Robert Wesner
Artistic Director
DECEMBER 2016
WE KEEP YOU UP AND RUNNING.
1150 National Parkway Mansfield OH, 44906 www.mtbt.com
888-975-6828
108 North Main St., Rear Building P: (419) 522-4333 chuck.hahn@lfg.com
Mansfield, OH 44902 F: (419) 522-3303
A BIG THANK YOU to the Richland County Foundation for supporting our
A 1940's Nutcracker with the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra 181 South Main Street Mansfield, OH 44902 P: (419)525-3020 F: (419)525-1590 For good. For ever.ÂŽ richlandcountyfoundation.org
Richland County Foundation helping to create a virtual Mansfield with A 1940s Nutcracker Oct. 10, 2016 — With a $50,000 grant from the Richland County Foundation, Neos Dance Theatre will be able to use new technology called projection mapping to create a virtual Mansfield, Ohio, for performances of A 1940s Nutcracker this December. The Richland County Foundation is supporting the new production through its Verdabelle Plank Miller Fund, RCF Fellows Fund, Charles R. Underhill Fund and Marion Draffan Wisdom Fund. Projection mapping, also known as video mapping and spatial augmented reality, is a new technology that can turn common static objects into interactive displays. The video can be combined with audio, or triggered by it, to create audio-visual narratives. A 1940s Nutcracker will feature Neos dancers performing to live music by the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra, historic images of Mansfield, synced sound and film, moving set pieces, and new costume designs. The ambitious production will pay homage to an iconic age of film, fashion, American Christmas traditions, the industrial age, and WWII. The Mansfield performances of A 1940s Nutcracker are Dec. 10, 2 and 8 p.m., in the historic Renaissance theatre at 138 Park Ave. West, Mansfield. Tickets for the Mansfield performances of A 1940s Nutcracker begin at $19 and are available at www.mansfieldtickets.com or 419-522-2726. A 1940s Nutcracker will also be staged in Findlay, Ohio, on Dec. 16 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 17 at 3 p.m. in the the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts at 200 W. Main Cross St. Tickets for the Findlay performances begin at $20 and are available at www.marathoncenterarts.org or 419-423-2787. Live Orchestral Accompaniment by the
Additional Support
Pryor Foundation
Landen Family Foundation
N e o s D a n c e T h e at r e Company Artistic Director, Robert Wesner Co-Founder, Brooke Wesner Lighting Designer, Dennis Dugan Stage Manager, Christopher J. K. Ha Set Construction, Kirsten Williams Visual Effects, Andy Gardner Resident Choreographer, Mary-Elizabeth Fenn Graphic Design and Marketing volunteer, Kathy Hilton Dancers: Mary-Elizabeth Fenn, Juliana Freude, Brianna Habel, Kassandra Lee, Ethan Michael Lee, Brian Murphy, Matthew Roberts, Anna Trumbo, Robert Wesner, Brooke Wesner Apprentices: Rebekah Grey, Katherine Tackett Guest Artist - Katlin Michael Bourgeois
Board of Directors: Edward Reading, Cyndee Snider, Kara Stewart, Shauna Conzaman, Jody Thomae, Laurie Fike, Daniel Budke, Brooke Wesner, Robert Wesner, Neil Sapienza, Judith Shoaff-Reading Advisory Board: Glenn Edgerton, Sylvia McNair, Cynthia Newland, Jane Startzman, Michael Uthoff
A 1940’s Nutcracker VIP Cocktail Hour: Entertainment: Ashland High School Sing and Swing Catering by Doc’s Deli contributed by Lori Thompson and Natalie Wesner Goschinski Poinsettia’s donated by Possum Run Greenhouse
M i s s i o n S tat e m e n t Neos Dance Theatre’s mission is to advance dance related education by student training, intensive summer study, and master classes; raise awareness of the dance arts; culturally enrich Northern Ohio through performance of high quality dance by obtaining and presenting the widest range of repertoire possible.
N e o s D a n c e T h e at r e Special Thanks: Andy Gardner, Kathy Hilton, Chris and Laurie Fike, Neos Dance Theatre’s Board of Directors, Richard and Helen Wesner, Mike Goschinski and the Fin Feather and Fur, Drs. Heringhaus Family Dentistry, Rick Kleshinski and Kleshinski Morrison & Morris , Liberty Wells Combs, Tara Corrigan, Cypress Hill Winery, Engwiller Properties, Mansfield Memorial Museum, Sylvia McNair and Kevin Cole, Kelly Knowlton, Athens Greek Restaurant, Lynd Media, iHeart Radio, Neil Sapienza, Dale Dong, Bryce Millikin, Kara Stewart, Richland Source and Jay Allred, MT Business Technology, AHS Sing and Swing Choir, Mr. and Mrs. Grey, Mr. and Mrs. Edmonds, Judith and Loyal Bemiller, Jeannie and Bruce Haapalainen, Brian Gladden, Downtown Mansfield Inc., Jen and Brooks Whitmore. Nutcracker Committee: Diana Hostettler, Natalie Wesner-Goschinski, Lori Thompson, Jody Thomae, and Laurie Fike Special Thanks for Neos Dance Theatre’s ballet teachers: Brian Murphy, Tyler Schnese, Brooke Wesner, Juliana Freude, Bobby Wesner, Kara Stewart, Christina Foisie, Shauna Conzaman
Special Thank You to Dale and Jody Thomae for sponsoring tickets to the U.S. Veterans
Our Partners, Sponsors, and Collaborators
About Neos Company History With a new office home at The University of Akron and a highly valued performance and education presence throughout Northeast Ohio — especially in Cuyahoga, Hancock, Lorain, Richland and Summit counties — Neos has gained a reputation for artistic excellence, adventurous programming, and passionate community collaborations. Energized by classical and contemporary choreography, Neos has showcased works by Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s resident choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo, Heinz Poll, George Balanchine, and Penny Saunders. Neos director and Co-Founder Bobby Wesner has choreographed four evening-length ballets for Neos Dance Theatre and produced an additional ballet by resident choreographer MaryElizabeth Fenn. Sought-after as a performer and partner, Neos has and/or is collaborating with the Akron Art Museum (November 2016), Akron Symphony (March 2017), City of Akron’s Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival, Akron Civic Theatre, Ashland’s Guy C. Meyers Bandshell, Ashland Regional Ballet, Ashland Symphony, Ashland University, Belhaven University in Mississippi, Cain Park, Cleveland’s Playhouse Square, Cleveland Pops Orchestra, Dance Institute and Dance Program at The University of Akron, Dancing Wheels, Downtown Akron Partnership, Findlay Academy of Ballet, Lakeside Chautauqua, Mansfield Symphony, Oberlin College, The Ohio State University, Verb Ballets, and many more. And, reaching beyond Northeast Ohio, Neos has toured to 10 states, including Georgia where it performed along the coast this past season.
Proud supporters of the Arts. designers of The Renaissance Theatre & The Brickyard.
240 Park Ave. West, Mansfield, OH 44903 Office: 419-524-5050 • Fax: 419-524-5062 • seckelgroup.com
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In April 2014, for example, Neos joined forces with The University of Akron’s Dance Institute, Dance Program, and E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall for a new full-length ballet titled Snow White and the Magic Mirror, A Grimm Tale. This December, Neos presents A 1940s Nutcracker in both Mansfield, at the Renaissance Theatre featuring the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra, and Findlay at the Marathon Performing Arts Center. In March 2016, Neos received a significant and highly competitive arts challenge grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. With Knight’s support, Neos’ dance.r.evolution will expand and engage audiences, by bringing together its classically trained choreographers with local urban dancers, graffiti artists and urban/pop musicians to learn from each other. After a yearlong creative process, the group will blend their different styles to produce a performance throughout the Akron community.
Performance Season 20 1 6 -1 7 S ea s o n S p o n s o r
Oberlin Dance Festival, June 24, Tappan Square, Oberlin, OH Oberlin Dance Intensive @ Oberlin College Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival, July 22 and 23, Firestone Park, Akron, OH Ballet @ the Brickyard, July 30, @ the Brickyard, Mansfield, OH Featuring Sylvia McNair and other local artists Masque of the Red Death, Guest Appearance - Oct. 29, Akron’s Civic Theatre Symbiosis, November 12, Akron OH, Akron Art Museum, funded in part by National Endowment for the Arts A 1940’s Nutcracker December 10, Mansfield, OH With Mansfield Symphony Orchestra through a gift by The Richland County Foundation December 16 and 17, Findlay, OH First Night Akron ~ December 31, Akron, OH Cleveland Pops concert, January 21, Severance Hall, Cleveland, OH Cleveland Institute of Music, February 4, Severance Hall, Cleveland OH Mansfield Symphony Orchestra, February 18, Renaissance Theatre, Mansfield OH Akron Symphony Orchestra, March 17, E.J. Thomas Hall, Akron, OH Oberlin Dance Company: Guest Appearance, April 28 and 29, Oberlin, OH February – April, ongoing residency at Oberlin College World Premiere of Holly Handman-Lopez work for Neos Dance Theatre dance.r.evolution Unannounced date and location April/May - World Premiere of Mary-Elizabeth Fenn’s project includin guest-urban artists. Funded in part by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Akron Art Challenge Boots and Ballet, A Night at the Races, May 6, Raemelton Therapeutic Equestrian Center, Mansfield, OH
online @ neosdancetheatre.org
Norman Huynh, Guest Conductor, Mansfield Symphony Orchestra Norman Huynh is the newly appointed Harold and Arlene Schnitzer Associate Conductor for the Oregon Symphony. In this position he is responsible for conducting family, youth education and specials concerts, as well as assisting for the masterworks series. For the 2016/2017 season, Norman makes his debut with the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra and has been reengaged with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and the Princess Galyani Vadhana Youth Orchestra of Thailand. Prior to moving to Oregon, Norman served as the Assistant Conductor for the Portland Symphony Orchestra in Maine from 2013-2016. Through this position, he visited over sixty schools and implemented Symphony and Spirits, a series that has brought over 500 new concert-goers under the age of forty to PSO performances. In his final season, Norman was notified last minute to conduct a masterworks concert which the Portland Press Herald stated, “Overall, he had the orchestra sounding warm and robust, and he created a strong parting impression of a young conductor with clear ability and a strong interpretive will..” Throughout his career, Norman has conducted the Baltimore Symphony, Toledo Symphony, Charlotte Symphony, Virginia Symphony, Macon Symphony and Peabody Symphony Orchestra. Most recently he was a conducting fellow at the 2016 Aspen Music Festival and School under the tutelage of Robert Spano. In 2015, Norman shared the podium with New York Philharmonic Music Director Emeritus, Kurt Masur at the Manhattan School of Music. Subsequently, he was awarded the 2015 Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy Scholarship to work privately with the Maestro culminating in a concert with the Leipzig Symphony Orchestra at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig. He has served as an assistant conductor for Spoleto Festival U.S.A., Opera Carolina, the Lyric Opera of Baltimore, Peabody Opera Theatre, and The Peabody Singers. During the 2011-2013 seasons, Norman was a cover conductor for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra working with Music Director Marin Alsop and Guest Conductors Juanjo Mena, Vasily Petrenko and Christoph König.In the summer of 2014, Norman was a participant at the Tanglewood Music Center’s Conducting Seminar with Stefan Asbury. In 2010 and 2011, Norman won the International Conducting Workshop and Competition held in Macon, Georgia.
SYNOPSIS: Neos Dance Theatre's A 1940's Nutcracker ACT ONE: The setting is Christmas Eve in Mansfield, Ohio, in the 1940s. Marie is a wistful young girl about 13 years old, and she lives with her mother, her younger twin sisters, and her younger brother Gus, while her father is off at war. Marie has a crush on her next-door neighbor Johnny, and they meet outside Maria's home, where she and her friend are playing and dancing. Everyone is excited about Christmas Eve and there is magic in the air as Marie's puppy love for her next-door neighbor blossoms. When Mother calls Maria inside to help get ready for the party, she sneaks Johnny into the house and Mother allows him to stay. Soon party guests begin to arrive. Grandpa turns up the music on the old radio and everyone is dancing and enjoying himself, when suddenly Marie's father walks through the door, shocking Marie's family, who immediately run to greet him. Father is overjoyed to see his family and friends and announces that he has brought gifts from his world travels to share with the children. In addition to his gifts, he has brought along a special guest: Jane Jacobs Badini, the All American Girls Professional Baseball League pitcher from Cuyahoga Falls. She sign autographs for the children and entertain them with their all-star moves. As the party leaves the living room to start dinner, Father gives Marie her special gift - a Nutcracker doll. Marie loves her gift and dances with her Nutcracker, so happy that her father was thinking of her while he was at war. Johnny interrupts Marie's dance and teases her, and as the two scuffle, the Nutcracker breaks. Marie is upset but Johnny fixes the Nutcracker and all is well. The guests return to the living room and continue dancing, and Grandma and Grandpa dance a special dance and then say goodnight to the party. The rest of the guests begin to leave and Mother and Father put Marie and her siblings to bed. Marie realizes she has left her Nutcracker on the davenport, and she returns to the living room, scoops up her doll, and falls asleep. A strange dream begins, where small house mice become life sized, and the living room grows to giant proportions. A Rat King appears to lead his army of mice to attack the Nutcracker. Suddenly Marie's Father appears and transforms her Nutcracker into a life-sized doll. The Nutcracker calls an army of soldiers, and they battle with the mice and Rat King under the now giant Christmas tree. Just as the Nutcracker and his army are about to win the battle, the Rat King stabs the Nutcracker, and as he falls to the
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floor, Marie takes off her slipper and strikes the Rat King on his head, killing him. As Marie grieves the death of her Nutcracker, she pledges her love to him and he comes back to life, magically transformed into a princely stature of her next-door neighbor Johnny. He and Marie dance together lovingly as the room melts away and he leads her though the window to a magical snowy land. The pair is greeted by snow dancing snowflakes that dance for her and sends them on an enchanted journey to another world. ACT TWO: The curtain rises as Johnny takes Marie into a magical journey throughout the Richland County area in the early 1940's. The glamorous department store ladies from O'NIELS offer Marie hats and jewelry; she is entertained at the movies inside the Ohio Theatre. Rubber workers from Mansfield Tire impress her with their hard work for the war effort. The newspaper boy from the Mansfield News-Journal brings her news that the war is almost over, and the high society women from the Woman's Club grace her with a concert. The strong and faithful factory women give Marie life sized Shirley Temple dolls that they produced in Akron, with a leading industry in toy manufacturing. Johnny and Marie join the locals at the Greystone nightclub for dancing and photographs taken by the 'Lightbulb Girls". Finally they meet local celebrities Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall and enjoy watching them dance. All the folks Marie and Johnny have met throughout their journey return and in a flurry of magic, Marie is transported back to her home. When she awakens on her doorstep, she is blanketed in Johnny's coat with her Nutcracker doll at her side, and she wonders.....was it all a dream? Or did she indeed take a magical journey throughout all of Mansfield?
419.289.5052 | enrollme@ashland.edu | www.ashland.edu
Neos Dance Theatre’s A 1940’s Nutcracker featuring the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra, members of Ballet Wooster and The Findlay Academy of Ballet ACT ONE Marie Hoffman – Mary-Elizabeth Fenn Maria’s Friend Helen – Brianna Habel Johnny (next door neighbor)– Ethan Michael Lee Mom, Dorothy Hoffman – Anna Trumbo Grandma – Juliana Freude Grandpa – Katlin Bourgeois Moms Friend Betty – Kassandra Lee Aunt Gladys – Brooke Wesner Aunt Ruth – Katherine Tackett Injured Soldier, James – Matthew Roberts Dad, Robert Hoffman– Bobby Wesner Jane Badini – baseball player, Rebekah Grey Carl Bachman – Brian Jones Gus – Gus Cleary Older Party Girls – Anna Qu, Sara Daugherty, Neena Shell Sisters – Nadia Franks, Jayla Davidson Sisters’ young Friend – Vivian Franks Rat King – Brian Jones Soldiers – Nina Schultz, Carrie Boak, Chloe Gettles, Katie Ritchey, Annamarie McLain, Persis Yoder, Lauren Segura G.I. Joe – Gus Cleary Andrews Sisters – Minnie Pozefsky, Darienne Davidson, Laura Rapport Mice – Jayla Davidson, Addilynn Musser, Olivia Yockey-Carnes, Nadia Franks, Mekah Wesner, Arowyn Wesner Snow Flakes – Brooke Wesner, Brianna Habel, Juliana Freude, Anna Trumbo, Rebekah Grey, Kassandra Lee, Katherine Tackett
ACT TWO Angels – Jayla Davidson, Addilynn Musser, Olivia Yockey-Carnes, Nadia Franks, Laura Rapport, Mekah Wesner, Arowyn Wesner Angel Elders – Kassandra Lee, Rebekah Grey, Katherine Tackett Lauren Bacall – Brooke Wesner Humphrey Bogart – Bobby Wesner Department Store Ladies – Anna Trumbo, Brianna Habel, Kassandra Lee
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Newspaper Delivery Boy – Mathew Roberts Rosie the Riveters – Anna Qu, Sara Daugherty, Neena Shell Tuesday Musical Club – Victorie Wurm, Laura Schalk, Caitlyn Smith Mai West – Juliana Freude with Matthew Roberts and Katlin Bourgeois Shirley Temple – Addilynn Musser, Gretta Smith, Ruth Finney, Madelynn Whyte, Vivian Franks, Sarah Miyashita, Arowyn Wesner Greystone Club – Marie and Johnny – Mary-Elizabeth Fenn and Ethan Michael Lee 5 Cigarette Girls – Anna Trumbo, Brianna Habel, Rebekah Grey, Juliana Freude, Kassandra Lee, Katherine Lee Entertainers – Matthew Roberts and Katlin Bourgeois Children’s Chorus, Lori Turner, Director Zavier Alterio, Abby Beckstein, Hannah Billheimer, Gracie Dotson Kera Gardner, Abby Heininger, Sarah Heininger, Ada Johnson, Pippa Johnson, Hannah Oberlin*, Anna Perkins, Ella Schag, Naomi Schag, McKenna Stoffer, Makayla Swiderski, Emily Woods *director’s assistant Mansfield Symphony Orchestra Violin I - Concert Master Mary Ellen Price Assistant Concert Master Daley Biddle Ania Kolodey Stephen Domka Cheryl Markley Violin II - Principal Tim Cuffman Megan Benchwich Susan Smith Viola - Principal Geoffrey Fischer Sharon Blaydes Norma Jean Stanford Cello - Principal Eric Graf Lindsay Brown Danae Arnold Bass – Acting Principal Grant Brown Douglas Wright Flute - Principal Linda Madsen Linda Kearney
Oboe - Acting Principal Martin Neubert Andria Hoy Clarinet - Principal Anthony Lojo Evan Lynch Bassoon – Acting Principal Ian Hoy French Horn - Principal Timothy Stewart Scott Strohm Trumpet - Principal Ken Holzworth Issac Winland Trombone - Principal Vincent Guenter Percussion - Principal Jay Ganser Tympani - Principal Julia Ross Piano - Principal Deborah Logan Harp - Principal Deborah Holzworth
Mailing Address: 343 W. Milltown Rd, Suite 136 Wooster, OH 44691
Studio Location: Valley College Grange 2411 Shreve Rd Wooster, OH 44691 330-988-8811
balletwooster.org
Ballet Wooster History Established under a new name in May 2015, Ballet Wooster strives to maintain its heritage of outstanding ballet and dance instruction in the Wooster and surrounding communities. Our directors and instructors bring to the classroom over 65 collective years of professional experience as successful directors, teachers, performers, choreographers, mentors, and dance educators. Having established a successful ballet school in 1983, our dance program has grown by leaps and bounds. Since 1990, we have choreographed, staged, and produced 11 narrative ballets including 13 Nutcracker productions, as well as many contemporary and classical pieces. Each instructor is committed to providing their students with proper technical training and individual attention in a healthy and positive environment, as well as sharing the pure joy of dance. For more information, visit www.balletwooster.org.
108 N. Main St. Mansfield, OH (419) 775-5936 martinisonmain.net
C o m pa n y B i o g r a p h i e s BOBBY WESNER, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, his career as a professional dancer with Ballet Arizona, under the direction of Michael Uthoff (now Ib Anderson). During his stay in Phoenix, he had the honor of working with American Classics such as Fredrick Franklin, Daniel Ezralow, Moses Pendelton of Momix, the Artistic Directors of Pilobolus, Kevin O'Day, Jowali Willa Jo Zolar of Urban Bush Woman, and his wife Brooke Wesner. Other great masterpieces that Wesner has performed are the "Profiteer" in The Green Table by Kurt Josse; "Iago" in The Moore's Pavone by Jose Limon; "Tico" in Company B by Paul Taylor, (also in Taylor's Esplanade); three works of Anthony Tudor: Lilac Garden, Leaves are Fading and Continuo; and The Jester in Earnst Uthoff's Carmina Burana. Independently, Wesner has traveled and performed with various companies all over the northeast region of the US and in Italy. As Director and Co-Founder Bobby has choreographed four evening length ballets for Neos Dance Theatre and produced an additional ballet by resident choreographer Mary-Elizabeth Fenn. Neos also performs many of Wesner’s repertory works including Spinning Plates, Various Principals, Norm and Cleo, and more. Bobby and Brooke live in Ashland, Ohio where they raise their four beautiful daughters, Genevieve, Ella, Mekah, and Arowyn. BROOKE WESNER, CO-FOUNDER, started dance at age five under Hellie Schussler for her preprofessional training. Her presence on stage has been said to offer "lyrical melodrama" and "a most prominent...elegance"(The Arizona Republic and the Arizona Daily Star). After studying with master teachers such as Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, Patricia McBride, and Basil Thompson, Brooke started her professional career with the Milwaukee Ballet. With Ballet Arizona she performed the "Snow Queen" and "Arabian" in Ib Anderson's Nutcracker, "Dark Angel" in Balanchine's Serenade, Paul Taylor's Company B; and "Desdemona" in Jose Limon's The Moore's Pavon. Brooke also performed as a soloist in Giselle; the Greentable by Kurt Josse; Lady Lost Found by Danny Ezralow; the original "Bird" in Moses Pendelton's Opus Cactus; HELLBLONDEGROOVE by Kevin O'Day; a "Saloon Girl" in Billy the Kid (while six months pregnant); and Apollo, The Four Temperaments, Agon, Rubies, and Serenade by George Balanchine. She performed with Momix in an international tour where she danced for the President of Italy and shared the stage with James Taylor. Brooke has appeared many times with the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra as a guest artist and with the Arizona Opera in Aida. Her performance quality and technical stamina has intensified now that she is a mother of four. Brooke is the co-founder of Neos Dance Theatre with her husband, Bobby, and they are the parents of four beautiful daughters, Genevieve, Ella, Mekah, and Arowyn. MARY- ELIZABETH FENN, RESIDENT CHOREOGRAPHER, a Wisconsin native trained at Milwaukee Ballet School, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Joffrey Ballet School-NYC, BalletMet, and Point Park University. She has also attended summer programs at Dance New Amsterdam, Juilliard, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and recently attended Northwest Dance Project’s LAUNCH intensive. She was a featured soloist in the DVD live performance of “Unwigged and Unplugged” with Spinal Tap. Mary-Elizabeth has been teaching and choreographing for various studios in Wisconsin for the past five years. She graduated in December 2010 with honors and a BFA in dance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She also had the privilege to perform in works by Luc Vanier, Alwin Nikolais, Simone Ferro, Suniti Dernovsek, Janet Lilly, Garth Fagan, and Ed Burgess. Mary-Elizabeth has choreographed the full length Creole Cinderella and the repertoire piece Hello Mother for Neos Dance Theatre.
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JULIANA FREUDE is a native of Akron, Ohio and trained for twelve years at The University of Akron Dance Institute where she performed as the soloist in The Snow Maiden and received the Gena Carroll Scholarship. Juliana has appeared with The University of Akron Repertory Dance Company in many roles including a soloist in Onda 9 by Ana Lobe, and Letting Go by Travis Gallin. Juliana performed with Nashville Ballet as a trainee in the Nutcracker and was also an apprentice with the Charleston Ballet Theatre. While dancing with the Charleston Ballet she has performed original works such as Rite of Spring, Sleeping Beauty, and Great Gatsby choreographed by Jill Eathorne Bahr. She has worked with Ohio Dance Theatre performing in ballets such as Swan Lake, Fairy Forest, and has danced with Dancing Wheels performing the leading role of Helen Keller, A Tribute to her Teacher choreographed by Christopher Fleming, and Alice in Wonderland by Bobby Wesner. REBEKAH GRAY began training with Ihda Rather Be Dancing and then in high school moved on to the Dance Institute with the University of Akron. While at the Dance Institute, Rebekah trained under Christina Foisie, Kara Stewart, Kay Eichman, and Frank Kosik. Along with her training at the Dance Institute, Rebekah attended Firestone High School under the direction of Kelly Berick. She has had the privilege of performing in various University Of Akron Dance Company pieces, Groundworks’ 2013 performance of the Rite of Spring, and Neos Dance Theatre’s performance of Snow White and the Magic Mirror: A Grimm Tale. Rebekah performed the lead role in the Dance Institute’s performance of the Snow Maiden and will stay on campus at the University of Akron to receive a BA in Dance and a minor in Business. BRIANNA HABEL is happy to be returning to her hometown. She began her training at Nan Klinger’s Excellence in Dance Studio. This led her to become a member of the Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet, now known as Ballet Excel Ohio. Following summer studies at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and American Ballet Theater in New York City, Brianna earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet at the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music. While earning her BFA, Brianna performed principle roles in Walpurgisnacht and Raymonda. During her senior year she was invited to the Cincinnati Ballet as a trainee where she danced for two seasons. She continued her career by spending two seasons with Nashville Ballet. Brianna was most recently dancing with the Nevada Ballet Theater, highlights there included a collaboration with Cirque du Soleil and two Balanchine performances, Serenade and Who Cares. Brianna is excited to be continuing her career with Neos Dance Theater. When not dancing, Brianna is an avid reader and enjoys spending time with her family and rediscovering the local scene. KASSANDRA LEE began her training at SODT under the instruction of Nancy Brenstuhl and Denise Gula. Kassandra spent many years as a pre-profeesional dancing alongside Ohio Dance Theatre in annual productions of the Nutcracker. She also performed in many story ballet’s including Snow White and Peter & the Wolf. Kassandra took her studies to New York City to the Joffery Jazz and Contemporary summer intensive. Since joining Neos Dance Theatre Kassandra has performed in Count…the Legend of Dracula, A 1940’s Nutcracker, and Illustrious Disillusion choreographed by Robert Wesner; works by resident choreographer Mary-Elizabeth Fenn are Nothing In Particular and Nowhere; and guest choreographers work Flight by Penny Saunders. ETHAN MICHAEL LEE is from Canton, Ohio, where he trained at the Canton Ballet for 10 years under the artistic direction of Cassandra Crowley. He also trained with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, and Chautauqua Institution in New York. Ethan has performed with the Canton Ballet dancing the roles of Sugar Plum Cavalier and Nutcracker Prince, among others. He has also appeared in performance with Erie Dance Conservatory, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s Nutcracker, Dance Takes Flight in Zanesville, and Wayne Center for the Arts’ Cinderella and The Nutcracker. He is currently on the faculty at A Time to Dance in North Canton as a ballet and contemporary teacher, and also as the artistic director of A Time to Dance Junior Company. This is Ethan’s third year with Neos Dance Theatre.
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BRIAN MURPHY, DANCER AND CHOREOGRAPHER, has been dancing professionally for 25 years with companies such as Nashville Ballet, Cleveland San Jose Ballet, Richmond Ballet, BalletMet, New Orleans Delta Ensemble, Verb Ballets, GroundWorks Dance Theatre, and Ohio Ballet. As a guest Brian has appeared in Neos Dance Theatre’s Romeo and Juliet as Mercutio, as well as various tours to Portland, Maine and Winston-Salem North Carolina. This is his first full season with Neos Dance Theatre and he is excited to perform a diverse range of classical and contemporary work and teach company classes. Brian will utilize the dancers of Neos Dance Theatre for upcoming independent educational programs and public performances. He and his wife Suzy Rauh Murphy operate Pilates by Murphys in Akron with many faithful clients. MATTHEW ROBERTS is an Ohioan who, at the age of 10, discovered he was bilingual and his real native language was dance. After studying at an Institute and University in Akron, he moved to New York looking to become more fluent and graduated from Marymount Manhattan College in 2013 with a BFA in Dance and concentration in Choreography. There he performed works by Lar Lubovitch, Robert Battle, Jessica Lang, Shen Wei and after graduating performed with Lustig Dance Theatre, Oakland Ballet Company and Awakening Movement. He loves creating dances of his own to share with others and hopes to have a company of his own one-day. This is his first season with Neos Dance Theatre. KATHERINE TACKETT was born in Akron, Ohio. She started dancing at the age of three at a small studio called Abbey Dance Center. When she was six she started to train at the Dance Institute at the University of Akron. There she studied under Ana Lobe, Christina Foise and Kay Eichman just to name a few. While at Dance Institute she performed at the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival for many years. She spent summers training at the Dance Institute and the School of American Ballet. Katherine went to the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music where she graduated with her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet. During a summer intensive at Cincinnati Ballet at the age of 20 she was asked to join the company as a trainee. Katherine danced with the company in the Nutcracker and other various performances with the Cincinnati Ballet Second Company. This is Katherine’s first season with Neos. ANNA TRUMBO originally from Seattle, Washington, trained at Cornish Preparatory Dance and with Stephanie Saland before continuing her training at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City. Her most noted performance while at Joffrey was as “Cowgirl” in Agnes De Mille’s “Rodeo,” of which The New York Times referenced her performance saying, it was “danced with verve, with [Anna] as an appealingly wistful Cowgirl...” Other performances during her study in New York included Septime Weber’s “D-Construction,” Kathryn Posin’s “San Cubano” and “Piano Concerto,” and Gerald Arpino’s “Viva Vivaldi,” and the pas de trois from “Italian Suite.” After receiving her BFA from the New School University, Anna moved to San Francisco to dance with the Oakland Ballet. During her time at Oakland Ballet she performed Ron Guidi’s “Nutcracker,” Robert Garland’s “Joplin Dances, “ Carlos Carvajal’s “Crystal Slipper,” and Michael Lowe’s “Double Happiness.” Anna moved to the area in order for her husband to study at Oberlin’s Conservatory of Music. KATLIN MICHAEL BOURGEOIS, from Gonzales, LA, began his dance training at multiple studios in south Louisiana including A Touch of Class Performing Arts and the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA). After high school he accepted a full scholarship to the Alonzo King LINES Ballet Training Program in San Francisco from which he graduated in 2014. Katlin joined Hubbard Street 2 as an apprentice and was promoted to a contracted position the following year. In his dance career, he has worked with teachers and choreographers at the top of the industry including: Bryan Arias, Sandrine Cassini, Alejandro Cerrudo, Kara Davis, Arturo Fernandez, Shannon Gillen, Maurya Kerr, Dexandro (D) Montalvo, Ihsan Rustem, and Robyn Mineko Williams. Katlin joined DanceWorks Chicago in September 2016.
Friends of Neos Founders’ Support: Andy Gardner, Mike and Natalie Goschinski, Bobby and Brooke Wesner, William and Katherine Kreager, John and Katherine Fernyak, Richard and Arline Landers Foundation, Sonny and Jennifer Bowser, Heidi and Daniel Budke Artistic Director’s Circle: Pryor Foundation, Rand and Mary Smith, Dale and Jody Thomae Choreographer’s Circle: Belinda Bogner and Mark Kroger, Ed and Judy Reading, Cyndee and Larry Snider, Judy and Loyal Bemiller, Rick and Carol Taylor, Fred and Lori Thompson, Peter Savoy and Elizabeth Hecht Designer’s Circle: Francine and Benson Pilloff, William and Shelley Vidmar, Janet Wisner, Willis and Patrecia Waldron, Joseph and Elizabeth Bocka, Timothy and Cindy Adams, Heidi and Brian Zimmerman, Sandy and Tom Brown, Mark and Sandy Arnold, John Siegenthaler, Janet Wisner, Olive Miller, Steven Cummins, Jonathan and Linda Chambers, Robert and Janet Archer, Tom and Theresa Heringhaus, Richard Brokopp Dancer’s Scene: Michael and Carol Chambers, Jonathan and Erin Fain, W.F. Fox Jr., Amy Heringhaus, Carol Kautz, Olive Miller, William Newdome Jr., Christine Niese, Elizabeth Pastor, David and Lori Rinehart, Richard and Christina Lee, Jane Startzman, Deborah Colace, Richard and Salli Rohm, Laurie and Chris Fike, Shauna and Steve Conzaman, Barry Friedman, Daniel and Louis Galat, Neil Sapienza, Audience Member: Harold and Lucy Amsbaugh, Paul R. McCaudy, Melinda Heineking, John and Terry Heringhaus, Mindy Duncan, Nusha Martynuk and Carter McAdams, John Wilde, Susie Fulton, Mary Bolin, James and Elisabeth Morando, Kristin Young, Kent and Barbara Edmonds, Gayle Martin, Becky's School of Dance, Mary and Walt Yoder, William and Cheryl Callis, Charles and Lisa Clark, Kathleen Graff, Allen Sanford, E. Jean Quinn and Mary Quinn-Herring, Sam and Jean Kaufman, Malinda Heineking, Mary Ann Calhoun, James and Joyce Curry Friends: Billy Brandon, Lowell and Janice Smith, Domenico and Diane Lazzerini, Angela Goldbach, Richard and Susan Schuller, Julie Fisher Leonard Neos Dance Theatre is a 501-C-3 non-profit. With your support, Neos is able to bring a steady creation of new choreography, wide range of repertoire, and passion for community involvement.
Consider donating to our Friends Campaign with convenient online links
Join Neos Friends Campaign Each year gifts from individuals, local businesses, corporations and foundations provide operating support for Neos Dance Theatre. These donations help us continue Neos’ public performances, educational programs, events, and collaborative efforts throughout the area — initiatives that add great and far-reaching value to life in our communities. Thank you for your ticket purchase. Your presence at this performance is very important to us. If you like what we are doing please consider donating to the Friends campaign with your tax deductible contribution. Your name(s): _____________________________________________________ $ ________________ contribution amount Address: _________________________________________________________ Phone:________________________________ Email address _________________________________ Please accept my Credit Card Payment - VISA - M/C - Discover - Check Acct. # ______________________________________Exp. Date ___________ CVC# __________ Signature______________________________________________________ Name as it should appear in program _________________________________ _____ Anonymous Send this section with payment to: Neos Dance Theatre, 101 North Main Street, Mansfield, OH 44902
Prefer to talk with us about a gift? Please contact us at info@neosdancetheatre.org or (330)595-4650. Neos is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and donations are tax deductible.
N E O S D A N C E T H E AT R E
and Raemelton Therapeutic Equestrian Center P r e s e n ts
B o ot s a n d B a l l e t
K e n t u cky D erby N i g h t a t the r aces
F u n d r a i s e r for two great local non-profits Locat ion: Reamelton Therapeutic Equestrian Center 569 South Trimble Road, Mansfield, Ohio
May 6, 2017 Ticket and Information Link: neosdancetheatre.org
Take more chances, DANCE MORE DANCES For all of your sports medicine, rehabilitation and therapy needs, call 419-207-BONE (2663) or visit UHSamaritan.org.
Š 2016 University Hospitals SMC 00037
7/30-31, 8/6-7 9/9-11 9/17 9/30 10/16 10/21 10/23 10/29 11/12-13, 19-20 11/13 12/4 12/10 12/17-18 1/7 1/22 1/27 2/4-5 2/18 3/4-5, 11-12 3/19 3/25 3/26 3/31, 4/1-2 4/8 4/20-22 4/27 4/30 5/7 5/13 5/20 5/27-28 6/6
Beauty and the Beast MY Theatre: School of Rock MSO Pops: Oh What a Night Here Come the Mummies Sing Out! A Choral Celebration Classic Movie and Organ Concert: Phantom of the Opera Teddy Bear Concert: The Science of Sound MSO Masterworks: Musical Diversity in the Americas A Christmas Carol MSYS: Fall Concert MSYO: Holiday Prelude Neos: A 1940s Nutcracker MSO: Holiday Pops Diamond Rio Teddy Bear Concert: The Finger-Painted Sound The Second City’s Game Night RYOT: Gondoliers/Pinocchio MSO Pops: When Swing Was King Sister Act Teddy Bear Concert: Goldilocks & The Three Bears MSO Masterworks: Strife and Victory! MSYS: Spring Concert MY Theatre: Shrek the Musical Friends of the Bob and Tom Comedy Tour Hot Mess: A Lethal New Musical Arrival: A Tribute to ABBA Mansfield Symphony Chorus: Sing into Spring MSYO: Spring Concert MSO Masterworks: Take Me to Your Leader Classic Albums Live: The Eagles - Hotel California RYOT: Little Johnny Jones Season Preview Party
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Adventure Is out there. We’ll help you find it. Fin Feather Fur Outfitters is a locally owned and operated grass roots sporting goods company that has been in business over 30 years and now has five locations in Northeast Ohio. As proud supporters of the community and the arts, The Fin would like to extend it’s support to Neos Dance Theatre and all of their performances this year.
PROUD TO BE
ASHLAND • MIDDLEBURG • CANTON BOARDMAN •MILAN
www.finfeatherfur.com