Northeastern Ballet Theatre's The Nutcracker

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Edra Toth | ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Presents

Saturday, December 11, 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm Sunday, December 12, 2:00 pm Dover High School, 25 Alumni Drive, Dover, NH

Poster Design by: Anna Lynn Arts Photos by: Peter Murray

NBT Sponsors:

Northeastern Ballet Theatre is a fiscally sponsored non-profit organization • P.O.Box 1164, Wolfeboro Falls, NH 03896

Bravo to the cast of “The Nutcracker“ from your friends at El Centenario

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14 Union Street Wolfeboro, NH

Backstage with the Director

Welcome to Northeastern Ballet Theatre’s 2021 production of The Nutcracker! We are grateful to once again celebrate the magic of the season with you in this beautiful state-of-the- art theatre here at Dover High School. From the tiniest mouse to the most elegant pointe dancer, our cast has been perfecting their roles and is eager to share in the wonderment that is The Nutcracker! The Nutcracker starts with a vision, a vision to ignite the imagination and the child in all of us. After many weeks of intensive preparation, a community emerges through hard work, supportive collaboration and artist immersion.

Watching everything unfold is not only personally rewarding, but is also awe-inspiring when the The Nutcracker vision materializes for our audience. As prima ballerina for Boston Ballet Company I danced the role of Sugar Plum Fairy for the first time at age 16 at the old music hall (now the Wang Center) and danced it for the last time at age 45. The Nutcracker has been a part of my life for so long that every year when we begin our rehearsals it is like putting on a familiar pair of warm, fuzzy slippers; it’s like welcoming an old friend into my home. Because of that I’m pleased to announce that I will be taking Northeastern Ballet Theatre back to my classical roots in the future beginning with a full-length production of Swan Lake this spring/summer (May 14 and 15 at Dover High School and August 5 and 6 at the Kingswood Arts Center, Wolfeboro). I danced the lead role of Odette with Edward Villella of New York City Ballet in Swan Lake with Boston Ballet Company at the age of 17and he and I toured the show all across the country. For the next few years we will be offering other classical ballets that I danced and love passionately. I want to give my company the opportunity to experience dancing these special ballets, and you, the audience, the opportunity to share in that experience.

At Northeastern Ballet Theatre, ballet is our business, our only business. Ballet is the perfect vehicle to show the diversity of movement where dancers can dance to the classical strains of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, as well as more contemporary music such as what I used in The Sound of Music. Ballet teaches the dancer to be exceedingly versatile and provides the foundation for all movement. Much like what the piano is to music, ballet is to dance and movement. It is much easier for a proficient ballet dancer or student to cross over to other modalities of dance than it is for a student trained in other forms of dance (ie., modern, tap, jazz, etc) to transition into doing a ballet piece. At Northeastern Ballet Theatre students are taught the discipline and protocols of a ballet studio. Any one of NBT’s students can take classes at any major professional ballet school (ie., Boston Ballet, New York City Ballet, etc.) and understand the combinations and ballet etiquette that is universally required. The serious student, as well as the recreational student, receives the same level of professional instructions at NBT. I invite you to try a class for free, any time of the year. We offer classes for all ages 3 through adult, for all ages and abilities, beginner through professional.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who have given their support over the past year, including our current sponsors: The Nancy Peery Marriott Foundation, Seacoast Radiology, Dover Bowl, Calling All Cargo, The Storage Barn and El Centenario Restaurant. From corporations to individuals, I am so very grateful for your support. At NBT, many students receive full or partial scholarships. The cost of shoes alone can prohibit a student’s participation. The designated Adopt-A-Dancer program allows you to help a child you may know personally, or through our program, one you will get to know. A generous donation in any amount to the Scholarship Fund will be used to help any one of a number of students. Your tax deductible donation will nurture an artistic child. I encourage you to be a part of this rewarding program. Please feel free to give me a call at (603) 834-8834 to find out more.

So, without further ado...the stage manager calls, “Places! Please!” Enjoy this very special Northeastern Ballet Theatre production of The Nutcracker! Thank you for sharing your holidays with us.

Edra Toth

Artistic Director and Founder of Northeastern Ballet Theatre

p the great work, Avalon Proctor!

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Cast

DROSSELMEYER’S DOLL Sophia Fracassa

DROSSELMEYER’S HOUSEKEEPER Sarah Viands

HERR DROSSELMEYER Alan Wilbar CLARA Amalee Lynch (12/11 2pm) Elsie MacKenzie(12/11 7pm, 12/12) FRITZ Tucker Smith MAID River Werner

DELIVERY BOY Ben Hanley GRANDMOTHER Karen Ponton

HERR SILVERHAUS John Benson

FRAU SILBERHAUS Mary Beth Spainhower

PARTY PARENTS Wyatt Brumbaugh, Dalva Cheney Carona, Keith Downs, Rachel Feeney, Amy Fracassa, Ephraim Porter

PARTY CHILDREN Amalee Lynch (12/11 7pm, 12/12), Elsie MacKenzie (12/11 2pm), Kendall Spainhower, Julia Zhu, Ja’Niah Feeney, Alexavier Richardson, Micah Werner

KISSING DOLL Hadassa Downs

SOLDIER DOLL Sophia Fracassa NUTCRACKER Ben Hanley

MOUSE KING Brayden Fracassa

MECHANICAL DOLLS Edith Anderson , Kyley Otto-Young MICE Claire Benson, Maya Clifford, Caroline Coughlin, Emily Radcliffe

BABY MOUSE Anne Marie Gelinas

BABY BUNNY Eleanor Benchetrit SOLDIERS Ella Carr, Eliot Crouse (12/12), Ja’Niah Feeney, Lyndal Gress, Maggie Kilmain, Daisy Mack, Hunter Naumes, Avalon Proctor

SNOW QUEEN Naomi Sawyer(12/11 2pm), Iona Darling (12/11 7pm, 12/12)

SNOW KING Assaf Benchetrit(12/11 2pm), Nathan Moyer (12/11 7pm, 12/12) SNOWFLAKES Sophia Fracassa, Emilia Hoeing, Elyse Holmes, Eve Mack, Isabella Ladd, Ashley Kaichen, Anna Tibbetts, Erin Turnbull ANGELS Rowan Awbery, Anna Blouin, Alexandra Giacomoni, Lyndal Gress, Elyse Holmes, Carley Hanson, Aeowyn Kendall, Hayden Miskinis, Avalon Proctor, Alise Shuten SPANISH Emily Wozer, Jake Pleadwell (12/11 7pm, 12/12)/ Elyssa Bigos (12/11 2pm)

CHINESE Ashley Kaichen (lead), Autumn Smith, Kendall Spainhower MARZIPAN Eve Mack (lead), BreAna Hager-King, Emilia Hoeing, Isabella Ladd ENGLISH Erin Turnbull ARABIAN Elyssa Bigos, Nathan Moyer (12/11 7pm, 12/12) / Emily Wozer, Jake Pleadwell (12/11 2pm) RUSSIAN Ben Hanley, Paislee Garland

CANDY CANES Marley Chase, Micah Werner (leads),

Genevieve Eaton, Madison Terleztky, Abigail Richardson, Mary Kilmain

MOTHER GINGER Gil Barrioz

POLICHINELLES: Claire Benson, Maya Clifford, Caroline Coughlin, Anne Marie Gelinas, Kyla King, Emily Radcliffe, Amelia Rose Lewis

DEW DROP FAIRY Anna Tibbetts

DEW DROPS ATTENDANTS Amara Endrizzi, Hannah Pierog, Julia Zhu FLOWERS Rowan Awbrey, Anna Blouin, Hadassa Downs, Alexandra Giacomoni, Lyndal Gress, Carley Hanson, Hayden Miskinis, Avalon Proctor

SUGAR PLUM FAIRY Naomi Sawyer (12/11 7pm, 12/12), Iona Darling (12/11 2pm) CAVALIER Assaf Benchetrit (12/11 7pm, 12/12), Nathan Moyer (12/11 2pm)

Tech Crew

TECH CREW Gil Barrioz, Jordan Lynch, Dale Spainhower MUSIC Peter Illyitch Tchaikovsky CHOREOGRAPHY Edra Toth after Marius Petipa and E. Virginia Williams LIGHTING Brian Turnbull

WARDROBE MISTRESSES Brenda Barrioz, Lisa Gelinas

WARDROBE ASSISTANTS Patsy LaVigne, Yuri Tanaka, Andrea Smith

BACKSTAGE COORDINATOR Jennifer Lynch

MAKE UP COORDINATOR Emily Xu

MAKE UP ASSISTANTS Ileana Hoeing, Amanda King, Heather Ladd

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Anna Lynn Arts COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Nancy Langfeld

MARKETING DIRECTOR Anna Burke

The Story of The Nutcracker AS TOLD BY NORTHEASTERN BALLET THEATRE

ACT 1 SCENE 1 | THE PARTY It is Christmas Eve at the house of Herr and Frau Silberhaus and their children. Friends of the family, with children in tow, are welcomed into the Silberhaus home to celebrate Christmas. Once the guests have arrived, Herr Silberhaus lights the beautiful Christmas tree in preparation for the night’s festivities. The children stand in awe of the tree sparkling with candles and decorations. The adults and children dance with gaiety and joy as the celebration continues.

Presents are given out to the children. Suddenly, as the owl-topped clock strikes eight, a mysterious figure enters the room. It is Herr Drosselmeyer, Clara and Fritz’s godfather.

But, Herr Drosselmyer has a surprise for Clara, a wooden nutcracker carved in the shape of a little soldier. He is also a talented toymaker who has brought with him gifts for the children, including two lifelike dolls—a Kissing Doll and a Soldier—who dance to the delight of all.

Herr Drosselmeyer has the precious dolls put away for safekeeping.

The other children are presented their own gifts by the Silberhaus’: dolls for the girls and horns for the boys. Fritz, however, is not satisfied that his sister got a special gift and snatches the Nutcracker from her.

The other boys hold Clara while Fritz breaks her new present. Clara is heartbroken.

Drosselmeyer binds up the broken Nutcracker with his own handkerchief. The other girls come and comfort Clara. The boys interrupt with their toy trumpets and horns.

Herr and Frau Silberhaus announce it is time to finish off the evening with a traditional Grandfather dance. After the dance, the guests depart, and the children are sent off to bed.

ACT 1 SCENE 2 | The Battle During the night, after everyone else has gone to bed, Clara returns to the parlour to check on her beloved nutcracker. Tired, she is curled up on a settee in the living room when the clock strikes midnight. Then the magic begins. The Mouse King steals into the room and cast a spell on Clara when he is banished by Drosselmeyer. Drosselmeyer makes the Christmas tree grow to dizzying heights and saves his biggest magic, to make The Nutcracker grow to life-size. Clara soon finds herself in the midst of a battle between an army of tin soldiers and mice, led by the Mouse King.

The Nutcracker appears to lead the tin soldiers. The dastardly Mouse King trips the Nutcracker and as he is about to finish him off, Clara bravely throws her slipper at him, distracting him long enough for the Nutcracker to run him through with a sword.

The Nutcracker removes the crown from the Mouse King’s head, breaking the spell.

ACT 1 SCENE 3 | THE LAND OF THE SNOW The mice retreat and the Nutcracker is transformed into a handsome prince. He leads Clara through the moonlit night to a pine forest where Clara meets the Snow King and Snow Queen. The Snow Queen instructs the Prince to take Clara on to the Land of the Sweets. The Snow King and Queen, along with their snowflakes, dance a joyful wintry dance to celebrate Clara and the prince.

ACT 2 | LAND OF THE SWEETS Clara and Herr Drosselmeyer travel in a sleigh to the beautiful Land of the Sweets, ruled by the Sugar Plum Fairy & her Cavalier. Clara is greeted in the Land of the Sweets by heavenly Angels.

In honor of the young heroine, a celebration of sweets from around the world is produced: chocolate from Spain and tea from China all dance for her amusement; French marzipan shepherdess performs on their flutes; Russian perform a powerful Trepak for Clara, coffee from Arabia dance for her, a troupe of adorable Bon Bon’s dance for her pleasure, and candy canes dance to Clara’s delight.

A string of beautiful flowers perform The Waltz of the Flowers joined by the Dew Drop Fairy.

To conclude the night, the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier perform a Pas de Deux.

A final waltz is performed by all the sweets to honor Clara. It is time to say goodbye and Drosselmeyer appears with the sleigh to accompany Clara back to her home. The Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier usher Clara to the sleigh saying their final farewells.

Congratulatory Notes

“Hayden, we are so proud of you! Go out there and shine!”

Love Mom, Dad, Kaya, the fur babies and all of your grandparents.

“Caroline, We love you and are so proud of you!!”

Love, Mommy, Gpa, Gma, Uncle Bobby, Aunt Katherine, Grace, and James “Congratulations Cutie Caroline (C3)!We’re so proud of you and can’t wait to see your first stage performance!”

Love, The Mannions (Shea and Rory too) “B- We’re proud of who you’ve grown to be! Let Faith, Grace and Determination continue to guide you beyond this chapter!” Love Mom & Dad “Kyla- We’re proud of your diligence in ballet! You are kind hearted and full of light! Keep leaping toward the stars!” Love, Mom & Dad

Featured Dancers

SUGAR PLUM FAIRY/SNOW QUEEN | Naomi Sawyer Naomi received her early training in dance under Kay Welch in Lyndonville, Vermont, with summer intensives at Broadway Dance Center, the Joffrey ballet in NYC and the Boston Ballet School. As a scholarship student in Boston Ballet’s training program, she performed in Boston ballet’s Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty, and went on to perform with the Orchesis Dance troupe while attending her physical therapy studies at the University of Vermont. She taught classes and performed liturgical dance under the direction of Cheri Williams, and now teaches at the Northeastern Ballet Theatre. Naomi works as a physical therapist, and provides consultations and Dance Injury Prevention seminars to dancers in NH and beyond. She is a homeschooling mother of two, and dances for the sheer joy of it. She has been performing with the Northeastern Ballet Theatre since 2013 under the direction of Edra Toth with soloist roles in Le Corsaire, Sleeping Beauty, and Nutcracker, and several lead roles including Wilhelmina in Dracula, Anna in The Snow Queen, Katrina in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Maria in The Sound of Music, as well as Sugar Plum Fairy.

CAVALIER/SNOW KING | Assaf Benchetrit

Assaf Benchetrit is a graduate of the Rubin Academy for Music and Dance in Jerusalem, Israel.

His professional credits include Panov Ballet, Jerusalem Dance Theater, Israeli National Ballet Company, Joffrey Ballet, Metropolitan Classical Ballet and Alabama Ballet. Assaf holds a BS in Computer Science, BFA and MFA in Dance, and was a faculty member at Yale University, Columbia University, Rutgers University, Hollins University, Montclair State University and Raritan Community College. Currently he is Associate Professor of Theatre and Dance at UNH.

SUGAR PLUM FAIRY/SNOW QUEEN | Iona Darling Iona Darling was born with the innate love of dance, so she started ballet lessons with Northeastern Ballet Theatre at age five, and since age 12, has spent her summers training in New York City with Ellison Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. Performing in The Nutcracker every year has become part of Iona’s life, progressing from the role of Baby Mouse to Clara to Snow Queen to Sugar Plum Fairy. The pandemic made the life of an aspiring ballerina difficult, but she is grateful to be performing again.

CAVALIER/SNOW KING/ARABIAN | Nathan Moyer Nathan Moyer was born in Concord, New Hampshire. He began his dance training at Colby-Sawyer College at the age of 18. In his sophomore year, Nathan went to Paris with Wells College for the Arts. He lived in Paris for eight months and trained in modern dance under the direction of Thierry Verger. In 2003 Nathan enrolled at the University of New Hampshire.

While at UNH, Nathan studied ballet under former Boston Ballet dancers, David Drummond & Larry Robertson. Nathan graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2005 with a bachelor degree in theatre and dance. Nathan performed with Ballet New England in 2005 and 2006. In the summer of 2006, Nathan furthered his training at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City. In late 2006, Nathan moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina to continue his pursuit of ballet. While living in Buenos Aires, Nathan studied under Teatro Colon principal dancer Maria Chichi Diaz, and he was accepted into the Teatro Colon’s Men’s ballet program. In April 2007, Nathan founded DanceAbroad Argentina, a study abroad program for dancers. Currently, Nathan divides his time dancing and teaching in New England and Argentina, and he is the director of DanceAbroad Argentina. Nathan is very happy to be part of NBT’s production of the Nutcracker.

ARABIAN/SPANISH | Elyssa Bigos Elyssa Bigos started her training at the age of six at The Robertson’s School of Classical Ballet with Larry and Colleen Robertson. She continued her training at various schools in the seacoast area with teachers such as Susan Duffy, Christine Simes, Elisa Gerasin, Edra Toth, and John Ling.

She was a company member with Northeastern Ballet Theatre for two years and toured with Boston Dance Company for their production of “The Nutcracker”. She has attended summer intensive programs at Festival Ballet Providence, Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre, and Burklyn Ballet Theatre where she was one of few chosen to perform in “Aladdin” at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. She also spent a summer at Carolina Ballet Theatre under the direction of Hernan Justo where she became a company trainee. Since returning to New Hampshire, Elyssa has performed as a guest artist with companies and schools across New England. She is happy to return to Northeastern Ballet Theatre for this production of The Nutcracker.

ARABIAN/SPANISH | Emily Wozer Emily grew up in Buffalo, NY where she trained with the American Academy of Ballet under director Maris Battaglia. She attended ballet summer intensive programs including Chautauqua Institution, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. After four years dancing with the UNH Ballet Company, she graduated from UNH in May with degrees in nutrition and dance. Emily is currently pursuing her master’s in nutritional sciences at UNH while preparing to become a registered dietitian. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to continue dancing both professionally and recreationally in the New England area.

ARABIAN/SPANISH | Jake Pleadwell

Jake Pleadwell is a local dancer/performer on the New Hampshire Seacoast. He began performing at 9 years old with the New Hampshire theatre project and was in his first professional show in The Mysterious Case of Walter Mitty in 2005. His most notable television performance was in 2015 when he played the role of Justin Bieber on Hawaii 5.0. He explored movement by participating in athletics in High school but was not introduced to dance until he attended Plymouth State University where he performed in a number of contemporary pieces. Years later he found himself the Arabian dancer in Great Bay Academy of Dance’s rendition of an 1836 Portsmouth Nutcracker. He later went on to perform the following year in GBAD’s Nutcracker as the Nutcracker. Through that performance he was introduced to the UNH Dance Company where he has performed in pieces like The Artist, and Sleeping Beauty.

NUTCRACKER, DELIVERY BOY & RUSSISAN | Ben Hanley

Ben is thrilled to be back for another production with NBT! Previous credits with the company include The Sound of Music, The Wizard, Le Corsaire and many seasons of The Nutcracker. Musical theater credits include West Side Story, Evil Dead the musical, A Chorus Line, Fun Home and more. Ben has a B.A. in Theater and Dance from the University of New Hampshire, class of 2018. IG @BennySHanley

HERR DROSSELMEYER | Alan Wilbar Among a lifetime of credits, Alan has toured, built stages for U2, Pink Floyd, The Grateful Dead, many others. He’s appeared in several nationally televised adverts, as teenager, personally auditioned for Francis Ford Coppola. He’s written, minitoured, and was ‘The Learning Man’, his play about his TBI and recovery. Professional production began at age 9, dancing as ‘Party Child’ in Boston Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker’, 1972, then ‘73, ‘74. Miss Edra Toth was dancing the lead roles in these productions. “We share Miss E. Virginia Williams as teacher”.

Northeastern Ballet Theatre

OUR MISSION: Provide the best dance instruction to students of all ages and abilities while making our professional productions accessible and affordable to all.

Northeastern Ballet Theatre (NBT) is a fiscally sponsored non-profit organization. Established in 2008, NBT has produced more than fifteen full ballets, including The Nutcracker, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Dracula, and Sleeping Beauty. NBT performances showcase professional dancing, custom wardrobes, and Edra Toth’s original choreography and artistic direction. Because outreach is a priority, dancers also perform at local libraries, schools, and other community venues.

100+ students dance in the company’s school, with two studios; one in Dover, NH, and one in Wolfeboro, NH. Edra’s dedicated instructors and professional guest teachers strive to enhance the student experience. Her students also have the opportunity to perform in NBT productions.

It is the goal of Northeastern Ballet Theatre to expose as many children as possible to the beauty of ballet. There are many children in our community who are prohibited from participating in dance instruction due to their financial circumstances. It has always been, and it will always be, the policy of NBT to offer training to these young people. If you are interested in “adopting a dancer”, please contact us at (603) 834-8834 or northeasternballettheatre@gmail.com.

American Legion Harriman-Hale Unit #18 Anonymous Calling All Cargo Double P’s Tires Dover Bowl El Centenario Dennis Garnham

Friends of NBT Governor Wentworth Arts Council Amanda Hagar William Harbron Debbie Hopkins Patricia MacCabe Dan and Deborah Mack Bruce MacKenzie

Nancy Peery Marriott Foundation Diane Simpson Sawyer Webworks LLC Seacoast Radiology The Storage Barn Whitney Werner Misty Eyes Photography Anna Lynn Arts

Some Words of Appreciation To all of the volunteers and staff - a heartfelt thank you!

You help create the magic that is The Nutcracker!

To all of the cast - thank you for all of your hours of dedication and hard work!

A special thank you to all of the moms who sewed hooks and eyes on costumes.

And most of all, thank you to our audience for being with us today and supporting Northeastern Ballet Theatre during these challenging times.

We really appreciate it and are grateful for your continued support of what we do.

Thank you!

We are so proud of our daughter Ella Carr in her first ballet - The Nutcracker!

Congratulations to Northeast Ballet Theatre for your wonderful programs!

Riding Lessons Camps Horse Boarding Annie Hutchins Owner/Head Trainer 603-871-8584 Annie.Hutchins@gmail.com www.NorthStar-Farm.net

Tutoring and Mentoring DEE DEE WILBUR 6 0 3 - 4 9 6 - 9 17 5 M YO U T H M 2 0 21 @ G M A I L . C O M

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Swan Lake Saturday, May 14, 7:00 pm Sunday, May 15, 2:00 pm Dover High School, 25 Alumni Drive, Dover, NH Saturday, August 5, 7:00 pm Sunday, August 6, 2:00 pm Kingswood Arts Center, 21 McManus Rd, Wolfeboro, NH