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FALL 2019 SEASON B R AVO The Joffrey NOV. 2 AND 3, 2019

BalletMet’s NOV. 30 AND DEC. 1, 2019

Too Hot To Handel DEC. 14, 2019

The 2019-2020 Dance Season is made possible by a generous gift from Richard and Joanne Brodie PHOTO BY CHERYL MANN CHERYL BY PHOTO e Katherine McGregor Dessert Parlor …at e Whitney. Named a er David Whitney’s daughter, Katherine Whitney McGregor, our intimate dessert parlor on the Mansion’s third  oor features a variety of decadent cakes, tortes, and miniature desserts.  e menu also includes chef-prepared specialties, pies, and “Drinkable Desserts.” Don’t miss the amazing  aming dessert station featuring Bananas Foster and Cherries Jubilee.

Reserve tonight’s table online at www.thewhitney.com or call 313-832-5700 4421 Woodward Ave.,

Pre- eater Menu Available on performance date with today’s ticket. Choose one from each course:

FIRST COURSE Caesar Side Salad Chef’s Soup of the Day e Whitney Duet MAIN COURSE Grilled Lamb Chops Lake Superior White sh Pan Roasted “Brick” Chicken Sautéed Gnocchi View current menus DESSERT and reserve online at Chocolate Mousse or www.thewhitney.com Mixed Berry Sorbet with Fresh Berries or call 313-832-5700 $39.95 4421 Woodward Ave., Detroit

e Katherine McGregor Dessert Parlor …at e Whitney. Named a er David Whitney’s daughter, Katherine Whitney McGregor, our intimate dessert parlor on the Mansion’s third  oor features a variety of decadent cakes, tortes, and miniature desserts.  e menu also includes chef-prepared specialties, pies, and “Drinkable Desserts.” Don’t miss the amazing  aming dessert station featuring Bananas Foster and Cherries Jubilee.

Reserve tonight’s table online at www.thewhitney.com or call 313-832-5700 4421 Woodward Ave., Detroit

Pre- eater Menu Available on performance date with today’s ticket. Choose one from each course:

FIRST COURSE Caesar Side Salad Chef’s Soup of the Day e Whitney Duet MAIN COURSE Grilled Lamb Chops Lake Superior White sh Pan Roasted “Brick” Chicken Sautéed Gnocchi View current menus DESSERT and reserve online at Chocolate Mousse or www.thewhitney.com Mixed Berry Sorbet with Fresh Berries or call 313-832-5700 $39.95 4421 Woodward Ave., Detroit Fall 2019 bravo Contents Dance Season The Official Magazine of 1526 Broadway, Detroit, MI 48226 ON STAGE The ...... 6 Erica Hobbs, Editor Jon Teeuwissen, Contributor FEATURE: The Joffrey Ballet: A Forward-Thinking Publisher: Company That Continues to Push Boundaries...... 10 Publications, Inc. FEATURE: A Q&A with MOT’s New Artistic Advisor for Dance...... 11 Royal Oak, Michigan www.echopublications.com BalletMet’s The Nutcracker...... 12 Tom Putters, President Profiles from the Pit...... 17 Physicians’ services provided by Too Hot To Handel...... 18 Henry Ford Medical Center. ...... 27 Comet Interactive is the official media production company of the Detroit Children’s Chorus: Opera House. The Very Last Green Thing...... 29 Michigan Opera Theatre is a nonprofit cultural organization, whose activities are supported in part by the Michigan Council for Arts and MICHIGAN OPERA THEATRE Cultural Affairs, the National Endowment for , and other individuals, corporations, Boards of Directors and Trustees...... 4 and foundations. Michigan Opera Theatre is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Welcome...... 5 Michigan Opera Theatre Contributors...... 22 Administration and Staff...... 28 General Information...... 31

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Fall 2019 3 BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2019-2020 July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020

R. Jamison Williams Margaret Allesee Marianne Endicott Sara Pozzi DIRECTORS EMERITUS Chairman Pernilla Ammann Paul E. Ewing Paul Ragheb Shelly Cooper Lee Barthel Barbara Frankel Ruth Rattner Marjorie M. Fisher Wayne S. Brown Richard A. Brodie Herman Frankel Ankur Rungta Jennifer Nasser President and CEO Elizabeth Brooks Dean Friedman Terry Shea Audrey Rose Enrico Digirolamo Robert Brown Richard G. Goetz Matthew Simoncini William Sandy Chair, Finance James Ciroli John P. Hale Richard Sonenklar Richard Webb Committee Françoise Colpron Devon Hoover Lorna Thomas Joanne Danto Danialle Karmanos C. Thomas Toppin Cameron B. Duncan Julia Donovan Darlow Barbara Kratchman Jesse Venegas Treasurer Ethan Davidson Thomas M. Krikorian Ellen Hill Zeringue Kevin Dennis Alphonse S. Lucarelli Gene P. Bowen Shauna Ryder Diggs Donald Manvel Secretary Sonal Dubey Ali Moiin Michael Einheuser Peter Oleksiak

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2019-2020 July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020

Kenn and Liz Allen Karen V. DiChiera Gary and Gwenn Johnson Spencer and R. Jamison and Robert and Lisa DiChiera George Johnson Myrna Partrich Karen Williams Margaret Allesee Shauna Ryder Diggs Jill Johnson Daniel and Joan Young and Sarah Allison Enrico and Ellen Kahn Margaret Pehrson Thomas L. Schellenberg Pernilla Ammann Kathleen Digirolamo Peter and Sara Pozzi Mary Lou Zieve Lourdes V. Andaya Debbie Dingell Danialle Karmanos Waltraud Prechter Ellen Hill Zeringue Harold Mitchell Arrington Mary Jane Doerr Stephanie Germack Kerzic Paul and Amy Ragheb Beverly Avadenka Dilip and Sonal Dubey Michael and John and Terry Rakolta TRUSTEES EMERITI Lee and Floy Barthel Cameron B. Duncan Barbara Kratchman Ruth F. Rattner Marcia Applebaum Mark and Caprice Baun Michael Einheuser Thomas and Roy and Maureen Roberts Agustin Arbulu Debra Bernstein-Siegel Kenneth and Deborah Krikorian Patricia H. Rodzik Marvin A. Frenkel Joseph and Barbra Frances Eisenberg Melvin A. Lester David and Preston and Mary Happel Gene P. Bowen Marianne Endicott Linda Dresner Levy and Jacqueline Roessler E. Jan and Pat Hartmann Richard and Gwen Bowlby Alex Erdeljan Edward Levy Audrey Rose Robert and Wally Klein Betty J. Bright Fern R. Espino and Mado Lie Carolyn L. Ross William and Richard and Thomas Short Arthur and Nancy Liebler Anthony and Marjorie Sandy Joanne Brodie Paul and Mary Sue Ewing Stephan and Sabrina Rugiero Roberta Starkweather Elizabeth Brooks Margo Cohen Feinberg Marian Loginsky Ankur Rungta and Paul and Janet Victor Robert Brown and and Robert Feinberg Mary Alice Lomason Mayssoun Bydon Amelia H. Wilhelm Geraldine Ford-Brown Oscar and Dede Feldman James LoPrete Hershel and Wayne S. Brown Carl and Alphonse S. Lucarelli Dorothy Sandberg FOUNDING MEMBERS and Brenda Kee Mary Ann Fontana Denise Lutz Donald and Kim Schmidt Mr.† & Mrs.† Lynn A. Charles D. Bullock Elaine Fontana Donald Manvel Mark and Lois Shaevsky Townsend, Michael and Mary Chirco Barbara Frankel and Florine Mark Arlene Shaler Founding Chairman James and Elizabeth Ciroli Ron Michalak Ronald and Terry Shea Mr. & Mrs.† Avern L. Cohn Gloria Clark Herman and Zvezdana Martella Matthew and Dr. & Mrs. John H. DeCarlo Avern and Lois Cohn Sharon Frankel Jack Martin and Mona Simoncini Dr. † & Mrs. David DiChiera Thomas Cohn Dean and Aviva Friedman Bettye Arrington-Martin Sheila Sloan Mr.† & Mrs.† Aaron H. Françoise Colpron Barbara Garavaglia Dexter Mason William H. Smith Gershenson William and Kelly Connell Yousif and Mara Ghafari Benjamin Meeker and Phyllis F. Snow Mr. & Mrs. Donald C. Peter and Shelly Cooper Richard and Aurora Goetz Meredith Korneffel Richard A. Sonenklar Graves † † Joanne Danto Carolyn Gordon Eugene and Lois Miller and Gregory Haynes Mr. & Mrs. John C. Griffin and Arnold Weingarden Samuel and Phillip D. and Dawn Minch Mary Anne Stella Mr. & Mrs. Harry L. Jones Helen Daoud Toby Haberman Ali Moiin and Ronald F. Switzer and The Hon.†& Mrs.†Wade H. Julia D. Darlow and Alice Berberian Haidostian William Kupsky Jim F. McClure McCree, Jr. John C. O’Meara John and Kristan Hale Donald and Lorna Thomas Mr. Harry J. Nederlander Jerry and Eugene and Antoinette Morelock C. Thomas and Mr. E. Harwood Rydholm† Maureen D’Avanzo Donna Hartwig E. Michael and Bernie Toppin Mr. & Mrs. Neil Snow Lawrence and Doreen Hermelin Dolores Mutchler James G. Vella Mr. & Mrs. Richard Dodie David Derek and Karen Hodgson Allan and Joy Nachman Jesse and Strichartz Ethan and Devon Hoover Barbara Nusbaum Yesenia Venegas Mr.† & Mrs.† Robert C. Gretchen Davidson Alan and Eleanor Israel Juliette Okotie-Eboh Marilyn Victor VanderKloot Kevin Dennis and Una Jackman Peter Oleksiak Inge Vincent Dr.† & Mrs.† Sam B. Williams Jeremy Zeltzer Don Jensen Linda Orlans Bradley Wakefield and Mr.† & Mrs.† Theodore O. Cristina DiChiera and Leo Dovelle Richard and Meghann Rutherford Yntema Kent and Amy Jidov Debra Partrich

4 BRAVO • Fall 2019 www.MichiganOpera.org Michigan Opera Theatre † Deceased WELCOME

elcome to the Detroit Opera House at the David s Michigan Opera Theatre’s new Artistic Advisor WDiChiera Center for the Performing Arts! Michigan Afor Dance, I’m thrilled to begin my first season Opera Theatre (MOT) is delighted to welcome you with the company. Dance is my passion, and it to our most adventurous and artistically exceptional is a joy to be able to share that with others. This dance season yet. Our enhanced commitment to fall, we are proud to present two incredible dance dance programming this season is marked by the performances: The Joffrey Ballet’s Beyond the inclusion of some of the most esteemed troupes and Shore and BalletMet’s The Nutcracker. choreographers active in the and Europe. The Joffrey Ballet is a unique company and one It also advances our partnership with University Musical that is particularly close to my heart. I am a huge fan of Society to present larger ballet both The Joffrey and of dance productions and a greater history, and I had the honor variety of and privilege to work closely performances. with co-founder , The Joffrey Ballet returns whom I considered a mentor. for the first time since 2014, From 2001-2008, I served offering three recent premieres as The Joffrey’s Executive choreographed by some of Director, leading a financial Europe’s most in-demand talent. turnaround, spearheading a We are also pleased to offer $35 million capital campaign masterclasses with The Joffrey to create The Joffrey’s first dancers to dance students at permanent home, planning the 50th Anniversary that and the Detroit Public Schools Community District. drew 50,000 people to ’s These are among the wide array of dance education over one week filled with extensive activities, and last programs MOT continues to introduce throughout the but certainly not least, participating on the artistic community. succession committee that brought Ashley Wheater For nearly two decades, MOT presents a holiday to The Joffrey as Artistic Director. A unanimous first favorite, The Nutcracker. BalletMet of Columbus returns choice, Ashley has done an outstanding job of raising for a limited one-weekend engagement, which proudly the artistic level of performance and expanding features young dancers gathered from across Metro the company’s repertoire with his selection of Detroit and the Michigan Opera Theatre Orchestra extraordinary programming. playing Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score. Beyond the Shore invites audiences to experience MOT is grateful to Joanne and Richard Brodie and a range of emotions. Vespertine is a lavish piece that the Maxine and Stuart Frankel Foundation as new pays homage to the Baroque period. The ballet Beyond season sponsors of the 2019–2020 Dance Season and the Shore (the program’s namesake) takes viewers to its complementary community engagement programs. six different worlds, inviting curiosity and exploration. Recently, MOT announced Jon Teeuwissen’s The self-explanatory Joy is a celebration of happiness, appointment as Artistic Advisor for Dance. This new with infectious movements that spread the feeling to role will guide the curation of our dance presentations the audience. and strengthen MOT’s collaborative relationships within Detroit’s holiday season launches with the dance industry. Jon comes to us with more than BalletMet’s The Nutcracker over Thanksgiving 40 years in dance management, including leadership weekend. Beloved by the young and the young at roles with The Joffrey, Dance Theatre of and heart, no holiday season would be complete without Theatre. We look forward to the experiencing this traditional production of a perennial growth and vision he will bring to our dance programs. favorite. With lavish sets, beautiful and MOT is appreciative of the William Davidson Tchaikovsky’s lush score performed by our own MOT Foundation for its generous support of the 2019-2020 orchestra, it’s a magical experience we’re pleased to Season. In addition, we thank the Ford Motor Company share with you. for its Fall Opera Season support, including Sondheim’s We invite you sit back and enjoy the performance! Sweeney Todd. Now we invite you to relax, enjoy the performance and we hope to see you again soon at the Detroit Opera House. Jon Teeuwissen Artistic Advisor for Dance Michigan Opera Theatre

Wayne S. Brown President and CEO Michigan Opera Theatre

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Fall 2019 5 ASHLEY WHEATER The Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director

GREG CAMERON President & CEO

November 2 and 3, 2019 Founder

GERALD ARPINO Founder

Artists of The Company DERRICK AGNOLETTI ~ YOSHIHISA ARAI ~ AMANDA ASSUCENA EDSON BARBOSA ~ MIGUEL ANGEL BLANCO ~ EVAN BOERSMA ANAIS BUENO ~ FABRICE CALMELS ~ VALERIA CHAYKINA ~ NICOLE CIAPPONI LUCIA CONNOLLY ~ JOSÉ PABLO CASTRO CUEVAS ~ APRIL DALY JONATHAN DOLE ~ DEREK DRILON ~ FERNANDO DUARTE OLIVIA DURYEA ~ CARA MARIE GARY ~ ANNA GERBERICH STEFAN GONCALVEZ ~ DYLAN GUTIERREZ ~ DARA HOLMES YUKA IWAI ~ VICTORIA JAIANI ~ HANSOL JEONG ~ GAYEON JUNG YUMI KANAZAWA ~ HYUMA KIYOSAWA ~ BROOKE LINFORD GREIG MATTHEWS ~ GRAHAM MAVERICK ~ JERALDINE MENDOZA XAVIER NÚNEZ ~ PRINCESS REID ~ AARON RENTERIA ~ CHRISTINE ROCAS JULIA RUST ~ CHLOÉ SHERMAN ~ TEMUR SULUASHVILI MIU TANAKA ~ OLIVIA TANG-MIFSUD ~ ALONSO TEPETZI ALBERTO VELAZQUEZ ~ JOANNA WOZNIAK ~ VALENTINO MONEGLIA ZAMORA

SCOTT SPECK NICOLAS BLANC CODY CHEN Music Director ADAM BLYDE Production Manager SUZANNE LOPEZ BRADLEY RENNER Ballet Masters/Principal Coaches KATHERINE SELIG General Manager Principal Stage Manager GRACE KIM BLAIR BALDWIN MICHAEL MORICZ AMANDA HEUERMANN Company Manager Company Pianists Stage Manager

The 2019-2020 Dance Season is made possible by generous gifts from Joanne and Richard Brodie and The Maxine and Stuart Frankel Foundation, with additional support from the Marvin, Betty, and Joanne Danto Family Foundation and Jeremy Zeltzer and Kevin Dennis.

Patrons are requested to turn off pagers, cellular phones, and signal watches during performances. The taking of photographs and the use of recording devices are not allowed in this . Program and artists subject to change.

6 BRAVO • Fall 2019 www.MichiganOpera.org Michigan Opera Theatre THE JOFFREY BALLET

Ashley Wheater, Music is a big driving force for me. Beyond the Shore The Mary B. Galvin Artistic It’s your script. You don’t have words, Beyond the Shore follows the score Director you have music. I pride myself on of ’ The B-Sides and a being a choreographer that really is a soundscape serving as a prologue, Born in Scotland and raised in musical one and will pay respect to the originally composed by Bates for this England, Wheater was trained at The score I’m using regardless of what it piece. Through the ballet, as well as . is. It’s a real driving point. Every step I through the music, the piece makes Wheater began his choreograph, that music is in the back us land in a new world different from professional career of my head. I try and go in with a good the previous one — each movement with understanding of the musical layout inhabits a new environment. and danced at the of it, even if I don’t have steps. The I thought it would be a great Festival musical arc and the climaxes and the concept and challenge to build a piece Ballet, The Australian suspense it builds is a narrative layout in which I would treat each movement Ballet, The Joffrey for the piece itself. as six consecutive short stories, each Ballet, and Ballet. In —, choreographer time aiming to capture the essence 1997, he became at , and in 2002, Assistant to the Artistic Director. In 2007, Wheater was appointed Artistic Director of The Joffrey Ballet. New work is the life blood of a company, and he has introduced numerous premieres to the repertoire. In 2008, the Boeing Corporation SUPPORTING recognized his commitment to community outreach and diversity in the world of dance, presenting THE ARTS him the “Game Changer” award. In 2010, Wheater, representing The Joffrey Ballet, was named Lincoln Academy Laureate, the highest honor Honigman celebrates presented by the State of . The Chicago Tribune selected Wheater Michigan Opera Theatre’s as 2013 “Chicagoan of the Year” for his contributions to dance. In 2014, 2019-2020 season Wheater accepted the Chicago Spirit of Innovation Award for The Joffrey Ballet and in 2015, he received the University of Chicago Rosenberger Medal for Outstanding Achievement in the Creative and Performing Arts. He also serves as the Artistic Director of the Joffrey Academy of Dance, the Official School of The Joffrey Ballet. Ballet Notes

Vespertine Vespertine was the second ballet that I created for Norwegian National Ballet. It came very quickly after Firebird, which was a big production. Obviously with that momentous Stravinsky score, the opulence and scale of everything was enormous, so I wanted to do something a little more paired down and slightly more nuanced and delicate. Vespertine was part of a Baroque evening. I got in touch with a small chamber orchestra based in Norway that dealt with Baroque-era music, but with a slight updated twist www.honigman.com and electronic undertones, and it came from there.

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Fall 2019 7 THE JOFFREY BALLET and the mood of the music and the In 2015, Ekman created his own atmosphere it carries. For example, as version of A Midsummer Night’s Alexander Ekman is an international Bates explains, the second movement, Dream at the , choreographer/director creating dance “Aerosol Melody (Hanalei),” blooms on which became an instant hit with the pieces for opera houses the Northshore of Kauai, while the third audience and critics. and museums. He also directs films movement, “Gemini in the Solar Wind,” He received the Swedish Medea and music videos as well as live is a re-imagination of the first American Award för “Inventor and renewer” performances in pop-up locations. spacewalk using actual communication in September 2015, as well as the Ekman is known for his fast-paced samples from the 1965 Gemini IV Såstaholm Award and the Birgit timing, witty humor, and clever voyage provided by NASA.” Cullberg Scholarship, and in 2016, he transitions. He aims to create work The approach of Beyond the received the German theatre award which the majority can relate to and Shore is a metaphor for exploration “Der ” for his ballet COW for the connect with. Since 2006, he has inherent to human nature. It means Semperoper Ballet. devoted his time creating pieces not staying set at the dock but taking which both entertain and question the off to new horizons and discovering observer. He aims to transform the Liam Scarlett new landscapes both literal and atmosphere in the audience and to Born in Ipswich, England he trained abstract. I explored my vocabulary as always surprise the audience. at the Linda Shipton School of Dancing a choreographer by looking at new Around 50 dance companies and then The Royal Ballet School ways to think and interact with each worldwide have performed works by before graduating other expanding how we communicate Ekman. A few of them are the Royal to The Royal Ballet in the complex world we live in. The Swedish Ballet, Cullberg Ballet, in 2005. He was work doesn’t aim for a strict narrative, Compañia Nacional de Danza Goteborg promoted to First yet the atmosphere and mood of each Ballet, Iceland Dance Company, Bern Artist in 2008, and as piece is showing just beneath the Ballet, Cedar Lake Contemporary a dancer his repertory surface like a watermark. Dance, Ballet de included Alain (La As Balanchine said, “Storyless is not l’Opéra du Rhin, The Fille mal Gardée), abstract. Two dancers on the stage are Norwegian National Magdaveya (La Bayadère), Neapolitan enough material for a story; for me, Ballet, Boston (), Golden they are already a story in themselves.” Ballet, Royal Ballet Hours (Elite Syncopations), Gloria (pas —Nicolas Blanc, choreographer of Flanders, Sydney de quatre), , Dancing Master Joy Dance Company, () and Beggar Chief (Manon), “How can we express joy through The Royal Ballet among others. He also worked with our movements?“ of , and Vienna Ballet. He choreographers such as Christopher I asked the dancers this question also created for festivals such as the Wheeldon, and Wayne on our first day creating. I leaned back French Europa Danse and the Athens McGregor. in my chair, observed the dancers, and International Dance Festival. In 2012, he retired from dancing and started to smile. To observe dancers His work Cacti has become a was appointed Artist in Residence with feeling joy on stage is contagious. worldwide hit and has been performed The Royal Ballet. Joy (previously titled Episode 47) is by 18 dance companies. Cacti was Whilst with The Royal Ballet my 47th piece. A piece created in only nominated for the Dutch dance prize he created Few Things Are (2005), two weeks in Chicago. For the first Zwaan 2010, for the National Dance Vayamos al Diablo and Despite (2006), time in a long time, I wanted to just Award (UK) 2012, and also for the for ROH2’s In Good Company. For The arrive in the studio without preparing British prestigious Olivier Award. Cacti Royal Ballet’s New Works in the Linbury too much. I wanted to see what the continues to entertain audiences he created Of Mozart (2008) and dancers would bring to the piece. The around the world with its important Consolations and Liebestraum (2009), is something completely message. both of which were nominated for a different than I expected - that is the In 2014, Ekman created his own Critics Award for best new pure joy of creating in the moment. To version of Swan Lake, a new take of the Classical Choreography. He returned be open to dancers’ talents and unique most famous ballet of them all. A Swan to The Royal Ballet School in 2009 to expressions can bring personality and Lake received enormous attention create Danse Bohemienne and Toccata depth to the work. Through playing we worldwide. Ekman filled the stage with for the graduate students again for The have come up with this quirky universe. 6,000 liters of water creating a real lake . In 2019 he created Seeing a new work come alive in on stage. A Swan Lake is available on The Cunning Little Vixen for both Lower front of us, together, is the best job in DVD and the documentary Rare Birds and Upper School students to be the world. I have to give a big thank you by T.M. Rives shows the process of performed alongside The Royal Ballet to Julia Eichten who has helped me how it became possible to create a lake at House. create this work. inside an opera house. In 2009, he participated in the New I hope you will feel joy when you He has also collaborated closely York Choreographic Institutes Fall watch this piece. with top fashion designer Henrik Program creating Gargoyles with mem- —Alexander Ekman, choreographer Vibskov who created the costumes for bers of Ballet. He has Ekman’s A Swan Lake. Vibskov then also participated in ROH2’s Dancelines adapted the choreography for his fall for three years led by . collection which was shown in Paris He was a member of the Jury for the and Copenhagen during fashion week. 1st Beijing International Ballet and Choreography Competition in 2011.

8 BRAVO • Fall 2019 www.MichiganOpera.org Michigan Opera Theatre THE JOFFREY BALLET

His first commission for the main A Midsummer Night’s Dream for In 2006 and 2007, he created two stage with The Royal Ballet, Asphodel the and works for the trainees of San Francisco Meadows (2010), was nominated to great critical Ballet School. for a South Bank Show Award, an acclaim. Blanc was awarded a special Olivier Award and won the Critics 2016 brought another new prize in performing arts by the city Circle Dance Award for best Classical commission for the San Francisco of Dusseldorf in 1998, a special Choreography. He followed this with Ballet with Fearful Symmetries, a new Hometown Recognition Prize in 2004 Sweet Violets (2012), a psychological position of Artistic Associate with the and 2013 and was also named one of dance drama based on the painter Queensland Ballet and Frankenstein, the “25 to Watch” by Dance Magazine Walter Sickert and the notorious Jack his first main stage full length ballet for in 2004. In 2010, he was nominated the Ripper cases, and went on to The Royal Ballet, co-produced with the with Tina LeBlanc for an Isadora create his first full length work Hansel San Francisco Ballet. Duncan Dance Award. and Gretel (2013) in the Linbury Studio 2018 was the year Liam created Blanc joined as Theatre. He worked closely with the closing ceremony for the Ballet Master in 2009 and has been designer John Bausor who created Commonwealth Games in conjunction Ballet Master with The Joffrey Ballet a dark and unique twist to the old with Queensland Ballet, The Queen since 2011. Since then, he has created children’s tale. of Spades, his first full length work for several pieces for the annual fundraiser He also was part of the creative the and, lastly, a for Embarc Chicago, as well as a team involved in The Royal new Swan Lake production for The dance for the Chicago Shakespeare Ballet and The National Gallery’s Royal Ballet. For this, Liam worked with Theatre. In July 2014, Blanc received Titian:Metamorphosis 2012, where his original main stage designer John the choreographic award at IBC for he choreographed Diana and Actaeon MacFarlene and to critical acclaim. his duet Rendez-vous. He created (2012) working with Turner Prize L’espace d’un Chapitre for a French Winner Chris Ofili. Nicolas Blanc dance festival in July 2013. It made In America, he created and Nicolas Blanc started his dance its U.S. debut under the title Evenfall designed Viscera (2012) for Miami training in Montauban, France, for The Joffrey Ballet during the 2015 City Ballet, which entered The Royal continuing at the Academie de Spring program. He was selected Ballet repertoire later in 2012. He also Danse Classique to participate to the 2015 National created and designed Euphotic (2013) Princesse Grace in Choreographers Initiative (NCI) and for , his first scenic Monte-Carlo. After created Orphee in 2015. In Fall 2015, and costume design. winning a scholarship he was chosen to participate in New He created Gala works for The in the 1994 Prix York City Ballet’s (NYCB) New York Royal ballet including Jubilee Pas de Lausanne, he Choreographic Institute where he de Deux (2012) for Her Majesty The completed his created the work which Queen as part of the Extraordinary education at the Paris premiered at NYCB’s 2016 Spring World Gala and a Grand Defile with Opera Ballet School. He went on to Gala. Blanc also created two works for members of The Royal Opera and dance for Nice Opera Ballet, Deutsche Barak Ballet Tableaux Vivants (2016) The Royal Ballet for the International Oper am Rhein in Dusseldorf, Zurich and Desert Transport (2018), as well as Olympic Committee set to Beethoven. Ballet and San Francisco Ballet, where Opus 48 and Ferdinand the Bull for the He also created Summertime (2015) in he was made in 2004. Joffrey Academy of Dance. the Life Reimagined Gala. In 2013, he created Serpent for BalletBoyz:TheTalent, his first commission for a contemporary About The Joffrey Ballet Robert Joffrey in 1956, guided by company followed by Promenade Classically trained to the celebrated choreographer Gerald Sentimentale (2013) to music by highest standards, The Joffrey Arpino from 1988 until 2007, The Ballet expresses a unique, inclusive Joffrey Ballet continues to thrive Debussy for K Ballet. perspective on dance, proudly under internationally renowned The In 2013, Liam created reflecting the diversity of America Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director Ashley for the Norwegian National Ballet, with its company, audiences, and Wheater and President and CEO Greg followed closely by Vespertine, his repertoire which includes major Cameron. second commission, to which he also story , reconstructions of designed the costumes. masterpieces and contemporary Mission Linking up with John Bausor again, works. The Joffrey is a world-class, in 2014 Liam created No Man’s Land The Company’s commitment Chicago-based for the , in to accessibility is met through an and dance education organization memory of the centenary of the First innovative and highly effective committed to artistic excellence World War receiving a nomination for education program including the and innovation, presenting a this at the Critics Circle Dance Award much lauded Academy of Dance, unique repertoire encompassing 2015. Official School of The Joffrey Ballet, masterpieces of the past and cutting- In 2015, the Norwegian National Community Engagement programs edge works. The Joffrey is committed Ballet commissioned him once again, and collaborations with myriad to providing arts education and this time for a three act Carmen with other visual and performing arts accessible dance training through designs by John Bausor and music organizations. its Joffrey Academy of Dance and arranged by Martin Yates. Followed Founded by visionary teacher Community Engagement programs. closely by a new co-production of

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Fall 2019 9 The Joffrey Ballet: A Forward-Thinking Company That Continues to Push Boundaries

BY JON TEEUWISSEN, Michigan Opera Theatre Artistic Advisor for Dance

s the new Artistic testament to The Advisor for Dance, Joffrey’s commitment AI’m excited to lead to diverse dance the dance direction of styles, reflective of Michigan Opera Theatre both the expected and continue to bring some and the unexpected. of the world’s best dance It features three companies to the Detroit dynamic young Opera House stage. We’re choreographers from thrilled to open our dance Europe with works season with a company that pay homage that’s particularly close to to productions my heart, The Joffrey Ballet. of the past while I served as the Executive also exploring the Director of The Joffrey unchartered territory from 2001 to 2008, of the future. and with this program, The program opens Beyond the Shore, Detroit with Liam Scarlett’s audiences will experience sensual Vespertine, three incredible pieces that a sumptuous to truly represent the broad the Baroque period. spectrum of styles danced Dancers dressed by The Joffrey, ranging from in flowy maroon classical to contemporary costumes move under ballet. a sky of chandeliers, When The Joffrey was dancing with the formed in 1956, it had lights themselves very humble beginnings. to intricate violin Its legendary first tour choreographers Sir compositions. included six dancers in a borrowed and , and reconstructing Nicolas Blanc’s mesmerizing station wagon pulling a small U-Haul and reviving “lost” ballets from Beyond the Shore, from which the trailer. The dancers took turns driving, Diaghilev’s like Vaslav program takes its name, literally takes each of them responsible for packing Nijinsky’s (1913) and audiences to another world, six to and unpacking, cleaning and pressing Jeux. At the same time, it was pushing be exact. Composed to the music of their own costumes, warming-up and the envelope with many “firsts” such electronic music composer Mason performing in unorthodox spaces as commissioning Bates, dancers travel through six such as high school gymnasiums choreographer to create distinct landscapes that range from without proper dance floors. her first piece on a ballet company under the sea to a mysterious desert Earning the moniker of “The Johnny — Deuce Coupe (1973) — set to the to outer space, featuring original Appleseed of dance,” the young music of The Beach Boys. Another NASA communication samples from company took ballet into remote groundbreaking project for The the 1965 Gemini IV first space walk. areas to introduce new audiences to Joffrey was the creation of Billboards The program concludes with the art form. (1973), a full-length program of Alexander Ekman’s self-descriptive As the company continued to performed to the Joy, performed to a score that develop under the artistic direction music of Prince. includes text. Dancers clad in flesh- of founder Robert Joffrey, it carved Artistic Director Robert Joffrey tone costumes explore what it means out a unique niche in the New York passed away in 1988 and was to be joyful, with playful, quirky dance arena. succeeded by co-founder and chief movements that spread the feeling to was known for dancing the classics; choreographer Gerald Arpino. The the audience. was dancing Joffrey moved from New York City Whether you are new to The ’s repertoire and to Chicago in 1995 and has been Joffrey or a long-time fan, Michigan developing the Balanchine style under the artistic direction of Ashley Opera Theatre’s presentation of of . The Joffrey, Wheater since 2007. Beyond the Shore is a perfect way however, was introducing American The mixed-repertoire that the to experience The Joffrey Ballet at audiences to the works of European company performs in Detroit is a its finest.

10 BRAVO • Fall 2019 www.MichiganOpera.org Michigan Opera Theatre Jon Teeuwissen Discusses His Love for Dance and What He Has in Store for MOT’s Future A Q&A with MOT’s New Artistic Advisor for Dance

BY ERICA HOBBS

fter more than 40 years in the ballets ( and ) that really Afield, Jon Teeuwissen knows a focuses on the line of the dancer, with I SOMETIMES THINK thing or two about dance. He’s worked nothing hidden by a costume. For OF DANCE AS THE as a producer, presenter and agent me dance is about expressing and VISUALIZATION OF MUSIC. for dance. He’s held leadership communicating emotion, and this positions with major dance companies ballet does it in spades! Although it I LOVE THE EMOTION like The Joffrey premiered in 1946, the ballet remains DANCE CONVEYS. AND, Ballet, American completely contemporary. I FIND IT VERY SPIRITUAL Ballet Theatre and AND UPLIFTING. the Dance Theatre What style of dance do you think is of Harlem (DTH). most underrated? He also lists DTH The type of dance that I feel is know my clientele. So I kind of entered Founder Arthur most underrated is percussive dance dance through retail. And the rest is Mitchell and — tap, in particular. This is beginning history. Joffrey Ballet Co- to change a bit with the emergence Founder Gerald Arpino as mentors. In of choreographer Michelle Dorrance, What are your interests outside of short, he’s kind of a a 2015 MacArthur Fellow. Not only is dance? big deal. the company she founded, Dorrance In terms of the arts, I love music as This season, Teeuwissen joins Dance, receiving countless accolades much as dance. Aside from the arts, Michigan Opera Theatre (MOT) as and touring successfully, but she I love the outdoors and being in its new Artistic Advisor for Dance, is becoming a much sought after nature. Last year I did a through- overseeing all of MOT’s dance choreographer. hike of the Appalachian Trail, hiking programming. Below, he discusses his 2190 miles from Georgia to Maine favorite ballet, his own dancing skills What about dance do you love in five months and 10 days. It was and his vision for the future. most? a life-changing experience. Now to I love the athleticism, and I love the get to the Pacific Crest Trail and The What goals do you have for MOT’s artistry. I sometimes think of dance as Continental Divide... dance program? the visualization of music. Most of all, I The most immediate goal is love the emotion dance conveys. And, What do you think of opera? programming the future dance I find dance very spiritual and uplifting. I’ve had limited exposure to opera, seasons and building upon the strong but I loved experiencing the Ring dance series that has been established Can you dance? Cycle a few years ago at the Lyric by Carol Halsted. In addition to the I am so not a dancer. Often people Opera in Chicago, and if you like selection of companies, I am paying assume I am a dancer because my Wagner, I guess you’ve graduated. attention to specific repertoire to career has been in dance, but when ensure that our dance audience is asked that question, I always reply What is something people would be exposed to certain choreography that I’m a “wannabe.” I love the art surprised to know about you? and become informed as well as form, but I discovered it too late to My undergraduate is in accounting entertained. train. And then there’s the issue of no and I hold a master’s degree from There will be greater emphasis on flexibility or talent... Stanford Graduate School of Business, live music for dance. Additional goals which perhaps is not the usual include becoming more involved How did you get into dance? background for an arts administration with the Detroit dance community, When I was in college, I started career in dance. developing a lecture series for guest keeping the books for a friend’s choreographers, and enhancing some dance studio. I discovered many of his Is there anything else you’d like existing programs. At the end of the students were ordering dancewear to add? day, my overall goal is to elevate dance from a catalog as there was no place I have worked with ballet, at MOT to receive an equal amount of locally to purchase, so I opened a contemporary dance, aerial dance, focus as opera. Capezio dance shop that became Broadway dance, Japanese Butoh quite successful, and in short order, dance, and hip hop. I love What is your favorite ballet? opened a second store that focused all types of dance and never tire of My favorite ballet would be George solely on exercise apparel. I learned experiencing performances. I am very Balanchine’s . a lot about dance performance and excited to be working with MOT! It is one of his “” dance instruction through getting to

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Fall 2019 11 BalletMet The Nutcracker November 30 and December 1, 2019

Artistic Director Executive Director Rehearsal Director Rehearsal Director Edwaard Liang Sue Porter Susan Dromisky Andres Estevez Conductor Peter Stafford Wilson

“THE NUTCRACKER” IS SUPPORTED BY THE The 2019-2020 Dance Season is made PERFORMING ARTS FUND, A PROGRAM OF ARTS MIDWEST, FUNDED BY THE NATIONAL possible by a generous gift from ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS, WITH ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE MICHIGAN Joanne and Richard Brodie COUNCIL FOR ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS AND THE CRANE GROUP. and The Maxine and Stuart Frankel Foundation BalletMet’s company dancers are members of the American Guild of Musical Artists, the union of professional singers and dancers who create America’s operatic, choral and dance heritage.

12 BRAVO • Fall 2019 www.MichiganOpera.org Michigan Opera Theatre THE NUTCRACKER

COMPANY DANCERS: her. Drosselmeyer is acting very Dmitri Suslov Miguel Anaya, TyLeigh Baughman, strangely and her nightmare continues Narrated by Roger Moore Jessica Brown, Luis Capetillo, Leiland as the whole house transforms around Accompanied by the Michigan Opera Charles, Francesca Dugarte, Jonathan her. A menacing Mouse King orders his Theatre Orchestra Jordan, Kristie Latham, Sojung Lee, minions to steal the nutcracker from Conducted by Peter Stafford Wilson Sophie Miklosovic, William Newton, Clara. The Spanish and Chinese dolls Jim Nowakowski, Rachael Parini, come to help her, but the marauding ABOUT THE COMPANY Austin Powers, Grace-Anne Powers, mice carry them off. Just when known for its versatility Jarrett Reimers, Sean Rollofson, Clara thinks all is lost, her nutcracker BALLETMET, and innovative repertory, ranks among Martin Rossaare, Jacob Roter, LIsset suddenly comes to life and temporarily the nation’s largest dance companies, Santander, Michael Sayre, Madeline scares the mice away. A huge battle and its Dance Academy ranks among Skelly, Gabriel Gaffney Smith, Caitlin between the toy soldiers and the mice the largest professional dance-training Valentine, Carly Wheaton, Karen Wing follows. The Mouse King is about to defeat the nutcracker, but Clara saves centers. Since its inception in 1978, BALLETMET 2 DANCERS: the day. She discovers that by defeating BalletMet has added almost 200 company premieres to its repertoire Jacob Beasley, Cooper Everson, Rorey the Mouse King, she has freed the and produced 150 world premieres. Fraser, Emily Porter, Jackie Schiffner, Prince, who had been trapped in the It has also developed DanceReach, Catherine Stoehr nutcracker, and she understands that Drosselmeyer had a purpose in all the a series of educational and outreach BalletMet’s company dancers are members of strange things he had done that night. programs that serve 25,000 people the American Guild of Musical Artists, the union Clara and her Prince pass through a annually, as well as a scholarship of professional singers and dancers who create wondrous snowy land as they begin program that provides full tuition for America’s operatic, choral and dance heritage. their journey together to his home in talented underserved youth. the land of the Sugar Plum Fairy. THE NUTCRACKER Act II WHO’S WHO Act I News that the Prince is finally Gerard Charles (Choreographer) It is Christmas Eve, a night of returning home reaches the land of the was born in Folkestone, England, magic, when anything can happen. Sugar Plum Fairy, where people from trained at the Royal Ballet School in The newly fallen snow glistens on the all corners of the world – and the world London and danced professionally rooftops and excitement is in the air. of the imagination – come to greet in Europe and North America. Upon Herr Drosselmeyer, a very old friend of Clara and her Nutcracker Prince. After retiring from the stage, he was Ballet the Stahlbaum family, passes by their hearing the story of Clara rescuing the Master for BalletMet and Les Grands house and leaves an early present for Prince, the Sugar Plum Fairy arranges Ballets Canadiens before returning to the family. Inside the Stahlbaum house, a grand celebration in Clara’s honor, BalletMet as Associate Artistic Director. Clara and Fritz wait as their family filled with many wondrous surprises, In 2001 he was named BalletMet makes sure everything is ready for that including being reunited with the Artistic Director, a position he held until evening’s grand party. The guests arrive Spanish doll. “This must be what it’s joining the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago in and the fun begins. Of course, there is like,” Clara thinks, “to be inside one of July 2012. In 2018 Gerard returned to lots of dancing and many presents. Godfather’s inventions.” England to take the role of the Artistic When Herr Drosselmeyer, who is Sadly, the night comes to an end. Director at the Royal Ballet School. also Clara’s godfather, comes to the Even though Clara wants to stay, it is house, magical things always happen. time to leave this enchanted land. Like Edwaard Liang (Artistic Director) Every year he creates delightful toys a wonderful dream, this magical night Born in Taipei, Taiwan and raised in unlike anything else in the world. This will stay with her forever. Marin County, California, Mr. Liang year he has some very special surprises Complete ballet notes are available joined New York City Ballet in 1993. for Clara and her family. Although Clara at www..org. In 2001, Mr. Liang joined the Tony loves the lifelike Spanish doll, and Fritz Award® winning Broadway cast of the exciting Chinese doll, they cannot Fosse. His performance in Fosse was be left for the children to play with. THE NUTCRACKER later televised nationally on PBS’ Instead, Drosselmeyer has another very Conceived and Created by Gerard series – “Dance special and unusual gift, a remarkable Charles and Robert Post in America: From Broadway: Fosse.” In nutcracker that he gives to Clara. Choreography by Gerard Charles 2002, Mr. Liang was invited to become Angered that he too cannot crack nuts Music composed by Peter Ilyitch a member of with his teeth, Fritz regrettably breaks Tchaikovsky 1. Mr. Liang has built an international the nutcracker. Drosselmeyer is quick Scenery for Act I designed by Peter reputation as a choreographer. He has to repair the nutcracker for Clara, but Horne created works for the , Fritz is still looking for trouble and finds Scenery for Act II designed by Dan Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, New a rat with which to tease Clara. Gray York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Once all the guests leave the party, Costumes Designed by Rebecca Shanghai Ballet and Ballet. the Stahlbaums go to bed. Clara is Baygents Turk, Aimee Greer, Lynn He has won numerous awards for awakened by a strange sound. Worried Holbrook his choreography including the 2006 that her nutcracker is alone downstairs, Lighting Designed by David Grill National Choreographic Competition. she goes to find him and falls asleep Children’s Choreography Staged by In 2013, Mr. Liang was named Artistic on the couch. Suddenly, mice surround Darielle Eberhard, Daryl Kamer, Director at BalletMet where he

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Fall 2019 13 THE NUTCRACKER continues to choreograph new works height of his career came in 1972 Dame University where she designs for companies both domestically when he was cast as James Bond, a for opera productions and manages and abroad. In 2017, he received an series he continued for seven films. the costume shop for Notre Dame Emmy® Award for his short dance He was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Shakespeare. film, “Vaulted.” In 2018, he created a Ambassador in 1999. Mr. Moore has new ballet with for the voiced several animated characters Rebecca Baygents Turk (Costume opening of the World Economic Forum in films and has appeared in London’s Designer) is a professional costume Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. West End and on Broadway. designer and arts educator with twenty years of experience, whose art has Sue Porter (Executive Director) was Susan Dromisky (Rehearsal Director) been featured by premier theatre and named Executive Director in 2015, began her professional career with ballet companies around the globe. having served on BalletMet’s Board of the National Ballet of Canada after She promotes creativity, imagination, Trustees since 1997, twice taking on graduating from the National Ballet and play through her illustrations, the role of Board Chair. An attorney School of Canada. Upon retirement workshops, and costume design for 30 years, Ms.Porter began her legal she became a full-time Artistic faculty seminars. She currently works at The career in 1985 with Schottenstein, Zox member with National Ballet School of Ohio State University as the Costume & Dunn LPA (now Ice Miller LLP) as an Canada before coming to BalletMet in Studio Manager and an instructor for associate attorney and later partner 1998. She was named Ballet Mistress in the Department of Theatre where she in labor and employment law. She has 2014 and was previously the director teaches costuming & makeup courses been recognized as a Leading Lawyer of the Trainee Program and the Senior and mentors emerging artists. for Business in Chambers USA, as a Performance Ensemble. This is Ms. Best Lawyer in America, an Ohio Super Dromisky’s 21st year with BalletMet. David Grill (Lighting Designer) has Lawyer, a Top 50 Women Lawyer in designed lighting for theater, dance, Ohio and a Top 25 Women Lawyer in Andres Estevez (Rehearsal Director) opera, television, architectural projects Columbus. She currently serves as a began his training in , , and industrials, taking him from the Director of the Ohio Mutual Insurance and later joined Ballet Nacional de Great Wall of to the Great Stage Group, a Board Member of Dance/ Cuba under the direction of Alicia of Radio City Music Hall. He has been USA and Ohio Citizens for the Arts, Alonso. In 1996 Mr. Estevez joined featured in numerous publications and a Trustee of the Columbus Bar Miami City Ballet and 2 years later including Lighting Dimensions and TCI Foundation. came to BalletMet where he danced and is an Adjunct Assistant Professor professionally until 2017. In 2017, Mr. and Co-Chairman of the Design/ Peter Stafford Wilson (Conductor) Estevez co-directed BalletMet2 before Technology Department at Purchase serves as Music Director for becoming Ballet Master this season. College, State University of New York. the Springfield (OH) Symphony Orchestra, the Westerville Symphony Dan Gray (Scenic Designer) is the Miguel Anaya (Dancer), originally from at Otterbein University and Principal Resident Scenic Designer, Associate Havana, Cuba, joined BalletMet in 2015. Conductor for the , where Professor and Head of the Design/Tech He trained at the Alfonso Perez Isaac he conducts the Tulsa Symphony program at The Ohio State University School and the in four productions a year. He has Department of Theatre. He has worked School. Mr. Anaya was invited to the conducted over 100 performances with as a theater professional for 30 years. Varna International Ballet Competition BalletMet Columbus, and this season He’s designed productions for many in 2010 and the Youth America Grand makes his debut with the Pennsylvania Central Ohio companies including Prix in 2011. In 2012, he won the Grand Ballet. Mr. Wilson’s guest conducting BalletMet, CATCO, Human Race Prix National Competition in Cuba and invitations have come from the Theatre Co., Opera Columbus and the performed as a dancer with orchestras of Charlotte, Dallas, Detroit, Columbus Symphony. Ballet Nacional de Cuba with Alicia Phoenix, Seattle and Syracuse among Alonso. others, and, in addition to a multi- Peter Horne (Scenic Designer) served year relationship with the Cleveland as Assistant Designer at Stratford TyLeigh Baughman (Dancer), born Orchestra, has conducted in Europe, Shakespearean Festival, The Shaw and raised in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, South America, and Asia. Festival, Seattle Repertory Theatre, received her training at Tulsa Ballet’s On and Off Broadway and more. He Center for Dance Education. She Robert Post (Creator) has earned taught at Montreal’s National Theatre danced with Tulsa Ballet II for two national renown with his one-man School and served as Technical years then was promoted into the main shows that showcase his acute sense Direction and Production Director with company. This is TyLeigh’s second of the absurd and unparalleled skills Houston Grand Opera, Canadian Opera season with BalletMet. of physical presentation. A Columbus Company, Glyndebourne Festival and native, Mr. Post has created more than Touring Opera. Jessica Brown (Dancer), from Kansas 30 works, including Robert Post-In City, is returning for her 15th season Performance, an award-winning special Lynn Holbrook (Costume Designer) with BalletMet. Ms. Brown trained aired on PBS, and has toured 45 states serves as Costume Shop Manager for at American Dance Center and the in the U.S., Canada, and Japan. the Department of Film, Television and University of Missouri Kansas City. She Theatre at Notre Dame University. Ms. studied on full scholarship at Boston Roger Moore (Narrator), born in Holbrook served as Assistant Costumer Ballet and Milwaukee Ballet summer Clapham, London, attended the Royal at Wright State University and for eight programs. In 2017 she won an Emmy Academy of Dramatic Art. While seasons as BalletMet’s Costume Shop Award for her role in Becoming Violet. he starred on stage and screen, the Manager. She is currently at Notre

14 BRAVO • Fall 2019 www.MichiganOpera.org Michigan Opera Theatre THE NUTCRACKER

Luis Capetillo (Dancer) was born in William Newton, (Dancer) was born Rachael Parini (Dancer) joined Mexico City, Mexico. He began his in Columbus, Ohio, and received his BalletMet in 2016. Originally from dance training at the National School training at New Albany Ballet Company Snellville, Ga., studied at the Lilburn of in Mexico in 2009. In and Academy. He joined School of Ballet, , The 2010, he received a full scholarship to Houston Ballet in 2009 and moved back Rock School for Dance Education and train at Miami City Ballet School. This is to Columbus to join BalletMet in 2017. Shanghai Ballet. She’s danced with The his first season with BalletMet. American Repertory Ballet, Nashville Jim Nowakowski (Dancer), joined the Ballet and, most recently, Washington Leiland Charles (Dancer) was born Rochester City Ballet in 2002 and after Ballet. in Baltimore, Md and studied at The five years joined Houston Ballet. In 2015 where he received he competed on, ‘So You Think You Austin Powers (Dancer) joined his BFA in 2014. Prior to coming to Can Dance’, and placed top 6 overall. In BalletMet in 2016 after being a part of BalletMet in 2017, Mr. Charles danced 2015, Mr. Nowakowski was named one BalletMet 2 in the 2015-2016 season. with Alberta Ballet. of Dance Magazine’s “25 To Watch”. This In 2015, he was the silver medalist at is his 3rd season with BalletMet the YAGP San Francisco Regionals and Francesca Dugarte, (Dancer) of Caracas, Venezuela, joined BalletMet in 2018 after five seasons with . Dugarte trained at Academia de Ballet Clasico Nina Novak and La Scala Theatre Ballet School. Before joining TWB, she was a principal dancer at Teatro Teresa Carreno, a 430 NORTH OLD WOODWARD, BIRMINGHAM demi-soloist at Zurich Ballet, a principal 248-642-2650 | WWW.GREENSTONESJEWELERS.COM dancer at Victor Ullate Ballet and a guest artist at Slovakia National Ballet.

Jonathan Jordan (Dancer) joined BalletMet in 2018. Prior to coming to Columbus, Mr. Jordan danced for The Washington Ballet. Jordan’s notable awards include finalist in the 2000 Varna International Ballet Competition, finalist in the 2000 Paris International Ballet Competition, bronze medalist in the 2003 New York International Ballet Competition and the 2008 MetroDC Dance Award for Outstanding Individual Performance.

Kristie Latham (Dancer) first joined

BalletMet as a trainee in 2010 and has De Beers Group. are Trade Marks used under license from ™ since danced with and as a soloist with Ballet Next. Ms. Latham joined BalletMet as a company member in 2013.

SoJung Lee (Dancer) was born in

Chung Ju, where she and ™ started ballet at her mother’s dance studio at the age of five. She trained with the Korea National University of , Atacama Sky Arts in Seoul prior to joining Boston ™ I AM THE ATACAMA SKY. I AM ONE OF ONE. Ballet. This is Ms. Lee’s first season with THE EXCEPTIONAL DIAMOND COLLECTION BalletMet. , ®

Sophie Miklosovic (Dancer) joined , ® BalletMet in 2017, prior to joining Sophie’s pre-professional ballet training was directed by Magaly Suarez. She earned the Gold Medal, at the 2017 World Ballet Competition, and was invited to Beijing for the 2017 China IBCC where she received the “Morning

Star Foundation Award. © Forevermark 2018.

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Fall 2019 15 THE NUTCRACKER participated in the New York YAGP Marty Roosaare (Dancer) is in his Theatre’s Graduate Program, he joined finals. Prior to joining BalletMet he was a sixth year as a company member after the company in 2005. Mr. Smith has trainee at . joining BalletMet as a guest artist. also performed with River North Jazz He trained with Miami Valley Ballet Company in Chicago and Hisatomi Grace-Anne Powers (Dancer) was Theatre, Virginia School of the Arts, De Yoshiko Ballet in Japan. This is his a member of La La La Human Steps La Arts and studied at the University eleventh season with BalletMet. as a soloist under founder Edouard of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Lock prior to joining Ballet San Jose Music. Caitlin Valentine (Dancer) is in her in 2013. With La La La Human Steps, sixth season with BalletMet. She she performed in New Work, which Lisset Santander (Dancer) Hailing from previously danced with Orlando Ballet premiered in in 2011 and Matanzas, Cuba, Ms Santander trained and as a soloist. She then toured internationally for the at the Cuban National Ballet School. She received a bronze medal at the New following two years. She has been with was awarded the gold medal at the York International Ballet Competition BalletMet since 2015. 12thInternational Ballet Competition in (2003), was named on of Dance Havana, Cuba, and received the award Magazine’s Top 25 to Watch (2005) Jarrett Reimers (Dancer) is in his sixth for the best classical variation at the and was a finalist and the Jury Award season with BalletMet. He previously 2011 Mediterraneo Dance Festival. This recipient at the USA International Ballet danced with the Sacramento Ballet. is her fourth season with BalletMet. Competition (2006). He trained at The Donna Lee Studio of Dance and with Mariana Alvarez at the Michael Sayre (Dancer) is originally Carly Wheaton (Dancer) is joining Thomas Armour Youth Ballet. from South Bend, Indiana. Mr. Sayre BalletMet for her fifth season following has been featured twice in Pointe. He an apprenticeship with the Washington Sean Rollofson (Dancer) is from trained with San Francisco Ballet School Ballet. Ms. Wheaton spent a season Redmond, Wash. He began attending and the Joffrey Trainee Program before dancing for Ballet Memphis as a Trainee. School at age 7. joining BalletMet in 2013. She also trained with the Marin Ballet Mr. Rollofson joined Pacific Northwest in California and at San Francisco Ballet Ballet at age 18 as an apprentice in 2008 Madeline Skelly (Dancer) was born in School. and was promoted to in Orlando, Fl. and received her training 2009 and joined BalletMet in 2017. at Orlando Ballet School and Houston Karen Wing (Dancer). In 2015, Ballet Academy. She joined Houston Ms. Wing was selected to be one Jacob Roter (Dancer) began his training Ballet’s Second Company in 2010 and of Pointe magazine’s “2015 Stars of the at the School of American Ballet, was hired into the Company in 2012. Corps” and in 2016, Pointe recognized followed by Oregon Ballet and the Kirov She joined the BalletMet Company in her performance in “Carmen.maquia” Academy. He continued his training in 2017. as one of the standout performances Amsterdam at the of the year. Ms. Wing is now in her sixth Academy, afterward joining the second Gabriel Gaffney Smith (Dancer), from season with BalletMet. company of Norwegian National Ballet. Saugerties, New York, began dancing Mr. Roter joins BalletMet for the 2019-20 at the Saugerties Ballet Center. After season. studying in the Pittsburgh Ballet

BALLETMET COLUMBUS PRODUCTION STAFF 322 Mount Vernon Ave. Director of Production...... Jamie S. Lara Head Flyman...... Bobby Stevens* Columbus, Ohio 43215 Assistant Production Manager...... Brandon Curtis Head Props...... Jennifer Bullen* T: 614.229.4860 Stage Manager...... Sydney Smith Head Electrician...... Judy Barto* www.balletmet.org Company Manager...... Mackenzie Douglas Wardrobe Manager...... Caitlyn Headley Head Carpenter...... Vernie Ward* Assistant Wardrobe Manager...... Janin Rosas Assistant Carpenter...... Matt Schreiter* *Members of IATSE Local No. 12 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.

MICHIGAN OPERA THEATRE ORCHESTRA — THE NUTCRACKER VIOLIN I VIOLA FLUTE HORN PERCUSSION Eliot Heaton John Madison Seo Hee Choi Andrew Pelletier John Dorsey Concertmaster+ Principal+ Principal+ Principal + Principal + Laura Roelofs+ Scott Stefanko+ Laura Larson+ Carrie Banfield-Taplin+ Assistant Jacqeline Hanson+ Tamara Kosinski HARP Concertmaster Barbara Zmich- Patricia Terry-Ross Beth Kirton+ McClellan+ Alex Hayashi Principal + Velda Kelly+ Acting Principal Derek Lockhart Jenny Wan CELLO Sally Heffelfinger- Acting Principal CELESTE Bryan Johnston+ Jonathan Tortolano Pituch+ Gordon Simmons+ Jean Schneider Anna Bittar-Weller+ Principal + Ran Cheng Andrea Yun+ Brittany Lasch + Michigan Opera Theatre Yuliya Kim+ Brian Bowman Principal+ Core Orchestra VIOLIN II Katri Ervamaa Principal + Gary Hellick Victoria Haltom J. William King+ Detroit Federation of Musicians Local #5 Principal+ BASS TIMPANI American Federation of Kevin Filewych+ Derek Weller Elliot Beck Musicians Molly Hughes+ Principal + Francisco Delgado Acting Principal Henrik Karapetyan+ Clark Suttle + Principal + Andrew Wu+ Gregory Quick+ Daniel Stachyra+

16 BRAVO • Fall 2019 www.MichiganOpera.org Michigan Opera Theatre PROFILES FROM THE PIT

J. William King — Clarinet or clarinetist J. William “Bill” King, of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, Fmusic is a family passion. Not only & Dance. In 2008, he also opened is everyone in his immediate family a Ann Arbor Clarinet , an musician, but they are all reed players: Authorized Buffet Crampon dealership His wife is Professor of Oboe at the selling and repairing professional and University of Michigan, his oldest son is student instruments. a clarinetist and his youngest son just Bill won the second clarinet/bass began his master’s degree in Bassoon clarinet chair in 2006 and said he Performance. Going further back, Bill has enjoyed his experience with the said his great-great-grandmother was an orchestra. opera singer. “Opera is my favorite musical genre, “Maybe playing for MOT is some kind so getting to be immersed in its magic of fate,” he said. in the pit is incredibly rewarding,” he Bill’s fate has been 50 years in the said. “Sitting next to Principal Clarinet making. After playing as a child, he went Brian Bowman for the past 13 years has on to study music as an adult, earning been a professional highlight. Favorite a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State runs in my tenure have been Margaret University, a master’s degree from Gardner, The Passenger, Tosca, Turandot, Carnegie Mellon and a doctorate degree Aida, Rigoletto, Don Giovanni, The from the Eastman School of Music at Barber of Seville and Elektra.” the University of Rochester. Outside of music, Bill enjoys golf, In addition to playing in the traveling and spending time with his orchestra, he is also the Coordinator of family. Wind Chamber Music at the University

Brittany Lasch — Principal Trombone ith more than two decades of “The Detroit Opera House is Wtraining and performance under stunning!” she said. “It reminds me of her belt, trombonist Brittany Lasch the Met in New York City where I spent has gained many fans of her talent. But so much of my time in college. I’m a perhaps none are as dedicated as her city person and getting to come up to cat, Fudge, who monitors her practice Detroit from Ohio a few times a week daily. In fact, a video post of Fudge with energizes me and makes the drive Brittany while she plays the trombone worth it every time.” went viral, with nearly 500,000 views. Outside of Michigan Opera Theatre “She lives for the trombone,” Brittany (MOT), Brittany is a trombone professor said, “She can’t get close enough to the at the College of Musical Arts at Bowling bell when I practice.” Green State University. She is also a Brittany comes to Detroit after passionate runner and has completed training throughout different cities the Toledo Marathon twice and the in the United States. Originally from Detroit Marathon this year. Park Ridge, Illinois, she moved to the Brittany is now in her second season East Coast for college, receiving her with MOT and said the best part so far undergraduate degree at the was the 2018 Gala with Renée Fleming. School of Music, a master’s degree “One of the songs she sang was at the Yale School of Music and her ‘You’ll Never Know’ from the movie The doctorate from Boston University. Shape of Water, which had a few small Though she now commutes from Ohio, jazz trombone solos,” she said. “It was she said she loves spending time in fun for a brief moment to be directly Detroit. collaborating with Ms. Fleming.”

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Fall 2019 17 Too Hot To Handel THE JAZZ-GOSPEL MESSIAH • Saturday, December 14, 2019 at 7:30 PM

Student/Senior Dress Rehearsal Friday, December 13, 2019 at 11 am PART I Sinfony Suzanne Mallare Acton, Conductor Comfort ye Every valley FEATURING And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed Alfreda Burke, Soprano Thus saith the Lord Rodrick Dixon, Tenor But who may abide the day of His coming Karen Marie Richardson, Alto And He shall purify Behold, a virgin shall conceive Rackham Choir O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion Too Hot To Handel Orchestra For behold, darkness shall cover the earth With the Too Hot Trio: The people that walked in darkness Marion Hayden, David Taylor and Alvin Waddles For unto us a child is born There were shepherds abiding in the field Lighting Design: Kendall Smith And suddenly there was the angel Stage Manager: Ellen Peck Glory to God Intermission Original Concept by Marin Alsop Co-arranged and orchestrated by Bob Christianson and Gary Anderson Part II Rejoice greatly Too Hot To Handel is a co-production of Rackham Choir and the Detroit Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened Opera House He shall feed his flock His yoke is easy The Concordia Orchestra of New York City commissioned Too Hot To Handel Behold the Lamb of God in 1993, from arrangers Bob Christianson and Gary Anderson. Since the first Surely He hath borne our griefs ** performance at , crowds have smiled, cheered and danced in All we like sheep have gone astray their seats (and sometimes in the aisles!). Too Hot captures the essential core of Behold, I tell you a mystery Handel’s famous masterwork and reinterprets it with chords of rhythm and blues, The trumpet shall sound jazz and gospel. The end result? A dynamic and uplifting celebration that must be The Lord gave the word experienced. Simply put: Too Hot To Handel is Messiah recreated. Why do the nations so furiously rage Hallelujah! Music on loan from the archives of the Concordia Orchestra, Marin Alsop, founding music director and conductor. ** with David Vaughn, bass-baritone

18 BRAVO • Fall 2019 www.MichiganOpera.org Michigan Opera Theatre TOO HOT TO HANDEL

RACKHAM CHOIR Gary Anderson made her Carnegie and Orchestra With innovative repertoire, high (Co-arranger and Orchestrator) Hall debuts in Strauss’ Elektra with the artistic standards, enduring history, Composer, producer, and artist Gary Chicago Symphony Orchestra led by and community involvement, Anderson is acclaimed for his diversity, Daniel Barenboim. Rackham Choir is a vital part of and he has accumulated a wide range Highlighted perfor- Detroit’s rich cultural landscape. of work to prove it. From the world- mances include Through Artistic Director Suzanne known themes of ABC and CNN to the Chicago Mallare Acton’s leadership, Rackham’s the critically acclaimed underscore Symphony at repertoire ranges from classics to for the animation of Ralph Bakshi and Ravinia under Erich innovative multimedia productions Matt Groening… from Frank Sinatra Kunzel, Cincinnati combining live music with film, to Chaka Khan to Judy Collins. A Pops Symphony narration, and dance. Notable summa cum laude graduate of the Orchestra, Detroit collaborations include the Detroit Berklee College of Music in Boston. Mr. Opera House/DSO/Rackham Choir, Symphony Orchestra, Michigan Anderson began his career with a four- Prague Philharmonic, Umbria Music Opera Theatre, Detroit Chamber year tenure as a full-time professor at Festival (Italy), TodiMusicFest, Miss Winds and Strings, The Detroit Film the world-renowned school. He was World (China, UK, US), Chief Nkosi Theatre, Mosaic Youth Theatre and awarded his alma mater’s Outstanding Zwelivelile Mandela, Miss World Bach Festival. The choir regularly Achievement Award and was named Beauty With A Purpose & Rise Against presents local premieres of works, one of the college’s 50 outstanding Hunger events, Gala (S.Africa 2017), often focusing on pieces with relevant graduates, along with fellow alumni Holders Season Gala (Barbados), social or historical contexts, delivering Quincy Jones, Arif Mardin, Alf Clausen, Lancaster Festival, Corrales Cultural messages of peace and community. and Gary Burton. In network and cable Arts Council (New Mexico), Grant During the 2019-2020 season, television, his music can be heard on Park Music Festival, Millennium Park Rackham is celebrating its 70th year of ABC, CNN, CBS, PBS, and NBC: and Gala, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, continuous operation, making it one not to forget Bart Simpson’s favorite... Kennedy Center, , of the longest-standing performing the theme from The Itchy and Auditorium Theatre 125 Living the arts organizations in Detroit. And it Scratchy Show. History, , looks forward to many more seasons Chorus Angelorum, Chicagoland Pops of introducing the joy, excitement Suzanne Mallare Acton Orchestra, Siamsa na nGael, NATO and healing power of choral music to Chicago Summit. Ms. Burke filmed From Handel’s Messiah to audiences throughout the region. the Prague PBS special, Hallelujah contemporary jazz, Conductor Broadway, recorded on the EMI/ Bob Christianson Suzanne Mallare Acton is recognized Manhattan label. Other recordings for her versatility include her solo CD, From the Heart; (Co-arranger and Orchestrator) and dynamic style. Chicago Olympic 2016 Bid Anthem, “I Mr. Christianson is a musician, Her conducting Will Stand.” A cycle of Paul Laurence composer, arranger, credits range Dunbar Songs was written for Ms. and conductor. He from Broadway Burke by Dr. Edward Hart, College has scored HBO’s Sex musicals to opera of Charleston (2015); and spiritual and the City series, and symphonic settings arranged for her by Belford was nominated for repertoire. Ms. Hernandez (2017). Ms. Burke received an Emmy Award for Acton is the Artistic MM and BM degrees from Roosevelt his music for ABC and Music Director of Rackham Choir, University; she serves on the RU CCPA Sports and scored Chorus Master and Assistant Music Advisory Board. She is honored to the series Wildlife Director for Michigan Opera Theatre, be a HistoryMaker and a permanent Emergency for Animal Planet. Bob and Director of the Michigan Opera part of the collection at the Library of received his bachelor’s degree from Theatre Children’s Chorus. Under her Congress. Visit SUNY at Potsdam (Crane School of leadership, Rackham Choir received www.sopranoalfredaburke.com, Music) and completed his graduate the Governor’s Award for Arts & www.theHistoryMakers.org. work in composition at the University Culture. She has been recognized by Follow @AlfredaBurke17 of Michigan. After college, he started Corp! Magazine as one of Michigan’s out in New York City as a musical 85 Most Powerful Women and was Rodrick Dixon director and conductor for Broadway one of the 2014 WJR’s Women Who shows, including Godspell, The Magic Lead. Ms. Acton has premiered Too Rodrick Dixon is a classical crossover Show, and Gilda Radner Live from Hot To Handel in Detroit, Chicago and artist who possesses a tenor voice of New York. In arena he Memphis. extraordinary range and versatility. has had the good fortune to work on His body of work several projects with longtime friend Alfreda Burke covers 25 years Marin Alsop, his favorite being Too of television, Alfreda Burke’s vocal artistry has been Hot To Handel, with co-arranger Gary recordings, live described as “voluptuous, creamy Anderson. theater and and luxuriant” (Chicago Tribune). She concerts, including has appeared in concert throughout PBS Specials Three North America and in Europe. She Mo’ Tenors, with

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Fall 2019 19 TOO HOT TO HANDEL

Victor Cook and Thomas Young; and chanteuse Stella Sinclair. There, she has arts departments of the Detroit and Hallelujah Broadway, starring his wife, sung duets with Pink and John Legend. Ann Arbor public school systems. Alfreda Burke; filmed the title role of Karen is scheduled to appear in the film Since 1994, he has served as Director “The Dwarf” on DVD/Blue-ray with LA adaptation of the Michael Jon Lachiusa of Music for Hope United Methodist Opera and appeared at the Miss World musical Hello Again. You may have also Church in Southfield, MI. In addition Pageant broadcast from China and seen Karen Marie on television, vocally to regular appearances at local venues Washington, DC, on the E channel in supporting Grammy Award nominated and events such as the Dirty Dog Jazz 126 countries. He recently appeared in artist Andra Day on The Late Show with Café, the Detroit Festival of the Arts, the Glenn Gould Foundation ceremony Stephen Colbert, The Wendy Williams the Michigan Jazz Festival and the honoring in Canada; Show, Good Morning America, CBS Detroit International Jazz Festival, in Turin, singing The Flying Dutchman; This Morning, or Live with Kelly. She is he has traveled across the country the annual Freedom Awards filmed featured on the pilot episode of HBO’s and abroad both as a solo artist and at the Orpheum Theater in Memphis; Vinyl, directed by Martin Scorsese. She as musical director for Cook, Dixon “Noel, Noel” Christmas concert at is one of the few artists to perform in and Young, formerly of the Three Mo’ Mississippi Boulevard Church for Fox ’s Queenie Pie in the title Tenors. 13 broadcast on Christmas Day; and role (Long Beach Opera and Chicago Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party Opera Theatre). She also performed Rackham Choir Administration on VH1. His eclectic discography with in the window of Barney’s New York Suzanne Mallare Acton, Sony BMG, EMI and Naxos Records has under the direction of Baz Luhrmann. Artistic Director delighted fans all over the world. She can also be seen on YouTube as a Joseph Jackson, Accompanist featured vocalist in a few “viral videos.” Pat Minnick, Choir Manager Marion Hayden She is currently a faculty member at Victoria Bigelow, PhD, Education Born in Detroit, Marion Hayden is one Broadway Dance Theatre in Plainfield, Coordinator of the nation’s finest proponents of the New Jersey (voice). She holds a BFA in Carly Uhrig, Marketing Consultant acoustic bass. An early lover of jazz, musical theater from Millikin University. Kim Corbeil, Administrative Assistant Hayden was mentored by master trumpeter David Taylor Rackham Board of Trustees Marcus Belgrave and David Taylor studied percussion Emily Eichenhorn, President and began performing jazz performance at the University of Managing Board Member at the age of 15. She Cincinnati/College-Conservatory of Anna Giammarco, Vice President has performed with Music, where his principal teacher Luvy Corrigan, Treasurer such jazz luminaries was William Youhass. Other teachers Beth Adams, Secretary as Lionel Hampton, include Salvatore Suzanne Mallare Acton, Ex-Officio Nancy Wilson, Hank Jones, Benny Rabbio, Gordon Gregory Ashe Gholson, Frank Foster, Jon Hendricks, Stout, and Tim Victoria Bigelow, PhD Regina Carter, and Geri Allen. She Hagans. Since Clarence Jones is co-founder of the touring jazz returning to Detroit, Ray Litt ensemble Straight Ahead. Hayden is on Mr. Taylor has Stephanie Miltimore faculty at the Department of Jazz and performed shows Patricia Minnick Contemporary Improvisational Studies at the Fox, Masonic, Victoria Morgan at the University of Michigan and has and Fisher theaters. In addition, he Lori Weatherwax served as a clinician and adjudicator performs regularly with the Michigan Harry Williams at colleges and universities across Opera Theatre Orchestra and the the country. Recent projects include: Detroit Symphony Orchestra. He www.rackhamchoir.org Middle Passage Exiles, a collaboration has been a member of Wayne State [email protected] with 2015 Kresge Fellow, here husband, University’s jazz faculty since 1991 and 313.404.0222 M. Saffell Gardner, and I Sell the has toured Europe and Shadow, musical reflections of the with saxophonist Chris Collins. He has Follow us on Facebook and Twitter touring art exhibit 30 Americans. appeared on countless recordings, for more information about the choir, including work with Emmy award our education work, and our outreach Karen Marie Richardson winning composer/producer Joseph efforts. A native of the Chicagoland area, Karen LoDuca. David has taught at the Marie (though known nationally for her Interlochen National Music Camp. He is vocals) is a songwriter, actress, teacher, a Vic Firth Artist. and musician. She has performed in Too Hot To Handel Alvin B. Waddles as the alto soloist A native of Detroit, (Auditorium Theatre, Alvin Waddles Chicago, and Detroit studied at Interlochen Opera House) for the Arts Academy last nine seasons. She and the University is currently starring of Michigan School in the Off-Broadway of Music. He has sensation Sleep No More as jazz worked in the fine

20 BRAVO • Fall 2019 www.MichiganOpera.org Michigan Opera Theatre TOO HOT TO HANDEL

RACKHAM CHOIR Soprano Diana Turner Andrea Koueiter Joseph Dluzniewski Drew Gale Victoria Bigelow* Ashley Wester Anne Maters Jeff Fritz Gary Hasley Kathy Boettcher Kim Witten Patricia Minnick Richard Glover Art Jones*** Laura Casai Katie Worden Cheryl Murphy*** Jarrett Hazelton** Gary Lindell Lacey Cooper** Nancy Nelson Richard Jackson Scott Maggart Joan Crawford Alto Deb Nero Chris Jones Paolo Pacheco Hannah Cressman Maureen Abele Maggie Piazzon** Jeff Krueger* Steven P. Pejuan Beth Deuel Beth Adams Sarah Piper Koby Levin Laverne Schenk Michelle Drummond Fran Bachmann Mickey Rathel*** Jim Moore Alan Sebastian Lauren Fisher Myriam Bobe Linda Van Buren Mike Murphy*** David Twigg Emily Gay Erica Brehmer Rosie Walker Bill Steiner David Vaughn Madeline Gecosky Emily Eichenhorn Lori Weatherwax Brett Thompson Jack Walpuck Avital Granot Susan A. Fox Danielle Weitzman Harry Williams, Jr. Ben Ward** Meli Laurance Yvonne Friday* Will Yeats Amy Parenteau Anna Giammarco Tenor Bass Jennifer Pasha Andrea Gibson Gregory Ashe* Charlie Arnett* * Section leader Judith Szefi Kimberly Henderson Michael Boettcher Simone Bonino ** Rackham intern Andrea Tawil Victoria Isabell Matthew Cochran Zhicheng Cui ***Too Hot To Handel Ayana Thomas Wendy Keebler Norm Cratty*** Jaeden Footitt Chicago Choir

TOO HOT TO HANDEL ORCHESTRA VIOLIN I VIOLA SAXOPHONE TROMBONE ORGAN Eliot Heaton John Madison Christopher Collins Vincent Chandler Fred Hughes Jr. Concertmaster Scott Stefanko Russell Mallare Brittany Lasch Laura Leigh Roelofs Jacqueline Hanson James Hughes John Rutherford BASS Bryan Johnston James Greer Jose Mallare Marion Hayden Velda Kelly Mark Berger TIMPANI Andrew Wu CELLO Dan Maslanka ELECTRIC GUITAR Jonathan Tortolano HORN Al Ayoub VIOLIN II Andrea Yun Andrew Pelletier PERCUSSION Victoria Haltom Nadine Deleury Carrie Banfield-Taplin John Dorsey ELECTRIC BASS Dan Stachyra David Huckaby Tamara Kosinski James Simonson Emily Barkakati DRUM SET Anna Bittar-Weller BASS TRUMPET David Taylor Jenny Wan Derek Weller Rick Wolkins Detroit Federation of Gordon Simmons Musicians Local #5 American Michael Gause Alvin Waddles Federation of Musicians

CONTRIBUTORS TO TOO HOT TO HANDEL Andrea Kotch Duda CFP®, Senior VP Investments, Raymond James GOLD FRIENDS OF TOO HOT TO HANDEL Kelly M. Petrocella CFP®, CDFA™, Associate VP, Dr. Richard & Susan Bingham Investments, Raymond James® Art & Nola Chester William & Pamela Day Artistic Circle ($1,000-$4,999) Josh & Emily Eichenhorn Douglas & Luz Corrigan UPCOMING EVENTS: Greg & Susan Mazure Josh & Emily Eichenhorn Stephen & Mary C. Mazure Randall & Lila Pappal Celebrate Innovation Roger & Nancy Nelson Ronald Michalak & Barbara Frankel Conductor’s Circle ($500–$999) “Singing and Sipping: Bach’s Cantata 29 and Glen & Cynthia Solomon David Osborne & Suzanne Acton Coffee Cantata” Victoria Isabel Friday, March 13, 2020, at 7:30 pm SILVER FRIENDS OF TOO HOT TO HANDEL Felix & Caroline Rogers Philip & Maureen Abele First Presbyterian Church of Royal Oak Drs. John & Janice Bernick Patron Circle ($100-$499) Sunday, March 15, 2020, at 3:00 pm Bruce Bisballe & Fran Bachmann James & Constance Andres Lare & Marlene Blum Richard & Susan Bingham Orchard Lake Community Church Daniel & Susan Fox Stephen Black & Yvonne Friday Jeff & Dr. Germaine Fritz Robert & Dee Blankenburg Celebrate Legacy Dennis & Marjorie Glaza Carol Campbell Derek & Karen Hodgson David Connell Let Us Entertain You: John & Wendy Keebler Anna Giammarco 70th Anniversary Celebration Cabaret Patrick & Patricia Minnick John & Wendy Keebler Friday, March 27, at 7:00 pm Victoria Morgan Melissa Laurence James & Sarah Piper Hannan & Lisa Lis Italian American Banquet Center in Livonia Peter Saldana & Joan Emerick Scott & Janina Maggart Frank & Susan Sonye David & Tillie Nelson Celebrate Community Bud Uhl Mark & Suzanne Reynolds Mary Lou Zieve Andrew & Diane Rothman Voices of Tomorrow: Bud Uhl The High School Vocal Intern Showcase CONTRIBUTORS TO RACKHAM CHOIR Brittany Verran Lori Weatherwax Saturday, May 2, 2020, at 7:30 pm CORPORATE AND FOUNDATION SUPPORT Kirk in the Hills Refectory in Bloomfield Hills Ascension Michigan Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan Family Circle (Up to $99) Detroit Public Schools Foundation Phil & Maureen Abele Find details and purchase tickets DeRoy Testamentary Foundation Victoria Bigelow, PhD DTE Energy Foundation Simone Bonino at rackhamchoir.org Community Foundation of Greater Flint Marcia Closson Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs David Flaisher Come Sing with Us! Auditions are held National Endowment for the Arts Art & Nancy Krolikowski The Kresge Foundation Brenda Redding throughout the season. Contact info@ The Village Club Foundation Patricia Stewart rackhamchoir.org for more information Kathy Warbelow in Memory of Molly Adams Jo-Ann MacWilliams-Wolf WMS, AIF®, Senior VP Investments, Raymond James Trisha Wollam Rackham Choir is a 501(c)(3) organization.

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Fall 2019 21 Michigan Opera Theatre Donor Honor Roll Michigan Opera Theatre gratefully acknowledges the generous donors for their cumulative life-time giving. Their support has played a key role in the establishment of Michigan Opera Theatre since its founding in 1971 along with the building of the Detroit Opera House. Their leadership has and continues to play an integral part in the company’s viability, underwriting quality opera and dance performances, alongside award-winning community and educational programs.

$10,000,000 and above Ford Motor Company Fund $7,500,000 and above $5,000,000 and above General Motors Foundation Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs The Kresge Foundation William Davidson Foundation

$2,000,000 and above Mr.† & Mrs. Douglas Allison Mr. & Mrs. Herman Frankel The Skillman Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Barthel John S. & James L. Knight Foundation The State of Michigan Community Foundation for Southeast Lear Corporation R. Jamison & Karen Williams Michigan McGregor Fund Marvin, Betty and Joanne Danto Dance Endowment & Marvin and Betty Danto Family Foundation

$1,000,000 and above Mr. & Mrs. Robert Allesee Mrs. Barbara Frankel & Mr. Ronald Masco Corporation Mr.† & Mrs. Eugene Applebaum Michalak Matilda R. Wilson Fund † AT & T Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Frankel Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Bank of America Hudson-Webber Foundation Foundation Mr. & Mrs. John A. Boll Sr. JPMorgan Chase National Endowment of the Arts DTE Energy Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Peter Karmanos Dr. & Mrs. Sam B. Williams Mrs. Margo Cohen Feinberg & Mr. Mrs. Linda Dresner Levy The Andrew W. Mellon Robert Feinberg & Mr. Edward Levy, Jr. Foundation Forest 6 Advisors Mandell L. & Madeleine H. Berman Foundation Contributors to Michigan Opera Theatre Michigan Opera Theatre gratefully acknowledges the generous corporate, foundation, government, and individual donors whose annual cumulative contributions were made between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019. Their generosity is vital to the company’s financial stability, which is necessary to sustain MOT’s position as a valued cultural resource.

FOUNDATION, CORPORATE, $50,000 - $99,999 $10,000 - $24,999 Henry E. and Consuelo Wenger & GOVERNMENT SUPPORT J. Addison Bartush and Marion M. AVL Michigan Holdings Corporation Foundation Bartush Family Foundation (Don Manvel) The Karen & Drew Peslar Foundation $500,000+ J. Ernest & Almena Gray Wilde Fund DTE Energy Foundation MGM Grand Detroit The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation The Kresge Foundation Fifth Generation, Inc. Michigan Humanities Council Ford Motor Company Fund Marvin and Betty Danto Family Ida and Conrad H. Smith Endowment Ralph L. and Winifred E. Polk William Davidson Foundation Foundation for MOT Foundation Penske Corporation Kyyba Kidz Foundation The Samuel L. Westerman $250,000+ The State of Michigan Making Waves USA, LLC Foundation Community Foundation for Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC The Mary Thompson Foundation Southeast Michigan Worthington Family Foundation Michigan Council for Arts and $1,000 - $4,999 John S. and James L. Knight Cultural Affairs 4th Wall Theatre Company, LLC Foundation $25,000 - $49,999 Milner Hotels Foundation Albert Kahn Associates DeRoy Testamentary Foundation Moroun Family Foundation Antonio’s Cucina Italiana $100,000+ The Fred A. & Barbara M. Erb Family MOT Development Anonymous AOM, LLC The Dolores And Paul Lavins Foundation OPERA America Arts Midwest Foundation Hudson-Webber Foundation The Rattner and Katz Charitable The Ashley General Motors Corporation Masco Corporation Foundation Center For Financial Planning Lear Corporation Matilda R. Wilson Fund Comerica Incorporated Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher MGM Resorts Foundation $5,000 - $9,999 Foundation National Endowment of the Arts Allegra Print & Imaging Detroit 300 Conservancy University Musical Society Oliver Dewey Marcks Foundation Duran Healthcare Advisory Detroit Industrial School Flagstar Foundation Detroit Rotary Foundation

22 BRAVO • Fall 2019 www.MichiganOpera.org † Deceased Michigan Opera Theatre FOUNDATION, CORPORATE, & GOVERNMENT SUPPORT continued…

Detroit Zoological Society Joyce Cohn Young Artist Fund Northern Trust Bank Techmode Edward C And Linda Dresner Levy Key Private Bank Pepsico Foundation Inc. UBS Financial Services, Inc. Foundation Lee & Maxine Peck Foundation Planterra UHY LLP Forte Belanger Matrix Human Services Real Integrated VDV Concessions, LLC Fox Run Retirement Community Morgan Stanley Sigmund and Sophie Rohlik Wayne State Univ. Music Dept. War Memorial Moroch Partners LP Foundation Young Woman’s Home Association Huron Valley Council for the Arts Neogen Corporation Smith Family Foundation Your Cause, LLC James & Lynelle Holden Fund Nerds Xpress, LLC Somerset Collection Charitable Josephine Kleiner Foundation Network For Good Foundation

INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT Julia Donovan Darlow & Brock & Katherine L. Plumb Mr. Benjamin C. Meeker John C. O’Meara Prof. Sara A. Pozzi Ph. D Benjamin Meeker & $100,000+ Shauna Diggs Hershel & Dorothy Sandberg Meredith Korneffel The Estate of Robert C. & Mr. Michael Einheuser Mark & Lois Shaevsky Dr. Lisa Meils RoseAnn B. Comstock Marianne Endicott Susan Sills-Levey & Michael Levey Van Momon & Pamela L. Berry Mrs. Linda Dresner Levy Alex Erdeljan Frank & Susan Sonye E. & Dolores A. Mutchler & Mr. Edward Levy, Jr. Dr. Raina Ernstoff & Dr. Gregory Stephens Dr. & Mrs. Peter Nickles Mr. & Mrs. Peter Karmanos Mr. Sanford Hansell Ms. Danielle R. Stewart Barbara Nusbaum Richard Sonenklar & Lloyd Fell & Kathleen Lieder Ronald Switzer & Jim McClure Juliette Okotie-Eboh, Ph.D. Gregory Haynes Dr. Marjorie M. Fisher Joel & Shelley Tauber Richard & Debra Partrich Carl & Mary Ann Fontana Thomas & Kae Terrell Spencer & Myrna Partrich Daniel & Margaret Pehrson $50,000 - $99,999 Dean & Aviva Friedman Norman Thorpe John & Terry Rakolta Richard & Mona Alonzo Priscilla R. Greenberg PhD John & Barbara Tierney David & Jacqueline Roessler Joanne Danto & Arnold Weingarden James & Nancy Grosfeld Dr. John Weber & Dr. Dana Zakalik Audrey Rose Ethan & Gretchen Davidson Mr. Robert Hage David & Bernadine Wu Anthony & Sabrina Rugiero R. Jamison & Karen Williams John & Kristan Hale Mary Lou Zieve Addison & Deborah Igleheart Laurence & Barbara Schiff Donald & Kim Schmidt $20,000 - $49,999 Kent & Amy Jidov $2,500 - $2,999 Ellen Kahn Kenn & Liz Allen Alan Schwartz Marvin, Betty and Joanne Danto Dance Endowment & Marvin and Betty Danto Family Foundation Mr. & Mrs. John A. Boll Sr. Rosalind Sell Ms. Edith S. Briskin Thomas & Deborah Krikorian Sarah Allison John & Arlene Lewis Beverly Avadenka Arlene Shaler Robert Brown & Geraldine Ford- Sheila Sloan Brown Stephan & Marian Loginsky Mark & Caprice Baun Ms. Debra Bernstein-Siegel Mrs. Phyllis F. Snow James & Elizabeth Ciroli James LoPrete Joseph & Barbra Bloch Ms. Mary Anne Stella Avern Cohn & Lois Pincus Stephen & Paulette Mancuso Mr. Ronald Michalak Richard & Gwen Bowlby Jeffrey Tranchida & Noel Baril Mrs. Elaine Fontana Mrs. L. William Moll Betty Bright Mr. James G. Vella Mrs. Barbara Frankel & Donald & Antoinette Morelock Thomas & Dorothy Carson Marilyn Victor Mr. Ronald Michalak Ms. Anne Moroun Michael & Mary Chirco Inge A. Vincent Mr. & Mrs. Herman Frankel Allan & Joy Nachman Philanthropic Gloria Clark Bradley Wakefield & Michael & Barbara Kratchman Fund William & Kelly Connell Meghann Rutherford Alphonse Lucarelli Graham & Sally Orley Peter & Rochelle Cooper Stanley Waldon Susanne McMillan Charlotte & Charles Podowski Helen Daoud Ms. Margaret Winters Ali Moiin & William Kupsky Waltraud Prechter Jerry & Maureen D’Avanzo Joan Young & Thomas Schellenberg Mrs. Ruth F. Rattner Paul & Amy Ragheb Walter & Lillian Dean Roy & Maureen Roberts Irvin & Pamela Reid Mrs. Karen V. DiChiera $1,000 - $2,499 Ms. Patricia H. Rodzik Mrs. Carolyn L. Ross Lisa DiChiera & John Kane Nina & Howard Abrams Ankur Rungta & Mayssoun Bydon Bernard & Donna Rubin Debbie Dingell Mr. James Anderson Ms. Merle H. Scheibner Dr. Mildred Ponder Stennis Ms. Mary J. Doerr Ms. Deborah L. Anthony Jesse & Yesenia Venegas Dorothy Tomei Kenneth & Frances Eisenberg Dr. Harold M. Arrington Mrs. Chacona Baugh C. Thomas & Bernie Toppin Robert & Margo Feinberg Cecilia Benner $10,000 - $19,999 Barbara Van Dusen Oscar & Dede Feldman Mr. Stanislaw Bialoglowski Dr. Lourdes V. Andaya Ms. Anne Wilczak Adrienne & Robert Z. Feldstein Maurice & Linda Binkow Stephen & Jana Brownell Ned & Joan Winkelman Robert & Amy Folberg Herbert Danziger Barbara Garavaglia Eugene & Roselyn Blanchard Richard & Joanne Brodie Kevin Dennis & Jeremy Zeltzer $3,000 - $4,999 Glendon M. Gardner & Mr. Charles D. Bullock Enrico & Kathleen Digirolamo Mr. & Mrs. Barthel Leslie Landau Edward & Judith Christian Dilip & Sonal Dubey Richard & Susan Bingham Yousif & Mara Ghafari Douglas & Minka Cornelsen Mr. Cameron B. Duncan Ms. Nicole A. Boelstler Keith & Eileen L. Gifford Harvey & Edith Covensky Paul & Mary Sue Ewing Bob & Rosemary Brasie Allan Gilmour & Eric Jirgens Richard & Aurora Goetz Dr. Judie R. Goodman Daniel & Susan Drucker Dr. Lynne Carter Fern Espino & Tom Short Dr. Devon Hoover Dr. Mary Carol Conroy Carolyn Gordon Donald Manvel Samuel & Toby Haberman Mr. George Evans Lawrence & Doris David Mr. John Fleming Ms. Mary C. Mazure Dr. David DiChiera Mrs. Alice B. Haidostian Mr. Cyril Moscow Eugene & Donna Hartwig Burke & Carol Fossee Dr. & Mrs. Saul Forman Ms. Sharlene F. Gage William & Wendy Powers Harvey & Lois Freeman Gerhardt & Rebecca P. Hein Doreen Hermelin Thomas M. Gervasi Matthew & Mona Simoncini Ralph & Erica Gerson Ms. Una C. Jackman Mr. Lawrence Glowczewski Joe Skoney & Luisa Di Lorenzo Derek & Karen Hodgson Don Jensen & Leo Dovelle Mr. William Greene William Smith Mr. William Hulsker Gary & Gwenn Johnson Robert & Ann Greenstone Mr. Richard D. Ventura Ann Katz Mr. George Johnson Mr. Mark J. Harbeck Gary Wasserman & Charles Kashner Mrs. Stephanie Germack Kerzic Ms. Jill Johnson Myke & Tonya Hawkins Chak & Beth Lai Maxwell & Marjorie Jospey Fay & Allen Herman $5,000 - $9,999 Arthur & Nancy Liebler Linda & Thomas Klein Paul & Nancy Hillegonds Mr. & Mrs. Robert Allesee Mr. & Mrs. Emanuel N. Maisel Mark Kolins & Maria Abrahamsen Eleanor & Alan Israel Daniel Ammann The Hon. Jack & Dr. Bettye Paul Lavins Mrs. Esther Jaruga Thomas & Gretchen Anderson Arrington Martin Melvin Lester Richard & Involut Jessup Gene P. Bowen Eugene & Lois Miller Mado Lie David & Theresa Joswick Elizabeth Brooks Phillip & Dawn Minch Robert & Julia Kelly Kevin Browett Mary Alice Lomason Xavier & Maeva Mosquet Ms. Denise Lutz Ida King Wayne Brown & Brenda Kee Mr. George & Mrs. Jo Elyn Nyman Ms. Florine Mark Mr. & Mrs. David Kinsella Ilse Calcagno Mr. Jonathan Orser Ronald & Zvjezdana Martella & Joyce Urba Mr. Thomas Cohn David Osborne & Suzanne Acton Mr. Dexter C. Mason William & Jean Kroger Françoise Colpron-Schwyn Ms. Susan Peslar

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Fall 2019 23 Al & Susan LaCroix Michael & Margaret Keefe Ms. Laura Lamberti IN TRIBUTE Mr. Lawrence Larson Charles H. Keys & Barbara Levin Meria Larson Mrs. Mary L. Elwart-Keys William & Jacqueline Lockwood In memory of Gerard Beneteau Congressman Andrew & Mary Levin Gregory Knas Mrs. Mary Loria Anita Krebs Mr. Ron Lipson Express Employment Professionals Mr. John Lovegren & Stephen Lord Troy & Rochester Hills Mr. Daniel Isenschmid In memory of Bill Brooks Barbara Frankel & Ronald Michalak Tamara Luchini Dr. & Mrs. Kenneth Levin John & Vivienne Lucksom Mr. Joe Luther Ms. Lynne M. Metty Bridget MacDonald In memory of Marvin Frankel Robert & Terri Lutz Dr. James L. Moseley Ms. Margaret MacTavish Ellsworth & Janet Levine, Ms. Christy Mr. Loreto A. Manzo Ms. Nicole New Steven & Jennifer Marlette C. Torgler, Lewis & Cindi Wagner Ms. Janet Groening Marsh Walter & Elizabeth Newgeon Mr. Jeffrey D. Marraccini George & Tatyana Matish George & Nancy Nicholson Mr. John McElroy In memory of Nicholas Kondak Ms. Mary McGough Mrs. Rosalva Parada Patrick & Patricia McKeever Mrs. Diane Binkowski, Mr. George Ms. Patricia A. McKanna Peter & Teresa Roddy Brian & Lisa Meer Hirth, Mrs. Christine Mason, Mrs. P. Whitmer Mr. Benjamin Meeker & James Rodgers & Kathleen Mrs. Carmen R. Mejia-Sosa Dr. Meredith Korneffel Brozowski-Rodgers Ms. Evelyn Micheletti In memory of Eduardo Munoz Ms. Laurie Mickiewicz Ms. Charlotte Singewald Chuck & Alice Moss Perou Bruce Miller Gabriel & Martha Stahl Brian & Toni Sanchez Murphy Mr. & Mrs. Nestor A. Kleer Dr. Anne Missavage & Mr. Robert Ms. Lois Norman Borcherding $500 - $749 Mr. Ronald Northrup In memory of Eduardo and Katty Manuel & Nora Moroun James & Catherine Allen Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Nuyen Munoz Perou Peter Robert & Catherine Anthony Jennifer L. Pajak James & Cristina Sunstrum Ms. Linda Orlans Dennis Archer & Trudy Duncombe Mr. D. Sean Panikkar Archer In memory of James Michael Ryan Anne Parsons & Donald Dietz Mr. Michael Parisi Ms. Shelzy Ryan Mark & Kyle Peterson Angie & Rick Armstrong Charles & Mary Parkhill Peter & Marguerite Polidori Fred & Erika Baer Nicole Patrick In memory of Maritza Sabbagh- Mrs. Janet Pounds Emily Belcher Ms. Haryani Permana Kozora Rob & Linda Powers Mr. Brian Benson Phil Phillips Andrea Guttilla, Norman & Solange Rip & Gail Rapson William & Marcia Betz Richard Rattner & Linnea Lannon Messelian, Ms. Lucille Sabbagh, Dr. & Dr. Monique Reeves Ms. Kanta Bhambhani Ms. Paula Rausch Mrs. Michael Wayne Mr. Dennis C. Regan & Ms. Barbara A. Blanock Benjamin & Florence Rhodes In memory of Hector & Catherine Miss Ellen M. Strand Gerald & Marceline Bright Adam D. Rubin, M.D, Lakeshore Dr. & Mrs. Ronald T. Burkman Somerville Jeanne Reichert Professional Voice Center Ms. Lee A. Somerville Ms. Cheryl Reynolds Mrs. Beverly H. Burns Charles & Adam Russman Brenda & Howard Rosenberg Glenn & Joan Carpenter Professor Alvin & Mrs. Harriet In memory of Deborah Weathers George & Aphrodite Roumell Tonino & Sarah Corsetti Saperstein Alaina & Aria Williams William & Marjorie Sandy James & Christine Cortez Johanne & Claus Schaefer Mary Schlaff & Sanford Koltonow Cristina DiChiera & Neal Walsh Drs. Franziska & Robert Schoenfeld In honor of Suzanne Acton Dr. Christina Shanti Dr. Joshua Dilworth Diane & Morton Scholnick Mr. George Evans Ms. Cynthia Shaw Mr. Leonard R. Dimsa Mr. David Schon In honor of Joanne Danto and Ms. Bethany Shorb Donald & Anne Ditmars Marc & Naomi Shaberman Ms. Margo Downes Arnie Weingarten Mr. Zon Shumway Herbert & Melody Shanbaum Ms. Carole Slotkin Mr. Michael Smith & Eugene & Elaine Driker Mrs. Cynthia B. Shaw & Mrs. Katie Williams Smith Dr. Alan Eiser Mr. Tom Kirvan In honor of Douglass Diggs Ms. Theresa Spear & James Eng Mr. Terry Shea Joanne Danto & Arnold Weingarden Mr. Jeff Douma Mr. Robert E. Epstein Patrick & Carol Sheehy Mr. Theodore J. St. Antoine Mrs. Shirley M. Flanagan Donald & Joyce Sherman In honor of Feodora Earls James & Cristina Sunstrum Ms. Sue Force Ted & Mary Ann Simon Mrs. Ruth F. Rattner Dr. Lorna Thomas Daniel & Susan Fox Mr. & Mrs. Anthony R. Skwiers Daniel & Katharine Frohardt-Lane In honor of Marvin Frankel Michele & Scott Toenniges Ms. Carole Slotkin Ms. Mary E. Sestok Mathew & Barbara Vanderkloot Lawrence & Ann Garberding Mr. Carl R. Smith Gerrit & Beate Vreeken Lawrence & Irene Garcia Wesley & Sheila Smith In honor of Priscilla and John William Waak William & Janet Goudie Ms. Janet Stevens Kirlin Robert & Liina M. Wallin Philip & Martha Gray Gretchen Thams & James Bowman Stephen & Jana Brownell William & Martha Walsh Verna Green Buzz Thomas & Daniel Vander Ley Kenneth & Marilyn Way Anonymous Alice & Paul Tomboulian In honor of Dr. William Kupsky and Dr. Ali Moiin Ms. Leslie Wise Kristina K. Gregg Stuart & Barbara Trager Giacinta Gualtieri David Kupsky Law Group LLC, Mrs. Jose & Jocelyne Yanez Anne Marie Turnage Elizabeth S. Kupsky Anthony & Ellen Zeringue Jamie Hall, MD Leo & Jennifer Wasageshik Gregory & Julia Hays Prof. Michael Wellman In honor of Donald Morelock $750 - $999 Mr. Stephan Hodge Meredith Weston-Band & Gerson & Beverly Geltner Joshua & Judith Lowitz Adler Beth Hoger & Lisa Swem Jeffery Band Ali & Hanaan Alhimiri Anonymous Mrs. Jennifer R. Whip In honor of Patricia Nieman Robert & Elaine Appel Mario & Jane Iacobelli Christopher & Susan Wilhelm Ms. Helen C. Bauer Ms. Geraldine Atkinson Nezha Jioudi Ms. Kathryn Wilson Vernon & Hilary Blevins Geraldine & Jacqueline Keller In honor of Ruth Rattner Mr. Curtis Wolfe Lila Silverman Paul & Lee Blizman Shelley & Eric Kerr Mrs. Cathy C. Wood Frank & Jenny Brzenk Steve & Judith A. Kesler Mr. David D. Woodard Ms. Joyce E. Delamarter Mr. Daniel W. Ketelaar Dr. Ruth A. Worthington Mr. Terry Dewey Mr. & Mrs. Gerd H Keuffel Thomas & Cynthia Yates Howard & Nedra Downing Harvey & Aileen Kleiman Mr. Dominick Zaccone Ms. Carole Hardy Justin & Joanne Klimko Dr. Susan E. Harold M.D. Drs. Richard & Valmy Kulbersh

24 BRAVO • Fall 2019 † Deceased www.MichiganOpera.org Michigan Opera Theatre AVANTI SOCIETY Ensuring the Future Imagine a gift that outlives you, allowing future generations Avanti Society Members are Invited: to experience and enjoy the world of opera and dance. • To exclusive special events and previews. That’s the goal of The Avanti Society, Michigan Opera Theatre’s planned gift recognition program. Michigan Opera Theatre is honored that so many patron have chosen to declare their membership in the Avanti The Italian word avanti means “ahead,” or “forward.” The Society and has designed a small lapel pin for members to Avanti Society at Michigan Opera Theatre represents a wear proudly at Michigan Opera Theatre events. designated group of patrons Michigan Opera Theatre who have made plans to include the organization in their estates– AN AVANTI FOR TOMORROW whether by will, trust, insurance, or life income arrangement. The growth of Michigan Opera Theatre’s permanent Membership in The Avanti Society is open to all. Endowment Fund ensures the growth and future vitality of one of the region’s greatest cultural assets. You are invited In thanks for their generous support, Avanti Society to create your own legacy – your Avanti – through Michigan members are given special benefits and recognition for their Opera Theatre. heartfelt commitment to Michigan Opera Theatre. Please fill-out and mail in the confidential reply form to Avanti Society Members are Recognized: indicate your gift or contact • In “Bravo” opera and dance program books Angela Nelson-Heesch, Director of Development, at and the Annual Report. 313.237.3416 or [email protected].

AVANTI SOCIETY MEMBERS In recognition of their foresight and commitment, Michigan Opera Theatre profoundly thanks and recognizes members of the Avant Society.

Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. Allesee# Ms. Pamela R. Francis*† Mr. † & Mrs. Daniel Kolton Mr. & Mrs. Harold Siebert Mr.† and Mrs. Doug Allison Ms. Barbara Frankel & Mr. Ronald Misses Phyllis & Selma Korn*† Mrs. Marge Slezak Mrs. Adel Amerman*#+ Michalak*# Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Krolikowski* Mr.† & Mrs. Richard Sloan† Dr. Lourdes V. Andaya* Mr. & Mrs. Herman Frankel*# Mr. Max Lepler & Mr. Rex Dotson Ms. Anne Sullivan Smith Mr. & Mrs. Agustin Arbulu* Mrs. Rema Frankel*#† Mr. Philip Leon† Ms. Phyllis Funk Snow* Mr.† & Mrs. Chester Arnold* Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Freeman Mr. Stephen H. Lord Mr.† & Mrs. Richard Mr. & Mrs. Lee Barthel Mrs. Jane Shoemaker French Ms. Jane McKee* Starkweather*#+ Mr. & Mrs. J. Addison Bartush*#† Dr. & Mrs. Byron P. Georgeson* Drs. Orlando & Dorothy Miller* Mr. Stanford C. Stoddard Mr. & Mrs. Brett Batterson* Priscilla R. Greenberg, Ph.D.*#† Ms. Monica Moffat & Mr. Pat Dr. Jonathan Swift† & Mr. Thomas Mr.† & Mrs. Mandell Berman Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Hagopian McGuire A. St. Charles* Mr.† & Mrs. Art Blair* Mr. Lawrence W. Hall* Demetra & Theodore Monolidis† Mr. Ronald F. Switzer* Mr. Robert Bomier Mr. & Mrs. Jerome Halperin* Drs. Stephen & Barbara Munk Mr. Edward D. Tusset* Mr. & Mrs. Richard Bowlby Ms. Heather Hamilton Mr. Jonathan F. Orser Mr.† & Mrs. George Mr.† & Mrs. Roy E. Calcagno* Mr. Kenneth E. Hart* Ms. Julie A. Owens Vincent*#+ Dr. & Mrs. Thomas E. Carson Mr. & Mrs. Eugene L. Hartwig* Mr. Dale J. Pangonis* Mrs. Amelia H. Wilhelm*# Dr.† & Mrs. Victor J. Cervenak* Dr. & Mrs. Gerhardt A. Hein Mr. & Mrs. Charles A. Parkhill Mr. & Mrs. Walter P. Work* Miss Halla Claffey† Ms. Nancy B. Henk Mr. Richard M. Raisin* Mr. & Mrs. Larry Zangerle Prof. Kenneth Collinson Mrs. Fay Herman Mrs. Ruth F. Rattner*# Mr. & Mrs. George M. Mr. & Mrs. Robert C. Comstock#† Mr. & Mrs. Derek Hodgson Ms. Deborah Remer Zeltzer*† Dr. Robert A. Cornette*# Mr. Andrew Howell Dr. Joshua Rest Mrs. Mary Rita Cuddohy Ms. Carol Howell Mr. & Mrs. James Rigby* Avanti Logo & Pin Design: Ms. Mattie Cunningham† Dr. Cindy Hung* Mr. Bryan L. Rives Ms. Monica Moffat Mr.† & Mrs. Tarik Daoud*# Alan & Eleanor Israel Ms. Patricia Rodzik* & Mr. Pat McGuire Mr. & Mrs. Marvin I. Danto† Drs. Heidi & Dale Jacobs Ms. Joanne B. Rooney† Mr. Thomas J. Delaney Ms. Kristin Jaramillo* Mr.† & Mrs. Giles L. Ross Key: Dr. David DiChiera†# Mr. Donald Jensen* Aphrodite & George Roumell *Founding Members Mrs. Karen V. DiChiera*# Mr. John Jesser† Ms. Merle H. Scheibner† #Touch the Future donors Ms. Mary Jane Doerr# Mr. Patrick J.† & Mrs. Stephanie Ms. Susan Schooner* +Avanti Society sponsors Dr. & Mrs. Charles H. Duncan*† Germack Kerzic Drs. Heinz & Alice Platt Schwarz* †deceased members (italicized) Mrs. Charles M. Endicott*# Mr. & Mrs. Robert Klein# Mrs. Frank C. Shaler* Mr. & Mrs. Herb Fisher* Mrs. Josephine Kleiner† Mr. Stephan Sharf† Mrs. Anne E. Ford† Mr. & Mrs. Erwin H. Klopfer*# Ms. Laura Sias

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Fall 2019 25 Historic Path to a Bold Future The Campaign for Michigan Opera Theatre

Pursuant to a comprehensive strategic plan, the Board and Trustees of Michigan Opera Theatre have launched a Historic Path to a Bold Future campaign to invest $50 million in exceptional artistic experiences, broad-based community initiatives, enhanced institutional efficiencies, and facilities improvement. This campaign is designed to ensure that the David DiChiera legacy thrives beyond his tenure by positioning MOT for continued artistic success and community engagement well into the future. The following individuals, businesses, and foundations have declared their initial leadership gifts to the campaign. As of October 31, 2018, more than $25.7 million has been committed.

$1 Million and above $100,000 - $249,999 Sarah and Doug† Allison AVL — Don Manvel William Davidson Foundation Avern Cohn, Lois Pincus and Thomas Cohn Ford Motor Company Mary Rita Cuddohy† Danialle and Peter Karmanos Gretchen and Ethan Davidson John S. and James L. Knight Foundation DeRoy Testamentary Foundation Lear Corporation Barbara Frankel and Ronald Michalak Linda Dresner Levy and Edward Levy, Jr. Alphonse Lucarelli The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Ali Moiin and William Kupsky Ruth F. Rattner $500,000 - $999,999 Maureen and Roy Roberts Floy and Lee Barthel Mona and Matthew Simoncini Sharon and Herman Frankel Anthony Soave Karen and R. Jamison Williams $50,000 - $99,999 $250,000 - $499,999 Elizabeth and James Ciroli Joanne Danto and Arnold Weingarden Gloria Clark Marvin and Betty Danto Foundation Cameron Duncan Ann E. Ford† Michael Einheuser Rema Frankel† Aviva and Dean Friedman Richard Sonenklar and Gregory Haynes Kristan and John Hale Donna and Bernard Rubin Ankur Rungta and Mayssoun Bydon Yesenia and Jessie Venegas World Heritage Foundation-Prechter Family Fund † = Avanti Society

26 BRAVO • Fall 2019 www.MichiganOpera.org Michigan Opera Theatre Dance Education

Master Classes Offer Learning Opportunities earn from professional dancers when they come to Detroit to Lperform on the Opera House stage! This is a great opportunity for intermediate to advanced level dancers looking to learn from the professionals. Classes include The Joffrey Ballet, BalletMet, Malandain Ballet Biarritz, Dance Theatre of Harlem and American Ballet Theatre. Class styles and age restrictions vary from company to company. Information is posted on the website. All classes are open to the public and free with a corresponding ticket stub or $25 without a ticket stub, and take place in the Margo V. Cohen Center for Dance in the Ford Center for Learning at the Detroit Opera House. Pre-registration in required because of space limitations. For information and to register, please go to www.michiganopera.org/learning/dance-education/

Enjoy Dance Film, Refreshments, and Discussion! ance lovers from all over Detroit come together for dance films, food, Ddrink, and discussion on Tuesday evenings. All dance films take place at the Detroit Opera House in the Ford Center for Learning in the Chrysler Black Box Theatre. A $10 donation is payable at the door, and this includes refreshments. No reservations are required. For more information call 313-237-3251 or go to www.michiganopera.org/ learning/dance-film-series/ for upcoming dates.

AUDITIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES Michigna Opera Theatre thanks the 60+ families for taking time to support dance at the Detroit Opera House and allowing their dancers to audition for the annual presentation of The Nutcracker. MOT and BalletMet enjoy working with the local dancers to make the production extra special. The Detroit Opera House is a stop for many major dance companies and programs on their nationwide audition tours. If you are looking for a summer program for your budding dancer, watch for audition dates in early 2019 for summer intensive programs including Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School, artÉmotion Summer Intensive, BalletMet Dance Academy’s Summer Intensive, Dance Theatre of Harlem, and many others. Dates can be found at www.michiganopera.org/working-with-us/dance-auditions/.

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Fall 2019 27 Administration & Staff

Wayne S. Brown TOURING ARTISTS OF COMMUNITY PRODUCTION President and Chief Executive Officer PROGRAMS Soprano: Clodagh Earls ADMINISTRATION Mezzo-Sopranos: Aja Dier, Olivia Johnson Elizabeth Anderson, Production Coordinator DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS Tenor: David Moan and Artistic Administrator Richard Leech, Director of Resident Artist Baritones: Branden C.S. Hood, Kathleen Bennett, Production Administrator Programs DeVonte King Ken Saltzman, Stage Manager Nancy Mims, Director of Human Resources Pianist: Joseph Jackson Nan Luchini, Hailli Ridsdale, Assistant Stage Rock Monroe, Director of Safety and Security, Percussionist: Marwan Aman-Ra Managers DOH and DOHPC Laura Nealssohn, Director of MICHIGAN OPERA THEATRE MUSIC Communications CHILDREN’S CHORUS STAFF Suzanne Mallare Acton, Assistant Music Angela Nelson-Heesch, Director of Suzanne Mallare Acton, Director Director and Chorus Master Development Dianna Hochella, Assistant Director, Molly Hughes, Orchestra Personnel Manager David W. Osborne, Director of Production Principal Chorus Conductor Jean Posekany, Orchestra Librarian Andrea Scobie, Director of Education Jane Panikkar, Preparatory Chorus Jean Schneider, Repetiteur Patricia Walker, Chief Administrative Officer Conductor TECHNICAL AND DESIGN STAFF Arthur White, Director of External Affairs Twannette Nash, Chorus Administrator Daniel T. Brinker, Technical Director Joseph Jackson, Principal Chorus ADMINISTRATION Monika Essen, Property Master and Scenic Accompanist William Austin, Executive Assistant Artist Maria Cimarelli, Preparatory Chorus Timothy Lentz, Archivist and Director, Heather DeFauw, Assistant Lighting Designer Accompanist Allesee Dance and Opera Resource Library and Assistant Technical Director Emily Crombez, Theory Teacher Catherine Nicolia-Staples, Archivist Kevin Neuman, Assistant Technical Director Bryce Rudder, Senior Librarian, Allesee Dance Dee Dorsey, Supertitle Operator COMPUTER SERVICES and Opera Resource Library Shane O’Connor, Technical Assistant Chris Farr, Network Administrator PATRON SERVICES John Grigaitis, Information Technology COSTUMES Development Manager Suzanne M Hanna, Costume Director Jocelyn Aptowitz, Development Associate, Rosemarie Di Rita, Wardrobe Mistress Individual Giving DANCE Susan A. Fox, First Hand Christy Gray, Development Administrator Jon Teeuwissen, Artistic Advisor to Dance Maureen Abele, Emily Christianson, Colin Knapp, Manager of Donor Engagement Kim Smith, Dance Coordinator Kristina Hales, Mary Ellen Shuffett, Maery Simmons, Assistant Manager – Patricia Sova, Stitchers CRM Operations FINANCE Sonya Thompson, Development Resource Kimberley Burgess, Rita Winters, STAGE CREW Coordinator Accountants John Kinsora, Head Carpenter Kathy Kercorian, CFO Frederick Graham, Jr., Head Electrician Marketing/Public Relations Pat McGee, Head Propertyman Mitchell Carter, Website Coordinator Chris Baker, Head of Sound DETROIT OPERA HOUSE John Grigaitis, Photographer Mary Ellen Shuffett, Head of Wardrobe HOUSE MANAGEMENT Michael Hauser, Marketing Manager Robert Martin, Head Flyman Randy Elliott, House Manager Erica Hobbs, Communications Manager Gary Gilmore, Production Electrician Jon Rosemond, Marketing Operations FACILITIES MANAGEMENT Associate IATSE Local #38, Stage Crew Juan Benavides, Building Engineer Maery Simmons, Assistant Manager IATSE Local #786, Wardrobe Jesse Carter, Senior Building Engineer CRM Operations Dennis Wells, Facilities Manager Ticket Office David Bradley, Building Maintenance Tunisia Brown, Box Office Manager Evan Carr, Keontay Carter, Patron Services CATERING AND SPECIAL EVENTS Associate, Ticketing Holly Clement, Events Manager Bridgette Leising, Associate Director of Sales, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY Detroit Opera House PROGRAMS Tiiko Reese-Douglas, Events Assistant Mark Vondrak, Associate Director of Jennifer Consiglio-George, Events Community Programs Matthew Murray, Education and Community SAFETY AND SECURITY Programs Coordinator Darrin Cato, Stage Door Sergeant A.M. Hightower, Control Center Officer MICHIGAN OPERA THEATRE STUDIO Lt. Lorraine Monroe, Supervisor Michael Sherman, Principal Coach/ Demetrius Newbold, Control Center Officer Accompanist Kenneth Blue, Stage Door Officer Edward Graves, Tenor Avery Boettcher, Soprano Darren Lekeith Drone, Baritone Katherine DeYoung, Mezzo-soprano Allen Michael Jones, Bass

28 BRAVO • Fall 2019 www.MichiganOpera.org Michigan Opera Theatre The Very Last Green Thing

The Michigan Opera Theatre Children’s Chorus (MOTCC) is a groundbreaking ensemble and the first of its kind for Metro Detroit children. Founded in 2007, the MOTCC, with children ranging from 8-16 years old, has charmed audiences of all ages, embracing The Very Last Green Thing — diverse cultures and traditions in an extensive MOTCC Children’s Opera range of genres from folk songs to opera. Come ByCindiJonesPhotography.com Cary John Franklin see the MOTCC perform! Presented at the Fisher Theatre inside the at 3011 W. Grand Blvd, Detroit

A Winter Fantasy: Holiday Concert A timeless environmental message of hope makes The Very and Fundraiser Last Green Thing a must-see for all ages! Joining MOTCC Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019 4 p.m. will be the sharing a 15-minute interactive presentation about what we can do to be good Join us for our annual showcase concert stewards of our planet. Volunteers will be invited on stage to featuring beautiful choral music by the MOTCC. help demonstrate different scenarios. Tickets are $30 for adults 18 and older, $50 for box seats, $15 for ages 5 and up, and free for Student Dress Rehearsal children 4 and younger. Friday, April 24, 2020 at 11 a.m. in the Fisher Theatre Tickets must be purchased in advance at the Detroit Opera Concert at 1st Presbyterian Church, House box office: $10/Student; 529 Hendrie Blvd, Royal Oak 1 FREE Chaperone Ticket for every 10 tickets Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019 2 p.m. Public Performance: Saturday, April 25, 2020 at 2:30 p.m., Fisher Theatre MOTCC Staff MOTCC’s Earth Day Celebration begins at 1:30 p.m. in the Suzanne Mallare Acton, Director Fisher Theatre lobby with family-friendly activities. Dianna Hochella, Assistant Director, Principal Chorus Conductor Tickets include parking: Jane Panikkar, Preparatory Chorus Conductor Premium Seats: $55 • Adult: $40 • Children: $15 Twannette Nash, Chorus Administrator Joseph Jackson, Principal Chorus Accompanist For more information about the MOTCC and to order tickets Maria Cimarelli, Preparatory Chorus visit www.motcc.org or contact MOTCC Chorus Administrator, Accompanist Twannette Nash at [email protected] Emily Crombez, Theory Teacher

Preparatory Chorus Ava Noecker Principal Chorus Myla Garceau Riya Nambiar Isabella Vesprini Mark Panikkar Shanzay Ali Elizabeth Garcia Natalie Nikolajevs Sofie Warburton Dasia Barnes Ava Pierre Enzo Ballini Piedrahita Nina Georgeff Maria Panikkar Grace Watson Mario Butts Aubrey Record Alexandra Beck Hannah Gray Joslyn Phillips Breah Marie Willy Rainey Cunningham Princeton Reese Cooper Bush Allan Grigsby Elle Pierre Claire Wolfe Oscar DeLuca Keara Schultz Mallory Childs Katie Hamilton Chiara Pirra Brigitte Zook Cedrick Johnson Lillian Tang Maureen Conway Micah Hobbs Elizabeth Pryer Kimberly Johnson Viraj Tathavadekar Stephanie Davidescu Ava Kern Madeline Quint Lucia Jolokai Christine Thomas Tala Deeb Adam Kerr Charlotte Russell Rucha Joshi Kailey Thomas Gabrielle Duso Molly Levin Anna Schultz Ivy Kelley Nova Thomas Tyler Edwards Anika Lopes Bridget Shene Oscar Kotlarz Rosaleigh Wyman Nadim Ezzeddine Rebecca Lucksom Andrianna Teftsis Joanna Lin Lillian Fellows Lauren Mattison Aidan Thomas

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Fall 2019 29 In remembrance of our founder and long term general director, The David DiChiera Artistic Fund has been established to support and honor his artistic vision. This fund enables Michigan Opera Theatre to produce compelling opera, present innovative dance, and engage with thousands of students and members of our community through our educational and outreach programs. Most importantly, it allows MOT to preserve David’s legacy and his dedication to the young people of Southeast Michigan and young emerging artists from all over the country. To contribute or for more info, please visit www.michiganopera.org or contact Colin Knapp, Manager of Donor Engagement at 313.965.4271 or [email protected].

Michigan Opera Theatre gratefully acknowledges the generous corporate, foundation, and individual donors Michigan Opera Theatrewhose gifts gratefully to The acknowledgesDavid DiChiera theArtistic generous Fund were corporate, made before foundation, June 30, and 2019. individual donors whos gifts to The David DiChiera Artistic Fund were made before March 14, 2019. Individuals Nick Dorochoff & John Beason Lisa Meils Buzz Thomas & Daniel Vander Ley Richard & Mona Alonzo Keith O. Edwards Lynne M. Metty Patricia Thull CarlINDIVIDUALS Angott LuisaMarianne Di Lorenzo Endicott & Joe Skoney ReneeSarah Lounsberry Mumford BuzzJeffrey Thomas Tranchida & Daniel & VanderNoel Baril Ley Hon.Carl Angott Dennis & W. Tom Archer Ball & Hon. Trudy ElaineDaniel Ellison Enright EvanAli Moiin Luskin & William Kupsky PatriciaElliott Thull & Patti Trumbull Hon.Duncombe Trudy Duncombe Archer Archer MarianneAndrew Fisher Endicott AlexMOT May Orchestra Fund c/o William PattiMathew & Elliott & Barbara Trumbull Vanderkloot Gordon & Hon. & Dennis Pauline W. Arndt Archer DanielBarbara Enright Fisher & William Gould MaryKing Mazure — in honor of Nadine Deleury’s BarbaraWilliam & &Mathew Martha Vanderkloot Walsh TimothyPauline & & Gordon Linda Arr Arndt AndrewCarl & Mary Fisher Ann Fontana LisaRetirement Meils MarthaGary Wasserman& William Walsh & Charles Kashner Jeffrey Atto Barbara Frankel & Ronald Michalak Julia O’Brien Kevin & Andrea Webber Linda & Timothy Arr Nancy & Peter Gaess Sarah Mumford Andrea & Kevin Webber Virginia Berberian BarbaraPeter & FisherNancy & Gaess William Gould JuliaGraham O'Brien & Sally Orley CarolBradford & Bradford & Carol White White JereJeffrey & CaroleAtto Berkey Lawrence & Ann Garberding Charles & Mary Parkhill R. Jamison & Karen Williams Mary Ann & Carl Fontana Sally & Graham Orley Karen & R. Jamison Williams HenriNoel Baril & Anaruth & Jeffrey Bernard Tranchida Gary & Sylvia Graham Nicole Patrick Peter Wilson DouglasJoe Beason & Rhonda & Nick DorochoBonnet ff BarbaraWilliam FrankelGreene & & Ronald Peter McGreevy Michalak MaryChristopher & Charles Patten Parkhill Mary Lou Zieve PriscillaVirginia BowenBerberian AnnKristina & Lawrence Gregg Garberding NicoleMichael Patrick Poris CORPORATIONS & WayneCarole &Brown Jere Berkey& Brenda Kee SylviaStephen & Gary & Jean Graham Hartle ChristopherRip & Gail Rapson Patten FOUNDATIONSCorporations & Foundations PatriciaAnaruth Byrne & Henri Bernard WilliamRhea Hill Greene & Peter McGreevy LoisMarija Pincus Rich & Hon. Avern Cohn NorthernAOM,LLC Trust Bank Frank & Jenny Bzrenk Rita Hoffmeister Pamela Rowland Northern Trust Bank Rhonda & Douglas Bonnet Kristina Gregg Michael Poris Community Foundation for JamesPriscilla & Bowen Susan Catlette JeanAnne & & Stephen Bob Horner Hartle MarijaBarry Rich & Deane Safir Community Foundation for Richard Cavaler Patricia Jeflyn Diana Marro Salazar SoutheasternSoutheastern Michigan Michigan Patricia Byrne Rhea Hill Pamela Rowland DeRoy Testamentary Foundation Ed & Judy Christian RitaMartin Ho ffKaganmeister DeaneBill & &Marge Barry Sandy Safir DeRoy Testamentary Foundation HowardSusan & &James Judith Catlette Christie Francine King Alvin & Harriet Saperstein EdwardEdward C &C Linda& Linda Dresner Dresner Levy Levy Anne & Bob Horner Marge & Bill Sandy TheRichard Honorable Cavaler Avern Cohn & Lois Dr. Sanford Koltonow & Dr. Mary David Schon FoundationFoundation JudyPincus & Ed Christian MartinSchlaff Kagan MaryChristine Schla ffSchlesinger & Sanford Koltonow FidelityFidelity Charitable Charitable Fund Fund MartinJudith &Collica Howard Christie CharlesMichael Kashner & Barbara & Gary Kratchman Wasserman DavidTerry Schon Shea HermanHerman & andSharon Sharon Frankel Frankel Foundation DeborahMartin Collica L Connelly BrendaArthur Kee& Nancy & Wayne Ann BrownKrolikowski ChristineDorienne Schlesinger Sherrod LegacyFoundation Foundation HollyCarmen Conroy & Telmer Constan FrancineJames & King Ellen Labes DoriennePeter & MarySherrod Siciliano LoPreteLegacy Family Foundation Foundation Telmer Constan Chak & Lizabeth Lai Matthew & Mona Simoncini LoPrete Family Foundation Diana & James Cornell Colin Knapp & Frank Kong Mona & Matthew Simoncini The Eugene & Marcia Applebaum JamesJohn Craib-Cox & Diana Cornell NancyMado LieAnn & Arthur Krolikowski BettyeKendall & LeeSmith Smith Pal Properties John Craib-Cox William & Jacqueline Lockwood Lee & Bettye Smith TheFamily Eugene Foundation & Marcia Applebaum Ann & Stephen Cybulski William Kupsky & Ali Moiin Kendall Smith Stephen & Ann Cybulski Stephan & Marian Loginsky Loretta Snyder The FamilyJ. Addison Foundation & Marion M. Bartush Dodie & Larry David Ellen & James Labes Loretta Snyder Family Foundation Gail Danto & Arthur Roffey LizabethStephen && ChakJean LordLai JanetRichard Stevens Sonenklar & Gregory Haynes J. Addison Bartush and Marion M. WalterKevin Dennis & Lillian & DeanJeremy Zeltzer Renee Lounsberry Janet Stevens UnitedBartush Jewish Family Foundation Foundation Mado Lie Angela Theis KevinCristina Dennis DiChiera & Jeremy & Neal Zeltzer Walsh Evan Luskin Austin Stewart The Kresge Foundation LuisaLisa DiChiera Di Lorenzo & John & Joe Kane Skoney JacquelineAlex May & William Lockwood BeverlyRonald Thomas Switzer & Jim McClure United Jewish Foundation Cristina DiChiera & Neal Walsh Mary Mazure — in honor of Nadine Angela Theis Lisa DiChiera & John Kane Deleury’s and Gregory Near’s Beverly Thomas contribution to MOT

30 BRAVO • Fall 2019 www.MichiganOpera.org Michigan Opera Theatre General Information

PHOTOGRAPHY, RECORDING & COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES Photography or recording during any performance is strictly prohibited. You are welcome to take photographs in the lobby before or after a performance and during intermission. As a VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATION courtesy to our guests, please switch all electronic devices to silent mode and refrain from using them during the performance.

Greetings from the MOT Volunteer Association. IN CASE OF EMERGENCY Doctors and parents are advised to leave their seat location (located on ticket) and our emergency number, (313) 237-3257, I have been a music lover for many years and with their service or sitter in case of an emergency. Please Michigan Opera Theatre is very important to me. observe the lighted exit signs located throughout the theater. Our MOTVA volunteers provide the company a In the event of an emergency, please remain calm and walk – tremendous level of support. We have over 700 do not run – to the nearest exit. Our ushers are trained to lead members who serve as ushers, tour guides, and you out of the building safely. A trained Emergency Medical Boutique volunteers. Our Divas and Divos provide Technician (EMT) is onsite during most events. Please see an artist hospitality, and the Opera League and Dance usher or staff member to contact the EMT. Council members host parties to celebrate events RESTROOMS such as opening night performances. Last year our Ladies’ restrooms are located off the Ford Lobby (Broadway members logged almost 20,000 volunteer hours. Street entrance), down the stairs; and on the third floor (Madison Bravi! Street entrance) – press “3R” on the elevator to reach this facility. Gentlemen’s restrooms are located under the Grand Staircase If you are hearing about our and also on the third floor (Broadway Street side) – press “3” on volunteer programs for the first the elevator to reach this facility. All third floor restrooms are time and you would be interested wheelchair accessible. A unisex, wheelchair accessible restroom is located in the Cadillac Opera Café. in joining us, please give us a call. Volunteering is a great way NO SMOKING to meet other interesting and The Detroit Opera House is a smoke-free facility. involved patrons. Membership information is located on USHERS the MOTVA web page at Ushers are stationed at the top of each aisle. If you have a question michiganopera.org/get-involved/volunteers/ or concern, please inform an usher, who will contact management. or call Colin Knapp at (313) 965-4271 or email If you are interested in becoming a volunteer usher, please call [email protected]. Colin will be happy to the House Manager at (313) 237-3252. speak with you and connect you with a volunteer ATM’s opportunity to meet your needs. Located in the Ford lobby of the theatre and the John R Street lobby of the Detroit Opera House Parking Center. I offer my sincere thanks to all of our current volunteers. You are THE BEST! LOST & FOUND Lost and Found is located in the Safety and Security Department. Sincerely, Please see an usher if you have misplaced an article, or call (313) 961-3500 if you have already left the theater. Items will be held in Lost and Found for 30 days.

SERVICES Terry Shea, President, MOTVA Concessions stands are located on all levels. Please note that food and drinks are not permitted in the auditorium at any time. Coat Check is located at the Guest Services desk in the Vincent MOTVA Committees, Chair(s) Lobby (Madison Street side). Please note that the Detroit Opera Dance Films, Larry Glowczewski House does not accept responsibility for any personal articles Divas and Divos, Helen Arnoldi-Rowe that are not checked at the coat check. Opera House Tour Guides, Myrna Mazure Opera League, Dodie David IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION Publicity, Annette Marchesi Website...... www.MichiganOpera.org Secretary, Nancy Moore EMERGENCIES...... (313) 237-3257 Special Events, Gwen Bowlby, Don Jensen Michigan Opera Theatre...... (313) 961-3500 & Curtis Posuniak General Information...... (313) 961-3500 Ushers, Kathie Booth Lost and Found...... (313) 961-3500 Ticket Office...... (313) 237-7464 Past Presidents Theater Rental Information...... (313) 961-3500 Steven Marlette, Dodie David, Detroit Opera House Fax...... (313) 237-3412 Betty Brooks, Gloria Clark Press and Public Relations...... (313) 237-3403 Herman Frankel | Opera House Parking Center...... (313) 965-4052

Michigan Opera Theatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO • Fall 2019 31 35+ showrooms | one destination

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