Festival Ballet Theatre
and
Artistic Director, Salwa Rizkalla
Present
Don Quixote
Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 7pm
Sunday, March 22, 2026 at 2pm
There will be a 20-minute intermission.
Choreography
Alexander Gorsky and Marius Petipa
Direction
Salwa Rizkalla
Music
Ludwig Minkus
Scenery & Prop Design & Construction
Vladimir Madved, David Scaligone
Lighting Design & Production Supervisor
Morgan Embry
Artistic Assistant
Elizabeth Farmen
Rehearsal Faculty
Salwa Rizkalla
Sayat Asatryan
Elizabeth Farmen
Askar Kettebekov
Hannah Przudlaka-Karacic
Costume Design & Construction
Cyndee Ely
Heather Lerma
Kaye Michel
Ginny Mudd
Barbara Vieuretta
Social Media
Jazley Sendjaja
Graphic Designer
Nicole Reineman
Production Coordinator
Chris Schmidt
Company Photographer
Skye Schmidt Varga
Rachel Scott
WELCOME TO FESTIVAL BALLET THEATRE’S 2026 PRODUCTION OF THE DON QUIXOTE.
Welcome, and thank you for joining us for Festival Ballet Theatre’s production of Don Quixote. We’re delighted to bring this colorful masterpiece back to the Barclay stage. For 38 years, Festival Ballet Theatre has inspired generations of Orange County residents with the beauty of ballet, and we’re proud to continue that tradition with this beloved classic.
Inspired by Miguel de Cervantes’ timeless novel and set against the vibrant backdrop of Old-World Spain, Don Quixote is a joyful celebration of music, movement, and theater. With Ludwig Minkus’s memorable score, lively ensemble scenes, and Kitri and Basilio’s iconic Grand Pas de Deux, it captures the spirit of adventure, romance, and theatrical flair that has made this ballet so enduring.
Please join me in welcoming acclaimed guest artists Jeraldine Mendoza and Dylan Gutierrez of The Joffrey Ballet, who will dance the lead roles of Kitri and Basilio. Their artistry and virtuosity bring extraordinary distinction to our production. We’re grateful to have them share the stage with our dancers.
I am deeply proud of Festival Ballet Theatre’s professional and student company dancers, whose energy, dedication, and spirited dancing bring this joyful production to life.
Thank you, as always, for supporting Festival Ballet Theatre and Southland Ballet Academy. Your presence in the audience and your continued generosity sustain our work and help keep classical ballet thriving in our community.
We hope you enjoy Don Quixote, and we would love to have you join us again in August as we wrap up our season with our 18th Annual Gala of the Stars.
Gratefully,
Salwa Rizkalla
Founder and Artistic Director
Festival Ballet Theatre
ACT I – Scene I
The Square in Barcelona
Kitri, the daughter of the innkeeper, is in love with Basilio, the barber. Lorenzo, her father, wants his daughter to marry the foppish rich nobleman, Gamache, and has forbidden Kitri from seeing Basilio. This plan horrifies the beautiful Kitri, who is playing in the square with her friends. Don Quixote, who imagines himself a knight and is preoccupied with the world of chivalry, enters the square with Sancho Panza, his squire. The friends of Kitri tease Sancho Panza and laugh at his clumsy attempts to play Blind Man’s Buff. Don Quixote intervenes to defend his friend and stop the teasing. Suddenly, he sees Kitri and mistakes her for Dulcinea, his dream of the ideal woman he defends as a knight. In the excitement, Kitri and Basilio steal away. They are pursued by Don Quixote, Sancho Panza, Lorenzo, and Gamache.
ACT I – Scene II
A Gypsy Encampment
Gypsies and strolling players, alerted to the imminent arrival of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, prepare to trick the knight. The Gypsy leader welcomes them and calls for the entertainment to begin. Suddenly, Don Quixote sees the windmills and mistakes them for menacing giants. He tries to attack them, only to be caught up in one of the wings and tossed into the air. He is hurled to the ground and falls into a deep sleep.
ACT I – Scene III
A Forest, Dream Scene
Don Quixote is still stunned from his fight with the windmill. He dreams he is a noble knight in the court of Kitri, his symbol of Dulcinea, and her beautiful maidens. In his dream, he meets the Dryad Queen and Cupid, who thoroughly enchant him.
ACT II - Scene I
The Tavern
The innkeeper, Lorenzo, has finally caught Kitri and Basilio. He forces his daughter to agree to the marriage with Gamache. In desperation, Basilio pretends to fatally stab himself. As he lies dying, he begs to be united with his love. Kitri begs Don Quixote to convince Lorenzo to grant Basilio’s last request and allow the young couple to marry. Don Quixote pleads with Lorenzo, and he is finally persuaded to give his blessing. Basilio then jumps up, miraculously cured!
ACT II – Scene II
In the Main Square of Barcelona, The Wedding
Everyone in the village is joyfully celebrating the marriage of Kitri and Basilio. Don Quixote is the guest of honor, and the blissful couple show their appreciation by dancing a grand pas de deux. After congratulating Kitri and Basilio, Don Quixote gallantly bids everyone farewell. He and Sancho Panza then set off for further adventures.
Act I – Scene I
The Square in Barcelona
Kitri: Jeraldine Mendoza
Basilio: Dylan Gutierrez
Don Quixote: Charles Johnston
Lorenzo: Askar Kettebekov
Gamache: Sergei Domrachev
Sancho Panza: Sayat Astrayan
Kitri’s Friends: Clara Attlesey and Mia Frederick (3/21), Mandy Hur and Julia Prevost (3/22)
Espada: Alec Mercado
Mercedes: Sami Santos
Toreadors: Mark-David Bloodgood, Ryan Robinson, Leon Sai, Cameron Schwanz
Toreadors Girlfriends: Brielle Aucoin, Aurora Kellogg, Keira Kuennemann,
Adella Mehringer
Seguedilla (Spanish): Toscane Acket, Brielle Aucoin, Emery Brehmer, Katarina Carney, Afina Gosla, Felicity Gundersen, Amelie Hoang, Emily Holder, Aurora Kellogg, Keira Kuennemann, Adella Mehringer, Julia O’Brien, Hayden Pitlik, Wendy Rasmussen, Audrey Schneider, Silvia Snow
Young Toreadors: Ace Acket, Randall Jamieson, Christian Nyman, Sean Sai
Act I- Scene II
A Gypsy Encampment
Gypsy Leader: Ryan Robinson
Gypsy Woman:. Anjoulie Kempton
Gypsies: Mark-David Bloodgood, Cypress Hess, Ellington Hess, Lena Lee, Annah Lin, Ayane Matsuzaki, Alec Mercado, Emma Nyman, Sara Nyman, Leon Sai, Cameron Schwanz, Zoe Zeng
Don Quixote, Sancho Panza
Act I – Scene III
A Forest -- Don Quixote’s Dream
Dulcinea: Jeraldine Mendoza
Queen of Dryads: Brielle Aucoin (3/21), Afina Gosla (3/22)
Cupid: Katarina Carney (3/21), Toscane Acket (3/22)
Dryads:. Clara Attlesey, Avery Brehmer, Mia Frederick, Felicity Gundersen, Amelie Hoang, Emily Holder, Mandy Hur, Aurora Kellogg, Keira Kuennemann, Adella Mehringer, Julia O’Brien, Madison Perry, Hayden Pitlik, Julia Prevost, Wendy Rasmussen, Audrey Schneider, Silvia Snow
Little Cupids: Madeline Chang, Julia Kent, Samantha Kim, Arya Nguyen, Emery Tuano, Maya Villanueva
Act II – Scene I
The Tavern
Tavern Dancer: Keira Kuennemann (3/21), Mia Frderick (3/22)
Espada: Cameron Schwanz
Male Tavern Dancer: Leon Sai
Kitri, Basilio, Don Quixote, Sancho Panza, Gamache, Lorenzo,
Ensemble
Act II – Scene II
Main Square of Barcelona, The Wedding
Maid of Honor First Variation: Silvia Snow (3/21), Adella Mehringer (3/22)
Maid of Honor Second Variation: Aurora Kellogg (3/21), Julia Prevost (3/22)
Bridesmaids: Toscane Acket, Clara Attlesey, Brielle Aucoin, Katarina Carney, Afina Gosla, Felicity Gundersen, Amelie Hoang, Mandy Hur
Flower Girls: Medha Arvind, Emery Brehmer, Julia Burnett, Madeline Chang, Cecilia Gundersen, Riley Hendricks, Julia Kent, Bora Kim, Samantha Kim, Savannah Koch, Clara Lee, Eileen Lee, Arya Nguyen, Sofia Schreiner, Emery Tuano, Maya Villanueva
Espada and Mercedes: Alec Mercado and Sami Santos
Grand Pas de Deux: Jeraldine Mendoza and Dylan Gutierrez
Kitri, Basilio, Don Quixote, Sancho Panza, Gamache, Lorenzo
Ensemble
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 Koch Famly
Dione Knowles
The McDaniel Family Foundation
Principal
$1,000 - $2,499
Anonymous
Willa Bouwens-Killeen
Cat & Phil Hunter
Shea Pitlik
Sara & Ryan Snow
In Honor of Ryan Robinson
Soloist
$500 - $999
Anonymous
Ahmed Afzal & Khatira Shsh
Karen & Thomas Hersh
Diane & Wayne Kopit
Perlie & Jesper Malmskov
Megan & Ryan Perry
Tracie Rotter
Teri & Chris Schmidt
Erin & Douglas Schneider
Kim Tang & Danh Kuennemann
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 Don Quixote. 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.
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