NUTCRACKER SUITE Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet Tableau

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20 DECEMBER 23, 26 & 27, 2020 21 DIGITAL PERFORMANCE

THE NUTCRACKER SUITE Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet Tableau

UNDER THE DISTINGUISHED PATRONAGE OF HER EXCELLENCY THE RIGHT HONOURABLE Julie Payette, C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.Q., C.D., Governor General of Canada

FOUNDERS Gweneth Lloyd & Betty Farrally ARTISTIC DIRECTOR EMERITUS Arnold Spohr, C.C., O.M. FOUNDING DIRECTOR, SCHOOL RECREATIONAL DIVISION Jean Mackenzie FOUNDING DIRECTOR, SCHOOL PROFESSIONAL DIVISION David Moroni, C.M., O.M., D.Litt, (h.c.) ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & CEO André Lewis ARTISTS Yayoi Ban, Elizabeth Lamont, Chenxin Liu, Alanna McAdie, Yosuke Mino, Yue Shi, Katie Bonnell, Stephan Azulay, Liam Caines, Ryan Vetter, Jenna Burns, Jaimi Deleau, Elena Dobrowna, Katie Simpson, Sarah Joan Smith, Amanda Solheim, Joshua Hidson, Peter Lancksweerdt, Michel Lavoie, Parker Long, Liam Saito Tymin Keown, Emilie Lewis, and Brooke Thomas ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Tara Birtwhistle PRINCIPAL CONDUCTOR Julian Pellicano SENIOR BALLET MASTER Johnny W. Chang BALLET MASTERS Caroline Gruber, Vanessa Léonard, Jaime Vargas SCHOOL DIRECTOR Stéphane Léonard RECREATIONAL DIVISION PRINCIPAL Nicole Kepp PROFESSIONAL DIVISION PRINCIPAL Suzanne André TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM DIRECTOR Johanne Gingras STAGE MANAGER Candace Jacobson ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER Ryan Bjornson

Land and Water Acknowledgment We are grateful to practice our art on Treaty One land, the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and the homeland of the Métis Nation. We acknowledge that our water is sourced from Shoal Lake 40 First Nation. We stand with the indigenous community and commit to build an ongoing process of reconciliation and collaboration.

ISSUE NO. 217 | ISSN: 1495-9291 Cover: Yue Shi, Photo by David Cooper We are pleased to receive your feedback, comments and The Royal Winnipeg Ballet is a chartered non-profit corporation questions. Send to: Marketing & Communications Department, operated by a voluntary Board of Directors, Don Leitch, Chair. Royal Winnipeg Ballet, 380 Graham Avenue, Wpg, MB, R3C 4K2 T: 204.956.0183 E: [email protected]

Artisits have appeared by permission of the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association and the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists

2 THE ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET To Our Audience A Message From André Lewis

Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet is delighted to welcome you to The Nutcracker Suite, a holiday classic, re-imagined for the screen, and delivered right to your home. This cherished Winnipeg-based Nutcracker has been a fixture on our stage during the holiday season for over twenty years. The Nutcracker Suite tells the beloved story of young Clara and her Nutcracker Prince, Drosselmeier, the Mouse King and the Sugar Plum Fairy, with a special digital performance. Many of the famous scenes and much of the choreography returning fans remember is present in The Nutcracker Suite, alongside new story elements and incredible, new performances choreographed by the RWB Company dancers and ballet masters. The Nutcracker Suite would not be possible without the creative efforts and perseverance of the many great artists at the RWB alongside our wonderful crew, technicians and administration. We are delighted you chose to make us part of your holiday tradition. Until we can safely come together again, the RWB wishes you a merry and bright season, and all the best in the year to come.

André Lewis, Artistic Director & CEO

THE NUTCRACKER SUITE 3 20 21

Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet gratefully acknowledges the following support for The Nutcracker Suite.

PHOTO YUE SHI AND RWB SCHOOL PROFESSIONAL DIVISION STUDENT; BY DAVID COOPER TECHNOLOGY & LIVE STREAMING SPONSOR

OFFICIAL PROVIDERS

THE NUTCRACKER SUITE 5 Credits & Synopsis

CHOREOGRAPHY Setting Galina Yordanova Our story starts at Christmas time, 1913, in a large Canadian home. It’s a Nina Menon prosperous time in a city whose population has swollen with new arrivals. RWB Artistic Staff The First World War is still half a year away. MUSIC Overture Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky ‘Tis the night before Christmas and all through Clara’s house, everything and everyone is stirring. The whole family, it seems, is getting ready for the PRINCIPAL big Christmas party — cooking and wrapping, dressing and fussing. CONDUCTOR Act I Julian Pellicano SCENE I – CLARA’S BEDROOM PIANIST Donna Laube We join Clara in her room, practicing her ballet steps in front of the mirror. She wants to be perfect when she dances for her glamourous Aunt COSTUME DESIGN Josephine, a singer who has traveled all the way from Montreal on the train. Paul Daigle SCENE II – THE CHRISTMAS PARTY SCENIC DESIGN Inside the house, preparation for a holiday party are in full swing full swing Brian Perchaluk as the family, Aunt Josephine, Julien, Clara and her Godfather Drosselmeirer are busy decorating a tree and dancing with glee. Finally, all that practice LIGHTING DESIGN has paid off and Clara captivates the family with her graceful performance Marc Gagnon which includes her new Nutcracker toy. LENGTH SCENE III – CLARA’S DREAM 60 minutes We see Clara’s dream of becoming the ballerina she has always wanted to be and she dances the night away with her charming Prince, the Nutcracker, who has magically come to life. Suddenly, the dream becomes a nightmare when four bat-like creatures swoop in, led by the dark magic of a wicked sorcerer.

SCENE IV – THE PARTY CONTINUES When her dream ends, Clara Clara joins her friend her friend Julien, who came to the party with her Godfather Drosselmeier, who eagerly joins her for a pas de deux, making her dreams come true.

SCENE V – THE BEARS DANCE Suddenly, two uninvited house guests Filbert and Hazel make a sudden surprise appearance.

6 THE ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET SCENE VI – THE BATTLE As the clock chimes midnight, Clara finds herself surrounded by mice who scurry around her slippered feet. The Mouse King appears with his troop of mice and threatens Clara, but the handsome Nutcracker Prince comes to her rescue. In the ensuing battle, the Prince is joined by soldiers who help defend Clara from the Mouse King and his mice. In the midst of battle, the Mouse King is accidently knocked out by one of his own. Clara pleads with Godfather Drosselmeier to save her beloved Nutcracker toy from his static state and turn him into the Prince that rescued her.

SCENE VII – THE MAGICAL FOREST Godfather Drosselmeier is understanding and compassionate to Clara’s pleading and to shows affection by whisking her into a magical dance that brings them to a winter wonderland where the snowflakes are all different but seem to move in perfect synchronicity. Act II

SCENE VIII – THE KINGDOM Now, we settle in to enjoy the iconic performances by the inhabitants of this magical land. At last it is Clara and the Nutcracker Prince’s turn to dance. Just as the performance comes to a close, Clara wakes up, a child once again, safe in her bed. Clara wonders if her dream was real as she dances happily with her Nutcracker.

THE NUTCRACKER SUITE 7 Performance Casting

ACT I The Bear’s Dance The Christmas Party FILBERT CLARA Brooke Thomas Evelyn Little Sophie Robinson HAZEL Jenna Burns Alanna McAdie

DROSSELMEIER The Battle Ryan Vetter CLARA Alanna McAdie AUNT JOSEPHINE Elizabeth Lamont PRINCE Yosuke Mino PARTY PEOPLE Jaimi Deleau DROSSELMEIER Yosuke Mino, Michel Lavoie, Joshua Hidson Ryan Vetter MOUSE KING Liam Saito Clara’s Dream MICE CLARA Katie Simpson, Katie Bonnell Chenxin Liu Amanda Solheim, Emilie Lewis

NUTCRACKER PRINCE Elizabeth Lamont, Jaimi Deleau Yue Shi Elena Dobrowna SORCERER SOLDIERS Peter Lancksweerdt Parker Long, Tymin Keown, Stephan Azulay BATS Jenna Burns, Brooke Thomas The Magical Forest Yayoi Ban, Sarah Joan Smith CLARA Clara & Julien Duet Alanna McAdie PRINCE CLARA Sophie Robinson Yosuke Mino SNOW CORPS JULIEN Logan Shaw Ana Mekvabishvili, Irene Blanc-Zoco Julianne Chartier, Emma Duncan Lauren Saunders, Kyra Soo Margaret Weatherdon, Hannah Wiedle

8 THE ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET ACT II SPANISH Katie Bonnell, Tymin Keown The Kingdom Amanda Solheim, Parker Long CLARA Chenxin Liu ARABIAN Chenxin Liu, Sarah Joan Smith PRINCE Jenna Burns, Brooke Thomas, Yayoi Ban Yue Shi Yue Shi, Peter Lancksweerdt DROSSELMEIER Ryan Vetter RUSSIAN SUGAR PLUM FAIRY Jaimi Deleau Kyra Soo Michel Lavoie, Joshua Hidson Jaimi Deleau Irene Blanc-Zoco CHINESE WALTZ OF THE FLOWERS Yayoi Ban, Sarah Joan Smith Katie Bonnell, Katie Simpson Jenna Burns, Brooke Thomas Amanda Solheim, Emilie Lewis Finale Liam Saito, Stephan Azulay Parker Long, Tymin Keown The Company

Logan Savard, Takaaki Maki *Casting last updated Dec. 16, 2020 *Casting subject to change CORPS Irene Blanc-Zoco, Margaret Weatherdon Genevieve Galea, Julianne Cartier Rachel Gibbs, Ana Mekvabishvili Lauren Sanders, Hannah Wiedle

THE NUTCRACKER SUITE 9 Creative Team Biographies

André Lewis | Artistic Director & CEO André Lewis has spent the majority of his career with Canada’s first professional dance company, accepting the position of Artistic Director in 1996. Since then, Lewis has been the driving force behind the new and innovative works that have dramatically rejuvenated the Company’s repertoire. Lewis has commissioned numerous blockbuster ballets such as Mark Godden’s Dracula in 1998, Jorden Morris’ critically acclaimed Peter Pan in 2006 and Moulin Rouge ® - The Ballet in 2009. He was instrumental in the 1999 creation of a new Nutcracker for the Company and in 2013, Lewis commissioned another outstanding new creation in conjunction with New York choreographer Lila York. The full-length ballet The Handmaid’s Tale was a bold adaptation of the novel of the same name by Governor General Award-winning Canadian author, Margaret Atwood. In 2014, for the RWB’s 75th anniversary season, Lewis commissioned choreographer Mark Godden to create the groundbreaking work Going Home Star – Truth and Reconciliation representing the many stories, both told and untold, of Indian Residential School Survivors and their families. Lewis has been a judge for the Varna International Ballet Competition, USA International Ballet Competition, and the Youth American Grand Prix. Further underscoring Lewis’ passion for dance are his multiple appearances at the Rural Retreat for International Dance Leaders, held in England. His work has been recognized through receiving both the Governor General’s Meritorious Award and the Jubilee Medal.

Julian Pellicano | Principal Conductor Conductor Julian Pellicano has rapidly established himself as a leading interpreter of music across a broad spectrum of genres, traditions, and time periods, leading the Winnipeg Free Press to proclaim that “his versatility is truly astonishing.” Whether it be traditional and contemporary symphonic repertoire, classical and modern ballet, opera, films live with orchestra, pops, musical theater, multi-media productions, workshops, or his carefully programmed concerts for young listeners, Pellicano brings an incisive musicality and collaborative spirit to every performance. Pellicano’s 2019-2020 season marks his first as the Principal Conductor of the RWB. Pellicano has also risen to the role of Associate Conductor of the WSO, after six seasons as the orchestra’s Resident Conductor. Additionally, Pellicano will guest conduct the Louisiana Philharmonic, the Cincinnati Symphony with Cincinnati Ballet, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, and will return to the Vancouver Symphony, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, where he will be conducting on tour with the RWB. Pellicano’s career grew out of unconventional beginnings, performing as a self-taught drummer, percussionist, timpanist, and accordionist, in styles ranging from folk to blues and jazz, rock and punk, and more traditional ensembles and orchestras. He went on to study percussion at the Peabody Conservatory, the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, and the Yale School of Music. As a percussionist, he has performed in concert halls and festivals in North America, Europe and Asia.

10 THE ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET Galina Yordanova | Choreographer Galina Yordanova trained for nine years at Baku, in the former USSR, and for five years with the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow, where she received her Teacher’s Diploma in 1960. She holds diplomas in Choreography and Teacher Training from the G.I.T.S. in Moscow. Yordanova was Ballet Mistress of the Varna Norodna Opera in Bulgaria, and also worked extensively with the Ballet der Deutschen Oper Berlin and with companies in Madrid and Valencia, Spain, and in Nagoya and Kyoto, Japan. In 1980, Yordanova began to spend a portion of each year in Winnipeg, teaching at the RWB School Professional Division Summer Session. Her expert teaching of the Russian style contributed to the development of this teaching style in the RWB School Professional Division. In 1995, she joined the artistic faculty full-time, as Resident Guest Teacher. She worked extensively with the RWB dancers to prepare them for the Company’s 1987 premiere of Swan Lake, which she staged in the Russian style. For the RWB’s 1999-2000 season, Yordanova, along with Nina Menon, choreographed a new version of Nutcracker for the Company, which premiered in Ottawa at the National Arts Centre in 1999.

Nina Menon | Choreographer Nina Menon joined the Royal Winnipeg Ballet after graduating from the Royal Conservatory of The Hague, and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School’s Professional Division. As a member of the corps de ballet, she danced numerous soloist roles and, in 1990, she made her choreographic debut at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s choreographic workshop. The success of this ballet and others, plus the commissioning by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet of her popular ballet, La Soif, led Artistic Director André Lewis to appoint Nina Menon as RWB's Resident Choreographer. A highlight of Menon’s residency include Drunken Butterflies, a ballet choreographed to the music of Polish composer Henryk Mikolaj Gorecki. This ballet explores the life of an immigrant family through dance and film. In 1999, she collaborated with Galina Yordanova on the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s new version of Nutcracker, which premiered in Ottawa at the National Arts Centre. In the same season, Menon shared with the world her East Indian ancestral roots by creating a ballet to The Gita Govinda, collaborating with composer Mychael Danna (Felicia’s Journey, Monsoon Wedding, Vanity Fair). Nina now lives in Montréal with her life partner, Mark Godden, and their two sons. She teaches ballet at Sheila Parkins Dance Academy and several Montessori schools. In her spare time, she loves to garden.

THE NUTCRACKER SUITE 11 Paul Daigle | Costume Designer Paul Daigle has a first-hand understanding of the intricacies of designing for dance. A graduate of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, Daigle went on to perform for two seasons with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet prior to launching his career in design, in 1988. In 1998, Daigle designed the scenery and costumes for Marc Godden’s Dracula. In 2003, he won the Manitoba Motion Picture Industry Association’s Blizzard Award for best costume design for Guy Maddin’s film adaptation of Dracula. In 2003, Daigle created the scenery and costume design of Godden’s full-length creation, The Magic Flute. Daigle has created set and costume designs for numerous ballet and theatre companies, including Ballet British Columbia, Ballet Jörgen, Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada, Alberta Ballet, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Kiev Ballet, Compañía Nacional de Danza (Mexico City), Theatre New Brunswick (Fredericton), Neptune Theatre (Halifax) and Theatre Aquarius (Hamilton). Paul had the honour of designing new creations for world renowned choreographers Mark Morris, Kevin O’Day and Alexei Ratmansky. Recently, Paul designed costumes for Hamilton’s Theatre Aquarius’ production of The Rocky Horror Show, Milwaukee Ballet’s La Bohéme, and RWB’s production of Going Home Star - Truth and Reconciliation.

Brian Perchaluk | Scenic Designer Brian Perchaluk is a set and costume designer based in Winnipeg. Born and raised in rural Manitoba, Perchaluk graduated from the University of Winnipeg and the National Theatre School of Canada, and later went on to apprentice at the Banff Centre. His designs have been featured on stages across the country, including the Neptune Theatre, Atlantic Ballet Theatre, Canadian Stage, Theatre Passe Muraille, the Grand Theatre, the Blyth Festival, the National Arts Centre, Persephone Theatre, Theatre Calgary, Alberta Theatre Projects, the Citadel Theatre, the Vancouver Playhouse, the Arts Club Theatre, the Belfry Theatre and two seasons each at the Stratford, and Shaw Festivals. In Winnipeg, he has often worked for Prairie Theatre Exchange, Manitoba Theatre for Young People, Rainbow Stage, Le Cercle Molière, Manitoba Opera and the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, where he has designed more than forty productions. Among his favourite credits are M. Butterfly for the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and the National Arts Centre, Les Misérables for the Neptune Theatre, Time and the Conways for the Shaw Festival, Nutcracker for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Hay Fever for Theatre Calgary. In 1999, Perchaluk received a Gemini Award for outstanding production design for his work on Journey, and, in 2003, a Jessie Richardson Award for outstanding set design for Mary’s Wedding.

12 THE ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET The Artists behind the New Choreography Just a few short weeks ago, the Province gave the green light to film projects, that follow public health orders. Our Artists had only a few days to completely reimagine the traditional Nutcracker choreography and turn it into physically distanced performance. In The Nutcracker Suite, the only choreography that features two dancers together, connected by touch, are dancers who live in a household together. The concept of physically distancing dancing was a challenge accepted and accomplished by these artists and we are extremely grateful and proud of their artistry and ingenuity.

PHOTO STAFF AND CREW BY MARC GAGNON

THE NUTCRACKER SUITE 13 (TOP) STAFF AND CREW BY MARC GAGNON (BOTTOM) RWB COMPANY DANCERS BY MARC GAGNON 20 50 Years 21 SEASON

Did you know that 76% of the RWB Company are alumni of the RWB School?

If you would like to perform with the Company one day, we encourage you to audition for the Professional Division we encourage you to check out our virtual auditions!

LOOK FOR THE BLUE STAR BESIDE THE DANCERS & ARTISTIC STAFF WHO TRAINED AT THE RWB SCHOOL.

PHOTO ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET FIRST SOLOIST ALANNA MCADIE; BY DAVID COOPER

PRESENTING SPONSOR:

THE NUTCRACKER SUITE 15 Soloists

Yayoi Ban | Soloist

place of birth Chiba, Japan year joined the rwb company 2006 professional debut Mark Godden’s Dracula (October 2005)

Elizabeth Lamont | Soloist

place of birth Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario year joined the rwb company 2010 professional debut Nutcracker (2005)

Chenxin Liu | Soloist

place of birth Chenzhou, Hunan, China year joined the rwb company 2012 professional debut Nutcracker (2010)

Alanna McAdie | Soloist

place of birth Edmonton, Alberta year joined the rwb company 2011 professional debut Svengali (2011)

Yosuke Mino | Soloist

place of birth Kanazawa, Japan year joined the rwb company 2002 professional debut Boston Ballet (2001)

Yue Shi | Soloist

place of birth Hebing, China year joined the rwb company 2015 professional debut Nutcracker (2014)

16 Second Soloists

Katie Bonnell | Second Soloist

place of birth Oakville, Ontario year joined the rwb company 2013 professional debut The Handmaid’s Tale (2013)

Stephan Azulay | Second Soloist

place of birth London, England year joined the rwb company 2017 professional debut Joffery Concert Group (2012)

Liam Caines | Second Soloist

place of birth Saint John, New Brunswick year joined the rwb company 2007 professional debut Peter Pan (2006)

Ryan Vetter| Second Soloist

place of birth Sioux Falls, South Dakota year joined the rwb company 2013 professional debut Nutcracker (2012)

Jenna Burns | Corps de Ballet

place of birth Rochester, New York year joined the rwb company 2019 professional debut La Bayadère (2019) Corps de Ballet

Jaimi Deleau | Corps de Ballet

place of birth Winnipeg, Manitoba year joined the rwb company 2014 professional debut Nutcracker (2012).

THE NUTCRACKER SUITE 17 Corps de Ballet

Elena Dobrowna | Corps de Ballet

place of birth Kharkiv, Ukraine year joined the rwb company 2019 professional debut Kyiv Opera House (2014)

Katie Simpson | Corps de Ballet

place of birth Cranbrook, British Columbia year joined the rwb company 2018 professional debut Ballet in the Park (2018)

Sarah Joan Smith | Corps de Ballet

place of birth Raleigh, North Carolina year joined the rwb company 2019 professional debut The Nutcracker, Boston Ballet (2012)

Amanda Solheim | Corps de Ballet

hometown Surrey, British Columbia year joined the rwb company 2019 professional debut Ballet in the Park (2019)

Joshua Hidson | Corps de Ballet

hometown Edmonton, Alberta year joined the rwb company 2019 professional debut A Streetcar Named Desire, Ballet Kelowna (2018)

Peter Lancksweerdt | Corps de Ballet

place of birth Ghent, Belgium year joined the rwb company 2017 professional debut Atlantic Ballet Canada (2014)

18 Corps de Ballet

Michel Lavoie | Corps de Ballet

place of birth Winnipeg, Manitoba year joined the rwb company 2019 professional debut Septime Webre’s The Wizard of Oz, Ballet in the Park (2019).

Parker Long | Corps de Ballet

hometown Thornton, Colorado year joined the rwb company 2019 professional debut Colorado Ballet (2018)

Liam Saito | Corps de Ballet

place of birth Northampton, Massachusetts year joined the rwb company 2017 professional debut Twyla Tharp’s The Princess & the Goblin (2017)

Emilie Lewis | Apprentice

hometown Winnipeg, Manitoba year joined the rwb company 2020 professional debut Serenade (2017)

Brooke Thomas | Apprentice

hometown Abbotsford, British Columbia year joined the rwb company 2020 professional debut La Bayadère (2019) Apprentices

Tymin Keown | Apprentice

place of birth Victoria, British Columbia year joined the rwb company 2020 professional debut Ballet Victoria (2018)

19 Artistic Staff

Tara Birtwhistle | Associate Artistic Director

place of birth Vancouver, British Columbia year joined the rwb company 1991

Johnny W. Chang | Senior Ballet Master

place of birth Shanghai, China year joined the rwb company 1992

Caroline Gruber | Ballet Master

place of birth New York City, New York year joined the rwb company 1988

Vanessa Léonard | Ballet Master

place of birth Edmonton, Alberta year joined the rwb company 1997

Jaime Vargas | Ballet Master

place of birth Mexico City, Mexico year joined the rwb company 2004

Candace Jacobson | Stage Manager

place of birth Winnipeg, Manitoba year joined the rwb 2013

20 Artistic Staff

Ryan Bjornson | Assistant Stage Manager

place of birth Arborg, Manitoba year joined the rwb 2018

PHOTO RYAN VETTER, YOSUKE MINO, AND RWB COMPANY BY MARC GAGNON

THE NUTCRACKER SUITE 21 SEASON FUNDERS

SEASON PARTNERS AND BENEFACTORS

TERRACOTER N DEVELOPMENDEV T LTD.D

EVENT SPONSORS

OFFICIAL PROVIDERS

Canada's Ofcial Florist

22 Arthur J Gallagher Insurance The David Moroni Jean Giguere, C.M.+ and Pratts Food Service School Endowment Dennis Giguere Bravo! Royal Canadian Properties Ltd Susan Glass and Arni Fund Thorsteinson $50 - $999 The David Moroni School Louise Pujo and Tim Hibbard Baked Expectations Endowment Fund supports Carman Johnston Listings Coghlan’s Ltd. initiatives that ensure the highest Peter+ and Maureen Gunns Bakery quality of dance education for young artists and dance teachers Macdonald Mid West Packaging Ltd. for decades to come. Lewis Rosenberg Funders Pimco Canada Canadian Heritage Anonymous Price Industries Limited $500 - $999 Canada Council for the Arts Mr. John G. Campbell Red River Cooperative Ltd The RWB gratefully Sport, Culture, and Heritage Susan Glass and Arni acknowledges the many Manitoba Arts Council Thorsteinson The Lloyd and Subscribers and Patrons who Winnipeg Arts Council Farrally Society $150 to $499 generously donated the value of performance tickets to the Foundations Named for the founders of the Kate* & Tim Fennell RWB, Gweneth Lloyd and Betty Johanne Gingras* RWB following COVID-19 Anonymous Donors cancellations and closures. Hey Farrally, The Lloyd and Leonard Paul Offrowich Asper Family Foundation Farrally Society recognizes those Blumie & Iser Portnoy Fund donors whose planned and future Scholarship Donors Patron’s Circle Canadian Tire gifts will help keep the vision of Every year we rely on our Patron’s The Royal Winnipeg Ballet Jumpstart Charities the RWB alive for the future. Circle, Friends of the RWB, and gratefully recognizes donors who Friends of the RWB School Curry Family Foundation Diane Buck have contributed to the many donors to provide pivotal funds The Douglas Family Foundation Dr. Alice Cheatley+• scholarships that are awarded that allow us to continue the Elizabeth B. Armytage Fund Hugh Cowan annually to students of the RWB tradition of world class dance for The Ernst Hansch Professional Division. Marilyn Flynn which the RWB is so renowned. Foundation Inc. Deborah Hoekstra Julia Arkos Memorial Award Flintstone Foundation $7,500+ Barb Howie Mr. Julius Arkos John and Carolynne Els+ and Kevin• Kavanagh The Volunteer Committee Evelyn Hart Scholarship for the RWB McLure Fund Ron Lambert Supported by Evelyn’s Gail Asper, O.C., O.M., LL.D. & June and Bob Jackson Pierre Meunier• Memorial Fund Winnipeg Admirers Michael Paterson Leonard Paul Offrowich Lavery/Oulette Legacy Fund Sara Gray Mr. Darrell Ostrowski Doreen Macdonald MacDonald/Cageorge Fund Scholarship Moe Levy Barry and Louise Pallett Max Bell Foundation Victoria Moore, in honour Jackson McKiee Kevin Pauley Nita Eamer Memorial Fund of Dr. Douglas MacEwan James and Krista Morden Mrs. E. Pawlicki• Peter and Liivi Forster Michael Nesbitt K. Heather Power RWB Alumni Scholarship Family Fund Hazel Patterson Carolynne Presser City of Winnipeg Community Reid Clan Foundation Development & Rec Services James Richardson Suzanne Riesenberger Richard and Hillaine Mr. Kevin Dube $5,000 - $7,499 Kroft Foundation Ellen Spencer Joan Johnston Kirsten+ and Bryan Albo Robert and Ina Abra Sonia• & David• Taverner Judith Manning Philipp R. Ens Family Fund Marilyn Thompson Marilyn Marshall+ Richard+ & Hillaine Kroft Rosenberg Family Trust Mrs. Mia Timmermans Barbara Pritchard Jackson McKiee Ross Robinson Family Mrs. F.A. Trott RWB Alumni Association Foundation Fund Haanita Wagn, In Memory of Gerry & Barb Price Laurie Wardrope Shelagh Sinclair Fund Wendell Wagn Hartley & Heather+ Richardson Triple A Fund Donn K. Yuen IG Wealth Management Anonymous Wheeler Family Foundation Anonymous Donors Professional Division $2,500 - $4,999 Scholarship & IG Wealth The Winnipeg Foundation Dr. P. H. Brooke Creations Management Financial Zita and Mark Bernstein Confidence Scholarship Dr. Jane Caines Family Foundation Endowment Fund IG Wealth Management Joan Johnston Income generated from the Eric Lancksweerdt Royal Bank Of Canada Award Canada’s Royal Creations Endowment Fund is Ron & Jean Lawson directed exclusively towards the Royal Bank Of Canada Winnipeg Ballet Shirley Loewen creation of new ballets and the University Women’s Club Business Partners revitalization and refurbishment Peter+ and Maureen Annual Bursary Macdonald $10,000+ of current repertoire, leaving The Scholarship Trust Fund James Cohen+ & Linda Johnston Group Inc. a lasting legacy in dance for of the University Women’s Club McGarva-Cohen Terracon Development Ltd. generations to come. of Winnipeg Dr. & Mrs. Kenneth Murray André Lewis* $5,000 - $9,999 Hazel Smart Patterson Dr. & Mrs. Willem T. H. van Stephan Possin Cambrian Credit Union Scholarship Oers PricewaterhouseCoopers Mrs. Hazel M. Patterson Fran Pollard Qualico Victor Duret Scholarship Carolynne Presser $2,500 - $4,999 Victor M. Duret Donald and Florence Whitmore Gendis Inc. Dr. Nobby Woo and Dr. The Arlene Minkhorst RWB Lorraine Yau+ J.K. May Investments Ltd. School Scholarship Fund $1,000 - $2,499 Robert Dawson

THE NUTCRACKER SUITE 23 $1,500 - $2,499 Brenda Calder Grant Koropatnick Friends of the John Borger Dick and Melinda Carter Dr. T.G. Kucera Royal Winnipeg Ballet Mr. John G. Campbell Haderra & Mark Chisick Karen Kumka School Rick Riess and Jean Carter Hugh Cowan Edith & David Landy Mrs. Irena Cohen+ Beverly Craig Ms. Roberta Lewis $1,000 - $1,499 Mrs. Elsie Hignell+ Jim Davey Olga Dilay Dr. Lisa Lix James Newton Ben & Shari Diamond Percy Gregoire-Voskamp Rachel M. Long Tara Silvaggio Janet Dirks Mr. James Hanley Elan Marchinko Nicki & Bryce Douglas & Ms. Amy Richmond Dale Martin $150 - $499 Greg and Vera Duncan David & Denise Koss Dr. Kathleen Marsman Lynna Goldhar-Smith Jane Emslie+ & Brad Wladyka John Osler Heather Maxwell David Lavender Judy Fields Anonymous Donors Evan* & Dustin Maydaniuk Janai J. Scigliano John F. (Jack) Fraser+ $150 - $499 Colleen McKenty Anonymous Donors Carman Johnston Ms. Carole Abbott Charlotte Mee Kevin• & Els+ Kavanagh Gorden Andrus Nicole Michaud-Oystryk The RWB gratefully acknowledges our Professional K. Heather Power & Harold Christine Sentongo-Andersen Lorne Midford Division students and families Klause Donna Miller Douglas Arrell who generously donated the Katrina Lee-Kwen Stephanie Ballard Heather Milne remainder of their tuition to Don+ & Betty Leitch Earl & Cheryl Barish Jane Morris the RWB School following André Lewis* and Caroline Ted Bielby Vera Moroz COVID-19 cancellations and Gruber* Joan Blight Margaret Morse closures. Marion Lewis Fran Booth Claire Ogden Margaret Luer N. Matiation & P. Boutroy Truus Oliver RD Opportunity Fund Sherratt Moffatt Fred & Lorna Buckmaster~ Tamara & Rose Marie Paley The Recreational Division Stuart Murray and Ashleigh Opportunity Fund was created Carol Budnick James Parker Everett to ensure that as many young Rita & Don Campbell John Parker Leonard Paul Offrowich people as possible have access Felicity Chappell Ron Pollock John+ and Gigi Osler to quality dance programming Reimer & Nobuko Clausen Dr. William Pope & at the RWB School. Sanford & Deborah Riley Greg Cox Dr. Elizabeth Tippett Pope Don and Tara Snider+ $500 - $999 R. Lynn Craton John & Mrs. Ann Preston Harold and Taralee* Turner Niki and Rebecca Powell Dr. Shalom & Province of Manitoba Ginny Twomey Jaime Vargas* Mrs. Esther Coodin Kevin Reid Terry+ & Melba Wright Brian & Barbara Crow Pat & Bill Reid The RWB gratefully Gary & Fiona Crow Iris Reimer Friends of the Royal acknowledges our Recreational Bradley Curran Stefanie Reimer Division students and families Winnipeg Ballet Jody Reynolds Ms. Carmen Curtis who generously donated the $1,000 - $1,499 J. V. Dale Mr. Louis Ricciuto remainder of their tuition to the Kristine Betker* Alison & Bob Darling H. Ricou RD Opportunity Fund following & Eric Kananoja Joanne Douglas Jean Riggall COVID-19 cancellations and Rennie and Heidi Balciunas Ms. Sheila J. Down Derek & Anne Riley closures Marjorie Blankstein, CM, OM, Edgar & Monique Drews Diane J. de Rocquigny LLD (Hon) Lawrence & Brenda Ellerby Celia Rodd Tribute Gifts Jeff and Monica Bonnell Bev Emes-Macklin Anne Russell In Memory of Kevin Kavanagh Dee Buchwald+ Margaret E. Faber Sandra Sadler Els Kavanagh Mairi Chadwick Ron Gaffray Lynda & Beryl Sawkins Peter+ & Maureen Macdonald Mrs. Margaret Cuddy Peter Galko Ms. Catherine Savage Kenneth Ransby Heather & Doug Dealey George and Carol Gamby Nichola Scale Bryce Douglas John Docherty Mr. Paul Gemmiti Donald F. & Doran Sewell Mr. Doug Harvey Signy Hansen Dianne and Matthew Glass Janet Shindle & Ms. Jan Shute Melissa Hunt Amanda Graham Amanda Solheim* Ms. Barbara McCandles Dr. Douglas MacEwan+ Ms. Linda Graham Geri & Peter Spencer Richard & Justine Giuliani Carol McArton Debbie Grenier Ellen Spencer In Memory of Sandra Toews Barry & Louise Pallett Catherine Gordon Deborah Spracklin Liz & Scott Miller Dr. Marlis Schroeder Diane Littman & Alanna Hall Sam Steinfeld Mr. Donald Sobkow & Christine Skene Bruce & Judy Harris Jean Stoneham Orr Ms. Linda Swiderski Mr. Ryan Smith Rick Harrison Thomas & Wanda Struthers Mr. James Unger Bob Stewart* Susan Hendricks Lorne Sunley Shelley Karpa Ralph Wild David Hughes P. Colleen Suche In Memory of Mary Livingstre $500 - $999 Ms. Diana C. Jarvis Brenda Taylor Marilyn Flynn Shelley & Bruce Dr. Lorena Jenks Lisa Thiessen In Memory of Mary Enns Bertrand-Meadows Miss Averi Van Dam Susan Johnson Christine Mazur Kathryn Bernard Youngok Kang-Bohr Ralph Wild In Honour of Dr. Douglas Diego Blanc Maggie Katzeley Sabina Willborn Mcewan’s Walking Challenge Sheldon+ & Penny Bowles & Barry Konzelman Dr. Dorothy Young Flintstone Foundation Barry W. & Sophie Bruce Marion B. Korn Anonymous Donors

24 THE ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET Rita Burgess Raymond Sokalski Rose Kuzina Christie MacDonald Rick Walker Joanna Knowlton John Smith Judith Chambers James Bedford Jacqueline Field Nicola Spasoff Ken & Lynn Cooper Dennis Giguere Debbie Baty Gisele Poirier Gerhard Bock Heather Graham Angela Tessier Dorothy French Ingrid Peters-Fransen Jessica Cranmer Irene Hamilton Margaret Moroz Cecile Lafreniere Alun Carter Colleen McKenty Vivian Hilder-Skwark Pat MacRae Diana Harwood-Jones Lisa Fainstein Eleanor MacDougall Deborah Thorlakson Marg Clarke Els Kavanagh Lois MacDonald Viola Hultin Gordon Flett Francois Lentz Andrew Beckerman Susan Glass Tracey Novak Carol Campbell Elspeth MacEwan Heather Laser Martha Konantz Maria Lamont Laurie Speers J.H. Kaminsky Linda Laugesen Ronald Bailey Dorcas Windsor Lorne Hammond Ken Rosenberg Lois Tessier Estate Gifts Sharon Mooney Louise Pujo Margaret Ellis Corey Quintaine Edward Kolomaya Alison Baldwin Estate of Jean Sanderson Jean A Paterson Lynn Dupuis Laura McQuarrie Estate of Ms. Barbara Cook William Quinn Brian Crow Gail Asper, O.C., O.M., LL.D. Estate of Leroy Johnson Judy Mathieson Lori Gilfix Victoria Moore Estate of Elaine Heinicke Silvia Glesby Leonard French Michael And Lydia West Estate of Ms. Ellen Hirst Cameron Airlie Larry Fishman Richard Howell Estate of Sonia Taverner Catherine Ritchie Nancy Krueger Barbara Main Estate of Sonia Taverner Robert Shiu Janet Thomson Mavis & Allan Whicker Dean McDonald Michael Leipsic Eleanora Wiebe

DONATIONS TO THE RWB MADE DURING THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2019 TO NOVEMBER 26, 2020

* Indicates an RWB Staff Member +Indicates an RWB Past or Present Board Member •Passed Away

Ballet Ball

RWB’S BALLET BALL | MARCH 20, 2021 | HOME EDITION MICHEL LAVOIE | PHOTO BY DAVID COOPER COOPER DAVID BY | PHOTO LAVOIE MICHEL

Celebrating and Supporting the Community We Live In Tickets will be on sale mid-January. Please contact [email protected] for more information.

SAVE THE DATE

THE NUTCRACKER SUITE 25 Royal Winnipeg Ballet Staff Listing

COMPANY ARTISTIC Assistant Stage Manager...... Ryan Bjornson Artistic Director & CEO...... André Lewis Head Carpenter...... Jacqueline Easton Associate Artistic Director...... Tara Birtwhistle Head of Properties...... Ryan Spracklin Senior Ballet Master...... Johnny W. Chang Head of Electrics...... Marc Gagnon Ballet Masters...... Caroline Gruber, Vanessa Léonard, Jaime Vargas Head of Audio Video Services...... Bob Stewart Assistant to the Artistic Staff...... Judy Arnason Head of Wardrobe...... Alena Zharska Wardrobe Administrative Coordinator...... Heather Thorleifson SCHOOL ARTISTIC School Costume Coordinator...... Laura Elliott School Director...... Stéphane Léonard Shoe Assistant/Seamstress...... Diana Miller Professional Division Principal...... Suzanne André Head Seamstress...... Angela Gaft Teacher Training Program Director...... Johanné Gingras Seamstress/Seamsters...... Noel De Leon, Irina Voronchikhina Recreational Division Principal...... Nicole Kepp Junior cutter/Seamstress...... Emily Woodman Recreational Division Vice Principal...... Katrin Benedictson Principal Pianist...... Donna Laube SCHOOL ARTISTIC FACULTY Matthew Armet, Eugene Baffoe, Toshiyuki Ban, Yayoi Ban ADMINISTRATION Rodrigo Belifuss, Katie Bonnell, Aimee Brasko, Darilyn Burdeniuk Controller...... Edward Esguerra Liam Caines, Sabine Chaland, Keri-lee Conly, Rachel Cooper Accounting Manager...... Debbie Wallin Jacqui Davidson, Martha De Ita, Jaimi Deleau, Erika Delponte Payroll Coordinator...... Deneen Swartz Nicole Dufault, Anthony Ferens, Alexander Gamayunov Accounts Payable...... Alison Chaboyer Karin Giesbrecht, Julie Gregorchuk, Elizabeth Hendricks People Services Manager...... Kara Neilson Kira Hofmann, Chelsea Humble, Kelly Jedlic, Laura Kolisnyk Interim Support Coordinator...... Michele Kern Lianne Kondziela, Gael Lambiotte, Philippe Larouche Karyn Maertens, Alenna Mark, Claire Marshall, Alanna McAdie COMPANY ADMINISTRATION Greg McGlenning, Magdalena McGregor, Yosuke Nishi Company Managing Director...... David Warburton Nicole Owens, Radostina Panova-Torodova, Danielle Platford Company Manager...... Isabelle Ly Emilia Radawetz, Gabriela Rehak, Sharlyne Santos, Olivia Sarmiento, Cheyenne Schroeder, Marilee Schroeder SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION Cheryl Scott, Marijka Stanowych, Debra Thiessen, Tracy Tomchuk School Managing Director...... Kate Fennell Rachelle Vermette, Jacqueline Weber, Kendra Woo Program Support Manager...... Lindsay McKnight School Office Manager...... Karin Krueger ACCOMPANISTS Recreational Division Registrar...... Jessica Jamieson Arlene Baschak, Howard Chan, Timothy Church, Katie Erickson Professional Division Registrar...... Taylor Wickens Trish Franklin, Irena Gendelman, Alina Havrylyuk, Ari Hooker School Receptionist...... Melanie Saunders Jolanta Janiszewska, Ian Mikita, Michelle Mourre, Dale Rogalsky School Office Assistants...... Sydney Barber, Sydney Mangilit Nina Rudakova, David Schneider, Jay Stoller, Miro Szarek Rikke Mcfeetots, Vanessa Vertz David Troya Ospina, Viktoriya Yamchuk School Production and Event Coordinator...... Carolin Schroeder School Administrator...... Sarah Davey RESIDENCE Residence Manager...... Tali Sitschkar MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS Head Residence Advisor...... Lana Richert Interim Marketing Director...... Jocelyn Unrau Student Care Counsellors...... Brianne Baigrie, Carol Hoydalo Multimedia Communications Coordinator...... Ryan Rogocki Residence Advisor...... Alexandre Borger Public Relations & Communications Coordinator.....Dustin Rodgers Rory Ellis, Mary Elliott, Ashley Hall, Jace Hodges, Emielia Jersak Online Marketing Coordinator...... Diana Blumczynski Tymin Keown, Yoshi Matsuo, Arielle McCaffrey, Amber Neufeld Interim Online Marketing Coordinator...... Nicole Regnier Kathryn Olson, Bob Pleschke, Megan Priebe, Liam Reid Archivist...... Gayle DeGagne Ellen Stothers, Cass Taylor Activity Leader...... Madeleine Friesen DEVELOPMENT Activity Worker...... Cleighden Butler Director of Development...... Kristine Betker Genevieve Galea, Emilie Lewis Corporate Partnerships Manager...... Patricia Guenther-Smith Interim Head Chef...... Max Sitschkar Donor Relations Officer...... Madison Harding Acting Sous Chef...... Kristine Schneider Stewardship Officer...... Briar Boyko Kitchen Assistant ...... Doris Bedard, Julia Hockey Hallee Holmlund, William Hrivnak, Myles Mackesay CUSTOMER SERVICE Logan Savard, Brooke Thomas, Irene Blanc Zoco Box Office & Customer Service Manager...... Cort Schroder Residence Caretaker...... John Samia Database Administrator...... Eric Lazaro Cleaners...... Amela Nukic, Julie Prystupa Box Office Supervisor...... Pattie Kirkikis Customer Service Representatives...... Jessica Boucher-Cowie MEDICAL SUPPORT TEAM Nicole Dupas, Anastasia Iurovski, Kirsten Kruse, Margaret Kahler Medical services provided by ...... Pan Am Clinic Lindsey Koepke, Heather Krahn, Wes Rambo, Leanne Sanders Physiotherapy service provided by...... Lifemark Health Rachel Sham, Emily Simoes, Shanyn Thorarinson Medical Department...... Dr. Brian Lukie, B.Sc., MD, Dr. Deborah Hill, MDCM FRCPC Dip Sport Med FACILITIES Physiotherapists...... Lexie Flynn, Facilities Manager...... Marc Dela Torre Katie Zwingerman, B.M.R. (P.T.) Maintenance Assistant...... John Kaminski Massage Therapist...... Leanne Lawrie, R.M.T. Housekeeping...... Albert Caaya, Roy Canlas Sports & Wellness Nutrition Consultant...... Cyril Carolino, Jade Manov, JP Octavo, Ametehanes Ukubamarian Marieke Breakey, B.Sc. (HNS), R.D. Helmar Vistal Performance Enhancement Consultant...... Laura Ceccarelli, BA (Hons.), MA © PRODUCTION Director of Production...... Justin Dowbiggin Technical Director...... Jef Ward Stage Manager...... Candace Jacobson

26 THE ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET Royal Winnipeg Ballet Board Listing

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD 1961 - 1962...... J.G. Scott Don Leitch...... Chair 1962 - 1965...... Dennis H. Carter Jean Giguère, C.M...... Chair Emeritus 1965 - 1967...... Sol Kanee John Osler, Kirsten Albo, Bev Davies, Jim Eldridge, 1967 - 1970...... Mr. Justice R.J. Matas Jessica Albrechtsen, Tara Snider, Tara Letwiniuk, 1970 - 1973...... Peter J. Macdonald Rebecca Parkinson, Lorraine Yau, Dwight MacAulay 1973 - 1975...... John W. Graham 1975 - 1977...... Richard Kroft HONORARY COUNCIL MEMBERS 1977 - 1980...... John Condra Sheldon Bowles, Dee Buchwald, Irena Cohen, James Cohen, 1980 - 1982...... Dr. Leon Rubin Jim Eldridge, Jane Emslie, Ashleigh Everett, John F. Fraser, 1982 - 1984...... Mrs. Lynne Axworthy Susan Glass, CM, Jean Giguere, CM, Chair Emeritus, Richard Kroft, 1984 - 1986...... Mrs. Louise Soubry Don Leitch, The Hon Otto Lang, OC, Peter J. Macdonald, 1986 - 1988...... Joseph J. Wilder, Q.C. Marilyn Marshall, Ruth Matas, Jennifer Moncrieff, Stuart Murray, 1988 - 1989...... Arthur Pearson Art Pearson, Kevin Regan, Arni Thorsteinson, Terrence Wright, QC 1989 - 1991...... Rod Zimmer 1991 - 1992...... Diane Wolch PAST PRESIDENTS & CHAIRS OF THE BOARD 1992 - 1993...... John F. Fraser, OC OF THE ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET 1993 - 1995...... W. Terrance Wright 1939 - 1943...... Gweneth Lloyd 1995 - 1998...... Susan J. Glass 1943 - 1944...... Mrs. C.S. Riley 1998 - 2000...... Sandra Foster 1944 - 1945...... Mrs. W.H. Collum 2000 - 2001...... Justice Deborah McCawley 1945 - 1947...... Mrs. Harold D. Barbour 2001 - 2005...... Jean Giguère 1947 - 1949...... Dr. H.S. Gillson 2005 - 2007...... James Cohen 1949 - 1951...... Mrs. Douglas Edmond 2007 - 2008...... Jean Giguère 1951 - 1953...... John A. Russell 2008 - 2010...... Charlene Rocke 1953 - 1956...... Robert Kipp 2010 - 2011...... Dr. Glenn Feltham 1956 - 1957...... F.N. McKenzie 2011 - 2012...... Martin Thibodeau 1957 - 1961...... Miss Kathleen Richardson 2012 - 2017...... David Reid

THE NUTCRACKER SUITE 27