San Jose Dance Theatre (SJDT) promotes the positive impact of dance in Silicon Valley through our training programs and professional ballet company. We seek to engage our surrounding communities in creative practices dedicated to opportunity, equity, inclusion, and collaboration in dance.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President: John Torrey
Treasurer: Melissa Brown
Secretary: Jennifer Joyce
Board Members: Kay Pettitt, Carmen Cook, Matt Duke
SJDT sincerely thanks all former board members who helped sustain our 60 year legacy. There are too many to name individually, but please know we are deeply grateful for your time and countless contributions to our organization and community.
SJDT HISTORY
San Jose Dance Theatre was originally founded in 1964 as Paul E. Curtis Jr.’s Los Gatos Academy of Dance and the West Valley Ballet Foundation. The name was later changed to San Jose Dance Theatre in 1965 and was incorporated as a nonprofit educational organization. Across more than 60 years, San Jose Dance Theatre has trained beginning through advanced dancers. The School specializes in classical ballet training for children from 3 years of age to pre-professional level and adults.
San Jose Dance Theatre has delighted local audiences for five decades with performances including Peter and the Wolf, Wizard of Oz, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Beauty and the Beast. In December 2026, we will celebrate our 61st annual production of The Nutcracker at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts. This will be in collaboration with the Cambrian Symphony Orchestra.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Dear Audience Friends,
In a world of constantly shifting technology and more and more distractions, it’s so lovely to be able to welcome you to our in-person, non-digital, completely humancreated production of “Alice in Wonderland” at the Hammer Theater.
With the rise of digital (and the outspokenness of some ping pong players), it’s easy to think that mediums like opera and the ballet are disappearing. But at SJDT, we’re working hard every day to demonstrate that the arts still very much have a place in 2026.
Exposure to the arts doesn’t just create future dancers—it builds confidence, imagination, and a sense of belonging in spaces that may have once felt out of reach. Dance can be a bridge to athletics, an expression of lyrical poetry, a visualization of scientific principles and a demonstration of pure, unadulterated joy. Dance is the canvas and our dancers the paint, brushes, notes and sculptures that inhabit it.
But to reach these heights, we need your help. Consider this your chance to smash the bell and hit “ Like & Subscribe” for live dance. If today’s performance makes you (or your little dancer) want to join us, then please come and try out a trial class at our studio. We have something for every level from beginners to adults. If lacing up a pair of pointe shoes isn’t quite your speed, then please consider donating to SJDT so we can spread our love of dance to more parts of the broader San Jose community this year.
We also hope to see you and your family at the Center for Performing Arts in December for our 61st production of “The Nutcracker”. It’s a San Jose tradition we hope you’ll share with us this year.
The arts are alive and dancing in San Jose in 2026! Thanks for being a part of our dance community!
Warmest regards,
John Torrey President, Board of Directors
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
Thank you for joining us for the world premiere of San Jose Dance Theatre’s production of Alice in Wonderland. Creating a full-length original ballet is a long but rewarding journey, and I am deeply grateful to our dancers for eagerly diving down the Rabbit Hole with me. This production would not have been possible without the dedication of our faculty, staff, and volunteers, whose time and expertise brought this vision to life.
Special thanks and gratitude must be given to:
Brooke Wertwijin for choreographing and rehearsing the younger level dances: Little Bunnies, Caucus Race, Mushrooms, Bumblebee, Dragonflies, Butterflies and 1st Cards dance. CJ Cheng for organizing our amazing backstage crew and along with Shane Luu and Thein Do building many of the scenic elements you will see today. Julie Tran for finding or building all the props you see on stage. Charlotte Cattivera for leading our parent volunteers with compassion and tenacity. Kay Pettitt who was unbelievable at creating all of the amazing costumes you see on stage with such love and care.
Special thank you to our wonderful faculty for helping rehearse and coach all of our dancers, our staff and board members for their dedication to the school and all of our parents for allowing us to teach your children the magic of ballet.
Above all, a huge thank you to the dancers of San Jose Dance Theatre. Their commitment and artistry are at the heart of everything you see on stage, and I am endlessly inspired by them. Their tireless work and beautiful dancing are what make this production happen and I could not have created any of this without them.
Thank you so much for joining us and please enjoy Alice in Wonderland!
Sincerely,
Nicole Haskins
San Jose Dance Theatre’s Artistic Director
Choreographer of Alice in Wonderland
MUSIC COMPOSERS
Ferdinand Herold
Jacques
Offenbach
Ludwig
Minkus
ABOUT THE BALLET
Choreography by Artistic Director Nicole Haskins
Additional Choreography: Brooke Wertwijn
Performed by San Jose Dance Theater Academy at the Hammer Theatre on May 30th & 31st
Synopsis: Alice in Wonderland
On a warm afternoon in an English garden, Alice finds herself restless during her lessons with her older sister. She is delighted when the villagers arrive to dance and celebrate. The merriment quickly turns into an adventure when she spots a frantic White Rabbit with a pocket watch hurrying down a rabbit hole, shouting, “I’m late!” Curious, Alice tries to see where the White Rabbit has gone, only to tumble down into the strange, enchanting world of Wonderland!
As Alice searches for the White Rabbit, she encounters a host of whimsical characters: the mischievous Dodo Bird leading a never ending Caucus Race, the directionless Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, a mysterious Caterpillar surrounded by Mushrooms, Bumblebees and Dragonflies, a beautiful garden of Flowers and Butterflies, a chaotic Mad Tea Party with the March Hare, Mad Hatter, and Dormouse, and the elusive Cheshire Cat.
Her journey leads her deeper into a world where nothing is quite as it seems, finally bringing her to the Court of the Red Queen. There, Alice meets a dancing deck of playing cards, helps the four Jacks with a problem, and finally finds the White Rabbit! But after a peculiar game of croquet, Alice questions whether her curiosity was worth the trouble.
Will Alice make it out of Wonderland? Will the Red Queen succeed in getting “off with her head?” Fall down the Rabbit Hole into a world of fantasy, curiosity, and wonder to find out!
Alice
Alice’s Sister
Dinah (the cat)
Little Bunnies
Villagers
CAST
Act I
Jocelyn B. Garcia
Ashley Xu
Lorelei Vienne
Sofia Beltramo, Clara Cretella, Kara Kulkarni, Belle Megidesh, Aisha Miki, Milly Pham, Quinn Quach
Aliana Acosta, Aliyah Benedek, Tatiana Campbell, Kaji Cheng, Nanami Cheng, Arabella Do, Ranya Farooque, Sofi Figueroa, Ava Forde, Jocelyn Hsieh, Elyse Huynh, Mila Kadah, Elizabeth Kamas, Kewei
Ow Yong, Lorelei Vienne, Ellie Wong, Ashley Xu
White Rabbit
Dodo Bird
Caucus Race: Fish & Birds
Tweedle Dee
Tweedle Dum
Mushrooms
Anika Sison
Ranya Farooque
Sofia Cheng, Lauren Corn, Defne Faham, Abigail
Juni, Elizabeth Lindberg, Jax Moral, Sofia Nery, Madison Perkins, Lara Beatriz Ramírez Medina, Victoria Viloria, Olivia Gifford Valdivia, Jacqueline
Vo, Olivia Wu, Maya Yamamoto-Kuwano
Nanami Cheng
Ashley Xu
Elise Chang, Kailani Cretella, Thea Ear, Eve
Megidesh, Jacob Moral, Mercedes Hope PenaVillanueva, Sophie Ramírez Medina, Elena Robles, Ziya Sharma, Eloise Tang, Renya Yang, Joya Zhu
Jocelyn will be attending California State University Sacramento and majoring in Health Sciences. Congratulations!
Elyse Huynh
Elyse will be attending University California Irvine and majoring in Dance and Psychology. Congratulations!
Sofi Figueroa
Sofi will be attending Sacramento State and majoring in psychology with aspirations toward a masters and PHD. Congratulations!
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This is the list of Committee Chairs, Media Personnel, Board Members, and Administrative staff that make our production possible. We can’t thank you enough!
Anthony Sutton: Lighting Designer
Stage Manager: Hannah Hudgins
Costume Director: Kay Pettitt
Prop Master: Julie Tran
Marketing & Boutique: Elizabeth Sweeney, Melissa Brown, & John Torrey
Accounting: Barbi Hamilton
Girl Scout Chair: Jennifer Manson
Stage Crew Chair: CJ Cheng
VIP: Charlotte Cattivera & Elizabeth Sweeney
Graphics: Jacqui Culler
Photography: Maximillian Tortoriello
Photography: Bo Xu
Videographer: Jenny Miller of Joe Bandy
Videography
Portraits: Mike Cretella
Flowers: Ani Cumbo
Security: Cathe Huynh-Sison
Dressing Rooms: Yessica Labrador
Makeup Application: Trang Le & Rachel Wang
Volunteer Coordinator: Charlotte Cattivera
THANK YOU
San Jose Dance Theatre extends our deepest gratitude to the incredible community of volunteers who make this production possible. From our dedicated parents and family members, to our board members and valued community volunteers, this performance is truly a labor of love. Thank you to the parents who support their dancers in countless ways—driving to classes and rehearsals, packing dance bags, preparing meals, and even caring for siblings at home so their dancer can shine on stage. We are also sincerely grateful to the theater staff at the Hammer Theatre, whose professionalism and commitment help bring this production to life, and to our teachers and staff, whose daily guidance and encouragement shape not only strong dancers, but confident and resilient individuals. San Jose Dance Theatre thrives because of the passion and generosity of our community. Thank you for believing in our dancers and for helping turn their dreams into reality.
Interested in supporting the arts?
Consider making a donation to San Jose Dance Theatre and keep the magic of the arts alive in San Jose!
DONORS & SPONSORS
Gold Sponsor:
City of San Jose
Silver Sponsors:
Krisen & Tim Pettitt
Lee & Renee Forbes
Ann & Howard Timoney
Cheung Jen Cheng
Benefactors:
Mission City Fund
Los Altos Mountain View Community Fund
Chaochih Chiang
Sean Tyan
Elyse Huynh
Paul & Ann Summers
Joan Lamica
Patrons:
Shin Chen
Anirudh Balram
Alexander Hayes
Friends:
Claudia & Anthony Cheng
Trang Le Benedek
John Torrey
Yessika Labrador
Ann Brohmer
Harmony Monroe
Gina Gionannetti
Sabrina Ayala
Joey & Teresita Pulanco
Jill Parsons
Erin Eley
Melissa Brown
Xperi
Chuan Foo
Matt & Nicole Duke
Amandine Gagniere
Thien Do & Gabriela Gonzalez-Do
Marilyn Sefchovich
Michael Forde
Michael Howerton
Devin Wikke
Michael Hazinski
Golden Gate Speranza Lodge No 30
Kayvon & Laura Gahrahmat
Jennifer Joyce Rui Zhu
Melinda Harrington
Rachel Wang
Bob Ng
Courtney O’Hagan
Barbara Orth
Raimond Sinivee
Charlotte Cattivera
Vanessa Wallace
Ben Wilson
Sharon & John Torrey
Holly Barr
William Neighbors
Christina McClelland
Briana Larsen
Bonnie Slavitt
Hugh Harrison
SJDT STUDIO COMPANY
Advanced students in our Academy may audition for SJDT’s Studio Company, which offers expanded performance and training opportunities for dedicated dancers which includes attending The annual Ballet Alliance Festival.
Photo credit: Bo Xu.
Woven choreographed by Cassidy Isaacson and sponsored by Michael Hazinski.
