A LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR
Welcome to the 28th season of Georgia College & State University’s production of The Nutcracker. In my 11th year, I can sincerely write that it continues to be an honor working with the cast, crew, production, and community members to bring this story to life. Our unique retelling reimagines the classical story ballet to include jazz, musical theatre, and tap performances for ages 3 and up. You may notice the family friendly event is also a family tradition. The program lists mothers and daughters, like Rebecca and Lea Gonzalez, fathers and daughters, like Rob and Margo Vandevort, and siblings, like Kaylee, Morgan, and Cody Smith, to name a few.
This year we are thrilled to present Teri Anne Bradley in her debut performance as Clara alongside Ethan Rogers in his own premiere as the Nutcracker Prince. We are fortunate to have members from local and surrounding communities return to the Russell Stage as well. Professor David Zoetewey reprises his magical role as Drosselmeyer and GCSU’s Cheerleading team leaps back into the The Dance of Trepak. Anne O’Neill carries on the sweet tradition of Lev Ivanov’s original choreography from 1892 for the Sugar Plum Fairy, while Emma Lamb’s performance introduces a new character, The Peacock Princess, in a costume designed by GC Faculty Eric Griffis and Cathleen O’Neal. The addition is inspired by Milledgeville’s favorite Gothic writer, Flannery O’Connor, and her love for the creature.
It is with great joy that we announce the return of GCSU Dance Minor and Community Dance Program founder Amelia Pelton, and the addition of our newest faculty member Juliana Freude. In the same breath, it is with heavy heart and good tidings that we celebrate the final bows of seniors Sofia Arias, Addison Davis, Madison McDade, and Kaylee Smith on stage this weekend. The production, of course, would not be possible without the efforts of our undergraduate teachers Lily Cox, Helen Garcia-Carreras, Kaylee Gresham, Katie Howell, Bella McComis, Anne O’Neill, and Abbey Saunders. I would also like to recognize our parents, families, and community members that support the dancers through months of classes and rehearsals. We thank you, our audience, for sustaining the Georgia College Community Dance Program by attending our live events. We are very grateful you are here and hope you enjoy our retelling of this classical ballet.
Sincerely,
Natalie King Interim Director of Dance
SYNOPSIS
It is Christmas Eve, 1895, Russia. Councilor and Mrs. Silberhous are giving their annual Christmas Eve party in their home. Clara’s godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer, finally arrives, bringing with him special entertainment of life-size dolls, and a special gift for Clara, a Nutcracker. Clara’s brother Fritz, jealous of her gift, breaks the Nutcracker as the party ends. When the guests depart, Clara cannot sleep and sneaks back into the dark living room and falls asleep in a chair. Clara is visited by dream fairies who cause her to have a fantastic dream. In her dream, huge and small mice invade the living room, and all sizes of soldiers appear to fight them off.
A mouse king and queen dance nearby. A life-size soldier saves Clara from this nightmare by killing the mouse king after a fierce battle. Clara is then transported to a beautiful land of dancing snowflakes and ice where her soldier general is now changed into a handsome prince. He takes her to the Land of Sweets where dancers from many countries dance for her and welcome her to their enchanted kingdom. During this beautiful dream she is greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy, mistress of this beautiful land. As her wonderful dream ends, Clara is transported back to her home in the beautiful sleigh, waving goodbye to all who have danced for her. Clara then realizes it was only a fantastic dream…
Councilor Silberhous
Elena Silberhous
The Characters Act I, Scene I Christmas Eve, 1895 Russia
Rob VandeVoort
Michelle Smith
Clara Teri Anne Bradley
Fritz Cody Smith
The Nanny
Herr Drosselmeyer
Natalia Drosselmeyer
Clara’s Best Friends
Clara’s Partner
Little Girls
Boys
Moms
Dads
Teenagers
Harlequin Dolls
Baby Dolls
Soldier Doll
Dream Fairies
Understudy: Isabelle Rocker
Erika Boland
David Zoetewey
Laura Sabine
Catherine Walters and Addie Wood
CJ Ballew
Julia Campbell, Lea Gonzalez, Ciera Shirley, Morgan Smith, Madelyn Tintle, Sarah Wright
Skye Crews, Mason Eberhardt, Thomas Gonzalez, Caleb Wright, Joshua Wright
Emma Eslinger, Caroline Faison, Rebecca Gonzalez, Renée Woodruff
Drew Rice, Carson Taylor, Jody Hensley, Cayce Guest
ClaraAnn Smith, Nathan Kring, Lily Dickey, CJ Ballew, Evan Fowler, Kenzie Knoph
Anna Caroline McMillan, Mariah Shy, Ana Maria Filimon
Amara Johnson, Katie Campbell
Ethan Rogers
Understudy: CJ Ballew
Addison Davis, Isabelle Rocker Soloist: Kaylee Smith
Mouse King and Queen CJ Ballew and Rebekah Aubry
Mouse Queen’s Attendants Lola Bergeron and Madison McDade
Baby Mice
Big Mice
Maris Abbott, Alice Agee, Cora Bergeron, Blakely Brookins, Ivy Ennis, Serenity Gilmore, Scarlett Hedgepeth, Aubrey Hinton, Reya Kapadia, Della Jackson, Caroline Nichols, Charm Pearson, Emma Peeler, Kinsley Reynolds, Evalyn Shaw, Kendall Smith, Josie Thigpen, Peyton Wilkinson
Sophia Arias, Destiny Peete, Morgan Smith
Lead Soldiers Kinsley Shepherd and Sarah Wright
Little Solider Bailey Wilkinson
Soilders
Tap I: Avery Agee, Hayley Anderson, Ariyah Barnes, Saylor Fountain, Harper Hodgman, Heavenlymia Jebessa, Rosemary Kelley, Liliana Lleras, Hadley Snow, Bailey Wilkinson, Margaret VandeVoort
Tap II: Ellie Kate Anderson, Annaleigh Brack, Maddy Butts, Autumn Dudley, Ophelia Edwards, Lucy Grove, Angelicmyra Jebessa, Adeline Roberts, Sutton Smith, Caroline Redmond, Evelyn Wood, Eliza Zoetewey
Tap III: Skye Crews, CJ Crowder, Gillian Fowler, Lila Jackson, Anne Milnes, Sophia Newman, Lucy Polack, Peyton Puckett, Eleanor Rocker, Margaret Wood
Tap IV: Hannah Boland, Brooke Gillett, Alanna Mathis, Anna Milnes, Mackenzie Smith, Emma Zoeteway, Neely Skelton
Act I, Scene II
Journey Through the Land of Snow
Clara Teri Anne Bradley
Prince Ethan Rogers
Snow Queeen
Demi Soloists
Snowflakes
Sleigh Reindeer
Addison Davis
Ava Bowers and Sofia Arias
Understudy: Isabelle Rocker
Understudy: CJ Ballew
Understudy: Charlotte Thebert
Rebekah Aubry, Erika Boland, Katherine Bone, Ava Bowers, Maggie Creekmore, Loralei Ferguson, Sara Hamfeldt, Kenzi Knoph, Emma Lamb, Katherine Lish, Madison McDade, Ava Miller, Anne O’Neill, Avery Owens, Brynn Owens, Destiny Peete, Elayna Pittman, Laura Sabine, Kaylee Smith, Charlotte Thebert
Cadence Polack and Emma Zoetewey
Intermission — 10 minutes
Act II
The Kingdom of Sweets
Kingdom
Soloists: Sofia Arias, Rebekah Aubry, Erika Boland, Addison Davis, of Sweets
Aaliyah Johnson, Kenzi Knoph, Emma Lamb, Katie Lish, Madison McDade, Anne O’Neill, Avery Owens, Destiny Peete, Laura Sabine, Kaylee Smith
Bonbons: Annaleigh Brack, Maddy Butts, Adeline Roberts, Evelyn Wood
Trumpeteers: Cora Bergeron, Della Jackson, Evalyn Shaw
Sleigh Reindeer: Cadence Polack and Emma Zoetewey
Angels
Gingerbreads
Avery Agee, Hayley Anderson, Ariyah Barnes, Saylor Fountain, Harper Hodgman, Heavenlymia Jebessa, Rosemary Kelley, Liliana Lleras, Hadley Snow, Bailey Wilkinson, Margaret VandeVoort
Soloists: Destiny Peete, Avery Owens
Ellie Kate Anderson, Annaleigh Brack, Maddy Butts, Autumn Dudley, Ophelia Edwards, Lucy Grove, Angelicmyra Jebessa, Adeline Roberts, Sutton Smith, Caroline Redmond, Evelyn Wood, Eliza Zoetewey
Soloists: Erika Boland, Kenzi Knoph
Mother Ginger Cayce Guest
Lamb Chops Skye Crews, CJ Crowder, Gillian Fowler, Lila Jackson, Anne Milnes, Sophia Newman, Lucy Polack, Peyton Puckett, Eleanor Rocker, Margaret Wood
Soloists: Rebekah Aubry, Laura Sabine
Dragon Tea
Mazapan
Abigail Davis, Tallulah Fields, Brooke Gillett, Cadence Polack, Bailey Ratliff, Ava Roberts, Kinsley Shepherd, Neely Skelton, Mackenzie Smith, Lilli Westberry, Emma Zoetewey
Soloist: Madison McDade
CJ Ballew, Julie Campbell, Lea Gonzalez, Ciera Shirley, Madelyn Tintle, Catherine Walters, Addie Wood, Sarah Wright
Soloist: Sofia Arias
Mochi Ava Bowers, Madison McDade, Kaylee Smith, Avery Owens
Soloist: Katie Lish
Dance of the Erika Boland, Katherine Bone, Allison Hall, Elayna Pittman
Peacock
Soloist: Emma Lamb
Candy Canes Sophia Arias, Rebekah Aubry, Lola Bergeron, Katie Campbell, Lily Dickey, Ana Maria Filimon, Aaliyah Johnson, Amara Johnson, Kenzi Knoph, Madison McDade, Anna Caroline McMillan, Avery Owens, Mariah Shy, Kaylee Smith, Morgan Smith, Isabelle Rocker
Soloist: Destiny Peete
Trepak
Claudia Dick, Anniston Tvrdeich, Sarah Chastain, Lauren Janos, Carter Hewitt, Kristen Hurt, Makayla McDade, Laynee Brookins, Ally Kakaty, Emily Loseke, Michaela Youngblood, Alexis Head, Anna Claire Teems, Savannah Blanks, Cadence Fitzgerald, Amanda Moreno, Allie Bardoul, Taylor Norsworthy, Abigail Engle, Maddie Neel, Chloe McDonald, Camille Sandefur, Cathryn Wagner
Dancing Reindeer Abigail Davis, Julie Campbell, Tallulah Fields, Brooke Gillett, Alanna Mathis, Cadence Polack, Bailey Ratliff, Ava Roberts, Kinsley Shepherd, Ciera
Shirley, Neely Skelton, Mackenzie Smith, Madelyn Tintle, Catherine Walters, Sarah Wright, Emma Zoetewey
Soloist: Aaliyah Johnson
Waltz of the Dew Drop Fairy: Kaylee Smith Understudy: Emma Lamb Flowers
Demi Soloists: Lola Bergeron, Katie Campbell
Ana Maria Filimon, Amara Johnson, Anna Caroline McMillan, Isabelle Rocker, Mariah Shy, ClaraAnn Smith, Morgan Smith
Sugar Plum Fairy Anne O’Neill
Understudy: Katie Lish
Soloist Scene Sofia Arias, Rebekah Aubry, Erika Boland, Addison Davis, Aaliyah Johnson, Kenzi Knoph, Emma Lamb, Katie Lish, Madison McDade, Anne O’Neill, Avery Owens, Destiny Peete, Laura Sabine, Kaylee Smith
Finale: Entire Cast
BEHIND THE CURTAIN
Clara is portrayed by 9th grader GCEC student Teri Anne Bradley. She has been dancing for 11 years in our GC community dance program.
The Nutcracker Prince is portrayed by GCSU sophomore theatre major and dance minor Ethan Rogers from Hoschton, GA.
The Sugar Plum Fairy is portrayed by GC sophomore history major and dance minor Anne O’Neill from Statesboro, GA.
The Dew Drop Fairy is portrayed by senior GMC prep student Kaylee Smith.
She has been a dancer in the GC community dance program for 8 years.
The Snow Queen is portrayed by senior Jones County High school student Addison Davis. She has been a dancer in the GCSU community dance program for 10 years.
Nutcracker The
PRODUCTION TEAM
GCSU Interim Director of Dance Natalie King and Production Manager
GCSU Dance Lecturer .
Juliana Freude
.
Chair, Department of Theatre and Dance Eric Griffis
Dance Instructors Natalie King, Juliana Freude, Amelia Pelton Katie Howell, Isabeel McComis, Anne O’Neill, Lily Cox, Abbey Saunders
GCSU Technical Director
Scenic Design
Russell Auditorium Production Manager
Patrick Hamilton
Phil Male
.Keith Bergeron
Lighting Supervisor Beate Czogalla
Backstage/Lighting Assistants Kara Kahaian, Bentley Savelle
Stage Manager Emily Harrell
Assistant Stage Managers Hannah Zdancewica, Nicolas Hoeppel
Light and Sound Board Operator
House Manager
Assistant House Manager
Theatre and Dance Dept. Costume Shop
.Keith Bergeron
Morgan Walker
Sarah Barnhart
Eric Griffis, Cathleen O’Neal
Wardrobe Master Bentley Savelle
Wardrobe Assistant Lauren-Avery Jones
Props Ainsley Greeve
Props Assistant Reese Hamsley
Children’s Matinee Coord./
Dept. Office Manager
Jennifer Gheesling
Box Office Manager Alexa Shuster
Programs/Poster Design GCSU Creative Services
Videographer/Photographer Michael Crews
SCENERY
ACT I Scenery | Soldiers by proscenium arch Clem Pennington
Mice Holes Patrick Hamilton
Sleigh
Mark Pelton
ACT II Scenery GC Art Club, Clem Pennington
Mouse Trap
David Woodburn
Snow Scenery | Christmas Tree Frani Geiger
Throne Patrick Hamilton
Doll Boxes .
Patrick Hamilton
Canon Beate Czogalla
FACULTY ARTISTS
Natalie King, Interim Director of Dance, attended Sweet Briar College where she earned a Bachelor of Art in Dance, Elementary Education Certification K-6 and Dance Education Certification K-12 . She received a full assistantship for a Master of Fine Arts degree in dance at Arizona State University King also taught as the Director of Dance for seven years in a high school located in Phoenix, Arizona Currently, at Georgia College, she teaches dance technique and theory courses . Her scholarly focus utilizes democratic methods and collaborative action research to stimulate interdisciplinary pedagogy between arts, film, and literacy driven communities After being offered a full scholarship and assistantship Georgia State University, she anticipates her PhD in Moving Images - Film in 2027. She and her husband, Michael Crews, have two children, Skye and Lachlan .
Juliana Freude, Lecturer in Dance, was a professional classical ballet and modern dancer for seventeen years working with companies such as Nashville Ballet, Connecticut Ballet, Charleston Ballet Theatre and many others . Following her retirement in 2020, Miss Freude obtained a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Practice; Dance, Design and Production from Saint Mary’s College of California She spent four years as an Assistant Lecturer in Dance at the University of Wyoming, where her creative research focused on the phenomenological and somatic movement approach in dance to facilitate psychological healing in soldiers suffering from PTSD, moral injury and loss of moral identity Currently, this is her first year as Dance Lecturer at Georgia College teaching the physical practice of dance techniques within the Dance minor and Community Dance program .
Amelia Pelton, former Director of Dance wrote and implemented the dance program at Georgia College 29 years ago A native of Mobile, AL, she holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance, with honors, from the University of Southern Mississippi, where she was awarded Outstanding Dance Major . She wrote and implemented the dance program at Wallace Community College in Dothan, AL, and it was then adopted by the state of Alabama for the Jr College system Amelia obtained the Master of Fine Arts degree in dance from The Florida State University where she received a full graduate assistantship . She has directed The Nutcracker ballet at GC for the last 27 years She was the founding choreographer of the Milledgeville Players, choreographing numerous musicals for this group and portraying Laurie in Oklahoma She and her husband Mark have 3 grown children and one grandchild Leo, a future Nutcracker mouse .
2024-2025
COMMUNITY DANCE PROGRAM
Scholarship recipients:
Addison Davis | Rebecca Gillett | Lea Gonzalez | Cadence Polack
Kaylee Smith | Morgan Smith | Sarah Wright | Emma Zoetewey
2024-2025 GCSU
DANCE MINOR Scholarship
recipients:
Kaylee Gresham | Anne O’Neill
WE
PROUDLY
ACKNOWLEDGE OUR Graduating Seniors:
Sofia Arias | Community Dance
Rebekah Aubry | Community Dance
Helen Garcia-Carreras | Dance Minor
Addison Davis | Community Dance
Kaylee Gresham | Dance Minor
Madison McDade | Community Dance
Abbey Saunders | Dance Minor
Kaylee Smith | Community Dance
Renée Woodruff | Dance Minor
We love you Isabelle and Eleanor!
Love, Mom and Dad
We are so proud of both of our dancers! Abigail, we love watching you choreograph your own dance programs at home, and we are so glad that you continue to incorporate new combinations as you learn them. Always follow your heart!
Congratulations, Addison, on a successful dance career! You are a beautiful dancer, and we are so proud of you! You will always have our heart, and we look forward to watching your passion for dance grow through your future endeavors! We wish you the best in college!
“Let them praise His name with dancing...”
— Psalms 149:3.
Love, Mom, Dad, and Aiden
Congratulations to Gillian Fowler on the occasion of her 6th Nutcracker!
Love from the whole family, and a special salute from Bub Bub to his favorite Lambchop and Trumpeteer!
Kinsley,
We are so proud of your hard work and dedication! You absolutely radiate happiness when you dance, and we enjoy every minute we get to watch you perform!
We love you!!! Mama, Daddy, and Beau
Ariyah,
You are the sunshine that brightens our lives and fills our hearts with joy. Always remember, God is with you and with Him, you cannot fail. You will forever be our precious little ballerina girl.
Love, Mommy and Daddy
Rebekah, May you always be this carefree, silly, and happy!
SPOTLIGHTS AND SUPPORTERS
The Department of Theatre would like to extend a special thank you to our friends and supporters who generously gave to our GCSU Theatre Scholarship Fund or GCSU Theatre Foundation fund from Jan . 1, 2020 to the present .
Platinum Level: $5,000 or more
Dr Karen Berman
Paul G . Accettura
Beth Thompson
Dr Ken Proctor
Silver Level: $1,000-$2,499
Mr and Mrs John A Pursley III
Green Level: $500-$999
Karen Carney
Bravo!
Blue Level: $100-$499
Mike and Carol McDonald
Darlene Tighe
Mr . and Mrs . Charles Burrell
William Ash
Patrick Gamble
Mr . and Mrs . David Thompson
Ellen Goodrich
Beate Czogalla
Amy Pinney
Charles Schwab
We are proud to again thank our patrons who generously donated since Oct 1, 2020, to our exclusive dance organization we call Bravo! Bravo! members have the satisfaction of knowing their gift helps provide top-level instruction and support for dance at Georgia College & State University and in our community We welcome our Bravo! members to renew for 2023-2024 and anyone in the community who wishes to make a contribution and become a Bravo! member Call Jennifer Gheesling at 478-445-8290 for more information .
Thank you, thank you, Bravo! patrons.
Sugar Plum Level ($500 and up)
Anne Kane in honor of Rebekah Aubry
Snow Queen Level ($250 - $499)
Chandler Brothers Ace Hardware in honor of Rebekah Aubry
Douglas and Kyle Rick
Angel Level ($150 – $249)
Becky Thompson in honor of Laura Wright
John E . and Louise L . Sallstrom in honor of Madison McDade
Soldier Level ($100 - $149)
Karen Berman
Snowflake Level ($50 - $99)
Bravo! membership includes:
Sugar Plum Level ($500 and up): 5 Nutcracker tickets
Snow Queen Level ($250 - $499): 4 Nutcracker tickets
Angel Level ($150 - $249): 3 Nutcracker tickets
Soldier Level ($100 - $149): 2 Nutcracker tickets
Snowflake Level ($50 - $99): 1 Nutcracker ticket
THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO DONATE!
To donate online, scan the QR code to make a donation to GCSU Theatre and Dance Department .
To donate by mail, please make a donation to: “GCSU Foundation—Theatre and Dance” c/o Georgia College & State University Theatre and Dance Department, CBX 119, Milledgeville, GA 31061
Spotlight your business in our season playbills by contacting Jennifer Gheesling at jennifer.gheesling@gcsu.edu
Premier Seating
Recognition in Playbill
Complimentary Tickets*
Reception with Behind the Scenes Tour
Recognition on Posters and Advertisements
A Special Thank You to:
Cathy Cox, President Dr . Holley Roberts, Interim Provost
Dean Eric Tenbus, College of Arts and Sciences
Patrick Hamilton, The Union-Recorder, The Baldwin Bulliten, Clem Pennington, Beate Czogalla, Keith Bergeron, Michael Crews, All students assistants, GCSU Theatre Department, Spotlight! Supporters, and all parents and students for their support!
