ballet, Incolballet. After graduating at 16, he moved to New York City where he received a full scholarship to continue his training at American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of Ballet. In 2007 he danced with Cincinnati Ballet for two seasons, then in 2009 he joined Houston Ballet. In 2010 Jonnathan joined the Tulsa Ballet Theatre where he performed numerous soloist and principal roles over ten consecutive years before joining Colorado Ballet in 2020.

Generously supported by Lynnette Morrison Yosvani Ramos

Yosvani Ramos was born in Camagüey, Cuba and trained at the National Ballet School. In 1998, he went on to dance with Jeune Ballet de France and Ballet de l’Opéra National de Paris. He joined English National Ballet as a Soloist in 1999 and was promoted to Senior Soloist in 2000, then Principal dancer in 2003 after his performance as Franz in Coppélia. He danced with ENB until 2008, when he joined The Australian Ballet as a Principal Artist, where he remained until April 2013. He spent several months guesting then joined the Cincinnati Ballet as Principal Dancer in 2014. Yosvani joined Colorado Ballet in 2015 as a Principal Dancer.

Generously supported by Katherine and Michael Whitcomb Asuka Sasaki

Asuka Sasaki was born in Nagano, Japan. She trained at the Emiko Kojima Ballet School, Yo Ballet Academy in Japan and Beijing Dance Academy in China. After Beijing Dance Academy she joined Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet as an Aspirant. She started dancing with Colorado Ballet in 2005 as a member of the Corps de Ballet, was promoted to Soloist in 2010 and then to Principal in 2017. With Colorado Ballet, she has worked with accomplished choreographers such as Val Caniparoli, Derek Deane, Septime Webre, Eldar Aliev, Michael Pink, Ben Stevenson, Lynn TaylorCorbett, Martin Fredmann, Lila York, Jessica Lang, Dwight Rhoden, Edwaard Liang and Amy Seiwert.

Generously supported by Debby Herz

Colorado Ballet • The Wizard of Oz 11

DANCERS SOLOISTS

Kevin Gaël Thomas

Leah McFadden

Kevin Gaël Thomas is from France and studied at Rosella Hightower’s International Ballet Center and at Canada’s National Ballet School, where he received a full scholarship and graduated in 2006, with honors. Kevin also graduated with honors from the Music Conservatory in France for piano. He danced for a year with Houston Ballet II, then joined Colorado Ballet in 2007. Since joining the Company he has performed many soloist and leading roles. Kevin was chosen to represent France at the New York International Ballet Competition in 2009 and at the USA Jackson International Ballet Competition in 2010. He was promoted to Soloist in 2016.

Leah Rose McFadden grew up in a small town called Dowagiac, MI. At age 11, she began training with Southold Dance Theatre, a pre-professional ballet school in South Bend, IN. During Leah’s six years at Southold, under the direction of Erica Fischbach, she participated in YAGP and received a number of awards. Leah also attended summer intensives at Gelsey Kirkland Academy, Grand Rapids Ballet, Miami City Ballet and Colorado Ballet. In 2015, she joined Miami City Ballet’s Pre-Professional program yearround. During her time there, Leah also performed with Miami City Ballet’s company as well as touring with them to New York and Chicago performing various works. Leah joined Colorado Ballet’s Studio Company in 2016 and was promoted to the main company in 2018.

Generously supported by Douglas Richards Christophor Moulton

Christophor Moulton was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado and began his training with Rozanne David at the Dance Center of Colorado Springs and continued his training in Colorado with German Zemuel. He graduated from the Harid Conservatory in Florida, where he trained under Svetlana Osiyeva, Olivier Pardina and Victoria Schnider. During his years at Harid, Christophor performed numerous roles including Siegfried in Swan Lake and the lead in Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante. He also studied for a year at the Jacquelyn Kennedy Onassis School under Franco Devita. Christophor joined Colorado Ballet’s Studio Company in 2009, was promoted to the Company in 2010 and then to Soloist in 2017.

Generously supported by Peggy Goldman Nicolas Pelletier

Nicolas Pelletier was born in Quebec City, Canada. He moved to California when he was eight, where he attended the San Francisco Ballet School for 10 years. He completed his training with Canada’s National Ballet School in 2010 and joined Alberta Ballet in 2011. During his six years with the Company, he had the opportunity to dance many principal roles. He also had the pleasure of working closely with Jean Grand-Maître in the creation of many new works throughout his time at Alberta Ballet, including pas de deuxs and solos. He joined Colorado Ballet in 2017.

Generously supported by Carla Dore

Generously supported by Elizabeth Katkin-Waryn and Richard Waryn Sarah Tryon

Sarah Tryon was born in Hanmer, Ontario, Canada and started ballet at the age of 12 with Canada’s National Ballet School. During her six years with NBS, Sarah was selected to partake in exchange programs with various international schools including Pacific Northwest Ballet School in Seattle, École Supérieur De Danse Rosella Hightower in Cannes France, and Tanz Akademie Zurich in Switzerland. After graduating in 2010, she moved to New York City to train with world-renowned coach Edward Ellison. In 2013, Sarah joined the Sarasota Ballet from school as a corps de ballet member. Since joining Colorado Ballet in 2015, Sarah has performed an extensive array of notable soloist and principal roles including; Juliet in Derek Deane’s Romeo and Juliet, Giselle in Giselle, Mina in Michael Pink’s Dracula, Aqua in Clark Tippet’s Bruch Violin Concerto, Dark Angel in George Balanchine’s Serenade, Princess Florina in The Sleeping Beauty, In Trutina and Dulcicisseme in Fernand Nault’s Carmina Burana, Clara in The Nutcracker, Red in Twyla Tharp’s Brief Fling, Wendy in Michael Pink’s Peter Pan, Amour, Flower Girl, and Gypsy in Don Quixote, Red Couple in Lila York’s Celts, Second Pas in Val Caniparoli’s In Pieces, Amy Seiwert’s Traveling Alone, Jirí Kylián’s Petite Mort, and Edwaard Liang’s Feast of the Gods.

Generously supported by David Bayendor

DEMI-SOLOISTS Mackenzie Dessens Mackenzie Dessens is from New Orleans, Louisiana where she began her training at Giacobbe Academy of Dance and privately with Kimberly Beck. She attended summer programs in New York with the School of American Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. Mackenzie continued her training at Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson Academy and upon completion, joined Cincinnati Ballet’s second company. In 2015, she joined Colorado Ballet.

Generously supported by Kaye Ferry

12 The Wizard of Oz • Colorado Ballet

DANCERS Sean Omandam Sean Omandam is from Fresno, California, where he began his training with Shirley Winters. He later went on to train on full-scholarship at the Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton, Florida. Upon his graduation in 2004, he joined Colorado Ballet’s Studio Company, and was promoted into the Company in 2005. With Colorado Ballet, Sean has performed a variety of soloist and principal roles. His repertory also includes featured roles in works by Lar Lubovitch, Val Caniparoli, Amy Seiwert, Edwaard Liang, Matthew Neenan, Jodie Gates, Dwight Rhoden, Darrell Grand Moultire, and Jessica Lang, among others.

Osiyeva. Following graduation with accolades in modern dance,Liam spent a year with the Washington Ballet Studio Company under the direction of Julie Kent. While dancing with the Washington Ballet, Liam was coached by Victor Barbee and Julie Kent. He also had the opportunity to work closely with choreographer Marco Pelle who set the pas de deux Libera! on him performing in multiple venues, including the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts and the Italian Embassy in Washington DC. Liam was also honored to have Marcelo Gomez choreograph on him for the world premiere of his ballet Outset. Notable works include “Molly Pas de Deux” in John Neumeier’s Yondering, Libera! by Marco Pelle, Outset by Marcelo Gomes, and Minor Threat by Mark Godden. Liam joined Colorado Ballet’s Studio Company in 2018, was promoted to Apprentice in the Company in 2019 and promoted to Corps de Ballet in 2020.

Generously supported by Cheri and Alan Rubin

Generously supported by Cari and Mark Spiecker

Melissa Zoebisch

Ever Larson

Melissa grew up in Mexico and studied at the Chamber Ballet of Jalisco. She received a scholarship to attend the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Madame Sizova’s class and, after a year, returned to Mexico to graduate. Throughout her school years, she participated in many workshops around the world including: Cuba, Canada, Austria, Spain and the United States. In 2005, Melissa joined the National Dance Company, where she danced soloist roles. She has also danced principal roles in classical ballets, original contemporary choreographies, and many others. She freelanced with her husband around the country before joining Colorado Ballet in 2014.

Ever Larson, from Chicago, began her formal training at Ballet Society of Colorado Springs before relocating to Denver for Colorado Ballet Academy’s full-time Pre-Professional program. Under the direction of Valerie Madonia and Erica Fischbach, she competed at YAGP, placing 1st in Senior Women’s Classical, and twice earned her way to YAGP Finals in NYC as a soloist. Ever attended many summer programs including Paris Opera Ballet, Académie Princesse Grace, San Francisco Ballet, Colorado Ballet, American Ballet Theatre NYC, and Kaatsbaan. Notable performances under Erica’s leadership include Odette in Swan Lake and Giselle in Giselle. Colorado Ballet performances include George Balanchine’s Serenade, Nikiya from La Bayadère, and other Corps de Ballet roles. Ever joined Colorado Ballet’s Studio Company in 2019, was promoted to Apprentice in 2020 and to Corps de Ballet in 2021.

Generously supported by Christy Honnen

CORPS DE BALLET Josh Allenback Josh Allenback, a native of Colorado, has been dancing since he was four years old. He has studied on scholarship with American Ballet Theatre, The Rock School and Joffrey Ballet. He was a member of Houston Ballet II as well as Ballet San Antonio. Josh has performed many principal roles. He joined Colorado Ballet’s Studio Company in 2013 and was promoted into the Company in 2014.

Generously supported by Rita and Brad Sonnenberg Liam Hogan

Liam Hogan grew up in Houston, Texas where he began his ballet training at the Houston Ballet Academy under the guidance of Claudio Muñoz and Andrew Murphy. Liam completed his training at the Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton, Florida under the guidance of Meelis Pakri and Svetlana

Generously supported by Casey Carson and Josh Majchrzak Bryce Lee

Bryce Lee was born in Missouri and started his professional training at 12 at Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy in Laguna Hills, CA. In the summer of 2011, he attended School of American Ballet, then was asked to stay for the Winter Term program from 2011-2012. He attended several summer courses on full scholarship including SAB, Miami City Ballet and Colorado Ballet. Bryce has received several awards in classical and contemporary forms of dance as well as 1st place, semi-finalist at YAGP Europe and two-time YAGP Finalist Qualifier. He joined Colorado Ballet’s Studio Company in 2013 and was promoted to the Company in 2015.

Generously supported by Mike and Pam Copp

Colorado Ballet • The Wizard of Oz 13

DANCERS Francesca Martoccio

Jessica Payne

Originally from Miami, Florida, Francesca Martoccio received her early ballet training at Thomas Armour Youth Ballet and at the New World School of the Arts. In May 2016, Francesca graduated from SUNY Purchase where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance with a Ballet Concentration. She performed several roles with Purchase Dance Company. In 2014, Francesca was chosen by the faculty to study abroad in Hong Kong, China at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. After graduating, Francesca joined Colorado Ballet’s Studio Company in 2016, was promoted to Apprentice in the Company in 2017 and then to the Corps de Ballet in 2019.

Jessica Payne is from San Clemente, California. She received her training at Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy under Dmitri and Jennifer Kulev in southern California. In 2015, she joined Tulsa Ballet’s second company and was promoted into the main company the following year, where she continued to dance until joining Colorado Ballet in 2020.

Generously supported by Adrienne Toon Ariel McCarty

Originally from Allen, TX, Ariel McCarty began dancing/ballet at the age of three. At the age of nine, she began training in Dallas at Texas Ballet Theatre under the direction of Jan Miller and Lyndette Galen. Ariel relocated to Denver to begin training with Colorado Ballet Academy’s PreProfessional program under Valerie Madonia and Erica Fischbach. While in the Academy, she had the opportunity to perform in numerous pieces and excerpts including as Swanilda in the Academy’s full production of Coppelia. As a part of her training, Ariel attended many summer intensives including TBTS, ABT, Boston Ballet, Ballet West, Colorado Ballet, School of OBT and Dance Theatre of Harlem, where her well-rounded training continued. In 2017, she was promoted to Colorado Ballet’s Studio Company and then to Apprentice in 2018. Ariel was promoted to the Corps de Ballet in 2020.

Generously supported by Yvette and Chris Frampton Christopher Mitchell

Christopher Mitchell was born in Denver, Colorado and began his training at Denver Ballet Theatre Academy at the age of 15, where he studied for two years. At age 17, he moved to New York City to study under Edward Ellison at Ellison Ballet. During his time in school, he performed many roles from the classical repertoire including Prince Seigfried from Swan Lake, Prince Desire from The Sleeping Beauty, Cavalier from The Nutcracker, among many other roles. Upon graduation in 2020, he began his career at the Junior Company of Dutch National Ballet in Amsterdam where he was able to enhance his contemporary skills and performed in ballets by Ted Brandsen and Hans van Manen. His favorite ballet is La Bayadère. This is Christopher’s first season with Colorado Ballet.

Generously supported by Alyson and Chris Graves

14 The Wizard of Oz • Colorado Ballet

Generously supported by Wendy Williams and Noel Kullavanijaya Alexander Roy

Alexander Roy is from Chicago, Illinois and received his training from the Chicago High School for the Arts. As a student he performed lead roles in ballets such as Sleeping Beauty and Paquita. In 2016 Alexander joined The Joffrey Academy of Dance as a Trainee on a full scholarship. While at Joffrey he performed soloist and ensemble roles in Swan Lake, Symphonic Variations and Napoli. In 2018 Alexander joined Atlanta Ballet as a Second Company member under the leadership of Gennadi Nedvigin and Sharon Story. In 2019 Alexander Joined Colorado Ballet as an Apprentice. During his first season with Colorado Ballet, Alexander had the pleasure of performing Demi-Soloist and Corps de Ballet roles such as Red Man in Lila York’s Celts, as well as Russian and Warrior in The Nutcracker. Alexander is a two-time Youth America Grand Prix finalist and has choreographed two of his own ballets. This is Alexander’s second season with Colorado Ballet.

Generously supported by Michael Bena Jeremy Studinski

Jeremy began his training at the age of nine at the Colorado Conservatory of Dance in Broomfield. He joined Colorado Ballet’s Studio Company in 2012 for one season where he performed in ballets by Marius Petipa, George Balanchine, and Glen Tetley. He then went on to join Orlando Ballet II in 2013 and was promoted to their main Company in 2015. He rejoined Colorado Ballet as a Corps de Ballet member in 2017 and has enjoyed dancing notable roles for the company in productions like Dracula, The Nutcracker and Romeo and Juliet.

Generously supported by Rachel and Yuval Moskovich

DANCERS Sara Thomas Sara Thomas is originally from Bucks County, Pennsylvania. She began her ballet training at the age of 12 with Metropolitan Ballet Academy. While in school, she was selected by Roy Kaiser to perform in Pennsylvania Ballet’s The Nutcracker as Spanish. Sara spent summers training with BalletX, Washington Ballet, and Atlanta Ballet. She joined Colorado Ballet’s Studio Company in 2012. Sara then danced with Nashville Ballet under the direction of Paul Vasterling for a few seasons. In 2015, she returned to Colorado Ballet and joined the Studio Company where she had the opportunity to perform some of her favorite ballets with the Company. Sara was promoted to the main Company as an Apprentice in 2017 and then the Corps de Ballet in 2019. In 2021, Sara choreographed an original piece, Embrace It or Erase It, on the Company.

Generously supported by Colleen Curran and Stephen Boane Alexandra Wilson

Alexandra Wilson was born and raised in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. She began training with the Colorado Ballet Academy at age 9, spending her summers training on scholarships across the nation. Alexandra competed in Youth America Grand Prix and was awarded First Place Classical in Denver leading her to the New York Finals. At age 16, Alexandra accepted an invitation to train full-time on scholarship with the Kirov Academy of Ballet. During her final semester with the Kirov Academy, Alexandra was selected by the artistic director of the Universal Ballet Company to travel to South Korea and perform in their full-length production of Swan Lake. Upon graduation, Alexandra returned to South Korea, joining the Corps de Ballet of the Universal Ballet for their 2016/2017 season. After returning to the states, she joined Colorado Ballet’s Studio Company and was promoted to Apprentice in the Company in 2019 and then to Corps de Ballet in 2020.

Generously supported by Michael Korenblat and Natalia Ballinger

APPRENTICES Catherine Aoki Catherine Aoki is from Los Angeles, California and began dancing ballet at age six. She started at a local ballet school in Ogden, Utah and went on to dance in the Professional Training Division at Ballet West. She also spent her summers training at notable schools such as the Royal Ballet School, San Francisco Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet and Atlanta Ballet. She participated in both the American Ballet Competition and the Youth American Grand Prix, winning numerous awards and scholarships. Catherine moved to Denver to begin training with Colorado Ballet Academy’s Pre-Professional Program under Erica Fischbach. She was then selected to join the Colorado Ballet Studio Company in 2018 and was promoted to Apprentice

in the company for the 2020 season. Since joining Colorado Ballet, she had the opportunity to perform in a variety of works including George Balanchine’s Serenade, Fernand Nault’s Carmina Burana and Michael Pink’s Peter Pan.

Generously supported by The Patrick Keleher Family Alexandra Gilliom

Alexandra Gilliom was born in Denver, Colorado. After moving to Costa Rica at the age of six, she started pursuing ballet more seriously at a small studio called Happy Feet. Her training here enabled her to gain acceptance into the Denver School of the Arts, so at the age of 11, she moved back to Denver to study both there and at the Colorado Ballet Academy. Throughout her time at Colorado Ballet Academy, she was able to perform in various academy productions as well as productions with the company including The Nutcracker, Cinderella, and Alice in Wonderland, among others. Alexandra was also able to participate in the Denver Ballet Guild during her time with Colorado Ballet Academy where she finalized twice after training under Heather Prokhnitski. In 2019, after seven years at both the Denver School of the Arts and Colorado Ballet Academy, Alexandra was offered a studio company contract with the Colorado Ballet. As a member of Colorado Ballet’s Studio Company, she performed in various productions including Dryads and Fandango in Don Quixote and Corps de Ballet roles in The Nutcracker. In 2021, Alexandra was promoted to Apprentice.

Generously supported by Heather and Conor McCallin Sheridan Guerin

Sheridan Guerin was born in Ft. Worth, Texas and began her training at age 12. She trained under Lisa Slagle at Ballet Academy of Texas. She has attended American Ballet Theatre’s summer intensive in New York for four years in a row and was nominated to be their National Training Scholar for two years. She has competed at YAGP and has placed 1st overall in both contemporary and classical divisions. She has also had the opportunity to perform at YAGP New York as a finalist. In 2017 Sheridan was accepted as a Studio Company member at Oklahoma City Ballet where she had the opportunity to perform in ballets such as Swan Lake, The Nutcracker and The Little Mermaid. In 2018 Sheridan went on to join Atlanta Ballet’s school under the leadership of Sharon Story. At Atlanta Ballet she had the opportunity to perform in Yuri Possokhov’s world premiere of The Nutcracker. Sheridan was then hired as a Studio Company member for Colorado Ballet’s 2019/20 season and was then promoted to Apprentice in the main Company in 2020.

Generously supported by Christie and Joe Del-Ciotto

Colorado Ballet • The Wizard of Oz 15

DANCERS Catherine McGregor

Jacob Ray

Catherine McGregor was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. She began her training at the age of five and trained in Jacksonville until the age of sixteen. During her training, Catherine spent many of her summers at notable schools, such as Houston Ballet, Orlando Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and The HARID Conservatory. In 2016 she was offered a scholarship to attend the HARID Conservatory year-round in Boca Raton, Florida. After graduating from the HARID Conservatory in 2018, she was offered a Studio Company position with the Colorado Ballet and was promoted to Apprentice for the 2020/2021 season. Since joining Colorado Ballet, Catherine has had the opportunity to perform in a variety of works including, George Balanchine’s Serenade in the Vail Dance Festival, Michael Pink’s Peter Pan and Fernand Nault’s Carmina Burana.

Jacob Ray was born in Irvine, California and moved to Michigan at an early age. He began his dance training at age eight, focusing primarily on ballet at the age 10 at the Grand Rapids Ballet Company under the artistic direction of Patricia Barker. There he was a member of the Grand Rapids Ballet Junior Company under the direction of Attila Mosolygo, performing in several productions with the company. After moving back to his hometown in California, Jacob began training at Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy under the artistic direction of Dmitri and Jennifer Kulev. In 2017, Jacob received a First Place Award in Men’s Senior Classical Ballet at Youth America Grand Prix regionals Los Angeles, where he went on to compete at finals in New York. Jacob also spent summers training at intensives such as American Ballet Theatre in Irvine and The Bolshoi Ballet Academy Summer Intensive in New York on full scholarship, receiving an invitation by academy teachers for full-time study at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow. In 2018, Jacob also had the honor of being chosen as a ballet semi-finalist in the Los Angeles Music Center’s Spotlight Awards. In 2019, Jacob joined the Colorado Ballet Studio Company and was excited to be promoted to Apprentice in 2020.

Generously supported by Patty Lorie Patrick Mihm

Patrick Mihm was born in Dubuque, Iowa and began his training at the Dubuque City Youth Ballet at the age of 11 where he studied for three years. At the age of 14, he moved to southern Florida to begin his training at the HARID Conservatory. After staying at the school for two years, he decided to move to New York City to finish his training at Ellison Ballet. During his time in school he performed many roles from classical repertoire including Albrecht in Giselle, James in La Sylphide, Cavalier in The Nutcracker, as well as Basilio in Don Quixote. Upon graduation in 2020, he began his career with Colorado Ballet in the Studio Company. After one year in Studio Company, Patrick was promoted to Apprentice.

Generously supported by Naji Ghorayeb

Generously supported by Janet and John MacFarlane

THE WIZARD OF OZ ARTISTS Septime Webre, Choreographer Webre is the Artistic Director of Hong Kong Ballet and the Washington DC-based S&R Foundation which launched Halcyon Stage in 2017, a new interdisciplinary performance and dialogue series. From 1999 until 2016, Webre served as the Artistic Director of the Washington Ballet and from 1993 to 1999 was the Artistic Director of the American Repertory Ballet based in Princeton, New Jersey. During his tenure at The Washington Ballet, the institution enjoyed unprecedented growth in the scope and quality of its work on stage, its’ school grew from 325 students to 1500 students, and the organization developed impactful community engagement initiatives including the award-winning Dance DC and TWB@THE ARC, both of which he founded. Webre launched an array of artistic initiatives for the Ballet including

16 The Wizard of Oz • Colorado Ballet

The American Experience, which developed great works of literature into full- length ballets, including The Great Gatsby and Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises among others. He also developed partnerships with many colleague arts institutions in the Washington DC area, including collaborating with Imagination Stage on The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in 2012, and The Little Mermaid in 2016. As a choreographer, Webre’s works appear in the repertoires of ballet companies throughout North America, including Pacific Northwest Ballet, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Colorado Ballet, Ballet West, Atlanta Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Ballet Austin, Ballet Memphis, Milwaukee Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico, and many others. He has served on the boards of Dance/ USA and Dance Metro DC and his work has received numerous honors, grants and awards. He holds a degree in History/PreLaw from the University of Texas at Austin, and is the seventh son of a large, boisterous Cuban-American family.

THE WIZARD OF OZ ARTISTS Matthew Pierce, Composer

Liz Vandal, Costume Designer

Composer/Violinist Matthew Pierce is celebrated for his new classical scores commissioned and performed by major American ballet companies. Born in Brooklyn in 1968, Pierce grew up in Seattle, studied violin performance with Shirley Givens at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore and moved to New York where he began writing music for the theater. Pierce has a special aptitude for dance, his brother Ben is a retired principal dancer for the San Francisco Ballet. “Alice (in wonderland)”, with choreography by Septime Webre has been produced by 13 companies with more than 100 performances across the United States and the world traveling to Hong Kong, Taiwan and Australia in 2019. “The Wizard of Oz” is the fifth full length production with this longtime collaborator. “From the opening moments, Pierce’s lush score hooked me. He suffuses the early Kansas sequence with Americana themes reminiscent of Aaron Copland, but as the show progresses the music becomes more inventive and unpredictable as the composer incorporates elements of jazz and pop music,” said Robert Trussell of Kansas City Studio. Brandon Tietz of In Kansas City said, “It’s the dreamy poppy field sequence, however, that best showcases Pierce’s musical acumen—a true standout that I wish I could purchase on iTunes and play on repeat.”

Liz Vandal started her career as a self-taught fashion designer in 1988, bringing her originality to dance, circus, films and mega-events. She has collaborated with choreographers and dance companies around the world like Marie Chouinard, Margie Gillis, Paris Opera and Hong Kong Ballet. Vandal designed flamboyant costumes for Cirque du Soleil’s productions of OVO, Viaggio, Sonor, Cosmos and Excentick. She created 3,000 costumes for the closing ceremony of the Baku 2015 European Games in Azerbaïjan. Vandal’s on-going 20 year collaboration with Artistic director Septime Webre continues to unfold with The Wizard of Oz (Kansas City Ballet), Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland (Hong Kong Ballet). Vandal won the Award of Best Costume Design at the Hong Kong Dance Awards and was also nominated at Les Benois de la Danse.

Michael Raiford, Scenic Designer MICHAEL B. RAIFORD is a Scenic and Costume designer based in Austin, Texas. He has worked extensively in Theatre, Opera and Ballet. He created Scenic Designs for Septime Weber’s “The Wizard of OZ” for the initial tour of the US, beginning at the Kansas City Ballet, then Colorado Ballet, and finally the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. The Scenic Design for OZ , along with the Costume design and Choreography were all nominated for the international award “Prix Benois de la Danse” hosted by the Bolshoi Ballet. In Austin, he has enjoyed a long collaboration with Stephen Mills at Ballet Austin including world premiers of Exit Wounds (costume and set), Belle Redux (costume set and video direction), Mozart Project (Scenic design), Magic Flute (scenic and puppet design). Michael has had the pleasure of creating for many Artistic Companies including: Opera Boston, Central City Opera (Colorado), Austin Lyric Opera, Ford’s Theatre (Washington, D.C.), New Victory Theatre (New York), The Alliance Theatre (Atlanta), South Coast Repertory, Cleveland Playhouse, Geva Theatre Center, Playmakers Repertory Theatre, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Maltz Jupiter Theatre, ZACH Theatre, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, The Lyric Theatre (Oklahoma City), City Theatre (Pittsburgh), Arizona The-atre Company, Shelter VG4 (San Miguel de Allende, Mexico), Company of Angels (LA) and Actors Theatre of Louisville where he designed 20 productions including twelve world premieres for Humana Festival of New American Plays. Michael’s most recent adventure: Director of “Blast: The Music of Disney” , Tokyo and National Tour of Japan. He is a creative consultant/ director in: architecture and advertising. Michael received his M.F.A. from The University of Texas at Austin, where he subsequently served on faculty for 10 years. He is a member of Unit-ed Scenic Artists. To see more of “OZ” please visit: michaelraiford.myportfolio.com

Trad A Burns, Lighting Designer Trad A Burns has been designing scenery and lighting professionally since 1989 for theatre, dance, and amusement parks. Recent credits include the world premiere of Tulsa Ballet’s new Nutcracker, choreographed by Val Caniparoli and Ma Cong. The world premiere of Sacramento Ballet’s new Nutcracker, choreographed by Colby Damon, Julie Feldman, and Nicole Haskins, as well as the return of Kansas City Ballet and Cincinnati Ballet’s Nutcracker. This past fall Trad has designed world premiere works for Ma Cong, Stephanie Martinez, and Heather Britt. Upcoming works include world premiere ballets for Jennifer Archibald, Julia Feldman, Val Caniparoli, and Nicole Haskins. Trad has had the privilege of designing world premiere ballets for such notable choreographers as Trey McIntyre, Val Caniparoli, James Kudelka, Edwaard Liang, Matthew Neenan, Adam Hougland, Garrett Smith, Jessica Lang, Alejandro Cerrudo, Kirk Peterson, Donald Byrd, Jodie Gates, Gina Patterson, Amy Seiwert, Ma Cong, Andrea Schermoly, Jennifer Archibald, Penny Saunders, Septime Webre, Devon Carney, Victoria Morgan, Robert Curran, and Sarah Slipper. Over the years his dance lighting has been seen at American Ballet Theatre, National Ballet of Canada, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Alberta Ballet, Ballet X, BalletMet, Louisville Ballet, Tulsa Ballet, Pittsburg Ballet Theatre, Grand Rapids Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, Hubbard Street, and 21 seasons with Cincinnati Ballet. As a theatre designer, Trad’s designs have been seen at New York Theatre Workshop (NYC), The Public Theatre (NYC), La Mama ETC (NYC), HERE (NYC), Classic Stage Company (NYC), North Shore Music Theatre, Cleveland Play House, Cleveland Public Theatre, Great Lakes Theatre Festival, Cain Park, Beck Center for the Arts, Dobama, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Cedar Point, Valleyfair, Knott’s Berry Farm, Kings Island, Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disneyland Japan, Disney Sea, Disney Cruise Lines, Carnival Cruise Lines, Universal Studios Florida and Japan, Woodstock Ice Productions and The Family of Charles M. Schulz.

Colorado Ballet • The Wizard of Oz 17

THE WIZARD OF OZ ARTISTS Aaron Rhyne, Projection Designer

Nicholas Mahon, Puppetry Designer

AARON RHYNE (PROJECTION DESIGN). Designs include BROADWAY: The Sound Inside (Outer Critics Circle Award), Anastasia (Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk Award), A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (Drama Desk Award), Bonnie and Clyde. BALLET: The Sun Also Rises (Washington Ballet) OPERA: The Thirteenth Child (Santa Fe Opera), The Ghosts of Versailles (LA Opera), La Traviata (Wolftrap), Florencia en el Amazonas (Florida Grand, Opera Colorado, Utah Opera), DISNEY: Frozen (Disneyland), Beauty and the Beast, Tangled, Frozen, Aladdin (Disney Cruise Lines) REGIONAL: Arena Stage, Asolo Rep, Bard Summerscape, Bay Street, Berkley Rep, Broadway in Chicago, Ford’s Theatre, Geffen Playhouse, Hartford Stage, Huntington Theatre Company, La Jolla Playhouse, Maltz-Jupiter, New York Stage and Film, The Old Globe, Theatre Aspen, TUTS, Williamstown, Shakespeare Theatre. www.aaronrhyne.com

Nicholas Mahon is an Emmy nominated puppet and theatrical designer based in New York City specializing in performer interactive pieces and character creation. Since 2004 he has worked on projects for Michael Curry Design, Walt Disney Entertainment, Universal Studios, The Jim Henson Company, Blue Man Group and many more. Most recent projects include Sesame Street Television (2013-present), Mother Of The Nation (Abu Dhabi 2016), Islamic Solidarity Games Opening Ceremony (Baku 2017) and 2018 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony (Pyeonchang). His work on the Baku 2015 European Games Opening Ceremony as Scenic Designer was nominated for a Daytime Emmy.

18 The Wizard of Oz • Colorado Ballet

COLORADO BALLET STUDIO COMPANY

From Left to Right: Lily Bines, Kyra Hughes, Leah White, EmmaRose Forbus, Lili Travaglia, Ali Walters, Timothy Ruelas, Gabriela Rodriguez, Vanessa Childress, Leopold Foster, Mylie Buck, Stefanee Montesantos, Roman Aldrete, Sonata Ross, Hannah Lesold, Ryan Nemmers, Claire Curran, Cate Jesser Not Pictured: Jacqueline Gionet, Fiona Hutchens and Tate Ryner.

Generously supported by David Andrews

COLORADO BALLET ORCHESTRA Adam Flatt, Music Director & Principal Conductor | Catherine Sailer, Associate Conductor

First Violin Takanori Sugishita Concertmaster Robyn Sosa Lydia Sviatlovskaya Annamaria Karacsony Gyongyver Petheo Chris Menter Callie Brennan Stephanie Bork Second Violin Margaret Soper Gutierrez Principal Ben Tomkins Phyllis Carlson Michelle Davis Leslie Sawyer Tori Woodrow Viola Michael Brook Principal Stephanie Mientka Lora Stevens Andrew Krimm

Cello Jeff Watson Principal Charles Lee Trevor Minton Sara Fierer Bass David Crowe Principal Jason Thompson Andy Holmes Flute Paul Nagem Principal Elizabeth SadilekLabenski Piccolo Olga Shilaeva Oboe Lauren Blackerby Principal Kathryn Dupuy Simpson

English Horn Kathryn Dupuy Simpson Clarinet Michelle Orman Principal Heidi Mendenhall

Trombone William Stanley Principal Rob Olds Bass Trombone Ben Garcia

Bassoon Kaori Uno-Jack Principal Brian Jack Tenor Saxophone Art Bouton Horn Matthew Scheffelman Principal Stuart Mock Raya Panova Steve Simpson

Tuba Jim Andrus Principal Timpani Mark Foster Principal Percussion Peter Cooper Principal Scott Higgins Harp Pamela Eldridge Principal

Trumpet John King Principal Derek McDonald

Colorado Ballet Orchestra members are represented by the Denver Musicians Association, Local 20-623 of the American Federation of Musicians.

Colorado Ballet • The Wizard of Oz 19

SUPPORTERS As of February 1, 2022 (Includes 14 months of giving) LEADERSHIP CIRCLE $100,000+ Corporations, Foundations, and Government Anonymous Bonfils-Stanton Foundation The Hearst Foundation PNC Bank Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) Individual Donors Anonymous Raydean Acevedo Pam and Duke Hartman Sally Murray Dr. Barbara R. Reed* OVATION CIRCLE $50,000+ Corporations, Foundations, and Government Colorado Creative Industries Genesee Mountain Foundation The Shubert Foundation, Inc. FOUNDERS CIRCLE $20,000+ Corporations, Foundations, and Government Agencies The AMM Charitable Fund The Anschutz Foundation Armstrong Foundation Avenir Foundation Colorado Ballet Auxiliary Denver Ballet Guild The Denver Foundation MidFirst Bank Nichols Charitable Foundation Individual Donors David L. Andrews Liz and Bill Armstrong Holly Baroway and Erik Cederlund Kaye Ferry Christine L. Honnen Lisa Levin Appel Lynnette Morrison Jane and Gordon Netzorg Joanne Posner Mayer Douglas Richards Cheri and Alan Rubin Suzan and Gary Schlatter Brad and Rita Sonnenberg DIRECTOR CIRCLE $10,000+ Corporations, Foundations, and Government Anna and John J. Sie Foundation Beacon Family Foundation Agency

The Glyphis Family Charitable Fund Harmes C. Fishback Foundation Trust Virginia W. Hill Foundation The Kenneth King Foundation Margulf Foundation Marla and Dick Gentry Charitable Fund Mark and Bernee Strom Foundation National Endowment for the Arts Polsinelli Rea Charitable Foundation Records-Johnston Family Foundation, Inc Individual Donors Anonymous James and Marisa Aoki Jean and Hugh Armstrong Mr. David Bratten and Ms. Kimberly Bruetsch Heidi Burose Merle C. Chambers Colleen Curran and Stephen Boane Susan Frawley Ann and Ford Frick Andi and John Fryer, Jr. Paul E. Goodspeed and Mary Poole* Chris and Alyson Graves Carl Hartman Noel and Terry Hefty Mr. and Mrs. Curt Hockemeier Elizabeth Katkin Waryn and Rich Waryn Michael Korenblat and Natalia Ballinger Merry and Steven D. Logan Tracy and Jim Millar Dr. Richard and Mrs. Jo Sanders Denise and James Sanderson Jean and Dick Saunders Dr. David J. Scanavino Marlene Siegel Nancy and Thomas Stevens Susan and Stephen Struna Julie C. Van Camp CHOREOGRAPHER CIRCLE $5,000+ Corporations, Foundations, and Government Bright Funds DCP Midstream Matching Gifts Program Mile High United Way Peggy Goldman Read Foundation RLC Foundation Scarlett Family Foundation Skratch Labs

* Deceased

20 The Wizard of Oz • Colorado Ballet

Susan Hymers Fund The Schramm Foundation Twelve-Twenty-One Fund Individual Donors Anonymous Steven Backes Ellen Balaguer Melanie Kopperud and Brent Backes Jeffrey and Tammi Belden Michael Bena Mike and Pam Copp Larry Corff Jeffrey Costello and Olga Skorik Peggy and Steve Fabos Fred Fielder Marla and Richard Gentry Allen Lim David and Mary Mead Hammond Susan Diane Harmon Debby Herz Mary Anna and Sonny Hutchison Charissa and Nate Jones Stuart and Gail Kassan Diana and Michael Kinsey Mary Lou Blackledge Kortz Mr. Long and Ms. Acton Michelle Moorman-Applegate Rachel and Yuval Moskovich Dr. Timothy Mottet and Mr. Rick Gonzalez Dr. Harold and Sarah Nelson Mark and Keira Norman Daniel and Pamela Piro The Ponzio Family Steve and Katie Prew Steve and Myra Skinner Lisa and Bill Snider Dwinita and Tim Tyler Zachary Smith Katherine and Michael Whitcomb Mark Williams Wendy Williams and Noel Kullavanijaya Tania Zeigler and Kenneth Ho

Individual Donors Anonymous David Bayendor Ghislaine G Torres Bruner and March Edward Bruner Joseph J. Bronesky and Jacquelin A. Medina Daniel and Aimee Sporer Caplis Leah Capritta Casey Carson Donald Cook Celia Dietrich James and Julia Eichenberger Stacy and Henry Fischer Yvette and Chris Frampton Dolan and Allie Marie Geiman Richard D and Julia Parrino George Sally C. Haas Jim Harvey Linda and Steve Heiss John and Meg Heller Jan and Gordon Holfelder Kay Johnson The Patrick Keleher Family Kathy and Derek Konopka Mike Konrad Pam and Greg Laugero Marilyn and Jeffrey Litman James Lorenzend Bonnie Perkins Mr. Bill Plummer Dr. Dean Prina Stefania B. Pruscino Katie Reid Mark and Marianne Rinehart Ruth Schoening Cari and Mark Spiecker Lisa Strachan and Patrick Nicholson Maureen Tarrant Janet Tobin Jeff and Tiffany Tuell John Uppendahl and Travis Railey Margarert Woodhull and David Hildebrand Linda and Jimmy Yip

BALLET MISTRESS CIRCLE $2,500+ Corporations, Foundations, and Government Agencies Benevity Community Impact Fund The Cornelius N. Bliss Memorial Fund Microsoft Giving Campaign Robertson Family Foundation Robinson, Waters & O’Dorisio, PC Sherwin Willams Vail Valley Foundation

PRINCIPAL CIRCLE $1,000+ Corporations, Foundations, and Government April Fund The Blackbaud Giving Fund The Caulkins Family Foundation Community First Foundation ConocoPhillips Dance Arts Foundation Dual Star Dance Academy Eisele Family Foundation The Hackstock Family Foundation

SUPPORTERS The Herzberg Family Trust Hewlett Packard Enterprise Foundation Intelligent Investments, Inc The Jo Marie and George Dancik Charitable Fund Joanne Carlin Memorial Fund The Mesdag Family Foundation Otten Johnson Robinston Neff & Ragonettie Charitable Foundation Individual Donors Anonymous Christina and Anthony Albanese Phyllis Albritton Susan and Paul Anderson Sharleen Aoki Gary and Gail Armstrong David and Anna Asarch Steve and Susan Bailey Anees Bardini Ruthie Barko Lauren Beaver Andrea Beesley Ryan and Heather Beiser Kay Bell Ruth and Robert Beriault Scott Binder Steve Birchfield Sharon and Steven Birnbaum Hillary Biskner Meghan Blades Keri and Ken Blair Gil Boggs and Sandy Brown Katherine Borgen Gwendolyn Brewer Claudia Brown Jerry and Julie Buck Charlie and Cissie Busch Bruce and Kathy Butterfield Grace Campbell John and Marty Chamberlin Karen Chin Matthew and Kate Cihon Tom Cladis Scott and Alyssa Clarke Ann U. Collier Dr. and Mrs. Alan Como Donna and Ted Connolly Nick and Kallyn Connor Heidi Cooley Cami Cooper Peter and Amy Corrigan James and Karen Crossman Sara Curran Karen Curtis JoMarie and George Dancik Carolyn E. Daniels Kaitlin Davis James Davis-Massey Christin Crampton Day John and Joanie Dee Cara and Scott Dessens Joy and Christopher Dinsdale Erin and Matthew Dollarhide

Lynn Bolinske Dolven Gretchen Edwards Alessandro Eichstaedt Patricia and Christopher Elliott Kevin Ellson Patrick and Nicole Evans Amanda Fein Melissa Fetzer Dr. and Mr. Rachel Finehout Max and Amy Fletcher Shayla Francis Keo Frazier Grant Fritz Robert and Virgina Fuller Melissa and Mark Garland Pam and Barry Gatz Rebecca Givens William and Helen Gleason Karen Goodson Ned Grauel Mary Green John L. Hamil Jared and Megan Harbaugh Jeffrey and Kathleen Hartmann Janet Hehn Allison Herman Tahl Humes Vernon and Kaye Isaacs Howard Janzen Don and Arlene Johnson Dr. and Mrs. James Johnson Katie Johnson and Cary Weinstein Monica Jordan Nicholas Kemp Ms. Carol King Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Kirkpatrick Sharon Kirts Sarah and Dan Kozlowski Rich Kylberg and Jillian Parker Henny and Bert Lasley Patricia E. Laverty Catherine Lazar Ronald and Alysa Levine Craig Lewis James and Patricia Long Mr. Cong Lu and Ms. Laura McCormick Antoinette MacAluso and Donald Hagengruber John and Janet MacFarlane Elspeth MacHattie Sharon and Greg Maffei Margaretha Maloney and Robert Palaich Ashley Malsam John and Joanie Mankus Tatum McArthur Tracy McCarthy Leslie McCarty Steve and Kathy McConahey Margaret R. Jurado and V.W. McKnab Kris and Jay McMullan Dr. Josh and Ali Metzl Val and Meredith Milshtein Michelle Mize

Regina and Marc Musyl Sharleen Nakaoka-Aoki Doug Nikaido Michelle Odorisio Gregory Olive Jamie Olson John and Patricia Orr Chaun and Erin Powell Anita Padilla-Fitzgerald Eric Liu and Eunice Park Norman and Theresa Parker Susan and Dan Paulien Sue Pawlik Jake and Trisha Perlman Cason and Rachel Pierce Diana Poole Corbin and Whitney Popp Jim and Kathleen Potter Jeff and Judi Pring Andrew Quinlan Sue and Walt Rakowich Diane Rankin Lindsey Reifsnider Carolyn and John Riedlin Charlotte Revol and Heimata Rutgers Petra and Mark Richards Jeff Riggs Alex and Amy Ritchie Timothy Robertson Daniel and Jennifer Rohan Dennis Rodgers and Robert Gomez Daniel and Kelly Rosenberg Mr. and Mrs. Cory Ross Natalie Marika Ruh Barbara and James Ruh Joyce Rutledge Sarah Ryals Dan and Cheryl Ryan Becky and Brian Schaub Robert Schueller Servatius Family William Robert Sinclair Beverly & John Skinner Mr and Dr David and Nancy (Gill) Skuodas Jeffrey Smith Robert and Ann Stailey Dr. Carol A. Stamm Zachary Stassen Nina Casanova and Matthew Stenmark Harry and Vicki Sterling Susan Stiff Mark and Bernee Strom Sean and Melanie Tafaro Chris and Emily Taylor Kenneth Thomas Adrienne Toon Aubrey Tramontina Kacy and Patrick Vahey Stephanie Vara Jennie Virgilio Tiffany Walker Jennifer Walters David and Nadia Watts

Daniel and Marie Welch Piers Wendlandt Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Wheeler Brian and Marcy White Mr. and Mrs. William White Quentin and Marie White Jameson Jones and Malena Wiggin Marilyn Hodges Wilmerding Alexandra Wilson Joe and Jacqueline Wilson Dr. Raymond and Mrs. Bernice Yost Linda and Eugene Young Paul and Anne Zeckser SOLOIST CIRCLE $500+ Corporations, Foundations, and Government CoBANK Individual Donors Anonymous Brian Abrams Baris Akdis Dr. Frank and Mrs. Celia Anderson Michael Aoki Yoshio Aoki Marcia and Rick Ashton Oksana Bantley Cynthia Baroway Marilyn Barrett Andrea Beesley Jessica Benjamin Amy Betts Beatriz Bonnet and Michael O’Connor Tyler Boon Kathy and Bjorn Borgen Brandon Bourque Daniel Bowles Ann & Bruce Brookens Blake Brown Janet Bruchmann Samantha Buck and Sarah Davis Liz Buckley David Burch Tim and Denise Burgett Troy and Lauren Butler Gene Child Michelle and Karlton Childress Matthew and Michelle Chiodini Patricia Clark Ethel K. Clow Susan Cobb Toni Cohig Jeffrey and Treya Collins Liz Coolman Allie Coppeak Marty and Howard Corren Anne and Jason Coughlin Stefanie Davies Jennifer Dechtman Dr. Pete and Lindsey Deol Meg Dixit and Joe Duer

Colorado Ballet • The Wizard of Oz 21

SUPPORTERS Margaret Dzwilewski James Eckhart Jonathan and Judith Weisiger Heidi Elliot Jann Engelstad Erika Enger Evan and Kristina Eschmeyer Stuart Fehr Dave and Candy Fik Dr. Louis and Mrs. Victoria Howard Fine Bill and Paula Fitzgerald Mr. and Mrs. Adam Flatt Max and Amy Fletcher Stu and Barb Fonda Deborah Ford Erin Gallegos Michael Gerrity Dr. Rosalynn D Gill Ronald Gloekler Sara Glover Joseph Golden Danielle Good Andrea Griebe Eileen and Dennis Griffin Dr. Frederick and Mrs. Carol Grover Dr. Theresa Grover Babette Groves Bob and Mariellen Guerra Dr. Wendell and Mrs. Charlotte Hatfield Amanda Heersink Sandi Hewins Orville and Debra Hinerman Amanda Horvath Michael Inman Kyros Ipaktchi Stephanie Jaworski Maria Jennett Daren and Lori Johnson Robert Johnson McKenzie and Sean Jordan Margaret Torrans Kaluk Paul and Julie Kimura The Kispert Family Diana Knigge Ted Ko Donna Kornfeld Janet Kossman John Kure and Cheryl Solich Kristy LaGuardia Gary Landis Brina Larson Victoria Levine John Lewis Lance Little Keith Livo Drs. Charles and Gretchen Lobitz Natalie Mahler Tanya Maierhofer Paul Maldonado Lance Marx Kay Maune and David Elmore Theresa McGregor

Kevin McLane and Michael Ragsdale Bill Meyer Linda Miller Mark Mitchell and Suzanne Gallie Danielle Mohn Britni Moritz Jeff and Peggy Morse Sean and Jocelyn Murphy Michael Newman Richard Newton Lene Nichols Dougals and Jenny Nikaido Larry and Ruth Nisbet Noemi Nunez Esq Cindy and Terry Oakes Ann Obrzut Dr. Todd and Lyndsie Oldroyd Lisa Olson Gina Padilla Dr. Thomas Paluska Norm Parker Jimmy and Kingsley Parsely Dorothy Pedicord The Pedler Family Cleveland Piggott Charlie Price Debbie Queen Cyndy and Don Redifer Mark Reese and Martha Graves Reese Alexandra Rhodes Crystal Rieger Michael Ritchie Karen Ritz Paula and David Roney Jackie Rotole Daryl A. Russell Wendy Sanchez Andrea and Timothy Sayles Adam and Silvia Sexton Eileen Sharkey and J ames Darling Lynne Sirpolaidis Alex and Anne Slucky Mr. and Mrs. David Snyder Dr. Donna Souder Hodge Jack Sparks Erik Stattman Judith Steinberg Holly Stevens Jeffrey Stevens Debra Strong Karen Sumner Lynn Swanson Dana Tartar and Jeffrey Ruff Kathleen and Gordon Tucker Katie Turner Alberta Utech Dr. David Van Pelt Marlo Wagner Michael and Tami Wakeman Evelyn Waldron Linda Walmsley Eric Weisenstein Karen and Brian Wendling

22 The Wizard of Oz • Colorado Ballet

Lois K Williams John Patrick Wilson Christopher and Molly Wink Laura and Douglas Wright Yuliya and Henry Zabarsky JoAnne Zboyan Kathy and Jon Zeschin ARTIST CIRCLE $250+ Corporations, Foundations, and Government Amazonsmile Foundation Bardsley Foundation CoBANK Colorado Combined Campaign Colorado Dance Community Coalition Halvorson-Freese 21st Century The Handler Family Charitable Fund Isenhart Charitable Fund The Lucy R. Steven Memorial Fund Network For Good The S Lundstrom Fund WPX Energy Inc Individual Donors Anonymous Cheryl Ackerman Susan Adams Anne Marie and Ryan Anderson Sofia Antal Catherine Aoki Charles Aoki Lynda Aoki Jack and Martha Arrington Elaine Asarch Christie Austin Janice Babcock The Bachelder Lew Family Ms. Donna Baily Jennifer Bater Edie Beier Bell and John Beier Greg Berry John Berry Judith Bingenhemier Susan Bishop and John Strombeck Dr. Linda Bluestein MD Matt and Allison Boone Karen Bossaller Karen Boyd Malinda Bray Stacie and Greg Brown Kenneth Bunch Bethany Burton Diane Butler Kiel Butterfield and Jason Malin Ian and Lindsay Campbell Kathryn Campbell Carol and Alan Caniglia Bradley Cardon

Karen Carrigan Debbie Carter and Diane Strong Carl and Gretchen Cerveny Ralph Adam Chapuis Tim and Abby Chavez Sandra Christiansen Nicholas Clements Deborah Clendenning Kathleen Clifton Holly Coffee Lynn and Andrew Coit Emily and Joe Daniels Gary Darfler Dr. Deborah Davis-Merritt Kathy Day Colin Deihl Christie and Joe Del Ciotto Kevin Delaney and Angie Peluse Chris DeMarche Katherine Douglas Lizabeth Duckworth David Dusing Michael Eaton Angela Enyeart Carrie Ermler Renee Estelle Joe Ewaskowitz Hugh Fagan Marilyn Faye Joan and John Feek Steve Fincher Erica Fischbach and Mark Hutchins Joel Fleet Gregory and Francine Floerke Kevin and Elizabeth Fraker Linda and Norbert Frueh Kristin Gearhart Ryan Godsil and Michelle Kent Adam Goldstone Melissa Goslee Reva Greenburg Mary Groote Steven and Patricia Gulevich Marcia Hafemeister in name of Whitney Schaub Julie Haffner Melissa Haniewicz Marcia Hannum Chris Hansen Michelle Harline Kristi and Todd Helvig Elizabeth Hewes Allison and Corey Hicks Karen Hirko Wendy Hodges Susan and David Hoffman Gail Ida Paul & Kimberly Jensen Kathryn Johnson Paul and Kathleen Johnson Jen and Matt Kahler Charlot Karesh Rin Karns Natalie Kelce

SUPPORTERS Cynthia Kelly Dr. and Mrs. Richard Kem MD Heidi and Randy Keogh Fund Nancy Kimball Alicia and Eric Kintner Darcy Kirkland Chris Klein Katherine Kline Joshua Koubek Kelley Kovar Julie Kronbach James Kunze Patricia LaVesser and Mark Johnston Patricia Lee William Lefeber Heather LeMay Allie Liebgott Aaron and Olivia Lucas Laurent Lyons Karly Makovy Frank Mango Heather and Conor McCallin Carolyn McCowan Cheryl McGovern Tracy McKenna Lucia and Randal Meske Stephen Metz Adam Moskowitz Marina Mukhina Ms. Neva L. Murphy Dennis and Liz Myers Kendra Nachtrieb Ron and Judie Neel Miranda Nelson Grant and Melissa Netzorg Sarah Neylon Dr. Cassandra Olenick Andi Oliveria Kelsey Olson Rupert and Claire O’Neal Elizabeth Otte Ashley Padgett Amy and Jeff Parsons

Janet Pasterkamp Lilian Peeters Nathaniel Phillips Mary Piontek Julia Porterfield Tristan Powers Dr. Snahel Prajapati Katie Prew Morris Price James and Danielle Pyeatte Natalie and Toby Ralston Cathy Richards Paul Rogers Gordon Rogier Lisa and Hannah Rosenfield Louise Rouse Ann and Mike Rowse Aurora Ruiz-Hernandez and Elmer Hernandez Don and Jennifer Samuels Jan Satterfield Heather Schaefer Thomas Scripps Bill Silberstein Holly Simpson Lynne Sirpolaidis John Sisson Joan Slaughter Pam Sletten Kyle Spies Janis Stephenson Douglas Stout The Strain Family Arthur and Stephanie Strasburger Kenneth Thibodeau Barbara Thorngren The Tonsmeire Family Martha Tracey Lauren Urich Lois Vaccariello Sondra Vernon Thomas Viola Richard and Karen Walker

Randy and Patricia Wambsganss Melissa Wasgatt Ben Carver & Rebecca Weber Kelsey Webster John Wendorf Nolan Wessell Jeff Wheeler Stephen and Debra Whitman Mark Wilkins Bernard Williams Dr. and Mrs. James Wilson John Patrick Wilson Michael Woitach David and Taeko Yanagi Anna Zapata Sandy Zdunich Kevin and Whitney Zimmerman GIFTS IN KIND $10,000+ John Antencio $5,000+ Liz and Bill Armstrong Cableland Colorado Ballet Auxiliary The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa $2,500+ Dolan Geiman Paper Collage Imhoff Fine Residential Painting Mark Hutchens Photography Mark Schneider Steve and Myra Skinner Sharon and Lanny Martin Workplace Elements Furniture Youval Moskovich

$1,000+ High Noon Entertainment Ken Elliott Le Meridien Denver The Broadmoor Resort The Sherwin-Williams Company $500+ Comedy Works Curt and Nancy Hockemeier Denver Marriott Tech Center Dillard’s Park Meadows Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center James Eckhart, Microsoft Michael Korenblat and Natalia Ballinger The Denver Zoo Tristan Campbel-Powers Interiors Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa Avon $250+ Allie Coppeak Cheyenne Mountain Resort Escape Works Denver Holly Baroway and Erik Cederlund Lone Tree Arts Center Opera Colorado Renaissance Denver Downtown City Center Sage Hospitality Group The Family Jones The Jacquard Hotel and Rooftop The Westin Denver Downtown Hotel

Colorado Ballet • The Wizard of Oz 23

Sheridan Guerin by Rachel Neville

YOUR SUPPORT LIFTS US UP Thank you for standing by our side as we navigated two challenging years. You’ve kept us moving—back onto the stage and through the otherworldly woods in Giselle, to the Kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy, along the romantic streets of fair Verona, and down the Yellow Brick Road. We invite you to join us on our next chapter. Please consider making a gift to keep the dance alive for years to come.

24 The Wizard of Oz • Colorado Ballet

Make your gift today by scanning here

COMING SOON

TO THE DENVER CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

MUSIC Two music-filled plays that celebrate new voices in the theatre.

MAGIC

Apr 22 - May 29 | Kilstrom Theatre

May 13 - Jun 12 | Wolf Theatre

Pharus doesn’t fit in at The Charles R. Drew Prep School for Boys. But this year, his talent and perseverance have paid off with a chance to lead the school’s choir. With its uplifting gospel music and electrifying dance, Choir Boy will inspire you to raise your voice and cheer.

In the fictional modern-day Texas border town of La Plancha, Quixote and Sancho embark on a fantastical quest in search of long-lost love. Infused with imagination, comedy, and Tejano music, Quixote Nuevo reveals the joys and perils of facing down Death and becoming the hero of your own story.

Created by Oscar-winning screenwriter Tarell Alvin McCraney (Moonlight)

GET TICKETS

SEASON SPONSOR

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

TICKETS START AT JUST $30

COLORADO BALLET ACADEMY PRE-PROFESSIONAL DIVISION AUDITION IN-PERSON AND VIRTUALLY THROUGH MARCH 31.

CBA Students by Mark Hutchens

Qualified PPD students have first priority for available Studio Company contracts.

For more information: COLORADOBALLET.ORG/PRE-PROFESSIONAL-DIVISION

COLORADO BALLET ACADEMY

S U M M EERR C AMPS JUNE –AUGUST, 2022 AGES 3 –9

CBA Students by Mark Hutchens

Featuring ever popular Prince & Princess and Fairy & Elf camps!

For more information visit COLORADOBALLET.ORG

18 Colorado Ballet

COLORADO BALLET ACADEMY 2022 SUMMER INTENSIVE EXPAND YO UR VE R S ATIL IT Y Ages 11-20; En Pointe June 13 - July 16

CBA Students by Mark Hutchens

Audition in-person and virutally through March 31.

For more information COLORADOBALLET.ORG/SUMMER-INTENSIVE

COLORADO BALLET ACADEMY 2022 YOUNG DANCER WORKSHOP Boys and Girls Ages 9-12; Not Yet En Pointe June and July 2022

CBA Students by Mark Hutchens

Audition in-person and virutally through March 31.

For more information COLORADOBALLET.ORG/YOUNG-DANCER-WORKSHOP

Colorado Ballet 19

GROUPS SAVE MORE

SAVE 20%

Nicolas Pelletier & Francesca Martoccio by Rachel Neville

ON ALL PERFORMANCES WITH GROUPS OF 10+

Did you know that Colorado Ballet offers corporate discounts? Companies with 50+ employees can take advantage of our 20% group rate without the hassle of distributing tickets or collecting payments. Treating your coworkers to the experience of live performance is easy with Colorado Ballet. Customized discount codes for your business allow you and your colleagues to purchase tickets online individually. Learn more at

COLORADOBALLET.ORG/GROUP-TICKETS

OUR STATE, YOUR SYMPHONY Find all events at coloradosymphony.org

Cleo Parker Robinson Celebration with your Colorado Symphony MAY 20 FRI 7:30 PRESENTING SPONSOR

P R O U D LY S U P P O R T E D B Y

Colorado Ballet 21

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22 Colorado Ballet

Join The Dance Archive in celebrating its 50th anniversary as a dance resource for all. Legends of Dance Celebration

50th Anniversary Archival Showcase

October 16, 2022

March 2023

THEDANCEARCHIVE.ORG

DANCEARCHIVEDU Colorado Ballet 23

BALLET MASTERWO APRIL 15-24, 2022

ur 2021/2022 season crescendos to a powerful close with Ballet MasterWorks. This eclectic program features world-renowned masterpieces that broadened the boundaries of ballet repertoire in the 20th century—George Balanchine’s Theme and Variations, Jirí Kylián’s Petite Mort and Twyla Tharp’s Nine Sinatra Songs. Each unique work combines incredible physical expression with extraordinary music, performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra. Seeing these monumental works performed live will give you an unforgettable experience of artistic inspiration, sparked by the expression, innovation and versatility of dance.

Theme and Variations, choreographed by the legendary George Balanchine, will make you fall in love with classical ballet. Featuring some of the most challenging choreography in the 20th century repertoire, Theme and Variations beautifully merges masterful ballet technique with enthralling musicality, supreme artistry and the pure joy of dance. A stunning pas de deux, exciting solos and lively ensembles follow the twelve dynamic variations of Tchaikovsky’s score for an awe-inspiring experience that is a testament to the union of movement and music. Jirí Kylián’s Petite Mort expanded the lexicon of ballet in the 20th century. Set to two of Mozart’s most well-known piano concertos, Nos. 21 and 23, Petite Mort thoughtfully explores subtle themes of eroticism and sexuality through Kylián’s exuberant and mesmerizing movement. Mozart’s articulate and melodic music accentuates the physicality of Kylián’s intricate choreography, which features the use of fencing foils and Baroque-style black gowns that seamlessly transition between the roles of props and dance partners. The program finishes with a party celebrating life to the music of Frank Sinatra. Song and dance ignite in Twyla Tharp’s Nine Sinatra Songs. Including hits such as My Way, That’s Life and Strangers in the Night, Tharp’s Nine Sinatra Songs follows seven couples in various phases of their romantic relationships. Each song paired with choreography is a unique vignette that presents its own take on love and connection. Tharp’s passionate movement, inspired by turn-of-the-century ballroom dancing, along with Sinatra’s iconic music and costumes designed by Oscar de la Renta create a world brimming with ebullient glitz and glam.

Tickets at COLORADOBALLET.ORG

ORKS

Ariel McCarty by Rachel Neville

Colorado Ballet Education & Community Engagement

Dance education is a powerful tool to ignite creativity, spark empathy, process emotions, develop artistry, strengthen discipline, build community, and so much more! -National Dance Education Organization Colorado Ballet intentionally integrates Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in our dance education curriculum for the community. • Over 25,000 contacts benefit from our programs each year • 100% of lessons use SEL • With SEL programming, 27% more students improve their

academic performance (casel.org) Through your support we can continue to provide dance education out in our community to students of all backgrounds. Donate today!

Via Mobility Services Friendly, nonprofit accessible transportation services for individuals and groups. ViaColorado.org | 303-444-3043

Colorado Ballet 27

The Nutcracker Campaign

We gratefully acknowledge our lead donors who supported new sets and costumes for our beloved production of The Nutcracker: Party Scene

Land of Snow

Sandy Elliott

Liz and Bill Armstrong

Kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy Mary Ellen and David Wright

Clara

Nutcracker Prince

Sugarplum Fairy

Anne and Jim Hillary

Julie C. Van Kamp

Duke and Pam Hartman

Sugarplum Fairy’s Cavalier

Dewdrop

Lynnette Morrison

Lisa Levin Appel

Party boys and girls Colorado Ballet Auxiliary

Flowers Sally Murray

Mice Holly Baroway and Erik Cederlund

Columbine Doll Backstage Barre

Mother Ginger and Polichinelles Jean and Hugh Armstrong

Grandfather Clock Colleen Curran and Stephen Boane Sleigh Jane and Skip Netzorg

Nutcracker Doll Alyson and Chris Graves

Snow Denise and Jim Sanderson

Clara’s and Prince’s Throne Joanne Posner Mayer Arabian Carriage Brent and Melanie Backes Chinese Dragon Marlene Siegel

Christmas Tree Denver Ballet Guild

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YOUNG PROFESSIONALS OF THE BALLET

If we can help them, imagine what we can do for you. massage + orthotics also available

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28 Colorado Ballet

Dana Benton by Kendra Harris

COLORADOBALLET.ORG/BACKSTAGE-BARRE

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New Highlands location coming soon to NW Denver!

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Colorado Ballet 29

STAFF DIRECTORY ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Gil Boggs

MANAGING DIRECTOR Mark Chase

ACADEMY

Ballet Masters Lorita Travaglia Maria Mosina Music Director & Principal Conductor Adam Flatt

Academy Director Erica Fischbach

Associate Conductor Catherine Sailer

Academy Principal Domenico Luciano

Company Pianist Natalia Arefieva

Academy Administrator Lindsay Falter

EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Lower Division Coordinator Erika Sandre Academy Wardrobe Manager Jennifer Aiken Visit coloradoballet.org to see all teaching staff

Director of Education & Community Engagement Emily Herrin Manager of Education & Community Engagement Cassie Wilson

Patron Services Representatives Rosa Gasdia Hannah Rosenfield

PRODUCTION Production Consultant James Whitehill Production Stage Manager Hally Albers Assistant Stage Manager Tara Tolar-Payne Company Manager Natalie Kelce Production & Advancement Coordinator Kristina Sablatura Wardrobe & Shoe Manager & Costume Designer Shirin Lankarani

Director of Accounting Janina Falik

Education & Community Engagement Coordinator Katherine Reller

Staff Accountant Stephanie Kautz

Visit coloradoballet.org to see all teaching staff

Wardrobe Assistants Melissa Van Tassel Katherine Scoggins

Accounting Associate Katrina Pulice

MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS

Wig & Makeup Jessica Sotwick Amanda Clark

ADMINISTRATIVE

Boutique Manager Edie Bell

Director of Marketing & Communications Rachel Perez

ADVANCEMENT

Marketing Manager Melissa Longiaru

Director of Advancement Karen Sumner

Marketing & Graphic Design Associate Chris Hernandez

Senior Director of Development Ashley Harkrader Development Manager Michael Williams Senior Philanthropy Officer Allie Coppeak

Videographer Taylor Keating

PATRON SERVICES AND DATABASE

ARTISTIC

Director of Patron Services and DBA Michelle Herring

Assistant to the Artistic Director/Ballet Master Sandra Brown

Assistant Database Administrator Ashley Kohl Adler

Master Carpenter Michael Duran

Property Master Emeritus David Jaramillo Company Physical Therapist Mieke Braun Scripps MPT, DPT Assistant Physical Therapist Sarah Graham, MSPT Company Orthopedist Joshua Metzl, MD Massage Therapist Stephen Jacoby, LMT Acupuncturist Lorita Travaglia, L.Ac, Dipl. CHM Chiropractor Dr. David S. Shapiro Company Photographers Rachel Neville Mike Watson Company Videographer David Andrews Orchestra Personnel Manager Steve Simpson Orchestra Librarian Eleanor Wells

Assistant Carpenter/ Head Flyman Travis Schadle

Dressers Emily Mastalerz Maria Hajiaghaee Kami Williams January Fick

Lighting Director Patrick “Red” Howard

Wardrobe Volunteers Rosemary Ellis

Master Electrician Susan Osborne

Children’s Coordinators Kirsten Riegler Ann Warner

Property Master Kathryn Maleva Technical Director & Production Manager Emeritus Pete Nielson Master Carpenter Emeritus David Jackson

FOLLOW COLORADO BALLET ON SOCIAL MEDIA facebook.com/colorado.ballet

@coloradoballet

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