Irvine Barclay Theatre

Please join us in giving a warm welcome to our distinguished guest artists who will be dancing the lead roles of Princess Aurora and Prince Florimund, Beckanne Sisk and Vsevolod Maievskyi. Beckanne is a principal with Houston Ballet and Vsevolod is a soloist with English National Ballet.

This year, we’re proudly celebrating the 37th anniversary of Festival Ballet Theatre. I founded Festival Ballet Theatre as a non-profit organization in 1988, and it’s grown to become Orange County’s premier ballet company. Over the past 37 years, Festival Ballet Theatre has brought more than 100 classical and contemporary performances to Orange County. Our breathtaking annual production of The Nutcracker makes the age-old holiday tradition sparkle like new.

Our season culminates in August with our 17th Annual Gala of the Stars, our annual gathering of international stars from some of the world’s most prestigious dance companies, performing alongside FBT’s own accomplished resident dancers.

Our affiliated ballet school, Southland Ballet Academy, is celebrating its 42nd anniversary this month. Under my guidance, the studio has nurtured thousands of dancers since its inception in 1983. We train our students in the prestigious Vaganova method and aim to cultivate and inspire an appreciation of classical ballet from beginner to professional dancer.

We are grateful to be celebrating another season with you, our cherished patrons, friends and family members. Thank you for your ongoing support.

Gratefully,

Salwa Rizkalla
Founder and Artistic Director
Festival Ballet Theatre & Southland Ballet Academy

About Sleeping Beauty

Prologue

Guests arrive at the opulent palace of King Florestan XXIV to celebrate the christening of his long-awaited first child, Princess Aurora. All the fairies of the kingdom are invited to bestow their special gifts on the newborn - the Fairies of Serenity, Benevolence, Generosity, Happiness, Temperament and, the most powerful and beautiful of all, the Lilac Fairy. The joyful gathering is suddenly interrupted by a clap of thunder announcing the arrival of the Evil Fairy Carabosse. Furious at the King’s failure to invite her to the ceremony, she places a curse on Princess Aurora, vowing that on her 16th birthday she will prick her finger and die. The Lilac Fairy stops Carabosse from repeating her curse and declares that the spell will be only partly true. The Princess will prick her finger, but she will not die. Instead, she and the Court will fall into a deep, long sleep. After 100 years, a handsome Prince will awaken her with a kiss.

Act I

The grand celebration of Princess Aurora’s 16th birthday begins and the atmosphere is festive with dancing. Princess Aurora performs the famous Rose Adagio with four princes who have come to seek her hand in marriage. As the beautiful Princess dances with her admiring suitors, an old woman arrives and hands her a bouquet of flowers. Aurora pricks her finger on a spindle hidden in the bouquet. As the Princess appears to die, the Evil Fairy Carabosse throws off her cape to reveal herself then vanishes before the eyes of the astonished guests. The Lilac Fairy reminds everyone that Aurora is not dead just asleep… the beginning of the spell that will last 100 years.

Act II

It is one hundred years later. Prince Florimund is hunting in the forest. As night arrives, the Lilac Fairy appears and tells the Prince of the hidden castle, the century-long spell, and the sleeping Princess who can only be awakened by the kiss of a prince who loves her. The Lilac Fairy shows him a vision of Princess Aurora. Enchanted by her beauty, the Prince falls in love with the Princess. When the vision vanishes, the Prince pleads with the Lilac Fairy to lead him to the hidden palace and the sleeping Princess.

Act III

On the way to the castle, Carabosse tries to stop the Prince but he defeats her and arrives at the palace with the Lilac Fairy. The Prince finds Aurora, awakens her with a kiss and declares his love for her. The King and Queen are overjoyed to give their blessings, and the magnificent wedding feast begins. Among the guests who’ve come to congratulate the royal couple are fabled storybook characters – the Jewels, The White Cat and Puss-in-Boots, the Enchanted Princess and Bluebird as well as Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf. In honor of their guest, Princess Aurora and Prince Florimund dance the famous wedding pas de deux. The ballet ends with the royal princesses dancing a glorious Mazurka while the entire court surrounds the happy, royal couple… and they all live happily ever after.

Casting

Prologue: The Court of King Florestan XXIV

King Florestan XXIV: Askar Kettebekov

The Queen: Elizabeth Farmen

Cattalabutte: Chuck Johnston

Court Ladies & Gentlemen: Zeraphine Jaeckel, Sunhoo Kang, Mari Kinouchi, Brynn Oh, Alec Mercado, Brayden Page, Ryan Robinson, Cameron Schwanz

The Lilac Fairy: Sami Santos

Fairy of Serenity: Brielle Aucoin (4/12), Aurora Kellogg (4/13)

Fairy of Benevolence: Keira Kuennemann (4/12), Adella Mehringer (4/13)

Fairy of Generosity: Mia Frederick (4/12), Madison Chen (4/13)

Fairy of Happiness: Charlotte Bengfort (4/12), Natalie Ho (4/13)

Fairy of Temperament: Julia Prevost (4/12), Sally Caruso (4/13)

Carabosse: Sayat Asatryan

Court Children: Emery Brehmer, Julia Burnett, Madeline Chang, Gianna Coltman, Sofia Gama, Julia Kent, Bora Kim, Sofia Schreiner

Lilac Fairy’s Attendants: Hailey Baik, Katarina Carney, Liah Gibson, Felicity Gundersen, Emily Holder, Mae Liu, Euna Kim, Julia O’Brien, Wendy Rasmussen, Anya Rich, Audrey Schneider, Silvia Snow

Carabosse’s Attendants: Medha Arvind, Cecilia Gundersen, Kelly Huang, Cathy Lin, Asiana Nechemia, Arya Nguyen, Ella Nguyen, Amelia Redhead

Act I – 16 Years Later: Court of King Florestan XXIV

Princess Aurora: Beckanne Sisk

The Four Princess: Alec Mercado, Brayden Page, Ryan Robinson, Cameron Schwanz

Villagers: Avery Brehmer, Marlie Jean-Baptiste, Ayane Matsuzaki, Francella McCann, Madison Perry, Hayden Pitlik, Veronica Vanimann, Isla Warrick

Garland Waltz: Hailey Baik, Felicity Gundersen, Mandy Hur, Euna Kim, Johanna Malmskov, Julia O’Brien, Wendy Rasmussen, Silvia Snow (4/12); Liah Gibson, Emily Holder, Mandy Hur, Mae Liu, Johanna Malmskov, Julia O’Brien, Anya Rich, Audrey Schneider (4/13)

Princess Aurora’s Friends: Clara Attelsey, Brielle Aucoin, Sally Caruso, Madison Chen, Natalie Ho, Amelie Hoang, Adella Mehringer, Nia Villania (4/12); Clara Attlesey, Charlotte Bengfort, Halle Chan, Mia Frederick, Chloe Im, Aurora Kellogg, Keira Kuennemann, Julia Prevost (4/13)

Act II – 100 Years Later: Forest Near the Enchanted Castle

Prince Florimund: Vsevolod Maievskyi

Nymphs: Brielle Aucoin, Mia Frederick, Felicity Gundersen, Mandy Hur, Chloe Im, Zeraphine Jaeckel, Sunhoo Kang, Mari Kinouchi, Keira Kuennemann, Adella Mehringer, Julia Prevost, Silvia Snow (4/12); Clara Attlesey, Brielle Aucoin, Charlotte Bengfort, Halle Chan, Madison Chen, Mia Frederick, Amelie Hoang, Aurora Kellogg, Mari Kinouchi, Johanna Malmskov, Aya Nakagawa, Nia Villania (4/13)

-INTERMISSION-

Act III – The Wedding: Court of King Florestan XXIV

Polonaise Attendants: Madeline Chang, Riley Hendricks, Sara Nyman, Maya Villanueva

Polonaise: Sasha Broderson, Julia Kent, Clara Lee, Lena Lee, Chloe Luc, Emma Nyman, Emery Tuano, Zoe Zeng

Gold Jewels: Zeraphine Jaeckel, Sunhoo Kang, Adella Mehringer (4/12); Clara Attlesey, Keira Kuennemann, Julia Prevost (4/13);

Ruby Jewels: Mari Kinouchi, Aya Nakagawa, Nia Villania (4/12); Halle Chan, Madison Chen, Chloe Im (4/13)

Diamond Jewel: Natalie Ho

The White Cat: Sally Caruso (4/12), Mia Frederick (4/13)

Puss-In-Boots: Ryan Robinson

The Bluebird: Alec Mercado

The Enchanted Princess: Brielle Aucoin

Little Red Riding Hood: Katarina Carney (4/12), Charlotte Bengfort (4/13)

The Wolf: Brayden Page

Tom Thumb: Leon Sai (4/12), Oliver Teo (4/13)

Brothers: Alexander Nyman, Christian Nyman, Leon Sai, Sean Sai, Oliver Teo

The Giant: Cameron Schwanz

The Lilac Fairy: Sami Santos

Grand Pas de Deux: Beckanne Sisk & Vsevolod Maievskyi

Guest Artists

Sleeping Beauty Dancers

About Festival Ballet Theatre

Festival Ballet Theatre (FBT) is Orange County’s premier, accomplished professional ballet company. Our mission is to enrich Orange County’s artistic and economic vitality, to inspire love and appreciation for dance, and to invigorate ballet by:

Presenting a season of exhilarating classical and contemporary performances
Providing a nurturing environment for dancers and choreographers
Offering stimulating educational outreach programs

With reverence for classic masterpieces and a focus on developing future tours de force, Festival Ballet Theatre is committed to presenting the best of dance, enriching lives, and developing a new generation of audiences and artists.

Festival Ballet Theatre is a well-established non-profit arts organization founded in 1988 by Artistic Director Salwa Rizkalla. Boasting a roster of impressive, up-and-coming Southern California talent, the company’s productions spotlight internationally acclaimed guest artists from prestigious companies.

Aspiring to heights of artistic excellence, FBT simultaneously attracts the best in professional dance to its home base while sending its own dancers out as artistic ambassadors to the nation. Arts Orange County named Festival Ballet Theatre Outstanding Arts Organization of the Year in 2001 and recognized Artistic Director Salwa Rizkalla with the Helena Modjeska Cultural Legacy Award in 2014. For more information on Festival Ballet Theatre, visit www.festivalballet.org

About Southland Ballet Academy

Southland Ballet Academy (SBA) is the official school of Festival Ballet Theatre. Founded in 1983, SBA cultivates, trains, and inspires an appreciation for classical ballet from beginner to professional dancer. Since opening its doors as a ballet studio, SBA and Director Salwa Rizkalla have secured a national and international reputation and have played a prominent role in grooming world-class dancers.

Southland Ballet Academy has grown from a modest one-room facility to eight state-of-the-art studios in two Orange County locations — Fountain Valley and Irvine. Southland Ballet Academy’s International Summer Intensive program is a favorite destination for dancers who enjoy classes taught by world-renowned artistic directors, ballet masters and choreographers. The Intensive culminates in the Inspired Young Dancer Performance that gives the young dancers an opportunity to refine their performance abilities on stage.

About the Artistic Director - Salwa Rizkalla

Artistic Director Salwa Rizkalla has contributed to the Orange County community for more than 40 years by presenting excellence in dance performance through Festival Ballet Theatre and providing top-tier classical ballet training at Southland Ballet Academy.

During her professional dancing career, Ms. Rizkalla graced the stage in leading roles in well-known classical ballets as well as contemporary pieces. She had the privilege of working under the direction of world-renowned choreographers, including Leonid Lavrovsky, Serge Lifar, and many others. As a young dancer, Ms. Rizkalla trained in the Russian Vaganova method and studied with Russian ballet masters. As the culmination of her training, Ms. Rizkalla completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in ballet pedagogy. She established Southland Ballet Academy in 1983 and debuted Festival Ballet Theatre in 1988. In addition to teaching and directing, Ms. Rizkalla was a faculty member at several area institutions.

Many arts organizations have recognized her service. The Orange County Music and Arts Administrators and Orange County Performing Arts Center jointly recognized her with the Orange County Arts Educator of the Year Award for Secondary Dance (2003); Youth America Grand Prix awarded Ms. Rizkalla Outstanding Teacher accolades since its inception; and Arts Orange County recognized Ms. Rizkalla with the Helena Modjeska Cultural Legacy Award (2014). Ms. Rizkalla was named one of OC’s 100 Most Influential People in 2017 by the Orange County Register.

Ms. Rizkalla has been honored to impact the lives of hundreds of students and their families through her teaching. She is proud to be a dedicated educator, an energetic promoter of the arts, and an active participant in the cultural life of her community.

2024-2025 FBT Trainees

Festival Ballet Theatre is proud to present the members of FBT Trainees, a junior company of student dancers with outstanding potential. Through FBT Trainees, Festival Ballet Theatre secures a talented base of dancers, offers performance opportunities “at home” and nurtures the stars of the future to a professional career in dance.

Front Line (left to right): Aya Nakagawa, Madison Chen, Halle Chan, Mari Kinouchi, Leon Sai, Jasmine Gama, Charlotte Bengfort, Nia Villania, Natalie Ho; Back Line (left to right): Chloe Im, Bella Dinglasan, Keira Kuennemann, Brynn Oh, Sunhoo Kang, Adella Mehringer, Brielle Aucoin, Clara Attlesey, Julia Prevost, Amelie Hoang; Not pictured: Sally Caruso

2024-2025 FBT Junior Student Company

Front line (left to right): Ginebra Liu, Magnolia Liu, Wendy Rasmussen, Emily Holder, Ayane Matsuzaki, Liah Gibson, Katarina Carney; Middle line (left to right): Anya Rich, Mae Liu, Lily Faith Cadwell, Zeynep Willson, Isla Warrick, Madison Perry, Mandy Hur, Hayden Pitlik; Back line (left to right): Hailey Baik, Johanna Malmskov, Afina Gosla, Silvia Snow, Avery Brehmer, Audrey Schnedier, Julia O'Brien: Not pictured: Felicity Gundersen, Marlie Jean-Baptiste, Euna Kim, Francella McCann

A Special Thanks to Our Donors

Festival Ballet Theatre gratefully acknowledges the generosity of individuals, businesses and foundations for their contributions to our programs.

Director’s Circle
$10,000+
Anonymous
James Carter
Salwa Rizkalla

Underwriter
$5,000-$9,999
Anonymous
Bobbi Cox

Choreographer
$2,500 - $4,999
Anonymous
Bengfort Law Group
The Bryant Family
Dione Knowles
The McDaniel Family Foundation
Ralston Family Trust, in honor of Ryan Robinson
Lydia Ringwald

Principal
$1,000 - $2,499
Anonymous
Willa Bouwens-Killeen
Cat & Phil Hunter
James Lizzi
Sara & Ryan Snow
Lisa Yamashita

Soloist
$500 - $999
Anonymous
Karen & Thomas Hersh
Julie Kester
Carol & Marc MacDonald
Megan & Ryan Perry
Teri & Chris Schmidt

Artist
$250 - $499
Anonymous
Lisa & Joseph Dinglasan
Estelle & Steve Holder
Erin & Doug Schneider
Kim Tang & Danh Kuennemann

Apprentice
$100 - $249
Anonymous
Carol Chen

For information or to join our list of donors, please visit FestivalBallet.org or call 714.962.5440

A special thanks to our Sleeping Beauty volunteers

Festival Ballet Theatre thanks all of the parents and volunteers who are integral to the success of this presentation of Sleeping Beauty. We appreciate all the time and energy you have put into fundraising, costumes, donations, marketing and development. Your efforts are truly priceless in allowing Festival Ballet Theatre to provide this beloved classic.

Festival Ballet Theatre Board of Directors

Salwa Rizkalla: President
Lisa Yamashita: Vice President
Willa Bouwens-Killeen: Treasurer
Cathleen Hunter: Secretary
Ghada Anis: Member

Festival Ballet Theatre Guild Chairs

Eve Aucoin: Hospitality Chair
Kristin Bengfort: Events & Fundraising Chair
Carol Chen: Costume Co-Chair
Manami Frederick: Costume Co-Chair
Jade Hendricks: Alumni Chair
Jan Kempton: Boutique Chair
Amy Rasmussen: Outreach Chair
Erin Schneider: Public Relations Co-Chair
Sara Snow: Volunteer Chair
Megan Webber: Social Media Chair