Nutcracker Cast List Announced

The Cast - in order of appearance

Numbers and letters in ( ) indicate date and time of performance. M for matinee, E for evening.

Act I, Scene 1

DROSSELMEYER'S WORKSHOP:

DROSSELMEYER:

Przemyslaw Grzadziela

DROSSELMEYER'S HELPER:

Michal Wozniak ((25M,26M,27E) Slawomir Wozniak Jr (25E,26E,27M)

BALLERINA DOLL:

Allie Burman (26E,27E) Gisele Bethea (25E, 27M) Leanne Fromm (26M) Esther Huszar (25M) understudy: Alexandria Rausch, Julianna Kassenbrock

HARLEQUIN DOLL:

Julianna Kassenbrock (25M), Alexandria Rausch (26E,27M) Esther Huszar (26M,27E) Sabrina Benavides (25E) understudy: Lauren Kelly

Act I, Scene 2: THE STAHLBAUM HOUSE

FRAU VON STAHLBAUM:

Judy D’Apuzzo (25M/E,26M/E) Elizabeth Mann (27M/E)

HERR VON STAHLBAUM:

Ryland Early

CLARA:

Gisele Bethea (26E,27E) Simrin Player (25E) Kaylin Branch (25M) Chloe Rosenbaum (27M) Mia Rosin (26M) FRITZ: Paris Rosenbaum (25E/M,26E,27M) Jack Beckham (26M,27E)

MAID:

Katelin Ahern (25E, 26M/E, 27M) Leanne Fromm (25M, 27E) understudy: Allie Burman, Anna Murnane

BUTLER:

Crispino Ramos

PARTY PARENTS:

MOTHERS:

Elizabeth Mann (25E, 26E) Tatum Quinonez (25M, 26M, 27M/E) Nina Kravetz Kaitlyn Smoot (25E, 26M) Sherry Anderson (25M/E,26M/E) Skyler White (25E, 26M) Lexie Yunger (25M, 26E, 27M/E) Emily Philhower (27M/E) Christine Steiner (25M, 26E, 27M/E) Jackie Nortwher

FATHERS:

Owen Anderson (25M/E, 26M/E) Billy Lee Raul Orozco Kenny Perez Drew Swaine Cody Smith Harrison Stevenson (27M/E)

PARTY CHILDREN:

GIRLS:

Leila Rosin Sophia Olson (25E,26M,27E) Karina Sbiera Sabrina Kloft Thalia Bargas (25M,26E,27M) Julia Blackman understudy: Branda Statman, Kaylin Branch, Mia Rosin, Simrin Player BOYS: Stefan Bargas Cole Vining Cruz Vining Chase Vining Jack Beckham (25E,26E,27M) Paris Rosenbaum (26M,27E) Emilia Linos (25M) understudy: Jack Anderson

Act I, Scene 3: THE BATTLE

SMALL MICE:

Stefan Bargas Jack Beckham (25E,26E,27M/E), Paris Rosenbaum (25M,26M), Chase Vining Branda Statman Sarah Eloge (25M, 26M, 27E) Sofia Bargas (25E, 26E, 27M) Sophia Olson (25M, 26E, 27M) Thalia Bargas (25E, 26M, 27E) understudy: Esther Ham, Allyson Mann, Leila Rosin, Cole Vining, Cruz Vining, Jennifer Gordon

LARGE MICE:

Billy Lee Raul Orozco Drew Swaine Kenny Perez Jean Welton-Richardson II Cody Smith understudy: Harrison Stevenson SOLDIERS: Mia Rosin (25M/E,26E,27M) Chloe Rosenbaum (25M/E,26E) Jenna Jacobsen Nicole Dymkov Julia Blackman Cara Engstrom Madeleine Shillington Esther Ham (26M/E,27M/E) Leila Rosin (25M/E) Kaylin Branch (26M,27M/E) Simrin Player (26M/E,27E) Emilia Linos Lauren Kelly (25E/M,27E) Gisele Bethea (26M,27M) understudy: Sarah Eloge, Paris Rosenbaum

MOUSE KING:

Przemyslaw Grzadziela

THE NUTCRACKER PRINCE:

Blake Kessler (25E,26M/E,27M/E) Jack Beckham (25M) understudy: Stefan Bargas

Act I, Scene 4: THE SNOWY GARDEN

SNOW QUEEN: Shea McAdoo (25E,26M,27E) Katelin Ahern (25M,26E,27M) understudy: Anna Murnane

SNOW CAVALIERS:

Elye Olson Ryland Early Harrison Stevenson Slawomir Wozniak Jr (25M, 26M, 27E) Michal Wozniak (25E, 26E, 27M)

SNOW CORPS:

Shea McAdoo (25M,26E,27M) Katelin Ahern (25E,26M,27E) Allie Burman (25E,26E,27E) Julianna Kassenbrock (25M,26M, 27M) Leanne Fromm (25E,26E,27M) Esther Huszar (25M,26M,27E) Jessica Alvarez Kaitlyn Smoot Sabrina Benavides (25E,26E,27M) Skyler White (25E,26M,27M) Anna Murnane (25M,26E,27E) Michelle Milan (25M,26E, 27E) Emily Philhower (25E, 26E, 27M/E) Tatum Quinonez (25E,26M,27E) Alexandria Rausch (25M,26M/E) Jennifer Gordon (25M, 26M) Brooke Read (25M,26E,27M) Elizabeth Mann Gina Zavarov understudy: Nina Kravetz, Sarah Eloge, Lauren Kelly

BABY ANGELS:

Mina Vining, Samantha Olson, Sophia Olson, Naomi Rosin, Leila Rosin, Emilia Linos, Karina Sbiera, Brenda Statman, Amelia Lach, Sabrina Kloft, Karen Fromm, Lilliann Anderson, Daniel Anderson.

ANGELS (On Pointe):

Simrin Player (26M/E,27E) Chloe Rosenbaum (25M/E, 27E) Mia Rosin (25M/E,27M) Kaylin Branch (26M/E,27M) Jenna Jacobsen Nicole Dymkov Cara Engstrom Esther Ham Madeleine Shillington Allyson Mann Lauren Kelly Sofia Bargas (25M/E) Isabela Bargas Jennifer Gordon (25E,26E,27E) Sara Eloge (25M,26M,27M) Julia Blackman (26M/E,27ME)

INTERMISSION

ACT II : THE GARDEN

QUEEN OF THE FLOWERS:

Leanne Fromm (26E, 27M) Allie Burman (25E, 26M) Shea McAdoo (25M, 27E) understudy: Anna Murnane, Jessica Alvarez

WALTZ OF FLOWERS:

Shea McAdoo (25E, 26E, 27M) Elizabeth Mann Emily Philhower (25M?,26M, 27M) Julianna Kassenbrock (25E, 26E, 27E) Gina Zavarov (25M,26E,27E) Anna Murnane (25E, 26M, 27M) Brook Read (25M,26M,26E) Michelle Milan (25E,26E,27M) Esther Huszar Tatum Quinonez (25M, 26M, 27E) Skyler White (25M/E,26E,27E) Kaitlyn Smoot (26M,27M) Alexandria Rausch Sabrina Benavides (25E,26M,27M) Jessica Alvarez (25M,26E,27E) Allie Burman (25M, 26E, 27M/E) Leanne Fromm (25E, 26M) understudy: Lauren Kelly, Jennifer Gordon, Nina Kravetz (25M)

WALTZ OF FLOWERS CAVALIERS:

Elye Olson Ryland Early Harrison Stevenson Slawomir Wozniak Jr. (25M, 26M, 27E) Michal Wozniak (25E, 26E, 27M)

FLOWERS:

Jenna Jacobsen (26M/E,27M/E) Alison Mann (26M/E,27M/E) Cara Engstrom (25M/E) Nicole Dymkov (25M/E) Chloe Rosenbaum (25M/E ,27E) Mia Rosin (25M/E,27M) Simrin Player (26M/E,27E) Kaylin Branch (26M/E, 27M)

SMALL FLOWERS:

Mina Vining Samantha Olson Sophia Olson, Naomi Rosin, Leila Rosin, Emilia Linos Karina Sbiera Amelia Lach Sabrina Kloft Karen Fromm understudy: Branda Statman, Lilliann Anderson.

FLOWERS FROM SPAIN:

Shea McAdoo (25E, 26M/E, 27M) Katelin Ahern (27E) Julianna Kassenbrock (25M) understudy: Jessica Alvarez

SPANISH CAVALIERS

Drew Swaine Jean Welton-Ridchardson II Cody Smith Slawomir Wozniak Jr (25M, 26M, 27E) Michal Wozniak (25E, 26E, 27M)

FLOWERS FROM CHINA:

Michelle Milan ( 25E,26M ,27E) Brooke Read Emily Philhower (26M/E,27E) Lauren Kelly (25M/E,27E) Sabrina Benavides (25M,26E,27M ) Allyson Mann (25M/E,27M) Sarah Eloge (25M/E,26M/E,27M/E) Jenna Jacobsen (25M/E,27M/E) Cara Engstrom Nicole Dymkov (25E,27M/E) Jennifer Gordon (26M/E,27M) Isabela Bargas (26M/E) Sofia Bargas(25M) Julianna Kassenbrock (26M/E)

CHINESE BOYS

Billy Lee Raul Orozco

FLOWERS FROM RUSSIA:

Elizabeth Mann, Tatum Quinonez, Nina Kravetz, Kaitlyn Smoot, Skyler White (25M,26E) Christine Steiner, Lexie Yunger (25E,26M,27M/E) Emily Philhower (25M/E,27M) Sabrina Benavides (25E,26M) Julianna Kassenbrock (25E,27M/E) Iwona Cichorz (26M/E,27E)

RUSSIAN BOYS

Roman Zavarov Zherlin Ndudi

ARABIAN FLOWERS:

Jessica Alvarez (25E, 26E, 27M) Anna Murnane (26M, 27E ) Katelin Ahern (25M)

ARABIAN BOYS

Elye Olson Harrison Stevenson Ryland Early

WHITE ROSES:

Allie Burman (25M,26E,27M/E) Gisele Bethea (25M,27M) Esther Huszar (25E,26E,27E) Sabrina Benavides (25E) Kaylin Branch (26M) Simrin Player (26M) understudy: Jenna Jacobsen, Lauren Kelly, Mia Rosin, Chloe Rosenbam.

SUGAR PLUM FAIRY:

Katelin Ahern (25E, 26M/E, 27M) Leanne Fromm (25M, 27E) understudy: Allie Burman, Anna Murnane

SUGAR PLUM CAVALIER:

Slawomir Wozniak Jr (25E, 26E, 27M) Michal Wozniak (25M, 26M, 27E)

Ballet and Friends Presents The Nutcracker

For the fifth year in a row, B&F presents Slawomir Wozniak’s The Nutcracker, this time at the Orpheum Theater, in Downtown Phoenix.
The old fairy tale is presented in our show in a way that attracts children of today, brought up on cartoons. The battles between mice and toy soldiers, as well as Drosselmeyer’s mysterious transformation into the nine-foot tall Mouse King is fascinating even for the x-box generation. Ballet lovers will delight in the professional level dances of the snow flakes, flowers as well as soloist culminating in the Sugar Plum Fairy and her cavalier’s dance. The fast-paced and fun production is sure to delight audiences of all ages. The show will keep you hooked from the first minute of it till the end. We owe this staging of the 19th century classic to an original storyline, as well as modern choreography by Ballet and Friends’ Artistic Director, Slawomir Wozniak.
The Principal Dancer at the National Opera in Warsaw has originally choreographed this show for Theatr Wielki from Poznan, Poland, in 2006. The production was a huge success from the very beginning and it stayed in the company’s repertoire, being played often at Christmas time to this day. Phoenix audiences are fortunate to experience this unique production this year at one of our most beautiful venues, the Orpheum Theater in Downtown Phoenix. Our cast includes renowned professional dancers and entertainers from the US and abroad, as well as some of the most talented ballet students from the Valley. The professional level costumes reflect the era perfectly in the first act, and are unique for the second act. They are made by Oso Rojo Costumes based on designs by Irena Wozniak and Claudia Folts of tutu.com.
Ballet and Friends, the organization behind this production, is dedicated to help children in our community. Our dancers have presented an abridged version of the show at the Phoenix Children’s Hospital, as well as at the Children’s Center of Maricopa Integrated Health System for children whose illness prevent them from leaving the hospital. This year we are also partnered with AZ Dance’s Movement E-Motion, organization that provides instruction and performance opportunities for young adults with Down Syndrome, Autism or other physical challenges. We are continuing our long-standing relationship with the Marine Corps through their Toys for Tots program, by providing both toys and monetary donations.
By purchasing their tickets, audiences will be delighted by the show as well as assisting us in giving back to the community, supporting Toys for Tots, and contributing to numerous organizations dedicated to helping children.

Our Dancers Touch Lives

After having a mini-show of the Nutcracker at the Phoenix Childrens' Hospital, some od our dancers led by our artistic director and our ballet mistress, Slawomir and Irena Wozniak, brought the same show to the Maricopa Children's Center. They really touched a few lives of the burn patients there, here is a letter that Ms LeSueur sent out after the performance:

"I just wanted to relay to you all how much I personally appreciated today’s Nutcracker performance.
The troupe was amazing, and I was able to bring three of my pediatric burn patients and families, as well as one adult burn patient down to enjoy for the venue. It made for a much brighter start to the day for our burn patients, much different than the typical therapy/bandage change regimes that start their days – for that I wholeheartedly thank you. The wealth of talent shared by the young performers was truly a sight to behold as well.
I just wanted to share one brief story with regards to today’s event that truly touched my heart, and perhaps will yours as well.
Our adult burn patient whom was able to attend was mesmerized by the ballet talents of the performers, and actually went to congratulate and talk with the troupe after the performance. She had been looking for dance classes for her young daughter, but due to costs/locations of classes she had searched out thus far, she had been unable to find anything. I am elated to say that not only did this troupe hear out her request, but they have arranged for dance classes for this adult burn patient’s daughter, at greatly reduced costs! This patient was discharged today a much happier and brighter self in healing and heart.
Thank you for bringing this venue here – not only did it affect our pediatric patients in attendance, but it was effective in touching the adult hearts and lives as well!
Sincerely,
Lori LeSueur, MSW, CCLS
Certified Child Life Specialist
Arizona Burn Center at Maricopa Medical Center"

This is what dance is all about: making others happy, touching lives through artistry. I am proud to be part of this as the mom of one of these dancers.

Just life... at MBA

I thought I'd share more photos taken by Jennifer Blackman during ballet classes, privates, stretch classes at our studio. This is what a Saturday morning looks like at MBA

Nutcracker rehearsals

here are some photos taken by Jennifer Blackman during some of our rehearsals: Enjoy!

news...

We were busy during the summer, though had no time to post. Our five week summer intensive was a great success, and after a short break we started back fresh. We have a few new teachers and lots of new students. It's been taking a while to adjust to the growth of the studio.
And now Nutcracker season is upon us again. We've seen lots of wonderful dancers during the auditions and we have a cast now and already have started rehearsals this past weekend. Tonight will be the third rehearsal of the season, everything is going great!
Kathleen Rojas of Oso Rojo Costumes is making us brand new waltz Corps costumes and tutus for the Walts of Flowers Queen.
Marking Ballet & Friends' 30th anniversary and the 5th under the direction of Slawomir Wozniak, this season's shows promise to be the best ones yet.
I'll try to keep everyone updated with the progress.

World Ballet Competition

We took four of our students to the World Ballet Competition held in Orlando, Florida, after they all have passed the video audition.

Tessa DesRoche, Leanne Fromm, Esther Huszar and Jade Jacoby all did an outstanding job dancing at the competition.

Leanne Fromm brought home the bronze medal along with a cash prize and three scholarship offers. Great Job, Leanne!

Esther Huszar also received a scholarship offer to the Orlando School of Ballet.
Congratulations to them all!

Spring Show - Carmen

The show was a success. This is what one of our spectators wrote about it:

Master Ballet Academy's Annual Spring Show
by Karly Williams


I thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon at Master Ballet Academy's Annual Spring Show. I attended with my husband, and several dear friends, and we were all deeply impressed by the quality of the production. Our community is fortunate to have such an outstanding dance academy for our young people. It is a rare privilege to have world class dancers, brilliant, experienced, and passionate, to instruct, encourage, and mentor our children. The cast of performers was well taught and well rehearsed, and danced with energy and joy. The audience was rewarded by a caliber of entertainment that far exceeded in value the price of our tickets.

Following the show, my group went out to dinner. Our conversation around the table was peppered with enthusiastic gushings about our wonderful experience at the ballet! Of course we raved about the choreography, the costumes, the music, the lighting, the sets, the venue: but above all else, we expressed our delight with the amazing dancing! The enactment of the tragic story of Carmen and Don Jose was fresh and powerful, vigorous and intense. The characterizations portrayed by the performers were subtle, finely nuanced, and surprisingly mature. Each dancer, whether soloist or member of the corps, added grace and dimension to the over-all impact and success of this incredible rendition of "Carmen."

The second portion of the show, The Best of MBA, was thrilling. It was fun to see the contemporary and jazz numbers, together with the classical ballet. The talent of the participants in these complex numbers was clearly evidenced in their brilliant technique. It will be soul satisfying to watch these up-and-coming performers as they continue to grow and develop. The "Power to Wow" will make true stars of those dancers willing to "give it their all." But more important still, will be their sense of satisfaction in being a part of something as wonderful as the "World of Dance!"

Karly Williams
June 26, 2011

The Best of Master Ballet

We had auditions last Sunday for the second part of the spring show. All of our students who auditioned looked great, they will all get to perform!
The show is not long enough to have every dancer perform all of their solos, so it will be a very hard decision to just pick one or two from each of them. We may have to ask some of the soloists to perform different numbers for the different shows.
We have some wonderful talented dancers at Master Ballet! We are very proud of them all!

ANNUAL SPRING SHOW

Everyone at the studio is working hard to put together our annual spring show, presented this year at the Center for Performing Arts of the Paradise Valley Community Center. The show will consist of two acts:

Act I - THE MAGIC OF BIZET - CARMEN
choreographed by Slawomir Wozniak

After and intermission audiences will have the opportunity to enjoy

Act II - The Best of Master Ballet
"Fix You" and "Complicated" Contemporary and Jazz group numbers choreographed by Kevin Jenkins and
solos of our most talented dancers

Show times:
Friday, May 27th at 7:00pm
Saturday, May 28th at 2:00pm

Tickets: $15.00 Adults, 10:00: Children 12 and under -
available at Master Ballet Academy and will also be available at the venue starting next week.

OUR DANCERS DO GREAT IN SHOWS AND COMPETITIONS

Weekend of April 29-30

In the Hall of Fame Dance Competition our studio was represented by Arianna Malone, Gabriella Keski and Tessa DesRoche
And the results...

Arianna Malone won
High Gold and won an All Star Award in the Junior Category for a performance that she felt proud of.

Gabriella Keski won
Judges Technique Award
2nd Place Teen Overall and Platinum, 1st in Category with "Paquita Wedding Variation"
Platinum and 1st in Category with "Fireflies"
Platinum and 2nd in Category with "Dance Dance Dance"
1st Place Overall Teen Duos/Trios, Judges Technique Award and Platimun, 1st in Category for "Swans"

Tessa DesRoche won
Judges Best Costume Award for the Kitri costume
6th Place Teens Overall, Platinum, 1st Place in Category for "Kitri"
High Gold, 1st Place in Category for "Nothing Else"
High Gold, 1st Place in Category for "Paquita"

Congratulations to all, we are very proud of you!


A few of our students danced at the Paradise Valley Community College's Spring Show. Allie Burman presented her Paquita variation, Leanne Fromm danced La Esmeralda, and Katelin Ahern danced the Black Swan variation on Friday, April 29th, along with Elizabeth Mann, who danced as a PVCC student, but she is also our own teacher/student/front desk helper. For the Saturday show Esther Huszar joined Allie, Kate and Elizabeth, performing her Play, after being called in last minute. Thank you, Esther! All of the dancers did a great job, making our studio look good.


The 12th Annual Celebration of Dance was a great show this year, with professional and student dancers from around the Valley presenting their routines in front of a full house. Our studio was represented at the April 30th show by Leanne Fromm with La Esmeralda variation. Their second show, on June 4th will present Gabriella Keski and Allie Burman.

Great Job Everyone! To top it all, none of the girls even missed rehearsals while competing and performing everywhere. You girls are all wonderful!

Spring Recital

Annual Spring Show

The Magic of Bizet


presented by: the students of Master Ballet Academy
Artistic Director, Choreographer: Slawomir Wozniak

Show times:
Friday, May 27th at 7:00pm
Saturday, May 28th at 2:00pm

presented at Paradise Valley Community College

Tickets:
Adults: $15.00,
Children 12 and under: $10.00



The approximately 40 minute long ballet using music by the famous French composer, Georges Bizet, is choreographed by our artistic director, Slawomir Wozniak. It will surely impress the audience, just like all of his other shows. The costumes, designed by Irena Wozniak, look beautiful. Our dancers will start rehearsing for it on Friday, April 8th.

After a short break, we will continue our spring recital with a contemporary number, as well as a jazz routine that Kevin Jenkins has choreographed for his students.

Audiences will also have the opportunity to enjoy the work of our most talented dancers, who will perform some of their solos that they have been using for different competitions.

We hope that everyone will have fun during rehearsals and shows and the audience will enjoy our production.

news...

Sorry we haven't been posting much lately; its' been very busy at the studio, haven't really had a chance to relax after The Nutcracker, we've been getting our students ready for different competitions.
Some of our students have competed in NUVO, where they both have won break-out artists.
We have competed in Spotlight, where all of our competitors won prizes in their respective cathegories. (for full story, check our facebook, or the Spotlight site).
In the end of February our team of six students competed in the Los Angeles semifinals of the Youth America Grand Prix ballet competition. This was a big one, since YAGP is the world's largest international student ballet competition. We were successful there, too, four out of our six dancers got scores of above 93 (out of the possible 100). One of them placed third in Junior Classical cathegory and made it to top 12 in Junior Contemporary, with scores of 96,6 and 95. She will be representing us in New York, where she will compete with some of the best ballet students from all over the world.
This past weekend some of our students auditioned for Celebration of Dance to be held on April 30th and June 4th. They all did a great job.
All four of our students who auditioned for World Ballet Competition made it through the first round (video auditions). We are getting them ready for that competition to be help in Orlando, Fl. during the week of May30-June 4th.
In the meantime we are getting ready for our spring recital, to be held May 27th and 28th at the Paradise Valley Community College.
We are also planning our summer intensive of 5 weeks, June 4th through July 9th.
That's all in a nutshell, more about all of these in the future.