Cincinnati Ballet - The Nutcracker 2021

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TA B L E O F CO N T E N T S Cincinnati Ballet

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LETTERS FROM LEADERSHIP SEASON SPONSORS THE NEW NUTCRACKER SPONSORS

THE NUTCRACKER CINCINNATI BALLET LEADERSHIP SYNOPSIS CREATIVE TEAM BIOS ARTISTIC LISTING PRINCIPAL DANCER BIOS

29 THE COMPANY 34 NUTCRACKER PUZZLE TIME 38 41 43 44 46 54 55 56

VICTORIA’S WORLD OF WHIMSY BOARD OF TRUSTEES CINCINNATI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CINCINNATI BALLET STAFF DONOR HONOR ROLL EXPLORE CINCINNATI BALLET PUZZLE TIME ANSWERS FOR YOUR INFORMATION

COVER PHOTO: PHOTOGRAPHY BY AARON M. CONWAY FEATURING MINORI SAKITA AND JOSHUA STAYTON PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNIFER DENHAM WITH MELISSA GELFIN DE-POLI AND CERVILIO MIGUEL AMADOR

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LETTERS FROM LEADERSHIP Cincinnati Ballet

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DEAR CHERISHED AND LOYAL FRIEND,

he holidays are truly a magical time—a time to slow down, a time to celebrate with family and friends, and also, a time to reflect. As I take a moment to look back on the past year, I am so grateful for the opportunity to experience our beloved The Nutcracker with all of you, in person in Cincinnati’s glorious Music Hall. There is nothing quite like the hush of the audience right before the curtain rises and the cheerful strings of Tchaikovsky’s most beloved symphonic score beckon us to journey to a magic world of a child’s imagination. The music never gets old. Whether hearing it for the first time or the hundredth, it immediately takes us to a place of warmth and memory.

For me, this is an especially poignant Nutcracker Season; It is the last time the Company will perform this choreography while I am Artistic Director. Ten years ago, in collaboration with a team of creative geniuses, I created my version of Clara’s dreamy trip to the Land of Sweets. I was inspired by my own personal journey (by now, you probably know the inspiration for Clara’s poodle and the Mirlipoos in Act II was my own beloved canine companion, Teddy Mo!), the incredible music, and the narrative of a little girl who wants to keep her memories of a magical holiday party alive forever. As the years pass, we may not remember every detail of our Christmas dinners or holiday parties, but the smell of sugar cookies baking or the sight of Nutcrackers on store shelves can instantly conjure pleasant flashes of times gone by. We are all, in some ways, just like Clara, holding on tightly to the joy and wonder that lives in our memories. I, too, will carry with me every joyful memory I’ve spent with you, on this stage, introducing this glorious work over the last 25 years. It is my greatest gift, I share with you. I wish you and your family the happiest of holidays and a wonder-filled New Year!

Your ever-loving Artistic Director,

VICTORIA MORGAN The Sue and Bill Friedlander Artistic Director

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LETTERS FROM LEADERSHIP Cincinnati Ballet

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DEAR FRIEND OF CINCINNATI BALLET,

hat a joyous feeling it is to welcome you back to theater for The Nutcracker. For so many Cincinnati families, the holidays are not complete without a trip to Music Hall for our annual production of the beloved classic. Our Cincinnati Ballet family is no different. We deeply missed staging this spectacular production in the theater last year and are so grateful for the opportunity to share live Nutcracker performances with our community again. The last 18 months has taught all of us not to take anything for granted and celebrate every moment. The 2021–2022 Season is truly celebratory for Cincinnati Ballet in so many ways. Throughout recent global challenges, the health and safety of our dancers, staff, patrons, and students have remained our top priorities. We have worked diligently and creatively to share dance safely with our community and are thankful for the health and well-being of our Company.

This season we are also celebrating a momentous anniversary—Artistic Director Victoria Morgan’s 25th and final season with the Company. Her contributions to Cincinnati Ballet and the region’s thriving arts community are myriad. It has been an honor to work with her the last five years and experience her unique artistic vision firsthand. This season, the Company is producing three of Victoria’s full-length ballets—her epic King Arthur’s Camelot last month, her whimsical Nutcracker, and in February 2022, the classic Cinderella. We hope to see you then! As we invite you back into the theater, we also invite you to visit our new home, the Cincinnati Ballet Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance in Walnut Hills. We have already enjoyed getting to know our new neighbors and look forward to sharing the power of dance in meaningful ways with these special community partners. In addition to expanded community engagement offerings, the new Center for Dance, with nine state-of-the-art studios, has allowed us to expand our thriving Otto M. Budig Academy and recreational dance programs. I encourage to explore all the new offerings.

As we close 2021 and prepare to begin a new year, I extend the gratitude of our entire Company to you for your unwavering support. The best is yet to come!

Happy Holidays.

SCOTT ALTMAN President and CEO

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2021–2022 SEASON SPONSORS Cincinnati Ballet

VICTORIA MORGAN’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON PRESENTED BY

SEASON FUNDERS

OFFICIAL SPORTS MEDICINE PROVIDER

LIVE MUSIC SPONSOR

SUSTAINABILITY SPONSOR

ADDITIONAL SEASON SUPPORT

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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 highest goals in a nurturing and positive environment.

CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH DANCE PROGRAMS Ages 2 – 17 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 dance styles.

PRE-PROFESSIONAL TRAINING Ages 8 – 18 Enrollment based on experience with an accelerating curriculum Our highly regarded ballet training, coupled with well-rounded versatility in other dance styles, elevates the potential of aspiring young dancers who have found their passion in dance.

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.

ADAPTIVE DANCE PROGRAMS Ages 4 – Young 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.

For more information or to register connect with us at: Email: cbacademy@cballet.org | Phone: 513.562.1111 | Website: cballet.org/academy Address: 1801 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio

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THE NEW NUTCRACKER SPONSORS

ACT I

FRISCH’S RESTAURANTS BLANCHE’S KITCHEN CHEF Jean-Robert de Cavel

Cincinnati Ballet

OVERTURE

SHEAKLEY SHOW CURTAIN

SUE AND BILL FRIEDLANDER PARTY SCENE Eleanora C.U. Alms Trust, Fifth Third Bank Trustee Growing Tree CLARA Mr. and Mrs. Larry McGruder MAGICAL DROSSELMEYER The Klosterman Family HOST & HOSTESS Thomas and Mary Ellen Cody GRANDMOTHER Dr. and Mrs. Henry J. Heimlich* AUNTIE ANNIE Ronna and Dr. James Willis PARTY SCENE CHILDREN Margaret and Michael Valentine DANCING DOLL Carol and Robert Olson DANCING TEDDY BEAR Theodore L. Schwartz* and Minnette Hoffheimer

THE LOUISE TAFT SEMPLE FOUNDATION BATTLE SCENE MOUSE KING Bruce Halpryn and Chas W. Riebe

GREAT AMERICAN INSURANCE SNOW SCENE Doris M. and Charles Levinson Fund Flying Balloon

ACT II

PNC BANK LAND OF SWEETS The Kroger Co. Foundation Center Cake SUGAR PLUM FAIRY TenderLand Foundation CUPCAKES The Brown Family CHOCOLATE DANCERS Gary and Linda Greenberg MIRLIPOOS Moe and Jack Rouse MOTHER HEN AND CHICKS Rosemary and Mark Schlachter

JAMES J. & JOAN A. GARDNER FAMILY FOUNDATION WALTZ OF THE FLOWERS SCENE BUMBLEBEES Northlich MEDIA SPONSOR Gannett Foundation PROP CONSTRUCTION The Thomas J. Emery Memorial LIGHTING Procter & Gamble MAESTRO Corbett Foundation ADDITIONAL SPONSORSHIP PARTNERS

The Sutphin Family Foundation Dinsmore & Shohl LLP Frost Brown Todd LLC Jack J. Smith, Jr. Charitable Trust, PNC Bank N.A. and James S. Wachs, Co-Trustees Christopher and Karen Bowman Nigel Vinecombe *Our hearts go out to the family of Dr. Henry J. Heimlich & Theodore L. Schwartz, their memory will live on at Cincinnati Ballet.

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

THE NUTCRACKER MUSIC Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky performed by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra MUSIC DIRECTOR Carmon DeLeone SCENIC DESIGN John Ezell COSTUME DESIGN Carrie Robbins

Cincinnati Ballet

CHOREOGRAPHY Victoria Morgan

LIGHTING DESIGN Trad A Burns STAGING Dale Shields, Cervilio Miguel Amador, Suzette Boyer Webb YOUNG PERFORMERS’ REHEARSAL COACH Suzette Boyer Webb ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR Michael Chertock MICE HIP-HOP CHOREOGRAPHY Derrek Burbridge COFFEE DANCE CHOREOGRAPHY Victoria Morgan, with Missy Lay Zimmer and Andrew Hubbard ASSOCIATE LIGHTING DESIGN Benjamin Gantose ASSOCIATE SCENIC DESIGN Gene Emerson Friedman WIGS & MAKEUP James Geier of J. Geier Designs LTD FLYING EFFECTS ZFX, Inc. MAGIC CONSULTATION Sean Owens, with Wood Herron & Evans LLP

Carmon DeLeone conducting Evening - December 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 26 Matinee - December 24

Michael Chertock conducting Matinee - December 18, 19, 22, 23, 26

SPECIAL THANKS Cincinnati Gymnastics, Gota Dance, Manyet Dance, Mason Dance Center, Rapture Dance Company, SCPA PARENT COORDINATOR

Wynn White REHEARSAL ASSISTANTS

Sam Epstein and Julia Gundzik The scenic designer thanks confectioner Colette Peters for the use of references to her cake design in Act II “The Land of Sweets.” Peters/CAKES TO DREAM ON; © Copyright 2005; Reproduced with permission of the author and publisher John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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Em mmy Award Win nner RegionBl - In nterrvieew/Disccussiion Program m

C I N C I N N AT I BA L L E T L E A D E R S H I P The 2021–2022 Season marks Victoria Morgan’s 25th Season as Cincinnati Ballet’s Artistic Director. Morgan took on the role of executive leader in 2008, serving as both the Artistic Director and CEO. Under her leadership, after years of growing deficits, the company stabilized its finances, built a healthy and sizeable endowment fund, created an operating reserve, and presented several million-dollar capital projects. During this time, the Company also expanded the Otto M. Budig Academy, as well as education and community engagement programming.

In 2017, with the arrival of Scott Altman as President and CEO, Morgan transitioned to full-time Artistic Director, giving her the opportunity to focus exclusively on artistic excellence. Morgan’s artistic contributions to Cincinnati Ballet are myriad.

During her tenure, she has choreographed numerous one-act and full-length ballets, including world premieres of King Arthur’s Camelot, the new Nutcracker, and her revised choreography for Cinderella. With her deep roots in the Cincinnati communi-

ty, Morgan was instrumental in fund-raising efforts to secure support for the new 57,000-square-foot Cincinnati Ballet Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance in Walnut Hills. While construction was underway for the new Dance Center, 2020 challenged Morgan’s artistic leadership in unprecedented ways. She responded to the global pandemic in a creative and science-based way, working closely the Company’s artistic and administrative teams to safely present one of the nation’s first ballet performances to an in-person audience following the shutdown. Ballet in the Park was staged at the Procter & Gamble Pavilion in September 2020 and was lauded by The National Endowment for the Arts for its innovation.

Prior to joining Cincinnati Ballet, Morgan was resident choreographer for the San Francisco Opera and a principal dancer for San Francisco Ballet and Ballet West. She has and continues to serve on numerous boards including Dance USA, Dance Magazine, the NEA evaluation panel, and was a judge for several International Ballet Competitions. Morgan graduated Magna Cum Laude with an M.F.A. from University of Utah and was honored as a YWCA Career Woman of Achievement in 2009.

Cincinnati Ballet

VICTORIA MORGAN

THE SUE AND BILL FRIEDLANDER ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

SCOTT ALTMAN

PRESIDENT AND CEO

Scott Altman joined Cincinnati Ballet as President and CEO in August 2016. Under his visionary leadership, Cincinnati Ballet has reached many noteworthy milestones, including tripling asset growth to over $60 million, implementation of its first $10 million operating budget, a dynamic new logo and brand identity, record-breaking ticket sales, the launch of a new Family Series, as well as expanded Academy and community programs.

To accommodate this incredible growth, Cincinnati Ballet launched a $31 million capital campaign to construct a new, larger, state-of-the-art ballet center.

With the successful completion of the campaign, the 57,000-square-foot Cincinnati Ballet Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance opened in September 2021. During his tenure, Altman has been honored for two consecutive years by Cincinnati Magazine in its Cincinnati 300—a compilation of the city’s top 300 executives—and currently serves as Trustee on the Board of Dance USA and as its Executive Managers Council Chair, Trustee on the Board of Ohio Citizens for the Arts, and member PHOTOGRAPHY BY HIROMI PLATT

of the Dean’s Advisory Council for Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. Altman has been a featured guest speaker for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Americans for the Arts, and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Altman brings with him nearly three decades of experience in nonprofit administration and performing arts. Prior to his roles in administration, Altman enjoyed a 20-year career as a professional opera singer and performed 40 opera roles internationally. He has held leadership positions as General Director at both Arizona Opera and Opera New Jersey, and just prior to coming to Cincinnati Ballet he was Executive Director of Ballet West. During his tenure, Ballet West experienced phenomenal expansion, including growth in ticket sales, a vastly expanded touring schedule, robust growth in donor development, and the construction of a new building. He is an alumnus of the Manhattan School of Music as well as State University College at Purchase and taught for three years at Princeton University. Altman earned a certificate from Stanford University’s Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders, was a Utah Business 2016 CEO of the Year Honoree, and is a three-time recipient of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts Citation of Excellence Award.

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C I N C I N N AT I BA L L E T L E A D E R S H I P Cincinnati Ballet

CARMON DELEONE

MUSIC DIRECTOR

Carmon DeLeone, Music Director of Cincinnati Ballet for over 50 years and Conductor Laureate of The Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra and The Middleton Symphony, has served as Conductor and Host of the Family Concert Series at New York’s Carnegie Hall and has conducted orchestras in Germany, England, Luxembourg, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Under his leadership, The Illinois Philharmonic was twice named “Illinois Orchestra of the Year.” He has composed many original scores for the ballet. His bestknown work, Peter Pan, is frequently performed nationally and overseas. As Assistant, and later Resident Conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, DeLeone served on its staff with Music

Directors Max Rudolf, Thomas Schippers, Walter Susskind, and Erich Kunzel. He was also selected by Maestro Erich Leinsdorf to participate in an intensive master conducting seminar at The Lincoln Center. He possesses a wide range of musical interests; he is versed in both the classics and jazz playing the French horn or leading his own “Studio Big Band” from the drum set. Maestro DeLeone made his New York conducting debut with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at City Center, and his Carnegie Hall debut with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s. DeLeone is a recipient of the Post-Corbett Award and most recently was awarded the esteemed MacDowell Medal by the Cincinnati MacDowell Society. His very popular weekly radio show, Sunday Morning Music Hall, can be heard on WDJO-FM 99.5 & 107.9 and AM 1480.

SUZETTE BOYER WEBB

DIRECTOR OF SECOND COMPANY

Suzette Boyer Webb joined Cincinnati Ballet in 1979. As a Principal Dancer, under the direction of David McClain, Frederic Franklin, and Ivan Nagy, she danced classical and contemporary roles in works by choreographers Frederic Franklin, Ivan Nagy, George Balanchine, Ruth Page, Peter Anastos, John Butler, Sir Kenneth McMillian, Ben Stevenson, James Truitte, Lester Horton, and Vincente Nebrada. Upon retirement from Cincinnati Ballet, Webb served on the Dance Division faculty at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. There, she was awarded The Outstanding Adjunct Teacher of the Year award.

As the director of the Cincinnati Ballet’s Second Company – CB2 and Young Performers Ballet Master, Webb has been instrumental in providing technical and artistic learning opportunities to CB2 and Academy dancers in various Cincinnati Ballet productions, including the highly successful Cincinnati Ballet Family Series. Webb has choreographed numerous works for the Cincinnati Ballet Second Company. She has staged many ballets, including children’s roles for Victoria Morgan’s The Nutcracker, in Cincinnati; Anchorage, Alaska; at the Kennedy Center for the Arts in Washington, D.C.; and at the Detroit Opera House.

Webb has worked nationally as guest teacher, adjudicator, and panelist.

CERVILIO MIGUEL AMADOR

BALLET MASTER

A skilled artist, entrepreneur, and change agent for the world of dance, Cervilio Miguel Amador received his education and training from the Vocational Ballet School in Camagüey, Cuba, and the

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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. He was promoted to Principal Dancer in 2006 becoming one of the youngest Principals in the history of the company. During his professional career he has per-

C I N C I N N AT I BA L L E T L E A D E R S H I P Cincinnati Ballet and Co-Artistic Director/Founder of Moving Arts. Amador is also a member of the Cincinnati Ballet Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Task Force leading sustainable change for dancers now and future artists.

Cincinnati Ballet

formed as a guest artist in galas all over the world as well as a guest teacher for numerous schools.

He has represented Cincinnati Ballet dancers as a Union delegate for over 10 years and after retiring from dance, he became the Ballet Master for Cincinnati Ballet. He is currently the Ballet Master for

DALE SHIELDS

BALLET MASTER

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 Ballet Mistress for Ballet Internationale, assisting

PHOTOGRAPHY BY AARON M. CONWAY AND HIROMI PLATT

with the original choreography of full-length ballets by Artistic Director Eldar Aliev and worked alongside Irina Kolpakova in staging many wellknown 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.

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SYNOPSIS Cincinnati Ballet

ACT I

SCENE I – BLANCHE’S KITCHEN Our story begins on Christmas Eve. There is a flurry of activity as the maids, butlers, and chef prepare for a party where friends and family of the Stahlbaums will gather to open presents and celebrate the holiday. The Stahlbaums’ son, Fritz, and their daughter, Clara, try their best to be helpful, but that is not without its complications.

SCENE II – THE PARTY The Stahlbaum living room is bright and festive with the most beautiful Christmas tree imaginable. All the guests and children are having a marvelous time dancing, laughing, and opening gifts when suddenly, Herr Drosselmeyer bursts into the room. He is a mysterious doll maker who surprises everyone with his acts of magic. With the swipe of his cloak, dresses change color and dancing dolls appear. One doll is so beautiful Clara bravely asks if she can have it for Christmas, but Mother Stahlbaum says no. Clara is sad until Drosselmeyer places the most colorful Nutcracker in her hands. She joyfully dances around the room showing off her splendid gift. Fritz wishes that Drosselmeyer had given him the Nutcracker and in his frustration, grabs it from Clara and breaks it. Immediately, the precocious Fritz is scolded by

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his father and sent off to bed. Herr Drosselmeyer comes to the rescue and mends the Nutcracker.

The festivities continue into the night, highlighted with a stately dance initiated by Clara’s grandparents. As the evening comes to an end, Drosselmeyer is the last to bid the family farewell. Just before heading up to bed, Herr Stahlbaum brings out one last gift. He fastens an elegant necklace around his wife’s neck and there is one last embrace before the parlor grows quiet.

SCENE III – THE BATTLE Clara, candle in hand, sneaks downstairs to check on her beloved Nutcracker. She finds herself in the drawing room and is startled by the sound of scampering feet and flickering eyes. Clara hears the chimes of the big grandfather clock striking midnight as a band of mischievous mice tries to steal away her precious Nutcracker. Drosselmeyer appears out of the darkness and, with a wave of his arms, the tree, parlor furniture, and toys begin to grow. A terrible battle ensues between the mice and the toy soldiers. The Nutcracker, having escaped the clutches of the mice, has grown to life-size and challenges the Mouse King to duel.

It is a fierce fight but the Mouse King is distracted

by Clara’s imaginary friend, Minnie the Poodle, allowing the brave Nutcracker to wound his foe.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANGIE LIPSCOMB WITH CINCINNATI BALLET DANCERS

SYNOPSIS As the mice scamper away and parlor grows quiet, Clara watches as her Nutcracker magically transforms into a handsome prince. He takes her hand and they soon find themselves in a magical snow forest. There, they meet the noble Snow Queen and King, who dance with a storm of Snowflakes.

As the storm subsides, a beautiful flying balloon descends to take Clara and her Nutcracker Prince to the Land of Sweets.

ACT II

THE LAND OF SWEETS As the curtain opens on Act II, we see a delightful assortment of filigree frosted cakes. It is the Sugar Plum Fairy’s Kingdom, a place so sweet it attracts characters from all over the world. All of the characters from the Land of Sweets are frolicking and playing together when suddenly the illustrious Queen, The Sugar Plum Fairy, arrives. All bow to honor her and her Cupcake and Gingerbread Attendants. The Sugar Plum Fairy graces them with a special dance when unexpectedly an enormous flying balloon appears carrying Clara and the Nutcracker Prince. The Sugar Plum Fairy welcomes them and they are treated to the kingdom’s most scrumptious delights. Clara is reunited with Minnie, her poodle, and together they recount the fierce battle between the Nutcracker and the Mouse King. The entire kingdom cheers as the Nutcracker reenacts his victory. Each character honors them with a special dance. As the celebration continues, the Land of Sweets transforms into a beautiful garden full of flowers with flowering petals and one brilliant pink rose. Finally, The Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cotton Candy Cavalier do a grand dance as a special treat for Clara. All the characters join together for a rousing finale.

As the dancing concludes, the flying balloon descends to take Clara and her Prince high over the mountains, further and further away from the Land of Sweets. When Clara opens her eyes, she finds herself at home in the parlor room with her imaginary friend Minnie by her side and her beloved Nutcracker watching over her, always.

HISTORY OF THE NUTCRACKER

The story is an adaption of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffman, published in 1819. When Marius Petipa commissioned Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky to compose the score for his new ballet, Petipa used a revised version of the story by Alexandre Dumas. This is The Nutcracker that is

known by children and families all over the world.

The very first Nutcracker, choreographed by Marius Petipa, was performed at the Marinsky Theater in St. Petersburg, Russia, on December 17, 1892. The United States premiere was on December 24, 1944, by the San Francisco Ballet at the War Memorial Opera House, with choreography by William Christensen, the found of San Francisco Ballet.

Cincinnati Ballet premiered its first version of The Nutcracker in 1974 at Music Hall, sponsored

by Frisch’s. Over more than 40 years, Cincinnati ballet has performed six diverse versions of this beloved holiday production, with choreography

by Roman Jasinski, Moscelyne Larkin & Frederic Franklin, Ben Stevenson, Peter Anastos, and Val Canaparoli. Victoria Morgan’s “New Nutcracker” premiered on December 15, 2011, at the Aronoff Center for the Arts, with all new sets, costumes, dazzling special effects and fresh choreography.

PHOTOGRAPHY (THIS PAGE) BY JENNIFER DENHAM FEATURING KATHLEEN DAHLHOFF, MATTHEW GRIFFIN, AND ABBEY GONZALEZ KAY

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C R E AT I V E T E A M Cincinnati Ballet

JOHN EZELL

SCENIC DESIGNER

John Ezell is an internationally recognized scenic designer, having designed for such prestigious institutions as the Royal Danish Ballet, the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen, Cullberg Ballet, the Swedish Riksteater, and the Royal Theatre Olympics in Istanbul. His credits also include designs for Broadway, the New York Shakespeare Festival, The Public Theatre, the York Theatre, and the Roundabout.

He was artistic associate of the Tony Award–winning Crossroads Theatre and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park as well as the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, D.C., Olde Globe in San Diego, Asolo Theatre, Lyric Opera, Blackstone Theatre, Second City in Chicago, the historic Market Theatre in Johannesburg, and the Hong Kong Repertory, and many others. He was a designer and art di-

rector for CBS, PBS-TV, and Swedish State Television, and a consultant to the design collection at the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale. His drawings have been exhibited in galleries internationally. His work has received the award for Experimental Television Art in Milan, two Corporation for Public Broadcasting Awards for Excellence in Prime-Time Drama, and 12 Critic’s Circle Awards for best professional sets. Ezell was recognized for contributions to the American Theatre on the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Yale Drama School. He is the recipient of Washington University in St. Louis’s 2001 Distinguished Alumni Award, and a fellow of the American College Theater Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

CARRIE ROBBINS

COSTUME DESIGNER

Carrie Robbins’s costume design credits include over 30 Broadway shows, among them Grease (Travolta), Agnes of God (Page/Plummer), Yentl (Feldshuh), Octette Bridgeclub (Marchand), Sweet Bird of Youth (Bacall), Frankenstein (Wiest), Happy End (Streep), Boys of Winter (Dillon), Cyrano (Langella), White Christmas (D’Arcy James). Her awards and nominations include two Tony Award nominations, five Drama Desk Awards, Maharam, USITT/Prague-International, L.A. Dramalogue, Henry Hughes, F.I.T/Surface Design, Audelco, and others. Robbins’s regional work includes M. Butterfly and On the Verge for Arena Stage in D.C. (dir. By Tazewell Thompson), American in Paris for the Alley Theatre, Houston, The Tempest (starring Sir Anthony Hopkins), and Flea in Her Ear for Mark Taper Forum. Opera design includes Death in Venice (Glimmerglass), Samson et Delila (San Francisco Opera and Houston Grand Opera), many for Opera Company of Boston (Sarah Calldlwell), and West Side Story for Hamburg Sta-

atsoper. In New York City, Robbins has designed many productions for Lincoln Center Rep, Chelsea Theatre/BAM, Acting Company/Juilliard, and NY Shakespeare Festival. Her film/television credits include In the Spirit (Marlo Thomas/Elaine May), SatNitetLive, and PBS Arts in America. Known for her drawing ability, Robbins’s work was featured in the Time-Life Series “Collectibles,” between Telephones and Trivets. Recently, “The Designs of Carrie Robbins” was released by U.S. Institute of Theatre Technology. In 2008/2009 Robbins was co-curator of a groundbreaking exhibit, Curtain Call: Celebrating a Century of Women Designing for Live Performance at the NY Public Library for the Performing Arts. In 2012, she received the Irene Sharaff LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT Award. Robbins was Master Teacher of Costume Design at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts for many years, producing a stream of award-winning young costume designers across the country. Since 2014, Robbins has been writing. She’s on her 21st play, and has received seven nominations to date from the NY Innovative Theatre Awards, most recently for her play “The Dragon Griswynd” for Outstanding Original Short Script.

TRAD A BURNS

LIGHTING DESIGNER

Burns has been designing scenery and lighting professionally since 1989 for theater, dance, and amusement parks.

Recent designs include

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the world premiere of The Wizard of Oz, choreographed by Septime Webre; scenery and lighting for the world premiere of Romeo & Juliet, choreographed by Adam Hougland for Louisville Ballet; and Peter and the Wolf, choreographed

by Ma Cong for Tulsa Ballet. Burns has had the

C R E AT I V E T E A M gan, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Robert Curran, Serkan Usta, and Sarah Slipper. Over the years his dance lighting has been seen at American Ballet Theatre, National Ballet of Canada, Atlanta Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, BalletMet, Louisville, Ballet, Tulsa Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and Hubbard Street. This is Burns’s 20th season with Cincinnati Ballet.

Cincinnati Ballet

privilege of designing world premiere ballets for such notable choreographers as Trey McIntyre, Val Caniparoli, James Kudelka, Edwaard Liang, Adam Hougland, Garrett Smith, Jessica Lang, Alejandro Cerrudo, Donald Byrd, Jodie Gates, Gina Patterson, Amy Seiwert, Ma Cong, Andrea Schermoly, Jennifer Archibald, Penny Saunders, Septime Webre, Devon Carney, Victoria Mor-

MICHAEL CHERTOCK

ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR AND REHEARSAL PIANIST

Michael Chertock serves as assistant conductor and frequently rehearsal pianist for the Cincinnati Ballet. He is the conductor of the Blue Ash-Montgomery Symphony, located in suburban Cincinnati, Ohio, and he frequently composes and arranges music for the orchestra concerts. He has also conducted the Cincinnati Symphony, the Columbus Sympho-

ny, the State Symphony Orchestra of Moscow, and the Moscow Conservatory Orchestra. He also serves as principal keyboardist with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Formerly a faculty member at Miami University of Ohio, Michael is the chair of the piano department at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati. He recently recorded a series of podcasts called The Personal Beethoven. Michael makes his home in Cincinnati with his wife Maaike and three children.

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2021-2022 SEASON CINDERELLA FEBRUARY 17-27 SPRINGER AUDITORIUM | MUSIC HALL

FAMILY SERIES

SNOW WHITE

APRIL 7-10 PROCTER & GAMBLE HALL | ARONOFF CENTER

BOLD MOVES FESTIVAL MAY 12-22 PROCTER & GAMBLE HALL | ARONOFF CENTER

Nikita Boris; Photography by: Aaron M. Conway

VICTORIA MORGAN’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON PRESENTED BY

2021-2022 SEASON SPONSORS MARGARET AND MICHAEL VALENTINE

ARTISTIC LISTING Cincinnati Ballet

Victoria Morgan

THE SUE AND BILL FRIEDLANDER ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

ARTISTIC STAFF Carmon DeLeone

Suzette Boyer Webb

MUSIC DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR OF SECOND COMPANY

Cervilio Miguel Amador

Dale Shields

BALLET MASTER

BALLET MASTER

THE COMPANY PRINCIPALS Melissa Gelfin De-Poli

Sirui Liu

Rafael Quenedit

FIRST SOLOISTS Minori Sakita

Maizyalet Velázquez

SOLOISTS David Morse

Marcus Romeo

Joshua Stayton

CORPS DE BALLET Daniel Baldwin Taylor Carrasco Gabrielle Collins Jacqueline Damico Amador Luca De-Poli

Abbey Gonzalez Kay Matthew Griffin Samantha Griffin Christina LaForgia Morse Michael Mengden

Jace Pauly Chandler Proctor Samantha Riester Bella Ureta Daniel Wagner

NEW DANCER Nikita Boris

APPRENTICES Catherine Lasak

Jhaelin McQuay

SECOND COMPANY: CB2 Nicolas Bierwagen Erin Blair Megan Carnuche Anderson Da Silva

Sam Epstein Hailey Flanagan Julia Gundzik Thompson McNeilly

Isabelle Morgan Taylor Nichols Daniel Panameño Anthony Rhee-Reynoso

25

P R I N C I PA L D A N C E R S Cincinnati Ballet

MELISSA GELFIN DE-POLI

PRINCIPAL DANCER | PHILADELPHIA, PA | JOINED CINCINNATI BALLET IN 2014

Melissa Gelfin De-Poli began her ballet training with Lisa Collins Vidnovic at Metropolitan Ballet Academy and continued with Barbara Sandonato and Andrea Long-Naidu at Barbara Sandonato School of Ballet. She joined the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre in 2009, under the direction of Franco De Vita and Raymond Lukens, and was awarded a National Training Scholarship with ABT. Prior to dancing with Cincinnati Ballet, Gelfin De-Poli danced for Orlando Ballet II and Orlando Ballet Company from 2011 to 2014 and was a finalist in the 2014 Jackson International Ballet Competition. Gelfin DePoli joined Cincinnati Ballet as a New Dancer for the 2014–2015 Season and was promoted to Corps De Ballet in February of 2015. She was promoted to Senior Soloist in 2017 and Principal Dancer in 2018. As a dancer with Cincinnati Ballet, Gelfin De-Poli’s repertoire includes classical and contemporary works by Septime Webre, Yuri Possikov, Victoria Morgan, Val Caniparoli, Jerome Robbins, George Balanchine, Nicolo Fonte, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Adam Hougland, and Ma Cong. She has danced Principal roles in Septime Webre’s ALICE (in Wonderland) and The Wizard of Oz, Victoria Morgan’s The Nutcracker, King Arthur’s Camelot, and Romeo & Juliet, Kirk Peterson’s Coppélia and Swan Lake, George Balanchine’s Rubies and Serenade, Devon Carney’s The Sleeping Beauty, and originated roles in Penny Saunders’s Nannerl, Myles Thatcher’s Anamoly, Andrea Schermoly’s Swivet, and several works by Jennifer Archibald.

Gelfin De-Poli debuted as a choreographer in a solo work for the inaugural 2018 Female Choreographic Initiative Festival hosted by Houston Ballet. She has since debuted two world premieres for Cincinnati Ballet’s 2019 and 2020 The Kaplan New Works Series with her works Clockwise and Ain’t I a Woman respectively. During the summer months, Gelfin De-Poli performs and tours with Moving Arts Company.

SIRUI LIU

PRINCIPAL DANCER | SHANGHAI, CHINA | JOINED CINCINNATI BALLET IN 2011

Sirui Liu trained at Shanghai Dance School affiliated to Shanghai Theater Academy from 2000 to 2007 and went on to the Shanghai Dance College of Shanghai Theater Academy for four years.

The desire to expand her dance horizons upon graduation led Liu to Cincinnati Ballet, for which she left her school and family in China. Liu won a gold medal competing in senior group of ballet of the Ninth Taolibei National Dance Competition in China in 2009 and the gold medal of senior group of Beijing International Ballet Invitational in China in 2010. Liu was invited to perform in Night of Ballet Gala in Ulaanbaatar Mongolia in June 2016.

Sirui competed in 2014’s USA International Ballet Competition, progressing to the third and final round.

Liu was named one of the Top 25 Dancers to Watch in 2017 by Dance Magazine. She has danced several Pas de Deux including Black Swan, Don Quixote, Esmeralda, Diana and Acteon, Le Corsaire, Paquita, Coppelia. She has also performed Principal roles such as Odette and Odile in Swan Lake, Sugar Plum Fairy and Snow Queen in The Nutcracker, Lilac Fairy in The Sleeping Beauty, Waltz Girl in Balanchine’s Serenade, Tall Girl in Balanchine’s Rubies, The Chosen One in Rite of Spring, Pas couple in Minus 16, amongst other ballets. Liu has also worked with internationally acclaimed choreographers such as Val Caniparoli, Yuri Possokhov, Kirk Peterson, Trey Mcintyre, Alejandro Cerrudo, Ohad Naharin, Annabelle Lope Ochoa, Nicolo Fonte, Garrett Smith, Justin Peck, Septime Webre, Jennifer Archibald, Ma Cong, Travis Wall, and more. Liu is the co-owner of Improvedance and Active Royale. She was named a Cincinnati Ballet Soloist in 2015 and promoted to Principal Dancer in 2017.

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P R I N C I PA L D A N C E R S

Rafael Quenedit began his training in 2006 in Cuba at Escuela Elemental de Ballet Alejo Carpentier where he trained for five years. He then spent eight years training with the National Ballet School of Cuba. He graduated in 2014 and joined the National Ballet of Cuba as a Corps de ballet dancer. Quenedit was quickly cast in Soloist and Principal roles, before being named Principal dancer at the prestigious international company. Principal roles with the National Ballet of Cuba include Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Giselle, La Fille Mal Gardée, The Nutcracker, Romeo & Juliet, Carmen, La Bayadere, Cinderella, and Theme & Variations. He made his Cincinnati Ballet debut during the 2020–2021 Season in Bold Moves Plus. He has also worked with internationally-renowned choreographers including Alicia Alonso, Alexei Ratmansky, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Giuliano Peparini, and Alberto Mendez, among others. He has performed lead roles in the United States, Italy, Spain, France, Canada, Mexico, and several others. Competition awards include the bronze medal at the International Ballet competition in Havana, Cuba, Junior division; gold medal at the International Ballet competition in Cape Town, South Africa, Junior division; and gold medal at the XX International Ballet competition in Havana, Cuba. He was also awarded best Artistic Performance, Senior division; and winner at Amici World Dance competition in Italy.

Cincinnati Ballet

RAFAEL QUENEDIT

PRINCIPAL DANCER | HAVANA, CUBA | JOINED CINCINNATI BALLET IN 2021

Save with Holiday Discounts Membership deals include exclusive FREE access to Jane Austen: Fashion and Sensibility—coming June 2022!

1ėGR GWPKRGS &GEGMDGR Cě ěCHěMTSGTM ORI /GMDGRSJKP

Presented by Exhibits Development Group, USA, in cooperation with Cosprop Ltd., London, England.

BfZ`^ \Zimbhg3 P^]]bg` =k^ll Zg] P^]]bg` FbebmZkr HnmÛm% L^gl^ Zg] L^glb[bebmr% 1995, Ang Lee, director. Worn by Kate Winslet as Marianne Dashwood and Alan Rickman as Colonel Brandon. Jenny Beavan and John Bright, costume designers

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HIROMI PLATT

27

We are the human Safety & Risk Management company, dedicated to harnessing the passion and power of our people to help our clients and their employees realize their purpose.

T H E C O M PA N Y Cincinnati Ballet

PRINCIPALS

MELISSA GELFIN DE-POLI

SIRUI LIU

RAFAEL QUENEDIT

CHINA | 2011

PENNSYLVANIA | 2014

CUBA | 2021

FIRST SOLOISTS

MINORI SAKITA

MAIZYALET VELÁZQUEZ PUERTO RICO | 2007

MARYLAND | 2019

SOLOISTS

DAVID MORSE

NORTH CAROLINA | 2016

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HIROMI PLATT

MARCUS ROMEO PENNSYLVANIA | 2017

JOSHUA STAYTON OHIO | 2019

29

Today is the day to inspire, delight and amaze.

PNC is honored to celebrate Victoria Morgan’s 25th anniversary season with the Cincinnati Ballet. Victoria serves as an inspiration to us all and her creative passion leaves an indelible impression throughout the arts and our community.

©2021 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved. PNC Bank, National Association. Member FDIC CON PDF 0618-0106

T H E C O M PA N Y Cincinnati Ballet

CORPS DE BALLET

DANIEL BALDWIN

TAYLOR CARRASCO

GABRIELLE COLLINS

JACQUELINE DAMICO AMADOR

LUCA DE-POLI

ABBEY GONZALEZ KAY

MATTHEW GRIFFIN

SAMANTHA GRIFFIN

CHRISTINA LAFORGIA MORSE

SOUTH CAROLINA | 2017

PENNSYLVANIA | 2008

FLORIDA | 2017

NEW MEXICO | 2015

FLORIDA | 2014

NORTH CAROLINA | 2015

CONNECTICUT | 2020

FLORIDA | 2017

SOUTH CAROLINA | 2014

MICHAEL MENGDEN TEXAS | 2016

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HIROMI PLATT

JACE PAULY

WASHINGTON | 2020

CHANDLER PROCTOR NORTH CAROLINA | 2021

31

T H E C O M PA N Y Cincinnati Ballet

CORPS DE BALLET

SAMANTHA RIESTER

DANIEL WAGNER

BELLA URETA

INDIANA | 2015

CALIFORNIA | 2020

WASHINGTON | 2017

NEW DANCER

NIKITA BORIS

NEW JERSEY | 2020

APPRENTICES

CATHERINE LASAK ILLINOIS | 2018

JHAELIN MCQUAY CALIFORNIA | 2019

SUPERNUMERARY

RONNA WILLIS

32

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HIROMI PLATT

T H E C O M PA N Y Cincinnati Ballet

CB2

NICOLAS BIERWAGEN

ERIN BLAIR

WASHINGTON | 2021

CALIFORNIA | 2021

SAM EPSTEIN

HAILEY FLANAGAN

NEW YORK | 2021

ISABELLE MORGAN KENTUCKY | 2019

GEORGIA | 2021

TAYLOR NICHOLS MICHIGAN | 2019

MEGAN CARNUCHE ANDERSON DA SILVA PENNSYLVANIA | 2021

FLORIDA | 2021

JULIA GUNDZIK

THOMPSON MCNEILLY

OHIO | 2021

DANIEL PANAMEÑO FLORIDA | 2021

NEW YORK | 2021

ANTHONY RHEE-REYNOSO CALIFORNIA | 2020

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING DIVISION

TRAINEE CATHLEEN BRESLIN, MICHAEL DUNCAN, KAYLA FRENCH, EDWARD KIDD, NATALIE MARSHALL, RAMSAY MILLER, SIOBHAN NICKELL, TREVOR PINTERPARSONS, SCOTT REED, LAUREN VOGEL, AVERY WARD PTD LUCY ARNOLD, HANNAH BLAIR, AVA BRADFORD, JENNA DAUGHERT, ABIGAIL EINTERZ, AMBER HARPER, MADELYN HARPOLE, NATALIE HIGLE, ANNA KINGHORN, ANNIKA OLSEN, SIERRA SEVERT, CLAIRE STURGEON, SALOMÉ TREGE, ARI YAO

33

NUTCRACKER Clara and her Nutcracker Prince encounter so many wonderful things on their way to the Land of Sweets including a cast of colorful characters! Can you find all the ‘Nutty’ words in this puzzle?

Once you’ve all found them all, take a peek at the photo to the right. Nine of the words are in the picture. Some are hidden, so look closely! Can you find them all?

WORD SEARCH

Sugar Plum Fairy Rat King Top Hat Poodle Tutu

Drosselmeyer Sweets Party Clara Ball

Nutcracker Dragon Fiona Mouse Hen

Answer key on page 55

34

Snow Queen Gingermen Fritz Chef Tree

PUZZLE TIME C L A R A’ S L O O K & F I N D

1.

6.

2.

7.

3.

8.

4.

9.

5.

Answer key on page 55 PHOTOGRAPHY BY AARON M. CONWAY FEATURING WITH MOLLIEMOLLIE BERK AND BERKJOSHUA AND JOSHUA STAYTON STAYTON

35

Thanks to the City of Cincinnati for its support.

A PROUD SPONSOR OF CINCINNATI MUSICAL ARTS

V I C T O R I A’ S WORLD OF WHIMSY

BY NICOLE DOLL

N

ot all Nutcrackers are created equal.

There are many, many versions of the 1892 two-act ballet composed

by Pyotr Tchaikovsky and originally choreographed by Marius Petipa.

Let’s start with the central character. Does your Nutcracker feature a dreamy little girl named Clara or Marie? Does your version follow choreographer George Balanchine’s seminal, re-worked staging that debuted at New York City Ballet in 1954?

Or does it follow a different path to the Land of Sweets? There are versions set in Charles Dickens’ time, others have a more modern, even jazzy feel.

And then there is Cincinnati’s The Nutcracker, lov-

38

ingly choreographed by Artistic Director Victoria Morgan. The production itself seems to glow with the colorful, effervescent spirit that defines Morgan herself, a childlike exuberance for life that one might argue was predestined to perfectly pair with the greatest holiday children’s story ever imagined.

A child’s candy-coated dream come to life.

THIS VERSION IS, IN A WORD, FUN.

“In general, there’s a sense of humor,” Morgan says.

“Sometimes, I think people think ballet and they immediately think it’s esoteric and highbrow, but it can be so many things, it can be joyous and silly.”

PHOTOGRAPHY BY PETER MUELLER

MAN’S BEST FRIEND… AND A HEN

If it’s your first time experiencing Morgan’s Nutcracker, you might find yourself mirroring Clara’s confusion early in Act I, when a sassy pink poodle makes an appearance and quickly darts off stage only to pop back up to toy with the young heroine at her family’s holiday party.

That imaginary canine is named Minnie and she is unique to Morgan’s interpretation, as well as deeply personal to her own childhood experience.

“When I was thinking about this Nutcracker, I was thinking about how important our pets are, especially during our childhoods. I had a dog growing up, a gorgeous Collie dog that looked like Lassie and I remember having long conversations with him. He was really a wonderful, reliable friend and a source of unconditional love,” she explains. “I wanted to embody that feeling and it became Clara’s dog. This little imaginary creature—a little poodle—that’s a part of the adventure.” Morgan created a companion for Clara as she travelled in her dreams to some often-scary places, much as a child grows up and faces new experiences. “Clara goes to a battle scene with some intimidating mice and it’s the poodle who defends Clara. It’s Minnie the Poodle who distracts the Mouse King so the Nutcracker can win the PHOTOGRAPHY BY PETER MUELLER

battle. That’s a special moment audiences only experience in this version.” Morgan’s love of animals continues into Act II with the divertissements. “One of the divertissements, usually called the MirARTISTIC DIRECTOR litons, which is VICTORIA MORGAN usually a French variation. It’s quite lovely, sweet, and traditionally balletic,” she says. “In this version, we call them Mirlipoos. It’s a group of dancing poodles and it’s hysterical. There are four women and one man and it’s some of my favorite choreography. It also allows the dancers to really bring their personality, their own unique sense of humor to these roles. It’s also very technically challenging for the dancers to execute.” Another change to Act II is the divertissement that features a literally larger-than-life character typically known as Mother Ginger. The role is traditionally performed by someone who wears a giant hoop skirt, from under which emerge a troupe of dancing children. “Our Mother Ginger is a Mother Hen,” she said. Cincinnati’s Mother Hen playfully bobs her head, clucks, lays an egg, and out pop children dressed as fluffy chicks, whose dance is always an audience favorite. “This whole story, Clara’s story is a child’s fantastic dream. I wanted kids to get a kick out of it, for there to be laugh-out-loud moments that you look forward to seeing each year and sharing with your loved ones. Life can be so heavy. The holidays are about joy, and I hope this production brings everyone as much joy as it has brought me over the years. It has been my honor and pleasure to share my Nutcracker with our patrons and the community.”

Cincinnati Ballet

Morgan, who is in her 25th and final season as Cincinnati Ballet’s Artistic Director, says she had been watching Cincinnati Ballet’s previous version of The Nutcracker, choreographed by internationallyrenowned choreographer Val Caniparoli, for many years. “For this Nutcracker, it was years and years of watching past versions and thinking, ‘Oh, I’d like to do that with this moment or what if we switched that up there and added this character or surprised the audience in this way.’” It is gorgeous, she recalled, but like so many traditional versions, did not reflect the chaotic joy of her childhood household during the holidays. “For example, when the children in the Party Scene line up to get their presents, they bow, they curtsy, and then exit to the side in an orderly way. It’s all very formal and this is just one example of that controlled thematic in most classic versions of this iconic ballet,” she says. “For me personally, this was not my holiday tradition. If my parents were lucky, maybe we would sleep in until three in the morning and then we’d rush downstairs and tear into the presents, sending the wrapping paper flying everywhere. Everyone ran around, sharing their gifts, showing them off. This togetherness—my version has more of that feeling.”

“Clara’s story is a child’s fantastic dream.

I wanted kids to get a kick out of it, for there to be laugh-outloud moments that you look forward to seeing each year and sharing with your loved ones.”

MORE WITH VICTORIA… We’re celebrating Artistic Director Victoria Morgan’s 25th Anniversary and final Season with in-depth interviews all season long! To hear more about Victoria’s favorite Nutcracker moments, scan the QR code or go to cballet.org.

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BE EMPOWERED BE CONNECTED • BE INSPIRED BE ENERGIZED • BE BOLD Cincinnati Ballet’s Étoile brings together women throughout Cincinnati to connect, network, celebrate, and support each other through exclusive events and interactions with today’s outstanding female choreographers, dancers, designers, and community leaders.

ÉTOILE AFFILIATES Deborah Brant Renee Combs Lisa Damico Kristin Fishbaugh Kay Geiger Caprice Gilpin Arielle M. Goldberg Linda Greenberg

Kathryn Harsh* Becky Hogya Daphne Jurgensen* Betsy LaMacchia Renee Kreeger Karen Maier Jill McGruder

Mindy McLaughlin Victoria Morgan Jenny Mottier Valerie Newell Kathy O’Brien Maribeth S. Rahe Diane M. Rumpke*

Rosemary Schlachter Renee Schuler Susan Shelton Susan Tew The Velvet Cricket On-line Auctions* Robyn Wenzke

ÉTOILE ASSOCIATES Tanya Cornejo Judy Dalambakis* Jennifer Damiano

Kelly M. Dehan Melinda Gardner*

Kris Attema Beth Barney Lauren Beckert* Carla Booth Sarah Brown Mary Kay Calonge Andrea Costa Connie Bergstein Dow Jodi M. Geiser

Camille Healy Jennifer Herzog Theresa Hooker Tonya Hurst* Marcy Kanter Heather Krombholz Susan Krott Deborah Livingston* Laura Lucas

Marilyn Porcino Martha Ragland

Lisa M. Sampson* Tamara Weik, ASID

ÉTOILE MEMBERS Joselyn Michelle Pfeil Alexa Naramore Julia Poston Tracey Puthoff Yvonne Reissig Elysa Roth Judith Roth Keke Sansalone Audrey Shelton

Valarie Sheppard Jen Stein Susie Tweddell Faith C. Whittaker Kathy Wilkinson Ronna Willis Jennifer Knight Zelkind Michelle Ziegler Alexia Zigoris

Want to find out more about Étoile?

Contact Sarah Templeton Wilson at stwilson@cballet.org for information. *A Special Thank You to Our Étoile Committee Members

Join us before our next event and get a special peek at The Nutcracker through a studio rehearsal and more!

2021 - 2022 ÉTOILE SPONSORS PRESENTING SPONSOR

Maizyalet Velázquez • Photography: Aaron M. Conway

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

T. Quinn

Joel Stone

Kristin Fishbaugh

Sarah Frank-Fogarty

CHAIR

VICE CHAIR

TREASURER

SECRETARY

Debbie Brant Fran Carlisle Smokey Clay David Cook Andrea Costa Judy Dalambakis Jennifer Damiano Jerry Ewers Paul Frodge

Jodi Geiser Rico Grant Linda Greenberg Bruce Halpryn Ken Heldman Cynthia E. Henderson Lydia Jacobs-Horton Bruce Jeffery Daphne Jurgensen

Peter Laffoon Mark McAndrew Megan McCarthy-Wolf Jack Miner Katy Moeggenberg Emerson Moser Alex Muñoz Toilynn O’Neal Alexandra Ollinger, CFP

Jim Papakirk Alandes Powell Marty Ragland Jennifer Stein Faith Whittaker Jennifer Knight Zelkind

Cincinnati Ballet

2021–2022 GOVERNING BOARD

SUSTAINING TRUSTEES Michael Bailes Bernie Calonge Sheila Cohen Connie Bergstein Dow Sandra A. Eisele, MD, MBA Kathryn Harsh Dr. Edmond Hooker Beth Levy

Leon Loewenstein Madelynn Matlock Larry McGruder Skip Merten Cathy Nwankwo Marilyn Osborn Joselyn Pfeil Julie Richardson

Kitty Rosenthal Morleen Rouse Diane Rumpke Keke Sansalone Tom Schiff Beth Snyder Christina Sprecher Brett Stover

Mary Talbott Heather Theders Pamela F. Thompson, CFA Serena Tsuang Kelly Vanasse M. Catherine Vernon Gary West Barbara Weyand

TRUSTEES EMERITUS Kelly Brown Laura Brunner Trish Bryan Otto M. Budig, Jr. Nancy Clagett William Cordes

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 Russell Shelton Shelly Sherman Julie Shifman Linda Smith Ronna Willis

HONORARY TRUSTEES Craig F. Maier

Rhoda Mayerson+

FOUNDATION BOARD

Scott Altman Michael Bailes Debbie Brant

Otto M. Budig, Jr.

Pamela F. Thompson, CFA

PRESIDENT

TREASURER

Kelly Brown Joe Carolin* Joseph Dehner

*Ex Officio

Robert Pitcairn T. Quinn Rhonda Sheakley

Joel Stone

+ In Memoriam

41

PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOLS IN-SCHOOL RESIDENCIES 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.

STORY CHOREOGRAPHY PROJECT Focus: Fifth and Sixth Grade Available: January - April

Introduce your students to the power of storytelling through movement with the Story Choreography Project. Students connect to the language arts curriculum through a collaborative work of art highlighting their personal stories and their connections to each other and the community.

PERFORMANCES FOR SCHOOLS Cincinnati Ballet makes the beauty of live performance available to students across the greater Cincinnati area through in-school touring productions and student matinees for all grade levels.

TOURING COMMUNITY PERFORMANCES Bring Cincinnati Ballet directly to your school or community center! Each production is designed with a specific age group in mind and creates an experience that welcomes new audiences to dance through accessible storytelling, relatable themes, fun choreography, and interactive content.

STUDENT MATINEES Cincinnati Ballet’s student matinees connect students to live dance at the Aronoff Center, Music Hall, and the Valentine Center for Dance.

These special performances are offered at an accessible price and time, making for an extraordinary student experience and a unique connection to the region’s largest professional ballet company.

TO LEARN MORE Email: education@cballet.org Call: 513.562.1124 Visit: cballet.org

C I N C I N N AT I SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

SECOND VIOLINS Gabriel Pegis PRINCIPAL, AL LEVINSON CHAIR Yang Liu* HAROLD B. & BETTY JUSTICE CHAIR Scott Mozlin** HENRY MEYER CHAIR Kun Dong Cheryl Benedict Evin Blomberg§ Rachel Charbel IDA RINGLING NORTH CHAIR Elizabeth Furuta† Chika Kinderman Hyesun Park Paul Patterson CHARLES GAUSMANN CHAIR++ Stacey Woolley BRENDA & RALPH TAYLOR CHAIR++ VIOLAS Christian Colberg PRINCIPAL, LOUISE D. & LOUIS NIPPERT CHAIR Paul Frankenfeld* GRACE M. ALLEN CHAIR Julian Wilkison** Rebecca Barnes§

Christopher Fischer Stephen Fryxell MELINDA & IRWIN SIMON CHAIR Caterina Longhi Denisse Rodriguez-Rivera Joanne Wojtowicz CELLOS Ilya Finkelshteyn PRINCIPAL, IRENE &JOHN J. EMERY CHAIR Daniel Culnan* ONA HIXSON DATER CHAIR Norman Johns** KARL & ROBERTA SCHLACHTER FAMILY CHAIR Matthew Lad§ MARVIN KOLODZIK CHAIR Susan Marshall-Petersen LAURA KIMBLE MCLELLAN CHAIR++ Hiro Matsuo Theodore Nelson PETER G. COURLASNICHOLAS TSIMARAS CHAIR++ Alan Rafferty RUTH F. ROSEVEAR CHAIR BASSES Owen Lee PRINCIPAL, MARY ALICE HEEKIN BURKE CHAIR++ James Lambert* THOMAS VANDEN EYNDEN CHAIR Matthew Zory, Jr.**+ TRISH & RICK BRYAN CHAIR Boris Astafiev§ Ronald Bozicevich DONALD & MARGARET ROBINSON CHAIR Rick Vizachero HARP Gillian Benet Sella PRINCIPAL, CYNTHIA & FRANK STEWART CHAIR FLUTES Randolph Bowman PRINCIPAL, CHARLES FREDERIC GOSS CHAIR Henrik Heide*† Haley Bangs JANE & DAVID ELLIS CHAIR PICCOLO [OPEN] PATRICIA GROSS LINNEMANN CHAIR OBOES Dwight Parry PRINCIPAL, JOSEPHINE I. & DAVID J. JOSEPH, JR. CHAIR Lon Bussell* STEPHEN P. MCKEAN CHAIR Emily Beare

§ Begins the alphabetical listing of players who participate in a system of rotated seating within the string section. * Associate Principal ** Assistant Principal

ENGLISH HORN Christopher Philpotts PRINCIPAL, ALBERTA & DR. MAURICE MARSH CHAIR++ CLARINETS Christopher Pell PRINCIPAL, EMMA MARGARET & IRVING D. GOLDMAN CHAIR Joseph Morris* ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL AND EB CLARINET, ROBERT E. & FAY BOEH CHAIR++ Ixi Chen VICKY & RICK REY OLDS CHAIR IN HONOR OF WILLIAM A. FRIEDLANDER BASS CLARINET Ronald Aufmann BASSOONS Christopher Sales PRINCIPAL, EMALEE SCHAVEL CHAIR++ Martin Garcia* Hugh Michie CONTRABASSOON Jennifer Monroe FRENCH HORNS Elizabeth Freimuth PRINCIPAL, MARY M. & CHARLES F. YEISER CHAIR [OPEN]* ELLEN A. & RICHARD C. BERGHAMER CHAIR Molly Norcross** ACTING ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL, SWEENEY FAMILY CHAIR IN MEMORY OF DONALD C. SWEENEY Lisa Conway SUSANNE & PHILIP O. GEIER, JR. CHAIR Duane Dugge MARY & JOSEPH S. STERN, JR. CHAIR Charles Bell TRUMPETS Robert Sullivan PRINCIPAL, RAWSON CHAIR Douglas Lindsay* JACKIE & ROY SWEENEY FAMILY CHAIR Steven Pride OTTO M. BUDIG FAMILY FOUNDATION CHAIR++ Christopher Kiradjieff

BASS TROMBONE Peter Norton TUBA Christopher Olka PRINCIPAL, ASHLEY & BARBARA FORD CHAIR TIMPANI Patrick Schleker PRINCIPAL, MATTHEW & PEG WOODSIDE CHAIR Michael Culligan ACTING ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL [OPEN]* MORLEEN & JACK ROUSE CHAIR

Cincinnati Ballet

FIRST VIOLINS Stefani Matsuo CONCERTMASTER, ANNA SINTON TAFT CHAIR Charles Morey ACTING ASSOCIATE CONCERTMASTER, TOM & DEE STEGMAN CHAIR Philip Marten FIRST ASSISTANT CONCERTMASTER, JAMES M. EWELL CHAIR++ Eric Bates SECOND ASSISTANT CONCERTMASTER, SERGE SHABABIAN CHAIR Kathryn Woolley NICHOLAS TSIMARAS–PETER G. COURLAS CHAIR++ Anna Reider DIANNE & J. DAVID ROSENBERG CHAIR Mauricio Aguiar§ Minyoung Baik James Braid MARC BOHLKE CHAIR GIVEN BY KATRIN & MANFRED BOHLKE Michelle Edgar Dugan Rebecca Kruger Fryxell Gerald Itzkoff JEAN TEN HAVE CHAIR Lois Reid Johnson ANNE G. & ROBERT W. DORSEY CHAIR++ Sylvia Mitchell JO ANN & PAUL WARD CHAIR Luo-Jia Wu

PERCUSSION David Fishlock PRINCIPAL, SUSAN S. & WILLIAM A. FRIEDLANDER CHAIR Michael Culligan* [OPEN]* MORLEEN & JACK ROUSE CHAIR Marc Wolfley+ KEYBOARDS Michael Chertock JAMES P. THORNTON CHAIR Julie Spangler+ JAMES P. THORNTON CHAIR CSO/CCM DIVERSITY FELLOWS~ Maalik Glover, violin Mwakudua waNgure, violin Tyler McKisson, viola Javier Otalora, viola Max Oppeltz-Carroz, cello Luis Parra, cello Samantha Powell, cello Luis Celis Avila, bass Amy Nickler, bass LIBRARIANS Christina Eaton ACTING PRINCIPAL LIBRARIAN, LOIS KLEIN JOLSON CHAIR Elizabeth Dunning ACTING ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL LIBRARIAN Ellen Ogihara INTERIM ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN STAGE MANAGERS Brian P. Schott Phillip T. Sheridan Daniel Schultz

TROMBONES Cristian Ganicenco PRINCIPAL, DOROTHY & JOHN HERMANIES CHAIR Joseph Rodriguez** SECOND/ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL TROMBONE

† One-year appointment ‡ Leave of absence + Cincinnati Pops rhythm section

++ CSO endowment only ~ Funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

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C I N C I N N AT I BA L L E T S TA F F Cincinnati Ballet

Scott Altman

Victoria Morgan

PRESIDENT AND CEO

THE SUE AND BILL FRIEDLANDER ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE Joe Carolin VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE AND CFO

Tiffany Whitcomb VICE PRESIDENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

Missie Santomo CONTROLLER

Tom Parrish DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Mary French

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF GIVING

Ilona Piaskowy INDIVIDUAL GIVING MANAGER

Alexandria Wright DONOR RELATIONS MANAGER

MARKETING AND BRAND STRATEGY Nicole Doll VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING AND BRAND STRATEGY

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF DATA SERVICES

Blair Ruscello

Stacey Rich, CPA

Nicholas Peltz

STAFF ACCOUNTANT

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER AND CONTENT MANAGER

Tyler Parker EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT AND CEO

Ramsey Houston EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE ARTISTIC TEAM

MARKETING COORDINATOR

Katie Daly GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Dan Wood VIDEOGRAPHER

Carmon DeLeone

OTTO M. BUDIG ACADEMY AND EDUCATION

MUSIC DIRECTOR

Ginger Johnson

Suzette Boyer Webb

VICE PRESIDENT OF ACADEMY AND EDUCATION

ARTISTIC

DIRECTOR OF SECOND COMPANY

Cervilio Miguel Amador BALLET MASTER

Dale Shields BALLET MASTER

Michael Chertock REHEARSAL PIANIST/ ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR

Sarah Hairston Berkley ACADEMY DIRECTOR

Carolyn Guido Clifford DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Mike Krauss DIRECTOR OF ACADEMY OPERATIONS

Caitlin Ackerman Donna Anderle Oliver Arana Ja’Nay Brown Rosa Compostella Jacqueline Damico Amador Emily Egner Isabele Elefson Kerry Enders Jeri Gatch Melissa Gelfin Donna Grisez Julia Gundzik Sasha Hart Mary Kamp Dawn Kelly Christina LaForgia Morse Julie Locker Jhaelin McQuay Mae Miller David Morse Patty Pille Emily Reinhart Samantha Riester Rowan Salem Kate Stark Joshua Stayton Shauna Steele Claire Wyatt

Tom McLaughlin

BALLET ACCOMPANIST

Kara Louis

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Wynn White

YOUTH PROGRAMS MANAGER

PHILANTHROPY

Jennifer Rutherford

Sara Pomeroy VICE PRESIDENT OF PHILANTHROPY

PRINCIPAL FACULTY, PROFESSIONAL TRAINING DIVISION COORDINATOR

Dena D’Andrea COMPANY MANAGER

Carissa Gandenberger STAGE MANAGER

Norma Caldwell Horace Crawford Lawayne Shack SAFETY AND SECURITY OFFICERS

Noelle Wedig-Johnston WARDROBE SUPERVISOR

James Geier WIG AND MAKE-UP EXECUTION

Laura Hofmann FIRST WARDROBE ASSISTANT

PATRON EXPERIENCE AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Carolyn Guido Clifford

PRINCIPAL FACULTY, CONTEMPORARY AND CHOREOGRAPHY

PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER

Michael Meuché

STUDENT SERVICES MANAGER

Ihaiah Miller

Melinda Dobson

Scott Berkley

Maura Korn

YOUNG PERFORMERS REHEARSAL ASSISTANTS

DIRECTOR OF EVENTS AND FACILITIES

STUDENT EXPERIENCE REPRESENTATIVE

Angelika Bonyhati-Kovacs James Hart Phillip Roberts

ACADEMY REGISTRAR

Rachel Hinger

SECOND WARDROBE ASSISTANT

ACADEMY PRINCIPAL

Elizabeth Metz

VICE PRESIDENT OF PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS

Cherl Beyersdoerfer

Zack Grubbs

Sam Epstein Julia Gundzik

DJ Haugen

Iliana Rich Sierra Severt

BALLET ACCOMPANIST AND COORDINATOR

LEAD PARENT COORDINATOR

PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS

ACADEMY AND EDUCATION INSTRUCTORS

VICE PRESIDENT OF PATRON EXPERIENCE AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Youngwon French

44

Sarah Templeton Wilson

MASTER CARPENTER MASTER ELECTRICIAN

Kevin Barth PROPERTY MASTER

Jonathan Chevalier ASSISTANT CARPENTER

Emily Hetzer ASSISTANT ELECTRICIAN

Marley Giggey Emma Heath CCM STAGE MANAGEMENT INTERNS

Aiden Bezark

Louanna Wyatt

CCM LIGHTING INTERN

PATRON EXPERIENCE MANAGER

ATHLETIC TRAINERS

Eline Bauwens Ja’Nay Brown Julianna Eidle Carolyn Gaddis Butch Hamm Rebekah Lorenz Jenna Mays Pam Taylor PATRON EXPERIENCE ASSOCIATES

Kelly Jo Rodrigo Carolyn Meder COURTESY OF MERCY HEALTH ORTHOPEDICS AND SPORTS MEDICINE

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! BUMPERS + SKATING

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DONOR HONOR ROLL Cincinnati Ballet

FOUNDER Anonymous In Memory of Blanche Frisch Maier Deborah and Jody Brant Trish and Rick Bryan Lois Cohen Jerry Ewers and Brian L. Tiffany Sue and Bill Friedlander Lynn and Brian Good

Bruce M. Halpryn and Chase W. Riebe Anne Heldman Paula Ilyinsky Comisar Anne R. Ilyinsky Barbara and Larry Kellar Doris M. and Charles B. Levinson Fund Peter Laffoon and John Fowler

Susan Brenner and Steven Mombach Dianne Dunkelman and Peter Schwartz

Donald Beck and Dr. Lawrence Eynon Connie and Buzz Dow Sarah Frank Fogarty and Timothy Fogarty

Betsy and John LaMacchia Karen F. Maier and Delane Starliper Loretta Motz Cook and David Cook Halle and T. Quinn Martha and Nick Ragland Dianne and J.David Rosenberg*

Kitty and Dick Rosenthal Keke and Tony Sansalone Larry A. and Rhonda Sheakley Jen and John Stein Margaret and Michael Valentine Barbara M. Weyand Nancy and David Wolf

DIRECTOR Linda and Gary Greenberg Lauren Hannan Shafer Fred and Patti Heldman* Cynthia E. Henderson Julie and Steven Shifman

Cynthia E. Henderson Moe and Jack Rouse Julie and Steven Shifman Tom and Jenny Williams

PRINCIPAL Jennifer and M. Vito Damiano Ms. Susan Domonkos Kristin and Chris Fishbaugh Michelle and Paul Frodge Jodi M. Geiser Suzanne and Frank Hall Daphne and Jason Jurgensen Anne and Craig F. Maier

Madelynn and Raymond Matlock Christa and Mark McAndrew Megan McCarthy and Steve Wolf Katy Moeggenberg & Joe Harmon Emerson and Mitzie Moser Sara and Alex Muñoz Barbara K. Myers

Molly Ann Photography

Anonymous Amy and Michael Bailes Sarah and Christopher Brown Alison and Brett Caller Fran and Wayne Carlisle Dr. Smokey Clay and Mr. Chris Southard Jennifer Conklin Judy and Chris Dalambakis

Alexandra H. and Cole Ollinger Reick-Mitrisin Family Alice Schneider Lisa and Joel Stone Kelly and Guy Vanasse Gary and DeeDee West Faith C. Whittaker, Partner with Dinsmore & Shohl Christine and John Willig Jennifer Knight Zelkind and Mike Zelkind

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DONOR HONOR ROLL Amy Barhorst Chris Bergman and Stacey Devlin Elaine and David Billmire Sue and Ben Blaney Otto M. Budig Daniel Cifuentes Paula & William Cordes The Cohen Family Michele Finch Carole Giuliani Arielle M. Goldberg

Mrs. Robert Hasl Kenneth Heldman and Felicia Zakem Margaret and Edmund Hess Theresa and Eddie Hooker In Honor of Michael Mackzum by Jace Stadler and Anthony Mackzum Noel Julnes-Dehner and Joe Dehner

Anonymous Michael and Hazel Airhart Marianna Bettman Amy Bixel Dr. Robert and Jane Bohinski Jacklyn Bryson Lanthan and Louise Camblin Renee Combs Kristin and David Coppage Andrea Costa Lisa and Richard Damico

Kelly M. Dehan Joyce Elkus Kay and Jack Geiger Bill and Christy Griesser Kathryn and Keith Harsh Valerie and Dr. Martin Haskell Mary and Howard Helms Becky Hogya Kathleen and Doug Jenkins Carole and Brad Kindem* Lynn and Daniel Langmeyer

Marcy and Mark Kanter Michael and Renee Kreeger Mary Lutz Larry and Jill McGruder Karen and William McKim Martha Mehl Dornette Kathy O’Brien Karen Petrosky and Brad Dunn Joselyn Michelle Pfeil Maribeth and Martin Rahe

Rosemary and Mark Schlachter Jerry and Lorraine Schlagheck Gayle and Bill Sherman Dr. Michael and Mrs. Debbie Snyder John U. Tan Susan and John Tew Ronna and Dr. James B. Willis Sarah and David Wise

Cincinnati Ballet

SOLOIST

CORPS Joanie and Lou Lauch Frances and Craig Lindner Becky and Thomas Long Susan Murray Valerie L. Newell and Timothy Smith John Pape Marilyn and Paul Porcino Carole and Edwin Rigaud Diane and William J. Rumpke, Jr. Lisa M. Sampson Justin and Lisa Shafer

Susan and Russell Shelton John and Ruth Sikorski Katrina Trimble Susie Tweddell Christopher and Nancy Virgulak George Watkins Robyn and David Wenzke Jo Ann Wieghaus Jennifer Young Dr. Karen Zaugg, Ph.D.

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All grades and programs.

Bring the family, tour the campus, and learn about the Villa!

Details at stursulavilla.org

47

DONOR HONOR ROLL Cincinnati Ballet 48

THIRD POSITION Anonymous (2) Lois and Ken Allen Lisa Allgood Lisa and Scott Altman Mr. Robert Amott and Ms. Janice Flanagan Peter and Christie Armstrong Kris Attema Alyce Bailey-Thomas Carolyn Barham Dana Beck Lauren Beckert Charles and Bonnie Bensonhaver Tanu and Amar Bhati Dorothy Blatt Carla and Stephen Booth Rick Boydston Edwin Brott Bernie and Mary Kay Calonge Cynthia Chua Jay Colville and Marvin Collins Thomas Cook Tanya Cornejo and Aaron Kellenberger Dr. Michael Curran and Dr. Manisha Patel Brian and Kelly Daley Mark and Louis Dauner Cynthia and Stephen DeHoff Margaret DeMichelis Maureen and John Doellman Shirley Duff

Pamela and Robert Edmiston Greta Elenbaas Arna and Bobby Fisher Alan Fleischer Ashley and Bobbie Ford Melissa Frederiksen Melinda Gardner Sharon Giddings Ralph P. Ginocchio Mr. Clifford Goosmann and Ms. Andrea Wilson William J. Gracie and Daniel Fairbanks Molly L. Grogan Anna Gudmundsdottir and Kristinn Kristinsson Barbara and Dr. Jack Hahn Hansen Family Charitable Fund Maureen Heekin Rob and Genita Heidenreich Jennifer and Thomas Herzog Reinilde Heyrman Ms. Minette Hoffheimer Jane Hopson Ez and Lynn Housh Tonya Hurst Heidi Jark and Steven Kenat Steven and Esther Johnson Brenda Jones Gayle and Donald Jones

Moya M. Jones Linda and James Jurgensen Amy and David Kahn in Memory of Peggy Kahn Mary Ann and Jeff Knoop Heather and H. Lee Krombholz Susan and Andrew Krott Carol L. Kruse Geoffrey Leder Patrick Lee Drs. Lynn and Lizbie Lin Catherine Linnemann Deborah Livingston Phil and Laura Lucas David Martin Cynthia C. Mason Debby and Jim Mason Karen McLaughlin Raymond McNeil and Kathleen Compton Jeff and Lori Miller Stacey and Mark Miller Jack Miner and Brian Dozer Victoria Morgan John and Lorna Mulhauser Benjamin and Katherine Ohlander Randall and Marianne Olson Charitable Fund Dr. Nan L. Oscherwitz Julia W. and Daniel Poston Yvonne Reissig

Bradley and Amy Resch Brian Rhame Ellen Rieveschl Joan Ritchie Elyse M. Roth Judith Roth Alexandra Santomo Barbara Seiver Dee Shaffer Audrey Shelton Valarie Sheppard Linda Siekmann Betsy and Paul Sittenfeld Chip and Susan Skidmore Susan and David Smith J. Shane Starkey Cindy Starr Dee and Tom Stegman Katie and Tony Strike The Sophia C. McAllister Fund of Vanguard Charitable Louise and Jeremy Vaughan Roger and Jennie Wade Ron and Ginger Warner Avril and Galen Warren George and Kathy Wilkinson Charlie Wright and Lora Zinoviev Glen Wright Donor Advised Fund* Nick and Michelle Ziegler

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANGIE LIPSCOMB WITH CINCINNATI BALLET DANCERS

DONOR HONOR ROLL Anonymous (2) Sarah Alkire Romola N. Allen Bettye Beaumont Gregory Bell Amy Berger Ruth Bley Carla Booth Neil Bortz Phyllis Bossin and Robert Strauss James Brown and Judith Masset-Brown Dawn and Douglas Bruestle Onassis A. Caneris MD Dr. Robin Cotton and Cynthia Fitton Nancy Crace Susan Cranley Barbara Doviak Sandra A. Eisele, MD, MBA Kari and David Ellis

Risa and Stephen Feagins Amy and Daniel Ferguson Thomas Fey Janice Forte Nan Franks Mary and Christopher French Kenneth Frey Mary and James R. Gardner Judith and Samuel Gilardi Paulette Gillig Scott Goodfellow Adrian Griffin Jill Grisco Daniel Gruber Guy Guckenberger Sue and Scott Harrington Deb Heidt Karlee Hilliard Florette Hoffheimer Dr. Nelson D. Horseman Nancy Horwitz

Gordan Hullar and Doris Holzheimer Susan Jackson Amanda Kluener Mary and John Kuempel Susan and Richard Lauf Anne Lawrence Linnea Lose Timothy Luebbert and Joy O’Dell Anthony McIntire and Robert C. Hodges Leslie Mcintosh Candice and David McKeen Diane Meyer Kerry Miller Mary Miller Michael Miller Steven I. Monder Susan and Randy Wade Murphy Alice Palmer Bronwyn Park

Barbara and Jeff Persons Edward and Barbara Rider Burton Roehr Stephen Rogers RUGiving2?* Janet Sarran Janet Schultz and Russell Lascelles Gretchen Serota Philip Smith Elizabeth A. Snyder Paul H. Spitz James Stapleton and Elizabeth Shaughnessy Elizabeth Stone Gretlyn Thomas Tom and Torey Torre James and Susan Troutt Ginger and David Warner Chad and Betsy Warwick Jeff and Tonya Yetter Jody Yetzer and Alexander Kayne

Cincinnati Ballet

SECOND POSITION

*Funds held at the Greater Cincinnati Foundation Thank you to the donors whose gifts we received by September 30, 2021. 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, Alexandria Wright, at awright@cballet.org or (513) 873-5812.

Great American Insurance Group is proud to sponsor

The Nutcracker’s Snow Queen for the 2021 holiday season

301 E. 4th St., Cincinnati OH 45202 GAIG.com

49

BUSINESS CIRCLE Cincinnati Ballet

$100,000 +

$50,000–$74,999

$25,000–$49,999

$10,000–$24,999 KATZ TELLER

$5,000–$9,999

$2,500–$4,999 HUNTINGTON BANK

$1,500–$2,499 HIXSON ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING INTERIORS

$1,000–$1,499 ESOTERIC BREWING

$100–$249 DIANA’S DANCEWEAR Thank you to our Business Circle, Foundation, Government, and Institutional donors who supported us through cash and in-kind contributions received by September 30, 2021. 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, Alexandria Wright, at awright@cballet.org or (513) 873-5812.

50

F O U N DAT I O N , G OV E R N M E N T, AND INSTITUTIONAL DONORS Cincinnati Ballet

$100,000 +

$50,000–$99,999

Hearst Foundation

The Kaplan Foundation

$15,000–$49,999 Peter T. Joseph Foundation

Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation

$5,000–$14,999

Building Healthy Lives Foundation Crosset Family Foundation

Joni Herschede Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Fdtn

Mueller Family Foundation

Duke Energy Foundation

The Warrington Foundation

Oliver Family Foundation

$1,000–$4,999 The Senger Family Foundation

$500–$999 Charles Scott Riley III Foundation

Lewis & Marjorie Daniel Foundation

ARTSWAVE PARTNERS Cincinnati Ballet acknowledges the following Partner Companies, Foundations, and their employees who generously participate in the Annual ArtsWave Community Campaign at the $100,000+ level. Your support helps make our community vibrant and connects people across the region through the arts. Thank you!

P&G Fifth Third Bank and the Fifth Third Foundation GE Aviation Cincinnati Bell Western & Southern Financial Group Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

The Cincinnati Insurance Companies City of Cincinnati Enquirer Media Great American Insurance Group Ohio National Financial Services U.S. Bank

The H.B., E.W. and F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank and Narley L. Haley,Co-Trustees Macy’s Cincinnati Business Courier The Kroger Co. PNC

The E.W. Scripps Company and Scripps Howard Foundation Duke Energy HORAN Cincinnati Reds

*Funds held at the Greater Cincinnati Foundation

51

E X P LO R E C I N C I N N AT I BA L L E T Cincinnati Ballet

MEET THE ARTISTS Cincinnati Ballet is pleased to offer Meet the Artists, a pre-performance discussion series where you will have the opportunity to meet select dancers, choreographers, and members of the creative team who bring our performances to life. Admission to Meet the Artists is included in your ticket to the current production.

ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES Throughout the year, Cincinnati Ballet offers dynamic and interactive experiences to deepen your connection to dance. These programs are designed for everyone and include studio rehearsals, workshops, community and educational performances, pre-and post-performance discussions, and more.

BALLET AND 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 Valentine Center for Dance in Walnut Hills. These events are free to attend, but due to space limitations for the rehearsals, advanced reservations are encouraged. 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 audience 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.

ÉTOILE EMPOWERED, CONNECTED, INSPIRED, ENERGIZED, BOLD!

Cincinnati Ballet’s Étoile group continues to bring together remarkable women from throughout the region to connect and celebrate through exclusive events supporting female leadership in ballet. This season every performance will feature work by female choreographers.

For more information, please contact Sarah Templeton Wilson at (513) 562-1103 or etoile@cballet.org.

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ANSWER KEY

1.BALL 2.MOUSE 3.TOP HAT

H T B Y G O E E I S P L C V O E R P Q X

N T K F Y Q P S A UO B J R L H Q R T HWK Y S G F A C G P A R CWA T R J F J A QWU K A L F O R E C A I C L B D P T O V N K R H L L Z Q T G OM I E U A I V S N E Z I M F B S E A N K Z F R L N L Y DD T A C T OMU Z R H K K VWE FWA P V P DQ Y L C T X I G T U E H A S T U B N E R T U T UQQ T E B S MV G V D R

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R Z O P V J L X U Y DM Q F A I T Z U I C MV F Z T P R A U R X T X T R F V X DO V RWA I Y L OHD E NH N F K R B U

Cincinnati Ballet

T O P H A T F P G R U V O E C J S D S S U L HDG L F U A PWL I Y P R P T Y K N J A T R Y D J G T Z E L Z R F Y V E L I WO I I WX U B K F O P V MW A Q B Q R Q S C P P M S S R N P A ON TWY WQ U C P X E X J SWG B K D A E U MW F J S D T GHM L F Q V K K X KM T K C S T

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F O R YO U R I N F O R M AT I O N Cincinnati Ballet

AT MUSIC HALL MASKS ARE REQUIRED at all times (except when actively consuming food/beverage in designated areas), even when seated for the performance, regardless of vaccination or testing status until further notice.

FOOD AND BEVERAGES are available at various lobby locations throughout Music Hall. All consessions and drinks sold at Music Hall should be consumed in designated areas throughout the hall. Due to our mask requirement, only bottled water can be taken into Springer Auditorium.

RESTROOMS can be found on every level of Music Hall. Companion care restrooms can be found in these locations: • Western & Southern Lobby • North side of the Orchestra level of Springer Auditorium • South side of the Balcony level of Springer Auditorium • West side of the Ballroom

GUEST SERVICES is in the northeast corner of the Lindner Grand Foyer. Services include assistive listening devices, coat check, courtesy phone, taxi service, and lost and found.

IF YOU LOSE AN ITEM while attending an event at Music Hall, check with the Guest Services attendant before leaving. If they are unable to locate the item, call the Administrative Office at (513) 744-3344 during business hours, 9 am–5 pm, Monday–Friday.

YOUR PARTICIPATION IN OUR RECYCLING effort is appreciated! Recycling containers are located near every concession stand. If you don’t wat to keep your program you may simply leave it on your seat or hand it to an usher when you leave.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOYER AT MUSIC HALL opens 60 minutes prior to curtain—admission to the auditorium (and late seating) may vary, depending on the policies and requirements of the production.

Ushers will be available to assist with any seating questions.

LATE SEATING is at the discretion of the house manager. Due to the demands of the production, late seating might occur as late as intermission or may be accommodated in the Gallery. Should you need to leave the auditorium during the perfor-

mance, re-admittance and seating will also be at the discretion of the house manager.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO of Cincinnati Ballet performances is strictly prohibited.

SMOKING IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED at Music Hall.

TO SCHEDULE A TOUR OF MUSIC HALL, contact the Administrative Office at (513) 7443344. Tours last approximately one hour, and guides are available through the Friends of Music Hall for a nominal charge.

ACCESSIBILITY All event spaces in Music Hall are fully accessible, and many services are available for guests with mobility challenges. Our patron experience team and staff strive to provide everyone with a quality experience when they visit, and accommodations are available for persons with specific needs. All guests are encouraged to contact us for additional information.

ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES designed to impaired are available at Guest Services.

WHEELCHAIRS are available upon request for guests needing assistance from the curb or lobby to their seats. Access Ambassadors are available at the southeast entrance on Elm Street. All levels of the theater have elevator service and offer wheelchair accommodations.

FIRST AID services are available in the North Concourse on the Orchestra Level. For assistance, speak with a Music Hall staff member.

SPECIAL SEATING is available for guests unable to transfer out of their wheelchairs or with other special sating needs. When possible, contact our Patron Experience Office in advance. On the day of a performance, we will make every effort to meet the needs of the guests.

SERVICE ANIMALS are always welcome at Music Hall.

For more information about Cincinnati Ballet please visit our website www.cballet.org, call (513) 621-5282, or visit us at 1801 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45202.

56

Art and Science want to Play.

Exhibit open through April 24, 2022 cincymuseum.org/pixar

Produced by

The Science Behind Pixar was developed by the Museum of Science, Boston in collaboration with Pixar Animation Studios. © Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved. Used Under Authorization.