Robert Wesner
Artistic Director
S eason S p ons ors
With Support from:
Robert and Esther Black Family Foundation Fred B. and Marian J. Hout Fund
The Hire Family Foundation Carl and Annamarie Fernyak Fund
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, Robert and Esther Black Family Foundation & Fred B. and Marian J. Hout Fund 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
A 1940’s Nutcracker. 3 great locations: December 3, Findlay, OH Marathon Performing Arts Center December 9 -10, Mansfield, OH at the Renaissance Theatre December 15, 16 & 17, Elyria, OH at Stocker Center for the Arts First Night Akron - December 31 Akron, OH
Chance to Dance, Pointe of the Evening March 24, Findlay OH, Marathon Performing Arts Center Carmina Burana Canton Symphony Orchestra April 21, Zimmermann Symphony Center
Carrollton GA. Tour - Info TBA Winston Salem Symphony Orchestra dance.r.evolution December 31 TBD - World Premiere of Winston Salem, North Carolina Mary-Elizabeth Fenn’s project including guest-urban Petrushka, by Stravinsky artists. Funded in part by the John Akron Symphony Orchestra S. and James L. Knight Foundation February 9, E.J. Thomas Hall, Akron Art Challenge Akron OH Firelands Symphony Orchestra February 25, tentative Firelands Symphony Orchestra March 10, Sandusky OH
online @ neosdancetheatre.org
Neos in Ashland with Sylvia McNair March 17, Ashland, OH Archer Auditorium Saturday, March 17 8:00 p.m. Archer Auditorium Tickets: 419.289.5125, ashland.edu/tickets or at door Artists-in-Residence: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday March 14, 15, 16
Neos Dance Theatre, Artists-in-Residence, Master classes, art shows, lectures Ashland City Schools and Ashland University and Various city locations , Visit info@neosdancetheatre.org With Support from - Taylor Family Foundation, ARTSDREAM, Ashland County Community Foundation
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
Richard and Arline Landers Foundation
419.289.5052 | enrollme@ashland.edu | www.ashland.edu
A 1940’s Nutcracker Mansfield, Ohio December 9th & 10th
Company Artistic Director, Robert Wesner Co-Founder, Brooke Wesner Lighting Designer, Dennis Dugan Stage Manager, Christopher J. Ha Director of Education and Outreach, DeMarcus Akeem Suggs Resident Choreographer, Mary-Elizabeth Fenn Special Effects, Andy Gardner Graphic Design and Marketing volunteer, Kathy Hilton Set Construction: Kirsten Williams Costume Design and Construction, Janet Bolick Dancers: Mary-Elizabeth Fenn, Juliana Freude, Brianna Habel, Kassandra Lee, Ethan Michael Lee, Kaleb Reilly, Matthew Roberts, Carson Sandiford, Katherine Tackett, Anna Trumbo, Brooke Wesner Apprentices: Rebekah Grey, Ali LeBay Guest Artists: Alexis Britford & Kasha Hilton Board of Directors Findlay: Edward Reading, Daniel Budke, Judith Shoaff-Reading Akron: Cyndee Snider, Kara Stewart, Neil Sapienza Ashland/Mansfield: Mark Jenkins, Doug Marrah, Jody Thomae, Laurie Fike, Brooke Wesner, Robert Wesner Advisory Board: Glenn Edgerton, Sylvia McNair, Cynthia Newland, Jane Startzman, Michael Uthoff Director of Findlay Academy of Ballet, Judy Reading A 1940’s Nutcracker VIP Cocktail Hour: Sponsored by TASCO Catering by ‘A 1940’s Nutcracker’ Committee Poinsettias donated by Sandy Hill Fruit Farm
Special Thanks: Special Thanks: Andy Gardner, Kathy Hilton, Chris and Laurie Fike, Neos Dance Theatre’s Board of Directors, Richard and Helen Wesner, Mike and Natalie Goschinski, Drs. Heringhaus Family Dentistry, Rick Kleshinski and Kleshinski Morrison & Morris, Liberty Wells Combs, Tara Corrigan, Fin Feather and Fur Outfitters, 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, Judith and Loyal Bemiller, Brian Gladden, Downtown Mansfield Inc., Jan Archer, Marcy Myers, Sue Shafer, Marty Bossler Lee, Betty Perry, Ashland High School administrative offices, Sandy Hill Fruit Farm, Hobby Lobby, The Renaissance Theatre ‘team’, Stephanie Grist Nutcracker Committee: Diana Hostettler, Natalie Wesner-Goschinski, Lori Thompson, Laurie Fike and Kara Mumea
Special Thank You to Dale and Jody Thomae for sponsoring tickets to the U.S. Veterans “Thank you for the Poinsettias” sandyhillfruitfarms.com
N E O S D A N C E T H E AT R E I S G E N E R O U S LY F U N D E D B Y
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 Mary-Elizabeth 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. 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.
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
Octavio Más-Arocas, Guest Conductor, Mansfield Symphony Orchestra Octavio Más-Arocas is a versatile and dynamic conductor whose achievements demonstrate his talent and musicianship. The 2017-18 season marks the beginning of two new positions for Más-Arocas as he starts his tenures as the Music Director and Conductor of the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra in Ohio and as the Director of Orchestras at Ithaca College in New York. An award-winner conductor, Mr. Más-Arocas won the Robert J. Harth Conducting Prize at the Aspen Music Festival, the Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy Award, given by Kurt Masur, is the recipient of the Thelma A. Robinson Award from the Conductors Guild, a Prize Winner of the Third European Conductors Competition, and a winner of the National Youth Orchestra of Spain Conductors Competition. In 2012, Mr. Más-Arocas was selected by the League of American Orchestra to conduct the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra in a showcase event during the League’s National Conference in Dallas. Chosen by Kurt Masur, Mr. Más-Arocas was awarded the prestigious Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy Scholarship. Consequently, he worked as Maestro Masur’s assistant with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and the Helsinki Radio Orchestra, and made his German conducting debut with the Leipziger Symphonieorchester. The offer came after Mr. Más-Arocas’ New York debut concert sharing the podium with Maestro Masur and the Manhattan School of Music Symphony. Mr. Más-Arocas served as Principal Conductor of the Green Bay Symphony Orchestra, Wisconsin, and held the positions of Director of Orchestral Studies and Opera Conductor at the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music in Wisconsin, Director of Orchestral Studies and Associate Professor of Conducting at the Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music in Ohio, Director of Orchestras at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, Resident Conductor of the Sewanee Summer Music Festival in Tennessee, and Assistant conductor of the National Repertory Orchestra in Colorado. In 2013, simultaneously to his work with the Lawrence Symphony Orchestra, Mr. Más-Arocas was the Resident Conductor of the Unicamp Symphony Orchestra in Campinas, Brazil, where he also was a Visiting Professor of conducting at the Universidade Estadual de Campinas. Mr. Más-Arocas spends part of his summers and winters in the Grand Traverse area, where he has developed a relationship guest conducting the Traverse City Orchestra and continues his association as guest conductor at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. In addition, he has worked with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra as a regular cover conductor. In the last few years Mr. Más-Arocas has conducted orchestra across North and South America and Europe including the Filarmonica George Enescu in Romania, the Granada City Orchestra in Spain, the Leipziger Symphonieorchester in Germany, the Orquestra Sinfônica da Unicamp in Brazil, the Green Bay, Traverse City, Fort Worth, Spokane, Toledo, Phoenix, Memphis, Kansas City, and San Antonio Symphonies, the National Repertory Orchestra, the Manhattan School of Music Symphony, the orchestras of Viana do Castelo and Artave in Portugal, the Interlochen Philharmonic, the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico Philharmonic, the Rosario Symphony in Argentina, Kharkov Symphony in Ukraine, the National Youth Orchestras of Portugal and Spain, the Pescara Symphony in Italy, the Amsterdam Brass in the Netherlands, and the Ciudad Alcala de Henares Symphony. In addition, Mr. Más-Arocas has served as assistant conductor at the Madrid Royal Opera House. Mr. Más-Arocas was assistant conductor of the National Repertory Orchestra, which he conducted in subscription, family, and pops concerts. As the Resident Conductor at the Sewanee Summer Music Festival he conducted the Festival, Symphony, and Cumberland Orchestras. Other festival appearances include the Aspen Music Festival, the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, the Festival Internacional Carlos Gomes in Campinas, Brazil, the Interlochen Music Festival, the Bach Festival at Baldwin Wallace University, and
Octavio Más-Arocas biography con’t the MidAmerican Center for Contemporary Music. His ability to work, inspire, and transform young talents has lead him to be a frequent guest conductor with prominent music education organizations and ensembles around the world. He has worked with the World Youth Symphony Orchestra, the national youth orchestras of Portugal and Spain, has conducted All-State Honor Orchestras, and has been in residence with university orchestras in Chicago, Portugal, and Brazil. Mr. Más-Arocas has lead tours with the National Youth Orchestra “Templarios” of Portugal, the Interlochen Symphony, the Baldwin Wallace Symphony, and toured Argentina with the Silleda Wind Symphony. Mr. Más-Arocas is an alumnus of the prestigious American Academy of Conducting at Aspen, where he studied with David Zinman. He completed doctoral studies and his main mentors include Kurt Masur, Harold Farberman, and Emily Freeman Brown.
Mansfield Symphony Orchestra Violin I - Concert Master Mary Ellen Price Oboe - Principal Alexander Curtis Assistant Concert Master Daley Biddle Theresa Procopio (sub) Core Ania Kolodey Clarinet - Principal Anthony Lojo Cheryl Markley Pamela Ellis Violin II - Principal Saki Kurose Bassoon – Principal Ian Hoy Melina Skidmore Megan Benchwich (sub) French Horn - Principal Timothy Stewart Anne Rising Scott Strohm Viola - Principal Geoffrey Fischer Core Sharon Blaydes Norma Jean Stanford Cello - Principal Chauncey Aceret Jill Wright-Crist Margaret Womack (sub)
Trumpet - Principal Ken Holzworth Issac Winland Trombone - Principal Vincent Guentner Percussion - Principal Elizabeth Procopio Tympani - Principal Tyler Niemeyer
Bass – Principal Kynan Horton-Thomas Piano - Principal Deborah Logan Grant Brown Harp - Principal Deborah Holzworth Flute - Principal Linda Madsen Linda Kearney
108 N. Main St. Mansfield, OH (419) 775-5936 martinisonmain.net
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 floor, Marie takes off her slipper and strikes the Rat King on his head,
SYNOPSIS con’t
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?
Season 49 Concerts October 22, 2017 1:30pm, 4:00pm | Warner Concert Hall January 21, 2018 1:30pm, 4:00pm | Finney Chapel March 25, 2018 3:30pm | Finney Chapel
Based at Oberlin Conservatory of Music, NOYO is a regional orchestra training program that attracts gifted young musicians age 8-22. NOYO’s ensembles—the Philharmonia Orchestra, Sinfonietta Strings, Amati Strings, and Wind Symphony— rehearse weekly and receive intensive coaching. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
www.noyo.org | noyo@noyo.org 39 S. Main St., Ste. 244 Oberlin, OH 44074 (440) 775-3059
Neos Dance Theatre’s A 1940’s Nutcracker featuring the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra December 9 and December 10 ACT ONE Marie Hoffman – 12/9 Mary-Elizabeth Fenn, 12/10 Kassandra Lee Marie’s Friend Helen – Brianna Habel Johnny (Marie’s next door neighbor) – 12/9 Matthew Roberts, 12/10 Kaleb Reilly Johnny’s Friend Chuck – Carson Sandiford Mom, Dorothy (Dot) Hoffman – 12/9 Brooke Wesner, 12/10 Anna Trumbo Grandma – Juliana Freude Grandpa – Brett Drummond Moms Friend Betty – Ali LeBay Aunt Gladys – 12/9 Anna Trumbo, 12/10 Brooke Wesner Aunt Ruth – Katherine Tackett Injured Soldier, James – Ethan Michael Lee Dad, Robert (Bob) Hoffman – DeMarcus Akeem Suggs Jane Bandini, baseball player – 12/9 Kassandra Lee, 12/10 Mary-Elizabeth Fenn Carl Bachman (Basket Ball Player) & Rat King – 12/9 Kaleb Reilly, 12/10 Matthew Roberts Snow Queen – 12/9 Anna Trumbo , 12/10 Brooke Wesner Snow Flakes – 12/9 Brianna Habel, Juliana Freude, Katherine Tackett, Ali LeBay, Kasha Hilton, Alexis Britford, Kassandra Lee 12/10 Anna Trumbo, Rebekah Gray, Brianna Habel, Juliana Freude, Katherine Tackett, Ali LeBay, Kasha Hilton Alexis Britford ACT TWO Angels – 12/9 Ali LeBay, Brianna Habel, Anna Trumbo 12/10 Katherine Tackett, Brianna Habel, Ali LeBay Lauren Bacall – 12/9 Brooke Wesner, 12/10 Mary-Elizabeth Fenn Humphrey Bogart – 12/9 Carson Sandiford,12/10 Matthew Roberts Department Store Ladies – 12/9 Habel, Kassandra Lee & Anna Trumbo; 12/10 Brianna Habel, Juliana Freude & Katherine Tackett Newspaper Delivery Boy – 12/9 Kaleb Reilly, 12/10 Carson Sandiford
Cast con’t
Women’s Club Committee Chair – 12/9 Katherine Tackett, 12/10 Anna Trumbo Mae West -12/9 Juliana Freude with Kaleb Reilly & Ethan Michael Lee 12/10 Brooke Wesner with Carson Sandiford and Ethan Michael Lee Night Club Dancers – 12/9 Mary-Elizabeth Fenn & Matthew Roberts w/ Brianna Habel, Kasha Hilton, Katherine Tackett, Alexis Britford, Ali LeBay, Ethan Michael Lee, Kaleb Reilly, Anna Trumbo, 12/10 Kassandra Lee and Kaleb Reilly w/ Carson Sandiford, Juliana Freude, Brianna Habel, Kasha Hilton, Katherine Tackett, Alexis Britford, Ali LeBay, Ethan Michael Lee Findlay Academy of Ballet Cast: Findlay Rehearsal Director – Judy Reading Gus and GI Joe – Gus Cleary Twins – Airi Kato & Miki Kawamura Party Scene Girls – Emi Kawamura, Lindsey Stultz Friend of the Twins – Rylee Orchard Mice – Airi Kato, Rylee Orchard, Lauren Baker, Karlee Coldren, Yumeri Kato, Natalie Horn, Harper Derr, Moriah Stacy Andrew Sisters – Emi Kawamuri, Lindsey Stultz, Christina Horn Soldiers – Kendra Tossey, Shawna Bartson, Emma Cook, Miki Kawamura, Amber Bihn Lead Angel – Miki Kawamura Angels – Chloe Rumschlag, Airi Kato, Rylee Orchard, Lauren Baker, Karlee Coldren, Yumeri Kato, Natalie Horn, Harper Derr, Moriah Stacy Shirley Temple – Grace Harrington, Peyton Griffin, Ellie Rumschlag Rosie the Riveters – Emi Kawamura, Christina Horn, Lindsey Stultz Women’s Club – Lydia Mattingly, Caitlin Smith The Band: Kaylie Fellrath, Kara Fellrath, Kelsey Adams, Marin Chenevey Children’s Chorus, Lori Turner, Director Zavier Alterio, Kadelyn Becker, Abby Beckstein, Jolie Booker, Allison Burkett, Lilly Casey, Kera Gardner, Amy Gardner, Mikayla Gibson, Aubrey Hastings, Sarah Heininger, Ada Johnson, Pippa Johnson,Lily Kime, McKinnley King, Aubrey Miller, Cole Porter, Sarah Porter, Chloe Reel, Jenna Reitler, McKenna Stoffer, Elyana Weaver
Robert Wesner, Neos Artistic Director, event planner, choreographer and is a busy father of four beautiful daughters, Genevieve, Ella, Mekah and Arowyn.
Brooke Wesner is a busy mother of four beautiful daughters, Genevieve, Ella, Mekah and Arowyn. When she isn’t in the studio she enjoys frequenting their many activities. She can also be found on the lawn mower or digging herself out of a pile of laundry. She finds solace in reading her bible and red wine. Alexis Britford: An avid lover of tacos, warm flaky pastries and hugs that make the world disappear.
Mary-Elizabeth Ruthann Fenn is originally from Wisconsin. She loves going out and dancing like a weirdo. She likes podcasts, wellness books and the moon. She feels extremely grateful to dance and choreograph for Neos. You can often find her talking with her hands and saying “Ok, cool!” Juliana Freude: Her favorite Akron eateries El Rincon and Luigi’s. She loves a good beer, Broadway shows, good books and motorcycles. During class you can find Juliana wearing her heating pad and enjoying a big cup of coffee. This is Juliana’s ninth season with Neos.
Rebekah Gray: Between rehearsals, you can find her studying and planning her wedding. She loves her mom’s home cooked meals, movie night with her family, and spending time with her golden retriever. Rebekah has been an apprentice with Neos about three years now.
Brianna Habel: Trained at Nan Klinger’s, the Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet (Ballet Excel Ohio), has a BFA from the University of Cincinnati. Spent summers at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and American Ballet Theatre and danced with Cincinnati, Nashville, and Nevada Ballet before joining Neos in 2016. Kasha Hilton: Ohio raised Chicagoan. Geeks out on all things related to the moon, the warm color yellow, Victorian steampunk, gothic fairytales, Buddha, and wild eyed leaping lemurs. Manatees, too. Circles are my favorite, but straight lines and corners are also cool.
Ali Lebay loves camping, traveling, reading, horseback riding, snowboarding, acting, fruit, and Jane Austin. After her dance career she plans to teach English abroad. She is over the moon excited to be experiencing her first season with NEOS.
Ethan Michael Lee: In the last 5 years with Neos I have loved performing the wide range of work we do every year. In my spare time I enjoy teaching dance/choreographing and cooking.
Kassandra Lee’s favorite cities she’s visited so far include Denver, NOLA, and Madrid. She somehow owns multiple yellow sweaters and loves all things Harry Potter. Kassandra can often be found hanging with her dog, Puppers, and is always down for an adventure.
Kaleb Reilly began dancing with Neos in the summer of 2017, and he loves being a part of this company’s work. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife, experiencing nature, playing music, and eating!
Matthew Roberts: Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. (Romans 12:12) Until God opens the next door, I’ll praise Him in the hallway
Carson Sandiford previously with the Cleveland Ballet and Joffrey Ballet Concert Group in NY moved to the Cleveland area last year. Has loved working with Neos and exploring the national and metro parks with his wife Rebeca. They also have a cat named Scooter-butt.
DeMarcus Akeem Suggs: Twin Cities, MN native. Montreal, QC is life. I’m such a fan of Neos because of its innovative approach to dance and the versatility of its artists. Check out @NeosCentre4Dance! Ramen is the best food ever created. Denzel Washington is my movie dad #Denzealot
Katie Tackett’s favorite TV shows are The Office, Gilmore Girls and Friends. One day she wants to go to culinary school and open a restaurant. Katie loves Neos because it is a holistic and nurturing environment to grow in as a dancer. Anna Trumbo, an ideal Saturday afternoon must include, a cat in her lap, a full season of a period drama, and a buttered, toasted everything bagel.
Full dancer biographies can be read online at our website and at our online press news archive /link pages - A 1940’s Nutcracker Program 2017 Scan code for link
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 Patricia 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 For omissions and misspellings please contact Neos Dance Theatre immediately - we value your support 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
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