Fiona Cameron-Martin – Sugar Plum Fiona started her training at the age of five in Hong Kong with her mother before moving to Australia where she was given a place at the Australian Ballet School. It was there that she received six years of training under the instruction of Irina and Sergei Konstantinov, Ai-Gul Gaisina, Margaret Wilson, Slava Zalomski, Tristan Message, Lynette Wills, Michela Kirkaldie, Xiuyun Tang, Jiahong Wang, Lisa Pavane, Leigh Rowles and Marilyn Rowe. After leaving the Australian Ballet School she trained with two Russian teachers from the Bolshoi Ballet, Yulia and Maxim Vasilyev. After graduation Fiona moved to Europe and received a contract with the Romanian National Ballet. She was very fortunate to be able to dance featured roles under the direction of Johan Kobborg, which included: Solo Slave in Le Corsaire, 4 couples in Classical Symphony, 4 couples in DSCH, Themes and Variations, Petit Mort, Pas de six in La Sylphide, Cleopatra in Faust, 4 Courtesans in Manon, and In the Middle Somewhat Elevated. She was also fortunate enough to work with great teachers, dancers and choreographers such as Sinner and Yannick Boquin, Ethan Stifle, Alina Cojocaru, Johan Kobborg, Yuri Possokhov, Elke Schepers, Thierry Guiderdoni, Stephane Dalle, Gennadi Nedvigin, Patricia Neary, Bruce Sansom and Karl Burnett. Fiona recently moved to America and is excited to continue her pursuit of dancing. Darrell Haggard - Cavalier Darrell is originally from Oakhurst, California where he found his love for dance at Velocity Dance Studio at the age of 9. At age 17 he began training on scholarship at the Los Angeles Ballet Academy with Ms. Andrea Paris. Darrell performed lead roles in Coppelia, Alice in Wonderland, A Season's Suite & as a guest Cavalier in the Nutcracker & with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performing Memoria. Darrell has also trained with Kee Juan Han at Washington Ballet School and performed in LABA's award winning ensembles at the YAGP ballet competition in New York. As a company member with the Grand Rapids Ballet, Darrell performed in Gerald Arpinos' "light Rain" and George Balanchine's "Who Care's". He also had original works choreographed on him, Olivier Weavers' "The Sofa" and Annabelle Lopez-Ocha's "Dangerous Liaisons". As well as many more. Darrell looks forward to continuing his career and looks forward to participating in new works.

About the Company As one of the region’s finest ballet companies, the River Raisin Ballet has established a tradition of artistic “firsts” since our founding in 2003. The company has staged full-length classical ballets as well as original productions of Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, and Peter Pan. This spring we will bring back to our stage the full-length production of Aladdin.

The River Raisin Centre for the Arts has become the place to see beautifully choreographed and colorful ballets that feature all original costumes designed by Dyanne Howland. Under the direction of Gail Choate-Pettit and Melissa Moore, the Company has achieved an exceptional reputation as one of the best places to see ballet in the Detroit area. By setting new works and presenting classical full-length ballets, the RRB offers its company members the opportunity to perform diverse roles and gain valuable performance experience.

The mission of the River Raisin Ballet Company is to share the joy of dance with the broadest possible audience and to provide the highest caliber of dance training. We continually strive to develop and improve our position as a reputable dance company through positive energy, innovation, and a commitment to artistic excellence.

We would like to thank all of those who offered their time and talent to help produce this show. No thank you seems large enough for our dedicated staff: Karen Keith who helps choreograph, stage, and rehearse every weekend; Amber Wisniewski who choreographed the Jester and Ballerina Dolls; and Lisa Lewandowski who assists our apprentice students. We also like to thank our extraordinary staff and technical crew members, Laurie Langmeyer, Derek Arnold, Dan Redford along with, Mike Trapp, Executive Director of the RRCA.

We are proud to present this production of The Nutcracker Ballet and are happy that you are here to share in the accomplishments of our dancers. Thank you for honoring us with your continued support of the performing arts at the River Raisin Centre.

The Nutcracker Production Staff Artistic Directors ........................ Melissa Moore, Gail Choate-Pettit, Karen Keith Stage Manager ..................................................... Laurie Langmeyer Rehearsal Assistant .............................................. Amber Wisniewski Costume Design ................................................... Dyanne Howland Scenery ....................................................... Lois Morris, Lucy Ingels Sets, Props, Costumes .................................. Derek Arnold, Pat Keith Laurie Langmeyer, Bill Morehouse, Dan Redford, Diane Slatinsky Pianist ........................................................................... Josh Glover Stage Crew ............................. Lynn Fedewa, Jessica King, Autumn Alex and Ben Molnar, Tim Lewandowski, Kim Malone Ariel Bennett, Emma Glover Theatre Technical Staff ............................................... Derek Arnold Videography ............................................................. John McCarthy Photography ........................................................ Kathleen Foulkrod Dressing Room Coordinators .................................. Sarah Humphries assisted by numerous parent volunteers Lobby .................................... Mary Jo Stoyanovich and Paul Liedel Ushers/Concessions.................................... RRCA Theatre Guild and RRB Parents RRCA Executive Director / Lighting ............................... Mike Trapp RRCA Associate Director / Volunteer & Lobby Director .................... Calley Duffey

This program uses a water-based fog and strobe lights

Story Synopsis Act One Herr Stahlbaum and his wife are giving a Christmas Party. Their children, Clara and Fritz, their children, eagerly greet the guests. The parents give dolls and toys to all the guest children. Suddenly the mysterious Dr. Drosselmeyer, Clara’s favorite uncle, arrives and entertains the children with his magical tricks and clockwork dolls. Drosselmeyer brings Clara a special gift – a wooden nutcracker. In a jealous fit, Fritz breaks it. Drosselmeyer, quickly repairs the broken nutcracker. Clara and her friends dance a lullaby, which is interrupted by Fritz and his cohorts who disrupt the evening with their loud trumpets and jabbing swords. The party ends, the guests leave, and the Stahlbaums retire for the night. Clara awakens and returns to the drawing room to find her nutcracker, and as she falls back asleep, mice begin to scurry through the room. Drosselmeyer returns as the clock strikes midnight. Clara wakes to find that everything in the drawing room has grown in size, including her nutcracker doll which has become life-size. Suddenly, giant mice fill the room and attack Clara. Giant toy soldiers, led by her valiant Nutcracker, come to her rescue. The Rat King attacks the Nutcracker, but Clara hits him with her shoe, and the Nutcracker wins the battle. After the battle, the Nutcracker is transformed into a handsome prince. Drosselmeyer takes Clara and the Nutcracker Prince to an enchanted sleigh to begin their travels through the Land of Snow. The icicles, snowflakes and Snow Queen dance as the sleigh is led by Clara’s guiding Angels. Act Two Clara continues her journey across the Lemon Drop Sea. Nearing the Kingdom of Sweets, she passes several Country Ambassadors carrying trays of delicious treats. All at the Kingdom of Sweets are preparing for a celebration in Clara’s honor. The candy makers, confectioners, and sugar sprinklers are busy putting the final touches on the delectable treats. The Sugar Plum Fairy greets Clara and arranges for the inhabitants of her kingdom to entertain her. While Clara eats the scrumptious sweets, she watches fanciful dancers from Spain, Arabia, and China. She, also, enjoys entertainment by Mother Ginger and her clowns, the Austrian Shepherdess, Russian candy canes, and waltzing flowers. Then the Sugar Plum Fairy with her handsome Cavalier dance together in a grand pas de deux. As the celebration draws to a close, Clara says good-bye to all. Drosselmeyer returns the wooden nutcracker to Clara as her Nutcracker Prince salutes his princess Clara farewell.

Act Two – The Land of Sweets (continued) Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier: Fiona Cameron-Martin and Darrell Haggard Waltz of the Flowers

Dew Drop: Charlie Brown (Sat E, Sun), Stormy Davis (Fri), Catherine Zochowski (Sat A) Petals: Erika Bressler, Charleston Brown (Fri, Sat A), Stormy Davis (Sat A, Sat E, Sun), Jessica Foulkrod, Emma Germeroth, Catherine Zochowski (Fri, Sat E, Sun), Faith Zochowski, with Derek Hileman Rose Petals: Mia Antonelli, Claire Bacarella, Elora Russell, Evelyn Short, Elise Spears, Isabelle Wiederhold Pink Flowers: Colette Charnock, Zoe Friedline, Avery Grimsley, Alyssa LaRoy, Catie and Lauren Lebeck, Katya Lewandowski, Kiera Motlagh, Kynzie Riegel, Isabella Thornton, Mya Wallace, Emma Wisler Fuchsia Flowers: Corinna Aulph, Emily Bellino (Sat E, Sun), Ella Calkins, Keara Kokx, Liesl Kraft (F, Sat A), Gabby LaRoy, Mariska Lewandowski, Kailee and Morgan McDonald, McKenna Ringle, Kathryn Short with Logan Hileman and Nathan Glover Garland: Ashken Aaron, Isabelle Angelo, Audrey Calkins, Mia DeAngelis, Ashrah Kelly, Johnston Kraft, Ella Linster, Eliana Lyke, Emmi Sirianni

Aladdin Auditions

Saturday, December 14, 2019 Cass St Studio

10:30 – 11:15 Level I

11:15 – 12:15 Level II

12:15 – 1:15 Level III

1:30 – 3:00 Level V & Up

Classical Ballet Attire

Pointe Shoes Level III and above

Act One – Stahlbaum Family Party The Stahlbaum Family

Clara: Emily Bellino (Fri, Sat A), Liesl Kraft (Sat E, Sun), Fritz: Nathan Glover (Fri E, Sat A), Logan Hileman (Sat E, Sun), Parents: Amber Wisniewski, Ryan Charnock; Grandmother: Tracy Glover; Nanny: Kim Malone

Uncle Drosselmeyer Joshua Mohler Party Children

Boys: Nathan Glover (Sat E, Sun), Logan Hileman (Fri, Sat A), Johnston Kraft, Andrzej Lewandowski, Ella Linster, Braden McDonald, Quinn Wisniewski Young Girls: Ainsley Trapp, Cora Wisniewski and Clara’s friends: Ashken Aaron, Corinna Aulph, Emily Bellino (Sat E, Sun), Ella Calkins, Liesl Kraft (Fri, Sat A), Gabby LaRoy, McKenna Ringle

Parents Rob Foulkrod, Karen Keith, Jessica King, Tim and Lisa Lewandowski, Benjamin and Alex Molnar, Nichole Stansberry

Mechanical Dolls Ballerina Dolls: Colette Charnock (Fri, Sat A), Kynzie Riegel (Sat E, Sun) Jester Doll: Derek Hileman Soldier Dolls: Erika Bressler (Sat E, Sun), Emma Germeroth, Evelyn Short (Fri, Sat A)

Prince, Soldiers, Drummers, Cadets, Mice Nutcracker Prince: Derek Hileman Soldiers: Ashrah Kelly, Keara Kokx, Johnston Kraft, Mariska Lewandowski, Kailee and Morgan McDonald, Kathryn Short Drummers: Kennedy Evans, Ellie Friedline, Briar Kokx, Madison Shook, Ella Taylor Cadets: Claire Bacarella, Emma Germeroth, Elise Spears, and Alex Molnar Rat King: Jessica Foulkrod Rat Cadets: Mia Antonelli and Isabelle Wiederhold Commanders: Avery Grimsley, Logan Hileman, Alyssa LaRoy, Catie Lebeck, Kiera Motlagh White Mouse: Hadley Himes with Lieutenant Mice: Bekah Gawel, Braden McDonald, Quinn Wisniewski Mice: Samantha Angelo, Lucy Calkins, Isabella England, Abigail Ivey, Rosemarie Kraft, Laila Perna, Eleanora Setzler, Hadley Stansberry Cheesy Cheese: Scotyln Evans and Laurelyn Kraft

Snow Queen and Prince Erika Bressler and Derek Hileman (Fri, Sat A) Charleston Brown and Benjamin Molnar (Sat E, Sun)

Snow Angels Bristol Dushane, Hope Hudson, Ava Jaworski, Airabella Kelly, Rosemarie Kraft, Zoja Lewandowski, Elizabeth Scaggs, Ainsley Trapp, Cora Wisniewski, Millie Wong

Ice Princess and Icicles Stormy Davis with Erika Bressler (Sat E, Sun), Charleston Brown (Fri, Sat A), Emma Germeroth, Evelyn Short, Catherine Zochowski

Snowflakes Mia Antonelli, Claire Bacarella, Colette Charnock, Jessica Foulkrod, Katya Lewandowski, Kynzie Riegel, Elora Russell, Elise Spears, Mya Wallace, Isabelle Wiederhold, Emma Wisler, Faith Zochowski

Act Two – The Land of Sweets Peppermints

Elora Russell (Fri, Sat A), Evelyn Short (Sat E, Sun), Peppermint Sticks: Samantha Angelo, Kennedy Evans, Randee Mulherin, Madison Shook

Palace Bakers Kailee and Morgan McDonald with Bekah Gawel and Laila Perna

Sugar Sprinklers Ashken Aaron and Emmi Sirianni

Gumdrops and Cupcakes Gumdrops and Cupcakes: Bristol Dushane, Scotyln Evans, Ava Jaworski, Laurelyn Kraft, Zoja Lewandowski, Elizabeth Scaggs, Millie Wong

Lemon Drops Hope Hudson, Airabella Kelly, Rosemarie Kraft, Ainsley Trapp, Kinsley Wilburn, Cora Wisniewski

Licorice Isabelle Angelo, Audrey Calkins, Mia DeAngelis, Elliana Lyke

Butterscotch Zoe Friedline, Katya Lewandowski, Elora Russell (Sat E, Sun), Evelyn Short (Fri, Sat A), Isabella Thornton, Mya Wallace, Emma Wisler

Ambassadors Braden McDonald, Amelia Thorn, Quinn Wisniewski

Peppermint Swirl Corinna Aulph, Ella Calkins, Gabby LaRoy, McKenna Ringle, Kathryn Short, Mariska Lewandowski

Court Jesters Hadley Himes, Andrzej Lewandowski, Hadley Stansberry

Chocolate (Spanish) Erika Bressler, Charleston Brown (Sat E, Sun) Emma Germeroth, Evelyn Short, Catherine Zochowski (Fri, Sat A)

Tea (Chinese) Claire Bacarella, Colette Charnock, Nathan Glover, Kynzie Riegel with Ashken Aaron, Isabelle Angelo, Audrey Calkins, Mia DeAngelis, Ashrah Kelly, Johnston Kraft, Ella Linster, Eliana Lyke, Emmi Sirianni with the Chinese Dragon: Gabby LaRoy, McKenna Ringle, Kathryn Short, Mariska Lewandowski

Candy Canes (Russian) Mia Antonelli, Jessica Foulkrod, Elora Russell, Elise Spears, Isabelle Wiederhold, Faith Zochowski

Shepherdess (Flutes) Stormy Davis and Benjamin Molnar with Avery Grimsley, Katya Lewandowski, Isabella Thornton, Kynzie Riegel, Mya Wallace, Emma Wisler

Mother Ginger, Father Grins and Clowns Josh Mohler with Lucy Calkins, Isabella England, Ellie Friedline, Bekah Gawel, Hadley Himes, Abigail Ivey, Briar Kokx, Andrzej Lewandowski, Randee Mulherin, Laila Perna, Eleanora Setzler, Hadley Stansberry, Ella Taylor, Amelia Thorn, Kinsley Wilburn

Coffee (Arabian) Charlie Brown (Fri, Sat A), Catherine Zochowski (Sat E, Sun) and Derek Hileman with Zoe Friedline, Alyssa LaRoy, Catie Lebeck, Kiera Motlagh

(Continued…)