Dear Friends, 

Welcome to Moving Forces, the first performance of our 2025/26 Season. This program is a love letter to our community. It is a reflection of the strength, spirit, and generosity I see in Washington, DC, and in all of the artists who bring this city to life through their artistry.

Each work you’ll experience tonight has been chosen to honor the power of movement to connect, uplift, and transform. It’s a celebration of the creative forces that shape us, both individually and collectively. It is a tribute to the resilience and indefatigable talent of our dancers.

I’m especially proud that Tributary, the final piece in the Moving Forces program, features Trainee students from The Washington School of Ballet dancing alongside our professional company. This marks the first of four opportunities this season for our students to share the stage with the company. It speaks to our deep commitment to mentorship, growth, and the future of ballet. I hope you can join us again this season at The Nutcracker, Giselle, and Cinderella to experience the unparalleled artistry and commitment of our company and student dancers. 

As we begin this new season together, it’s my opportunity to thank you for your continued support. Your presence here tonight is an important reminder of why we do what we do. 

You make it possible for us to dream confidently, create fearlessly, and move forward with purpose.

Sincerely.

Edwaard Liang 
Artistic Director

Presents

October 24-26, 2025  |  Eisenhower Theater

CHOREOGRAPHY
Septime Webre

MUSIC
Pyotr llyich Tchaikovsky

SCENIC DESIGN
Peter Horne

COSTUME DESIGN
Judanna Lynn

LIGHTING DESIGN
Tony Tucci 

LIGHTING DESIGN ADAPTATIONS
Elizabeth A. Coco

PERFORMANCE CAST
See Cast

CREATIVE TEAM
Edwaard Liang, Artistic Director
Andres Estevez & Tamás Krizsa, Rehearsal Directors
CeCe Farha, Student Rehearsal Director
Suzi Kilbourne, Production Stage Manager
 Ashley Pennington, Assistant Stage Manager
Madeline Garland, Student Coordinator
Aliya Siegel and Sydney Wiggins, Assistant Student Coordinators

STAGERS - STUDENTS
Rena Bernardini, Chloe Campbell, Christianne Campbell, Deborah Chen, Nicholas Cowden, Taylor Goman, Tammy Hurt, Ayano Kimura, Sofia Lutman, Francesco Messina, Kathlyn Monroe, Beatriz  Moreira Leite, Eliza Rhodes, Arron Scott, Amanda Christine Sewell, Sydney Wiggins, Maggie Williamson

LIGHTING DIRECTOR
Elizabeth A. Coco

PRODUCTION ELECTRICIAN
Brian Flory*

PROPERTIES MANAGER
Delante Gary*

ASSISTANT PROPERTIES MANAGEMENT 
Samantha Hadaway*

ASSISTANT WARDROBE SUPERVISOR
Carolynn Hawthorne

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR AND PRODUCTION CARPENTER
Chris Insley*

PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER
Suzi Kilbourne 

WARDROBE SUPERVISOR
Monica Leland

COMPANY MANAGER
Gabe Friend-Jones

ASSISTANT PRODUCTION ELECTRICIAN/PYRO TECHNICIAN
Kristen Roth*

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
Natasha Sánchez

STAGE MANAGER
Rachel Scherer 

HAIR AND WIG MANAGER
Melissa Sibert 

WARDROBE ASSISTANT
Sasha Zabela

PYROTECHNICS SUPERVISOR
Zachary Zimmerman

*Members of I.A.T.S.E. Local 22 

YOUTH PROGRAMS

At TWSB, students are immersed in an environment that nurtures artistic growth and technical excellence. Throughout this season, they also have the unique opportunity to perform in major productions including Moving Forces, The Nutcracker, Giselle, and Cinderella. These experiences are more than just performance opportunities—they are essential milestones in a dancer’s development, offering real-world stage experience alongside professional artists. This level of engagement reflects the high-caliber training provided by our faculty and reinforces our commitment to preparing the next generation of exceptional dancers.

From age 1 and up, students at The Washington School of Ballet train in a nurturing, high-caliber environment that supports their growth—technically, artistically, and personally. With a progressive curriculum, individualized instruction, expanded technique training, expert faculty, and a focus on dancer wellness, TWSB sets the standard for excellence in dance education.

Discover how your dancer can thrive

ADULT OPEN CLASSES

WHY ADULTS LOVE DANCING WITH US:

• Accessible Training: Every body and experience level welcome.
• Flexible Schedule: Drop-in classes offered daily at our NW and SE Campuses.
• A Variety of Offerings: Ballet, contemporary, conditioning, and more.
• Expert Faculty: National and international teaching artists guide every class, including company dancers from The Washington Ballet.
• Beyond the Studio: Invitations to masterclasses, seasonal workshops, and select performance opportunities.
• No Audition Required: Just register for a class and show up.

Your Dance Journey Begins Here

WINTER MASTERCLASSES

Broadway Jazz with Douglas Yeuell
Saturday. December 6 & 13 8 | 11:00AM-12:30PM
High-energy jazz meets Broadway flair. In this two-class session, dancers will develop strength, flexibility, and stage presence while learning expressive and dynamic choreography. All levels welcome—bring your star power. 
REGISTER FOR YOUR SPOT

Partnering Workshop with Alvaro Palau
Fridays, January 9-February 27 | 6:15PM-7:45PM
Designed for advanced dancers, this workshop builds confidence and technique in classical ballet partnering. Perfect for those preparing to audition for the Adult Concert, you'll refine lifts, weight sharing, and timing with expert coaching. Expect a focused, high-level experience that strengthens your artistry and stage readiness. Registration begins on Monday, December 1.

Missing Steps Workshop with Royce Zackery
Sundays, February 1-March 22 | 12:00PM-1:30PM

Strengthen your foundation with this focused workshop for advanced beginner dancers. You'll work through essential steps often skipped in traditional training, using phrases from classical ballets like Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake. Build confidence in linking movements, jumps, and turns across ballet styles, with role-specific guidance for strength, presentation, and pointe-prep. No performance pressure—just the tools you need to grow your technique and move forward with clarity. Registration begins on Monday, January 5.

NEW CLASSES BEGINNING IN JANUARY 2026

• New to Ballet Fundamentals with Marcela Paz Palau
• Beginner I Ballet with Marcela Paz Palau
• Jazz Conditioning with Vanessa Carmichael-Elder
• Mat Pilates with Nardia Boodoo
• Beginner 1 Ballet with Marcela Paz Palau
• New to Ballet Fundamentals with Nikolai Fedorov

All photos by Sonia Bartolomeo for TWB