The National Ballet of Canada Winter 2013 Per forman ce
Presents The Nutcracker
Elena Lobsanova. Photo by Bruce Zinger. Principal Dancer Piotr Stanczyk. Photo by Aleksandar Antonijevic. 20 13/ 14 Souvenir Book on sale in the lobby!
Conten ts 4 From a Bear to the Sugar Plum Fairy Stacey Shiori Minagawa’s Nutcracker Journey by John Reardon
12 Share the Magic Provides Holiday Joy for Children in Need
centre Today’s Performance
18 Dancer Biographies
The National Ballet of Canada Winter 2013 Per forman ce n National Ballet Editors: Julia Drake and Belinda Bale n RJ Performance Media Inc .: n President and Publisher: Joe Marin o n CEO: Frank Barbosa n Finance: Gina Zicari n Secretary Treasurer: Rajee Muthuraman n Art Director /Design: Jan Haring a n Graphic Artist: Glenda Moniz n National Account Directors: Danny Antunes, Gary Bel l , Tom Marino, Paul Radford
The National Ballet of Canada’s edition of Performance magazine is published quarterly by RJ Performance Media Inc., 2724 Coventry Road, Oakville, Ontario, L6H 6R1. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written consent is prohibited. Contents copyright © Performance Inc. Subscriptions available by contacting publisher. Direct all advertising enquiries to 2724 Coventry Road, Oakville, Ontario, L6H 6R1 or Telephone 905-829-3900, Ext. 222, Fax 905-829-3901. From a Bear to the Sugar Plum Fai ry St acey Shiori Min agawa’s Nut cracke rJourney by John Reardon
Stacey Shiori Minagawa S tacey Shiori Minagawa has danced a great many different as the Bear. roles in a great many different ballets in her versatile and protean Photo by Bruce Zinger. 20-year career with The National Ballet of Canada. From corps to soloist to leading roles, from the exquisitely lyrical to the dazzlingly virtuosic and everything in between, the vivacious First Soloist has brought her sparkling stage presence and calmly focused technique to them all. But if there is one ballet she knows more intimately and from more perspectives than any other, it’s The Nutcracker. Since 1995, when she first appeared in James Kudelka’s version of the ballet, she has performed eight different roles, more than any other dancer in the company. Flower, Bear, Bee, Snow Maiden, Servant, Spanish Chocolate, Snow Queen and the Sugar Plum Fairy – some dancers own roles; Minagawa owns a ballet.
Page 4 national.ballet.ca (left) Stacey Shiori Minagawa as the Bee. Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann.
(below) Stacey Shiori Minagawa. Photo by Sian Richards.
“I really enjoyed dancing the role of the Bee. It is very difficult technically, but it has a magical and sprightly quality that I love and that has always been one of my strengths as a performer.” - Stacey Shiori Minagawa
The Tchaikovsky-Petipa-Ivanov ballet is really unlike any other among the staple repertoire of any classical company. Although it is in many respects – its near-perfect integration of music and choreographed drama, for instance, and its vivid sense of character and effective deployment of spectacle – the equal of the other great Russian works from its period, it rarely receives the same respect they do. Because it is considered essentially children’s entertainment, a seasonal romp that lacks either the profundity and tragic seriousness of Swan Lake or the impeccable classical stature of The Sleeping Beauty, and because it is routinely trotted out every Christmas as an easy money-maker, it tends to be overlooked artistically. But beneath the superficial tinsel and glitter, The Nutcracker contains depths and subtleties of its own. It affords not just grand opportunities for choreographic invention, but complex psychological features, elements that have over the years, attracted many of the world’s greatest dance makers to explore
Page 6 national.ballet.ca its artistic and thematic potentials. Those choreographers, as different as George Balanchine and Mark Morris, have all found reserves of panache and wit in the story, based originally on a fairy tale by E. T. A. Hoffmann called The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. But childhood tends to bring out in creative artists the anarchist and subversive as much as the sentimentalist and many interpreters have found plenty of turbulent and unexpected undercurrents to explore in adapting the ballet for their purposes. Correspondingly, the depth and challenge of the choreography in this seemingly slight and genial confection of a ballet is often overlooked or downplayed. James Kudelka, a choreographer not known for the simplicity and ease of his work, brings enormous sophistication to his version of The Nutcracker, demanding as much from those dancing it as he would for any of his other works. Minagawa knows this well. From the numerous divertissements roles to the ballet’s show-stopping female role of the Sugar Plum Fairy, there are no simple parts. Having (Top) Stacey Shiori danced so many, she is better aware than many performers Minagawa as the how richly complex and challenging they all are and how each Snow Queen with Artists of the Ballet. contributes to the overall texture and experience of the work. Photo by Bruce Zinger. Still she has her favourites. “Looking back,” she says, “I really (Above) Stacey Shiori enjoyed dancing the role of the Bee. It is very difficult technically, Minagawa as the but it has a magical and sprightly quality that I love and that Sugar Plum Fairy. Photo by Andrew Oxenham. has always been one of my strengths as a performer.” What
Page 8 national.ballet.ca “There are no words to describe that moment when the huge Fabergé egg opens. It’s as though you’re entering your own kingdom. the lesser, divertissements parts lack in terms of character or Bee is fun, but narrative function, Minagawa feels, they make up for with the dynamism and pure kinetic excitement they provide. They’re Sugar Plum a reminder that all ballet is, to a greater or lesser degree, but is more in a very key sense, an art of spectacle and physical appeal. Heather Ogden and And when they are conceived with the ingenuity that a dance Gcuoillamumme Caôtén. ding maker such as Kudelka can bring to them, and performed Photos by Erik Tomasson. and satisfying.” with the conviction and in the spirit they are intended, they raise that aspect of the ballet to the level of vital art. Stacey Shiori Minagawa One of the most perplexing aspects of The Nutcracker has backstage getting ready to perform the Bee. always been the marquee role of the Sugar Plum Fairy. She Photo by Johan Persson. represents the culmination of the ballet’s action and is always considered its “star turn.” But the role doesn’t play an integral part in the ballet’s narrative and only occupies a short, perhaps 10 minutes at the very end. Still, by tradition if for no other reason, a great deal of often very challenging and difficult choreography is lavished on the part. And that always makes it a favourite of female dancers in the company. Minagawa describes the role, apart from the challenge of its chroeography , as part of the magical apparatus of the ballet’s effect: “There are no words to describe that moment when the huge Fabergé egg opens. It’s as though you’re entering your own kingdom. Bee is fun, but Sugar Plum is more commanding and satisfying.” With all of those roles in her repertoire, it’s natural that other dancers look to Minagawa for advice when taking them on themselves. She says she’s more than happy to give them tips and guidance to execute the roles well. “I believe the more experience you have, the more you can spread that wealth, which is what I try to do. It feels nice to help other ballerinas in the making.” With mentors like that, the National Ballet’s Nutcracker is in very good hands. n
Page 10 national.ballet.ca Share the Magic Provides Holiday Joy for Children in Need
Heather Ogden in The Nutcracker . Photo by Bruce Zinger.
Page 12 national.ballet.ca (left) Stacey Shiori Minagawa as the Bee. Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann.
(below) Stacey Shiori Minagawa. Photo by Sian Richards.
“Thank you so much for letting our family enjoy and go to such a beautiful show at the theatre. I know that all of us will remember it always.” - Nina
E very December, The National Ballet of Canada has the Piotr Stanczyk with Artists of the Ballet privilege of performing a holiday favourite for our audiences. in The Nutcracker . For artists and audiences alike, The Nutcracker is a beloved Photo by Aleksandar Antonijevic. tradition that encourages everyone to celebrate great dance and the beauty of the season. The energy in the theatre is always unique at this time of year, infused with festive warmth. This is particularly true on one special night each year – the Share the Magic performance of The Nutcracker . The audience is filled with children and their family members, most of whom have never been in a theatre before. They are eager and almost rowdy in their anticipation of a new, exciting experience. But once the lights go down, the orchestra begins playing the beautiful music of Tchaikovsky and the curtain rises, a hush falls over the audience. Soon the children are enthralled with the magical scene on stage and the adventures of a brother and sister one Christmas Eve. They are a wonderfully involved audience – they laugh when the rat scoots across the stage; they delight in the spectacle
Page 13 “Because of the high cost of therapy, theatre just doesn’t fit into our budget. The time we had at the performance was so meaningful to me and my daughter. Thank you for this wonderful gift – to her, to us. We are so grateful.” - Rachelle
Robert Stephen with of a live horse on stage – or is it? The horse is soon followed Artists of the Ballet by bears on skates, mice, cats, dogs, rats and, later still, in The Nutcracker . Photo by Bruce Zinger. sheep and a bee. There’s the Snow Queen, a food fight and the magnificent palace of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Laughter, cheers and applause always greet the dancers at the curtain call at the end of the show. This audience is enthusiastic and unafraid to demonstrate its appreciation to the fullest. Without Share the Magic, these children would not otherwise have access to a live ballet performance and the delight it inspires. Each year the National Ballet works with various agencies and charities to invite these special guests to The Nutcracker – some, like those from Ronald McDonald House and Make-A-Wish Foundation, are dealing with illness; others, like those from Covenant House, Toronto Children’s Aid Society, Inner City Angels and St. Stephen’s Community House , are facing a number of social and economic challenges. The
Page 14 national.ballet.ca National Ballet also invites students from schools in high priority neighbourhoods. The National Ballet is committed to providing extraordinary experiences through great dance. What better way to do so than by inviting children and family members to share in the magic and beauty of ballet during the holiday season? Since Share the Magic began in 1986, we have provided a free live ballet experience to over 64,000 children and family members. This season we invited over 1,500 children and their families to The Nutcracker on December 13 and we will include the same number again at a special performance of Cinderella in June. Sun Life Financial has generously supported the programme since its inception and an annual contribution from the Ada Slaight Fund within the National Ballet’s Endowment Foundation provides continuous support for the programme. But the National Ballet relies on the generosity of individuals and foundations who wish to share the magic of dance with children in need. It costs the equivalent of only $40 to send a child to a Share the Magic performance. You can help the National Artists of the Ballet Ballet provide a unique and memorable experience to some in The Nutcracker . Photo by Bruce Zinger. very special children by making a donation today. n
Please help brighten the life of a child this holiday season. Donate $40 today at national.ballet.ca
Page 16 national.ballet.ca Ball et Note s
Presents The Nutcracker December 14, 2013 – January 4, 2014
Tanya Howard as the Snow Queen. Photo by Bruce Zinger. Orchestra Violin 1 Oboes Naha Greenholt z+, Mark Rogers, Principal Guest Concertmaster Karen Rotenberg Lynn Kuo, Lesley Young, Assistant English Horn Concertmaster Clarinets Anne Armstrong + Max Christie, Principal James Aylesworth Gary Kidd, Bass Clarinet Jennie Baccante Colleen Cook + Sheldon Grabke Emily Marlow* Celia Franca, C.C., Founder Nancy Kershaw Sonia Klimasko-Leheniuk Bassoons George Crum, Music Director Emeritus Yakov Lerner Stephen Mosher, Principal Jayne Maddison Jerry Robinson Karen Kain, C.C. Kevin Garland Wendy Rogers Elizabeth Gowen, Artistic Director Executive Director Paul Zevenhuizen Contr a-Bassoon David Briskin Rex Harrington, O.C. Violin 2 Horns Music Director and Artist-in-Residence Dominique Laplante, Gary Pattison, Principal Principal Conductor Principal Second Violin Vincent Barbee * Magdalena Popa Lindsay Fischer Aaron Schwebel, Jessie Brooks + Principal Artistic Coach Artistic Director, Assistant Principal Derek Conrod YOU dance / Ballet Master Xiao Grabke Diane Doig + Csaba Koczó Christine Passmore + Peter Ottmann Mandy-Jayne Jamie Kruspe + Scott Wevers Senior Ballet Master Richardson Rene London + Senior Ballet Mistress Ron Mah Trumpets Aya Miyagawa Richard Sandals, Principal Aleksandar Antonijevic, Guillaume Côté, Mark Dharmaratnam + + Filip Tomov Matthew Golding , Greta Hodgkinson, Jiˇrí Jelinek , Robert Weymouth Evan McKie*, Svetlana Lunkina*, Heather Ogden, Joanna Zabrowarna Sonia Rodriguez, Piotr Stanczyk, Jillian Vanstone, Violas Trombones Xiao Nan Yu Angela Rudden, Principal David Archer, Principal + Robert Ferguson Kevin D. Bowles, Lorna Geddes, Josh Greenlaw , Acting Assistant Principal David Pell, Bass Trombone Alejandra Perez-Gomez, Rebekah Rimsay, + Tomas Schramek, Hazaros Surmeyan Ivan Ivanovitch , Acting Tuba Assistant Principal Sasha Johnson, Principal Naoya Ebe, Keiichi Hirano, Tanya Howard, Valerie Kuinka Stephanie Hutchison, Etienne Lavigne, Johann Lotter Harp Patrick Lavoie, Elena Lobsanova, McGee Maddox, Rory McLeo d+ Lucie Parent, Principal Stacey Shiori Minagawa, Tina Pereira, Nicholaos Papadakis + Tympani Jonathan Renna, Robert Stephen Beverley Spotton Michael Perry, Principal Larry Toman Skylar Campbell, Jordana Daumec, Percussion Alexandra MacDonald, Chelsy Meiss, Cellos Tim Francom, Principal Tiffany Mosher, Jenna Savella, Brendan Saye, Maurizio Baccante, Kristofer Maddigan Christopher Stalzer, Dylan Tedaldi Principal Mark Mazur James Applewhite, Jack Bertinshaw, Adji Cissoko, Alistair Eng + Trygve Cumpston, Shaila D’Onofrio, Krista Dowson, Celeste Olga Laktionova + Nadine Drouin, Jackson Dwyer, Hannah Fischer, Edward Connel l Andrew McIntosh + Francesco Gabriele Frola, Giorgio Galli, Selene Guerrero-Trujillo, Marianne Pack Andrei Streliae v Emma Hawes, Juri Hiraoka, Ji Min Hong, Kathryn Hosier, + Rui Huang, Harrison James, Lise-Marie Jourdain, Elspeth Poole Orchestra Personnel Larissa Khotchenkova, Miyoko Koyasu, James Leja, Elaine Thompson Manager and Music + Elizabeth Marrable, Shino Mori, Andreea Olteanu, Asiel Rivero, Jill Vitols Administrator Joseph Steinauer, Nan Wang, Aarik Wells, Sarah Elena Wolff Paul Widner Raymond Tizzard RBC Apprentice Programme / YOU dance: Basses Rhiannon Fairless, Liana Macera, Elenora Morris, Felix Paquet, Librarian Meghan Pugh, Ben Rudisin, Kota Sato, Martin ten Kortenaar, Hans J.F. Preuss, Lucie Parent Mimi Tompkins, Ethan Watts Principal Paul Langley Assistant to the Music Lorna Geddes Joysanne Sidimus Robert Speer Director Pointe Shoe Manager / Guest Balanchine Cary Takagaki Jean Verch Assistant Ballet Mistress Répétiteur Flutes * On Leave of Absence Ernest Abugov Peter Sherk Leslie J. Allt, Principal + Additional Musician Jeff Morris Stage Manager, YOU dance Maria Pelletier Stage Managers Shelley Brown, Piccolo Michael Lewandowski Kaili Maimets + Assistant Stage Manager Kevin O’Donnell + * Principal Guest Artist +Guest Artist
Page 2 national.ballet.ca Saturday, December 14 at 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm Friday, December 27 at 1:00 pm Sunday, December 15 at 1:00 pm & 5:30 pm Saturday, December 28 at 1:00 pm & 5:30 pm Thursday, December 19 at 7:00 pm Sunday, December 29 at 1:00 pm & 5:30 pm Friday, December 20 at 7:00 pm Tuesday, December 31 at 1:00 pm Saturday, December 21 at 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm Thursday, January 2 at 7:00 pm Sunday, December 22 at 1:00 pm & 5:30 pm Friday, January 3 at 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm Monday, December 23 at 1:00 pm Saturday, January 5 at 1:00 pm & 5:30 pm Tuesday, December 24 at 1:00 pm
presents: The Nutcracker
Choreography and Libretto: James Kudelka. O.C. Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Set and Costume Designs: Santo Loquasto Lighting Design: Jennifer Tipton Canada’s National Ballet School Rehearsal Director: Laurel Toto , assisted by Patrick Kastoff and Ilze Titova Répétiteurs: Peter Ottmann , Mandy-Jayne Richardson , Magdalena Popa , Rex Harrington , Lindsay Fischer , Aleksandar Antonijevic and Lorna Geddes The National Ballet of Canada gratefully acknowledges its collaboration, in the production of The Nutcracker, with Canada’s National Ballet School and students of: A Beka Academy Iroquois Ridge High School Algonquin Ridge Elementary School Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School Leaside High School The Bishop Strachan School The Linden School Bowmore Public School Lindsay Collegiate & Vocational Institute Branksome Hall Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School Cawthra Park Secondary School Oakwood Collegiate Institute Cobourg District Collegiate Institute PACE – The Academy for Gifted Children Le Collège français Rawlinson Community School Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto Richmond Green Secondary School Cosburn Middle School Rosedale Heights School of the Arts The Country Day School Ryerson University (Toronto) Danforth Collegiate & Technical Institute Sacred Heart Catholic High School De La Salle College St. Brigid Catholic Elementary School Divine Mercy School St. Clement’s School Donview Middle School St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Secondary School Earl Grey Senior Public School St. John Catholic School Earl Haig Secondary School St. Peter’s Secondary School Eastwood Collegiate Institute St. Thomas Aquinas Regional Secondary School Etobicoke School of the Arts Victoria Park Collegiate Institute Georgetown Dictrict High School Westwood Middle School Glenview Senior Public School University of Toronto Humberside Collegiate Institute Ursula Franklin Academy Inglenook Community High School York University Innisdale Secondary School Conductors: David Briskin , Music Director and Principal Conductor (Dec 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 29, Jan 4) Nathan Brock , Guest Conductor (Dec 14, 15, 28, 31, Jan 2, 3) The National Ballet of Canada Orchestra with VIVA! Youth Singers of Toronto, Carol Woodward Ratzlaff, Founder and Artistic Director This production of The Nutcracker is dedicated to Celia Franca and Betty Oliphant. With respect, admiration and gratitude. J.K. Made possible by generous financial support from production underwriters Sandra Pitblado & Jim Pitblado, C.M., Lawrence & Ann Heisey and an anonymous friend of the National Ballet.
Page 3 Act I Act I Scene 1, A Barn Scene 2, The Battle of the Tsar of the Mice
Peter, a stable boy The Nutcracker Piotr Stanczyk (Dec 14 mat, 21 eve, 28 mat, Piotr Stanczyk (Dec 14 mat, 21 eve, 28 mat, Jan 3 mat, 4 eve) Jan 3 mat, 4 eve) Guillaume Côté (Dec 14 eve, 20, 22 eve, Guillaume Côté (Dec 14 eve, 20, 22 eve, 28 eve, 31) 28 eve, 31) Skylar Campbell * (Dec 15 mat, 23, 27, 29 eve, Skylar Campbell * (Dec 15 mat, 23, 27, 29 eve, Jan 2) Jan 2) McGee Maddox (Dec 15 eve, 19, 22 mat, McGee Maddox (Dec 15 eve, 19, 22 mat, Jan 3 eve) Jan 3 eve) Keiichi Hirano (Dec 21 mat, 24, 29 mat, Keiichi Hirano (Dec 21 mat, 24, 29 mat, Jan 4 mat) Jan 4 mat)
Marie The Tsar of the Mice Arielle Miralles (Dec 14 mat, 21 eve, 23, 27, Kevin D. Bowles or Naoya Ebe or Jan 2, 4 eve) Dylan Tedaldi or Jack Bertinshaw Houston Toews (Dec 14 eve, 20, 22 eve, 28 eve, 29 eve, 31) Baby Mice Olivia McAlpine (Dec 15 mat, 19, 24, 28 mat, Students of Canada’s National Ballet School Jan 3 mat, 4 mat) (Associates Programme) Saige Palleske (Dec 15 eve, 21 mat, 22 mat, 29 mat, Jan 3 eve) Dogs, Cats, Mice, Goat and Rooster Students of Canada’s National Ballet School, Misha, Marie’s brother Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School, Bennett Ryan (Dec 14 mat, 21 eve, 23, 27, The Bishop Strachan School, Cawthra Park Jan 2, 4 eve) Secondary School, Le Collège français, Tristan Brosnan (Dec 14 eve, 20, 22 eve, Cobourg District Collegiate Institute, 28 eve, 29 eve, 31) Donview Middle School, Eastwood Collegiate Eamon Stocks (Dec 15 mat, 19, 24, 28 mat, Institute, Earl Haig Secondary School, Jan 3 mat, 4 mat) Etobicoke School of the Arts, Essex Public Gabriel Buell (Dec 15 eve, 21 mat, 22 mat, School, Georgetown Disctrict High School, 29 mat, Jan 3 eve) Inglenook Community High School, Iroquois Ridge High School, Lindsay Collegiate & Baba, Marie and Misha’s nurse Vocational Institute, Ryerson University, Rebekah Rimsay (Dec 14 mat, 21 eve, 24, Rosedale Heights School of the Arts, 28 mat, 29 mat, Jan 3 mat, 4 eve) School of Toronto Dance Theatre, St. Brigid Alejandra Perez-Gomez (Dec 14 eve, 20, Catholic Elementary School, St. Clement’s 22 eve, 28 eve, 31) School, St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Tiffany Mosher * (Dec 15 mat, 23, 27, 29 eve, Secondary School, St. John Catholic School , Jan 2) St. Peter’s Secondary School, Ursula Krista Dowson (Dec 15 eve, 19, 21 mat, Franklin Academy 22 mat, Jan 3 eve, 4 mat) Act I Marie and Misha’s parents Scene 3, The Land of Snow Krista Dowson or Stephanie Hutchison or Alejandra Perez-Gomez or Tanya Howard Snow Queen and her Icicles Elena Lobsanova , Etienne Lavigne , McGee Maddox or Etienne Lavigne or Patrick Lavoie (Dec 14 mat, 21 eve, Jan 3 mat) Jonathan Renna or Patrick Lavoie Xiao Nan Yu , McGee Maddox , Aarik Wells (Dec 14 eve, 20, 28 eve, 31, Jan 4 eve) Uncle Nikolai Jenna Savella , Giorgio Galli , Jack Bertinshaw * Robert Stephen (Dec 14 mat, 21 eve, 24, (Dec 15 mat, 22 eve, 29 mat, Jan 4 mat) 28 mat, 29 mat, Jan 3 mat, 4 eve) Stephanie Hutchison , Etienne Lavigne , Jonathan Renna (Dec 14 eve, 20, 22 eve, Patrick Lavoie (Dec 15 eve, 21 mat, 24) 28 eve, 31) Tanya Howard , Keiichi Hirano , Naoya Ebe Etienne Lavigne * (Dec 15 mat, 23, 27, 29 eve, (Dec 19, 22 mat, 28 mat, Jan 3 eve) Jan 2) Emma Hawes *, Nan Wang , Harrison James * James Leja * (Dec 15 eve, 19, 21 mat, 22 mat, (Dec 23, 27, 29 eve, Jan 2) Jan 3 eve, 4 mat) Snow Maidens Parents, Children, Aunts, Uncles, Servants, Artists of The National Ballet of Canada + Bears and a Horse Artists of The National Ballet of Canada + and Unicorns Students of Canada’s National Ballet School Students of Canada’s National Ballet School
Page 4 national.ballet.ca Intermission A Sheep Shino Mori (Dec 14 mat, 15 mat, 23, 24, Act II 28 mat, 29 eve, Jan 2, 3 ma t, 4 eve) The Palace of the Sugar Plum Fairy Chelsy Meiss (Dec 14 eve, 20, 21 mat, 22 eve, 27, 28 eve, 31) Courtiers, Guards, Ladies-in-Waiting Andreea Olteanu (Dec 15 eve, 19, 21 eve, Students of Canada’s National Ballet School 22 mat, 29 mat, Jan 3 eve, 4 mat)
The Sugar Plum Fairy A Flock of Lambs Sonia Rodriguez (Dec 14 mat, 21 eve) Students of Canada’s National Ballet School Greta Hodgkinson (Dec 14 eve, 20) (Associates Programme) Jillian Vanstone (Dec 15 mat, 23, 27, 29 eve, Jan 2) A Fox Elena Lobsanova (Dec 15 eve, 19, 22 mat, Naoya Ebe (Dec 14 mat, 24, 28 mat, Jan 3 ma t, Jan 3 eve) 4 eve) Stacey Shiori Minagawa (Dec 21 mat, 24) Giorgio Galli (Dec 14 eve, 20, 21 mat, 22 eve, Heather Ogden (Dec 22 eve, 28 eve 31) 27, 28 eve, 31) Svetlana Lunkina s (Dec 28 mat, Jan 3 mat, Robert Stephen (Dec 15 mat, 23, 29 eve, Jan 2) 4 eve) Dylan Tedaldi (Dec 15 eve, 19, 21 eve, 22 mat, Tina Pereira (Dec 29 mat, Jan 4 mat) 29 mat, Jan 3 eve, 4 mat)
Empress Dowager Baba Waiters Rebekah Rimsay (Dec 14 mat, 21 eve, 24, Francesco Gabriele Frola or Ethan Watts or 28 mat, 29 mat, Jan 3 mat, 4 eve) Jackson Dwyer , Joseph Steinauer or Alejandra Perez-Gomez (Dec 14 eve, 20, Felix Paquet , Kota Sato or 22 eve, 28 eve, 31) Martin ten Kortenaar , Trygve Cumpston or Tiffany Mosher * (Dec 15 mat, 23, 27, 29 eve, James Applewhite or Ben Rudisin Jan 2) Krista Dowson (Dec 15 eve, 19, 21 mat, Chefs 22 mat, Jan 3 eve, 4 mat) Students of Canada’s National Ballet School
Grand Duke Nikolai A Bee Robert Stephen (Dec 14 mat, 21 eve, 24, Tina Pereira (Dec 14 mat, 23, 28 mat) 28 mat, 29 mat, Jan 3 mat, 4 eve) Tanya Howard (Dec 14 eve, 20, 22 eve, Jan 2) Jonathan Renna (Dec 14 eve, 20, 22 eve, Rui Huang (Dec 15 mat, 27, 29 eve) 28 eve, 31) Tiffany Mosher * (Dec 15 eve, 22 mat, Jan 3 mat) Etienne Lavigne * (Dec 15 mat, 23, 27, 29 eve, Jenna Savella (Dec 19, 21 eve, Jan 3 eve) Jan 2) Selene Guerrero-Trujillo (Dec 21 mat, 24, James Leja * (Dec 15 eve, 19, 21 mat, 22 mat, 29 mat, Jan 4 mat) Jan 3 eve, 4 mat) Jordana Daumec (Dec 28 eve, 31, Jan 4 eve)
Spanish Chocolate Flowers and Branches Shaila D’Onofrio or Tina Pereira or Artists of The National Ballet of Canada + Andreea Olteanu or Shino Mori , Jenna Savella or Stacey Shiori Minagawa or Jordana Daumec or Ji Min Hong , * Debut Skylar Campbell or Francesco Gabriele Frola s Principal Guest Artist or Jack Bertinshaw or Dylan Tedaldi + Includes additional dancer Jaclyn Oakley All casting is subject to change. Rui Huang or Elena Lobsanova or Elizabeth Marrable , Chelsy Meiss or Tiffany Mosher or Running Time Selene Guerrero-Trujillo or Emma Hawes , Act 1 – 49 minutes Giorgio Galli or Naoya Ebe or Intermission – 20 minutes Jackson Dwyer or Joseph Steinauer Act II – 46 minutes The performance will run approximately Arabian Coffee 1 hour and 55 minutes Stephanie Hutchison or Juri Hiraoka or Jenna Savella or Tiffany Mosher , Etienne Lavigne or Aarik Wells or Nan Wang or Jonathan Renna
Alejandra Perez-Gomez or Krista Dowson or Tanya Howard or Elena Lobsanova , Patrick Lavoie or Keiichi Hirano or McGee Maddox
Page 5 Krista Dowson and students of Canada’s National Ballet School. Synopsis Photo by Bruce Zinger.
Act I Nikolai has brought special gifts for all the It’s the night before Christmas in 19th-century children, but after all the presents have been Russia, and Marie, Misha, their parents and handed out, there is nothing left for Marie. their beloved nursemaid Baba are busy Quickly Nikolai gives Marie a Nutcracker in preparing for the annual Christmas Eve party the shape of a handsome soldier which he’d at their country estate. As the curtain rises, intended for her parents. The continuing Peter, the stable boy (and Marie’s and Misha’s hostilities between Marie and Misha erupt best friend), is sweeping the barn one last time once more as they fight over the Nutcracker before the guests arrive. until their father confiscates it. Marie and Misha burst into the barn, Baba takes Marie and Misha back to the squabbling furiously despite the patient efforts house to put them to bed but inevitably their of Baba and Peter to calm them down. skirmishes begin again – this time, it’s a Suddenly a rat scuttles across the floor, competition to see who can stay awake the disrupting everything until Peter outsmarts it. longest. Eventually they fall asleep and their Four neighbouring families arrive and the magnificent dream begins. dancing begins. Just as the clock strikes 12, six pesky little All of a sudden, a mysterious man dressed mice scurry in but Nikolai, stranger and wilder in red appears in a sleigh. It’s Nikolai, the than ever, dashes out and scares them away. unpredictable uncle who lives down the road, Taking pity on poor Marie, he returns her whose alarming spins and flamboyant gestures Nutcracker, tucks it beneath the nursery both terrify and delight the company. Magically Christmas tree and vanishes from sight. he tweaks bright fresh oranges from the guests’ Ominously, the children’s beds begin ears, hats, and clothes as well as producing a to rock and shake waking Marie and Misha. pair of dancing bears, one of them on skates. Their Christmas tree has come to life and the To crown everything, Nikolai unhitches his Nutcracker has grown, his features have old mare and, to everyone’s amazement, they somehow been transformed to look exactly energetically dance together. like their friend Peter.
Page 6 national.ballet.ca Piotr Stanczyk and Artists of the Ballet. Photo by Bruce Zinger.
Other toys, too, have magically come to life Act II and a regiment of wolfhounds rides in, only The ice-boat carries the children and the to be vanquished by demonic cats. Then Nutcracker to the secret Kingdom of the Sugar an evil brigade of mice invades the room to Plum Fairy, who lives in a beautiful Fabergé attack the cats. Meanwhile, the cruel Tsar of egg at the centre of a golden palace, carefully the Mice challenges the Nutcracker to mortal guarded by her loyal courtiers. Nikolai and combat and all seems lost. Baba, transformed into the Grand Duke and With the ingenuity of despair Marie and Duchess, are there to greet them. Misha save the Nutcracker by combining Naturally, the courtiers are eager to discover forces to banish the frenzied cats and dogs how their unexpected guests happened and they conquer the Tsar of the Mice with to find the palace and beg the Nutcracker, their feather pillows. In relief and sheer Marie and Misha to recount their marvellous exhaustion, Marie, Misha and the Nutcracker adventures. As a reward for the children’s collapse on the bed. courage and compassion, the courtiers order The bed begins to move again but this a splendid banquet that mingles grown-up time it carries them on a magical journey. food with childhood favourites. Through ice-laced trees and feathery snowflakes The first course, much to the children’s they see the Snow Queen, supported by two delight, is Chocolate, with a delicate Spanish Icicles. Marie, Misha, and the Nutcracker dance flavouring. The second, Coffee, heralds the joyfully with the snowflakes and the Snow pleasures of adulthood – and oddly enough, Queen bestows upon them a magnificent gift: quite the opposite of anyone’s expectations, a beautiful ice-boat attended by unicorns. its sinuous fumes put the child-courtiers to sleep! Embarrassed by the courtiers’ Intermission inattentiveness, Misha and Marie wake every - one up just in time to enjoy the spectacle of four inept royal chefs trying to catch the poultry course.
Page 7 There follow two dances that hint at the loving nature of parenthood: a bright, cheerful Trepak for the Nutcracker and a dance for Baba as a shepherdess with lambs and a Sheep-princess pursued by a Fox. At last four zany Waiters bring in a magical table while the chefs attempt to put the finishing touches on the great repast. When the feast is finally prepared, Marie and Misha assume the places of honour and enjoy a food fight in what may be their last chance Elena Lobsanova and McGee Maddox. to misbehave as young children. Suddenly all Photo by Bruce Zinger. traces of winter have gone, and the palace gates burst open to admit a single Bee and to sleep just before daybreak, the Nutcracker a host of Flowers to dance in the warm spring and the Sugar Plum Fairy bid them goodbye. breeze. Somehow during this night the children have In the midst of all this excitement, Marie passed together through the magical yet natural and Misha have noticed that the Nutcracker portal between childhood and adolescence, has fallen deeply in love with the Sugar Plum and somehow they know that their lives will Fairy. All at once the world of the Sugar Plum never again be quite the same. Henceforth, Fairy begins to vanish and the children find like their friend the Nutcracker, they will set themselves in their own room being put to forth to find and follow their own dreams. bed by Baba. As Marie and Misha fall back – Penelope Reed Doob
Selected Biographies
Karen Kain, C.C. in Hamilton, Ontario, Ms. Kain creative partnership with Rudolf Artistic Director received her training at Nureyev and often performed Artistic Director Karen Kain Canada’s National Ballet with him. Ms. Kain retired from has led The National Ballet of School in Toronto, joining dancing following a farewell Canada with great success The National Ballet of Canada tour in 1997 and took the for eight years. Her many in 1969 . In 1971, she won the position of Artist-in-Residence accomplishments include Silver Medal at the prestigious with the company in 1998 returning the company International Ballet Competition (later expanded to Artistic to the international stage, in Moscow and, along with Associate). She became commissioning exciting new Frank Augustyn, received Artistic Director in 2005. work and forming partnerships a special prize for Best Pas with leading ballet companies de Deux. Subsequently, she James Kudelka, O.C. such as The Royal Ballet. embarked on a remarkable Choreographer Long recognized as one of the international career performing James Kudelka is widely most gifted classical dancers with such companies as Paris acknowledged as one of North of her era, noted for her Opéra Ballet, Roland Petit’s America’s most innovative compelling characterizations Le Ballet de Marseilles, the choreographers. His mastery and versatility as a performer, Bolshoi Ballet, London Festival of both classical ballet and she is one of Canada’s most Ballet and Vienna State Opera modern, contemporary dance renowned and committed Ballet. Throughout her career has earned him commissions advocates for the arts. Born she also developed a close from companies – some 25
Page 8 national.ballet.ca in all – as stylistically diverse Kenneth MacMillan, Agnes Group’s version of Tennessee as American Ballet Theatre, de Mille, James Kudelka and Williams’ Vieux Carre . Ms. Chicago’s Hubbard Street Mark Morris. Twyla Tharp’s Tipton’s most recent work Dance and Les Ballets Jazz Push Comes to Shove in opera includes Gounod’s de Montréal. Even as a marked the beginning of a Romeo et Juliette directed by student at Canada’s National long-term relationship with Bart Sher at Teatro alla Scala Ballet School, Mr. Kudelka American Ballet Theatre. As and Mozart’s La Clemenza di demonstrated a choreographic designer for the Paul Taylor Tito directed by David McVicar interest in exploring innovative Dance Company, he has at the Aix Festival in France. approaches. While adept in the designed a total of 49 pieces. Among many awards she was classical ballet vocabulary, he Mr. Loquasto received his the recipient of the Dorothy infuses it with a contemporary first Tony in 1977 for costume and Lillian Gish Prize in 2001 sensibility acquired from his designs for The Cherry Orchard . and the Jerome Robbins Prize intense interest in modern In 1989, he won both the Tony in 2003. In 2008, she became movement idioms. Mr. Kudelka’s and Drama Desk Awards for a United States Artist Gracie work covers an impressive his set design of the New York Fellow and a MacArthur Fellow. range, from virtuoso pas de Shakespeare Festival’s Café Ms. Tipton teaches lighting deux, through large-scale and Crown and, in 1990, he again at the Yale School of Drama. always arresting adaptations won both awards for his of such classics as Swan costume design for Grand David Briskin Lake , The Nutcracker and Hotel . For his other work in Music Director and Cinderella , to boldly innovative theatre, he has received an Principal Conductor creative collaborations with Obie, the Joseph Maharam One of the foremost ballet dancers, designers and Award, both Outer Critics conductors at work today, musicians. Mr. Kudelka has Circle and Drama Desks David Briskin is renowned for never been afraid to tackle Awards and a total of 17 the scope of his repertoire and psychologically challenging Tony nominations. For film, the depth and beauty of his subject matter in his story Mr. Loquasto has received interpretations. Before joining ballets – he views dance as Academy Award nominations The National Ballet of Canada a primary medium of artistic for production design for in 2006, Mr. Briskin served discourse – and through his Woody Allen’s Bullets Over as conductor with American gift for movement metaphor Broadway and Radio Days Ballet Theatre in New York infuses poetic, emotional and for costume design for City for seven years, directing meaning into his many Allen’s Zelig . Other film credits performances at the non-narrative works. After include Desperately Seeking Metropolitan Opera House, nine distinguished years Susan , Big and, most recently, City Center and numerous as Artistic Director of The Blue Jasmine . opera houses around the National Ballet of Canada world. In demand as a guest (1996 to 2005), Mr. Kudelka Jennifer Tipton conductor, Mr. Briskin has continues to undertake Lighting Designer worked with such companies collaborative projects that Jennifer Tipton is well known as New York City Ballet, San engage and challenge him as for her work in dance, theatre Francisco Ballet and Houston a choreographer. and opera. Her recent work in Ballet among many others. dance includes Paul Taylor’s He served as Conductor for Santo Loquasto The Uncommitted and Alexei The Juilliard School’s Dance Set and Costume Designer Ratmansky’s The Nutcracker Division from 1993 to 2005. Santo Loquasto is a designer for American Ballet Theatre. In 2013, Mr. Briskin made his for dance, theatre and film. Her recent work in theatre debut with The Royal Ballet, He has collaborated with includes Bergman’s Autumn Covent Garden and will return choreographers Jerome Sonata at the Yale Repertory to conduct the world premiere Robbins, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Theatre and the Wooster of Christopher Wheeldon’s
Page 9 and Joby Talbot’s The Winter’s as a last minute replacement Jeff Morris Tale in 2014 (a co-production for a performance of Mahler’s Stage Manager with the National Ballet). In Fourth Symphony . In addition Born in Toronto, Jeff Morris addition to his work in dance, to two subscription weeks and studied technical theatre Mr. Briskin has appeared more than a dozen special production and administration with the Pittsburgh, Detroit, concerts with the Montréal at Ryerson’s Theatre School. Baltimore, Indianapolis, Symphony, Mr. Brock’s 2013- After leaving Ryerson, he Windsor, Cincinnati Pops 14 season includes return became Production Stage and Singapore Symphony engagements with Symphony Manager for Toronto Dance Orchestras; the Hong Kong Nova Scotia and The National Theatre (1990 to 1995). With Philharmonic, and the National Ballet of Canada and his Toronto Dance Theatre he Symphony Orchestra of Costa Parisian debut with the toured extensively, stage Rica, among others. In 2008, Orchestre National D’Ile de managing the company’s Mr. Briskin was appointed France with Soloist Juliette Hurel. debuts in Berlin, Warsaw, Assistant Professor and Beijing, Tokyo, and at the Director of Orchestral Studies Ernest Abugov Joyce Theater, New York. at the University of Toronto Stage Manager He was Production Stage Faculty of Music. Ernest (Ernie) Abugov has Manager for Dancers For Life served as Stage Manager of (AIDS Committee of Toronto, Nathan Brock The National Ballet of Canada 1991 to 1997), Stage Manager Guest Conductor since 1973, working with for Theatre Passe-Muraille Award winning conductor every Artistic Director in the (Never Swim Alone, Nathan Brock is emerging company’s history from Celia Metamorphosis of a Shadow ) as one of the most talented Franca to Karen Kain . He has and for the Fringe Festival of and versatile conductors of traveled with the company Independent Dance Artists. his generation, well regarded all over the world touring to Mr. Morris joined The National for his “ferocious intensity” Israel, Asia, Europe, Mexico Ballet of Canada in 1995 and (Chronicle Herald, Halifax) and and throughout North America . has since stage-managed a his “deeply felt interpretations” Mr. Abugov has worked with wide range of the company’s (La Presse, Montréal). Resident many of the world’s most unique classical and Conductor of the Montréal renowned choreographers contemporary repertoire, Symphony Orchestra, Mr. who have created original including the world premieres Brock began his tenure at works for the National Ballet of James Kudelka’s The Four the Montréal Symphony including Alexei Ratmansky, Seasons , Cinderella , and An as Assistant Conductor in John Neumeier, William Italian Straw Hat , Jean-Pierre September 2009. In recognition Forsythe and Glen Tetley. Mr. Perreault’s The Comforts of his artistic contributions to Abugov was born in Montréal, of Solitude , Crystal Pite’s the orchestra he was promoted Québec. Before beginning Emergence , and Alexei to Resident Conductor in the his long association with the Ratmansky’s Romeo and spring of 2012. Since joining National Ballet, he worked Juliet . Company premieres the orchestra he has conducted with Les Feux Follets, The include John Neumeier’s over 65 performances making Charlottetown Festival, Nijinsky and Christopher his subscription week debut La Poudriere Theatre and Wheeldon’s Alice’s in April 2010 and collaborating The Studio Lab Theatre . He Adventures in Wonderland . with artists such as Maxim worked at Expo ’67 in Montréal , Vengerov and Stephen Hough. stage managing over 4000 Michael Lewandowski Recently, Mr. Brock had highly puppet shows. Mr. Abugov Assistant Stage Manager successful appearances also toured with Harry Born in Włocławek, Poland, in France with l’Orchestre Belafonte . In what little spare Michael Lewandowski studied National des Pays de la Loire time that he has, Mr. Abugov technical theatre production with Soloist Jian Wang and guest-lectures to theatre at York University, Toronto. with Symphony Nova Scotia students. His past theatre work includes
Page 10 national.ballet.ca the world premiere and UK was Music Director and School celebrated its 50th tour of da kink in my hair Principal Conductor from anniversary during the (Toronto Fringe Festival and 1990 to 2006. The National 2009/10 academic year. Hackney Empire), The Ballet of Canada Orchestra For more information on the Pillowman (Canadian Stage has toured extensively with school and its programs, Theatre) and Drystreak (Grand the company through Canada , please visit www.nbe-enb.ca. Theatre). Past opera credits the US and Europe. Over include Love Songs (Queen the years, the orchestra has VIVA! Youth Singers of of Puddings), War and Peace, received much acclaim from VIVA! Youth Singers of Death in Venice, Carmen, audiences and critics alike Toronto is a vibrant, innovative La Bohème, Elektra, and has recorded two CDs of choral organization for children Il Trovatore, Lady Macbeth Michael Torke’s compositions aged four through young adults , of Mtsensk, Dialogues des for The Contract (The Pied whose mission is to provide Carmélites, Hansel and Gretal, Piper) and An Italian Straw young people with artistically Cinderella, La serva padrona Hat . The orchestra made their excellent musical opportunities and The Nightingale and concert debut at Koerner Hall in a supportive, inclusive Other Short Fables (Canadian on April 3, 2012, in celebration environment. Founded by Carol Opera Company). For of the company’s 60th Woodward Ratzlaff, VIVA! is television he has been the anniversary. comprised of 130 choristers floor director of Indspire who, in addition to performing Awards since 2005 (formerly Canada’s National Ballet excellent choral music at a the National Aboriginal School high level, study music theory Achievement Awards ). Select Canada’s National Ballet and develop sight-singing festival work includes Just for School (NBS) is a world leader skills. VIVA! welcomes all youth Laughs Festival (Toronto) in the training of professional who have disabilities. VIVA! and Westfes t (Ottawa). This ballet dancers and teachers. has an enduring relationship marks the first time he has NBS’ core program is the with The National Ballet of worked with The National Professional Ballet Program Canada, performing in more Ballet of Canada. which provides full-time classical than 20 performances of ballet training integrated with The Nutcracker each Holiday The National Ballet of a comprehensive academic Season for the last 14 years. Canada Orchestra education and residence for Recognized for its commissions The National Ballet of Canada students in grades six to 12, and diverse programming, is privileged to have its own and intensive dance training VIVA! has appeared onstage full orchestra with over 60 for post-secondary students. at many major Toronto concert members. The orchestra NBS also offers a full-time venues with leading artists and has performed in each of the Teacher Training Program as toured to England, Wales and National Ballet’s seasons and well as part-time programs for Greece where they were silver is led by Music Director and practicing teachers, children medalists in both the SSA and Principal Conductor David ages six to 17 (the Associates SATB divisions of the Preveza Briskin. The company’s first Program) and recreational International Choral Competition. Music Director was George classes for adults. Close to www.vivayouthsingers.com Crum who, along with Founder 1,500 students ranging in age Celia Franca, was a pioneer from six to 82 take classes at For more information, visit of the company. Mr. Crum NBS’ award-winning facilities national.ballet.ca held the position from the each week. Graduates can company’s inception in 1951 be found as dancers, teachers, to 1984, when he was choreographers and Artistic appointed Music Director Directors in over 65 dance Emeritus. The orchestra was companies and even more led by Ermanno Florio from schools around the globe. 1985 to 1990. Ormsby Wilkins Canada’s National Ballet Heather Ogden. Photo by Christopher Wahl.
Page 11 Corporate Sponsors The National Ballet of Canada gratefully acknowledges the generous support of our Corporate Sponsors.
Presents Innovation Presents RBC Apprentice Programme The Nutcracker
Lead Sponsor, MAD HOT BALLET Presents Spectre de la Rose & Presents Swan Lake Opus 19/The Dreamer & the second detail
Special Projects Share the Magic Rolex Dancers First Award Title Sponsor Dance About
Innovation Ballet Talks Nutcracker Story Time Series Sponsor Sponsor, YOU dance Sponsor
Performance Sponsors
Official Suppliers
Official Airline Official Dry Cleaner Official Event Supplier Official Hospitality Partner
Official Media Partner Ottawa Tour Official Health & Wellness Official Travel Supplier Transportation Sponsor Provider
Official Beer Official Floral Official Cosmetic Supplier Sponsor Sponsor
Heather Ogden. Photo by Christopher Wahl.
Page 12 national.ballet.ca We are working together with The National Ballet of Canada to make a difference in our communities.
Sonia Rodriguez and Piotr Stanczyk in The Nutcracker . Photo by Aleksandar Antonijevic.
A proud sponsor of The Nutcracker and Nutcracker Story Time.
Page 13 Come behind the scenes
Artists of the Ballet onstage in The Nutcracker . Photo by Bruce Zinger.
Page 14 national.ballet.ca Become a member of Join The National Ballet of Canada – and help inspire movement, creativity and imagination Today – for as little as $75 or $7 a month .
In recognition of your generosity, you will receive special opportunities to enhance your appreciation of dance and see the impact of your donation. Come behind the scenes to see the artists of the National Ballet in action – attend rehearsals in the studios or dress rehearsals onstage; tour the Walter Carsen Centre, the home of the National Ballet, the Gretchen Ross Production Workshop or backstage at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.
With your donation, you will help the National Ballet: • Inspire audiences with world-class performances of classical and contemporary ballet • Train and support Canada’s leading choreographers, dancers and musicians • Revitalize the repertoire by creating new works • Represent the best of Canada by touring internationally • Offer meaningful education and outreach programmes to children and students in Ontario • Strengthen the role of arts and culture in Canada
To make your gift visit national.ballet.ca/supportus or call 416 (1 866) 345 9595
The National Ballet of Canada is a registered charity. Charitable Registration Number: 11905 1449 RR0001 Page 15 Dancer Biographies
Aleksandar Antonijevic Svetlana Lunkina Sonia Rodriguez Principal Dancer Principal Guest Artist Principal Dancer Born: Pozarevac, Yugoslavia Born: Moscow, Russia Born: Toronto, Ontario Trained : National Ballet Trained : Moscow Trained : Princess Grace School (Yugoslavia) Choreographic Academy Academy (Monaco) Joined National Ballet: 1991 Joined Bolshoi Ballet : 1997 Joined National Ballet: 1990 Promoted to Principal Principal Dancer: 2005 – Promoted to Principal Dancer: 1995 2012 Dancer: 2000
Guillaume Côté Evan McKie Piotr Stanczyk Principal Dancer Principal Guest Artist Principal Dancer Born: Lac -Sain t- Jean, Québec Born: Toronto, Ontario Born: Poznan, Poland Trained : Canada’s National Trained : Canada's National Trained : State Ballet School Ballet School Ballet School, Kirov Academy (Poland), Canada’s National Joined National Ballet: 1999 and John Cranko School Ballet School Promoted to Principal Ballet Joined National Ballet: 1998 Dancer: 2004 Principal Dancer with Promoted to Principal Sponsored by Emmanuelle Gattuso Stuttgart Ballet Dancer : 2008 and Allan Slaight Sponsored by the Frank Gerstein Charitable Foundation
Greta Hodgkinson Heather Ogden Jillian Vanstone Principal Dancer Principal Dancer Principal Dancer Born: Providence, Born: Toronto, Ontario Born: Nanaimo, British Rhode Island Trained : The Richmond Columbia Trained : Canada’s National Academy of Dance Trained : Kirkwood Academy Ballet School Joined National Ballet: 1998 (Nanaimo), Canada’s National Joined National Ballet: 1990 Promoted to Principal Ballet School Promoted to Principal Dancer: 2005 Joined National Ballet: 1999 Dancer: 1996 Sponsored by Ira Gluskin & Promoted to Principal Maxine Granovsky Gluskin Dancer: 2011
Page 18 national.ballet.ca Dancer Biographies
Xiao Nan Yu Alejandra Perez-Gomez Hazaros Surmeyan Principal Dancer Principal Character Artist Principal Character Artist Born: Dalian, China Born: Toronto, Ontario Born: Skopje, Yugoslavia Trained : Shen Yang School Trained : École supérieure Trained : National Ballet of Dance, Beijing Dance de ballet contemporain School of Macedonia Academy, Canada’s National de Montréal, Princess Grace Joined National Ballet: 196 6 Ballet School Academy (Monaco), Principal Dancer: 196 6-1985 Joined National Ballet: 1996 San Francisco Ballet School Principal Character Artist: Promoted to Principal Joined National Ballet: 1998 Since 1986 Dancer: 2001 Promoted to Principal Character Artist: 2013
Kevin D. Bowles Rebekah Rimsay Naoya Ebe Principal Character Artist Principal Character Artist First Soloist Born: Ottawa, Ontario Born: Fort Collins, Colorado Born: Tokyo, Japan Trained : Canada’s National Trained : Gail Innes Dance Trained : Canada’s Natioanl Ballet School, Boston School (Newfoundland), Ballet School Conservatory, Boston Ballet Canada’s National Ballet Joined National Ballet: 2007 School School Promoted to First Soloist: Joined National Ballet: 2002 Joined National Ballet: 1990 2012 Promoted to Principal Promoted to Principal Sponsored by Gretchen Ross Character Artist : 2008 Character Artists: 2012
Lorna Geddes Tomas Schramek Keiichi Hirano Principal Character Artist Principal Character Artist First Soloist Born: Waterloo, Ontario Born: Bratislava, Czechoslovakia Born: Osaka, Japan Trained : With Betty Oliphant, Trained : Slovak National Trained : Setsuko Hirano founder of Canada’s National Theatre School, SLUK Ballet School (Japan) Ballet School Joined National Ballet: 1969 Joined National Ballet: 1999 Joined National Ballet: 1959 Principal Dancer: 197 3-1990 Promoted to First Soloist: Assistant Ballet Mistress: Principal Character Artist: 2006 Since 1984 Since 1990 Sponsored by Patricia Younger Principal Character Artist: Since 2005
Page 20 national.ballet.ca Dancer Biographies
Tanya Howard Patrick Lavoie Stacey Shiori Minagawa First Soloist First Soloist First Soloist Born: Uitenhage, South Africa Born: Montr éal, Québec Born: Los Angeles, California Trained : The National School Trained : École supérieure Trained : Tachibana Ballet of the Arts (South Africa), de ballet contemporain School (Japan), San Francisco Canada’s National Ballet School de Montréal, San Francisco Ballet School, Princess Grace Joined National Ballet: 1998 Ballet School Academy (Monaco) Promoted to First Soloist: Joined National Ballet: 1997 Joined National Ballet: 1993 2007 Promoted to First Soloist: Promoted to First Soloist: Sponsored by Nancy Pencer 2003 2000
Stephanie Hutchison Elena Lobsanova Tina Pereira First Soloist First Soloist First Soloist Born: Kitchener, Ontario Born: Moscow, Russia Born: Port of Spain, Trinidad Trained : Canada’s National Trained : Canada’s National Trained : Canada’s National Ballet School Ballet School Ballet School Joined National Ballet: 1997 Joined National Ballet: 2004 Joined National Ballet: Promoted to First Soloist: Promoted to First Soloist: 2002-2004 2003 2011 Re-joined: 2006 Sponsored by Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan Promoted to First Soloist: 2009 Sponsored by The Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain, O.C.
Etienne Lavigne McGee Maddox Jonathan Renna First Soloist First Soloist First Soloist Born: Montr éal, Québec Born: Spartanburg, South Born: Ottawa, Ontario Trained : École supérieure Carolina Trained : Canada’s National de ballet contemporain Trained : Houston Ballet's Ballet School de Montréal, San Francisco Ben Stevenson Academy Joined National Ballet: Ballet School Joined National Ballet: 2009 1997 -2000 Joined National Ballet: 1997 Promoted to First Soloist: Re-joined: 2007 Promoted to First Soloist: 2011 Promoted to First Soloist: 2007 2009
Page 22 national.ballet.ca Dancer Biographies
Robert Stephen Alexandra MacDonald Jenna Savella First Soloist Second Soloist Second Soloist Born: Burlington, Ontario Born: Calgary, Alberta Born: Vancouver, British Trained : Canada’s National Trained : International School Columbia Ballet School of Ballet, Boston Ballet’s Trained : DanceWest Joined National Ballet: 2004 Trainee Programme (Vancouver), Canada’s Promoted to First Soloist: Joined National Ballet: 2007 National Ballet School 2011 Promoted to Second Joined National Ballet: 2005 Sponsored by Mr. Thor Eaton & Soloist: 2012 Promoted to Second The Honourable Nicole Eaton, Senator Soloist: 2009 Sponsored by an Anonymous Donor
Skylar Campbell Chelsy Meiss Brendan Saye Second Soloist Second Soloist Second Soloist Born: Laguna Beach, Born: Melborne, Australia Born: Vancouver, British California Trained : Karen Curlis School Columbia Trained : V & T Dance of Dance in Australia and Trained : Canada’s National Academy in Orange County The Australian Ballet School Ballet School Joined National Ballet: 2011 Joined National Ballet: 2008 Joined National Ballet: 2009 Promoted to Second Promoted to Second Promoted to Second Soloist: 2013 Soloist: 2011 Soloist: 2013 Sponsored by Diana St. B. Weatherall Sponsored by Robin and Ross Robinson
Jordana Daumec Tiffany Mosher Christopher Stalzer Second Soloist Second Soloist Second Soloist Born: New York City, New York Born: Halifax, Nova Scotia Born: Atlanta, Georgia Trained : Canada’s National Trained : Scotia Dance Trained : Rotaru International Ballet School Studios and Canada's Ballet School Joined National Ballet: 2004 National Ballet School Joined National Ballet: 2007 Promoted to Second Joined National Ballet: 2000 Promoted to Second Soloist: 2010 Promoted to Second Soloist: 2012 Soloist: 2013
Page 24 national.ballet.ca Board of Directors As of October 24, 2013 Chair Krista Kerr David Binet Robert Lawrie Philip Lieberman Jane Allen Jerry Lozinski Aleksandar Antonijevic, David Macdonald Dylan Tedaldi ex officio Geneviève McKillop Second Soloist Maurizio Baccante, Ryan McNally Born: Boston, Massachusetts ex officio Donna Meyers Trained : Boston Ballet School , John Bailey Linda O’Leary School of The Hamburg Ballet Susanne Boyce Nancy Pencer Joined National Ballet Marlene DelZotto Lynda Prince Corps de Ballet: 2010 The Honourable Nicole Robbie J. Pryde Promoted to Second Eaton, Senator Gretchen Ross Soloist: 2013 Brenda Eprile, ex officio Victor R. Royce Bronwen Evans Mavis Staines C.M., Sandra Faire ex officio Corps in Lead Roles Kevin Garland, ex officio Daniel F. Sullivan Greta Hodgkinson, ex officio Noreen Taylor Victoria Jackman Beth Wilson Karen Kain C.C., ex officio Cornell C.V. Wright
Krista Dowson Honorary Board Baba As of October 24, 2013 Born: Simcoe, Ontario Trained : Canada’s National Avie Bennett, C.C. O.Ont. William Herridge, Q.C. Ballet School Judith Cohen Donald K. Johnson, O.C. Joined National Ballet Judi Conacher Paul O’Donoghue Corps de Ballet: 2002 Missy Crosbie Rose Patten Sponsored by Lucy White Jeanie Davis Aaron Regent Sherry Taylor Drew Robin Robinson James Fleck, O.C. Susan Scace William Harris The National Ballet Emma Hawes Snow Queen of Canada, Born: Delaware, Ohio Trained : BalletMet’s Dance Endowment Foundation Academy in Columbus, Ohio and Canada’s National Ballet Board of Directors School As of October 17, 2013 Joined National Ballet Corps de Ballet: 2011 Chair Secretary David Macdonald Pamela Ouzounian President David Banks Kevin Garland David Binet Vice-President Ed Esposto Karen Kain Mary Hallward Lucille Joseph James Leja Treasurer Krista Kerr Uncle Nikolai Barry Shour, CPA, CA Born: Montréal, Québec Jerry Lozinski Trained : Quinte Ballet School Director of Development Sue Matthews in Belleville, Ontario Diana Reitberger, CFRE Vanessa Morgan Joined National Ballet James Pitblado, C.M. Corps de Ballet: 2003
Page 26 national.ballet.ca Staff Artistic Vlodek Kluczynski ICT Consultants / JSO Consulting Artistic Director Ron Mulesa Jeffrie Owen Karen Kain, C.C. Resident Pilates Teacher Avin Gobin Artistic Administrator Je-an Salas Rob Townsend Gerard Roxburgh Physiotherapist Company Management Assistant Artist-in-Residence Ginette Hamel Sarita Dotan Rex Harrington, O.C. Consulting Podiatrist Facilities Manager Principal Artistic Coach Dr. Nicholas Durand, D.Pod.M. Stephen Chadwick Magdalena Popa Consulting Chiropractor Receptionist Artistic Director, Dr. Cameron Borody Seta Nigoghossian YOU dance /Ballet Master Consulting Naturopathic Doctor Lindsay Fischer Dr. Melissa Piercell Communications Senior Ballet Master Consulting Opthamologist Director of Communications Peter Ottmann Dr. Michael Easterbrook Julia Drake Senior Ballet Mistress Senior Associate Director, Mandy-Jayne Richardson The National Ballet of Canada is Communications Choreographic Associates grateful to the Sports Medicine Belinda Bale Robert Binet Specialists (150 Eglinton Avenue Associate Director, Audience Guillaume Côté East, Toronto); the University and Donor Services Pointe Shoe Manager / Health Network, Department Veronica McLellan Assistant Ballet Mistress of Orthopaedics and Sports Senior Manager, Audience and Lorna Geddes Medicine; and the Medcan Clinic Donor Services Personal Assistant to the (150 York Street, Toronto) for their Bethany Bleile Artistic Director / Administrative continued support of the Dancer Senior Public Relations and Manager, Artistic Department Health and Wellness Programme; Publications Manager Pamela Steele and to those physicians who have Catherine Chang Scheduling Coordinator generously donated their time Senior Manager, Web & Sophie Letendre to the National Ballet of Canada. Digital Media Guest Répétiteurs Stephen Cunningham Watershed Music Director, In Studio Ami Shulman Music Director and Principal Kate Kernaghan A Month in the Country Conductor Senior Manager of Telesales Anthony Dowell* David Briskin James Pereira Grant Coyle Principal Pianist Senior Graphic Designer Onegin Janis Neilson Joanna Todd Reid Anderson Pianists Manager, Audience Spectre de la Rose Edward Connell and Donor Services Giovanni di Palma Andrei Streliaev Susan Eissler the second detail Zhenya Yesmanovich, Archives Manager Jill Johnson YOU dance Orchestra Personnel Adrienne Nevile Guest Teachers and Coaches Manager and Music Administrator Marketing Operations Associate Roberto Campanella Raymond Tizzard Danielle McCann Jean-Yves Esquerre Assistant to the Music Director Education and Outreach Michel Faigaux Jean Verch Associate Robert Glumbek Librarian Lisa Robinson Owen Montague Lucie Parent Assistant Manager of Telesales Matjash Mrozewski Alison Moss Tatiana Tchernova Administration Publicity Coordinator Executive Director Christine Achampong *Made possible by a generous Kevin Garland Web and Digital Media donation by The Frank Gerstein Director of Finance and Coordinator Charitable Foundation. Administration Seowon Bang Barry Shour, CPA, CA Junior Graphic Designer Dancer Wellness Programme Director of Human Resources Marta Ryczko Director of Dancer Wellness Leigh Ann Layno Coordinators, Audience Marla Pichler Executive Assistant / Board and Donor Services Sports Medicine Physicians Secretary Nicole Ascroft Dr. Julia Alleyne Pamela Ouzounian Karen Brown Dr. Michael Clarfield Payroll and Benefits Manager Patty Pedersen Orthopaedic Surgeon Jenny Mah Box Office Supervisor, Dr. Darrell Ogilvie-Harris Human Resources Officer Audience and Donor Services Family Practitioner Kathleen Matatya Anne Meighan Dr. Julia Hamilton General Accountants Assistant Publicity Coordinator Urgent Care Sandra Gandola, CB Nima Naik Dr. Janice Weiss Demitrios Prevenas Audience and Donor Psychologist Li Ye Services Representatives Dr. Doug Misener Shu Zhang, CGA Victoria Banjavcic Company Athletic Therapist Business Analysts Terry Bursey Paul Papoutsakis Fernando Margueirat Leif Conti-Groome Company Massage Therapists Mohiuddin Faruqe Denis Couillard Brian Bastedo Application Support Analyst Michael Cursio Peter Blatz Kruti Shah Rachel Day Murray Howerth Maureen Gualtieri
Page 28 national.ballet.ca Heather Ogden and Guillaume Côté. Photo by Christopher Wahl.
Presents Swan Lake March 8 – 16, 2014
The greatest classical ballet of all time returns to the Four Seasons Centre for March Break!
Performances in November completely sold out , book your tickets today . national.ballet.ca 416 345 9595 Staff continued Lindsay Montgomery Officer, Friends’ Corps Scenery constructed at the Ansley Newland Deanna Underwood Gretchen Ross Production Centre Melissa O’Neil Executive Assistant to the by members of I.A.T.S.E. Local 58. James Orr Director of Development Devin Upham Margie Pacini Property Supervisor Beth Wolfe Senior Coordinator, Special John Miracle Adminstrative Assistant, Events Resident Scenic Artist Telesales Rebecca Hodge Kelly Palmer William Bruce Coordinator, Special Events Assistant Scenic Artist Telesales Representatives and Turnout Mark Reid Daniel Ariaratnam Taylor Lafontaine Zoya Boruchov Coordinator, Administration Properties constructed at the Stephan Carmichael Lucy White Gretchen Ross Production Centre Rahim Ladha by members of I.A.T.S.E. Local 828. Bill McGee Production Joyce McKerrow Production Director Wardrobe Brian Ravok James Thornley Wardrobe Supervisor Rachelle Ziber Associate Director of Production Marjory Fielding Yvette Drumgold Wardrobe Coordinator Development Assistant to the Production Barbara de Kat Director of Development Director Assistant to the Wardrobe Diana Reitberger, CFRE Alex Naylor Supervisor Associate Director of Stage Managers Kathleen Johnston Development, Major Gifts Ernest Abugov Resident Cutters Kate Halpenny Jeff Morris Ruth Bartel Senior Development Manager, Stage Manager, YOU dance Christopher Read Communications Peter Sherk Assistant to Cutters John Hart Assistant Stage Manager Susan Howse Senior Manager, Corporate Tiffany Fraser Assistant Wardrobe Coordinator Partnerships Lighting Coordinator Grant Heaps Susan Rutledge Jeff Logue Costume Rental Coordinator Manager, Development Master Carpenter Mary Hurley Operations and Individual Giving John Alexander Wig and Make-up Supervisor Leah Heidenheim Head Electrician Charles Seminerio Manager, Major Gifts Stephen O’Connor Footwear Coordinator and Gift Planning Property Master Lacey Harrington Joanna Ivey Michael Ellenton Footwear Assistant Manager, Special Events Assistant Carpenter Rose Marie Thomas and Turnout Paul McNamara Additional Stitchers Kristina Schreiber Assistant Carpenter /Flyman Lisa Di Quinzio Senior Officer, Patrons’ Council Geoff Kay Lisa Farinaccio Anthony Stewart Assistant Electricians Julie Middleton Officer, Major Gifts Ron Gorveatt Krista Nauman Marielle Bryck Chris Brooks Victoria Shillington Officer, Writer Millinery Caroline Dickie Production Workshop Deborah Camken Officer, Research Construction Supervisor Dying Laurie Nemetz Gord Graham Sue Willis Officer, Communications Assistant Carpenter Nutcracker Fitting Assistant Tara Robinson Sandy Middleton Mathew Simpson
The National Ballet of Canada gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the following:
Bringing the arts to life The Government of Canada – The We acknowledge the support of the De l’art plein la vie Department of Canadian Heritage, through Ontario Arts Council (OAC), an agency of The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of the Government of Ontario, which last year Canadian Heritage and Official Languages funded 1,681 individual artists and 1,125 organizations in 216 communities across Ontario for a total of $52.8 million.
THE VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE, THE NATIONAL BALLET OF CANADA
The National Ballet of Canada operates under the jurisdiction of the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association. The National Ballet of Canada is a member of the Canadian Dance Assembly, Dancer Transition Resource Centre and Dance USA.
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