Flamenco Arts International

Songs From a Sinking Ship

Friday, March 13, 2026 at 8pm

Performance Sponsor:
City of Irvine

Expected Duration: 75 minutes without an intermission.

The show includes flashing lights and haze.

ARTISTIC DIRECTION: Isabel del Día & Marina Elana

CO-CREATOR/DIRECTOR: José Maldonado

MUSICAL DIRECTOR and ORIGINAL COMPOSITIONS: Eugenio Iglesias

ORIGINAL CONCEPT: Yvonne Zhang

CAST

Marina Elana as LA AZAFATA

Eugenio Iglesias as EL PÍLOTO

Juan José Amador as EL MARINERO

El Torombo as EL MECÁNICO

Reyes Martín as MADAME PESCADORA

David Chupete as EL PIRATA

Teresa Hernández as LA SIRENA

Carlos Menchaca as EL CADETE

CHOREOGRAPHY

Carlos Menchaca, Marina Elana, and El Torombo

PERCUSSION and SOUNDSCAPES

David Chupete

PRODUCTION

Production Management and Lighting Design: S. Benjamin Farrar

Set Design: Catalina Niño

Technical Director and Set Build: Adam Puglielli

Stage Manager: Johanna Romo

Projection Designer: David Murakami

Projectionist: Morgan Embry

Audio Engineer: Frank Bianco

Costume Design: Belén de la Quintana

LA BIENVENIDA/ WELCOME

The Company

OMEN ABANDOLAO

Eugenio Iglesias, Teresa Hernández

PESCADORA PICARONA

Reyes Martín, Eugenio Iglesias

CUT THE DECK

El Torombo, Juan José Amador,

David Chupete

TREADING WATER

Carlos Menchaca and The Company

RESCATE/ RESCUE

Teresa Hernández, Marina Elana

TEATRILLO/ A BIT OF THEATRE

The Company

LA TORMENTA/ THE STORM

The Company

LA SIRENA/ THE SIREN

Teresa Hernández

RENACER/ REBIRTH

The Company

EL FARO/ THE LIGHT

Marina Elana and The Company

NUEVO CAMINO/ A NEW PATH

The Company

LETRA / LYRIC

Fui piedra 

Perdí mi centro

And I was cast into the sea

Me arrojaron al mar

But with time, al cabo de mucho tiempo

Mi centro vine a encontrar

To see if in a new world

I might find more truth

Inspired by two traditional flamenco lyrics— One of the most recognized letras of solea and a petenera popularized Pastora Pavón.

ABOUT FLAMENCO ARTS INTERNATIONAL (FAI)

At Flamenco Arts International, we want people to experience flamenco like never before. We’re a women-founded, San Francisco-based 501(c)(3) organization with roots in New York City and Spain. We create transformative, innovative experiences that both celebrate the legacy of flamenco and explore the possibilities of the art form. By combining unexpected technology with a diverse community of impassioned artists, our goal is to not only honor where flamenco came from – but also look to the future of where it is going.

SPECIAL THANKS

Walter Haas, Mitchell Dufanal, Yaelisa, Adela Clara, Factoría Cultural (Sevilla), Chelsea Factory NYC, La Aceitera & Rocío Molina, The Walter & Evelyn Haas Foundation, Jorge Pérez and Ensemble Español, Carola Zertuche and Theatre Flamenco of San Francisco

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

MARINA ELANA (FOUNDER AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR). Hailed as a “dancer of distinction” by The New York Times, Marina Elana has spent the past twenty years performing alongside artists such as Pastora Galván, Juan José Amador, and El Torombo. She began her flamenco studies with Adela Clara and launched her career with Theatre Flamenco of San Francisco, La Mónica, and Yaelisa and Caminos Flamencos before touring nationally and internationally for over a decade with Soledad Barrio & Noche Flamenca. Marina has presented her choreography at Jacob’s Pillow, the New York International Fringe Festival, the Queensboro Dance Festival, and Stanford University. Her production Tattooed, created with Fanny Ara and Yaelisa, premiered at the historic Presidio Theatre in San Francisco to critical acclaim and was praised by dance critic Rene Renouf as “one of the most effective flamenco performances I have ever seen.”

In 2023, Marina co-founded Flamenco Arts International with Isabel del Día. Their inaugural production, Songs from a Sinking Ship, has received widespread acclaim and was nominated for three Isadora Duncan Dance Awards: Outstanding Achievement in Direction/Choreography, Outstanding Achievement in Performance—Company, and a Special Honoree award for “exceptional artistry that belied the company's size, featuring a highly creative concept paired with masterful choreography and original music. The entire ensemble—dancers, singers, and musicians alike—delivered top-notch performances demonstrating remarkable caliber of work.”

ISABEL DEL DÍA (FOUNDER AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR) is an Izzie-nominated artist and innovator who harnesses the power of flamenco to build bridges. Proudly Latina, Isabel was born and raised in NYC and has danced alongside Soledad Barrio & Noche Flamenca, Alejandro Granados, and Carmen Ledesma, to name a few. Through collaborations with NY City Center and the NYC Department of Education, Isabel has worked as a Teaching Artist and Curriculum Developer to bring hands-on flamenco experiences to tens of thousands of students, with a particular focus on increasing access for immigrant populations and students with disabilities throughout NYC’s public schools. In addition to FAI, Isabel currently serves on the Board of Directors for Mi Centro BK— a multilingual cultural center in the heart of BedStuy, Brooklyn, that celebrates art, activism, and community.

JOSÉ MALDONADO (CO-CREATOR AND DIRECTOR). Born in Barcelona, José Maldonado connected with flamenco at an early age, embracing it as both an art form and a way of life. Throughout his professional career, José has worked with some of flamenco’s greatest figures, including Javier Latorre, Antonio Canales, El Güito, Rafaela Carrasco, Rocío Molina, and María Pagés, among many others. José is considered a versatile and multifaceted artist, capable of blending flamenco and dance naturally while maintaining a distinctive artistic voice. He is a two-time first prize winner at the Madrid Choreographic Contest for his choreographies Mojácar (2013) and Trigo Limpio (2015). Maldonado has also worked with Guadalupe Torres and Manuel Liñán, serving as assistant director and choreographer. He premiered his first full-length work, Andrea, in 2014. In 2016, he collaborated with Antonio Canales and Carmen Angulo to create Bodegón, a production that fused dance, Baroque music, and painting with flamenco.

EUGENIO IGLESIAS (MUSICAL DIRECTOR AND GUITARIST) is a Romani guitarist and descendant of a long lineage of artists who helped create and preserve flamenco. His great-uncle, El Mechor de Marchena, performed with La Niña de los Peines, Manuel Torre, Manolo Caracol, and Antonio Mairena, and is considered one of the finest accompanists in flamenco history. Eugenio began playing professionally at a very young age, working in all the major tablaos of Seville. He has toured with numerous companies, sharing the stage with Antonio Canales, Farruco, Farruquito, El Güito, La Tona, Javier Barón, Sara Baras, Manuela Carrasco, Israel Galván, Mario Maya, and Angelita Vargas.

He has also accompanied many of Spain’s greatest flamenco singers, including Lole Montoya, La Negra, Chiquetete, La Susi, Carmen Montoya, Juan Villar, Argentina, and El Potito, among many others.

JUAN JOSÉ AMADOR (SINGER) was born in Seville into a family with a rich flamenco tradition. From an early age, he worked in the renowned tablaos Los Gallos and El Arenal, where he gained considerable experience and established himself as one of the most respected and prolific singers for dance in the flamenco world. Throughout his career, he has had the honor of accompanying emblematic flamenco figures such as Mario Maya, Manuela Carrasco, Farruco, Matilde Coral, and Cristina Hoyos, among others. He is also a cousin of the Amador brothers, known for their group Pata Negra, and collaborated on their second album, contributing his voice and artistry. He has also recorded with renowned guitarists such as Rafael Riqueni and Paco Cepero. Juan José remains one of the most sought-after singers for flamenco dance and an important reference for lovers of the art form.

EL TOROMBO (DANCER). José Suárez “El Torombo” is a Romani educator, activist, and living flamenco legend. He began his career at the age of seven, training with masters Pepe Ríos, Isidro Vargas, Farruco, and Mario Maya. It was Farruco who gave him the nickname “El Torombo.” His reputation as a dancer is matched by his impact as an educator and community activist. Torombo is a trailblazer, one of the first artists to bring flamenco into prisons and to introduce the art form to students with disabilities in Spain. He is also the founder of the Fuera de Serie Project, which provides new pathways of empowerment and artistic expression for adolescents and young people from underserved communities.

REYES MARTÍN (SINGER) was born in Cádiz, Spain. At the age of 14, she began her solo career, moving to Madrid, where she performed alongside flamenco icons such as Antonio Canales and El Güito. She later joined various flamenco companies, including Ballet Rafael Aguilar’s opera Carmen (Germany, Italy); Joaquín Cortés’ LIVE (Mexico, Panama, Austria, England, Germany, Sweden); and the Flamenco Ballet of Andalucía under the direction of Cristina Hoyos (New York, Poland, China, Chile, Cuba, London), to name a few. For the past 11 years, Reyes has worked as a singer with El Barrio on all of his tours and productions. El Barrio is the only artist to date to have filled the Palacio de Deportes de Madrid 17 consecutive times. He has also sold out the Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona 11 times.

DAVID CHUPETE (PERCUSSION AND SOUNDSCAPES). Born in Osuna, Seville, David studied at the Triana Conservatory of Music and earned a degree in Music Education from the University of Seville. He has been a member of the Ballet Flamenco de Andalucía, performing under Rubén Olmo alongside artists such as Antonio Canales, Pastora Galván, and Rocío Molina in Metáfora and Llanto. He also performed with Patricia Guerrero’s company in Catedral and Distopía. A frequent collaborator with early music ensembles such as La Academia del Piacere (Fahmi Alqhai) and Euskal Barrokensemble (Enrike Solinís), he currently performs as a guest musician in La Bella Otero with the Ballet Nacional de España and is a core member of the Ballet Flamenco de Andalucía under Patricia Guerrero. Throughout his career, he has accompanied flamenco legends including Chiquetete, El Lebrijano, Lole Montoya, Arcángel, Pedro El Granaíno, and Rocío Márquez, among many others.

CARLOS ANDRÉS MENCHACA (DANCER) is a Chicanx dancer and choreographer who blends traditional, avant-garde, and quotidian modalities to challenge gender norms and conventions in flamenco. Touring with esteemed flamenco companies, Carlos has performed throughout the United States at venues such as The Joyce Theater, Z Space, and The Public Theater (NYC), and internationally in cities including Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), Vancouver (Chan Centre), and Sölden, Austria. In 2023, Carlos broke barriers performing as a principal dancer with Yjastros’ Xicano Power at the Festival de Jerez (Spain), becoming part of the first U.S.-based company featured at the esteemed festival. Most recently, Carlos was selected by the City of Albuquerque’s Urban Enhancement Trust Fund to choreograph a series focused on collaboration among local, intergenerational artists.

YVONNE ZHANG (ORIGINAL CONCEPT) is a writer-director whose stories are rooted in early memories of her mother’s nightly visions of death. She draws on traditions of magical realism, weaving dream logic into modern lives mediated through screens and virtual worlds. Her short CARRION (2022) screened at festivals worldwide, including SFFILM, PÖFF Shorts, and Tampere Film Festival, where it was awarded Best Genre Film. Her second film, SWEETWATER AQUARIUM (2024), played at Vienna Shorts, London Short Film Festival, and the Norwegian Short Film Festival, where it was awarded the Golden Chair for Best International Short. Yvonne holds an MFA in Directing from the American Film Institute, where she received fellowships from BAFTA, Fulbright Program, AFI, American Association of University Women, and P.E.O. International. She is a BAFTA Connect member and is developing her first feature through the 2025 TorinoFilmLab ScriptLab. Yvonne is currently Filmmaker-in-Residence at Somerset House, London.

S. BENJAMIN FARRAR (PRODUCTION MANAGER AND LIGHTING DESIGNER) is a designer of light, scenery, and projections for live performance. Benjamin has worked throughout North America in venues such as The Majestic Theatre in Boston; White Bird in Portland; McCarter Theatre in Princeton; Williams College’s ’62 Center; Z Space in San Francisco; Meany Center in Seattle; The Royal Conservatory in Toronto; and Wolf Trap in Virginia. Venues in New York City include The Public Theater, The Joyce Theater, New Victory Theater, Cherry Lane Theatre, Connelly Theater, Vineyard Theatre, Lincoln Center, and The Lucille Lortel Theatre. He has also designed for venues in Australia, Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Brazil, England, Scotland, Switzerland, Slovenia, and the United Arab Emirates. Benjamin is now proudly Iowa-based, where he has worked with Riverside Theatre, Theatre Cedar Rapids, Nolte Productions, Grinnell College, Cornell College, Hancher Auditorium, The Englert Theatre, Brucemore, Revival Theatre Company, and Orchestra Iowa. He is currently the resident scenic, lighting, and projection designer for Theatre Cedar Rapids and a guest artist at Grinnell College. You can find more at farrardesign.live.

CATALINA NIÑO (SET DESIGNER) is proud to be making her design debut in dance with Flamenco Arts International. Currently, she is designing the set for A Jukebox for the Algonquin at Citadel Theatre Company in Chicago. Recent credits include Dear Elizabeth with Remy Bumppo Theatre Company in Chicago; Seussical the Musical and Es Una Vida Maravillosa at Shakespeare Napa Valley; The 2024 Go To New Play Festival with Go To Productions in Chicago; The Mousetrap at Citadel Theatre Company; Dot and the Kangaroo with Bravo Performing Arts in Oak Park; St. Sebastian with Refracted Theatre Company in Chicago; and Water by the Spoonful at San Francisco Playhouse. Other credits include The Berkeley Playhouse, Los Altos Stage Company, San José Children’s Musical Theater, and The Custom Made Theatre Company, among others. Catalina is also a teaching artist with Snow City Arts in Chicago. Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, she earned her BA in Visual Arts in France and her MFA in Set Design in the Bay Area before relocating to the Chicago area. Visit: www.catalinanino.com

ADAM PUGLIELL (TECHNICAL DIRECTOR AND SET BUILD) is the co-owner of Rooster Productions, a union scene shop based in Richmond, California. Rooster’s arts clients include the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Festival Opera, Marin Shakespeare Company, Western Ballet, Liss Fain Dance, Mark Foehringer Dance Project SF, and San Jose Opera, to name a few. In the tradeshow and experiential space, clients include Apple, Google, Blue Revolver, Grow Marketing, and other national brands. Adam began his career in set construction as a teenager at the Little Vine Street Theater in Cincinnati. He studied Architectural Engineering at the University of Cincinnati and later pursued Technical Direction and Production at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. He is ETCP certified in both Arena Rigging and Theatre Rigging and developed the stagecraft curriculum for the Berkeley High School CTE program. Outside of work, Adam is a fine carpenter and an avid sailor, spending time aboard tall ships around the world.

DAVID MURAKAMI (PROJECTION DESIGN) is a projection designer and film director who navigates the urgent needs of the arts in challenging political, cultural, and economic times. His designs have been seen on five continents and include Ainadamar at Opéra de Montréal; American Idiot and Zoot Suit at the Mark Taper Forum; Das Rheingold at Seattle Opera; The Shining and La Belle et la Bête with Opera Parallèle; Rigoletto with Pacific Symphony; Figures of Speech with Alonzo King LINES Ballet; and several musicals aboard Princess Cruises’ flagship Royal-class vessels. Other companies include Atlanta Opera, Berkshire Theatre Group, Calgary Opera, Celebration Theatre, Dallas Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, East West Players, LA Opera, LINES Ballet, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, McCoy Rigby Entertainment, Minnesota Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Presidio Theatre, Red Mountain Theatre Company, Riyadh Season, Seattle Opera, SFJAZZ, Skylight Theatre Company, South Coast Repertory, Sun Valley Summer Symphony, Syracuse Stage, and Virginia Opera. www.davidmurakami.com

MORGAN EMBRY (PROJECTIONIST) is a designer and creative director currently based in Los Angeles, California. She received her BA in Dance from The University of Alabama and her MFA in Lighting Design from the University of California, Irvine. She designs for dance, opera, and theatre, acting as resident lighting designer for Willing Kompany and Festival Ballet Theatre, and projection designer for CounterBalance Theatre. She is also a production designer for live music, with Vance Joy, Bryce Vine, Lauren Spencer Smith, Pixel Grip, and SWISS among the many collaborators she regularly creates with. Morgan is excited for this opportunity to collaborate with fellow artists and creators. For more information about Morgan’s work, visit www.morganembry.com

FRANK BIANCO (AUDIO ENGINEER) is an audio engineer with over 15 years of experience specializing in live sound reinforcement, mixing a variety of shows including touring concerts, theatre, and corporate events. Currently, Frank works full-time as an Audio Specialist at Pier 57 in New York City.

JOHANNA SOPHIA ROMO (STAGE MANAGER) (she/her) is a project and theatrical stage manager based in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Her work expands across entertainment fields such as theatre, dance, opera, company management, and film and television. Recent professional work includes West Side Story and La Bohème at the Los Angeles Opera. Other companies include the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, Boston Lyric Opera, Center Theatre Group, Disney+, Music Academy of the West, Opera Southwest, Roy and Edna Disney CalArts Theater (REDCAT), The Wayward Artist, and South Coast Repertory.

Bob Romney, Chairman
Community Leader

Gary Fabian, Treasurer
Chief Financial Officer
Kind Lending

William Parker, Secretary
Professor Emeritus Physics and Astronomy
University of California, Irvine

DIRECTORS

Eugene Choi
Betty Martinez Franco
Harason Horowitz
Terry Jones
Mike Kerr
Jennifer Klein
Dr. Tiffany Ana López
Bonnie Lubock
James Mai
Sherry L. K. Main
Jerry Mandel, Ph.D.
Christopher Ramsey
Richard and Cheryll Ruszat
Kathleen Treseder, Ph.D.
Stuart Winston
Anu Worah

HONORARY

Larry Agran
Mayor, City of Irvine
 
Howard Gillman, Ph.D.
Chancellor
University of California, Irvine

Public Partners
City of Irvine and UC Irvine

Official Health Care Partner
UCI Health

Corporate Sponsor
Haskell & White LLP

$50, 000+

Tom and Mayumi Adams

Paul and Bonnie Lubock

Thomas Rogers and Sally Anderson

Worah Family Foundation

$25, 000-$49, 999

Gerrit and Amy Cole Foundation

The Hiland Foundation

Bill and Carolyn Klein

The Richard and Elizabeth Steele Fund

Judy and Wes Whitmore

$10, 000 -$24,999

Gregory Bates and Joann Leatherby

Clifford and Jennifer Cheng

Eugene and Carol Choi

Paul and Anne Devore

Farhang Foundation

David and Trudi Gartley

Mike Gordon

Haskell & White LLP

Harason Horowitz

Mark Chapin Johnson Foundation

Terry and Judy Jones

Mike Kerr and Jenny Backhaus

Liza Krassner

Jerry and Whitney Mandel

Goran Matijasevic

Dot and Rick Nelson

Mary Watson-Bruce

William and Janice Parker Family Fund

William and Pat Podlich

Robert E. Romney

Richard and Cheryll Ruszat – Montessori Schools of Irvine

Al Spector and Tatjana Soli

Greg Zaret

Charlie and Ling Zhang

$5, 000 - $9, 999

Stephen and Mary Auerbach

Robert and Lillyan Cendejas

Rohit Deshpande and Anita Watumull

Gary Fabian and Deb Solon

Chuck and Janet Henze

Eleanor Jaffy and Andrew Vollero

Jack and Joy Kayajanian

Robert Kazer and Jill Richter

Ken and Chantelle Labowe - Labowe Family Foundation

Josh Martin, Emerald Real Estate Partners, and Tom Politowski

James McGaugh

Natalie Miles

Tom Newmeyer

Andrei Olenicoff Memorial Foundation

James and Lynn Payne

Christopher and Lynne Ramsey

Salwa Rizkalla

Adreana Souleles

Craig and Kirsten Springer

Alexander and Sachiyo Stimpson

Ms. Renee Walter

Brian and Beth West

$2,500 - $4, 999

Terri Beber and Terry McDonald

Ellen Breitman and Brien Amspoker

Terry Causey

Albert and Anne Encinias

Arlene and Steven Fienberg

Douglas and Kathleen Forde

Greg and Sumie Haase

Michael and Charisse Lyseight

Patricia M. McIntyre Foundation Fund at the Chicago Community Foundation

Mark J. Nielsen

Marcia Novegrod

Arthur Ong and Ginger Sun

Bill and Joyce Perrone

Ron and Jan Redmond

Bob and Jo Anne Simon

Eric and Donna Stovner

Kurt and Ellen Youngs

Robert Zasa and Judy Amiano

$1,000 -$2,499

Beth and Michael Adler

Charlotte W. and Richard D. Alexander Charitable Foundation

Scott and Katherine Arbuckle

Diane and Dennis Baker

James Carter

Alice and Dennis Creighton

Brad Crosley

Gail Doe

Jeanne Egasse and Boyd Philpot

Francis and Ruby Foo

David and Judy Fukuda

Stanford Gertler

Gary Good and Jackie Charnley

Roger and Patt Grable

Geeta and Sanjiv Grover

Loren Hansen and Lorraine Caukin

Karen Kewell Jacoby

Dr. Elliott Kornhauser and Mr. Joe Baker

Rachel Levin

Lutz Moeckel

Janis and Dave Murray

James Pick and Rosalyn Laudati

Jill M. Prentice

Diana Putz

Joel B. Rothman

Debbie and Frank Rugani

Phil and Joy Ruggiero

Arkady and Ella Serebryannik

Sally Anne and Don Sheridan

Walter and Masami Stahr

Robert and Veronica Start

CarolAnn Tassios

$500 -$999

Dana and Angelika Aswad

John W. Ballantyne

Michelle Bentcliff and Ann Litke

Judy Bloomingdale

Wayne and Nancy Broadhag

Robert Cassidy

Esther Cervantes and Steve Rivero

Denise B. Chilcote

Michael and Melanie Cooper

Joan Donahue

Ann Donat

Nancy Eisenberg

Christine Fluor and Walter Scacchi

Margaret Gates, with gratitude for your education commitment

S. Glass Family

Gleicher / Chen Family Foundation

Marcus Hickerson

Melvin and Hazel Hoshiko

Kathleen Koch

Sally Kurnick

Holly Larsen

John LaRue

John Long and Tamara Taylor

Han Dinh and Martin Le

Patti Martinez

Dr. & Mrs. John Middlebrooks

Susan M. Mason

Kenneth Niedziela

Rey O'Day

Mike Peak

Arnold and Nancy Raymon

Bebe and Otto Reyer

Karen Rook

Kent Sentinella

Joe Simrell

Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Sutton

Dr. Anthony Vasek

Fred and Patricia Viele

Emily Crean Vogler

Chuck and Marilyn Wright

$250 - $499

The Aber Group Inc

Mark Achong

Fredric and Lisa Albert

Mike Baginski and Kim Ling

Mrs. Kaui Balderston

Pat and Kate

George and Linda Bauer

Ms. Suzanne M. Becker

Bruce Beckman

Sally Bender

William and Annette Blaney

Ms. Nancy Braden

Peter and Kari Bretschger

Mr. Jelle Brons

David and Lisa Butler

Robert and Valerie Carter

Michael Casey

Luisa Cano

Eileen and Henry Cohen

Anahid Crecelius

Mike Davis

Myrtle Deakins

Mary Susan Denley

Don and Debra Drysdale

Kent and Irene Dunlap

Doug Elliott

Kelly YuehChun Feng

Joanne Fernbach

Ilone and Darin Gibson

Aimee Gromfin

Mr. & Mrs. Mark Hollingsworth

Haylee Homs

Harason Horowitz and Mark Chapin Johnson

Korey Jorgensen

Jessica Kaltman

Judy Kaufman

Kerry Krisher

Bruce Larson

Michael Lawler

Vicki and Richard Lee

Edward Luedke

Ramon Lugo

Capt. Kevin M. Mac Donnell

Dr. Frank and Mrs. Linda Meyskens

William D. Miller and Florence E. Miller

Daniel Morrison

Mr. Ramon Munoz

Ms. Maryellen Musgrave

Susan O'Brien

Cyrus Parker-Jeannette

Jorge Perez Valdes

Mr. and Mrs. Rivadeneyra

Josh and Carolyn Roberts

Dr. Stephen Rochford

Gary and Melanie Singer Charitable Fund

Kris and Geraldine Shah

Kim Smith

Dorothy J. Solinger

Tina Sommers-Bernhardt

Michael and Marilyn Staffieri

Daniel and Jeanne Stokols

Ingrid Strayer

Sullivan Family

Kim Tang

Cindy Tyan

Alvin Umeda

Jeanne Villacorte

Beth Waterman

Nella Webster

Carl and Deborah Weinert

Mark and Lou-Ann Weltman

Hemantha and Sophie Wickramasinghe

Jim and Sandra Williams

Dexter and Gisele Winzey

Gary and Cathy Wyatt

Kelley Yasbek

Andy and Wendy Yurcho

$100-$249

Brian and Gloria Abrams

Susan Adleman

Hoku and Kalani Aichele

Lillian Aranda

Theresa Battel

Rosanne and William Beam

Melissa Beck and Daniel Pugh

Chris Blank and Josie Badeaux

Paul Blank

Carol Boot-Storie

Kerry and Paul Boulian

Mr. and Mrs. J. Boyer

William and Lindsay Brennan

Mr. Steven Brenneis

Gary and Wendy Bryan

Dawn Burdick

Mr. & Mr. Christopher Cabrera

Peggy Campbell

Patrick J. Chambers

Chara Orthodontics

Grace Chen

Jeff Corp

David Coscia and Mark Armstrong

Donna Cox

Vivian Daniel

Charles Davison

Matt and Jane Delorenzo

RJ, Rita, and Timmy De Rama

Rhea Dorn

Ernest Duarte

Ron and May Duff

Eduardo and Elise Espinosa

Jim and Diane Ewing

Aviva and Fred Forster

Ms. Ellen Fujikawa

Eileen Garbutt

Charles Gates

Mr. John Gibbs

Ian and Kari Gibson

Ben and Sandie Goelman

Michael and Kristina Golden

Kevin and Candice Gomez

Anna Gonosova

Ms. Judith Guffey

Patricia Hansen

Gayle and Phil Harp

Jennifer Hart

Fred and Cheryl Heinecke

Edwin Henderson

Richard and Jacqueline Heyendal

Julie Hill

Peter Holden and Angela Howley-Holden

Holmes Family

Rita B Hopper

Dr. Dena Hulbert

W. Itoga & Sons

Gary Jackson and Linda Globerman Jackson

Laurie Jacobs

Judy Jones

Audrey Kapelinski

John Keating

Angela Kraus

Arlene Kato and Mike Kurihara

Kyle and Cherrill Kawakami

Kenneth Keller

Lynne Koffler

Colin and Joan Koransky

Karen Kotake

Mr. Richard Krey

Jennifer and Robert Langer

Lorna Larson-Paugh

Robert and Karen Lechich

Paul E. Len

Cheryl and James Lewis

Amy Li

Anne Llewellyn

Willard and Bettina Loomis

Mr. Robert Lopez

Lorena Mague

Dr. Sari Mahon

Ms. Amira Mansour

Christine A. Marx

Robert Mashihara

Thomas and Glynett Mcteer

Erica Morikawa

Dr. and Mrs. John Mull

Elaine and Cameron Mummery

Tasha and Owen Naccarato

Richard Nakai and Cindy Wederich

Virginia Olson

Lisa Osako

Judy Oswald

Hon. Julie Owen

Lauren and Richard Packard

Tom and Diane Pardue

Gerald Parham

Thomas and Davida Parham

Ms. Julie Patterson

Karin S. Paul

Dr. Dolly Platt

Brian Paegel and Jeremy Pyle

Lois Rake

Paul Ramey

Elaine Ramsay

Brad Rawlins

Kenneth Reinhard and Julia Reinhard Lupton

Anita and Bruce Reisman

Dennis and Marie Richman

In Memory of Irene DeNoia

Paul Schmidhauser and Cindy Hughes

Paul and Kristen Schmidt

Jack and Katharine Schoellerman

Jill Sekiguchi, DDS

Michael Sheffield

George Sidorakis

Tom Slickelman

John L. Smith and Mary Anne Anthony-Smith

Karen R. Speros

Jack and Molly Spiegel

D. Stroebel

James and Nadine Turner

Joanne Vargas

Linda Venezia

Kathy Vickers and Jeremy Freimund

Elliot Vogelfanger

Michele and Irwin Walot

David and Renee Warren

Bruce and Susie White

Steven and Elizabeth White

Roxanne Wong

Henry and Yen Yang Wu

Susan Yee

$150+

Mark Achong
Nancy and Wayne Broadhag
Hoku and Mark Aichele
Mrs. Kaui Balderston
Gregory Bates and Joann Leatherby
Melissa Beck and Daniel Pugh
Paul Blank
Christopher Blank and Josie Badeaux
Laura Brandlin
David Coscia and Mark Armstrong
Charles and Maureen Davison
Susan Lindquist de la Parra
RJ, Rita, and Timmy De Rama
Mark and Kathi Denny
John Elwood
Eduardo and Elsie Espinosa
James Evans
Ian and Kari Gibson
Kevin and Candice Gomez
Roger and Patt Grable
Judith Guffey
Patricia Hansen
Gayle and Phil Harp
Arlene and Mike Kato
Kyle and Cherrill Kawakami
Kathleen Koch
Duane and Kathie Mauzey
Janis and Dave Murray
Hon. Julie A. C. Owen
Julie Patterson
Christopher and Lynne Ramsey
Brad and Susie Rawlins
Jill Sekiguchi
Tom Slickelman
T. Sommers-Bernhardt
Michael and Marilyn Staffieri
Cindy Thomas
Fred and Patricia Viele
David and Renee Warren
Roxanne Wong
Andrew and Wendy Yurcho

$10 monthly

Mr. and Mrs. J. Boyer
Vivian Daniel
Karen Kotake
Traci Shirachi and Cory Chhiap

$75 month

As a partner in the annual National Choreographers Initiative, Irvine Barclay Theatre is also pleased to acknowledge all those who support this important contribution to American dance.

National Choreographers Initiative 2026
Molly Lynch, Artistic Director

Honorary Producer 

Bobbi Cox

Joanne and Dennis Keith

Barbara Roberts

Michelle Rohé

Richard and Elizabeth Steele Endowment Fund

Choreographer Sponsor

Terry Causey

Sophie and Larry Cripe

Judi Gorski

Diane Silber

Dancer Sponsor

Ellen Breitman and Brien Amspoker

James Carter

Croul Family Foundation

Janet and Henry Eggers

Mary and Andrew Franklin

Artistic Sponsor

Alan Andrews and Molly Lynch

Betsy Andrews and Alex Moad

Diane Diefenderfer and David Hanlon

Gale Edelberg and Bob Butnik

Gillian Finley and Robert Labaree

Carol Hamilton

Nancy and Ned Kriz

Dr. Rosalyn Laudati and Dr. James Pick

Kathryn Lynch and Robert McDonnell

Rachelle Menaker and Eddie Schuller

Marica Pendjer and John Miller

Andrew Rose

Sally Anne and Don Sheridan

Paula Tomei and David Emmes

Lynn Weiser and Mike Tompkins

Patron Sponsor

Dr. Michael Bear

Stacie Brandt

Laurie and Bart Brown

Gail and Denis Kalscheur

David Carmichael

Joseph Herron and Dana Klein

Chuck Johnston

Margi and John Murray

Diana Putz

Kim Smith

Jenny Szabo

Karen and Gary Thorne

Barbara and Jack Tingley

Dance Shoe Sponsor

Diane and Dennis Baker

Darci Bodin

Bronny Daniels

Roberta Fox

Sharon McNalley

Ivar Roth, Concierge Podiatry & Spa

Katy and Jack Schoellerman

Ann and Richard Sim

Linda and Steve Weitz

Dance Partner

Ellen Fujikawa

Mike Kerr and Jenny Backhaus

Maurice and Alexandra Mandel

Edward McPherson

Rita Mitchell

Mitsuhiko and Reiko Nakano

Dr. Janice Gudde Plastino

Rosalind Russell

Joseph Sheridan

Dan & Jeanne Stokols

Robert Strang

Mary Vensel White

Update as of 7/14/26

DONATE TODAY

Please consider making a donation to support the work of the National Choreographers Initiative. We need your contributions to support the dancers and choreographers involved in the project. Be an angel to the arts-dance! Thank you!

Send your donation to: NCI 3334 E. Coast Hwy #276, Corona del Mar CA 92625