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Home , Catherine Hurlin, Christine Shevchenko, Cynthia Harvey, Dance Theatre of Harlem, David Hallberg, Devon Teuscher

WINTER/SPRING 2018 SEASON B R AVO AMERICAN THEATRE FEB. 8-11 Dance Theatre of MARCH 24-25

Paul Taylor Dance Company APRIL 21-22

Isabella Boylston and JamesWhiteside. Photo: Gene Schiavone

The 2017–2018 Dance Season is made possible by the Lear Corporation WELCOME

elcome to the (MOT) he , , Palais Garnier W2018 winter/spring dance season, featuring the T— the greatest opera houses in the world have Theatre (ABT), the Dance Theatre of long recognized the importance of presenting dance Harlem, and the Paul Taylor Dance Company! Since alongside opera. We at Michigan Opera Theatre (MOT) 1996, dance has been a key component of our artistic are proud to continue to prioritize this beautiful art offerings but one that would not be possible without form as well. Since opening the Detroit Opera House partnerships throughout the community. in 1996, MOT has presented more than 32 dance Following five sold-out performances of ABT’s The companies on its historic stage, including world- Sleeping Beauty in 2016, we are delighted to partner renowned companies such as the , Alvin once again with University Musical Society (UMS) Ailey American Dance Theater and the . to present ABT’s exquisite This winter/spring season, we production of Romeo and Juliet. welcome the return of three This multi-year partnership three distinguished dance between MOT and UMS, with companies: American Ballet the support of the Community Theatre, the Dance Theatre Foundation of Southeast Michigan, of Harlem and the Paul Taylor has enabled us to present some Dance Company. of the most significant dancers in As the very first dance the world to Detroit audiences. company presented on the Additionally, the partnership has Detroit Opera House stage, enabled us to present numerous dancers in schools as well as under the auspices of has performed nine times with MOT. Through our local organizations, furthering our commitment to arts partnership with University Musical Society, we are education and community engagement. delighted to present them again this February with During the ABT Residency, MOT and UMS will Romeo and Juliet. This production tells the classic join forces with the Greater Wayne County Chapter Shakespeare tragedy of star-crossed lovers but with of The Links, Inc., part of a national women’s service the power of music and movement that can express organization, to further dance exposure. Through our emotions in a way words alone cannot. Featuring some partnership, the Links are galvanizing the community to of the best dancers on the planet, we can’t wait to bring more than 500 audience members to the opening share this truly special experience with you. night of Romeo and Juliet. Additionally, the organization In March we welcome the return of the Dance is encouraging children in dance by providing a Theatre of Harlem, another long-term dance partner significant number of MOT dance series subscriptions to with MOT. Similar to MOT, the company shares the be used by children and also by offering full scholarships values of producing works that represent a gamut to two Ballet Detroit students. of experiences. With repertoire performed to music Finally, we express our appreciation to the Lear ranging from classical to jazz to pop, the company Corporation for its third consecutive year as our season aims to make ballet more representative and sponsor for the MOT Dance Series. Lear and CEO accessible to diverse audiences. It is a goal we share, Matthew Simoncini have been an exceptional champion and we look forward to sharing their work with of dance and in our community and an Metro Detroit. incomparable advocate for the Detroit Opera House. Our dance season concludes with the Paul Taylor As he concludes his leadership role with Lear, all of Dance Company, considered among the best modern us associated with MOT extend our best wishes and dance companies in the world. Known for its work profound thanks! tackling hard-hitting issues, including mortality, As you experience one of our performances, morality, war, love and death, the company’s powerful we thank you for your support of MOT and hope program will touch the soul. you can join us for many more performances in the We invite you to join us for one or several of our seasons ahead! exciting performances this season and look forward to seeing you again at the Detroit Opera House!

Wayne S. Brown President and CEO, Michigan Opera Theatre Stephen Lord Principal Conductor, Michigan Opera Theatre

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Winter 2018 Welcome from UMS President

he University Musical Society of the University of Michigan (UMS) is delighted to partner with Michigan Opera Theatre (MOT) for these A recipient of the 2014 Tperformances of American Ballet Theatre’s production of Romeo and National Medal of Arts, UMS Juliet February 8-11. We join our wonderful friends and colleagues at MOT in (also known as the University welcoming you to the Detroit Opera House, truly one of the most beautiful and Musical Society) contributes to beloved opera and dance houses in the Midwest. a vibrant cultural community Over the past three seasons — starting with the ABT by connecting audiences with performances of The Sleeping Beauty in 2016 — UMS performing artists from around and MOT have worked together to raise the visibility of the world in uncommon and dance in Southeast Michigan. In addition to the two ABT engaging experiences. One productions, we collaborated last year on performances of the oldest performing arts by Mark Morris Dance Group of Layla and Majnun at the presenters in the country, UMS Power Center in Ann Arbor. is an independent non-profit Our collaboration has meant an expanded audience organization affiliated with the for all of these productions, not to mention the related University of Michigan, presenting educational and community activities that have reached over 70 music, theater, and dance hundreds of students and young people throughout the state. And by working performances by professional together, we have also been able to ensure that everyone is welcome; as part of touring artists each season, along this year’s Community Day initiative, we set aside 1,000 free or low-cost tickets with over 100 free educational for underserved communities to attend the Saturday matinee performance of activities. UMS is committed to Romeo and Juliet. bold artistic leadership, engaged All of these efforts are made possible thanks to the Community Foundation learning through the arts, and for Southeast Michigan, which provided a three-year grant to inspire this access and inclusiveness. Since powerful collaboration. 1990, the organization has co- UMS is excited about and proud of our relationship with Detroit. Our commissioned and supported collaborations with Detroit arts organizations — including the Detroit Symphony the production of nearly 80 new Orchestra, Sphinx Organization, Mosaic Youth Theatre, COMPÁS, and College or reimagined works. Matthew for Creative Studies, in addition to MOT — are very rewarding. In addition, we’ve VanBesien joined UMS as its presented world-class music, theater, and dance performances over the past seventh president in July 2017. few years at the Detroit Boxing Gym (Nora Chipaumire’s portrait of myself as my father), Trinosophes (Dawn of Midi), The Schvitz (Bubble Schmeisis, coming up this March), and El Club (Steve Lehman and Sélébéyone, also in March). UMS has been presenting dance since the 1961-62 season — in fact, ABT performed a repertoire evening in Ann Arbor that same year. Over the next few months, we are presenting several dance companies in Ann Arbor, and we invite you to join us at the Power Center for Company Wang Ramirez, which combines , classical dance, and an aerial rigging system in an innovative approach to movement (March 9-10); the thrilling , which presents three different works by and by Paul Lightfoot and Sol León (March 23-24); and the creative team from Belgium’s Charleroi Danses presenting Cold Blood, creating an ephemeral and dreamlike world in which fingers dance, cavorting in delightful miniature settings and taking on human- like forms, all while projected in real time on a large screen (April 19-21). It’s hard to describe, but utterly captivating. We would love to see you there!

Matthew VanBesien President UMS is recipient of the 2014 National Medal of Arts from President Obama

BRAVO • Winter 2018 www.MichiganOpera.org Michigan Opera Theatre February 8-11, 2018 Romeo and Juliet American Ballet Theatre Kevin McKenzie Kara Medoff Barnett Artistic Director Executive Director Artist in Residence

STELLA ABRERA · ISABELLA BOYLSTON · JEFFREY CIRIO · · · SARAH LANE · ALBAN LENDORF · · · DANIIL SIMKIN · · DEVON TEUSCHER · JAMES WHITESIDE SKYLAR BRANDT · THOMAS FORSTER · JOSEPH GORAK · ALEXANDRE HAMMOUDI · BLAINE HOVEN LUCIANA PARIS · CALVIN ROYAL III · ARRON SCOTT · CASSANDRA TRENARY · ROMAN ZHURBIN Alexei Agoudine · Joo Won Ahn · Mai Aihara · Nastia Alexandrova · Alexandra Basmagy · Hanna Bass · Aran Bell · Gisele Bethea · Lauren Bonfiglio · Kathryn Boren · Luigi Crispino · Gray Davis · Claire Davison · Brittany DeGrofft · Zhong-Jing Fang Scout Forsythe · Patrick Frenette · April Giangeruso · Carlos Gonzalez · Breanne Granlund · Kiely Groenewegen · Melanie Hamrick Sung Woo Han · Courtlyn Hanson · Connor Holloway · · Andrii Ishchuk · Anabel Katsnelson · Jonathan Klein Erica Lall · Courtney Lavine · Virginia Lensi · Carolyn Lippert · Isadora Loyola · Xuelan Lu · Duncan Lyle · Tyler Maloney Hannah Marshall · Betsy McBride · Cameron McCune · Elina Miettinen · Kaho Ogawa · Garegin Pogossian · Lauren Post* Kelley Potter · Wanyue Qiao · Luis Ribagorda · Rachel Richardson · Jose Sebastian · Gabe Stone Shayer · Courtney Shealy Sean Stewart · Kento Sumitani · Nathan Vendt · Paulina Waski · Marshall Whiteley · Katherine Williams · Stephanie Williams Remy Young · Jin Zhang · Zhiyao Zhang

Apprentices Sierra Armstrong · Zimmi Coker · Simon Hoke · Fangqi Li · João Menegussi · Javier Rivet

Clinton Luckett Assistant Artistic Director Ormsby Wilkins Music Director Charles Barker David LaMarche Principal Conductor Conductor Principal Ballet Mistress Susan Jones

Ballet Masters American Ballet Theatre is Irina Kolpakova · Carlos Lopez a co-presentation with Nancy Raffa · University Musical Society *2018 Jennifer Alexander Dancer

2017-2018 Dance Season Sponsor

JOANNE DANTO AND ARNOLD WEINGARDEN Opening Night Performance Sponsor

KEVIN DENNIS AND JEREMY ZELTZER Saturday Evening Performance Sponsor

THE GREATER WAYNE COUNTY CHAPTER OF LINKS INC. Dance Season Education Partner Isabella Boylston and James Whiteside. Photo: Gene Schiavone Gene Photo: and James Whiteside. Boylston Isabella

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Winter 2018 ROMEO AND JULIET

Romeo and Juliet Scene 5 Scene 2 Ballet in Three Acts Outside the Capulet house The chapel As the guests leave the ball, Lady Juliet falls at the Friar’s feet and begs by Capulet restrains Tybalt from pursuing for his help. He gives her a vial of KENNETH MACMILLAN Romeo. sleeping potion that will make her fall into a death-like sleep. Her parents, Music by Scene 6 believing her dead, will bury her in Scenery and costumes by Juliet’s balcony the family tomb. Meanwhile, Romeo, Unable to sleep, Juliet comes out warned by Friar Laurence, will return Lighting by THOMAS SKELTON on to her balcony and is thinking of under cover of darkness and take her Romeo when he suddenly appears in away from Verona. the garden. They confess their love SYNOPSIS for each other. Scene 3 The bedroom ACT I, Scene 1 Intermission That evening, Juliet agrees to marry The market place Paris, but next morning, when her The scene is Verona. Romeo, son ACT II, Scene 1 parents arrive with him they find her of Montague, tries unsuccessfully The market place apparently lifeless on the bed. to declare his love for Rosaline and Romeo can think only of Juliet, and is consoled by his friends Mercutio as a wedding procession passes, he Scene 4 and Benvolio. As day breaks the dreams of the day when he will marry The Capulet family crypt townspeople meet in the market her. In the meantime, Juliet’s nurse Romeo, failing to receive the Friar’s place, and a quarrel develops between pushes her way through the crowds in message, returns to Verona stunned Tybalt, a nephew of Capulet, and search of Romeo to give him a letter by grief at the news of Juliet’s death. Romeo and his friends. The Capulets from Juliet. He reads that Juliet has Disguised as a monk he enters the and Montagues are sworn enemies, consented to be his wife. crypt. Finding Paris by Juliet’s body, and a fight soon begins. The Lords Romeo kills him and, believing Juliet to Montague and Capulet join in the fray, Scene 2 be dead, drinks a vial of poison. Juliet which is stopped by the appearance of The chapel awakes and, finding Romeo dead, the Prince of Verona, who commands The lovers are secretly married by stabs herself. the families to end their feud. Friar Laurence, who hopes that their union will end the strife between the Scene 2 Montagues and the Capulets. PRODUCTION HISTORY Juliet’s anteroom in the Capulet Romeo and Juliet was first performed house Scene 3 by at the Royal Juliet, playing with her nurse, is The market place Opera House on February 9, 1965. It interrupted by her parents, Lord and Interrupting the revelry, Tybalt fights entered the repertory of American Lady Capulet. They present her to with Mercutio and kills him. Romeo Ballet Theatre on January 3, 1985, at Paris, a wealthy young nobleman who avenges the death of his friend and is the John F. Kennedy Center for the has asked for her hand in marriage. exiled. Performing Arts, Washington, D.C. with and Robert La Scene 3 Intermission Fosse in the leading roles. Outside the Capulet house Guests arrive for a ball at the Capulets’ ACT III, Scene 1 Kenneth MacMillan was assisted in the house. Romeo, Mercutio and The bedroom original staging of Romeo and Juliet Benvolio, disguised in masks, decide to At dawn the next morning, the for American Ballet Theatre by Monica go in pursuit of Rosaline. household is stirring and Romeo must Parker. go. He embraces Juliet and leaves as Scene 4 her parents enter with Paris. Juliet The music for Romeo and Juliet is used The Ballroom refuses to marry Paris, and hurt by by arrangement with G. Schirmer, Inc., Romeo and his friends arrive at the her rebuff, he leaves. Juliet’s parents publisher and copyright owner. height of the festivities. The guests are angry and threaten to disown her. watch Juliet dance. Mercutio, seeing Juliet rushes to see Friar Laurence. American Ballet Theatre’s Romeo is entranced by her, to performances of Romeo and Juliet distract attention from him. Tybalt are generously underwritten through recognizes Romeo and orders him to an endowed gift from Ali and Monica leave, but Lord Capulet intervenes and Wambold. welcomes him as a guest in his house.

BRAVO • Winter 2018 www.MichiganOpera.org Michigan Opera Theatre ROMEO AND JULIET

American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancers Appearing this Season:

Stella Abrera Hee Seo South Pasadena, California , Joined ABT 1996 Joined ABT 2005 Principal since 2015 Principal since 2012 Sponsored by Sponsored by Mary Jo and Ted Shen Pamela and David B. Ford

Isabella Boylston Daniil Simkin Sun Valley, Idaho Novosibirsk, Russia Joined ABT 2006 Joined ABT 2008 Principal since 2014 Principal since 2012 Sponsored by Sponsored by Linda Allard, Sharon Patrick Andrea and Ken Brodlieb

Jeffrey Cirio Cory Stearns Springfield, Pennsylvania Mattituck, Joined ABT 2015 Joined ABT 2005 Principal since 2016 Principal since 2011 Sponsored by Sponsored by The Mathey Family, Howard S. Paley Donna Calamari

Misty Copeland Devon Teuscher Kansas City, Missouri South Burlington, Vermont Joined ABT 2001 Joined ABT 2007 Principal since 2015 Principal since 2017 Sponsored by Sponsored by Valentino D. Carlotti AnaPaula and Mark Watson

Herman Cornejo James Whiteside San Luis, Argentina Fairfield, Connecticut Joined ABT 1999 Joined ABT 2012 Principal since 2003 Principal since 2013 Sponsored by Sponsored by Sheila Grant Beth Chartoff Spector, Jay B. Rosenberg

David Hallberg Rapid City, South Dakota Joined ABT 2001 Principal since 2006 Sponsored by Avery and Andrew F. Barth

ABT gratefully acknowledges: Avery and Andrew F. Barth for their sponsorship of the in memory of Laima and Rudolph Barth and in recognition of former ABT Corps dancer Carmen Barth Fox. American Airlines, the Official Airline of American Ballet Theatre. Northern Trust, the Leading Corporate Sponsor of the American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. ABT is supported, in part, with public funds from the National Endowment for the Arts; the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature; and the Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Winter 2018 BALLET THEATRE FOUNDATION, INC. BOARD OF GOVERNING TRUSTEES Lucia Chase and Oliver Smith, Founders Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (1929-1994), Honorary Chairman Emerita

OFFICERS TRUSTEES Charles Segars Andrew F. Barth, Chairman Linda Allard Sutton Stracke David H. Koch, Sharon Patrick, Martin Sosnoff, Vice Chairmen Kara Medoff Barnett Jean Volpe Brian J. Heidtke, President Francesca Macartney Beale John L. Warden, Esq. Nancy Havens-Hasty, Treasurer Hamish Bowles Mark E. Watson III Melissa A. Smith, Secretary Audre D. Carlin Joseph A. Wilson Amy R. Churgin Susan Feinstein CHAIRMAN EMERITI EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Christina Fish Donald M. Kendall Sonia Florian Melville Straus Andrew F. Barth, Chairman Pamela Ford Charles H. Dyson Brian J. Heidtke, President William J. Gillespie Stephen J. Friedman Anne M. Tatlock, Honorary Chair, Executive Committee Sheila Grant Peter T. Joseph David H. Koch, Vice Chair Henry P. Johnson Hamilton E. James Sharon Patrick, Vice Chair Wendy Evans Joseph Lewis S. Ranieri Stewart R. Smith, Chair, Audit Committee Christian Keesee Edward A. Fox Melissa A. Smith, Co-Chair, Development Committee; Chair, Theresa Khawly Donald Kramer Strategic Planning Committee Donald Kramer Beth Chartoff Spector, Co-Chair, Development Committee Paula Mahoney HONORARY TRUSTEES Sarah Arison, Chair, Education Committee Nancy McCormick Mildred C. Brinn Valentino D. Carlotti, Co-Chair, Finance Committee Bill McIntosh Ricki Gail Conway Nancy Havens-Hasty, Co-Chair, Finance Committee Kevin McKenzie Alexander C. Ewing Martin Sosnoff, Co-Chair, Investment Committee Ruth Newman Deborah, Lady MacMillan Douglas C. Wurth, Co-Chair, Investment Committee Howard S. Paley Robin Chemers Neustein Reynold Levy, Chair, Nominating Committee Anka K. Palitz Mrs. Byam K. Stevens, Jr. Lisa Smith Cashin, Member-at-Large Karen C. Phillips Blaine Trump Matthew Rubel Nancy Zeckendorf Jenna Segal

ABT gratefully acknowledges: Roman Zhurbin – Mark Casey and Carrie Betsy McBride – The Mathey Family Gasier Casey Cameron McCune – Brian H. Vincent, in The R. Chemers Neustein ABT Artistic Joo Won Ahn – Mr. and Mrs. William H. honor of Phoebe Brantley Initiatives Fund. Told, Jr. Elina Miettinen – J. Barclays Collins II and Mai Aihara – The Mathey Family Kristina Durr ABT is proud to partner with the National Alexandra Basmagy – The Mathey Family Kaho Ogawa – Mr. and Mrs. Austin T. YoungArts Foundation, which identifies Hanna Bass – The Junior Council of ABT Fragomen and supports the next generation of artists Aran Bell – AnaPaula and Mark Watson Lauren Post – Amy Astley/AD in the visual, literary, performing and Gisele Bethea – Kenneth and Diane Kelley Potter – The Mathey Family design arts. Hipkins Wanyue Qiao – Yalan Wang Gemma Bond – Avery and Andrew F. Luis Ribagorda – Donna and Richard Northern Trust and Henry P. Johnson, Barth, in recognition of former ABT corps Esteves President – Wealth Management East dancer Carmen Barth Fox Rachel Richardson – Marianne Goodman, Region, for their generous support of the Kathryn Boren – Susan and Arthur Rebell M.D. ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. Grayson Davis – Sharon Patrick Jose Sebastian – Lisa Towbin Brittany DeGrofft – Jay Grossman and Gabe Stone Shayer – Irene Fuchsberg The Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Maxwell Murphy Minkoff Foundation’s contributions in recognition Zhong-Jing Fang – Irene Shen Courtney Shealy – Linda and Martin Fell of Dr. Phillip Bauman, ABT’s Assistant Scout Forsythe – Mr. and Mrs. George Sean Stewart – The Junior Council of ABT Orthopedist. Reees Paulina Waski – David and Nancy Gavrin Patrick Frenette – Harlan M. Blake Katherine Williams – Avery and Andrew F. ABT is grateful to the following dancer April Giangeruso – Brian and Darlene Barth, in memory of Laima Barth sponsors: Heidtke Stephanie Williams – Joe Chai Sarah Lane – Donna and Richard Esteves Carlos Gonzalez – Charles and Nicole Remy Young – Mark Casey and Carrie Alban Lendorf – Lillian E. Kraemer Taylor Gasier Casey Gillian Murphy – Mary Jo and Ted Shen Breanne Granlund – Daniel Healy Jin Zhang – Yalan Wang Christine Shevchenko – Theresa Khawly Melanie Hamrick – Joanna and Brian Zhiyao Zhang – Brian H. Vincent, in honor Skylar Brandt – Dr. Joan Taub Ades Fisher of Luna Vincent Thomas Forster – Donna Calamari, Catherine Hurlin – The Georgia Hiden Sierra Armstrong – Gaynor Minden, Inc. ABT’s Golden Circle Council Charitable Foundation; Margaret King Zimmi Coker – Nancy Havens-Hasty, The Joseph Gorak – Susan Winokur and Paul Moore Dancer Award Mae L. Wien Scholarship Leach Anabel Katsnelson – Kathleen Condon Simon Hoke – Ray Hägg, The David Blaine Hoven – Susan Winokur and Paul Jonathan Klein – Mr. and Mrs. Austin T. Hallberg Scholarship Leach, ABT’s Golden Circle Council Fragomen João Menegussi – Oceanic Heritage Luciana Paris- Jill S. Slater Erica Lall – Victoria and Lloyd Goldman Foundation, The John Palatinus and Jack Calvin Royal III – Harlan M. Blake, Sharon Courtney Lavine – Arianna and Samantha Alexander Memorial Scholarship Patrick Netter Javier Rivet – Stuart Gordon and Wayne Craig Salstein – Linda and Edward Morse Isadora Loyola – Barbara Scher Daniel, The John Palatinus and Jack Arron Scott – Avery and Andrew F. Barth, Duncan Lyle – Daniel Healy Alexander Memorial Scholarship in memory of Rudolph Barth; and Joan T. Tyler Maloney – Steven Backes Cassandra Trenary is the 2017 recipient Mischo Hannah Marshall – The Georgia Hiden of a Leonore Annenberg Fellowship in Cassandra Trenary – Amy and Gary Charitable Foundation the Arts. Churgin

BRAVO • Winter 2018 www.MichiganOpera.org Michigan Opera Theatre AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE STAFF DEVELOPMENT JKO School Faculty: Sophie Alpern, Alexis Chief Advancement Officer: J. Tim Landi Andrews, Karin Averty, Jenna Bitterman, Rodica Artistic Director, Hamilton E. James Chair: Director of Membership: Grey C. Johnson Bordeianu, Larisa Calero, Yan Chen, Harriet Clark, Kevin McKenzie Associate Director, Major Gifts: Jon Haddorff Allison Eggers, Elizabeth Ferrell, Carla Flores, Executive Director: Kara Medoff Barnett Associate Director, Major Gifts: Diane Kuhl Jean Freebury, , Fabrice Herrault, General Manager: David G. Lansky Associate Director, Institutional Support and Jaime Hickey, Eleanor Hullihan, Adrienne Hurd, Special Campaigns: Ebonie Pittman Mikhail Ilyin, Marianne dello Joio, Sonia Jones, ARTISTIC Database Manager: Vicki Cain Robert La Fosse, Carlos Lopez, Kate Lydon, Artist in Residence: Alexei Ratmansky Manager of Special Events: Claire McGregor Clarice Marshall, , Keith Sabado, Assistant Artistic Director: Clinton Luckett Assistant Manager, Special Events and Junior Flavio Salazar, Gennadi Saveliev, Adrienne Artistic Administrator: Cristina Escoda Council Program: Gwen Torsky Schulte, Lupe Serrano, Sarah Smith, Kristen Principal Ballet Mistress: Susan Jones Assistant Manager, Patron Services: Fallon Sullivan Stevens, , Karen Uphoff, Martine van Ballet Masters: Irina Kolpakova, Carlos Lopez, Membership Coordinator: Jaclyn LaCamera Hamel Nancy Raffa, Keith Roberts Membership Associate: Brian Goetzinger ABT JKO School Accompanists: Stephanie Rehearsal Planning Manager: Miki Shintani La Major Gifts Associate: Daniel Salas Chun, Michael Dolnikov, John Epperson, Misha Assistant to the Artistic Staff: Amanda Sugino Assistant to the Chief Advancement Officer: Golubitsky, Marco Jimenez, James Kost, Sofiya Company Teachers: Nancy Bielski, Carlos Lopez, Michelle Akapnitis Leavsie, Dmitry Polischuk, Tim Prepscius, Victor Clinton Luckett, Kate Lydon, Sascha Radetsky, See Yuen, Lauren Shapiro, Matthew Sheridan, Nancy Raffa, Keith Roberts, Craig Salstein, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS Mihoko Suzuki, Laura Tishchenko, Mira Tsidulko Vladilen Semenov, Ethan Stiefel Director of Press and Public Relations: Interns: Leiden Doma, Kasey Gelsomino, Makeda Kelly Ryan Griffith, Jessica Ingraham, Paris Jones, Maria ADMINISTRATION & EXECUTIVE OFFICE Manager of Press and Online Media: Susie Morgan Kundig, Stevie Mack, Annellyse Munroe, Luzi Chief Administrative Officer: Taylor Neyenhuys, Madeline Ricca, Libby Riddick, Jaime Kimberly Ayers Shariff Press Assistant: Delia Brengel Rosenstein, Julie Shin, Marisa Simon, Marianela Director of Capital Projects: Kyle Y. Ridaught Associate Director, Brand Partnerships and Social Villao Director of Strategic Initiatives: Ophelia Chua Media: Sarah Doolin Roy Executive Assistant to Kara Barnett: Brittany Heier Marketing Manager of Box Office Strategy and PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Board Meeting Coordinator: Claire Florian CRM: Steven Koernig Consulting Orthopedist: Dr. William Hamilton Office Manager: Roseanne Forni Marketing Assistant and Customer Care Specialist: Assistant Orthopedist: Dr. Phillip Bauman Brendan Rosell Physical Therapists: Peter Marshall, Julie COMPANY MANAGEMENT Photographer: Gene Schiavone Daugherty Company Manager: Kyle Pickles Associate Staff Photographer: Rosalie O’Connor Massage Therapists: Olinda Cedeno, Charles Associate Company Manager: Ashley K. Baer Haack Assistant Company Manager and FINANCE & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ABT JKO School Wellness Advisor: Suzanne Hall Assistant to the General Manager: Jillian Brinberg Chief Financial officer: Shawn Davidson ABT JKO Physical Therapist: Karen Kubicina Senior Director of Finance: Godwin Farrugia Immigration Counsel: Wormser, Kiely, Galef & PRODUCTION Payroll and Benefits Manager: Sandra Wright Jacobs LLP Director of Production: N. James Whitehill III Bookkeeper: Marianne Vanaselja Labor Counsel: Kauff, McGuire & Margolis LLP Technical Director: Richard Koch Staff Accountant: Denesh Prasad Auditor: Lutz & Carr LLP Assistant Production Manager: Sidney Wolf Bursar and Finance Associate: Talisa Chauca Insurance Broker: DeWitt Stern Group Production Stage Manager: Danielle Ventimiglia I.T. Manager: Vince Lingner Stage Manager: Jeremiah Bischoff American Ballet Theatre is a member of the Assistant Stage Manager: Colyn W. Fiendel EDUCATION AND TRAINING American Arts Alliance, the Arts and Business Lighting Director: Brad Fields Director of Education and Training: Council, Inc. and Dance/U.S.A. Master Carpenter: Esteban Osorio Mary Jo Ziesel American Ballet Theatre wishes to express its Carpenters: Chris Miano, Jonathan Bracken Artistic Director, ABT Jacqueline Kennedy appreciation to Theatre Development Fund for Master Electrician: A.J. Jackson Onassis School: Cynthia Harvey its support of this season. Electricians/Board Operators: Stephen Weeks, Artistic Director, Studio Company: Kate Lydon The dancers and stage managers of American Trent Ware Associate Director of Education and Training: Ballet Theatre are represented for the purpose Property Master: Paul Wells Dennis J. Walters of collective bargaining by the American Guild of Property Man: Steven Dunbar Director of Training Programs: Molly Schnyder Musical Artists, AFL-CIO. Wardrobe Supervisor: Tomoko Ueda-Dunbar Artistic Coordinator for Educational Outreach: Trucking by Clark Transfer Inc. Wardrobe: Hilarie Jenkins, Vernon Ross, Richard Richard Toda Tour booking managed in house by David Lansky, Gregg Director, ABT JKO School: Rebecca Schwartz General Manager, ABT and Jean-Jacques Wig & Make-up Supervisor: Rena Most Director, ABT JKO Children’s Division: Katie Ferris Cesbron, Columbia Artists Management, LLC. Wig & Make-up Artist: Jill Haley Director, Summer Intensive: Elizabeth Aymong International freight forwarding by Sounds Moves, Resident Scenic Artist: Christine Skubish Summer Intensive Manager and Database Inc. Warehouse Manager: Bobby Godwin Coordinator: Naomi Gewanter Harlequin is the official floor of American Ballet Studio Company Manager: Claire Florian Theatre. MUSIC Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator for Education ABT alumna Gretchen Schumacher generously Music Director: Ormsby Wilkins and Training: Emily Wolfe volunteers her time as Alumni Coordinator. Principal Conductor: Charles Barker ABT/NYU Program Director and Studio Company Conductor and Music Administrator: : Sascha Radetsky VOLUNTEERS David LaMarche NTC and ABT/NYU Program Manager: Susan Angermeier, Pamela Arenson, Meghan Concertmaster: Benjamin Bowman Meghan Love Bartley, Thomas Beatty, Carol Becker, Melvin Orchestra Personnel Manager: Matthew Dine Education Associate: Amanda Tomera Bernstein, Judi Chandon, Ken Dunn, Beverly Company Pianists: Barbara Bilach, ABT JKO School Coordinator: Katie Currier Epstein, Margaret Fridecky, Bill Gerdes, Tania David LaMarche, Jacek Mysinski, Daniel Waite, ABT JKO School Assistant: Elizabeth Juarez Hakkim, Honey Hilzen, Patricia Jaffarian, Lauren Emily Wong Summer Intensive Assistant: Amber Bennett Kahn, Shelley and Stephen Limmer, Keiko Principal ABT JKO School Pianist: Michael Cherry Matsumura, Barbara Q. Myers, Eileen O’Neill, ABT JKO School Principal Guest Instructor: Beth Shapiro, Marianne Stegeland, Steven Ethan Stiefel Toback, Barbara Trommer, Johanna Weber, ABT National Training Curriculum Associates Hermine Weiss, Anthony Yazzetti, Catherine Emeriti: Franco De Vita, Raymond Lukens Yeiser.

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Winter 2018 Five Ballerinas Tell What it’s Really Like to A sk ABT: be a Professional Dancer BY ERICA HOBBS

American Ballet Theatre has been performing at the Detroit Opera House since the theater’s opening in 1996. Since then, the company has danced , , The Merry Widow, and, most recently, 2016’s The Sleeping Beauty on the Opera House stage. While the movements seem effortless, the life of a professional is one of dedication, sacrifice and discipline, as they continually strive to perfect their art form. Dancers typically begin their training as young children in preparation for a competitive career that begins as a teenager. Below, five members of American Ballet Theatre’s corps de ballet talk about their experiences as professional ballerinas, including what it takes, why they do it, and how bad it really hurts to dance on their toes.

How did you get into dance? whether it is dance, theatre, music, or any My grandma got me into ballet. She is a other live art! pianist and made me fall in love with music. She drove me to all my ballet classes and What are the best aspects of being a even taught me how to do the around professional dancer? the house! The best part of being a professional dancer at ABT is that I can watch the amazing What is a typical day like for you as a dancers that I idolize every day in the ballet dancer? studios and on stage. Watching others A typical day for me starts with a 7:30 a.m. dance is not only a joy, but it is also the most wake-up call, because I love to do Pilates or important learning tool. There is so much some other light exercises in the morning that can be learned from observing how to get my body moving. Then I always other dancers use their bodies, interpret the Anabel have breakfast and get ready for class at music, and emote onstage. Katsnelson 10:15 a.m. Some days are more intense Age: 20 than others, but we usually finish at 7 p.m., What is something people would Rockland County, after which I go home to cook dinner and be surprised to know about ballet New York unwind. I am also working towards my dancers? bachelor’s degree with an online college so People would be surprised by how much I try to squeeze some school in every night! dancers eat! We constantly need to refuel I also try to see a performance every week, because we are so active.

What are the best aspects of being a What is it like dancing on your toes? professional dancer? Does it hurt? One of the best things about being a Dancing on our toes takes years of practice, professional dancer is how much we get strengthening, and learning the correct to travel. Touring is one thing ABT has technique to dance in pointe shoes. The first been known for. In my short time with the time I went up in my pointe shoes I felt like company I have already gotten to explore I was a prima ballerina! My teachers had to some of the most exquisite places in the pry the shoes off of me! Now that I’m older world. I have gotten used to the thrill of it. And yes, pointe shoes can be painful. Wearing them What are the challenges of being a for hours and hours on end can cause some professional dancer? pretty bad blisters, corns, and numbness. A challenging part would be learning Courtney Shealy multiple at once. During a What else should people know about Age: 19 performance day for example, we might be being a professional ballet dancer? Fort Walton Beach, rehearsing Romeo and Juliet, Firebird, and Being a dancer is a lifestyle for sure. It takes Florida Swan Lake in the span of five hours. And sacrifice to make it in a company. When you after five hours of rehearsing those different have a passion for this art form, it doesn’t ballets, you have to get ready for a show of even feel like a job. I feel so grateful to be you have that night. It takes doing what I love and getting to express a lot of focus and mental stamina to stay myself as an artist everyday. sharp with all the choreography.

BRAVO • Winter 2018 www.MichiganOpera.org Michigan Opera Theatre What was your journey like to becoming What are the challenges of being a a professional ballet dancer? professional dancer? When I was 15, I won second place at the Recovering from injury. I’ve already had NYF ballet surgery on both ankles, since becoming a competition and received a full scholarship professional dancer. I think having a strong from the American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline healthy body is essential to try not to get Kennedy Onassis School. In 2012, I joined the injured. ABT Studio Company. After four months, I became an apprentice with ABT, and I joined What are the best aspects of being a corps de ballet in 2013. professional dancer? The best aspect is getting lots of experiences What is it like dancing on your toes? to dance on stage. This past summer, I had 60 Does it hurt? shows at the Metropolitan Opera House. Also, Kaho Ogawa Yes, we get lots of blisters and corns. But ABT has a lot of US and international tours, Age: 22 dancing on pointe is definitely my favorite so I get the chance to visit wonderful places Tokushima, part of ballet. including Paris and Oman. Japan

How did you get into dance? What is a typical day like for you as a Being former dancers themselves, my mom ballet dancer? and grandmother both directed my ballet A typical day for me always includes morning school growing up. They always told me I class from 10:15-11:45 a.m., then from noon to could pursue any activity or extracurricular I 7 p.m. we have varying rehearsals and breaks. wanted, but ultimately I fell in love with ballet! On days with extensive breaks, I typically cross train at the gym or pool. I always try to include What was your journey like to becoming Pilates and stability exercises throughout my a professional ballet dancer? day as well. I trained with my mom and grandmother and at several summer intensives until I was 16, What are the best aspects of being a when I moved to New York City to attend the professional dancer? American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy It truly is a gift to be able to get to do what you Remy Young Onassis School. The transition to JKO was love every day. Beyond that, it’s an art form, Age: 20 quite smooth because the ABT Curriculum one with so much incredible history that I can Belmont, paralleled nicely with the Cecchetti curriculum share with the rest of the world. [ABT dancer] North Carolina in which I was trained growing up. The JKO once spoke to my class about the School was very formative to my technique importance of beauty in humanity, how it is in the later years, and the ABT Studio truly a responsibility and how beauty can save Company was a bridge that helped develop the world. That is a thought that gives me individualism and artistry before joining the purpose and passion. company.

What are the challenges of being a whole foot before we start dancing en pointe. professional dancer? With proper training we learn to carry our Being a driven and never-satisfied person weight, not just through the toes, but through makes me restless. I want to keep pushing the support of our pointe shoes as well. I myself. Sometimes I have to remind myself do get sore after a long day of work, but it is that patience is an asset as I wait for the minimized by properly preparing my feet with opportunity to do a part with growth. tape and padding before putting on my shoes. An ice bath or warm Epsom salt soak are great What is something people would be before bedtime to get the feet ready for the surprised to know about ballet dancers? next day. We are not always silent on the stage. While the orchestra is playing we may be greeting What else should people know about each other, laughing at ourselves or saying being a professional ballet dancer? Erica Lall something crazy that helps us create our on As a young child I felt awkward, out of place Age: 19 stage mood or character. and without a voice unless I was dancing. Cypress, It seems that all dancers have had similar Texas What is it like dancing on your toes? feelings. In a way being a dancer is like being a Does it hurt? member of a village of people from all over the We work very hard for years to strengthen the world who speak one language...dance.

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Winter 2018 MICHIGAN OPERA THEATRE ORCHESTRA — ROMEO AND JULIET

VIOLIN I VIOLA MANDOLIN SAXOPHONE TROMBONE Eliot Heaton John Madison Al Ayoub Joseph Lulloff David Jackson Concertmaster+ Principal + Bret Hoag Acting Principal + Laura Roelofs Scott Stefanko+ BASSOON Greg Near+ Assistant Barbara Zmich - HARP Francisco Delgado Bryan Pokorney Concertmaster + McClellan+ Kerstin Allvin Principal + Emily Barkakati+ James Greer Acting Principal Gregory Quick+ TUBA Molly Hughes+ Catherine Franklin Susan Nelson- Matthew Lyon Bryan Johnston+ Julianne Zinn FLUTE Contrabassoon Velda Kelly+ Laura Larson TIMPANI Beth Kirton+ CELLO Acting Principal + HORN Alison Chang Andrew Wu+ Nadine Deleury Dennis Carter Andrew Pelletier Principal + Ran Cheng Principal + Helen Near Principal + Jenny Wan Daniel Thomas+ Carrie Banfield-Taplin+ PERCUSSION Andrea Yun+ OBOE David Denniston John Dorsey VIOLIN II Katri Ervamaa Nermis Mieses Tamara Kosinski Principal + Victoria Haltom Stefan Koch Principal + Garrett Krohn Dan Maslanka Principal + Irina Tikhonova Sally Hefflefinger- David Taylor Anna Bittar-Weller+ Pituch+ TRUMPET Henrik Karapetyan+ BASS Geoffrey Johnson David Ammer PIANO/CELESTE Daniel Stachyra+ Derek Weller Acting Principal + Xavier Suarez Jacqueline Nutting Principal + CLARINET Gordon Simmons+ David Ormai Clark Suttle+ Brian Bowman Ross Turner + Michigan Opera Theatre Yuri Popowycz Greg Sheldon Principal + Robert White Core Orchestra Melody Wootton Robert Stiles J. William King+ Lisa Raschiatore Detroit Federation of Musicians Local #5 American Federation of Musicians

Nederlands Dans Theater

Paul Lightfoot, artistic director Friday-Saturday, March 23-24 // 8 pm Power Center

PROGRAM Lightfoot/León Shoot the Moon Pite The Statement Lightfoot/León Singulière Odyssée

Nederlands Dans Theater has forged a path between and American , creating a modern ballet style that is widely admired across the world. “Think ballet line and virtuosity fused with modern dance weight and power. Think a commitment to the deepest European art-making traditions with no pandering to pop culture. Above all, think a super- ensemble: dancers who can form a superb corps one moment and perform just as superbly as principals the next.” (Los Angeles Times)

Supporting Sponsors: Cheryl Cassidy and Funded in part by: The Wallace Foundation Media Partners: Metro Times, Michigan Radio 91.7 FM, and WDET 101.9 FM

Photo by Rahi Rezvani UMS.ORG —— 734.764.2538

BRAVO • Winter 2018 www.MichiganOpera.org Michigan Opera Theatre MOT Chairman Honored With Opera America’s 2018 National Opera Trustee Recognition Award

ichigan Opera Theatre’s venerable Chairman R. Jamison “Rick” Williams is the recent recipient of a M2018 National Opera Trustee Recognition Award from Opera America. The prestigious award honors outstanding trustees of North American opera companies for exemplary leadership, generosity, and audience-building efforts on behalf of their respective organizations. Opera America selected Rick in recognition of his tireless advocacy and problem-solving prowess, citing his 15 years as Chairman of the Board and a legacy highlighted by his heroic navigation through the 2008 recession, which resulted in the vibrant, thriving organization we enjoy today. On behalf of the entire Michigan Opera Theatre family, we congratulate Rick on his well-deserved honor and thank him for his dedicated leadership and generosity!

The SummerBy Daniel King Sonenberg 7:30 p.m. • Saturday, May 12 7:30 p.m. • Wednesday, May 16 7:30 p.m. • Saturday, May 19 2:30 p.m. • Sunday, May 20 At the Detroit Opera House

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Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Winter 2018