The Joffrey Ballet 2022-2023 Impact Report

THE JOFFREY BALLET

Cover: Joffrey Company Artist Gayeon Jung in Suite Saint-Saëns.

Photo by Cheryl Mann.

Above: Joffrey Company Artist Victoria Jaiani in The Little Mermaid.

Photo by Cheryl Mann.

Dear Friends,

Joffrey’s 2022–2023 season captivated the crowds at the Lyric Opera House with mesmerizing choreography, breathtaking athleticism, and poignant storytelling. We celebrated dance as a timeless and transcendent art form that resonates deeply within us all. And we were met with enthusiastic full houses, standing ovations, incredible audience engagement, and glowing reviews.

Beyond Borders opened the season with pieces that spoke to our ambitions, featuring choreography by Gerald Arpino, Liam Scarlett, and a world premiere by Chanel DaSilva. The season continued with a crowd favorite, Christopher Wheeldon’s The Nutcracker, before making history with the revival of Yuri Possokhov’s Anna Karenina, which broke box office records as the highest-grossing non-Nutcracker show ever. After a performance at the Kennedy Center, we returned home to close the season with the longawaited Chicago premiere of John Neumeier’s The Little Mermaid, our third highest-grossing non-Nutcracker ballet and the largest production ever mounted at the Joffrey.

The Academy of Dance achieved incredible growth, hosting a successful 13th annual Winning Works Competition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago’s Edlis Neeson Theater, and appointed Suzanne Lopez, former Joffrey Company Artist and Rehearsal Director, as the new Abbott Academy Director. We are honored to have Suzanne lead the Academy, as she bears a 34-year history with the organization. In addition, Community Engagement Director Linda Swayze expanded the Joffrey’s reach throughout Chicago, ensuring aspiring artists from all over the city have access to dance education.

Concluding the year was the return of our annual fundraising event, alongside another Joffrey milestone. Featuring two days of festivities, we called it Sir. Real. A Joffrey Celebration. The weekend opened with a surreal transformation of the Old Post Office, followed by a first-of-its-kind free performance at Millennium Park. Over 7,500 Chicagoans gathered in the heart of the city to experience “Joffrey for All.”

Throughout it all, the Joffrey mission remained at the forefront. 2022–2023 not only stood as a testament to Joffrey’s ambitions and impact, but fully embraced the spirit of community, much like our founder, Robert Joffrey, who believed that dance was a universal language that spoke to everyone. We extend our deepest gratitude to our Company Artists, Board Directors, donors, subscribers, audience members, and persistent supporters — our impact would not be possible without you.

Sincerely,

Anne L. Kaplan Chair, Joffrey Board of Directors

Wheater

The Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director

President and CEO

Ashley

MBE

Greg Cameron

LEADERSHIP

Joffrey Company Artist Jeraldine Mendoza and Joffrey ensemble in Anna Karenina. Photo by Cheryl Mann.

Board of Directors

OFFICERS

Anne L. Kaplan

Board Chair

Lorna Ferguson

Daniel L. (DL) Morriss

Vice Chair

Courtney C. Shea

Treasurer

Ronald J. Allen

Secretary

Ashley Wheater MBE

The Mary B. Galvin

Artistic Director

Greg Cameron

President and CEO

Shari Massey

Assistant Treasurer

DIRECTORS

Patty Perkins Andringa

Annie Atzeff

Mary Jo Basler

Luann Blowers

Marc DeMoss

Roger Deromedi

Pamella Roland DeVos

Adam DeWitt

Patti S. Eylar

Shelley MacArthur Farley

Brendan Fernandes

Jamie-Clare Flaherty

Chip Flannagan

Emily Follas

Juliana Ford

Ellie Forman

Patrick M. Gallagher Jr.

Jill Garling

Dana Hokin Garvey

Mark Giragosian

Sabrina Gracias

Linda Chaplik Harris

Sandi Hartstein

Jerrilyn M. Hoffmann

Richard S. Holson III

Lashana Jackson

Greg Jenkins

Jim Kirk

Farissa Knox

Guy Lakonishok

Donna M. LaPietra

Lynda Sue Lane, MD

Michael Larsen

Zachary D. Lazar Jr.

Barry Litwin

Richard McDonald

James D. McDonough

Coco Meers

Jess Merten

Susan G. Oleari

Diane Patience

Dana Rice

Jeffrey C. Rubenstein

Elva Rubio

Bruce Sagan

Eric C. Schieber, MD

Liz Sharp

Ildefonso Alvim de Abreu e Silva

Chuck Smith

Maureen Dwyer Smith

Rita Spitz

Lauren F. Streicher, MD

MarrGwen Townsend

Jason J. Tyler

Amanda Williamson

Joel V. Williamson

LIFE DIRECTORS

Grace Barry†

Fred Eychaner

Sonia Florian

Mrs. Robert W. Galvin

Patricia H. Gerber†

Pamela B. Strobel

Ronald V. Waters III

Joseph H. Wender

PAST CHAIRPERSONS

William M. Daley

Fred Eychaner

Gary E. Holdren

Dr. David A. Kipper†

Zachary D. Lazar Jr.

C. Steve McMillian

Bruce Sagan

Maureen Dwyer Smith

Pamela B. Strobel

Jason J. Tyler

Ronald V. Waters III

As of February 1, 2023

† Deceased

Daniel and Pamella DeVos, Glenn Eden, and Dia Weil. Photo by Yassine El Mansouri | Elman Studio.

Women’s Board of The Joffrey Ballet 2022–2023

Ellie Forman

President

Jessica Jecmen

1st Vice President

Chrissie Walker

Farissa Knox

2nd Vice Presidents

Merritt DeWitt

Secretary

Annie Atzeff

Treasurer

Jenelle M. Chalmers

Johanna Ferguson

Members-at-Large

MEMBERS

Elisabeth Adams

Julie O’Donnell Allen

Dr. Emily L. Arch

Anna Assenmacher

Melissa M. Babcock*

Grace Barry*

Mary Jo Basler

Nancy Gottlieb Bauer

Sally K. Bauer

Carolyn A. Blessing

Paula Borg

Halie Lyn Braden

Mary Kay Mudd Bushonville

Jaya Canaan

Rachel M. Cannon

Lynn Cohen

Kyoko Crawford

Sandra Deromedi

Ellen Distelheim

Dr. Jill S. Dodds

Alissa Eisemann

Beth Engel

Patti S. Eylar

Jennifer Rubin Fabian

Shelley MacArthur Farley

Jamie-Clare Flaherty

Anne Forman

Dana Hokin Garvey

Darcy Goldfarb, MD

Shana Bear Guthman

Elisa D. Harris

Julie Harron

Stacie R. Hartman

Sandi Hartstein

Leigh Ann Herman

Dominika Malinowska Hertsberg

Arica Hilton

Jerrilyn M. Hoffmann

Sherry Lea Holson

Qi Holtzman

Brooke Hubbuch

Amy Joffe

Marsha Kamen

Anne L. Kaplan

Aleksandra Khasina

Kathleen Klaeser

Laura Kofoid

Mrs. Frederick A. Krehbiel*

Kelly Rosen Lagrange

Melinda Lagrange

Dr. Lynda Lane

Wende Fox Lawson

Anne Lazar*

Dania Leemputte

Kathryn Meneely Leister

Laurie Mahler

Joan Malliband

Elizabeth Marcus, MD

Heather Martin

Cori Martindale

Edyta Mazza

Monica McGurk

Helen Hall Melchior*

Irene Michaels

Mrs. Julianne Migely

Rosemary Milew

Linda Curtis O’Bannon, MD

Susan G. Oleari

Mary Ellen Pavone, MD

Karen Peters

Molly Piech

Cindy Pinsky

Ibby Pinsky

Victoria Poindexter

D. Elizabeth Price

Christine Rahill*

Hallie Blanchard Rehwaldt

Emily Rubenstein

Elva Rubio

Dr. Susan Scanlon

Maggie Scheyer

Molly Schirf

Sarah Schrup

Liz Sharp

Courtney C. Shea

Veronica Siegel

Marilyn Slattery

Maureen Dwyer Smith*

Maria Smithburg

Rita Spitz

Liz Stiffel

Stacy Straub

Nancy Sussman

Cheryl Tama Oblander

Lauren D.W. Tatar

Marina D.W. Tatar

Adrienne Traisman

Melissa Trandel

Jennifer Tscherney

Andria van der Merwe

Annabelle Volgman

Bonalynn Wallach

Hilary Weinstein

Magnes Welsh

Susan L. Welsh

Diana Weiss Widman

Elizabeth Wippman

Laurie Wood

Leslie Zentner

Julie Zuckerman

SUPPORTING AND NON-RESIDENT

Dora Aalbregtse

Melissa Anton

Jetta Boschen

Sophie Bross

Marisa Bryce

Mary Kay Burke

Joan Colmar

Kelly Dettmann

Pamella Roland DeVos

Deborah Gordon Engle

Sue-Gray Goller

Stephanie M. Grinage

Marjorie E. Habermann

Diana E. Harris

Martha Higgins

Courtney A. Hoffmann

Sharon King Hoge

Marci Holzer

Candace Collins Jordan

Elizabeth Ann Kasten

Donna M. LaPietra

Leslie Logsdon

Roster

Astrid A. McKinnon

Lori Mertz

Anne Simon Moffat

Shauna Montgomery

Geeta Nagpal

Mrs. Jay L. Owen Jr.

Mrs. John R. Pacholick

Mrs. James W. Pierpont

Camille Kearns Rudy

Kathleen Sarpy

Anne Shea

Amelia Silva

Carol J. Stone

Kathleen A. Swien

Yolanda Tyler

Noren Ungaretti

Victoria Verity

Carol A. Walter

Ann Waters

Pam Phillips Weston

Joyce M. Wippman

Marcie L. Wright

As of June 2023

*Honorary Member

† Deceased

The Generation J Leadership Council

COUNCIL CO-CHAIRS

Lauren Huefner

Sarah Shu

COUNCIL MEMBERS

Rachel Izydorek

Jacqueline Lentz

Natalie Matwijiszyn

Abigail Susko

Joffrey ensemble in Vespertine. Photo by Cheryl Mann.

2022–2023 Revenue

$10,643,464 TICKET SALES AND TOURING

$11,069,661 CONTRIBUTIONS AND EVENTS

$1,671,078 FEDERAL FUNDING

$2,274,649 JOFFREY ACADEMY OF DANCE

$180,860 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

$409,475 OTHER SOURCES OF INCOME

$442,544 ENDOWMENT DRAW

2022–2023 Expenses

$17,397,562 ARTISTIC

$2,785,594 JOFFREY ACADEMY OF DANCE

$846,514 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

$2,145,659 ADVANCEMENT

$2,122,432 ADMINISTRATION AND OCCUPANCY

$26,691,731

Statement of Financial Position

2022–2023 ASSETS Cash

2022–2023 LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS

Accounts Payable $311,878

Accrued Expenses $1,544,044

Deferred Revenue $2,083,578

Lease Liabilities $216,687

Total Liabilities $4,156,187

Net Assets without donor restrictions $24,313,617

Net Assets with donor restrictions $19,322,807

Total Net Assets and Liabilities $47,792,611

Joffrey ensemble in The Nutcracker. Photo by Todd Rosenberg.

SIR. REAL.

Anne L. Kaplan attending Sir. Real. Photo by Purple Photo Group.

A Joffrey Celebration

Over the last decade, President and CEO Greg Cameron became the Joffrey’s Mr. Sir Real, bringing stability, vision, empathy, and impact. From creating the organization’s first endowment to retiring all debt, acquiring a turnkey studio space in the South Loop, expanding educational programs, and cultivating partnerships with Chicago institutions, Greg’s lasting legacy will be his creation of Joffrey for All, an initiative designed to form pathways for every person to experience the joy of dance.

We celebrated Greg’s ten years of commitment to the Joffrey with a celebration unlike anything Chicago had seen before; we called it Sir. Real. A Joffrey Celebration, featuring unforgettable moments and surprises around every corner. Transforming the Old Post Office into an all-consuming surreal dreamland, we welcomed over 850 guests to unleash their imagination, unlock their subconscious, and unravel into the fantastical fundraising bash.

Joffrey Tower Administration

Floor Named

‘The Greg Cameron Campus’

During the event, The Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director Ashley Wheater MBE, Board Chair Anne Kaplan, and Company Artists Dylan Gutierrez, Amanda Assucena, and Alberto Velazquez revealed the naming of Joffrey Tower’s Administration floor as “The Greg Cameron Campus” to honor Greg’s unparalleled leadership.

Dylan Gutierrez, Greg Cameron, Ashley Wheater MBE, Anne L. Kaplan, and Alberto Velazquez. Photo by Purple Photo Group.

Fernando Duarte and Brendan Fernandes.

Photo by Purple Photo Group.

Anne Lazar and Zach Lazar.

Photo by Purple Photo Group.

JOFFREY FOR ALL

Community Engagement Teaching Artist Keila Hamed-Ramos.

Photo by Katie Miller.

Joffrey JOY in Millennium Park

Known as “America’s Company of Firsts,” the Joffrey marked another monumental first with a “Joffrey for All” free performance at Millennium Park as a gift to all Chicagoans. Over 7,500 people gathered in the heart of the city to experience a program of works that honored our past, embraced the present, and looked to our future, featuring Company Artists, Academy of Dance, and Community Engagement students. The performance opened with a historical video narrated by Judy Hsu.

WORKSHOP ON THE PAVILION

Before the performance, guests joined together on the lawn of the Pritzker Pavilion for an interactive dance class led by Joffrey Community Engagement Teaching Artist Keila Hamed-Ramos.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STUDENTS JOIN COMPANY ARTISTS

Alongside Joffrey Company Artists, Community Engagement students from the Exelon Strobel Program performed the first and third movements of Chanel DaSilva’s dynamic piece, colōrem

ACADEMY OF DANCE TAKES CENTER STAGE

As part of the program, the Joffrey Academy of Dance performed excerpts from Paquita

SPOTLIGHT ON NICOLAS BLANC

Highlighting another frequent collaborator were two works by choreographer and Joffrey Rehearsal Director Nicolas Blanc: Convergence and Red Violin Caprices. Convergence features an original score by Phillip Glass, and Red Violin Caprices, born out of collaboration with violinist Phillipe Quint.

A TRIBUTE TO GERALD ARPINO

Joffrey for All concluded with a celebration of co-founder Gerald Arpino’s centennial with his crowd-pleasing work Suite Saint-Saëns, which weaves classical movement with the late choreographer’s signature style of speed and energy.

Photo by Katie Miller.

Photo by Katie Miller.

Joffrey Company Artists Xavier Núñez and Christine Rocas. Photo by Katie Miller.

Joffrey Company Artists Edson Barbosa, Jonathan Dole, Alberto Velazquez, and Davide Oldano. Photo by Katie Miller.

Joffrey Company Artists Edson Barbosa, Jeraldine Mendoza, and Anais Bueno.

Photo by Katie Miller.

ARTISTS

THOSE WHO REVIVE US

Joffrey Company

Artists Gayeon Jung and Xavier Núñez in The Little Mermaid. Photo by Cheryl Mann.

Joffrey Company Artist Roster

Brooke Linford* Alpine, UT

Aaron Renteria Corona, CA

Julia Rust Noblesville, IN

José Pablo Castro Cuevas* Queretaro, Mexico

Maxwell Dawe* Dorset, United Kingdom

Anabelle de la Nuez Cincinnati, OH

Jonathan Dole* Sacramento, California

Derek Drilon* Vancouver, WA

Dara Holmes* Wilmington, NC

Victoria Jaiani Tbilisi, Rep. of Georgia

Yumi Kanazawa Los Angeles, CA

Gayeon Jung Seoul, Korea

Hansol Jeong Namyangju, South Korea

Graham Maverick San Francisco, CA

Zachary Manske St. Paul, MN

Jeraldine Mendoza San Francisco, CA

Valentino Moneglia Zamora* Murcia, Spain

Basia Rhoden Fresno, CA

Christine Rocas Manila, Philippines

Natali Taht Tallinn, Estonia

Coco Alvarez-Mena Miami, FL

Yoshihisa Arai Hiroshima, Japan

Amanda Assucena* Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Edson Barbosa Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Brian Bennett* Lanham, Maryland

Photos

Cheryl Mann.

Lucia Connolly Los Angeles, CA

Fernando Duarte* Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Olivia Duryea* Haslett, MI

Dylan Gutierrez Los Angeles, CA

Blake Kessler Jacksonville, FL

Yuchan Kim* Seoul, South Korea

Xavier Núñez Caguas, Puerto Rico

Princess Reid Jacksonville, FL

Wictor Hugo Pedroso Uberlandia, Brazil

Davide Oldano* Turin, Italy

Hyuma Kiyosawa Nagano, Japan

■ NEW JOFFREY ARTISTS *JOFFREY ACADEMY OF DANCE ALUMNI

Miu Tanaka* Chiba, Japan

Alberto Velazquez Havana, Cuba

Valeria Chaykina St. Petersburg, Russia

Evan Boersma* Chicago, IL

Anais Bueno Córdoba, Mexico

Stefan Goncalvez São Paulo, Brazil

Nae Kojima* Gold Coast, Australia

2022–2023 SEASON

“A feat of artistic genius and some of the best narrative choreography created for a 21st-century ballet.”

— Chicago Tribune

Joffrey Company Artists Edson Barbosa, Amanda Assucena, and José Pablo Castro Cuevas in Anna Karenina. Photo by Cheryl Mann.

2022–2023 SEASON

2022–2023 Season Beyond

Borders

OCTOBER 12–23, 2022

Vespertine

Choreographer: Liam Scarlett

Music: Bjarte Eike, John Dowland, Arcangelo Corelli, Francesco Geminiani

colōrem

Choreographer: Chanel DaSilva

Music: Cristina Spinei

World Premiere

Suite Saint-Saëns

Choreographer: Gerald Arpino

Music: Camille Saint-Saëns

The Nutcracker

DECEMBER 3–27, 2022

Choreographer:

©Christopher Wheeldon

Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Anna Karenina

FEBRUARY 15–26, 2023

Choreographer: Yuri Possokhov

Music: Ilya Demutsky

The Little Mermaid

APRIL 19–30, 2023

Choreographer: John Neumeier

Music: Lera Auerbach

A record-breaking season that spoke to our ambitions, provided a voice to rising choreographic talent, and reached audiences everywhere. The Joffrey’s 67th season celebrated a world premiere from a rising choreographic star, a revival from a Joffrey icon, the return of a Joffrey blockbuster, and a full-length story ballet of such grand scale that it is rarely seen in the United States.

We opened the season with Beyond Borders, a mixed rep program spotlighting Liam Scarlett’s Vespertine, Gerald Arpino’s Suite Saint-Saëns, and the world premiere of colōrem, a Joffrey-commissioned work by Chanel DaSilva. Audiences experienced the magic of Christopher Wheeldon’s The Nutcracker and the re-mount of Yuri Possokhov’s Anna Karenina. Closing the season in glorious fashion was the Chicago premiere of John Neumeier’s hauntingly beautiful interpretation of The Little Mermaid, the largest production ever mounted by The Joffrey Ballet.

“Impeccable.”

Joffrey ensemble in colōrem. Photo by Cheryl Mann.

Joffrey Company Artist Victoria Jaiani in The Little Mermaid. Photo by Cheryl Mann. “Bold

JOFFREY ON TOUR

KENNEDY CENTER, WASHINGTON D.C. APRIL 5–9, 2023

The Joffrey marked its return to The Kennedy Center with Anna Karenina, dazzling D.C. audiences in seven breathtaking performances.

NORTHROP THEATER, MINNEAPOLIS MARCH 25–26, 2023

In March, Northrop Theater presented the Joffrey with a dynamic program of three works: Serenade — the first ballet George Balanchine created in America; The Times are Racing, an electric “sneaker ballet” from Tony Award®-winner Justin Peck; and the Northrop Centennial Commission Of Mice and Men adapted by choreographer Cathy Marston.

“There have been a couple of attempts to adapt Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina... But Possokhov’s version, at the Kennedy Center, is a winning one.” — Broadway World

“Serenade, an interlude of gorgeous lifts and aching beauty followed. It was a mesmerizing work.” — Star Tribune

“An edgy, modern ballet piece with hints of hip-hop...At times ebullient, (The Times are Racing) throbbed with fast-paced energy as dancers raced toward a dramatic finish.”

— Star Tribune

Photo by Yassine El Mansouri | Elman Studio.

Choose Chicago media reception at The Kennedy Center. Photo by Carolyn McCabe.

STUDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY

THOSE WHO DREAM WITH US

Joffrey Academy ensemble in Warmer. Photo by Todd Rosenberg.

New Leadership at Joffrey Academy, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet

In the summer, Suzanne Lopez was appointed the Abbott Academy Director of the Joffrey Academy of Dance. Lopez took over after nineteen years as a Company Artist, fourteen years as Academy Faculty, and most recently, seven years as Rehearsal Director.

Bringing her wealth of experience and unique perspective to the Academy, Lopez has called the Joffrey home for her entire professional career. Trained under co-founders Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino and steeped in their traditions and methodology, her inspiration is fueled by everything she has absorbed as a student, dancer, rehearsal director, and teacher. While building on the foundation of the Company established by our founders, Lopez moves the Academy forward into a new era of excellence through her leadership, knowledge, and vision.

Evolving the programs to meet the new demands of our ever-changing industry and preparing students for professional dance careers, Suzanne implements cutting-edge artistic programming for every Academy age and division, including Children’s, Youth and Adult Divisions, Summer Camps and Summer Intensives, Pre-Professional and Trainee, and Adaptive Programs. With a history that personifies the Joffrey mission, Lopez dedicates herself to making the Academy even more available to students, families, and faculty, embodying the “Joffrey for All” philosophy.

Abbott Academy Director Suzanne Lopez. Photo by Carolyn McCabe.

Presenting the best and brightest of the next generation.

Since its founding, the Academy has reached several milestones: Opening the new South Loop studios to increase accessibility for students from the city’s south and west sides, launching the Contemporary Ballet Training Program, and implementing Winning Works, a program created to recognize talented and emerging ALAANA (African, Latinx, Asian, Arab, and Native American) choreographers, providing them with a platform to showcase their original work at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art’s Edlis Neeson Theater.

Chosen from a diverse pool of applications, four choreographers received stipends to create world premieres on the Studio Company and Academy Trainees under the mentorship of The Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director Ashley Wheater MBE. Choreographers of the 13th annual Winning Works included Natasha Adorlee, Christopher D’Ariano, Kameron Saunders, and Mike Tyus (Recipient of the Zach Lazar fellowship).

Over the last 13 years, Winning Works has proved to be far greater than a choreographic competition. Through propelling emerging artists forward and elevating new voices, Winning Works shapes the future of dance.

WORKS

JOFFREY ACADEMY

NATASHA ADORLEE CHRISTOPHER D’ARIANO

KAMERON N. SAUNDERS MIKE TYUS

Joffrey Academy in Sweet Science. Photo by Todd Rosenberg.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Community Engagement

It was a year of impact for Community Engagement, moving forward with energy, passion, and persistence while pushing boundaries to further the Joffrey’s mission. Community Engagement continues to expand the Joffrey’s reach by adding programs, partnerships, performance opportunities for students, and professional development for teaching artists.

IN SCHOOLS

29 schools

1,415 students

71 programs

2,152 hours of in-school programming

19 of 29 returning schools

136 in-school performances in addition to the Middle School Dance Club

IN TOWER PROGRAMS

24 Strobel dancers

30 Extensions students

25 Bridge Phase II students

7 community performances

NEW PROGRAMS

55+ program at Garfield Park Conservatory

NUTCRACKER STUDENT MATINEE

The return of the student matinee at the Lyric Opera House

4,681 students and teachers attended

27,320 students watched the virtual Nutcracker

412 complimentary tickets gifted to students

SPECIAL EVENTS

Joffrey For All performance at Millennium Park

KEEPING OUR FINGER ON THE PULSE OF THE COMMUNITY

Giving students opportunities to grow and give back to the community, below are additional Community Engagement highlights:

Extensions and Strobel students participated in The Chicago Live event at Navy Pier on September 24, along with two company members and two Academy students, and on October 29, the students participated in the Arts in the Dark parade, which showcases arts organizations across the city. Chicagoans and tourists alike gathered to watch the mile-long parade.

Continuing to be aware of the changing needs of our school partnerships, this year, we offered a Spanish iteration of The Nutcracker to schools unable to attend the performance in person.

In partnership with the University of Illinois Oncology Department, the Exelon Strobel students performed their annual program at the University’s Thanksgiving Festival. Volunteers from UI Health and the UIC College of Medicine honored the journey of pediatric hematology, oncology patients, and their families through song and dance. Under the direction of Community Engagement’s Michael Smith, students then engaged in a dance-a-long.

In partnership with Community in Schools, Joffrey’s Community Engagement teaching staff participated in six career days across the city. CE spoke to 220 students to connect Joffrey programs with local schools on art education and career opportunities.

Concluding the year, several Strobel students performed with Joffrey Company Artists in Chanel DaSilva’s Joffrey-commissioned work colōrem as part of the Joffrey for All celebration at Millennium Park.

Middle School Dance Club final performance

The Nutcracker student matinee

Arts in the Dark parade

LOYAL FRIENDS AND DONORS

THOSE WHO SUSTAIN US

Joffrey Company

Artists Hyuma Kiyosawa

and Valeria Chaykina in Suite Saint-Saëns.

Photo by Cheryl Mann.

THANK YOU

Joffrey Academy students. Photo by Cheryl Mann.

DONORS

Donors

CORPORATE, FOUNDATION, AND GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

The Joffrey Ballet is grateful to our donors for providing funding that ensures quality and engaging experiences for a variety of audiences. The following is a list of donors who made gifts and pledges in support of the Joffrey’s 2022–2023 season’s projects, programs and endowment fund.

$500,000+

Abbott Fund

Anonymous

Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust

$100,000–$499,999

Abbott

The Allstate Insurance Company

Alphawood Foundation Chicago

Chicago Athletic Clubs

Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

Chicago Free for All Foundation

The Julius N. Frankel Foundation

The Grainger Foundation

Guarantee Trust Life Insurance Company

Illinois Arts Council Agency

ITW

Negaunee Foundation

Pritzker Foundation

Sage Foundation

The Shubert Foundation

Sidley Austin, LLP

$50,000–$99,999

Athletico Physical Therapy

Lloyd A. Fry Foundation

The Walter E. Heller Foundation

Jewell Events Catering

The John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

The Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust

Northern Trust

Polk Bros Foundation

$25,000–$49,999

AARP Illinois

BMO Harris Bank

The Brinson Foundation

Capital Group Companies

C.D. Peacock

The Crown Family

Grosvenor Capital Management

Grubhub, Inc.

Make It Better Foundation

Masuda, Funai, Eifert & Mitchell, Ltd.

Prince Charitable Trusts

Robert’s Pizza and Dough Company

$10,000–$24,999

Anonymous

Assured Guaranty

William Blair

Conagra Brands

Crain’s Chicago Business

Exelon

Fifth Third Bank

John R. Halligan Charitable Fund

JPMorgan Chase

Macy’s

Max Mara

Mayer Brown LLP

National Endowment for the Arts

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.

Ortus Foundation | Sabrina Gracias

Peoples Energy Community Fund

R1 RCM

Jerome Robbins Foundation and Trust

The Siragusa Family Foundation

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

The Chicago Community Foundation

U.S. Bank Foundation

WTTW | WFMT

$5,000–$9,999

Chirp Design, Inc.

The Irving Harris Foundation

Mazza Foundation

Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc.

$2,500–$4,999

Anonymous

Captrust

Dickerson Global Advisors

Neal Gerber & Eisenberg

Sahara Enterprises, Inc.

$1,000–$2,499

Amsted Industries

Morgan Stanley

Navy Pier

The Women’s Board of The Joffrey Ballet. Photo by Purple Photo Group.

Individual Donors

INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT

The Joffrey Ballet is grateful to our donors for providing funding that ensures quality and engaging experiences for a variety of audiences. The following is a list of those who made gifts and pledges in support of the Joffrey’s 2022–2023 season’s projects, programs and endowment fund.

$500,000+

Anne L. Kaplan

Margot and Josef Lakonishok

$100,000–$499,999

Mary Jo and Doug Basler

Sandy and Roger Deromedi

Daniel and Pamella DeVos Foundation

The Florian Fund

Lorna Ferguson and Terry Clark

Cindy Galvin and Christopher Galvin

Sherry Lea and Richard Holson III

Nancy and Sanfred Koltun

Lynda Sue Lane, MD

Negaunee Foundation

Courtney C. Shea

Denise Littlefield Sobel

Robert and Penelope Steiner Family Foundation

Dr. and Mrs. Arnold Tatar

Mr. and Mrs. Joel V. Williamson

Wilson Garling Foundation

Zell Family Foundation

$50,000–$99,999

Greg Cameron and Greg Thompson

Sonja & Conrad Fischer Foundation

Juliana and Robert Ford

Ethel and William† Gofen

Sabrina Gracias

Lindy and Mike Keiser

Kiphart Family Foundation

Kovler Family Foundation

Susan and Nicholas Noyes in memory of Clara Rideout Noyes and her love of ballet

Mr. and Mrs. John Patience

Rita Spitz and David Blears

Mr. and Mrs. Ronald V. Waters III

Women’s Board of The Joffrey Ballet

$25,000–$49,999

Anonymous

Edward B. Beam, Jr. in Loving Memory of John Palatinus and Jack Alexander

Liz Boshardy Memorial Fund

Suzanne Cameron and Stephen Cameron

Paul Chasnoff and Joe Hopper

Pamela Crutchfield

Marc DeMoss

Mr. and Mrs. Adam DeWitt

Michelle Goodman and Larry J. Goodman, MD

Joan M. Hall

Mr. and Mrs. David H. Hoffmann

Dana Hokin Garvey and Robert Garvey

Qi and Steven Holtzman

Lashana Jackson and Faheem Majeed

Mr. and Mrs. Zachary D. Lazar, Jr.

George L. Jewell

Myrna W. Kaplan

Julie and Guy Lakonishok

Coco B. Meers and Ethan Meers

Alexandra and John† Nichols

Pritzker Traubert Family Foundation

Jeffrey C. Rubenstein

Cari and Michael J. Sacks

Bruce Sagan and Bette Cerf Hill

Eric C. Schieber, MD

Bill and Orli Staley

Jeanette Stevens

Pamela and Russ Strobel

Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Townsend

Mr. and Mrs. Jason J. Tyler

Mr. Miles D. White

Jennifer Zobair and Chuck Smith

$10,000–$24,999

Anonymous (2)

Melissa de Abreu e Silva and Ildefonso Silva

Prof. and Mrs. Ronald J. and Julie O. Allen

Annie and Kristopher Atzeff

Luann and David Blowers

Neil Bluhm

Barbara Bluhm-Kaul and Donald Kaul

Marlene Breslow-Blitstein and Berle Blitstein

Mr. and Mrs. Dean L. Buntrock

Lawrence Corry

Elliott Crigger

Mike DelBene

Ann M. Drake

Patti S. Eylar and Charles R. Gardner

Mr. and Mrs. William Farley

Marilyn Fields and Larry Fields

Tiffany and Chip Flannagan

Amina Dickerson and Christina Bourné.

Photo by Purple Photo Group.

$10,000–$24,999 (continued)

Jennifer Gallagher and Patrick Gallagher

Madeleine Grynsztejn and Tom Shapiro

Harris Family Foundation Sandi and Barry Hartstein

Mary Ittelson

Jessica Jecmen

Michael and Jennifer Larsen

Jay Byron Leibovitz in loving memory of Eric B. Eatherly

Miriam Hoover Foundation

Dr. Elaine Moor

Ken Norgan

Mrs. Abby McCormick O’Neil and Mr. Carroll Joynes

James D. McDonough

D. Elizabeth Price and Lou Yecies

Carol Prins and John Hart

Stephen Reiss and Rena Hozore Reiss

Dana Rice

Raymond Rodriguez

Elva Rubio, Rubiostudio

Joan and Paul Rubschlager

Susan Ruder

Shirley and Patrick Ryan

Mr. and Mrs. Eric Scheyer

Pamela Scholl

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey S. Sharp

Dr. Rebecca Sherrick

Mr. and Mrs. Edward B. Smith, Jr.

Maria and William D. Smithburg

Marjorie Staples

Liz Stiffel

Sarah Torri and Paul Swinand

Townsend Family Foundation

The Trachtenberg Family Charitable Fund

Byron and Tina Trott

Audrey Weaver

Hilary Weinstein

Pamela Phillips Weston and Roger L. Weston

$5,000–$9,999

Emily Strobel Amiet and Michael Amiet

Mrs. Joyce Chelberg

Eleanor and Jon DeMoss

Jacquelyn DeThorne

Amina Dickerson and Julian Roberts

Art and Lili Duquette

Deborah and Cody Engle

Joseph & Bessie Feinberg Foundation

Jamie-Clare Flaherty

Emily Follas and Timothy Jacob

Nancy Follis

The Hammarberg Family

Nancy Gottlieb Bauer

Mary L. Gray

Dedrea and Paul Gray

Karen Gray-Krehbiel and John Krehbiel, Jr.

Fay Hartog-Levin and Daniel Levin

Dr. and Mrs. Alan G. Harris

Janet W. and Robert A. Helman

Holly Hunt

Joanna Hwu

Kathleen and Glenn Ihrig

Greg Jenkins

Marilyn Katz and Scott Chambers

Susan Lape, Lori Dimun, Abby McCormick O’Neil, Greg Cameron, D Elizabeth Price, James Kinoshita, and Merrillyn Kosier. Photo by Purple Photo Group.

DONORS

$5,000–$9,999 (continued)

Jeffrey Kerr

Jim Kirk

Laura Kofoid and David Ricci

Susan and Thomas Koltun

Dania and Patrick Leemputte

Ms. Linda Levey

John J. and Elisabeth K. Lewis

Susan Lichtenstein and John Rokacz

Mr. and Mrs. Barry Litwin

Philip Lumpkin

Margaret MacLean

Joan and David Malliband

Mr. and Mrs. E. Barry Mansur

Richard & Martha Melman Foundation

Jess and Amanda Merten

Gary Metzner and Scott Johnson

Mrs. Julianne Migely

Drs. Marsha and Robert Mrtek

Susan G. Oleari

Ian Paregol, in memory of Olivia Paregol

Robert Parris and Bradley Renner

Mary Ellen Pavone, MD and Christopher Novak

Michael Payette

Carol Pollock

Carol and Robert Rasmus

Sarah Schrup

Sidney Kohl Family Foundation

Louis and Nellie Sieg Fund

Brian Smith and Geyer Morford

Edwin and Richard Stebbins

Nancy and Ira Sussman

Peggy and James Swartchild

Cheryl Tama Oblander and Scott Oblander

Nathan Tannenbaum Foundation Inc.

Dr. Edward S. Traisman and Mrs. Adrienne S. Traisman

Richard and Noren Ungaretti

Cynthia Van Osdol and J.B. Sandwick

Diane and Troy Watkinson

Genevieve Weeks

Dia Weil

Richard and Diane Weinberg

Magnes Welsh

Ashley Wheater and Brian Johnson

Ms. Helen L. Dunbeck and Dr. John Zimmermann

Julie and Daniel Zuckerman

$2,500–$4,999

Anonymous (3)

Mr. and Mrs. William Adams IV

Dara Altshuler

Patty Perkins Andringa

Mary Anthony and Lewis Flint

Anna Assenmacher

Carey August and Brett August

Susan Baird and Stephen Baird

Christine Bakalar and John Bakalar

Sally Bauer and Bruce Bauer

Mr. and Mrs. Francis Beidler III

Heiji Choy Black and Brian Black

Ms. Carolyn A. Blessing

Margaret Block and Philip Block

Virginia and Norman Bobins

Phoebe Boelter and Fred Boelter

Paula Borg

Ms. Evelyn Bosenberg

John Brazzale

Anthony Bruck

Leslie Buchbinder

Carolyn Bucksbaum

Marion Cameron-Gray

Melanie Campbell and Scot Campbell

Rachel Cannon and James Meixner

Jenelle Chalmers and Stephen Chalmers

Lynn Cohen and Edward Cohen

Jeff Kerr and Jim Condon

Mrs. Erin C. Court and Mr. Stephen Court

Kyoko Crawford

Leah Missbach Day

Jack Eby

Alissa Eisemann

Lois Eisen and Stephen Eisen

Elizabeth Entinghe

Keesha Beckford and Community Engagement students. Photo by Cheryl Mann.

Lashana Jackson and Faheem Majeed.

Photo by Purple Photo Group.

$2,500–$4,999 (continued)

Johanna Ferguson and Nicholas Grossi

Arthur L. Frank

Robert Friedman

Ms. Loren Friend and Mr. Howard Friend

Greg and Christine Gallagher

Suzanne Gerhold

Bruce A. Gober, M.D.

Darcy Goldfarb, MD

Sue-Gray Goller

Barbara Greis and Howard Gottlieb

Michael Halberstam and Jack Segal

Stacie R. Hartman

Leigh Ann Herman

Sarai Hoffman and Stephen Pratt

Julie Holland

Lauren Huefner

Melinda Lagrange and Lucien Lagrange

Amy Joffe

Marsha Kamen

Sherry Kaplan and Barry Kaplan

Roberta Johnson Killeen and Timothy Killeen

Klaff Family Foundation

Erica Kuhlmann and Frank Kuhlmann

Derek and Sarah Ladgenski

Kelly Rosen Lagrange

Wende and Jim Lawson

Paul Legac & Alison Cisek

Kathryn Leister and Douglas Leister

Felicia Levin and Ronald Levin

Mia Levy and Paul Levy

Susan Lucas and Stuart Lucas

Laurie Mahler

Elizabeth Marcus, MD and Ira Belcove

Heather Martin and Sean Martin

Corinne Martindale

Lori McDonald and Richard McDonald

Monica McGurk

Adrienne Meisel and Rand Sparling

Barbara Mengarelli

John R. Menninger

Ms. Karen K. Migaldi and Mr. Scott F. Migaldi

Jazelle Morriss and Daniel L. (DL) Morriss

Barbara and Jonathan Moss

Janis Notz and John Notz

Linda Curtis O’Bannon, MD

Thomas O’Keefe

Cindy Pan and Eric Easterberg

Kimberlie Pearlman

Molly Piech

Cindy Pinsky

Ibby Pinsky and Milton Pinsky

DONORS

Victoria Poindexter and Joseph P. Gaynor III

Mary Jo Potts and Jim Selsor

Bonnie Price

Madeline Rabb

Constance Rajala

Hallie Blanchard Rehwaldt and Thomas Rehwaldt

Jennifer Rubin Fabian

Camille Kearns Rudy and Robert M. Rudy

Barbara Atkins Ruhman

Judith and Michael Sawyier

Susan Scanlon

Sara Lee and Axel Schupf

Dr. Sheldon and Mrs. Illeane Schwartz

Cheryl Seder and John Seder

Sarah Shu

Veronica Siegel

Craig Sirles

Marilyn Slattery

Shirley Stanley and Paul Stanley

Mary Starshak and Joseph Starshak

Stacy Straub and Scott Straub

Nathan Tannenbaum Foundation, Inc.

Virginia Tobiason

Dana Shepard Treister and Dr. Michael

Roy Treister

Robert and Etti Van Etten

David J. Varnerin

Chrissie Walker and Joe Walker

Debbie Wang and David Hoyt

Leslie J. Warner and Stephen B. Warner

Sherrie Weiss and Albert Weiss

Diana and Stuart Widman

Amy Williams and Chad Williams

Elizabeth Wippman and Tom Wippman

Regina Witkowski and Kenneth Witkowski

Drs. Joan and Russ Zajtchuk

Mr. and Mrs. Robert K. Zentner

Maria Smithburg, Bill Farley, Ashley Wheater MBE, and Shelley Farley. Photo by Purple Photo Group.

DONORS

$1,500–$2,499

Anonymous (2)

Kathleen and Jeff Abbott

James Alexander and Curtis Drayer

Evelyn Alter

Sandra Bass

Carrie Beach

Anne Brody and Michael Brody

Kamala Buckner

Anais Bueno

Katharine Burns and Nicholas Burjek

Nancy Crowe

Margaret Dolan

Shelby Durham

Ellie Forman and Jeremy Forman

Mimi Frankel and Bud Frankel

Jenny Freidheim and Ed Freidheim

Mr. Mark Giragosian and Mrs. Alexis Polito Giragosian

Helyn Goldenberg and Michael Alper

Deborah Graham

Susan M. Grosch

Sandra Guthman and Jack Guthman

Shana Guthman and David Guthman

Craig Hallenstein

Diana E. Harris

Elisa Harris and Ivo Daalder

Ronne Hartfield and Robert Hartfield

Amy Harwood and Evan Harwood

The Heestand Foundation

David Hiller

Arica Hilton

Sandy Ihm and Kenneth Belcher

Blake-Anthony Johnson

Nancy Karger and Frank Karger

Aleksandra Khasina

Robert Kohl and Clark Pellett

Maria Kokinakos

Matthew Koritz

Ms. Donna M. LaPietra and Mr. William Kurtis

Jacqueline Lentz

Jessie and Douglas MacDonald

Shari Massey and Bill Massey

Nichelle Mayberry and Willie Mayberry

Edyta Mazza

Sharon McGee

Lee and Sharon Oberlander

The William F. O’Connor Foundation

Marjory Oliker

Karen Peters and Charles Frank

Rheva Phillips

Pritzker Pucker Family Foundation

Richard Ryan

Carole Schecter

Patricia Schmalzl and William Schmalzl

Maggie Shore and Ken Shore

Marcey Siegel and Kenneth Siegel

Janet Carl Smith and Mel Smith

Patricia Smith

Tammy and Eric Steele

Patricia Sternberg

Dr. Lauren Streicher and Mr. Jason Brett

Lauren D.W. Tatar and Scott Borstein

Melissa and David Trandel

Annabelle Volgman and Keith Volgman

Annie Wallis and Tom Whitehead

Hilary Weinstein and Barry Weinstein

Olga Weiss and George Honig

Terry Willcockson

Amanda Williamson and Matthew Johnson

$1,000–$1,499

Anonymous

Lorin Adolph

Janet Alberti and Fred Schneider

Mr. and Mrs. James M. Amend

Stéphane Biehler

Judy Block

Betsy Bluestone and Larry Bluestone

Michelle Boone

Robyn Bowland

Jill Britton

Keesha Beckford and Academy students. Photo by Cheryl Mann.

$1,000–$1,499 (continued)

Natalie Brown

Burke-Brunger Fund of Horizons Foundation

The Carmi Family Charitable Fund

Mrs. John C. Colman

Anne Cooper

Emma Crossman

Karen Crossman

Emily Demarco

James Dennen

Debra Dietrich

Roberta Dillon

Beth Engel and James Fuentes

Geoffrey Flick

Philip Friedmann

Denise Gardner and Gary Gardner

Daryl Stokols and Jeff Stokols

Patricia Gillian and Michael Gillian

Ellen Greengoss

Beverly Grossman

Suzanne Gylfe

Dr. Maryl R. Johnson

Paula Kahn

Gloria Kearney and Dan Kearney

Lisa Key

Wendy Kilcollin and T. Eric Kilcollin

Amy Kim

Drs. Kristi Kirschner and Raymond Curry

Jennifer Krejci

George Kuebler

Wynne Labounta

Lucy Lehman and Ken Lehman

Janet Leopold and Thomas Leopold

Annie Liang-Zhou

Scott McCausland

Lori Mertz

Irene Michaels and Arny Granat

Rosemary Milew and Daniel Pilch

Patricia Miller and Christopher Miller

Mara Mills Barker

Mr. and Mrs. C. Barry Montgomery

Barbara Moser and David Moser

Sylvia Neil and Daniel Fischel

Jamin and Phoebe Nixon

Andrea Nocchiero and Anthony Nocchiero

Rita Novak

Sharon Olson and Fred Fleischbein

Janet Oppenheimer

Jean Perkins and Leland Hutchinson

Dayna Perlut

Madeleine and Harvey Plonsker

Richard Price

Abigail Pucker

Daria Reader

Janice Rodgers

Barbara Ruben

Peggy Ruff and Gerald Ruff

Onnie and Steven Scheyer

Terry Schwartz

Jim Selsor

Cynthia Shewan

Stephanie and Bill Sick

Joanne Silver

Bradley Sterrenberg

Mary Szela

Dr. Audrey Tatar and Dr. Michael Bresler

Jennifer Tscherney

Susan and Bob Underwood

Todd and Cari Vieregg

Albert Walavich

John Walcher

Wanji Walcott and Clive Walcott

Sylvia Wolf

Laurie Wood

Alice and Herb Zarov

Marc DeMoss, Jim Bakken, and Anne L. Kaplan.

Photo by Purple Photo Group.

Pam Crutchfield and William Tedford. Photo by Purple Photo Group.

Willie and Nichelle Mayberry, and Jane and John Chapman. Photo by Purple Photo Group.

DONORS

Tribute Gifts — In Honor Of Joffrey Academy of Dance Scholarship Sponsors

LEAD SCHOLARSHIP SPONSOR

The Grainger Foundation

SCHOLARSHIP SPONSORS

Edward B. Beam, Jr. in Loving Memory of John Palatinus and Jack Alexander

Liz Boshardy Memorial Scholarship

Lawrence Corry

Richard Ellis and Christine DuBoulay Ellis Endowed Scholarship

Lorna Ferguson and Terry Clark

Guarantee Trust Life Insurance Company

Joanna Hwu

Jay Byron Leibovitz in loving memory of Eric B. Eatherly

Luminarts Cultural Foundation Fellowship by Myrna Kaplan

Morriss Academy Student Sponsorship

Rodriguez Family Tuition Scholarship

In Memory of Zaida E. Rodriguez

Rose L. Shure and Sidney N. Shure Endowed Scholarship

Jeanette Stevens

Sarah Torri and Paul Swinand

The Trachtenberg Family Charitable Fund

Mr. and Mrs. Ronald V. Waters III

JOFFREY ACADEMY OF DANCE SCHOLARSHIP FUND SUPPORTERS

Mary Jo and Doug Basler

Nancy Follis

ITW

Ms. Laurie Mahler

Dr. Sheldon and Mrs. Illeane Schwartz

Emily Arch

The Artists of the Joffrey Ballet

Frederick Ashton

Patty Andringa

Grace Barry

Mary Jo Basler

Colene Byrd

Greg Cameron

Dale Coudert

Pam Crutchfield

Ruth Ellen Cull

DancEncounter Studio

Erica Edwards

The Entire Joffrey Staff

Patti S. Eylar

Fred Eychaner and Danny Leung

Shelley and Bill Farley

Joanna Ferguson

Jill Garling and the amazing talents of the Joffrey Troupe

Sarah Geocaris

Deborah Gordon Engle

Jose Guerrero

Joffrey Women’s Board Community Engagement

Gifts

Ellen Feldman

The Fiala Family

Ellie Forman

Mary B. Galvin

Ethel and William Gofen†

Sue-Gray Goller and Kathryn Johnson

Erin Harrison

Sandi Hartstein

Amanda Heuermann

Victoria Jaiani

Jessica Jecmen

Anne L. Kaplan

Cindy A. Kronman

Zachary D Lazar Jr

Mrs. Linda Lopez

Suzanne Lopez

Laurie Mahler

Rosemary Milew

Nick Molcsan

Ken Norgan

Sue G. Oleari

Maisie & Violet Ortiz

Mary Ellen Pavone

Mia Prado

D. Elizabeth Price

Hallie Rehwaldt

Bradley Renner

Margaret Reynolds

Jordan Roloff

Jeffrey C. Rubenstein

Elva Rubio

Camille Kearns Rudy

Elizabeth Sharp

Amelia Silva

Pam B. Strobel

Linda Swayze

Cheryl Tama Oblander

Arnold Tatar M.D.

Marina Tatar

Magnes Welsh

Ashley Wheater

Diana and Stuart Widman

Phyllis Wills

Julie and Danny Zuckerman

In Memory Of

Paul J. Aliano

Grace Barry

John and Marilyn Brazzale

William Buckner

Willy Burmann

William Carter

Eric B. Eatherly

Josh Gordon

Judith Jecmen

Deborah Ann Klippel

Alice E. Moss

Dianne M Nishimura

Jacquelynn Poe

Fran Ramer

Zaida E. Rodriguez

Lillian Schrepfer

Eve Sparberg

Irene A. Stoesser

Barbara Swanson

Gayle Tama

Barry L. Weinstein

Carey Rose Winski and Ann Barzel

Joffrey Academy Studio Company. Photo by Cheryl Mann.

DONORS

The Star Society

We celebrate The Star Society for making the Joffrey part of their legacy.

Anonymous (12)

Michael Spencer Albert

Mr. and Mrs. Ronald J. Allen

Patty Perkins Andringa

Melissa M. Babcock

Pamela J. Block

Joan and Jeff Blumenthal

Greg Cameron and Greg Thompson

Jacqueline Caputo

Charles Capwell and Isabel Wong

Nisha Carpenter and Naomi Carpenter

Anne Chapman and Joshua Green

Paul Chasnoff and Joe Hopper

The Cox Trust

Helen Elkiss

Deborah Engle

Patti S. Eylar and Charles R. Gardner

Lorna Ferguson and Terry Clark

Christine B. Fisher

Bruce Gober MD and Donald Ratner

Michael Goldberger

Sue-Gray Goller

Larry and Michelle Goodman

Sandi and Barry Hartstein

Dale and Becky Heiking

Barbara Henigbaum Papp

Marci and Ronald Holzer

Jessica Jagielnik

Dar Johnson

Marsha Kamen

Anne L. Kaplan

Myrna W. Kaplan

Arthur Stewart Kerr and Marcia Davis Kerr

Paul A. Kobasa

Tracey F. Konicek

John C and Carol Anderson Kunze

Dr. Lynda Lane

Henrietta Leary

Linda Levey

Marsha Lieberman

Philip Lumpkin

Sean and Heather Martin

John McAllister

Kevin C. McGirr

Rosemary Milew and Daniel Pilch

Anne Simon Moffat and Prof. John Keith Moffat

Dr. Elaine Moor

Julie Willis Moore, in memory of Victoria Shiflet Cress

Cheryl Tama Oblander and Scott Oblander

Jonathan F. Orser

Darrell, Carmen, Alexander, Gabrielle Ortiz

Appreciation Event

The Star Society is a group of ballet enthusiasts who make extraordinary commitments in their estate plans. Through leaving a lasting legacy, the Star Society strengthens Joffrey’s impact through its Company, Academy and Community Engagement Programs.

In May 2023, we honored the Star Society at an Appreciation Luncheon. As part of the event, Abbott Academy Director Suzanne Lopez moderated a discussion with the Academy’s Head of Studio Company and Ballet Trainee Program, Oˇgulcan Borova, Company Artist José Pablo Castro Cuevas, and Academy Ballet Trainee Andre McGregor II. In her remarks, Suzanne spoke about the Academy’s impact and commitment to nurturing the next generation of dancers, followed by a rehearsal viewing of the Conservatory and Pre-Professional Program, Contemporary Ballet Trainee Program, and the Studio Company and Ballet Trainee Program.

Susan Peet

D. Elizabeth Price

Alyssa Quinlan

Christine and Daniel Rahill

Camille Kearns Rudy

Eric C. Schieber MD

Douglas M. Schmidt

Heidi Schultz

Terry A. Schwartz

Courtney C. Shea

Thomas G. Sinkovic

Craig Sirles

Marilyn Slattery

Brian Smith

Rita Spitz

Constance Steinhaus

Jeanette Stevens

Michael Nicholas Sutko

Marlene A. Van Skike

Stephen and Leslie Warner

Mr. and Mrs. Ronald V. Waters III

Magnes Welsh

Susan L. Welsh

Diana and Stuart Widman

Amanda Williamson and Matthew Johnson

Shannon Stone-Winding and Derrick Winding

Andrea and Rich Winship

Laurie Wood

Mrs. Anna Mary Zarrelli

The 2023 Joffrey Academy Pre-Professional Spring Program. Photo by Carolyn McCabe.

BOARD HIGHLIGHTS

Joffrey ensemble in colōrem. Photo by Cheryl Mann.

Lashana Jackson

Since joining the Joffrey’s Board of Directors in 2022, Lashana Jackson has made a phenomenal impact. Lashana exemplifies leadership and generosity, leveraging personal and corporate resources from R1 RCM to support the Joffrey’s mission.

In addition, her work as Co-Chair of the 2023 Joffrey for All Celebration and free performance in Millennium Park was instrumental in ensuring its success. Drawing on her extensive experience as a Human Resources executive, Lashana infuses her position at the Joffrey with warmth and compassion. Her dedication to supporting the arts, youth programs, and social justice initiatives reflects her commitment to fostering positive change in the Chicago community, making her an invaluable Joffrey Director.

THE JOFFREY WOMEN’S BOARD COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE:

Linda O’Bannon, Nancy Sussman, and Magnes Welsh

During the 2022–2023 season, the Joffrey Women’s Board Community Engagement Committee, led by Co-Chairs Linda O’Bannon, Nancy Sussman, and Magnes Welsh, and in collaboration with Community Engagement Director Linda Swayze, launched The Community Engagement Book Initiative, which provides dance education books to students, school libraries, and teaching artists.

In its inaugural year, the Women’s Board fundraised over $8,800 to provide dance education books to over 190 young dancers participating in Joffrey’s after-school programs across the Chicagoland area. Their mission-driven ambition exemplifies the Women’s Board’s and Joffrey Community Engagement’s commitment to creating equitable access to exceptional arts learning.

Ellie Forman, Nancy Sussman, Sandi Hartstein, Linda O’Bannon, and Magnes Welsh

Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust Impact

In November 2022, the Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust awarded the Joffrey a transformative gift — a $2 million grant (spendable cash and endowment funds) to support the Bridge Program. The Bridge Program, one of the Joffrey’s signature programs led by Director of Community Engagement Linda Swayze, trains students from Chicago Public Schools in the basics of ballet, awarding ten full scholarships to the Joffrey Academy of Dance annually.

Special thanks to Board Director Coco Meers for her advocacy, counsel, and willingness to be a sounding board for the Advancement team during this proposal process and for previous gifts from the Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust, including the creation of a new Nutcracker in December 2016, and for the Crisis Stabilization Fund in June 2020. The Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust gift was a tremendous vote of confidence in the “Joffrey For All” strategic plan — uplifting artists from classroom to studio to stage.

Joffrey Bridge Program students

Joffrey Bridge Program students

2022–2023 SEASON SPONSORS

THE FLORIAN FUND

2022–2023 SEASON

ANNE L. KAPLAN

Nancy & Sanfred Koltun

LIVE MUSIC SPONSORS

Sandy and Roger Deromedi

Sage Foundation

The Marina and Arnold Tatar Fund for Live Music

2022–2023 PRODUCTION SPONSORS

RITA FINDS HOME COMMISSIONING SPONSORS

Presenting Sponsors

Denise Littlefield Sobel

THE NUTCRACKER SPONSORS

Presenting Sponsor

Production Sponsors

Major Sponsor

Lorna Ferguson and Terry Clark

Sponsors

Greg Cameron and Greg Thompson

Dr. Rebecca L. Sherrick

Chicago Park District

National Endowment for the Arts

Lloyd A. Fry Foundation with Amina Dickerson

BEYOND BORDERS SPONSORS

colōrem

Kiphart Family Foundation

Courtney C. Shea

Joan M. Hall

Bruce Sagan and Bette Cerf Hill

CSO AND JOFFREY PROGRAM SPONSORS

Platée

Bill and Orli Staley Foundation

Heimat

Pam and Russ Strobel

With gratitude to The Nutcracker Commissioning Sponsors: Margot and Josef Lakonishok

Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust

Hancher Auditorium, University of Iowa

And the many “Believers”

ANNA KARENINA SPONSORS

Commissioning and Presenting Sponsor

Mr. and Mrs. Joel V. Williamson

Commissioning and Major Sponsor

Mary Jo and Doug Basler

Major Sponsor

The Joffrey Ballet Women’s Board

And all of the generous donors who supported the World Premiere in 2019

THE LITTLE MERMAID SPONSORS

Major Production Sponsor

Ethel and William Gofen†

Production Sponsors

Pamela Crutchfield

Jeanette Stevens

Mr. and Mrs. Ronald V. Waters III

Robert’s Pizza and Dough Company

JOFFREY REFRESH

In 2020, while re-thinking the environment of Joffrey Tower and how it could improve, President and CEO Greg Cameron launched an initiative to create an integrated campus environment and strengthen engagement between the Company Artists, Academy of Dance, and Administration.

Spearheaded by Joffrey Board Director and architect Elva Rubio with Corporate Concepts Inc., the Joffrey Tower Refresh project is the first-of-its-kind since the establishment of Joffrey Tower 15 years ago.

THE RESTORATION INCLUDED:

HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER

ANNE L. KAPLAN COSTUME SHOP

50% additional space added with a fitting room, design tables, and storage

New spray booth for efficient and safe dying of materials

EXPANDED ACADEMY FLOOR

Larger lobby space for students and parents

RENOVATED MEZZANINE LEVEL

Enhanced staff lounge area with state-of-the-art kitchen

Additional meeting rooms and workspaces

DONORS TO JOFFREY REFRESH

Anonymous Foundation

Illinois Arts Council Agency

Anne L. Kaplan

SPOTLIGHT ON Elva Rubio

Elva Rubio, architect of the Joffrey Refresh, joined the Joffrey Board of Directors in 2019, is currently on the Joffrey Women’s Board, serves as the Chair of the Facilities Committee, and is on the Executive Committee. Alongside Corporate Concepts Inc., Elva provided discounted services and leadership to the four-year project.

Elva Rubio has over 30 years of experience in various practice fields, including urban design, interior design, design education, communications, design strategy, and the built environment. Founder of Rubiostudio and recognized as a leader in her field, Rubio has received numerous industry awards and has participated in prestigious exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, The Art Institute of Chicago, and the Chicago Architecture Foundation.

JOFFREY REFRESH

Elva Rubio

Health and Wellness Center

JOFFREY STAFF

Staff

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

ASHLEY WHEATER MBE

The Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director

GREG CAMERON

President & Chief Executive Officer

ACADEMY

Suzanne Lopez

Abbott Academy Director

Raymond Rodriguez

Abbott Academy Director

Keesha Beckford

Youth Division Liaison

O˘gulcan Borova

Head of Studio Company and Ballet Trainee Program

Katlin Bourgeois

Head of Contemporary Ballet Trainee Program

Brianna Brandon

Academy Managing Director

Raúl Casasola

Academy Principal Teacher

Karin Ellis-Wentz

Head of Conservatory and Pre-Professional Program

Maria Gonzalez

Academy Administrative Associate

Molly Hillson

Academy Administrative Coordinator

Nia Khan

Communication and Logistics Coordinator

Amanda Sheller

Production Assistant

Oliver Till

Head of Children’s, Adult, and Adaptive Programs

Suzie Calarco

Gabrielle Confer

Brooke Ellis

Rhiannon Freimuth

Carly Liegel

Hannah Strahl

Sydney Swanson Receptionist Team

ADVANCEMENT

Brian Smith

Chief Advancement Officer

Kristen Bigham

Director of Major & Planned Gifts

Esme Burrows

Partnership Activation & Events Manager

Colene Byrd Director of Sales & Patron Services

Jade Capua Marketing Coordinator

Eleanor Carter Grant Writer

Bryce Coachman

Patron Services Associate

Chelsea Dvorchak

Advancement Operations & Data Specialist

Julia Doherty

Artistic Innovation Fund Project Manager

Sarah Fiala Marketing Director

Sarah Geocaris Associate Director of Annual Giving

Emily Hensley

Annual Giving Manager

Ramsey Hoey

Communications and Digital Media Director

Austin Jennings

Patron Services Supervisor

Carolyn McCabe

Digital Strategy Manager

Alicia Petrone

Major Gifts Manager

Bradley Renner Director of Development

Ryan Sandy

Patron Services Associate

Sierra Taylor

Patron Services Associate

Elina Walchuk

Patron Services Associate

ARTISTIC AND MUSIC

Nicolas Blanc

Rehearsal Director

Adam Blyde

Rehearsal Director

Suzanne Lopez

Rehearsal Director

Scott Speck

Music Director & Conductor

Michael Moricz

Assistant Conductor & Company Pianist

Jorge Ivars Company Pianist

COMPANY ADMINISTRATION AND PRODUCTION

Cody Chen

General Manager

Jeremy Gubman

Artistic Administrator and Assistant to the Artistic Director

Catherine Eby Company Manager

Shandee Vaughan Production Manager

Chris Maravich

Lighting & Video Supervisor

Scott Wolfson Technical Supervisor

Katherine Selig

Principal Stage Manager

Amanda Heuermann Stage Manager

Ellie Cotey

Costume Manager

Gregg Benkovich

Shoe Manager

Jerica Hucke

Draper

Babara Luchsinger Lead Stitcher

Alyssa Pietrzyk

Stitcher

Brittany Crinson

Head of Wig and Makeup

Adam Todd

Master Carpenter

Ian Scarlato

Property Master

Matthew Carney

Master Electrician

Jeremy Hoen

Sound Person

John Wilson

Assistant Electrician/ Programmer

Joshua Townsend Flyperson

David Klein

Shop Carpenter

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Linda Swayze

Director of Community Engagement

Keila Hamed-Ramos Community Engagement Associate

Julianna Jarik Community Engagement Manager

Carly Liegel

Community Engagement Program Coordinator

Ari Meixner

Community Engagement Business Administrator

Craig Miller Community Engagement Program Coordinator

Michael Smith Community Engagement Program Coordinator

FINANCE AND OPERATIONS

Shari Massey Deputy Director & Chief Financial Officer

Erin Brown Human Resources Coordinator

Katie Dysard Staff Accountant

Paul Key Director of Technology

John Kurtz

Director of Facility Operations

Gee Lim Director of Finance

Lauren Martin Assistant to the President & CEO

Marisa Paulsen

Payroll and Accounts Payable Coordinator

Pablo Sanchez Board Relations Manager

Jeremy Theel Database & Systems Analyst

Sarah Venuti Yates Director of Human Resources

Joffrey Company Artists Amanda Assucena and Alberto Velazquez in The Nutcracker. Photo by Todd Rosenberg.

10 EAST RANDOLPH STREET | CHICAGO, IL 60601 | JOFFREY.ORG

Joffrey Company Artist Yoshihisa Arai in Anna Karenina. Photo by Cheryl Mann.