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6
WELCOME
A warm welcome from Houston Ballet Board President Stephanie Tsuru and presenting sponsor of The Nutcracker , Houston Methodist
11
FIRST POSITION
Clara reminisces in her diary about her magical adventures; Houston Ballet Academy rules the kitchen in the French divertissement; Soloist Alyssa Springer shares a day in her life during The Nutcracker season with follow-up from Houston Methodist
15
BALLET BINGO
Stanton Welch’s The Nutcracker is filled with hidden gems. Can you spot enough of them to score a bingo blackout?
16
THE NUTCRACKER
Discover the artists behind Stanton Welch’s holiday masterpiece as well as a storybook synopsis by D.L. Groover
Dear Houston Ballet Friends,
On behalf of Houston Ballet, it’s my pleasure to welcome you to our cherished holiday tradition—Stanton Welch’s The Nutcracker. Whether this is your first time experiencing its magic or you’ve journeyed to the Kingdom of Sweets before, we’re delighted to share in this world of whimsy and wonder with you.
Based on the beloved story by E.T.A. Hoffmann, The Nutcracker has captured hearts for generations. Stanton Welch’s version takes us on an unforgettable adventure through Clara’s imagination—from the lively holiday party at the Stahlbaums’ home to the thrilling battle of rats and toy soldiers. With larger-than-life sets and stunning costumes, this production makes the season sparkle, and we’re so fortunate to have it right here in Houston.
When the curtain rises, you’ll see the result of months of dedication and heart. From our dancers and crew to our Academy students and their families, it truly takes a village to bring The Nutcracker to life each year. Beyond the stage, this ballet continues to unite families—whether it’s generations gathering in the audience, parents introducing the story to their children, or our artists creating new memories behind the scenes.
As the snow melts and the curtain closes on The Nutcracker, we look ahead to more extraordinary moments this season. In February, Welch’s Sylvia transports us to Mount Olympus, where three remarkable
women lead a story of love and triumph woven through Greek mythology. Soon after, Broken Wings takes flight with a mixed program of three one-act ballets: Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Broken Wings, inspired by the life and art of Frida Kahlo; Jiří Kylián’s evocative Petite Mort; and a brand-new world premiere by Welch.
In May, we’ll celebrate An Evening with the Stars, featuring a new work by Alice Topp, former resident choreographer of The Australian Ballet; Welch’s vibrant Tapestry, set to Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5; and Jerome Robbins’ beloved Dances at a Gathering, set to the music of Chopin. We’ll close the season with Welch’s reimagined Giselle, returning home after a celebrated tour to Japan. Set to Adolphe Adam’s original 1841 score and featuring exquisite sets and costumes by Raymonda and Romeo and Juliet designer Roberta Guidi di Bagno, Giselle tells the timeless story of a young woman whose love and forgiveness transcend heartbreak.
Thank you for being part of our Nutcracker family this season. We hope today’s performance fills your holidays with joy, and we look forward to welcoming you back to the theater very soon.
DIRECTOR, DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATIONS & PUBLICATIONS
Jasmine Fuller Cane
DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Kharma Elvirez
DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
Amanda Coleman
PROJECT STAFF
Alexandra Anthony, Lynn Chung, Jared Murphy, Ellen Neiers
ADVERTISING SALES
Ventures Marketing GroupMatt Ross
Houston Ballet Board President
ON THE COVER
Demi Soloist Kellen Hornbuckle. Photo by Amitava Sarkar.
Enjoy your experience with Houston Ballet!
BEFORE THE SHOW
Enjoy dining and refreshments by Levy Catering in the Wortham Theater Center before the show and during intermission. Pre-order drinks at the wine or coffee bar in the foyer.
GET COMFORTABLE
Restrooms are conveniently located on all floors, with accessible options in the Prairie lobby and main foyer. A family viewing area is available in the Brown Alcove and booster seat rentals are offered for those who need a little extra height.
CAPTURE THE MEMORY
Find Instagram-worthy photo-ops with our larger-than-life performance banners and information boards located in the foyer by the escalators. During the holidays, you can snap photos by the Christmas tree and gingerbread house at our annual performances of The Nutcracker.
FIND THE PERFECT GIFT
Don’t forget to check out the Houston Ballet boutique in the main foyer. You’ll find wonderful gifts for friends and family or even a special memento for yourself. The boutique is open an hour and a half before each performance, during intermission, and for 30 minutes after the show. Many exclusive items are not available online, so take advantage of the opportunity to purchase something unique while attending the performance.
ACCESSIBILITY & SAFETY
For accommodations or questions, contact the box office before the performance. Wheelchair-accessible dropoff is located at the Prairie Street entrance, with parking in the Theater District garage (level three). Wheelchair seating is available in Orchestra, Grand Tier, and Founders Box levels. Assisted listening devices are provided upon request. EMT and HPD officers are present during all performances for audience safety.
LOST & FOUND
If you misplace something during your visit, please check with an usher to see if your item has been located. If you have already left the theater, please contact 832.487.7000 Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM for assistance.
IMPORTANT POLICIES
Please follow the policies below for a seamless experience:
• No late seating is allowed during performances. If you arrive late, you will be asked to stand in the Brown Alcove and watch a live stream on monitors until a suitable time to be seated (usually during intermission).
• Sit only in your assigned seat. Ushers are available at all theater entrances to help you find your seat.
• Audiovisual recordings and photos inside the house are strictly prohibited.
• Please silence all mobile devices before the show.
• Children require their own ticket and must be five years or older for The Nutcracker.
• There is no smoking or vaping inside the Wortham Theater Center.
• Management reserves the right to remove disruptive patrons without refunds.
We hope you have a delightful experience at our performance. If you have any further questions or need assistance, please reach out to our staff. Thank you for joining us at Houston Ballet!
LEADING ORTHOPEDIC CARE TO KEEP THE BALLET MOVING
Houston Methodist, we are experts in helping the body do what it was designed to do: stay in motion. trusted doctors for Houston Ballet, our orthopedic and sports medicine specialists keep the dancers performing in the spotlight. And, by finding innovative ways to treat their injuries, we’re better able to treat yours. Whether you’re getting back on the stage or back to work, we use the latest technology and advanced therapies to get you back on your feet — and keep you moving.
That’s the difference between practicing medicine and leading it. For you.
houstonmethodist.org/orthopedics
Dear Houston Ballet Friends,
It is an honor to welcome you to The Nutcracker performance by Houston Ballet, on behalf of Houston Methodist. Each year, Houston Ballet delights audiences and makes Clara’s magical journey come to life. We are proud to be the presenting sponsor of a beloved holiday production, one that allows us to travel into an enchanting world filled with joy and wonder. Houston Ballet’s artistic director, Stanton Welch, creates a show that amazes and captivates, while everyone involved in the production makes you feel a part of Clara’s world.
Art can move and help heal, and we recognize the healing power of the arts at Houston Methodist. Through the Houston Methodist Center for Performing Arts Medicine, our team of dedicated physicians and staff has cared for over 2,000 artists annually, helping them maintain their health and wellbeing so they can continue to share their incredible talents.
As one of the country’s leading health care systems, Houston Methodist continues to serve those in Greater
Houston with a commitment to providing the highest-quality care in a spiritual environment of healing. Our system spans a flagship hospital in the Texas Medical Center, a continuing care hospital and seven community hospitals across Greater Houston. Houston Methodist is nationally recognized for its commitment to safety, quality, service, and innovation, with Houston Methodist Hospital being named the No. 1 hospital in Texas for the 14th consecutive year and included on the Honor Roll list for the ninth time overall by U.S. News & World Report.
It is a privilege to care for the performing artists of Houston and all those we serve. Thank you for your support, and we hope you enjoy this memorable performance of The Nutcracker.
MARC L. BOOM, MD President and CEO Houston Methodist
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Isaac Gómez
Nov. 28 – Dec.
FIRST POSITION
Dear Diary
Boy oh boy! You wouldn’t believe what happened after midnight. I’ll do my best to write it all down before I forget!
By Clara
IT’S CHRISTMAS MORNING NOW, just after opening my presents, and as I gaze out the window at snowflakes drifting lazily in the wind, I’m reminded of the strangest dream I had last night. Everything felt so real; in fact, my cheeks still tingle from the cool air, and I can taste the candy-sweet wonder of it all.
Our Christmas party was as merry as could be! I put on a little puppet show for everyone, but of course Fritz had to steal the spotlight, charging about and leading the boys in noisy battles. And Louise? She barely moved from her soldier sweetheart’s side the whole night. I was gifted a silly hat, a fresh-
off-the-press storybook, and the most marvelous present of all, a Nutcracker! Oh, what a kind, yet mysterious man, that Drosselmeyer is. You never know what wonders will tumble out of his caravan, and this time he told us the story of a Prince, an evil King, and a Sugar Plum. He left us on a cliffhanger, and I spent the night wondering how the tale would end.
When the others drifted off to sleep, I lay awake replaying Drosselmeyer’s unfinished story in my mind and thinking of my dearest Nutcracker—so brave, even after my birdbrain of a brother tried to break him. These
P.U.! Did I mention he was stinky?! Rat King? More like Rat Stink!
She was super pretty, but brrr she gave me the shivers! If she hugged you, you’d probably turn into an icicle.
She floated everywhere she went! It was like her feet forgot about gravity.
That fancy French frog sure was funny!
thoughts swirled together until I could hardly tell where the party ended and my imagination began. Then I crept to the balcony and peeked downstairs, where the tree’s gentle glow lit the room. Just then, the clock struck midnight, and it felt as though the whole house held its breath.
Before I knew it, Drosselmeyer appeared beside me, and he commanded the tree to grow ten times its size! It stretched taller and taller until I felt no bigger than a mouse. My toys blinked awake as if they’d been alive all along and were just waiting for me to notice. That’s when I heard it… claws scratching across the floor. Rats! Everywhere! Their beady eyes glowed like flashlights in the dark. And right in front was the Rat King. His crown was all sideways like Fritz when he trips over his own feet, and his teeth stuck out like he’d been chewing rocks and spoons at the same time. I was scared out of my wits! But my Nutcracker and his soldiers were ready, marching into place like they’d been training their whole lives for this very moment. Still, those nasty rats would not give up! I thought we might lose. So, I ran, faster than my fear, and yanked the crown right off the Rat King’s head. I shooed him away—and just like that, he was gone.
This was takenjustbeforemidnight. Just an ordinary tree...or so I thought.
When I ran to help my Nutcracker after the fight, right before my eyes, I no longer saw wood and paint, but flesh and blood. He was a real-life Prince! But his eyes were soft and sad; it was a look I’ve seen before. I thought of Louise and how she always waits for her soldier to come home—maybe my Nutcracker felt the very same way. I promised him I’d fix his broken heart by helping him find his long-lost princess.
We journeyed through the snow. The wind was biting, my fingers numb, but we couldn’t turn back. Then appeared the most magical woman I had ever seen: the Snow Queen. Her sparkling snowflakes and glittering gown nearly blinded me, but her smile was so warm. She didn’t say much, only pointed to a path hidden inside the great tree.
At last, I brought my Nutcracker back to his Sugar Plum, and the whole kingdom seemed to twinkle brighter with happiness. But just as we were ready to cheer, out popped the Rat King,
his beady eyes beaming with revenge! He must have crept after us up the great tree. We all held our breath, not knowing what awful thing he might do, when suddenly the brave cat guards sprang forward and caught him! My Nutcracker raised his sword high, but I couldn’t let him strike—I begged for mercy. So instead, the Rat King was carried off in chains, and the whole kingdom burst into joy. They threw a grand celebration just for me, to thank me for helping save them all.
Visitors from faraway lands paraded before me, each carrying mouthwatering treasures from their home. The flowers took my hands and showed me how to waltz. Each moment was a gift of its own, but my favorite was Sugar Plum and Prince dancing like they practiced forever for that very moment.
And then, it all began to fade. The colors grew dim, the music drifted to a whisper, and the last thing I saw was the Sugar Plum’s gentle smile before the world melted away. I waved goodbye, holding my Nutcracker tight. As I tucked myself into bed, my dear family appeared by my side. Maybe it was only a dream…yet in my heart, I knew I had returned to my own Land of Sweets — the tender comfort of home and those I love most.
- Clara
Rat King
Snow QUeen
Sugar Plum
French Frog
Recipe for Expression
Houston Ballet Academy channels their inner chef for the French divertissement.
By Jasmine Fuller Cane
GORDON RAMSAY, JULIA CHILD, WOLFGANG PUCK, HOUSTON BALLET ACADEMY—what do they all have in common? If you’ve seen Stanton Welch’s The Nutcracker, you know that Academy students are stars of the kitchen in Act II, rivaling the legendary names of the culinary world.
During the French divertissement, students from the PreProfessional and Professional programs make up the bustling kitchen staff, each with a designated role. The chefs, elevated en pointe, take the lead in the kitchen, channeling their inner “Ramsay.” The cooks scurry about, bringing the chefs’ culinary genius to life, while the waiters rush in and out to serve a tiny but mighty meal fit for royalty.
With students ranging in age from seven to 18—and taking classes at different times—putting the scene together is choreography in itself. “We have lots of separate rehearsals that build up to the final product,” says Beth Everitt, Associate Director of Programs and Productions, who has helped
IN THE WEEDS
Running on and off stage with speed, precision, and musicality can be a challenge for the cooks and waiters, but for the chefs, the real test comes with maneuvering the oven. “It’s quite heavy and difficult to move,” Everitt says. “Then, when they push it off stage, they do it standing en pointe.”
shape this scene since its premiere in 2016. But the secret to creating that signature “Yes, Chef!” energy lies within the students themselves.
To tap into their culinary personas, Everitt encourages students to give themselves a French chef’s name or presents scenarios for them to react to; for example, when the King enters for his meal, she asks how they might show nervousness and the different ways they might cope. The responses range from checking lists to heavy breathing to feeling on the verge of illness. “I try to create an environment where they’re free to explore,” says Everitt. “I want them to go really big so I can then bring it back, rather than risk not making it big enough.”
Everitt likens the playful chaos of this Michelin-star kitchen—where students are encouraged to embrace both structure and spontaneity—to a can of Sprite: “You want it to be fizzy, but you don’t want it shaken up and exploding. It’s a delicate balance.”
ON THE FLY
While the French Man laments his tiny morsel of a meal, the cooks are busy pointing fingers at each other, embroiled in their own kitchen drama—a routine which Everitt says they invent on the day.
CULINARY BIBLE
After the French Man’s temper tantrum, the chefs go back to basics, consulting a cookbook of their most secret concoctions. So secret, in fact, that even the French Frog Ambassador is unaware of their recipe for frog legs!
CHEF’S SPECIAL
The special dish that the kitchen whips up for the French Man is truly one of a kind. Bread, carrots, garlic, cheese, sausage links, and chicken all go into the pot, and out comes exactly one perfect bite.
Show Day Rundown
BY SOLOIST ALYSSA SPRINGER
PRE-SHOW PREP
After I have my morning walk with my dog, Bella, I eat— usually avocado toast, egg sandwiches, or Greek yogurt with chia seeds, and always fruit and coffee. Then it’s off to the Center for Dance where we have several hours of rehearsal, usually working on ballets coming up in the spring. Depending on my workload for the day, I’ll try to squeeze in Pilates or yoga. Then it’s back home to Bella for another walk and dinner—usually chicken or fish with vegetables—before the show.
HOUSTON METHODIST SAYS
HOUSTON METHODIST SAYS
With their high-intensity movements like jumping, dancers burn through a ton of electrolytes. It’s so important that they continue to fuel and replenish their bodies throughout the performances so they don’t end up dehydrated or cramping. Staying hydrated allows your muscles to work in a fluid, smooth manner, lubricates your joints, improves brain function, and helps regulate your body temperature. All of these are critical to keep an athlete’s body moving at their highest level during intense activities.
POST-SHOW RECOVERY
One of my go-to moves after a show is to lay on the floor with my legs propped up against the wall; helps me relax and reduce swelling in my legs and love to use a massage gun, foam roller, or relax with a hot bath and a cup of tea, but most of my recovery comes from a great night of sleep. Then I get ready to do it all over again! But I really look forward to Mondays, my physical therapy day with the team at Houston Methodist—I truly could not make it through The Nutcracker without them!
Dancers are unique because they typically work out for five to seven hours a day, which includes both high and low intensity activities. It is important to adjust a dancer’s workload depending on the demand of the shows. The higher the intensity of Alyssa’s evening performance, the lighter the daytime activity. It’s essential for her to continue activating muscle groups with exercises from Pilates, yoga, and stretches. This creates a well-balanced dancer leading up to shows, when they may already be fatigued.
SHOWTIME!
I play many roles during The Nutcracker, but the Sugar Plum Fairy takes the most preparation! Even though she doesn’t appear until the second act, I like to get in an hour before call-time so I can get ready at my own pace, warm up with my daily stretches—splits, psoas, glutes, low back and neck (you’d never know, but the crown can get heavy!)—before spending some time at the barre to repeat exercises from earlier in the day. Houston Methodist keeps a cooler with electrolyte water for us to hydrate backstage between scenes.
HOUSTON METHODIST SAYS
Quality sleep is essential for everyone! Your body goes into a restorative state when you sleep, which enables you to repair muscle and tissue damage, decrease inflammation, and reboot your immune system. How much sleep is enough? Well, every person is different. Some of our dancers have families at home, others sleep a lot, and some run on less sleep, so it depends on the situation and person. Ideally, if you can get eight to nine hours of sleep each night, then you are doing great!
Welcome to a day in my life as the Sugar Plum Fairy!
With follow-up from Dawn Stuckey, DAT, LAT, ATC, Houston Methodist athletic trainer for Houston Ballet.
FOAM ROLLER
BELLA
Ballet Bingo
Think you know The Nutcracker by heart?
Watch closely, mark what you spot, and see if you can score a blackout!
Clara joins the festivities in her yellow party dress
The Stahlbaum family seen above, sleep one one
Bright blue butterflies flutter by
The flower court waltzes in
Harlequin breaks fourth wall
flock of lambs
Four little snake charmers
A magic toy monkey joins to watch a show
Mice medics lend a helping hand to their king
Clara saves the kingdom from rat-tastrophe
Polar bears guard their chilly troupe passage bark to a kingdom
A grandfather clock gets his wings throws curveball
The Nutcracker
Based on Stanton Welch’s holiday ballet
SYNOPSIS BY D.L. GROOVER
Choreography by Stanton Welch AM, for Mark Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
Costume and Scenic Design by Tim Goodchild
Lighting Design by Lisa J. Pinkham
Projection Design by Wendall K. Harrington
Houston Ballet Orchestra conducted by Simon Thew and Richard Bado
World Premiere: November 25, 2016 by Houston Ballet in the Brown Theater at Wortham Theater Center in Houston, Texas.
he night outside the Stahlbaum house on a German Christmas Eve, Blows and blusters, and cracks its cheeks. Yet, inside, warm within her room, Sweet Clara glows with make-believe.
Feisty Fritz with doggy Heinz bounds in to misbehave, But is stopped mid-prank by stern Housemaid, who controls with haughty wave.
“Put away those toys, and wash your hands. Prepare for the party below.” Beloved toys are whisked away, ears all cleaned, all ready to go.
Oldest Louise, fresh as the spring, the fairest girl of all, Fusses and primps for she firmly intends to be the only belle of the ball.
Mother and father have gifts to bestow: For lovely Louise, a corsage for romance, Pointe shoes for Clara who loves to dance, Tin trumpet for Fritz, that will blurt, and screech, and blow.
What do you think then happens next, no sooner than family leaves? The toy chest bursts open all by itself, and out tumble toys like sheaves!
For it’s Christmas tomorrow and toys must prepare For greedy small hands who don’t want to share. The toys will be prodded and dragged on the floor, Squished in love and then squished even more.
Downstairs, the Stahlbaum party guests delight in punch and feast on ox, While Clara dances a solo dance within her Magic Theater Box.
The window blows open in icy gust, but when Clara rushes to close it, Who should appear in burst of snow whose frigid swirls expose it?
Upon my snowflake, it’s Drosselmeyer! Europe’s mystery magic man, Here at the party to amaze and bewitch with his very own Magical Caravan.
His ghostly troupe relates the tale of Soldier Brave who loves Princess Fair. But mean old King, in love himself, turns Soldier to wood with oak-like hair.
But so in love, the princess grieves, whose tears enchantments wring. They fall upon the weaselly man and just like that – rat á la king.
But what’s the ending, Clara cries, for the wizard will not say. Instead he gives the children gifts, meant for another day.
To Louise, a crown; to Fritz, a sword; To Clara, a Nutcracker she adored.
The little toy is strong and brave, and Clara laughs with glee; But jealous Fritz is not amused and breaks it on his knee.
What to Watch For
No detail is left unturned in Stanton Welch’s extravagant The Nutcracker . Here’s a few to look out for, but keep your eyes peeled. The magic is everywhere!
The conjurer knows just what to do and heals with surgical ease; He puts doll high, high on a shelf. Out of your reach, Fritz, if you please.
The party’s over, a great success, but Clara sneaks down when all’s asleep. What does she find at midnight’s strike? A bunch of rats, who gnaw in a heap.
Her toys search high, her toys search low, but the Nutcracker is out of sight. Clara knows just where he is, but is stumped on her high-climb flight.
Out of the clock, magician appears and puts Soldier under the tree. With mighty flourish he casts his spell, and wonders of magic explode to see.
Wow-filled eyes have never seen such marvels befall such evergreen. The tree grew and grew, and grew with a roar, then burst through the roof and grew some more.
The house did shake, roof flew apart; but still tree grew, no end to its start. It pierced the clouds and grazed the moon. Slow down, old tree, are you a balloon?!
The magic was strong, the magic worked well; not only did tree and toys grow pell-mell.
For the spell had wakened ratty hearts, whose needle-sharp teeth did sprout like darts.
The rats grew fat, they grew like a sneeze, they eyed the toys like the toys were cheese.
The rats fought the toys, their numbers depleted; rag dolls unstuffed, hobby horses unseated.
QUEEN
OF SLEEP
Clara’s lively toys steal the show in her bedroom, but if you look up high, you’ll see a beautiful, showstopping crown adorning Clara’s bed. Foreshadowing? We’ll let you be the judge!
TRAVELING MEMENTOS
Europe’s mystery man, Drosselmeyer, boasts a collection of hotel stickers from his travels around the world on his magical bag—from Bristol to Budapest and in between.
Photos by Amitava Sarkar and Lawrence Elizabeth Knox. Sketches by Tim Goodchild.
Against the rodents the Nutcracker stood, brave Clara by his side, Then Rat King entered the fray at last, on little rat feet in little rat stride. He stomped, he fumed, he threw a fit; an ill-mannered little boy. “How dare mere girl and toy of wood end my reign, squeaky realm destroy.”
He led from behind, so like a rat. Let others fight, all bullies do that.
But Clara would not stand for such tantrum on display. She snatched his crown, bopped him one, and sent him on his way.
Dispatched to his room without any dinner; minus his crown, no longer a winner. He fussed and whined, the short mousy bruiser, complained all the way, a very sore loser.
With Rat King defeated, eeww, what a smell; but strong little Clara had broken the spell.
The wood of the doll changed into flesh, and there in all glory stood Brave Prince afresh.
The Prince was sad as he looked around for Princess Fair was not to be found. Let us find her, said Clara so bold. So off on their trek, so into the cold.
The wind did blow, the snow did blind, but they were determined, so never mind. Though toes were numb and fingers frozen, this was the path the trio had chosen.
But then to their rescue came a vision, a dazzle of white in icy precision. The Queen of Snow, in diamond-white glaze, snowflake-encrusted, icicles ablaze.
As Clara relates the battle’s uprise, the Queen’s heart melts at Rat King’s demise. She shows the way, inside the tree, to the Land of the Sweets where Princess will be.
SNOWSTORM SENSE
No two flakes are the same, but here’s how you can tell them apart: flurries dazzle Clara in tutus, while snowflakes in long skirts bring the snow, and icecovered blizzards unleash the storm.
BEARS & BEARS & BEARS, OH MY!
The Russian Bear is the last of four different types of bears in this production. We’ll let you find the other three, but here’s a hint: they’re divvyed between the acts evenly!
PUBLISHED SKETCHES
After Clara’s dreamy adventure, she flips through her Nutcracker storybook. If you look closely, it’s filled with real costume sketches by Nutcracker costume and set designer Tim Goodchild.
Sweet, indeed, was what they discovered: angels, and insects, and men, candy-covered. Sugar is sweet, but, my, what a sight...the Princess as Sugar Plum, what a delight!
United at last with his love once thought lost, Prince and Plum are sweetly embossed. But wait, what’s that scratching, that gnawing where at? What is that smell? I smell a rat!
King Rat has returned, not defeated at all, still stinky and mean, and still three feet tall! He means to do menace, he means to do harm, but Clara forgives him, such is her charm.
In honor of kindness, the people rejoice, and celebrate loudly in sweet candy voice.
Ambassadors from far and wide, shower the three with gifts Yuletide.
The Spanish click in and bring their own bull, with fiery flamenco in chocolate mouthful. Arabs with lion have coffee to serve, spicy and hot, an oasis hor d’oeuvre.
With dragon and panda the Chinese parade, presenting their hosts with tea green as jade.
They may be big, and they may scare you, but Russians love sweets like teddy bears do. Their candy canes are sugar and lick-able, striped in red, their color political.
Sleek as wolves, the Danes strut on. Their sweetmeats are almonds: Copenhagen chiffon. Sailors and bull dog from England appear, with sticky apples of toffee into mouths to smear.
France leaps in on froggy strong tread, and Louie’s sweet bon bons will assure him his head.
Ensconced on the throne, with scepter and crown, Clara is Queen in bright-candy gown. The Prince and his Princess are married at last. Clara waltzes with flowers, her troubles long past.
But something’s not right, what’s that in the air? The sweets fade away, but do not despair. For where does she wake, and what does she spy? Family faces around her, it’s Christmas Day nigh.
Her Nutcracker doll held tight in her arms; Clara is fearless, no cause for alarm. She’s home once again, her voyage complete, with a family who loves herHer own Land of the Sweet.
ACT II
Sketches by Tim Goodchild.
González and Angelo Greco.
Photo by Amitava Sarkar.
STANTON WELCH AM
Choreographer
Stanton Welch AM was born in Melbourne to Marilyn Jones OBE and Garth Welch AM, two of Australia’s most gifted dancers of the 1960s and 1970s. He joined The Australian Ballet, rising to the rank of leading soloist and performing various principal roles, before serving as Resident Choreographer. During his decades-long career, Welch has choreographed over 100 works including audience favorites Madame Butterfly (1995), Clear (2001), and Divergence (1994). His work can be seen in the repertoire of The Australian Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and Birmingham Royal Ballet, among others. In July 2003, Welch was appointed Artistic Director of Houston Ballet, America’s fourth-largest ballet company. Welch has choreographed more than 40 works for Houston Ballet, including Marie (2009) and spectacular stagings of Swan Lake (2006), La Bayadère (2010), Romeo and Juliet (2015), Giselle (2016), The Nutcracker (2016), Sylvia (2019), and Raymonda (2025). Developing Houston Ballet into a choreographic Eden, Welch has commissioned over 30 works from notable choreographers such as Mark Morris, Aszure Barton, Dwight Rhoden, Trey McIntyre, and Justin Peck, while expanding the Company’s repertoire with works from internationally acclaimed choreographers including George Balanchine, William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, John Neumeier, Twyla Tharp, and Jerome Robbins. Under Welch’s leadership, Houston Ballet has appeared across the globe including recent engagements in Tokyo, Dubai, Melbourne, New York City, and Washington, D.C. Welch continues to nurture the next generation of artists through the Houston Ballet Academy, a leading institution in dance education and training.
TIM GOODCHILD
Costume and Scenic Designer
Tim is an international award-winning designer who has designed for stage, television, film, opera and ballet. He has designed over 100 productions for London’s West End Theatre. He designed Laurence Olivier award winning productions for The Royal Shakespeare Company. Internationally, he has worked in Egypt, Canada, Vienna, Los Angeles Opera, Chicago Opera, The Marinsky Opera in St. Petersburg, Sydney Opera, Houston Grand
The Artists
Opera, Houston Ballet, and Broadway. In 1988, he made theatre history designing the first Anglo-Soviet production of Swan Lake for Moscow’s Classical Ballet, seen in London, Japan, the United States, and Moscow. He also designed the ballet A Simple Man for BBC2, which won a BAFTA award, BBC2’s musical The Look of Love and costume designs for the film The Little Prince. Tim opened a production of the musical based on the film Elf at London’s West End, The Dominion Theatre in 2022. Tim would like to dedicate his designs for this production to the late designer Desmond Heeley and his agent David Watson. In the last few years, Tim has returned to fine art and is concentrating on his painting and illustrating. In 2024, he was featured in two publications while working on Romeo & Juliet for LA Opera and a new production of Elf The Musical. A further production of Elf will open in London’s West End in the 2025-2026 season alongside a North American tour.
LISA J. PINKHAM
Lighting Designer
Lisa J. Pinkham has designed lighting for over 200 ballets, operas, and plays. Her lighting can be seen in the repertories of many national companies. She enjoys a successful relationship with Stanton Welch AM, and has designed the lighting for many of his ballets, including Maninyas, Taiko, Tu Tu, and Falling for San Francisco Ballet; Madame Butterfly for Boston Ballet and Houston Ballet; Clear for American Ballet Theatre; and Swan Lake, Play, Cinderella, Tapestry, Marie, The Rite of Spring, Sons de L’âme, Paquita, The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, Romeo and Juliet, Zodiac, Giselle, The Nutcracker, Sylvia, Sparrow, and Raymonda for Houston Ballet.
WENDALL K. HARRINGTON
Projection Designer
Wendall K. Harrington is a recipient of the 2024 Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre. She received the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and American Theatre Wing awards for The Who’s Tommy. Broadway credits include: All The Way, Grey Gardens, Putting It Together, The Capeman, Ragtime, Company, Driving Miss Daisy, The Will Rogers Follies, The Heidi Chronicles, My One and Only, and They’re Playing Our Song. Opera credits include: Werther, The Grapes of Wrath,
Nixon In China, A View from the Bridge, Rusalka, The Photographer, and The Magic Flute. Ballet credits include: Firebird, Anna Karenina, Seranata Ratmansky, Wartime Elegy for Alexei Ratmansky, and Stanton Welch’s Sylvia and The Nutcracker; Othello (Lubovitch), Ballet Mecanique (Varone). A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Balanchine) and The Fairy’s Kiss for MCB. She is the head of the projection design concentration at the Yale School of Drama and recipient of Lifetime Recognition from the Knights of Illumination.
RICHARD BADO
Guest Conductor
A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Richard Bado made his professional conducting debut in 1989 leading Houston Grand Opera’s production of Show Boat at the Cairo Opera House in Egypt. Since then, Mr. Bado has conducted at Teatro alla Scala, Opéra National de Paris, Houston Grand Opera, New York City Opera, the Aspen Music Festival, Tulsa Opera, the Russian National Orchestra, the Florida Philharmonic, the Montreal Symphony, Wolf Trap Opera, and has conducted the Robert Wilson production of Virgil Thomson’s Four Saints in Three Acts at the Edinburgh Festival. This season, Maestro Bado conducted performances of Porgy and Bess with Houston Grand Opera. An accomplished pianist, Mr. Bado has appeared regularly with Renée Fleming in recital. He has also played for Cecilia Bartoli, Frederica von Stade, Susan Graham, Denyce Graves, Marcello Giordani, Ramon Vargas, Samuel Ramey, Jamie Barton, Ryan McKinney, Nicole Heaston, Jack Swanson, and Michael Spyres. Mr. Bado holds music degrees from the Eastman School of Music, where he received the 2000 Alumni Achievement Award, and West Virginia University. Mr. Bado is the Director of Artistic Planning and Chorus Director for the Houston Grand Opera, where he received the Silver Rose Award in 2013. He has appeared on A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor. For 12 years, he was the Director of the Opera Studies Program at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. He has worked at the Metropolitan Opera, Seattle Opera, the Bolshoi Opera Young Artist Program, Opera Australia, Santa Fe Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Utah Opera, Chautauqua Opera, and Wolf Trap Opera.
Houston Ballet Orchestra
Conducted by Simon Thew and Richard Bado
FIRST VIOLIN
Denise Tarrant*, Concertmaster
Rachel Shepard*, Assistant Concertmaster
Rasa Kalesnykaite*
Linda Sanders*
Carrie Kauk*
Sylvia Ver Meulen*
Mary Reed*
Oleg Sulyga*
Anabel Ramirez*
Chavdar Parashkevov*
SECOND VIOLIN
Natalie Gaynor, Principal
Trung Trinh*, Assistant Principal
Elizabeth Frederick*
Chloe Yeseul Kim
Miriam Belyatsky Feld*
Melissa Williams
Erica Robinson*
Hae-a Lee
VIOLA
Rene Salazar*, Principal
Kelly Avila, Assistant Principal
Lorento Golofeev*
Elizabeth Charles Golofeev*
Sarah Mason
Matthew Weathers
CELLO
Barrett Sills*, Principal
Erika Johnson, Assistant Principal
Dana Rath
Wendy Smith-Butler*
Dave Zeger*
Cheae-Yun (Chennie) Sung
BASS
Curry Duffey*, Principal
David Connor, Assistant Principal
Greg Garcia*
Carla Clark*
FLUTE
Henry Williford, Principal
Tyler Martin
Izumi Miyahara
PICCOLO
Izumi Miyahara
Sara Brannon
Catherine Creed
Sophia Donelan
OBOE
Elizabeth Priestly Siffert*, Principal
Spring Hill*
Mayu Isom-Navarro
ENGLISH HORN
Spring Hill*
CLARINET
Adam Floyd, Principal
Justin Best
Julian Hernandez
Molly Mayfield
BASS CLARINET
Molly Mayfield
BASSOON
Amanda Swain*, Principal
Micah Doherty
Katia Osorio
HORN
James Wilson*, Principal
Jamie Leff
Sarah Cranston*
Spencer Park
TRUMPET
Tetsuya Lawson, Principal
Chris Boulais
TROMBONE
Thomas Hulten*, Principal
Michael Warny*
BASS TROMBONE
Richard Reeves*
TUBA
Mark Barton*, Principal
TIMPANI
Alison Chang, Principal
PERCUSSION
Christina Carroll*, Principal
Karen Slotter*
HARP
Caitlin Mehrtens, Principal
CELESTA
Katherine Burkwall-Ciscon*
Jennifer Edmondson
*Houston Ballet Orchestra members who have more than 10 years of service
Women’s Chorus
Stacey Franklin Kelli Lawless
Emily Premont Alejandro
Allison Reeves
Hannah Roberts
Lauren Ruhl
Emily Wolfe
Acknowledgements
Special thank you to Souvenir Scenic Studios for constructing the sets of this production
Specialty and additional costumes for The Nutcracker created by Robert Allsopp, Carol Coates, Travis Halsey, Tom Schmitz, and Jane Smith
Projection Programmer: Paul Vershbow; Projection Engineer: Joey Moro
Animators: Ruppert Bohle, Yana Biryukova, and Peter Keehn
General Counsel: Vinson & Elkins, LLP
Immigration Attorneys: Foster, LLP
The Dancers and Stage Managers of Houston Ballet are represented by The American Guild of Musical Artists, AFL-CIO.
Houston Ballet Orchestra members are represented by Houston Professional Musicians Association, Local 65-699, A.F. of M.
Stage Crew personnel are placed by I.A.T.S.E., Local 51.
Wardrobe personnel are placed by I.A.T.S.E., T.W.U. Local 896.
Houston Ballet is a member of Dance/USA
Touring Representation: IMG Artists
Houston Ballet Academy
PROFESSIONAL
Hayden Babin, Madison Bevilacqua, Alexis Bonilla, Jonah Bowie, Kinley Brewer, Lyla Briggs, Madison Brown, Jackson Borowski, Yu-Chia Chang, Caleb Chew, Isla Clark, Aureoline Cumming, Summer Edgley, Jordan Evangelista, Nico Funamoto, Nathaniel Geis, Liam Geoffroy, Alessia Giordano, Sienna Going, Julian Gomez, Ethan Gonzalez, Claire Gotzman, Peyton Gue, Jack Guitreau, Landis Haslup, Galen Herschmann, Prince Jonathan Hightower, Griffin Ho, Jihun Hwang, Savannah Kammerer, Lucy Kaplan, Ayumi Kobayashi, Willow Kristich, Luiza Leibholz, Roman Lopez, Madison Luna, Kotone Matsuzaki, AvaGrace Mazuchowski, Owen McCarroll, Cora Metzfield, Kara Michaelson, Camryn Moore, Simon Nguyen, Allie Nolen, Aaron Orton, Ava Oubre, Katherine Oubre, Ava Ramirez, Mantraa Rane, Aldana Rausch Tista, Vivienne Robillard, Sofia Ruiz Hernández, Diego Sánchez Matamoros, Cypress Schaff, Myles Semel, Joan Sempere Martinez, Benjamin Smolin, Avery Stafford, Alexander Stevens, Morgan Taylor, Lexi Utz, Eli Waunch, Alex Westerman, Jamison Whitley, Kira Williams, Sylvia Williamsen, Raiga Yamazaki, Shinnosuke Yassumi, Stephen Yates, Garrett Yut
PRE-PROFESSIONAL
Sofia Agudelo-Tovar, Sana Aida, Mana Aida, Catalina Alfaro, Teegan Allen, Alessi Alvarez, Mariana Alvarez-Malo, Grace Anderson, Thomas Andrews, Percy Baker, Daniela Noelle Barron, Alicia Bayer Caro, Naomi Bertuccio, Alexandra Beshara, Mabel Birdsell, Soraya Blanding, Vivian Boatman, Gala Booher, Bella Brannan, Karsyn Braselton, Lucille Brink, Isla Brock, Eden Sarah Brooks de Arteaga, Luna Elise Brooks de Arteaga, Elizabeth Bui, Harper Burton, Jordan Byrd, Cameron Callender, Clara Canon, Melisa Ceyhan, Maxton Chadee, Beatrix Chancellor, Stefanie Chen, Campbell Clendenin, Lilianna Cole, Shentel Collette, Arianna Colvin, Harlow Comedy, Rosemary Julia Cruz, James Cummings, Lavinia da Silva, Beatrice Dahl, Anne Dai, Kyrie Dailey, Mara Resnais Dattilo, Talia de la Garza, Xavier Detrick, Jesse Dibello, Beatrice Dittner, Waverly Dvoretsky, Julia Edwards, Astrid Ellzey, Lucy Erickson, Lucia Espinoza Blunda, Grecia Carolina Esponda Villalobos, Dagny Alice Finn, Elena Flores, Abby Frankel, Aya Fujino, Alize Furtun, Dara Gallardo Boyler, Astrid Galperin, Sadie Garner, Emerson Gayle, Holland Gentry, Olivia Jewel Gill, Kaycee Gomez, Samantha Gorak, Charlotte Jane Gorney, Elliana Gospin, Lennox Granderson, Josephine Greer, Ella Joy Griffin, Adelina Grillo, Antonia Gu, Emery Guerrero, Elise Guichard, Sofia Marie Gustafson, Caroline Hall, Gracelyn Harper, London Harrell, Olivia GM Harris, Alanna CY Harris, Victoria Hart, Mayuka Hauschildt, Izzy Haworth, Anna Sophia Heier, Elisabeth Henry, Chloe Bella Grace, Judith Hidalgo, Charlotte Holland, Charlotte Holley, Astrid Hsu, Skylar Hughes, Colette Hull, Emma A. Ibarra, Lydia Isner, Ada Izgec, Sofia Jamea, Olivia James, Évangéline Jeuch, Gioia Johnson, Evelyn Johnson, Ella Johnston, Edith Jones, Adrienne Kan, Mason Kiker, Chloe Kim, Colette Copelyn Kison, Claire Knop, Lauren Presley Koonce, Eliya Kwak, Lubov L. Loginow, Annabelle Law, Gentry Lawson, Lucia Laya-Barroso, Julianna Lazzari, Julia Leibholz, Klara Licon Mieczkowska, Avery Lin, Mark Liu, Kate Liu, Naomi Lutz, Joy Lyu, Sophia Mabitsela, Edward Mannington, Uziel Maradiaga, Quinn Martinez, Grace Garvey Rose McCormick, Melody Mendez, Constanza Mendoza-Rivera, Nori Montoya, Yaiza Moreno, Samantha Munoz, Robert Nelson, Celine Ng, Amaia Ortiz, Angelina Ortiz, Karlin Ozturk, Jazmine Panameno, Celeste Peng, Rosalyn Perez, Elizabeth Peterson, Amanda Pope, Milan Portelance, Sarah Grace Prewitt, Paulette Ramirez, Yona S. Reeves, Natalie Regan, Caroline Regan, Zemirah Reininger, Raina Rice, Renzo Rivera, Armando Robles III, Celestia Rodriguez, Sofía Rodriguez, Will Rogers, Eleanor Romeo, Marcela Rosales, Alma Salehian, Sophia Sathiyayani, Posy Sayers, Elsie Schneider, Emily Schneider, Sammy Scoggins, Zoey Scott, Leonard See Toh, Barbara Seidel, Maggie Semlinger, Evangelynn Seng, Gaby Shaddix, Eveleigh Shaner, Ella Silva, Cali Simpson, Siena Singer, Adele Genevieve Slootsky, Miri Annalise Slootsky, Lyla Grace Smith, John Paul Snow, Jackson Sohl, William Soto Cabrera, Jane Spradling, Nora Steele, Evelyn Stewart, Clara Ximena Straub, Natalie Suarez, Avery Sullivan, Amelia Sullivan, Lorelai A. Sun, Saya Takahashi, Sophie Louise Tancreti, Eva Cristina Tavera, Isabella Betina Tavira, Vivienne Tenini, Raines Thompson, Stella Zhuen Thompson, Allena Thompson, Lydia Mei Thompson, Elise Tilton, Alice Torres, Melina Georgia Toumazi, Hazel Darlene Trejo, Alina Tristan, Ava Vadala, Zoe Elise Valega, Irene M. Valle, Vassilia Vedrenne, Isabella Ventura, Isabella Vidal-Michel, Fernanda Villarreal, Stella Walker, Eliana Wang, Claire Whalen, Aubree White, Andrea Wilkinson, Camille Willey, Ava Williams, Benjamin Yamato Williams, Layla Jade Williams, Logan Williams Washington, Emma Wilson, Marlee York, Audrey Yuen, Dylan Yuen, Elyse Yuen, Alexandra Yzquierdo, Vivian Zamora, Ryan Zapata, Alice Zerze
GUEST
Alexa Ammons, Theodore Andresen, Helen Artiga, Erin Austin, Lilian Barr, Ava Bradley, Maeve Caldwell, Marie Cavazos, Jacqueline Christian, Salvador Donat, Sophia Doucakis, Charlotte Gaudry, Rosabella Gilbert, Piper Glitz, Margaret Gregg, Hallie Guerrini, Ayden Heraly, Preslee Hurtado, Juliet Kison, Ava Kovacev, Bella Leanard, Amara Mallery, Julietta Manriquez, Julian Mesman, Arya Monroe, Kenzie Monroe, Emily Munoz, Adelynn Neal, Stella Obvintseva, Libby Ortega, Arya Patel, Pippa Perkins, Adria Peterson, Katie Quilty, Alora Quintos Blodgett, Siena Quintos Blodgett, Greatest Richard, Allison Rodriguez, Edynn Summers, Josephine Teaff, Yelhsa Tretsven, Eva Vazquez, Julia Yerby, Maricruz Zamarripa
DANCE, CREATIVITY,
@HoustonBalletAcademy
Artistic Staff Profiles
Simon Thew
Music Director and Chief Conductor
Julie Kent
Artistic Director
Following a celebrated career as a professional ballerina and artistic leader, Julie Kent joined Houston Ballet as Artistic Director in July 2023, partnering with Stanton Welch AM to lead the nation’s fourth largest classical ballet company. From 1985 to 2015, Kent danced with American Ballet Theatre (ABT), serving an historic 29 years. She performed a vast repertoire of classical and neo-classical roles and worked closely with many choreographic luminaries including John Neumeier, Twyla Tharp, Lar Lubovitch, Stanton Welch, and Alexei Ratmansky. Kent also performed as a Guest Artist with leading international companies including the Mariinsky Theatre, New York City Ballet, Teatro alla Scala, Stuttgart Ballet, Berlin Staatsballett, Australian Ballet, Houston Ballet, Bayerisches Staatsballett, Teatro Colón, Ballet de Santiago, and Tokyo Ballet. She also starred in the films Dancers (1987) and Center Stage (2000). In 2015, she was named Artistic Director of ABT’s Summer Intensive, a comprehensive training program for 1,400 students across five campuses. From 2016 to 2023, she served as Artistic Director of The Washington Ballet, commissioning more than 26 world premieres and expanding the repertoire with classical and contemporary masterworks. Her honors include the Prix de Lausanne, Erik Bruhn Prize, Prix Benois de la Danse, Dance Magazine’s “Lifetime Achievement Award,” and honorary doctorates from University of North Carolina School of the Arts and American University.
Stanton Welch AM
The Harris Masterson III
Artistic Director
Stanton Welch AM was born in Melbourne to Marilyn Jones OBE and Garth Welch AM, two of Australia’s most gifted dancers of the 1960s and 1970s. He joined The Australian Ballet, rising to the rank of leading soloist and performing various principal roles, before serving as Resident Choreographer. During his decades-long career, Welch has choreographed over 100 works including audience favorites Madame Butterfly (1995), Clear (2001), and Divergence (1994). His work can be seen in the repertoire of The Australian Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and Birmingham Royal Ballet, among others. In July 2003, Welch was appointed Artistic Director of Houston Ballet, America’s fourth-largest ballet company. Welch has choreographed more than 40 works for Houston Ballet, including Marie (2009)
and spectacular stagings of Swan Lake (2006), La Bayadère (2010), Romeo and Juliet (2015), Giselle (2016), The Nutcracker (2016), Sylvia (2019), and Raymonda (2025). Developing Houston Ballet into a choreographic Eden, Welch has commissioned over 30 works from notable choreographers such as Mark Morris, Aszure Barton, Dwight Rhoden, Trey McIntyre, and Justin Peck, while expanding the Company’s repertoire with works from internationally acclaimed choreographers including George Balanchine, William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, John Neumeier, Twyla Tharp, and Jerome Robbins. Under Welch’s leadership, Houston Ballet has appeared across the globe including recent engagements in Tokyo, Dubai, Melbourne, New York City, and Washington, D.C. Welch continues to nurture the next generation of artists through the Houston Ballet Academy, a leading institution in dance education and training.
Simon Thew
Music Director and Chief Conductor Australian conductor Simon Thew was appointed Music Director and Chief Conductor of Houston Ballet at the start of the 2024-25 season, following his earlier role as Associate Conductor, which he began in 2022. Prior to his appointment in Houston, Maestro Thew enjoyed a distinguished relationship with The Australian Ballet, beginning in 2009. From 2013 to 2022, he served first as a guest conductor and later as the Company’s Assistant Conductor, leading performances across a broad spectrum of the repertoire, including multiple world and company premieres, across Australia. Internationally, he has worked with leading companies English National Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, The Royal Ballet, and Houston Ballet during its Australian tour. He has also had an active concert and recording career and remains deeply committed to the training and development of young and emerging conductors and instrumentalists. A Churchill Fellow, Maestro Thew is uniquely distinguished as the only conductor to receive the Dame Joan Sutherland/Richard Bonynge Award from the Australian Opera Auditions Committee. He was Assistant Conductor with Opera Australia from 2007 to 2010, and has held several prestigious fellowships and internships, including The Australian Ballet’s Conducting Fellowship, the Hephzibah Tintner Fellowship, and a music internship at the Bayreuth Festival. He also contributed to the growth of several of Australia’s student and community orchestras. Maestro Thew holds a
Julie Kent Artistic Director
Stanton Welch AM The Harris Masterson III Artistic Director
Artistic Staff Profiles
master’s degree in Conducting from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Further international study was enabled by the receipt of several awards and grants. His mentors have included John Hopkins AM OBE, Harry Spence Lyth, Sebastian Weigle, Nicolette Fraillon AM, and Richard Bonynge AC CBE.
Ian Casady
Ballet Master
Ian Casady was born in Fairfax, California, and received his dance training there from David Roxander, Jody White, and Georgia Ortega. In 1998, Mr. Casady studied at Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson Academy before joining the Company as a member of the Corps de Ballet. He was promoted to Soloist in 2002, to First Soloist in 2006, and to Principal in 2007. Over the course of his career, Mr. Casady has danced a wide range of roles in works by some of the most celebrated choreographers, both past and present. Mr. Casady has been fortunate enough to have danced on some of the most historic and famous stages around the world including Lincoln Center in New York, the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., the Bolshoi in Moscow, the ChampsÉlysées in Paris, the Sydney Opera House, Sadler’s Wells in London, and theaters in Hong Kong, Spain, Germany, and Canada. Mr. Casady was a finalist at the 2002 International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi. Upon his retirement after a 22-year professional career onstage, he joined the artistic staff of Houston Ballet as ballet master in 2020.
Amy Fote
Ballet Master
Amy Fote began dancing at the age of four in her hometown of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, under the direction of Jean Wolfmeyer. She continued her studies on scholarship at the National Academy of Arts, Interlochen Arts Academy, and at the Harid Conservatory, where she graduated with honors. Ms. Fote then accepted a position with the Milwaukee Ballet and rose through the ranks to become a principal dancer. During her 14 years with the company, she regularly performed at the Chautauqua Institution in New York and was subsequently invited to dance the title role in Stanton Welch’s Madame Butterfly with the Royal New Zealand Ballet. In 2005, she joined Houston Ballet, where she danced for eight seasons. In 2003, she was featured in a PBS documentary entitled Dancing Anna Karenina, focusing on her portrayal of one of the great heroines of Russian literature. She was also featured on PBS,
performing Alonzo King’s Map, in a moving 9/11 performance. Following retirement, Ms. Fote accepted the position of Ballet Master with Ballet San Antonio. Upon returning to Houston, she began teaching for Houston Ballet II and Houston Ballet before joining the artistic staff in 2018.
Hayden Stark Ballet Master
Hayden Stark grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. He began dancing at three years old, toured with Minnesota Ballet at ten, and, at fifteen, left home to attend University of North Carolina School of the Arts. After graduating in 2012, Stark joined Houston Ballet II, was hired into the Houston Ballet Company in 2013 and quickly elevated to Soloist. He has enjoyed performing the lead role of Ariel in David Bintley’s The Tempest, Bluebird in Ben Stevenson’s The Sleeping Beauty, and Fire God in Stanton Welch’s La Bayadère. After retiring from Houston Ballet in 2021, Stark became the Professional Training Division Instructor with Texas Ballet Theater before rejoining Houston Ballet as a member of the artistic staff in 2024.
Steven Woodgate Ballet Master
Australian Steven Woodgate graduated from The Australian Ballet School in 1985. He performed with The Australian Ballet, progressing through the ranks to senior artist in 1996. In 2000, he was awarded The Churchill Fellowship, which enabled him to observe many ballet masters from around the world and study their various teaching methods. Mr. Woodgate joined the artistic staff of Houston Ballet in January 2004. Mr. Woodgate has taught both student and professional classes around the world. Mr. Woodgate reproduced Stanton Welch’s Madame Butterfly for the Singapore Dance Theater, The Royal New Zealand Ballet, The National Ballet of Canada, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Atlanta Ballet, Ballet West, and The Australian Ballet. In 2009, Mr. Woodgate staged Clear for Angel Corella’s company in Spain and in 2011 re-staged Ronald Hynd’s The Merry Widow for Texas Ballet Theater, Tulsa Ballet, The National Ballet of Canada, Teatro Colon Argentina and Houston Ballet. Woodgate also represented Australia in the Moscow Ballet Competition in 1989. Woodgate danced principal roles in Ashton’s La Fille Mal Gardee, Van Praggh’s Coppélia, Bejart’s Le Concours and Gaite Parisienne, works by Tudor and Balanchine, Welch, and many other choreographers.
Amy Fote Ballet Master
Hayden Stark Ballet Master
Steven Woodgate Ballet Master
Ian Casady Ballet Master
Company Profiles
Principals
Birthplace Coral Springs, Florida
Dance Training Ballet Nova of South Florida, Gwinnett Ballet Theatre, Houston Ballet Academy, Houston Ballet II
Joined the Company 2004
Promoted to Principal 2017
Birthplace Caracas, Venezuela
Dance Training Ballet Arte. Fundación Gustavo Franklin, Caracas, Venezuela
Joined the Company 2010
Promoted to Principal 2013
Birthplace Coventry, England
Dance Training La Companyia Juvenil de Barcelona under Elise Lummis, Institut del Teatre (Barcelona), The Royal Ballet School
Joined the Company 2012
Rejoined the Company as Principal 2025
Birthplace Nuoro, Italy
Dance Training Il Balletto di Castelfranco Veneto, Italy, La Scala Ballet Academy Milan, Italy
Joined the Company as Principal 2024
Birthplace Fairfax, Virginia
Dance Training Kirov Academy of Ballet Harid Conservatory, Houston Ballet Academy, Houston Ballet II
Joined the Company 2004
Promoted to Principal 2007
Birthplace Aichi, Japan
Dance Training
Shanghai Dance School, Canada’s National Ballet School
Joined the Company 2014
Promoted to Principal 2014
Birthplace Dover, New Hampshire
Dance Training Portsmouth School of Ballet, Walnut Hill School for the Performing Arts, Houston Ballet Academy, Houston Ballet II
The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts Principal Dancer
The Houston Ballet Guild Principal Dancer
The Anita B. Stude Principal Dancer
The Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation Principal Dancer
The Melza M. Barr Principal Dancer
The Fondren Foundation Principal Dancer
Generously underwritten by James Stafford and Deborah Keyser
Birthplace Indianapolis, Indiana
Dance Training
Dance Creations Academy, Houston Ballet Academy, Houston Ballet II
Joined the Company 2022
Promoted to First Soloist 2025
Generously underwritten by Cabrina and Steven Owsley
Birthplace Suwon, South Korea
Dance Training
Lee Won-A Dance Academy (Suwon, South Korea), Houston Ballet Academy, Houston Ballet II
Joined the Company 2018
Promoted to First Soloist 2025
Birthplace Saitama, Japan
First Soloists
Generously underwritten by
Birthplace Huntington Beach, California
Dance Training
Southland Ballet Academy, Houston Ballet Academy, Houston Ballet II
Joined the Company 2014
Promoted to First Soloist 2022
The Robert F. Parker First Soloist
Birthplace Atlanta, Georgia
Dance Training
Ballet San Jose School
Teen Dance Company, City Ballet School San Francisco, School of American Ballet, Apprentice Program Palucca University of Dance, Semperoper Ballett Dresden
On behalf of Baker Botts, welcome to Houston Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker. We are proud to sponsor this cherished holiday tradition.
Now in our 185th year, Baker Botts is a global law firm with deep roots in Houston. With offices worldwide, we advise clients in the energy, technology, and life sciences sectors—combining deep industry knowledge with a practical approach to solving the most complex legal and business challenges shaping these industries.
Our history in Houston reflects a longstanding commitment to the city, as a hub of business, innovation, and the arts. Supporting the communities where we live and work is central to who we are, and we believe that a vibrant cultural landscape is essential to that vision.
We are honored to support Houston Ballet and grateful for your presence. Enjoy the performance!
A city’s soul shines through its arts—and Houston glows brightly thanks to the world-class talent of Houston Ballet. At Bank of America, we believe that communities positively benefit from the arts, including ballet, which is a powerful, universal language that inspires creativity, fosters empathy, and educates the next generation. As you attend this beloved holiday tradition with your loved ones, we hope that the magic of The Nutcracker warms your hearts.
ConocoPhillips has been a proud sponsor of Houston Ballet for over three decades. We commend the ballet on its leadership in inspiring an appreciation for dance through its artistic excellence, exhilarating performances, innovative choreography, and superb educational programs.
As one of the world’s largest independent E&P companies, ConocoPhillips is proud to support our hometown’s cultural arts. We are pleased to sponsor the Houston Ballet beloved holiday classic The Nutcracker and hope you enjoy the performance!
Corporate Spotlight
Special thanks to our generous corporate sponsors that help make Houston Ballet’s 2025 performances of The Nutcracker possible.
WINELL HERRON
Sr. Vice President of Public Affairs, Diversity & Environmental Affairs at H-E-B & Houston Ballet Trustee
For 125 years, we have passionately served Texans and our communities. We are proud to support Houston Ballet’s Education and Community Engagement initiatives such as the Student Matinee performances of The Nutcracker and much more. It is said teaching is a calling, and we could not agree more. That is why we proudly support the outstanding educators who have dedicated themselves to making a difference in the lives of our children. From the classroom to the community, we proudly answer the call by giving back over $15 million annually to Texas educational initiatives. It is our way of saying thank you for allowing us to be your neighbor. We call it our Spirit of Giving. In this spirit, H-E-B/Central Market annually donates over five percent of our pre-tax earnings to non profit organizations and initiates making a positive impact in our communities.
We are proud to sponsor Houston Ballet and the Company’s performances of The Nutcracker. Houston is privileged to be the home of this internationally recognized dance company whose artistic vision continues to grow.
Norton Rose Fulbright provides a full scope of legal services to the world’s preeminent corporations and financial institutions. The global law firm has more than 3,000 lawyers advising clients across more than 50 locations worldwide, including London, Houston, New York, Toronto, Mexico City, Hong Kong, Sydney and Johannesburg, covering Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East. With its global business principles of quality, unity and integrity, Norton Rose Fulbright is recognized for its client service in key industries, including financial institutions; energy, infrastructure and resources; technology; transport; life sciences and healthcare; and consumer markets.
Sidley is proud to support Houston Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker. We commend Houston Ballet for its dedication and commitment to artistic excellence, education, and community outreach, and we look forward to its continued success in bringing world-class performances to the stage.
Sidley is a diversified global law firm. Harnessing 158 years of legal heritage, we provide strong representation on behalf of clients in more than 70 countries making our perspective and our reach truly global. With more than 70 lawyers, we have become a destination firm for clients and legal talent in the Houston market, widely noted for our robust corporate practice that provides targeted legal and strategic advice to the energy industry, financial institutions, private equity funds, and other regional, national, and international businesses. Our office also draws upon the strength of the broader firm, aligning with many of Sidley’s core practice areas to achieve results for clients on their most complex transactions, investigations, litigation, and regulatory matters.
Annual Support
Houston Ballet is grateful to our generous individual supporters who ensure we remain a world-class ballet company, bringing high-caliber, exhilarating performances and educational programming to audiences of all ages.
$100,000 OR MORE
Friend of Houston Ballet
Ms. Jacqueline S. Akins
Melza and Ted Barr
Gary V. Beauchamp and Marian Wilfert Beauchamp
Kristy and Chris Bradshaw
The Brown Foundation, Inc.
Anne and Albert Chao
ConocoPhillips
The Cullen Foundation
The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts
Ms. Jane DiPaolo
Richard Flowers and The Events Company
Friend of Houston Ballet
Myra Brown
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas E. Clendenin
Lori Gallagher and Curtis Huff
Friend of Houston Ballet
Kyle and Christian Baker
Gary and Susan Binney
C. Robert Bunch and Lilia D. Khakimova
Sasha Davis
Twana and Kelly Faykus
Marianne and Joe Geagea
Mignon and Stephen Gill
Victoria Gutierrez and Nick Pierce
Friend of Houston Ballet
Mr. Cameron Alguire & Mrs. Ashley Hughey
Leslie Alston and Michael Zenker
Drs. Julia Andrieni and Robert Phillips
Mr. and Mrs. Phil Bazelides
Ms. Ann Bean
Dr. Patrick Benge
Walter Bering
Jessica and Michael Bertuccio
Mr. and Mrs. Jack S. Blanton, Jr.
Nancy Boruta
Lenni and Bill Burke
Mr. Robert Chanon
Keiko Chevray
Mr. Michael Collins and Dr. Michael Evans
Mrs. Jerry Ann Woodfin-Costa and Mr. Victor Costa
James Cowan and William Taylor
Houston Ballet Guild
Houston Methodist
Deborah and Edward Koehler
KPRC
Isla and T.R. Reckling
Sarofim Foundation
Allison and Troy Thacker
Stephanie and Frank Tsuru
Phoebe and Bobby Tudor
Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees
Margaret Alkek Williams
The Wortham Foundation, Inc.
Directors Circle
$50,000-$99,999
Ms. Melissa Holman Juneau
Norah Orphanides
Cabrina and Steven Owsley
Yasuhiko and Akemi Saitoh
Artists Circle
$25,000-$49,999
Dr. Michael Hawkins and Dr. Liliana Soltero
Mr. Jesse H. Jones II
Mr. and Mrs. Henry S. May, Jr.
Kris and Richard McGee
Marvin and Martha McMurrey
Henry and Andrea Medina
Marsha L. Montemayor
Kathleen Moore and Steven Homer
Kevin S. Potter
Elisa and Cris Pye
Presidents Circle
$15,000-$24,999
Margaret Vaughan Cox and Jonathan Cox
Marsha and Sam Dodson
Bruce and Pamela Earthman
Sharon F. Erskine
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Finger
Ian Friedland
Mr. and Mrs. James E. Furr
Sandy and Lee† Godfrey
Mr. and Mrs. Murphy Graham
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Hafner, Jr.
Claudia and David Hatcher
Mrs. Nancy Ferguson Haywood
Mr. and Mrs. Russell C. Joseph
Mrs. Warren W. Kreft
Jennifer Laporte
Dr. Bridgitte Shen Lee and Mr. Eugene E. Lee
Elizabeth and Charlie Leykum
Kent and Shara Schaffer
Dylan and Jordan Seff
Mr. Mike S. Stude
Tricia, Mark, and Siena Singer
Mr. and Mrs. Reginald R. Smith
James Stafford and Deborah Keyser
S. Shawn Stephens and James M. Jordan
Ann Trammell
J. Michael and Ileana Treviño
Mr. and Mrs. David M. Underwood, Jr.
Whalley Family Foundation
Syma and Walter† Zerkow
Chad Libertus
Ms. Judy Liu
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Loveland
Stephen and Kelley Lubanko
Judy and Dan McClure
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Mithoff
David Montague and Diane Ferrufino-Montague
James Nelson and Richard Lapin
Carroll and Hugh Ray
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey D. Reamer
Macey and Harry Reasoner
Mike Rydin
Ms. Elizabeth Schwarze
Helen and Jim Shaffer
Paul and Christine Sofka
Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas J. Zdeblick
Rini and Edward Ziegler
IMPRESARIO
$10,000-$14,999
Friend of Houston Ballet
Judy Gray Brunk
Mr. Robert and Dr. Carol Collins
C.C. Conner, Jr. and David Groover
Mr. and Mrs. James W. Crownover
Mrs. Rosanette S. Cullen
David and Lynne Devine
Jeanne Doornbos and Michael Maher
Jayne and Garrett Johnston
Sonja Kostich
Ms. Melanie Lawson and Mr. John F. Guess, Jr.
Marjorie and George Leventon
Marilyn G. Lummis
Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Matiuk
Mr. and Mrs. Jordan H. Mintz
Ms. Nancy Powell Moore
Patti and Don Murphy
Drs. Duyen and Marc Nguyen
Mr. Dee S. Osborne
Mr. and Mrs. Frederick J. Plaeger II
Bradley and Monica Radoff
Ms. Samira A. Salman
Erika and John Toussaint
Drs. Peter and Pamela Triolo
Dr. Meredith Zabolio
AMBASSADOR
$5,000-$9,999
Friend of Houston Ballet
Dr.† and Mrs. George J. Abdo
Mr. W. Kendall Adam
Mrs. Elaine Adams
Nancy C. Allen
Maida Asofsky
Anthony and Gina Bahr
Dr. Saul and Ursula Balagura
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Balmert
Anne Morgan Barrett
Drs. Robert and Nancy Benjamin
Stephen and Linda Bickel
Dr. Rafi Bidros and Mrs. Odessa Pye Bidros
Muffet Blake
Eliana Bonfante
Ms. Michaela Botha
Mr. and Mrs. David A. Bristol, Jr.
Katherine Brooker and Thomas Stenack
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Brookner
Ms. Barbara Brooks
Lindsey Brown
Claudia Burch
Ms. Zoe Cadore
Maria Claudia Caldas
Jess and Patricia Carnes
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Cato
Michael & Beth Chambers
Lynn Churay
Sylvie and Gary Crum
Rochelle Cyprus
Laura Dawson and Kevin Small
Anna Dean
Mary Rebecca and Cody Dick
Sandra Didlake
Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Doneker
Burl and Jenny Wang Drews
Mrs. Jenny Elkins
Catherine and James M. Evans
Marcia and Tom Faschingbauer
Mary Ann and Larry Faulkner
Vicki Faulkner
Sidney Faust
Marla and Stewart Feldman
Myrna Fisch
Perry and Cinda Forrester
Laura and Joe Freudenberger
Dr. Mauro Garcia-Altieri
David & Anita Garten
Cynthia and Ty Geiger
Dr. Eugenia George
Mitchell B. George and Stanley Curtis, Jr.
Marion and Gary Glober
Lisa Gray
Lauren and Herschel Hamner
Terri Haston
Susan and Michael Hawes
Dr. Patrick and Mrs. Margaret Healy
Mr. and Mrs. Michael F. Henderek
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Hibbert
Gary Hollingsworth and Ken Hyde
Mrs. James E. Hooks
Hope Huber
Barbara and Bob Inaba
Diane and Mike Jines
Ms. Burdine C. Johnson
Ms. Debbi Johnstone
Mr. David Jones and Mrs. Jila Bakker
Mary Catherine Jones and Bailey Jones
Cristela and Bill Jonson
Dr. Raymond and Leora Kahn
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen M. Kaufman
John Atterbury Kendall
Ms. Ann Koster
Jake and Jennifer Kushner
Karen and Rob Kwok
Stephanie Larsen and Bryn Kristen Larsen
Ms. Amy LeBlanc
Anastasia Lim
Eugene F. Loveland
Stephen and Chris Lukin
Dr. and Mrs. Michael Mann
Warren and Yana McFatter
Mimi Reed McGehee
Ms. Patricia McMahon
Vickie Milazzo and Thomas Ziemba
Ms. Desrye Morgan
Ms. Beth Muecke
Trevor Myers
Dr. Kelly Carter Nelson and Mr. Keith Nelson
Mr. and Mrs.† James M. Nicklos
Geri Noel
Peggy Pennington O’Connor
Martha Farish Oti
Sara and James Parr
Robert and Mireille Patman
Mr. and Mrs. Jordan Alexander Pincu
Vsevolod Popov
Ms. Lori Fultz Priess
Mr. and Mrs. Eric Reed
Kent and Sandy Reynolds
Fay and George A. Rizzo
Sharon Roark
Jan Roberts
Ellen and Steve Robinson
Cristina M. Romeu
Dr. Franklin A. Rose and Mrs. Cindi Harwood Rose
Michele and Robert Ryan
Ms. Jaleh Sallee
Bob Scott and Susan Bickley
Sarah and Tom Scott
Susan and Ed Septimus
Linda and Charles Shearouse
Kelli and Sean Shimamoto
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Simmons
Dannika E. Simpson
Diana Skerl and Michael Karakasians
Michael B. Smith
Dr. Tatiana Sorkin
Ann and Robert Stephens
Ellen Susman
Leon and Pat Thomsen
Jessica Walters
Mr. Timothy Wampler
Mrs. Sara E. White
Mrs. Andrew Wilkomirski †
Loretta and Lawrence Williams
Helen B. Wils and Leonard A. Goldstein
Doug & Kay Wilson
Mrs. Cyvia Wolff
Trish and Steve Yatauro
Mr. John L. Zipprich II
YOUNG AMBASSADOR
$2,500
Ada Agbor
Renee Anderson
Nicholas Baran and Amanda Bosley
Lauren and Max Barrett
Madeline Barton
Kate & Joseph Cavanaugh
Stuart and Meghan Humphries
Melissa L. Nance P.E.
Elizabeth Price
Melissa Reihle
Kristiann Rushton
Dr. Addy Satija
BRAVO
$2,000-$4,999
Friend of Houston Ballet
Drs. Sergio and Lisa Alvarado
Heather and Richard Avant
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen J. Banks
Victor and Anna Mae Beghini Fund
Zachary and Karen Bell
Mr. and Mrs. R. Lawrence Brown III
Dr. Fred Buckwold
Steve and Lynne Clark
Steven Craig and Janet Kohlhase
Corporations, Foundations, and Public Agencies
Houston Ballet gratefully acknowledges the support of the following corporations, foundations, and public agencies.
$750,000 OR MORE
Melza M. and Frank Theodore Barr Foundation, Inc.
The Brown Foundation, Inc.
City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance
Houston Methodist
$250,000-$749,999
The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts
The Sarofim Foundation
Texas Commission on the Arts
The Wortham Foundation, Inc.
$100,000-$249,999
Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Foundation
ConocoPhillips
The Cullen Foundation
Houston Ballet Guild
KPRC
The Shubert Foundation, Inc.
Wells Fargo
$50,000-$99,999
Bank of America
Beauchamp Foundation
Chevron
City of Houston through the Miller Theatre Advisory Board, Inc.
The Freebird Foundation
H-E-B / H-E-B Tournament of Champions
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
The Humphreys Foundation
KPMG LLP
KRBE
Latham & Watkins LLP
Mattress Firm
National Endowment for the Arts
NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer
The Powell Foundation
Van Cleef & Arpels
$25,000-$49,999
M. D. Anderson Foundation
Baker Botts LLP
Fayez Sarofim & Co.
Fifth Third Bank
Norton Rose Fulbright
Vivian L. Smith Foundation
Sterling-Turner Foundation
Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women
Vinson & Elkins LLP
$10,000-$24,999
BMW
Daikin North America LLC
De Beers Jewellers
George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation
William E. & Natoma Pyle Harvey
Charitable Trust
Albert and Ethel Herzstein
Charitable Foundation
Ralph and Ruth McCullough Foundation
John P. McGovern Foundation
Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas)
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America
Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.), Inc.
The Jerome Robbins Foundation
Samsville Gallery
Sidley Austin LLP
Sumitomo Corporation of Americas
Truluck’s
Willow Hill Soap Company
$2,500-$9,999
AARP
Alexander & Co.
BORA Jewelry
CharterUP
The DEA Educational Foundation
ExxonMobil
Greenberg Traurig, LLP
The Joan and Marvin Kaplan Foundation
KHCB 105.7 FM
La Marca Prosecco
Nippon Steel North America, Inc.
Texas Women for the Arts
Elena deLaunay
Mr. and Mrs. Michael A. Denham
Mrs. Carol Drawe
Emily C. Duncan
Ms. Leslie Gassner
Dave and Bodil Guenther
Mr. and Mrs. Ross K. Hill
Lonnie Hoogeboom and Betsy Strauch
Gabriel and Agnes Hortobagyi
Danielle Hsu
Kathleen Milazzo Johnson and Travis Johnson
Mr. Ara “AJ” Karian
Stephen and Patricia King
Susan and Michael Klaveness
Brenda Landry
Dr. Claire Langston
Gerrit Leeftink
Mr. and Mrs. Peter MacGregor
Renee Margolin
Colonel Michael Mergens and Mrs. Mergens
Nicole Montgomery and Walt Chancellor
Patti Mullendore
Terrylin G. Neale
Joseph Henry Rose
Marna & Fred Schacknies
Dan and Amber Shed
Mr. Sam L. Stolbun and Dr. Alana R. Spiwak
Story Family
Kay and Bert* Tabor
Ann Wales
Kenneth W Welch Jr.
Jim and Nancy Winget
Dr. and Mrs. Bruce Wright
Amy & Richard Yuen
ENCORE
$1,000-$1,999
Friend of Houston Ballet
Reeta Achari, MD and William Dixon
Dr. Linda H. Alexander
Paola & Daniel Alvarez-Malo
Dr. and Mrs. Robert E. Anderson
Deborah Bautch
Ed A. and Valerie Blair
Xiomara Brannan
Coco Brennan
Tamara Bruce
C Wayne and Patricia Miller Foundation
Stephanie and Ted Carpenter
Dr. Vishal Maharaj and Melissa Chadee
Family of Jacqueline Christian
Mr. Wayne Clark
Mike and Linda Condit
Kent Cook and Ann LeBlanc Cook
Natasha and Mario de la Garza
Suzi Feickert
Mike and Lindsay Fiuzat
Mr. and Mrs. Harris Forbes
Christopher and Ann Frautschi
Mrs. Barry J. Galt
Brett Gardner and Joseph Stampleman
John and Brittany Gilmour
Joanne Goff
Cheyenne Nicole Management
Diana and Russell Hawkins
Cynthia Herzog and Rocky High
Mr. Francisco J. Izaguirre
Ms. Emily Kao
Andrew and Rachel Keen
Emily Kuo and Michael Chu
Susan Winokur and Paul Leach
Paul and Nancy LeGros
Joan and Moise Levy
Bob and Sharon Lietzow
James and Erika Liu
Mengjia Liu
Mr. Robert Lorio
Calum Macaulay
Dirk Maney
Michael and Onalee McEwen
Paulina and Jim McGrath
Sylvia and Robert McKinley
Dr. Karen Moeller
Natalie and Steve Mohtashami
Paula and Geoff Newton
Mrs. Peg Palisin and Mr. Gary C. Gardner
Mr. David Peavy and Dr. Stephen McCauley
Grace Phillips and Eugene Nosal
Ann and Lou Raden
Wanda A. Reynolds
Gwen Ribe
Mrs. Dominique D. Rodgers and Miss Lilly O. Rodgers
Dan and Brenda Sauls
David & Patricia Schwartz
Kelly and Drew Scoggins
Carol Stelling
Dr. J. Michael Su and Mrs. Tammy Gee Su
Y. Ping Sun and David Leebron
Vanessa Allen Sutherland
Paula Sutton and Bill Gross
Brian and Kourtney Teaff
Fiona Newport Toth
Craig Vinson
Dean Walker
Galbraith Weaver
Susan Wedelich & Craig Kennedy
Dr. Joan and Mike Weltzien
Elizabeth D. Williams
The Washington & Williams Families
Anya Shvilpe and Glenn Wilson
Stephanie and Gabriel Zamora
†In memoriam
These generous donations were received before November 1, 2025.
For more information about supporting Houston Ballet through annual membership, please contact Haley Calvert, Director of Donor Services, at 713.874.5428 or hcalvert@houstonballet.org.
In-Kind Donors
A special thank you to the following businesses and individuals for their in-kind support.
$100,000 OR MORE
KRBE FM
NRG Park
The Events Company
$50,000-$99,999
City Kitchen Catering
iHeart Radio
KODA FM Sunny 99.1
KTRH AM 740 News Radio
KTBZ FM 94.5 The Buzz
KHOU TV
KPMG LLP
KPRC TV
Outfront Media
Shepard Exposition Services
$25,000-$49,999
Audacy
KHMX Mix 96.5
KILT FM 100.3 The Bull
KKHH The Spot 95.7
KLOL Mega 101
KILT AM Sports 610
$10,000-$24,999
Champagne Madame Zero
Laura Escalona
Kirksey Gregg Productions, LLC
Macy’s
Radio One
KKBQ FM93Q Country
KBXX 97.9 The Box
KMJQ FM Majic 102
KGKL FM 107.5 The Eagle
Saks Fifth Avenue
Seven Sisters
SilverStone Events
Texas Monthly
Univision
$5,000-$9,999
All Nippon Airways
Fady Armanious and Bill Baldwin
Bach Mai
Kristy and Chris Bradshaw
Champagne Madame Zero
David Peck
Deutsch Fine Jewelry
H-E-B
Houston Rockets
Key Magazine
Lavandula Design
LUCHO
Jordan and Dylan Seff
Swoon Magazine
The Kid’s Directory
Total Traffic Network
Valobra Master Jewelers
Wright Pawn & Jewelry
$2,500-$4,999
Ashkan Roayaee
Beauty Medica, Inc.
Bludorn Hospitality Group
DR Delicacy
Fluff Bake Bar/Chef Rebecca Masson
Monstersville’s Wines
Pamella Roland
Roger Vivier
Southern Smoke Foundation
Sushic Catering
Tootsies
Christine and David M. Underwood, Jr.
Untitled Art
$1,000-$2,499
Al’s Handmade Boots
Amir Taghi
Aramark
Ashkan Roayaee
Bergner & Johnson
Brasserie 19
Diamonds Direct
Dr. Roth Plastic Surgery
Festari for Men
Ellie and Michael Francisco
Fulshear/Katy Chamber of Commerce
Relocation Guide
Gittings Portraiture
Heirloom Catering
Houston Grand Opera
Houston Public Media
Houston Zoo
KITON
McClain Gallery
Melanie Taylor Diego
Modern Luxury
Nice Winery
Outsmart Magazine
Red Antler Bungalows
Robin Jackson Photography
Spring Branch Plus
Stack Adapt
The Bastion Collection
Thompson Hotel
Townsquare Media
Zanti Cucina Italiana
Houston Ballet Endowment
Endowed funds assist Houston Ballet in attracting talented artists.
The Harris Masterson III Artistic Director – Stanton Welch AM
The Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation Principal Dancer – Yuriko Kajiya
The Melza M. Barr Principal Dancer – Aaron Robison
The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts Principal Dancer – Jessica Collado
The Fondren Foundation Principal Dancer – Connor Walsh
The Houston Ballet Guild Principal Dancer – Karina González
The Houston Ballet Guild First Soloist – Tyler Donatelli
The Robert F. Parker First Soloist – Julian Amir Lacey
The Anita B. Stude Principal Dancer – Angelo Greco
The Carolyn Lee and Frederick Adrian Lee Production Fund supports the creation of new productions and the restoration of existing works.
The Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation endows the Margaret Alkek Williams Jubilee of Dance, Houston Ballet’s annual gala performance.
The Lauren Anderson Dance Residency at Ucross funds an artist residency for a promising choreographer or dancer.
The Lauren Anderson Young Dancer Scholarship Fund underwrites training for traditionally underrepresented Academy students annually.
The Joe Anne Berwick Endowed Merit Scholarship supports students of dance.
The Ira and Myra Brown Young Dancer Scholarship Fund underwrites training for Academy dancers annually.
Mr. David Haber and Dr. Didier Piot Scholarship Trust provides annual scholarships to Academy students, primarily to boys and young men, to further their dance education.
The Fayez Sarofim & Co. Touring Fund supports Houston Ballet’s domestic and international tours.
The C. C. Conner Scholarship Fund, The Roy M. Huffington Scholarship Fund, The Billie Bath Perlman Scholarship Fund, and The Winifred Wallace Scholarship Fund each underwrite training for one HBII dancer annually.
The Margaret Wiess Elkins Young Artist Fund, The Ben Stevenson Scholarship Fund and The Anita Borges Stude Scholarship Fund each underwrite training for one Academy dancer annually.
The AIG American General/AIG VALIC Education and Community Engagement Programs Fund helps Houston Ballet reach a broad population of all ages and economic levels.
With deep gratitude, we salute the following donors for their contributions to the Endowment.
$5,000,000 OR MORE
The Brown Foundation, Inc.
Estate of Frederic Adrian Lee
Margaret Alkek Williams/The Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation
$3,000,000-$4,999,999
Estate of George W. Ernst, Jr.
The Wortham Foundation, Inc.
$1,000,000-$2,999,999
Melza M. and Frank Theodore Barr Foundation, Inc.
The Cullen Foundation
The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts
Houston Endowment, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Harris Masterson III†
$500,000-$999,999
Ira† and Myra Brown
Estate of Joe Anne Berwick
National Endowment for the Arts
Mr. Fayez Sarofim†
$100,000-$499,999
Friends of Houston Ballet
AIG American General/AIG VALIC
Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Arnold, Jr.
Lee and Ramona Bass Foundation
Estate of Audrey Jones Beck
Estate of Suzanne S. Braden
Mrs. Laurie Champion
The Cockrell Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Peter R. Coneway
Charles Engelhard Foundation
Mr. James A. Elkins, Jr.†
The Elkins Foundation
The Fondren Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. William J. Gillingham†
Hearst Foundations
Mr. William J. Hill†
Barbara F. and Gerald D. Hines†
Hobby Family Foundation
Houston Ballet Guild
Deborah and Edward Koehler
Mr. and Mrs. Meredith J. Long
Mary Ralph Lowe
Estate of William McAnear
Estate of Dr. Matilda Melnick
Mr. and Mrs. George P. Mitchell†
Mitchell Energy & Development Corp.
Mr. and Mrs. Roy S. O’Connor
Mr. and Mrs. Robert F. Parker
Mr. Henry Salvatori
Scurlock Foundation
Tarrant Hancock Trust
Estate of Dorothy B. Thomas
Cecily and Jim Young
Sylvia
FEBRUARY 26 – MARCH 8, 2026
Opening atop Mount Olympus, Stanton Welch
AM’s Sylvia blends Greek mythology into a powerful story of love where three fierce women drive the story: Sylvia, the fearless huntress; Artemis, the commanding goddess; and Psyche, the compassionate mortal. Anchoring the tale, Sylvia, a warrior in Artemis’ army, is struck by Eros’ arrow, causing her to fall in love with a mortal shepherd. Welch’s multilayered narrative dives between mythical and human realms as the three heroines each journey on their own path to love, leading to a tale of mayhem, mischief, magic, and romance.
Premiering in Houston and Sydney in 2019, Welch’s Sylvia has garnered critical acclaim for its modern revival of this rarely performed classic. Welch crafts nuanced pas de deux for each leading lady between dramatic sword fights and comedic interactions. All the while, the reimagining unfolds against legendary theater designer Jérôme Kaplan’s ever-changing modular set pieces, providing the perfect backdrop for the otherworldly projections by Tony Honors for Excellence recipient Wendall K. Harrington. Expertly tying it all together is lighting design by Lisa J. Pinkham, making Sylvia a true collaboration of artistic excellence.
Underscoring it all is Léo Delibes’ masterful score, which Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky once praised for its “charm, elegance, richness of melody, rhythm, and harmony.” So deeply inspired by its deft grandeur, Tchaikovsky famously remarked that he would not have composed Swan Lake had he heard Sylvia first.
For tickets, please visit houstonballet.org or call the box office at 713.227.2787.
Join us for Sylvia Dance Talks on February 17, 2026 at 7:15 PM at the Margaret Alkek Williams Center for Dance to learn more about the production from our panel of artists.
