br avo - ums.org avo winter/spring 2018 dance season the 2017–2018 dance season is made . possible...
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BRAVOWINTER/SPRING 2018 DANCE SEASON
The 2017–2018 Dance Season is made possible by the Lear Corporation
Dance Theatre of HarlemMARCH 24-25
AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE
Romeo and JulietFEB. 8-11
Paul Taylor Dance CompanyAPRIL 21-22
Isabella Boylston and JamesWhiteside. Photo: Gene Schiavone
MichiganOperaTheatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO•Winter2018
WelcometotheMichiganOperaTheatre(MOT)2018winter/springdanceseason,featuringthe
AmericanBalletTheatre(ABT),theDanceTheatreofHarlem, and the Paul Taylor Dance Company! Since 1996, dance has been a key component of our artistic offeringsbutonethatwouldnotbepossiblewithoutpartnershipsthroughoutthecommunity. Followingfivesold-outperformancesofABT’sThe Sleeping Beauty in2016,wearedelightedtopartneronceagainwithUniversityMusicalSociety(UMS)
to present ABT’s exquisite production of Romeo and Juliet. Thismulti-yearpartnershipbetweenMOTandUMS,withthe support of the Community FoundationofSoutheastMichigan,has enabled us to present some ofthemostsignificantdancersintheworldtoDetroitaudiences.Additionally, the partnership has enabled us to present numerous
dancersinschoolsaswellasundertheauspicesoflocalorganizations,furtheringourcommitmenttoartseducationandcommunityengagement. DuringtheABTResidency,MOTandUMSwilljoinforceswiththeGreaterWayneCountyChapterofTheLinks,Inc.,partofanationalwomen’sserviceorganization,tofurtherdanceexposure.Throughourpartnership,theLinksaregalvanizingthecommunitytobringmorethan500audiencememberstotheopeningnightofRomeo and Juliet. Additionally,theorganizationisencouragingchildrenindancebyprovidingasignificantnumberofMOTdanceseriessubscriptionstobeusedbychildrenandalsobyofferingfullscholarshipstotwoBalletDetroitstudents. Finally,weexpressourappreciationtotheLearCorporation for its third consecutive year as our season sponsor for the MOT Dance Series. Lear and CEO MatthewSimoncinihavebeenanexceptionalchampionof dance and dance education in our community and an incomparable advocate for the Detroit Opera House. AsheconcludeshisleadershiprolewithLear,allofusassociatedwithMOTextendourbestwishesandprofound thanks! As you experience one of our performances, wethankyouforyoursupportofMOTandhope you can join us for many more performances in the seasons ahead!
WayneS.BrownPresidentandCEO,MichiganOperaTheatre
The Royal Opera House, La Scala, Palais Garnier—thegreatestoperahousesintheworldhave
longrecognizedtheimportanceofpresentingdancealongsideopera.WeatMichiganOperaTheatre(MOT)are proud to continue to prioritize this beautiful art formaswell.SinceopeningtheDetroitOperaHousein1996,MOThaspresentedmorethan32dancecompaniesonitshistoricstage,includingworld-renownedcompaniessuchastheJoffreyBallet,AlvinAiley American Dance Theater and the Bolshoi Ballet.
Thiswinter/springseason,wewelcomethereturnofthreethreedistinguisheddancecompanies: American Ballet Theatre, the Dance Theatre of Harlem and the Paul Taylor Dance Company.
As the very first dance company presented on the DetroitOperaHousestage,American Ballet Theatre
hasperformedninetimeswithMOT.ThroughourpartnershipwithUniversityMusicalSociety,wearedelightedtopresentthemagainthisFebruarywithRomeo and Juliet. This production tells the classic Shakespearetragedyofstar-crossedloversbutwiththepowerofmusicandmovementthatcanexpressemotionsinawaywordsalonecannot.Featuringsomeofthebestdancersontheplanet,wecan’twaittosharethistrulyspecialexperiencewithyou. InMarchwewelcomethereturnoftheDanceTheatreofHarlem,anotherlong-termdancepartnerwithMOT.SimilartoMOT,thecompanysharesthevaluesofproducingworksthatrepresentagamutof experiences. With repertoire performed to music rangingfromclassicaltojazztopop,thecompanyaims to make ballet more representative and accessibletodiverseaudiences.Itisagoalweshare,andwelookforwardtosharingtheirworkwith Metro Detroit. OurdanceseasonconcludeswiththePaulTaylorDanceCompany,consideredamongthebestmoderndancecompaniesintheworld.Knownforitsworktacklinghard-hittingissues,includingmortality,morality,war,loveanddeath,thecompany’spowerfulprogramwilltouchthesoul. We invite you to join us for one or several of our excitingperformancesthisseasonandlookforwardtoseeingyouagainattheDetroitOperaHouse!
Stephen LordPrincipalConductor,MichiganOperaTheatre
WELCOME
Welcome from UMS President
TheUniversityMusicalSocietyoftheUniversityofMichigan(UMS)isdelightedtopartnerwithMichiganOperaTheatre(MOT)fortheseperformances of American Ballet Theatre’s production of Romeo and
JulietFebruary8-11.WejoinourwonderfulfriendsandcolleaguesatMOTinwelcomingyoutotheDetroitOperaHouse,trulyoneofthemostbeautifulandbelovedoperaanddancehousesintheMidwest. Overthepastthreeseasons—startingwiththeABTperformances of The Sleeping Beauty in2016—UMSandMOThaveworkedtogethertoraisethevisibilityofdanceinSoutheastMichigan.InadditiontothetwoABTproductions,wecollaboratedlastyearonperformancesby Mark Morris Dance Group of Layla and Majnun at the PowerCenterinAnnArbor. Our collaboration has meant an expanded audience for all of these productions, not to mention the related educational and community activities that have reached hundredsofstudentsandyoungpeoplethroughoutthestate.Andbyworkingtogether,wehavealsobeenabletoensurethateveryoneiswelcome;aspartofthisyear’sCommunityDayinitiative,wesetaside1,000freeorlow-costticketsfor underserved communities to attend the Saturday matinee performance of Romeo and Juliet. All of these efforts are made possible thanks to the Community Foundation forSoutheastMichigan,whichprovidedathree-yeargranttoinspirethispowerfulcollaboration. UMSisexcitedaboutandproudofourrelationshipwithDetroit.OurcollaborationswithDetroitartsorganizations—includingtheDetroitSymphonyOrchestra,SphinxOrganization,MosaicYouthTheatre,COMPÁS,andCollegeforCreativeStudies,inadditiontoMOT—areveryrewarding.Inaddition,we’vepresentedworld-classmusic,theater,anddanceperformancesoverthepastfewyearsattheDetroitBoxingGym(NoraChipaumire’sportrait of myself as my father),Trinosophes(DawnofMidi),TheSchvitz(Bubble Schmeisis,comingupthisMarch),andElClub(SteveLehmanandSélébéyone,alsoinMarch). UMShasbeenpresentingdancesincethe1961-62season—infact,ABTperformedarepertoireeveninginAnnArborthatsameyear.Overthenextfewmonths,wearepresentingseveraldancecompaniesinAnnArbor,andweinviteyoutojoinusatthePowerCenterforCompanyWangRamirez,whichcombinesbreakdancing,classicaldance,andanaerialriggingsysteminaninnovativeapproachtomovement(March9-10);thethrillingNederlandsDansTheater,whichpresentsthreedifferentworksbyCrystalPiteandbyPaulLightfootandSolLeón(March23-24);andthecreativeteamfromBelgium’sCharleroiDansespresentingCold Blood,creatinganephemeralanddreamlikeworldinwhichfingersdance,cavortingindelightfulminiaturesettingsandtakingonhuman-likeforms,allwhileprojectedinrealtimeonalargescreen(April19-21).It’shardtodescribe,bututterlycaptivating.Wewouldlovetoseeyouthere!
MatthewVanBesien PresidentUMSisrecipientofthe2014NationalMedalofArtsfromPresidentObama
Arecipientofthe2014National Medal of Arts, UMS (alsoknownastheUniversityMusicalSociety)contributestoa vibrant cultural community byconnectingaudienceswithperformingartistsfromaroundtheworldinuncommonandengagingexperiences.Oneoftheoldestperformingartspresenters in the country, UMS isanindependentnon-profitorganizationaffiliatedwiththeUniversityofMichigan,presentingover70music,theater,anddanceperformances by professional touringartistseachseason,alongwithover100freeeducationalactivities. UMS is committed to boldartisticleadership,engagedlearningthroughthearts,andaccess and inclusiveness. Since 1990,theorganizationhasco-commissioned and supported theproductionofnearly80neworreimaginedworks.MatthewVanBesien joined UMS as its seventhpresidentinJuly2017.
BRAVO•Winter2018 www.MichiganOpera.org MichiganOperaTheatre
Romeo and JulietFebruary 8-11, 2018
American Ballet TheatreKevin McKenzie Kara Medoff BarnettArtistic Director Executive Director
Alexei RatmanskyArtist in Residence
STELLA ABRERA · ISABELLA BOYLSTON · JEFFREY CIRIO · MISTY COPELAND · HERMAN CORNEJODAVID HALLBERG · SARAH LANE · ALBAN LENDORF · GILLIAN MURPHY · HEE SEO
CHRISTINE SHEVCHENKO · DANIIL SIMKIN · CORY STEARNS · DEVON TEUSCHER · JAMES WHITESIDE
SKYLAR BRANDT · THOMAS FORSTER · JOSEPH GORAK · ALEXANDRE HAMMOUDI · BLAINE HOVENLUCIANA PARIS · CALVIN ROYAL III · ARRON SCOTT · CASSANDRA TRENARY · ROMAN ZHURBIN
AlexeiAgoudine·JooWonAhn·MaiAihara·NastiaAlexandrova·AlexandraBasmagy·HannaBass·AranBell·GiseleBetheaGemmaBond·LaurenBonfiglio·KathrynBoren·LuigiCrispino·GrayDavis·ClaireDavison·BrittanyDeGrofft·Zhong-JingFangScoutForsythe·PatrickFrenette·AprilGiangeruso·CarlosGonzalez·BreanneGranlund·KielyGroenewegen·MelanieHamrick
SungWooHan·CourtlynHanson·ConnorHolloway·CatherineHurlin·AndriiIshchuk·AnabelKatsnelson·JonathanKleinEricaLall·CourtneyLavine·VirginiaLensi·CarolynLippert·IsadoraLoyola·XuelanLu·DuncanLyle·TylerMaloney
HannahMarshall·BetsyMcBride·CameronMcCune·ElinaMiettinen·KahoOgawa·GareginPogossian·LaurenPost*KelleyPotter·WanyueQiao·LuisRibagorda·RachelRichardson·JoseSebastian·GabeStoneShayer·CourtneyShealy
SeanStewart·KentoSumitani·NathanVendt·PaulinaWaski·MarshallWhiteley·KatherineWilliams·StephanieWilliamsRemyYoung·JinZhang·ZhiyaoZhang
Apprentices SierraArmstrong·ZimmiCoker·SimonHoke·FangqiLi·JoãoMenegussi·JavierRivet
2017-2018DanceSeasonSponsor
Clinton Luckett Assistant Artistic Director
Ormsby Wilkins Music Director
Charles Barker David LaMarchePrincipal Conductor Conductor
Principal Ballet Mistress Susan Jones
Ballet Masters Irina Kolpakova · Carlos Lopez
Nancy Raffa · Keith Roberts*2018 Jennifer Alexander Dancer
American Ballet Theatre is aco-presentationwith
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MichiganOperaTheatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO•Winter2018
JOANNE DANTO AND ARNOLD WEINGARDENOpeningNightPerformanceSponsor
KEVIN DENNIS AND JEREMY ZELTZERSaturdayEveningPerformanceSponsor
THE GREATER WAYNE COUNTY CHAPTER OF LINKS INC.
Dance Season Education Partner
ROMEO AND JULIET
Scene 5Outside the Capulet houseAstheguestsleavetheball,LadyCapuletrestrainsTybaltfrompursuingRomeo.
Scene 6Juliet’s balconyUnable to sleep, Juliet comes out ontoherbalconyandisthinkingofRomeowhenhesuddenlyappearsinthegarden.Theyconfesstheirlovefor each other.
Intermission
ACT II, Scene 1The market placeRomeo can think only of Juliet, and asaweddingprocessionpasses,hedreamsofthedaywhenhewillmarryher. In the meantime, Juliet’s nurse pushesherwaythroughthecrowdsinsearchofRomeotogivehimaletterfrom Juliet. He reads that Juliet has consentedtobehiswife.
Scene 2The chapelThe lovers are secretly married by FriarLaurence,whohopesthattheirunionwillendthestrifebetweentheMontaguesandtheCapulets.
Scene 3The market placeInterruptingtherevelry,TybaltfightswithMercutioandkillshim.Romeoavengesthedeathofhisfriendandisexiled.
Intermission
ACT III, Scene 1The bedroomAtdawnthenextmorning,thehouseholdisstirringandRomeomustgo.HeembracesJulietandleavesasherparentsenterwithParis.Julietrefuses to marry Paris, and hurt by her rebuff, he leaves. Juliet’s parents areangryandthreatentodisownher.Juliet rushes to see Friar Laurence.
Scene 2The chapelJulietfallsattheFriar’sfeetandbegsforhishelp.Hegivesheravialofsleepingpotionthatwillmakeherfallintoadeath-likesleep.Herparents,believingherdead,willburyherinthefamilytomb.Meanwhile,Romeo,warnedbyFriarLaurence,willreturnunder cover of darkness and take her awayfromVerona.
Scene 3The bedroomThatevening,JulietagreestomarryParis,butnextmorning,whenherparentsarrivewithhimtheyfindherapparently lifeless on the bed.
Scene 4The Capulet family cryptRomeo,failingtoreceivetheFriar’smessage,returnstoVeronastunnedbygriefatthenewsofJuliet’sdeath.Disguisedasamonkheentersthecrypt.FindingParisbyJuliet’sbody,Romeokillshimand,believingJuliettobe dead, drinks a vial of poison. Juliet awakesand,findingRomeodead,stabs herself.
PRODUCTION HISTORYRomeo and Julietwasfirstperformedby The Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House on February 9, 1965. It entered the repertory of American BalletTheatreonJanuary3, 1985,atthe John F. Kennedy Center for the PerformingArts,Washington,D.C.withLeslieBrowneandRobertLaFosseintheleadingroles.
KennethMacMillanwasassistedintheoriginalstagingofRomeo and Juliet for American Ballet Theatre by Monica Parker.
The music for Romeo and Juliet is used byarrangementwithG.Schirmer,Inc.,publisherandcopyrightowner.
American Ballet Theatre’s performances of Romeo and Juliet aregenerouslyunderwrittenthroughanendowedgiftfromAliandMonicaWambold.
Romeo and JulietBallet in Three Acts
Choreography by KENNETH MACMILLAN
Music by SERGEI PROKOFIEV
Scenery and costumes by NICHOLAS GEORGIADIS
Lighting by THOMAS SKELTON
SYNOPSIS
ACT I, Scene 1The market placeThe scene is Verona. Romeo, son ofMontague,triesunsuccessfullyto declare his love for Rosaline and is consoled by his friends Mercutio and Benvolio. As day breaks the townspeoplemeetinthemarketplace,andaquarreldevelopsbetweenTybalt,anephewofCapulet,andRomeo and his friends. The Capulets andMontaguesareswornenemies,andafightsoonbegins.TheLordsMontagueandCapuletjoininthefray,whichisstoppedbytheappearanceofthePrinceofVerona,whocommandsthe families to end their feud.
Scene 2Juliet’s anteroom in the Capulet house Juliet,playingwithhernurse,isinterrupted by her parents, Lord and Lady Capulet. They present her to Paris,awealthyyoungnoblemanwhohasaskedforherhandinmarriage.
Scene 3Outside the Capulet houseGuests arrive for a ball at the Capulets’ house. Romeo, Mercutio and Benvolio,disguisedinmasks,decidetogoinpursuitofRosaline.
Scene 4The BallroomRomeo and his friends arrive at the heightofthefestivities.TheguestswatchJulietdance.Mercutio,seeingRomeo is entranced by her, dances to distract attention from him. Tybalt recognizesRomeoandordershimtoleave, but Lord Capulet intervenes and welcomeshimasaguestinhishouse.
BRAVO•Winter2018 www.MichiganOpera.org MichiganOperaTheatre
Stella AbreraSouth Pasadena, CaliforniaJoined ABT 1996Principalsince2015Sponsored byMary Jo and Ted Shen
Isabella BoylstonSun Valley, IdahoJoinedABT2006Principalsince2014Sponsored byLinda Allard, Andrea and Ken Brodlieb
Jeffrey CirioSpringfield,PennsylvaniaJoinedABT2015Principalsince2016Sponsored byThe Mathey Family, Donna Calamari
Misty CopelandKansas City, MissouriJoinedABT2001Principalsince2015Sponsored byValentino D. Carlotti
Herman CornejoSanLuis,ArgentinaJoined ABT 1999Principalsince2003Sponsored bySheila Grant
DavidHallbergRapid City, South DakotaJoinedABT2001Principalsince2006Sponsored byAveryandAndrewF.Barth
ROMEO AND JULIET
American Ballet TheatrePrincipalDancersAppearingthisSeason:
Hee SeoSeoul, South KoreaJoinedABT2005Principalsince2012Sponsored by Pamela and David B. Ford
Daniil SimkinNovosibirsk, RussiaJoinedABT2008Principalsince2012Sponsored bySharon Patrick
Cory StearnsMattituck,NewYorkJoinedABT2005Principalsince2011Sponsored by HowardS.Paley
Devon TeuscherSouthBurlington,VermontJoinedABT2007Principalsince2017Sponsored byAnaPaula and Mark Watson
James WhitesideFairfield, ConnecticutJoinedABT2012Principalsince2013Sponsored byBeth Chartoff Spector, JayB.Rosenberg
ABTgratefullyacknowledges:
AveryandAndrewF.BarthfortheirsponsorshipoftheCorpsdeBalletinmemoryof LaimaandRudolphBarthandinrecognitionofformerABTCorpsdancerCarmenBarthFox.
American Airlines, the Official Airline of American Ballet Theatre.
NorthernTrust,theLeadingCorporateSponsoroftheAmericanBalletTheatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School.
ABTissupported,inpart,withpublicfundsfromtheNationalEndowmentfortheArts; theNewYorkStateCouncilontheArtswiththesupportof
GovernorAndrewCuomoandtheNewYorkStateLegislature;andthe NewYorkCityDepartmentofCulturalAffairsinpartnershipwiththeCityCouncil.
MichiganOperaTheatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO•Winter2018
OFFICERSAndrewF.Barth,Chairman
David H. Koch, Sharon Patrick, Martin Sosnoff, Vice ChairmenBrian J. Heidtke, President
NancyHavens-Hasty,TreasurerMelissa A. Smith, Secretary
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
AndrewF.Barth,ChairmanBrian J. Heidtke, President
Anne M. Tatlock, Honorary Chair, Executive CommitteeDavid H. Koch, Vice ChairSharon Patrick, Vice Chair
StewartR.Smith,Chair, Audit CommitteeMelissa A. Smith, Co-Chair, Development Committee; Chair,
Strategic Planning CommitteeBeth Chartoff Spector, Co-Chair, Development Committee
Sarah Arison, Chair, Education CommitteeValentino D. Carlotti, Co-Chair, Finance CommitteeNancyHavens-Hasty,Co-Chair, Finance Committee Martin Sosnoff, Co-Chair, Investment Committee
DouglasC.Wurth,Co-Chair, Investment CommitteeReynold Levy, Chair, Nominating Committee
Lisa Smith Cashin, Member-at-Large
Roman Zhurbin – Mark Casey and Carrie Gasier CaseyJoo Won Ahn – Mr. and Mrs. William H. Told, Jr.Mai Aihara – The Mathey FamilyAlexandra Basmagy – The Mathey FamilyHanna Bass – The Junior Council of ABT Aran Bell – AnaPaula and Mark WatsonGisele Bethea – Kenneth and Diane HipkinsGemma Bond–AveryandAndrewF.Barth,inrecognitionofformerABTcorps dancer Carmen Barth FoxKathryn Boren – Susan and Arthur RebellGrayson Davis – Sharon PatrickBrittany DeGrofft – Jay Grossman and MaxwellMurphyZhong-Jing Fang – Irene ShenScout Forsythe–Mr.andMrs.GeorgeReeesPatrick Frenette – Harlan M. BlakeApril Giangeruso – Brian and Darlene HeidtkeCarlos Gonzalez – Charles and Nicole TaylorBreanne Granlund – Daniel HealyMelanie Hamrick – Joanna and Brian FisherCatherine Hurlin–TheGeorgiaHidenCharitableFoundation;MargaretKingMooreDancerAwardAnabel Katsnelson – Kathleen CondonJonathan Klein – Mr. and Mrs. Austin T. FragomenErica Lall – Victoria and Lloyd GoldmanCourtney Lavine – Arianna and Samantha NetterIsadora Loyola – Barbara ScherDuncan Lyle – Daniel HealyTyler Maloney – Steven BackesHannah Marshall–TheGeorgiaHidenCharitable Foundation
Betsy McBride – The Mathey FamilyCameron McCune – Brian H. Vincent, in honor of Phoebe BrantleyElina Miettinen – J. Barclays Collins II and Kristina DurrKaho Ogawa – Mr. and Mrs. Austin T. FragomenLauren Post – Amy Astley/ADKelley Potter – The Mathey FamilyWanyue Qiao–YalanWangLuis Ribagorda – Donna and Richard EstevesRachel Richardson – Marianne Goodman, M.D.Jose Sebastian–LisaTowbinGabe Stone Shayer–IreneFuchsbergMinkoffCourtney Shealy – Linda and Martin FellSean Stewart – The Junior Council of ABTPaulina Waski – David and Nancy GavrinKatherine Williams–AveryandAndrewF.Barth, in memory of Laima BarthStephanie Williams – Joe ChaiRemy Young – Mark Casey and Carrie Gasier CaseyJin Zhang–YalanWangZhiyao Zhang – Brian H. Vincent, in honor of Luna VincentSierra Armstrong – Gaynor Minden, Inc.Zimmi Coker–NancyHavens-Hasty,TheMae L. Wien ScholarshipSimon Hoke–RayHägg,TheDavidHallbergScholarshipJoão Menegussi – OceanicHeritageFoundation, The John Palatinus and Jack Alexander Memorial ScholarshipJavier Rivet – Stuart Gordon and Wayne Daniel, The John Palatinus and Jack Alexander Memorial ScholarshipCassandra Trenary is the 2017 recipient of a Leonore Annenberg Fellowship in the Arts.
TRUSTEESLinda Allard
Kara Medoff BarnettFrancesca Macartney Beale
HamishBowlesAudre D. CarlinAmyR.ChurginSusan FeinsteinChristina Fish Sonia FlorianPamela Ford
William J. GillespieSheila Grant
Henry P. JohnsonWendy Evans Joseph
Christian KeeseeTheresaKhawlyDonald KramerPaula Mahoney
Nancy McCormickBill McIntosh
Kevin McKenzieRuthNewman
HowardS.PaleyAnka K. Palitz
Karen C. PhillipsMatthewRubel
JennaSegal
CharlesSegarsSutton Stracke
Jean VolpeJohn L. Warden, Esq.
Mark E. Watson IIIJoseph A. Wilson
CHAIRMAN EMERITIDonald M. Kendall
Melville StrausCharles H. Dyson
Stephen J. FriedmanPeter T. Joseph
Hamilton E. JamesLewisS.RanieriEdwardA.Fox
Donald Kramer
HONORARY TRUSTEESMildred C. Brinn
RickiGailConwayAlexanderC.Ewing
Deborah, Lady MacMillanRobin Chemers NeusteinMrs. Byam K. Stevens, Jr.
Blaine TrumpNancy Zeckendorf
BALLET THEATRE FOUNDATION, INC. BOARD OF GOVERNING TRUSTEESLucia Chase and Oliver Smith, Founders
JacquelineKennedyOnassis(1929-1994),Honorary Chairman Emerita
ABTgratefullyacknowledges:
The R. Chemers Neustein ABT Artistic Initiatives Fund.
ABTisproudtopartnerwiththeNationalYoungArtsFoundation,whichidentifiesandsupportsthenextgenerationofartistsinthevisual,literary,performinganddesignarts.
Northern Trust and Henry P. Johnson, President–WealthManagementEastRegion,fortheirgeneroussupportoftheABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School.
TheAnna-MariaandStephenKellenFoundation’scontributionsinrecognitionof Dr. Phillip Bauman, ABT’s Assistant Orthopedist.
ABTisgratefultothefollowingdancersponsors:Sarah Lane – Donna and Richard Esteves Alban Lendorf – Lillian E. Kraemer Gillian Murphy – Mary Jo and Ted Shen Christine Shevchenko–TheresaKhawly Skylar Brandt – Dr. Joan Taub Ades Thomas Forster – Donna Calamari, ABT’s Golden Circle CouncilJoseph Gorak – Susan Winokur and Paul LeachBlaine Hoven – Susan Winokur and Paul Leach, ABT’s Golden Circle Council Luciana Paris-JillS.SlaterCalvin Royal III – Harlan M. Blake, Sharon PatrickCraig Salstein–LindaandEdwardMorse Arron Scott – AveryandAndrewF.Barth,inmemoryofRudolphBarth;andJoanT.MischoCassandra Trenary – Amy and Gary Churgin
BRAVO•Winter2018 www.MichiganOpera.org MichiganOperaTheatre
AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE STAFF
Artistic Director, Hamilton E. James Chair: Kevin McKenzie
Executive Director: Kara Medoff BarnettGeneral Manager: David G. Lansky
ARTISTICArtist in Residence: Alexei RatmanskyAssistant Artistic Director: Clinton LuckettArtistic Administrator: Cristina EscodaPrincipal Ballet Mistress: Susan JonesBallet Masters: Irina Kolpakova, Carlos Lopez,
Nancy Raffa, Keith RobertsRehearsalPlanningManager:MikiShintaniLaAssistanttotheArtisticStaff:AmandaSuginoCompany Teachers: Nancy Bielski, Carlos Lopez,
Clinton Luckett, Kate Lydon, Sascha Radetsky, NancyRaffa,KeithRoberts,CraigSalstein,Vladilen Semenov, Ethan Stiefel
ADMINISTRATION & EXECUTIVE OFFICEChief Administrative Officer:
Kimberly Ayers ShariffDirector of Capital Projects: Kyle Y. RidaughtDirectorofStrategicInitiatives:OpheliaChuaExecutive Assistant to Kara Barnett: Brittany HeierBoardMeetingCoordinator:ClaireFlorianOfficeManager:RoseanneForni
COMPANY MANAGEMENTCompanyManager:KylePicklesAssociateCompanyManager:AshleyK.BaerAssistantCompanyManagerandAssistanttotheGeneralManager:JillianBrinberg
PRODUCTIONDirector of Production: N. James Whitehill IIITechnical Director: Richard KochAssistantProductionManager:SidneyWolfProductionStageManager:DanielleVentimigliaStageManager:JeremiahBischoffAssistantStageManager:ColynW.FiendelLightingDirector:BradFieldsMaster Carpenter: Esteban OsorioCarpenters: Chris Miano, Jonathan BrackenMaster Electrician: A.J. JacksonElectricians/Board Operators: Stephen Weeks,
Trent WareProperty Master: Paul WellsProperty Man: Steven DunbarWardrobeSupervisor:TomokoUeda-DunbarWardrobe: Hilarie Jenkins, Vernon Ross, Richard
GreggWig&Make-upSupervisor:RenaMostWig&Make-upArtist:JillHaleyResident Scenic Artist: Christine SkubishWarehouseManager:BobbyGodwin
MUSICMusic Director: Ormsby WilkinsPrincipal Conductor: Charles BarkerConductor and Music Administrator:
David LaMarcheConcertmaster:BenjaminBowmanOrchestraPersonnelManager:MatthewDineCompany Pianists: Barbara Bilach,
David LaMarche, Jacek Mysinski, Daniel Waite, EmilyWong
DEVELOPMENTChief Advancement Officer: J. Tim LandiDirector of Membership: Grey C. JohnsonAssociate Director, Major Gifts: Jon HaddorffAssociate Director, Major Gifts: Diane KuhlAssociate Director, Institutional Support and
SpecialCampaigns:EboniePittmanDatabaseManager:VickiCainManagerofSpecialEvents:ClaireMcGregorAssistantManager,SpecialEventsandJunior
CouncilProgram:GwenTorskyAssistantManager,PatronServices:FallonSullivanMembership Coordinator: Jaclyn LaCamera MembershipAssociate:BrianGoetzingerMajor Gifts Associate: Daniel SalasAssistant to the Chief Advancement Officer:
Michelle Akapnitis
MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONSDirector of Press and Public Relations:
Kelly RyanManagerofPressandOnlineMedia:SusieMorgan
TaylorPressAssistant:DeliaBrengelAssociate Director, Brand Partnerships and Social
Media: Sarah Doolin RoyMarketingManagerofBoxOfficeStrategyand
CRM:StevenKoernigMarketingAssistantandCustomerCareSpecialist:
Brendan RosellPhotographer:GeneSchiavoneAssociateStaffPhotographer:RosalieO’Connor
FINANCE & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGYChief Financial officer: Shawn Davidson SeniorDirectorofFinance:GodwinFarrugiaPayrollandBenefitsManager:SandraWrightBookkeeper: Marianne VanaseljaStaff Accountant: Denesh PrasadBursar and Finance Associate: Talisa ChaucaI.T.Manager:VinceLingner
EDUCATION AND TRAININGDirector of Education and Training:
Mary Jo ZieselArtistic Director, ABT Jacqueline Kennedy
Onassis School: Cynthia HarveyArtistic Director, Studio Company: Kate Lydon AssociateDirectorofEducationandTraining:
Dennis J. WaltersDirectorofTrainingPrograms:MollySchnyderArtistic Coordinator for Educational Outreach:
Richard TodaDirector,ABTJKOSchool:RebeccaSchwartzDirector, ABT JKO Children’s Division: Katie Ferris Director,SummerIntensive:ElizabethAymongSummerIntensiveManagerandDatabase
Coordinator:NaomiGewanterStudioCompanyManager:ClaireFlorianDiversity and Inclusion Coordinator for Education
andTraining:EmilyWolfeABT/NYUProgramDirectorandStudioCompany
Ballet Master: Sascha RadetskyNTCandABT/NYUProgramManager:
MeghanLoveEducation Associate: Amanda TomeraABT JKO School Coordinator: Katie CurrierABT JKO School Assistant: Elizabeth JuarezSummer Intensive Assistant: Amber BennettPrincipal ABT JKO School Pianist: Michael CherryABT JKO School Principal Guest Instructor:
Ethan StiefelABTNationalTrainingCurriculumAssociates
Emeriti: Franco De Vita, Raymond Lukens
JKO School Faculty: Sophie Alpern, Alexis Andrews,KarinAverty,JennaBitterman,RodicaBordeianu, Larisa Calero, Yan Chen, Harriet Clark, AllisonEggers,ElizabethFerrell,CarlaFlores,Jean Freebury, Cynthia Harvey, Fabrice Herrault, Jaime Hickey, Eleanor Hullihan, Adrienne Hurd, Mikhail Ilyin, Marianne dello Joio, Sonia Jones, Robert La Fosse, Carlos Lopez, Kate Lydon, Clarice Marshall, Sascha Radetsky, Keith Sabado, Flavio Salazar, Gennadi Saveliev, Adrienne Schulte, Lupe Serrano, Sarah Smith, Kristen Stevens, Ethan Stiefel, Karen Uphoff, Martine van Hamel
ABT JKO School Accompanists: Stephanie Chun, Michael Dolnikov, John Epperson, Misha Golubitsky, Marco Jimenez, James Kost, Sofiya Leavsie, Dmitry Polischuk, Tim Prepscius, Victor SeeYuen,LaurenShapiro,MatthewSheridan,Mihoko Suzuki, Laura Tishchenko, Mira Tsidulko
Interns: Leiden Doma, Kasey Gelsomino, Makeda Griffith,JessicaIngraham,ParisJones,MariaKundig,StevieMack,AnnellyseMunroe,LuziNeyenhuys, Madeline Ricca, Libby Riddick, Jaime Rosenstein, Julie Shin, Marisa Simon, Marianela Villao
PROFESSIONAL SERVICESConsultingOrthopedist:Dr.WilliamHamiltonAssistant Orthopedist: Dr. Phillip BaumanPhysical Therapists: Peter Marshall, Julie
DaughertyMassageTherapists:OlindaCedeno,Charles
HaackABT JKO School Wellness Advisor: Suzanne HallABT JKO Physical Therapist: Karen KubicinaImmigrationCounsel:Wormser,Kiely,Galef&
Jacobs LLPLaborCounsel:Kauff,McGuire&MargolisLLPAuditor: Lutz & Carr LLPInsurance Broker: DeWitt Stern Group
American Ballet Theatre is a member of the American Arts Alliance, the Arts and Business Council, Inc. and Dance/U.S.A.
AmericanBalletTheatrewishestoexpressitsappreciation to Theatre Development Fund for its support of this season.
ThedancersandstagemanagersofAmericanBallet Theatre are represented for the purpose ofcollectivebargainingbytheAmericanGuildofMusicalArtists,AFL-CIO.
TruckingbyClarkTransferInc.TourbookingmanagedinhousebyDavidLansky,
GeneralManager,ABTandJean-JacquesCesbron,ColumbiaArtistsManagement,LLC.
InternationalfreightforwardingbySoundsMoves,Inc.
Harlequin is the official floor of American Ballet Theatre.
ABTalumnaGretchenSchumachergenerouslyvolunteers her time as Alumni Coordinator.
VOLUNTEERSSusanAngermeier, PamelaArenson, Meghan
Bartley, ThomasBeatty,CarolBecker, MelvinBernstein, JudiChandon, KenDunn, BeverlyEpstein,MargaretFridecky,BillGerdes,TaniaHakkim, HoneyHilzen,PatriciaJaffarian,LaurenKahn, Shelley and Stephen Limmer, Keiko Matsumura, Barbara Q. Myers, Eileen O’Neill, BethShapiro, MarianneStegeland,StevenToback, BarbaraTrommer,JohannaWeber,Hermine Weiss, Anthony Yazzetti, Catherine Yeiser.
MichiganOperaTheatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO•Winter2018
How did you get into dance?Mygrandmagotmeintoballet.Sheisapianistandmademefallinlovewithmusic.She drove me to all my ballet classes and eventaughtmehowtodothepolkaaroundthe house!
What is a typical day like for you as a ballet dancer?Atypicaldayformestartswitha7:30a.m.wake-upcall,becauseIlovetodoPilatesorsomeotherlightexercisesinthemorningtogetmybodymoving.ThenIalwayshavebreakfastandgetreadyforclassat10:15a.m.Somedaysaremoreintensethanothers,butweusuallyfinishat7p.m.,afterwhichIgohometocookdinnerandunwind.Iamalsoworkingtowardsmybachelor’sdegreewithanonlinecollegesoItrytosqueezesomeschoolineverynight!Ialsotrytoseeaperformanceeveryweek,
whetheritisdance,theatre,music,oranyother live art!
What are the best aspects of being a professional dancer?ThebestpartofbeingaprofessionaldanceratABTisthatIcanwatchtheamazingdancers that I idolize every day in the studiosandonstage.Watchingothersdance is not only a joy, but it is also the most importantlearningtool.Thereissomuchthatcanbelearnedfromobservinghowother dancers use their bodies, interpret the music,andemoteonstage.
What is something people would be surprised to know about ballet dancers?Peoplewouldbesurprisedbyhowmuchdancers eat! We constantly need to refuel becausewearesoactive.
Five Ballerinas Tell What it’s Really Like to be a Professional Dancer
BY ERICA HOBBS
AmericanBalletTheatrehasbeenperformingattheDetroitOperaHousesincethetheater’sopeningin1996.Sincethen, the company has danced Swan Lake, Don Quixote, The Merry Widow, Le Corsaire and,mostrecently,2016’sThe Sleeping Beauty ontheOperaHousestage. While the movements seem effortless, the life of a professional ballet dancer is one of dedication, sacrifice and discipline,astheycontinuallystrivetoperfecttheirartform.Dancerstypicallybegintheirtrainingasyoungchildreninpreparationforacompetitivecareerthatbeginsasateenager. Below,fivemembersofAmericanBalletTheatre’scorpsdeballettalkabouttheirexperiencesasprofessionalballerinas,includingwhatittakes,whytheydoit,andhowbaditreallyhurtstodanceontheirtoes.
Ask ABT:
What are the best aspects of being a professional dancer?Oneofthebestthingsaboutbeingaprofessionaldancerishowmuchwegettotravel.TouringisonethingABThasbeenknownfor.InmyshorttimewiththecompanyIhavealreadygottentoexploresome of the most exquisite places in the world.
What are the challenges of being a professional dancer?Achallengingpartwouldbelearningmultipleballetsatonce.Duringaperformancedayforexample,wemightberehearsingRomeo and Juliet, Firebird, and Swan Lake in the span of five hours. And afterfivehoursofrehearsingthosedifferentballets,youhavetogetreadyforashowofThe Nutcracker youhavethatnight.Ittakesa lot of focus and mental stamina to stay sharpwithallthechoreography.
What is it like dancing on your toes? Does it hurt?Dancingonourtoestakesyearsofpractice,strengthening,andlearningthecorrecttechnique to dance in pointe shoes. The first timeIwentupinmypointeshoesIfeltlikeIwasaprimaballerina!Myteachershadtoprytheshoesoffofme!NowthatI’molderIhavegottenusedtothethrillofit.Andyes,pointeshoescanbepainful.Wearingthemfor hours and hours on end can cause some pretty bad blisters, corns, and numbness.
What else should people know about being a professional ballet dancer?Beingadancerisalifestyleforsure.Ittakessacrifice to make it in a company. When you have a passion for this art form, it doesn’t evenfeellikeajob.IfeelsogratefultobedoingwhatIloveandgettingtoexpressmyself as an artist everyday.
Anabel Katsnelson
Age: 20Rockland County,
New York
Courtney ShealyAge: 19
Fort Walton Beach, Florida
BRAVO•Winter2018 www.MichiganOpera.org MichiganOperaTheatre
What was your journey like to becoming a professional ballet dancer?WhenIwas15,IwonsecondplaceattheYouth America Grand Prix NYF ballet competition and received a full scholarship from the American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline KennedyOnassisSchool.In2012,IjoinedtheABT Studio Company. After four months, I becameanapprenticewithABT,andIjoinedcorpsdeballetin2013.
What is it like dancing on your toes? Does it hurt?Yes,wegetlotsofblistersandcorns.Butdancingonpointeisdefinitelymyfavoritepart of ballet.
What are the challenges of being a professional dancer?Recoveringfrominjury.I’vealreadyhadsurgeryonbothankles,sincebecomingaprofessionaldancer.Ithinkhavingastronghealthybodyisessentialtotrynottogetinjured.
What are the best aspects of being a professional dancer?Thebestaspectisgettinglotsofexperiencestodanceonstage.Thispastsummer,Ihad60showsattheMetropolitanOperaHouse.Also,ABT has a lot of US and international tours, soIgetthechancetovisitwonderfulplacesincludingParisandOman.
How did you get into dance?Beingformerdancersthemselves,mymomandgrandmotherbothdirectedmyballetschoolgrowingup.TheyalwaystoldmeIcould pursue any activity or extracurricular I wanted,butultimatelyIfellinlovewithballet!
What was your journey like to becoming a professional ballet dancer?ItrainedwithmymomandgrandmotherandatseveralsummerintensivesuntilIwas16,whenImovedtoNewYorkCitytoattendtheAmerican Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy OnassisSchool.ThetransitiontoJKOwasquite smooth because the ABT Curriculum parallelednicelywiththeCecchetticurriculuminwhichIwastrainedgrowingup.TheJKOSchoolwasveryformativetomytechniquein the later years, and the ABT Studio Companywasabridgethathelpeddevelopindividualismandartistrybeforejoiningthecompany.
What is a typical day like for you as a ballet dancer?Atypicaldayformealwaysincludesmorningclassfrom10:15-11:45a.m.,thenfromnoonto7p.m.wehavevaryingrehearsalsandbreaks.Ondayswithextensivebreaks,Itypicallycrosstrainatthegymorpool.IalwaystrytoincludePilatesandstabilityexercisesthroughoutmydayaswell.
What are the best aspects of being a professional dancer?Ittrulyisagifttobeabletogettodowhatyoulove every day. Beyond that, it’s an art form, onewithsomuchincrediblehistorythatIcansharewiththerestoftheworld.[ABTdancer]Julie Kent once spoke to my class about the importanceofbeautyinhumanity,howitistrulyaresponsibilityandhowbeautycansavetheworld.Thatisathoughtthatgivesmepurpose and passion.
Kaho OgawaAge: 22
Tokushima, Japan
Remy YoungAge: 20
Belmont, North Carolina
Erica LallAge: 19
Cypress, Texas
What are the challenges of being a professional dancer?Beingadrivenandnever-satisfiedpersonmakesmerestless.Iwanttokeeppushingmyself. Sometimes I have to remind myself thatpatienceisanassetasIwaitfortheopportunitytodoapartwithgrowth.
What is something people would be surprised to know about ballet dancers?Wearenotalwayssilentonthestage.Whiletheorchestraisplayingwemaybegreetingeachother,laughingatourselvesorsayingsomethingcrazythathelpsuscreateouronstagemoodorcharacter.
What is it like dancing on your toes? Does it hurt? Weworkveryhardforyearstostrengthenthe
wholefootbeforewestartdancingenpointe.Withpropertrainingwelearntocarryourweight,notjustthroughthetoes,butthroughthesupportofourpointeshoesaswell.Idogetsoreafteralongdayofwork,butitisminimizedbyproperlypreparingmyfeetwithtapeandpaddingbeforeputtingonmyshoes.AnicebathorwarmEpsomsaltsoakaregreatbeforebedtimetogetthefeetreadyforthenextday.
What else should people know about being a professional ballet dancer?AsayoungchildIfeltawkward,outofplaceandwithoutavoiceunlessIwasdancing.It seems that all dancers have had similar feelings.Inawaybeingadancerislikebeingamemberofavillageofpeoplefromallovertheworldwhospeakonelanguage...dance.
MichiganOperaTheatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO•Winter2018
VIOLIN I Eliot Heaton
Concertmaster+Laura Roelofs
Assistant Concertmaster +
Emily Barkakati+MollyHughes+Bryan Johnston+Velda Kelly+Beth Kirton+AndrewWu+RanChengJenny Wan
VIOLIN IIVictoria Haltom
Principal +AnnaBittar-Weller+Henrik Karapetyan+Daniel Stachyra+JacquelineNuttingDavid OrmaiYuriPopowyczMelody Wootton
VIOLAJohn Madison
Principal +Scott Stefanko+BarbaraZmich-
McClellan+James GreerCatherine FranklinJulianne Zinn
CELLONadine Deleury
Principal +Daniel Thomas+Andrea Yun+Katri ErvamaaStefan KochIrina Tikhonova
BASSDerek Weller
Principal +Clark Suttle+GregSheldonRobert Stiles
MANDOLIN Al Ayoub BretHoag
HARPKerstin Allvin
Acting Principal
FLUTE Laura Larson
Acting Principal +Dennis CarterHelen Near
OBOENermis Mieses
Principal +SallyHefflefinger-
Pituch+ Geoffrey Johnson
CLARINETBrianBowman
Principal +J.WilliamKing+Lisa Raschiatore
TENOR SAXOPHONEJoseph Lulloff
BASSOONFranciscoDelgado
Principal +GregoryQuick+SusanNelson-
Contrabassoon
HORNAndrewPelletier
Principal +CarrieBanfield-Taplin+David DennistonTamara Kosinski Garrett Krohn
TRUMPETDavid Ammer
Acting Principal +Gordon Simmons+Ross TurnerRobert White
TROMBONEDavid Jackson
Acting Principal +GregNear+Bryan Pokorney
TUBAMatthewLyon
TIMPANIAlisonChang
Principal +
PERCUSSION John Dorsey
Principal +Dan MaslankaDavid Taylor
PIANO/CELESTEXavier Suarez
+MichiganOperaTheatreCore Orchestra
Detroit Federation of Musicians Local #5 American Federation of Musicians
MICHIGAN OPERA THEATRE ORCHESTRA — ROMEO AND JULIET
Nederlands Dans TheaterPaul Lightfoot, artistic directorFriday-Saturday, March 23-24 // 8 pmPower Center
PROGRAM
Lightfoot/León Shoot the MoonPite The StatementLightfoot/León Singulière Odyssée
Nederlands Dans Theater has forged a path between classical ballet and American modern dance, creating a modern ballet style that is widely admired across the world. “Think ballet line and virtuosity fused with modern dance weight and power. Think a commitment to the deepest European art-making traditions with no pandering to pop culture. Above all, think a super-ensemble: dancers who can form a superb corps one moment and perform just as superbly as principals the next.” (Los Angeles Times)
Supporting Sponsors: Cheryl Cassidy and
Funded in part by: The Wallace Foundation
Media Partners: Metro Times, Michigan Radio 91.7 FM, and WDET 101.9 FM
U M S. O R G —— 7 3 4 . 7 6 4 . 2 5 3 8Photo byRahi Rezvani
BRAVO•Winter2018 www.MichiganOpera.org MichiganOperaTheatre
MOT Chairman Honored With Opera America’s 2018 National Opera Trustee Recognition Award
MichiganOperaTheatre’svenerableChairmanR.Jamison “Rick” Williams is the recent recipient of a 2018NationalOperaTrusteeRecognitionAwardfrom
OperaAmerica.Theprestigiousawardhonorsoutstandingtrustees of North American opera companies for exemplary leadership,generosity,andaudience-buildingeffortsonbehalfoftheirrespectiveorganizations.OperaAmericaselectedRickinrecognitionofhistirelessadvocacyandproblem-solvingprowess,citinghis15yearsasChairmanoftheBoardandalegacyhighlightedbyhisheroicnavigationthroughthe2008recession,whichresultedinthevibrant,thrivingorganizationweenjoytoday. OnbehalfoftheentireMichiganOperaTheatrefamily,wecongratulateRickonhiswell-deservedhonorandthankhimforhisdedicatedleadershipandgenerosity!
7:30 p.m. • Saturday, May 127:30 p.m. • Wednesday, May 167:30 p.m. • Saturday, May 192:30 p.m. • Sunday, May 20At the Detroit Opera House
ByDanielSonenbergThe Summer King
MichiganOpera.org or 313.237.7464Photo: Josh Gibson™
UsedwithpermissionofJoshGibsonEnterprise,Inc.c/oLuminaryGroupLLC,www.JoshGibson.org
MichiganOperaTheatre www.MichiganOpera.org BRAVO•Winter2018