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The Joffrey Ballet 2016-2017 Annual Report

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ANNUAL REPORT

ASHLEY WHEATER ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
GREG CAMERON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

A YEAR OF CONNECTIONS

April Daly and Dylan Gutierrez in Wayne McGregor’s Infra. Photo by Cheryl Mann.

JOFFREY

BALLET

We did it—and we did it together.

After years of imagining, believing, and working—in conference rooms and over dinners, through historical research and during long rehearsals—artists, administrators, and supporters of The Joffrey Ballet watched Christopher Wheeldon’s The Nutcracker debut on the Auditorium Theatre’s stage on December 10, 2016—and exceed every expectation. Thanks to so many people who came together to make it possible, this daring and delightful reinvention of ballet’s beloved classic will light up our stage for years to come and inspire new traditions for Chicago’s families.

This landmark debut represented more than the most significant show since the Joffrey arrived in Chicago over 20 years ago, more than the realization of years of aspirations, more than an inventive take on an old classic. It was the connection between the past we celebrate and the possibilities we are ready to seize.

Your support has made the Joffrey stronger than ever before, creating the solid foundation we need to develop deeper connections between the work we do and the people we serve. And from the strength and power of these connections, the future of the Joffrey emerged this year.

From the eclectic dynamism of the new Nutcracker—a hybrid of past and present, Chicago history and ballet traditions, high art and folk culture, dance and Broadway storytelling— to the unique voices knit together in our repertory programs, our season brought together all that dance can be, connecting with audiences in a deeper and more meaningful way than ever before.

Our Academy enables all students to find their own voices and connect to opportunities throughout the diverse world of dance. One year after establishing consistent creative direction across our Company and Academy, our Academy now forms the integral link between all parts of the Joffrey—from the Chicagoans we help experience dance for the first time to the pre-professional trainees we inspire to the world-class dancers who embody the best in ballet.

And we are reaching out and connecting with Chicago like never before—whether in school programs that help children and teenagers in every neighborhood connect with their own potential and sense of creativity, or through community connections, which this year brought For Gwendolyn, created in honor of poet Gwendolyn Brooks’ 100th birthday, to venues across the city.

Throughout the 2016–2017 season, we built on our vibrant history by breaking new ground, showing the world what a ballet company can be while showcasing the type of work that will continue to define the Joffrey in the years ahead. And it could not have happened without your support.

We cannot thank you enough. Let’s keep imagining, keep believing, keep working— and see what else we can do together in the seasons to come.

Cover: Cara Marie Gary and Lucas Segovia in Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Mammatus.
Photo by Cheryl Mann.
Above: Ashley Wheater, Zach Lazar and Greg Cameron. Photo by Dan Rest.

CONNECTING audiences with the best in dance today

The Joffrey Ballet in Romeo & Juliet. Photo by Cheryl Mann.

WORLD PREMIERES

2

CHICAGO PREMIERES

58 PERFORMANCES IN CHICAGO AND THREE CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY

7% INCREASE IN TICKET SALE REVENUE OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS

We bring together everything that dance can be— so we can make dance that matters to everyone today: from sweeping narratives that represent the best of the classical tradition to postmodern pieces that represent one choreographer’s inimitable voice; from deep emotions and fully-realized characters to the most athletic, awe-inspiring leaps. From ballet to contemporary, dance to theater, the Joffrey’s seasons are not limited by one voice, one style, or one art form: they bring it all together so the full possibilities of dance can blossom. And the power of that approach to dance was on full display this season.

This year, we connected ballet’s classics to the lives of people today. With our new Nutcracker, we created a newly relevant version of the classic, reframed as the tale of the child of a working single parent during Chicago’s 1893 World’s Fair. The production weaved together lighting, video projection, puppetry, folk music, and a variety of dance styles to create a powerful, delightful experience for all audience members. And with Krzysztof Pastor’s moody, politically pointed Romeo & Juliet—a contemporary take that recontextualizes Prokofiev’s classic score—we gave new resonance to the iconic story of love, loss, and societal division.

This year, we pulled together the styles, moods, and experimentations of visionary choreographers. With Game Changers in February and Global Visionaries in April, we gave audiences a robust tour of the ways ballet can speak to them today—from Justin Peck’s Year of the Rabbit, set to the music of contemporary indie rocker Sufjan Stevens, to the dark sexual energy of Yuri Possokhov’s The Miraculous Mandarin and the playfully idiosyncratic Joy by Alexander Ekman.

This year, we stepped into a more prominent role as a company—and connected audiences across the nation to our vision for dance. Whether returning to New York for the first time in years to perform on the Lincoln Center stage or joining “Ballet Across America” at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, we brought our vision of what ballet can be to audiences throughout the nation. Our new Nutcracker was not only a gift to Chicago and generations of Chicago families, but a declaration of our approach to dance that attracted prominent press coverage both locally and nationally.

CONNECTIONS that shape cities

Victoria Jaiani and Miguel Angel Blanco in Christopher Wheeldon’s The Nutcracker.
Photo by Cheryl Mann.

Joel Farran Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois

In 2016, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) made its first-ever gift to the Joffrey, joining other supporters in generously sponsoring Christopher Wheeldon’s The Nutcracker. It is an exciting new partnership rooted in a shared belief that the arts play a key role in making Chicago a great place to live and learn.

In reflecting on BCBSIL’s gift, Joel Farran, the company’s Senior Vice President and Chief Brand Officer, points to the crucial role the arts play in creating and sustaining thriving communities. “[BCBSIL’s] approach to community investment is rooted in whether the organization makes an impact on the social determinants of health to create healthy bodies, minds, and hearts,” he says. “On each front, the Joffrey goes above and beyond. Plus, their leadership understands that it’s not enough to just draw audiences to the Joffrey. They know that the organization needs to reach out to people and communities as well.” Farran sees the Joffrey’s emphasis on access and equity—bringing dance programs into schools and performances into neighborhoods, creating opportunities for people to see a performance at the Auditorium or take a class at Joffrey Tower—as “one of its strongest assets and most distinctive qualities.”

Last December, the Joffrey’s growing connection to—and impact on—Chicago resolved in a new Nutcracker steeped in the city’s rich history, linked to the moment it became a city of global consequence, and reimagined to resonate with families today.

“Like so many Chicagoans, I grew up going to see Robert Joffrey’s Nutcracker every Christmas—and the prospect of reimagining something so sacred and tied to tradition initially gave me pause,” says Farran.

“But speaking with Greg Cameron about Christopher Wheeldon’s Nutcracker opened my mind. It was visionary, exciting, and invigorating—and we were so pleased to support the Joffrey as they said ‘yes— it’s time to break the mold.’”

For Farran, the symbolism of setting the new Nutcracker during Chicago’s 1893 World’s Fair is meaningful from a civic perspective—and mirrors the unique space the Joffrey occupies in Chicago.

“The Columbian Exposition was the moment Chicago became a global city—but I don’t think we’ve ever lost our grounded, grassroots, community-centric disposition. The Joffrey is a microcosm of this very phenomenon: it’s an institution with global reach, but it’s inextricably tied to Chicago itself.”

And as he considers the future of Chicago, Farran is excited to see the role the Joffrey can play in pushing the city forward. “The Columbian Exposition brought new ideas, economic development, and talent to our city. And I think you can look at projects like the new Nutcracker as a harbinger of new thinking in Chicago.”

“For so many people, innovation and creativity are synonymous with business and technology. When I think of innovation and creativity, I think of what art can do. You can’t talk about innovation without talking about creativity, and you can’t talk about creativity without talking about arts and culture.” — Joel Farran

CONNECTING

the next generation to new possibilities
Photo by Todd Rosenberg.

185

CLASSES OFFERED EACH WEEK

200

ACADEMY STUDENTS ON SCHOLARSHIP

45 ADVANCED ACADEMY TRAINEES AND STUDIO COMPANY MEMBERS

2

STUDIO COMPANY MEMBERS JOINED THE COMPANY

8 CURRENT COMPANY DANCERS TRAINED AT THE JOFFREY ACADEMY

Every aspect of the Joffrey intersects at the Academy. Children and teenagers pursuing a career in dance connect to challenging and exciting opportunities to learn and perform at the highest levels. Emerging choreographers connect with opportunities to showcase their work at some of Chicago’s most prominent cultural institutions. And in 2016, when Ashley Wheater stepped into the role of the Artistic Director of the Academy, our Company and Academy were connected by a singular artistic vision.

This year the connection between the Academy and the Company truly blossomed. Ashley brought Company members and Ballet Masters in to teach classes, taught classes himself, and worked directly with teachers to rethink the curriculum. This on-the-ground work has given Ashley greater insight into this next generation of dancers and opened doors for students at every level—even our 8–12-year-olds, who performed the children’s roles in Christopher Wheeldon’s The Nutcracker. Ashley’s generosity with his time, warm and welcoming spirit, and enthusiasm for new ideas have created an ideal learning environment for students and an excellent first step toward an exciting, rewarding career in dance.

This year the Academy connected more leaders in the dance world to the Joffrey. In 2016, Karin Ellis-Wentz became our new Head of Pre-Professional Programs and Raymond Rodriguez our new Head of Studio Company and Trainee Program. Karin’s teaching expertise and four-year tenure at the Joffrey combine with Raymond’s mentorship skills and administrative and artistic accomplishments to unlock new possibilities for the Academy. With Karin and Raymond assuming leadership roles, Karine Provost was able to step up and become the Academy Director—and their collaboration is just beginning. The three worked together to stage this year’s annual Academy spring production—the Don Quixote Suite—and are now working together to make the first year of the Conservatory program a success for students ages 14–18 years old who are seeking a successful balance between academics and intensive training as they prepare for professional careers in dance.

This year the Academy connected choreographers to careerlaunching opportunities. All great art emerges from connections: between creative minds, between an artist and an audience, between a great idea and a community willing to bring it to life. For seven years, Winning Works has brought all of those connections together in one incredible program that continues to grow in popularity and scope. Each year, we receive more applications; our applicants represent a more diverse range of perspectives; and more Winning Works recipients reconnect with the Joffrey as teachers or guest artists. This year’s Winning Works featured pieces from four emerging ALAANA (African, Latino, Asian, Arab, and Native American) choreographers, performed by Joffrey Studio Company and Academy Trainees at the Harold Washington Library Center—and for the first time in the program’s history, performances were free for audience members.

ACADEMY

CONNECTIONS that build careers

Suite Hearts by 2017 Winning Works Choreographer Sean Aaron Carmon. Photo by Todd Rosenberg.

Sean Aaron Carmon 2017 Winning Works Choreographer

Seven years after graduating from the Ailey/Fordham BFA program in Dance, Sean Aaron Carmon’s career is blossoming.

He has performed on Broadway, taught classes across the United States, and tours the world as an Alvin Ailey Dance Theater company member—but he always knew choreography was where he was meant to shine. “From the time I started dancing, pursuing choreography has always been at the back of my mind,” he says. “It’s the best way for me to synthesize and contextualize experiences, and it lets me share with others what I’ve had the opportunity to learn in my career and my life.”

As Carmon’s Winning Works piece suggests, he already has a lot to share: a fresh take on the character-driven dance theater he performs at Alvin Ailey expressed through a deeply personal story with universal resonance. “My piece, Suite Hearts, was born out of the abrupt end to my five-year relationship,” he says. “It ended unceremoniously and left me hemmed in by self-doubt and insecurity, wondering if I’d get back to a place where I felt lovable and desired again. I wanted to explore those thoughts and feelings through choreography.”

In Suite Hearts, dancers explore the complicated dynamics of relationships through a series of partnered dances. “Learning how to work with multiple partners—and getting comfortable doing so quickly—was a great learning experience for the Academy dancers,” says Carmon. “Ultimately, it was really satisfying to watch these dancers open up to this challenge and to infuse my stories and characters with their own perspectives.”

Making space for different perspectives is central to Carmon’s voice as a choreographer—but it is also the aspect of Winning Works that drew him to apply for the program, and a value he shares with the Joffrey. “It has been thrilling to see the dance world open up to represent a more diverse range of people

and stories—and I think the Joffrey has emerged as a leader in this industry-wide push toward diversity and inclusion,” he says. “They don’t just talk the talk. They walk the walk.”

Choreographers like Carmon represent the next generation—so the Joffrey is committed to representing them. “Winning Works gave me a platform to share my work and a world-renowned institution validating and endorsing my perspective— and their support didn’t end when my performance ended,” he says. “Ashley Wheater keeps in touch and asks about my career. That kind of approach to giving dancers and choreographers of color opportunities to share their talents suggests this isn’t about making the Joffrey look good. This is the Joffrey saying, ‘Your voice should help define the future of dance.’”

“Creating opportunities for dancers and choreographers of color is one of the most important aspects of the Joffrey’s work. Representation matters. Children who see professional dancers and choreographers who look like them develop a different sense of what’s possible for them—and diversifying the dance world strengthens the form itself by encouraging it to grow and evolve, not remain stuck in time. Arts institutions that don’t prioritize diversity will miss out on this next generation.”

Photo by Andrew Eccles.

CONNECTING

Chicago’s children and communities with dance

After a year of unprecedented growth, our Community Engagement leaders took time to step back, think, and reconnect. Led by Community Engagement Director Erica Edwards, this year our staff took a step back to consider the core values of our programs and their outcomes. Dance can be a way to learn—from mastering technique to improving mind-body coordination—so moving forward, it was our priority to answer three questions: What do our students find most important? What should our students take away from our classes, no matter what? How do we provide the highest quality programs that engage students?

The answer: thinking creatively.

by

Photo
Quinn Wharton.

1,100

STUDENTS IN CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL PROGRAMS

56

IN-SCHOOL PROGRAMS

87

PERFORMANCES BY IN-SCHOOL AND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS

#1

LARGEST PROVIDER OF DANCE PROGRAMS IN CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

This year, we structured our Community Engagement programs around helping students connect to their creativity. This desired outcome influences everything from what our students are asked to do—for example, choreograph their own dance based on techniques they learned in class—to the teaching methods our instructors use, such as verbally guiding students through learning a position or a step, instead of just demonstrating the move for students to watch and copy. As we shift our focus toward this goal, we are also exploring new ways to measure and track the tangible outcomes of our programs so we can better articulate their impact as it relates to children and teenagers growing in their self-expression and developing crucial social and emotional skills.

This growth is directly connected to our new leaders in our program. Linda Swayze was promoted to Community Engagement Program Supervisor, where she oversees curriculum implementation, and we hired Caitlyn Huynh as our new Community Engagement Associate. This additional artistic and administrative support created the opportunity for Edwards—who was selected as one of Crain’s 40 under 40 for her accomplishments at the Joffrey—to more directly focus on the future of the program she leads. And it shows.

This year our Community Engagement programs connected more children, families, schools, and neighborhoods with dance. Our reach into the city was unprecedented. We collaborated with 28 total schools and added a third level to our Extensions scholarship program, creating more opportunities for more young dancers to continue their training. And 100 tuition voucher students from our Extensions and Exelon Strobel Step-Up programs had the opportunity to perform at the Gala: a dance showcasing countries represented in the Joffrey Company dancers. The opportunity to perform on the same stage as the Company dancers made the moment more impactful.

Building on the success of our 20 for 20! series, we are connecting with partner organizations across the city in important ways. As part of Chicago’s Gwendolyn Brooks centennial celebration, Edwards and former Company member Michael Smith choreographed For Gwendolyn: eight separate dances inspired by eight different Gwendolyn Brooks poems, performed by many of our Exelon Strobel Dancers at the Poetry Foundation, Old Town School of Folk Music, and the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts. For Gwendolyn represents everything we want for our Community Engagement programs and all the ways we impact the city we call home: using dance to help students more deeply connect to themselves and to others, connecting with other cultural institutions to bring incredible dance to our city, and connecting more Chicagoans with the power of dance.

CONNECTIONS that change lives

Photo by Temur Suluashvili.

Sebastian Candanedo, Student The Chicago High School for the Arts

Sebastian Candanedo grew up listening to hits from the 80s and 90s, watching music videos and concerts, and dancing at parties with a mock microphone in hand. But it was only when a Joffrey program came to his neighborhood school—North River Elementary School in the Albany Park neighborhood—that he began to understand dance as not just a passion, but his path in life.

“I told my mom I wanted to start dancing, but she wanted me to do a sport,” he says. Yet he persisted and signed up for the in-school program—and still remembers his mother’s reaction when she attended his first performance. “It was the first time I performed in front of an audience. All I could think was, ‘Don’t mess up, you got this.’ At the end of the dance, my mom’s jaw dropped. She couldn’t believe I could actually dance!”

It is one of many performances Candanedo still recalls as though they were yesterday. There was the first time he auditioned for The Nutcracker and was awed that “a regular born-and-raised Chicago boy got into the show.” There was the solo he performed for his classmates as part of the Joffrey’s Middle School Dance Clubs program. (“When the music hit and I started dancing, they were chanting and screaming!”) There was the time a choreographer asked for his input about the world we live in for a new dance. (“That piece brought more emotion out of me than any piece I’ve done.”) And there was his grandma—“my number-one fan”—in the audience as he and his peers in the Exelon Strobel Dancers Program debuted For Gwendolyn

The Joffrey has been with him every step of the way—from his first in-school program to his classes at Joffrey Tower and through After School Matters, and from performances in neighborhood schools

to performances in the Auditorium Theatre. It is a reflection of our commitment to changing lives, changing our city, and changing the ballet world through the inclusive power of dance.

“Their repertoire allows them to cross boundaries and touch different sensibilities, and that gives them a chance to be radical. One of the things that’s different about the Joffrey is their investment— and it’s a real investment—in public schools and their commitment to bringing kids of all types into their program,” says Richard Logan, President of the Reva and David Logan Foundation, which has provided scholarship support that allows students from the Joffrey’s Community Engagement programs to join the Joffrey Academy of Dance and hosted the first performance of For Gwendolyn at the Logan Center for the Arts in Hyde Park.

“Dance is just another way of expressing your emotions,” Candanedo says. “You tell a story through movement. There are some days that aren’t good days, and dance is always my answer. I can put all my anger, all my stress, all my frustration into dance.”

Now a sophomore at The Chicago High School for the Arts, Candanedo intends to pursue a career in dance—and it all started with one program in his elementary school. “I want dance to be part of my life forever.”

“The intersection between the arts and social justice is where a lot of change happens. I think all arts organizations must be part of a civic push toward equality and the health of the city.”

— Richard Logan, President, Reva and David Logan Foundation

2016–2017 REVENUE

$8,112,908 TICKET SALES AND TOURING

$8,029,868 CONTRIBUTIONS

$1,750,423 SPECIAL EVENTS

$2,275,213

JOFFREY ACADEMY OF DANCE

$180,767 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

$129,737 INVESTMENT EARNINGS

$596,511

OTHER SOURCES OF INCOME

$21,075,427

2016–2017 EXPENSES

$14,313,161 ARTISTIC PRODUCTION

$1,647,903

JOFFREY ACADEMY OF DANCE

$545,904 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

$1,245,747 FUNDRAISING

$474,714 SPECIAL EVENTS

$664,764 SUPPORTING

$775,345 DEPRECIATION

$19,667,538 TOTAL EXPENSES

2016–2017 OPERATING RESULTS

Multiple strategic initiatives have been implemented by the Joffrey over the past three years, driving improved financial results organization-wide. This is the fourth straight year that the Joffrey has closed with a surplus. Revenue from ticket sales and touring continues to grow as we build new audiences and increase attendance at performances. Thanks to the “believers” who made gifts to support the new Nutcracker production, our multi-year campaign exceeded goal; the new Nutcracker was produced on time and on budget, and funds have been set aside for future maintenance of the production. Community Engagement programming was sustained through additional contributed revenue, and we are grateful to many new donors who stepped up to support scholarships that provide access to under-resourced and under-represented students at the Joffrey Academy of Dance.

ROMEO & JULIET LUNCHEON NUTCRACKER

OPENING NIGHT

CELEBRATION GALA

Romeo & Juliet Luncheon

ROMEO & JULIET LUNCHEON

Co-Chairs | Ellie Forman | Jamie-Clare Flaherty

Kathleen Henson

The Romeo & Juliet Luncheon, held on September 26, 2016 at the LondonHouse Chicago, celebrated Krzysztof Pastor’s critically acclaimed reimagining of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers. Over 280 guests attended the sold-out event. Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune moderated a discussion with Ashley Wheater, Artistic Director of The Joffrey Ballet, and Barbara Gaines, Artistic Director of Chicago Shakespeare Theater, as they explored why the tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet continues to resonate with audiences across all art forms.

Presenting Sponsor | Anne L. Kaplan

Anais Bueno in Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Mammatus. Photo by Cheryl Mann
Kathleen Henson, Ellie Forman, and Jamie-Clare Flaherty. Photo by Steve Becker.

Nutcracker Opening Night Celebration

Gala

NUTCRACKER OPENING NIGHT CELEBRATION

Honorary Co-Chairs | Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Ms. Amy Rule

The Nutcracker Opening Night Celebration, held on December 10, 2016 at the Chicago Cultural Center, was the perfect post-performance celebration to a historic opening night of the world premiere. Over 600 guests joined Joffrey Company artists, Christopher Wheeldon, and the all-star creative team to celebrate and dance the night away.

The Nutcracker Opening Night Celebration Sponsor Marlene Breslow-Blitstein and Berle Blitstein

Co-Chairs | Sandra and Roger Deromedi

Shelley and Bill Farley | Jerrilyn and David Hoffmann

Maria and William Smithburg

The Gala, held on April 21, 2017, honored Mary B. Galvin for her commitment to dance, music, and arts education in Chicago and beyond. The evening featured a one-night-only performance at the Auditorium Theatre followed by dinner and dancing at The Palmer House. Over 750 guests celebrated Mrs. Galvin and The Joffrey Ballet.

Presenting Sponsor | BMO Wealth Management

Youth Performance Sponsor | ITW

Legends | Sandra and Roger Deromedi

Daniel and Pamella DeVos Foundation

DHR International, Inc. | Galvin Family

Innovators | Abbott | Allstate Insurance Company

Mary Jo and Doug Basler | The Bluhm Family Charitable Foundation | Janet and Craig J. Duchossois

Patti S. Eylar and Charles R. Gardner | Mr. and Mrs. William Farley | GrubHub, Inc. | Anne L. Kaplan

Karen Z. Gray-Krehbiel and John H. Krehbiel, Jr.

MacLean-Fogg | Mayer Brown LLP | Merrill Lynch

Private Banking and Investment Group | The Negaunee Foundation | Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Edward B. Smith, Jr. | Maria and William D. Smithburg | Stout | Mr. and Mrs. Ronald V. Waters III

Mr. and Mrs. Joel V. Williamson | Elizabeth Yntema and Mark Ferguson for the Ferguson-Yntema Family Trust in support of female choreographers

VIP Sponsor | Palmer House, A Hilton Hotel

GALA
Jerrilyn Hoffmann, Maria Smithburg, Shelley Farley, Mary Galvin, and Sandra Deromedi. Photo by Dan Rest.
Zach Lazar, Ashley Wheater, and Christopher Wheeldon. Photo by Dan Rest.
Anna Gerberich and Stefan Goncalvez in Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Mammatus. Photo by Cheryl Mann.

Donors

CORPORATE, FOUNDATION, AND GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

The Joffrey Ballet is grateful to our donors for providing funding that ensures quality and engaging experiences for a variety of audiences. The following is a list of donors who made gifts and pledges in support of the annual fund, special events, and projects in the amount of $1,000 or more between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017.

$500,000+

Alphawood Foundation

Chicago

Clear Channel Airports

The Grainger Foundation

Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust

$100,000–$499,999

Abbott Fund

Athletico Physical Therapy

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois

Chicago Athletic Clubs

Conagra Brands

Daniel and Pamella

DeVos Foundation

Paul Galvin Memorial Foundation Trust

Guarantee Trust Life Insurance Company

The Walter E. Heller Foundation

JW Marriott

The Reva and David Logan Foundation

NIB Foundation

Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University

The Satter Foundation

Women’s Board of The Joffrey Ballet

$50,000–$99,999

Allstate Insurance Company

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

BMO Wealth Management

BrickStreet Insurance

Chauncey and Marion Deering McCormick Foundation

The Julius N. Frankel Foundation

ITW

JHL Capital Group LLC

Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc.

The John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

The Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust

Polk Bros. Foundation

The Shubert Foundation

Wells Fargo

$25,000–$49,999

Abbott Laboratories

Francis Beidler Foundation

The Bluhm Family Charitable Foundation

The Brinson Foundation

Elizabeth F.

Cheney Foundation Exelon

Fox Ford Lincoln

GrubHub, Inc.

Harris Family Foundation

Lloyd A. Fry Foundation

Illinois Arts Council Agency

La Perla Fashions

MacLean-Fogg Company

Make It Better Media

Masuda, Funai, Eifert & Mitchell, Ltd.

Mayer Brown LLP

Merrill Lynch & Company

Jane Ellen Murray Foundation

Negaunee Foundation

The Northern Trust Company

The Poetry Foundation

Prince Charitable Trusts

Sage Foundation

Stout

Larry and Michelle Goodman. Photo by Dan Rest.
Eloise and Annie Atzeff. Photo by Dan Rest.

CORPORATE, FOUNDATION, AND GOVERNMENT SUPPORT (continued)

$10,000–$24,999

Anonymous (2)

Ariel Investments, LLC

Avatar Corporation

Baxter International Inc.

The Boeing Company

DeSantis Foundation

GCM Grosvenor

Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP

Hyatt Hotels Foundation

Jerome Robbins Foundation and Trust

Jewell Events Catering

JPMorgan Chase

Kovler Family Foundation

Kryolan Professional Make-Up

Latham & Watkins

Leibovitz Family Philanthropic Fund

Macy’s

Regions Private Wealth Management

Sacks Family Foundation

Dr. Scholl Foundation

Siragusa Family Foundation

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom

Southwest Airlines

U.S. Bank Foundation

UMB Bank

Workiva

$5,000–$9,999

CA Ventures

Joseph & Bessie Feinberg Foundation

John R. Halligan Charitable Fund

HOLLY HUNT

The Irving Harris Foundation

Lannan Foundation

The Lyric Opera of Chicago

Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc.

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams

Nordstrom, Inc.

Sidley Austin, LLP

Sills Foundation

$2,500–$4,999

Anonymous

Meta S. and Ronald Berger Family Foundation

Burberry

The Neiman Marcus Group

The Richard and Ellen Sandor Family Foundation

Judy A. Saslow Gallery

Nathan Tannenbaum Foundation Inc.

Tom Ford International

$1,500–$2,499

The Colmar Foundation

The Elia Group LLC

Hattie A. and Marie V. Fatz Foundation

KPW Family Foundation

Sahara Enterprises, Inc.

Salamander Resort And Spa

Tawani Foundation

$1,000–$1,499

Amsted Industries

Anderson-Barnicle Family Foundation

The Elbert W. Rogers Foundation DONORS

National Endowment for the Arts

Nuveen Investments, Inc.

Luminarts Cultural Foundation Fellowship by Myrna Kaplan

Diana Widman Design Fine Jewelry

Heestand Foundation, Inc.

Richard & Martha Melman Foundation

Nike, Inc.

Joffrey Artists with Mary Galvin. Photo by Dan Rest.

Individual Donors

INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT

The Joffrey Ballet is grateful to our donors for providing funding that ensures quality and engaging experiences for a variety of audiences. The following is a list of those who made gifts and pledges in support of the annual fund, special events, and projects, in the amount of $1,000 or more, between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017.

$500,000+

Fred Eychaner

Margot and Josef Lakonishok

$100,000–$499,999

Mary Jo and Doug Basler

Rosemarie and Dean Buntrock

Sandy and Roger Deromedi

Pamella Roland DeVos and Daniel DeVos

Sonia Florian

Sherry Lea and Richard Holson III

Anne L. Kaplan

Beth Levine

Bruce Sagan and Bette Cerf Hill

Bill and Orli Staley

Dr. and Mrs. Arnold Tatar

Mr. and Mrs. Joel V. Williamson

$50,000–$99,999

Audre M. Carlin

Mr. and Mrs. Adam DeWitt

Mr. and Mrs. David H. Hoffmann

Nancy and Sanfred Koltun

Mr. and Mrs. John Patience

Denise Littlefield Sobel

Mr. and Mrs. Miles D. White

$25,000–$49,999

Marc and Sharen Berman

Marlene Breslow-Blitstein and Berle Blitstein

Neil Bluhm

The Crown Family

Janet and Craig J. Duchossois

Patti Eylar and Charles Gardner

Mr. and Mrs. William Farley

Mr. and Mrs. F. Conrad Fischer

Jill Garling and Thomas Wilson

Karen Gray-Krehbiel and John Krehbiel, Jr.

Margaret MacLean

Alexandra Nichols and John Nichols

Tricia Rooney and Ross Shelleman

Shirley Ryan and Patrick Ryan

Eric C. Schieber, MD

Ms. Courtney C. Shea

Mr. and Mrs. Edward B. Smith, Jr.

Maria Smithburg and William D. Smithburg

Rita Spitz and David Blears

Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Townsend

Mr. and Mrs. Ronald V. Waters III

Elizabeth Yntema and Mark Ferguson for the Ferguson-Yntema Family Trust

$10,000–$24,999

Anonymous

Nancy Gottlieb Bauer

Mr. and Mrs. Francis Beidler III

Kay and Rhett Butler

Paul Chasnoff and Joe Hopper

Michael I. Cragg, Ph.D.

Dr. Jill S. Dodds and Dr. Guriqbal Nandra

Lorna Ferguson and Terry Clark

Ms. Jamee C. Field and Mr. Michael Kane

Nancy Follis

Karen Frank and James Frank

Jennifer and Patrick M. Gallagher

Linda Gantz and Wilbur Gantz

Sabrina and Antonio Gracias

Sherry and Michael Guthrie

Sandi and Barry Hartstein

Mr. and Mrs. John T. Hildy

Olivia Kittle and Brian Kittle

Margaret Kittle-Kamp and Thomas Kittle-Kamp

Lauren Streicher and Jason Brett. Photo by Dan Rest.
Lisa Malkin, Ron Allen, Liz and Bill Adams. Photo by Dan Rest.

$10,000–$24,999 (CONTINUED)

Dennis and Kathleen Klaeser

Mr. and Mrs. Herbert W. Krueger

Julie and Guy Lakonishok

Dr. Lynda Lane and Ben Lane-Korn

Michael and Jennifer Larsen

Mr. and Mrs. Zachary D. Lazar, Jr.

Liz and Eric Lefkofsky

Jay Leibovitz

Elizabeth Liebman

Coco B. Meers and Ethan Meers

Stuart Miller

Lucy Minor

Cathy and Bill Osborn

D. Elizabeth Price and Lou Yecies

John W. and Jeanne M. Rowe

Jeffrey C. Rubenstein

Patricia Schmalzl and William Schmalzl

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey S. Sharp

Melissa de Abreu e Silva and Ildefonso Silva

Melissa and Chuck Smith

Jessica and Erik Steffensen

Ben Strobel

Pamela and Russ Strobel

Andrew Thorrens and Donald Mizerk

Tina Trott and Byron Trott

Mr. and Mrs. John R. Walter

Pamela Phillips Weston and Roger L. Weston

Amanda Williamson and Matthew Johnson

Mr. and Mrs. Robert K. Zentner

Robert Hunt and Frank Baiocchi with daughters Christina and Lamiya.
Photo by Dan Rest.
Tellef and Halvard Lundevall, Hilary Kaplan Loretta, Lucy Loretta, Anne Kaplan, and Iselin Lundevall. Photo by Dan Rest.
Suzu Neithercut and Noren Ungaretti. Photo by Steve Becker.

$5,000–$9,999

Anonymous (2)

Mr. and Mrs. William Adams IV

Emily Strobel Amiet and Michael Amiet

Emily L. Arch, MD

Annie Atzeff and Kristopher Atzeff

Edward Beam

Luann Blowers and David Blowers

Suzette Bross Bulley and Allan E. Bulley III

Greg Cameron and Greg Thompson

Lisa and Jim Challenger

Mrs. Joyce Chelberg

Paula Crown and James Crown

Geoffrey Davis

Paula Fasseas and Peter Fasseas

Tiffany Flannagan and Chip Flannagan

Emily Follas and Timothy Jacobs

Jay Franke and David Herro

Christine Gallagher and Greg Gallagher

Dana Hokin Garvey and Robert Garvey

Ethel and William Gofen

Richard and Mary L. Gray

Joan Hall

Janet W. and Robert A. Helman

Mary Ittelson

Mr. and Mrs. Larry Langdon

Ms. Whitney Lasky and Mr. Jerry Lasky

Susan Lichtenstein and John Rokacz

Mr. and Mrs. E. Barry Mansur

John R. Menninger

Mrs. Julianne Migely

David and Suzu Neithercut

Audrey Ratner and Albert Ratner

Hallie Blanchard Rehwaldt and Thomas Rehwaldt

Stephen Reiss and Rena Hozore Reiss

Susan and David Ruder

Betty Seid and Richard Seid

Mr. and Mrs. David Sensibar

Jeanette Stevens

Liz Stiffel

Cheryl Tama Oblander and Scott Oblander

Lorraine Trachtenberg

Mr. and Mrs. Jason J. Tyler

Richard and Diane Weinberg

Tamar Weiss

Magnes Welsh

Diana and Stuart Widman

Bryony and David Winn

Elizabeth Wippman and Tom Wippman

$2,500–$4,999

Anonymous

Ada Addington and Whitney Addington

Mr. and Mrs. Ronald J. Allen

Evelyn Alter

Patty Perkins Andringa

Melissa Anton and John Anton

Ms. Carolyn A. Blessing

John Brazzale

Mary Kay Mudd Bushonville and Art Bushonville

Terri and Alfred D’Ancona

Shawn M. Donnelley and Christopher M. Kelly

Christine Du Boulay Ellis

Amy Rule and Rahm Emanuel

Mimi Frankel and Bud Frankel

Beth Fulkerson and Joshua Kellman

Elisabeth Geraghty and Robert Geraghty

Michelle Goodman and Larry Goodman

Stephanie Grinage and Richard Grinage

Shana Guthman and David Guthman

Marci and Ronald Holzer

Lauren Huefner

Masahiro Kasai and William Myers

Jackelyn Kastanis and Taki Kastanis

Jeffrey Kerr

Roberta Killeen and Timothy Killeen

Elise Klein and Christopher Klein

Laura Kofoid and David Ricci

Robert Kohl and Clark Pellett

Jen Kurth and Brian Van Klompenberg

Dania Leemputte and Patrick Leemputte

Mr. and Mrs. Barry Litwin

Jim and SuAnne Lopata

Jessica Lundevall and Torjus Lundevall

Lisa Klimley Malkin and Cary J. Malkin

George Mariner and Michael Payette

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Marks

Lynne McNown

Jess and Amanda Merten

Pamela Meyer

Patricia Miller and Christopher Miller

Jazelle Morriss and Daniel L. (D.L.) Morriss

Barbara and Jonathan Moss

Linda Curtis O’Bannon, MD

Marsha O’Bannon

Thomas O’Keefe

Susan G. Oleari

Virginia Owens and James Owens

Mary Ellen Pavone, MD and Christopher Novak

Ibby Pinsky and Milton Pinsky

Kathleen Pipala and Michael Pipala

Victoria Poindexter and Joseph P. Gaynor III

Carol Pollock

Ms. Maggie Scheyer and Mr. Eric J. Scheyer

Veronica Siegel

Amelia Silva and Alejandro Silva

Shari Slavin and Mark Slavin

Ms. Kathy Kalesperis Smith and Mr. Dion Grimes Smith

Dawn Stanislaw

Penelope Steiner and Robert Steiner

Constance and Orin Steinhaus

Susan Stern and James Elliott

Carol Stone and David Stone

Melissa Trandel

Richard and Noren Ungaretti

Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Vail, Jr.

Leslie Warner and Stephen Warner

Julie Zuckerman and Daniel Zuckerman

DONORS

$1,500–$2,499

Anonymous (5)

Greg Albiero

Abbe Aron and Adam Aron

Carey August and Brett August

Oliver Badgio

Christopher Begy

Jennifer Birmingham

Gary† and Linda T. Blumenshine†

Cary Bomier and David Bomier

Jetta Boschen and Dallas Boschen

Ms. Evelyn Bosenberg

Anthony Bruck

Carolyn Bucksbaum

Tamara and Robert Buday

Jenelle Chalmers and Stephen Chalmers

Clark Chandler

Raymond Coronado

Pamela Crutchfield

Dr. John Dainauskas

Katherine Devers and William Devers

Amina Dickerson and Julian Roberts

Mr. and Mrs. Terence Donnelly

Maia J. Dunkel

Wendy Eager

Deborah and Cody Engle

Sharon Ferrill

Dr. and Mrs. Anthony G. Finder

Arthur Frank

Katherine and Richard Freiburger

H. Goldstein and Rodney Goldstein

Ann Gootee and James Gootee

Jo Ellen Granson

Anthony and Susan Grosch

Dr. and Mrs. Alan G. Harris

Stacie R. Hartman

Ross Heim

Mr. and Mrs. John W. Higgins

Leslie Hindman

Sarai Hoffman and Stephen Pratt

Courtney A. Hoffmann and Sebastian Hoffmann

Alan J. Hommerding and Robert K. Personett

Melinda Jakovich and Lucien Lagrange

Mrs. Abby McCormick O’Neil and Mr. Carroll Joynes

Sherry Kaplan and Barry Kaplan

Wendy Kilcollin and T. Eric Kilcollin

Polly Kintzel

Sarah Ladgenski and Derek Ladgenski

Robin and Jack Lavin

Deej and Hunter Leggitt

Sherren Leigh

Dr. Richard E. Leithiser

Ms. Dana Levinson and Mrs. Barbara Levinson

Mia Levy and Paul Levy

Beth Loeb

Leslie Logsdon and Duncan Bourne

Judy and John MacLeod

Elizabeth Marcus and Ira Belcove

Martha Melman and Rich Melman

Prof. Keith and Anne Moffat

JoAnne Nathan and Stuart Nathan

Lee and Sharon Oberlander

Mary Jane O’Connor

Anthony and Izabel Olson

Mr. and Mrs. John R. Pacholick

Kristie Paskvan

Donald H. Ratner and Bruce A. Gober

Harriet Ross and Irwin Ross

Jennifer Ross

Emily Rubenstein and Angel Rivera

Camille Kearns Rudy and Robert M. Rudy

Barbara and Donald Ruhman

Sarah Schrup

Andréa J. Schwartz and Dr. Steve Stryker

Lois Scott and David May

Anne Shonk

Thomas G. Sinkovic

Craig Sirles

Marilyn Slattery

Greg Sleight

Beth Smetana and Gerard Smetana

Patricia Smith

Shirley Stanley and Paul Stanley

Edwin Stebbins

Patricia Sternberg

Dr. Lauren Streicher and Mr. Jason Brett

Lauren D.W. Tatar and Scott Borstein

Courtney Thompson

Dana Shepard Treister and Dr. Michael Roy Treister

Robert and Etti Van Etten

Lauren Vitale

Debbie Wang and David Hoyt

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Wells IV

Angie Wilcox and Gary Wilcox

Joyce M. Wippman

Susan Wislow and Robert Wislow

William Ziemann

† Deceased

Elizabeth Price and Lou Yecies. Photo by Dan Rest.
Holly Boyd, Melissa Trandel, Anita Mark, and Sherry Abrahams. Photo by Steve Becker.
Justin and Emily Arch. Photo by Dan Rest.

$1,000–$1,499

Anonymous (3)

Anne and Mark Bagan

Christine Bakalar and John Bakalar

Sandra Bass

Thomas Berry

Judy Block and Philip Block

Mr. and Mrs.

Ralph A. L. Bogan, Jr.

Robyn Bowland

Bradbury Family

Marion Cameron

Wendy Lynn Chronister and Peter Rogers

Francesca Connell

Lawrence Corry

Patricia O’Neill Cox

Bette Jane Crigger

Lois Eisen and Stephen Eisen

Paul Fangman

Norman Finch

Jamie-Clare Flaherty

Regan Friedmann and Philip Friedmann

Victoria Galbraith and John Galbraith

Darcy Goldfarb, MD

Linda Graubart and Jeffrey Graubart

Brooke Hubbuch and Nick Hubbuch

Beth Karmin and Kenneth Karmin

Vicki Kaufman and Barry Kaufman

Howard Kirschbaum

Patricia Koldyke and Martin Koldyke

Larry Krueger

Lew and Laurie Leibowitz

Thaddeus Makarewicz

Joan Malliband and David Malliband

Puneet Mansharamani

Heather Martin and Sean Martin

Mr. and Mrs. Michael McGrath

Helen Hall Melchior

Mr. Jonathan F. Orser

Christine Ott

Catherine Perez and William Perez

Madeleine Plonsker and Harvey Plonsker

Richard and Charlene Posner

Allan Reich

Carol Roberts

Jane Nicholl Sahlins and Bernard Sahlins

Jana Schreuder and Eric Schreuder

Joann Seagren and Scott Lang

Mr. and Mrs. Larry Selander

Thomas Shapiro

Stephanie Sick and William Sick

Marcey Siegel and Kenneth Siegel

Beth Silverman

Lynda Silverman and Howard Silverman

Stephen Smith

Mr. and Mrs. Neele E. Stearns, Jr.

Joanne Storm

Ann-Marie Streibich and James Streibich

Peggy Swartchild and James Swartchild

Julie Valenti and Steven Valenti

Mr. and Mrs. Todd Vieregg

Christina Walker and Joe Walker

Dia Weil and Edward Weil

Eric Weinheimer

Ashley Wheater and Brian Johnson

Robin Zafirovski and Michael Zafirovski

Stephanie Martinez and Jim Bennitt. Photo by Brad Siefert. Meta, Jonathan, Sydney, Rebecca, and Jessie Berger. Photo by Dan Rest.

Nutcracker Sponsors

The Joffrey Ballet would like to thank our generous Nutcracker sponsors who made gifts to support the creation and production of Christopher Wheeldon’s Nutcracker.

Producing Sponsors

Margot and Josef Lakonishok

Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust

Hancher Auditorium, The University of Iowa

Corporate

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

BrickStreet Insurance

Conagra Brands

Guarantee Trust Life Insurance Company

Sponsors

Mary Jo and Doug Basler

Rosemarie and Dean Buntrock

Sandy and Roger Deromedi

Pamella Roland DeVos and Daniel DeVos

Sonia Florian

The Walter E. Heller Foundation

Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University

Bruce Sagan and Bette Cerf Hill

Bill and Orli Staley Foundation

Women’s Board of The Joffrey Ballet

This project was partially supported by IncentOvate grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

Additional Support Provided By The Ann Barzel & Patrick Henry Arts Fund

Francis Beidler Foundation

Meta S. and Ronald Berger

Family Foundation with Rebecca and

Jonathan Berger

Joyce and Bruce Chelberg

Terri and Alfred D’Ancona

Mr. and Mrs. Adam DeWitt

Dr. Jill S. Dodds and Dr. Guriqbal Nandra

Patti S. Eylar and Charles R. Gardner

Ethel and William Gofen

Suzanne and Albert M. Friedman

Jill Garling and Thomas Wilson

Sabrina and Antonio Gracias

Harris Family Foundation

Sandi and Barry Hartstein

Mr. and Mrs.

David H. Hoffmann

Mary Ittelson

Nancy and Sanfred Koltun

Make It Better Media

Coco B. Meers and Ethan Meers

Martha and Rich Melman

Ann and Tom Nash

National Endowment for the Arts

Polk Bros. Foundation

Prince Charitable Trusts

Charles and Joann Raymond

Ms. Courtney C. Shea

Leslie and Robert K. Zentner

Greg Cameron, Sara Hill, Bette Cerf Hill, Diana Hill, and Bruce Sagan. Photo by Dan Rest.
Pamella and Dan DeVos. Photo by Dan Rest.
Dean and Rosemarie Buntrock. Photo by Dan Rest.

Memorial Gifts

The Joffrey Ballet received gifts in memory of the following individuals between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017.

Gary Blumenshine

Linda Blumenshine

John E. Burke

Eric B. Eatherly

Ronald Fishman

Saul Gerber

Ruth Altenberg Gold

Burt Kaplan

Mrs. Francis J. Klimley

Elizabeth E. Mertz

Dianne Nishimura

John O’Neal

Barbara Rich

Natalie Senoff

Ginnee Tallman

Walter F. Tama

Tribute Gifts

The Joffrey Ballet is grateful for gifts that were made in honor of the following individuals.

Emily L. Arch, MD

Annie Atzeff

Mary Jo and Doug Basler

Meta S. Berger

Marc Berman

Nicolas Blanc

Luann Blowers

Adam Blyde

Greg Cameron

Gerard Charles

Ellie Cotey

Terri D’Ancona

Sandy and Roger Deromedi

Adam DeWitt

Ellen Distelheim

Becky Dorsey

J. Elise Edwards

Deborah Engle

Ms. Ann Eylar

Patti S. Eylar

Shelley MacArthur Farley

Joel Feldman

Lorna Ferguson

Mary B. Galvin

Astra Gamsjaeger

Sue-Gray Goller

Ms. Sandi Hartstein

Rivian Hartman

Mr. and Mrs.

David H. Hoffmann

Bernice Horwitz

Brian Johnson

Mary E. Johnson

Sarah M. Jordan

Anne L. Kaplan

Laura Kofoid

Cindy A. Kronman

Michael and Jennifer Larsen

Dr. Lizzie Mazzaferri

Prof. Keith and Anne Moffat

Susan G. Oleari

Diana Reczek

Hallie Rehwaldt

Stephen Reiss

Jeffrey C. Rubenstein

Camille Rudy

Bruce Sagan

Eric C. Schieber, MD

Liz Sharp

Courtney C. Shea

John Shimkus

Lynda Silverman

Kathy Kalesperis Smith

Maria Smithburg

Miss Sofia Speyer

Cheryl Tama Oblander

Gayle R. Tama

Lauren D.W. Tatar

Magnes Welsh

Ashley Wheater

Christopher Wheeldon

Diana Widman

Liza Yntema

Star

Society

The following individuals have included The Joffrey Ballet in their estate plans and are members of the Star Society. The Joffrey thanks them for their lasting support.

Mr. and Mrs.

Brian W. Babcock, Sr.

Mr. D. Jeffrey Baddeley

D. Jeffrey and

Joan H. Blumenthal

Mr. Paul Chasnoff and Mr. Joe Hopper

Christine Du Boulay Ellis

Deborah Gordon Engle

Patti Eylar and Charles Gardner

Dr. and Mrs. David L. Faulk

Patricia H. Gerber

Mr. Michael Goldberger

Sue-Gray Goller

Barbara and Henigbaum

Marci and Ronald Holzer

Ms. Darlene Johnson

Ms. Linda Levey

Mr. John McAllister

Prof. Keith and Anne Moffat

Drs. Bill and Elaine Moor

Jane Ellen Murray and Ed Wentz

Mr. Jonathan F. Orser

Doug Schmidt

Constance and Orin Steinhaus

Elisabeth Wilcox Szegho

Ms. Marilyn J. Ward

Diana and Stuart Widman

Andrea and Rich Winship

Mrs. Anna Mary Zarrelli

Jazelle and D.L. Morriss. Photo by Dan Rest.

Sponsors

SEASON SPONSORS

Abbott Fund

Alphawood Foundation

Chicago

Daniel and Pamella

DeVos Foundation

NIB Foundation

LIVE MUSIC SPONSORS

The Marina and Arnold Tatar Fund for Live Music

Cheryle and Joel V. Williamson

SEASON PARTNERS

Athletico Physical Therapy

Chicago Athletic Clubs

Clear Channel Airports

Conagra Brands

Fox Ford Lincoln

JW Marriott

pamella roland

ROMEO & JULIET

Corporate Sponsor

Wells Fargo

Production Sponsor

Illinois Arts Council Agency

THE NUTCRACKER

Producing Sponsors

Margot and Josef Lakonishok

Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust

Hancher Auditorium, The University of Iowa

Corporate Sponsors

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

BrickStreet Insurance

Conagra Brands

Guarantee Trust Life

Insurance Company

Sponsors

Mary Jo and Doug Basler

Rosemarie and Dean Buntrock

Sandy and Roger Deromedi

Pamella Roland DeVos and Daniel DeVos

Sonia Florian

The Walter E. Heller Foundation

Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University

Bruce Sagan and Bette Cerf Hill

Bill and Orli Staley Foundation

Women’s Board of The Joffrey Ballet

GAME CHANGERS

Fool’s Paradise

Production Sponsors

Anne L. Kaplan

Bill and Orli Staley

Year of the Rabbit

Production Sponsor

JHL Capital Group, LLC

GLOBAL VISIONARIES

Presenting Sponsor

Margot and Josef Lakonishok

Production Sponsor

Jane Ellen Murray Foundation

Mammatus Production Sponsor

Denise Littlefield Sobel

Joy Production Sponsor

National Endowment for the Arts

The Miraculous Mandarin Production Sponsor

Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

SPONSORS

Anonymous

Allstate Insurance Company

The Chicago Community Trust

The Crown Family

Exelon

Joseph and Bessie Feinberg Foundation

Lloyd A. Fry Foundation

GCM Grosvenor

Hyatt Hotels Foundation

Illinois Arts Council Agency

KPW Family Foundation

Lannan Foundation

Beth Levine

The Poetry Foundation

Polk Bros. Foundation

D. Elizabeth Price and Lou Yecies

Ms. Courtney C. Shea Siragusa Family Foundation

WINNING WORKS SPONSOR

The Edward and Lucy Minor Family Foundation

WINNING WORKS VIDEO

PRODUCTION SPONSOR

Big Foot Media

Kevin and Sandra Murphy, Ashley Wheater, Sandy and Roger Deromedi. Photo by Dan Rest.

The Joffrey Ballet 2016–2017 Season

Romeo & Juliet

OCTOBER 13–23, 2016

Choreography by Krzysztof Pastor

Music by Sergei Prokofiev

The Nutcracker

DECEMBER 10–30, 2016

Choreography by Christopher Wheeldon

Music by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Game Changers

FEBRUARY 15–26, 2017

Infra

Choreography by Wayne McGregor

Music by Max Richter

Fool’s Paradise

Choreography by Christopher Wheeldon

Music by Joby Talbot

Year of the Rabbit

Choreography by Justin Peck

Music by Sufjan Stevens

Global Visionaries

APRIL 26–MAY 7, 2017

The Miraculous Mandarin

Choreography by Yuri Possokhov

Music by Béla Bartók

Joy

Choreography by Alexander Ekman

Music by Brad Mehladau Trio, Django Django, Tiga, Moby

Mammatus

Choreography by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa

Music by Michael Gordon SEASON

Jeraldine Mendoza and Dylan Gutierrez in Christopher Wheeldon’s The Nutcracker. Photo by Cheryl Mann.
Valeriia Chaykina, Yumi Kanazawa and Lucia Connolly in Justin Peck’s Year of the Rabbit. Photo by Cheryl Mann.

Board of Directors

HONORARY CHAIRMAN

Mayor Rahm Emanuel

OFFICERS

Zachary D. Lazar, Jr.

Chairman of the Board

Lorna Ferguson

1st Vice Chair

Sonia Florian

Anne Kaplan Vice Chairs

Adam DeWitt

Treasurer

Ronald J. Allen

Secretary

Patti S. Eylar

Women’s Board President

Ashley Wheater

Artistic Director

Greg Cameron

Executive Director

Kathleen Hechinger

Assistant Treasurer

DIRECTORS

Patty Perkins Andringa

Mary Jo Basler

Marc Berman

Roger Deromedi

Pamella Roland DeVos

Terence Donnelly

Fred Eychaner

Shelley MacArthur Farley

Jamie-Clare Flaherty

Chip Flannagan

Emily Follas

Patrick M. Gallagher, Jr.

Mrs. Robert W. Galvin

Dana Hokin Garvey

Linda Chaplik Harris

Richard Holson III

Una C. Jackman

Guy Lakonishok

Donna M. LaPietra

Michael Larsen

Barry Litwin

Judith MacLeod

James McDonough

Coco Meers

Jess Merten

Stuart Miller

Leslie D. Minier

Daniel L. (D.L.) Morriss

Susan Oleari

Diane Patience

Stephen Reiss

Jeffrey C. Rubenstein

Bruce Sagan

Eric C. Schieber, MD

Liz Sharp

Courtney C. Shea

Ross Shelleman

Ildefonso Alvim de Abreu e Silva

Chuck Smith

Maureen Dwyer Smith

Rita Spitz

Dawn M. Stanislaw

Lauren F. Streicher, MD

Ben Strobel

MarrGwen Townsend

Jason J. Tyler

Ronald V. Waters III

Amanda Williamson

Mrs. Joel V. Williamson

Bryony Winn

Elizabeth Yntema

“This season’s successes are a testament to the years of hard work and dedication from the entire Joffrey team, led by Ashley Wheater and Greg Cameron, as well as the guidance and generosity from our dedicated Board of Directors and Women’s Board members. We have no small plans as we continue to execute our strategic plan. The support of everyone involved with the Joffrey has positioned us well for the future. I remain deeply impressed by the many contributions of time, talent, and treasure and enthusiastically look forward to the year ahead.”

LIFE DIRECTORS

Grace Barry

Patricia H. Gerber

Pamela B. Strobel

Joseph H. Wender

PAST CHAIRPERSONS

William M. Daley

Fred Eychaner

Gary E. Holdren

Dr. David A. Kipper†

C. Steve McMillian

Bruce Sagan

Maureen Dwyer Smith

Pamela B. Strobel

Jason J. Tyler

Ronald V. Waters III

† Deceased

As of June 30, 2017 LEADERSHIP

LEADERSHIP

Women’s Board of The Joffrey Ballet

OFFICERS

Patti S. Eylar

President

Noren Ungaretti

1st Vice President

Merritt DeWitt

Kathy Kalesperis Smith

2nd Vice Presidents

Ellie Forman

Secretary

Courtney C. Shea

Treasurer

Jessica Steffensen

Sandi Hartstein

Members-at-Large

MEMBERS

Dora J. Aalbregtse

Elisabeth Adams

Mrs. Keene Harwood

Addington III

Julie O’Donnell Allen

Laura Ferris Anderson

Melissa Anton

Raheela Anwar

Emily L. Arch, MD

Annie Atzeff

Melissa M. Babcock

Grace Barry

Kimberly Bartuch

Mary Jo Basler

Nancy Gottlieb Bauer

Heidi Best

Dorothy Bousseau

Jetta Boschen

Sophia P. Bross

Marisa Bryce

Mary Kay Burke

Mary Patricia Burns

Mary Kay Mudd Bushonville

Patsy Callahan

Jenelle Chalmers

Wendy Lynn Chronister

Joan Colmar

Rachel De Marte

Sandra Deromedi

Kelly Dettmann

Bonnie Deutsch

Pamella Roland DeVos

Ellen Distelheim

Jill Dodds

Maia Dunkel

JoNan Eastridge

Christine Du Boulay Ellis

Beth Engel

Deborah Engle

Shelley MacArthur Farley

Lydia Fisher

Jamie-Clare Flaherty

Katherine Fox

Katherine E. Freiburger

Beth Fulkerson

Astra Gamsjaeger

Patricia H. Gerber

Sue-Gray Goller

Darcy E. Goldfarb, MD

Donna Greenberg

Stephanie Grinage

Shana Bear Guthman

Mrs. Marjorie E. Habermann

Mrs. Michael F. Harron

K. Susan Heintz

Kathleen A. Henson

Mrs. John W. Higgins

Leslie S. Hindman

Dana Hokin Garvey

Courtney A. Hoffmann

Jerrilyn M. Hoffmann

Sharon King Hoge

Sherry Lea Holson

Marci Holzer

Brooke Hubbuch

Melinda Jakovich

Candace Collins Jordan

Anne Kaplan

Mrs. Brian Karaba

Jackelyn Kastanis

Elizabeth Ann Kasten

Heidi Keeling

Kerrie Kennedy

Wendy Kilcollin

Alissa King

Kathleen Klaeser

Laura Kofoid

Mrs. Frederick A. Krehbiel

Donna M. LaPietra

Whitney Lasky

Anne Lazar

Dania Leemputte

Anita E. Livaditis

Leslie Logsdon

Mary Keough Lyman

Judith MacLeod

Lisa Klimley Malkin

Joan Malliband

Traci Mansur

Anita Mark

Vida Marks

Heather Martin

Kristina McGrath

Astrid A. McKinnon

Helen Hall Melchior

Amanda Merten

Ms. Julianne Migely

Patricia Miller

Lucy Minor

Anne Simon Moffat

Brooks Morgan

Linda Curtis O’Bannon, MD

Christine Ott

Mrs. Jay L. Owen, Jr.

Mrs. John R. Pacholick

Mary Ellen Pavone

Judith Pierpont

Ibby Pinsky

Victoria Poindexter

D. Elizabeth Price

Rona Radler

Hallie Blanchard Rehwaldt

Emily Rubenstein

Camille Kearns Rudy

Elizabeth Dunkel Ryan

Maggie Scheyer

Sarah Schrup

Andréa J. Schwartz

Liz Sharp

Anne Shea

Carolyn Sheridan

Ms. Veronica Siegel

Amelia Silva

Mrs. Howard Silverman

Mrs. Patricia Simpson Wright

Marilyn Slattery

Maureen Dwyer Smith

Maria Smithburg

Rita Spitz

Dawn Stanislaw

Constance Steinhaus

Liz Stiffel

Carol J. Stone

Cheryl Tama Oblander

Lauren D.W. Tatar

Marina D.W. Tatar

Melissa Trandel

Yolanda Tyler

Kathryn Vail

Victoria C. Verity

Chrissie Walker

Mrs. John R. Walter

Ann Waters

Mrs. Thomas E. Wells IV

Mary Agnes Welsh

Pam Phillips Weston

Kim White

Diana Weiss Widman

Elizabeth Wippman

Joyce M. Wippman

Leslie Zentner

Julie Zuckerman

As of June 30, 2017

Joffrey Auxiliary Board Governing Council

OFFICERS

Emily Strobel Amiet

Carolyn Blessing

Co-chairs

MEMBERS

Michael Amiet

Lauren Huefner

Jaqueline Lentz

Sarah Lombardi

Rees Mason

Joffrey Circle Ambassadors

Emily Strobel Amiet

Carolyn Blessing

Ann Finder

Sue Heintz

Lauren Huefner

Melinda Jakovich

Wendy Kilcollin

Lynda Lane

Richard Leithiser

Anne Moffat

Thomas J. O’Keefe

Mary Ellen Pavone

Carol Pollock

Marilyn Slattery

Dawn Stanislaw

LEADERSHIP

Natalie Matwijiszyn

Dan Patton

John P. Walcher

As of June 30, 2017

Cheryl Tama Oblander

Marina Tatar

Dana Shepard Treister

Olga Weiss

As of June 30, 2017

Julie and Guy Lakonishok. Photo by Dan Rest.
Jackelyn Kastanis and Jamie-Clare Flaherty. Photo by Steve Becker.

LEADERSHIP

Staff

Ashley Wheater Artistic Director

Greg Cameron Executive Director

ARTISTIC

Gerard Charles

Director of Artistic Operations/ Ballet Master

Nicolas Blanc Ballet Master/Principal Coach

Adam Blyde

Suzanne Lopez Ballet Masters

ACADEMY

Karine Provost Academy Director

Raymond Rodriguez Head of Studio Company and Trainee Program

Karin Ellis-Wentz Head of Pre-Professional Programs

Sally Braybrooks Academy Associate and Social Media Coordinator

Allie Deaver-Petchenik Administrative Assistant

Bridget Holmes Communications Coordinator

Sarah Mazzulla Student Services Administrator

Cara Scrementi Academy Production Manager

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Erica Lynette Edwards Director of Community Engagement

Elizabeth Salmonowicz

Community Engagement Manager

Michael Smith

Evelyn Sanchez

Linda Swayze

Community Engagement Program Coordinators

Caitlyn Hunyh

Community Engagement Associate

COMPANY ADMINISTRATION

& PRODUCTION

Blair Baldwin Company Manager

Erin Brown

Artistic & Production Administrative Assistant

Katherine Selig Principal Stage Manager

Amanda Heuermann

Stage Manager

Ellie Cotey Head of Wardrobe

Gregg Benkovich First Assistant/Shoe Manager

Kate Shattock Second Assistant

Debra Schoell

Lead Stitcher

Barbara Luchsinger Stitcher

Alicja Klosek Head of Hair & Make-up

Erin Tinsley Head Electrician

Steven Lange Head Carpenter

Gregg Moeller Properties Head

George Paulin Sound Engineer

Marybeth Cave Assistant Electrician

Joe Principe Flyman

DEVELOPMENT

Sarai Hoffman

Chief Development Officer

Rose Dillon

Development Associate

Julia Doherty Director of Major Gifts

Vince Firpo

Associate Director of Donor Relations

Jerry Ochoa

Assistant Director of Individual Giving

Chelsea Robinson Manager of Events

Petrina Suiter

Assistant Director of Institutional Giving

Courtney Tan Women’s Board Coordinator

FINANCE & OPERATIONS

Kathleen Hechinger Deputy Director & Chief Financial Officer

Aaron Glynn Database Analyst

Paul Key Director of Technology

John Kurtz Director of Facility Operations

Lakesha Kuye

Senior Accountant

Terry McDonough Controller

Christine O’Brien

Board Manager & Executive Assistant to the Executive Director

Amy Wicklund

Director of Human Resources

Erin Winkler

Payroll & Accounts

Payable Coordinator

MARKETING

Brian Smith

Chief Marketing Officer

Colene Byrd Director of Sales &

Patron Services

Vicki Crain

Marketing Manager

Sarah Fiala

Marketing Director

Casey Peek

Patron Services & Marketing Associate

Kyle Cornell

Allison Diamond

Fernando Fernandez, Alisa Philips

Patron Services Associates

MUSIC

Scott Speck

Music Director

Grace Kim

Company Pianist

Paul James Lewis

Senior Pianist/Music Administrator

Kirk Muspratt Cover Conductor

As of June 30, 2017

Lynn Evans, Audrey Peeples, and Dana Rice. Photo by Dan Rest.

2016–2017 Joffrey Artist Roster

Matthew Adamczyk

Derrick Agnoletti

Yoshihisa Arai

Amanda Assucena

Artur Babajanyan

Edson Barbosa

Miguel Angel Blanco

Anais Bueno

Fabrice Calmels

Raúl Casasola

Valeriia Chaykina

Nicole Ciapponi

Lucia Connolly

April Daly

Fernando Duarte

Cara Marie Gary

Stefan Goncalvez

Luis Eduardo Gonzalez

Dylan Gutierrez

Rory Hohenstein

Anastacia Holden

Dara Holmes

Riley Horton

Victoria Jaiani

Hansol Jeong

Gayeon Jung

Yumi Kanazawa

Brooke Linford

Graham Maverick

Jeraldine Mendoza

Jacqueline Moscicke

Aaron Renteria

Christine Rocas

Paulo Rodrigues

Chloé Sherman

Temur Suluashvili

Olivia Tang-Mifsud

Alonso Tepetzi

Eliveton Tomazi

Alberto Velazquez

Mahallia Ward

Joanna Wozniak

Joan Sebastián Zamora

As of June 30, 2017

Kyle DeSantis, Liz Sharp, and Mitchell Hatcher. Photo by Dan Rest.
John Krehbiel, Karen Gray-Krehbiel, and King Harris. Photo by Dan Rest. Susan and Josh Oleari. Photo by Dan Rest.
Paulo Rodrigues and Victoria Jaiani n Krzysztof Pastor’s Romeo & Juliet. Photo by Cheryl Mann.

2016–2017

56 Community Engagement programs in 28 schools

476,764 website visitors to joffrey.org

35,700 Instagram followers

2.3M page views &

96,365 tickets sold students enrolled at the Joffrey Academy of Dance 737

61 Company performances in Chicago

39,200 Twitter followers

182,481 friends on Facebook

460 young dancers enrolled in Joffrey Academy of Dance summer programs

43 Company dancers

As of June 2017

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The Joffrey Ballet 2016-2017 Annual Report by The Joffrey Ballet - Issuu