ALBERTA BALLET WELCOMES
CALGARY | January 16–18, 2020 EDMONTON | January 21–22, 2020
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: JACQUES HEIM The new 911. Timeless Machine
Porsche Centre Calgary 8300 Blackfoot Trail SE Calgary, AB T2J 7E1 At Alberta Ballet, we’ve always been invigorated by the contrasting, often exotic and always The new 911. refreshing, dance styles our guest companies offer Alberta audiences. Over the decades, they’ve come from as far away as Mumbai, Beijing, Timeless Machine London and Buenos Aires. These rigorously selected, internationally JEAN GRAND-MAÎTRE acclaimed dance ensembles offer us the thrilling ARTISTIC DIRECTOR opportunity to appreciate the infinite incarnations 2002 - PRESENT – of dance. Los Angeles based Diavolo is a dynamic and riveting ensemble of artists who are successfully developing exciting new vocabularies of movement and theatrical expression. Having found their own unique methods for exploring our human experience, they have created a powerfully engaging aesthetic which is absolutely their own. In this insanely stressful world, which we have created for ourselves, it is interesting to see how Diavolo envisions our modern experience as a constant physical and spiritual dance/collision/ tango with contemporary architectural landscapes. Cutting edge yet spectacular, profound and innovative, this company of creators, under the masterful direction of Jacques Heim thrilled more than 95 million spectators worldwide as finalists on NBC’s America’s Got Talent. Tonight, we are thrilled to host them on our stage, and we hope that you will be mesmerized by their fearless athletic prowess and artistic daring. Next month, we would like to welcome you back to the Jubilee to witness our ground-breaking, world class dancers at their very best. Alberta Ballet Unleashed featuring three seductive ballets, set side-by-side within a dynamic and highly visceral performance that is sure to be Porsche Centre Calgary captivating and intriguing. Join us in February as Alberta Ballet is unleashed on the 8300 Blackfoot Trail SE Calgary, AB T2J 7E1 Jubilee stage.
Jean Grand-Maître
3 LIBRETTOS - VOYAGE & TRAJECTOIRE
VOYAGE IS DIAVOLO’S NEWEST ADVENTURE ORIGINAL LIGHTING DESIGNER: Daniel Lonazzi INSPIRED BY TRAVELS IN SPACE AND THE 50TH LIGHTING DESIGNER: John E.D. Bass ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST MOON LANDING. COSTUME DESIGNER: Meegan Godfrey A young woman dreams of traveling distances only astronauts can, escaping from the ordinary world into a surreal landscape Trajectoire was commissioned by the Benedicta Arts Center, of infinite possibilities. Gravity-defying bodies join her on the College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph, MN; El Camino College, journey in a universe that is alive with kinetic energy, fantastical Torrance, CA; Grand Performances at California Plaza, Los whimsy, and surprising transformation. In Loving Memory of Angeles, CA; and supported in part by The Brody Arts Fund, Stephanie Niznik (1967-2019). The City of Los Angeles, Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los DIRECTION & CHOREOGRAPHY: Jacques Heim Angeles County Arts Commission. ASSOCIATE CHOREOGRAPHY: The Company THE VOICE: Stephanie Niznik DIAVOLO | ARCHITECTURE IN MOTION STRUCTURE DESIGN: Mike McCluskey, Tina Trefethen, Adam Davis, and Jeremy Railton FOUNDER, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: Jacques Heim STRUCTURE ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION: GENERAL MANAGER: Jose Hernandez Mike McCluskey, McCluskey LTD., Tina Trefethen DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION & COMMUNITY PROGRAMS: Dusty Alvarado MUSIC: ODESZA, Zack Hemsey, Moby, The Crystal Method, Sarah Jaffe, Florence + The Machine, Jon Hopkins. THE COMPANY: BethanyRose Boutwell, Christopher Carvalho, Kate Dougherty, Daniel Jacob Glen, Simon LIGHTING DESIGN: Evan Merryman Ritter, John E.D. Bass Greenberg, Anna-Marie Knutson, Aubrey Lawrence, TEXT: Saffron Douglas Kelsey Long, Ezra Masse-Mahar, Abraham Meisel, Lex SOUND DESIGN: Simon Greenberg Shimko, Evan Turner, Matthew Wagner STRUCTURE ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION: COSTUME DESIGN: Brandon Grimm Mike McCluskey, Tina Trefethen, McCluskey LTD. Voyage creation is supported by TITAS Presents, the Ralph M. LIGHTING DESIGNER & LIGHTING DIRECTOR: Evan Parsons Foundation, Los Angeles County Arts Commission, Merryman Ritter, John E.D. Bass the Vladimir and Araxia Buckhantz Foundation, National MANAGEMENT & CREATIVE PRODUCTION Endowment for the Arts and the Cheng Family Foundation. CONSULTANT: Chip Largman – 20 MINUTE INTERMISSION – REHEARSAL DIRECTOR: Christopher Carvalho TRAJECTOIRE IS A VISCERAL AND EMOTIONAL PRODUCTION MANAGER: Evan Merryman Ritter JOURNEY THROUGH THE EBB AND FLOW OF THE TOUR / PRODUCTION COORDINATOR: Ana Brotons HUMAN EXPERIENCE. TECHNICAL ASSISTANT & TRANSPORT: As the performers struggle to find their balance on a voyage of Matt Christensen destiny and destination, Trajectoire shows the transcendence of PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS: Christopher Carvalho, the human soul against all odds. Simon Greenberg, Steven Jasso DIRECTION & CHOREOGRAPHY: Jacques Heim COSTUME MANAGER: Kate Dougherty ASSOCIATE CHOREOGRAPHY: The Company VIDEO ARCHIVIST: Christopher Carvalho STRUCTURE DESIGNER: Daniel Wheeler ARTIST REPRESENTATIVE AND BOOKING ENGINEERING: Dan Williams INFORMATION: Margaret Selby STRUCTURE CONSTRUCTION: Mike McCluskey LTD., President, Selby/Artists Mgmt Phone: 212.382.3260 Daniel Wheeler Email: [email protected] MUSIC COMPOSER: Nathan Wang www.selbyartistsmgmt.com 4 ABOUT THE COMPANY
DIAVOLO | ARCHITECTURE IN MOTION®, the renowned Los Angeles-based dance company, was founded in 1992 by Artistic Director Jacques Heim, an inquisitive guy who combined his academic background in theater, film, and dance with a passion for architecture. Thanks to Heim and his talented crew of dancers, designers and engineers, the Company, for more than 25 years, has been applauded internationally for its ability to display surprising movement against a backdrop of elaborately designed space, all while entertaining audiences with what is, in fact, a new art form.
His skill in creating work that entertains is Through The Diavolo Institute, the central to Heim’s artistic vision, one that Company also provides educational combines elements of contemporary dance activities and community outreach with martial arts, acrobatics, gymnastics, programs for people of all ages and and hip-hop. Throughout the years, the abilities as it seeks to share the power of Company has captivated audiences in dance as a means of social impact. Two 250 cities and 14 countries and has such programs are T.R.U.S.T., an initiative performed to sold out audiences tailored for schools that explores the throughout the U.S. International touring necessity of teamwork; and The Veterans has included stops in Germany, China, Project, a four-month workshop using Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Holland, movement as medicine, that Diavolo has Austria, Italy, Spain, Australia, Canada, replicated in cities across the U.S. Mexico, Brazil, Columbia and Chile. As Diavolo looks to broaden their outreach Diavolo has also appeared at select and impact on the performing arts corporate events and for special community and the world at large, Diavolo advertising and will continue to create and tour new works; promotional engagements. expand its Board of Directors; undertake In 2017, Diavolo enjoyed an especially more corporate and customized extraordinary season, highlighted by commercial assignments; and reach out to Heim’s creation of five new pieces for even more adventurous souls who want to Season 12 of NBC’s hit series “America’s join Diavolo on this marvelous journey. Got Talent.” One of the Top 10 contestants For more information about Diavolo to reach the show’s finale at Hollywood’s please visit: www.Diavolo.org Dolby Theater, the Company was seen by over 90 million television viewers.
5 BIOGRAPHIES | ARTISTIC TEAM
JACQUES HEIM Heim has received three USA Fellowship nominations and four Founder, Artistic Director Alpert Award nominations. He has also been the recipient of Jacques Heim was born and raised in the Martha Hill Choreography Award of the American Dance Paris, where his earliest artistic Festival; the Special Prize of the Jury at the 6th Saitama experience came from street International Dance Festival; a Brody Arts Fund fellowship; a performing. He attended Middlebury James Irvine Foundation Fellowship; and he is the 2016 Barney College (B.F.A. in Theater, Dance, Creative Prize recipient. and Film), the University of Surrey in England (Certificate for JOSE HERNANDE Analysis and Criticism of Dance), and the California Institute General Manager for the Arts (M.F.A. in Choreography). Not strictly a dancer or Since 2015, Jose has served many acrobat, Heim calls himself an “architect of motion.” He is roles at Diavolo from Development rather like a drill sergeant or a football coach who loves pushing Manager to now General Manager. dancers beyond their own physical and emotional limits to He holds a Bachelor’s of Science in make them feel that they can conquer anything, to make them Business Administration with an realize that they are heroes. emphasis in finance from California State University, Long Heim is named after his grandfather, the late and revolutionary Beach. Over the last seven years, Jose has focused his career fashion designer who, in 1946, launched the first ever two piece in supporting local arts organizations in areas of major gifts, bathing suit called Atome, later renamed The Bikini, and also event management, strategic planning and operations. At invented le pret a porter, or Ready to Wear. Just as his Diavolo, Jose spearheads the company's foundation and grandfather broke ground in the fashion industry, Heim grant portfolio and is the point person to all finance and challenges and break the mold of conventional wisdom operational activities. During his spare time, Jose actively surrounding dance, developing the unique and incomparable volunteers for local arts and social service organizations. He’s aesthetic of Architecture in Motion®. served on several grant panels through the Los Angeles In addition to founding Diavolo and serving as its Artistic County Department of Arts and Culture and has received a Director, Heim has worked extensively in dance, theater, commendation of appreciation for his service by former Los television and special events throughout the world. In 2017, he Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe. Jose served as an created five new performances based on Diavolo creations for active member of the Host Committee for the 2018 Dance/ NBC’s America’s Got Talent, which resulted in the Company USA national conference providing much needed support to becoming one of the top ten contestants in AGT’s finale at the Fundraising and Budgeting Sub-Committee. Hollywood’s Dolby Theater. Heim recently directed Diavolo’s DUSTY ALVARADO special appearance on Le Plus Grand Cabaret du Monde’s New Director of Education & Community Year’s Eve 2017, one of the most watched TV shows in France. Programs Diavolo also appeared on Helene Fischer’s 2017 Christmas Spectacular, where the German superstar sang while rigged A Houston Native, Dusty Alvarado atop one of the Company’s massive structures. grew up as a competitive gymnast, actor, and dancer. He received his In 2004, Heim choreographed KÀ for Cirque du Soleil at the BFA from Carnegie-Mellon University MGM Grand, Las Vegas, a destination show featuring and worked in NYC as a dancer and actor following apparatus inspired by Diavolo structures. In 2010, he was graduation. After gigging it for a year, Dusty shook things up invited to be a Creative Director for the Opening Ceremony of and moved to Israel to assist in the creation of The Aluminum the 16th Asian Games, in Guangzhou, China. Mr. Heim also Show, a creative dance spectacle using aluminum materials to worked with Guy Caron and Michael Curry as a consulting create a surreal world. After two years of touring choreographer on Ice Age Live!, a “mammoth” arena show internationally with this Israeli show, Dusty auditioned for which made its world premiere at London’s Wembley Stadium Diavolo and 3 weeks later was on a plane to Gwangyang, in November 2012 and is now touring throughout Europe. South Korea. He was involved in three creations, including Fluid Infinities, which premiered at the Hollywood Bowl in September 2014, Christopher has worked with a variety of LA based 2013. Currently in his fifth year as Diavolo's Institute Director, choreographers and companies including Fabe, No-One Dusty has helped expand the K-12 school programming from Arthouse and Gustavo Ramirez Sansano. He completed two five to fifteen programs a year. His passion to help others seasons with the Diavolo Institute between 2014 and 2016. continues with The Veterans Project, a one-of-a-kind program During this time, Christopher was an understudy for Diavolo’s that uses movement as medicine to help heal and connect our creation, Cubicle, and performed in its world premiere in heroes across our country. 2015. His movement background is focused in modern, ballet and jazz dance as well as track and field. This is BETHANYROSE BOUTWELL Christopher’s fourth season with the Touring Company and Performer his third year as Video Archivist and Production Assistant. BethanyRose Boutwell is originally KATE DOUGHERTY from Salt Lake City, Utah. She Performer/Costume Manager began dancing and tumbling at the Kate Dougherty is originally from age of ten and in her later teens Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania and received her first job as an assistant dance teacher and began her dance studies at Premiere tumble coach. After graduating high school she began an Dance Studio. She received a talent apprenticeship under Odyssey Dance Theatre. She then scholarship to Muhlenberg College joined Underground Dance Crew where she was a soloist, and graduated with a BA in Dance. Kate has performed with choreographer, educator and costume coordinator for four Core Dance Contemporary and Emotions Physical Theater seasons. Bethany then joined Expansion Dance Co. under in Manhattan. Since moving to Los Angeles, Kate has the direction of Emmy award winning, Bonnie Story. Bethany worked as a dance teacher and performer with the Diavolo discovered circus arts after training in acrobatic dance and Institute (2016-2018) and worked closely with the second break dance and later began traveling and performing as a iteration of The Veterans Project. This is her second season freelance acrobat locally and across the states. Bethany was with the Touring Company. most recently the head choreographer for 90&9, a nonprofit circus organization geared towards mental health awareness DANIEL JACOB GLENN and suicide prevention. Creating productions that heal Performer audiences and performers through the arts, it is here that she Daniel Jacob Glenn grew up in honed in on additional skills in choreography, direction and Ontario, California, where he fell in production. Bethany moved to Los Angeles in the fall of love with dance through his 2018 to work with Diavolo, and is inspired and grateful to be involvement with musical theater here. Bethany completed training with the Institute, travelled and hip hop dance team in high and performed with Volo, and is now in her first season with school. His passion took him to California State University, the Touring Company. Los Angeles, where he received a BA in Theater Arts and Dance. During his time there he toured with HKL&Dancers, CHRISTOPHER CARVALHO debuting in Los Angeles, Germany and South Korea. His Rehearsal Director, Performer, experiences in college led Daniel to find a love for discipline, Production Assistant, Video Archivist sending him on a path to becoming a yoga teacher. With hope to keep his dance and theatrical training alive, he found Christopher Carvalho is originally himself at Diavolo. Daniel completed three years of training from St. Louis, Missouri. He with the Diavolo Institute, and this is his second season with graduated from Chapman the Touring Company. University in 2014 with a BFA in Dance Performance, a minor in Economics, and received the Donna Cucanato award for his contribution to the Dance Department. Since 7 BIOGRAPHIES | ARTISTIC TEAM CONT'
SIMON GREENBERG AUBREY LAWRENCE Performer/Production Assistant Performer Simon Greenberg was born and A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Aubrey raised in Berkeley, California and Lawrence began her dance education migrated south to earn his B.F.A. in at the age of four under the direction Dance: Choreography and of Clare Gales at Studio 82. She Performance from California Institute continued the pursuit of her artistic of the Arts. Since moving to Southern California, he has had passions at Shenandoah University where she earned a B.F.A. in the pleasure of working with Colin Connor, Rosanna Gamson, dance as well as a B.A. in English in 2015. Aubrey has trained in Douglas Nielsen, Julie Bour, No-one. Art House and Maxine both New York and Los Angeles, and has performed at venues Doyle. His movement background consists heavily of martial including Symphony Space in NYC, Harman Hall in Washington arts and team sports,and has also studied acrobatics and D.C., and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland for various dance styles under Katie Maltsberger. Simon has a choreographers such as Todrick Hall, Ashlé Dawson, Matthew passion for music and technology, which he is fortunate Powell, and Mike Esperanza. Her years of competitive enough to be able to incorporate into his role in this company gymnastics sparked an enduring love for acrobatic work, and as a sound engineer. This will be Simon’s third season with the she also trains as an aerialist, primarily on silks. Since moving to touring company, and he is extremely grateful and excited to Hollywood, Aubrey has appeared in music videos for artists continue working with Jacques and the Diavolo family. including Charisse Mills and Shahram Solati, and taught and performed as a member of the Diavolo Institute Company for ANNA-MARIE KNUTSON two seasons. She is also a fitness trainer for the Tracy Anderson Performer Method. This is her third season with the Touring Company. Anna-Marie Knutson, born and KELSEY LONG raised in Winter Haven, FL, found her Performer love for moving at a very young age Kelsey Long was born and raised in through dance and competitive Newport Beach, California, where her gymnastics. Attending performing arts schools while also affinity for movement began at a very training as a competitive gymnast provided Anna with a young age. She started training at the strong, well-rounded foundation in movement. She continued age of 3, studying ballet, jazz, her development as a dance artist at the University of South contemporary and gymnastics, and was also involved in high level Florida in Tampa, FL, graduating with a BFA in Dance competitive sports throughout high school. In 2009 and 2011, Performance and a minor in Nutrition. While at USF, Anna Kelsey had the pleasure of performing with Seamless Dance performed in the works of guest artists and faculty, including Theatre in Kansas City, MO. She then went on to receive her BFA Charles O. Anderson, Bliss Kohlmyer and Micheal Foley. Her in Dance: Choreography and Performance from California choreography was selected to represent the department at the Institute of the Arts (‘17). In the summer of 2015 Kelsey competed Mid-Atlantic South regional ACDA in 2019. During a with a self choreographed solo at the 12th Seoul International semester abroad in Paris, France, Anna had the opportunity to Dance Competition, where she was awarded the 1st place prize in take workshops with multiple international dance artists in the Senior Women’s Contemporary Dance category. Kelsey is also Germany, France and the Netherlands, among others. Most a professional lighting designer and stage manager, having recently, Anna has worked with Diavolo on The Veterans Project worked with companies such as LA Dance Project, RedCAT, in Tampa, FL. This is her first season with Diavolo, and she is Highways Performance Space, and Rockwell Table and Stage. humbled and excited by the opportunity to work alongside Most recently she was the Production Manager at a Spanish such an incredible group of artists. restaurant and nightclub located in Silver Lake, Los Angeles. This is Kelsey’s second season with the Diavolo Touring Company.
8 EZRA MASSE-MAHAR background began as a competitive cheerleader for eight Performer years, then went on to compete at USASF; the Cheerleading Born and raised in Schenectady, and Dance World Championship in 2007. After finishing her New York, Ezra Masse-Mahar had a career as a Competitive Cheerleader, she went on to study very active childhood consisting of many forms of dance under many wonderful mentors. She acrobatics, sports, dancing and has performed at RedCAT with Next: Dance Company and camping. He practiced Tai Chi, at the Kennedy Center alongside Diavolo for The Veterans crew, wrestling, and competitive diving, for which he still Project. Lex trained with the Diavolo Institute for three years holds his high school’s record. He studied dance in University teaching for programs such as LA’s Best and Everybody at Buffalo’s arts department in Western New York. After a Dance! She is very excited and grateful to continue working short career, Ezra broke both of his ankles. He not only with her Diavolo family in her first year with the learned how to walk again, but also how to pursue his Touring Company. dreams of expressing art to the world. Ezra has been with MATTHEW WAGNER Diavolo since 2012, performing with the company all over Performer the world and for Season 12 of America’s Got Talent. In Matthew Wagner received a B.F.A. between filming episodes of the talent show, he rode his in Dance from Oakland University in bicycle from Los Angeles to New York within the span of 33 Michigan. His movement days. In 2018, Ezra took some time off, working as a background is in gymnastics, gravedigger, becoming a stagehand union electrician and baseball, martial arts, parkour, was inducted into the baton twirling hall of fame. He is now modern dance, and ballet. Mr. Wagner has participated in back with Diavolo and is enjoying focusing on his artistry. international competitions for trampoline, tumbling and ABRAHAM MEISEL artistic gymnastics. In the dance world, he has worked with Performer artists including Pascal Merighi, Laurie Eisenhower, Bryan Abraham Meisel began his dance Strimpel, Meg Paul (who set a Twyla Tharp piece), career playing Dance Dance Chien-Ying Wang, and Sean Greene. He has also had the Revolution at the age of ten. After privilege of studying dance in Berlin at the Tanzfabrik and the years of watching dance movies and Freie Universität. Some of Mr. Wagner’s other interests YouTube videos, he began to study include musicals, choreography, stage combat, costume Latin and Ballroom dance. He transitioned to classical dance construction, and costume design. This is his fourth season during his post graduate year at the Lawrenceville School with Diavolo. and continued his education at Rutgers University in New EVAN TURNER Jersey and Hebrew University in Israel. After graduating, he Performer moved to Los Angeles to join the Diavolo Institute. Abraham Evan Turner was born and raised in is excited to continue with his second season in the Diavolo Windber, Pennsylvania. He started Touring Company. dancing through the activity of LEX SHIMKO colorguard by competing with his Performer middle school and high school from Lex Shimko hails from Rancho 2002-2008. He continued marching in the activity for both Cucamonga, California. She DCI with the Cadets from 2009-2012 and WGI with received her B.F.A. in Dance: Blessed Sacrament from 2010-2017. Evan graduated with Choreography and Performance his BFA in Modern Dance Performance from the University of from California Institute of the Arts, the Arts in 2013. Since then he has been teaching and and has been residing in Los Angeles, California. Her dancing both nationally and internationally. He has had the honor to perform with many reputable companies, some 9 BIOGRAPHIES | ARTISTIC TEAM CONT' being; Arcos Dance, Contemporarily Out of Order national tours designs include The Great Tennessee Monkey Company, and multiple ships for Norwegian Cruise Lines. Trial for L.A. Theater Works and both Peter Pan and Evan moved to Los Angeles to further his career in acrobatic Camelot for McCoy Rigby Entertainment, where he served dance and circus arts. Evan is super excited and honored to as associate to Tom Ruzika. Past design highlights include be on his first tour with the Diavolo Company! The Soze Project at the Apollo Theater in Harlem and Azure, an underwater fantasy show at the Silverton Las Vegas. ANA CAROLINA BROTONS Architectural credits include the Eastern Columbia building Tour / Production Coordinator in Los Angeles and Spring, a Claes Oldenburg sculpture in Ana Carolina Brotons was born in Miami, FL and started Seoul, Korea. In addition to lighting regional theater around dancing at the age of three. She attended performing art the United States, John also lights numerous musical acts in magnet programs in dance for both middle and high school, Los Angeles as well as working in film and television. as well as cheering for the world-renowned TopGun Allstars. After training ballet, modern, jazz, tap, salsa, and hip-hop ADAM DAVIS intensively at school and local studios, Ana was awarded a Production Designer, Architect scholarship to attend the University of the Arts in Adam is originally from Montreal, Canada and raised in Philadelphia, PA where she collaborated and learned from Miami, Florida. Education: University of Florida- renowned professors and guest artists, then receiving a BFA Architecture, B.A.; Southern California Institute of in Modern Dance Performance. Since graduating in 2012, Architecture (SCI-ARC)- Architecture, M.A. His graduate she has performed in music videos, as well as two national work explored the limits of collapsible and kinetic structures tours with the show SuperWHY Live. Always looking for and ultimately landed him a position with the AIA opportunities to grow, she has taking a strong liking to not award-winning LA firm Pugh + Scarpa working directly just the stage but the process it takes technically to get there. under principle Lawrence Scarpa. Entertainment design After five seasons performing, Ana is currently entering her credits under Emmy Award winning production designer seventh season with Diavolo. Jeremy Railton include Key Club a popular Sunset Strip nightclub and The Great World nightclub in Singapore. Art EVAN MERRYMAN RITTER direction for a multitude of music videos, live events and Lighting Designer concerts for James Taylor, Enrique Iglesias, Brian Wilson, Evan hails from San Francisco as a child of the 1980s. Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit and David Bowie. Film and TV Education—CalArts, B.F.A; University of Washington, M.F.A. credits include: Super 8, Larry Crowne, The Girl with the Awards—Wally Russell technical theater scholarship at Los Dragon Tattoo, Catching Fire (Hunger Games sequel), Terra Angeles Opera. With Diavolo, Evan was lighting director and Nova and Magic City. Adam has also been recognized by the designer of much of their work between 1998 and 2008. Art Director’s Guild, garnering two ADG awards for Since then, Evan has created two fully realized works of Outstanding Art Direction. Additionally, he received the dance with Diavolo alumna Monica Campbell (Tabula Rasa 1999 Lester Horton Award for Outstanding Dance Set and The Final Hours) as well as designed for Donald Byrd, KT Design for Diavolo’s Capture and has been published in Niehoff, Washington Ensemble Theater, Youth Theater World Stage Design. Northwest, Tacoma Opera and Bellevue Ballet among others. He lives in Seattle with his young daughter, Grace. MIKE MCCLUSKEY, MCCLUSKEY, LTD. Structure Design, Engineering, and Construction JOHN E.D. BASS Mike McCluskey started restoring Shelby Cobras in 1969 Lighting Director while attending UCLA for mechanical engineering and never John E.D. Bass has been lighting theater, music, and dance stopped. Best known for its diversity of fabricating services for nearly two decades. Before joining Diavolo in 2007 his (design, construction, welding, mechanics, finish & paint), last project with Jacques Heim was Territory while studying at McCluskey Ltd. blends the art of handcrafting with modern UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television. Previous aerospace technology. Internationally known for restoration/
10 repair of vintage Cobras, exotic concept and racecars, plus JAG, Frasier, Epoch, Star Trek: Enterprise, Traveler, and historical aircraft & jets, McCluskey also builds props and Diagnosis: Murder, in addition to being a series regular on the sets for stage, movies and TV. Mike’s team of highly skilled mid-1990s action drama Vanishing Son and the 2007 craftsmen are based in Torrance, CA, serving architectural, drama Life Is Wild. She has also appeared in the films Star automotive, industrial and entertainment clients including Trek: Insurrection and Exit to Eden. Stephanie was an extremely Getty, Disney, Shelby, Northrop, Honda, and Diavolo. supportive friend and artistic collaborator of Diavolo. Her voice and spirit will continue to live on through our newest TINA TREFETHEN piece, Voyage. Structure Design, Engineering, and Construction Tina’s mixed interests in art, extreme sports, design and industry all combine uniquely for Diavolo. Tina has been a We are enormously grateful for our major funders who make world hang-gliding champion, actor in TV and commercials, everything possible: the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, the pro-skateboarder, aircraft manufacturer, and partner in her California Arts Council, the Vladimir and Araxia Buckhantz brother’s music business. She has evolved into a designer, Foundation, the Annenberg Foundation, the Dwight Stuart Youth sculptor, engineer and fabricator of aluminum, steel and Fund, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the composites for a great variety of architectural, aviation, Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, the automotive, and graphics projects. Clients include Lotus, National Endowment for the Arts, the Green Foundation, the City Getty, Boeing, Disney, BMW, Honda, plus fifteen major of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, the Cheng Family works for Diavolo, as lead fabricator, structural designer and Foundation and the Albert and Elaine Borchard Foundation project manager. We would also like to thank our Board members Chip Largman, DANIEL WHEELER Susan Friedman, Jacques Heim, Doug Huberman, Emily McCary Price, Priya Sopori, and Kevin Susman. Finally, we would like to Structure Designer, Sculptor: Trajectoire thank the Los Angeles community for their support: Eliane and An internationally recognized and exhibited artist and Johan Beckman, Jennifer Cheng, Chris Conte, Bobbi Cox, Eric designer, Daniel Wheeler creates in diverse media, varied Emanuel, Brooke and Gerard De Gunzberg, Jean-Louis De scale, and in a range of contexts from private to public. The Gunzburg, Anita and Allen Kohl, Nigel Lythgoe, Toni and Terry son of an educator and a therapist, he received his BA from McDonald, Boude Moore, William P. Nassal, Greg and Renae Brown University in 1984 and after living in Japan, settled in Williams-Niles, Mark Riddlesperger, Melissa Susman, Thor Los Angeles in 1985. With 30 years of experience in making Steingraber, and Mary Hayley and Selim Zilkha. thematically sensitive, interactive, and highly crafted objects and environments, he is at once sculptor, builder, set designer, furniture maker, fabricator, photographer, and maker of religious and funereal objects. His design for The Campbell Hall Center for Spiritual Practice, in Los Angeles, CA recently won an award from The Interfaith Forum on Religion Art and Architecture (IFRAA) in the category of Liturgical/Interior Design. He has been designing for Diavolo since 1994. STEPHANIE NIZNIK The Voice Stephanie was an American film, television, and theatre actress, most famous for her role as Nina Feeney on Everwood. Besides Everwood, Niznik's television roles include guest roles on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, Profiler, Sliders,
11 Awe-inspiring. We didn’t spend years perfecting our craft. Or battle a case of nerves every single time we performed. But, as a proud sponsor of the Alberta Ballet’s Discover Dance Community Outreach Program we are helping to create a new generation of art lovers in Alberta. When the energy you invest in life meets the energy we fuel it with, standing ovations happen. FROM THE SCHOOL Message DIRECTOR For the last few years, Alberta Ballet School has received the support of the local Alberta initiative, the Shaw Birdies for Kids presented by Altalink – a donation matching program offered through the Shaw Charity Classic. All donations raised by an organization during the Birdies for Kids campaign are matched up to 50%, and last year, thanks to the outstanding support from our community, Alberta Ballet School raised more than $32,000 for our Scholarship Fund through this program. That money goes a long way to help pay for the dance and academic tuition for our professional division students, many of whom wouldn’t be able to attend the school without financial support. Each year we provide scholarships to more than 60 students, totalling $400,000, to chase their goals of becoming professional dancers. We know the financial strain being placed on many Alberta families lately, and we are not immune to the crunch of the tough economic times. Our families are also feeling the pinch, which has increased the demand for scholarships now more than ever. For the last several years we have seen our admission applications increase from talented young students looking to train with us, but many cannot afford it. Achieving professional success in the dance world takes an incredible amount of determination and drive and should not be hampered by financial ability. We believe that, by working together as a strong community, we can raise even more funds next year through the Birdies for Kids program and support even more students on their dance journeys. Many Alberta Ballet School alumni have gone on to become successful dancers around the world, and several have even stayed close to home to dance with Alberta Ballet. Dancers like Tanya Chumak, Alexandra and Jennifer Gibson, Sayuri Nakani, Laura Vande Zande, and most recently, Shiori Otsu, are Alberta Ballet School alumni who can be seen all season, shining brightly in upcoming productions like Alberta Ballet Unleashed, Peter Pan and Swan Lake. So, watch for our annual Shaw Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink fundraising efforts to begin on February 1, 2020, and consider how you can support a young dancer on their way to realizing their dance dreams.
Ashley McNeil Director, Alberta Ballet School 13 ONE NATION UNDER THE ARTS
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YOUR CONNECTION TO THE BEST OF INTERNATIONAL DANCE
ALBERTA BALLET IS PASSIONATELY COMMITTED TO CONNECTING ALBERTANS WITH THE WORLD’S MOST EXCITING LIVE DANCE. Over the years, we have brought in exceptional and unique dance companies from Canada and the U.S. and countries as far away as India, Argentina, the U.K and China. We’ve helped make Alberta a gateway for these international dance companies to launch tours and perform for Canadian audiences, some for the very first time. We don’t want to give too much away, but next season will feature more exciting talent from premiere Canadian dance companies and faraway lands. We hope to continue bringing you the world’s top talent and look forward to your support - surprising you with authentic and daring dance styles you may not otherwise experience is always an honour. To learn more, visit albertaballet.com/donate CELEBRATE SPRING WITH TWO
Alberta Ballet In
CALGARY MAR 18-21 EDMONTON MAR 27-29 Tickets at albertaballet.com
DON’T MISS A MINUTE OF THE MAGIC THIS SEASON. Sign up for ticket offers today and get a backstage pass to pre-sales, special events, discounts, and more. Visit albertaballet.com/signup for your ticket to a great season of dance! HEARTWARMING FAMILY SHOWS
Alberta Ballet's
CALGARY MAY 6-9 EDMONTON MAY 15-16 Tickets at albertaballet.com
ALBERTA BALLET GROUP TICKETS ARE ALWAYS IN STEP! Attend the ballet as a group of 10 or more and receive a 25% discount. Email [email protected] or call us at 1.800.646.8533 ext 2 to book your group today! LOCAL EXPERTISE MATTERS
Barclay Street Real Estate is proud to Commercial Real Estate be a sponsor of the Leasing, Sales and prestigious Alberta Ballet Company for Property Management the 2019/2020 season. Over the past 40 years, our team has guided clients in making sound business decisions by providing unique The Arts is an insights into the local market. Committed to always providing unparalleled professional service, we take pride in important part of the our tradition of offering you proactive solutions and results. fabric of our City and Today, we continue to commit ourselves to bring professionalism, expert negotiating skills, superior market we welcome Diavolo knowledge, and hard work to all our relationships. to the City of Calgary arts scene. LOCAL EXPERTISE MATTERS
COMMERCIAL Leasing Property REAL ESTATE OFFICE, RETAIL, INDUSTRIAL Management SOLUTIONS OFFICE, RETAIL, Sales INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL OFFICE, RETAIL, INDUSTRIAL, AND RESIDENTIAL MIXED USE, MULTI-FAMILY, LAND CONDOMINIUMS
barclaystreet.com 403-290-0178
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS & EXECUTIVE GERARD MCINNIS ELAN MACDONALD COMMITTEE Chair, Audit Committee NOËL PAPADOPOULOS We thank the following & Treasurer MATTHEW WETMORE generous Albertans for their SARAH PALMER time, talent, and commitment Chair, Governance & BOB WILLOWS to the success of Alberta Ballet : Nominating Committee DARYL FRIDHANDLER ALBERTA BALLET JOHN MASTERS FOUNDATION Board Chair Chair, School Committee ALFRED SORENSEN JANA NEAL President & Chair Vice-Chair (Calgary) DIRECTORS PETER A. JOHNSON JOSH BILYK MATIAS GRUM Secretary/Treasurer Vice-Chair (Edmonton) TODD HIRSCH DARYL FRIDHANDLER FRANK MOLNAR HEATHER KLIMCHUK Director Corporate Secretary HEATHER RAE
ALBERTA BALLET CO-FOUNDERS
DR. RUTH CARSE, MURIEL TAYLOR, CIRCA 1960 1958
2019/20 GOVERNMENT FUNDERS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS
23 BALLET ALBERTA UN
Alberta Ballet dancers are unleashed on works by choreographers Helen Pickett, Anne Plamondon and George Balanchine in one exceptional evening of dance. Enjoy a world premiere by Montreal’s Anne Plamondon, Helen Pickett’s springtime favourite Petal and Balanchine’s masterful work Allegro Brillante in one night.
Smuin dancer Erica Felsch is tossed in the air by Joshua Reynolds and Ben Needham-Wood in Helen Pickett’s Petal, part of Smuin’s UNLEASHED Dance Series in spring 2015. Photographer: Chris Hardy
CALGARY February 12–15, 2020 EDMONTON February 21–22, 2020 TICKETS AT ALBERTABALLET.COM