The Christmas Ballet Program 2021-22 FINAL for audience to

24 • THE CHRISTMAS BALLET • 2021

FEB 4-13

FEB 18-19

FEB 24-27

Cowell Theater, San Francisco

Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek

Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts

SMUINDANCESERIES 1

Been Through Diamonds by Amy Seiwert

You are Here by Gina Patterson

Dear Miss Cline by Amy Seiwert

Love, Smuin

(left to right) John Speed Orr, Jared Hunt, Jane Rehm & Shannon HurlburtPhoto by David DeSilva

SMUINBALLET.ORG • 1

2021edition


DEAR FRIENDS,

Greetings of the season! The

last 20 months have had their challenges, and still we’re fi lled with gratitude for so many things. Our excitement has been building along with our holiday spirit as we’ve anticipated our return to the theater at last!

The Christmas Ballet is our gift to the Bay Area and we’re delighted that you’re here to join us. Last year would have been the 25th anniversary of this beloved seasonal classic. When Michael Smuin sat in the audience that fi rst run of performances in 1995, he never imagined it would become the holiday tradition it is for so many. To commemorate this anniversary, twenty of the dances included in this year’s program were created by Michael. Filled with romance, beauty, and humor, his vision for this ballet still guides us every year.

This year we have two premieres by company alums, Rex Wheeler and Ben Needham-Wood, in Act I and Act II respectively. Four dances which were created last season and shared virtually will have their main stage debuts too, making this year’s edition feel festive with so many new additions! Smuin artists will demonstrate their beautiful classical technique in the fi rst part of our program, before breaking out in a variety of styles in the second half. Each performance comes with the joy and gratitude we feel in being able to perform The Christmas Ballet in person this year.

Enjoy the performance! Thank you for making us a part of your holiday, just like you are a part of ours!

From all of us at Smuin, we wish you a joyous season and a new year fi lled with every blessing.

Celia FushilleARTISTIC DIRECTOR

STAFF

Patti Hume • Founding PresidentVicki Fleishhacker

Robert Greenwood

Edie Kirkwood

John Murphy

Sue Steinberg

Allie Weissman (In Memoriam)

EMERITI

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Front Cover: Maggie Carey & Ian Buchanan • Photo By Max van der Sterre

Madeleine Boshart • PresidentTrisha Mount • Vice PresidentKaren D. Kadushin • SecretaryHal Louchheim • TreasurerLee D. Baxter

Bruce Braden

Robert Challey

Celia Fushille

John Konstin

Linda Membreño, M.D.

Maria Nazari

John Schlag

Randy Soso

Susie Stitt

Celia Fushille • Artistic DirectorLori Laqua • Managing DirectorJo Ellen Arntz • Company Manager & WardrobeAmy London • Ballet Master & Education

Alicia Tos • Interim Director of DevelopmentCoral Bell • Development Operations SpecialistJason Narin • Patron Services ManagerEllen Gaintner • Special Projects ManagerBenjamin Warner • Community

Kathryn T. Graham • Production Director

Francis Carr • Technical DirectorKay Park • Sound & AV DirectorMichael Oesch • Lighting DirectorVincent Avery • Wardrobe AssistantCarla Befera & Company • PublicistChris Hardy, David De Silva

& Max van der SterreCynthia Wuthmann • Interim Marketing DirectorMaggie Carey • Digital Marketing Assistant Ian Buchanan • Web Technology Assistant

& Stage Manager

Program Director

Engagment Manager

• Photography


All classes are taught by current Smuin Artists and Smuin alumni. In-person and online options available.

For more information and to sign up, go to smuinballet.org/C4D or scan the QR code.

COME DANCE WITH US!

Pho

tos b

y M

aggi

e C

arey

BALLET • JAZZ • TAP • CONTEMPORARY • HEELS • YOGA • PILATES

DONOR THANKS


PIROUETTE • A GIFT OF $500+

Anonymous (3)Dimitri AgratcheuSuzanne Ah-Tye & Donald

TamakiRobin Allgren M.D. Ph.D.Donna Ambrosini & Barbara

FelliniJo Ellen ArntzPamela & Michael BarnesBrian & Glynnis BelchersMichael BenaConnie BerkeleyMr. Jess BrownJim & Melinda BrownLucretia ButlerBetty Anne CarlinLaura CarrollVictoria ChangKatherine Bradshaw ChappelearClark Charitable FundDan CraftDr. Bradford A. Crowell & Gary

KoehlerMary DahlquistHolly EarlTehila & Saul Eisenstat, in loving

memory of MichaelChristine Federici & Phil

GerringDale Fehringer & Patty

McCrary FehringerJoseph FicurelliFrank & Jeanne FischerChristine FisherKarin FloodLauri Flynn, in memory of

Maureen O’SullivanMrs. Ceseli FosterMr. Kirk FrederickMr. & Mrs. Gerry GaintnerNancy Garton & Kent

PalmertonRenata Gasperi

Ms. Yvonne GeroGail Giff enWilliam S. Goldstein &

Christopher ArchuletaJohn GoodJohn GreggTerry GrenchikPhilip & Kathleen GustHolly HadlockKathleen Hall & Leslie MurdockSteve HassLynn HinckSusan & Richard Idell, in honor

of Lee BaxterRob & Diane JohnsonVictoria & Martin JohnsonElizabeth & Bob JulianKurt KaullKristine KellyHannah KingKimiko & Joel KleinJohn & Athena Konstin/Historic

John’s GrillMelinda & Robert KruvantJerry KunsPam & Gif LehmanSusan & Peter MackaufMary Lou & Robert MaierJohn Domingos & Claudine

MarkenMarc & Lois MartinTimothy McCarthyBrenda & Russell McNeillShareen MerriamShauna Mika & Rick CallisonJohn MilaniTed MitchellJeff & Sue MulvihillRussell NelsonMr. Robert NewcomerBill & Tari NicholsonSheila NorthRichard Nowlin

Marcia F. O’HernThe Orr FamilyChristina OwenLew & Bev Perlson, in honor of

Danny & Joanna KemperSharon K. PetersClara PettigrewLane PomsRoberta & Merwyn PowellMark J. Powers & Albert E.

MorenoRebecca & Robert PringleRobert Reay & Judith FanMs. Janet Lynda ReinstraVirgil Rittenhouse & Sue

HollowayLynn SanfordFred Saunders & Charles

KredensorRandall SchwabacherKathleen SidenbladKristen & Steve SiegelRalph D. SikesBarbara SmithFred & Stacie SmithMr. Jeff rey SorrentoJan SpielbergerValerie StewartChristine SuppesJanette Tom, in memory of

Mary TomSam & Joan TrustMr. Peter van der SterreDr. Jennifer WahlstenBradford & Susan WaitMs. Rosemary WeldeDaphne & Stuart WellsMarilyn WinansMs. Jennifer WinchMichelle Garcia Winner &

Pamela CrookeCynthia Wuthmann & Family

THANK YOU ALL! LOVE, SMUIN.SMUINBALLET.ORG • 3

WITH GRATITUDESmuin is sponsored in part by San Francisco Grants for the Arts along with:

FounderMichael Smuin

Artistic DirectorCelia Fushille

Managing DirectorLori Laqua

Company Manager & Wardrobe

Jo Ellen Arntz

Ballet MasterAmy London

Production Design & Stage Manager

Kathryn T. Graham

Lighting DesignMichael Oesch

Scenic DesignDouglas Schmidt

Costume DesignSandra Woodall

Brandon AlexanderTessa BarbourIan BuchananClaire Buehler

Stéphano Candreva

Maggie CareyMengjun Chen

Cassidy IsaacsonWeston Krukow

Tess LaneMarc LaPierre

Terez Dean OrrLauren Pschirrer

Yuri RogersMax van der Sterre

Brennan Wall

Artists

2021 edition


ACT 1: THE CLASSICAL CHRISTMASAll choreography by Michael Smuin unless otherwise noted.

MAGNIFICATMusic: J.S. BachRecording: Gachinger Kantorei Stuttgart, Bach-Collegium Stuttgart;

Helmuth Rilling, Cond.

ZITHER CAROLMusic: Traditional CzechRecording: Amor Artis Chamber Choir; Johannes Somary, Cond.

HODIE CHRISTUS NATUS ESTMusic: Giovanni Pierluigi da PalestrinaRecording: Regensburger Domspatzen; Georg Ratzinger, Cond.

WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMASChoreography: Tessa Barbour

Music: Traditional EnglishRecording: 101 Strings Orchestra

EXCELSIS (World Premiere)

Choreography: Rex Wheeler

Music: Antonio Vivaldi (from Gloria in D Major)Recording: Choir of King’s College, Cambridge and the Academy of

Ancient Music, Stephen Cleobury, Cond.

VENI, VENI, EMMANUELMusic: Traditional FrenchRecording: Taverner Consort, Choir and Players; Andrew Parrott, Dir.

RIU, RIU, CHIUMusic: Traditional SpanishRecording: Amor Artis Chamber Choir; Johannes Somary, Cond.

FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORNMusic: G.F. Handel (from Messiah)


DONOR THANKS

Anonymous (2)Ms. Lori ArthurBrenda BeckettSharon Kuroki Beckman &

David BeckmanKay Bell, Jr.Paula BlankJanet & Kenneth BollierJames B. Brennock, in loving

memory of W. Wayne HoyerJames CarterRudy Ciuca & Joseph LawrencePamela Rummage CulpDeborah & Dennis Donovan

Linda DruckerSusan DuCoeurConnie EasterlingDavid L. HattBret A. & Penelope A.

HerscherMs. Judy HeyboerCarol Marsha KaganovNolan & Debi KennedyHal & Iris KorolHenry Massie & Bridget

ConnellySteve & Niko MayerSharon & Paul Melodia

PAS DE DEUX • A GIFT OF $2,500+

Julie Mikuta & Damiana HarperMr. Jerry MosherLinda MurphyGilbert Neill & Rodney

WoodardMeryl & Alfred NorekGary Allan Payne, in honor of

Deb GlazerAnne & Martin RoherDennis & Jan RubyMs. Gwen Smith, in honor of Ian

BuchananRandy & Barbara SosoMr. & Mrs. Steve & Karen Wiel

Anonymous (2)Sandy AbbottNorman AbramsonBahar Aghighi, MD, in honor of

Linda Membreño, MDShawn AlexanderPatricia Boone & David PfeferShawna Hartman Brotsky &

Daniel BrotskyRichard, Elaine, & Julie BurgessMelissa & Jason BurnettCharlie CassellCorinne CelioMs. Marilyn CharmAntoinette ChattonClement Chen IIIMr. & Mrs. Charles & Lorinda

ClemensPatrick CollinsDiana CorbettAnita & Richard DavisGeorge Deabill, PhDTom DebleyJudith & Harold DittmerMs. Andrea EichhornHon. James C. EmersonLeak FaironRona Foster & Kenneth PowellDonna & Richard FraioliTom FrankelSharon & Joel FriedmanCelia Fushille & Chris Hardy

Ms. Lisa Giannone & Michael Dillingham

Diane Gosney & Allison ChangLouise M. GouldKathryn T. GrahamShand & William GreenJeanne Walker HarveyMary HeroAnn & Rick HomanJames Horio & Linda CahillGeorge & Leslie HumeJudy JackovicsRobin & Donald KennedyRoland & Becky LazzarottoNancy LeavensLucinda Lee & Dan SmithSam LeftwichMs. Debra LeylegianJane LombardPeter LungreenFarah & Victor MakrasMr. & Mrs. Donald & Ruthanne

McCunnSusan MickiewiczMs. Dona Lee MorkOren MosherRobert MountPaul MunroHeidi Munzinger & John ShottSteven NatterstadGeorge O’NeillMaureen O’Shea

ADAGIO • A GIFT OF $1,000+

Ralph Pais & Gayl HustonPatterson Family FoundationMs. Laura PetersonJay PierrepontGordon RadleyJanet & Niels ReimersMr. & Mrs. Wayne RobinsKathryn Rouine-RappElizabeth M. SalzerJon Saxe & Myrna MarshallDouglas Schmidt & Stephen

MartinEd & Chris SchweitzerWes & Stacie SmithPravin Soni & Amy WurtzburgerStephen Stedman & Corinne

ThomasLaurie StephensonSuzanne StrohMr. Lyle Swallow & Mr. Jack

BeckerLeslie TaglioBetsy TempletonDenise VouriMatt WhelanSteve & Kathy Crosby StrickerDavid Young & Donald Bird

DONOR THANKS


Smuin is deeply grateful to the following individuals and organizations for their generosity. It is

through their support that we are able to create innovative works and share the beauty of dance.

This list acknowledges contributions made between August 1, 2020–October 15, 2021.

We’ve made every effort to ensure that our donor list is accurate. Please contact Alicia Tos, Interim Director of Development, at 415-556-5000 x100 or [email protected] with corrections.

IMPRESARIO • A GIFT OF $50,000+

Lee D. Baxter Julie Dickson David Meders

Ken Victor Irv Weissman

Anonymous Karen Bartholomew Madeleine Boshart Bruce Braden Daniel & Allyn Carl

Bob & Sheila Challey Garrett Foulke & Dorothy

Correa Patti & Jerry Hume Dr. Richard & Sharonjean Leeds

WITH OUR THANKS

PRODUCER • A GIFT OF $25,000+

Hal & Carol Louchheim Harvey LynchDr. Linda Membreño John Schlag & Jennifer Gennari Sue & Michael Steinberg

Melanie Ruth Adams & Dennis M. Fisher

Dr. Barbara L. BesseyFrank Ching & Charley KearnsJoe DeBellis & Pat RonzoneWilliam H. Draper III & Phyllis

C. Draper FundEstelle GregoryGuy & Tracy Jaquier

Joanna & Danny KemperShirley & Hersch LoomisKevin McCoyTrisha Mount & Andrew

EtheringtonGary D. & Marcia L. NelsonJames NestorNiblock Charitable TrustRobin Raborn & John Lazlo

PRESENTER • A GIFT OF $10,000+

Jeff & Marilyn RiehlBill & Kara RosenbergRandy SosoSusan & Britt StittFred Terman & Nan BorresonAmanda Weitman & Chris

Heff elfi nger

Anonymous (2)Aukum GroupGloria & Michael ChiangThe Clark FamilyGretchen & John ClatworthyTeren DamatoBill & Nancy DoolittleRobert J. Eldred & Elizabeth J.

Folger

Vicki & David FleishhackerMartha Gates & Spencer

CommonsAlexandra & Hanson Giff ord, in

Honor of Susie StittJoanne & Gregory Giff raKaren D. KadushinBob & Edie Kirkwood Fund, in

memory of Bob Kirkwood

GRAND JETE • A GIFT OF $5,000+

Dell Larcen & Ron MeserveTasia Melvin-BartellBuffi ngton MillerD. G. MitchellThomas SavignanoPaul G. Smith & Gail ErwinDrs. Lynn Spitler & Ted EgerLoreli Trippel


AVE MARIAMusic: Franz SchubertRecording: Nana Mouskouri

WINTER WONDERChoreography: Ian Buchanan, Maggie Carey, Tess Lane, &

Max van der SterreMusic: Irving BerlinRecording: The Hampton String Quartet

LA VIRGEN LAVA PAÑALESMusic: Traditional SpanishRecording: Placido Domingo

THE GLOUCESTERSHIRE WASSAILMusic: Traditional EnglishRecording: The Waverly Consort; Michael Jaff ee, Dir.

LICHT BENSH’N “CANDLE BLESSING”Music: Traditional JewishRecording: Moscow Ensemble of Jewish Music; Victor Kenzon, Dir.

DOBRA NOTSCH “SLEEP WELL”Music: Traditional JewishRecording: Moscow Ensemble of Jewish Music; Victor Kenzon, Dir.

JOY TO THE WORLDChoreography: Nicole Haskins

Music: Traditional EnglishRecording: Philadelphia Orchestra; Eugene Ormandy, Dir.

I N T E R M I S S I O N


CHRISTMAS IN NEW ORLEANSMusic: Richard Sherman & Joe Van Winkle Recording: Louis Armstrong with Benny Carter’s Orchestra

DRUMMER BOYMusic: Katherine K. Davis, Henry Onorati & Harry SimeoneRecording: Lou Rawls

WHAT ARE YOU DOING NEW YEAR’S EVE?Choreography: Amy Seiwert

Music: Frank LoesserRecording: Dick Haymes & The Les Paul Trio

SANTA BABYMusic: Joan Javits, Phil Springer, Tony Springer Recording: Eartha Kitt

WINTER WEATHERMusic: Ted ShapiroRecording: Benny Goodman, Peggy Lee & Art Lund

PRETTY PAPERMusic: Willie NelsonRecording: Willie Nelson

DROOPY LITTLE CHRISTMAS TREEMusic: Benny Martin

IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMASChoreography: Tessa Barbour

Music: Meredith Willson Recording: Johnny Mathis

J-I-N-G-L-E BELLSChoreography: Nicole Haskins

Music: James PierpontRecording: Frank Sinatra & the Ralph Brewster Singers

ACT 2: THE COOL CHRISTMASAll choreography by Michael Smuin unless otherwise noted.


CREDITS

WELLNESS TEAM

COMPANYPIANISTS

Raymond FabrizioLynn IngleseKatelyn TanDonald White

COMPANYTEACHERS

Sandra ChinnKai DavisRobert DekkersCelia FushilleValerie HarmonChris LamAmy LondonBen Needham-WoodAmy SeiwertJulianne SpratlinKatarina Wester

SPECIAL THANKS

Gerstung International Gil BerkeleyTed HelminskiJames HorioHistoric John’s Grill:

John KonstinJohn Konstin, Jr.Sean Kulanet

Sophie Murray

COSTUMECONSTRUCTION

Vincent AveryAnn Beck Dance &

Specialty CostumesValeri ClarkCMC & designThiem MaBirgit Pfeff erJoan Pino

SCENERYCONSTRUCTION

Kathryn T. Graham

LEAD PHYSICAL THERAPIST

Suzanne Martin DPT

ACUPUNCTURISTS

Stephen ColemanDevin WuKristina Yotive

CHIROPRACTORS

John DeRoyLeonard SteinAllen Wood

MASSAGE THERAPIST

Yueming Li

VISITING PHYSICAL THERAPISTS

Jay C. Cook DCStephanie Gleason DPTAlyssa Herrera-Set DPT

Aimee Martel DPTMeaghann Oakes-Rust DPT

Robin Tobias DPT

ORTHOPEDIC & PHYSICAL THERAPY

Dr. Michael Dillingham SOARDr. Kevin Stone The Stone Clinic

Dr. Alicia Knee Center for Sports MedicineJake Bagley DPT

Lisa Giannone Active Care Physical TherapyJeff rey Cohen Hilot Therapy

Barbara BesseyPaula BlankLorinda ClemensPamela Rummage CulpTracy JaquierJacqueline JacobyCarol KaganovJohn LazloDebra LeylegianSam LeftwichLynn LuckowKaren MaguireSharon Melodia

Maureen O’SheaSusie StittBecky PringleRobin RabornSuzanne StrohLeslie TaglioSuzanne TavesKinman TongLilian WagnerLindsay WardKaren & Steve WielMonique Yohanan

IN-KIND DONORSLee D. BaxterBay Area News GroupRichard Binko� D. John MillerGrgich Hills EstateKAZU

Mercury NewsPalo Alto WeeklySan Fransisco ChronicleSF Bay TimesSF Gate

MATCHING GIFTS

Adobe*Apple*Charles Schwab & Co.*Chevron Texaco*Dodge & CoxDropboxGenentech, Inc.*

Google*IBMLam Research Foundation*LinkedIn*Morgan StanleyOracle*Union Bank Foundation

* DENOTES MATCHING PROGRAM

Does your company match donations? Ask! It’s a great way to double your impact.

FRIENDS OF SMUINThe Friends of Smuin is a social club of Smuin afi cionados. We invite you to join us! To learn more, please contact Alicia Tos, Interim Director of Development, at [email protected].


AnonymousJan & Dennis AdairWilliam Bason*Bruce BradenJames BrennockPatricia & Richard CampbellMary CanningMarilyn CharmClara Degen*George Doubleday IITeren D. EllisonFrederic Freund*Emily & Russell FudgeCelia FushilleRudolph Glauser*Beverly & Tom Gorley*

Marguerite E. Griffi th*Milan Milton Holdorf*Mary Greer & Joie Hubbert*Diane & Rob JohnsonCarol & Alan KaganovJoanna & Danny KemperJohn Lazlo & Robin RabornDr. Richard & Sharonjean

LeedsCliff LeventhalJan LoomisDavid MedersDavid & Violaine M'Raihi

Heidi Munzinger & John Shott

William Oman & Larry Crummer

Mary Jo Pace*AnMarie RoacheFred Saunders & Charles

KredensorDorothy SaxeBarbara Schurhoff Hal SegelstatRalph D. SikesJeanette Sperry*Jan SpielbergerLynn Spitler & Edmond EgerBert & LeAnne SteinbergSusan & Michael SteinbergLauri Vaughan*

Rosemary Welde

LEGACY CIRCLEConsider sharing your passion for contemporary ballet with future generations. By naming

Smuin as a benefi ciary in your estate plans and joining our Legacy Circle, your planned gift

transforms your passion into a lasting investment in Smuin's future. We are deeply grateful

to the following individuals:

*DECEASED

SUPPORTERS

There are many nontraditional ways to support Smuin!

IRA or 401k Distributions • Amazon Smile

Stocks and Bonds • Recurring/Monthly Giving

Employer Matching Gifts • Planned Giving

For more information, please visit Smuinballet.org/donate!

Terez Dean OrrPhoto by Chris Hardy


LA CALANDRIAMusic: Nicandro CastilloRecording: Linda Ronstadt

CHRISTMAS TREE ROCKChoreography: Rex Wheeler

Music: Johnny Marks Recording: Brenda Lee

SHOWTIME (World Premiere)

Choreography: Ben Needham-Wood

Music: “Christmas Show - Bonus Track” by Straight No Chaser

FROSTY THE SNOWMANChoreography: Ben Needham-Wood

Music: Walter “Jack” Rollins & Steve NelsonRecording: Zee Avi

BELLS OF DUBLINMusic: The Chieftains

SNOW DAY!Choreography: Rex Wheeler

Music: Leroy Anderson & Mitchell ParishRecording: Johnny Mathis with Percy Faith & His Orchestra

WHITE CHRISTMASMusic: Irving Berlin

Recording: Bing Crosby with Ken Darby Singers & John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra

Smuin’s spectacular San Francisco holiday tradition, The Christmas Ballet LGBTQ+ Night, returns with fi zz! (Cue cork pop, please!) Special guest star Lady Camden, the alter ego of Rex Wheeler, hosts the evening and steps into the red-hot heels of the iconic role “Santa Baby.” Every ticket purchased makes a donation to Project Open Hand, founded in 1985 to feed people with HIV/AIDS, providing nutritious meals with love to our sick and vulnerable neighbors in San Francisco and Oakland.

LGBTQ+ NIGHTDECEMBER 21, 7:30PM -

openhand.org

ARTIST PROFILES


TESSA BARBOUR, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, trained at Alwin School of the Dance before studying abroad in Warrington, England, on a scholarship awarded to her at the Cecchetti International Competition. She has danced with New Mexico Ballet, Connecticut Ballet, and San Diego Ballet. Her favorite past performances include Man in Black by James Kudelka and Indigo by Stanton Welch. Since joining Smuin in 2016, Barbour has performed works by Val Caniparoli, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Trey McIntyre, Helen Pickett, and Amy Seiwert.

BRANDON ALEXANDER, originally from Houston, Texas, received his training with Lori Amare and Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson Academy. He has danced with the Joff rey Ballet of Chicago, Rochester City Ballet, Teater Vanemuine Ballet in Estonia, and Ballet Hagen in Germany. During his career he has danced works by Cayetano Soto, Itzik Galili, Riccardo De Nigris, Sir Frederick Ashton, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, Giorgio Madia, Jamey Leverett, and Silas Stubbs, among others. Alexander joined Smuin in 2020.

IAN BUCHANAN is from Fairfax, California, where he trained with Dance Theatre Seven. He has danced with Houston Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Tulsa Ballet, Rochester City Ballet, and Alberta Ballet. Buchanan has performed works by Jiří Kylián, Stanton Welch, Ma Cong, Ben Stevenson, Wen Wei Wang, Aszure Barton, Jean Grand-Maître, Julia Adam, Denise Clarke, and Leiland Charles. Buchanan joined Smuin in 2018.

CLAIRE BUEHLER is from Milwaukee, WI, and trained at the Milwaukee Ballet School & Academy. She has danced with the Studio Company at Oklahoma City Ballet, Nashville Ballet II, and Minnesota Ballet before joining Smuin in 2021 as an apprentice. Some of Claire’s favorite past performances and roles include Gina Patterson’s 72 Steps, Winter in Paul Vasterling’s Seasons, Blue Bird in Karl Von Rabenau’s Sleeping Beauty, and Cygnets in Robert Mills’ Swan Lake. Claire has also been featured in works by Chris Stuart, Charlotte Boyd-Christensen, and Mollie Sansone.


COMPANY PROFILES

AMY LONDON | BALLET MASTER & EDUCATION PROGRAM DIRECTORAmy London trained in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with Karen Alwin and Shauna Bereska. She danced with Hartford Ballet, Diablo Ballet, and Smuin. Her favorite Smuin roles included: The Eternal Idol, Q.a.V., and Hearts Suite. She has served on faculty for schools throughout the Bay Area and as Artistic Coordinator at Marin Ballet, where she has choreographed more than 20 works. As Ballet Master, she enjoys preserving Michael Smuin’s legacy, as well as being the caretaker of the works of Val Caniparoli, Trey McIntyre, Amy Seiwert, Ma Cong, Helen Pickett, Adam Hougland, Choo-San Goh, and Jiří Kylián.

KATHRYN T. GRAHAM | PRODUCTION DIRECTOR& STAGE MANAGERKT Graham joined Smuin in 1997 after working as Production Stage Manager and Lighting Designer for Lewitzky Dance Company in Los Angeles, as well as Technical & Lighting Director for The Washington Ballet in Washington, D.C., with whom she toured extensively both nationally and internationally. She also engages in freelance projects and has particularly enjoyed serving as Production Stage Manager for Amy Seiwert’s Imagery, Dances from the Heart benefi ts for The Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation, and for the National Dance/USA showcase in 2012.

Take BART to

Smuin’s Fiercely FestiveThe Christmas Ballet.


COMPANY PROFILES

MICHAEL SMUIN | FOUNDER & CHOREOGRAPHERAn American master, the late Michael Smuin began his career as a dancer performing with San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and on Broadway. A Tony and Emmy award-winning choreographer, Smuin brought a signature style to his work on stage, in fi lm, and on television. A maverick, he fearlessly blended the theatrical with classical and popular styles, combining elements drawn from his vast stage experience. Smuin’s works continue to dazzle and entertain contemporary audiences. His company, Smuin, was founded in 1994 to showcase his creative versatility and unique vision. The Company maintains his legacy today.

CELIA FUSHILLE | ARTISTIC DIRECTORAs Artistic Director since 2007, Celia Fushille has been leading the artistic vision of the Company and increasing its reputation as San Francisco’s premier contemporary ballet company. A founding member of Smuin, Fushille performed on stages in the U.S. and Europe, on television, and in fi lm. In addition to maintaining Smuin’s legacy, she has commissioned more than 20 premieres and added the work of 15 choreographers new to the Smuin audience. From 2008-2014, Fushille also served as Executive Director of the Company. Fushille sits on the board of Dance/USA and is Chair of the Artistic Directors’ Council. She holds a BA (summa cum laude) from Saint Mary’s College of California.

LORI LAQUA | MANAGING DIRECTORLori Laqua joined Smuin following fi ve years as Executive Director at Z Space, where she guided the organization through signifi cant growth in programming and budget. Over the course of her 20 years at ODC, Laqua played a major role in the institution's transformation. As Managing Director, she also served as project manager for the design and construction of the ODC Dance Commons and the ODC Theater. Laqua holds a PhD (ABD) and a MArch in Architectural History from the University of Virginia, and a MA in Art History from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

JO ELLEN ARNTZ | COMPANY MANAGER & WARDROBEJo Ellen Arntz moved to San Francisco after receiving her BFA in dance from Creighton University. She danced with San Francisco Ballet from 1981-1991 and has taught dance in the Bay Area since 1977. She began at Smuin as Wardrobe Supervisor in 1996 and became Company Manager shortly thereafter. Working with Michael Smuin at San Francisco Ballet and later his own company prepared her for the multiple hats she wears in the organization today.

MEET OUR

Company

ARTIST PROFILES


MAGGIE CAREY of Dayton, Ohio, received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance Performance from Butler University, where she performed works by choreographers including George Balanchine, Nacho Duato, and Paul Taylor. Upon graduating, Carey performed as a guest artist with Dayton Ballet. She spent two years with the Cincinnati Ballet Second Company, performing works by Victoria Morgan, George Balanchine, Ohad Naharin, and working with choreographers such as Garrett Smith, Nicolo Fonte, and Jennifer Archibald. Carey joined Smuin in 2018.

STÉPHANO CANDREVA was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he trained in ballet at Escola de Dança Alice Arja. He started his career performing with Brazillian professional companies Cisne Negro Cia de Dança and Teatro Sesiminas. Stéphano has danced in the U.S. with City Ballet of San Diego, California Ballet, The Suzanne Farrell Ballet, and Atlanta Ballet, performing works by Septime Webre, Stanton Welch, George Balanchine, David Craigson, and many more. Candreva joined Smuin in 2021.

MENGJUN CHEN, a native of Wenzhou, China, trained at the Beijing Dance Academy and Joff rey Ballet Academy of Dance. After receiving his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Beijing Dance Academy, he joined Milwaukee Ballet where he performed major roles in Giselle, Swan Lake, Romeo & Juliet, The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Cinderella, Dracula, and La Bohème. Chen also performed contemporary works by Matthew Neenan, Gabrielle Lamb, Ma Cong, Amy Seiwert, and Val Caniparoli. In 2014, he was a fi nalist in the USA International Ballet Competition. Chen joined Smuin in 2015.

CASSIDY ISAACSON, originally from Redmond, Washington, trained at Pacifi c Northwest Ballet before joining Grand Rapids Ballet at age 16. Some favorite works performed during her eight years at Grand Rapids Ballet include Trey McIntyre’s Wild Sweet Love, Alejandro Cerrudo’s Extremely Close, Penny Saunders’ In Frame, and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Written and Forgotten. Isaacson joined Smuin in 2019.

ARTIST PROFILES


TESS LANE trained at South Bay Ballet in Torrance, CA. She then apprenticed with Sacramento Ballet, performing works by George Balanchine, Ron Cunningham, and Lila York. Lane joined California Ballet Company in 2013 and was featured in Swan Lake, tGiselle, Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Peter Pan, The Great Gatsby, and Fluctuating Hemlines. She also danced in the National Choreographers Initiative in 2017 and 2018. Lane joined Smuin in 2018.

MARC LAPIERRE began his early training at Ballet Etudes in Norwalk, CT, under the direction of Nanette Vallas. While there, he trained closely with Christina Fagundes. He then attended Ballet Academy East in New York City under the direction of Darla Hoover and, at age 16, furthered his training at The School of American Ballet. He went on to dance with Los Angeles Ballet and then Oregon Ballet Theatre. During his time with OBT, he danced works by Alvin Ailey, Ben Stevenson, Nicolo Fonte, Christopher Stowell, and Trey McIntyre. LaPierre joined Smuin in 2021.

TEREZ DEAN ORR, originally from Hudson Valley, New York, received her training at the prestigious School of American Ballet, the offi cial school of the New York City Ballet. In 2005, she joined State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara, dancing a wide range of contemporary and classical works. Dean Orr joined Smuin in 2008 and has been featured in works by Jiří Kylián, Trey McIntyre, Val Caniparoli, Helen Pickett, Amy Seiwert, Ma Cong, Adam Hougland, and Michael Smuin. While dancing full time, she received her BA through the Saint Mary’s College LEAP program.

WESTON KRUKOW, a Californian native and University of Arizona School of Dance alum, is thrilled to be returning home to Smuin. With Ben Needham-Wood and the Comcast Sportsnet team, he became an Emmy award-winning choreographer, creating and producing BaseBallet. He has performed with Amy Seiwert’s Imagery, Helen Pickett’s Les Troyens for Lyric Opera, and toured as swing and dance captain with Christopher Wheeldon’s An American In Paris. A 2017 cast member of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” watch for Weston next year in HBO’s “Gilded Age,” “WestWorld,” “Ben Stiller’s Severance,” and Amazon’s new series “Harlem.”


CHOREOGRAPHER AND DESIGNER PROFILES

DOUGLAS SCHMIDT | SCENIC DESIGNERFor the past 50 years, Schmidt has designed for fi lm, television, arena, and theme park presentations, as well as more than 200 productions for Broadway, Off Broadway, regional theaters, and major opera companies in the U.S. and Europe. His Broadway credits include the original productions of Grease and Frankenstein. In 2015, he received the United States Institute for Theatre Technology Award for Distinguished Achievement in Scene Design and The Robert L.B. Tobin Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatrical Design.

AMY SEIWERT | CHOREOGRAPHERAmy Seiwert worked with her mentor Michael Smuin for eight of her nine years as a dancer with Smuin. As the San Francisco Guardian wrote, “She quite possibly is the Bay Area’s most original dance thinker.” Named one of “25 to Watch” by Dance Magazine, her fi rst full evening of choreography was named one of the “Top 10” dance events of 2007 by the San Francisco Chronicle. Her work is in the repertory of Washington, Atlanta, Oakland, Sacramento, Colorado, Louisville, Cincinnati, Carolina, Oklahoma City, Dayton, Milwaukee, and American Repertory Ballets, as well as Smuin, BalletMet, AXIS Dance, Robert Moses’ KIN, and Ballet Austin. From July 2018-2020, Seiwert was Artistic Director of Sacramento Ballet.

REX WHEELER | CHOREOGRAPHERAKA Lady Camden, is originally from London, England, and trained at the Royal Ballet School and Elmhurst School for Dance. After dancing with Birmingham Royal Ballet as a student, he performed with Slovak National Ballet and Sacramento Ballet before dancing with Smuin from 2015-2018. A San Francisco-based choreographer and a founding member of Capital Dance Project, Wheeler has created works for many organizations across the country including Sacramento Ballet, Richmond Ballet, the New York Choreographic Institute, and Smuin Contemporary Ballet.

SANDRA WOODALL | COSTUME DESIGNERSandra Woodall has contributed scenic and costume designs to San Francisco Ballet, Frankfurt Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, National ballet companies of Finland, Georgia and Norway, State Opera Ballet of Austria, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Houston Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance, and Singapore Dance Theatre, among others. Recent productions include visual design of Winter Journey (Beijing), written by Wan Fang, director, Stan Lai; Camino Real (Atlanta Ballet) choreographed by Helen Pickett; and Be Here Now, choreographed by Trey McIntyre for Smuin.

CHOREOGRAPHER AND DESIGNER PROFILES


MEET OUR

ChoreographersDesigners

AND

NICHOLE HASKINS | CHOREOGRAPHERNicole Haskins, originally from Venice Beach, California, danced professionally with Sacramento Ballet, Washington Ballet, and Smuin Contemporary Ballet, retiring in 2019. Her choreographic career also fl ourished, including commissions for Sacramento Ballet, Richmond Ballet, Smuin Contemporary Ballet, Dayton Ballet, and Oregon Ballet Theatre. Her choreography has been presented at the Los Angeles Dance Invitational, the McCallum Theater’s Dancing Under The Stars Choreographic Competition, and regional festivals. She was one of the 2017 winners of Oregon Ballet Theatre’s Choreography XX competition, participated in the New York Choreographic Institute, receiving the Institute’s Fellowship Grant in 2011 and the Institute’s Commission Initiative in 2017. Nicole is currently the Trainee Program Director for Ballet Idaho in Boise, ID.

BEN NEEDHAM-WOOD | CHOREOGRAPHERFormer Smuin artist Ben Needham-Wood is an Emmy Award-winning choreographer and fi lmmaker based in San Francisco, CA. His works have been performed at festivals, concerts, and galas across the U.S. and Canada by companies such as Amy Seiwert’s Imagery, Dance Aspen, Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami, and the Kansas City, Louisville, and Smuin Contemporary Ballets. Ben is the fi rst appointed Artistic Fellow of Amy Seiwert’s Imagery, and recently founded his own company, Redirecting Dance.

MICHAEL OESCH | LIGHTING DESIGNERMichael Oesch is a lighting designer for dance, theater, operas, and musicals. Since joining Smuin in 2004, he has designed the lighting for world premieres including The Christmas Ballet; Be Here Now; The Poetry of Being; Tutto Eccetto il Lavandino; Madness, Rack, & Honey; Oh, Inverted World; and Fly Me to the Moon, among others. He also designs lighting for other companies throughout the Bay Area, where his lighting has been nominated for Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Awards, Shelly Awards, and an Isadora Duncan Award.

ARTIST PROFILES


Access the latest news, reviews, critic picks

& insider tips from The Chronicle’s nationally

recognized team of arts & entertainment experts.

DATEBOOK.SFCHRONICLE.COM

Proudly Supports

Brandon Alexander & Cassidy IsaacsonPhoto by Chris Hardy

ARTIST PROFILES


BRENNAN WALL, originally from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, studied at Los Angeles Ballet Academy. She danced with Silicon Valley Ballet (previously Ballet San Jose) as a trainee before joining The New Ballet’s Studio Company. In 2017, Wall joined Ballet de Monterrey under director José Manuel Carreño. She performed in Luis Serrano’s La Bayadere, Swan Lake, and Don Quijote, and danced soloist roles in The Nutcracker, Alberto Méndez’s Phantom of the Opera, and Diego Landin’s Shorthand of Emotion. Wall joined Smuin in 2019.

LAUREN PSCHIRRER graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and apprenticed at Rochester City Ballet and the Joff rey Ballet. While with the Joff rey, she danced works by Sir Frederick Ashton, Michael Pink, and George Balanchine. She also originated roles during the National Choreographers Initiative in 2015, 2017, and 2018. Pschirrer joined Smuin in 2016 and has performed in works by Val Caniparoli and Helen Pickett, and featured roles in Amy Seiwert’s Broken Open and Falling Up.

MAX VAN DER STERRE, a San Francisco native, trained with Damara Bennett, Henry Berg, and the School of American Ballet before joining New York City Ballet in 2005. While there, he performed works by Jerome Robbins, Christopher Wheeldon, and George Balanchine. At the New York Choreographic Institute, he collaborated with Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Edwaard Liang, Albert Evans, and many more. With Alabama Ballet he performed works by Jiří Kylián, Twyla Tharp, Agnes de Mille, Frederick Ashton, and George Balanchine. Van der Sterre joined Smuin in 2018.

YURI ROGERS began his training with the Academy of Ballet San Francisco under the direction of Richard Gibson and Zory Karah. He then had the opportunity to continue his training and perform with the Joff rey Ballet of Chicago, Grand Rapids Ballet, and BalletMet in Columbus, Ohio. Rogers has performed works by Lar Lubovitch, Leiland Charles, and Edwaard Liang. Rogers joined Smuin in 2021.

ARTIST PROFILES


For more information on sponsorship opportunities or early ticket and table purchases, please contact Alicia Tos, Interim Development Director at 415-556-5000 x100 or [email protected]

Smuin's Board of Trustees and the Friends of Smuin host committee invite you to celebrate Smuin's return to the stage with cocktails, dance performances, dinner, and live auction!

A N N U A L G A L ASUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022

THE GALLERIA, SAN FRANCISCO

Tess Lane & Max van der SterrePhoto by Chris Hardy

Documents

The Christmas Ballet Program 2021-22 FINAL for audience to