Digital Program

Mid-Columbia Ballet

Artistic Director

Debra Pearse Rogo

Artistic Assistants

Allie Yates Willow Busselman Torrie Mower Rebecca Rogo Lily Wutzke Baleigh Bierman

Company

Naomie Bracy Curran Campbell Saffron Campbell Michael Cryan Brianna Deray Alyssa Ekstrom Emerie Fergusson Philippe Gonzalez Abigail Johnson Morgan Lowry Anniston Martin Leah Nguyen Salma Oummani Emelia Scherer Sana Schiffern Lily Stout Lucy Williams Addison Wiser

About Mid-Columbia Ballet

The Mid-Columbia Ballet (MCB) is a nonprofit corporation, whose mission is to foster and advance the art of ballet in its various forms in the Mid-Columbia region. MCB is managed by a Board of Directors and the MCB Guild is responsible for managing volunteers and many fundraising activities.

The MCB consists of young dancers committed to the art of ballet. MCB’s repertoire includes classical, neoclassical, and modern works by choreographers from throughout the United States. MCB has been granted performance rights to several Balanchine works by the George Balanchine Trust and was the first pre-professional group to perform a work by Twyla Tharp.

MCB has performed at Chop Shop: Bodies of Work in Seattle, USA/International Ballet Competition, in Austria at the Tanzsommer Austrian Arts Festival and at SPRING TO DANCE in St. Louis, Missouri. MCB has hosted Regional Dance America/Pacific Festivals four times, each time bringing to the Tri-Cities over twenty amateur and professional ballet companies, internationally known dance teachers and lecturers, and university recruiters for the 4-day convention.

MCB has also grown to be a valuable community resource. MCB received the 2020 STAR award from the City of Richland for pivoting The Nutcracker to a free movie, Clara’s Tri-Cities Nutcracker Dream that had 14,000 YouTube views and featured over 30 local businesses and locations. In addition, MCB was selected as a grant recipient for Gesa’s Local Heroes program in 2020 and 2021 in recognition of the positive impact our outreach and educational efforts have had in our community. We are very honored to be recognized this way.

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Welcome Letter

Welcome Welcome to Mid-Columbia Ballet’s (MCB) Spring Performance for 2024. This year our fabulous Artistic Director, Debra Rogo, is presenting GISELLE, Act 2 as well as works that MCB will be performing at The Ballet Alliance’s Festival 2024 in Spokane May 6-9 and two new works showcasing our Junior, Intermediate and Trainee dancers who are very important to the health, growth, and continuation of our organization.

The Ballet Alliance is an association of 19 pre-professional ballet dance companies that has been organized to further enhance the dance education of its members. At the annual four-day Festival, member dancers can take master classes from renowned instructors, participate in dance-related seminars, perform for their peers, and forge new relationships. During the Festival, member dancers are seen by recruiters from world-class ballet schools, professional dance companies, and college & university dance programs. It is common for dancers to be awarded scholarships to summer intensive workshops, early acceptance to higher education dance programs, and receive apprenticeships or professional contracts from Artistic Directors.

While our dancers are very talented, as you will see today, they are supported by their parents whose participation in the MCB Guild provides many behind the scenes activities for each performance as well as visible support with fundraising that enables many forms of dancer outreach in addition to participation in the Festival.

You, our audience, are part of the “Dancer Experience” through your performance attendance and donations directly to MCB or indirectly via the Mid-Columbia Arts Fundraisers. Please see our website at midcolumbiaballet.org for more information.

Many thanks to our Backdrop Sponsors for helping provide new backdrops which we will use for many more years to provide performance opportunities for our dancers and to bring artistic excellence to our Community.

Al Wells

Chair, Board of Directors

Mid-Columbia Ballet

Articulate Deconstruction

Choreography

Ben Rabe

Music

Ludwig Göransson, Sufjan Stevens & Lowell Brams, Nima Fakhrara

Naomie Bracy, Curran Campbell, Saffron Campbell, Michael Cryan, Brianna Deray, Alyssa Ekstrom, Emerie Fergusson, Philippe Gonzalez, Abigail Johnson, Morgan Lowry, Anniston Martin, Leah Nguyen, Salma Oummani, Emelia Scherer, Sana Schiffern, Lily Stout, Lucy Williams, Addison Wiser

Intermediate & Trainee Company Dance

Choreography

Debra Rogo

Music

Adolphe Adam

Armelle Bonneville, Addison Chamberlain, Maria Chmura, Corinna Chu, Emily Croyle, Brianna Dahl, Caetlyn Kovis, Claire McNeil, London Mulholland, Tabitha Orth, Rylie Walters, Sadie Wysock

A brief Paradigm

Choreography

Sana Schiffern

Music

Robert Muczynski

Brianna Deray, Emerie Fergusson, Morgan Lowry, Anniston Martin, Leah Nguyen, Emelia Scherer, Lucy Williams, Addison Wiser

Junior Company Dance

Choreography

Debra Rogo

Music

Adolphe Adam

Natalya Blackburn, Tayla Bleazard, Hazel Blodgett, Cerise Bricker, Vianne Bricker, Eleanor Brown, Gwenyth Cook, Adrienne Cunanan, Lyra Davis, Marcus Davis, Claire Debban, Elizabeth Flynn, Marisol Garcia, Emmaleigh Haugen, Emmett Kirk, Liliana Littleton, Paige Maier, Reilly Murray, Sarah Oh, Bailey Olsen, Claire Phillips, Victoria Render, Hannah Smith, Inara Solomon, Ella Steiner, Allyssandra Tuura, Maya Upadhyay, Isla Williams, Logan Wiser

Shouting at the Merits of Whispering

Choreography

Eva Stone

Music

Philip Glass, Third Coast Percussion

INTERMISSION

Giselle Act II

Music

Adolphe Adam

Choreography

Marius Petipa, Jean Coralli, Jules Perrot

Staging

Debra Rogo

Rehearsal Director

Anna Lantz

Production Staff

Production Manager: Joel Rogo
Stage Manager: Gaye Wutzke
Assistant Stage Manager: Rebecca Rogo
Lighting Design: Scott Thomason
Costume Design: Willow Busselman
Photographer: Charlene Hardy

Cast List

Giselle: Morgan Lowry*, Anniston Martin**
Albrecht: Michael Cryan*, Curran Campbell**
Hilarion: Philippe Gonzalez
Wilfred: Curran Campbell*, Michael Cryan**
Myrtha: Lucy Williams*, Emerie Fergusson**
Moyna: Emelia Scherer
Zulma: Sana Schiffern
Wilis: Naomie Bracy, Saffron Campbell, Brianna Deray, Alyssa Ekstrom, Abigail Johnson, Morgan Lowry**, Anniston Martin*, Leah Nguyen, Salma Oummani, Lily Stout, Addison Wiser, Emerie Fergusson*, Caetlyn Kovis, Brianna Dahl, Lucy Williams**

*Performing Friday 7pm and Saturday 1pm

**Performing Saturday 7pm and Sunday Sensory Friendly Performance

Synopsis and Program Notes

The ballet Giselle was first performed over 150 years ago and is one of the most famous and loved of all ballets. Today Mid-Columbia Ballet will be performing Act 2.

The characters are Hilarion, Myrtha, Moyna and Zulma, the Wilis, Giselle, and Albrecht.

Hilarion is a peasant from Giselle’s village. He loved Giselle and was jealous of Albrecht. In Act 1 he revealed Albrecht’s true identity which breaks Giselle’s heart. The ballet opens with Hilarion visiting Giselle’s grave, and running off into the forest as he senses the presence of Wilis.

Myrtha is the queen of the Wilis. She summons the Wilis, including her two assistants Moyna and Zulma to assist in the initiation of Giselle into the sisterhood of the Wilis.

The Wilis (pronounced will-eez) are the spirits of young women who died of broken hearts after they were betrayed by their boyfriends and fiancés in life. Their spirits rest during the day but seek revenge on men who are in the forest at night and dance them to exhaustion and ultimately to their deaths.

Giselle is the newest Wili. In life she was a peasant girl from a nearby village who died of a broken heart. Act 2 opens on her first night as a Wili. She is not vengeful like the other Wilis and she still feels love and forgiveness for Albrecht and protects him. She dances in Albrecht’s place when he is too exhausted to keep going. Giselle keeps Albrecht alive until the morning when Myrtha and the Wilis lose their power.

Albrecht is a duke who is in love with Giselle. In Act 1 he disguised himself as a peasant so he could be with Giselle, who did not know he was actually a duke. Giselle loved him too and didn’t know he was already engaged to another woman which led to Giselle’s heartbreak and death. Albrecht visits her grave in the forest at night with his squire Wilfrid. Wilfrid gets scared in the forest and leaves Albrecht by himself. Albrecht feels very guilty and sad about her death. The Wilis threaten Albrecht and force him to dance.

Pantomime are gestures dancers make to use words without talking. In Giselle Act 2 pantomime is used for the following words:

Love – One or both hands over the heart
Dance – Hands circle each other above head
Listening – One hand cupped around an ear and leaning body toward the sound
Please/Begging - Hands clasped together in front of the body
Die – Arms outstretched and crossed low in front of the body with hands in fists in a strong motion
Promise – First two fingers held together raised up in the air

MCB Company Dancers

Naomie Bracy

3.7 GPA Hanford HS

Loves to read, ride her bike & babysit. Hopes to be a historian.

Curran Campbell

3.8 GPA Hanford HS

Studied last summer at Houston Ballet. Hopes to be a professional dancer.

Saffron Campbell

3.8 GPA Hanford HS

Loves that MCB connects science and dance. Plans to major in aerospace engineering.

Michael Cryan

3.5 GPA Carmichael Middle School

Appreciates the training received from MCB. Hopes to be a professional ballet dancer.

Brianna Deray

4.0 GPA Hanford HS

Studies violin and loves to crochet. Aspires to be an orthodontist.

Alyssa Ekstrom

3.6 GPA Kennewick HS

Studied last summer at Oklahoma City Ballet. Also studies piano, boxing and weightlifting.

Emerie Fergusson

3.8 GPA Pacific Crest Online Academy

Loves teaching ballet, floral design and jewelry making. Appreciates the responsibility, and discipline, learned from MCB.

Philippe Gonzalez

4.0 GPA Hanford HS

Appreciates the many life lessons received from studying ballet. Interested in a future in law or contemporary dance.

Abby Johnson

3.9 GPA Kamiakin HS

Loves all the outreach programs that MCB provides. Enjoys teaching ballet and doing ceramics.

Morgan Lowry

4.0 GPA Kamiakin HS

Loves to read and is in the Spanish Club at school. Hopes for a 1st career to be in ballet, and 2nd in law or medicine.

Anniston Martin

Is a 4.0 homeschooled student.

Loves to babysit and teach young ballet students. Hopes to pursue cosmetology while continuing to teach ballet.

Leah Nguyen

3.7 GPA Hanford HS

Loves to play chess and the piano. Feels MCB has given her responsibility, self-reliance, and discipline.

Salma Oummani

4.0 GPA Enterprise Middle School

She also plays violin in her school’s orchestra. She appreciates the many performing opportunities MCB provides.

Emelia Scherer

4.0 GPA Richland HS

Appreciates the performing, training, and connections that MCB provides. Hopes to balance pursuing a dance career and a love for interior design.

Sana Schiffern

4.0 GPA Hanford HS

Participates in the Chemistry and Recycling Club 2020 overall winner in Mid-Columbia Symphony Young Artists Competition.

Lily Stout

4.0 GPA Hanford HS

Loves to read and watch Murder Mystery Movies. Appreciates the mentors and roles models of MCB.

Lucy Williams

3.75 GPA Richland HS, Tri-Tech Skills Center

Studying dental assisting at Tri-Tech. Appreciates the many life lessons received from studying ballet.

Addison Wiser

3.9 GPA Kamiakin HS

Loves the outreach programs of MCB. Hopes to become a Dance specified Physical Therapist.

Trainee Company

Sadie Wysock, Caetlyn Kovis, Brianna Dahl, London Mulholland, Maria Chmura

Intermediate Company

Rylie Walters, Corinna Chu, Emily Croyle, Tabitha Orth, Claire McNeil, Cornelia Darling, Addison Chamberlain, Armelle Bonneville

Junior Company

Allyssandra Tuura, Bailey Olsen, Lyra Davis, Claire Debban, Adrienne Cunanan, Claire Phillips, Tayla Bleazard, Liliana Littleton, Reilly Murray, Hazel Blodgett, Isla Williams, Elizabeth Flynn, Ella Steiner, Paige Maier, Vianne Bricker, Gwenyth Cook, Logan Wiser, Emmaleigh Haugen, Marisol Garcia, Hannah Smith, Victoria Render, Cerise Bricker, Marcus Davis, Maya Upadhyay, Inara Solomon, Eleanor Brown, Sarah Oh, Natalya Blackburn, Emmett Kirk

MCB Staff

Baleigh Bierman, Torrie Mower, Willow Busselman, Debra Rogo, Lily Wutzke, Allie Yates, Rebecca Rogo, Susan Presti

Artistic Director

Debra Pearse Rogo

Administrator

Gaye Wutzke

Artistic Assistant & INCLUDE Administrator

Torrie Mower

Artistic Assistant & INCLUDE Director

Rebecca Rogo

Artistic Assistant & Wardrobe Supervisor

Allie Yates

Programs & Outreach Coordinator

Susan Presti

Costumer & Social Media

Willow Busselman

Administrative Consultant

Renée Kollman

Artistic Intern

Baleigh Bierman

Artistic Intern

Lily Wutzke

Debra Pearse Rogo, Artistic Director

Debra grew up in Melbourne, Australia where she trained in the Cecchetti (Italian) Method of Ballet passing all exams, including her teaching certification, with Honors. She also received teaching and performing opportunities with the National Theatre and Ballet Victoria. After finishing her schooling, she performed with the Sydney City Ballet for three years before moving to the United States where she was the Assistant Director and then Artistic Director of Ballet Omaha, a professional company with its own school. In 1987, Debra and her husband, Joel, moved to Washington State to buy a small ballet school; the Tri-Cities Academy of Ballet. After more than 35 years it is now the Tri-Cities Academy of Ballet and Music and includes a Performing Arts Pre-School.

Debra is currently the Chairman of The Ballet Alliance, and has previously served as Chairman of Regional Dance America, on the Honorary Committee for the USA International Ballet Competition and as Executive Director of Regional Dance America’s Craft of Choreography Conference. Debra has been a guest teacher at many US schools and universities, the National Dance Foundation of Bermuda, the 2013 Australian Cecchetti Conference, the 2014 USA International Cecchetti Conference and the 2016 Cecchetti USA Summer School. In recognition of her work in the Tri-Cities, Ms. Rogo received the City of Richland 2014 Contribution to the Arts Award.

MCB Board of Directors

Guild Representatives

Jen Chamberlain, Dawn Cryan

Honorary Board Member

Patricia Barker

Former Artistic Director of Royal New Zealand Ballet

Honorary Board Members in Memorium

Curt Colvin Patty Taylor Wally Weimer

MCB Guild

Guild Officers and Committee Chairs

Chair: Jen Chamberlain
Vice-Chair: Dawn Cryan
Treasurer: Neil Henson
Secretary: Jody Longwell
Apparel: Dawn Cryan & Lisa Wright
Ballet Café: Bouchra Oummani & Anita Petra
Flowers: Lot Deray & Rosie Chu
Mementos: Travers Bracy & Brandie Bracy
Photos/DVDs: Christina Stout
Poinsettias/Hanging Baskets: Kay Nguyen & Becky Phillips
Restaurant Fundraisers: Aimee Kovis
Cooklies & Water: Delphine Appriou & Kris Tuura
Raffle: Jen & Travis Chamberlain, Katie Croyle
Online Store: Travis Chamberlain
Viera's V-Day Treats: Angie Scherer
Front of House: Ashley Lowry & Nicole Wiser
Greenroom: Shevaun Martin
Makeup: Alicia Brown & Enid Flynn
Security: Jody & Ron Longwell
Ushers: Naoko Schiffern & Rosie Chu

The mission of the Guild is to support and promote the Mid-Columbia Ballet in their commitment to providing high quality performing arts to our community. The Guild assumes responsibility for organizing volunteers to support MCB productions such as The Nutcracker. Guild funds help MCB with production costs such as theatre rental, costumes, guest artists, and outreach. Volunteers organize a series of various events throughout the year to raise funds for MCB.

The Guild welcomes any new members who wish to ensure that the Tri-Cities will always have an opportunity to enjoy the cultural experiences of ballet. To learn more about the Guild and how to become a member visit our Guild page.

2023-2024 Season Guild Members

Melany & Ryan Bickford

Tatyana & Tyrone Blackburn

Delphine & Alain Bonneville

Travers & Brandie Bracy

Bradley & Talena Bricker

Ross & Alicia Brown

Pamela & Dale Campbell

Travis & Jen Chamberlain

Robert & Svitlana Chmura

Rosey & Albert Chu

Jason & Andrea Cook

Katie & Tim Croyle

Dawn & Mike Cryan

Brett & Stephanie Dahl

Julie Dai

Rob & Amy Lynne Darling

Amber & Damien Davis

Michelle & David Dearlove

Jeremy & Annie Debban

Arnie & Lot Deray

Brett & Shawna Ekstrom

Michelle & Caleb Engler

Aaron & Kelly Fergusson

Danica & Rick Garcia

Rick Graff

Anita Petra & Horacio Gonzale

Jereme & Shankari Haack

Mark & Kim Hattrup

Jeremy & Cindy Haugen

Neil & Kriste Henson

Daniel & Aimee Kovis

Michael & Miriam Littleton

Ron & Jody Longwell

Ashley Lowry

Chris & Scott Lowry

Jill Lunde

Sean & Kirsten McNeil

Stephanie & Mike Maier

Jason & Shevaun Martin

Harry & Terri Miley

Heather Murray

Kay & Loc Nguyen

Jacob & Dava Olsen

Larry & Jennifer Peterson

Susan Presti

Matt & Maria Render

John & Kerrilynn Robinson

Debra & Joel Rogo

Blake & Angie Scherer

John & Naoko Schiffern

Stacey & Angela Smith

Christina & Ryan Stout

Katherine Torelli

Kristopher & Brianne Tuura

Ethan & Ashley Walters

Aaron & Skye White

Mark & Signe White

Bracan & Rachel Williams

Molly & JJ Williams

Matt & Nicole Wiser

Gaye & Michael Wutzke

Andrea Wysock

Our 2023-24 Season Supporters

The Mid-Columbia Ballet (MCB) is incorporated in Washington State as a non-profit corporation and is exempt from federal taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. For more information on MCB’s finances, including funding spent on programs, do a charity search at https://ccfs.sos.wa.gov.

Join those mentioned below by giving a gift that will help MCB sustain our efforts to provide artistic excellence in our productions and community outreach programs.

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