The Christmas Ballet 2021 Digital Program
Pictured: Maggie Carey & Ian Buchanan • Photo By Max van der Sterre
Dear Friends,
Greetings of the season! The last 20 months have had their challenges, and still we’re filled 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 first 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 first 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 filled with every blessing.
Celia Fushille
Artistic Director
The Christmas Ballet Roles
Founder
Michael Smuin
Artistic Director
Celia Fushille
Managing Director
Lori Laqua
Company Manager & Wardrobe
Jo Ellen Arntz
Ballet Master
Amy London
Production Design & Stage Manager
Kathryn T. Graham
Costume Design
Sandra Woodall
Lighting Design
Michael Oesch
Scenic Design
Douglas Schmidt
Full Staff List
Celia Fushille • Artistic Director
Lori Laqua • Managing Director
Jo Ellen Arntz • Company Manager & Wardrobe
Amy London • Ballet Master & Education Program Director
Alicia Tos • Interim Director of Development
Coral Bell • Development Operations Specialist
Jason Narin • Patron Services Manager
Ellen Gaintner • Special Projects Manager
Benjamin Warner • Community Engagement Manager
Kathryn T. Graham • Production Director & Stage Manager
Francis Carr • Technical Director
Kay Park • Sound & AV Director
Michael Oesch • Lighting Director
Vincent Avery • Wardrobe Assistant
Carla Befera & Company • Publicist
Chris Hardy, David De Silva & Max van der Sterre • Photography
Cynthia Wuthmann • Interim Marketing Director
Maggie Carey • Digital Marketing Assistant
Ian Buchanan • Web Technology Assistant
Artists
Brandon Alexander
Tessa Barbour
Ian Buchanan
Claire Buehler
Stéphano Candreva
Maggie Carey
Mengjun Chen
Cassidy Isaacson
Weston Krukow
Tess Lane
Marc LaPierre
Terez Dean Orr
Lauren Pschirrer
Yuri Rogers
Max van der Sterre
Brennan Wall
Board of Trustees
Madeleine Boshart • President
Trisha Mount • Vice President
Karen D. Kadushin • Secretary
Hal Louchheim • Treasurer
Lee D. Baxter
Bruce Braden
Robert Challey
Celia Fushille
John Konstin
Linda Membreño, M.D.
Maria Nazari
John Schlag
Randy Soso
Susie Stitt
Emeriti
Patti Hume • Founding President
Vicki Fleishhacker
Robert Greenwood
Edie Kirkwood
John Murphy
Sue Steinberg
Allie Weissman (In Memoriam)
With Gratitude
Smuin is grateful to be sponsored in part by San Francisco Grants for the Arts along with:
Act 1: The Classical Christmas
All choreography by Michael Smuin unless otherwise noted.
Magnificat
Music: J.S. Bach
Recording: Gachinger Kantorei Stuttgart, Bach-Collegium Stuttgart; Helmuth Rilling, Cond.
Zither Carol
Music: Traditional Czech
Recording: Amor Artis Chamber Choir; Johannes Somary, Cond.
Hodie Christus Natus Est
Music: Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
Recording: Regensburger Domspatzen; Georg Ratzinger, Cond.
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Choreography: Tessa Barbour
Music: Traditional English
Recording: 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, Emmanuel
Music: Traditional French
Recording: Taverner Consort, Choir and Players; Andrew Parrott, Dir.
Riu, riu, chiu
Music: Traditional Spanish
Recording: Amor Artis Chamber Choir; Johannes Somary, Cond.
For Unto Us a Child is Born
Music: G.F. Handel (from Messiah)
Ave Maria
Music: Franz Schubert
Recording: Nana Mouskouri
Winter Wonder
Choreography: Ian Buchanan, Maggie Carey, Tess Lane, & Max van der Sterre
Music: Irving Berlin
Recording: The Hampton String Quartet
La Virgen Lava Pañales
Music: Traditional Spanish
Recording: Placido Domingo
The Gloucestershire Wassail
Music: Traditional English
Recording: The Waverly Consort; Michael Jaffee, Dir.
Licht bensh’n “Candle Blessing”
Music: Traditional Jewish
Recording: Moscow Ensemble of Jewish Music; Victor Kenzon, Dir.
Dobra Notsch “Sleep Well”
Music: Traditional Jewish
Recording: Moscow Ensemble of Jewish Music; Victor Kenzon, Dir.
Joy to the World
Choreography: Nicole Haskins
Music: Traditional English
Recording: Philadelphia Orchestra; Eugene Ormandy, Dir.
Act 2: The Cool Christmas
All choreography by Michael Smuin unless otherwise noted.
Christmas in New Orleans
Music: Richard Sherman & Joe Van Winkle
Recording: Louis Armstrong with Benny Carter’s Orchestra
Drummer Boy
Music: Katherine K. Davis, Henry Onorati & Harry Simeone
Recording: Lou Rawls
What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?
Choreography: Amy Seiwert
Music: Frank Loesser
Recording: Dick Haymes & The Les Paul Trio
Santa Baby
Music: Joan Javits, Phil Springer, Tony Springer
Recording: Eartha Kitt
Winter Weather
Music: Ted Shapiro
Recording: Benny Goodman, Peggy Lee & Art Lund
Pretty Paper
Music: Willie Nelson
Recording: Willie Nelson
Droopy Little Christmas Tree
Music: Benny Martin
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
Choreography: Tessa Barbour
Music: Meredith Willson
Recording: Johnny Mathis
J-I-N-G-L-E Bells
Choreography: Nicole Haskins
Music: James Pierpont
Recording: Frank Sinatra & the Ralph Brewster Singers
La Calandria
Music: Nicandro Castillo
Recording: Linda Ronstadt
Christmas Tree Rock
Choreography: 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 Snowman
Choreography: Ben Needham-Wood
Music: Walter “Jack” Rollins & Steve Nelson
Recording: Zee Avi
Bells of Dublin
Music: The Chieftains
Snow Day!
Choreography: Rex Wheeler
Music: Leroy Anderson & Mitchell Parish
Recording: Johnny Mathis with Percy Faith & His Orchestra
White Christmas
Music: Irving Berlin
Recording: Bing Crosby with Ken Darby Singers & John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra
December 21, 7:30pm
Smuin’s spectacular San Francisco holiday tradition, The Christmas Ballet LGBTQ+ Night, returns with fizz! (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 will provide a donation to Project Open Hand, a nonprofit organization that serves life-saving, medically tailored nutrition to community members experiencing critical health conditions including HIV/AIDS, diabetes, cancer, and heart disease in San Francisco and Alameda counties.
Casting
Casting is announced the day before each show and may change by venue:
December 2-5, 2021: Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro Street, Mountain View
Click the link to open, view, download and print casting: The Christmas Ballet Casting for performances in Mountain View
December 10-11, 2021: Sunset Center, San Carlos Street at 9th Avenue, Carmel-by-the-Sea
December 16-26, 2021: Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 700 Howard Street, San Francisco
Past performances
November 19-20, 2021: Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek
Click the link to open, view and print casting: The Christmas Ballet Casting for performances in Walnut Creek
Artist Profiles
Brandon Alexander
BRANDON ALEXANDER, originally from Houston, Texas, received his training with Lori Amare and Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson Academy. He has danced with the Joffrey 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.
Tessa Barbour
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.
Ian Buchanan
IAN BUCHANAN hails 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.
Maggie Carey
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 the 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.
Mengjun Chen
MENGJUN CHEN, a native of Wenzhou, China, trained at the Beijing Dance Academy and Joffrey 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 Boheme. Chen also performed contemporary works by Matthew Neenan, Gabrielle Lamb, Ma Cong, Amy Seiwert and Val Caniparoli. In 2014, he was a finalist in the USA International Ballet Competition. Chen joined Smuin in 2015.
Cassidy Isaacson
CASSIDY ISAACSON, originally from Redmond, Washington, trained at Pacific Northwest Ballet before joining Grand Rapids Ballet Company 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.
Tess Lane
TESS LANE trained at South Bay Ballet in Torrance, CA, performing Robert Kelly’s Summertime at the International Ballet Competition in Jackson, MI. While apprenticing with Sacramento Ballet, she performed works by George Balanchine, Ron Cunningham, and Lila York. Lane joined California Ballet Company in 2013 and was featured in Swan Lake, Giselle, Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream as well as Septime Webre’s 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.
Terez Dean Orr
TEREZ DEAN ORR, originally from Hudson Valley, New York, received her training at the prestigious School of American Ballet, the official school of the New York City Ballet. In 2005, she joined the 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.
Lauren Pschirrer
LAUREN PSCHIRRER graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and apprenticed at Rochester City Ballet and the Joffrey Ballet. While with the Joffrey, she danced works by Sir Frederick Ashton, Michael Pink, and George Balanchine. With Ballet Memphis, Pschirrer performed works by Matthew Neenan and Gabrielle Lamb. 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
MAX VAN DER STERRE, a San Francisco native, trained with Damara Bennett and Henry Berg, then the School of American Ballet before joining New York City Ballet in 2005. While dancing with NYCB, 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, Jerry Opdenaker, Douglas Lee, and Timothy Harbour. He joined Alabama Ballet in 2012, performing works by Jiří Kylián, Twyla Tharp, Agnes de Mille, Frederick Ashton, and George Balanchine. Van der Sterre joined Smuin in 2018.
Brennan Wall
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.
Claire Buehler
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.
Stéphano Candreva
STEPHANO CANDREVA was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where he trained in ballet at Escola de Danca Alice Arja. Stéphano started his career performing with Brazillian professional companies Cisne Negro Cia de Danca and Teatro Sesiminas. Stéphano has danced in the U.S. with City Ballet of San Diego, California Ballet, The Suzanne Farrell Ballet, and most recently, Atlanta Ballet. He has danced works by Septime Webre, Stanton Welch, George Balanchine, David Craigson, Ricardo Amarante, Yuri Possokov, Mark Morris, Max Petrov, and Betsey Wistrich. Candreva joined Smuin in 2021.
Marc LaPierre
MARC LAPIERRE began his early training at Ballet Etudes in Norwalk CT under the direction of Nanette Vallas. While at Ballet Etudes 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, Marc furthered his training at The School of American Ballet. He then went on to dance with Los Angeles Ballet, where he had the pleasure of dancing works by August Bournonville, George Balanchine, Aszure Barton and Alejandro Cerrudo. Two years later he joined Oregon Ballet Theatre as an apprentice and was promoted to the Company corps de ballet in his second season. During his time with OBT, he danced works by Alvin Ailey, Ben Stevenson, Nicolo Fonte, Christopher Stowell, and Trey MyIntyre. LaPierre joined Smuin in 2021.
Yuri Rogers
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 Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, the 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.
Weston Krukow
WESTON KRUKOW, a Californian native and University of Arizona School of Dance alumni is thrilled to be returning home to Smuin Ballet. 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.” @westonkrukow
Choreographer and Designer Profiles
NICOLE HASKINS | CHOREOGRAPHER
Nicole Haskins, originally from Venice Beach, California, danced professionally with Sacramento Ballet, Washington Ballet, and Smuin Contemporary Ballet, retiring in 2019. Her choreographic career also flourished, 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 | Choreographer
Former Smuin artist Ben Needham-Wood is an Emmy Award-winning choreographer and filmmaker 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 first appointed Artistic Fellow of Amy Seiwert’s Imagery, and recently founded his own company, Redirecting Dance.
MICHAEL OESCH | LIGHTING DESIGNER
Michael 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.
Douglas schmidt | scenic DESIGNER
For the past 50 years, Schmidt has designed for film, 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 | CHOreographer
Amy 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 first 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 | Choreographer
AKA 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 DESIGNER
Sandra 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 the 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.
Company Profiles
MICHAEL SMUIN | Founder & Choreographer
An 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 film, 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 Director
Celia Fushille has served as Artistic Director of Smuin Contemporary Ballet since 2007. From 2008-2014 she also served as Executive Director of the company. A founding member of Smuin Ballet and its principal dancer for more than 12 years, Fushille worked closely with company founder Michael Smuin. In a performing career spanning 25 years, Fushille appeared on stages in the U.S. and Europe, on television and in film. As Artistic Director, Fushille has created her own vision for the company while maintaining Michael Smuin’s legacy. She has expanded the repertoire of the company by commissioning 18 world premieres and including the work of renowned choreographers. Increasing the company’s stability and place in the arts community of San Francisco, she realized a 10-year goal with the company’s move into its permanent home in 2019. For the last decade Fushille has been part of the national discussion addressing diversity, equity and inclusion among leaders of U.S. dance companies. Fushille sits on the board of Dance/USA and is chair of the Artistic Directors’ Council for Member Companies with budgets of $3 million and greater. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (summa cum laude) from Saint Mary’s College of California.
Lori Laqua
Managing Director
Lori Laqua joins Smuin following five years as Executive Director at Z Space, where she guided the organization through significant 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 Ph.D. (ABD) and a M.Arch in Architectural History from the University of Virginia, and a MA in Art History from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
JoEllen Arntz
Company Manager and Wardrobe
Jo Ellen Arntz moved to San Francisco after receiving her BFA in dance from Creighton University (Omaha, Nebraska). She danced with San Francisco Ballet from 1981-1991 and has been teaching dance in the Bay Area since 1977, recently celebrating 20 years on faculty at Marin Dance Theater. 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.
Amy London
Ballet Master and Education Program Director
Amy London received her training in her hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico, from Karen Alwin and Shauna Bereska. She danced with Hartford Ballet, Diablo Ballet, and Smuin Ballet. Her favorite Smuin roles included: 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 Smuin’s Ballet Master, she enjoys preserving Michael Smuin’s legacy, as well as collaborating with and 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. As the inaugural Education Program Director for Smuin Center for Dance, she oversees its successful community engagement, outreach and faculty development.
Kathryn T. Graham
Production Director & Stage Manager
KT Graham joined Smuin Ballet 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 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 benefits for The Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation, and for the National Dance USA showcase in 2012.
More Credits
Company Teachers
Sandra Chinn
Kai Davis
Robert Dekkers
Celia Fushille
Valerie Harmon
Chris Lam
Amy London
Ben Needham-Wood
Amy Seiwert
Julianne Spratlin
Katarina Wester
Special Thanks
Gerstung International
Gil Berkeley
Ted Helminski
James Horio
Historic John’s Grill: John Konstin
John Konstin, Jr.
Sean Kulanet
Sophie Murray
John Speed Orr
Costume Construction
Vincent Avery
Ann Beck Dance & Specialty Costumes
Valeri Clark
CMC & design
Thiem Ma
Birgit Pfeffer
Joan Pino
Company Pianists
Raymond Fabrizio
Lynn Inglese
Katelyn Tan
Donald White
SCENERY Construction
Kathryn T. Graham
Wellness Team
Lead Physical Therapist
Suzanne Martin DPT
Chiropractors
John DeRoy
Leonard Stein
Allen Wood
Acupuncturists
Stephen Coleman
Devin Wu
Kristina Yotive
Massage Therapist
Yueming Li
Visiting Physical Therapists
Jay C. Cook DC
Stephanie Gleason DPT
Alyssa Herrera-Set DPT
Aimee Martel DPT
Meaghann Oakes-Rust DPT
Robin Tobias DPT
Orthopedic & Physical Therapy
Dr. Michael Dillingham SOAR
Dr. Kevin Stone The Stone Clinic
Dr. Alicia Knee Center for Sports Medicine
Jake Bagley DPT
Lisa Giannone Active Care Physical Therapy
Jeffrey Cohen Hilot Therapy
Legacy Circle
Consider sharing your passion for contemporary ballet with future generations. By naming Smuin as a beneficiary 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:
Anonymous
Jan & Dennis Adair
William Bason*
Bruce Braden
James Brennock
Patricia & Richard Campbell
Mary Canning
Marilyn Charm
Clara Degen*
George Doubleday II
Teren D. Ellison
Frederic Freund*
Emily & Russell Fudge
Celia Fushille
Rudolph Glauser*
Beverly & Tom Gorley*
Marguerite E. Griffith*
Milan Milton Holdorf*
Mary Greer & Joie Hubbert*
Diane & Rob Johnson
Carol & Alan Kaganov
Joanna & Danny Kemper
John Lazlo & Robin Raborn
Dr. Richard & Sharonjean Leeds
Cliff Leventhal
Jan Loomis
David Meders
David & Violaine M’Raihi
Heidi Munzinger & John Shott
William Oman & Larry Crummer
Mary Jo Pace*
AnMarie Roache
Fred Saunders & Charles Kredensor
Dorothy Saxe
Barbara Schurhoff
Hal Segelstat
Ralph D. Sikes
Jeanette Sperry*
Jan Spielberger
Lynn Spitler & Edmond Eger
Bert & LeAnne Steinberg
Susan & Michael Steinberg
Lauri Vaughan*
Rosemary Welde
*deceased
In-Kind Donors
Lee D. Baxter
Bay Area News Group
Richard Binkoff
D. John Miller
Grgich Hills Estate
KAZU
Mercury News
Palo Alto Weekly
San Fransisco Chronicle
SF Bay Times
SF Gate
Matching Gifts
Does your company match donations? Ask! It’s a great way to double your impact.
Adobe*
Apple*
Charles Schwab & Co.*
Chevron Texaco*
Dodge & Cox
Dropbox
Genentech, Inc.*
Google*
IBM
Lam Research Foundation*
LinkedIn*
Morgan Stanley
Oracle*
Union Bank Foundation
* denotes matching program
Friends of Smuin
The Friends of Smuin is a social club of Smuin aficionados. We invite you to join us! To learn more, please contact Alicia Tos, Interim Director of Development, at atos@smuinballet.org.
Barbara Bessey
Paula Blank
Lorinda Clemens
Pamela Rummage Culp
Tracy Jaquier
Jacqueline Jacoby
Carol Kaganov
John Lazlo
Debra Leylegian
Sam Leftwich
Lynn Luckow
Karen Maguire
Sharon Melodia
Maureen O’Shea
Susie Stitt
Becky Pringle
Robin Raborn
Suzanne Stroh
Leslie Taglio
Suzanne Taves
Kinman Tong
Lilian Wagner
Lindsay Ward
Karen & Steve Wiel
Monique Yohanan
With our 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 atos@smuinballet.org with corrections.
Impresario • a gift of $50,000+
Lee D. Baxter
Julie Dickson
David Meders
Ken Victor
Irv Weissman
Producer • a gift of $25,000+
Anonymous
Karen Bartholomew
Madeleine Boshart
Bruce Braden
Daniel & Allyn Carl
Bob & Sheila Challey
Garrett Foulke & Dorothy Correa
Patti & Jerry Hume
Dr. Richard & Sharonjean Leeds
Hal & Carol Louchheim
Harvey Lynch
Dr. Linda Membreño
John Schlag & Jennifer Gennari
Sue & Michael Steinberg
Presenter • a gift of $10,000+
Melanie Ruth Adams & Dennis M. Fisher
Dr. Barbara L. Bessey
Frank Ching & Charley Kearns
Joe DeBellis & Pat Ronzone
William H. Draper III & Phyllis C. Draper Fund
Estelle Gregory
Guy & Tracy Jaquier
Joanna & Danny Kemper
Shirley & Hersch Loomis
Kevin McCoy
Trisha Mount & Andrew Etherington
Gary D. & Marcia L. Nelson
James Nestor
Niblock Charitable Trust
Robin Raborn & John Lazlo
Jeff & Marilyn Riehl
Bill & Kara Rosenberg
Randy Soso
Susan & Britt Stitt
Fred Terman & Nan Borreson
Amanda Weitman & Chris Heffelfinger
Grand Jete • a gift of $5,000+
Anonymous (2)
Aukum Group
Gloria & Michael Chiang
The Clark Family
Gretchen & John Clatworthy
Teren Damato
Bill & Nancy Doolittle
Robert J. Eldred & Elizabeth J. Folger
Vicki & David Fleishhacker
Martha Gates & Spencer Commons
Alexandra & Hanson Gifford, in Honor of Susie Stitt
Joanne & Gregory Giffra
Karen D. Kadushin
Bob & Edie Kirkwood Fund, in memory of Bob Kirkwood
Dell Larcen & Ron Meserve
Tasia Melvin-Bartell
Buffington Miller
D. G. Mitchell
Thomas Savignano
Paul G. Smith & Gail Erwin
Drs. Lynn Spitler & Ted Eger
Loreli Trippel
Pas De Deux • a gift of $2,500+
Anonymous (2)
Ms. Lori Arthur
Brenda Beckett
Sharon Kuroki Beckman & David Beckman
Kay Bell, Jr.
Paula Blank
Janet & Kenneth Bollier
James B. Brennock, in loving memory of W. Wayne Hoyer
James Carter
Rudy Ciuca & Joseph Lawrence
Pamela Rummage Culp
Deborah & Dennis Donovan
Linda Drucker
Susan DuCoeur
Connie Easterling
David L. Hatt
Bret A. & Penelope A. Herscher
Ms. Judy Heyboer
Carol Marsha Kaganov
Nolan & Debi Kennedy
Hal & Iris Korol
Henry Massie & Bridget Connelly
Steve & Niko Mayer
Sharon & Paul Melodia
Julie Mikuta & Damiana Harper
Mr. Jerry Mosher
Linda Murphy
Gilbert Neill & Rodney Woodard
Meryl & Alfred Norek
Gary Allan Payne, in honor of Deb Glazer
Anne & Martin Roher
Dennis & Jan Ruby
Ms. Gwen Smith, in honor of Ian Buchanan
Randy & Barbara Soso
Mr. & Mrs. Steve & Karen Wiel
Adagio • a gift of $1,000+
Anonymous (2)
Sandy Abbott
Norman Abramson
Bahar Aghighi, MD, in honor of Linda Membreño, MD
Shawn Alexander
Patricia Boone & David Pfefer
Shawna Hartman Brotsky & Daniel Brotsky
Richard, Elaine, & Julie Burgess
Melissa & Jason Burnett
Charlie Cassell
Corinne Celio
Ms. Marilyn Charm
Antoinette Chatton
Clement Chen III
Mr. & Mrs. Charles & Lorinda Clemens
Patrick Collins
Diana Corbett
Anita & Richard Davis
George Deabill, PhD
Tom Debley
Judith & Harold Dittmer
Ms. Andrea Eichhorn
Hon. James C. Emerson
Leak Fairon
Rona Foster & Kenneth Powell
Donna & Richard Fraioli
Tom Frankel
Sharon & Joel Friedman
Celia Fushille & Chris Hardy
Ms. Lisa Giannone & Michael Dillingham
Diane Gosney & Allison Chang
Louise M. Gould
Kathryn T. Graham
Shand & William Green
Jeanne Walker Harvey
Mary Hero
Ann & Rick Homan
James Horio & Linda Cahill
George & Leslie Hume
Judy Jackovics
Robin & Donald Kennedy
Roland & Becky Lazzarotto
Nancy Leavens
Lucinda Lee & Dan Smith
Sam Leftwich
Ms. Debra Leylegian
Jane Lombard
Peter Lungreen
Farah & Victor Makras
Mr. & Mrs. Donald & Ruthanne McCunn
Susan Mickiewicz
Ms. Dona Lee Mork
Oren Mosher
Robert Mount
Paul Munro
Heidi Munzinger & John Shott
Steven Natterstad
George O’Neill
Maureen O’Shea
Ralph Pais & Gayl Huston
Patterson Family Foundation
Ms. Laura Peterson
Jay Pierrepont
Gordon Radley
Janet & Niels Reimers
Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Robins
Kathryn Rouine-Rapp
Elizabeth M. Salzer
Jon Saxe & Myrna Marshall
Douglas Schmidt & Stephen Martin
Ed & Chris Schweitzer
Wes & Stacie Smith
Pravin Soni & Amy Wurtzburger
Stephen Stedman & Corinne Thomas
Laurie Stephenson
Suzanne Stroh
Mr. Lyle Swallow & Mr. Jack Becker
Leslie Taglio
Betsy Templeton
Denise Vouri
Matt Whelan
Steve & Kathy Crosby Stricker
David Young & Donald Bird
Pirouette • a gift of $500+
Anonymous (3)
Dimitri Agratcheu
Suzanne Ah-Tye & Donald Tamaki
Robin Allgren M.D. Ph.D.
Donna Ambrosini & Barbara Fellini
Jo Ellen Arntz
Pamela & Michael Barnes
Brian & Glynnis Belchers
Michael Bena
Connie Berkeley
Mr. Jess Brown
Jim & Melinda Brown
Lucretia Butler
Betty Anne Carlin
Laura Carroll
Victoria Chang
Katherine Bradshaw Chappelear
Clark Charitable Fund
Dan Craft
Dr. Bradford A. Crowell & Gary Koehler
Mary Dahlquist
Holly Earl
Tehila & Saul Eisenstat, in loving memory of Michael
Christine Federici & Phil Gerring
Dale Fehringer & Patty McCrary Fehringer
Joseph Ficurelli
Frank & Jeanne Fischer
Christine Fisher
Karin Flood
Lauri Flynn, in memory of Maureen O’Sullivan
Mrs. Ceseli Foster
Mr. Kirk Frederick
Mr. & Mrs. Gerry Gaintner
Nancy Garton & Kent Palmerton
Renata Gasperi
Ms. Yvonne Gero
Gail Giffen
William S. Goldstein & Christopher Archuleta
John Good
John Gregg
Terry Grenchik
Philip & Kathleen Gust
Holly Hadlock
Kathleen Hall & Leslie Murdock
Steve Hass
Lynn Hinck
Susan & Richard Idell, in honor of Lee Baxter
Rob & Diane Johnson
Victoria & Martin Johnson
Elizabeth & Bob Julian
Kurt Kaull
Kristine Kelly
Hannah King
Kimiko & Joel Klein
John & Athena Konstin/Historic John’s Grill
Melinda & Robert Kruvant
Jerry Kuns
Pam & Gif Lehman
Susan & Peter Mackauf
Mary Lou & Robert Maier
John Domingos & Claudine Marken
Marc & Lois Martin
Timothy McCarthy
Brenda & Russell McNeill
Shareen Merriam
Shauna Mika & Rick Callison
John Milani
Ted Mitchell
Jeff & Sue Mulvihill
Russell Nelson
Mr. Robert Newcomer
Bill & Tari Nicholson
Sheila North
Richard Nowlin
Marcia F. O’Hern
The Orr Family
Christina Owen
Lew & Bev Perlson, in honor of Danny & Joanna Kemper
Sharon K. Peters
Clara Pettigrew
Lane Poms
Roberta & Merwyn Powell
Mark J. Powers & Albert E. Moreno
Rebecca & Robert Pringle
Robert Reay & Judith Fan
Ms. Janet Lynda Reinstra
Virgil Rittenhouse & Sue Holloway
Lynn Sanford
Fred Saunders & Charles Kredensor
Randall Schwabacher
Kathleen Sidenblad
Kristen & Steve Siegel
Ralph D. Sikes
Barbara Smith
Fred & Stacie Smith
Mr. Jeffrey Sorrento
Jan Spielberger
Valerie Stewart
Christine Suppes
Janette Tom, in memory of Mary Tom
Sam & Joan Trust
Mr. Peter van der Sterre
Dr. Jennifer Wahlsten
Bradford & Susan Wait
Ms. Rosemary Welde
Daphne & Stuart Wells
Marilyn Winans
Ms. Jennifer Winch
Michelle Garcia Winner & Pamela Crooke
Cynthia Wuthmann & Family
Printable Program PDF
In order to be more conscious of our single-use materials, there are limited copies of our print program offered at the door this year. If you would like to ensure you have a physical copy, you have the option to print your own.
The document is linked below along with instructions on how to print and fold it into the booklet you know and love!
How to print it:
Once you open the pdf, there will be a printer icon in the top right corner. Click this to open up the printing pannel.
In the panel, you will click “More Settings,”
and then alter the settings so that they look like the following:
Finally, click “Print!”
When you take the stack out of the printer, fold it all in half so that the cover is facing you. You now have your own classic program book ready for show night.
We will also provide casting for our performances here. Click the link to open, view and print casting.
The Christmas Ballet Casting for performances in Walnut Creek
See you in the theater!