2020_Nutcracker_Virtual_Program

2 THE TALLAHASSEE BALLET


2020-2021 Corporate SponSorS
PREMIER DANSEUR CIRCLE
State of Florida Council on Culture & Arts Leon County City of Tallahassee
Advanced Drying Systems AON
Capitol Preferred Insurance Company, Inc.
CenturyLink
PRODUCERS CIRCLE
LDR Design, Inc. Prime Meridian Bank Publix Super Markets
Charities Smart Choice
CHOREOGRAPHERS CIRCLE
Southern Fidelity Insurance
Southern Financial Insurance Group
Sundberg, PA WTXL ABC 27
Capital City Bank Group Crisp Claims Service Florida League of Cities
FSU School of Dance Mid-America Catastrophe Services Mom & Dad’s Italian Restaurant
ENCORE CIRCLE
Dina Ivory Photography Hilly Fields Florist & Gifts Westminster Oaks
ENSEMBLE CIRCLE
Synovus
Wild Birds Unlimited
Morningstar Storage Paul Davis Restoration Rowland Publishing TSI Adjusters United Storm Adjusters
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4
THE TALLAHASSEE BALLET
2020-2021 Board of direCtorS
exeCutive Committee
Karen Joiner Barineau Lacoadia Burkes
Carla Hutchinson, PhD, President Trina Searcy, President-Elect Shelby Augustyniak, Past President Agatha Muse-Salters, Treasurer Nancy Fontaine, Secretary
Board memBerS
Betsy Couch Alix Miller
Felicia Leborgne Nowels Khanty Xayabouth
Community adviSory Board
Jack Diestelhorst Dan Hollaway Tom Hunter Jane Marks
Sharon Maxwell-Ferguson Maria Montas
Lori Danello Roberts Richard Sias


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BETTON PLACE
The Tallahassee Ballet is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
850-224-6917 [email protected] 1940 N Monroe Street, Suite 78 Tallahassee, FL 32303
Website: TallahasseeBallet.org Facebook: facebook.com/tallahasseeballet
facebook.com/tallahasseeballetschool Twitter: twitter.com/TTBallet
Instagram: instagram@TheTallahasseeBallet
ADMINISTRATIVE
AND ARTISTIC STAFF
Janet Pichard
Chief Executive Officer
Tyrone Brooks
Artistic Director
Kathryn Karrh Cashin
Resident Choreographer
Hope Eltomi
Assistant to the Artistic Director
Ann Todd
Resident Costume Designer
Yenna Colvin
Costume Mistress
Boo Hartsell
Costume Mistress
Meagan Helman
School Director
Carla DeLoach
Development Director
Jenny Leavitt
Ticket Office/Administrative Assistant TTB Photos by Meagan Helman
www.robertsjewelry.net
Creating Heirlooms
1950-M Thomasville Road Above Food Glorious Food 850.422.1373
6 THE TALLAHASSEE BALLET


Happy Holidays!
a meSSage from the Chief exeCutive offiCer
Thank you for investing in The Tallahassee Ballet’s future by purchasing this virtual performance of our 2019 Nutcracker!
While we miss seeing you in the theatre, we hope that our performance of The Nutcracker will brighten your holidays and create lasting memories for you and your loved ones.
Last year we introduced our newest Principal Dancers
Tomoko Takahashi and Diego Rafael de Siqueira. These
nationally acclaimed dancers bring extraordinary technique
and artistry to The Tallahassee Ballet. Prior to moving to
Tallahassee in 2019, Tomoko was a Principal Dancer with
The Israel Ballet (2014-2017). Diego has received medals
from around the world, including the Silver Medal for Grand Pas
de Deux at the Premio Internacional de Danca de Sao Paulo Dance Competition in Brazil and the Best Dancer Award for Grand Pas de Deux at the Paris Festival in France.
Artistic Director Tyrone Brooks continues to expand local, national, and international col- laborations with dancers, choreographers, and musicians. His spring performance, Dancing in the Streets, will feature our dancers performing in outdoor venues showcasing the beauty of our area. Stay connected through social media and our website to receive updates on how you can access this free virtual performance in April 2021.
If you have not already done so, we hope you will consider helping us achieve our mission by becoming a donor. Donations may be made in a single donation or a recurring donation as a Sustaining Patron. For as little as $10+/month you can help The Tallahassee Ballet continue to expand the arts in our community. I encourage you to visit TallahasseeBallet.org/support- the-ballet/individuals/ to become a part of the dream!
We are grateful for your support! Janet Pichard
Janet Pichard
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Our Story ...
The Tallahassee Ballet (TTB) was founded in 1972 as “The Tallahassee Civic
Ballet,” Tallahassee’s premiere ballet company. The Ballet was founded by Helen Salter, a former Balanchine dancer who dedicated her life to dance from an early age. The original studios were housed in the lower level of the Northwood Mall which was, at the time, a thriving shopping center.
In the four decades since its inception, The Tallahassee Ballet has
evolved alongside our city, becoming an integral part of Tallahassee culture. Over 47 seasons, the Ballet has provided North Florida with renditions of some of the world’s most renowned ballets highlighted by exquisite music, original costumes, and innovative choreography.
We proudly operate on a mission of enriching our community through exposure to excellent dance, education, and community outreach.
The Tallahassee Ballet company is composed of 40-50 dancers who are
8 THE TALLAHASSEE BALLET


selected annually through auditions and train at the dedicated studios of The Tallahassee Ballet School. The troupe consists of both professional and emerging professional dancers, as well as critically acclaimed guest artists representing major ballet companies from across North America. Over the years, our dancers have had the opportunity to study under and perform with more than 500 guest choreographers, artists, teachers, and musicians.
In the early years, the Ballet was administered by an active volunteer Board of Directors and Artistic Director Nancy Carroll Abbey.
Joyce Straub Fausone was the
next Artistic Director, leading the organization to prosper for more than 20 years in partnership with Resident Choreographer Kathryn Karrh Cashin. Cashin was responsible for choreographing the first full-length production of The Nutcracker in 1986, and many other works including
the premieres of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Cinderella, and Beauty and the Beast.
In 2006, The Tallahassee Ballet hired Artistic Director Henry Hernandez, an international performer (Ballet Royal de Wallonie,
continued
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Our Story
continued from previous page
Belgium) and former principal dancer and choreographer for Southern Ballet Theatre (Orlando Ballet). In 2008, Rick McCullough became
The Tallahassee Ballet’s Artistic Director. McCullough was on faculty with the Florida State University School of Dance. He has performed internationally and received numerous choreography awards.
In 2013, The Tallahassee Ballet welcomed Artistic Director Tyrone Brooks. Brooks brings with him a wide range of professional experience including 18 years as a Principal Dancer at the Dance Theatre of Harlem in New York City. Brooks’s artistic vision is the foundation
for TTB’s productions, which are
spearheaded by a creative team including Brooks, Assistant to the Artistic Director Hope Eltomi, and Resident Choreographer Kathryn Karrh Cashin.
The Tallahassee Ballet is administered by an active Board
of Directors and a full-time Chief Executive Officer, Janet Pichard. Corporate underwriting, private foundations, and grant support are also vital to The Tallahassee Ballet. TTB receives continuous support from local businesses; national companies; and city, county, state, and federal grant programs. The Tallahassee Ballet relies on and values the resources of the FSU College of Music, Florida State Opera, FSU School of Dance, FSU School of Theatre, and FAMU that contribute to our prosperity. Additionally,
TTB is funded in part by the State
of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.
The exceptional reputation of The Tallahassee Ballet is the product
of many individuals over the years who have given their talents and dedication.
Giving back to our community
is a critical part of our mission, and TTB has supported community outreach programs since its inception. Over the years, the programs have grown, expanded, and traveled to ensure that they continue to meet
the needs of the community. Current
10
THE TALLAHASSEE BALLET


programming includes Now Playing (live productions for school audiences), On Stage Now (encore mini- performances), Backstage at the Ballet (educational open house event for the community), Turning Pointe (summer workshop series for dancers), Joy of Motion (summer camps and classes), and regional touring.
The most widespread community outreach program is DanceChance, which was initiated in 1997. This program was designed to provide economically disadvantaged school- aged children with tuition-free dance instruction and dancewear. The program currently provides classes in public schools, after-school programs, and community centers around
Leon County.
Over the past 46 seasons, The
Tallahassee Ballet has established a repertoire as diverse as the Company itself. TTB’s repertoire of both classical and contemporary works
has gradually grown to include 16 classical ballet pieces, seven full-length ballet productions, 21 neoclassical pieces, 47 modern ballet and jazz pieces, 18 romantic ballet pieces, and six children’s ballets.
The Tallahassee Ballet strives to present quality ballet productions that will stimulate appreciation of dance and cultural arts in the community. From first-time attendees to veteran ballet fans, and from college students to families, our productions truly have something to offer everyone.
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Lisa C. Graganella NUTCRACKER
GOLF CLASSIC Save the date for a fabulous
day of golf, food & fun!
MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2021
The annual Lisa C. Graganella Nutcracker Golf Classic is The Tallahassee Ballet’s largest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds from this event not only raise the supplemental funds needed to present quality ballet productions annually, but also help to support our many community outreach programs including DanceChance. Through this program, TTB provides tuition-free instruction and dancewear to economically disadvantaged children. Eleven public schools participate in our DanceChance program.
The Tournament is held at Killearn Country Club, an upscale 18-hole course set in the heart of picturesque Tallahassee, Florida. Participants enjoy first-class golf and a chance to win one of three top prizes, door prizes and silent auction items donated by TTB’s Board of Directors, dancers and local businesses, ranging from vacation destinations to jewelry and gift certificates.
For Sponsor or Team Information, call 224-6917, ext. 21 To Register, visit tallahasseeballet.org/special-events
The 25th Annual


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artiStiC direCtor tyrone BrookS
Tyrone Brooks joined The Tallahassee Ballet as the Artistic Director in the 2013-2014 season. He has a wide range of professional experience including 18 years as a Principal Dancer with the Dance Theatre of Harlem, New York
City (DTH). Brooks has been featured in a number of acclaimed performances including Alvin Ailey’s The River, Jerome Robbins’ Fancy Free, and John Butler’s Othello. He has also performed internationally in Austria, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Israel, Japan, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, Venezuela, South Africa, and Russia.
In 1984, Brooks was nominated for the Dancers Choice
Award in London for his performance as Alan Strange in Equus.
His work has also been in a number of television specials including the NBC presentation of Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Creole Giselle, the closing ceremonies of the 1984 Olympics, the PBS series Dance in America, CBS 60 Minutes with Ed Bradley featuring DTH, the PBS presentation of Live at the Kennedy Center The Making of Firebird, and the 1993 Kennedy Center Honors.
For over 25 years, Brooks served as full-time Ballet Faculty at DTH. During that time he also served as the Associate Director of the DTH community outreach program Dancing Through Barriers Ensemble. As Associate Director, Brooks represented DTH as a teaching artist in New York City Public Schools and created curriculum development workshops for teachers. He also conducted master classes and outreach programs in South Florida, for the Dance Theatre of Harlem-Kennedy Center Residency in Washington, D.C., and the Northern Virginia region.
Mr. Brooks has also taught at the various institutions including Hofstra University, Mary Mount Manhattan College, Florida State University School of Dance, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, New World School of the Arts, Thomas Armour Youth Ballet, Flint Institute of Music- Flint Youth Ballet, Interlochin Center for the Arts, Ballet Hispanico, and Hampton University.
In 2004, Brooks joined the Virginia School of the Arts as the Director of Community Dance and was subsequently appointed as the Executive Director of the Virginia School
of the Arts by the Board of Directors. During his tenure at the Virginia School of the Arts, Brooks became an active member of the Lynchburg community and developed community partnerships. His community engagement extended to service on the advisory panel for the Virginia Commission for the Arts Tour and Performing Arts Directory, James River Diversity Council, and the Board of Directors of the James River Council for the Arts.
Mr. Brooks has served on the Florida State University Friends of Dance Board of Directors, The Florida Division for Individual Artist Fellowship Panel, and has choreographed for The Tallahassee Chapter “Links” Beautillion.
Mr. Brooks is featured in Smithsonian Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington, D.C., with the Dance Theatre of Harlem and was recently inducted into (MOBB) Museum of Blacks in Ballet.
Tyrone Brooks
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aSSiStant to the artiStiC direCtor hope eltomi
Hope Eltomi began her administrative experience in 2012 when she graduated from Florida State University and worked as the Assistant to the Artistic Director for The Tallahassee Ballet for one year. She then joined the Ballet as a soloist and began working for Wildwood Ballet as the Assistant to the Executive Director. She assisted in running Wildwood Ballet’s school for three years.
In 2016, Hope was hired by The Krizner Group law firm as Bill
Krizner’s assistant. A few of her duties included managing the
lawyers’ schedules at The Krizner Group, maintaining day-to-day
organization, coordinating and planning seminars and events,
and acting as Bill Krizner’s personal assistant. Hope loves helping
maintain a superior level of organization, conscientiousness, and
efficiency in administration. This is Hope’s first season as assistant to Mr. Brooks.
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orCheStra ConduCtor dr. alexander Jiménez
A conductor and pedagogue, Dr. Alexander Jiménez serves as professor of conducting and director of orchestral studies at the Florida State University College of Music, one of the leading music programs in the United States. Under his direction the University Orchestras have become recognized among the most important orchestral training programs in the United States.
A dynamic and versatile podium presence, Dr. Jiménez has appeared with orchestras throughout the United States, Europe, and the Middle East, including engagements
in Belgium, Austria, the Czech Republic, Israel, and Italy. Under his direction, the
FSU Orchestras have continued their long tradition of excellence. Both the University Philharmonia and the University Symphony Orchestra (USO) under Dr. Jiménez have championed new music and collaborated with such composers as Krzysztof Penderecki, Georg Friedrich Haas, John Harbison, Martin Bresnick, Jeff Beal, Anthony Iannaconne, Christopher Theofanidis, Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, Chen Yi, Zhou Long, Tomas Svoboda, and Ladislav Kubik. In 2007 the USO was featured in the PBS special Peanuts Gallery®, which was awarded Best Performance of 2007 by the National Educational Telecommunications Association. Dr. Jiménez has premiered new works with the University Orchestras, including the world premieres of The General by Emmy Award-winning composer Jeff Beal, the Piano Concerto No. 3 by Ladislav Kubik (Dr. Jiménez led the world-premiere recording of this work with the Brno Philharmonic), Trumpeting the Stone by Brent Michael Davids, and Alma by Harold Schiffman. Dr. Jiménez has recorded with the Mark, CBC/Ovation, Col Legno,
18 THE TALLAHASSEE BALLET


Neos, and Naxos labels. Of the USO’s 2010 recording on Naxos of Zwilich’s works for piano and orchestra, Lynn René Bayley of Fanfare stated that “Alexander Jiménez and the Florida State Symphony, who premiered the Peanuts Gallery, perform all three works here with tremendous sympathy, love, and excitement.” David Hurwitz, writing for ClassicsToday.com, exclaimed, “...the Florida State University Symphony Orchestra under Alexander Jiménez leaves absolutely nothing to be desired.” In 2014 Naxos released the USO’s recording of the Dohnányi Symphony No. 2 and the world-premiere recording of Dohnányi’s Two Songs for Baritone and Orchestra. Dr. Jiménez has accompanied many of the world’s leading artists covering a wide variety of genres, including Joshua Bell, Lynn Harrell, Denyce Graves, Christopher O’Reily, jazz great Marcus Roberts, the Canadian Brass, Scotty Barnhart, and many others. Since 2015 he has conducted the faculty-led Festival Orchestra of the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan.
A highly respected educator, Dr. Jiménez is in demand as a guest conductor, teacher, and adjudicator with youth orchestras and adjudication panels throughout the United States and Europe. Since 2009 he has served on the international jury panel of the European Festival of Music for Young People in Neerpelt, Belgium, and in 2013 was named International Festival Ambassador. From 2010-2012 he served as president of the College Orchestra Directors Association and served as music director of the Tallahassee Youth Orchestras from 2000- 2017. Dr. Jiménez is the recipient of numerous Florida State University teaching awards and has been nominated for the Distinguished Teaching Award.
CompoSer
peter ilyiCh tChaikovSky
Tchaikovsky was a Russian composer of the Romantic era. His wide-ranging output includes some of the most popular concert and theatrical music in the clas- sical repertoire, including the ballets Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker; the 1812 Overture; his Piano Concerto No. 1; his last three numbered sympho- nies; and the opera Eugene Onegin.
Born into a middle-class family, Tchaikovsky was edu- cated for a career as a civil servant, despite his obvious musical talent. He pursued a musical career against the wishes of his family, entering the Saint Petersburg Conservatory in 1862 and graduating in 1865. By the end of the 19th century, Tchaikovsky had earned the status of a significant composer.
(May 7, 1840 - NoveMber 6, 1893)
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Although the main stage is currently dark, there is still a lot going on backstage during this inconceivable intermission.
Social media and our website allow you to stay connected with YAT’s happenings, including:
• Sociallydistantandvirtualclasses
• TravelingfundraisingCovid-safeperformances
• CrossingJordan—localauthor’sworkcomestolife as a virtual YAT performance
YoungActorsTheatre.com
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violin 1
Petra Bubanja, Concertmaster Taylor Giorgio,
Asst. Concertmaster
Edward Charity Lambert Hsieh Megan Sahely Chloe Johnson
violin 2
Natasha Marsalli, Principal Reonel Rafols Bryce Martin Bailey Salinero
viola
Melissa Brewer, Principal Miriam Tellechea Brian Arsenault Alan Elkins
Cello
Kim Jones, Principal Evan Jones, Asst. Principal Holden Bitner
tallahaSSee Ballet orCheStra
BaSS
George Speed, Principal Joe Bauer
flute
Karen Large, Principal Alan Berquist, Piccolo
oBoe
Eric Ohlsson, Principal Margaret Cracchiolo,
English Horn
Clarinet
Debbie Bish, Principal Samuel Peliska
BaSSoon
Jeff Keesecker, Principal Kelsey Weber
horn
Michelle Stebleton, Principal Theodore Branson
trumpet
Chris Moore,
Principal
Bryan Goff
tromBone
John Drew, Principal Brian Jennings
perCuSSion
Jacob Kight, Principal Chris Braid
CeleSta
Deloise Lima, Principal harp
Mary Brigid Roman
SingerS
Anna Marie Friar, Soprano Blythe Reed, Alto
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reSident Choreographer kathryn karrh CaShin
Kathryn Karrh Cashin has choreographed for The Tallahassee Ballet for more than 30 years, including The Nutcracker and
numerous chamber works, most notably Boléro. Her full-
length ballets include Beauty and the Beast, A Midsummer Night’s
Dream, Coppélia, Cinderella, and The Sleeping Beauty. She has also choreographed several children’s ballets. She has served as choreographer for more than 20 Florida State Opera works, most recently The Mikado, Eugene Onegin, Orpheus in the Underworld, and Romeo and Juliet.
Dr. Cashin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Russian/Business
Administration, Master of Arts in Slavic and East European Studies and a PhD
in Humanities. She is on the faculty of Florida State University’s Program in Interdisciplinary Humanities, supervises the multicultural film course, and frequently teaches in Europe during the summer.
Dr. Cashin, a former president of the Junior League of Tallahassee and graduate of Leadership Tallahassee, serves on the Leadership Council of FSU’s College of Arts and Sciences, and is a former curriculum and steering chair for Youth Leadership Tallahassee. She serves as vice-president of scholarships for Alpha Delta Pi Sorority National Foundation. She is the 2014 recipient of The Tallahassee Ballet’s Melissa Villella award for volunteer service.
TaLLahassee’s besT ChoiCe in aCTive senior Living
Call (877) 311-8316 today to learn more.
www.WestminsterOaksFL.org 4449 Meandering Way, Tallahassee, FL
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24 THE TALLAHASSEE BALLET


gueSt artiSt
mother ginger
Superintendent roCky hanna
Born and raised in Tallahassee, Superintendent Rocky Hanna attended Gilchrist Elementary School, Raa Middle School, and Leon High School. Rocky continued the proud family tradition. He graduated Leon High School in 1982, following in the footsteps of his father Jimmy Hanna, Leon High Class of 1960, and his grandmother, Lila
Deeb Hanna, Leon High Class of 1930.
In 1984 he earned his Associate’s Degree and was commissioned as
an officer in the United States Army from Marion Military College. That same year he was also named to the Junior College All American Football Team.
Service to country preceded service to students, as a newly commissioned
officer in the United States Army Lieutenant Rocky Hanna was named
commander of the 160th Military Police Battalion Headquarters
detachment making him one of the youngest unit commanders in the United States military.
Rocky began work in the school system at Leon High as a hall monitor and attended night school at Florida State to earn his teaching certificate. He began teaching in 1989 at Amos
P. Godby High. In 1993, Rocky transferred to Lincoln High School, where he taught peer counseling and ran a successful classroom mentoring program for “at risk” students who were in danger of dropping out of school for truancy, discipline, poor grades, and substance abuse. Rocky became Dean of Students at Leon High in 1997. He returned to night school at FSU and, in 1999, earned his Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration. In the fall of 2001, Rocky was promoted to Assistant Principal. In the summer of 2005, Rocky became principal of his Alma Mater Leon High School, where he proudly served until 2012. Rocky moved to the district administration in 2012, where he worked with Special Sites and
Programs, including students in foster care and those under Jurisdiction of the Department of Juvenile justice.
Professionally, Rocky is a member of the Florida Association of School Administrators and a former member of the Board of Directors for the Florida Association of Instructional Supervisors and Administrators. He is also very active in our community, having served on the Board of Directors
for the Big Bend Homeless Coalition and Capital City Youth Services. For many years Rocky has also championed numerous local efforts in the fight against cancer in support of his former students and teachers. During his tenure as
principal, the students at Leon donated over $150,000 to the Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Foundation and Cancer Center and have an entire wing of the hospital named in their honor.
In his personal life, Rocky enjoys spending time with his family and good friends. He also enjoys traveling around the southeast, watching his teenage daughter Alice compete in gymnastics.
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PROUDLY SUPPORTING
the Arts
IN NORTHWEST FLORIDA SINCE 1979
INSIDE: THE BIGGEST NORTHWEST FLORIDA WEDDINGS ISSUE EVER!
High-Tech Bicycles 2-wheelers
pick up speed
Facing Fears In the trees on a zipline adventure
Notes to Live By A chaplain’s lost work resurfaces
POET’S
WORLD
Masters of verse at FSU explore a universe of words
City’s
MUSIC SCENE comes alive
@TALLAHASSEEMAG | TALLAHASSEEMAGAZINE.COM
26 THE TALLAHASSEE BALLET


reSident CoStume deSigner ann todd
Yenna Colvin and Boo Hartsell, Costume Mistresses
Ann Todd became involved with The Tallahassee Ballet in 1988 when her daughter, Julie, was in the Company. She immediately found a creative outlet on the costume committee and began creating her own designs. In 1990, she became the Resident Costume Designer, and this will be her 28th season of costuming at Tallahassee Ballet.
Her original costumes include the ensemble pieces of An Evening
of Music and Dance productions, such as Boléro, Malachite, and the gypsycostumesofMadeline’sGypsyAdventure. Shealsodesigned
the Company’s 2002 production of the full-length The Sleeping
Beauty, and the premiere costumes of Coppélia, A Midsummer
Night’s Dream, and Beauty and the Beast. In 2005, Ann was commissioned by the FSU Dance Department to design the costumes for the premiere of Aqueous Myth. Over the next two years, Ann and her staff added costumes for two new premiere ballets, Henry Hernandez’s Alice In Wonderland and Peter Pan. The following years brought us Story Book Ballet, Tallahassee Rocks, Snow White, Rapunzel, Carnival of Animals, In Performance with The Tallahassee Ballet, and the 2016 productions of Firebird and La Bayadère, all with new designs. This season will bring more wonderful costumes.
The Ballet is also indebted to Yenna Colvin and Boo Hartsell, our Costume Mistresses. In 2011 Yenna added the art of mask-making to her already extensive talents when we needed tocostumealloftheanimalcharactersinRapunzel. BothsheandBoohavemasteredthe
art of constructing tutus, and through these many years, have assisted Ann in the costume shop with their countless hours of hard work and dedication. They have donated their sewing skills and have helped organize, coordinate and maintain the Ballet’s hundreds of costumes. Besides being known as the “tutu queens,” they are essential to the Company and, along
with Laurie Molina, Sue Kay, and Brenda Huang, complete this extraordinary team. Many thanks go to Yenna and her husband Barry for designing and building the storage of all our costumes, materials and supplies in The Tallahassee Ballet facility.
Thank you to valued contributors to The Nutcracker production: Brenda Huang, Sue Kay, and Laurie Molina.
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28 THE TALLAHASSEE BALLET


teChniCal Staff
STAGE MANAGER: SCOTT M. FREESE
Scott is pleased to again be serving as stage manager for The Tallahassee Ballet, having stage managed for the Florida State University Opera and Palm Beach Opera. He is the president, a founding board member, and technical director for the local community theatre group New Stage Theatreworks, as well as a former board member for Tallahassee Little Theatre (now Theatre Tallahassee). Other credits include lighting design, sound design, master electrician and light/sound board operator for Theatre A La Carte, New Stage Theatreworks, Theatre Tallahassee, Brookwood School (Thomasville, Georgia), Element 3 Church, Quincy Music Theatre, Community Christian School (CCS), Young Actors Theatre, and A Christmas Carol on the Air. In addition, he is a stagehand at Ruby Diamond Concert Hall and the FSU School of Dance, and a scenic carpenter at the FSU Opera scene shop.
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR: RUSSELL MARSH
Russell’s passion for theatre led him to a behind-the-scenes career. His work as a Ground/ Climber Rigger and Master Electrician for stage, music, and opera productions brought opportunities to travel to a variety of venues throughout the Southeast. In 2000, Russell began working nearly exclusively with the School of Dance at Florida State University. Throughout 2013, he also spent time traveling with Emily Johnson and Catalyst Dance Company as Technical Adviser/Rigger. Russell began his work with the Florida State University College of Music as Ruby Diamond Concert Hall’s Lead Rigger/Head Carpenter in the fall of 2013. In his free time, Russell can be found reading, target shooting, and looking for ways to entertain his young daughter. He is a Navy veteran and a native of Tallahassee. This is his eighth season working with The Tallahassee Ballet.
LIGHTING DESIGNER: KATIE REDD
Katie is delighted to return for her 13th season as Lighting Designer with The Tallahassee Ballet. Favorite past designs with the company are An Evening of Music and Dance, Peter Pan, and Snow White. Other favorites include Le Jongleur of Notre Dame and The Old Maid and the Thief for Florida State University Opera. She has worked as Lighting Designer for Trumpet in the Land and Electrician for the American Repertory Theatre, as well as The Huntington Theatre Company in Boston, Massachusetts. Katie is currently the Associate Director of Operations for Ruby Diamond Concert Hall at Florida State University.
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30 THE TALLAHASSEE BALLET


Announcing the Joyce StrAub FAuSone 2020-2021 ScholArShip recipient
Emilia Sofia Minton
Emilia Sofia Minton is a Senior at Leon High School where she is a member of Anchor Club and Interact, two of the school’s service clubs. She serves on the Leon High Dance Marathon Executive Board and is a member of Rho Kappa and the Spanish Honor Society. Emilia is also a member of the Junior League’s Teen Board.
In addition, Emilia volunteers her time at Grace Mission where she serves meals once a month. Emilia has given her time to Dance Chance, Second Harvest, and participated in Hurricane Michael relief efforts. Her commitment to service extends outside of her community: Emilia has twice traveled to Quito, Ecuador, on summer service trips.
She began her training just a few months short of her fourth
birthday at Sharon Davis School of Dance, and auditioned for The Tallahassee Ballet Company at age nine. Through her dance career at The Tallahassee Ballet, Emilia has performed in eight seasons of The Nutcracker, as well as other favorites including Sleeping Beauty, Carnival of the Animals, Swan Lake and others. Through her experience with The Tallahassee Ballet, Emilia has been provided with opportunities to train with Lauren Anderson, Christopher Huggins, Jennifer Medina, Antonio Douthit, Lorraine Graves, and Millicent Johnnie during Tallahassee Ballet’s Summer Intensives.
Emilia is happiest when she is dancing and her love of dance has led her to her favorite hobbies: music, art and literature. Emilia has channeled the discipline and lessons of dance into her daily life; something she has found to be extremely helpful as she pursues her goals.
About the ScholArShip:
Created in August 2004, this scholarship is presented by the The
Tallahassee Ballet Board of Directors in honor of Ms. Fausone’s
20 years of dedicated service. Among her many accomplish-
ments for the Ballet, Fausone oversaw the original production of
The Nutcracker in 1986 and initiated the DanceChance program
in 1997. The scholarship is awarded annually to a senior dancer
to help support costs associated with ballet, such as pointe shoes,
and includes a tuition waiver. The recipient must have been a member of the Ballet for at least two years, have helped with the Ballet’s DanceChance programs and/or volun- teered extensively to assist the Ballet, and be a positive role model for other dancers.
THE NUTCRACKER 2020 31


Choreography by Kathryn Karrh Cashin, with additional choreography by Tyrone Brooks
THE
nutCraCker
PrograM & Cast
It is Christmas Eve and Clara and her family are celebrating the evening with friends. Suddenly, the party is interrupted by the arrival of a mysterious man and his handsome young assistant. He reveals himself to be Clara’s Godfather, Drosselmeyer, who has brought his nephew to the party. Drosselmeyer entertains the party with magic tricks, automatons, and mechanical dolls. He gives Clara a marvelous nutcracker doll. The party ends, guests take their leave, and the family retires. Clara is sad to leave her nutcracker doll behind and returns to retrieve it, falling asleep under the Christmas tree.
32 THE TALLAHASSEE BALLET


Act I, Scene i
the party
Clara .................................. Elizabeth Brooks Fritz*..................................Henry Romano* Clara’s Mother...................Julia Doering Clara’s Father.....................Christopher Miller Maid...................................Ellie Casteel
Adult Party Guests.............Abby Ginn Emma Iseman
Emilia Minton Justin Santiague
Drosselmeyer .....................Ben Howard
Drosselmeyer’s Nephew/
Nutcracker Prince ............Conrad Channell
Clara’s Friends...................Katerina De Lawyer Eden Desotell
Rocky DeSpain Reagan Hill Caroline Martell Bella Rich
Party Girls..........................Aileen Bae Logan Click
Morgan Manrique Kayleigh Stuart
Party Boys..........................Fred Eli Burns* Luca Piris*
Ben Zurko*
Young Ladies ..................... Adriana Ranjbari JaShayla Swatts
Harlequin...........................Jorge Arceo Columbine .........................Paige Centers Automaton.........................Abigail Centers
* Guests
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Act I, Scene ii
the Battle
A magical spell falls over the room and the Christmas tree begins to grow to an enormous size. Drosselmeyer uses his magic to make the nutcracker doll grow to the size of a man so that he can lead his toy soldiers in battle against the rats. The Rat King appears and the Nutcracker and Rat King fight in single combat. The Nutcracker seems to be failing and Clara, unable to stand it any longer, attacks the Rat King. The Rat King is distracted and the Nutcracker strikes a fatal blow ending the battle. The Nutcracker, exhausted by the battle, falls lifeless to the ground. Drosselmeyer revives the Nutcracker and transforms him into a handsome young prince.
RATS
Rat King ......................Christopher Miller
Mice..............................Blake Burns Mae Callaway*
Penelope Cornais* Hannah Garcia* Helen Piris Arianna Spurlock
General.........................Justin Santiague
SOLDIERS
Blue Regiment..............Anastasia Atayants
Bailey Corrigan Anna Iseman Malia Morton Adriana Ranjbari JaShayla Swatts
Red Regiment .............. Aileen Bae Logan Click
Morgan Manrique Kayleigh Stuart Katherine Zurko
* Guests
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Act I, Scene iii
the kingdom of Snow
The Nutcracker Prince thanks Clara for saving his life and invites her to visit his kingdom. Clara eagerly accepts and they journey to the Kingdom of Sweets. On the way they pass through a beautiful snow-covered forest, the Kingdom of Snow. They are met by the Snow Queen and her court who dance a waltz for them.
Snow Queen ........................ Hope Eltomi
Snow Princesses ................... Carri Britt Abigail Centers
Paige Centers Ellie Casteel
Snowflakes ........................... Katerina De Lawyer Eden Desotell
Rocky DeSpain Julia Doering Abby Ginn Reagan Hill Naomi Lebhar Caroline Martell Emilia Minton Bella Rich
Angels .................................. Mackenzie Ashburn* Ezra Bell*
* Guests
Mae Callaway* Penelope Cornais* Hannah Garcia* Blythe Lewis* Olivia Standley* Eva Uchino*
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Act II
kingdom of SweetS
As the wind dies down, Clara and the Nutcracker Prince continue on their way in a magical sleigh to the Kingdom of Sweets. Dew Drop assembles the magical court at the Sugar Plum Fairy’s castle. Everyone eagerly awaits the arrival of the Nutcracker Prince and Clara. Finally, they arrive and there is much rejoicing. The Nutcracker Prince tells the court how Clara saved his life and they bow before her in gratitude. The Nutcracker Prince places a beautiful crown on Clara and presents her as
his Princess. Dew Drop leads the young couple to the throne and commands that the banquet in Clara’s honor begin. Clara and the Nutcracker Prince enjoy dances from distant lands and the Waltz of the Flowers.
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Dew Drop .........................Carri Britt
Flowers ..............................Eden Desotell Abby Ginn
Caroline Martell Bella Rich
Garlands............................Anastasia Atayants Aileen Bae
Morgan Manrique Adriana Ranjbari
Spanish..............................Hope Eltomi Ben Howard
Emma Iseman Emilia Minton
Arabian .............................Jorge Arceo Ellie Casteel
Paige Centers
Chinese..............................Naomi Lebhar
Rocky DeSpain Reagan Hill Christopher Miller Justin Santiague
Russian..............................Katerina De Lawyer
Anastasia Atayants Bailey Corrigan Anna Iseman Adriana Ranjbari Bella Rich JaShayla Swatts
Mirlitons............................Abigail Centers Julia Doering
Eden Desotell Abby Ginn Caroline Martell
Mother Ginger ..................Rocky Hanna*
Marzipan...........................Aileen Bae Logan Click
Kayleigh Stuart Katherine Zurko
Polichinelles.......................Blake Burns Malia Morton
Helen Piris Arianna Spurlock
* Guests
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40 THE TALLAHASSEE BALLET


Act II
waltz of the flowerS
At last – the moment that everyone has been waiting for – the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier appear and dance beautifully together. The entire court joins in a joyous waltz. Suddenly the waltz is interrupted and the magical spell begins
to fade. The Sugar Plum Fairy’s castle and her court become distant. Clara awakens to find herself at home under the Christmas tree with her beloved Nutcracker.
Dew Drop .....................Carri Britt
Pink Roses ....................Abigail Centers Paige Centers Julia Doering
Hope Eltomi
Tiger Lilies....................Ellie Casteel Katerina De Lawyer
Rocky DeSpain Naomi Lebhar
Violets ...........................Eden Desotell Caroline Martell
Roses..............................Abby Ginn Reagan Hill
Morgan Manrique Emilia Minton Adriana Ranjbari Bella Rich
Grand pas
Sugar Plum Fairy .........Tomoko Takahashi Cavalier.........................Diego Rafael de Siqueira
THE NUTCRACKER 2020 41


PRINCIPAL DANCERS
Jorge Arceo is in his sixth season with The Tallahassee Ballet, just recently being promoted to Principal dancer.
He has starred in performances
such as The Nutcracker, In Performance with The Tallahassee Ballet, and An Evening of Music and Dance performances from 2014-2019.
Born in Havana, Cuba, Jorge began dancing at age nine at the academy of Cuban dancer Narciso Medina. He completed his studies at Escuela Provincial de Ballet and then attended The National Ballet School. At 19, he joined the Contemporary Dance of Cuba company, where he danced for three years
and became the first soloist. Jorge has toured nationally and internationally with Contemporary Dance of Cuba and worked with various world-renowned choreographers.
After arriving at the U.S. in 2009, he danced with the Cuban Classical Ballet
of Miami and joined Las
Vegas’ Rio Hotel show
ND’S FUEGO. In 2010,
Jorge moved to Los Angeles, where he danced as a Principal for various companies, including Pasadena Dance Theater, City of Angels Ballet, California Riverside Ballet, and the production Silent Roar, choreographed by Zina Bethune.
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PRINCIPAL DANCERS
Carri Britt is
in her seventh
season with
The Tallahassee Ballet; fourth as a principal dancer. She has danced soloist and lead roles in classical works including The
Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, La Bayadère, and Paquita, as well as original works by Kathryn Karrh Cashin, Ilana Goldman, Christopher Huggins, Katy Cashin, Anjali Austin, and Gabriel Williams. Carri trained in the Vagonava method at the Academy of Ballet Internationale in Indianapolis, where she toured The Nutcracker and The Sleeping Beauty with the professional company in residence. She later graduated from the Louisville Ballet School. Carri has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance from Florida State University.
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PRINCIPAL DANCERS
Paige Centers joined The Tallahassee Ballet in 2009, became a Soloist in 2013, and a Principal in 2017. She has received the Joyce Straub Fausone Scholarship and the Ken Cashin Scholarship awarded by The Tallahassee Ballet Board of Directors. Paige has performed in productions
of Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, An Evening of Music and Dance, In Performance, The Nutcracker, Paquita and Other Works,
Rapunzel, Swan Lake and Other Works, Bernstein and Gershwin, The Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Her lead and feature roles include Arabian, Mirliton, Spanish, and Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker; Variation II from Paquita; Princess Florine from The Sleeping Beauty; Annette Barcelona’s Reminiscence; Joyce Fausone’s Tango; Tango Pas de Deux from Kathryn Cashin’s Three Dances; Julie Opiel’s Toccata and Nocturne; and Dance of the Big Swans from Swan Lake. Paige
has attended intensives at Orlando Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Florida State University School of Dance, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and for
two consecutive summers she was privileged
to attend Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell— a three-week intensive at the John
F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
in Washington, D.C. She has worked as
a resident assistant for the Orlando Ballet School, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and the Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet in New York City.
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PRINCIPAL DANCERS
Hope Eltomi began dancing at the age of six under the instruction of Jocelyn Woodruff at Vero Beach Ballet. Throughout middle and high school she attended summer programs at University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Boston Ballet, and
on scholarship at Miami City Ballet. She furthered her professional training at the UNCSA and graduated from their program
in 2008 with a concentration in ballet. Hope was able to study under acclaimed teachers such as Melissa Hayden, Frank Smith, Nina Danilova, Fanchon Cordell, and Christine Spizzo. Upon graduation, she was accepted into FSU’s
dance program and continued her education there.
She also had the opportunity to perform in works by renowned choreographers such as Darshan Bhuller and Monica Bill Barnes. Hope joined The Tallahassee Ballet in 2013 as a Soloist dancer and was promoted to Principal in 2016. She has performed lead roles such as Snow Queen and Drew Drop in The Nutcracker, Violente fairy in The Sleeping Beauty, Paquita, Nikiya in La Bayadère and Odette in Swan Lake. Hope is an American Ballet Theatre® (ABT) Level 3 Certified Teacher, and has been teaching dance since she graduated from FSU in 2012.
THE NUTCRACKER 2020 45


PRINCIPAL DANCERS
Ben Howard was raised in Merritt Island, Florida, where he began dancing at a local studio at age four. His formal training started at age 11 with Space Coast Ballet Academy under the direction of Boris Chepelev and Janna Kirova, and in 2011 he began studies at the Florida State University (FSU) School of Dance (BFA 2013). He has worked with numerous notable dance pedagogues and choreographers, including Anjali Austin, Suzanne Farrell, Gerri
Houlihan, David Howard, Sheila Humphries, Alex Ketley, Carla Maxwell, Rick McCullough, Anthony Morgan, Roxane d’Orleans Juste, Dan Wagoner, and Jawole
Zollar. Ben’s supplemental dance training includes
sessions at the American Ballet Theatre New York Summer Intensive and the José Limón East Coast Summer Workshop. In August 2015, Ben joined Celebrity Cruises Productions as a dancer aboard the Celebrity Infinity. During his journey, he performed for more than 35,000 people across 12 countries and three continents. In August 2017, Ben returned to the FSU School of Dance and
is currently pursuing his Master of Fine Arts Degree in Dance.
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PRINCIPAL DANCERS
Tomoko Takahashi began dancing at
the age of eight in Nagano, Japan. At age
15, she was awarded the Special Judge Prize and Chacott Scholarship from the NBA All Japan Ballet Competition, and went to The Hungarian Dance Art Academy, Budapest as a scholarship student.
Upon graduation in 2007, Tomoko
started her professional career at companies including Columbia Classical Ballet,
South Carolina (2007-2008), Singapore Dance Theatre (2011-2014), and The Israel Ballet (2014- 2017). At the Israel ballet, she joined as a principal dancer.
Tomoko has danced principal roles of Madame Butterfly, Cinderella, Don Quixote, Sleeping Beauty,
Swan Lake, Raymonda, The Nutcracker, La Corsaire,
La Sylphide, and Robin Hood. She also
performed in George Balanchine’s Serenade, Concerto Barocco and Divertimento No.15; Val Caniparoli’s Lambarena and Chant; Edwaard Liang’s Age of Innocence and The Winds of Zephyrus; Natalie Weir’s 4 Seasons; and Nils Christe’s Organ Concerto.
Tomoko won 3rd place in All Japan Ballet Union
competition (2002), 1st place in The Tokyo Paper All Japan Ballet Competition (2003), and 2nd place in Educational Ballet competition, Japan (2008). Tomoko is also a mom
of a two-year-old daughter.
Tomoko joined The Tallahassee Ballet in 2019 as a Principal Dancer.
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PRINCIPAL DANCERS
Diego Rafael de Siqueira is a native of Brazil, where he began his classical ballet studies with Maria Angela and Luciana Milleti. At the age of 17, he joined Brazil’s Kleine Szene School, under the direction of Helena Martins Marcia Pereira. At 19, Diego performed with Canada’s Goh Ballet, under the direction of Chan Hon Goh, where he was also trained in the Vaganova method with Vera Solovyeva and Nicolai Levitsky.
Diego has performed internationally as a principal dancer in
Walpurgisnacth, La Bayadère, The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Giselle, Coppélia, Emeralds, Sleeping Beauty, Raymonda, Spring Waters, Napoli, and more.
He has been awarded scholarships to several prestigious ballet schools, including Kleine Szene School, Goh Ballet, Pacific Dance Arts, Alonzo King Lines, Joffrey Ballet School, and Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical
Ballet. Diego has received recognition at multiple festivals and
competitions around the world including the Silver Medal for Grand Pas de Deux at the Premio Internacional de Danca de Sao Paulo Dance Competition in Brazil and the Best Dancer Award for Grand Pas de Deux at the Paris Festival in France. In 2016, he placed as a finalist in the Valentina Kozlova International Ballet Competition in Brazil and in 2018 he was named
Hors Concours by the Instituto Cultural RV in San Paulo.
Diego joined The Tallahassee Ballet in 2019 as a Principal Dancer.
48 THE TALLAHASSEE BALLET


Haute Headz Salon
Master Stylist - Somkit Thompson
@Somkitthompson ~ 850-224-0414
THE NUTCRACKER 2020 49


SOLOISTS
Abigail Centers joined The Tallahas- see Ballet as a Junior Dancer in 2009 and was promoted to Soloist in 2016. She has received the Helen Salter Scholarship and the Ken Cashin Scholarship awarded by The Tallahassee Ballet Board of Directors and has performed
in productions of Swan Lake and
Other Works, Paquita and Other Works, Cinderella, Bernstein and Gershwin, An Evening of Music and Dance, In Performance, The Nutcracker, Beauty and the Beast, Rapunzel, The Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Her
lead and feature roles include Clara, Columbine, Mirliton, and Spanish from
The Nutcracker; Pas de Trois Variation from Paquita; Jewels Pas de Quatre: Dia-
mond Fairy from The Sleeping Beauty; Waltz Pas de Deux from Kathryn Cashin’s
Three Dances; and Dance of the Little Swans from Swan Lake. Abigail has attended intensives at Orlando Ballet, Richmond Ballet, the Harid Conservatory, and Florida State University School of Dance, and she worked as a resident assistant for the Orlando Ballet School’s sum- mer intensive. She is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in computer science at Florida State University.
50 THE TALLAHASSEE BALLET