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!