Brooklyn Academy of Music 1996 Next Wave Festival

Jim Dine, The Heart of BAM, 1996, Woodcut, 26-1/4" x 19-3/8" The Harlem Nutcracker™

BAM 1996 Next Wave Festival and 135th Anniversary Season are sponsored by Philip Morris Companies Inc. The Brooklyn Academy of Music 651, An Arts Center Bruce C. Ratner Mikki Shepard & Leonard Goines Chairman of the Board Executive Prod ucers

Harvey Lichtenstein President & Executive Producer

present The Harlem Nutcracker™

December II, 1996 at 7pm / December 12-14 at 8pm December 14 at 2pm / December 15 at 3pm

Choreographer/Director Donald Byrd Composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Music arranged by Duke Ellington / Billy Strayhorn and David Berger Librettist Donald Byrd

Running time: Donald Byrd/The Group approximately two Michael Blake, Deborah Crocker, Stephanie Guiland, Clay Jackson, hours, including Martin Lofsnes, Aldawna Morrison, Benoit-Swan Pouffer, Laura Rossini, intermission Leonora Stapleton

with Guest Artists Eleanor McCoy, Gus Solomons Jr, Kevin Boseman, Brian Brooks, Terry Callaway, Ferdinand de Jesus, Lakey Evans, Michele Golden, Elizabeth Parkinson, Karen Savage, Hannah Sweets, Nathan Trice

Costume Design Executive Director Technical Director Gabriel Berry Elizabeth Powers Joseph Robinson Scenic Design Production Manager Sound Design Eduardo Sicangco Jonathan D. Secor Doug Rice Lighti ng Design Production Stage Music Director/ David H. Rosenburg Manager Conductor Lyricist Betsy Herst David Berger Isaiah Sheffer Rehearsal Director Dramaturgs Fabrice Lemire Mona Heinze-Barrecca Shelby Jiggetts

The Harlem Nutcracker is a co-production of The Donald Byrd Dance Foundation, Inc. and 651, An Arts Center. • The BAM presentation of The Harlem Nutcracker is sponsored by DillE. Opening night sponsored by New York Magazine with support from Smirnoff Vodka and Tag Heuer. Special support provided by The Harkness Foundations for Dance and The Ford Foundation. American companies participating in the Next Wave are sponsored by AT&T. BAM thanks the Theatre Development Fund for its support of the Next Wave. Musicians Woodwinds: Trombone: Jerry Dodgion, alto saxophone, Art Baron, Wayne Goodman, clarinet, flute, piccolo Britt Woodman Bill Easley, tenor saxophone, Rhythm Section: clarinet Sir Roland Hanna, piano Jerome Richardson, alto and soprano Kenny Washington, drums saxophone Peter Washington, bass Joe Temperley, baritone saxophone, bass clarinet and the Frank Wess, tenor saxophone Lafayette Inspirational Ensemble Trumpets: Oliver Williams, director Steven Bernstein, Tom Harrell, Ryan Kisor, Bob Millikan

Co-commissioners The Harlem Nutcracker world premiere co-commissioner is Arizona State University Public Events. The co-commissioners are 651, An Arts Center; Aaron Davis Hall; Brooklyn Academy of Music; District Curators, George Mason University; James A. Doolittle's Southern California Theatre Association; New Jersey Performing Arts Center; Northrop Auditorium at the University of Minnesota; UCLA Center for the Performing Arts; University Musical Society at University of Michigan and Washington Performing Arts Society.

The creation of The Harlem Nutcracker has been made possible in part by public funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support has been provided by Aaron Davis Hall's Fund for New Work; AT&T; Con Ed; The Harkness Foundations for Dance; and Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Arts Partners Program, administered by the Association of Performing Arts Presenters. Live music is made possible by the Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust. Children's clothing provided by Gap Kids.

Act I Cast List Scene 1 Clara Eleanor McCoy Ghouls Empty House Blues Ghost of Her Husband Michael Blake, Brian Brooks, Scene 2 Gus Solomons Jr Stephanie Guiland, Aldawna Clara Dances with Her Clara's Son Michael Blake Morrison, Benoit-Swan Pouffer, Two Children His Wife Ka ren Savage Laura Rossini, Leonora Stapleton, Children's Dance Clara's Daughter Lakey Evans Hannah Sweets Spanish Dance Her Husband Aldawna Morrison Snow Memory of Romance Hispanic Neighbors Michael Blake, Kevin Boseman, Scene 3 Husband Ferdinand de Jesus Terry Callaway, Deborah Crocker, Glimpse of Death Wife Laura Rossini Michele Golden, Stephanie Guiland, Memory of the Nutcracker Grandfather Benoit-Swan Pouffer Aldawna Morrison, Elizabeth Death and his Maidens Homeys Parkinson, Benoit-Swan Pouffer, Battle Husband Terry Callaway Laura Rossini, Karen Savage, Scene 4 Wife Leonora Stapleton Leonora Stapleton, Hannah Sweets, Walking Through Snow Death Martin Lofsnes Nathan Trice Snow Dance Dogs & Maidens Car Driver Scene 5 Terry Callaway, Deborah Crocker, Clay Jackson Outside Club Sweets Ferdinand de Jesus, Lakey Evans, The Doormen Clay Jackson, Elizabeth Parkinson, Brian Brooks, Terry Callaway, Karen Savage, Nathan Trice Nathan Trice Act II Sweets for the Sweets Volga Vouty Scene 1 Brian Brooks, Ferdinand de Jesus, Stephanie Guiland & Nathan Trice, Inside Club Sweets Lakey Evans, Stephanie Guiland, Karen Savage & Terry Callaway, The Magic Show Elizabeth Parkinson, Karen Savage, Leonora Stapleton & Brian Brooks, Toot Toot Tootie Toot Leonora Stapleton, Hannah Sweets, Hannah Sweets & Clay Jackson Peanut Brittle Brigade Nathan Trice Chinoiserie Sugar Rum Cherry Cigarette Girl Deborah Crocker Elizabeth Parkinson, Aldawna Volga Vouty Waiter Kevin Boseman Morrison Chinoiserie Master of Ceremonies/ Magician Waltz of the Floreodores Waltz of the Floreodores Michael Blake with Michele Golden, Dewdrop Arabesque Cookie Stephanie Guiland Laura Rossini Scene 2 Toot Toot Tootie Toot Couples Passi ng Th rough Ti me Aldawna Morrison Debora h Crocker & Benoit-Swa n Scene 3 with Lakey Evans & Martin Lofsnes, Pouffer, Lakey Evans & Brian Christmas Morning Elizabeth Parkinson & Benoit-Swan Brooks, Stephanie Guiland & Pouffer, Laura Rossini & Kevin Ferdinand de Jesus, Karen Savage Boseman, Karen Savage &Terry & Kevin Boseman Callaway, Leonora Stapleton & Arabesque Cookie Brian Brooks Laura Rossini & Clay Jackson Peanut Brittle Brigade Body Builders Nathan Trice & Laura Rossini Michael Blake, Martin Lofsnes, with Stephanie Guiland & Aldawna Morrison, Nathan Trice Ferdinand de Jesus, Karen Savage Harem & Kevi n Bosema n, Leonora Elizabeth Parkinson & Leonora Stapleton & Aldawna Morrison, Stapleton Hannah Sweets & Terry Callaway with Deborah Crocker, Lakey Sugar Rum Cherry Evans, Michele Golden, Stephanie Elizabeth Parkinson, Michael Blake, Guiland, Karen Savage, Hannah Ferdinand de Jesus (1st Cast) Sweets Lakey Evans, Terry Callaway, Clay Jackson, Nathan Trice (2nd Cast)

Children December 11, 14: December 12, 13, 15: Assata Barton, Jonathan Bizaldi, Naomi Adams, Chiriqui Cooper, Calvin Booker, Careitha Davis, Ian J. DaSilva, Stephesha David, Cyniqua Fleming, Delise Jeffrey, Atiya Dorsey, Ashanti Faltine, Chaka LaGuerre, Jasmine Mendez­ Kareem Lloyd, Nya Raphael, Delvalle, Jamilya Stroud-Garrett, Tracy Wright, Daniella Wylie Yaa-Yaa Whaley December 14 (matinee): Tania Bouzy, Tiffany Faublas, Alana Harper, Renetta Jefferson, Kendra Reyes, Richard Seilger, Ashley Williams

Special Thanks Christopher Darling, Bill Easterby, Lawrence Frances, Roger M. Gray, Shelly Gray, Michael Hagen, Janine King & Norma Munn/Artists Community Federal Credit Union, Donna Langman, Joe Muccioli, Liz Perlman, Margaret Selby, Don Stern, Sarah Timberlake, Velma TerrylThe Bank of New York, The Fund for the City of New York, Rosi Zingales, Gene Williams, BAM and 651. Dream of a Life Since its first US production in 1940, the classic Nutcracker ballet has Fulfilled: The Harlem become a Christmas ritual in many American cities. Based on the story Nutcracker Nutcracker and Mouseking by German Romantic writer E. T.A. Hoffmann, most Nutcracker ballets describe a girl who, excited by the wonders of Christmas Eve (and the gift of a beautiful nutcracker), undertakes a fantastic journey. Traveling from the Kingdom of Snow to the Land of Sweets, the girl's dream culminates in her marriage to the Nutcracker prince. With The Harlem Nutcracker, Donald Byrd examines Tchaikovsky's ballet as an American institution. Asking what in the story appeals specifically to Americans, Byrd focused on the way in which the piece enforces the idea of family, revealing the value of compassion, love and support in a family setting. At a time when African American communities suffer from devas­ tation wrought by drugs, violence and poverty, Byrd creates a reminder of the resilience, specifically of African American families, and of the family (or community) in general. The Harlem Nutcracker takes up the story at the point where other versions leave off. Here Clara is a grandmother, who experiences the joy of sharing a Christmas with her children and grandchildren, but also feels the pain of celebrating the holiday for the first time without her husband. As Clara lives through Christmas Eve and night, her Harlem mansion becomes a stage on which her past unfolds. She observes not only key moments of her life, but also times she could only imagine. Although the Clara of The Harlem Nutcracker looks back rather than into the future, her life does not seem less of a fairy tale. In fact, reviewing Clara's history and * Bruno Bettelheim, The aspirations provides what Bruno Bettelheim in his description of fairy tales Meaning and Importance called Iia magic mirror which reflects some aspect of your inner world, and of Fairy Tales, 1976. the steps required by our evolution from immaturity to maturity."*

Christmas Eve in Harlem. Clara awaits her children and grandchildren. Synopsis Alone in her living room, the memory of the Christmases she spent with her Act I husband becomes reality; Clara relives the moment when he gave her the gift which has remained most precious to her: a nutcracker. Clara's vision of the past is dispelled by the arrival of family and friends. During the party, Clara moves between past and present. Everybody but Clara has gone to sleep. Alone, she faces a deathly figure who has entered with an army of horrible creatures. Frightened, Clara tries to escape; the nutcracker, magically come to life, begins to single-handedly defend her from the attack. When it seems that the nutcracker will be defeated, Clara joins the battle in an attempt to save him. She forces the army to retreat. Kneeling by the nutcracker, she discovers that he is her husband. They suddenly find themselves on a street in Harlem, prome­ nading through a beautiful snow storm to Club Sweets.

Act /I Clara and her husband enter Club Sweets. The special entertainment includes dances reflecting other cultures. At the end, the deathly figure enters the club and forces Clara to watch tableaux depicting significant moments in her life. Witnessing this Iishow" weakens Clara; she leans on Death. Christmas morning. Clara's daughter finds her lying motionless on the floor. The family hurries to help. Clara wakes and is made comfortable on the sofa. As everybody opens their presents, Clara sees the deathly figure again. This time it reminds her of her husband and she resolves to accompany him. Donald Byrd (choreographer/director) started his Ellington orchestra that they are nearly indistin­ company, Donald Byrd/The Group, in Los Angeles guishable from the maestro's. in 1978, moving it to in 1983. David Berger (arranger/composer/music director/ Prior to that, Mr. Byrd studied at Tufts and Yale conductor) is a recognized authority on the music Universities, The Cambridge School of Ballet, the of Duke Ellington and the swing era. Conductor London School of Contemporary Dance, The Alvin and arranger for the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra Ailey American Dance Center, and with Mia from 1988 to 1994, Berger has transcribed more Siavenska. He danced with Twyla Tharp, Karole than 300 of Ellington's works and has collaborated Armitage and Gus Solomons Jr. Since 1976, Mr. on a variety of musical projects with Ellington Byrd has created over eighty works for his own family members. He has written scores for televi­ company and others, including the sion, Broadway shows, films and dance compa­ American Dance Theater, Atlanta Ballet, Dayton nies. Berger's compositions and arrangements also Contemporary Dance Company, and Philadelphia may be found on recordings and in the libraries Dance Company. Mr. Byrd has choreographed for of Quincy Jones, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, Clark numerous stage productions, including Blood Terry and the late Gerry Mulligan. A seven time Wedding and Dancing on Moonlight at The Public recipient of National Endowment for the Arts Theater in New York, and Peter Sellars' productions fellowships, Berger is a member of the of A Soldier's Take, The Seven Deadly Sins and School of Music jazz faculty. I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky. In 1992, he received a Bessie Award for The Gabriel Berry (costume designer) has designed Minstrel Show. Mr. Byrd is currently an associate­ more than 200 productions for theater, opera and artist at the Yale Repertory Theater and serves on dance. She is the winner of an Obie award for her the Board of Trustees for Dance Theater Workshop theater work and a 1992 Bessie Award for Donald and Dance/USA. Byrd's The Minstrel Show and Molissa Fenley's Place. Other works with DB/TG include The Beast, Duke Ellington (music arranger) is well-known the film Unsettled Dreams, workshop versions of throughout the world as America's foremost and The Harlem Nutcracker. most prol ific com poser. His more tha n 2,000 innovative compositions and arrangements span Michael Blake (dancer) has danced seven seasons a fifty-five year career as bandleader and pianist. with DB/TG over a nine year period. Other affili­ In 1927 he rose to international stardom at the ations: Jose Limon Company 1986-1991, Murray Cotton Club through exposure on radio and Louis Company, and Joyce Trisler Danscompany. numerous recordings. While the rest of the jazz Kevin Boseman (guest artist) performed with world was focusing on popular songs and music DB/TG 1993/94. Other affiliations: Alvin Ailey for social dancing, Ellington did all that and forged Repertory Ensemble, Your Arms Too Short to Box into the uncharted territory of concert music, With God (1995). Current affiliation: Martha creating tone poems, a symphony, modern dance Graham Dance Company. pieces, numerous suites, movie scores, theatrical shows, ballets and sacred concerts. More Ulan Brian Brooks (guest artist) Other affiliations: twenty years after his death, Ellington's music is Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Footprints, receiving more critical attention than ever before. Forces of Nature, Philadanco. Billy Strayhorn (music arranger) was composer, Terry Callaway (guest artist) performed with DB/TG arranger and occasional second pianist and lyricist in the film Unsettled Dreams and Harlem with Duke Ellington from 1939 until his death in Nutcracker workshop (1995). Other affiliations: 1967. Among his hundreds of compositions best Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble, Judith Jamison, known are Take the A Train and Lush Life. Kevin Jeff, Dwight Rhoden, En Vogue and Strayhorn excelled in creating what he called liThe Crystal Waters. Ellington Effect." Although he considered his music Deborah Crocker (dancer) joined DB/TG in 1996. vastly different from his famous employer's, his Other affiliations: Dance pieces are so well conceived and written for the Company, Ballet Hispanico. Ferdinand "Freddie" de Jesus (guest artist) per­ Jeune Ballet de France. He has appeared with formed with DB/TG 1993-95 and in the 1995 numerous European and American modern and The Harlem Nutcracker workshop. Other affilia­ ballet companies. tions: Philadanco, Joyce Trisler. Current affiliation: Martin Lofsnes (dancer) joined DB/TG in 1996. Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. Other affiliations: Martha Graham Ensemble, Martha Lakey Evans (guest artist) Other affiliation: Graham Dance Company, Buglisi/Forman Dance, The Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble since 1994. Pearl Lang Dance Theater, Martha Graham School. Michele Golden (guest artist) Training: Joffrey Michael Makman (magic consultant) has created Ballet School, Pacific Northwest Ballet, BA (UCLA). magic for New York's Primary Stages, Circle Rep, York Theatre Co., The Juilliard School, The Public Stephanie Guiland (dancer) joined DB/TG 1992. Theater's production of The Skriker. Makman is Other affiliations: Lisa Stansfield, En Vogue and a member of the Society of American Magicians P.M. Dawn, Star Search, Complexions. and Vice President of NYC's International Mona Heinze-Barrecca (dramaturg) has taught at Brotherhood of Magicians. various universities, most recently NYU's Tisch Eleanor McCoy (guest artist) recent theater credits School of the Arts, and is Head of the MFA include Screened in Porch at Crossroads Theatre Program in Dramaturgy and Dramatic Criticism Co., Keeping an Eye on Louie at Terry Schreiber at Brooklyn College. Fulbright Scholar in theater, Studio/NYC and Fences at the Pioneer Theatre in MFA degrees in Dramaturgy () and Utah. She has appeared on Broadway in Timbuktu Performing Arts Management (Brooklyn College). and The Wiz as well as in TV and feature films. Betsy Herst (production stage manager) joined She has also coached Michael Jackson, Chaka Khan DB/TG 1993. Training: California Institute of the and Donna Summer. A graduate of Juilliard School Arts. Other affiliations: PSM/Lighting Designer, of Music, she has toured with the Alvin Ailey Jazz Tap Ensemble; TD/Lighting Designer, Dept. American Dance Theatre and Pearl Lang Dance of Dance, Cal State University/Long Beach; Company, and was one of the original ballerinas PM/Resident Lighting Designer, Dayton Ballet. at The Dance Theatre of Harlem. Ms. McCoy is currently a freelance actress, while teaching drama Clay Jackson (dancer), joined DB/TG in and dance to the youth of Harlem. 1996. Other affiliations: Amarillo Little Theater, Fort Worth Ballet, Hip Pocket Theater, Feld Diana McGuigan (Stage Manager) Training: Ballet/NY, Detroit Ballet. California Institute of the Arts and UC Santa Cruz. Current affiliations: PSM/Lighting Designer for Shelby Jiggetts (dramaturg) Director of Play the Jazz Tap Ensemble, Diavolo Dance Theater. Development at The New York Shakespeare Festival/Joseph Papp Public Theater. Most recent Aldawna Morrison (dancer) joined DB/TG in 1992. project: Bring in Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk Other affiliations: New World Dance Company, (NYSF, Broadway). Cleo Parker Robinson's Company. Lafayette Inspirational Ensemble (choir) Elizabeth Parkinson (guest artist) performed with Frequently heard in services of worship at Lafayette DB/TG in 1994/1995 in The Minstrel Show, Life Avenue Presbyterian Church, the ensemble also Situations, and The Beast. Other affiliations: The presents concerts throughout the city and beyond. Joffrey Ballet, The Feld Ballets/NY. Musical theater: The Lafayette Inspirational Ensemble has flour­ Carousel and Singin'in the Rain, new Bob Fosse ished and been blessed in serving God, the LAPC, project with Chet Walker and Gwen Verdon. the Fort Greene community and New York City for Benoit-Swan Pouffer (dancer) joined DB/TG in the past five years. 1996. Other affiliations: Complexions, Philadanco. Fabrice Lemire (rehearsal director) has worked Doug Rice (sound designer) has designed for as rehearsal director and assistant choreographer Donald Byrd/The Group twice before. Other recent for Donald Byrd in the and Europe. projects: Celebrate Brooklyn, the GLAMA awards, In addition he assisted the Ballet Master for the Joe Morello, Lou Reed, Garrison Keillor, Jim Pepper and recordings for the Eastman School of Music. Eduardo V. Sicangco (scenic designer) New York He teaches at the Institute of Audio Research. credits: Gentleman Prefer Blondes on Broadway, The Spring Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall, Joseph L. Robinson (technical director) Recent The Gershwin Celebration for BAM and PBS, NY credits include: Technical Director, Full Gallop; Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci and Carmen for New Production Manager, Cowgirls, Minetta Lane York City Opera. Off-Broadway productions: Das Theatre; Sound Design, Springhill Singing Disaster, Barbecu, From the Mississippi Delta and Playwrights Horizons; Lighting, Region of Shadows, Splendora. Regional credits: the Kennedy Center, Microscopic Theatre Co. Houston Grand Opera, the Ordway Music Theater, David H. Rosenburg (lighting designer) has worked the Virginia Opera, Hartford Stage, Goodspeed with such dance companies as The Alvin Ailey Opera House, McCarter Theater, Seattle Rep, Bay American Dance Theater, Donald Byrd/The Group, Street Theater, Cincinnati Playhouse, Center Stage, The Dance Exchange, Le Conservatoire National George Street Playhouse and Chautauqua Opera. Superieur in Paris and the Atlanta Ballet. He has He is a Master Teacher of Design at NYU's Tisch designed for Cambridge Christmas Revels and the School of the Arts. Boston Dance Umbrella's Aerial Festival. He was Gus Solomons Jr. (guest artist) dances, makes the Lighting Director for the Boston Ballet for their dances (Solomons Company/Dance and others), 1993 and 1994 seasons. His work has taken him teaches dance (NYU Tisch, et aI.), critiques dance to Holland, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Yugoslavia, (Village Voice, Dance Magazine, etc.), and danced and he has worked in such venues as Lincoln in the companies of Pearl Lang, Donald McKayle, Center, Kennedy Center, City Center and the Paris Martha Graham and Merce Cunningham. In addi­ Opera. He began working with Donald Byrd/The tion, Solomons serves frequently as an adjudicator Group in 1993. and dance panelist for various state arts councils, Laura Rossini (dancer) joined DB/TG in 1993. artistic advisory boards, and private foundations. Other affiliations: Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble, Leonora Stapleton (dancer) joined DB/TG in 1992. Contemporary Motions, Footprints Project, and Other affiliations: Blue Mercury Dance Company, Deja Vu Dance Company. Manuel Alum, Anti-Gravity, Jubilation Dance Karen Denise Savage (guest artist) performed Company, the Dance Theater of Harlem Ensemble, with DB/TG in the 1995 The Harlem Nutcracker Ethos Dance Company, Footprints Project. workshop. Other affiliations: Joseph Holmes Hannah Sweets (guest artist) performed with Dance Theatre, George Faison and Jawole DB/TG in the 1994 The Harlem Nutcracker Jo Willa Zolar. Current affiliations: Philadanco. workshop. Other affiliations: Dallas Black Dance Jonathan D. Secor (production manager) Other Theater, Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble. affiliations: Production Manager for Celebrate Nathan Trice (guest artist) performed with DB/TG Brooklyn, Brooklyn Academy of Music, 651 An in the 1994 The Harlem Nutcracker workshop. Arts Center, Manhattan Punch Line, Jennifer r Other affiliations: Momix Dance Company, Muller/The Works. He has stage managed on Complexions, Joseph Holmes Dance Company. Broadway, Off-Broadway, European and national tours, opera, television and dance. Teaching: Yale School of Drama, SUNY Purchase. Isaiah Sheffer (lyricist) founder and Artistic Director of Symphony Space, where his duties include directing the hit literary series, Selected ShQrts: A Celebration of the Short Story. Directing: Yale Rep, The American Place Theatre among others. Recent stage and screen writing: Millennium, The Rise of David Levinsky, Pair ofJokers, Yiddle with a Fiddle, Demons and Dreamers: The Worlds of Isaac Bashevis Singer, The Doctor Will See You Now. The Harlem Nutcracker The Donald Byrd Dance Foundation, Inc. Honorary Chairs Board of Directors Coretta Scott King, Ruth Ellington Donald Byrd, President Caroline Cronson, Chair National Committee Arnoldo Caballero Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts III Clarence Clark Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. Marilynn Donini Nelson George Cheryl D. Fells, Esq. Honorable Howard Golden Linda D. Gray Yolanda King AI berto Paci ucci State Senator Velmanette Montgomary Caroline Sharp Max Roach Dr. James Spratley Margaret Selby Donald Byrd/The Group Staff The Harlem Nutcracker Staff Donald Byrd, Artistic Director Associate Lighting Designer-Jack Mehler Betsy Herst, Production Stage Manager Props Designers-Steven Capone, Nora Pozos Patricia R. Klausner, General Manager Dramaturgs-Mona Heinze-Barrecca, David Paley, Company Manager Shelby Jiggetts Elizabeth Powers, Executive Director Company Manager-David Paley Andrea Star Reese, Videographer Stage Manager-Diana McGuigan Manuel R. Rodriguez, Development Director Assistant Company Manager-Jason Seamster David H. Rosenburg, Technical Director Children's Director-Antonio Carlos Scott Tania Varela-Ibarra, Administrative Assistant NY Children's Rehearsal Director-Jamel Gaines David Lieberman, Exclusive USA booking director Rehearsal Pianists-Isaac ben Ayala, Eric Lewis Perry Dance II, Official studio Master Electrician-Davey Dearing Magic Consultant-Mike Makman Donald Byrd/The Group is supported in part by Assistant Costume Designers-Nancy Brous, public funds from the National Endowment for Mirena Rada the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, New Costume Coordinator-Helen Rodgers York City's Department of Cultural Affairs and Wardrobe Supervisor-Helen Simmons the DCA Cultural Challenge Program. Additional Assistant Wardrobe Supervisor-Melanie Robinson support provided by AT&T; Chase Manhattan Assistants to Mr. Sicangco-Lars Andersen, Bank; Evelyn Sharp Foundation; The Fan Fox and Toni Barton, Tim Baumgartner Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, Inc.; The Fund for Property Supervisor-Cathy D. Tomlin US Artists at International Festivals and Exhibitions; Nutcracker Designer-Charles Truscott Harkness Foundation for Dance; Jerome Assistant Production Manager-Sheila Paule Foundation; Lila Acheson Wallace Theater Fund at Scenery construction-eenter Line Studios, Inc Community Funds, Inc.; Earle Mack Charitable Scenery painting-Michael Hagen, Inc. Trust; Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation; New York Costume construction-Paula Buchert, Costumes/ Community Trust; Philip Morris Companies Inc.; Couture, Costume Works; Rodney Gordon, Izquier­ and Robert Sterling Clark Foundation. Additional do Studios, Panzai Boutique, Studio, Studio Rouge support provided by Andrea and Rita Reese. Music copying-Kingbrand Donald Byrd/The Group is a member of the Lighting and Sound equipment-GSD International Association of Blacks in Dance, Trucking-Road Show Services Inc. Dance/USA, the national service organization for Poster design-Eduardo Sicangco the non-profit professional dance which seeks to Graphics-Rebecca Lown Designs advance the art form of dance; and Dance Press Representative-Owensby & Co. Theater Workshop. Legal Services-Barry I. Slotnick, Esq., Frank Golding, Esq./Richards & O'Neil, LLP Donald Byrd/The Group Accounting Services-Charles A. Kerner, CPA 30 Flatbush Avenue, Suite 427 Travel Agent-D. Jacobsen, Entertainment Travel Brooklyn, New York 11217