2023 A Midsummer Night's Dream

Dear Friends of the Ballet,

Welcome to Ventura County Ballet’s Spring Ballet. This is a production to celebrate after the COVID pandemic sidelined us for several years. During those years, our dancers continued to study ballet online and finally in the studio at Ballet Academy Ventura, the official school of the Ventura County Ballet. VCB also presented online performances as well as performing “en mask” in downtown Ventura. Our Fall 2022 Nutcracker was an enormous success with five sold-out houses. We are proud to present world-class dance performances in Ventura, Camarillo, and Oxnard. Ventura County is fortunate to have a lively arts scene, and we are pleased to be an integral part of this rich cultural fabric. We touch and engage the community beyond the walls of our theaters. As a non-profit, we rely on the generosity of our communities and hope you will support us through our Red Shoes program.

• Performance – Annual production of the beloved Nutcracker, followed by a spring ballet – either a classical story ballet or original, contemporary or multicultural works exploring the world of dance through our DAnce ART program. Our productions are professionally choreographed by renowned directors and performed by internationally acclaimed professional dancers, accompanied by preprofessionals. Lavish sets, costumes and special effects contribute to the audience’s enjoyment.

• Outreach – Free events in diverse venues bring the magic of dance to underserved children and families in our community. This season we performed at the Camarillo and Ventura Boys and Girls Clubs, Ventura County Medical Center’s Pediatric Oncology Clinic, Camarillo Public Library and Montalvo School.

• Education – Your support has helped us present dance education events led by our directors in theaters and bring thousands of children to enjoy our shows. Past events included free transportation for 1,500 students to attend a special interactive performance at Oxnard Performing Arts Center.

• Collaboration – We have collaborated with the New West Symphony, the Ventura Music Festival, The Museum of Ventura County, Focus on the Masters, the Rubicon and many others. Your patronage will help us once again create the excitement of artistic expression across the spectrum. During COVID, our DAnce ART program presented two free streaming programs – The Classics and Dance Through a Contemporary Lens. These new, creative collaborations break down barriers between disciplines and challenge the way we think about dance while reaching diverse audiences.

We hope you enjoy A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Fairy Doll and will join us as patrons and sponsors.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Noblin, Executive Director Eileen Riddle, President Board of Directors

The Fairy Doll

In an old-fashioned toyshop filled with dolls from around the world, the Toymaker and his errand boy are preparing for their customers. First comes a merchant Herr Hemmacher with his family. As they look around the shop, in comes the prosperous Herr Plumptemer and his family. They demand to see every doll in the shop as only the very best doll will do.

One after another, the Toymaker shows off his dancing dolls – a Tyrolean Doll, a Baby Doll that says Mama, a Capricious Doll who flirts with all, Punchinello and a Jester, even two Pierrot Dolls. Nothing satisfies them. Finally, the Toymaker reveals his most special doll - the Fairy Doll who dances a beautiful waltz. The Plumptemer Family is delighted. They purchase the Fairy Doll and arrange for her to be delivered to their home. She is then put back in her case.

The Toymaker closes the shop for the night. Suddenly, at midnight, the shop comes magically alive. Leading all the activity is the Fairy Doll. One after another, dolls from around the world dance – the Bunny Drummer Doll, the Russian Doll, the Chinese Doll, the French Doll, the Japanese Doll, the Spanish Doll. Then all join together in a grand waltz and a march around the shop. Finally, led by the Fairy Doll, they all return to their places in the toy shop.

The Toymaker, who had been awakened by the noise, rushes into the shop, but everything is quiet and in order. As he stands there puzzled by what he has heard, we see a beautiful scene of all the dolls gathered around the Fairy Doll.

BEHIND THE SCENES - THE FAIRY DOLL

The Fairy Doll

A Ballet in One Act

Choreography: Sergei & Nikolai Legat

Music: Josef Bayer

Ballet Mistress: Marina Fliagina Assistant: Bretislav Weidlich

The Toymaker: Sergei Domrachev

Fairy Doll: Ella Ullrich

Pierrot Dolls: Carter Gillespie, Jonah Tillery

Merchant Herr Hemmacher and Frau Hemmacher: Alvaro Quita, Madeleine Riddle

Hemmacher Children: Arianna Garcia, Aubree Lindsey, Olivia Poelstra, Emmy Steinlicht

Herr Plumptemer and Frau Plumptemer: Phoenix Wilkins, Aria Opean

Plumptemer Children: Vivienne Aulenta, Keira Barker, Emma Hansen, Mila Reine Watts

Errand Boy: Daxton Ehret

Tyrolean Doll: Sienna Darlucio

Baby Doll: Hailey Hall

Capricious Doll: Sylvie Lane Watts

Punchinello and Jester: Tasi Lefler, Felipe Covarrubias

Waltzing Dolls: Stevi Almanza, James Garrison, Rebeca Hu, Angela Hua

Porcelain Dolls: Mariah V. Garcia, Kirra Anderson

Lace Dolls: Noelle Hall, Emma Hansen, Helena Grace Jones, Leona Bea Rutherford

Bunny Drummer Doll: Miranda Aguilar

Russian Doll: McKenna Parcher

Chinese Doll: Molly Globerman

French Doll: London Lindsay

Japanese Doll: Isheeta Pal

Spanish Doll: Nika Wallach

Grand Finale: All Dolls

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

It’s Midsummer’s Eve, a time of great rejoicing and mischief among the fairies of the forest. Oberon, the King of the Fairies, and Queen Titania are quarreling over a changeling child. To get the child for himself, Oberon calls on Puck, a mischievous fairy who loves to play tricks on mortals.

Elsewhere in the forest, young mortal lovers Hermia and Lysander are running away to be married because Hermia’s father does not approve. He wants her to marry wealthy Demetrius who doesn’t love Hermia. Demetrius once loved Hermia’s friend Helena, but he is attracted to Hermia’s dowry and chases after her into the forest. Helena still loves Demetrius, so she also follows him into the forest. Meanwhile, a group of Rustics including Nick Bottom are preparing a play for the Duke’s coming wedding.

Oberon decides he will solve the lovers’ problems as well as his own. He sends Puck to retrieve a magic flower with nectar that makes those under its spell fall in love with the first creature they see upon awakening. He tells Puck to use the flower on both Titania to get his way and on Demetrius so he will fall back in love with Helena.

Puck mistakes Lysander for Demetrius and puts the magic nectar in his eyes. When Lysander awakens and sees Helena running through the forest, he falls madly in love with her and forsakes Hermia.

Into this confusion come Bottom and his friends. Puck mischievously turns Bottom’s head into a donkey head, frightening off his friends and leaving him alone in the forest. At this point Titania, Queen of the Fairies, awakens after Puck has put nectar in her eyes. She sees Bottom and falls in love with him, donkey head and all.

Oberon sees what happened and sends Puck to set things right with the young lovers. With the magic nectar, Lysander again loves Hermia and Demetrius now loves Helena. Oberon is also sorry for the trick he played on Titania and squeezes the magic nectar into her eyes. When she awakes this time, she sees Oberon and declares her love for him. Puck also reverses the magic trick on Bottom, removing the donkey head.

The whole forest is enchanted by Titania and Oberon who bless the young couples, sending everyone into a future of happiness, thanks to the power of love on this magical Midsummer Night.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

A Ballet in One Act

Choreography: Rodney Gustafson

Music: Felix Mendelssohn

Ballet Mistress: Marina Fliagina

Titania: Hanna Chudinova

Oberon: Jack Stewart

Puck: Felipe Covarrubias

Bottom: Sergei Domrachev

Lysander: Phoenix Wilkins

Hermia: Aria Opean

Demetrius: Alvaro Quita

Helena: Brenna Chumacero

Peaseblossom: Ella Ullrich

Cobweb: Miranda Aguilar

Mothwing: Nika Wallach

Changeling Child: Helena Grace Jones

Forest Fairies: Sienna Darlucio, Molly Globerman, Hailey Hall, Isheeta Pal, McKenna Parcher, Sylvie Lane Watts

Kirra Anderson, Mariah V. Garcia, Noelle Hall, Rebeca Hu, Angela Hua, Tasi Lefler, London Lindsay, Leona Bea Rutherford

Rustics: Carter Gillespie, Jonah Tillery With Stevi Almanza, Daxton Ehret, James Garrison, Emma Hansen

Young Fairies: Vivienne Aulenta, Keira Barker, Isadora Chandler, Arianna Garcia, Aubree Lindsey , Olivia Poelstra, Emmy Steinlicht, Mila Reine Watts

VCB ARTISTIC STAFF

KATHLEEN NOBLIN, Executive Director / Founder

Ms. Noblin founded Ballet Academy Ventura, official school of Ventura County Ballet, in 1992 and founded Ventura County Ballet (VCB) in 1998. She has served as Executive Director ever since. VCB annually presents The Nutcracker and spring ballets, contemporary / neoclassical works and community outreach events. Ms. Noblin has directed collaborations with many other regional arts organizations. In 2008, Ms. Noblin received the City of Ventura Mayor’s Arts Award as Arts Educator of the Year. A graduate of UCLA School of Nursing, Ms. Noblin is also a Certified Public Health Nurse.

MARINA FLIAGINA , Choreographer / Ballet Mistress

Born in Russia, Ms. Fliagina graduated with distinction from the Perm State College of choreography. In 1990 she was accepted to Moscow State Theatre Kremlin Ballet and then to the Perm Ballet where she was a soloist. She has performed major roles in all the famous classical ballets and toured with the Russian Imperial Ballet, Moscow Classical Ballet and the Moscow Festival Ballet. Ms. Fliagina joined State Street Ballet as a dancer and was promoted to Ballet Mistress. Ms. Fliagina has been Ventura County Ballet’s Associate Artistic Director, Choreographer and Ballet Mistress since 2005.

PRINCIPAL GUEST ARTISTS

HANNA

CHUDINOVA

Hanna, appearing as Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, is from Kyiv, Ukraine. She has toured Europe and the U.S. with Kyiv Ballet, St. Petersburg Ballet, Moscow Ballet and Russian Grand Ballet. She has danced featured roles in La Bayadere, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker and Don Quixote. Hanna was Dream Clara in Ventura County Ballet’s 2022 The Nutcracker

JACK STEWART

Jack, appearing as Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, is from Albuquerque, NM. He trained at New Mexico Ballet with his mother Jennifer Boren. Jack has performed principal roles with State Street Ballet in The Nutcracker, The Secret Garden, Starry Night and American Tango. He recently toured England dancing in Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. This is Jack’s 14th season with Ventura County Ballet.

SERGEI DOMRACHEV

Sergei, appearing as Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Toymaker in The Fairy Doll, was born in Russia and graduated from the Perm Ballet Academy. He has danced professionally as a soloist with both Moscow Classical Ballet and Los Angeles Classical Ballet and spent 20 years with State Street Ballet. This is his 18th season with Ventura County Ballet.

ALVARO QUITA

Alvaro, appearing as Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Herr Hemmacher in The Fairy Doll, is from Tucson, Arizona. He began his training at Dancing in the Streets Arizona. He also attended State Street Ballet’s Summer Intensive and Professional Track program. Alvaro has performed with State Street Ballet, Fresno Ballet Theatre and Northwest Ballet. This is his 5th season with Ventura County Ballet.

GUEST ARTISTS

FELIPE COVARRUBIAS

Felipe is a trainee in State Street Ballet’s Professional Track Program. A native of Santiago, Chile, he is appearing as Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the Jester in The Fairy Doll. He received his ballet training in the Escuela de Ballet del Teatro Municipal de Santiago.

PHOENIX WILKINS

Phoenix is a trainee in State Street Ballet’s Professional Track Program. Born into a dance family in Seattle, he is appearing as Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Herr Plumptemer in The Fairy Doll. Phoenix trained at DASSDance and Joffrey Ballet School NYC before joining State Street Ballet’s Professional Track.

ARIA OPEAN

Aria is a trainee in State Street Ballet’s Professional Track Program. She is appearing as Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Frau Plumptemer in The Fairy Doll. Aria studied with American Ballet Theater, Joffrey Ballet, Dutch National Ballet and Finnish National Ballet before coming to State Street Ballet.

BRENNA CHUMACERO

Brenna is a trainee in State Street Ballet’s Professional Track Program. She is appearing as Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Frau Hemmacher in The Fairy Doll. Brenna trained in the professional training division of Ballet West before coming to State Street Ballet.

VCB PRE-PROFESSIONAL SENIORS

ELLA ULLRICH

Ella, 17, is a senior at Ventura High School. She is appearing as Peaseblossom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and as the Fairy Doll in The Fairy Doll. She trains at Ballet Academy Ventura and has also attended San Francisco Ballet, State Street Ballet and Marat Daukayev Ballet School summer intensive programs.

SIENNA DARLUCIO

Sienna, 17, is a senior at Foothill Technology High School. She is appearing as a Forest Fairy in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and as the Tyrolean Doll in The Fairy Doll. She trains at Ballet Academy Ventura and also studied at Gustafson Dance’s summer program.

VCB PRE-PROFESSIONALS

MIRANDA AGUILAR

Miranda, 16, is a sophomore at Foothill Technology High School. She is appearing as Cobweb in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Bunny Drummer Doll in The Fairy Doll.

CARTER GILLESPIE

Carter, 16, is a junior at Newbury Park High School. He is appearing as a Rustic in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Pierrot Doll in The Fairy Doll.

ISHEETA PAL

Isheeta, 17, is a junior at Foothill Technology High School. She is appearing as a Forest Fairy in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Japanese Doll in The Fairy Doll

MCKENNA PARCHER

McKenna, 15, is a sophomore at Foothill Technology High School. She is appearing as a Forest Fairy in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Russian Doll in The Fairy Doll.

MOLLY GLOBERMAN

Molly, 17, is a junior at Ventura High School. She is appearing as a Forest Fairy in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Chinese Doll in The Fairy Doll.

JONAH TILLERY

Jonah, 16, is a sophomore at Ventura High School. He is appearing as a Rustic in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Pierrot Doll in The Fairy Doll.

HAILEY HALL

Hailey, 15, is a sophomore at Foothill Technology High School. She is appearing as a Forest Fairy in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Baby Doll in The Fairy Doll

NIKA WALLACH

Nika, 17, is a junior at Ventura High School. She is appearing as Mothwing in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Spanish Doll in The Fairy Doll

TASI LEFLER

Tasi, 15, is a freshman at Ventura High School. She is appearing as a Forest Fairy in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Punchinello Doll in The Fairy Doll.

SYLVIE LANE WATTS

Sylvie, 14, is in eighth grade at Cabrillo Middle School. She is appearing as a Forest Fairy in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Capricious Doll in The Fairy Doll.

LONDON LINDSAY

London, 14, is in eighth grade at Cabrillo Middle School. She is appearing as a Forest Fairy in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and French Doll in The Fairy Doll

PARENT VOLUNTEER GUILD

PVG Co-Chairs

YESANIA ANDERSON • CARLY SPAHR

CREW LEADERS

Backstage Props

AMY AGUILAR • AMY WATTS

Box Office

SARAH OTTERSTROM

Dressing Rooms

ELIZABETH CHANDLER

Fairy Party

ALISA HALL

Grams

MELISSA LEFLER

House Manager

ALYSSA POELSTRA

Load/Unload

MATT EHRET

Lobby Boutique

DON & DEBBIE GILLESPIE • AMY WATTS

Makeup & Hair

LUCY GARCIA • BRANDI TILLERY

Marketing & Poster/Program Design

AMY AGUILAR

Public Relations & Outreach

CHERYL SILLS

Red Shoes Reception

WENDY ULLRICH

Security

STEVEN ALMANZA • SHANE HALL

Sewing

MINDY EHRET

Ushers/Ticket Takers

LARAE & BRIAN HANSEN

Ventura County Ballet would like to thank all of the volunteers who gave generously of their time to make this year’s Spring Ballet a success. Without our wonderful volunteers, this production would not be possible.

Acting Coach & Makeup Design

MADELEINE RIDDLE

Costumes/ THE FAIRY DOLL

ANN DE FARRA, ERNESTINA PONCE, BARBARA VIRUETTA, BARB WHALEN

Costumes/A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S

DREAM

CHRISTINE GIANNINI, STATE STREET

BALLET

Rehearsal Assistant

HAILLEY GOLETA

Stage Manager

KATIE BARRY, RANCHO CAMPANA PAC SUPERVISOR

Stage Crew

RANCHO CAMPANA THEATER ARTS

STUDENTS

RED SHOES SPONSORS 2022-2023 SEASON

$8,500 OPERATING GRANT

Cultural Arts Commission, City of Ventura

$5,000 PRINCIPAL

Jewelry Couture

Smith Hobson Foundation

$2,500 SOLOIST

Flying H Wine

Kathleen A. Noblin

$1.000 CORPS DE BALLET

Anonymous

Anonymous

Kalorama Landscape, Inc

Ish and Barbara Messer

Ms. Christine Petti

Eileen Riddle

John and Barbara Tyler

Chris and Wendy Ullrich

$500 PATRON

Don L. Carlton, Inc.

Independent Concrete Cutting, Inc.

Rick and Sarah Rutherford

Linda Amaral

$250 PARTNER

Emerson Law, APC

Laura Garcia

Bruce and Kimberly Globerman

Hair by Brandi Tillery

Pam and Bob Reinig

Cheryl and Steven Sills

Smart and Final Charitable Foundation

$100 CONTRIBUTOR

Suellen Abajian

The Dance Store

K.U. Lash Design by Kelly Urwin

Yelena Wallach

$50 FRIEND

Steven Abajian

Barbara Herman

Melinda Hoyt

B.J. Loughman

Cynthia Loughman

Madeleine Riddle

Dawn Seaman

Steinlicht Family

IN-KIND DONORS

FOUNDING DONORS

RedShoesisthefundraisingarmofVenturaCountyBallet.Ourmissionisto preserveandpromoteballetaspartoftherichartsfabricofVenturaCounty.

Your contributions are essential to bring this Spring Ballet and the beloved Nutcracker to the stage this season and for seasons to come.

Become a Red Shoes sponsor today and support:

• Our Spring Ballets and annual production of The Nutcracker, plus additional classical and contemporary works

• Outreach performances for underserved youth in our community

• Opportunities for Ventura County Ballet dancers to train and perform with professional dancers

• Productions bringing professional dancers from across the globe to Ventura County

At each level of support, we are delighted to offer exclusive rewards to thank you for your support and recognize your contribution including an invitation to our Red Shoes Reception held one hour prior to show time.

Please use the QR code or visit our website VenturaCountyBallet.com/sponsorships

Your contributions make a difference!

Ventura County Ballet is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and your donation is tax deductible in accordance with law.

Thank you for your continued support!

VENTURA COUNTY BALLET BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EILEEN RIDDLE , President Board of Directors

Eileen Riddle, an educator, director and producer, returned this season to lead Ventura County Ballet. With a B.A. and M.A. from UCLA’s School of Theatre, Film and Television, she began her career as an educator. At Beverly Hills High School, she chaired the Theatre Department, teaching acting while directing musicals, plays and competitions. She also taught at UCLA’s Theatre Department and at Pepperdine University where she directed West Side Story, the first production in the Smothers Theater. Her Broadway experience includes working as a producer with Tony Award-winning playwright Dale Wasserman and launching new works at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center. Returning to Ventura, she was VCB’s Board President for 12 years. As Chair of Ventura’s Cultural Affairs Commission, she created many exciting arts collaborations and arts events during her 14-year tenure.

KATHLEEN NOBLIN, Executive Director

EILEEN RIDDLE , President

PAM REINIG, Vice President

GISELLE CALIXTRO, Treasurer

CHERYL SILLS , Secretary

AMY AGUILAR , Member

CYNTHIA LOUGHMAN, Member

WENDY ULLRICH, Member

TODAY’S PRODUCTION IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF ZHAN MISHEL PANCHUK