Greenville BalletAndrew and Merry Kuharsky, Directors

in Tchaikovsky's

The Nut crackerSaturday, December 19, 2015, 3:00 p.m.

McAlister Auditorium, Furman University

A classic ballet in two acts, based on the E. T. A. Hoffman tale, "The Nutcracker and The Mouse King" (1816)

Music. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Peter Illich Tchaikovsky (1892)Staging and Choreography. . . . . . . . . . . . . Andrew Kuharsky (1991, 2015)Additional Choreography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Merry Kuharsky, Carol Tang,

Jose Gonzalez

Inspired by the choreography of George Balanchine and the staging of Dance Augusta

Lighting Design and Stage Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Danielle HernandezBalloon Design and execution . . Ryan Bradburn, Productions UnlimitedSome Costumes . . . . . . .originally designed for Pittsburgh Ballet TheatreAdditional Costumes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sherry Drake, Carol PhillipsWardrobe Mistress. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sherry DrakeVolunteer Leaders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Amy Grimes, Dana Jutton,

Deana Nelson, Kristi Williamson

For the Greenville Ballet School and Co., Inc.Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Merry Kuharsky, Andrew KuharskyOffice Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Emily YanceyFaculty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rebecca Lee, April Schaeffer,

Michelle Malone, Cammy Aller

The taking of photographs or video or audiorecordings is strictly prohibited.

The NutcrackerThe place is Nürnberg and the time is Christmas. Dr. and Frau Silberhaus are

giving a party for Clara and Fritz, their children. Clara's Godfather, the myste-rious Herr Drosselmeyer brings her a most in triguing gift: a Nut cracker. Clara is thrilled, but her brother is jealous. Fritz stomps on the Nutcracker and Clara bursts into tears. Tenderly, Clara picks up the Nutcracker and sits him on a toy bed under the Christmas tree. Fritz and Clara are sent off to bed, the guests leave, and then Clara sneaks back down stairs.

She is scared by the army of giant mice that creeps into the room. Then every-thing changes to a gigantic size and the Nutcracker and the toy sol diers do battle with the mice. Suddenly, the multi-headed Mouse King appears. Clara hits him with her shoe, making the Nut cracker and his soldiers the victors.

The Mice scamper away and Clara finds herself in the Snow Forest. Then, by the magic of love, the square-jawed Nutcracker becomes a most handsome young prince. As the Snowflakes dance, Clara and her Prince head toward fur ther ad-venture in the Kingdom of the Sweets.

They arrive at the palace of the Sugar Plum Fairy. The Fairy greets Clara and the Prince. She leads them to a throne of honor, and while they feast on cakes, candies, and other delicacies, the Kingdom of the Sweets begins an unforgettable spectacle of music and dancing.

Each dance that Clara and the Prince see represents something de licious to eat or drink: there is Hot Chocolate, a fiery Spanish dance; the fanciful Chinese Tea; Coffee, danced by exotic Arabian Princesses; the Marzipan Shepherdess and her sheep; a spir ited Russian Trepak dance; Madame Bonbonniere and the colorful Bon-bons and Clowns; Candy Flowers dancing a glo rious waltz led by the ex quis-ite Dewdrop Fairy; and, to end her festivities, the Sugar Plum Fairy dances with a handsome young Cava lier from her court.

As the music soars to a brilliant close, the Sweets join in the final waltz and Clara and the Prince prepare for their journey home.

Contributors to Greenville Ballet, Inc.The Artistic staff wishes to thank our generous contributors. Your tax-deductible

contributions to the Greenville Ballet, Inc., a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation, will enable us to continue our edu ca tional outreach programs.

Please contact us at (864) 234-5677.

Wayne and Lourdes Cox, Jared and Amy Grimes, Anonymous

Susan and Gene Langan, Jack and Ava Masters, Trey and Natalie Sherman

Hensons' Inc. Mulch & More, Marian and Albert Blackwell, Anne Cook, Emmy and Bill Holt, Rev. Sergius and Faith Kuharsky, Lichatowich Family,

Terri and Brian McMorrow, Theresa McMorrow, Libby and Rhett Myers, Dr. and Mrs. Randy Petersen and Olivette

Anonymous

Act IIKingdom of the Sweets

The Angels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Abigail Adams, Sanai Adams, Lily Estepp, Jenna Frichtl, Leila Gregg, Alea Guy, Janna Hewitt, Mackenzie Jones,

Marissa McCord, Erin O’Connor, Jenna Rowley, Anna WellsThe Sugar-Plum Fairy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Carol Tang*Her Cavalier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jose Gonzalez*Spanish Hot Chocolate . . .Charis VanDonkelaar and Will Blackwell with

Sunny Ennis and Breanne NelsonChinese Tea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Grace Grimes with

Mia Romano, Elizabeth VanDonkelaar andEmily Broderick, Isabella Chart, Natalie Derosa, Laura Guerin

Arabian Coffee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mira Carroll, Marina CoxLittle Bo-Peep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kyra Briones

Her Sheep. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Megan Avila, Linnea Guy,Morgan Thompson, Lena Yancey

Russian Trepak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maria Jutton, Will Blackwell withEmily Broderick, Paige Bussom, Olivia Conway, Aili Flodder,

Caroline Grimes, Julie Jarrett, Emma Sox, Jenissa VanDonkelaar, Callie Williamson, Anna-Vrai Yenovkian

Mother Ginger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Amy BlackwellThe Clowns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Avery Aller, Grace Betit, Riley Bussom,

Allyson Dugle, Ella Lichatowich, Isabella RossThe Bon-Bons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Avery Arends, Judy Benner,

Olivia Chart, Beebe Griner, Bemina Kemp, Laura Petros,Jordan Ann Shannon, Cana Yenovkian

Waltz of the FlowersThe Dewdrop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rebecca T. LeeThe Candy Flowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Zoe Blackwell, Sophie Broome,

Leila Carroll, Hannah Fortune, Callie Hoppenhauer,Ann Lyons, Mary Michael Middleton, Kelsey Pranke,

Mia Romano, Vanessa Velissaris,Defiance Alexandria Yenovkian, Mamie Grace Yenovkian

* appears courtesy of Ballet San Antonio** appears courtesy of S. C. Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities

Act IScene One

The Silberhaus HomeClara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Olivia ShermanFritz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Morgan ThompsonTheir parents: Frau Silberhaus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rebecca T. Lee Dr. Silberhaus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christopher BlackwellThe Maids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sophie Broome, Kelsey PrankeThe Guests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kyra Briones, Chris Briones,

Mira Carroll, John Carroll, Grace Grimes,Jared Grimes, Maria Jutton, Steve Jutton

Party Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chase Aller, Megan Avila,Elizabeth Dripps, Alea Guy, Linnea Guy, Eliza Jane Spilker,

Lena Yancey, Juris Yenovkian, Melanie Bo YenovkianGrandchildren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Morgan Broderick, Kit MooreGrandmother . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Amy BlackwellHerr Drosselmeyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andrew KuharskyHerr Drosselmeyer's Nephew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Zachary LyonsThe Dolls: Columbine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Callie Hoppenhauer Harlequin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .John Paul Lyons Soldier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Will Blackwell

Scene Two - The BattleThe Nutcracker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Will BlackwellThe Sergeant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Silas VanDonkelaarSoldiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lucy Benner, Scotland Burnette,

Marcela Bustos, Anna Carlton, Sarah Dripps, Phoebe Johnson,Mia Kuharsky, Camryn McNeely, Cora Moore, Cyrus Moore,

Sophia Norris, Palmer Odom, Jack Rowley, Pearl Anne SummerlinMice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ann Bernadette Lyons, Vanessa Velissaris,

Defiance Alexandria Yenovkian, Mamie Grace YenovkianMouse King . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Paul Lyons

Scene Three - The Snow ForestThe Prince . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Zachary LyonsThe Snowflakes . . . . . . . . . . . . Rebecca T. Lee, Charis VanDonkelaar with

Kyra Briones, Mira Carroll, Marina Cox, Sunny Ennis, Hannah Fortune, Grace Grimes, Callie Hoppenhauer,

Maria Jutton, Mary Michael Middleton, Kiersten Rist**, Mia Romano, Elizabeth VanDonkelaar

2014, 2015 Lead Russian

2013, 2014, 2015 Snow

2010 Clara

2015 Party Mom

2013 Chinese

2011, 2012 Mouse

2009 Bon Bon

2011 Russian

2012, 2013, 2014 Waltz

Dear Andrew and Merry,

Thank you for making the last seven Christmas

seasons extra special!

The Juttons

Kelsey Pranke is the daughter of Gina and Keith Pranke of Greenville. She is in 7th grade at Greenville Middle Academy where she is a violin soloist, and was awarded a Presidential Gold Medal for her com-

munity service. She also was a 1st place winner in the state PTA "Reflecn-tions" competition.

Mia Romano is the daughter of Ron and Melissa Roma-no of Greenville. She is a sophomore at Eastside High where she runs cross country and is in the National Beta Club. She enjoys horseback riding

and plays the piano.

Charis VanDonkelaar is the daugh-ter of Dale and Cathy VanDonke-laar of Pelzer. She is a home-schooled sophomore. She received a scholar-ship and attended the Summer Dance Institute at USC in

Columbia last summer.

Elizabeth VanDonkelaar is the d a u g h -ter of Dale and C a t h y VanDon-kelaar of P e l z e r . She is a

home-schooled freshman. She enjoys volleyball and gardening, and has had a dance master class with Brian McGinnis.

Ann Lyons is the daughter of Gerald and Claire Lyons of Piedmont. She is a freshman home schooler, National Honors Society mem-ber, and enjoys crafts as well as dance.

John Paul Lyons is the son of Ger-ald and Claire Ly-ons. He is a home-schooled junior, National Honor Society member, and enjoys pia-no, sailing, and w a k e b o a r d i n g .

Mary Michael Middleton is the

daughter of Michael and Mel Middle-ton of Greenville. She is a freshman at Greenville High where she is in the Junior Beta Club and Photography Club. She is a grad-

uate of the advanced dance program at League Academy.

Breanne Nelson is the daughter of Deana and Steve Nelson of Greer. She is a home schooled freshman who is on the A honor roll and enjoys photography. She has had a dance master class with Brian McGinnis.

Hannah Fortune is the daughter of Jess and Amy For-tune of Greenville. She is a sophomore at Mauldin High School and attends the Fine Arts Center where she has had master classes with Brian McGinnis and

Nathan Makolandra.

Grace Grimes is the daughter of Jared and Amy Grimes of Simpsonville. She is a sophomore at Greenville Classi-cal Academy where she is in the choir. She is a member of the Greenville Jazz competition team

and has had master classes with Judy Rice, Tyce Diorio, and Talia Favia.

Callie Hoppenhauer is the daughter of Michael and De-nise Hoppenhaur of Greer. She is a junior at Eastside High School where she is a yearbook photog-rapher. She has at-tended the Summer Dance Institute at

USC in Columbia.

Maria Jutton is the daughter of Steve and Dana Jutton of Simpsonville, She is a home-schooled se-nior and also takes courses at Green-ville Tech. She was invited to attend Palmetto Girls State, and attended the

National Training Camp at the Olym-pic Training Center for rhythmic gym-nastics.

Vanessa Velissaris is the daughter of George and Christie-na Velissaris of Simp-sonville. She is an 8th grader at Beck Acad-emy where she is in the Junior Beta Club and Drama Club, and enjoys drawing.

Defiance Yenovkian is the daughter of Don and Melanie Yenovkian of Trav-elers Rest. She is a freshman and part of the Upstate Homest-chool Co-op where she is feature editor for the newspaper. She trained at Day-

ton Ballet and Richmond Ballet before moving to Greenville.

Mamie Yenovkian is the daughter of Melanie and Don Yenovkian of Trav-elers Rest. She is a freshman and part of the Upstate Homest-chool Co-op where she is line editor for the newspaper. She trained at Dayton

Ballet and Richmond Ballet before mov-ing to Greenville.

Leila Carroll is the daughter of Sav-ita Nair and John Carroll of Travelers Rest. She is a freshr-man at Wade Hamp-ton High School and attends the Fine Arts Center. She is a member of the Greenville Jazz com-

petition team and has attended the Mark Morris Dance Group summer program in Brooklyn, NY.

Mira Carroll is the daughter of John Carroll and Savita Nair of Travelers Rest. She is a senior at Southside High School, president of National Honor So-ciety, and in Youth in Government and the Carolina Youth

Symphony. She has had master class.-es with MOMIX, and summer class-es at Saratoga's National Museum of Dance, and Steps on Broadway.

Marina Cox is the daughter of Wayne and Lourdes Cox of Greenville. She is a senior at J. L. Mann High School where she is president of the Spanish Club and in the National Honor Society. She has had a dance

master class with Brian McGinnis.

Sunny Ennis is the daughter of Na-oko and John Ennis of Easley. She is an 8th grader at Gettys Middle School where she is in the National Junior Honor Soci-ety and chorus. She plays piano and has had a dance master

class with Brian McGinnis.

Andrew Kuharsky is a graduate of Canada’s National Ballet School. He was an apprentice with the Joffrey Ballet in New York, a principal dancer with The Atlanta Ballet, and a soloist with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens in Montreal. He taught in or chaired the dance program of the S. C. Governor’s School for the Arts from 1984-1999, and directed the high school dance program at the School District of Greenville County’s Fine Arts Center from 1984-2002. He has taught at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, and choreographs regularly for many regional companies. In 1984 he won a S.C. Arts Commission fellowship.

Merry Kuharsky was a principal dancer with The Atlanta Ballet and the Augusta Ballet. With The Atlanta Ballet she danced leading roles across the United States including Alaska. She trained at the Augusta Ballet, and studied at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York. She has taught at the Augusta Ballet School, the Atlanta School of Ballet, and the New Jersey School of Ballet. She served as Ballet Mistress for The Atlanta Ballet, and has staged works for The Atlanta Ballet, Augusta Ballet, and Gainesville Ballet.

Carol Tang started her training at Cincinnati Ballet. She placed in the top 12 at the Youth American Grand Prix regional semi-finals in Chicago, Illinois, she was invited to the finals in New York City. She has also studied at Shanghai Ballet (China). She has a BFA in ballet performance from The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and has performed with The Island Moving Company based in Newport, RI, and Ballet San Antonio in Texas.

Jose Gonzalez was born in Cali, Colombia, where he danced with Ballet de Cali. In 2002, he joined ballet Contemporaneo de Caracas, where he danced ,many principal roles. He has also danced with the Tulsa Ballet, the Colombian Classical Ballet Company, State Street Ballet, Neos Dance Theatre, The Island Moving Company in Newport, RI, and Charleston Ballet Theatre. He now dances with Ballet San Antonio in Texas.

Rebecca T. Lee is a native of Greenville, where she received her dance training with the Greenville Ballet, the Greenville County Schools’ Fine Arts Center, and the S.C. Governor’s School for the Arts. She received her B.F.A. from Columbia College and her M.F.A. from Florida State University. She has been a company member with Dance Repertory Theatre in Tallahassee, FL, and a guest artist with Wildwood Ballet and the Power Company in Columbia, SC. She has taught for FSU, Tallahassee Ballet, and Ballet Spartanburg. She currently teaches at Woodmont Middle School and for the after-school A.R.M.E.S. program

at the Greenville County Schools’ Fine Arts Center.

Will Blackwell is a junior at South Carolina Virtu-al Charter School. He swims for the Greenville High School swim team and this year made the All-Region team. He has spent his summers at Duke

TIP programs and studying German at the Goethe Institut in Germany.

Zoe Blackwell is the daughter of Amy and Chris Blackwell (both also in our production). She is a freshman at Wade Hampton High School and attends the Fine Arts Center where she has had master classes with

Brian McGinnis and Nathan Mako-landra.

Kyra Briones is the daughter of Chris and Jocelyn Briones of Greenville. She is a senior at South-side High School. She enjoys watching YouTube and listenu-ing to music and will be going off to college next year.

Sophie Broome is the daughter of Lori Broome of Tay-lors. She is a fresh-man at Greer Mid-dle College Charter High School where she is in the Junior Beta Club and Pho-tography Club. She enjoys photography

and drawing.

2015-2016 Company Greenville Ballet

Head Shots courtesy of Kristy Williamson

Gina PrankeBusiness Development Manager

Express Employment Professionalswww.expresspros.com

(864) 509-0133

DOSHER PHYSICAL THERAPY

ASSOCIATES

SUPPORTS THE

GREENVILLE BALLET

Proudly Serving You in the Following Locations:

Easley and Powdersville, SC

• Clayton, GA • Franklin, NC

• Hamel Rehabilitation and Spine Clinic of Anderson, SC

• Cannon Memorial Hospital in Pickens, SC

• Warren Physical Therapy of Irmo, SC

227 S. Pendleton St, Suite B Easley, SC 29640

864-855-7030

Please visit us at dosherphysicaltherapy.com

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

COR3 Design, LLC550 S. Main Street, Suite 320Greenville, SC 29601P: 864.451.5288

www.cor3design.com

Mixed-Use Development

Building Design

Retail Development

Master Planning

Industrial

Historic Preservation

Commercial Office

Interior Design

Tenant Upfit

Since 2011