Studio of Classical Dance Arts - The Story of the Nutcracker 2013

proudly presents our 8th annual production of

Saturday, December 14 at 1:30 & 6:00 Sunday, December 15 at 1:30 2013 Featuring Guest Artists Allison Walsh and Richard Villaverde

First produced December 18, 1892 in St. Petersburg Russia, The Nutcracker Ballet is based loosely on E.T.A. Hoffmann’s “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King”.

CAST ACT I SCENE I- CHRISTMAS EVE Maids.......................................................................................................Kristy Schulz & Franni Tempesta Mrs. Stalhbaum.....................................................................................................................Haley Schonter Clara Stalhbaum............................................................................................................... MaxAnna Collen Fritz Stalhbaum...................................................................................................................... Kai Nakayama Aunt Charlotte......................................................................................................................... Emily Lovdahl Aunt Charlotte’s Nephew Nicholas...................................................................................William Heide Clara’s Friends................................................................. Katie DuQuaine, Zoe Frantz, Louisa Goeke, Rebeka Hufen, Jillian Humphreys, Lillian Jerry, Phoebe Kammuller, Laurel Lasch, Julia Wernicke & Brooke Westfall Fritz’s Friends................................................ Gabriel LeDenmat, Cedric LeDenmat, Joshua Mains, Julian Mains & Aaron Orton Party Guests....................................................... Amelie Bennett, Tess Dimler, Autumn Dobrowski, Zeli Frantz, Madeline Jerry, Meriona Marsh, Rose Marie Olsen, & Leanne Potter Mechanical Dolls..................................................................................Baylee Sullivan & Claudia Lasch Soldier Dolls...................................................................................Margaret Bennett, Martina Catalan, Emily Mains & Elizabeth VanKammen SCENE II- MIDNIGHT Mice.......................................................... Elizabeth Christoph, Michaiah Evans, Alexis Habermehl, Lainnie Kauth, Judea Leon, Caroline Mork, Emma Scott & Te’Asia Stocks Nutcracker Prince....................................................................................................................William Heide Drummer Boy........................................................................................................................... Joseph Mains Soldiers............................................................. Catherine Clark, Emma DeGroot, Erena Dobrowski, Jazmine Fiorentino, Sophie Higgs, Katrina Hjelmgren, Syrena Hjelmgren, Eliana Lang, Abby LeTourneau, Naomi Lewis, Savannah Lofquist, Veronica Petrach, Josephine Rush & Hannah Trimark Mouse King.........................................................................................................................Cedric LeDenmat SCENE III- LAND OF SNOW Snow Flakes....................................................... Amelie Bennett, Tess Dimler, Autumn Dobrowski, Zeli Frantz, Madeline Jerry, Claudia Lasch, Emily Lovdahl, Haley Schonter, Baylee Sullivan & Franni Tempesta Snow Angels...................................................................... Grace Habermehl, Samantha Habermehl, Kalyn Holland, Carolyne Kolodziej, Abbey Myrum & Regan Welch Sleigh Attendants....................................................................................Catherine Clark, Naomi Lewis, Veronica Petrach & Te’Asia Stocks 10 MINUTE INTERMISSION

2

The Studio of Classical Dance Arts

CAST

c o n t.

ACT II THE LAND OF THE SWEETS Sugar Plum Fairy.......................................................................................................................Allison Walsh Caviler..................................................................................................................................Richard Villaverde Dew Drop Fairy........................................................................................................................ Emily Lovdahl Angels............................................................................Violet Badham, Aylla Banta, Brooklyn Baratki, Allyce Fellion, Brighton Haney, Grace LeTourneau, Amelia Morgan, Sophia Pearson, Lillian Selky & Sadie Steinbach Spanish Chocolate......................................... Tess Dimler & Zeli Frantz with Autumn Dobrowski, Meriona Marsh, Kristy Schulz & Franni Tempesta Arabian................................................... Amelie Bennett with Margaret Bennett, Martina Catalan, Zoe Frantz, Jillian Humphreys, Lillian Jerry, Emily Mains, Elizabeth VanKammen & Brooke Westfall Chinese Tea..........................................Claudia Lasch & Baylee Sullivan with Elizabeth Christoph, Michaiah Evans, Jazmine Fiorentino, Alexis Habermehl, Katrina Hjelmgren, Lainnie Kauth, Judea Leon, Abby LeTourneau, Savannah Lofquist, Caroline Mork, Emma Scott & Hannah Trimark Russian Candy Canes................................ William Heide, Gabriel LeDenmat, Cedric LeDenmat, Joshua Mains, Julian Mains, Kai Nakayama & Aaron Orton French Shepherdess............................... Madeline Jerry & Haley Schonter with Katrina Catalan, Lina Hemmig, Katie Mueller, Sarah Scott, Emma Steinbach & Kristin Walek Gingerbread Children......................................Anisha Boone, Emma DeGroot, Erena Dobrowski, Sophie Higgs, Syrena Hjelmgren, Eliana Lang, Emilie Miller, Noel Propsom, Josephine Rush & Catherine VanKammen Waltz of the Flowers........................................ Amelie Bennett, Tess Dimler, Autumn Dobrowski, Zeli Frantz, Madeline Jerry, Claudia Lasch, Meriona Marsh, Haley Schonter, Kristy Schulz, Baylee Sullivan, Franni Tempesta and Katie DuQuaine, Louisa Goeke, Rebeka Hufen, Phoebe Kammuller, Laurel Lasch, Rose Marie Olsen, Leanne Potter & Julia Wernicke Grand Pas de Deux.......................................................................... Allison Walsh & Richard Villaverde

I M P O R TA N T N O T E Out of respect for others and the performers; audience members are requested to turn off cell phones and other electronic devices during the performance. The taking of pictures and the use of recording equipment of any kind is not permitted during the performance.

The Nutcracker

3

SYNOPSIS Our story begins on Christmas Eve at the beautiful Stalbaum Manor. As the maids put the finishing touches on the decorations for the party Clara’s brother Fritz sneaks into the house to hide a “present” for his sister. Mrs. Stalhbaum enters bringing gifts for under the tree. With a last check of the house, and her excited children, she welcomes their friends and family. Among the guests is Clara’s mysterious Aunt Charlotte who always brings interesting and magical gifts. The party grows festive with dancing and music when suddenly Clara’s Aunt Charlotte brings everything to a halt, the party children falling in delighted surprise! With a great show of mystery and the help of her Nephew Nicholas, she presents two magical boxes. To the amazement of the children inside each is a doll that dances for the guests. After the dolls dance Nicholas has a surprise just for the boys, four dancing toy soldiers! As the dancing dolls leave Aunt Charlotte presents her gifts to Fritz and Clara, a magical toy cannon Fritz and a beautiful Nutcracker for Clara.

Fritz is fascinated with his new cannon and thinks the Nutcracker doll would be a perfect addition to his army. As he attempts to take the Nutcracker from Clara it crashes to the floor…and breaks! Nicholas retrieves the broken doll and with a wave of Aunt Charlotte’s magical hands the Nutcracker is restored. The evening grows late, the guests begin to depart and once again the Stalhbaum manor becomes quiet as the family retires for the evening.

As the family sleeps mice larger than life appear, bent on mischief. They hide as Clara, missing her Nutcracker sneaks back into the living room to find him, falls asleep on the sofa and begins to dream. Seeing Clara asleep emboldens the mice and they begin to make off with all the presents, the furniture and even Clara’s beloved Nutcracker!

The mice surround Clara and just when she thinks all hope is lost a life size soldier, who looks a lot like Aunt Charolette’s nephew Nicholas, marches into the livingroom. Is it her Nutcracker doll grown to full size or is Nicholas coming to rescue her? He appears leading his army of toy soldiers and after a great battle vanquishes the fierce Mouse King.

As the Mouse King is carried away by his disbelieving mice the Nutcracker sends his soldiers back to their toy box.

As Clara struggles to shake the fear left from the battle beautiful angels appear to take Clara on a mystical journey through the Land of Snow to the Land of the Sweets. As they begin their journey a Snowflake appears followed by another and another. Clara dances with the Snowflakes putting the thoughts of mice and fighting far behind. As Clara and the Snowflakes waltz through the falling snow Nicholas once again appears, this time with a magical Sleigh. With the Angels leading the way Clara and Nicholas leave the still falling snow as Clara’s dream continues.

The sleigh arrives at the palace of the Sugar Plum Fairy in the enchanting Land of the Sweets. Nicholas introduces Clara to the Dew Drop Fairy who calls out all of the Sweets from lands far and wide. Finally the Sugar Plum Fairy with her handsome Cavalier arrive, excited to meet their guests. Clara and Nicholas tell the story of the Great Battle and how they overcame the Mouse king. Enchanted by Clara’s bravery the Sugar Plum Fairy gives her a beautiful crown and all of the Sweets dance in celebration. The Sugar Plum and her Cavalier bring the celebration to a triumphant conclusion when they perform the magical Grand Pas de Deux.

Finally all of the wondrous excitement overwhelms Clara and she grows sleepy.

Magically the Angels return to guide her safely back to where her adventure began and she returns to her now peaceful slumber with the Nutcracker cradled in her arms.

4

The Studio of Classical Dance Arts

GUEST ARTISTS Allison Walsh Originally from Bethesda, Maryland, Ms. Walsh received her training at Maryland Youth Ballet and on full scholarship at the School of American Ballet summer workshops. She began her career in the Washington Ballet Studio Company where she danced works by Forsythe, Balanchine, and Webre.

Allison Walsh then danced with The Joffrey Ballet in Chicago for seven years. During her tenure Ms. Walsh performed leading roles in Nijinsky’s Rite of Spring, Ashton’s Cinderella, Joffrey’s Nutcracker, Lubovitch’s Othello, Balanchine’s Tarentella, Tharp’s Deuce Coupe, as well as works by Jooss, Robbins, Tudor, Taylor, Kudelka, and Liang.

Seeking a contemporary company, she joined BalletX in Philadelphia, where she appeared at the Joyce Theater and the Vail International Dance Festival- performing in creations by choreographers such as Matthew Neenan, Nicolo Fonte, and Amy Seiwart.

During her career she has been lucky enough to have performed at the White House, featured in the documentary “The Joffrey Ballet: American Mavericks of Dance”, and recognized by Pointe Magazine for a Standout Performance of 2012. Currently she just finished the workshop for Christopher Wheeldon’s new Broadway musical, “An American in Paris”.

Richard Villaverde Richard Villaverde was born in Miami, Florida and began dancing at the age of thirteen. He graduated from New World School of the Arts in 2009 under the direction of Daniel Lewis. In 2009 Richard won the title of Senior Male outstanding dancer at New York City Dance Alliance and was also awarded a four year full ride to the University of the Arts in Philadelphia PA where he got to work with Douglas Becker, Michael Sherridan, Ronen Koresh, Scott Jovovitch, and Christine Cox. In December 2011 Richard was selected to study abroad in Venice at La Biennale for six months under the direction of Ismeal Ivo, where he trained with some of the best contemporary artist in Europe. Richard has also been awarded numerous scholarships to the American Ballet Theater summer intensive where he got to train with Franco DeVita, Nancy Raffa, Melissa Allen Bowman, and Ethan Brown. Richard is currently starting his second season with BalletX Philadelphia’s premier contemporary ballet company.

The Nutcracker

5

S T U D E N T S I N F E AT U R E D R O L E S

Amelie Bennett Party Guest, Snowflake, Arabian and Flower

MaxAnna Collen Clara Stalhbaum

Tess Dimler Party Guest, Snowflake, Spanish and Flower

Autumn Dobrowski Party Guest, Snowflake, Spanish Corps and Flower

Zeli Frantz Party Guest, Snowflake, Spanish and Flower

Madeline Jerry Party Guest, Snowflake, Shepherdess and Flower

Claudia Lasch Doll, Snowflake, Chinese and Flower

Emily Lovdahl Aunt Charolette, Snowflake and Dew Drop Fairy

Haley Schonter Mrs. Stalbaum, Snowflake, Shepherdess and Flower

Baylee Sullivan Doll, Snowflake Chinese and Flower 6

The Studio of Classical Dance Arts

Franni Tempesta Maid, Snowflake, Spanish Corps and Flower

S T U D E N T S I N F E AT U R E D R O L E S

William Heide Aunt Charolette’s Nephew, Nutcracker Prince, Russian

c o n t.

Cedric LeDenmat Fritz’s Friend, Mouse King, Russian

Kai Nakayama Fritz Stalbaum, Russian

CREDITS Composer............................................................................................................... Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Choreography and Concept.........................................................Linda Bennett and Marc Darling Costumes........................................................................................... Linda Bennett and Judith Warren Sets & Props............................................................. Marc Darling, Skelly Warren and Cheryl Frantz Lighting Design......................................................................................................................... Chris Payne T H A N K YO U We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone for their invaluable help behind the scenes and out in front to keep the show running smoothly!

A big thank you to the following businesses; Econoprint, Marcus Promotions and the Radisson Harbourwalk Hotel And, to all of our students and parents for their hard work, time and support Thank You!!

ABOUT THE STUDIO Now in our 9th year The Studio of Classical Dance Arts is proud to provide professional ballet instruction and exciting performing opportunities for students throughout southeastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. While building the foundation vital to excellence in all dance styles students learn the value of self-discipline, personal responsibility and commitment. Whether they are studying to pursue a career in dance or simply taking class for the sheer enjoyment, students develop self confidence and a love of the arts that will last a lifetime.

The Nutcracker

7

T H E AT E R E T I Q U E T T E Going to the theater is a special experience, one that will be remembered for a long time. The following are a few basic ideas about Theater Etiquette that we hope will help everyone enjoy the magic of live theater.

1. Please Be Aware of Time: Make an effort to arrive at the theatre 15-30 minutes before the show starts to get your ticket and use restrooms etc. beforehand. Get to your seat before the performance begins, it is never fun to be the late comer that causes the rest of the audience to turn and look around.

2. Applause and Laughter are Great!: Applauding the performers is

encouraged. Bravo and Brava are absolutely appropriate if you feel the performance is exceptional. Please refrain from calling out anything else, especially a performer’s name.

Remember this is not a sporting event! Please try not to talk during the performance, it is distracting to other audience members and, yes, even to the performers.

3. Photography and Videography: Do not take photographs or recordings of any kind during the performance. The use of an electronic device of any kind is distracting to other audience members and takes away from the magic of what is happening on stage. Flash photography is dangerous to dancers as they can be momentarily blinded by the intense light.

4. Young Ones: Everyone understands that young ones get restless and it may be

difficult for some to sit through an entire performance. If a young one is having a difficult time during the show it is best to quietly take them out to the lobby and wait until they regain their composure, even if that means Mom or Dad may miss a few minutes of the show.

5. Please Turn Off All Electronic Devices: Cell Phones, tablets, portable games and other electronic devices have no place in the theatre. At the very least, turn them off and at best leave them at home.

6. Food and Beverage: No food or drink is allowed in the theatre. Cough drops or candy to soothe a sore throat should be unwrapped during louder sections of the music or applause. It is amazing how loud and distracting a single wrapper can be during a quite moment in a performance.

7. Enjoy the Show!

8

The Studio of Classical Dance Arts