Midsummer Night’s Dream 2017–18 SEASON
ASHLEY
ANNIVERSARY
10 Years of Visionary Direction
APRIL 25– MAY 6
CRAIN’S CUSTOM MEDIA
A DIVISION OF CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS
CHICAGO
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THE JOFFREY BALLET ASHLEY WHEATER Artistic Director GREG CAMERON Executive Director CRAIN’S CHICAGO BUSINESS Founder and editor in chief: RANCE CRAIN Crain’s Custom Media, a division of Crain’s Chicago Business, serves as the publisher for The Joffrey Ballet program books. Crain’s Custom Media provides production, printing and media sales services for the Joffrey program books. For more details or to secure advertising space in the programs, please contact: CRAIN’S CUSTOM MEDIA Director: FRANK SENNETT 312.649.5278 fsennett@crain.com Exclusive Agent: BRYAN DOWLING 773.360.1767 bryan@media8midwest.com Project Manager: JOANNA METZGER 312.649.5241 jmetzger@crain.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS Midsummer Night’s Dream April 25–May 6, 2018
4 | Letter from Ashley Wheater 5 | Letter from Greg Cameron 7 | Midsummer Night’s Dream Program 8 | Ballet Notes 14 | Artists of the Company 16 | Bios 22 | Boards 24 | Supporters 43 | The Poetry Foundation 48 | Giving a Voice to Midsummer
Graphic Design: CHIRP DESIGN, INC. 312.226.5333 lynda@chirp-design.com
PERFORMS AT:
50 East Congress Parkway, Chicago
Cover: Midsummer Night’s Dream: Courtesy of Royal Swedish Opera
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“Astonish me!” With these words, Sergei Diaghilev, impresario and founder of the Ballets Russes challenged artist Jean Cocteau to create a new work for his company. The result, premiering in 1917, was Parade; a collaboration between Cocteau, Pablo Picasso, Erik Satie and Léonide Massine. Diaghilev understood that ballet must respond to the times in order to remain relevant. In the spring of 1973, Robert Joffrey reconstructed this transformative work for the Joffrey. Last year, I traveled to Stockholm to witness the premiere of Alexander Ekman’s Midsummer Night’s Dream. Marking the summer solstice is a very Swedish tradition. Yet, somehow, the world Alex creates is inhabited by all of us. Occasionally, theater can transport us to the realm of imagination and wonder. We are reminded of the power of art and of our need to explore the full range of human emotion. Alex and his genius team guide us to a new place, familiar yet exotic. I knew immediately that the Joffrey audience must see this fascinating piece of dance/theater. This season, I mark the conclusion of my tenth year as Artistic Director of The Joffrey Ballet. When we began, I did not know where our journey would take us. I want to thank all of you in the Joffrey family who have traveled with us on this adventure. I cannot think of a better way to continue Robert Joffrey’s legacy than by celebrating the constant evolution of the art form. And I cannot think of a better celebration than Midsummer Night’s Dream. There is nothing more powerful than a creative human being. With gratitude for these wonderful years,
Ashley Wheater Artistic Director
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2017–2018 SEASON | MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
Kära Joffrey-vänner, Dreaming of the warmer months ahead? Leave it to the talented, curious, and mischievous Swede Alexander Ekman to bring “summer” to Chicago in April. With the summer solstice afoot, we are thrilled to conclude our season and the celebration of our beloved Artistic Director Ashley Wheater’s 10th anniversary with the North American Premiere of Ekman’s Midsummer Night’s Dream. Did you know that…at the turn of the twentieth century, Chicago had the second largest Swedish population of any city in the world; only Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, had more. The Swedes gave us the log cabin, built Wrigley Field, and founded the Walgreen’s drugstore chain. After the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, so many of the city’s carpenters were Swedish that for a long time it was said that “the Swedes built Chicago.”* Today we celebrate the Swedes that built Chicago and welcome Karin Olofsdotter, Swedish Ambassador to the United States, to our great city. We thank her and her colleagues in Stockholm, Washington D.C., New York, and Chicago — especially Honorary Consul General Gerd Sjogren — for their support of our presentation of Midsummer. I would also like to extend sincere thanks to those who have made it possible for the Joffrey to bring this extravaganza to Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre: Margot and Josef Lakonishok, Jane Ellen Murray, The Poetry Foundation, Orli and Bill Staley, the Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation, Suzanne and Albert Friedman with Martha and Richard Melman, Ken Norgan, and Mary Jo and Doug Basler. I now invite you to join us at the maypole. Med vänliga hälsningar,
Greg Cameron Executive Director
*Courtesy of WTTW Chicago Stories: Swedes in Chicago
Joffrey Ballet | 5
ASHLEY WHEATER Artistic Director
ROBERT JOFFREY Founder
GREG CAMERON Executive Director
GERALD ARPINO Founder
Artists of The Company Matthew Adamczyk | Derrick Agnoletti | Yoshihisa Arai | Amanda Assucena Edson Barbosa | Miguel Angel Blanco | Evan Boersma | Anais Bueno | Fabrice Calmels Raúl Casasola | Valeria Chaykina | Nicole Ciapponi | Lucia Connolly | April Daly Fernando Duarte | Olivia Duryea | Cara Marie Gary | Stefan Goncalvez Luis Eduardo Gonzalez | Dylan Gutierrez | Rory Hohenstein | Dara Holmes | Riley Horton Yuka Iwai | Victoria Jaiani | Hansol Jeong | Gayeon Jung | Yumi Kanazawa | Brooke Linford Greig Matthews | Graham Maverick | Jeraldine Mendoza | Jacqueline Moscicke Aaron Renteria | Christine Rocas | Chloé Sherman | Temur Suluashvili Olivia Tang-Mifsud | Alonso Tepetzi | Elivelton Tomazi | Alberto Velazquez Joanna Wozniak | Joan Sebastián Zamora
SCOTT SPECK Music Director GERARD CHARLES Director of Artistic Operations | Ballet Master BLAIR BALDWIN Company Manager NICOLAS BLANC ADAM BLYDE SUZANNE LOPEZ Ballet Masters | Principal Coaches GRACE KIM MICHAEL MORICZ Company Pianists KATHERINE SELIG Principal Stage Manager AMANDA HEUERMANN Stage Manager Patrons are requested to turn off pagers, cellular phones, and signal watches during performances. The taking of photographs and the use of recording devices is not allowed in this auditorium. Program and artists subject to change.
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2017–2018 SEASON | MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Choreography by ALEXANDER EKMAN Staged by PRESTON MCBAIN, MARIE-LOUISE SID SYLWANDER and JOAKIM STEPHENSON Music by MIKAEL KARLSSON Set Design by ALEXANDER EKMAN Costume Design by BREGJE VAN BALEN Original Lighting Design by LINUS FELLBOM Lighting recreated by JAKE FINE FLYING BY FOY WORLD PREMIERE: April 17, 2015, Royal Swedish Opera, Stockholm JOFFREY PREMIERE: Wednesday, April 25, 2018, Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, IL
Casting details for performances of Midsummer Night’s Dream can be found on the program insert.
Midsummer Night’s Dream
LIVE ACCOMPANIMENT BY THE CHICAGO PHILHARMONIC
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Ballet Notes 8 | Joffrey Ballet
MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Dreams and Reality What is Midsummer all about? Why do we celebrate it the way we do? I decided to create a ballet about this strange tradition. I began in the summer of 2014, as always, together with the composer Mikael Karlsson in New York. We began to work on the music, and it developed into something incredibly beautiful. Yet again, Mikael has come up with some amazing music, and I’m extremely pleased about the result. How do you create a dream and how do you make it interesting to the audience? Everyone has a crazy dream, in fact, it’s the ideal concept for a creative mind — you can do whatever you like! Everything is possible in a dream…at the same time, it’s extremely hard to finish. Our dreams never end…so how do you end a theatrical dream? Raising the curtain to this evening’s performance has been a major undertaking. I would to thank everyone who has helped me make my dream project come true. Alexander Ekman
Midsummer Night’s Dream: Courtesy of Royal Swedish Opera
2017–2018 SEASON | MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
2017–2018 SEASON SPONSORS
LIVE MUSIC SPONSOR The Marina and Arnold Tatar Fund for Live Music
SEASON PRESENTING SPONSORS THE NUTCRACKER Margot and Josef Lakonishok
MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Margot and Josef Lakonishok
Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust Hancher Auditorium, University of Iowa
SEASON PRODUCTION SPONSORS GISELLE
THE NUTCRACKER
THE FOUR TEMPERAMENTS Patti Selander Eylar MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Jane Ellen Murray Foundation Bill and Orli Staley Foundation Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation
MODERN MASTERS The Estate of Linda and Gary Blumenshine
Martha and Richard Melman with Suzanne and Albert Friedman
GLASS PIECES Jerome Robbins Foundation and Trust
Ken Norgan
BEYOND THE SHORE Nancy and Sanfred Koltun Additional rehearsal support was provided by a Commission Initiative Grant from the New York Choreographic Institute, an affiliate of New York City Ballet.
SEASON PARTNERS
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Lyrics
They Hoped for a Name Lyrics: Mikael Karlsson Sung by: Anna von Hausswolff They hoped for a name They hoped for a promise That someone to love them Would still walk among us A future with children A husband or wife They cheered and they toasted To youth and to life They danced ‘til the morning They drank and took flight The names of their lovers Were heard in the night The sun stayed above The moon lingered under By morning the dancers Will start to wonder Had it all been a dream? Had it all been a blunder? And who was that foreign girl With a song made in thunder? ---
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2017–2018 SEASON | MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
Years and years they came To sing to each other
The names of their lovers Were heard in the night
The song of the sister The song of the brother
The sun stayed above The moon lingered under
A summer with children With husband or wife
By morning the dancers Will start to wonder
They cheered and they toasted To youth and to life
Had it all been a dream? Had it all been a blunder?
They danced ‘til the morning They drank and took flight
And who was that foreign girl With a song made in thunder?
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The Magic of Midsummer The magic of Midsummer also extends to the realm of romance. An old Swedish proverb tells: “Midsummer night is not long, but it sets many cradles to rock.”
Traditionally, Midsummer was celebrated on June 24, the feast day of St. John the Baptist, but the holiday also has its roots in a preChristian solstice festival. In many countries, the summer solstice was celebrated with huge outdoor bonfires, also in Sweden, but nowadays the focus of the celebrations is the maypole (or Midsummer pole) decorated with greenery and flowers. The tradition came to Sweden from Germany in the late Middle Ages, where the pole was decorated with leaves and raised on May 1. The tradition of dancing around a Midsummer pole is old, though of course the dances have changed over the centuries. Today Swedish Midsummer festivities typically include ring dances and games for people of all ages to join in. One of the most popular dances is Små Grodorna, where the dancers jump around the pole while singing about small frogs. Other traditional games are bag jumping or tug of war (pulling a rope between two teams). The celebrations also include eating lunch or dinner outdoors at long tables.
Midsummer was considered to be a time of magic, and everything in nature was thought to have a special power during that night. Gathering flowers and herbs was a way to harness nature’s magic to ensure good health throughout the year. Even though most people nowadays probably are unaware of the magical part of the tradition, weaving crowns of wild flowers is still a Midsummer tradition and many Swedes are still collecting seven (or nine) different kinds of flowers and placing them under their pillow, hoping to dream of their future husband or wife. Midsummer Eve is always celebrated on a Friday between June 19th and 25th.
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2017 2018 SEASON
Matthew Adamczyk Ware, MA
RaĂşl Casasola
Valeria Chaykina
Derrick Agnoletti
Hiroshima, Japan
Nicole Ciapponi
Lucia Connolly
Madrid, Spain
St. Petersburg, Russia
Vancouver, Canada
Dylan Gutierrez
Rory Hohenstein
Dara Holmes*
Los Angeles, CA
Washington, D.C.
Greig Matthews
Graham Maverick
Aberdeen, Great Britain
San Francisco, CA
Temur Suluashvili
Olivia Tang-Mifsud
Tbilisi, Rep. of Georgia
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Los Angeles, CA
Yoshihisa Arai
San Jose, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Riley Horton
Amanda Assucena*
Rio
April Daly
Fer
Rockford, IL
Yuka Iwai*
Wilmington, NC
Kansas City, MO
Iwate, Japan
Jeraldine Mendoza
Jacqueline Moscicke
Aaron Renteria
San Francisco, CA
Alonso Tepetzi* Orizaba, Mexico
Milwaukee, WI
Elivelton Tomazi*
Santa Catarina, Brazil
Ed
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Corona, CA
Alberto Velazquez Havana, Cuba
Rio
V
Tbilis
Ch
Ma
Jo
Roll
ena*
razil
ria
uez
a
Edson Barbosa
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Fernando Duarte* Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Victoria Jaiani
Tbilisi, Rep. of Georgia
Christine Rocas
Manila, Philippines
Miguel Angel Blanco
Anais Bueno
Córdoba, Mexico
Fabrice Calmels
Chicago, IL
Olivia Duryea*
Cara Marie Gary
Stefan Goncalvez
Luis Eduardo Gonzalez
Hansol Jeong
Gayeon Jung
Yumi Kanazawa
Brooke Linford*
Havana, Cuba
Haslett, MI
Namyangju, South Korea
Chloé Sherman New York, NY
Evan Boersma*
Belton, SC
Seoul, Korea
São Paulo, Brazil
Los Angeles, CA
Paris, France
Bogota, Colombia
Alpine, UT
2017–2018 ARTISTS OF THE COMPANY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DANCERS, VISIT:
JOFFREY.ORG/1718DANCERS
Joanna Wozniak
Rolling Meadows, IL
Joan Sebastián Zamora Cali, Colombia
■ NEW JOFFREY DANCER *PROMOTED FROM THE JOFFREY ACADEMY OF DANCE Joffrey Ballet | 15
BIOS ASHLEY WHEATER Artistic Director Born in Scotland and raised in England, Ashley Wheater was trained at The Royal Ballet School. Wheater began his professional career with The Royal Ballet and danced at the London Festival Ballet, The Australian Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet, and San Francisco Ballet. In 1997, he became Ballet Master at San Francisco Ballet, and in 2002, Assistant to the Artistic Director. In 2007, Wheater was appointed Artistic Director of The Joffrey Ballet. New work is the life blood of a company, and he has introduced numerous premieres to the repertoire. In 2008, the Boeing Corporation recognized his commitment to community outreach and diversity in the world of dance, presenting him the “Game Changer” award. In 2010, Wheater, representing The Joffrey Ballet, was named Lincoln Academy Laureate, the highest honor presented by the State of Illinois. The Chicago Tribune selected Wheater as 2013 “Chicagoan of the Year” for his contributions to dance. In 2014, Wheater accepted the Chicago Spirit of Innovation Award for The Joffrey Ballet and in 2015, he received the University of Chicago Rosenberger Medal for Outstanding Achievement in the Creative and Performing Arts. He also serves as the Artistic Director of the Joffrey Academy of Dance, the Official School of The Joffrey Ballet.
SCOTT SPECK Music Director Scott Speck has inspired international acclaim as a conductor of passion, intelligence, and winning personality. In addition to his position as Music Director for the Joffrey, he is the Artistic Director of the Chicago Philharmonic and Music Director of the Mobile (AL) and West Michigan Symphony Orchestras. He has led major orchestras at London’s Royal Opera House, the Paris Opera, Washington’s Kennedy Center, San Francisco’s War Memorial Opera House, and the Los Angeles Music Center. He has been Conductor of the San Francisco Ballet; Music Advisor/Conductor of the Honolulu Symphony; and Associate Conductor of the Los Angeles Opera. He was named Principal Guest Conductor of the China Film Philharmonic in Beijing. Speck is the co-author of three of the world’s best-selling books on classical music and dance: Classical Music for Dummies, Opera for Dummies, and Ballet for Dummies. These books have been translated into twenty languages and are available around the world. A Fulbright scholar and summa cum laude graduate of Yale; Speck is a regular commentator on NPR, the BBC, ABC Australia, and Voice of Russia. He has been featured in TED talks and at the Aspen Ideas Festival. His writing appears in numerous magazines and journals.
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1. BECAUSE 2. YOUR 3. MOTHER 4. ALWAYS 5. KNEW 1. BECAUSE 6. YOU 2. YOUR 3. MOTHER 7. WERE 4. ALWAYS 5. KNEW 8. THE 6. YOU 7. WERE 9. SMARTEST 8. THE SMARTEST 10.10.9.ONE ONE g03_Morning-10-Mom-2colx6-Ad.pdf
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REGISTER REGISTERFOR FORDAILY DAILYEMAIL EMAILAT: AT chicagobusiness.com/section/morning-10-newsletter CHICAGOBUSINESS.COM/GETMORNING10
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BIOS ALEXANDER EKMAN Choreographer Alexander Ekman is an international choreographer/director creating dance pieces for opera houses, theatres, and museums. He also directs films and music videos as well as live performances in pop-up locations. Ekman is known for his fast-paced timing, witty humor, and clever transitions. He aims to create work which the majority can relate and connect with. Since 2006, he has devoted his time creating pieces which both entertain and question the observer. He aims to transform the atmosphere in the audience and to always surprise the audience. Photo by T.M. Rives
Around 50 dance companies worldwide have performed works by Ekman. A few of them are the Royal Swedish Ballet, Cullberg Ballet, Compañia Nacional de Danza, Göteborg Ballet, Iceland Dance Company, Bern Ballet, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, Ballet de l’Opéra National du Rhin, The Norwegian National Ballet, Boston Ballet, Royal Ballet of Flanders, Sydney Dance Company, Royal Danish Ballet, and Vienna Ballet. He also created for festivals such as the French Europa Danse and the Athens International Dance Festival. His work Cacti has become a worldwide hit and has been performed by 18 dance companies. Cacti was nominated for the Dutch dance prize Zwaan 2010, for the National Dance Award (UK) 2012, and also for the British prestigious Olivier Award. Cacti continues to entertain audiences around the world with its important message. In 2014, Ekman created his own version of Swan Lake, a new take of the most famous ballet of them all. A Swan Lake received enormous attention worldwide. Ekman filled the stage with 6,000 liters of water creating a real lake on stage. A Swan Lake is available on DVD and the documentary Rare Birds by T.M. Rives shows the process of how it became possible to create a lake inside an Opera house. He has also collaborated closely with top fashion designer Henrik Vibskov who created the costumes for Ekman’s A Swan Lake. Vibskov then adapted the choreography for his fall collection which was shown in Paris and Copenhagen during fashion week. In 2015, Ekman created his own version of Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Royal Swedish Ballet, which became an instant hit with the audience and critics. He received the Swedish MEDEA Award for “Inventor and Renewer” in September 2015, as well as the Såstaholm Award and the Birgit Cullberg Scholarship, and in 2016, he received the German theatre award “Der Faust” for his ballet COW for the Semperoper Ballet.
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BIOS
2017–2018 SEASON | MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
MIKAEL KARLSSON Composer Mikael Karlsson lives in Harlem, NYC. He moved to New York from Sweden in 2000 and graduated Summa Cum Laude with departmental honors with a Masters Degree in classical composition from the Aaron Copland School of Music in 2005.
Photo by Niklas Alexandersson
Karlsson’s music has been performed at Carnegie Hall, Le Poisson Rouge, Lincoln Center, the Museum of Modern Art in NYC, at the Festspielhaus in Baden-Baden, The Paris Opera, The Oslo Opera House, the Royal Swedish Opera House, The Semperoper in Dresden, The Ingmar Bergman Center at Fårö, The Joyce Theater, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and at new music festivals and opera houses across the world. He has composed for the International Contemporary Ensemble, the American Contemporary Music Ensemble, Callie Day, Black Sun Productions, Lydia Lunch, Claire Chase, Joshua Rubin, Mivos Quartet, Sirius Quartet, The Dahlkvist Quartet, Niklas Brommare, Blythe Gaissert, John Kelly, Lennart Mårtensson, Abby Fischer and pop singers Lykke Li, Anna von Hausswolff and Mariam Wallentin. His first opera, The Echo Drift, premiered at the PROTOTYPE Festival in NYC in 2018. Karlsson enjoys an ongoing working relationship with celebrated choreographer and director Alexander Ekman. Since they first started working together in 2012, the two have presented nine stage works: among them Play (Paris Opera Ballet, 2018), Tyll (Royal Swedish Ballet, 2012; U.S. premiere in 2015 by The Joffrey Ballet), A Swan Lake (Norwegian National Ballet, 2014), Midsummer Night’s Dream (Royal Swedish Ballet, 2015), COW (Dresden Semperoper, 2016) and Rooms (Norwegian National Ballet, 2017). Karlsson composed an electronic version of the “Flocking” section from Ekman’s A Swan Lake for envelope-pushing fashion designer Henrik Vibskov’s SS15 at Paris Fashion Week and at Copenhagen Fashion Week. In 2014, Karlsson founded his own production company, Rough State Sound. www.mikaelk.com
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BIOS ANNA VON HAUSSWOLFF Vocalist Anna von Hausswolff is a singer, pianist, organist, and songwriter from Gothenburg, Sweden known for her indie rock, art pop, drone music. Hausswolff is noted for her expressive voice and live performances. Her experimental rock music has created a new sound for the pipe organ and has shown that there is a point at which the paths of doom metal, experimental pop music, and progressive rock meet.
Photo by Lady Lusen
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Hausswolff released her debut single, Track of Time, on February 5, 2010, followed by the debut album Singing from the Grave. She has played several big festivals in Sweden, such as Peace and Love, Storsjöyran, Way Out West, Arvika, and Made Festival. On July 9, 2013 her second album Ceremony was released in North America by Other Music Recording Co., and Hausswolff played her debut U.S. show on July 10 at Glasslands Gallery in Brooklyn. The album received strong support from National Public Radio’s Bob Boilen, who said “von Hausswolff’s voice possesses the power to soar with those mighty pipes and still hold tight to delicate, personal emotions.” Hausswolff’s third album The Miraculous was released in 2015. Her newest album Dead Magic was released March 2, 2018 and was described by City Slang as “a dark crystal that encapsulates the most intimate and extreme human passions.”
BIOS
2017–2018 SEASON | MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
NIKLAS BROMMARE Percussionist Niklas Brommare is one of Sweden’s most sought after and renowned percussion soloists. He has performed with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Swedish Radio Orchestra Symphony, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Ensemble Modern, Klangforum Wien, and IRCAM under the direction of conductors such as Pierre Boulez, Daniel Harding, Peter Eötvös, and Esa-Pekka Salonen. He has also worked closely with leading Swedish composers, including Anders Hillborg and Sven-David Sandström who composed percussion concertos for him, and with Mikael Karlsson for the Swedish Royal Ballet’s Midsummer Night’s Dream choreographed by Alexander Ekman.
BREGJE VAN BALEN Costume Designer Bregje van Balen was a prominent dancer for 18 years with the Netherlands Dance Theatre (NDT) I and II. She received her ballet training at the Nationale Ballet Academie in Amsterdam. While she was dancing she began a second career as costume designer in 1995 when she created her first costumes for the annual NDT Workshop. After her dance career she entered the Baruch Mode Academie to reschool herself as a designer. Since then van Balen was invited to work for several dance companies, among which are NDT 1 and 2, the Norwegian National Ballet, Gothenburg Ballet, Hamburg Ballet, Introdans, Gyori Ballet, the Iceland Dance Theatre, Royal Swedish Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, Bolshoi Theater, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. She has worked with choreographers Patrick Delcroix, Jorma Elo, Medhi Walerski, Gustavo Ramirez Sansano, Kaloyan Boyadjiev, Alexander Ekman, Johan Inger, Jo Strømgren, Lukas Timulak, Fernando Hernando Magadan, Eduardo Zuniga, Garrett Smith, and Ina Christel Johannessen.
Bios continued on page 36.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS | 2017–2018 HONORARY CHAIRMAN | Mayor Rahm Emanuel OFFICERS Zachary D. Lazar, Jr. Chairman of the Board Lorna Ferguson First Vice Chair Sonia Florian Anne Kaplan Vice Chairs Guy Lakonishok Treasurer Ronald J. Allen Secretary Patti S. Eylar Women’s Board President Ashley Wheater Artistic Director Greg Cameron Executive Director Kathleen Hechinger Assistant Treasurer DIRECTORS Kathleen Abbott Patty Perkins Andringa Mary Jo Basler Marc Berman Luann Blowers Roger Deromedi Pamella Roland DeVos Adam DeWitt Shelley MacArthur Farley Jamie-Clare Flaherty
Emily Follas Patrick M. Gallagher, Jr. Mrs. Robert W. Galvin Jill Garling Dana Hokin Garvey Mark Giragosian Larry J. Goodman, MD Sabrina Gracias Linda Chaplik Harris Jerrilyn Hoffmann Richard Holson III Myrna Kaplan Donna M. LaPietra Michael Larsen Barry Litwin James McDonough Coco Meers Jess Merten Daniel L. (D.L.) Morriss Susan G. Oleari Diane Patience Stephen Reiss Jeffrey C. Rubenstein Bruce Sagan Eric C. Schieber, MD Liz Sharp Courtney Shea Ross Shelleman Ildefonso Alvim de Abreu e Silva Chuck Smith Maureen Dwyer Smith
Rita Spitz Lauren F. Streicher, MD Ben Strobel MarrGwen Townsend Jason J. Tyler Ronald V. Waters III Amanda Williamson Mrs. Joel V. Williamson Bryony Winn Elizabeth Yntema LIFE DIRECTORS Grace Barry Patricia H. Gerber Pamela B. Strobel Joseph H. Wender PAST CHAIRPERSONS William M. Daley Fred Eychaner Gary E. Holdren Dr. David A. Kipper † C. Steve McMillian Bruce Sagan Maureen Dwyer Smith Pamela B. Strobel Jason J. Tyler Ronald V. Waters III As of March 28, 2018 † Deceased
SKÅL OCH TACK Cheers and thank you to Board member Susan G. Oleari and BMO Wealth Management for making the Joffrey’s Gala such a success!
2017–2018 SEASON | MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
WOMEN’S BOARD OF THE JOFFREY BALLET | 2017–2018 Patti S. Eylar President Noren Ungaretti 1st Vice President Merritt DeWitt Kathy Kalesperis Smith 2nd Vice Presidents Dania Leemputte Secretary Courtney C. Shea Treasurer Emily L. Arch, MD Sandi Hartstein Jessica Steffensen Members-at-Large Elisabeth Adams Mrs. Keene Harwood Addington III Julie O’Donnell Allen Raheela Anwar Annie Atzeff Melissa M. Babcock Grace Barry Heidy Best Jetta Boschen Sophia P. Bross Mary Patricia Burns Mary Kay Mudd Bushonville Jenelle Chalmers Joan Colmar Sandra Deromedi Ellen Distelheim Jill Dodds Maia Dunkel Christine Du Boulay Ellis Beth Engel Shelley MacArthur Farley Jamie-Clare Flaherty Emily Follas Ellie Forman Katherine E. Freiburger Beth Fulkerson Dana Hokin Garvey
Patricia H. Gerber Darcy E. Goldfarb, MD Nancy Gottlieb Bauer Donna Greenberg Stephanie Grinage Shana Bear Guthman Elisa D. Harris Mrs. Michael F. Harron K. Susan Heintz Mrs. John W. Higgins Leslie S. Hindman Courtney A. Hoffmann Mrs. David Hoffmann Sherry Lea Holson Marci Holzer Brooke Hubbuch Melinda Jakovich Lagrange Anne Kaplan Yvette Karaba Jackelyn Kastanis Elizabeth Ann Kasten Kathleen Kenehan Wendy Kilcollin Kathleen Klaeser Laura Kofoid Mrs. Frederick A. Krehbiel* Laura Larsen Venkus Whitney Lasky Anne Lazar Anita E. Livaditis Leslie Logsdon Lisa Klimley Malkin Joan Malliband Elizabeth Marcus, MD Anita Mark Heather Martin Kristina McGrath Astrid A. McKinnon Helen Hall Melchior* Amanda Merten Ms. Julianne Migely Patricia Miller Lucy Minor
Anne Simon Moffat Linda Curtis O’Bannon, MD Susan G. Oleari Christine Ott* Gigi Owens Mrs. John R. Pacholick Cynthia S. Passalino Mary Ellen Pavone Judith Pierpont Ibby Pinsky Victoria Poindexter D. Elizabeth Price Hallie Blanchard Rehwaldt Emily Rubenstein Camille Kearns Rudy Elizabeth Dunkel Ryan Maggie Scheyer Sarah Schrup Andréa J. Schwartz Liz Sharp Anne Shea Carolyn Sheridan Ms. Veronica Siegel Amelia Silva Mrs. Howard Silverman Marilyn Slattery Maria Smithburg Rita Spitz Dawn Stanislaw Constance Steinhaus Liz Stiffel Carol J. Stone Cheryl Tama Oblander Lauren D.W. Tatar Marina D.W. Tatar Melissa Trandel Yolanda Tyler Chrissie Walker Mary Agnes Welsh Pam Phillips Weston Kim White Diana Weiss Widman Elizabeth Wippman
Joyce M. Wippman Marcie L. Wright Leslie Zentner Julie Zuckerman SUPPORTING AND NON-RESIDENT Dora J. Aalbregtse Laura Ferris Anderson Melissa Anton Mary Jo Basler Dorothy Bousseau Mary Kay Burke Candace Collins Jordan Kelly Dettmann Pamella Roland DeVos Deborah Engle Lydia Fisher Katherine Fox Astra Gamsjaeger Sue-Gray Goller Mrs. Marjorie E. Habermann Sharon King Hoge Kerrie Kennedy Donna M. LaPietra Brooks Morgan Mrs. Jay L. Owen, Jr. Maureen Dwyer Smith Kathryn Vail Victoria C. Verity Mrs. John R. Walter Ann Waters Mrs. Thomas E. Wells IV Ms. Patricia J. Simpson Wright As of March 28, 2018 * Indicates Honorary Member
Joffrey Ballet | 23
SUPPORTERS
The Joffrey Ballet would like to extend thanks to those who provide us with funding that ensures quality and engaging experiences for a variety of audiences. The following is a list of those who made contributions in the amount of $300 or more between March 1, 2017 and March 12, 2018. Although space does not permit us to list all of our friends, we are grateful for the support from each and every one of our loyal donors. $500,000+ Alphawood Foundation Chicago Clear Channel Airports Fred Eychaner The Grainger Foundation Margot and Josef Lakonishok $100,000–$499,999 Abbott Fund Chicago Athletic Clubs Daniel and Pamella DeVos Foundation Sonia Florian Paul Galvin Memorial Foundation Trust The Hearst Foundations Anne L. Kaplan The Reva and David Logan Foundation The Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust NIB Foundation Bruce Sagan and Bette Cerf Hill The Satter Foundation Rose L. Shure Trust Dr. and Mrs. Arnold Tatar $50,000–$99,999 Allstate Insurance Company Athletico Physical Therapy Mary Jo and Doug Basler Estate of Gary and Linda Blumenshine BMO Wealth Management Audre Carlin Sandy and Roger Deromedi Patti S. Eylar and Charles R. Gardner The Julius N. Frankel Foundation Mr. and Mrs. David H. Hoffmann Sherry Lea and Richard Holson III ITW Jewell Events Catering JHL Capital Group LLC JW Marriott Nancy and Sanfred Koltun The John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation The Edward and Lucy R. Minor Family Foundation Jane Ellen Murray Foundation Polk Bros. Foundation 24 | Joffrey Ballet
Jerome Robbins Foundation and Trust The Shubert Foundation Rita Spitz and David Blears Bill and Orli Staley Pamela and Russ Strobel Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Townsend Mr. and Mrs. Ronald V. Waters III Mr. and Mrs. Miles D. White $25,000–$49,999 Anonymous Abbott Laboratories Bank of America The Bill Bass Foundation Marc and Sharen Berman Neil Bluhm The Brinson Foundation Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation The Chicago Community Trust The Crown Family Mr. and Mrs. Adam DeWitt Dan J. Epstein Family Foundation Exelon Lorna Ferguson and Terry Clark Mr. and Mrs. F. Conrad Fischer Fox Ford Lincoln Lloyd A. Fry Foundation Jill Garling and Thomas Wilson Sabrina and Antonio Gracias GrubHub, Inc. Illinois Arts Council Agency J.McLaughlin Dennis and Kathleen Klaeser Margaret MacLean Make It Better Media Masuda, Funai, Eifert & Mitchell, Ltd. Merrill Lynch & Company Alexandra Nichols and John Nichols The Northern Trust Company Nuveen Investments, Inc. Virginia Owens and James Owens The Poetry Foundation Prince Charitable Trusts Tricia Rooney and Ross Shelleman Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom John W. and Jeanne M. Rowe Shirley Ryan and Patrick Ryan Eric C. Schieber, MD Siragusa Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Edward B. Smith, Jr. Wells Fargo Mr. and Mrs. Joel V. Williamson Elizabeth Yntema and Mark Ferguson for the Ferguson-Yntema Family Trust $10,000–$24,999 Anonymous (2) Ariel Investments, LLC
Avatar Corporation Nancy Gottlieb Bauer Baxter International Inc. Edward Beam The Boeing Company Rosemarie and Dean Buntrock Butler Family Foundation Greg Cameron and Greg Thompson Capital Group Companies, Inc. Paul Chasnoff and Joe Hopper Michael I. Cragg, PhD DeSantis Foundation Mr. and Mrs. William Farley Ms. Jamee C. Field and Mr. Michael Kane Karen Frank and James Frank Suzanne and Albert Friedman Jennifer and Patrick M. Gallagher Michelle Goodman and Larry J. Goodman, MD Joan Hall Sandi and Barry Hartstein Mr. and Mrs. John T. Hildy Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP Hyatt Hotels Foundation JPMorgan Chase Myrna Kaplan Kovler Family Foundation Kryolan Professional Make-Up Julie and Guy Lakonishok Ms. Adele Lane Dr. Lynda Lane and Ben Lane-Korn Michael and Jennifer Larsen Latham & Watkins LLP Mr. and Mrs. Zachary D. Lazar, Jr. Liz and Eric Lefkofsky Arie Leibovitz Elizabeth Liebman Matthew Litfin Macy’s McGuireWoods Lynne McNown Coco B. Meers and Ethan Meers Martha and Richard Melman Stuart Miller National Endowment for the Arts Negaunee Foundation Ken Norgan Cathy and Bill Osborn Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation Kathleen Pipala and Michael Pipala Regions Private Wealth Management Stephen Reiss and Rena Hozore Reiss Jeffrey C. Rubenstein Camille Kearns Rudy and Robert M. Rudy Cari and Michael Sacks Ms. Maggie Scheyer and Mr. Eric J. Scheyer
SUPPORTERS
$10,000–$24,999 (continued) Dr. Scholl Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey S. Sharp Shea Family Foundation Carolyn and Michael Sheridan Melissa and Chuck Smith Jessica and Erik Steffensen Jeanette Stevens Liz Stiffel Tina Trott and Byron Trott U.S. Bank Foundation UMB Bank Mr. and Mrs. John R. Walter Pamela Phillips Weston and Roger L. Weston William Blair Amanda Williamson and Matthew Johnson $5,000–$9,999 Anonymous Emily Strobel Amiet and Michael Amiet Emily L. Arch, MD Athene Annie Atzeff and Kristopher Atzeff Mr. and Mrs. Francis Beidler III Meta S. and Ronald Berger Family Foundation Luann Blowers and David Blowers Suzette Bross Bulley and Allan E. Bulley III Mary Kay Mudd Bushonville and Art Bushonville CA Ventures Suzanne Cameron and Stephen Cameron Lisa and Jim Challenger Mrs. Joyce Chelberg Paula Crown and James Crown Geoffrey Davis Dunham Fund Joseph & Bessie Feinberg Foundation Emily Follas and Timothy Jacob Fortune Brands, Inc. Elisabeth Geraghty and Robert Geraghty Richard and Mary L. Gray Karen Gray-Krehbiel and John Krehbiel, Jr. John R. Halligan Charitable Fund The Irving Harris Foundation Janet W. and Robert A. Helman HOLLY HUNT Dania Leemputte and Patrick Leemputte Susan Lichtenstein and John Rokacz Luminarts Cultural Foundation Fellowship by Myrna Kaplan
2017–2018 SEASON | MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
Lyric Opera of Chicago George Mariner and Michael Payette Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc. Patricia Miller and Christopher Miller David and Suzu Neithercut Nordstrom, Inc. Susan G. Oleari D. Elizabeth Price and Lou Yecies Carol and Robert Rasmus Audrey Ratner and Albert Ratner Susan and David Ruder Judy A. Saslow Gallery Mr. and Mrs. David Sensibar Ms. Courtney C. Shea Sidley Austin, LLP Maria Smithburg and William D. Smithburg Steak 48 Chicago, LLC Nathan Tannenbaum Foundation Inc. Lorraine Trachtenberg Richard and Diane Weinberg Hilary and Barry Weinstein Magnes Welsh Bryony and David Winn $2,500–$4,999 Anonymous (2) Mr. and Mrs. William Adams IV Ada Addington and Whitney Addington Mr. and Mrs. Ronald J. Allen Evelyn Alter Patty Perkins Andringa Carey August and Brett August Ms. Carolyn A. Blessing Ms. Evelyn Bosenberg John Brazzale Jenelle Chalmers and Stephen Chalmers Pamela Crutchfield Amina Dickerson and Julian Roberts Dr. Jill S. Dodds and Dr. Guriqbal Nandra Shawn M. Donnelley and Christopher M. Kelly Maia J. Dunkel Dr. and Mrs. Anthony G. Finder Firsel Ross Nancy Follis Arthur Frank Beth Fulkerson and Joshua Kellman Christine Gallagher and Greg Gallagher Shana Guthman and David Guthman Elisa Harris and Ivo Daalder Stacie R. Hartman Kathleen and Mark Hechinger Leslie Hindman Lauren Huefner
Jackelyn Kastanis and Taki Kastanis Jeffrey Kerr Roberta Killeen and Timothy Killeen Elise Klein and Christopher Klein Robert Kohl and Clark Pellett Dr. Jennifer Kurth and Mr. Brian Van Klompenberg Ms. Dana Levinson and Mrs. Barbara Levinson Leslie Logsdon and Duncan Bourne Colleen Loughlin and John Sirek Lisa Klimley Malkin and Cary J. Malkin Holly and Matt Maloney Elizabeth Marcus, MD and Ira Belcove Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Marks Mr. and Mrs. Michael McGrath John R. Menninger Metropolitan Capital Bank & Trust Pamela G. Meyer Mrs. Julianne Migely Barbara and Jonathan Moss Ashley Netzky and Pamela Netzky Linda Curtis O’Bannon, MD Marsha O’Bannon Thomas O’Keefe One Winnetka Mr. and Mrs. John R. Pacholick Catherine Perez and William Perez Victoria Poindexter and Joseph P. Gaynor III Carol Pollock Hallie Blanchard Rehwaldt and Thomas Rehwaldt Barbara and Donald Ruhman Amy Rule and Rahm Emanuel The Richard and Ellen Sandor Family Foundation Anne Shonk Veronica Siegel Amelia Silva and Alejandro Silva Marilyn Slattery Shari Slavin and Mark Slavin Constance and Orin Steinhaus Susan Stern and James Elliott The Neiman Marcus Group Courtney Thompson Melissa Trandel Debbie Wang and David Hoyt Elizabeth Wippman and Tom Wippman Joyce M. Wippman Alice and Herb Zarov $1,500–$2,499 Anonymous (6) Dora Aalbregtse and R. John Aalbregtse Kathleen Abbott and Jeff Abbott Greg Albiero Joffrey Ballet | 25
SUPPORTERS
$1,500–$2,499 (continued) Margery Al-Chalabi Mina Amir-Mokri Oliver Badgio Christopher Begy Jennifer Birmingham Margaret Block and Philip Block Cary Bomier and David Bomier Jetta Boschen and Dallas Boschen Robyn Bowland Anthony Bruck Carolyn Bucksbaum Tamara and Robert Buday Marion Cameron Clark Chandler Chartise Clark Raymond Coronado Dr. John Dainauskas Katherine Devers and William Devers Mr. and Mrs. Terence Donnelly Wendy Eager Deborah and Cody Engle Christine Fisher Jamie-Clare Flaherty Francis Beidler III & Prudence R. Beidler Foundation Mimi Frankel and Bud Frankel Franklin Philanthropic Foundation Katherine and Richard Freiburger Dana Hokin Garvey and Robert Garvey Darcy Goldfarb, MD H. Goldstein and Rodney Goldstein Sue-Gray Goller Ann Gootee and James Gootee Jo Ellen Granson Stephanie Grinage and Richard Grinage Anthony and Susan Grosch Madeleine Grynsztejn and Thomas Shapiro Dr. and Mrs. Alan G. Harris K. Susan Heintz and Thomas Heintz Mr. and Mrs. John W. Higgins Sarai Hoffman and Stephen Pratt Courtney A. Hoffmann and Sebastian Hoffmann Julie Holland Marci and Ronald Holzer Alan J. Hommerding and Robert K. Personett Melinda Jakovich-Lagrange and Lucien Lagrange Kevin and Mary Kamraczewski Sherry Kaplan and Barry Kaplan Masahiro Kasai and William Myers Marilyn Katz and Scott Chambers Wendy Kilcollin and T. Eric Kilcollin Polly Kintzel Laura Kofoid and David Ricci 26 | Joffrey Ballet
Sarah Ladgenski and Derek Ladgenski Lannan Foundation Robin and Jack Lavin Deej and Hunter Leggitt Sherren Leigh Kathryn Leister and Douglas Leister Dr. Richard E. Leithiser Linda Levie and Glenn Levie Mia Levy and Paul Levy Mr. and Mrs. Barry Litwin Beth Loeb Jim and SuAnne Lopata Jessica Lundevall and Torjus Lundevall Victoria Lyman Judy and John MacLeod Kevin McGirr Lois and Robert Moeller Prof. Keith and Anne Moffat Jazelle Morriss and Daniel L. Morriss JoAnne Nathan and Stuart Nathan Lee and Sharon Oberlander Mary Jane O’Connor Mrs. Abby McCormick O’Neil and Mr. Carroll Joynes Mr. and Mrs. John Patience Mary Ellen Pavone, MD and Christopher Novak Ibby Pinsky and Milton Pinsky Richard and Charlene Posner Bonnie Price and Jack Hirsch Carol Prins and John Hart Donald H. Ratner and Bruce A. Gober Harriet Ross and Irwin Ross Jennifer Ross Sahara Enterprises, Inc. Sue Samuels Judith Sawyier and Michael Sawyier Sarah Schrup Andréa J. Schwartz and Dr. Steve Stryker Terry Schwartz Lois Scott and David May Louis and Nellie Sieg Fund Marcey Siegel and Kenneth Siegel Thomas G. Sinkovic Craig Sirles Greg Sleight Beth Smetana and Gerard Smetana Brian Smith and Geyer Morford Ms. Kathy Kalesperis Smith and Mr. Dion Grimes Smith Patricia Smith Stephen Smith Dawn Stanislaw Shirley Stanley and Paul Stanley The Stebbins Fund, Inc. Penelope Steiner and Robert Steiner Patricia Sternberg Carol Stone and David Stone
Dr. Lauren Streicher and Mr. Jason Brett Cheryl Tama Oblander and Scott Oblander Lauren D.W. Tatar and Scott Borstein Tawani Foundation Dana Shepard Treister and Dr. Michael Roy Treister Richard and Noren Ungaretti Robert and Etti Van Etten Michelle Wasson and Joel Farran Karen and Richard Weiland Olga Weiss and George Honig Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Wells IV Diana and Stuart Widman Angie Wilcox and Gary Wilcox Susan Wislow and Robert Wislow Mr. and Mrs. Robert K. Zentner William Ziemann Julie Zuckerman and Daniel Zuckerman $1,000–$1,499 Anonymous (2) Mr. and Mrs. James M. Amend Amsted Industries Anne and Mark Bagan Christine Bakalar and John Bakalar Sandra Bass Thomas Berry Judy Block Aldridge Bousfield Bradbury Family Mrs. Walter F. Brissenden Anne Brody and Michael Brody Burke-Brunger Fund The Carmi Family Charitable Fund Wendy Lynn Chronister and Peter Rogers Mrs. John C. Colman Francesca Connell Lawrence Corry Patricia O’Neill Cox Elliott Crigger Earle Cromer Julia and Matt Doherty Christine Du Boulay Ellis Michelle Erb Marilyn Fields and Larry Fields Norman Finch Erica Fornari Victoria Galbraith and John Galbraith Ethel and William Gofen Betty Harris and Edward Harris Julie F. Harron and Michael F. Harron Heestand Foundation, Inc. Ross Heim Kathleen Ihrig and Glenn Ihrig James S. Kemper Foundation
SUPPORTERS
$1,000–$1,499 (continued) Janet Jentes and William Jentes Maryl R. Johnson, MD Beth Karmin and Kenneth Karmin Vicki Kaufman and Barry Kaufman Avril Klaff and Hersch Klaff Patricia Koldyke and Martin Koldyke Larry Krueger Karyn Kruschka and Edward Kruschka Erica Kuhlmann Jay Leibovitz Lew and Laurie Leibowitz Lori Litwin and Mark Litwin Thaddeus Makarewicz Puneet Mansharamani Heather Martin and Sean Martin Helen Hall Melchior Julie Moller and Scott Moller Sharon Olson and Fred Fleischbein Mr. Jonathan F. Orser Marian Pearcy and Peter Jones Sheila Pizer and Howard Pizer Madeleine Plonsker and Harvey Plonsker Emily Rubenstein and Angel Rivera Jane Nicholl Sahlins Jana Schreuder and Eric Schreuder Joann Seagren and Scott Lang Mr. and Mrs. Larry Selander Victoria Severson Lynda Silverman and Howard Silverman Julia Simpson Mr. and Mrs. Neele E. Stearns, Jr. Joanne Storm Mary Summers and William Summers Peggy Swartchild and James Swartchild Carol Trapp and James Trapp Julie Valenti and Steven Valenti Mr. and Mrs. Todd Vieregg Annabelle Volgman and Keith Volgman Christina Walker and Joe Walker I.B. Weil and Thomas Weil Eric Weinheimer Robin Zafirovski and Michael Zafirovski Helen Zimmermann $750–$999 Anonymous (2) Allstate Giving Campaign Mr. and Mrs. Brian W. Babcock, Sr. David Dranove Amy and Michael Gordon Don and Ky Hilliker Brooke Hubbuch and Nick Hubbuch Caroline Huebner and Charles Huebner
2017–2018 SEASON | MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
David Israel Elaine Jaharis and Steven Jaharis James Clark and Christina Labate Anita Livaditis and Stephen Livaditis Robert Marks Promojett Services Inc. Illeane Schwartz and Sheldon Schwartz Betty Seid and Richard Seid Sherry Weiss and Albert Weiss Marcie Wright $500–$749 Anonymous Fillomena Albee Sara Albrecht Cleopatra Alexander and James Alexander Lynn Arensman and Robert Arensman Neda Ashourian Jenny Barish and Robert Barish Rachel Bartunek and Jeremy Bartunek Donna Gerber and Steven Bashwiner Susan Belgrad and Donald Belgrad Linda Bergonia and David Bergonia Cynthia Berryman Beth Sprecher Brooks Judy Bross and John Bross Myrtle Buchanan Tania Castroverde Moskalenko and Alexei Moskalenko Sarah Chadwick and Thomas Chadwick Frances Chapman Enid Collins and Donald Collins Josephine Conlon and Jerome Conlon Arlene Coustan and Harvey Coustan Janet Dauparas Sheryl Desanto and Ronald Desanto Paul Dix Sandra Dumalski and Raymond Dumalski Michelle Ervin Regina Murphy and Mark Etzel Nancy Evans and Jack Evans Dr. Robert A. Fajardo Krista Fiedler Dr. W. Clinton Fisher and Lois Farrell Fisher Forefront Sara Friedle Patricia Gentry Cidney Golman and Jeffrey Golman Marc and Carol Gordon Jack and Robin Graham Josh Green and Stewart Chapman Judie Green and Rich Green Donna Greenberg and Jack Greenberg Teresa Grosch and Thomas Roberts Colleen Grosz and Joseph Grosz
Joel Guillory Donna Gustafsson and Anders Gustafsson Geoffrey and Adrianna Hewings Rose Houston Sharman Thorton Hunter and Curt Hunter James Hutchinson Nancy Jacobs Eric Jacobson John Jawor Cher Keck and Sean Keck Russell Klein Susan Koltun and Thomas Koltun Roger Kramer David Kundert Carol Kyros-Walker JC Lapiere Anne Lerner and Alan Lerner Dr. and Mrs. Andrew O. Lewicky Jessie and Douglas MacDonald Sandra Mangurian Nichole Mann Kerber Marc Marin and Pejman Hanafi Jeanne Martinez and John Segreti Erika Maschmeyer and Jon Maschmeyer Michael and Linda Mason Mr. and Mrs. John C. McCarter Scott McCausland Jennifer McClary Dawn G. Meiners Lisa Mezzetti Dr. and Mrs. David D. Morimoto Al Moschner Barbara Moser and David Moser Drs. Marsha and Robert Mrtek Carol Mullins and Steve Mullins Maggie and Michael Murzanski Neapolitan, LLC John Nelson Joanna Norcross Mr. and Mrs. Jay L. Owen, Jr. Lara Pappas Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Papuga Sharon Perazzoli and Paul Perazzoli Leland Hutchinson and Jean Perkins Craig Peterson Mary Pierson Linda Pladson Karine Provost Julie Pryor and A. Keith Housman Boyd Rice Christine Riker and Walter Riker Drs. Thomas and Cynthia Roberts James Rocks Janice Rodgers Janet Rohner Mr. and Mrs. Morton I. Rosen Joffrey Ballet | 27
SUPPORTERS
$500–$749 (continued) Barbara Ruben Joyce Salsburg Linda Scheuplein Dianne Schneider and William Schneider Cheryl Seder and John Seder Anne Shea and John Shea Elizabeth Shepherd and Scott Kinsloe Cynthia Shewan Margaret Siber Janet Smith and Mel Smith G. Bradley Sterrenberg Judith Stockdale and Jonathon Boyer Carole Stone Mr. and Mrs. Harvey J. Struthers, Jr. Cynthia Taylor and Gregory Taylor Monica Toth and Terence Toth Robert Veasey Lynne Walton Jennifer Wanat Leslie J. Warner and Stephen B. Warner Chad Williams Paula Wise Margaret Wolff Margaret Young and Robert Young $300–$499 Anonymous (4) Ero Amiridis and Michael Amiridis Kristine Anderson and Tom Coonan Nancy Aversa Todd Baisch Natali Balog Peter Bandelow Barbara Baran and John Baran Bryndl Bartter Andrea H. Bauer Stephen Benson Heidy and Phil Best Leigh Bienen and Henry Bienen Lois and Stanley Birer D. Jeffrey and Joan H. Blumenthal Jared Bottorff Patrick Bova and James Darby Andrea Brands Giovanna Breu and Joe Breu Joanne Brooks 28 | Joffrey Ballet
Lauren Bucher Karen Bullen Mary Kay Burke Janna Caldarelli and David Caldarelli Linda Celesia and Gastone Celesia Sam Ciochon Katherine Clark Jane Clifford Tom and Bette Cogan Frederick Cohen Mrs. Erin C. Court and Mr. Stephen Court Dan Crowe Robert Delaney Patty Delony Kelly Dettmann and Brian Dettmann Melinda Dickler and Michael Dickler Toni Diprizio Margaret Dolan Keith Donaldson Gary Drescher Maria Dubycky and Roman Dubycky Frank and Faith Dusek Joan and Warren Eagle Rebecca Eby Larisa Elizondo Thelma Evans Adrienne and Robert Z. Feldstein Lydia Fisher Dr. and Mrs. William E. Fishman Tiffany Flannagan and Chip Flannagan Carolynne Flint and Lewis Flint Ellie Forman and Jeremy Forman Katherine Fox and John N. Fox, Jr. Susan Freehling and Paul Freehling Jenny Freidheim Mr. and Mrs. Jay R. Fried Ms. Loren Friend and Mr. Howard Friend Stephen Fussell Christine Geiger Alexis Polito Giragosian and Mark Giragosian Mr. and Mrs. Robert Dunn Glick Virginia Gluckman Susan Goldman Alanna Gordon and Robert Gordon Lynn Grogan
Deborah Gubin Jacob Hamlin Joyce Hasmonek Marsie R. Hass and Scott D. Hite Ann Heide Richard Higginbotham Donald Hoffman Joanna Horsnail Joyce Ibers and James Ibers Giovanna Imbarrato and Mario Imbarrato Ira and Janina Marks Charitable Trust II Ellen Israel and Rich Israel Sarah and Michael Jacobs Meredith Janes Gayle Jensen Candice Johnson Carlen Katz and Robert Katz Helen N. Kedo Shannon Kennedy Sylvia Kerpel and Michael Kerpel Mary Kimble Sheila Kirscher and John Kirscher Sally Klarr Kirsten Klevar Agnieszka Klus and Agata Klus John Kurtz and Gerry Salvacion Maura Lennon and Kevin Lennon Jacqueline Lentz Sarah Lombardi Kay Mabie and James Mabie Kathleen Madden and Joseph Madden George Mann Laura Martinez and Andrew Martinez Natalie Matwijiszyn Thomas McCaffer Sharon Meltzer and Herbert Meltzer Renee Menegaz and R.D. Bock Jess and Amanda Merten Megan Mistarz Sanford Moltz Mr. and Mrs. C. Barry Montgomery Beverly Mook and Wallace Mook Cynthia Morehead Steven Morris Alice Moss Kathleen Mueller Michael and Adele Murphy
Pixie Newman Elaine Newquist Laura Niekamp Ann O’Neill and Thomas O’Neill Paypal Charitable Giving Fund John Pfeiffer Laura Piwinski Nadine Pool and Thomas Pool Susan Poser Eleanor Rodini and Robert Rodini Linda Rosenson and Harold Rosenson Floyd Rueger Carol Ann Saikhon Elena Samokhina and Peter Kuo Lewis and Barbara Schneider Mona Shabelman and Harold Shabelman Ravi Shah Mary Shea and Charles Shea Elisa Shlofrock-Zusman Sarah Shu Carol Sladek Drs. April and Frank Smith Shirley Solomon Nancy Stehno Renee Stein and John Pomeranz Holly Stevens and Randy Stevens Alison Suzukamo Joani Tarsitano Sarah Torri Susan and Bob Underwood James Van Metre Marlene Van Skike Theodora Vanderzalm Arlene Wagner and Albert Wagner Cliff Wallach Annie Wallis and Tom Whitehead Barbara H. West John Wheeler Thea Whyte LaDonna Wicklund and Gary Wicklund Kathy Wilders and Rich Wilders Patrice Wooldridge and Patrick Wooldridge Michael Worley Robyn Yochem Joylene Yoor and Brian Yoor Joan Zajtchuk and Russ Zajtchuk
TRIBUTE GIFTS
The Joffrey Ballet is grateful for gifts made to celebrate the following individuals between March 1, 2017 and March 12, 2018. IN MEMORY OF Suhail Al-Chalabi Mahvash Amir-Mokri Joan Armstrong Rosemarie Bellandi Gary Blumenshine Linda Blumenshine John E. Burke Frances Hunt Chapman Irving Distelheim Eric B. Eatherly Howard Goldstein John Henigbaum Burt Kaplan Cynthia Diane Kelly Paul Lutter Kathryn McGirr Jason T. McVicker Marita M. Mootz Dianne Nishimura Lilette Rohe Virginia Lee Tallman Ruth Urbanski Don C. Waggoner Carey Rose Winski IN HONOR OF Sara Albrecht Julie Allen Amanda Assucena Mary Jo Basler Doug Basler Marc Berman Nicolas Blanc Luann Blowers Adam Blyde Clare Brody Greg Cameron Gerard Charles Ellie Cotey Sandy Deromedi Roger Deromedi Rose Dillon Ellen Distelheim Julia Doherty Becky Dorsey Erica Edwards Deborah Engle
2017–2018 SEASON | MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
Patti Eylar Shelley MacArthur Farley Joel Feldman Lorna Ferguson Mark Ferguson Jamie-Clare Flaherty Mary Galvin Astra Gamsjaeger Sue-Gray Goller Stephanie Grinage Sarai Hoffman David Hoffmann Jerrilyn Hoffmann Bridget Holmes Bernice Horwitz Brian Johnson Anne Kaplan Laura Karlin Russ Karlin Cindy Kronman Michael Larsen Jennifer Larsen Dr. Lizzie Mazzaferri Anne Moffat Keith Moffat Karine Provost Diana Reczek Hallie Rehwaldt Steve Reiss Chelsea Robinson Maya Rubens Jeffrey Rubenstein Bruce Sagan Elizabeth Salmonowicz Maggie Scheyer Eric Schieber Liz Sharp Courtney Shea Gerd Sjogren Kathy Smith Miss Sofia Speyer Jane Strauss Pam Strobel Cheryl Tama Oblander Courtney Tan Melissa Trandel Dana Shepard Treister Michael Treister Ashley Wheater Diana Widman Elizabeth Yntema
THE JOFFREY BALLET STAR SOCIETY The Star Society recognizes individuals who have designated a legacy gift to The Joffrey Ballet through a bequest, trust, or other estate planning arrangement. We are honored to thank the following for their belief in the Joffrey’s mission and their commitment to future audiences. Melissa and Brian Babcock Joan and D. Jeffrey Blumenthal Paul Chasnoff and Joe Hopper Christine Du Boulay Ellis Deborah Gordon Engle Patti S. Eylar and Charles R. Gardner Ellen and David Faulk Patricia H. Gerber Michael Goldberger Sue-Gray Goller Barbara Henigbaum Marci and Ronald Holzer Darlene Johnson Linda Levey John McAllister Anne and Keith Moffat Gulliume and Elaine Moor Jane Ellen Murray and Edwin Wentz Jonathan F. Orser Doug Schmidt Constance and Orin Steinhaus Elisabeth Wilcox Szegho Marilyn J. Ward Diana and Stuart Widman Andrea and Richard Winship Anna Mary Zarrelli
Joffrey Ballet | 29
ABOUT THE AUDITORIUM THEATRE DESIGNED BY LOUIS SULLIVAN AND DANKMAR ADLER at the behest of Chicago businessman Ferdinand Wythe Peck, the Auditorium Theatre was hailed as one of the most beautiful venues in the world when it opened on December 9, 1889. Peck charged the architects with creating a Theatre for the People that was open to all Chicagoans. When the theatre opened, Chicago was in fierce competition with many cities in a bid to host the 1893 World’s Fair. Many notable figures of the day, including President Benjamin Harrison, attended the opening night performance at the theatre and were impressed by its perfect acoustics, beautiful architecture, and incredible sightlines. The attention that the theatre attracted helped convince the U.S. Congress that Chicago was ready to host such an event as important as the World’s Fair. During its early decades, the Auditorium hosted leading entertainers like John Philip Sousa and the Ziegfeld Follies, and political figures including Theodore Roosevelt and Booker T. Washington. It was the home to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the opera, and even hosted indoor baseball games. During World War II, the theatre became a Servicemen’s Center (complete with a bowling alley!) for traveling soldiers. After the war, the theatre closed until 1967, when it reopened with a performance by New York City Ballet. Throughout the 60s, 70s, and 80s, many famous performers took to the stage, including Jimi Hendrix, The Who, and Prince, among many others. Since its opening, the theatre has hosted some of the world’s premier dance companies, including The Joffrey Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and the Bolshoi Ballet. Starting in the 80s through today, the theatre presents many Broadway musicals including The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables. In 2015 and 2016, the theatre hosted the televised NFL Draft, giving over 7 million home viewers the opportunity to see inside the beautiful theatre. Today, the staff and board of the Auditorium Theatre continue to preserve and restore the National Historic Landmark. More than a quarter of a million people visit the theatre each year to experience rock shows, slam poetry competitions, dance performances, and beyond, making the Auditorium Theatre a true staple in Chicago and the rest of the world. Top: Auditorium Theatre, photo by Arturo Gonzalez. Bottom: Historic photo of the Auditorium Theatre, photo by Richard Nickel.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ADMINISTRATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE STAFF
The Honorable Rahm Emanuel Mayor of Chicago Honorary Chairman, Board of Directors
Tania Castroverde Moskalenko Chief Executive Officer C.J. Dillon Chief Programming Officer
Beth Kaskel Director of Programming Administration
John Svoboda Chairman, Board of Directors
Colleen Flanigan Chief Marketing Officer
Kristen Smiley Hansel Director of Creative Engagement
Norman R. Bobins Vice Chair, Development
Rachel Freund Chief Financial Officer
Sarah Illiatovitch-Goldman Creative Engagement Associate
Lew Collens Vice Chair, Strategic Planning
Judie Moore Green Chief Development Officer
Bruce Crown | Treasurer
Nick Tigue Chief Operating Officer
Thomas R. Baryl | Secretary Amanda Brimmer Tania Castroverde Moskalenko Joan Colmar Henry Fogel Charles R. Gardner Immediate Past Chair Robert Held Mel Katten | Chair Emeritus John R. Kaufman Phil Lumpkin Tangella Maddox Ali Malekzadeh Suzanne Martin Helen Hall Melchior Ann Nash Danny Nikitas Maria L. Pasquinelli Denise Littlefield Sobel Edward S. Weil, Jr. Robert L. Wieseneck EMERITUS DIRECTORS
Sondra Berman Epstein David D. Hiller Seymour Taxman
DEVELOPMENT
Kathryn TeBordo Associate Director of Institutional Giving Kelly Saroff Allen Associate Director of Individual Giving Raechel Hofsteadter Development Associate FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Denise Cosman Senior Director of Accounting Cynthia Darling Director of Accounting Kathy Bliss Assistant to CEO/Board Liaison MARKETING AND SALES
Nicole Wetzell Director of Sales Lily Oberman Associate Director of Communications Lisa Klier Marketing Manager Luke Bandoske Digital Content Associate Christopher Dorsey Ticket Services Manager Chloe Bigelow Madison Jones Julian Otis Sarah Seo Ticket Sales Representatives
PROGRAMMING AND CREATIVE ENGAGEMENT
PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS
Stephen Sell Director of Production & Facilities Noé Villagómez, Jr. Front of House Manager Mary Mazza Box Office Treasurer Scott Zissman Assistant Box Office Treasurer Annie Slaughter Patron Services Coordinator Kam Hobbs Operations and Production Associate Josh Light Event Coordinator Sharon Butler Patron Services Carl Ward Assistant House Manager Steven Olvera Assistant Concession Manager Tim Steimle Carpenter Robert Patterson Properties Pat Donahue, Jr. Electrician Brad Friebolin Audio Engineer Bill Karcz Flyman Dale Kuypers Volunteer Usher Coordinator Frank Romeo Custodial Foreman Emeritus Marie A. Cali Theatre Manager Emeritus Bart Swindall Historian Joffrey Ballet | 31
American Ballet Theatre Whipped Cream
2018–19 SEASON INTERNATIONAL DANCE SERIES Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg Pygmalion
Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández NOVEMBER 10-11, 2018
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater MARCH 6-10, 2019
American Ballet Theatre Whipped Cream Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández
APRIL 11-14, 2019
Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg Pygmalion MAY 17-19, 2019
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AuditoriumTheatre.org :: 312.341.2300 THE THEATRE FOR THE PEOPLE
50 E Congress Pkwy | Chicago, IL 2018–19 SEASON SPONSORS
International Dance Sponsor
ADMIT ONE Funder
American Ballet Theatre in Whipped Cream, photo by Gene Schiavone. | Eifman Ballet in Pygmalion, photo by Evgeny Matveev. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Jacqueline Green and Jamar Roberts, photo by Andrew Eccles | Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández.
Official Hotel Partner
FACILITIES AND SERVICES EFROYMSON PATRON SERVICES CENTER is located in Aisle 1 of the main floor and is open throughout performances to assist patrons with any needs they may have.
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CONCESSIONS are available throughout the theatre lobbies.
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OUTSIDE FOOD AND BEVERAGE ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE THEATRE. For Joffrey performances, all purchased snacks must be consumed in the lobby. Only bottled water is allowed in the seating area.
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RESTROOMS are located on the lower level and in the Baryl Family Lobby (third floor). Accessible restroom facilities are located in the southwest corner of the main lobby and on the third floor.
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ACCESSIBILITY: The Auditorium Theatre is accessible to all patrons and fully complies with ADA requirements. Various levels of accommodations are available to patrons who require assisted listening devices, signed performances, or accessible seating. Additionally, our Efroymson Patron Services Center office, located in Aisle 1 of the main lobby, is open throughout performances to assist patrons with any needs they may have. For more information on accessibility, please call 312.341.2300.
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PUBLIC TELEPHONES are located in Patron Services.
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Please turn off all ELECTRONIC DEVICES that may ring, beep, vibrate, or otherwise produce a sound that may disrupt the performance. Electronic devices include mobile phones, pagers, and watches.
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SMOKING IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED in the theatre and within 25 feet of any entrance.
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COAT CHECK is seasonal and located in the main floor lobby.
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THE USE OF VIDEO, PHOTOGRAPHY, or any other recording devices is strictly prohibited in the theatre during performances.
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THE AUDITORIUM THEATRE HAS A STRICT POLICY OF NO LATE SEATING. Patrons arriving after the performance begins, or leaving the seating area for any reason, will be seated in a designated section and may take their ticketed seats at intermission.
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LOST AND FOUND: Found articles should be left with Patron Services located in Aisle 1 of the main lobby. To determine whether a personal article has been turned in to the Lost and Found, please call 312.341.2389. Any items lost or presumed stolen are not the responsibility of the Auditorium Theatre.
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EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER during performances is 312.341.2389.
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FIRE NOTICE: The exit indicated by a lighted sign nearest to your seat is the shortest route out of the theatre. In the event of a theatre evacuation, WALK TO THAT EXIT.
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FIREARMS: In compliance with the Illinois Firearms Concealed Carry Act, the Auditorium Theatre prohibits the carrying of weapons of any kind in the theatre and on theatre property.
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Joffrey Ballet | 33
SPRING @ THE AUD Ballet Nacional de Cuba — Don Quixote
Giordano Dance Chicago JUNE 9, 2018
MAY 18–20, 2018
“Fall in love with ballet all over again.” — The Washington Post
“The troupe’s dancers are, above all, fearless, top-flight athletes.” — WTTW
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Photo credits: Auditorium Theatre, photo by Arturo Gonzalez. | Ballet Nacional de Cuba in Don Quixote, photo by Jacques Moatti. | Giordano Dance Chicago, photo by Gorman Cook Photography.
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COMING FULL CIRCLE WITH THE JOFFREY BALLET When I was 17, I attended my first audition at the Joffrey through its After School Matters Program. In two weeks, I learned more about myself than I ever thought possible. In 2017, I was selected as one of four winners of the Joffrey’s Winning Works choreographic competition. I was given a rare opportunity to work with trainees to create a world premiere performance. Walking into Joffrey Tower for rehearsals, I felt an incredible sense of coming full circle. What started as a simple audition has turned into a career. It’s because of donor support that opportunities at the Joffrey like Winning Works exist. It’s because of donor support that people like me get to pursue our dreams. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
— LUIS VAZQUEZ
Luis Vazquez: Morna Freitas Photography
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BIOS LINUS FELLBOM Original Lighting and Set Designer Since his debut 1995 he has lit around 250 productions worldwide. Among recent productions are Thaïs (LA Opera), Don Giovanni (Opera di Firenze), Il Barbiere di Seviglia (Opera di Roma), A Midsummer Nights Dream (Staatsoper Vienna), Juliet and Romeo by Mats Ek (Royal Opera Stockholm) and the world tour with the hard core band Refused, performing in five continents. In 2005, Fellbom debuted as a stage director and has since then directed many operas and plays, the latest being the new opera Dracula at the Royal Opera Stockholm. Linus also directed the divertissements at the 2016 Nobel Banquette in Stockholm City Hall.
JAKE FINE Lighting Designer Jake Fine is an award-winning Chicago-based Lighting Designer whose work has been seen nationally and internationally. He is currently the Lighting Supervisor for The Joffrey Ballet. Previously, he toured as the Lighting Supervisor for Ailey II, for whom he also designed Meika for Choreographer Leila Da Rocha. Formerly based in New York, his Off-Broadway credits include Tennessee Williams’ The Two-Character Play (New World Stages), and The City That Cried Wolf (59e59). Other credits include: The Who’s Tommy, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, South Pacific, Footloose, West Side Story, Hairspray, and many more. MFA: NYU jfinelights.com PRESTON MCBAIN Répétiteur Preston McBain was born in Sudbury, Canada, trained at the Quinte Ballet School of Canada and Royal Winnipeg Ballet. He has Worked with The Royal Winnipeg Ballet Company, Ballet Jörgen Canada and is currently working with The Royal Swedish Ballet. McBain has performed principal, soloist, and corps roles in all the major classic works such as The Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet, Onegin, and Giselle to name a few. He has also had the opportunity to work with countless contemporary choreographers such as, Jiří Kylián, Sharon Eyal, Mats Ek, Alexander Ekman, Crystal Pite, Gioconda Barbuto, Stijn Celis, and Nacho Duato, to name a few.
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BIOS
2017–2018 SEASON | MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
MARIE-LOUISE SID SYLWANDER Répétiteur Marie-Louise Sid Sylwander was trained as a dancer at the Royal Swedish Ballet School with additional Summer studies in Copenhagen, Cannes, New York and Cologne with Birger Bartholin, Vera Volkova, Hector Zaraspe, Erik Bruhn, Maggie Black, David Howard and Victor Rona. Upon graduation from the School she became a dancer with the Royal Swedish Ballet, where she danced for 24 years, during which time she was promoted to Soloist. Upon her retirement from professional dancing, Sid Sylwander became a Ballet Mistress and Rehearsal Director for the Royal Swedish Ballet, where she continues to stage works, coach dancers and assist choreographers in the creation of new work. In addition to her work as a Ballet Mistress Sid Sylwander is a guest teacher, Jury member at the International Ballet Competition in Grasse, a Board member of the Cramér Foundation, and a Producer at the Ingmar Bergman Festival where Alexander Ekman choreographed a piece, based on Ingmar Bergman’s Scenes from a Marriage.. She most recently restaged Alexander Ekman’s Tulle for the Stanislavski Theater in Moscow.
JOAKIM STEPHENSON Répétiteur Joakim Stephenson was trained at the Royal Swedish Ballet School in Stockholm, and also studied with internationally renowned teachers such as Lupe Serrano, Marianna Cherkassy, Kevin McKenzie, and David Howard, among others. He joined the Royal Swedish Ballet (RSB) in 1991, where he is currently a Second Soloist. His repertoire includes a wide range of works from classical ballet, such as Swan Lake, to contemporary works created on him by some of the most notable choreographers of our time. He has also performed with Stockholm 59°North (comprised of Soloists and Principals of the RSB) and Les Ballets de Monte Carlo. Stephenson was a dancer for the original creation of Tulle and has since been entrusted by Alexander Ekman to restage his work on other companies. Stephenson is also a choreographer with over 30 works that have been seen on stage in Sweden, Denmark, England, and the United States and has won several awards for his work.
Joffrey Ballet | 37
ADMINISTRATION
ASHLEY WHEATER Artistic Director
ARTISTIC
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Gerard Charles Director of Artistic Operations/ Ballet Master
Erica Lynette Edwards Director of Community Engagement
Nicolas Blanc Adam Blyde Suzanne Lopez Ballet Masters/Principal Coaches
Caitlyn Huynh Community Engagement Associate
ACADEMY
Elizabeth Salmonowicz Community Engagement Manager
Karine Provost Academy Director Keesha Beckford Youth Division Liaison Allie Deaver-Petchenik Administrative Assistant Karin Ellis-Wentz Head of Pre-Professional Programs Bridget Holmes Communications Coordinator Grace Kowalski Academy Coordinator Sarah Mazzulla Student Services Manager Raymond Rodriguez Head of Studio Company & Trainee Program Cara Scrementi Partnerships & Production Manager Kyle Seguin Pre-Professional Division Liaison Trish Strong Children’s Division Liaison Caitlyn Carr Molly Hillson Emma Wilmarth Celina Wu Academy Receptionists
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Julianna Jarik Community Engagement Business Administrator
Evelyn Sanchez Michael Smith Community Engagement Program Coordinators Linda Swayze Community Engagement Program Supervisor
GREG CAMERON Executive Director
COMPANY ADMINISTRATION & PRODUCTION Blair Baldwin Company Manager Jake Fine Lighting Supervisor Erin Brown Artistic & Production Administrative Assistant Katherine Selig Principal Stage Manager Amanda Heuermann Stage Manager Ellie Cotey Head of Wardrobe Gregg Benkovich First Assistant/Shoe Manager Kate Shattock Second Assistant Debra Schoell Lead Stitcher Barbara Luchsinger Stitcher Erin Tinsley Head Electrician Steven Lange Head Carpenter Gregg Moeller Properties Head George Paulin Sound Engineer Marybeth Cave Assistant Electrician Joe Principe Flyman
2017–2018 SEASON | MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
DEVELOPMENT
FINANCE & OPERATIONS
MARKETING
Sarai Hoffman Chief Development Officer
Kathleen Hechinger Deputy Director & Chief Financial Officer
Brian Smith Chief Marketing Officer
Afton Battle Director, Annual Campaign
Aaron Glynn Database Analyst
Colene Byrd Director of Sales & Patron Services
Sheryl Guyer Staff Accountant
Vicki Crain Marketing Manager
Jimmy Byrne Associate Director, Planned Giving & Major Gifts
Sharon Horton Payroll & Accounts Payable Coordinator
Matt de la Peña Director of Communications
Mimi de Castro Associate Director of Corporate Partnerships
Paul Key Director of Technology
Clare Brody Assistant Director, Grants & Sponsorships
Rose Dillon Development Associate Julia Doherty Director of Major Gifts Alex Goodman Development & Events Assistant Annie Lyonswright Associate Director, Individual Giving Chelsea Robinson Director of Events
John Kurtz Director of Facility Operations
Sam Fain Group Sales Manager Sarah Fiala Marketing Director
Lauren Martin Executive Assistant
Christina Grant Director of Audience Development
Terry McDonough Controller
Casey Peek Patron Services Manager
Abby Smith Administrative Assistant
Allison Diamond Chelsea Dvorchak Fernando Fernandez Patron Services Associates
Amy Wicklund Director of Human Resources
MUSIC Scott Speck Music Director Grace Kim Michael Moricz Company Pianists
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THE OFFICIAL ORCHESTRA OF THE JOFFREY BALLET MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM SCOTT SPECK Artistic Director JAMES BERKENSTOCK Artistic Advisor THOMAS MANNING Board Chairman DONNA MILANOVICH Executive Director Anna von Hausswolff* Vocalist Robert Hanford Violin Rika Seko Violin Rose Armbrust-Griffin Viola Paula Kosower Cello Niklas Brommare* Percussionist Grace Rose Kim Piano Danielle Ray Music Librarian Terrell Pierce Personnel Manager
Robert Hanford, violin, is concertmaster of the Lyric Opera of Chicago and Aspen Music Festival and frequently serves as concertmaster for the Chicago Philharmonic. He has performed as a member of or soloist with orchestras such as Minnesota Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and Grant Park Symphony, as well as numerous chamber ensembles. Rika Seko, violin, began her professional career with the Colombia Symphony before moving to Chicago and appearing with orchestras including the Chicago Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and Lyric Opera of Chicago. Currently, she is Concertmaster of the Elmhurst Symphony, a member of the Grant Park Music Festival Orchestra, Music of the Baroque and Fulcrum Point New Music Program. Rose Armbrust-Griffin, viola, has degrees from The Juilliard School, the Curtis Institute of Music and Indiana University. She is currently a member of the Chicago Philharmonic and Lake Forest Symphony, as well as of the International Chamber Artists and The Jupiter Chamber Players, and has performed chamber music at the Kennedy Center, Avery Fischer Hall, and Ravinia’s Steans Institute. Paula Kosower, cello, frequently performs for the Chicago Philharmonic and other groups including the Chicago Symphony and Lyric Opera Orchestras, Chicago Chamber Musicians, and the Civitas Ensemble. Kosower is a faculty member at North Park University and University of Illinois-Chicago, teaches at DePaul, and coaches chamber music for the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra program. Grace Kim, piano, studied at the University of Toronto and the New England Conservatory, and attended the Glenn Gould School (Royal Conservatory of Music Orchestra). Her piano trio Persephone received the Felix Galimir Chamber Music Award and she has performed in festivals including the Banff Arts Centre, Centre d’arts Orford and Toronto Summer Music Academy and Festivals. Kim is currently a company pianist for The Joffrey Ballet.
For more information about our 28th Anniversary Season, please visit us online at: chicagophilharmonic.org *Bios on pages 20–21 40 | Joffrey Ballet
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Dr. Leda Ghannad | Dr. Michael Hanak Dr. Simon Lee OFFICIAL PROVIDER OF PHYSICAL THERAPY
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20 YEARS OF TEAMWORK Thank you, Abbott Fund, for your steadfast support of The Joffrey Ballet.
The Joffrey Ballet. Photo by Cheryl Mann.
Joffrey Ballet | 41
random acts O F
F L O W E R S
CH ICAGO
Happiness is Blooming Just as Midsummer brings the arrival of summer, Random Acts of Flowers brings moments of kindness to individuals in health care facilities by delivering recycled flowers and encouragement. The Joffrey is thankful for its blooming partnership with Random Acts of Flowers Chicago. chicago.randomactsofflowers.org
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT POETRY MAGAZINE, VISIT
poetrymagazine.org
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2017–2018 SEASON | MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
THE JOFFRE Y IS PLE A SED TO CONTINUE IT S PA R TNERSHIP W ITH
THE POETRY FOUNDATION The Poetry Foundation is honored to be a production sponsor of The Joffrey Ballet’s North American premiere of Alexander Ekman’s exuberant Midsummer Night’s Dream. Poetry and dance share a sister in music, and like dance, poetry in its purest form depends on the human body as its instrument. “Poetry is an echo asking a shadow dancer to be a partner,” Carl Sandburg wrote, and we offer the Swedish poems below, translated by Malena Mörling and Jonas Ellerström, as echos and perhaps imaginative dance partners for the sounds and images and movements in The Joffrey Ballet’s extraordinary production. All poems from The Star by My Head: Poems from Sweden, edited and translated by Malena Mörling and Jonas Ellerstöm.
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Tua Forsström (1947–)
TELL ME A TALE OF LIES Tell me a tale of lies so I dare sleep Sing me a song of lies so I have the strength to wake Lie to me and say that I have warmth, that I am loved, that I am not afraid Speak softly of all the summers that remain, smile at me and say that everything will get better. Otherwise I won’t believe you.
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2017–2018 SEASON | MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
Tomas Tranströmer (1931–2015)
SECRETS ON THE WAY Daylight struck the face of one who slept. He received a livelier dream but did not wake. Darkness struck the face of one who walked among the others in the sun’s strong impatient rays. Suddenly it turned dark as in a downpour. I stood in a room that held every moment — a butterfly museum. And still the sun is as strong as before. Its impatient brushes painted the world.
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Edith Södergran (1892–1923)
THE STARS As night arrives I stand on the steps and listen, the stars are swarming in the garden and I stand in darkness. Did you hear, a star fell with a clang! Don’t walk barefoot in the grass; my garden is full of shards.
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2017–2018 SEASON | MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
Marie Lundquist (1950–)
I HAVE SEEN A WOMAN TRANSFORM I have seen a woman transform into a garden and a garden become increasingly more of a woman. I have heard the soft language of figs in which her teeth have left marks. I have seen the borders repealed, that which previously was a face exposed is now a bowl of terra-cotta. Birch leaves are blown into the mouth and scrape against the sermon. I know that when I dip my writing hand in the green sorrow it will be cooled. Hanging from the breathing of the trees the words become coated with verdigris.
Copyright © 2013 by the Poetry Foundation and Milkweed Editions. Reprinted with permission of the poets or their estates and the translators.
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GIVING A VOICE TO
MIDSUMMER
ANNA VON HAUSSWOLFF thought she had done it all. That was before choreographer Alexander Ekman and composer Mikael Karlsson sought her out for a performance unlike any other. That performance was Midsummer Night’s Dream, and it put the young indie rock sensation squarely at the center of Ekman and Karlsson’s wild fantasy in which the traditions of the Scandinavian Midsummer holiday get turned on their head.
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Photos by Lady Lusen
2017–2018 SEASON | MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
VON HAUSSWOLFF SHARED HER THOUGHTS ON WORKING WITH EKMAN, HER ROLE IN MIDSUMMER, AND THE BELOVED SWEDISH CUSTOMS THAT EKMAN FLIPPED UPSIDE DOWN. How did you react when Alex and Mikael approached you about collaborating for Midsummer?
By your own account, Midsummer is your first large stage production. Any surprises that you weren’t expecting?
I felt happy and honored, but also very nervous. I had never worked with such a big set-up and usually I work alone.
I didn’t realize what a big team it takes to make such an ambitious show come to life. There are dancers but also musicians, technicians, producers, production assistants. It was amazing to see these creative people synchronize with each other and make magic happen. If one person failed, somehow the problem was fixed. It takes patience and precision. I was amazed by everyone around me.
Had you worked with dancers before? I have never worked with dancers before. Usually, when I do music, I have my own band and I’m the center of attention. This time I had to take a step back and let the dancers lead. It was inspiring to see them translate the music into movement. I was just a tiny particle in this big, amazing, colorful universe.
What do you enjoy most about this production? To see the dancers and to interact with them. They give me so much energy and adrenaline. Do you have a fond Midsummer memory from childhood? We had this beautiful summer house in the Swedish countryside. My favorite thing was to run on the field in front of the house and pick seven different flowers to put them under my pillow. Tradition says that if you put these flowers under your pillow before you go to bed, you would dream of your future love.
How would you describe your role in the performance? I’m the storyteller and the contemplator. I’m an insider and an outsider. I’m a foreigner and a friend. I’m a mythological creature telling the story of tradition, celebration, and love
What makes Midsummer unique to other Swedish holidays? It feels more connected to Norse mythology and Aesir faith with its weird traditions and beliefs connected to nature and naturebeings. It’s full of folklore and superstition. It’s one of the most interesting, weird, and magical celebrations in Sweden.
How would you describe the music? It is a combination of different things: classical, contemporary, experimental music, pop, and traditional Swedish folk music. Joffrey Ballet | 49
Lyrics
Celebration Song Lyrics and vocals by: Anna von Hausswolff Get my name right Get their names right Get the dance right get the songs right Solid, shiny, ground my friend. Take the flag and wave to them. Lift it higher lift it high. Let it touch the windy sky. Get the dance right Get the songs right Civic slander and the spite, forgotten this yearly night. Speak of no one, speak no fear, throw my sorrows out of here. I know the flowers, I know the leaves, I know the smell of violets and greens. Immortal soul, immortal eyes, the beauty flows it can not die. Ask of my name, ask of my heart. Joyful and free lets take a walk. Under the moon, under a star, call out my name loud from afar.
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2017–2018 SEASON | MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
Lyrics by: Mikael Karlsson Sung by: Anna von Hausswolff How many more of these? How many more? How many friends like these? have come here before? This one has barely begun Has barely begun
Lyrics
How Many More of These?
How many years like this? How many springs? How many rounds like these? How many rings? This one has barely begun Has barely begun How many drinks like these can you swallow down? How many fears of yours can alcohol drown? This one will surely go down Will surely go down How much faster than this? How fast can you run? Our race into the night, my friend has barely begun
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Joffrey dancers: Victoria Jaiani and ensemble | Photo by: Cheryl Mann
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