Ballet Notes La Fille mal gardée Februa ry 29 – March 4, 2012

Piotr Stanczyk as Colas. Photo by Andrew Oxenham. Orchestra Violins Horns Benjamin Bowman Gary Pattison, Principal Concertmaster Vincent Barbee • Lynn Kuo, Derek Conrod Assistant Concertmaster Scott Wevers Dominique Laplante, Trumpets Principal Second Violin Richard Sandals, Principal James Aylesworth Mark Dharmaratnam Jennie Baccante Robert Weymouth Csaba Ko czó • Sheldon Grabke Trombones Xiao Grabke David Archer, Principal • Nancy Kershaw Robert Ferguson Celia Franca, C.C., Founder Sonia Klimasko-Leheniuk David Pell, Bass Trombone Yakov Lerner George Crum, Music Director Emeritus Tuba Jayne Maddison Sasha Johnson, Principal Karen Kain, C.C. Kevin Garland Ron Mah Artistic Director Executive Director Aya Miyagawa Harp Wendy Rogers Lucie Parent, Principal David Briskin Rex Harrington, O.C. Filip Tomov Music Director and Artist-in-Residence Timpany Joanna Zabrowarna Principal Conductor Michael Perry, Principal Paul Zevenhuizen Magdalena Popa Lindsay Fischer Percussion Violas Principal Artistic Coach Artistic Director, Mark Mazur, Acting Angela Rudden, Principal YOU dance / Ballet Master Principal • Theresa Rudolph Koczó, Kristofer Maddigan Peter Ottmann Mandy-Jayne Assistant Principal Senior Ballet Master Richardson Valerie Kuinka Orchestra Personnel Senior Ballet Mistress Johann Lotter Manager and Music Aleksandar Antonijevic, Guillaume Côté, Beverley Spotton Administrator Greta Hodgkinson, Jiˇrí Jelinek, Zdenek Konvalina*, Larry Toman Jean Verch Heather Ogden, Sonia Rodriguez, Piotr Stanczyk, Cellos Assistant Orchestra Jillian Vanstone, Xiao Nan Yu +, Bridgett Zehr* Maurizio Baccante, Personnel Manager Principal Raymond Tizzard Kevin D. Bowles, Lorna Geddes, Tomas Schramek, Olga Laktionova Hazaros Surmeyan Librarian • Andrew McIntosh Lucie Parent Keiichi Hirano, Tanya Howard +, Stephanie Hutchison, Marianne Pack Etienne Lavigne, Patrick Lavoie, Elena Lobsanova, Elaine Thompson Extra Players McGee Maddox, Stacey Shiori Minagawa, Paul Widner Jennie Baccante, Acting Assistant Concertmaster Tina Pereira, Jonathan Renna, Rebekah Rimsay, Basses Anne Armstrong, Violin Robert Stephen, Brett van Sickle Hans J.F. Preuss, Principal Pamela Hinman, Violin Paul Langley Jordana Daumec, Naoya Ebe, Chelsy Meiss, Renee London, Violin Robert Speer Alejandra Perez-Gomez, Jenna Savella Hiroko Kagawa, Violin Cary Takagaki Danyla Bezerra, Ryan Booth, Skylar Campbell, Adji Cissoko, Sonia Vizante, Violin Shaila D’Onofrio, Krista Dowson, Nadine Drouin, Jackson Dwyer, Flutes Valerie Kuinka, Acting Giorgio Galli, Selene Guerrero-Trujillo, Emma Hawes, Leslie J. Allt, Principal Assistant Principal Viola Juri Hiraoka, Kathryn Hosier, Rui Huang, Lise-Marie Jourdain, Maria Pelletier Josh Greenlaw, Viola James Leja, Alexandra MacDonald, Elizabeth Marrable, Ji Min Hong, Shino Mori, Tiffany Mosher, Andreea Olteanu +, • Shelley Brown, Piccolo Nicholaos Papadakis, Viola Brendan Saye, Christopher Stalzer, Joseph Steinauer, Oboes Orly Bitov, Cello Dylan Tedaldi, Nan Wang, Aarik Wells, Sarah Elena Wolff Mark Rogers, Principal Mary Stein, Cello RBC Apprentice Programme / YOU dance: James Applewhite, Karen Rotenberg Kevin O’Donnell, Flute, Jack Bertinshaw, Esabelle Chen, Daniel Cooke, Lesley Young, Piccolo Francesco Gabriele Frola, Larissa Khotchenkova, English Horn Miyoko Koyasu, Lisa Lanteri, Nayara Lopes, Asiel Rivero. Aiko Oda, Clarinet Clarinets Diane Doig, Horn Lorna Geddes Joysanne Sidimus Max Christie, Principal Beverley Johnston, Pointe Shoe Manager / Guest Balanchine • Emily Marlow Percussion Assistant Ballet Mistress Répétiteur Gary Kidd, Bass Clarinet • On Leave of Absence Ernest Abugov Shelby-Jai Flick Bassoons Jeff Morris Assistant Stage Manager/ Stage Managers Stage Manager, YOU dance Stephen Mosher, Principal Jerry Robinson Elizabeth Gowen, Contra Bassoon *Guest Artist +Maternity Leave

Page 2 national.ballet.ca The 2011/12 season is presented by

Wednesday, February 29 at 7:30 pm Thursday, March 1 at 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm Friday March 2 at 7:30 pm Saturday March 3 at 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm Sunday March 4 at 2:00 pm

La Fille mal gardée

Choreography: Sir Frederick Ashton Staged by: Christopher Carr and Grant Coyle Music: Ferdinand Hérold , arranged by John Lanchbery from the 1828 version By permission of the copyright holder, Oxford University Press, and their agent Counterpoint Musical Library Services Inc. Set and Costume Design: Sir Osbert Lancaster Lighting Design: Thomas Saunders Répétiteurs: Mandy-Jane Richardson and Peter Ottmann

Conductors: David Briskin , Music Director and Principal Conductor (Feb 29, Mar 1 mat, Mar 2, Mar 3 mat, Mar 4) David LaMarche , Guest Conductor (Mar 1 eve, Mar 3 eve)

La Fille mal gardée is a gift from THE VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE, THE NATIONAL BALLET OF CANADA.

The National Ballet of Canada dedicates the performances of La Fille mal gardée to the memory of Alexander Grant, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada 1976 to 1983. A celebrated dancer, ballet master and director, Mr. Grant was a member of The Royal Ballet for 30 years and created more than 20 roles in the works of Sir Frederick Ashton. He died in London, England on September 30, 2011 at the age of 86.

Page 3 Piotr Stanczyk as Colas. Photo by Andrew Oxenham.

Widow Simone Notary’s Clerk & Cockerel Matjash Mrozewski (Feb 29, Mar 1 eve, Christopher Stalzer (Feb 29, Mar 2, 4) 2, 3 eve, 4) Robert Stephen (Mar 1 mat, 3 mat) Kevin D. Bowles * (Mar 1 mat, 3 mat) Skylar Campbell (Mar 1 eve, 3 eve)

Lise Hens Sonia Rodriguez (Feb 29, Mar 2, 4) Artists of the Ballet Tina Pereira * (Mar 1 mat, 3 mat) Jillian Vanstone * (Mar 1 eve, 3 eve) Lise’s Friends Stacey Shiori Minagawa , Jordana Daumec , Colas Jenna Savella , Lise-Marie Jourdain , Piotr Stanczyk (Feb 29, Mar 2, 4) Tiffany Mosher , Alejandra Perez-Gomez, Keiichi Hirano (Mar 1 mat, 3 mat) Stephanie Hutchison or Chelsy Meiss , Naoya Ebe * (Mar 1 eve, 3 eve) Juri Hiraoka

Thomas Colas’ Friends Kevin D. Bowles (Feb 29, Mar 1 eve, Patrick Lavoie , Brett van Sickle , 2, 3 eve, 4) McGee Maddox or Aarik Wells , McGee Maddox (Mar 1 mat, 3 mat) Jonathan Renna , Ryan Booth or Brendan Saye , Nan Wang Alain Robert Stephen * (Feb 29, Mar 2, 4) Villagers and Grooms Skylar Campbell * (Mar 1 mat, 3 mat) Artists of the Ballet Christopher Stalzer * (Mar 1 eve, 3 eve) * Debut Village Notary All casting is subject to change. Brendan Saye (Feb 29, Mar 1 eve, 3 mat, 4) Ryan Booth (Mar 1 mat, 2, 3 eve) Running Time Act 1 – 1 hour Intermission – 20 minutes Act II – 35 minutes The performance will run approximately 2 hours

Page 4 national.ballet.ca A Note on the Ballet

La Fille mal gardée is one of the oldest and most beloved of the narrative ballets. Hailed as a comic masterpiece, it tells the story of Lise, a village girl, who falls in love with and hopes to marry a handsome young farmer, Colas. Her mother, however, has other ideas.

La Fille mal gardée premiered in 1789 but it is Sir Frederick Ashton’s 1960 version for The Royal Ballet that is considered the greatest adaptation of this charming ballet. Sir Frederick himself set his work on the National Ballet in 1976. The ballet premiered on November 17, 1976 as part of the National Ballet’s 25th anniversary season and featured Karen Kain as Lise, Frank Augustyn as Colas, Jacques Gorrissen as Widow Simone and David Roxander as Alain. The production Sir Frederick Ashton with Michael Somes, was later filmed by Norman Campbell for David Scott and Alexander Grant in rehearsal. Photo by Barry Gray. CBC TV.

Karen Kain and Frank Augustyn as Lise and Colas in 1976. Photo by Barry Gray.

Karen Kain as Lise and Jacques Gorrissen as Widow Simone in 1976. Photo by Andrew Oxenham.

Page 5 Synopsis

Act I, Scene 1: The Farmyard in a joyful dance. Lise and Alain attempt to The dawn of a busy day on the farm is heralded dance but Colas intervenes and the young by a cockerel and his feathered attendant girl makes it clear where her preference lies. hens. Lise, the only daughter of the Widow One of the harvesters plays the flute to Simone, enters looking for her lover, Colas, general merriment. Alain is soon mocked by a young farmer. Disappointed at not seeing all for his clumsy attempts at flute-playing and him, Lise leaves a ribbon tied in a lovers’ knot dancing, and is rescued from the horseplay through a ring in the wall of the barn as a by his indignant father. The field is then left token of her devotion. Finding it, Colas binds clear for the triumphant Colas, who dances it to his staff, thrilled at the thought that his with Lise. love is near. Simone joins in the merriment, dancing a The lovers soon meet but are interrupted rollicking clog dance with four of Lise’s friends . by Widow Simone who has a more ambitious All the harvesters then join in a traditional marriage plan in mind for her daughter. Colas Maypole Dance. Suddenly they are interrupted hides in the loft. Simone sets Lise the task by a storm and everyone runs for shelter. of churning butter to keep her out of trouble. Colas soon joins her and they share the work, Act II: The Interior of the Farmhouse until it is forgotten as they declare their love Widow Simone and Lise, soaked by the in a playful and frolicking dance. storm, return to the farmhouse. They sit down The farm girls summon Lise to play but to spin wool; work, thinks Simone, should they are soon interrupted by Lise’s suspicious keep Lise out of mischief. But Simone is and ever-watchful mother, who catches hold overcome by sleep and Lise, who has seen of Lise and chastises her. Just then Thomas, Colas at the gate, tries to take the key to the the pompous and wealthy proprietor of a front door from her. vineyard, arrives with his simpleton son, Alain. Simone wakes and, in order to remain Simone, aware that they mean for Alain watchful, plays the tambourine for Lise to to marry Lise, sends her daughter home to dance. The taps soon grow more feeble; make herself presentable for the visitors. she begins to nod and falls fast asleep again. Thomas asks for Lise’s hand for his son, Lise runs to the door and has a romantic and when Lise returns, dressed in her pretty encounter with Colas through the window. pink party dress, Alain, coy and clumsy, The knocking of the harvesters, coming for shows off his paces. She is amused and their pay, separates the lovers and awakens a little shocked by his antics but definitely Simone. Simone tells her daughter to get on not interested; her thoughts are with the with her chores as she leaves to go to church. handsome Colas. The party soon sets off Lise, thinking she is alone, dreams of the for the harvest and a picnic. delights of marriage and children. Colas cannot resist the moment and comes out Act I, Scene 2: The Cornfield from hiding under the bales of hay brought in It is harvest time and after working in the by the harvesters. Lise is bashful at having fields, the harvesters, led by Colas, relax been discovered but once again they declare

Page 6 their love, exchanging scarves as a token. As bedroom door key. After a few moments of Simone reappears, Lise hustles Colas into her embarrassed indecision, he opens the door bedroom. When the ever-suspicious mother and, to everyone’s surprise, Colas and Lise sees the changed scarf, she suspects that emerge. The lovers fall on their knees to ask the lovers have been meeting and sends Lise Simone for forgiveness and a blessing. into the bedroom, locking the door. Despite the fury of Thomas and Alain, Simone Alain and his father arrive with a notary and finally gives in to the lovers amidst general his clerk to complete the marriage contract. rejoicing, while Alain is left sad and confused When it is signed, Simone hands Alain the by the chaos and his loss of Lise.

Selected Biographies

Karen Kain, dance in 1997 after a nationwide in 2011, Ms. Kain was honoured C.C., LL.D., D. Litt., O.Ont. farewell tour and, shortly after - by the International Society Artistic Director wards, assumed the position for the Performing Arts with Acknowledged as one of the of Artist-in-Residence with the the Distinguished Artist Award. leading classical ballerinas of National Ballet. In 1999, her role her time, Karen Kain is also one was expanded to that of Artistic Sir Frederick Ashton of Canada’s foremost arts Associate and in June of 2005, Choreographer advocates, bringing the same she was appointed Artistic Sir Frederick Ashton created passion and dedication she Director of the company. Ms. a distinct style of classical ballet exemplified as a dancer to her Kain has received numerous imbued with a wonderful sense roles as a spokesperson for accolades and awards through - of musicality and intertwining of Canadian culture and as the out her career. She is a steps. Active until his death in Artistic Director of the National Companion of the Order of 1988 at the age of 83, he created Ballet of Canada. A native of Canada, the first Canadian a vast repertoire of ballets which Hamilton, Ontario, Ms. Kain recipient of the Cartier Lifetime are performed around the world. studied at Canada’s National Achievement Award and was Sir Frederick was born in Ecuador Ballet School, graduating in named an Officer of the Order in 1905 and was raised in Peru. 1969 when she joined the of Arts and Letters by the After moving to England at the National Ballet. After quickly Government of France. In 1997, age of 18, he began studying rising to the rank of Principal she was honoured with a with the great dancer and Dancer , she came to the Governor General’s National choreographer Léonide Massine attention of international Arts Centre Award and received and with dancer/teacher Marie audiences when she won the a Governor General’s Award for Rambert at the Rambert Dance Silver Medal at the Moscow Lifetime Artistic Achievement in Company. It was Ms. Rambert International Ballet Competition 2002. From 2004 to 2008, Ms. who discovered Sir Frederick’s in 1973. This led to a highly Kain was Chair of the Canada talent for choreography successful career on stages Council for the Arts. In 2007, and helped him earn his first throughout the world, dancing she received the Barbara commission in 1926, A Tragedy a wide range of classical and Hamilton Memorial Award for of Fashion. Sir Frederick created modern roles with such demonstrating excellence and hundreds of works, the best- companies as Roland Petit’s professionalism in the performing loved being Daphnis and Chlöe , Ballet de Marseilles, Bolshoi arts. In 2008, the Karen Kain The Two Pigeons , Birthday Ballet, The Hamburg Ballet, School for the Arts officially Offering , La Fille mal gardée , London Festival Ballet, Paris opened, a tribute to Ms. Kain’s A Month in the Country and Opéra Ballet and the Eliot Feld ongoing contributions to the Monotones I and II . Toward the Company. Ms. Kain retired from cultural life of her country and end of his life, Ashton embarked

Page 7 on a number of projects, Grant Coyle Sir Osbert Lancaster including revivals of his older Staging Set and Costume Designer works, some thought to be lost, Grant Coyle was born in Australia The late English artist Osbert these included Romeo and where he attended The Australian Lancaster was a man of many Juliet in 1985 for English Ballet School. He danced with talents, painter, writer, cartoonist , National Ballet and Capriole companies in both Australia theatre designer and humorist. Suite for Sadler’s Wells Royal and Germany before moving to Born in London, England on Ballet in 198 7. Sir Frederick also London in 1976, where he trained August 4, 1908, Mr. Lancaster revived two of his full-evening at the Institute of Choreology created a wide range of designs ballets, Cinderella (1987) and in London. After graduating in for the theatre, opera and ballet. Ondine (1988) for The Royal 1978, he worked as a dance In 1939, he began creating Ballet and contributed to Natalia notator with The Scottish Ballet cartoons for the London paper Makarova’s production of Swan and subsequently Sadler’s The Daily Express and, until his Lake (1988) for English National Wells Royal Ballet, and in 1987 death in 1986, his adventures Ballet. Sir Frederick was knighted he was invited to join The Royal of the Littlehampton family by Queen Elizabeth II in 1962. Ballet as their Principal Dance were seen on the front page In 1970, he was made a Notator/Répétiteur. He has of that paper from time to time. Companion of Honour and worked with many choreogra - Choreographer John Cranko received the Order of Merit in phers including George invited Lancaster to design 1977. He was also made a Balanchine , Sir Kenneth Pineapple Poll in 1951. The member of the Legion d’Honneur MacMillan, Sir Frederick Ashton, following year, he designed by the French government, Peter Darrell and extensively Cranko’s Bonne Bouch for a Commander of the Danish with David Bintley, reproducing Sadler’s Wells. For The Royal Order of Dannebrog and was his ballets in the UK and abroad. Ballet, he designed Ninette de awarded the Swedish Carina Valois’ Coppélia and for London Ari Gold Medal. Sir Frederick John Lanchbery Festival Ballet, Harald Lander’s Ashton died in 1988. Musical Arrangement Napoli Dances in 1954. For the Born in London, John Lanchbery theatre, Mr. Lancaster’s designs Christopher Carr joined the musical staff of the included Hotel Paradiso, Zuleika, Staging Sadler’s Wells Theatre Ballet Candide and All’s Well That The son of a Yorkshire coal in 1951 and from 1959 to1972, Ends Well; and for opera, Don miner, Christopher Carr trained was the principal conductor of Pasquale, The Rake’s Progress, in Barnsley, UK and then at The The Royal Ballet. He briefly held Falstaff and Peter Grimes. In Royal Ballet School. In 1967, he the post of Music Director with 1960, Mr. Lancaster created joined The Royal Ballet Touring The Australian Ballet and from the designs for his best-known Company and in 1970 1977 to 1981, he was the Music ballet, Sir Frederick Ashton’s transferred to The Royal Ballet. Director of American Ballet La Fille mal gardée. He was promoted to Soloist in Theatre. Though he composed 1975 and later to Senior Soloist. scores for a multitude of ballets, Thomas Saunders In September 1983, he became Mr. Lanchbery is best known Lighting Designer Assistant Ballet Master and in for his musical arrangements After college, Thomas Saunders 1984, Répétiteur to The Royal for such ballets as Sir Kenneth began lighting for CBC TV, as Ballet. In 1988 he was appointed MacMillan’s Mayerling (1978), well as CTV and ABC, where Ballet Master to the company, Sir Frederick Ashton’s La Fille he worked on many dramas, and in 2001 was appointed mal gardée (1960) and A Month musicals and specials. In the Rehearsal Director. He has In The Country (1976), Rudolf late 1960s, Mr. Saunders taught, staged and rehearsed Nureyev’s Don Quixote (1966), began lighting regional theatre the majority of The Royal Ballet’s Ronald Hynd’s The Merry Widow productions, first in Canada extensive repertoire. He has (1976), Natalia Makarova’s and later in the USA with the taught and staged many of La Bayadère (1980) and Roland combined position of Technical these works for leading ballet Petit’s Le Chat Botte (1985). Director/Lighting Designer to companies around the world. He also had a close relationship June Havoc’s Repertory Theatre In 2007, he elected to become with Stanton Welch, having in New Orleans where he spent Guest Principal Ballet Master arranged the music for his three years. Mr. Saunders joined and continues to spend several Madame Butterfly , Cinderella , The National Ballet of Canada months a year with The Royal Dracula and The Snow Maiden . in 1972 as an audio technician Ballet along with his international Mr. Lanchbery died at the age during a European tour of commitments. of 80 in 2003. Roland Petit’s Kraanerg . In

Page 8 1973, Mr. Saunders became Baltimore, Indianapolis and orchestras he has directed Resident Lighting Director and Shanghai symphony orchestras include the Houston Symphony, lit a number of the company’s and such opera companies Lyric Opera Orchestra of ballets under Artistic Directors as Calgary, Manitoba, Opera Chicago, The Pacific Symphony, Celia Franca, David Haber and Carolina and Lake George. National Arts Centre Orchestra Alexander Grant. Mr. Saunders He also served for six years of Canada, Tokyo Philharmonic, left the National Ballet in 1978 as the Music Director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic, and began to work with ICM Masterwork Chorus and Moscow Radio Orchestra, Artist’s Touring Office in New Orchestra, conducting annual Tivoli Festival Orchestra, and York City and the Brooklyn performances of Handel’s Orchestre Lamoreux of Paris. Academy of Music. Mr. Messiah at Carnegie Hall. In 2008, In April of 2007, he was a guest Saunders has also designed Mr. Briskin was appointed on the faculty of Princeton galas for Rudolf Nureyev in Director of Orchestral Studies at University , as Music Director for London, and Igor Moiseyev at the University of Toronto Faculty performances with the Princeton Radio City Music Hall in New of Music and Conductor of the Atelier program. He is currently York City and has worked University of Toronto Symphony in his 12th year on the conducting with the Central Ballet of China Orchestra. Mr. Briskin attended staff of American Ballet Theatre in Beijing. the Indiana University School of and is Music Director of The José Music and received a Bachelor Limón Company. Mr. LaMarche David Briskin of Music Degree in orchestral is a graduate of Boston Music Director and conducting from the University of University and resides in New Principal Conductor Cincinnati College-Conservatory York City. One of the most highly respected of Music and a Master’s Degree and versatile conductors at from Queens College, City Ernest Abugov work today, an insightful University of New York. In Stage Manager interpreter of works from not celebration of the National Ernest (Ernie) Abugov has just the ballet repertoire but the Ballet’s 60th anniversary served as Stage Manager of operatic, symphonic and choral season, Mr. Briskin will lead The National Ballet of Canada traditions as well, David Briskin The National Ballet of Canada since 1973, working with every is in his sixth season as Music Orchestra in its debut concert Artistic Director in the company’s Director and Principal performance at Koerner Hall history from Celia Franca to Conductor with The National on April 3, 2012 performing Karen Kain . He has travelled Ballet of Canada. He brings works from the company’s rich with the company all over the a rich and varied musical musical history. world, touring to Israel, Asia, experience to his position with Europe, Mexico and throughout the National Ballet, having served David LaMarche North America. Mr. Abugov has as Conductor with American Guest Conductor worked with many of the world’s Ballet Theatre for seven years, David LaMarche has been most renowned choreographers leading performances at the working as a conductor in the who have created original works Metropolitan Opera House, New dance world for more than for the National Ballet including York’s City Center and major 25 years. He served as Music John Neumeier, William opera houses around the world. Director for the Dance Theatre Forsythe and Glen Tetley. Mr. As a guest conductor, Mr. of Harlem from 1993 to 1998 Abugov was born in Montréal, Briskin appears regularly with and conducted many of the Québec. Before beginning his New York City Ballet and San company’s premiere long association with the National Francisco Ballet and has also performances , both in the USA Ballet, he worked with Les Feux conducted for such companies and on tour in Europe, Africa Follets, The Charlottetown as Houston Ballet, Joffrey and South America. In addition Festival, La Poudriere Theatre Ballet and Les Grands Ballets to conducting, he composed and The Studio Lab Theatre . Canadiens de Montréal. He also and arranged several scores He worked at Expo ’67 in served as conductor for The for the company’s repertoire. Montréal, stage managing over Juilliard School’s Dance Division As a guest, he has conducted 4,000 puppet shows. Mr. Abugov for 12 years. In addition, he has for Joffrey Ballet, The Dutch also toured with Harry Belafonte. conducted symphony orchestras National Ballet, Ballet British In what little spare time that he and opera productions through- Columbia, San Francisco Ballet, has, Mr. Abugov guest-lectures out North America, Europe and New York City Ballet, Houston to theatre students. Asia, appearing with, among Ballet, Rome Opera Ballet and others, the Pittsburgh, Detroit, Paul Taylor Company. The

Page 9 Jeff Morris The National Ballet of Stage Manager Canada Orchestra Jeff Morris studied technical The National Ballet of Canada theatre production and is privileged to have its own full administration at Ryerson Orchestra with over 60 members . Theatre School. He has worked The Orchestra has performed as Production Stage Manager in each of the National Ballet’s for Toronto Dance Theatre and seasons and is led by Music with the Fringe Festival of Director and Principal Conductor Independent Dance Artists, in David Briskin. The company’s addition to a broad range of first Music Director was George Toronto’s independent dance Crum who, along with Founder artists. In 1995, Mr. Morris Celia Franca, was a pioneer of joined The National Ballet of the company. Mr. Crum held Canada and has since stage- the position from the company’s managed a wide range of the inception in 1951 to 1984, company’s classical and when he was appointed Music contemporary repertoire, Director Emeritus. The Orchestra including world premieres of was led by Ermanno Florio James Kudelka’s The Four from 1985 to 1990. Ormsby Seasons, Cinderella and An Wilkins was Music Director Italian Straw Hat . He is also and Principal Conductor from an adjunct faculty member at 1990 to 2006. The National the School of Toronto Dance Ballet of Canada Orchestra Theatre, where he teaches has toured extensively with the Production Elements for Dancers. company through Canada, the US and Europe. Over the years, Shelby-Jai Flick the orchestra has received Assistant Stage Manager much acclaim from audiences Shelby-Jai Flick serves as Stage and critics alike and has Manager for the National Ballet’s recorded two CDs of Michael YOU dance programme, based Torke’s compositions for in Toronto and touring through - The Contract (The Pied Piper) out Ontario, as well as Assistant and An Italian Straw Hat . Stage Manager for the company. In addition to her work in dance, For more information, visit Ms. Flick has a varied theatre national.ballet.ca background, most recently stage managing Sometimes Y Theatre’s production of Ditch . Selected theatre credits include The Two Gentlemen of Verona , A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum , Julius Caesar , The Importance of Being Earnest (Stratford Festival), Mimi (or a Poisoner’s Comedy), Courageous, If We Were Birds (Tarragon Theatre), Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (Touchmark Theatre), Glorious! (Victoria Playhouse Petrolia) and Shirley Valentine , Old Love , A Bench in the Sun (Port Stanley Festival Theatre), as well as work with The Wrecking Ball in Toronto, a collective of acclaimed Canadian and international theatre artists.

Page 10 national.ballet.ca