A Special Thanks ToDianne Loveland—Artistic DirectorDianne brings over 35 years experience as a dancer, choreographer, and teacher. Dianne has been the director of Ballet Arts for 14 years. During that time she has choreographed excerpts from Aladdin, Alice in Wonderland, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Copellia, and Snow White. Dianne has also choreographed several of her own works including; Mood, Danse Macabre, and La Hispanola. Dianne received her training in part under Pamela Barainca formerly of the Royal Ballet. Dianne was accepted to the professional corps of the American Festival Ballet. Dianne’s love for the art of ballet has allowed her to teach thousands of students from Provo, Idaho Falls, and Rexburg. Dianne resides in Rexburg with her husband Blake and their five children.

Melanie Radford—Artistic DirectorMelanie, an accomplished designer and pattern maker, has created classical ballet costumes for 14 years. Her designs have been used by the mid-Columbia ballet, Ballet Arts, and several Jr. Miss pageants. Melanie was the first woman from Idaho to be invited and awarded a merit scholarship to Sun Valley’s prestigious ballet workshop. Melanie worked under the direction of Edward Vilella and Jacque d’Amboise formerly of the New York City Ballet. Melanie has enjoyed over 30 years experience as a dancer, choreographer, and teacher. She loves the joy and peace that comes from the ballet classroom and her ballerinas. Melanie lives in Idaho Falls with her husband John and their daughter.

Bob Butler—Technical DirectorBob, a native of California, moved to Rexburg in 2008. Bob has been a professional videographer and director for the last 27 years. In co-operation with the Bakersfield Symphony and Civic Dance he produced The Nutcracker Ballet in Bakersfield California for 25 years. Bob has been active in theater since 1964 and been technical director for such shows as Music Man, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, Oliver, and Fiddler on the Roof while in California. His video productions have received national acclaim and have been broadcast on a number of Television Networks. He is a Forensic videographer and is a recognized video expert witness in criminal matters. He and his wife Linda moved to Rexburg to be closer to their daughter and two grandchildren.

James Lauritsen—Scenery ArtJames has worked in the fine arts field for over 20 years. He has taught secondary art education in the public school for seven of those years and

currently teaches at Madison High School in Rexburg, Idaho. James has created and

designed sets for several High School productions including Oliver, He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Utah State University in Logan, Ut. His art has been included in several juried shows including an international art competition. He continues to produce and sell art. James and his wife

Juli live in Rexburg with their three children.

Robert B.Hibbard—Herr Drosselmeyer, Lighting Director

Rob has been involved in theatre since the 3rd grade when he played the little old man from “Laugh-In.” Since then he has been on stage at nearly every level--high school, college, community

theatre, and semi-professional with the Hale Center Theatre. His directing career began in

1991 with The Sound of Music and he has since directed 27 musicals and over 190

plays and musicals. He has directed for the Beaver Community Theatre, the Caribou Community Theatre Guild,

and has directed and is president of the Rexburg Community Theatre

which he helped found in the summer of 2007. He is currently the drama director

for Madison High School and oversees the performing arts center there. Rob is excited to play

Herr Drosselmeyer for the fifth year running and much prefers his cape and hat over a tutu! Rob is married to

Diana and they have 6 children together.

Mattie Roquel Rydalch is a scenic artist from Rexburg. Before she began work on ‘The Nutcracker’, her most recent work was with Rexburg Centennial’s production of ‘Deadwood Dick’ by Tom Taggart. She has also participated in the restoration of the molding at the Romance Theater. As well as a scenic painter, she is a published, award-winning playwright who has enjoyed workshops and readings in Idaho, Alaska, California, Colorado, Utah, Indiana, and New York City. She studied with New York Arts (now New York Theatre Intensives) and is a member of the Dramatists’ Guild of America, Inc. She earned a Master of Fine Arts in theatre from the University of Idaho, where she was a teaching assistant in the scene shop and built and painted sets and props with her students. She is also a graduate of Brigham Young University-Idaho and Brigham Young University.

Ronalee Hokanson Flansburg is a local artist. She has served on many arts organizations including: The Upper Valley Art Guild, The Rexburg Arts Council, The Romance Theater Committee, and Celebrate the Arts. She was recently certified as an Idaho Change Leader by the Idaho Commission on the Arts.

Josh Petersen—Design and Images Josh opened his first studio in 2011, and he joined Gugelman Photography in 2013 as photographer and studio manager. As the new owner of Gugelman Photography, Josh is dedicated to maintaining the outstanding reputation Travis worked so hard to build. Josh has had the amazing opportunity to train one on one with some of the nation’s foremost wedding and portrait photographers, as well as attend hands-on workshops multiple times per year. The love he has for capturing images is only eclipsed by the chance to connect and be a part of such wonderful people’s lives. He’s had the wonderful opportunity to shoot all over the world, from SOCAL to NYC, and has spent time in Ecuador and Haiti using his talents to raise awareness and help people in need.

Preshow-Jeff Vail Famil y

The StoryOur story begins at Dr. and Mrs. Stahlbaum’s annual Christmas Eve party. Their children, Clara and Fritz are excited to welcome their friends to their celebration. There

are presents to open and treats to enjoy and all the children are very excited. Suddenly, Clara’s Godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer, appears with 4 magical dolls to entertain the children. After the dolls dance, Drosselmeyer presents Clara with a handsome nutcracker and Fritz with a mouse. Clara is entranced with her gift when suddenly, a jealous Fritz grabs the Nutcracker and throws it to the floor.

After the guests have gone and her family is asleep, Clara slips back into the parlor to retrieve her poor nutcracker. She falls asleep for a moment only to be awakened as an army of mice and a horrible Rat King take her captive. All at once her Nutcracker appears. Only now, he is much bigger and he is leading an army of Toy Soldiers to the rescue. The mice and the soldiers battle furiously. Finally, the Nutcracker kills the Rat King and Clara is saved.

The Nutcracker, whose loyalty and courage have transformed him into a handsome prince, leads Clara on a magical journey. They travel through the land of snow to arrive at the Enchanted Palace. The Sugar Plum Fairy arrives and shows them a magical kingdom filled with candies and treats from all over the world. The Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier dance a pas de deux to celebrate the defeat of the Rat King. But it is Christmas Eve and Clara must return to her own home for Christmas morning. Some of the sweets gather to say farewell as Clara’s Nutcracker Prince escorts her home.

The HistoryThe Nutcracker was first brought to the United States by Willam Christensen of

the San Francisco Ballet. Christensen later went on to found Ballet West in

Salt Lake City. The first American production in 1944, was held during war time. All the cast members pitched in by standing in long lines and trading rationing coupons for fabrics to make costumes. Flowers, jewelery, props, and the stage curtains all came from Goodwill. Ballerinas had to sew their own tights out of whatever fabric was available.

The Nutcracker has been performed continuously in the United States ever since and has become a holiday tradition. Our own Pat Jacobsen danced for Willam Christensen with the company that became Ballet West. Pat incorporated a section of Christensen’s original choreography in our “Waltz of the Flowers” as a tribute to him.

Jester........................Aubree BrowningFrench Doll............Caroline FlansburgRussian Doll......................Shantel VailSoldier Doll...............Maggie Campbell

Scene 2: Clara’s Dream BeginsMice and Soldiers...........Claire Allen, Ell Anderson, Amelia Bargabos, Mikaela Baxter, Kamilla Bird, Abigail DeGraw, Katelyn George, Lucy Gentry, Emma Haworth, Claire Heinier, Maren Hunsaker, Bethany Hunt, Sara Loveland, Sierra Mickelsen, Hallie Moore, Chloe Morris, Rhya Nuffer, Allison Pickett, Rani Smith, Brianna Steiner, and Brynlee Stewart

Rat King.......................Jacob LovelandNutcracker.............................Sam Bird

Scene 3: The Land of SnowJessica Barzee, Claire Bird, Mackayla Bybee, Caroline Flansburg, Emma Cromar, Elise Fox, Sarah Fox, Sarah Holloway, Sarah Holt, Abby Marshall, Ella Radford, Sallee Rydalch, Avonlea Sargeant, Shantel Vail, LaRena Waddell, Alicia Walburger, and Debra Williams

IntermissionAct IIScene 1: The Enchanted PalaceSugar Plum Fairy......Annabelle Hibbard

Enchanted Palace Cherubs.....Kenzlee Anderson, Hannah Barzee, Kaitln Benson, Jocelynne Bolen, Kianna Curtis, Rebekah Gordon, Ava Hacking, Maile Johanson, Isabelle Marshall, Bethany McCoy, Ava Nelson, Natalie Olson, Grace Powell, Bailee Steiner, and Malia Tietjen

Act IScene 1: The Christmas PartyDr. Stahlbaum........................Jeff BirdMrs. Stahlbaum…....Melanie RadfordClara......................................Amy BirdMarie...............................Ella RadfordAmelia...................Emma Sophia BirdFritz....................................James BirdHerr Drosselmeyer.....Robert HibbardNephew................................Sam Bird

Party Guests...........Amelia Bargabos, Cooper Bargabos, Claire Bird, Britta Bjornn, Ella Bjornn, Jocelynne Bolen, Oliver Bolen, Nora Bolen, Ryan Browning, Mackayla Bybee, Sarah Cameron, Jane Campbell, Emilee Cheney, Bonnie Cromar, Emma Cromar, Heather Cromar, Ryan Cromar, Dakota Curtis, Harlie Curtis, Kianna Curtis, Grace DaBell, Alexia Davidson, Isaac Davidson, Abby DeGraw, Michael DeGraw, Ryan DeGraw, Corey Drowns, C Jay Drowns, Miranda Drowns, Tim Drowns, Elise Fox, Sarah Fox, Katelyn George, Rebekah Gordon, Annabelle Hibbard, Eliza Hibbard, Diana Hibbard, Matthew Hinck, Spencer Hinck, Emma Holt, Dallin Holt, Sarah Holt, Sarah Holloway, Maren Hunsaker, Aubrie Johanson, Maile Johanson, Nate Johanson, Matthew Kempton, Samuel Kempton, Benjamin Linton, Katelyn Joy Linton, Jocelynn Linton, Benjamin Loveland, Jacob Loveland, Nicholas Loveland, Sara Loveland, Bethany McCoy, Amelia Martinez, Miriam Martinez, Isabella Mickelsen, Lauren Mickelsen, Sierra Mickelsen, Ava Nelson, Katrina Morris, Kyton Nuffer, Rhya Nuffer, Daradie Peck, Amanda Polatis, Genevieve Price, Sallee Rydalch, Cyrus Smith, Rani Smith, Ashley Steiner, Bailee Steiner, Brianna Steiner, Brynlee Stewart, LaRena Waddell, and Debra Williams

Maids..........................Jessica Barzee, Erin Smith, Avonlea Sargeant

Spanish Hot Chocolate.....Claire Bird, Aubree Browning, Maggie Campbell, Emma Cromar, Elise Fox, Sarah Fox, Sarah Holloway, Sarah Holt, Abby Marshall, Ella Radford, Sallee Rydalch, Erin Smith, and Alicia WalburgerSpanish Solo...................... Xela Smith

Butterscotch Candy...Mackayla Bybee

French Bon Bons.......Sarah Holloway, and Sallee Rydalch

Chinese Tea.......................Olivia Allen, Kenli Andrews, Addison Arter, Paisley Atwood, Chelsea Baldwin, Jill Bjornn, Briston Burr, Jenica Cook, Claire Flamm, Rachael Grover, Eliza Haworth, Rylie Hicks, Avrie Nielsen, Olivia Otinel, Elsie Palafox, Jade Phillips, Brooklyn Scherbel, Adalyn Sorensen, Emma Seu, Bekah Welker, Emelia Waddell, and Jane Wood

English Toffee.........Nicholas Loveland and Ella Radford

Clowns...............................Nora Bolen, Jane Campbell, Eleonore Delton, Elise Gardner, Aubrey George, Kobi Lewis, Sabrina Pickett, and Eliza Rowe

German Candy Cane...Alicia Walburger

Marzipan Shepherdess..Emma Cromar

Lambs............................Megan Baxter, Britta Bjornn, Natalie Caldwell, Nadejda Campbell, Fiona Chenault, Addisen Chiddix, Harlie Curtis, Amira Fullmer, Helen Grover, Ella Morris, Brynlee Nielson, Ava Park, Genevieve Price, Ashley SteinerBlack Lamb.......................Olivia Olsen Ribbon Candy.......................Sarah Fox

Russian....................Kamryne Baldwin, Sarah Cameron, Dakota Curtis, Sonnie Haws, Ella Hulin, Evelyn Hunt, Aubrie Johanson, Sage Wood, Lauren Mickelsen, Lydia Motteshard, Katherine

Pulsipher, Katelyn Rowley, Ava Rydalch, Charlette Swensen, and Grace Wood

Paprika From India....................Elise Fox

Arabian Coffee.................Jessica Barzee, Claire Bird, Aubree Browning, Mackayla Bybee, Maggie Campbell, Emma Cromar, Caroline Flansburg, Sarah Fox, Sarah Holloway, Sarah Holt, Abby Marshall, Amanda Polatis, Ella Radford, Sallee Rydalch, Avonlea Sargeant, Erin Smith, Shantel Vail, and Alicia Walburger Waltz of the Flowers.......Ashley Baldwin, Anna Baxter, Emma Sophia Bird, Ella Bjornn, Emilee Cheney, Bonnie Cromar, Hannah Cruz, Grace DaBell, Alexia Davidson, Miranda Drowns, Eliza Hibbard, Evelyn Heiner, Emma Holt, Shayla Klingler, Amelia Martinez, Miriam Martinez, Isabella Mickelsen, Taylin Mickelsen, Katrina Morris, Daradie Peck, Madilyn Pickett, Lydia Schellenberg, Kamri Stevenson, and LaRena Waddell

Dew Drop: Saturday............Eliza Hibbard, Monday...........................LaRena Waddell

Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier Annabelle Hibbard and Dawson Collins

Finale..........................................Ensemble

Teachers, Rehearsal Assistants, and Choreographers........Anna Baxter, Amy Grace Bird, Sophie Bird, Mackayla Bybee, Dianne Loveland, Michelle Mickelsen, Alison Parson, Ella Radford, Melanie Radford, Xela Smith, and Alicia Walburger

Technical Director...................Bob ButlerLighting Director.............Robert HibbardSound Director.......................... JD MannNarration...............................Lee WarnickProps, and Scenery Art............Mike Bird, Bob Butler, and James LauritsenGrowing Christmas Tree James LauritsenBackdrops ....................Ronalee Flansburg, and Mattie Rydalch

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Ballet Arts Director: Dianne Loveland208.359.3758 www.rexburgballetarts.com

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