The Original San Jose Nutcracker

58 Years of Magic | The Nutcracker

2 | San Jose Dance Theatre

58 Years of Magic | The Nutcracker

SAN JOSE DANCE THEATRE PRESENTS THE 58TH ANNUAL PRODUCTION OF

THE NUTCRACKER

Based on E.T.A. Hoffman’s tale “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” Performances at the San Jose Center for Performing Arts 255 S. Almaden Boulevard, San Jose, CA 95113 Music Composed by Peter I. Tchaikovsky Artistic Director: Mariana Zschoerper Music Director & Conductor: Scott Krijnen Based on Original Choreography by Paul Curtis & Shawn Stuart Additional Choreography by Mariana Zschoerper Choreography Assistant: Brooke Wertwijn Restaging: Kim Gardner, Elizabeth Sweeney, Michael Howerton, and Mariana Zschoerper Rehearsal Assistants: Brooke Wertwijn, Erin McMahon, Nicole Khoo, and Noelle Cybart

Friday, December 8, 2023 | 7:30PM Saturday, December 9, 2023 | 2:00PM and 7:30PM Sunday, December 10, 2023 | 1:00PM and 6:00PM

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The Nutcracker | 2023-2024 SEASON

MIS S IO N 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.

B O A RD O F DIRE CTORS President: Michael Howerton Vice President (and acting Secretary): Marji Karlgaard Treasurer: Brandon Lewke Board Members: Carmen Brammer, Lee Forbes, and Kay Pettitt SJDT would like to sincerely thank former board members: Ann Timoney, Elizabeth Sweeney, Renee Forbes, Stino Tapia, Brian Dougherty, Phylis Dougherty, Miriam Watson, Jennifer Joyce, Willard Roit, Bronweyn Coleman, Steve Kaplowitz, Michelle Yasuda, and all other former board members for their time, enormous talent, and devotion to keeping our legacy alive!

S JDT H IS T ORY 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 55 years, San Jose Dance Theatre has trained beginning through advanced dancers.The School specializes in classical ballet training for children from 4 years of age to pre-professional level. Many of our alumni have gone on to professional careers in dance.

JOIN OUR BALLET ACADEMY! SJDT Winter/Spring Session: Begins Jan. 8, 2024 Enroll Today!

For questions or inquiries, email godance@sjdt.org San Jose Dance Theatre | 2

58 Years of Magic | The Nutcracker

P R E SIDEN T’S MESSAGE Welcome to San Jose Dance Theatre’s 58th annual production of the Original San Jose Nutcracker! We hope that today’s performance will evoke the holiday spirit within you! You may have noticed that this year we were only able to offer one weekend of performances because of the limited theater availability, so we are thrilled you are joining us. If it’s your first time seeing SJDT’s Nutcracker, welcome! For those of you returning, thank you for your continued support!

Regarding the single Nutcracker weekend, we wish to convey that this poses a significant financial challenge for SJDT. The Nutcracker serves as our primary source of revenue, enabling us to stage additional productions and sustain our exceptional professional company, which consistently delivers top-tier quality performances. In addition to this, grant funding from the State of California has seen reductions, and like many other arts organizations, SJDT relies on grants, performance revenue, and personal donations from our dedicated supporters, small businesses, and corporations. Without this support, we may not be able to continue to provide the same level of quality or the number of performances year-round.

This is where your generosity comes into play. We would be immensely grateful if you could consider making a contribution to SJDT today to help sustain our highquality training and year-round productions. Convenient donation options include the Dip-Jars in the lobby, the QR code in your program, or visiting www.sjdt.org to make one-time or recurring monthly contributions.

We deeply appreciate our board, staff, dancers, students, parents, donors, and volunteers whose dedication made this production possible. Our thanks also extend to our loyal audiences. Your attendance and generous support have sustained SJDT during the challenges of the COVID era, allowing us to share the joy of dance with Silicon Valley’s diverse communities.

We sincerely hope you will continue to support SJDT and engage with this exquisite art form, whether through our performances or our dance academy and open division programs. Thank you for being a part of our journey, and we invite you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!

With Gratitude,

Michael Howerton | President of the Board

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The Nutcracker | 2023-2024 SEASON

E X E C UTIV E DIRECTOR’ S MES S AGE Dear Friends, With great pleasure, I extend to you a warm welcome to our 58th enchanting presentation of The Nutcracker! San Jose Dance Theatre has proudly set the highest standard for dance in Silicon Valley since its inception, and I am deeply honored to play a part in advancing this remarkable legacy as the Executive Director. My mission is to collaborate with our Artistic Director in ensuring the delivery of exceptional productions to our community.

The Nutcracker holds a profound and sentimental place in the heart of every ballet dancer. This annual performance serves as an enduring milestone in the lives of all those who take to the stage, etching indelible memories that accompany them throughout their lifetime. In the dance world, it’s not just the holiday season; it’s Nutcracker season. It is truly incredible to be a part of this production, where the youngest performers are cherished and encouraged to rise to the same level as the seasoned professionals. Witnessing these young dancers evolve in both skill and passion is a true honor.

The holiday season offers a unique opportunity for families to come together, uniting generations in the shared experience of the magic that is this beautiful holiday ballet.

It is in moments like these that the power of art and the beauty of our shared cultural heritage shine most brightly.

Inspired by this joyous season, I humbly ask you to consider the profound impact of your support for our nonprofit organization. Your generosity will enable us to continue bringing top-tier productions to this vibrant community, ensuring that the magic of dance and the arts remains accessible to all. Your donation, regardless of its size, will help sustain the legacy of San Jose Dance Theatre and the cultural richness it adds to Silicon Valley.

We are profoundly grateful for your continued support, which has been the cornerstone of our success. It is our deepest wish that you will not only join us in our future productions but also find it in your heart to contribute to our mission.

Thank you for being a part of the San Jose Dance Theatre family, and we look forward to sharing many more enchanting moments with you in the seasons to come.

Warmest Regards, Elizabeth Sweeney | Executive Director

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58 Years of Magic | The Nutcracker

A R T IS TIC DIRECTOR’ S MES S AGE Dear valued audience members, It is with immense joy that I extend a warm welcome to you for our annual presentation of The Nutcracker, brought to you by the San Jose Dance Theatre. As the Artistic Director, I am both honored and thrilled to guide our organization through the next stages of its artistic evolution, showcasing our rich legacy and vibrant community.

This magical Nutcracker performance is a labor of love, and I hope that every cast member, volunteer, donor, and audience member finds pure enjoyment in the enchantment it brings. The holiday season serves as a poignant reminder to pause, appreciate one another, and reflect on the beauty of life. The Nutcracker tradition is woven into the fabric of many of our holiday celebrations, embodying the spirit of community and joy that defines this special time of year.

Beyond our accomplished professional dancers, we take great pride in featuring our exceptionally talented students alongside them. This collaboration provides a unique opportunity for our budding dancers to glean inspiration and wisdom from our seasoned professionals. It is a privilege to witness the growth and dedication of our future dancers, and their contribution adds a special touch to the production.

I extend my deepest gratitude to our professional dancers, dedicated staff, and tireless volunteers for their unwavering commitment to achieving excellence in this show. To our cherished audience members, I express heartfelt thanks for your support and for joining us on this exciting new phase for the San Jose Dance Theatre. I am overjoyed to share this unforgettable experience with each and every one of you.

Warm regards, Mariana Zschoerper | Artistic Director

J o i n the Mag ic!

Enjoy the show? You can be in it!

SJDT holds open auditions every year in September.

We have many roles for youth and adults, beginner to advanced.

Contact godance@sjdt.org for more information.

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The Nutcracker | 2023-2024 SEASON

MUS I C D I R ECTOR & CO N D U C T O R SCOTT KRIJNEN Music Director & Conductor Born in Antwerp, Belgium, Scott Krijnen was raised in an environment of music, conducting and education. A recipient of a Master’s Degree in Cello Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, cello has been his connection to education, conducting and performance and the voice he uses most to share his love of music. As a conductor, he is sought after throughout the Bay Area, most recently, being appointed the new Music Director of the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra, As an educator, Scott currently teaches over 250 students through 6 orchestras at Castillero Middle School and is in his 19th year of teaching. He has won many accolades including the 2020 Teacher of the Year Award at Castillero, Grammy Educator of the Year Quarter-Finalist for 2020 and 2021, and a 2020 Belle Foundation Grant, as well as the 2017 Bay Section Orchestra Director of the Year Award, 2016 CMEA Richard L. Levin Orchestra Educator Award and the 2016 CSN Bay Area All-Star Teacher Award, earning $20,000 to support the music program at Castillero. Mr. Krijnen has strong connections throughout California including presenting for state-wide conventions, coaching and guest conducting, leading sectionals and presenting at the university level, adjudicating regional and state-wide festivals, and has coached and presented with PACO for the last 19 years. Scott is happily married to his wife of 20 years, Aryn, and is the father of two beautiful children who get to grow up in the same wonderful world of music as their father.

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58 Years of Magic | The Nutcracker

THE CAMBRIAN SYMPHONY VIOLIN I Nina Han**^ Thomas Alexander Edmund Allen Beverly Olivier-Blount Courtney Onodera# Gregory Wohlleb VIOLIN II Malin Huffman* Michael Deng Aryn Krijnen Lindsay Onodera Brianna Wagener Lauren Wagener Vita Yee VIOLA Goetz Leonhardt* Diana Jeon Shelley MacAllister Jason Martel^ Kenneth McKnight Olivia Park Silvio Rocha Ben Shiverdaker CELLO Yu-Ting Wang* Will Kittinger* Anna Bartley Louis Gendzel Javier Gomez-Tagle Jonathan Hieu-Reed Meilani Huynh Eric Penunuri Rishi Shah Ray Wang Dylan Wojsiat

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BASS Rafael Zepeda* Isabel McPherson Jacob Solis Scarlett Rocha FLUTE/PICCOLO Brian Bensing* Kelsey Seymour* Amy Streeper^ Lindsay Driemeyer Kenin Coloma OBOE/ENGLISH HORN Claudia Engel* Peter Stahl* George Yefchak Lorna Kohler CLARINET Marcelo Meira*^ Robert Smith* Sue Biskeborn Zoe King BASS CLARINET Kathy Switky BASSOON Lettie Smith*^ Richard Krishnan Mia Stormer FRENCH HORN Kelli Reynolds* Joseph Kelly^ Fleurette Sevin Rayna Davis Chris Nalls David Dufour

TRUMPET Rick Leder* Paulo Avila* Jeffrey Thompson TROMBONE John Fitzhugh* Keefe Ismael BASS TROMBONE Jackson Baker TUBA Jay Perry^ PERCUSSION Christine Lovejoy*^ Niles Flynn Wendy Tran^ CELESTE Eiko Mitani HARP Dana Wallace Stiernberg ** Concertmaster * Principal ^ Personnel Manager # Orchestra Manager

The Nutcracker | 2023-2024 SEASON

ME E T T H E C O MPANY ELISE HOLMES Elise Holmes began her training at Pasadena Dance Theatre under Cynthia Young and Laurence Blake. She went on to the University of California, Irvine (UCI) where she received her B.F.A in Dance Performance with a minor in Biological Sciences. During her time at Irvine, she was the recipient of the William J. Gillespie Scholarship.

Holmes returned to Pasadena Dance Theatre for two seasons as a soloist. In 2020, Elise joined San José Dance Theatre as a Trainee and was promoted to the company in 2021. Elise is excited to be a part of San José Dance Theatre’s 2022-2023 season!

JUAN MAGACHO Juan is from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He started ballet at age 17 at Escola Estadual de Danças Maria Olenewa and National Ballet of Denver. He danced professionally with Grupo Cultural de Dança-Ilha, Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro, Atlantic City Ballet, Península Ballet Theatre. This is Juan’s first season with San Jose Dance Theatre.

ERIN MCMAHON Erin McMahon is originally from Houston, Texas where she trained under Caryn Stoll, Kathleen Waltz, Miroslav “Misha” Bart, and Milena Leben before attending City Ballet of Houston. After graduating high school, Erin attended The University of Utah where she received her BFA in Ballet, BS in Economic and a minor in Modern Dance. She danced with Central West Ballet, performing soloist and principal roles, then moved to Virginia to dance with Roanoke Ballet Theatre performing roles such as Spring Fairy from Sleeping Beauty, Helena from A Midsummer Nights Dream, and the Evil Queen in Rolando Sarabia’s Snow White. Erin is excited to be dancing with San Jose Dance Theatre this season.

ROBERTO VEGA ORTIZ Roberto is a native of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico and began his training in hip hop, jazz and ballet at Taller de Bailes LeDaph in Manatí, PR at age 14. He trained with Marie Carmen Márquez, Ana María Castañón, Orlando Carreras and Victor Gilí, and studied at Escuela de Ballets de San Juan, Conservatorio de Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico and Escuela Especializada en Ballet Julián E. Blanco. In 2016, he joined the second company of Nashville Ballet. In 2017, he joined Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, where he toured worldwide, performing female soloist and principal roles en pointe. In 2019, he joined Diablo Ballet. Mr. Vega Ortiz is the Co-Founder Artistic Director and Artist of Ballet22.

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58 Years of Magic | The Nutcracker

BROOKE WERTWIJN Originally from Minnesota, Brooke Wertwijn trained at Ashley Ballet Arts Academy and graduated from the University of Utah School of Dance with a B.F.A. in Ballet, Ballet Studio Teaching Certificate, and Business Minor. While a Trainee at Ballet Idaho, she performed in Peter Anastos’ The Nutcracker, George Balanchine’s Serenade and Valse Fantasie, Bruce Wells’ Beauty and the Beast, Anne Mueller’s Peter and the Wolf, and other new works. Brooke was also a member of SALT Contemporary Dance’s Pre-Professional Training Company and has taught at schools in Minnesota, Utah, Idaho, and California.

ADRINA HSIEH Adrina started dancing at the age of 6 and began training at Dance Theatre International. Adrina has trained at the San Francisco Ballet, Alonzo King Line Ballet, and Kirov Academy, Complexions Contemporary Ballet Summer Intensives. She joined SJDT in the summer of 2021. Alongside ballet, she is currently a senior at Valley Christian High School and is recognized as a conservatory honors fellow with an emphasis in dance arts. She is honored to join SJDT’s Company as a junior company member this season.

NOELLE CYBART | Apprentice Noelle Cybart is a 16-year-old high school junior who has recently embarked on a new full time journey as an apprentice with San Jose Dance Theatre. Her passion for dance began at the age of 6, and she has since dedicated herself to mastering various forms of dance, with a particular fondness for classical ballet technique. Noelle’s dedication has been recognized through numerous accolades, including achieving Top 12 in the classical category at YAGP in both 2021 and 2022, and clinching 1st place in the neo-classical category in 2022. She is thrilled to contribute her skills and enthusiasm to this production!

G UES T ART ISTS

Alexander Griffith 9 | San Jose Dance Theatre

Nicole Khoo

Shirley Cheng

The Nutcracker | 2023-2024 SEASON

THE N UTCRACKE R S T OR Y PROLOGUE: It is a cold Christmas Eve night in New England, 1830. Herr Drosselmeyer—the magician, famous clock and toy maker, and godfather to Clara Stahlbaum— is on his way to a holiday party at the Stahlbaum House with his Apprentice. A puppeteer and Herr Drosselmeyer enact a fight between a mouse and a Nutcracker, foreshadowing a battle that will occur later that night.

ACT 1 THE HOLIDAY PARTY:

Nutcracker doll. Clara is delighted and begins dancing with her new doll, but Clara’s mischievous brother, Freddy, grabs the doll and breaks it. Herr Drosselmeyer uses an enchanted scarf he bought from a vendor and repairs the Nutcracker. Overjoyed, Clara and her friends dance with their dolls as the adults join hands for the stately Gross-vater (Grandfather) Dance.

After the guests leave the party, Clara wants to take her Nutcracker doll with her to sleep, but her mother tells her to leave it by the Christmas tree.

THE BATTLE:

Later that night, Clara sneaks downstairs with a flickering candle, looking for her Nutcracker. She finds it and falls asleep with it on the couch.

While she sleeps, mice of all sizes scurry around the room. Clara wakes up frightened, but Drosselmeyer appears and the mice run away. Drosselmeyer comforts Clara and asks her, “Would you like to see the Nutcracker come to life?” Clara excitedly answers “yes” and Drosselmeyer transforms the Nutcracker into a young man.

Drosselmeyer then brings the whole room to life causing the tree to grow In the midst of the festivities, Herr to wondrous proportions as Clara Drosselmeyer and his Apprentice watches in awe. are introduced to the other guests.

Drosselmeyer entertains them by Just then, the mice return with their magically making a Ballerina Doll, leader, the menacing Mouse King!

Harlequin Doll, and Columbine Doll The Nutcracker Prince summons his come to life. Clara, enchanted by the troops of toy soldiers and together Ballerina Doll, asks Drosselmeyer they enter into a terrible battle. Right if she can have her. He refuses, when the Nutcracker Prince is almost but surprises her by giving her a defeated, Clara rushes in and helps Clara Stahlbaum and her younger brother, Freddy, are seen arguing in the Stahlbaum house. Clara, Freddy, their parents Mr. and Mrs. Stahlbaum, the maid and butler, all welcome their guests as they arrive at their holiday party. A beautiful Christmas tree stands glistening with candles and ornaments. The Stahlbaums exchange gifts with their guests and the party goes into full swing. Adults enjoy themselves while the children play with their new toys.

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58 Years of Magic | The Nutcracker

him, enabling him to defeat the Mouse King. With the battle now won, Drosselmeyer reappears and introduces Clara and the Nutcracker Prince to the Snow Cavalier.

WINTER WONDERLAND: The Snow Cavalier welcomes Clara and the Nutcracker Prince and calls his magical creatures, the Reindeer of Winter Wonderland Forest, to greet them. The reindeer dance and the Snow Queen enters to greet Clara and the Nutcracker Prince.

She asks them “Do you want to see snowflakes dance?” and they answer “yes” so the Snow Queen, the Snow Cavalier and the Snowflakes dance for them.

INTERMISSION (15 MINUTES) ACT 2 CANDY KINGDOM & FINALE: Clara and the Nutcracker Prince, led by Drosselmeyer, fly through the clouds in a Walnut Shell Boat and arrive at the gates of Candy Kingdom. Spun Sugar Angels and

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Cherubs, and an assortment of Sweets greet them. The Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier greet them before commanding a celebration in their honor. Cherubs present Clara gifts of candies that Clara’s family had received at their Christmas party: Spanish Chocolate, Marzipan, Arabian Coffee, Chinese Tea, Russian Ribbon Candy, Mother Cupcake and her cookies, Sugar Flowers and all.

Clara is crowned a princess and each gift dances for her. The Sugarplum and her Cavalier even perform a glorious Grand Pas de Deux! As the dance ends, the Sugar Plum Fairy summons the Walnut Shell Boat to carry Clara home.

In the final scene, Clara’s mother finds her asleep on the sofa. She gently wakes Clara and guides her back to her room, this time allowing Clara to take her Nutcracker doll. Before bidding adieu to the Stahlbaum residence, Drosselmeyer conjures one last mesmerizing act of magic.

The Nutcracker | 2023-2024 SEASON

C AS T LIS T Cast 1*:

Cast 2**:

12/8 Evening 12/9 Matinee 12/10 Matinee

12/9 Evening 12/10 Evening

PROLOGUE/ACT ONE Drosselmeyer Michael Howerton His Apprentice Josiah Markum Scarf Vendor Allie Urbanski Chimney Sweep Xander Lopez Puppeteer Adrianne Velasco Chestnut Vendor Marji Karlgaard Flower Vendor Elisa Spurlin Three Urchins Sofia Cumbo, Arabel Perez, Paige Rose, Mrs. Stahlbaum Sian Ferguson Mr. Stahlbaum Juan Magacho Clara Anika Sison*, Ranya Farooque** Freddy Kaji Cheng Maid Ellen Lopes Butler Scott Lacy 1st Family Mario Barron, Dianne Gibb, Wesley Rose, Alexander Campos, Joanne Tu, Selina Hsueh 2nd Family Duran Andrade, Kathryn Petak, Nina O’Brien, Tatiana Campbell, Lydia Gahrahmat 3rd Family Jeremy Pettitt, Heather Mitchell , Benjamin Figueroa, Arabella Do, Ke Wei Ow Yang Grandmothers Sarah Clish, Ava Forde, Ellie Wong Party Girls Tatiana Campbell, Arabella Do, Ava Forde, Lydia Gahrahmat, Selina Hsueh, Nina O’Brien, Joanne Tu, Ellie Wong, Ke Wei Ow Yang Party Boys Alexander Campos, Benjamin Figueroa, Wesley Rose Ballerina Doll Ashley Xu*, Betty Kim** Columbine Doll Niina Kobayashi*, Brianna Benedek**, Ashley Xu^ Harlequine Doll Alexander Griffith Mouse King Jeremy Pettitt Mouse Captain Alexis Ng (all Sunday), Sofia Figueroa (all Saturday), Gabriella Reyes-Morris^

Mice Sofiia Figueroa*, Jocelyn Garcia, Jocelyn Hsieh, Selina Hsueh, Mila Kadah, Gabriella Reyes-Morris, Alexis Ng**, Esperanza Pardo, Joanne Tu, Elizabeth Yu Baby Mouse Kaji Cheng Soldier Captain Soleil Khanna*, Nadine Cahyadi** Soldiers Nadine Cahyadi*, Selina Cui, Sofia Cumbo, Ella Defensor, Ximena Hernandez, Soleil Khanna**, Elizabeth Lindberg, Shelby Lu, Grace Ma, Wesley Rose, Emily Sanchez, Tesla Vulovic, Carolyn Wu Snow Prince Juan Magacho*, Roberto Vega Ortiz** Snow Queen Brooke Wertwijn*, Adrina Hsieh**, Erin McMahon^ Snowflakes Alyiah Benedek, Brianna Benedek, Nanami Cheng, Shirley Cheng, Noelle Cybart, Sofia Figueroa, Jocelyn Garcia, Adrina Hsieh*, Niina Kabayashi, Betty Kim, Nicole Koo, Erin McMahon, Tatiana Meeker, Rachel Tse, Melissa Wang, Brooke Wertwijn**, Ashley Xu, Gabriella ReyesMorris (Sunday shows)^ Reindeer Ranya Farooque*, Ava Forde, Jocelyn Hsieh, Tanya Mark, Ariella Milenkiy, Gabriella Reyes-Morris, Maliah Quach, Anika Sison**, Caitlin Tsang, Ellie Wong

15 MINUTE INTERMISSION

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58 Years of Magic | The Nutcracker Tea Brianna Benedek, Nanami Cheng*, Ashley Xu, Melissa Wang**, Tatiana Mecker^ Tea Lion Mario Barron, Jeremy Pettitt Mother Cupcake Xander Lopez Cookies Sloan Arora, Zoe Brasil, Tatiana Campbell, Alexander Campos, Kaji Cheng, Selina Cui, Sofia Cumbo, Ella Defensor, Arabella Do, Octavia Harrington, Selina Hsueh, Soleil Khanna, Elizabeth Lindberg, Shelby Lu, Grace Ma, Nina O’Brien, Arabel Perez, Valeria Vilora, Tesla Vulovic, Carolyn Wu, Ke ACT TWO Wei Ow Yang, Elizabeth Yu Dew Drop Fairy Elise Holmes*, Brooke Angels Sophie Campos, Varnoor Wertwijn**, Rachel Tse^ Cheema, Marji Karlgaard, Waltz of the Sugar Alyiah Bennedeck**, Nanami Paige Rose, Elisa Spurlin, Flowers Cheng**, Shirley Cheng, Sofia Allie Urbanski, Adrianne Figueroa, Jocelyn Garcia, Betty Velasco Kim, Niina Kobayashi, Nicole Cherubs Sloan Arora, Zoe Brasil, Koo, Tatiana Meeker, Heather Nadine Cahyadia, Sofia Mitchell, Gabriella ReyesCheng, Ximena Hernandez, Morris, Rachel Tse*, Melissa Sarah Liman, Laura Ma, Wang*, Noelle Cybart (Sunday Emily Sanchez, Valeria Shows)^, Ashley Xu^ Viloria, Victoria Viloria, Sugar Plum Fairy Mariana Zschoerper*, Elise Jacqueline Vo Holmes**, Adrina Hsieh^ Chocolate Noelle Cybart*, Erin Sugar Plum Cavalier Roberto Vega Ortiz*, Juan McMahon*, Rachel Tse**, Magacho** Melissa Wang**, Nanami Cheng^ Cast 1*, Cast**, Understudy^ Ribbon Candy Rachel Tse*, Leads Adrina Hsieh** Ribbon Candy Aliyah Benedek**, Ranya Attendants Farooque*, Betty Kim**, Tatiana Meeker, Anika Sison**, Melissa Wang*, Ashley Xu* Marzipan Shepherd Alexander Griffith Marzipan Shepherdess Aliyah Benedek*, Nanami Cheng**, Noelle Cybart**, Niina Kobayashi* Coffee Princess Brooke Wertwijn*, Erin McMahon**, Noelle Cybart^ Coffee Attendants Ava Forde, Jocelyn Hsieh, Tanya Mark, Esperanza Pardo, Maliyah Quach, Caitlyn Tsang, Joanne Tu Ellie Wong, Gabriella ReyesMorris^

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The Nutcracker | 2023-2024 SEASON

P RE-PROFES S IONA L DIVIS IO N Pre-Intermediate: Ava Forde, Jocelyn Hsieh, Tanya Mark, Maliyah Quach, Caitlin Tsang, Ellie Wong Intermediate: Brianna Benedek, Ranya Farooque, Sofia Figueroa, Jocelyn Garcia, Niina Kobayashi, Gabriela Reyes-Morris, Anika Sison, Ashley Xu Advanced: Aliyah Benedek, Nanami Cheng, Bethany Kim, Tatiana Meeker, Rachel Tse, Melissa Wang

A C KN O WL EDGEMENTS Technical Director: John Draginoff Lighting Design: Pamila Gray Scenic Design: Stephen Wathen Stage Manager: Jennifer Hsu Costume Director: Reneé Forbes Production Committee: Lee Forbes, CJ Cheng, Melissa Kim, Michael Ramoneda Program & Poster Design: Jacqui Culler Photography: Kyle Adler, Diane Rose SunSprite Studio, Justin Winokur Professional Photography Solutions, Ron Rothenberger, Sophia Feudulov, Steve DiBartolomeo Videography: 2nd20 Productions Accounting/Budgeting: Alison Otewalt Executive Director: Elizabeth Sweeney Program Coordinator: Mario Barron Front Desk Receptionist: Karina Cervantes, Jeremy Pettitt Website and Digital Marketing: Robbie Zylstra Physical Therapy: Katrina Lee and Align Pilates/Kim Gardner San Jose Dance Theatre Faculty: Artistic Director Mariana Zschoerper, Kim Gardner, Erin Mcmahon, Brooke Wertwijn, Kathryn Petak, Siân Ferguson, M.A., Elise Holmes, Mario Barron, Hollie Rudolph San Jose Dance Theatre | 14

58 Years of Magic | The Nutcracker

N U T C RAC KER 2023 VOLUN T EE RS A BIG thank you to our dancers, parents, and our wonderful volunteers for making this production possible!

Sahin Akhtar Jordan Arora Olivia Brasil Ryan Brasil Melissa Brown Crystal Campbell Alejandro Campos Lydia Campos Claudia Carrola Charlotte Cattivera Suchreet Cheema CJ Cheng Natsumi Cheng Chiali Chiang Hengxin Cui Ani Cumbo Rosiella Defensor Thien Du Yanli (Fenny) Feng Monique Figueroa Aimee Forde Laura Gahrahmat Carlos Garcia Gabriela Gonzalez-Do Mindy Harrington Ryan Harrington Jamie Hebert

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Marimar Hernandez Cathe Huynh-Sison David Hsueh Jennifer Joyce Aliah Kadah Marji Karlgaard Sameer Khanna Melissa Kim Maki Kobayashi Yessika Labrador Shiauyeng Lai Barbi Lambica Trang Le Gladys Lim Areli Limam Nicolas Lindberg Rachel Lindberg Yuki Loh Alexander Lopez Shane Luu Qinglei Ma Chryshanthi Mark Gary Meeker Veronica Milenkiy Lisa Morris Dan O’Brien Rueyjie (Jack) Ow

Siury Pulgar Mabel Rada Michael Ramoneda Guadalupe Rojas Angelica Sanchez Gilbert Sanchez Ella Sciamma O’Brien Elisa Spurlin Mei Tam Joanna Tong Julie Tran Esther Tsang Michael Tsang Valerie Tu Allie Urbanski Alvaro Viloria Mindy Vu Natasa Vulovic Jing Wang Rachel Wang Ellen Wijaya Cecile Wu Alfred Wu Bo Xu Kim Yu Xiaoqian Yu

The Nutcracker | 2023-2024 SEASON

D O NORS & S P ONSORS Gold Sponsors: Ann & Howard Timoney Benefactors: Sean Tyan Brandon Lewke Marilyn Sefchovich Kay Pettitt Michael Howerton Shin Chen Lee & Renee Forbes Marji & Rich Karlgaard Patrons: Gahrahmat Family Judy Guo Gabriela Gonzalez-Do Supporters: Sarah Clish Elizabeth Sweeney Alexandar Sutic Jennifer Joyce Jason Molenda Richard Surprenant

Erin Sweeney Steve Kaplowitz Laura Becker-Lewke Carmen Brammer Alison Otewalt

Friends: Matt Taylor James Fulton Courtney O’Hagan Geri Zerbini Bronwen Carson Megan Hutaff

Cyndy Edwards Carol Uyeda Odette Limosnero Katherine Bui Richard & Kristin DelSoldato Mario Barron

FRI E N DS OF T H E B ALLET Katherine Bui Julia Camp Shin Chen Madeleine Decorwin Monique Figueroa John Fuller Sylvia Heslin

Michael Howerton Melissa Kim Rosalynn Liu Katie Meger Esteban Mejia Jeffrey Orth Kay Pettitt

Caitlin Ryan Richard Surprenant Ann Timoney Kathy Troyer Mariana Zschoerper

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58 Years of Magic | The Nutcracker

WEL COM E GIRL SCOUT S We welcome the Girl Scouts to The Nutcracker! This partnership is the longest continuous fundraiser for Girl Scouts of Northern California and was created by Girl Scout, Courtney Chin, who danced in this production in elementary school. Her love of dance and theater lead to a collaboration between what was Girl Scouts of Santa Clara County and San Jose Dance Theatre. Girl Scouts from all over the Bay Area attend performances and receive a badge from San Jose Dance Theatre.

EDUC A T I O N A L O U T R E A C H As part of our community outreach and theatre arts education, San Jose Dance Theatre performs a shortened version of the show, Once Upon A Nutcracker. This special presentation is ideal for younger children, as well as local schools and educators who would like to attend with their students. We provide this opportunity to spread the love of ballet and perform this professionally produced production for Bay Area schools.

Interested in attending next year? Visit www.sjdt.org for more information.

http://www.bytesandnotes.com https://bytesandnotes.com Services we Offer: Voice Lessons: Individual & Group Piano, Guitar, Bass and Drum Lessons IT Consulting Services, Web Design, Text Computer Repair, Network Design Audio/Video Services

(408) 532-6248 or (408) 674-2091 2710 Little Boy Lane San Jose, CA 95148 Info@bytesandnotes.com

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58 Years of Magic | The Nutcracker

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