DEFINING THEFUTURE TULSA BALLET • 2019 From the Artistic Director...

I am writing this message while sitting in Tulsa quality story ballets to augment our already Ballet’s Larkin Studio, watching our wonderful impressive repertory; renewed investments in dancers create a new work by Ma Cong, caught creating new works and a new The Nutcracker, between the past, the present and the future one that will delight the lives of members of our of our organization. And suddenly everything community for at least the next decade. comes into sharp focus. A few years later all of those initiatives have Ms. Larkin, our founder together with Mr. Jasinski, become a reality. The Hardesty Center for started this organization in the distant 1956. Dance Education is not only beautiful, thanks Throughout our storied past, the company has to the artistry of architects Bob Schaefer and gone through a multitude of different phases Janet Selser, but also filled with life, due to the and iterations: from civic to professional, from hundreds of students that populate its studios. relatively unknown to internationally acclaimed, Four new full-evening works have been acquired from operating in three different locations to by the company, two of them new to the world, “under one roof,” and most recently conducting thanks to the generosity of Mollie Williford. the business of the arts in multiple campuses. More works are being created every year, giving From my vantage point today, the simple fact Ma Cong and his generation of dance makers a that I am sitting in the Larkin studio symbolizes voice. A new version of The Nutcracker is in the our legacy with the past. Watching our artists works and will debut soon, coinciding with the at work captures the vibrancy of our present. 65th birthday of Tulsa Ballet. More initiatives And observing Ma Cong mold steps into were started because of your support, more dances that don’t yet exist, exposes me to the accomplishments will follow because of you accomplishments of our future. generosity. The Defining the Future Integrated Campaign We have a storied past. We wake up every was a bold initiative, one conceived with the morning to an illustrious present. We laid the explicit purpose of laying the foundation for the foundation for a spectacular future. Our ideas next quarter century of growth and success for reflected your vision for the next phase of growth Tulsa Ballet. It all started in the spring of 2014, of this organization; your support has guaranteed when my partner in crime Scott Black and I asked a prosperous future for the company. On behalf ourselves “What’s next?” How do we maintain of all of us at Tulsa Ballet, I want to thank you for relevance for our community while contributing your investment in the organization. Generations to the growth of field? The answers came quickly: of Tulsans will be indebted to you for affording expand the family, expose an increasing number them a meaningful life through the beauty of the of people to our art form, continue creating arts. works that inspire and enrich the lives of others and, above all, serve our community by being an engine for innovation, art and culture. The tools we used to accomplish those lofty goals were all part of this campaign: a new academy that would extend our reach into the community, while giving back to the same community through high quality dance Marcello Angelini instruction; an expanded endowment to increase George Kaiser Family Foundation our financial stability; a number of new, high Artistic Director From the Campaign Leadership...

For sixty-three years, Tulsa Ballet has served the community of Tulsa through performances on stage, educational programs, and community events. What started out as a modest regional ballet company has now evolved into a nationally and internationally recognized arts organization. We are proud to support the work of this organization and we are grateful to the many generations of Tulsans who have contributed to Tulsa Ballet’s growth along the way. Thank you for your support of the Defining the Future Integrated Campaign. As the largest fundraising initiative in the history of Tulsa Ballet, its successful completion will propel this organization toward achieving even greater things for our community. We appreciate each and every one of you who has helped us achieve this milestone for the future of this organization.

Integrated Campaign Integrated Campaign Chair Integrated Campaign Chair Honorary Chair 2014-2016 2017-2019

Contents About Tulsa Ballet...... 4 Defining the Future Campaign Overview...... 6 Hardesty Center for Dance Education...... 7 Creation of New Productions...... 12 Endowment Growth...... 14 Annual Operations...... 16 Campaign Donor Recognition...... 18 2018|2019 Board of Directors...... 19

Cover photos: Jennifer Grace and the Artists of Tulsa Ballet in Dorothy and the Prince of Oz (middle left); Minori Sakita and Rodrigo Hermesmeyer in Tchaikovsky: The Man Behind the Music (bottom right). About Tulsa Ballet Our Mission Since 1956, Tulsa To serve as an essential asset Ballet has been one of our region through exciting internationally-acclaimed artistic of Tulsa’s crown excellence and exemplary education and outreach. jewels, evolving from a small regional We commit to: • Preserve the tradition of classical ballet company to ballet an internationally- • Promote the appreciation of contemporary dance recognized arts • Create works of superior and enduring quality organization. • Educate through exceptional dance training, performances and Husband and wife Roman Jasinski outreach programs and Moscelyne Larkin, and musician Rosalie Talbott founded Ballet Arts, Our Vision Inc. (known today as Tulsa Ballet), To be an innovative leader, powerful blending classical dance with dramatic partner and global cultural theatre. Internationally known dancers representative of a community in in the Ballet Russe tradition, Jasinski which the performing arts are valued and Larkin set the tone for artistic and promoted as an indispensable excellence—a foundation that has been resource. preserved and built upon for decades.

Photo (Left): Early Tulsa Ballet advertisement.

Photo (Right): Roman Jasinski, Moscelyne Larkin, and two ballet dancers from local studios.

Photo (Opposite Page): Marcello Angelini and Moscelyne Larkin on the cover of Tulsa People. 4 In 1992, it became clear that Tulsa Ballet could no longer operate out of multiple buildings. Thus the community of Tulsa came together to donate $2.6 million to the organization’s A Home of Our Own Campaign. To this day, Tulsa Ballet’s studios, administrative and school offices, costume shop, and warehouse storage are housed in the facility purchased through that campaign. In 1995, Marcello Angelini—a graduate of the Kiev Institute of Dance, and principal dancer and guest artist with some of the most renowned troupes in the world— stepped onto the stage as the company’s Artistic Director, leading the organization to a new level of success. In 2002, Tulsa Ballet made its international debut at Portugal’s Sintra Festival, one of the most renowned dance festivals in Europe. In 2003, doors to the Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education (CDE) opened. Here students, ages 3 to adult, receive dance training and education. CDE also Since then, Tulsa Ballet’s commitment develops and maintains educational to excellence has only grown. The outreach programs that serve public organization consistently attracts the schools in Tulsa and surrounding finest choreographers in the world. Tulsa communities, many of which are low- Ballet employs a company of 28 full- income. Finally, Tulsa Ballet II began as time dancers from around the world, an a pre-professional opportunity for rising ensemble of 12 pre-professional dancers, dancers from around the world. and a staff of nearly 50 who support the organization’s day-to-day operations. The Tulsa Ballet began its Exceeding organization has toured the United States Expectations Campaign to expand the and the world, representing Tulsa and Center for Dance Education, expand Oklahoma as the first arts organization outreach programs, and expand the to be designated an Oklahoma Cultural repertoire of the professional company. Ambassador (Governor Brad Henry, Finally, the campaign provided for the 2007). construction of an onsite theater, Studio K. The community of Tulsa again came together, this time to donate over $17 million to secure Tulsa Ballet’s future.

5 Defining the Future Considered one of the “Top 10” for the city of Tulsa and state of professional ballet companies in North Oklahoma, while also reinforcing the America, and referred to as “one of the financial foundations to secure the best in the world” by the international organization’s permanence. The success press, Tulsa Ballet continues to put Tulsa of this campaign has solidified Tulsa and the state of Oklahoma on the map as Ballet’s long-term presence in our a destination for arts and culture in the community while allowing us to maintain heartland of America. the highest standards of artistic and financial excellence. By recognizing the Yet, when compared to its peers, it need for a long-range financial plan becomes clear that there is no other that is less reliant on annual fundraising ballet company like Tulsa Ballet. No other initiatives, this campaign has created company consistently attracts the finest opportunities to increase earned revenue dancers and choreographers in the world through ticket sales, school tuition, to a city the size of Tulsa, presenting investments and audience development. works that can only be seen elsewhere in cities like San Francisco, Houston, At the close of the 2018|2019 season, one New York City, and Chicago. Other ballet of the most successful in the company’s companies with comparable repertoire history, Tulsa Ballet announced that it have budgets at least two or three times had achieved its $25 million goal for the size of Tulsa Ballet’s budget. the Defining the Future Campaign – the largest fundraising initiative in the Through the Defining the Future history of the company. The integrated Campaign, Tulsa Ballet has strengthened campaign exceeded its goal by raising a its role as an essential cultural institution total of $25.2 million.

Photo: Madalina Stoica in Shibuya Blues. 6 Hardesty Center for Dance Education

After just one year of construction, The Tulsa Ballet Hardesty Center for Dance Education opened in August 2016 and is now extending Tulsa Ballet’s commitment of excellence to the residents of South Tulsa, Bixby and Broken Arrow.

Photo: Marcello Angelini and Ann Graves touring the Hardesty Center for Dance Education during its contruction.

7 Hardesty Center for Dance Education Ann and Jack Graves Studios

Studio 2 Break Room graciously donated by graciously donated by J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation H.A. and Mary K. Chapman Charitable Foundations Mervin Bovaird Foundation

Studio 4 Costume Shop graciously donated by graciously donated by Bonnie Klein SEMGroup Corporation

Studio 3 graciously donated by Janet Selser and Robert Schaefer

Lou and Connie Miller Charitable Foundation Lobby

Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation Performance Studio

8 Hardesty Center for Dance Education

A groundbreaking ceremony was boys and girls, and a spacious lobby to held on July 6, 2015, and the building accommodate waiting parents are all opened for classes in August 2016. part of the floor plan. The school also The building spans 21,000 square feet. includes The Anne and Henry Zarrow Each studio features a professional Foundation Performance Studio, basket-woven sprung floor with Marley which serves as a performance venue covering, ten-foot mirrors and a state for ballet students and educational of the art sound system. Administrative outreach programs, as well as a office space, separate dressing areas for functioning dance studio.

Photo (from left to right): Dana Wilkes, Marilyn Cox, Michelle Hardesty, Scott Black, Hannah Robson, Ann Graves, Georgia Snoke, Billie Barnett, Stacey Jenkins, Marcello Angelini, and Kirby Lehman.

9 Hardesty Center for Dance Education

This facility is dedicated to the many community leaders and visionairies who paved the way for the first 60 years of Tulsa Ballet, and for the future generations of dance artists, supporters, and advocates.

Building Committee Kirby Lehman, Chairman Janet Selser, Selser Schaefer Architects Marcello Angelini, Artistic Director Scott Black, Managing Director Stacey Jenkins, General Manager Architect: Selser Schaefer Architects Civil / Structural Engineering: KKT Architects, Inc Mechanical / Electrical Engineering: Phillips + Gomez General Contractor: Oakridge Builders Environmental Graphics: Walsh Branding

10 Hardesty Center for Dance Education

11 Creation of New Productions Mollie Williford, Chairman of Williford Energy and Tulsa Ballet Board President Emeritus, provided the lead gift to support the creation of two new, full-length ballets. Additionally, sets and costumes were purchased for Romeo and Juliet and Strictly Gershwin. These productions increase Tulsa Ballet’s audience and attract new patrons. The Nutcracker The H.A. and Mary K. Chapman Charitable Foundations and the Suzanne and Jim Kneale Family Foundation have provided funding to support a brand new production of The Nutcracker, to be debuted in a future season. Photo: Madalina Stoica and Rodrigo Hermesmeyer in Dorothy and the Prince of Oz. Dorothy and the Prince of Oz Dorothy and the Prince of Oz had its genesis in the fall of 2014 in Columbus, Ohio. The ballet would be a collaboration between Tulsa Ballet and BalletMet, featuring choreography by BalletMet Artistic Director Edwaard Liang, libretto and music by Oliver Peter Graber, costumes by Mark Zappone, and scenery and puppets by MacArthur Fellow Basil Twist. The production— the largest the organization has ever undertaken—had its world premiere at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center in the spring of 2017 as part of Tulsa Ballet’s 60th Anniversary Season. 12 Tchaikovsky: The Man Behind the Music

In the spring of 2019, Tulsa Ballet presented a feature-length, world- premiere ballet, titled Tchaikovsky: The Man Behind the Music. While Pyotr Illyich Tchaikovsky composed music for some of the most prolific ballets ever, including The Nutcracker, Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty, the story of his personal life has gone mostly untold. His homosexuality was long kept a secret, and what is known about his death is still mired by gossip and speculation to this day. The production featured a stellar creative team, including composer Oliver Peter Graber (Dorothy and the Prince of Oz), Russian historian Daniela Kolic, New Zealand’s top designer Tracy Grant Lord, Resident Choreographer Ma Cong and Artistic Director Marcello Angelini. Photo: The Artists of Tulsa Ballet in Tchaikovsky: The Man Behind the Music. Endowment Growth The following funds have been pledged to Tulsa Ballet’s endowment as part of the organization’s Integrated Campaign. These funds will ensure the sustainability of Tulsa Ballet for generations to come.

Bonnie Klein Audience Favorite Endowment Fund Providing support for productions with mass audience appeal

Photo: The Artists of Tulsa Ballet in Dracula.

Margery Mayo Bird Classical Masterpiece Endowment Fund Providing support for productions that preserve the tradition of classical ballet

Photo: Na Eun Kim and Hyonjun Rhee in The Sleeping Beauty.

Judith and Jean Pape Adams Artistic Excellence Endowment Fund Providing support for Tulsa Ballet’s commitment to uncompromising artistic quality

Photo: Andy Blankenbuehler in studio with the Artists of Tulsa Ballet.

14 Endowment Growth

Kathy and Bob West World Premiere Endowment Fund Providing support for productions that foster the creation of new works

Photo: Rodrigo Hermesmeyer and Maine Kawashima in Parhelia.

Sanford and Irene Burnstein Arts Access Endowment Fund Providing access to ballet performances for at risk youth

Hannah and Joe Robson Endowment Fund Providing general support

Special Recognition for Endowment Gifts Funds for General Support Jo and Jack Babbitt • Barnett Family Foundation Monica Williford and Steve Bayles • Katrine and Ramez Hakim Lou and Connie Miller Charitable Foundation Hannah and Joe Robson • Patsy Savage • Will Smith Jill and Robert Thomas • Karen Young Funds for Education Outreach The Albert and Hete Barthelmes Foundation Funds for Contemporary & New Works Jackie Kouri and Gary Paxton • Betty and Steve Pirnat Kayla and Scott Vaughn

15 Annual Operations Each year, Tulsa Ballet depends on annual gifts and grants to provide funds for general operations. As part of the Integrated Campaign, operating funds provide a financial bridge until the endowment begins generating income. These operating funds ensure that Tulsa Ballet will continue to offer award-winning education and outreach programs, such as Leaps Ahead, Leaps in Motion, and Peter and the Wolf.

Leaps Ahead and Leaps in Motion Leaps Ahead is an in-studio class the importance of movement, exercise, designed to introduce elementary and a healthy lifestyle. Leaps Ahead school students to the physical and Leaps in Motion provide physical, conditioning of classical ballet, and mental, and emotional benefits Leaps in Motion is its travelling for participating youth. During the counterpart. Students experience the 2018|2019 Season, over 400 students rich tradition of ballet while learning experienced these programs.

16 Peter and the Wolf Peter and the Wolf is the new children’s ballet created specifically for Tulsa Ballet II by Resident Choreographer Ma Cong. Thanks to a partnership with The Kennedy Center’s Any Given Child initiative, every fifth grade student in the Tulsa Public Schools system experienced this magical performance. Last year, Peter and the Wolf served students from 60 schools. Additionally, over 1,300 individuals beyond Tulsa Public Schools, including home-schooled youth and local families, enjoyed access to one of six public performances at a low cost of $10 per ticket.

Special Recognition for Operating Gifts Funds for General Support Billie and Howard Barnett Barnett Family Foundation Blue Sky Bank | Wendy and Gentner Drummond GlobalHealth Margery Mayo Bird Foundation Susan Parrott Susan and Bill Thomas Funds for Education & Outreach The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation George Kaiser Family Foundation IBC Bank The Oxley Foundation Photo: Enzo Convert in Peter and the Wolf. 17 Campaign Recognition

Pledges as of May 31, 2019 Skip Teel Susie and Mark Butterworth Bobbie and Wally Whaling Rachel and Chase Curtiss $1,000,000+ Williams Barbara and Arlo Dekraai The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation Diana and Milton Wolff Chrystal and Jake Dollarhide George Kaiser Family Foundation Stephanie Forrest Ann Graves $10,000 - $24,999 Lou Ann and David Gibson The H.A. and Mary K. Chapman Charitable Linda and Ray Booker Sarah Jane and Matt Gillett Foundations Elise and Terry Brennan Peggy Helmerich Hardesty Family Foundation Don and Erin Chappel Betsy and Bryan Hendershot The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation Patricia Chernicky Kathleen Patton Westby Foundation Judith and Jean Pape Adams Charitable Commerce Bancshares Foundation Lyndsay and Peter Janzen Foundation Dunitz Family Charitable Foundation Laurel Johnson and Brandon Rule Bonnie Klein Cheryl and John Forrest The Kerr Foundation, Inc. Margery Mayo Bird Foundation Janie and Earl Funk Pat Bryson and Mike Kojundic Mollie Williford Jacqui and Roger Haglund Thomas Landrum Julia and David Harper Luxa Enterprises $500,000 - $999,999 Bonnie and Frank Henke Oakridge Builders Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Laura and Walt Hulse Charles Peterson Foundation James E. & Mary M. Barnes Foundation Rebecca and Scott Pohlenz Selser Schaefer Architects | Soohyun and Marvin Jin Resolute PR Janet Selser and Robert Schaefer Johnson Family Foundation | Paul Johnson Toni and Tim Ross Lou and Connie Miller Charitable Foundation Leanne Helmerich Dennis Neill and John Southard Suzanne and Jim Kneale Family Foundation Barbara and Bill McEntee Belynda and Weldon Spitzer Kathy and Bob West Cindy and Michael Noland Melanie and Tom Tate Osage Casino Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts and Culture $250,000 - $499,999 Lisa Owens John Sawyer and Jack Wallace Bobbye Ruth and Dewitt L. Potter Leigh and John Reaves Warburton Family Foundation Fund Hannah and Joe Robson Sharna and Irvin Frank Foundation Alison Anthony and Mark Wilson Sheri and Charles Stinson $100,000 - $249,999 Barbara and David Sylvan Up to $999 The Albert and Hete Barthelmes Foundation Walsh Steve Aberson Barnett Family Foundation Bill and Becky Warnock Anne and Brent Adams Monica Williford and Steve Bayles Susie and Don Wellendorf Martha Blackburn Katrine and Ramez Hakim Marydith and Paul Williams Kirk Clausing Maurice Devinna Charitable Trust Diane Glass Meinig Family Foundation $5,000 - $9,999 Helen Jo and Jim Hardwick The Mervin Bovaird Foundation Jennifer and Jonathan Anthony Shelley Floyd and Albert Loshkaiian The Oxley Foundation Lisa and Dennis Cameron Anna and Andre Siegenthaler Sanford and Irene Burnstein Foundation Cheryl and Larry Chambers Crystal and Jim Stovall SemGroup Corporation Rosalie Childs Father Ralph Urmson Taylor Jill and Robert Thomas Kathleen Coan Donna O’Rourke and Tom Twomey Kayla and Scott Vaughn Barbara and Kevin Coffman Marian and Max Vowel Rachel Zebrowski and Ben Costello Terri and Charley Wall $50,000 - $99,999 Marilyn Inhofe Davis Lisa and Michael Webb Jo and Jack Babbitt Robyn Devore Cassandra Wilkinson Billie and Howard Barnett Carol Ann Drummond Lacey and Will Woodring Blue Sky Bank | Charlotte and Wade Edmundson Wendy and Gentner Drummond Linda Strong and Steve Higgins The Charles and Marion Weber Foundation Carol Bailey Kamp GlobalHealth Andy Kinslow and Russ Kirkpatrick David Hogan Geneva and Kirby Lehman IBC Bank Mariner Wealth Advisors KKT Architects Anne and Philip Marshall Susan Parrott Ryan McDaniel Jackie Kouri and Gary Paxton Laura Parrott Betty and Steve Pirnat Beth and Jim Rainey Patti Johnson Wilson Foundation Jaya Richardson Patsy Savage Lynne and Bill Schonacher Will Smith Rita Singer Susan and Bill Thomas Julie and Ken Smith Karen Young Cassie Reese Tipton $25,000 - $49,999 $1,000 - $4,999 Mary Wheeler and Spencer Brown Caroline Abbott Mary McMahon and Lon Foster Arvest Burt Holmes in honor of Mary Lee Townsend Lauren and Casey Bingham Inasmuch Foundation Black Optical Rodney Bryan Prat Kerri and John Bowen Georgia and Kenneth Snoke Pattie and David Bowman Sandy and John Stava Michele and Tilt Brown

18 2018|2019 Board of Directors Chair Janet Selser Executive Vice Chair Susie Wellendorf Immediate Past Chair Kayla Vaughn Presidents and Chairs Emeriti Mary Barnes • Billie Barnett • Cheryl Forrest • Ramez Hakim • Leanne Helmerich Betty Pirnat • Hannah Robson • Bill Schonacher • Georgia Snoke • Skip Teel Mollie Williford Elected Directors Anne Adams • Jennifer Anthony • Byron Bighorse • Lauren Bingham • Martha Blackburn Karen Conner • Chase Curtiss • Charlotte Edmundson • Lou Ann Gibson • Betsy Hendershot Laura Hulse • Soohyun Jin • Paul Jonhson • Suzanne Kneale • Ginger Kollmann Abby Kurin • Kirby Lehman • Ryan McDaniel • Nicole Morgan • Lisa Owens Frauke Quiroga • Leigh Reaves • John Sawyer • Julie Smith • Dave Sopark Amy Spencer • Sheri Stinson • Linda Strong • Melanie Tate • Susan Thomas Cassie Reese Tipton • Kathy West • Wally Whaling • Cassandra Wilkinson • Will Woodring

Advisory Directors Elise Brennan • Mary Wheeler Brown • Pat Bryson • Dennis Cameron • Larry Chambers Kirk Clausing • Jake Dollarhide • Wendy Drummond • Diane Glass • Jacqui Haglund Peggy Helmerich • Lou Kerr • Andy Kinslow • Bonnie Klein • Thomas Landrum Michael Noland • Donna O’Rourke • Susan Parrott • Rebecca Pohlenz • Elizabeth Rainey Toni Ross • Wiliam Smith • Belynda Spitzer • Barbara Sylvan • Monica Williford Chair Appointees Nixa Blevins • Robyn Devore • Stephanie Forrest • Sandy Stava • Crystal Stovall • Diana Wolff

Honorary Directors Ann Graves • Jackie Kouri

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