Dear Friends of CBT, Welcome to CBT’s presentation of The Nutcracker: Once Upon a Time in Greenville. After so many years in the business, I often get asked the question “Are you tired of the Nutcracker?” The answer is definitely not! There are so many aspects of The Nutcracker that fill me with excitement. First, the dancer’s faces when they start to learn their parts is magical. Secondly, I love the beautiful music. I listen to it daily and truly enjoy it. Lastly, each year gives me the chance to improve upon myself. How will I approach the production and what changes I will make provide a challenge that I look forward to every year. This year, that challenge was bigger than ever. Covid-19 put the entire CBT organization in new territory and everything was impacted. When we made the decision to move the production to the DAG Black Box Theatre, The Nutcracker became a brand new ballet. Of the qualities I have as an artistic director, what I credit myself with most is that I have managed to surround myself with very creative and talented people. Anita, my love and my associate artistic director, understands my concept of using ballet as a means of entertainment and also helps me with additional choreography. Our wardrobe team understands that costumes tell a story and every year they manage to go above and beyond. Professional dancers and students understand that dance without passion is unforgivable. We are storytellers, not just body movers. My light and production designer understands my vision and how the space for that vision needs to be presented. And last but not least, those who don’t dance, don’t choreograph, or don’t build costumes or scenery, are essential to making everything happen. Parent coordinators, fundraising efforts, CBT Guild members, CBT Board members and countless volunteers are what make the process flow seamlessly. Please take this production for what it really is, the effort of a group of talented and committed people who love to provide entertainment to others. This is the 20th anniversary of my first Nutcracker production. You may think it sad that I couldn’t have a celebration in a grand theatre, but I have loved every moment of this version and the challenge to recreate the ballet for this environment. I humbly thank you for being here tonight. Please be safe and we hope that soon this pandemic will be just a moment in history. In the meantime, enjoy the ballet! Hernan Justo Artistic Director

The Nutcracker:

Once Upon a Time In Greenville

Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) The libretto is adapted from E.T.A Hoffmann’s story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King Choreography and Story by Hernan Justo based on the original from Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov Additional Choreography by Anita Pacylowski-Justo Artistic Director Hernan Justo Associate Artistic Director Anita Pacylowski-Justo Ballet Répétiteur Erica Sturman Costumes Supervisor and Constructor Mary AllyeB Purtle Wardrobe and Make-up Lisa Larocque Nicole Cheves Director of Production Alex Forest Communication Coordinators Carissa Ivey Jenine Grunenwald Company Photographer Jerry Finley Individual Portrait Photographer Darien Lewanowski of Darien Marie Photography, Special Thanks Chris and Amy Drewer, Special Decoration Production Lisa Larocque, Scenery Assembly Marie Limnios and Redhype Team, Marketing Robert Sturycz, Scenery Production

Artistic Leadership

Hernan Justo was invited to become Artistic Director of Carolina Ballet Theatre by its founder Barbara Selvy in 2000. He

has been involved in all aspects of the company: from teaching classes, coaching, teaching afterschool dance and out-

reach classes to creating original works. His repertoire for the company is from classical to contemporary. Choreographing

full length ballets such as Hunchback of Notre Dame to his Award winning choreography Pulling the Strings which toured

internationally with the company. Hernan has also brought world renowned choreographers such as Alonzo King and

Dwight Rhoden. His training came from the national ballet school of Buenos Aires, Argentina the Instituto Superior de Arte

Teatro Colón. He joined the ballet Estable del Teatro Colón in 1982 and then Ballet del Teatro Argentino de la Plata two

years later. In 1988, his career took him to the Ballet de Santiago, Chile. After three years, Hernan joined the Ballet Clási-

co de Cámara in Caracas, Venezuela, under the direction of Nina Novak, formerly prima ballerina of Les Ballet Russe de

Monte Carlo.

Hernan arrived in the United States as a principal dancer with the Charlotte Ballet in 1994 under the artistic direction of the

late Salvatore Aiello and later, Jean Pierre Bonnefoux, Patricia McBride and Jerri Kumery all artists affiliated with New

York City Ballet. He added to his repertoire several Balanchine masterpieces for which he was critically acclaimed by

Dance Magazine and The New York Times. Hernan and his wife, Anita Pacylowski, co-direct and teach at DanceArts

Greenville. When Hernan is not at the studio you can find him watching soccer either on TV or his son on the field or en-

joying a good movie, book or meal.

Anita Pacylowski is a native of Columbia, MD. Her formal ballet training came from the Washington School of Ballet in

Washington, D.C. She is a Princess Grace Award in Dance, National Young Arts Level 1 winner, and received the Presi-

dential Scholar in the Arts in Dance award by the White House Commission in the Arts at the White House. She also was

a finalist at the New York International Ballet Competition, and semi-finalist at the Prix de Lausanne competition in Lau-

sanne, Switzerland. She’s been nominated for the coveted Benois de la Danse Award, “the Oscars” of the Ballet

world. Her professional career started in The Washington Ballet under the direction of Mary Day. While there, her interna-

tional touring was to Russia, Thailand, Singapore, France, England and Spain. Highlights include performing the Grand

Pas de Deux from The Nutcracker at the Kennedy Center for President Clinton and the First Lady, and performing at the

White House Holiday Tea Party. She then moved to Charlotte Ballet as a principal dancer where she met her husband,

Hernan Justo. After 7 years with that company she joined her husband as artistic leadership of Carolina Ballet Theatre.

After nearly ten years with CBT and now a mother of two children, Anita retired in 2011.

For the last twenty years, Anita is the co-artistic director of DanceArts Greenville. Anita serves on the Board of the Direc-

tors of the Fine Arts Center and co-chairs the Parent Engagement committee. As a Presidential Scholar in Arts alumni,

Anita served on the Presidential Scholar Alumni Association’s steering committee to build a network and platform for PSA

dance alumnus.

When not in the studio, you can find Anita at the Augusta Road Pure Barre, cheering on her son at soccer or watching her

daughter at USC Dance company.

Erica Sturman is a native of Springfield, Illinois, where she began dancing at the age of 3 under direction from Grace Na-

navatti. She then joined the Springfield Ballet Company in 1999 under the direction of Julie Ratz and performed many

leading and soloist roles including Sugar Plum Fairy, Snow Queen and Dew Drop in The Nutcracker, Juliet in Romeo and

Juliet, Odette in Swan Lake and Princess Flourine in The Sleeping Beauty. In 2005, Erica moved to Greenville, SC to start

her professional training and career with Carolina Ballet Theatre under artistic direction from Hernan Justo. She has per-

formed in many leading and soloist roles in both classical and contemporary ballets set by Hernan Justo and resident cho-

reographer Francesca Genovese. These include Sugar Plum Fairy and Clara in The Nutcracker, Carabosse and Aurora in

The Sleeping Beauty, Ambrosia in Francesca Genovese’s The Ribbon, Eva Peron in Hernan Justo’s The Chestnut of your

Eyes erased and the wife of a military soldier in He Never Came Back. Erica also had the extreme privilege of working with

and performing Alonzo King’s “Map” and Dwight Roden’s “Beetlejuice”.

Erica has been a dance instructor for the past 13 years and started teaching for DAG in 2007. After recently moving to

North Carolina to work with Piedmont School of Music and Dance for 2 seasons, she is is beyond thrilled to be teaching

back at DAG! Erica teaches all styles of dance but this season at DAG will be teaching ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and working

with the DAYCO students!! When Erica is not in the studio, she is with her husband, Andrew, and her baby boy, Beckett,

four months old.

Martin Gonzalo Justo Bernardez is from Caracas, Venezuela, and began dancing in 1999. He trained with Quinte Ballet

School in Canada and School of Carolina Ballet Theatre. He has toured throughout Uruguay with CBT and has recently

traveled and performed as a guest in Fujinomia, Japan, dancing pas de deux from Giselle, La Bayadere, and Swan Lake.

Some of his signature roles are the charming young Nutcracker Prince in Hernan Justo’s The Nutcracker, the Mad Scien-

tist in Madeline Jazz’s Superheroes, and the male soloist in A Tango for Angelina. Martin performed works by renowned

contemporary choreographers such as Dwight Rhoden’s Beatle Juice, and Alonzo King’s Map. Martin most recently was

with Boulder Ballet for 2 years.

Meghan Loman born in Springfield, Illinois and currently in her eighth year with Carolina Ballet Theater under director

Hernan Justo. She began her training with Grace Luttrell Nanavati at Dance Arts Studio in Springfield and began perform-

ing with the Springfield Ballet Company in 1999. She auditioned for the first year of their Trainee program at age 10 and

later was accepted into the Company as a member performing soloist and then principal for over 10 years. In 2001, Me-

ghan placed in the top ten of the Youth American Grand Prix Chicago semi-finals, went on to compete in the New York

City finals and performed in the Grand Gala. Meghan has been privileged to work with some amazing choreographers

such as Dwight Rhoden, Adam Sage, Robert Philander Valentine, Marcus Herman Payne, Julie Tice, Krenley Guzman,

and of course Hernan Justo. She has been honored to dance alongside Herman Cornejo, Erica Cornejo, Jeanette Delga-

do, and Daniel Ulbrich.

CBT Artists

Josiah Savage brings a vibrant energy and technique to the stage. His training includes New Haven Ballet, Chautau-

qua, and Boston Ballet and most recently at Hamburg Ballet in

Germany. Josiah was the Principal Dancer at The Georgia Ballet for the past 3 years and has guested throughout the

world. His Repertoire includes for Classical: Ramonda Pas de Deux (Patricia McBride), Paquita Pas de Trios, Le Cor-

sair Pas de Deux, Bluebird Pas de Deux, La Vivandière Pas de Six, Nutcracker (Cavalier, Soldier Doll, Russian, Rat

King, Party Parent, Snow King), Sérénade (Balanchine), Peter Pan (Shadow, Pirate), Coppelia (Franz), La Fille Mal

Gardée (Colas), Sleeping Beauty (Prince Désire), Bizet (Kevin Haigen) and for Contemporary: Piso Sto Miden (David

Ingram), Sit In Stand Out, Moody Booty Blues, The Groove (Dwight Rhoden), Kinetic Energy, Tree Hugger (Sasha

James), Black History, Water Music, Go West (Mark Diamond), Romeo & Juliet Project. Josiah is an accomplished

choreographer with over 8 produced pieces.

Mary Kate Reynolds grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, where she started ballet at the Greenville Ballet School at

age two. At age 14, she joined the school of Carolina Ballet Theatre under the direction of Hernan Justo and Anita

Pacylowski. In 2007, Mary Kate became an apprentice to the company of Carolina Ballet Theatre where she experi-

enced highlights, including a week spent with Alonzo King, rehearsing and performing his pas de deux from MAP; and

the opportunity to replace a principal dancer on an international tour to South America. In 2009, Mary Kate joined First

State Ballet Theatre, in Wilmington, DE. She spent 8 seasons there under the direction of Pasha Kambalov, who was

instrumental in her growth thanks to his knowledge and coaching of the Vaganova method. In 2012, she debuted as

Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty and appeared in a range of principal roles, including Swan Lake (Odette/Odile), Cinder-

ella (title role), The Nutcracker (Marie, Sugar Plum Fairy, Dew Drop) A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Titania), and Juliet

in Viktor Plotnikov’s Romeo and Juliet. Mary Kate is currently living in New York where she is a freelance dancer.

Olivia Mozie, resident of Greenville, SC, began dancing at the age of four at School of Carolina Ballet Theater under

the direction of Hernan Justo and Anita Pacylowski-Justo. She continued her training at English Theatre Arts, under

Barbara English, Fine Arts Center, and in 2020, graduated from The South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and

Humanities, where she studied under Josee Garant, Miriam Mesa-Pelly, Tracy Vogt, Thomas Shoemaker, and Irina

Ushakova. She has placed top 12 in Contemporary and Classical Variations at Youth America Grand Prix. She was

awarded full-tuition scholarships to attend summer intensives with Alvin Ailey, Ballet West, and Kansas City Ballet.

Olivia now attends Boston Conservatory at Berklee, as a merit scholar, to pursue a B.F.A. in Contemporary Dance Per-

formance.

Guest Artists

The Cast—Act I

Herr Drosselmeyer (Clara’s Uncle): Martin Justo Clara at 9 years old: Eve Grunenwald*, Mira Anne Shirley^ Fritz (Clara’s Brother): Miguel Reyes Mrs. Stahlbaum (Clara’s Mother): Paola Valiente Mr. Stahlbaum (Clara’s Father): Benjie Westafer Maids: Sarah Catherine Sullivan, Millie Thompson Admiral and Mrs. Nathanael Greene: Andy Yee and Julia Jackson Doctor and Mrs. James Hayne: Aden Connor and Ava Singh Star: Sullivan Ivey*, Clara Lanning^ Clara’s Friends: Eve Buckingham, Caroline Thomasson, Anna Walls, Hadley Wingate Party Girls: Christyiana Boyd*, KaylaNora Edwards^, Laney Stevens^, Molly Weiss* Party Boys: Andrew Larocque, Luke Sawyer Lullaby Girls: Caroline Binder^, Gretchen Cleveland*, Kassidi Collins^, Ellie George^, Ella Heegard*, Finley Montgomery*, Libby Brown Segrest*, Isabella Wohlers^ Arabian Toy: Jocelyn Grunenwald Candy Toy: Caroline Searcy Chinese Toy: Madden Morris Spanish Toy: Ta’eelah Chinnery Little Ballerina Doll: Serene Carmack^, Madeline Vande Velde* Military Dolls: Meghan Loman and Josiah Savage Angels: Madelyn Baltz*, Ella Brashier^, Nora Brown*, Tallulah Crabtree*, Harper Crow^, Adilyn Dreckman^, Claire Foster*, Kolby Job^, Addison Moore, Claire Moore*, Mikayla Morrison^, Rorie Oates^, Reagan Rigdon^, Lillian Rogers*, Julie Smith*

Birds: Karis Kinsey*, Cece Mercurio^, Martha Reinhardt^, Madeline Weaver* Mouse Queen: Ella Stevens The Nutcracker: Josiah Savage Battle Mice: Presley Crow^, Ella Gamble*, Molly Goldy^, Serendy Harper*, Campbell Howard*, Andrew Larocque, Ivanna Maldonado^, Vivian Mercurio^, Luke Sawyer, Carson Segrest*, Lauren Tuten*, Ava Weaver^, Maddie Weaver^, May Winn* Soldier Captain Lead: Miller Morris Soldiers: Gianna Andrews*, McClain Bragdon*, Keira Collins^, Harper Davis^, Karyston Graye Davis^, Evelyn Frisch*, Claire George^, Kate George^, Theory Gray*, Brett McGee*, Maddix Smith^, Olivia Stephens* Clara at 16: Mae Eubank^, Lucina Frank* Nutcracker Prince: Josiah Savage Wind: Maggie Aiesi, Piper Dunn, Ella Emery, Ava Grace Hart, Abby Hensley*, Jenna Larocque, Marissa Larocque^, Cate Wells Snow Queen: Kaela Redman*, Olivia Mozie^ Snow Princesses: Kathryn Green (Dec 5&13), Ella Ivester (Dec 5&13), Jonimarie Purtle (Dec 6&12), Ashton Rivera (Dec 6&12), Erin Rutherford (Dec 4&11), Alina Shaner (Dec 4&11) Snow Corps: Annaliese Arvay, Bailey Brewer, Katie Donlin, Mae Eubank*, Olivia Fogle, Lucina Frank^, Kathryn Green, Ella Ivester, Julia Jackson, Olivia Mozie*, Jonimarie Purtle, Kaela Redman^, Ashton Rivera, Erin Rutherford, Alina Shaner, Ava Singh Spanish Soloist: Allison Phelps^, Avery Phelps* Spanish Demi-soloists: Abby Hensley^, Marissa Larocque*, Allison Phelps*, Avery Phelps^ Arabian Lead: Bailey Brewer

The Cast—Act II

Arabian Maidens: Katie Donlin, Olivia Fogle Chinese Soloists: Elizabeth Roth*, Ella Stevens*, Sarah Catherine Sullivan^, Millie Thompson^ Chinese Umbrellas: Weathers Cheves^, Salie Hutchison*, Catherine King*, Amelia Thompson^, Mallie Tomlinson^, Ro-wan Wilson* Candy Soloist: Olivia Mozie Candy Corps: Eve Grunenwald^, Sullivan Ivey^, Clara Lanning*, Mira Anne Shirley*, Cate Wells Nutcracker Cadet: Josiah Savage Débutantes at the Ball: Abby Hensley*, Marissa Larocque^, Isabella Ludkowski, Natalie Oyer, Allison Phelps*, Avery Phelps^, Elizabeth Roth^, Ella Stevens^, Sarah Catherine Sullivan*, Millie Thompson* Bridesmaids: Kathryn Green^, Ella Ivester^, Meghan Loman*, Jonimarie Purtle*, Kaela Redman*, Mary Kate Reynolds^, Ashton Rivera*, Alina Shaner^ Clara, the Bride: Meghan Loman^, Mary Kate Reynolds* Clara's Groom: Josiah Savage * denotes Red Cast ^ denotes Green Cast

Carolina Ballet’s theatre’s

10th Annual

Kenneth Valko

Volunteer of the Year Award

We recognize the spirit of volunteers by honoring the amazing man for who this award is

named. Kenneth Valko, dance dad of Caitlin Valko, was a community champion and tireless

volunteer. Ken was a constant side stage volunteer throughout the 15 years of Caitlin’s ballet

training. He handcrafted many of the sets still used today by Carolina Ballet Theatre. We honor his

legacy of volunteerism each year with the presentation of this award on opening night of The

Nutcracker, Once Upon a Time in Greenville. The support of volunteers is a vital function of Carolina

Ballet Theatre and we appreciate the long-term, intensive and extraordinary work of this year’s

recipient.

We are pleased to present Jenine Grunenwald with the 2020 Kenneth Valko Volunteer of the

Year Award. Jenine Grunenwald has volunteered countless hours as a backstage helper, as a

parent volunteer liaison and in her new role as CBT Guild President. Her energy and commitment to

Carolina Ballet Theatre has been instrumental to the organizations’ sustainability during this

challenging time. She is often the smiling face behind the mask as dancers arrive for rehearsal but

that is only a small portion of her contribution to CBT. Two of her four children, Jocelyn and Eve, are

vital cast members this year as they are the Arabian Toy and Clara respectively. Jenine’s dedication

to CBT is an invaluable gift to the community. Thank you, Jenine, for all you do to support

Carolina Ballet Theatre!

Carolina Ballet Theatre’s

2020-2021 Season Sponsors and Grantors

Benefactor

The Larocque Family

Principal

The Ballet Santa

South Carolina Arts Commission

Apprentice

Nicole and William Cheves

Dana Lanning

The Corps

Pat and Jennifer Britt

Dreckman Family Chiropractic

The Grunenwald Family

The Hughes Agency

Pinnacle Financial Partners

Friends

Amy Emery Interior Design

The Bruce Family

Bunnell-Lammons Engineering, Inc.

The Fox Family

Jennifer Goldy

Mr. and Mrs. Christopher D. King

Barbe Brown Morris

Dr. Julie Park and Dr. Michael Ludkowski

Thomas, Fisher, Sinclair and Edwards Law Firm

Cindy and Tim Wilson

In-Kind Donations

After School Plus

The Brashier Family

DanceArts Greenville

Redhype

Rick Erwin Dining Group

The Sock Basket

2020 –2021 Carolina Ballet Theatre Board of Directors

Patrick Britt, President

Bill Durrell, Treasurer

Amy Emery, Secretary

Nicole Cheves

Pam Di’Tomaso

Augusta Fox

Lisa Larocque

Barbe Brown Morris

Tracy Scott

2020-2021 CBT Guild Members

Mrs. Jenine Grunenwald, President

Mrs. Laura Baltz

Mrs. Ashley Belcher

Mrs. Melissa Brashier

Mrs. Katie Buckingham

Mrs. Nicole Cheves

Mrs. Diana Crow

Mrs. Ann Eubank

Mrs. Rachel Foster

Mrs. Donna Frank

Mrs. Susan Frisch

Mrs. Emily George

Mrs. Jenn Goldy

Mrs. Elizabeth Hart

Mrs. Jenny Heegard

Mrs. Stephanie Howard

Mrs. Jen Hutchison

Mrs. Joy Ivester

Mrs. Carissa Ivey

Mrs. Sarah Job

Mrs. Silvia King

Mrs. Dana Lanning

Mrs. Lisa Larocque

Mrs. Cindy McGarrah-Wilson

Mrs. Sydney Mercurio

Mrs. Geraldine Oyer

Ms. Mary AllyeB Purtle

Mrs. Kristen Rogers

Mrs. Dale Roth

Mrs. Lee Segrest

Mrs. Sangita Shirley

Mrs. Kristen Smith

Mrs. Mimi Stevens

Mrs. Millie Thomasson

Mrs. Heather Tomlinson

Mrs. Laura Weiss

Mrs. Rebecca Wells

Mrs. Erica Wingate

Mrs. Becca Winn

Mrs. Racquel Wohlers

Mr. Andy Yee