Fall / Winter 2024
September
Dvořák, Stravinsky, and Brahms
September 13 & 14
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific
September 21 & 22
Chamber Music: Influences and Innovations
September 29
October
Dayton Ballet Studio Ensemble: Momentum
October 6
Coppélia
October 18, 19 & 20
Don’t Stop Believin’: The Music of Journey
October 26
Young People’s Concert: Pure Imagination
October 30
November
Broadway By Request
November 2
Beethoven, London, and a World Premiere
November 8 & 9
Elf in Concert
November 22 & 23
December
DPYO Winter Concert
December 1
Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors
December 6
Hometown Holidays
December 7
The Nutcracker
December 13, 14, 15, 20, 21 & 22
Handel’s Messiah
December 18
December 20
To
our beloved Greater Miami
Valley community,
We are pleased to be back with another season of performances that will exhilarate your mind, lift your spirit, and electrify your imagination!
We have collected your feedback— whether via survey, through a standing ovation, or in casual conversation at Starbucks. We have listened: there were performances you wanted to see; works that, perhaps, you weren’t crazy about; new ideas; and old favorites. Our one-of-a-kind artistic team has taken this feedback and crafted a thrilling lineup specifically for you.
In addition to all the performances you see on stage, DPAA serves over 65,000 students and adults through our learning programs: the Dayton Ballet School, Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, concerts for students downtown and performances in their schools, and so much more. Stay tuned this season as we announce some groundbreaking partnerships that will expand our Learning and Community Engagement work with students of all ages!
And finally, to add to the buzz, we celebrate Neal Gittleman in his 30th year at the helm of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. During Neal’s tenure, he’s led the orchestra to artistic heights and played an integral role in shepherding the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance into fruition. For his 30th and final season, we celebrate Neal through crowd-favorite artists, world premieres, and monumental classics. We hope that you will attend often this season!
Whether you’re with us for the first time or returning for the hundredth, welcome!
All Our Best,
Patrick J. Nugent President and CEO
Joseph Zehenny DPAA Board Chair
Audience Resources
Is this your first time at a DPAA event? If so, welcome! To ensure your visit is meaningful and enjoyable, we offer the following resources.
Box Office
The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance proudly partners with Dayton Live for its box office services. Contact the box office at (937) 228-3630 or visit the office in the Schuster Wintergarden.
Restrooms
Restrooms—and family restrooms—are available on each level of the Schuster Center and Victoria Theatre.
Accessibility
DPAA is committed to providing easy access to the arts. If you have accessibility needs or questions, please contact the box office.
Audio description is available upon request for patrons who have vision loss. Describers provide a live, objective, descriptive delivery of the visual elements of a performance in between the dialogue and/or music via a small receiver. Requests must be received two weeks prior to an event and are subject to the availability of the Describer. Please call the box office to make arrangements.
Assistive listening devices are available for all performances. Check out a device from the guest services kiosk or from a house manager in the lobby.
DPAA provides sign language interpretation upon request for performances at the Schuster Center and Victoria Theatre. Requests for sign language interpretation must be received two weeks prior to the event and are subject to the availability of the Interpreter. Please call the Box Office to make arrangements.
Age Recommendation
Our events are recommended for age 6 and up.
Military Appreciation and Discount Programs
In addition to our standard military discount, DPAA offers a Military Appreciation Program for active-duty military members, retired veterans with ID cards, and WPAFB government civilian employees in the region. Each household may
receive four free tickets annually. Contact the box office to redeem.
Group Sales
Bring a group of 10 or more; share a one-of-akind experience; and save up to 30% on tickets! Contact our Engagement & Patron Services Manager, Kate LaFollette, at (937) 535-5443.
Local Dining
Make it a night on the town! We recommend the following dining options: Blind Bob’s, Figlio Wood Fired Pizza, Jay’s Seafood, Joui, Lily’s, Manna Uptown, Meadowlark Restaurant, Mudlick Tap House, Salar Restaurant and Lounge, Spaghetti Warehouse, Table 33, The Caroline, and Troll Pub at the Wheelhouse.
Lost and Found / Security
In the event you lose an item at a performance or require assistance from the security team, call (937) 637-7366. For the safety of those in the audience, behind the scenes, and on stage, everyone who enters the performance space is required to pass through metal detectors.
Questions?
For additional ticket questions or information, contact our Engagement & Patron Services Manager, Kate LaFollette at (937) 535-5443.
Artistic Directors
Neal Gittleman
Artistic Director, Philharmonic
The 2024–2025 season is my 30th on the DPO podium, following founder Paul Katz, Charles Wendelken-Wilson, and Isaiah Jackson. Next year Keitaro Harada takes over. Until then, I’ll be surrounded by fabulous musicians and fabulous music. Favorite pieces by favorite composers. A world premiere and a U.S. premiere. A ballet I’ve conducted more than a hundred times (The Nutcracker) and one I’ve never conducted before (Cinderella). One of my favorite operas (Amahl and the Night Visitors). And my first-ever concert of country music! But what keeps popping into my head again and again as I think about this last year as your conductor? Song titles by my favorite band, The Beatles: “The Long and Winding Road,” “Come Together,” “We Can Work It Out”. And again and again, these lines: “And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.” Except for me, it’s “… equal to the music you make.” And of course, “P.S. I Love You!”
Kathleen Clawson,
Artistic Director, Opera; Dr. Ron Anderson and Robb Sloan-Anderson Chair
Kathleen Clawson begins her fifth season as Dayton Opera Artistic Director and Dr. Ron Anderson and Robb Sloan-Anderson Chair. Clawson began directing for the Opera in 2009 and has directed 19 productions since, including serving as dramaturg and stage director for the world premiere of Finding Wright
An acclaimed opera director, she directed The Santa Fe Opera’s world premiere of Shoes for the Santo Niño (2011) and was stage director and dramaturg for their world premiere of UnShakeable (2016).
A mezzo-soprano, Clawson’s credits include soloist with the Dayton Philharmonic, productions with The Santa Fe Opera and Dallas Opera, recording de Falla’s “El Amor Brujo” for Maria Benitez’ Teatro Flamenco tour, and singing “Mother Abbess” in Debby Boone’s international tour of The Sound of Music.
Brandon Ragland
Artistic Director, Ballet; Sponsored by Dr. Troy Tyner and Dr. Ingrid Brown
Brandon Ragland has more than a decade of professional experience as a dancer, choreographer, and educator. He trained in Birmingham, AL, and has a bachelor’s degree in Dance-Arts Administration from Butler University. After graduation, Ragland danced with Alabama Ballet, followed by Louisville Ballet in 2010, spending 13 years as a leading artist. A respected choreographer, Ragland choreographed works for Louisville Ballet, Alabama Ballet, Ballet Arkansas, AROVA Contemporary Ballet, Next Generation Ballet, Sedona Chamber Ballet, and The Perla Ballet. In 2017, Ragland was honored to perform with the Black Iris Project at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., as part of the Kennedy Center’s Dance Across America Program. He has received numerous awards, including “Best Artist” in Louisville Magazine and The Lift a Life Foundation’s “Emerging Leader in the Arts Award” from The Fund for the Arts.
Keitaro Harada
Music and Artistic Director Designate, Philharmonic; Sponsored by Barbara O’Hara
Named Music and Artistic Director Designate for Dayton Philharmonic for the 2024–25 season, Keitaro Harada will begin a five-year tenure as Music and Artistic Director with the 2025–26 season. As Music and Artistic Director of the Savannah Philharmonic since the 2020–21 season, Harada has transformed the orchestra and energized its audiences throughout the community with his imaginative programs and charismatic presence.
Harada is a recipient of the 2023 Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award. In 2024, he was named Permanent Conductor of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra and Principal Guest Conductor and Artistic Partner for the Aichi Chamber Orchestra. Harada was Associate Conductor for four years at the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops, where he regularly assisted Music Director Louis Langrée and collaborated with James Conlon and Juanjo Mena at the orchestra’s annual May Festival.
Company Dancers
Studio Company Dancers
Xochitl
Sara Beth Austin
Daniela Bennetti
Analiese Capponi
Ryan Norman
Elizabeth Sabol
Amber Huggett
Connor Barak Claire Bergman Nicolas Bierwagen Erin Blair Harrison Broadbent
Tomasin Corrente
Emma Duncan Alyssa Eyster
Hailey Flanagan Jasmine Getz
Katy Gilliam Isaac Jones Patrick Lennon
Tarique Logan Kyan Park
Lukas Pringle Francisco Rivera Belle Urben Catherine Voorhees Jalen Williams
Atienza
New Dancer Photo to come
New Dancer Photo to come
New Dancer Photo to come
New Dancer Photo to come
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific
Music by RICHARD RODGERS
Lyrics
by
OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II
Book by OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II and JOSHUA LOGAN
Adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Tales of the South Pacific by James A. Michener
Book Adaptation by David Ives
In collaboration with the Wright State University School of Fine and Performing Arts, this production is fully staged with costumes from the 2008 Broadway revival.
September 21 & 22, 2024 • Schuster Center
120 Minutes • One Intermission
CAST
Nellie Forbush Robin Dunavant*†
Emile de Becque ................ Morgan Smith*
Bloody Mary ............................ Kristen Choi*
Luther Billis Jake Lockwood†
Lt. Joseph Cable ....... Ryan Bryce Johnson*
Capt. George Brackett ... Bruce Cromer*^˘
Cmdr. William Harbison Josh Aaron
.......................................................... McCabe*^˘
Liat Juno Brosas*°
Jerome Ella Wright*
Ngana .......................................... Luna Jiang*
Jerome/Ngana Standby
Taliyah Holmes*
Professor Toby Hattemer*°
ENSEMBLE
Jordan Allen°
Marcus Bedinger˜
Lilly Buck°
Eoin Collins°
Bryan Daly˜
Danny Dobbins°
Devon Fruscione°
Ari Gelb°
Grace Goodwin°
Toby Hattemer°
Jeremiah Jones°
Cate Lightbody°
Liam McKee°
Aaron Meece˜
Mark Mehlope˜
Sean Miller-Jones˜ Ellie Sassano°
Sophia Stiles°
Ryan Wadhwa°
Peyton Wheeler°
Julia E. Walters°
Hannah Wilkerson°
Stewpot ....................... Sean Miller-Jones*† Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra
Continued on following page
SOUTH PACIFIC: IN CONCERT is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization. www.concordtheatricals.com. THE VIDEOTAPING OR MAKING OF ELECTRONIC OR OTHER AUDIO AND/OR VISUAL RECORDINGS OF THIS PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTING RECORDINGS OR STREAMS IN ANY MEDIUM, INCLUDING THE INTERNET, IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED, A VIOLATION OF THE AUTHOR(S)’S RIGHTS AND ACTIONABLE UNDER UNITED STATES COPYRIGHT LAW. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: www.concordtheatricals.com/resources/protecting-artists
PRODUCTION/CREATIVE TEAM
Neal Gittleman, conductor
Joe Deer, stage director*^
Kathleen Clawson, Artistic Director, Dayton Opera
Greg Hellems, choreography*^
F. Wade Russo, associate conductor/ chorusmaster*^
Pam Knauert Lavarnway, scenic design^
Jessica Drayton, projection design*†
Jason Hanrahan, sound design*
Catherine Zuber, costume design
Matthew Benjamin, lighting design^
Cass Brake, wig/makeup design
Thomas A. Venditelli, wig/makeup design
* Dayton Opera debut
^ Wright State University faculty/retired faculty
Kelly DeLisle, production stage manager & resident stage manager
Steven Aldredge, rehearsal pianist^
Adam Kluck, rehearsal pianist^
Brittany Accrocco, scenic painter†
John Lavarnway, props coordinator^
Lyn Baudendistel, costume coordinator
Emmy Goerling, costume coordinator
Candace Leyland, wig/makeup assistant
Andrea Chenoweth Wells, resident intimacy director
Elora Bowers, assistant stage manager*
Chris Brislin, technical director*
Cate Lightbody, dance captain*°
° Wright State University student † Wright State University alum
˜ Dayton Opera Chorus
About the Show
˘ The Actor appears through the courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
On a South Pacific island during World War II, Ensign Nellie Forbush, a spunky nurse from Arkansas, falls in love with French planter Emile de Becque. When Nellie learns that the mother of Emile’s children was an island native, she refuses Emile’s proposal of marriage, unable to overcome the prejudices with which she was raised. Meanwhile, the strapping Lt. Joe Cable falls in love with a Tonkinese girl named Liat, but he, too, denies himself a future due to the same fears that haunt Nellie. When Emile accompanies Joe on a dangerous mission that claims Joe’s life, Nellie chooses to embrace a future with Emile and his children, thus confronting and conquering her prejudices.
Based on Tales of the South Pacific, James Michener’s collection of short stories, South Pacific opened on Broadway at the Majestic Theatre on April 7, 1949, starring Mary Martin, Ezio Pinza, and Juanita Hall. South Pacific received the 1950 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and for the first time, the committee included a composer in the drama prize. The show received ten Tony Awards (including Best Musical), a Grammy Award and countless other accolades. For years the second-longest running show in Broadway history (right behind Oklahoma!), Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific returned to Broadway in a celebrated 2008 revival starring Kelli O’Hara and Paolo Szot. The show was adapted onscreen in the 1958 film starring Rossano Brazzi and Mitzi Gaynor and in a 2001 made-for-television film starring Glenn Close and Harry Connick, Jr.
AWARDS
Winner: 1950 Pulitzer Prize for Drama
Winner: Ten 1950 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Libretto, and Best Original Score
Winner: Seven 2008 Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical
Winner: 2008 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revival of a Musical
Nominee: Three 2012 Olivier Awards, including Outstanding Musical Production
Nominee: Three 2023 Olivier Awards, including Outstanding Musical Revival
Notes from the Directors
South Pacific was revolutionary in 1949, when it opened on Broadway just three years after the end of World War II. Audiences saw themselves onstage, as soldiers and nurses. They saw their fathers, brothers, sons and daughters preparing to fight to save Democracy on the other side of the globe in a show celebrating what we later called The Greatest Generation. But Rodgers and Hammerstein also held an unflinching mirror up to the two love interests in the story and forced audiences to see in themselves the race bias that was—and still is—America’s most urgent moral struggle. For the writers of the charming Oklahoma! to put a contemporary story onstage that focused on racism as the obstacle to love was startling. That gamble won them a Pulitzer Prize, among numerous other awards. In many ways, this show made the work of Stephen Sondheim, and shows like Rent or Hamilton, possible because it proved you could write a commercially successful musical that also tackled complex ideas.
As the son of a World War II veteran, I grew up hearing stories about this war, and only later came to recognize how much it changed the trajectory of this nation and made inevitable the great social changes that began in 1960s. I honor these veterans and their legacy, even as I embrace how much of their struggle continues today.
This 75th anniversary production celebrates the revolutionary nature of South Pacific, bringing all the romance, humor, vitality and sweeping musicality of this Golden Age classic to vivid life featuring a cast of nationally recognized artists alongside students, faculty, and alumni of Wright State University’s School of Fine and Performing Arts in a collaboration that amplifies the excellence of two of Dayton’s great performing arts organizations.
Joe Deer Stage Director
In January of 2023, DPAA presented An Evening of Sondheim, featuring students from Wright State University’s School of Fine and Performing Arts. It was great fun, our audiences loved it, and Neal Gittleman, Joe Deer, and I quickly started imagining what our next collaboration might be. I discovered that this year is the 75th Anniversary of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical, South Pacific, and the big dreamer in me suggested a full production of it as the perfect vehicle to highlight students from WSU as well as Dayton Opera soloists (the role of Emile De Becque was, after all, written for the opera singer Ezio Pinza!) A month after the Sondheim Concert found Neal and I in a meeting with WSU’s President Susan Edwards discussing the big picture about the mutual benefits of working together. That meeting led us to this production which has been a wonderful collaboration. The cast, creative, and production teams feature not only WSU students, but alumni and faculty as well, working side-by-side with Dayton Opera soloists, chorus members, and other professionals. The script for this performance is an adaptation of the original written by David Ives for a one-night-only concert in Carnegie Hall which keeps the story moving at a brisk pace without losing any of the glorious music. 46 members of the Dayton Philharmonic will be in the pit for this production (historically there’s 30). What an opportunity to hear this exquisite score as never before! My special thanks go to Joe Deer and Neal Gittleman who have been a part of this journey from the beginning and to our friends from WSU: Dr. Gary Schmidt, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts; Dr. Daniel Zehringer, Chair of the School of Fine and Performing Arts; Marya Spring Cordes, Artistic Director and Associate Chair of the School of Fine and Performing Arts; and Kevin Nedberg, staff technical director—all of whom helped immensely on this project. And, of course, President Dr. Susan Edwards, who believes in big dreams.
Kathleen Clawson Artistic Director,
Dayton Opera
About the Artists
Robin Dunavant
Nellie Forbush
Robin Dunavant
is thrilled to be back in Dayton to
play this absolute dream role. Robin is a graduate of Wright State University’s musical theatre program. Since graduation, she has been living in New York City and performing around the country. Many thanks to her amazing Wright State University professors for continuing to support her postgraduation, and the whole Dayton Opera team for this opportunity. Love to her family and friends.
Morgan Smith Emile de Becque
Known for his riveting dramatic portrayals and the power and beauty of his voice, American baritone Morgan Smith has been entrusted to create 16 roles in world premieres, including Starbuck in Jake Heggie’s widely celebrated Moby-Dick. While his versatility and affinity for contemporary works has lead to engagements such as the role of Richard in Kevin Puts’ The Hours (in recent workshops with Cincinnati Opera and The Metropolitan Opera, as well as a cover assignment with The Philadelphia Orchestra), Mr. Smith has also earned universal praise for performances in traditional repertoire such as Escamillo (Carmen), the title role of Don Giovanni, Sharpless (Madama Butterfly), Count
Alamaviva (Le nozze di Figaro), Four Villains (Les contes d’Hoffmann), and the title role in Eugene Onegin.
The 2024–2025 season includes role debuts such as Emile de Becque in South Pacific with Dayton Opera, Scarpia in Tosca with South Bend Lyric Opera, and Melchoir in Amahl and the Night Visitors with Kentucky Opera.
Bloody Mary
Mezzo-soprano
Kristen Choi is making waves in the world of opera, with Opera News dubbing her a “powerhouse in the making” for her portrayal of Suzuki in Madama Butterfly. In the upcoming 2024–2025 season she is making her debut at Florentina Opera, Kentucky Opera, and Austin Opera in her signature role as Suzuki in Madama Butterfly. She returns to Virginia Opera as Dorabella in Così fan tutte. During the 2023–2024 season, Choi reprised the role of Suzuki with return engagements at Opera Philadelphia and Virginia Opera, while also making a company debut in the role with Detroit Opera. Additional operatic performances this season included a return to Dallas Opera to sing the 2nd Maidservant in Elektra and joining the Hart Institute for Women Conductors to sing excerpts from Suor Angelica. On the concert stage, Choi made exciting debuts with both the Naples Philharmonic and the Phoenix Symphony singing as the alto soloist in Messiah.
During the 2021–2022 season, Choi made her Dayton Philharmonic debut as the alto soloist in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
Kristen Choi
Jake Lockwood
Luther Billis
Jake Lockwood is a writer, director and actor. A native Daytonian, he studied acting at Wright State University, then headed to Walt Disney World, where he performed in 27 different shows over the course of a thirty-year career as an Equity actor. Lockwood has written and directed shows for Princess Cruises, Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Lines, SeaWorld, The Human Race Theatre Company, Zoot Theatre, and Universal Studios. As an educator, Jake has taught acting and improvisation for The Human Race, Wright State University, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, and The Muse Machine. Dayton audiences may remember Lockwood from the 2018 Dayton Opera production of The Barber of Seville and Human Race Theatre productions of Around the World in 80 Days, The 39 Steps, A Tuna Christmas, Man of La Mancha, Shenandoah, and Rounding Third.
Ryan Bryce Johnson
Lt. Joseph Cable
Ryan Bryce Johnson, tenor, is a dynamic and versatile performer with experience spanning opera and music theatre. In 2024, Johnson made his debut at The Santa Fe Opera as Giuseppe in Verdi’s La Traviata and Faninal’s MajorDomo in Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier. In the previous season, he was seen at The Glimmerglass Festival as The Grand Inquisitor and Governor in
Bernstein’s masterpiece Candide Johnson has enjoyed success in various singing competitions along with his performances. Most recently, Johnson won First Prize in the 2023 Lotte Lenya Competition. Additionally, he has been a finalist for the George London Foundation Competition and a district winner for the Metropolitan Opera Council Auditions. Previous performances saw Johnson join Opera Saratoga where he performed as Ira in Lembit Beecher’s groundbreaking new opera Sky on Swings. Johnson was also chosen to be a Gerdine Young Artist at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis where he performed the role of Borsa in Verdi’s Rigoletto and covered the roles of Nero in The Coronation of Poppea by Monteverdi and Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi by Puccini. At Lyric Theatre @ Illinois, he performed as Don Ottavio in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Rodolfo in Puccini’s La Boheme, and the Male Chorus in Benjamin Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia. With an extensive repertoire, Johnson has also performed as Sam in Carlisle Floyd’s Susannah, Basilio in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, Piangi in Andrew Lloyd Weber’s The Phantom of the Opera, and Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance. Johnson holds a Master’s degree in Music from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a Bachelor’s in Music from Texas Tech University.
Bruce Cromer
Capt. George Brackett
Bruce Cromer (he/him/his) is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association, with over 200 professional stage productions in a 40-plus-year career. Cromer is a Professor Emeritus
of Acting and Movement at Wright State University and a Certified Teacher of Stage Combat Emeritus with the Society of American Fight Directors. He has acted with Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, Cincinnati Playhouse, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, the St. Louis Repertory Theatre, etc. He played Kim Burke in the film, Dark Waters, with Mark Ruffalo and Anne Hathaway, in 2019.
Josh Aaron McCabe
Cmdr. William Harbison
Josh Aaron McCabe is delighted to be joining Dayton Opera along with Wright State University students and colleagues on this special collaboration. Locally, McCabe has recently performed at The Human Race Theatre (Barbecue, Deadline, Everything That’s Beautiful.) A longtime senior member of Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, MA, McCabe has performed in over 25 of their productions, including: The Tempest, Cymbeline, Comedy of Errors; Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged); Mother Courage and Her Children (starring Olympia Dukakis); The American Premiere of Hound of the Baskervilles; Love’s Labour’s Lost; 39 Steps; As You Like It; Mystery of Irma Vep; Winter’s Tale; Richard III; Les Liaisons Dangereuses; and Merry Wives of Windsor. Off-Broadway appearances include Peep Show (Actor’s Playhouse). Regional, McCabe appeared in Berkshire Theatre Group, Oldcastle Theatre, Connecticut Rep, Madison Rep., Forward Theater, Milwaukee’s Chamber Theatre, Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, and Milwaukee’s Renaissance
Theaterworks. McCabe has also done national commercials, Daytime Serials, voiceovers, and Saturday Night Live. McCabe serves as the Head of Acting at Wright State University.
Learn more at joshaaronmccabe.com
Juno Brosas Liat
Juno Brosas (she/her) is a Filipina-American performer and senior BFA
Musical Theatre major at Wright State University. She is thrilled to be a part of this beautiful production! Select regional credits include Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Cinderella; The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati), Legally Blonde The Musical (Pilar/u/s Elle Woods; Short North Stage), Footloose (Rusty; Warsaw Federal Incline Theater), Singin’ in the Rain (Lina Lamont; The Carnegie), and Something Rotten! (Portia; TheatreLab Dayton). Brosas will return to the Taft Theatre as Belle in The Children Theatre of Cincinnati’s Beauty and the Beast this October. She thanks the wonderful Dayton Opera and Wright State team, her loved ones for their continuous support, and you for supporting the arts!
Follow her online (@junobrosas) or learn more at junobrosas.com.
Joe
Deer Stage Director
Joe Deer is the award-winning director and choreographer of almost 200 productions—from Off-Broadway to London, regional, summer stock, and
university stages. He recently directed the world premiere of Bos Lassus—e Mo in Matera, Italy, for Arteria Association and Guys and Dolls at Teatro Cocchia (Novara, Italy). He is the Distinguished Professor of Musical Theatre emeritus from Wright State University, where he led the BFA Musical Theatre program for more than 20 years and was Chair and Artistic Director of the Department of Theatre, Dance, and Motion Pictures. Deer was also the founder and Director of The Musical Theatre Initiative at Wright State, an international center that celebrates and explores the history, culture and craft of this art form. His graduates currently appear on Broadway, national tour, regional and international stages.
Deer began his career as a street performer on the sidewalks of New York’s Shubert Alley and eventually appeared in the Broadway and touring productions of Anything Goes, The American Dancemachine, Singin’ In The Rain, NYC Opera’s acclaimed productions of Brigadoon, and The Music Man. Off-Broadway shows include Rainbow, Subway Series (with NYC Tapworks), and Music, Rhythm, and Tap (at Brooklyn Academy of Music). He also appeared at Carnegie Hall and The Kennedy Center Honors. Deer’s stage-managing credits include the Broadway revival of Guys and Dolls, regional productions of Lend Me A Tenor, productions for New York’s Playwrights’ Horizons, and as an assistant on the first workshop of Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins. Deer received the Ohio Governor’s Award for the Arts in Arts Education (2016); Wright State University’s Trustees’ Award for Faculty Excellence and the College of Liberal Arts Award for Faculty Excellence (2014); more than three-dozen regional awards for best production or direction; and was
inducted into the Dayton Theatre Hall of Fame. He was founding President of the Musical Theatre Educators Alliance, from which he received a Career Achievement Award for his ongoing commitment to Musical Theatre education. Deer is a frequent director and master teacher at the world’s finest institutions, including Scuola Del Teatro Musicale (Milan, Italy), the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (London, England), Danish Academy of Musical Theatre, Stage School (Hamburg, GE), Royal Welsh School of Music and Drama (Wales), Sheridan College (Canada), and many of the top training programs in the US (Carnegie Mellon University, North Carolina School of the Arts, University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music and many others). In the Dayton (Ohio) region, he proudly works with The Muse Machine, and The Human Race Theatre Company, where he’s a Resident Artist. He holds an MFA in Directing from Carnegie Mellon University.
Deer is author of dozens of articles on theatre and education, the book, Directing In Musical Theatre: An Essential Guide, and the definitive textbook on its subject, Acting In Musical Theatre: A Comprehensive Course (with Rocco Dal Vera).
He is so happy to be joining Dayton Performing Arts Alliance/Dayton Opera for this collaborative production with Wright State University!
For more information, visit joedeer.net
Greg Hellems
Choreographer
Greg Hellems, choreographer, is a full professor and Head of Musical Theatre at Wright State University. Previous DPO
credits include, Best of Broadway (with Human Race Theatre Co.), Leonard Bernstein’s Mass, and An Evening of Sondheim. Regional directing credits include Shipwrecked, The Cake, Sex With Strangers, The Glass Menagerie, and Band Geeks!—all at The Human Race Theatre Co. Other work includes productions with Signature Theatre, Mountain Playhouse, Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, Columbus Children’s Theatre, and Cincinnati Hot Summer Nights, along with numerous projects for Cedar Fair Corporation, Paramount Entertainment, and Kings Entertainment Company. Recent productions at Wright State, both directing and/or choreographing include last year’s critically acclaimed production of Cabaret, as well as Sister Act, Mamma Mia, A Little Night Music, Mystery of Edwin Drood, and Miss Mayor (world premiere). Teaching and production credits include Columbus Children’s Theatre: Advanced Performance Academy, the High School Musical Production and Musical Theatre Intensive at Interlochen Arts Camp and CCM-Prep. Thanks to Bill.
F. Wade Russo Associate Conductor/ Concertmaster
F. Wade Russo joined the faculty of Wright State in 2019. He worked as musical director and conductor in New York and regionally for 25 years. On Broadway, he served as associate conductor of By Jeeves, directed by Sir Alan Ayckbourn. He also conducted the national tour of The Boyfriend, directed by Julie Andrews. Russo was a regular music director at the Goodspeed Opera House (27 productions) and the Pittsburgh Public Theatre (15 productions). He has conducted productions at the
Huntington Theatre, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Barrington Stage, Lyric Theatre of Boston, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Juilliard Repertory Theatre and the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. He was awarded the St. Louis Critics Award for music directing Sunday in the Park With George at Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. He was cabaret musical director at the Williamstown Theatre Festival for six seasons, where he also composed incidental music for The Glass Menagerie with Joanne Woodward. He has taught at Circle in the Square Theatre School, Boston Conservatory, Point Park University, Emerson College and the Juilliard School where he was accompanist for master classes conducted by Barbara Cook. At Wright State, Russo has music directed The Addams Family, Sweet Charity, Mamma Mia, Cabaret, Sister Act, On the Town, and the upcoming production of The Apple Tree
Jessica Drayton
Projection Designer
Jessica Ann Drayton is a passionate lighting and projection
designer, EOS programmer, and collaborative artist who finds joy in every aspect of lighting design. Raised in Powder Springs, Georgia, her journey began at age 14 when she discovered her love for lighting design while running a followspot for a high school dance concert.
Drayton pursued her passion at Wright State University, earning her BFA in Lighting Design. Her career took off with roles at the Dallas Opera as the Assistant Lighting Director and later at the Dallas Theater Center. When the pandemic shifted the world, Drayton embraced
change and furthered her education, starting her graduate studies at SMU before transferring to the University of CIncinnati-College Conservatory of Music, where she obtained her MFA.
Now a freelance lighting & projection designer, Drayton brings creativity, practicality, and a forward-thinking approach to every project. Her work is a reflection an unwavering dedication to the craft. When she’s not designing, she’s at home in the company of her two beloved cats, Sophia and Nigel, and her supportive husband, Jonathan.
Catherine Zuber Costume Designer
Catherine Zuber received a Drama Desk Award and an Outer Critics Circle Award Honour for her work on Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Her select Broadway credits include Mrs. Doubtfire, My Fair Lady (Tony, Drama Desk & OCC Awards), Oslo, War Paint (Drama Desk & OCC awards), Fiddler on the Roof, The King and I (Olivier, Tony and OCC awards), Gigi (Drama Desk Award), The Royal Family (Tony Award), South Pacific (Tony Award), The Coast of Utopia (Tony Award), The Light in the Piazza (Tony Award), Awake and Sing! (Tony Award). She is a 2017 recipient of the Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award, and she was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame in 2016.
with over thirty years of experience, having designed professionally in the areas of dance, opera, concerts, corporate events, theatre, musicals, casinos, theme parks, and trade shows. He a proud member of the United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829.
Benjamin is also a professor of theater and the resident lighting designer for Wright States University’s Theatre and Dance Programs. He also serves as the Head of the Theatre Design and Technology Program. In addition to his tenure at Wright State, he has taught at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, the Interlochen Center for the Arts, the University of Cincinnati, and the New Jersey Governor’s School for the Arts.
Benjamin has designed lighting for a wide variety of genres, as well as concert lighting for The Doobie Brothers and other national recording artists. He is also a theatrical consultant to educational programs and professional organizations, having recently designed lighting systems for a tap room, a municipal library, and a new performing arts center.
Matthew P. Benjamin Lighting Designer
Matthew
P. Benjamin is a lighting designer
He is an active freelance designer whose professional credits include seven seasons as the resident lighting designer for the Opera Theater of Lucca, Italy, along with design work for Luna Negra Dance Theatre, the Alley Theatre, Human Race Theatre Company, Aspen Music Festival, TriCities Opera, Muse Machine, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Opera at Florham, New Horizon Theater Company, South Jersey Regional Theater, Little Theater of the Rockies, Children’s Ballet Theater of New Jersey, Taj Mahal Casino, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Dayton Opera, and the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences-Eastern Regional Emmy Awards, among others.
Benjamin received his M.F.A. in theatrical design and production from the University of Cincinnati (College Conservatory of Music). His B.F.A. in lighting design is from the North Carolina School of the Arts.
Thomas A. Venditelli Wig/Makeup Designer
Tom Venditelli began his professional career as an Art Educator. He has always been fascinated by beauty, either in nature or human form. He transitioned into the business 27 years ago, while studying stage make-up at the University. His work is very detail oriented, whether he is booked on a studio team, or designing wigs and makeup for an elaborate opera production. He has had the opportunity to work on feature films, national commercials as well as publications. Gratefully, his abilities have placed him in many amazing locations both in and out of the country. His established professional relationships continue to be a driving creative influence in his life.
Kelly DeLisle Production Stage Manager
Kelly DeLisle (she/ her) is a Kennedy Center awardwinning stage manager. DeLisle is thrilled to return for her third season as the Resident Stage Manager for the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, where she manages the Dayton Ballet, Opera, and Philharmonic Orchestra. Her passions include making Neal Gittleman giggle and mentoring the next generation of theatre artists.
DeLisle spends her summer in Northern Michigan at Interlochen Center for the Arts stage managing the High School Musical Production and instructs the Stage Management Intensive. Select credits include: Swan Lake, Sweeney Todd, The Nutcracker, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (the Ballet), Peter Pan, Amahl and the Night Visitors (DPAA); Murder on the Orient Express, Titanic the Musical, Steel Magnolias, A Christmas Carol (Milwaukee Repertory Theatre); The Mousetrap (Wright State University); Mamma Mia!, Legally Blonde, The Lady with All the Answers (Cortland Repertory Theatre); Brigadoon (Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre); A Little Night Music, Gypsy, Damn Yankees, Cinderella (the Ballet) (Ball State University); Anything Goes, Ragtime, Wonderful Town (Interlochen Arts Camp).
DeLisle would like to thank her Parents, Colleen Tovar, The Jenkins, and Ball State family for their continuous support.
For CT.
Philharmonic Musicians
Greenlaw, Acting Concertmaster1
Philip Enzweiler* Janet George
Oprea Associate Concertmaster2
Na, Acting Assistant Concertmaster3
VIOLIN II
The Peter and Patricia Torvik 2nd Violin Section
Kara Camfield, Acting Principal4
Ann Linn Baer, Acting Assistant Principal
Kirstin
Aurelian
Youjin
Elizabeth Hofeldt
David Goist Mikhail Baranovsky Louis Proske Sean Klopfenstein John Lardinois
VIOLIN I
Scott Moore Gloria Fiore
Maggie Niekamp Nick Naegele* Lynn Rohr*
Yoshiko Kunimitsu Bill Slusser Yein Jin*
Sheridan Currie, Principal5
VIOLA
OBOE AND ENGLISH HORN
Colleen Braid, Assistant Principal Karen Johnson6
Scott Schilling Lori LaMattina Mark D. Reis
Molly Castrucci8 Lucas Song9
Mark Hofeldt Nadine Monchecourt Oleg Babkov
Stephen Ullery Christopher Roberts
James Faulkner Bleda Elibal
Rebecca Andres, Principal11 Jennifer Northcut
Janet van Graas
Eileen Whalen, Principal12
Leslie Dragan Belinda Burge
Jonathan Lee, Principal Christina Coletta, Assistant Principal7
CELLO
Zoë Moskalew
Deborah Taylor, Principal10
Jon Pascolini, Assistant Principal
Donald Compton FLUTE AND PICCOLO
BASS
CLARINET
TROMBONE
HARP
Robyn Dixon Costa
John Kurokawa, Principal13 Rachael Young, Principal14
Kristen Smith15
Aaron Brant, Principal16
Lotti Ropert
Todd Fitter
BASSOON
HORN
Amy Lassiter Sean Vore, Assistant Principal
Charles Pagnard, Principal17 Alan Siebert
TRUMPET
Eric Knorr
Tyler Bentley, Acting Principal18
Richard Begel
Chad Arnow19
Timothy Northcut, Principal20
Gerald Noble, Acting Principal21
Michael LaMattina, Principal22 Davi Martinelli de Lira23
Leslie Stratton, Principal24
New Musician Photo to come
MEMBERS MAKE THE
MAGIC
DPAA Members keep the classical arts thriving in Dayton with their annual donation—join the community now!
ASK ABOUT OUR:
► EXCLUSIVE PRE-SALES & OFFERS
► BEHIND-THE-SCENES ACCESS
► DONOR LOUNGE
► VALET PARKING
► MEMBERS-ONLY NEWSLETTER
KEYBOARD
Joshua Nemith25
* Denotes leave of absence
1 J. Ralph Corbett Chair
2 Huffy Foundation Chair
3 Sherman Standard Register Foundation Chair
4 Jesse Philips Chair
5 F. Dean Schnacke Chair
6 Grace Counts Finch Chair
7 Edward L. Kohnle Chair in Memory of Andra Lunde Padrichelli, Principal Cellist 2003–2018
8 Gilbert and Patricia Templeton Chair
9 Paul and Susanne Weaver Chair
10 Dayton Philharmonic Volunteer Association/C. David Horine Memorial Chair
11 Dayton Philharmonic Volunteer Association Chair
12 Catharine French Bieser Chair
13 Rhea Beerman Peal Chair
14 Robert and Elaine Stein Chair
15 David and Lois Gribler Chair
16 Frank M. Tait Memorial Chair
17 John W. Berry Family Chair
18 John Reger Memorial Chair
19 Bill and Wanda Lukens Chair
20 Zachary, Rachel and Natalie Denka Chair
21 Rosenthal Family Chair in Memory of Miriam Rosenthal, In Honor of Donald Donnett, Principal Timpani 1966–2023
22 Miriam Rosenthal Chair
23 Richard A. and Mary T. Whitney Chair
24 Daisy Talbott Green Chair
25 Demirjian Family Chair
Our Members Make the Magic!
Special thanks to all our DPAA Members who keep the classical arts thriving in Dayton with their annual donation.
President’s Circle
DIAMOND ($100,000+)
Mr. and Mrs. Paul R. Anderson
Martha DeBold*
Mr. and Mrs. Steven C. Mason
Barbara N. O’Hara
Jesse and Caryl Philips Foundation
Dr. Troy Tyner and Dr. Ingrid Brown
EMERALD ($50,000-$99,999)
John and Kathy Beran
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Hone
Mrs. Linda W. Lombard and Mr. Paul W. Marshall
Dale and Karen Medford
Mrs. Betsy B. Whitney
SAPPHIRE ($25,000-$49,999)
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Bankston
Mr. Neal Gittleman and Ms. Lisa M. Fry
ELM Foundation
Mrs. Judy D. McCormick
Raymond and Sue Merz
Mr. and Mrs. C. Miles Schmidt
Mr. and Mrs. William J. Schneider
Larry and Abbie Trittschuh
RUBY ($10,000-$24,999)
Anonymous
Dr. Ron Anderson and Mr. Robb Sloan-Anderson
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Bettcher
Jim Crosset
Mr. Eugene D. Kurtz and Ms. Janice L. Culver
John and Allyson Danis
Mr. Richard M. DeLon
Dr. Grace L. DeVelbiss
Ms. Jane A. Dunwoodie
Ms. Debra Edelman
Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Fernandes
Mr. Michael A. Houser
Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Judith Kreutzer
Mr. and Mrs. William E. Lukens
Barbara and Leib Lurie
Dr. and Mrs. Michael L. Manchester
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth F. May
Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. McQuiston
Dr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Mikutis
Dr. Thomas G. Olsen and Mrs. Mary Boosalis
Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Schwartz
Dr. and Mrs. Peter J. Torvik
Mr. Philip G. Wise and Dr. Joe Law
Mr. and Mrs. Walter D. Wood
Producing Partners
ENCORE ($5,000-$9,999)
Anonymous
Mrs. Mary L. Arnett
Mr. and Mrs. David S. Battle
Mr. and Mrs. David M. Berry
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bridgman
Dr. Gwen L. Brubaker
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Burkhardt Jr.
Mrs. Catherine Clark
Dr. Ann W. Clutter
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick De Naples
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel P. Deitz
Mr. Donald and Mrs. Janet Grieshop
Mr. and Mrs. Jonas J. Gruenberg
Mr. Charles J. Hardwick
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley C. Herr
Mr. and Mrs. Luke Lovell
Mr. Christopher Mason
Miss Constance A. McKale
Mr. James S. Nathanson
Dr. David H. Ponitz
Kenneth Quinter
Mr. and Mrs. James M. Ratti
Mr. and Mrs. Milton C. Ross
Mr. Matthew J. Scarr
Mr. and Mrs. William J. Schaff
Mr. Thomas F. Skelley and Mrs. Sharon Lindquist-Skelley
Mrs. Cynthia Uhl
Mr. and Mrs. William R. Winger
Kathleen and Joseph Zehenny
OVATION ($2,500-$4,999)
Anonymous (2)
Dr. Nirmala Abraham and Mr. Scotty Blackburn
Mrs. Margy Anderson
Mr. and Mrs. Ted Angel
Dan and Vicky Archibald
Mr. and Mrs. Karl C. Ayers
Ann Barr
Mr. Ronald Bernard and Dr. Judith E. Woll M.D.
Dr. Robert L. Brandt, Jr.
Michael and Frieda Brigner
Ms. Kathleen L. Clawson
Mr. Christopher Coombs
Suzanne and Patrick Crippen
Mr. and Mrs. John H. Culp
Dr. and Mrs. Robert Custer
Pat and David Diven
Dr. John C. Duby and Dr. Sara Guerrero-Duby
Mr. and Mrs. David B. Dutton
Doug and Bethany Einstein
Ms. Susan M. Falter
Don and Andrea Fineberg
Ms. Marilyn R. Fischer
Mrs. Carol Graff
Mr. Thomas P. Gratto and Dr. Sharon D. Gratto
Mr. and Mrs. Craig Jennings
Mrs. Leora K. Kline
Mr. and Mrs. Paul H. Lamberger
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond W. Lane
Dr. and Mrs. William Lindahl
Ms. Susan B. McCoy and Mr. Allen Kennedy
Pat and David McDonald
Anna and John Monnett
Theodore Nelson and Ixi Chen
Patrick J. Nugent and Mary Kay Rehard
Mr. Mark Olson and Ms. Barbara Furyk-Olson
Dr. C. Daniel and Mrs. Kathy Raisch
Tim Riordan
Mr. and Mrs. Greg Robinson
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Seboldt
Heber and Liz Short
Mr. and Mrs. William J. Sibbing
Mr. Michael Sieveking and Mr. Jeffrey Trzeciak
Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Smythe
Lois and Roger Sutherland
Dr. and Mrs. Frederick A. Tokarz
Dr. and Mrs. Edward Tomme
Dr. Byron and Mrs. Theresa Wade
Paul and Susie Weaver
James and Tami Whalen
Hon. and Mrs. William H. Wolff Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Tim S. Wood
Dr. Teresa Zryd
BRAVO ($1,000-$2,499)
Anonymous (3)
Mr. Joshua E. Adams
Dr. and Mrs. Walter W. Adams
The Albert and Nancy Freudenberger Fund
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Anderson
Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Anderson
Mr. Patrick Arnold
The Honorable Bill and Karen Beagle
Mr. Zachary J. Beck
Mr. and Mrs. Donald N. Bigler
Ms. Mary R. Bowman
The Brenda and David Jones Memorial Fund
Mr. and Mrs. Allen Byrum
Mr. Joseph Cable
Drs. Alejandro Calvo and Veronica Camacho
Mr. and Mrs. John M. Campbell
Ms. Martha Monica CorradineAltman
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence M. Corson
Mr. Kelly H. Dalton
Susan and Bryan Daly
Ms. Susan DeLuca
William DeVenzio and Linda Short
Mr. C. Bruce Driver
Susan and Robert Ellefson
Mr. Larry Forman
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Gardner
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Gaudion
Dr. David and Pamela Griffith
Mr. Michael and Brig. Gen. Mary
Kathryn Haddad
Dr. and Mrs. Bruce Hall
Mr. John C. Halpin and Ms. Dorothy B. Dick
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Harstad
Mr. and Mrs. Donald M. Heinrich
Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Herbeck
Holland Family Trust
Mr. Jeffrey Huntington
Dr. Michael A. Jaffe M.D.
Sandi Simmons and Tom Jonak
Ms. Shannon Joyce Neal
Mrs. R. Jean Judge
Ms. Norma Keefer
Michael and Janet Kelly
Dr. and Mrs. Myron R. Kem
Dr. and Mrs. Brian Kent
Dr. R. Alan Kimbrough
Dr. and Mrs. Emil P. Kmetec
Chuck Knickerbocker
Kathryn A. Lamme
Dr. James T. Lehner and Hon.
Peggy Lehner
Cheryl and Franklin Lewis
Robyn Lightcap
Morgan Andrew Taylor*
Dr. Tom Maher
The Margaret and Paul C. Magill Fund*
Drs Jerry Clark and Barry McCorkle
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Meyer
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Bill Perry and JT Rusch
Robert Pohl and Susan Strong
Mr. Todd Press
Mr. and Mrs. Dominick A. Rinaldi
Mr. Joshua Roch and Mrs. Sarah Enterline Roch
Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Roedersheimer
Mr. and Mrs. Donald L. Routson
Ms. Colleen M. Ryan
Dr. Burton R. Saidel and Mrs. Alice L. Saidel
Sanchez Family
Mr. Richard B. Saphire
Mr. And Mrs. Richard Schaefer
Mr. and Mrs. Alan B. Schaeffer
Mrs. Winnie Scholl
Sigma Boule Fund
Charles V. Simms
Mrs. Catherine J. Skardon
Lt. Col and Mrs. Michael H. Taint
Mr. John Tate
Thomas E. And Sharon P. Williamson Fund
Mrs. Mary T. Tymeson
Mr. Michael Tyrchniewicz and Ms. Rachael Courtney
Jeanie Vickroy
Malte and Pan Von Matthiessen
Dr. and Mrs. Andreas M. Walchner
Andrew and Julie Wallner
Jud and Julie Wallner Fund
Mark White
Ms. Katherine Wiedeman
Mr. and Mrs. John J. Winch
Mr. and Mrs. Brian W. Woodruff
Mr. and Mrs. David Wrazen
Dr. Daniel L. Zehringer
Dr. David Zelmon and Dr. Mojgan Samardar
Friends
FELLOW ($750-$999)
Anonymous
Shirley Ark
Drs. Charles and Mary Bane
Mr. Charles W. Bradford
Carla Cameron
Mrs. Rebecca Dianis
Dr. Margaret M. Dunn and Dr. William A. Spohn
Lt. Col. Frank and Diane Gentner, USAF Ret.
Dr. and Mrs. Douglas N. Goetz
Mr. Anthony Haugrud
Jeremy Holtgrave
Charles and Karen Kronbach
Kenji and Misao Kurokawa
Larry Mullins
Les and Dianne Niemi
Ms. Ellen Noble
Jeaunita Ìfewándé Château Olówè
Greg and Michele Palmer
Mr. Harold Poppe and Mr. Dale Schmidt
Mr. William C. Quinn
Mary Yerina and Bob Redfield
Beverly and Bradley Smith
Rick and Tawnya Stover
Phyllis Strayer
Kevin and Micki Torres
Nancy and John Woeste
Dr. Roberts and Mrs. Lynn Wood
Dr. Virginia C. Wood
Carol Jean Yegerlehner Give Today
Corporate and Foundation Partners
We thank our corporate and foundation partners for their support of DPAA’s mission, programs, and artists.
IMPRESARIO
AES Ohio Foundation
The Charles D. Berry Foundation
Virginia W. Kettering Foundation
Schiewetz Foundation
Harry A. Toulmin, Jr. and Virginia B. Toulmin Fund of The Dayton Foundation
MAESTRO
Kettering Health
VIRTUOSO
Dayton Freight
The Mary H. Kittredge Fund of The Dayton Foundation
Bill and Jackie Lockwood Fund to Support Opera
LEGATO
AES Ohio
The Berry Family Foundation
Cox First Media
Dayton Aerospace
Marriott University of Dayton
Miriam Rosenthal Foundation for the Arts
The Shubert Foundation
The Troy Foundation
The Nick and Edna Weller Charities, Inc.
CONCERTO
10 Wilmington Place
Arts Consulting Group
Bob Ross Auto Group
The Charles F. Kettering Foundation
Discover Classical 88.1 WDPR/89.1 WUSO/89.9 WDPG
The Kettering Family Foundation
iHeartMedia
Mathile Family Foundation
ARIA
The Iddings Foundation
Victory Wholesale Group
SONATA
The Dayton Hydraulic Co.
Enterprise Roofing
Harlamert Foundation
Heidelberg Distributing Company
Johnson Investment Counsel
The Kuntz Foundation
Levin Family Foundation
LION
Nova Creative
NPS Cares Foundation
PNC
INTERMEZZO
Coolidge Wall
Sam Levin Foundation
Omega Baptist Church
Pickrel, Schaeffer, and Ebeling
OVERTURE
Barnes Dennig
Houser Asphalt and Concrete
Requarth Lumber Company
Voss Auto Network
ADDITIONAL MAJOR SUPPORT BY:
Culture Works
Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District
National Endowment for the Arts
Ohio Arts Council
Board of Trustees and Staff
OFFICERS
Joseph Zehenny, Chair
Patricia McDonald, Vice Chair
Dr. Ed Tomme, Chair Emeritus
Tom Burkhardt, Treasurer
Timothy Riordan, Assistant Treasurer
Rev. Joshua Ward, Secretary
Rodney Veal, Assistant Secretary
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Dr. Ron Anderson
Libby Ballengee
Dr. Zachary Beck
Ashley Bethard
Jim Butler
Christopher Coombs
Allyson Danis
Courtney Ditmer
Dr. Samuel Dorf
Deborah Gross
Col. Mary-Kathryn Haddad
Michael Howard
Xavier Johnson
Dr. G. Scott Jones
Robyn Lightcap
Patrick Martin
Peggie McQuiston
Shannon Joyce Neal
Barbara O’Hara
Todd Press
Burt Saidel
Dori Spaulding
John Tate
Rick Thie
Abbie Trittschuh
Katie Wahl
Dr. Daniel Zehringer
ARTISTIC DIRECTORS EMERITUS
Thomas Bankston, Opera
ADMINISTRATION
Patrick J. Nugent, President and CEO
Michael Sieveking, Managing Director
Teri Warwick, Chief Financial Officer
Sue Martin, Accounting Manager
ARTISTIC
Kathleen Clawson, Artistic Director, Opera
Neal Gittleman, Artistic Director and Conductor, Philharmonic
Brandon Ragland, Artistic Director, Ballet
Patrick Reynolds, Associate Conductor, Philharmonic; Conductor, Philharmonic Youth Orchestra
Steven Hankle, Director, Philharmonic Chorus
Carolyn Sweezy, Manager, Philharmonic Chorus
Maureen Hickey Haitch, Conductor, Philharmonic Youth Strings
Michelle Mastin, Conductor, Philharmonic Junior Strings
Jeffrey Powell, Chorus Master, Opera Chorus
Sharon Neumeister, Company Teacher and Rehearsal Assistant
Rachel Cahayla Wynne, Rehearsal Director and Dayton Ballet Studio Company Manager
DEVELOPMENT
Bill Perry, Vice President for Philanthropy
Lynnette Ivey, Director of Institutional Giving
Allie Haines, Membership Manager
Anne O’Hara, Development Operations Manager
LEARNING AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Jeaunita Ìféwándé Château Olówè, Vice President for Learning and Community Engagement
Jacqueline Griffin, Learning Programs Manager
Melissa McCoy, Engagement Programs Manager
Megan Forney, Dayton Ballet School Education Manager; Co-Director of Dayton Ballet School Ensemble
Gabrielle Sharp, Co-Director of Dayton Ballet School Ensemble
Elizabeth Sabol, Ballet School Registrar
Vicky Archibald, Ballet School Receptionist
MARKETING
Brittany Laughlin, Vice President for Marketing and Audience Development
Olivia Budde, Marketing Coordinator
James Mikolajewski, Marketing and Patron Acquisition Manager
Kate LaFollette, Engagement and Patron Services Manager
OPERATIONS
Theodore Nelson, Vice President for Operations and Artistic Planning
Milena Treer, Director of Production
Tim Crommes, Company Manager
Patrick Keough, Technical Director
Sean Vore, Orchestra Personnel Manager
Lyn Baudendistel, Wardrobe Supervisor
Eric Knorr, Orchestra Librarian
Kelly DeLisle, Resident Stage Manager
Lloyd Bryant, Recording Engineer
The stagehands of IATSE Local 66
The wardrobe members of IATSE Local 886
BILL AND JACKIE LOCKWOOD FUND TO SUPPORT OPERA
THE MARY H. KITTREDGE FUND OF THE DAYTON FOUNDATION
HARRY A. TOULMIN JR. AND VIRGINIA B. TOULMIN FUND OF THE DAYTON FOUNDATION