Cincinnati Ballet - Mercurial Landscapes 2024

Mona Dermatology is a proud season partner of the Cincinnati Ballet.

Celebrating the Cincinnati Ballet

PNC is honored to be the presenting sponsor of the Cincinnati Ballet's 60th Diamond Anniversary Season.

Thursday, May 9th, 2024 8:00 -10:00 PM

Aronoff Center for the Arts

Join us for this once-in-a-lifetime celebration event, featuring performances from every division of Cincinnati Ballet, including a special alumni performance by former principal dancer and current Interim Artistic Director Cervilio Miguel Amador!

SPRING A CINCINNATI MAGAZINE EVENT

PRESENTED BYSPONSORS

METROPOLITAN CLUB

Our lavish four-night dinner series returns to celebrate the bounty of Spring. Be sure to #savorthedate dining experience and enjoy a one-of-a-kind meal in a fun and festive atmosphere.

Limited tickets available.

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LETTERS FROM LEADERSHIP

DEAR FRIEND OF CINCINNATI BALLET,

It is my sincere honor to welcome you to Mercurial Landscapes. This triple bill features works with diverse points of view that offer the audience an opportunity to explore divergent perspectives in ballet. In the title work, dancers move like liquid mercury through choreography set to the iconic Four Seasons by Vivaldi, reimagined by composer Max Richter with choreography from Jodie Gates. We are also fortunate to feature two works from Jiří Kylián, Czech choreographer and former Artistic Director of Nederlands Dans Theater. You may recall Kylián’s Sechs Tänze (German for Six Dances) during Bold Moves in our 2018–2019 Season. The bewigged, burlesque dance is a poetic, nonsensical tribute to Mozart. This season, we are expanding our celebration of Kylián with Petit Mort, also set to the music of Mozart. Jiří Kylián created Petite Mort for the Nederlands Dans Theater in honor of the Salzburg Festival on the bicentennial of Mozart’s death. The work has captured audiences with its thrilling physicality and emotional depth ever since. The choreography includes the use of foils, which often have the function of dance partners themselves, manipulated by the dancers. To perform the works of this world-renowned choreographer has been on the bucket lists of many of our Company artists. Cincinnati Ballet joins the ranks of some of the world’s best dance companies in producing Kylián’s seminal works, expanding local audiences’ appreciation of some of the best contemporary ballet ever created. This triple bill also features a world premiere by choreographer Rena Butler. Butler collaborated with Cincinnati fashion designer Asha Ama Bias-Daniels. It is an amazing opportunity for Cincinnati Ballet to share the vision of these two talented Black female artists. Butler describes her work as an ode to the collective experience women have had since the beginning of time—the pressure to perpetually make ourselves smaller for societal norms.

I hope you enjoy this incredible contemporary program as much as we have enjoyed creating it.

Sincerely,

CERVILIO MIGUEL AMADOR Interim Artistic Director

LETTERS FROM LEADERSHIP

DEAR FRIEND OF CINCINNATI BALLET,

Thank you for joining us for Mercurial Landscapes, the first of two spring mixed repertoire programs that feature diverse and thought-provoking works. As a long-time fan of Cincinnati Ballet, I have always looked forward to these programs. While I adore the storytelling of narrative ballets such as this season’s The Nutcracker presented by Sheakley Family and our winter series, Don Quixote, the excitement of experiencing these contemporary works is difficult to match. What makes them so special is that they are also extremely personal. While the program notes may offer a window into the choreographers’ intentions, each audience member can interpret the works from their own unique perspective. How I feel during a work may be completely different than your emotional experience. It’s often why I also suggest to friends to see mixed-rep programs multiple times with different casts, as the dancers also bring their own unique perspectives and personalities to the works. For Mercurial Landscapes, our Artistic Team has curated three boldly unique pieces to enjoy. Mercurial Landscapes features the title work created by choreographer Jodie Gates, set to Max Richter’s ethereal re-composition of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons; a world premiere by Rena Butler, choreographic associate for the progressive Gibney Dance Company in New York, with costume design by Asha Ama Bias-Daniels, a Cincinnati-based fashion designer and artist; and Petit Mort and Sechs Tänze, set to the music of Mozart by Jiří Kylián, world-renowned artistic director of Nederlands Dans Theater. Whether you consider yourself a balletomane or this is your first time experiencing contemporary work, be prepared to be amazed. These are sensory and immersive experiences that will linger with you long after the curtain closes. Our local arts community is such a vibrant asset we should all be proud of and works such as these are key to that success. We are so grateful for your support of works that challenge our way of thinking and attract world-class choreographers and artists to the region.

I hope you enjoy Rep 4: Mercurial Landscapes.

Sincerely,

DEBBIE BRANT President and CEO

A proud sponsor of the musical arts

2023–2024 SEASON SPONSORS

INVEST ENGAGE INNOVATE LEAD

Grantee Spotlight: CINCINNATI BALLET

Two of Cincinnati Ballet’s principal dancers, Sirui Liu and Rafael Quenedit, performing Diamonds from George Balanchine’s Jewels. Image credit: Rachel Neville

Investing state and federal dollars, the Ohio Arts Council funds and supports quality arts experiences for all Ohioans to strengthen communities culturally, educationally, and economically.

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PRODUCTION SPONSORS

CHOREOGRAPHER SPONSORS

SUPPORTING SPONSORS

Karen Maier and Delane Starliper

Don Beck and Larry EynonElizabeth Yntema

BELLA URETA AND CINCINNATI DANCERS; PETER MUELLER PHOTOGRAPHY

Alice Schneider Michael Williams

CINCINNATI BALLET LEADERSHIP

CERVILIO MIGUEL AMADOR INTERIM ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

The Cincinnati Ballet Board of Trustees appointed Cervilio Miguel Amador Interim Artistic Director in September 2023. A skilled artist, entrepreneur, and change agent for the world of dance, Amador received his education and training from the Vocational Ballet School in Camagüey, Cuba, and the National Ballet School of Cuba. He danced with the National Ballet of Cuba as a Corps de Ballet dancer and then as a Corifeo (demi-soloist) before joining Cincinnati Ballet in 2004 as a Soloist. In 2006, Amador was promoted to Principal Dancer, becoming one of the youngest Principals in the history of the Company. He remained a Principal for 15 years and performed in a number of world premieres by renowned choreographers Victoria Morgan, Adam Hougland, Travis Wall, Val Caniparoli, Jessica Lane, Luca Vegetti, and many more. Amador also represented Cincinnati Ballet dancers as a union delegate for more than 10 years. After retiring as a Principal Dancer in the 2019–2020

DEBBIE BRANT PRESIDENT AND CEO

The Cincinnati Ballet Board of Trustees named Deborah S. Brant Interim President and CEO of Cincinnati Ballet effective January 2024. She will assume the role from Scott Altman, who after more than seven years as the organization’s administrative leader, announced his departure at the end of the calendar year. For many years, Brant has fostered a deep and meaningful relationship with Cincinnati Ballet and has been one of the organization’s biggest supporters. Brant is the current Chair of The Cincinnati Ballet Foundation, former chair of the Cincinnati Ballet Board of Trustees, and led the capital campaign committee that secured funding to construct the 62,000 square foot, $32 million Cincinnati Ballet Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance in Walnut Hills.

Ballet has been an important part of Brant’s life since her childhood in Akron, Ohio. She started ballet lessons at age 9, beginning a life-long love of the artform. Brant stopped dancing in high school before attending Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts, where she studied American Studies

season, he transitioned to Rehearsal Director for Cincinnati Ballet and participated in the Cincinnati Ballet Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Task Force leading sustainable change for dancers now and future artists.

Amador is very proud to be a part of the vibrant Cincinnati arts community. Over the years, he has collaborated with Cincinnati Opera, performed in the wildly popular Lumenocity events, and since 2018, also served as the Artistic Director/Co-Founder of Moving Arts. Amador was also honored to participate in an Emmy award-winning PBS documentary that chronicled his story of defecting from Cuba to pursue his love of dance.

During his professional career, he has also performed as a guest artist in productions and galas all over the world as well as teaching for numerous schools. He has staged pieces for Victoria Morgan and Jennifer Archibald and judged several international ballet competitions such as Universal Ballet Competition (UBC), Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), and Valentina Kozlova International Ballet Competition (VKIBC).

and Art History. She went on to create a successful fundraising career that included work in Washington, D.C., and New York City as a fundraiser and grants writer for The Kennedy Center | National Symphony Orchestra, as well as a fundraising consultant for New York City Ballet, Paul Taylor Dance Company, and Jacob’s Pillow, among others. Brant moved to Cincinnati in 1998 where she continued as a fundraising consultant for Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, Prospect House, and the Art Academy of Cincinnati. As much as Brant loves the arts, she also values the Cincinnati community. Philanthropy is a family tradition, one Brant learned from her parents and grandparents who were themselves dedicated volunteers. In addition to her tireless philanthropic work for Cincinnati Ballet, Brant is also a former Board Chair of the Mayerson JCC and Jewish Federation of Cincinnati and Member of the Board and Executive Committee for Most Valuable Kids of Cincinnati, Inc. (MVK). Brant is a past recipient of The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Women of the Year Award, the 2021 Volunteer of the Year Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Cincinnati Chapter, and Volunteer of the Year Award from the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati.

CINCINNATI BALLET LEADERSHIP

DALE SHIELDS REHEARSAL DIRECTOR

Dale Shields trained at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and Butler University before joining Indianapolis Ballet Theatre, where she rose to principal dancer under Artistic Director George Verdak. Shields performed principal roles in productions including Giselle, The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Romeo & Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Coppelia, Night Shadow, The Moor’s Pavane, and many original works. She served as Principal Bal-

YOSHIHISA ARAI

let Mistress for Ballet Internationale, assisting with the original choreography of full-length ballets by Artistic Director Eldar Aliev and worked alongside Irina Kolpakova in staging many well-known classics. Accepting Artistic Director John McFall’s invitation to join Atlanta Ballet as Ballet Mistress gave her the opportunity to assist in mounting numerous full-length productions. She assisted on works by inspiring national and international choreographers including Alexander Ekman, Helen Pickett, Twyla Tharp, Liam Scarlett, David Bentley, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, and Amy Seiwert, among others. She is now in her third season with Cincinnati Ballet.

REHEARSAL DIRECTOR/DIRECTOR SECOND COMPANY – CB2

Yoshihisa Arai began his ballet training at the International Ballet Academy in Japan before he was accepted to The Royal Ballet School in London in 2005. After graduating with honors and receiving the Achievement Award in 2008, Arai joined Northern Ballet in Leeds, UK, under the direction of David Nixon CBE and Ballet Mistress Yoko Ichino. He began his professional career performing in many original ballets by David Nixon. In 2011, Arai joined Tulsa Ballet where he performed works by William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Douglas Lee, and Edwaard Liang. The following year Arai joined The Joffrey Ballet Chicago under

CARLOS QUENEDIT

the leadership of Ashley Wheater MBE. As a choreographer, Arai created several successful new works for The Joffrey Ballet such as Boléro, Élégie, and Afternoon Watch, which premiered at The Lyric Opera House and Auditorium Theater in Chicago. He has also choreographed a new Appalachian Spring for The Joffrey Ballet Studio Company in collaboration with the Illinois Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra. In 2023 Arai choreographed and directed his first mini chamber opera Cåraboo: A Chamber Opera, composed by James M. Stephenson and librettist Matt Boresi and performed by International Chamber Artists. Arai joins the leadership team as a Rehearsal Director of Cincinnati Ballet and Director of Second Company – CB2.

GUEST REHEARSAL DIRECTOR

Carlos Quenedit is an accomplished artist renowned for his captivating performances in classical and contemporary ballet productions. During his career, Quenedit was principal dancer with several companies including San Francisco Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Houston Ballet, as well as Principal Guest Artist with the Joffrey Ballet, and Soloist with the National Ballet of Cuba. He has graced the stage in a wide array of principal roles, including Albrecht in Helgi Tomasson’s Giselle, Romeo in Romeo & Juliet, and Basilio in Tomasson/ Possokhov’s Don Quixote. His repertoire extends

to the works of iconic choreographers, including a variety of George Balanchine pieces, Jerome Robbin’s In the Night (second movement), and Dances at a Gathering as the Purple Boy. Quenedit has also collaborated with world-renowned choreographers such as Helgi Tomasson, Yuri Possokhov, Christopher Wheeldon, Alicia Alonso, Justin Peck, Alexei Ratmansky, and Liam Scarlett, and danced in notable productions such as Rudolf Nureyev’s Raymonda Act III and Ashly Page’s Guide to Strange Places. Throughout his career, Quenedit has graced stages at venues worldwide, from San Francisco War Memorial Opera House, The Kennedy Center, and Lincoln Center to Sadler’s Wells and the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City, among others.

The Austin E. Knowlton Foundation is a proud season partner of Cincinnati Ballet

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BLOOM WORLD PREMIERE

CHOREOGRAPHY Rena Butler

MUSIC Darryl J. Hoffman

COSTUME DESIGN ASHA AMA Bias-Daniels

LIGHTING DESIGN Michael Korsch

MERCURIAL LANDSCAPES

CHOREOGRAPHY Jodie Gates

STAGING Rex Tilton and Jodie Gates

MUSIC Max Richter, selections from Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons

COSTUME DESIGN Melanie Watnick

LIGHTING DESIGN Michael Korsch (Redesign), Nicholas Cavallaro (Original)

Originally created for Ballet West. Premiere May 17, 2013, Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, Salt Lake City, Utah.

PETITE MORT

CHOREOGRAPHY Jiří Kylián

ASSISTANT TO THE CHOREOGRAPHER Shirley Esseboom

MUSIC Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Piano Concerto in A Major (KV 488), Adagio; Piano Concerto in C Major (KV 467), Andante

SET DESIGN Jiří Kylián

COSTUME DESIGN Joke Visser

LIGHTING DESIGN Jiří Kylián (concept), Joop Caboort (realization)

TECHNICAL SUPERVISION (lights/set) Joost Biegelaar

World premiere August 23, 1991, Kleines Festspielhaus, Salzburger Festspiele, Austria, Nederlands Dans Theater

SECHS TÄNZE

CHOREOGRAPHY Jiří Kylián

ASSISTANT TO THE CHOREOGRAPHER Shirley Esseboom

MUSIC Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sechs Deutsche Tänze, KV 571

SCENERY AND COSTUME DESIGN Jiří Kylián

LIGHTING DESIGN Jiří Kylián (concept), Joop Caboort (realization)

TECHNICAL SUPERVISION (light/set) Joost Biegelaar

World premiere October 24, 1986, Het Muziektheater, Amsterdam, Nederlands Dans Theater I

PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER Carissa Gandenberger

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BLOOM WORLD PREMIERE

CHOREOGRAPHY Rena Butler

MUSIC Darryl J. Hoffman

COSTUME DESIGN ASHA AMA Bias-Daniels

LIGHTING DESIGN Michael Korsch

CREATIVE TEAM

RENA BUTLER

CHOREOGRAPHER

Rena Butler hails from Chicago, IL. She began her studies at The Chicago Academy for the Arts, studied overseas at Taipei National University of the Arts in Taiwan, and received her BFA from SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance. Butler danced with companies including Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (also a choreographic fellow), AIM by Kyle Abraham, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company, and David Dorfman Dance, among many others. She most recently danced with Gibney Company and was their inaugural Choreographic Associate.

She is a recipient of the prestigious 2019 Princess Grace Foundation Award for Choreography and created works for BalletX, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, GroundWorks DanceTheater, Jacob’s Pillow Contemporary Summer Program,

a fi lm short in collaboration with Third Coast Percussion x Devonté Hynes/Blood Orange, The Young Choreographer’s Festival in NYC, and more. She has been spotlighted in Dance Magazine’s On The Rise feature in 2013, and the featured cover story in Dance Magazine’s November 2021 issue.

Butler has taught dance and choreographic workshops at L’Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Danse de Marseille in France, The Macau Cultural Center in China, Ailey Camp Chicago, and SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance. She served on the Consortium for Chicago Dancemakers Forum for three years, was on the annual panel for Black Girls Dance in Chicago, and co-created and directed DanceLab—a free, choreographic course for Chicago teens, empowering participants of varying socioeconomic backgrounds and identities to find commonality in creation. She currently serves on Dancewave’s Artistic Advisory Council in NYC.

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DARRYL J. HOFFMAN COMPOSER

Composer Darryl J.

Hoff man is a native of Bronx, NY, currently based in Chicago. With his lifelong love for music, he developed a curiosity for sound and began creating at the age of 13. His resume of compositions include works on Kansas City Ballet for choreographer Stephanie Martinez, in collaboration with cellist Desiree Miller (2016). Danceworks Chicago with choreography by Owen Scarlet (2016). Visceral Dance Chicago’s “Synapse,” choreographed by Nick Pupillo (2017). Minnesota Dance Theatre, for choreographer Dar-

win Black (2017). Three Philadanco works choreographed by Anthony Burrell and Christopher Huggins (2018–2019). Works for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago & Ballet X, Choreographed by Rena Butler (2018–present). As well as full compositions for both Ebony Williams’ pieces entitled “Title lX” (2018) and “Victoria,” which premiered at Jacob’s Pillow in August 2019. Expanding his creative horizons in 2020, he served as musical director for Regional Dance America’s National Choreography Summer Intensive. Hoffman continues to live in his gift as he shapes the culture of dance with his sound, while continuing to contribute in other aspects of the arts.

ASHA AMA BIAS-DANIELS COSTUME DESIGNER

Asha Ama Bias-Daniels is a fashion designer and artist born and raised in the Queen City. Her work focuses on knowledge of self and is inspired by the female form, celebrating duality. As a couture designer, Bias-Daniels has created pieces for a diverse range of artists from Zendaya to Little Big Town and for Lizzo’s Special Tour. Bias-Daniels competed as a finalist on Tim Gunn’s Project Runway: Under the Gunn and was invited back to compete on the hit show Project Runway All Stars.

On April 14, 2021, Bias-Daniels received the

MICHAEL KORSCH

LIGHTING DESIGNER

Michael Korsch is a lighting, projection, and scenic designer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he earned his BA in theatre from Temple University. He has worked with numerous directors and choreographers, creating hundreds of visual designs for dance, theater, and other live performances throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, as well as New Zealand. Michael has been the resident lighting designer for Complexions Contemporary Ballet since 1998, and Ballet Arizona since 2001. In

honor of Asha Ama Bias-Daniels Day from the City of Cincinnati and premiered her NEGRO SOLSTICE collection as the Taft Museum of Art’s Duncanson Artist in Residence. In 2022, she debuted her NEW MOON collection and exhibit to two sold out shows at the Contemporary Arts Center as Queen’s Village’s Through Her Eyes Artist and later showed at the Cincinnati Art Museum as an ArtsWave commissioned Truth & Reconciliation Black & Brown Artist. Bias-Daniels has also received recognition as an Urban League Young Professionals Affirmed Honoree, UC National Women’s History Month Honoree, and St. Ursula Academy Outstanding Alumni.

addition, Michael has created designs for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Backhausdance, BalletMet, Ballet Nice Méditerranée, Ballet West, BalletX, Carolina Ballet, Charlotte Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Cleveland Play House, Czech National Ballet, DanceBrazil, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Disney Creative Entertainment, English National Ballet, FELA! The Concert, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, MOMIX, Oakland Ballet, Philadelphia Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Royal Danish Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Staatsballett Berlin, and Washington Ballet among others.

Balle

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MERCURIAL LANDSCAPES

CHOREOGRAPHY Jodie Gates

STAGING Rex Tilton and Jodie Gates

MUSIC Max Richter, selections from Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons COSTUME DESIGN Melanie Watnick

LIGHTING DESIGN Michael Korsch (Redesign), Nicholas Cavallaro (Original)

PROGRAM NOTES

Mer-cu-ri-al: animated; lively; sprightly; quick-witted. Land-scape: a portion of territory that can be viewed at one time from one place.

CREATIVE TEAM

JODIE GATES CHOREOGRAPHER

Jodie Gates is an artistic director, a choreographer, arts educator, stager, and former dancer. She was a principal ballerina with the Joffrey Ballet, Philadelphia Ballet, Frankfurt Ballet, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet, as well as an international guest artist. Most recently she was Artistic Director of Cincinnati Ballet and is currently Founder and Artistic Director of Laguna Dance Festival based in Laguna Beach California, and Founding Director of the University of Southern California’s Glorya Kaufman School of Dance in Los Angeles. She is an accomplished choreographer, commissioned by several dance companies including Staatsballett Berlin, Ballet West, BalletX, American Ballet Theatre, and Vail International Dance Festival. Additionally, she choreographs for television commercials and site-specific events including choreography and direction for singer/ songwriter John Legend, and choreography for a

global ad campaign for Los Angeles Tourism. She is an artistic collaborator with William Forsythe, staging ballets for Forsythe Productions internationally, working with the Paris Opera Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Houston Ballet, Scottish Ballet, Teatro alla Scala Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and Zurich Ballet among others. Gates’ performing career began with the Joffrey Ballet in NYC where she originated many roles and worked with a host of renowned choreographers. Honors include recognition for Arts Leadership by the American Association of University Women, Altria/ABT fellowship from American Ballet Theatre, and a recipient of the esteemed Jerome Robbins New Essential Works program. Most recently, she was awarded the distinguished 2022 Residency Fellowship from The Center for Ballet and the Arts at New York University. Her Fellowship and research addressed systemic inequities inherent within the culture of ballet and focused on empowering dancers to approach the form with individuality and autonomy while fostering inclusivity.

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MELANIE WATNICK COSTUME DESIGN

For the past two decades, Melanie Watnick has been collaborating with artists to create costumes that vibrantly engage audiences and performers alike. As a designer, she upholds the belief that costumes are an extension of the body, that move and breathe with the actor giving life to the story unfolding on stage. This visual artform, which utilizes both the tactile world of fabric and the ephemeral of our collective imagination and experiences, continues to intrigue and excite her. Her designs have been seen both nationally and international-

REX TILTON STAGER

Rex Tilton is the Artistic Director of artÉmotion. He retired a principal dancer with Ballet West in May 2022. He was a featured cast member on seasons 1 and 2 of the CW docuseries Breaking Pointe. He has been featured in issues of Dance Magazine, Dance Spirit Magazine, and Pointe Magazine. He shared the February 2018 cover of Dance Teacher Magazine with Allison DeBona. In Fall 2022, Rex Tilton staged the lead roles in John Cranko’s Onegin for Ballet West. He attended the Pacific Northwest Ballet Professional Division program on scholarship for one year before being

ly in theater and dance productions from Norwegian Cruise Lines to Edinburgh Festivals to TEDx performances. Chameleon-like in her design, she adapts and responds to the work being created at the moment vs. a specific or redundant aesthetic or style. Watnick resides in Los Angeles where she is the costume design professor in the theater program at Pepperdine University. She has previously held positions at UC Irvine’s Department of Dance and UC San Diego’s Department of Theatre and Dance.

hired as an Apprentice at Ballet West. Additional training includes School of American Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. He grew up under the artistic direction of former Pacific Northwest Ballet Principal Ben Houk and Pacific Northwest Ballet Soloist Lauri-Michelle Houk at San Elijo Dance and Music Academy. In 2020, he was named a Nikolay Brand Ambassador. In fall 2023, Tilton choreographed, designed, and staged The Nutcracker Suite for the Ballet West Academy Peggy Bergmann Park City Campus. In Fall 2023, Tilton began teaching as an adjunct faculty member for the School of Dance at the University of Utah, where he taught Classical Ballet Technique and Traditional Male Technique.

BELLA URETA AND MARCUS ROMEO; RACHEL NEVILLE PHOTOGRAPHY

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PETITE MORT

CHOREOGRAPHY Jiří Kylián

ASSISTANT TO THE CHOREOGRAPHER Shirley Esseboom

MUSIC Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Piano Concerto in A Major (KV 488), Adagio; Piano Concerto in C Major (KV 467), Andante SET DESIGN Jiří Kylián

COSTUME DESIGN Joke Visser

LIGHTING DESIGN Jiří Kylián (concept), Joop Caboort (realization)

TECHNICAL SUPERVISION (lights/set) Joost Biegelaar

World premiere August 23, 1991, Kleines Festspielhaus, Salzburger Festspiele, Austria, Nederlands Dans Theater

PROGRAM NOTES

Jiri Kylián created this ballet for the Salzburg Festival to commemorate the second centenary of Mozart’s death. For his work, he chose the slow parts of two of Mozart’s most beautiful and popular piano concertos. Kylián remarked, “This deliberate choice should not be seen as a provocation or thoughtlessness—rather, as my way to acknowledge the fact that I am living and working as part of a world where nothing is sacred, where brutality and arbitrariness are commonplaces.” The choreography includes 12 dancers and six foils. The foils have the function to be actual dance partners, and at times seem more unruly and obstinate than a human partner. They visualize a symbolism which is more present than a storyline. Aggression, sexuality, energy, silence, cultivated senselessness, and vulnerability—they all play a significant part. Petite mort, literally meaning “small death,” is a poetic, and strangely significant way of describing sexual gratification. “We are reminded of the fact that our lives are of a relatively short duration, and that death is never too far from us,” said Kylián.

SECHS TÄNZE

CHOREOGRAPHY Jiří Kylián

MUSIC Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sechs Deutsche Tänze, KV 571

STAGING Shiley Esseboom

SCENIC DESIGN Jiří Kylián

COSTUME DESIGN Jiří Kylián

LIGHTING DESIGN Jiří Kylián (concept), Joop Caboort (realization)

TECHNICAL ADAPTATION (light/set) Joost Biegelaar

Premiered on October 24, 1986, Het Muziektheater, Nederlands Dans Theater Amsterdam, Netherlands

PROGRAM NOTES

Two centuries separate us from the time when Mozart wrote his German Dances. A historical period shaped considerably by wars, revolutions, and all sorts of social upheavals. With this in mind I found it impossible to simply create different dance numbers reflecting merely the humor and musical brilliance of the composer. Instead, I have set six seemingly non-sensical acts, which obviously ignore their surroundings. They are dwarfed in face of the ever-present troubled world, which most of us for some unspecified reason carry in our souls.

Although the entertaining quality of Mozart’s Sechs Tänze enjoys great general popularity, it shouldn’t only be regarded as a burlesque. Its humor ought to serve as a vehicle to point towards our relative values. Mozart’s ability to react upon difficult circumstances with a self-preserving outburst of nonsensical poetry is well known. A fragment of a letter to his cousin is the finest example of this.

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CREATIVE TEAM

JIŘÍ KYLIÁN CHOREOGRAPHER

Jiří Kylián (Czechoslovakia, 1947) started his dance career at the age of 9, at the School of the National Ballet in Prague. He left Prague when he received a scholarship for the Royal Ballet School in London in 1967. After this, he left to join the Stuttgart Ballett led by John Cranko. Kylián made his debut as a choreographer here with Paradox for the Noverre Gesellschaft. After having made three ballets for Nederlands Dans Theater (Viewers, Stoolgame, and La Cathédrale Engloutie), he became artistic director of the company. In 1978 he put Nederlands Dans Theater on the international map with Sinfonietta. That same year, together with Carel Birnie, he founded Nederlands Dans Theater II, which served as a bridge between school and professional company life. He also initiated Nederlands Dans Theater III in 1991, for dancers above 40 years of age. This three dimensional structure was unique in the world of dance. Kylián handed over artistic leadership in 1999, but remained associated to the company as house choreographer until December 2009.

Kylián has created nearly 100 works, many of which are performed all over the world, and has worked with many creative personalities of international stature. In the summer of 2006, together with Film Director Boris Paval Conen he created

the film Car-Men. In 2013, together with Conen and NTR, he created the film Between Entrance & Exit, which was nominated as one of the contestants for the ‘Gouden Kalf’ award during the Dutch Film Festival in Utrecht. For the Aichi Trienalle 2013 in Nagoya, Japan, he created the full-evening dance/film production, East Shadow, which was dedicated to the victims of the Tsunami in Japan. Together with the Czech film director, Jan Maliř, he made the films Schwarzfahrer (2014) and his most recent film Scalamare (2017).

In the course of his career, Kylián received many international awards. In 2008 he was distinguished with one of the highest royal honours, the Medal of the Order for Arts and Science of the House of Orange given to him by Her Majesty the Queen Beatrix from the Netherlands. Kylián received the Lifetime Achievement Award in the field of dance and theater by the Czech Ministry of Culture in Prague and in this same year the documentary Forgotten Memories received the Czech Television Award. In March 2019 Kylián was inaugurated as a member of the Académie des Beaux Arts in Paris. This highly prestigious recognition was complimented with the Academy’s decision to change its statutes and add a special seat for dance. In September 2021, Kyliàn received the Gratias Agit Award in Prague for extraordinary achievements in advocacy of Czech culture, heritage and language.

BALLET WEST DANCERS; DAISY KOMEN PHOTOGRAPHY

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SHIRLEY ESSEBOOM  ASSISTANT TO THE CHOREOGRAPHER

Shirley Esseboom was born in The Hague, the Netherlands in 1975. After graduating from the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, she joined the Nederlands Dans Theater 2 for four years. She continued her dancing with the main company, Nederlands Dans Theater 1, for more than 10 years. Within this period she also danced one season with Les Ballets de Monte Carlo in Monaco. During her dance career with NDT, she worked with choreographers such as Jiří Kylian, Mats Ek, William Forsythe, Ohad Naharin, Johan Inger,

Paul Lightfoot/Sol Léon, Crystal Pite, Nacho Duato, Hans van Manen, and many prominent others. After an impressive career with Nederlands Dans Theater, she continued her work as a classical ballet and modern teacher, ballet master of Lightfoot/ Léon’s repertoire as well as for the Gothenburg Ballet in Sweden. Esseboom has become a freelance ballet master for Kylian Productions, teaching and staging Jiří Kylian’s work around the world. Esseboom has received three prestigious dance awards: the Encouragement Prize from the Stichting Dansersfonds ’79 (1998), the Merit Award from the Stichting Dansersfonds ’79 (2008), and the Golden Swan Award from the VSCD (2009).

JOOST BIEGELAAR  LIGHTING DESIGNER AND TECHNICAL ADAPTATION

Joost Biegelaar (1970) was educated in stage management studies at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, Scotland.

In 1992 he joined Nederlands Dans Theater 1, where under the direction of Jiří Kylián, he worked, produced, and toured with NDT’s stage

management and technical team world-wide. After 10 years of working with Nederland Dans Theater 1, he became technical director of the Lucent Dans Theater in The Hague, the Netherlands.

Currently Joost is a freelance light designer and often works with Kylian Productions BV to technically reproduce Kylian works with ballet companies around the world.

CINCINNATI BALLET DANCERS; PETER MUELLER PHOTOGRAPHY

$100

EACH MONTH, YOU'LL ENJOY FOUR SPECIALLY SELECTED WINES .

Each box includes tasting notes and suggested pairings for these exclusive wines, many of which are limited release or small production.

HAVE YOUR BOX DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR OR PICK IT UP AT URBAN STEAD IN WALNUT HILLS

PLUS! Enjoy special tasting events.

THE COMPANY

PRINCIPALS

Melissa Gelfin De-Poli Sirui LiuAlejandro Olivera Rafael Quenedit

FIRST SOLOISTS

Chandler ProctorMinori SakitaMaizyalet Velázquez

SOLOISTS

Maine ChernjavskyKatherine OchoaMarcus RomeoJoshua Stayton

CORPS DE BALLET

Nikita Boris

Taylor Carrasco

Sasha Chernjavsky

Luca De-Poli

Thomas Dilley

Samantha Griffin

Jhaelin McQuay

Tatiana Melendez

Michael Mengden

Amanda de Jesus

Pérez Duarte

Caroline Perry

NEW DANCERS

Llonnis del Toro CintraJulia Gundzik

APPRENTICES

Simone MuhammadScott Reed

SECOND COMPANY – CB2

Simon Plant

Bella Ureta

Lenai A. Wilkerson

Annie Fitzpatrick

Giovanny Garibay

Kannen Glanz

Amber Harper

James Jobson-Larkin

Eileen Kim

Ramsay Miller

The Artists of Cincinnati Ballet are represented by the American Guild of Musical Artists, AFL-CIO.

Nicholas Motley

Gavin Nicholson

Salomé Tregre

PRINCIPALS

FIRST SOLOISTS

MELISSA GELFIN DE-POLI (SHE/HER) PENNSYLVANIA | 2014

SIRUI LIU (SHE/HER) CHINA | 2011

RAFAEL QUENEDIT (HE/HIM) CUBA | 2021

ALEJANDRO OLIVERA (HE/HIM) CUBA | 2023

CHANDLER PROCTOR (HE/HIM) NORTH CAROLINA | 2021

MINORI SAKITA (SHE/HER) WASHINGTON, D.C. | 2019

MAIZYALET VELÁZQUEZ (SHE/HER) PUERTO RICO | 2012

MAINE CHERNJAVSKY JAPAN | 2023

NIKITA BORIS (SHE/HER) NEW JERSEY | 2020

LUCA DE-POLI (HE/HIM) FLORIDA | 2014

KATHERINE OCHOA (SHE/HER) CUBA | 2022

TAYLOR CARRASCO (HE/HIM) NEW MEXICO | 2015

THOMAS DILLEY (HE/HIM) AUSTRALIA | 2023

MARCUS ROMEO (HE/HIM) PENNSYLVANIA | 2017

SASHA CHERNJAVSKY NEW YORK | 2023

SAMANTHA GRIFFIN (SHE/HER) NORTH CAROLINA | 2023

JOSHUA STAYTON (HE/HIM) OHIO | 2019

CORPS DE BALLET

SOLOISTS

JHAELIN MCQUAY (HE/HIM) CALIFORNIA | 2019

AMANDA DE JESUS PÉREZ DUARTE (SHE/HER) CUBA | 2023

CORPS DE BALLET

TATIANA MELENDEZ FLORIDA | 2023

CAROLINE PERRY (SHE/HER) CALIFORNIA | 2022

BELLA URETA (SHE/HER) WASHINGTON | 2017

MICHAEL MENGDEN (HE/HIM) TEXAS | 2016

SIMON PLANT (HE/HIM) AUSTRALIA | 2022

LENAI A. WILKERSON (SHE/HER) WASHINGTON, D.C. | 2022

THE COMPANY

APPRENTICES

LLONNIS DEL TORO CINTRA (HE/HIM) CUBA | 2022

SIMONE MUHAMMAD (SHE/HER) MISSOURI | 2022

JULIA GUNDZIK (SHE/HER) OHIO | 2021

SCOTT REED (HE/HIM) GEORGIA | 2019

SECOND COMPANY – CB2

JAMES JOBSON- LARKIN (HE/HIM) NEW YORK, NEW YORK

ANNIE FITZPATRICK (SHE/HER) STERLING, MASSACHUSETTS

AMBER HARPER (SHE/HER) CINCINNATI, OHIO

EILEEN KIM (SHE/HER) NORTHBROOK, ILLINOIS

RAMSAY MILLER (SHE/HER) CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

GAVIN NICHOLSON (HE/HIM) MIAMI, FLORIDA

GIOVANNY GARIBAY (HE/HIM) CENTRALIA, WASHINGTON

KANNEN GLANZ (HE/HIM) CASPER, WYOMING

NICHOLAS MOTLEY (HE/HIM) CHESTERTOWN, MARYLAND

SALOMÉ TREGRE (SHE/HER) CINCINNATI, OHIO

When you give to ArtsWave, you support 150+ arts organizations throughout the year that make thousands of concerts, shows, exhibitions, public art and experiences like BLINK® happen!

MEET ASHA AMA BIAS-DANIELS

Cincinnati Costume Designer for Rena Butler’s World Premiere: Bloom

Asha Ama Bias-Daniels is a fashion designer and artist born and raised in the Queen City. As a Black woman, Asha often found herself misunderstood, stereotyped, and misidentified. She was able to navigate the fashion world and survive because she was raised with a great knowledge of self that she tries to impart to others through her designs. As a couture designer, Asha has created pieces for a diverse range of artists from Zendaya to Little Big Town. Asha competed as a finalist on Tim Gunn’s Project Runway: Under the Gunn and Project Runway All Stars. Her work has been featured at the Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati Art Museum, and Taft Museum of Art. We sat down recently with Asha for a Q & A about her life in Cincinnati and her work with Rena Butler.

Q: YOU WERE BORN AND RAISED IN CINCINNATI. TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT GROWING UP IN CINCY?

A: I grew up in Avondale, born to parents that loved each other and taught me to give love unconditionally and freely. They sacrificed a lot to put my siblings and I in expensive private schools because they believed in the power of education and opportunity. Knowing that we could face identity issues being split between our Black neighborhood and these rich white institutions, my father (Charles Daniels) went out of his way to instill a great knowledge of self in us at a young age. He gave me an African name, Asha, is Swahili for ‘life’ and Ama is Ghanian for ‘a girl born on Saturday.’ He made sure I knew exactly who I was, our history, and that I came from great ancestors.

Q: DID YOU ALWAYS KNOW YOU WANTED TO WORK IN FASHION? WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR CHILDHOOD MEMORIES OF THIS BEING A POSSIBLE CAREER CHOICE?

A: When you’re a smart Black kid going to these affluent schools, the automatic choice is to become a doctor or lawyer—important careers that can help our community and start to build generational wealth. Looking back on it, there were always signs that I was meant to be a fashion designer, but I didn’t grow up seeing career fashion designers, let alone Black ones. It wasn’t until I took a design class my junior year at St. Ursula Academy that my teacher saw my potential as a fashion designer. She encouraged me to do a college visit at DAAP, where her husband was dean at the time. From that point, I knew I was going to become a fashion designer, my parents supported my decision, and the rest is history. My first favorite fashion designer was my mom (Pamela Bias-Daniels). I used to admire these gorgeous pictures of her in the ‘70s,

looking like she stepped out of Jet magazine in custom pieces she made herself. One of my first iconic fashion moments was my mom and dad collaborating on making me a white lace Nefertiti crown for my First Communion.

Q: WHAT HAS IT BEEN LIKE WORKING WITH RENA BUTLER? HOW DO YOU DESIGN FOR DANCE?

A: Working with Rena was ‘love at first sight!’ Rena has been a dream collaborator. She is a young, Black woman at the height of innovation in her industry. Like myself, she breathes meaning into her work. We came up with the concept for this original piece the last time we got together for drinks. Laughing and crying about the times we’ve conquered great mountains in our careers but found ourselves shrinking our greatness to make others comfortable and having a great accomplishment soured by an unsupportive partner. This led to a bigger conversation about how we owe it to the women who came before us, who didn’t have the freedom to be big, to honor their sacrifice by being larger than life. I have never designed from a place of practicality. I must be inspired by a greater message and then work my way backwards into how to create that vision. Designing for dance is no different. We came up with the concept and I had to feel what that looked like. The design process is always fluid for me. I will be sitting in on some of Rena’s sessions with the dancers to gain inspiration before draping the more organic pieces of my designs for this collaboration.

Q: BEING A WOMAN OF COLOR, WHAT CHALLENGES HAVE YOU FACED IN YOUR CAREER?

A: The overarching challenge

I have faced in my career as a Black woman is being underestimated, misunderstood, and the industry trying to change me to fi t in a box that makes people comfortable. Luckily, at this age and with all the experiences I’ve had, I know exactly who I am. These experiences made me realize that it’s OK if people don’t understand my vision or the message behind my work because it’s not for everyone.

Q: THE ARTS IN CINCINNATI ARE SUCH A VIBRANT PART OF THE COMMUNITY, WHAT ARE YOU PROUD OF? WHAT IMPROVEMENTS COULD BE MADE?

A: I’m proud of the beautiful murals that adorn the buildings downtown. I’m proud of the work ArtsWave does to support Black artists. I’m proud of our beautiful museums that are intentionally featuring the work of Black and brown artists. I’m

proud of opportunities like this collaboration with the Cincinnati Ballet where I feel supported, respected, and seen as an artist. Cincinnati is off to a great start but has a lot of work to do to give more resources, funding, and opportunity to artists of color. I am blessed to be able to make a living doing what I love as an artist, but many of my peers struggle to find the proper support to be able to do this fulltime. I would like to see Cincinnati become a home for artists to start and cultivate meaningful full-time careers.

Q: ANY FINAL THOUGHTS?

A: I want to give a big thank you to the amazing people who make up Cincinnati Ballet. This has been my favorite collaboration to date. Everyone I have worked with from the ballet has been so kind and a great support of my vision for this collaboration.

ACADEMY AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Cincinnati Ballet’s Otto M. Budig Academy serves the greater Cincinnati area through world-class dance education programs and unparalleled performance opportunities. Whether students aspire to dance as a profession or pursue it as a personal passion, we believe dance training allows them to unleash potential that proves impactful in all aspects of their lives. Led by nationally recognized faculty, our guiding principles are to teach, challenge, and inspire the whole student to achieve their

CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH DANCE PROGRAMS

Enrollment based on age with beginning and progressing levels

Designed to inspire a lifelong love of dance, the Academy’s Children’s and Community Divisions offer entry-level and advancing classes in creative dance, ballet, and a wide array of

Ages 8 – 18

Enrollment based on experience with an accelerating curriculum

Our highly regarded ballet training, coupled with well-rounded

ADAPTIVE DANCE PROGRAMS

Ages 4 – Adult

Placement determined by student support resources

Cincinnati Ballet’s CB Moves program, developed in partnership with Cincinnati Children’s Department of Physical Therapy, fosters a love of dance and creative expression for students with specific needs.

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING DIVISION

Ages 16 and Up Enrollment by invitation

For students on the cusp of careers in dance, the Professional Training Division provides dancers with a full-day immersive training program and opportunities to perform alongside Cincinnati Ballet’s professional Company.

cbacademy@cballet.org

Photography: Hiromi Platt

Photography: Angie Lipscomb

Photography: Angie Lipscomb

Photography: Aaron M. Conway

2023 –2024 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

2023–2024 GOVERNING BOARD

Joel Stone CHAIR

Sergio Arreola

Fran Carlisle

Smokey Clay

David Cook

Andrea Costa

Judy Dalambakis

Zahki Davis

Michael Bailes

Bernie Calonge

Sheila Cohen

Connie Dow

Sandra Eisele

Jerry Ewers

Kathryn Harsh

Edmond Hooker

Beth Levy

Debbie Brant

Kelly Brown

Laura Brunner

Trish Bryan

Otto Budig

Nancy Clagett

William Cordes

Jen Stein INTERIM CHAIR

Debbie Brant

Jennifer Damiano

Joe Dehner

Emerson Moser VICE CHAIR

Sarah Frank Fogarty

Jodi Geiser

Rico Grant

Linda Greenberg

Kateri Moll Haskett

Patti Heldman

Lydia Jacobs-Horton

Kristin Fishbaugh TREASURER

Marcie Kinney

Peter Laffoon

Megan McCarthy-Wolf

Jack Miner

Shekhar Mitra

Katy Moeggenberg

2023–2024 SUSTAINERS

Leon Loewenstein

Madelynn Matlock

Larry McGruder

Skip Merten

Alex Munoz

Cathy Nwankwo

Jim Papakirk

Joselyn Pfeil

Julie Richardson

Kitty Rosenthal

Morleen Rouse

Diane Rumpke

Keke Sansalone

Tom Schiff

Beth Snyder

Chris Sprecher

Brett Stover

Mary Talbott

2023–2024 EMERITI

Lynn Good

Lorrence Kellar+

Charles MacDonnell

Richardson McKinney

Tom Neyer

Carol Duane Olson

Paul Ose

Melody Sawyer Richardson

Michael Rozow

James Sammarco

Kathleen Selker

Rhonda Sheakley

2023–2024 FOUNDATION BOARD

Madelynn Matlock TREASURER

Kristin Fishbaugh

Emerson Moser

Alex Munoz Rhonda Sheakley

HONORARY TRUSTEES

Craig F. Maier

Rhoda Mayerson+

Faith Whittaker SECRETARY

Alexandra Ollinger

Alandes Powell

T. Quinn

Lisa Riccardi

Toilynn O’Neal Turner

Brenden Zenni

Heather Theders

Pamela Thompson

Serena Tsuang

Kelly Vanasse

Catherine Vernon

Gary West

Barbara Weyand

George Wilkinson

Russell Shelton

Shelly Sherman

Julie Shifman

Linda Smith

Ronna Willis

Kelly Brown SECRETARY

Joel Stone Joe Carolin*

The definitive guide to living well in Greater Cincinnati

The city’s most respected and award-winning magazine, highlighting the region’s most interesting people, cultural issues, food, arts, fashion, and history.

CINCINNATI BALLET STAFF

Debbie Brant PRESIDENT AND CEO

ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE

Joe Carolin VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE AND CFO

Melissa Santomo CONTROLLER

Tiffany Whitcomb, SHRM-SCP VICE PRESIDENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

Tyler Parker SENIOR EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT AND BOARD LIAISON

Laura Linneman FINANCE (SPECIALIST) AND ACADEMY COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Chuck Beatty DIRECTOR OF EVENTS

Mary French ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF DATA SERVICES

Thomas E. Johnston, CCI, CHI™ INTERPRETER

ARTISTIC

Dale Shields REHEARSAL DIRECTOR

Carlos Quenedit GUEST REHEARSAL DIRECTOR

Yoshihisa Arai REHEARSAL DIRECTOR / DIRECTOR SECOND COMPANY – CB2

Allison Evans YOUNG PERFORMERS COACH

Annie Fitzpatrick

Nicholas Motley YP REHEARSAL ASSISTANTS

Angelika Bonyhati-Kovacs

Brian Cashwell

Janet Langhorst

Ted Seaman BALLET ACCOMPANISTS

PHILANTHROPY

Adrijana Kowatsch VICE PRESIDENT OF PHILANTHROPY

Katharine Nemeth MAJOR GIFTS OFFICER

Payton Field DONOR RELATIONS MANAGER

Ilona Piaskowy INDIVIDUAL GIVING MANAGER

MARKETING AND BRAND STRATEGY

Nicole Doll VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING AND BRAND STRATEGY

Louanna Wyatt ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF PATRON EXPERIENCE

Nicholas Peltz SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER AND CONTENT MANAGER

Dan Wood VIDEOGRAPHER

Eli Frances SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

Pam Taylor PATRON EXPERIENCE SUPERVISOR AND MARKETING PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Ja’Nay Brown

Reed Carter

Butch Hamm

Sam Johnson

Lisa Malsom

Ethan Mann

Brian Miller

Da'Shawn Mitchell

Neehar Phadke PATRON EXPERIENCE ASSOCIATES

Francine Kellar MARKETING INTERN

OTTO

M. BUDIG ACADEMY AND EDUCATION

Ginger Johnson VICE PRESIDENT OF ACADEMY AND EDUCATION

Blanca Huertas-Agnew ACADEMY DIRECTOR

Maura Korn STUDENT SERVICES MANAGER

Elizabeth Metz REGISTRATION SERVICES MANAGER

David Morse PRINCIPAL, PROFESSIONAL TRAINING DIVISION

Carolyn Guido Clifford EDUCATION COORDINATOR

Sirui Liu ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL, ENSEMBLE

Cervilio Miguel Amador

INTERIM ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Kate Stark

CB MOVES COORDINATOR

Kelly Daley

Emily Schau

Wynn White

YOUNG PERFORMERS COORDINATORS

Donna Anderle

Oliver Arana

Ja’Nay Brown

Alison Cole

Rosa Compostella

Jacqueline Damico Amador

Kiersten Edwards

Isabele Elefson

Kerry Enders

Jackie Engelkamp

Jeri Gatch

Donna Grisez

Julia Gundzik

Sasha Hart

Nicole Hershey

Andrew Hubbard

Helen Jardon

Julius Jenkins

Mary Kamp

Eileen Kim

Tina LaForgia Morse

Sirui Liu

Kara Louis

Daimy McInroe

Mae Miller

Victoria Morgan

Shane Ohmer

Patty Pille

Carlos Quenedit

Jennifer Rutherford

Rowan Salem

Maggie Silverstein

Joshua Stayton

Cassidy Steele

Shauna Steele

Kimberley Stewart

Rose Sunila

Brittany Taylor

Rebecca Walther

Michelle Ziegler

Missy Lay Zimmer

ACADEMY AND EDUCATION INSTRUCTORS

Frankie Bennett

Iliana Rich

Sierra Severt

STUDENT EXPERIENCE REPRESENTATIVES

PRODUCTION

Brian R Sherman

VICE PRESIDENT OF PRODUCTION

Carissa Gandenberger

PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER

Dena D’Andrea COMPANY MANAGER

Brooke Arthur COSTUME MANAGER

Laura Hofmann WARDROBE SUPERVISOR

Cherl Beyersdoerfer FIRST WARDROBE ASSISTANT

Jackie Andrews SECOND WARDROBE ASSISTANT

Scott Berkley MASTER CARPENTER

Kevin Barth PROPERTY MASTER

Chanelle Dau Pino MASTER ELECTRICIAN

Mary Comtois ASSISTANT ELECTRICIAN

James Geier WIG AND MAKE-UP CONSULTANT

Annalee Crosser

Morgan Piper ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS

Nate Hedges

CCM LIGHTING INTERN

SPORTS MEDICINE

Kelly Jo Rodrigo, MS, LAT, ATC COURTESY OF TRIHEALTH AND BEACON ORTHOPAEDICS & SPORTS MEDICINE

ARTISTIC EMERITI

Victoria Morgan ARTISTIC DIRECTOR EMERITA

Carmon DeLeone MUSIC DIRECTOR EMERITUS

Fran and Dan Bailey

Balle

DONOR HONOR ROLL

Eileen and John Barrett

Trish and Frederick Bryan

David W. Cook and Loretta Motz Cook +

Dianne Dunkelman and Peter Schwartz

FOUNDER

Lawrence E. Eynon MD and Donald Beck

Linda and Harry Fath

Susan Friedlander +

Linda and Gary Greenberg

Debby and Jim Mason

Lane and Skip Merten

Anonymous

Debbie and Jody Brant

Susan Brenner and Steven A. Mombach

Susan Domonkos

Connie and Leslie Dow

Kristin and Chris Fishbaugh

Arna and Bobby Fisher

Sergio Arreola

Amy and Michael Bailes

Bonnie and Charles Bensonhaver

Sue and Ben Blaney

Kelly J. Brown

Fran and Wayne Carlisle

Jennifer Conklin

Andrea Costa

Halle and T. Quinn

Dianne and J. David Rosenberg

Kitty and Richard Rosenthal

Rhonda and Larry Sheakley

Delane Starliper and Karen F. Maier

DIRECTOR

Sarah Frank Fogarty and Timothy Fogarty

Jodi M. Geiser and James Miller III

Arielle Goldberg

Suzanne and J. Frank Hall

Kateri Moll Haskett

Patti and Fred Heldman

Christine and Terence Horan

Lydia Jacobs-Horton and Jeff Horton

John and Peter Laffoon

Elizabeth and John LaMacchia

Megan McCarthy and Steve Wolf

Mitzie and Emerson Moser

Barbara K. Myers

PRINCIPAL

Bobbi and Aaron Crary

James Crosset

Judy and Christopher Dalambakis

Joseph Dehner and Noël Julnes-Dehner

Dr. and Mrs. Robert Heidt

Cynthia E. Henderson

Sally D. Hernandez

Jennifer and John Stein

Susan and John Tew

Heather and Jonathan Theders

Judith B. Titchener +

Margaret and Michael Valentine

Kristen and Scott Oyler

Julie and Steven Shifman

Lisa and Joel Stone

Brian L. Tiffany and Jerry S. Ewers

Dr. William and Therese Tobler

Peggy Johns

Barbara Kellar and Larry Kellar+

Dr. Khurram and Zofeen Khan

Jeffrey and Jody Lazarow

Martha and Carl Lindner

Frances and Craig Lindner

Anne and Craig Maier

Madelynn and Raymond Matlock

Jack Miner and Brian Dozer

Anu and Shekhar Mitra

Mary Lou Motl

Valerie L. Newell and Timothy Smith

Hiromi

Lisa M. Riccardi

Alice Schneider

Gayle and William Sherman

DONOR

Rick Staudigel and Kelly M. Dehan

Susie Tweddell

Laurie and John Acklen

Pam and Bernard Barbash

Marianna B. Bettman

Elaine and David Billmire

Jane and Robert Bohinski

James H. Brun

Mary Kay and Bernardo Calonge

Daniel Cifuentes

Paula and William Cordes

Cindy Crilley

Jennifer W. Dakers

Lisa and Richard Damico

Ruth E. Bley

Jacklyn and Gary Bryson

Otto M. Budig Jr.

Louise and Lanthan Camblin

Tracy D. Cheever

Michael L. Cioffi

Ariella and Andrew Cohen

Renee Combs

Paula I. Comisar

Kelly and Guy Vanasse

Diane and Gary West

Faith Whittaker

SOLOIST

Maureen and John Doellman

Martha and Stuart Dornette

Kristine and David Freitas

Vallie and Rodney Geier

Lauren Hannan Shafer

Karlee Hilliard

Theresa and Edmond Hooker

Jane Hopson

Esther and Steven Johnson

Daphne and Jason Jurgensen

Kristin and Carl Kalnow

Anne and Dean Kereiakes

Katherine and Robert Lawrence

Christine and Rick Lefever

David Martin

Stacey and Mark Miller

Susan Murray

Susan and Joseph Pichler

Penny and Stephen Pomeranz

Martha and Nick Ragland

Amy and Bradley Resch

CORPS

Kathleen A. Compton and Raymond C. McNeil

Peggy Dossman

Greta Elenbaas

Jennifer and Ron Erdmann

Jack Fogarty

Tom Fogarty

Valerie Folger

Claire Frank

Ralph Ginocchio

Jo Ann Wieghaus

Michael G. Williams

Rachel and Luke Robinson

Jack Rouse

Dawn and Robert Schiff

Susan and Russell Shelton

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Schlagheck

Barbara M. Weyand

Kathy and George Wilkinson

Ronna and Dr. James Willis

Ann B. Wissman

Ricardo Grant

Bill and Christy Griesser

Jessica Hall

Margaret and Edmund Hess

Sally Kelsall

Marcene Kinney

Jeanie Knuth

Joanie and Louis Lauch

Lizbie and Lynn Lin

Carol and Robert Olson

Lois and Steve Oyler

John Pape

Marilyn and Paul Porcino

Jennifer and Jake Ragland

Rosemary and Mark Schlachter

Linda Siekmann

Gale D. Snoddy and Alan L. Margulies

Debbie and Michael Snyder

Dee and Thomas Stegman

Anonymous (2)

Lois and Ken Allen

Jane S. Anderson

John Back

Carolyn Barham

Carrie and Michael Barron

Neil Bortz

Charlotte Brooks

Angelia and Gary Butterbaugh

Debbie Campbell

Shannon and Lee Carter

Kristin and David Coppage

Sarah Corathers and James Anthony

Robert Corgan

Natalia Cristo

Madison and Yvonne Cuffy

Michael Currey

Jennifer and Vito Damiano

Mark Dauner

Zahki Davis

Cynthia and Stephen DeHoff

Mary Kate Vanderglas

Nancy and Christopher Virgulak

Christine and John Willig

Jennifer Yeung and John Gould

THIRD POSITION

Amy and Andrew DeWitt

Brian A. Doyle

Joyce Elkus

Merry Ewing

Evelyn and Marc Fisher

Barbara and Ashley Ford

Courtney Fox

Michael Frabetti

Lynne S. Friedlander

Catherine Hamilton

Eloise and Howard Hamilton

Amy Hanley

Genita and Rob Heidenreich

Becky Hogya

Beth Hudepohl

Valerie Jacobs

Elaine Jaeger

Brenda Jones

Steven Kenat and Heidi Jark

Carol L. Kruse

Kristin and Tom Lamarre

Susan Lauf

Geoffrey Leder

Becky and Thomas Long Sean Luther

Anne Maddox and John Berninger

Sherie Marek

Emily Mathews

Sophia McAllister

Kim and Barbara McCracken

Jill and Larry McGruder

Cassie and Lachlan McLean

Emily and Steven Morgan

Holly and Mike Mott

Leslie and Larry Newman

Mardie and Robert Off

Alexandra and S. Cole Ollinger

Nan L. Oscherwitz

Sandy and Gregg Pancero

Maria and James Papakirk

Patel-Curran Family

Kathy Perry

Joselyn Pfeil

Alandes Powell

Alexandra and Andrew Quinn

Beth Plummer

Ellen Rieveschl

Carole and Edwin Rigaud

Karen Zaugg Ph.D.

Jean S. Robson

Priya and Dave Rolfes

Elyse M. Roth

Judith Roth

Janet and William Sarran

Julie and Charles Scheper

Thomas Schiff

Martha and Lee Schimberg

Janet Schultz and Russell Lascelles

Marianne Schwab and George Stricker

Stephen Schwartz

Elizabeth Shaughnessy and James Stapleton

Joanne and John Smale

Susan and David Smith

Paul Spitz

Diane M. Spitznagel

Elena Stein

Sandra Stern

John U. Tan

Amy and William Thaman

Pamela F. Thompson

Rob Thornton

Heather and Andrew Vecellio

Elizabeth B. Vollmer

Barbara Wagner

Kim A. Walker

DONOR HONOR ROLL

Tiffany and John Whitcomb

Angela J. White

Janice M. Amatulli

Pamela Ashmore

William Banks

Helene and John Bentley

Pam Biederman

Dawn and Douglas Bruestle

Onassis A. Caneris

Anne Charles

Phil and Katharine Clayton

Lisa Cohen

Kate Costlow and John D’Amore

Candace Crouse

Patricia and William Culp

Regina and Dan Daily

April and Harry Davidow

Thomas M. Deutsch

Andrea Wilson and Clifford Goosmann

Anne Warrington Wilson

John Yacher

SECOND POSITION

M. Patricia and T. Patrick Donnelly

Barbara Doviak

Kenneth Frey

Mary Ann Gardner

Judith and Samuel Gilardi

William Gracie

Beverly Grant

Pamela Heydt

Bridget and Brian Hoffman

Nelson Horseman

Francy Hughes

Laura Hurley

Kara and Guido Jackson

Jan and Randy Johnson

Isabel Jones

Patricia Joseph

Misty Keeton

Crystal L. Kendrick

Kathryn E. Kipp

Mary and John Kmet

Stephen Lord

Laura and Phil Lucas

Janet McDaniel

Lori and Jeff Miller

Roberta and Neal Montour

Christine Moran

Alice Palmer

Patricia and Michael Rozow

Gabriella Scacchetti

Vivian and Jim Schwab

Barbara Sferra and Herbert Robinson

Sandra Wittman-Shell and Keven Shell

Philip Smith

*Funds held at the Greater Cincinnati Foundation + In memoriam

Jody Yetzer and Alexander Kayne

Jaclyn and Brenden Zenni

Linda and Nicholas Spadaccini

Robert W. Strauss and Phyllis G. Bossin

Jennifer and Chad Taylor

Claire and Zachary Tempel

Torey and Tom Torre

Elizabeth and Chad Warwick

Gregory and Deborah Wright

Lisa Zaring

Michelle and Nick Ziegler

Marcia and Robert Ziek

Robert and Lindsay Zierolf

Tamela and Tim Zimmerman

Betsey Zinn

Thank you to the donors whose gifts we received by January 29, 2024. The above donor pages represent the information available at the time of print. If you find that you are listed incorrectly or we did not recognize you appropriately, we apologize and want to include you. Please contact our Donor Relations Manager, Payton Field, at pfield@cballet.org or 513.562.1136.

$2,500–$4,999

$1,000—$2,499

Thank you to the donors whose gifts we received by January 29, 2024. The above donor pages represent the information available at the time of print. If you find that you are listed incorrectly or we did not recognize you appropriately, we apologize and want to include you. Please contact our Donor Relations Manager, Payton Field, at pfield@cballet.org or 513.562.1136.

Chemed Foundation

Family Foundation

The Edelweiss Foundation

Joni Herschede Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation

Ez & Lynn Housh Family Foundation

Andrew Howe Scholarship Foundation

Lewis and Marjorie Daniel Foundation

Morgan Judd Memorial Fund

Parkinson's Support and Wellness

Peter T. Joseph Foundation

Innovative Worthy Projects Foundation

Nabama Foundation

Willow Hill Foundation

Bailey Lamson Family Trust Building Healthy Lives Foundation

Louise Taft Semple FoundationThomas J. Emery Memorial Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation

Crossett

Charles Scott Riley III Foundation

Cincinnati Ballet acknowledges the following partner companies, foundations, and their employees who generously participate in the annual ArtsWave Campaign at the $100,000+ level.

Thank you!

$2 MILLION + P&G

$1 MILLION –$1,999,999 Fifth Third Bank and Fifth Third Foundation

$500,000–$999,999 altafiberGE Aerospace

$250,000–$499,999

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation

Cincinnati Business Courier

Cincinnati Reds

Duke Energy

The E.W. Scripps Company and Scripps Howard Foundation

The Cincinnati Insurance Companies

$100,000—$249,999

The Enquirer|Cincinnati.com

Great American Insurance Group

Greater Cincinnati Foundation

The H.B., E.W. and F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, N.A., Trustee

Western & Southern Financial Group

The Kroger Co.

Messer Construction Co.

PNC U.S. Bank

Cincinnati Ballet is delighted to provide elementary schools in the greater Cincinnati area with FREE residency experiences sure to inspire your students to move and to develop an appreciation for the art of dance.

Focus: Second Grade

Available: September - December

The CincyDance! program starts in the classroom using a combination of physical education curriculum and dance training to activate a student’s desire to express themselves through movement. Following the residency, students are invited to audition for scholarships to continue their training at Cincinnati Ballet.

Focus: Pre-K

Available: January - April

The CincyDance! Pre-K program activates a student’s imagination while introducing them to the joy of creative movement and ballet. Students will explore locomotor movement, balance and other key coordination skills with highly skilled Cincinnati Ballet teaching artists.

Photography: Hiromi Platt

EXPLORE CINCINNATI BALLET

MEET THE ARTIST

Cincinnati Ballet is pleased to offer Meet the Artist, a pre-performance discussion series connecting audiences to select dancers, choreographers, and members of the creative team who bring our performances to life. Admission to Meet the Artist is included in your ticket to the current production.

ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

Throughout the year Cincinnati Ballet offers dynamic and interactive experiences to deepen your love of the art form. This season, we are pleased to present family-friendly activities at the Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance, including Trick or Treat at The Ballet and Nutcracker Sampler. Please check cballet.org for details.

BALLET & BEER

Ballet & Beer is an event series providing an insider’s view into Cincinnati Ballet while enjoying drinks, light bites, and socializing. This season we will host these happy hour–style events at the new Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance in Walnut Hills. Due to space limitations for the rehearsals, advanced reservations are necessary. Events include a cash bar.

COMMUNITY PERFORMANCE SERIES

Cincinnati Ballet is excited to open the Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance to the community for an inviting introduction to ballet and dance performance. These performances are designed to welcome new audiences to dance through accessible storytelling, relatable themes, fun choreography, and community partnerships. Join us at the new Center for Dance on select Sunday afternoons with your family and friends for these hour-long performances.

VOLUNTEER

Cincinnati Ballet offers a variety of volunteer opportunities. Get involved and support Cincinnati Ballet while meeting new people and learning more about ballet. Volunteering for Cincinnati Ballet is fun, educational, and a great way to support the arts. Volunteers are vital in supporting the mission of Cincinnati Ballet.

AT THE ARONOFF CENTER FOR THE ARTS

FOOD AND BEVERAGES are available at various lobby locations throughout the Aronoff Center. For many performances, a selection of the concessions we sell, including most drinks, may be taken into the theater. Our concessions staff and ushers can indicate whether or not you may take your snacks and beverages into the theater.

ALL RESTROOMS in the Aronoff Center are accessible to people with disabilities. Restrooms in the Procter & Gamble Hall are located in the side corridors on both sides of the lobbies (except Balcony—restrooms located on the north side of the lobby only).

COAT CHECK can be found on the street level of the Aronoff Center.

IF YOU LOSE AN ITEM while attending an event at the Aronoff Center, check with one of our ushers before leaving the building. If they are unable to locate the item, call the Security Desk at (513) 9774128 during regular business hours, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, Monday-Friday.

YOUR PARTICIPATION IN OUR RECYCLING effort is appreciated! Blue or silver recycling containers are located near every concession stand. If you don’t want to keep your program, you may recycle it in the program bins in the lobby at the Aronoff Center.

PLEASE NOTE

THE LOBBY at the Aronoff Center opens one hour prior to curtain and you may enter the theater 30 minutes prior to the start of the performance.

LATE SEATING is at the discretion of the Front of House Manager. For many events, there may be a seating hold for latecomers. These holds vary in length depending on the show. Should you need to leave the auditorium during the performance, readmittance and seating will also be at the discretion of the house manager.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO of Cincinnati Ballet performances is strictly forbidden.

SMOKING IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED at the Aronoff Center.

FREE TOURS OF THE ARONOFF CENTER are available for groups up to 50 people and are typically off ered Monday – Friday between the hours of 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, pending theater availability. Weekend or early evening tours also may be possible and can be discussed with a representative. The Aronoff Center tour lasts approximately one hour. To schedule a tour, call (513) 977-4117, ext. 3 and leave a message with the date(s) and time(s) you are interested in attending. An Aronoff Center representative will respond within 2 business days.

ACCESSIBILITY

All theaters and meeting spaces within the Aronoff Center are accessible to patrons with physical disabilities. Once inside the building, all levels are accessible by elevator. The Jarson-Kaplan Theater is equipped with one elevator for patron use. Automatic accessible doors are located on the south end of the building near Sixth and Walnut Streets.

A COURTESY WHEELCHAIR IS AVAILABLE upon request on a first-come, first-served basis for patrons needing assistance from the lobby to their seats. Patrons can ask any staff member or volunteer usher for assistance.

ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES for the hearing impaired are available at the coat room in the lobby of the Jarson-Kaplan Theater. These assistive listening devices operate on an infra-red system and are not compatible with other frequency-based units.

ACCESSIBLE SEATING is available in all theaters for patrons not able to transfer out of their wheelchairs or with other seating needs. Please contact the Ticket Office at (513) 621-2787 in advance to discuss your needs.

SERVICE ANIMALS are always welcome at the Aronoff Center in order to accommodate patrons with disabilities.