Miami City Ballet dedicates this year's performances of The Nutcracker to Ella Riley Adler. May her memory always be a blessing.
It’s our joy to share this cherished holiday tradition with you once again. This year is especially meaningful, as we’re performing all of our shows right here in our hometown of Miami. There’s something truly magical about being home for the holidays, and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate the season with you.
When we partnered with the brilliant Isabel and Ruben Toledo to reimagine the sets and costumes, we knew we wanted to capture the vibrant, sunkissed spirit of South Florida. While others may dream of snow, our holidays are filled with golden skies, gentle breezes, and the sway of palm trees— and that’s exactly the energy we’ve woven into this production. But don’t worry, even in Miami, we still find a way to make it snow!
From the tropical hues to the Caribbean-inspired details (yes, that is a giant pineapple throne!), this version of The Nutcracker is a tribute to our beautiful city and its rich culture. And of course, it’s all brought to life by the incredible artistry of Miami City Ballet’s dancers and students, who pour their hearts into every performance.
We hope that this reimagined holiday classic brings you joy and wonder, and that your season is filled with warmth, light, and unforgettable memories. We’re thrilled to be home with you in Miami for the holidays. With love and holiday cheer,
A Ballet in Two Acts, Four Scenes and a Prologue.
Based on E.T.A. Hoffmann’s The Nutcracker and The Mouse King (1816).
The original production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® was generously underwritten by The State of Florida Department of Cultural Affairs, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and Southeast Banking Corporation Foundation.
Miami City Ballet’s production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® is dedicated to Toby Lerner Ansin, whose energy, enthusiasm and support provided the spark that ignited Miami City Ballet.
Miami City Ballet premiered The Nutcracker on November 23, 1990 at the Hayes Hall, Artis Theatre; Naples, Florida.
CREDITS
Choreography by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust
Music by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky*
Staged by Miami City Ballet
Children originally staged by Sandra Jennings
Costume Design by The Late Isabel Toledo**
Set and Properties Design by Ruben Toledo
Lighting Design by James F. Ingalls
Projection Design by Wendall K. Harrington
Children's Répétiteurs Maribel Modrono and Michaela Mann
COSTUME CREDITS
Costume Construction by
Arnold Levine
Betzabé Pujaico
Caryn Wells
Catafagno Productions
Cygnet Studio
Euro Co Costumes, Inc.
Isabel Toledo Entreprise, Inc.
Joe Scafati
Lynne Mackey Studio
and Miami City Ballet
Wardrobe Consulting by Andrea Spiridonakos
SCENIC CREDITS
Scenic Design Assistant by Robert John Andrusko
Projection Programming by Paul Vershbow
Lighting Design Assistant by Heather Graff
Scenery Construction and Painting by I. Weiss Theatrical Solutions and Scenic Art Studios
Properties Construction by General Scenery
Audio Description provided by Sara Zajic
This performance of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®, 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.
The Balanchine ballet presented in this program is protected by copyright. Any unauthorized recording is prohibited without the expressed written consent of The George Balanchine Trust and Miami City Ballet.
* The Nutcracker, Opus 71
** Deceased
Artistic Director Lourdes Lopez
Executive Director Juan José Escalante
Chair, Board of Trustees Jeff Davis
Founder Toby Lerner Ansin
Founding Artistic Director Edward Villella
Production and Lighting Director John D. Hall
Principal Conductor Gary Sheldon
Principal Rehearsal Director Roma Sosenko
Rehearsal Directors Joan Latham, Arnold Quintane, Tricia Albertson
Company Pianist Francisco Rennó
* 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
Head Properties: Nicanor Smith
Head Electrician: Shane Cassidy
Assistant Electrician: Elvin Thomas
Sound Engineer: Sean M. Deceunick
Assistant Carpenter/Flyman: 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 Individual Giving- Palm Beach: Samantha Hurwitch
Special Events Manager: Somers Killian
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: Jade Emmanuel, Randy Fumero, Yuan Gonzalez, Andrea Lastra, Sofia Osorio, Jennifer Parra, and 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 and Musicians: Kassie Abreu, Blaire Andrews, Matthew Aubeuf, Efrain Chibas, Bradley Dunlap, Claudia Lezcano, Nuria Martinez, Luis Ocasio, Rae Wilcoxson
Community Engagement Program Assistants: Merle Inasi and 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
Front Desk Receptionist: Carmen Ramos
School Resident Choreographer: Durante Verzola
Principal Faculty: Katia Carranza & Alexander Iziliaev
Faculty: Leslie Young Cheng, Claudia Kuwana, Claudia Lezcano, Rosa Mercedes, Michaela Mann, Maribel Modrono, Fabian Morales, Kareen Pauld Camargo, Herman Payne, Renato Penteado, Rilanty Septiantari
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. Braufman
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
Robert Chaskes
Lester Coney
Philip DeBoer
Neil Devlin
James Freeze
Sheila O'Malley Fuchs
Dini Golden
Janine Gordon
Pearl Johnson
Leslie Kavanaugh
Elissa Kramer
Sara Solomon
Zibby Tozer
John Vogelstein
Suzy Wahba
Gail Wasserman
Charmaine Waterfield
Fehmi Zeko
Diana S.C. Zeydel
* Trustees Emeriti
Ana-Marie Codina Barlick, Past Chair
Mike Eidson, Past Chair
Ron Esserman*, Past Chair
Robert Gottlieb*
Jacqueline Kott*
R. Kirk Landon*
Gerri LeBow*
Rhoda Levitt, Past Chair
Rita Stein*
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.