Miami City Ballet’s 39th season is, in some ways, the start of our 40th anniversary celebration. As stewards of this incredible art form, we maintain our commitment to our dancers, the heart and soul of our company, as well as to you, our audiences, by curating an ambitious season of ballet.
It has been said that in George Balanchine’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, one can see Shakespeare’s words written in the choreography. With designs and projections inspired by the shapes and colors found in marine life, our reimagined production trades the lush forest landscape for the coastal waters of South Florida.
No season would be complete without George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®, the family favorite and Florida-flavored holiday tradition. We hope you enjoy the festive magic this season brings, as this timeless classic continues to enchant and inspire.
In Winter Mix, Balanchine’s Walpurgisnacht Ballet and La Valse bring classical elegance to the stage, while contemporary choreographer Pam Tanowitz premieres her second work for MCB, complete with music by Grammy award-winning artist Jessie Montgomery, a young, fresh female voice in today’s classical music scene.
Spring Mix offers a diverse range of choreographers and composers, showcasing our dedication to artistic variety. Alexei Ratmansky’s Pictures at an Exhibition is a ballet for ten dancers; Playful, tongue-in-cheek, but not without its dark shadows. In complete contrast, José Limón’s Chaconne offers baroqueinspired choreography set to Bach for a solo male dancer. Jerome Robbins’ Glass Pieces introduces a contemporary, urban feel, featuring Philip Glass’s minimalist score. Tschaikovsky Pas de Deux brings Balanchine brilliance to the mix–short, stunning, and supremely cherished, it’s a thrill ride for dancers and audience alike.
Finally, we bring you the World Premiere of Carmen. This is the first commissioned work for the company by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, emphasizing our commitment to showcasing contemporary choreographic voices. Commissioned music by young classical Colombian composer Juan Pablo Acosta builds upon Bizet’s original–and iconic–composition. This unique fusion of styles demonstrates our enthusiasm for exploring new artistic directions and supporting burgeoning composers.
This season, we are thrilled to be presenting work at The Moss Center, sharing some of our most delightful repertoire in an intimate environment. As a cornerstone of Miami’s cultural landscape, we take deep pride in continuing to enrich and inspire our community at every opportunity.
Through a diverse range of programming, from timeless classics to bold new commissions, we continue to push the boundaries of ballet, ensuring that Miami City Ballet remains a vital and innovative force in the world of dance. With each step, leap, and turn, we celebrate the infinite possibilities of movement—and the vibrant community that supports us every step of the way.
With love,
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM
Choreography by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust
Music by Felix Mendelssohn, Overture and Incidental Music to A Midsummer Night's Dream, op. 21 and 61 (1826, 1842); Overtures to Athalie, op. 74 (1845), The Fair Melusine op. 32 (1833), The First Walpurgis Night, op. 60; Symphony No. 9 for strings; Overture to Son and Stranger, op. 89 (1829)
Staged by Sandra Jennings
Scenery and Costume Designs by Michele Oka Doner
Lighting Design by John Hall
Projection Designs by Wendall K. Harrington
Dramaturgy by Tarell Alvin McCraney
To celebrate MCB’s 30th anniversary season, the company mounted a new production of Balanchine’s sumptuous, wildly acclaimed new production of, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare’s timeless tale of love, illusion and reconciliation. With a fairytale cast, Felix Mendelssohn’s glorious music, twenty-four children and six vocalists, spectacular new sets and costumes, and Miami City Ballet’s breathtaking dancers, A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a dazzling spectacle for families and audiences of all ages. Reimagined by two international artists with ties to Miami -- dramatic direction by Tarell Alvin McCraney and original sets and costumes by the celebrated artist Michele Oka Doner -- this new Dream takes its inspiration from South Florida’s surrounding waterways while always remaining true to Shakespeare, Mendelssohn and Balanchine.
All Shakespeare’s famous characters are here: Oberon and Titania, the feuding King and Queen of the Fairies; the two pairs of muddled lovers; poor confused Bottom, who is magically transformed into an ass (in our version, a manatee); Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons, who comes through the forest accompanied by her hounds (in our version, seahorses) to marry Theseus, ruler of nearby Athens; and of course the mischievous sprite Puck, who presides over the confusions and resolutions of the fiendishly intricate plot – Puck, who in the play speaks the famous line that perhaps most clearly reflects Shakespeare’s view of the characters he has brought to life, “What fools these mortals be.”
With so much of Balanchine’s great reputation based on his abstract (or black-and-white) ballets – The Four Temperaments, Agon, Episodes, Symphony in Three Movements – it’s easy to forget that he was also a supreme storyteller (just think of his Nutcracker). Somehow he makes this ultra-complicated story crystal clear – you're never for a moment at a loss as he unfolds this infinitely touching, charming and hilarious drama. And then, following the long first act, he gives us an elegant divertissement, with Theseus’ court becoming the setting for a formal exhibition of classical dance (it opens with Mendelssohn’s famous “Wedding March”) and at the heart of which is one of Balanchine’s most subtle and persuasive pas de deux.
On a personal note: In the original production of A Midsummer Night’ Dream, the central role of Oberon was created on our Founding Artistic Director, Edward Villella, and during her twenty-four years at New York City Ballet, our current Artistic Director, Lourdes Lopez, danced Helena, the Act II pas de deux, and – early on – one of Hippolyta’s hounds!
Additional notes from Michele Oka Doner:
Opening image: Port of Miami underwater, 2014
Coral Castle, Act II, reimagined from a vintage photograph taken by Hans Hannau, early 1940s.
Located in South Dade County, Coral Castle has become a part of Miami's mythic landscape.
Costume designs and sets are based on the extraordinary archive of marine specimens at the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School. Housed in the Marine Invertebrate Museum, almost a million creatures are cared for and investigated by Professor Nancy Voss, who kindly gave her permission for their use.
Additional Credits:
Costume Credits:
Costume Design Liaison Carole Divet Harting
Act I: Euro Co Costumes
John Kristiansen New York Inc.
Tricorne, Inc.
Fairies, Titania, Helena, Hermia and Butterfly headpieces by Maria Morales
Act II: Halsey Onstage
Additional Costume Design by Travis Halsey and Rachel Coyle
Corps, Divertissement, Helena and Hermia headpieces by Maria Morales
Scenic Credits:
Design Assistant by Carlos Rodriguez
Draperies furnished and constructed by I. Weiss Theatrical Solution
Scenic painting by Scenic Art Studios
Properties construction by Michael Amico
Projection programming by Paul Vershbow
University of Miami's Rosenstiel School, the Nancy Voss Collection
Act I: Near an estuary on a Midsummer Eve
Act II: At the court of Theseus
MCB premiere: March 18, 2016, Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Miami, FL.
The performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a Balanchine® Ballet, is presented by arrangement with The George Balanchine Trust and has been produced in accordance with the Balanchine Style® and Balanchine Technique®, Service Standards established and provided by the Trust.
Miami City Ballet would like to acknowledge Miami City Ballet School students who appear in this production.
* indicates Miami City Ballet School Alumni
Artistic Director: Lourdes Lopez
Executive Director: Juan José Escalante
Chairman of the Board of Directors & Trustees: Jeff Davis
Board Liaison & Executive Assistant: Leslie Ann Reams
ARTISTIC
Company Manager: Jessica Perez
Principal Rehearsal Director: Roma Sosenko
Rehearsal Directors: Joan Latham, Arnold Quintane, and Tricia Albertson
Company Class Accompanist: Leana Reisman
Company Pianist: Francisco Rennó
Music Director and Principal Conductor: Gary Sheldon
PRODUCTION AND WARDROBE
Director of Production and Lighting: John D. Hall
Production Stage Manager: Kelly Brown
Assistant Stage Manager: Bailey Kirk
Head Carpenter: Brian Harris
Properties Master: Marc Stoudt
Head Electrician: Shane Cassidy
Assistant Electrician: Nicanor Smith
Sound Engineer: Sean M. Deceunick
Assistant Carpenter/Flyer: James Sampedro
Properties Assistant: Gary Darling
Projection Operator: Wilmer Arellano
In Memorium: Richard Carter
Wardrobe Manager: Carrie Cabrera
Wardrobe Master: Ricardo "Pico" Asturias
School Wardrobe Mistress: Ibis Hernandez
Shoe Inventory Assistant: Helen Cave
Seamstress/Seamster: Julia Villalobos, Alberto Fages
Makeup Artist: Ellen Dawson
In Memorium: Jennifer Conrad
DEVELOPMENT
Senior Director of Development: Dena Liston
Senior Director, Major Gifts: Orene Tross-Harris
Director of Special Events: Heather Rush
Director of Foundation and Government Relations: Michele Scanlan
Manager of Foundation and Government Relations: Lee Eachus
Associate Director of Corporate Giving: Matt Williams
Associate Director of Individual Giving- Palm Beach: Samantha Hurwitch
Special Events Manager: Somers Killian
Executive Assistant: Sherlton Chery
MARKETING
Chief Marketing Officer: Chantell Ghosh
Senior Director of Marketing Operations: Mary Landreth
Director of Marketing, Communications and Content: Anne Mortomore
Director of Audience and Ticketing Services: Joshua Wickard
Senior Creative Services & Content Manager: Ali Castro
Senior Production Designer: Mina Rhee
Public Relations and Events Marketing Coordinator: Masha Enriquez
Digital Marketing Coordinator: Eden Cohen
Supervisor, Audience and Ticketing Services: Katharine Baines
Associate Coordinator, Audience Services and Ticketing: Leyda Castro and Adam Gamer
Audience Services Representatives: Randy Fumero, Andrea Lastro, Rafael Giraldo, Sofia Osorio, Jennifer Parra, Jade Emmanuel, Mariangel Rivero
General Press Representation: Billy Zavelson/Richard Kornberg & Associates
Marketing & Customer Relations Consultant: Nicole Wetzell
Creative Direction Consultant: Ron Roberts
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Director of Community Engagement: Brenda Alba
Community Engagement Programs Manager: Tharesa Z. Perry
Community Dance Education Programs Manager: Norma Fuisting
Community Engagement Coordinator: Bianca Guirado
Arts in Education Program
Teaching Artists: Vanya Allen, Meredith Barton, Stephanie Fuentes, Jennifer Puig, Kelly Robotham
Community Engagement Program Assistants: Merle Inasi, Iman Clark, Noeli Morejon
FINANCE AND OPERATIONS
Chief Financial Officer: Ainsworth Geddes
Payroll Manager: Marisa Rios-Lopez
Finance and Donor System Manager: Carlos Lopez
Staff Accountant: John Colon
Senior Director of Human Resources: Lina Aguirre
Human Resources Assistant and Office Manager: Joy Stanfield
MIAMI CITY BALLET SCHOOL
Chair: Lourdes Lopez
School Artistic Director: Arantxa Ochoa
School Managing Director: Cameron Basden
School Operations Manager: Jessica Bork
Pre-Professionals Manager & Artistic Liaison: Manon Maher
School Programs Manager: Amanda Del Cerro
School Administrative Assistant: Vanessa Haro
Housing Manager: Nellani Rainford
Principal Faculty: Katia Carranza, Leslie Young Cheng, Alexander Iziliaev, Claudia Kuwana, Claudia Lezcano, Rosa Mercedes, Michaela Mann, Maribel Modrono, Fabian Morales, Kareen Pauld Camargo, Herman Payne, Renato Penteado , Granaina Rondena (La Merche), Rilanty Septiantari, Durante Verzola
Pianists: Marianela Castro, Juvenal Correa-Salas, Gladys Fariñas, Vivian Gonzalez, Yraima Menendez, Teresa Valdivia
PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANTS
Employment and Labor Law: Lisa Berg, Esq. — Stearns Weaver Miller, et al, P.A.
Immigration Law: Glenn Rissman, Esq. — Stearns Weaver Miller, et al, P.A.
Auditor: Robbins and Moroney, P.A.
MEDICAL PROVIDERS
Director of Artistic Health: Alejandro Piris Niño, PT, DPT
Company Physician: Kathleen L. Davenport, MD
Foot and Ankle Orthopedic Specialist: Steven David Steinlauf, MD
Massage Therapist: Alexis Somoano LMT, Jill Davison, LMT
Part-Time Physical Therapists: Audrey Lugo PT, DPT, CSCS, and Bethany Cook, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS
Strength and Conditioning: Chase Swatosh
Nutritionist: Maria Vallasciani MS, RD, LD/N, RN, CNSC, IBCLC
Mental Health: Dr. Scott Leydig, Psy.D.
Jeffrey Davis, Chair
Charles Adelman
Jill E. Braufam
Eric Carpenter
Veronica de Zayas, Esq.
Alex DiLeonardo
Juan José Escalante, Ex Officio
Robert Friezo
Dan Gelber, Former Mayor of Miami Beach
Kathy Guttman
Bruce Halpryn, Ph.D.
Kristi Jernigan
Mamie Joeveer
Susan D. Kronick
Allen London
Lourdes Lopez, Ex Officio
Manny Marquez
Eleanor Pao
Saul Sanders, Treasurer
Michael Schultz
Sara Minskoff Allan
Toby Lerner Ansin, Founder
Ana-Marie Codina Barlick, Past Chair
Robert Chaskes
Lester Coney
Philip DeBoer
Neil Devlin
Mike Eidson, Past Chair
Ron Esserman*, Past Chair
James Freeze
Sheila O'Malley Fuchs
Dini Golden
Janine Gordon
Robert Gottlieb*
Pearl Johnson
Leslie Kavanaugh
Jacqueline Kott*
Elissa Kramer
R. Kirk Landon*
Gerri LeBow*
Rhoda Levitt, Past Chair
Rita Stein*
Sara Solomon
Zibby Tozer
John Vogelstein
Suzy Wahba
Gail Wasserman
Charmaine Waterfield
Diana S.C. Zeydel
* Trustees Emeriti
Major funding for Miami City Ballet provided by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and the Arison Arts Foundation.
Miami-Dade County support provided by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners. Support for Miami City Ballet in the Palm Beaches generously sponsored in part by the Board of County Commissioners, the Tourist Development Council and the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County.