Program

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EWELL-WEBB DANCE COMPANY PRESENTS

THE NUTCRACKER AND THE MOUSE QUEEN

Story based on E.T.A. HOFFMAN'S The Nutcracker and the Mouse King
Director: Serena Webb
Created and Choreographed by: Karyn Andrasko and Serena Webb
Music by: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Story Adaptation: Karyn Andrasko and Serena Webb
Lighting Designer: Glenn Linder
Sound: Nate Tucker
Stage Manager: Jonah Smith
Backstage Crew: Janson Smith and Trajan Tucker
Videographer: Jake Swoyer
Seamstress: Juliana Beers
Nutcracker Mask Design: Rachel Huggins
Rehearsal Assistant: Kirsten Tucker
Ewell-Webb Dance Company Artistic Directors: Melanie Ewell and Serena Webb
Sets provided by: CenterPoint Legacy Theater, Pioneer Theatre, and Kristin Callor
Thank you to all of our parent chaperones and volunteers!

*Photography and Videography of tonight's performance is strictly prohibited

**Strobe lighting effects will be used briefly during this performance. Patrons that may suffer from epilepsy & other visual light stimulation please be advised.

Director's Note: For my parents, who I love and adore more then anything in this world.

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PROGRAM

Synopsis

Prologue
Long ago there was a beautiful princess named Pirlipat. She was adored by all who surrounded her except for one: the Mighty Queen of the Mice. Not long after Pirlipat was born, her parents had angered the Mouse Queen who vowed to exact her revenge by putting a curse on their child when she came of age. When the day arrived, the Mouse Queen snuck into the palace to find the Princess surrounded by all of her admirers. Her anger rekindled, and she chased Pirlipat around until she cast a spell which turned her head into that of a Nutcracker! Her admirers turned their backs on her because they were so disgusted by her face. Pirlipat begged her parents for help so they turned to Drosselmeyer, the greatest magician in the land. After seeing her face, she knew the only way to break the spell was to find someone to love her as she was.

Drosselmeyer considered her nephew who, possessing a heart of gold, could possibly break the spell. She introduced her nephew to Pirlipat, and the young man took pity on the hideous princess, offering his love in the form of a rose. Delighted, she accepted and was transformed back into the beautiful princess she was born to be. The Mouse Queen was lurking in the corner, watching. Just then Drosselmeyer's nephew accidentally stepped on the Mouse Queen's tail. In a rage, she cast the Nutcracker spell onto the young man instead. Princess Pirlipat's heart was not as golden as the nephew's. She rejected his love and threw the rose at his wooden face.

Drosselmeyer was hurt to see her nephew so unfairly rejected, and cast a spell of her own, turning the young man into a Nutcracker doll. Drosselmeyer did this out of kindness to prolong her nephew's life until she could find someone with a heart just as pure as his. She awaited someone who could love him as he was, and break the spell. Years passed, and the story of the Nutcracker became a cherished tradition, told and retold at holiday parties and celebrations. No one truly believed it, however, except for the woman who kept the fairy tale alive, hoping to one day find the one who could break the spell and set her nephew free…

Act 1

Scene 1: Drosselmeyer's Estate
In the year 1816, seventeen year old Marie and her eighteen year old brother Fritz, lazily await the arrival of guests at their Godmother Drosselmeyer's annual Christmas Eve Party. Having been to so many of these parties over the years, Marie and Fritz have grown tired of the haughty guests. Their Godmother Drosselmeyer and sister Louise are anxiously preparing the festivities.

After the guests finally make their way to the party, Drosselmeyer instructs Fritz to watch over a peculiar gift, a Nutcracker doll. Unimpressed, he tosses it across the room. Marie, disapproving of his actions, scolds him for being so rude, and rushes to its aid. She searches for the doll but cannot find the Nutcracker anywhere. Distressed out of fear of disappointing her Godmother, she searches the room until she abruptly runs into a man who looks strangely similar to the toy, but whom only she can see.

Intermission

Act 2

Scene 1: The Forest
As the Nutcracker enters the forest, he is trapped by the Mouse Queen's children. He is taken to the Mouse Queen herself. She puts him under a magic
spell, changing him into her soldier. Soon after, Marie, who has followed him, is taken by the mice. Drosselmeyer is onto their tracks, and uses magic to find her way to where she is. She spots the Nutcracker, whom she recognizes, but sees is under the Mouse Queen's spell.

Scene 2: Drosselmeyer's Estate
Marie wakes up on the couch in the ballroom. She is alone, left only with a single rose which the Nutcracker has given her. She makes a vow to love the Nutcracker forever. Soon after her proclamation, Drosselmeyer enters the room with a man whom she introduces as her nephew.

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Gemma,
You sparkle so brightly! We love you!
Love,
Mom, Dad, and Juliette

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CAST LIST

Marie Stahlbaum..........Melanie Ewell
The Nutcracker..........Henry Sanchez
Godmother Drosselmeyer..........Whitney Wyatt
The Mouse Queen..........Jenna Gillis (Dec 7 & 9) and Kirsten Tucker (Dec 8 & 10)
Fritz Stahlbaum.........Steven Salabsky
Louise Stahlbaum..........Sophia Rolfs
Pearl Pat..........Amy Bilodeau
Flower Soloist..........Juliana Beers
Party Adults..........Breanne Burby, Chloe Chan, Rick George, Aurora Harrell, and Alliysen Olsen
Party Children...........Paisley Deherrera, Gemma Klc, Bailee Mansanarez, and Azalea Ramirez
Mice..........Tabitha Rilk, Clarity Scott, Hosanna Scott, and Sofya Zavala
Flowers..........Emma Bigelow, Georgia Coles, Mari Gundersen, and Emmaline Wheeler
Butler.........Brian Tucker

CHOREOGRAPHERS

KARYN ANDRASKO

Karyn Andrasko received her BA in Dance Performance from SUU and her MA in Dance Anthropology from Roehampton University in London. She has trained in many different dance genres but claims modern dance as her true love. She loves telling stories through movement by choreographing for modern dance companies and community musical productions. Partnering with Serena to create "The Nutcracker and the Mouse Queen" was a dream come true. 'All my love to Jackson, Sonya, and Jonas!'

SERENA WEBB

Serena Webb began dancing at a young age against her will, and has been dancing ever since. Serena Webb received her BFA Degree in Modern Dance from Utah Valley University. She has danced for many years, specializing in Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, and Jazz Dance. During college, she performed on Utah Valley University's pre-professional Modern Dance company Contemporary Dance Ensemble. Serena has worked with a variety of other professional dancers and choreographers with companies such as Ballet West, Ririe-Woodbury, Repertory Dance Theater, Utah Metropolitan Ballet, and Alivin Ailey. She co-founded Body Logic Dance Company (now Ewell-Webb Dance) in 2009, where she is currently working as Co-Artistic Director, dancer, choreographer, and board member, and Body Logic Dance Academy (now Ewell-Webb Dance School) in 2014.

LIGHTING DESIGNER

GLENN LINDER

Glenn has spent many years lighting theatre, dance, opera, live music, and corporate events around the country. He has no favorite shows, as every show can be fun and challenging. He also likes sunsets, long walks on the beach, and romantic dinners…usually by himself.

CAST

MELANIE EWELL/MARIE STAHLBAUM

Melanie began dancing at a very young age and knew quickly it was a passion she is not willing to live without. She began dancing with Body Logic Dance in 2012. She became Co-Director of Ewell-Webb Dance Company (formerly Body Logic Dance Company) in 2014, the same year she and Serena started Ewell-Webb Dance School (formerly Body Logic Dance Academy). Melanie has been a guest choreographer for various high schools in Utah. She has performed for a few pick-up companies, taught master classes, is a recurring judge for Utah Dance Sterling Scholar, and is Co-Creator of Ewell-Webb Choreography Festival. Dance has always been an integral part of her life. She would like mention a few humans who have played a significant role in her path as a dance artist, Andrew and Barrett, Renee Crouch, Nichol Ortega, Angie Banchero-Kelleher and Mason. Thank you to my mom who always let me put dancing first and to my late baby brother who loved me unconditionally and taught me life is too short not to dream big and live the life you imagine.

HENRY SANCHEZ/THE NUTCRACKER

Henry is from Price, Utah. He performed in his first Nutcracker in 2000, and has been performing in "The Nutcracker" for a variety of different companies throughout Utah, Washington, and Colorado. He is excited to return to the stage after a long break to perform as the Nutcracker.

WHITNEY WYATT/GODMOTHER DROSSELMEYER

Whitney is an outgoing woman from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. After living abroad in Beijing for four years, she ended up in Salt Lake City to pursue her BS in Early Childhood Education. She still enjoys dance and other forms of The Arts, which prompted her role in this year's performance. Whitney is also an advocate for diversity and hopes to encourage it in all forms, including the dance community.

JENNA GILLIS/MOUSE QUEEN (Dec 7 & 9)

Jenna Gillis is a recent graduate from Brigham Young University. She received her Bachelor’s in dance, and performed all four years on the university’s top performing ballet team, BYU Theatre Ballet. She grew up in Littleton, Colorado, and found her passion for dance there. Her favorite roles over the years have included the title role in Cinderella, Clara, and Snow Queen in the Nutcracker, a Willi in Giselle, the Diamond Fairy in Sleeping Beauty, a role in Paul Taylor’s Airs, Arpino’s Reflections, and Balanchine’s Serenade. Jenna is excited to debut as a professional with her role as Mouse Queen in Ewell-Webb’s production of The Nutcracker and the Mouse Queen.

KIRSTEN TUCKER/MOUSE QUEEN (Dec 8 & 10)

Kirsten Tucker started dancing at a very young age, and trained extensively in Ballet with Children's Ballet Theatre and Russian Institute of Ballet. She was accepted into University of Utah's ballet program in 1994, and was a company member on their Character Dance Team. There she worked with a variety of dance professionals on Utah Ballet and Ballet West. She danced in a number of productions such as "The Ice Queen," "Giselle," and was highlighted as a soloist in William Christensen's "Coppelia," one of the last productions he directed before he passed away. Kirsten has been dancing with Ewell-Webb Dance Company for the past year, and is excited to be performing as the The Mouse Queen in this production of "The Nutcracker and the Mouse Queen!"

STEVEN SALABSKY/FRITZ STAHLBAUM

Steven was born in and adopted from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and grew up in Salt Lake City Utah. He studied at the University of Utah, receiving a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in Painting and Drawing, and a minor in Modern Dance in 2015. Throughout his studies, he has participated in classes that have lead him to discover his unique style in dance and art. His work has been displayed at the University of Utah's Fine Arts Department, Queer Art Spectra, and the Urban Arts gallery. In his free time, Steven and his partner enjoy hiking, camping, and hanging out with their Lakeland Terrier.

SOPHIA ROLFS/LOUISE STAHLBAUM

Sophia Rolfs has been dancing since she was five years old, competing since she was eight, and has been teaching dance for two years. She is a junior at the University of Utah pursuing a Bachelor's of Science in Political Science, and plans on going to law school when she graduates next year. She loves performing and sharing her passion for dance with kids.

AMY BILODEAU/PEARL PAT

Amy has been dancing since the age of four, training primarily in the styles of jazz, contemporary, and ballet. Her dance journey began in Las Vegas, where she trained with numerous artists and danced competitively from a young age. In Las Vegas, she had a variety of performance opportunities, before moving to California for college. After graduating from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, she moved to Salt Lake City and continues to pursue her passion for dance.

JULIANA BEERS/ROSE QUEEN

Juliana Beers began dancing at age seven at Spotlight Revue Dance Studio. She first trained in ballet, jazz, and tap, then later added contemporary, lyrical, ballroom, and hip hop as she joined her high school dance company and varsity ballroom team. She attended BYU, earning her Bachelor of Arts in Dance magna cum laude. Since graduation, Juliana has danced with Cache Valley Civic Ballet and Illume Dance Company, performing in classical ballet and contemporary productions. She was also the assistant director for the Antiques Dance Company, where she choreographed, taught, performed, and competed award-winning dances in contemporary, jazz, hip hop, and lyrical. She has also shared her passion for dance by teaching at studios throughout Utah. She is deeply grateful for the support of her husband and two daughters, as well as many other family members and friends as she pursues and expands her love of dance.

BREANNE BURBY/PARTY DANCER

Breanne Burby is a graduate of Dixie State University (DSU), with a Bachelor's Degree in dance. During her time at DSU, she had the opportunity to take different genres of dance including modern, ballet, tap, jazz, and ballroom. She tends to lean more towards contemporary modern aesthetics while choreographing and performing. When choreographing Breanne allows herself to create movement based on the music choice, which then will allow her to create a story. She creates seamless choreography with level changes, floor work, and shaping. This allows her to create strong emotional content. Breanne believes that dance will benefit dancers as long as they are willing to put their time and effort into growing as a dancer, as that is what she had done for herself.

CHLOE CHAN/PARTY DANCER

Chloe grew up doing mostly ballet and jazz. She started her journey with contemporary modern dance when she obtained her BA in Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies from UC Berkeley. Chloe has been involved in various roles within production, such as dancer, choreographer, music director, lightboard operator, stage manager, etc. She enjoys being on both sides of the stage. She has switched career paths to pursue an MBA, but never forgets about her passion for the arts. She appreciates how the arts allow her to express herself beyond verbal language. Chloe adores the power of music, photography, martial arts, and of course, dance.

RICK GEORGE/PARTY DANCER

Rick grew up dancing on the Oregon coast. He graduated from BYU with a BA in Dance. More recently, Rick has danced with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square for several of their Christmas performances. This past summer, He was both Father Christmas and Aslan in Illume Dance Company’s presentation of Narnia.

AURORA HARRELL/PARTY DANCER

Aurora Harrell began dancing at 3 years old, and went on to train at Ballet West and Brigham Young University. She graduated with a BFA in performance and choreography in April 2021. She is 20 years old and loves to see the light dance brings to an audience.

ALLYSEN OLSEN/PARTY DANCER

Allysen Olsen grew up on a farm in the wild west with an untamed love for cows and dancing. The passion, drive, and work ethic she learned on the farm has led her to fall in love with the ferocious physicality of dance. Graduating Sum Cum Laude with her B.S. In dance with NHSDA Honors has allowed her to combine her love of movement and science to unlock the efficiency and power of the body. She loves to share her passion with her students teaching in the dance department as an Adjunct Professor at Salt Lake Community College, Waterford Private Schools dance program, numerous studios, and with an academy for at-risk youth teaching dance as a therapy. Allysen aspires to continue her research of physicality and the empathetical transfer between dance performer-spectator and use her research to help others unlock their potential to embody fully and dance confidently through life.