Festival Ballet Theatre
and
Artistic Director, Salwa Rizkalla

Present

Dec. 6 | 2pm
Dec. 7 | 1pm
Dec. 13 | 1pm, 6pm
Dec. 14 | 1pm, 6pm
Dec. 20 | 1pm, 6pm
Dec. 21 | 1pm, 6pm
Dec. 22 | 6pm
Dec. 23 | 1pm, 6pm
Dec. 24 | 11am

There will be a 20-minute intermission.

Choreography & Direction
Salwa Rizkalla

Music
Peter I. Tchaikovsky

Scenery & Original Costume Design
Simon Pastukh & Galina Solovyeva

Lighting Design & Production Supervisor
Morgan Embry

Artistic Assistant
Elizabeth Farmen

Rehearsal Faculty
Galina Barinova
Cassidy Doan
Elizabeth Farmen
Marci Goedl
Jade Hendricks
Anna Kaplunova
Camilla Kellogg
Askar Kettebekov
Amanda Luyks
Hanna Przyludzka-Karacic
Salwa Rizkalla
Rachel Scott
Emily Villa

Additional Costume Design & Construction
Donna Dickens
Cyndee Ely
Cliff Faulkner
Heather Lerma
Kaye Michel
Ginny Mudd
Jack Sykes
Barbara Vieuretta

Social Media
Jazley Sendjaja

Graphic Designer 
Nicole Reineman

Production Coordinator
Chris Schmidt

Company Photographer
Dave Friedman
Skye Schmidt Varga
Rachel Scott

 Casting subject to change.

The taking of photographs or use of recording devices is strictly prohibited.

WELCOME TO FESTIVAL BALLET THEATRE’S 2025 PRODUCTION OF THE NUTCRACKER.

In today’s fast-paced, ever-changing world, it’s a joy to know that timeless holiday traditions like the Nutcracker continue to captivate audiences year after year. Our 37th production of this beautiful ballet is just as magical as the very first, and we’re thrilled to share our dazzling rendition with you here at Irvine Barclay Theatre, beautifully adorned in full seasonal splendor.

With 14 stage performances and two outreach shows lined up, our Festival Ballet Theatre Nutcracker has been spreading holiday cheer to audiences throughout Orange County. The exquisite costumes, stunning sets, and Tchaikovsky’s iconic score provide the perfect backdrop for our talented cast, which includes professional company dancers, students from across Orange and Los Angeles counties, and of course, our renowned guest artists.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to our distinguished guest artists, who will be dancing the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier: Katherine Barkman and Esteban Hernández (December 6 and 7), Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia (December 13 and 14), Tyler Donatelli and Angelo Greco (December 20 and 21) and Jeraldine Mendoza and Dylan Gutierrez (December 22, 23 and 24). We are deeply honored that each year these incredible professional dancers from around the world choose to spend these precious weekends performing the Nutcracker with our company and Southland Ballet Academy dancers.

We hope you and your loved ones thoroughly enjoy this performance, take a moment to visit our splendid Nutcracker boutique in support of Festival Ballet Theatre, and that you will cherish the memories of this Nutcracker experience for years to come!

In March 2026, we will be presenting the exciting classical ballet Don Quixote. Our season will culminate in August 2026 with the 17th Annual Gala of the Stars, a prestigious event featuring international dance luminaries from some of the world’s top companies, performing alongside Festival Ballet Theatre’s own talented resident dancers.

Festival Ballet Theatre was founded as a non-profit organization in 1988 and has grown to become Orange County’s premier ballet company. We are grateful to celebrate another season with you—our valued patrons, friends, and family members. Thank you for your continued support.

Gratefully,

Salwa Rizkalla
Founder and Artistic Director
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

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.

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.

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): Ginevra Liu, Katarina Carney, Magnolia Liu, Ayane Matsuzaki, Avery Brehmer, Amelie Hoang, Wendy Rasmussen, Aya Nakagawa, Liah Gibson

Middle Line (left to right): Johanna Malmskov, Audrey Schneider, Julia O'Brien, Julia Prevost, Clara Attlesey, Emily Holder, Afina Gosla, Toscane Acket

Back Line (left to right): Marlie Jean-Baptiste, Euna Kim, Hayden Pitlik, Madison Perry, Leon Sai, Brielle Aucoin, Mandy Hur, Felicity Gundersen, Silvia Snow

Not pictured: Keira Kuennemann, Adella Mehringer, Brynn Oh, Olivier Teo

Front line (left to right): Samantha Kim, Elena Fuchigami, Clara Lee, Sean Sai, Madeline Chang, Emery Tuano, Maya Villanueva

Back line (left to right): Julia Kent, Sara Nyman, Zoe Zeng, Ace Acket, Emma Nyman, Lena Lee, Riley Hendricks

Not pictured: Helena Mohn, Katie Mueller, Mila Salas

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
Lydia Ringwald

Choreographer
$2,500 - $4,999

Anonymous
Bengfort Law Group
The Bryant Famly
Dione Knowles

Principal
$1,000 - $2,499

Anonymous
Willa Bouwens-Killeen
Cat & Phil Hunter
Sara & Ryan Snow

Soloist
$500 - $999

Anonymous
Ahmed Afzal & Khatira Shsh
Karen & Thomas Hersh
Carol & Marc MacDonald
Perlie & Jesper Malmskov
Megan & Ryan Perry
Tracie Rotter
Teri & Chris Schmidt
Erin & Douglas Schneider

Artist
$250 - $499

Anonymous
The Holder Family
Linda Kasalko
Amy & Bill Rasmussen
The Simoni Family

Apprentice
$100 - $249

Anonymous

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

Festival Ballet Theatre thanks all of the parents and volunteers who are integral to the success of this presentation of The Nutcracker. 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 holiday tradition.

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

Eve Aucoin: Pre-Show Tea Co-Chair
Luke Aucoin: Pre-Show Tea Co-Chair
Jade Hendricks: Alumni Chair
Estelle Holder: Costume Co-Chair
Jan Kempton: Boutique Chair
Rie Prevost: Costume Co-Chair
Erin Schneider: Public Relations Chair
Sara Snow: Volunteer Coordinator
Megan Webber: Social Media Chair