A Message from the Artistic Director

FRANCESCO VENTRIGLIA | Artistic Director

The Wizard of Oz: A Canadian Premiere

A warm welcome to this special production of The Wizard of Oz – a magical journey into the imagination.

“There’s no place like home” – a phrase so woven into popular culture – it really needs no introduction. It’s been 14 months since I arrived in Alberta to

begin my journey as Artistic Director with Alberta Ballet. Over this time, I’ve truly contemplated the idea of ‘home.’ Is it where you hang your hat, where the heart is, or somewhere over the rainbow? My conclusion: home is where you feel grounded and comfortable with yourself. For me, that place is the dance studio and in the new home that I built with my husband and two dogs.

It was a delight to be in the studio with our very talented dancers. Together, we brought to life my version of Dorothy’s adventures on her way to the Emerald City. The Wizard of Oz is a story very close to my heart. I largely follow L. Frank Baum’s narrative but with some adaptations to the opening scene, which begins in a children’s hospital. This rendering reflects my personal experience and holds special significance as it’s how I came to know and love The Wizard of Oz.

This story holds many truths that are too easily forgotten or overlooked in adulthood. We must all learn to believe in ourselves: quick wits, compassion, and courage—and just a touch of magic—are inside us all. We are always capable of more than we think we are, and we must strive to be better than ourselves every day.

We are so excited to share this Canadian premiere and to give many thanks to the individuals who helped turn our dream into reality. First and foremost, thank you to those who have embraced both the excitement of our 2024-25 season and the joy of this much-loved tale. To all our supporters, we offer our heartfelt thanks for the part you play in our success and for your good company as we travel our own ‘yellow brick road.’

FRANCESCO VENTRIGLIA
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

The Story

Act One

Dorothy lies comatose in her hospital bed, her loyal and loving Uncle Henry by her side. Visitors arrive in her room as if in a dream – some familiar, some mysterious, some comforting, some frightening. In her dreams, she begins a magical journey…

Dorothy arrives in the land of the Munchkins, disporting themselves on a sunny beach. She starts her journey along the Yellow Brick Road and encounters new friends: the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Lion. Each is travelling to the Emerald City for a different reason, but all believe that the great and mysterious Wizard of Oz will solve all their problems. When they finally arrive at their destination, the Wizard is not there, and the Guardian of the City sends them off on a further quest, to see the Wicked Witch of the West at her castle and to steal her magical golden hat.

The Witch and her evil flying monkeys capture Dorothy and send her to work in the castle, scrubbing the floor. The Witch steals one of Dorothy’s ruby slippers. Dorothy stands up to the Witch and, enraged, throws a bucket of dirty water at her. The Witch melts away and Dorothy takes her golden hat: whoever wears it can command the flying monkeys. Transformed by Dorothy’s kindness, the monkeys do her every bidding; they pick up Dorothy and her friends and bear them to the poppy fields outside the gates of the Emerald City. The Lion saves a pair of mice from a murderous yellow cat; Dorothy and the Lion are then overcome by the fumes of the poppies, but the Scarecrow and the Tin Man are immune.

Act Two

Dorothy and her friends arrive in the Kingdom of Porcelain, where the Princess of Porcelain and her Cavalier drink tea and coffee. The golden hat and its magical powers are a source of wonder for all, and two bumbling villains Mr. and Mrs. Wolf, arrive and try to steal it, but are easily repelled. Dorothy and her friends begin their final journey to the Emerald City.

Back in the City, the Wizard and Glinda dance a nostalgic pas de deux. Dorothy and her friends return in triumph from their victory over the Wicked Witch of the West and are welcomed back into the City. The Wizard presents them with gifts to fulfill their quest: brains for the Scarecrow, a heart for the Tin Man and courage for the Lion. Dorothy is torn between her desire to stay with the Wizard forever and wanting to go home but the decision is not hers to make; he slips away, leaving her alone.

Epilogue

Dorothy wakes from her coma to find her Uncle Henry waiting patiently. The visitors in her hospital ward look somehow familiar; she is fully recovered, ready for a new life and new adventures. She begins a new journey, surrounded by friends who love her.

The Wizard of Oz
Creative Team

  • Francesco Ventriglia is an Italian ballet dancer, choreographer and Artistic Director. Having graduated from La Scala Ballet school, Ventriglia joined the ballet company of La Scala in 1997, making his debut as a soloist in William Forsythe’s In The Middle, Somewhat Elevated at La Scala in 1998, and in 1999 was cast as the Bronze Idol by Natalia Makarova in her production of La Bayadere. ​

    ​He danced numerous soloist and principal roles with the company, including that of the Toreador in Roland Petit’s Carmen and Quasimodo in Notre Dame de Paris and also works by Nureyev, Balanchine, Ailey, Neumeier, Cranko, Preljocaj, Godani, Kylian, Guillem, and Bejart. Internationally, his performances with La Scala included Hilarion at the Metropolitan Opera in New York and at Covent Garden, opposite Sylvie Guillem in her creation of Giselle. ​

    In 2010, he was appointed as Europe's youngest Artistic Director by the Florence Opera House at the age of 32, where he held the role as Artistic Director and principal choreographer for Maggio Danza until 2013. In 2014, he was named the Artistic Director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet. Ventriglia’s tenure as Artistic Director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet concluded in June 2017, however he continued his artistic relationship with the company, creating a new full-length ballet, Romeo and Juliet which toured nationally. Designed by triple Academy Award winner James Acheson, the production was both a critical and box office success. Reviewed as his ‘Love letter to New Zealand’, the production was hailed as a ‘splendid and triumphant’ production.​ 

    From January 2018, Ventriglia was adjunct Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Uruguay, Ballet Nacional Sodre alongside Igor Yebra. From 2020 to 2024, Ventriglia established himself in Sydney and co-founded the Sydney Choreographic Centre and Ensemble. In January 2024, Ventriglia was appointed Artistic Director of Alberta Ballet. In September of 2024, he premiered his version of La Sylphide after August Bournonville, as his first full-length production for the company.

    Ventriglia is also a choreographer of classical and contemporary ballet, having works performed internationally by companies such as the La Scala Ballet, Arena di Verona, Bolshoi Theatre, The Mariinsky Theatre, Grand Theatre du Geneve, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Ballet Nacional Sodre, and at the Venice Biannale.

  • Gianluca Falaschi is an Italian costume designer. He studied at the Accademia di costume e moda di Roma (Academy of Costume and Fashion) in Italy, and has made costumes for many of the world’s most prestigious opera stages. He has also worked extensively with Italian director Davide Livermore. Falaschi’s works have graced thestages all over the world, including the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy, Theatro Municipal in Sao Paulo, Spain, Semperoper in Dresden, Germany and for the National Greek Theatre in Athens. The operas he has designed for include Tosca, The Turk in Italy, Carmen, Anna Bolena, and Lucia di Lammermoor, among others.

    He has also made costumes for more than 100 plays, including for productions such as Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, and Othello, Moliere’s The Miser and Les Femmes Savant, and Edward Bond’s Lear. Falaschi has also worked as the set and costume designer for the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s 2016 production of The Wizard of Oz. In 2013, he won the Association of Italian Music Critics Abbiati’s Prize for Best Designer for his work in Ciro in Babilonia. In 2015, he won the Opernwelt Award for Best Designer for Perela, and in 2017, won the same award for Armide and Alcina. Falaschi has taught as part of the costumes faculty at the National Academy of Dramatic Arts Silvio D’Amico in Rome.

  • Francis Poulenc was a French composer known for his significant contributions to the music of the 20th century. Largely self-taught, he gained early recognition with witty, irreverent works like Rapsodie Nègre (1917) and Trois Mouvements Perpétuels (1918). He was part of “Les Six,” a group of composers reacting againstR omanticism and Impressionism. Poulenc studied alongside Charles Koechlin and composed works blending humour, lyricism, and modern harmonies.

    His career spanned vocal, chamber, orchestral, and religious music. Poulenc composed song cycles, such as Poèmes de Ronsard and Chansons gaillardes, and in 1934, he appeared as piano accompanist to the baritone Pierre Bernac. Many of his keyboard works, such as Concert champêtre, were inspired by the light and urbane character of 18th century and the harmonies of 20th century music. During World War II, Poulenc joined the resistance, and his cantata Figure humaine (1945) voiced the spirit of defiance. His opera Les Dialogues des Carmélites (1953–56) is considered one of the finest operas of the 20th century. Other notable works include Sextet for paino and Wind Quintet (1930-1932), Organ Concerto (1938) and Oboe Sonata (1962).

  • Lorena Fernández Sáez, a Spanish choreographer and ballet educator, trained at the Royal Conservatory of Dance in Madrid. She began her career in 1999 with Ballet Clásico de Madrid, later performing with top European companies, including the Scottish Ballet under Ashley Page. After retiring in 2010, she moved to London, earning diplomas in ballet education from the Royal Ballet School and Trinity College. She taught at Trinity Laban, London Studio Centre, and for the Royal Ballet and English National Ballet’s education programs.

    For over a decade, Sáez was part of the National Ballet of Sodre’s artistic team in Uruguay, assisting director Julio Bocca. She became an ABT Certified Teacher and obtained a diploma in Cultural Management. In 2024, she directed a dance-theater production and won Spain’s National Performing Arts Award for Children and Youth. Now a freelance ballet mistress, she collaborates on dance projects across Europe, South America, and North America.

  • Italo Grassi is a set designer and professor at the Academy of Fine Arts. With over 150 set designs, his work spans Opera, Ballet, and Musical theatre, showcases in leading theaters across Italy and globally (France, Spain, Germany, Korea, Brazil, Russia, Finland, Estonia, Croatia, Canada). Notably active in Japan, he debuted in Biwako in the 2000s for Verdi operas conducted by Maestro Wakasugi and directed by Keisuke Suzuki.

    Grassi has also designed exhibition spaces and served as a technical director in opera theaters. Recent highlights include: Don Pasquale at Teatro Real in Madrid with Riccardo Muti, Simon Boccanegra in Seoul with M. Chung and Marco Gandini, Betulia Liberata in Salzburg with Muti, Viaggio a Reims and Farnace at Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, and Zaide at Teatro dell’Opera in Rome with Graham Vick and Daniele Gatti. He has designed classical ballets like Nutcracker and Romeo and Juliet, winning the 2013 best ballet scenography award for Swan Lake with Maggio Danza and Francesco Ventriglia. Recently, he’s focused on musicals, including Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Fame, and Rocky.

  • Pierre Lavoie has been active in dance since 1982, first in Toronto as stage manager for most of the city’s modern dance companies, then in Montreal for Les Grands Ballets Canadiens. There he had the great opportunity to work closely with his mentor, lighting designer Nick Cernovitch. Lavoie started designing lighting in the 1990’s for Margie Gillis and has since designed every new work in her repertoire. He also created lights for many independent modern dance artists in Montreal. Lavoie’s versatility is seen in how easily he can sustain both modern and classical vocabulary. He has designed to rave reviews at Alberta Ballet where he is resident lighting designer. He has also designed works for Shumka Dancers, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Ballet BC, Boston Ballet and many others. For opera Pierre designed at Pacific Opera Victoria, Opera New Brunswick, Opéra de Québec and Tapestry Singers.

  • Born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Brian Waldrep began his dance training at the age of seven with traditional Irish Step dancing and started studying ballet the following year. In 2003, Waldrep enrolled in the North Carolina School of the Arts under the tutelage of Kee Juan Han, Melissa Hayden, Anna-Marie Holmes, Nina Danilova, and Frank Smith. He was selected to join American Ballet Theatre’s Second Company in 2007 and toured nationally and internationally with ABT II for three years.

    In 2010, Waldrep joined Houston Ballet as an apprentice. He was promoted to the Corp de Ballet in 2011 and to the rank of Demi-Soloist in 2015, dancing several soloist and principal roles for the company. Waldrep’s 9-year career with Houston Ballet included works by Stanton Welch, Ben Stevenson, George Balanchine, Christopher Bruce, John Neumeier, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, Jerome Robbins, Twyla Tharp, and Jiri Kylian, among others. Waldrep graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts and Humanities from St. Edward’s University in 2016, balancing his studies with a professional ballet career at Houston Ballet.

    Waldrep’s background also includes a notable tenure as a soloist with the National Ballet of Uruguay in 2019; a company dancer with the Nashville Ballet in 2021 and 2022; and as a soloist with Ballet West in Salt Lake City for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. At the invitation of Francesco Ventriglia, Waldrep became a Rehearsal Director at Alberta Ballet in July of 2024.

  • After a distinguished 17-year career as a professional dancer, including eight seasons with Alberta Ballet, Yoshiya Sakurai has transitioned to the role of Rehearsal Director at Alberta Ballet. His extensive experience on stage and in rehearsal studios now enriches the company from a new perspective. Originally from Niigata, Japan, Sakurai began his ballet training at Niigata Ballet School and furthered his education at Canada’s National Ballet School in Toronto. He has danced with American Repertory Ballet, Boston Ballet II, and Kansas City Ballet before joining Alberta Ballet in 2016.

    Throughout his career, he has captivated audiences with his remarkable interpretations of iconic roles. At Alberta Ballet, he has performed as Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Albrecht in Giselle, and Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake. Now, as a Rehearsal Director, Sakurai brings his wealth of experience and insight to guide the next generation of dancers at Alberta Ballet.

The Wizard of Oz
Casting

Subject to Change

  • Dorothy
    Luna Sasaki

    Uncle Henry
    Zachary Boresow

    The Scarecrow
    Rikuto Kubota

    The Tin Man
    Michael Scott-Kahans

    The Lion
    Mirko Melandri

    Glinda
    Mariko Kondo

    The Wicked Witch of the West
    Alexandra Hughes

    The Wizard
    Aaron Anker

    Guardian of the Emerald City
    Zachary Boresow

    The Yellow Cat
    Dylan West

    Pin Up Mice
    Hotaru Maruyama
    Hinata Takahara

    The Princess of Porcelain
    Jolie Rose Lombardo

    The Prince of Porcelain
    Remy D’Ornay

    Mr. Wolf
    Kurtis Grimaldi

    Mrs. Wolf
    Paloma Bonnin

    Emerald City Principal Woman
    Allison Perhach

    Emerald City Principal Man
    Scotto Hamed-Ramos

    Munchkins
    Caleb Durbin, Kurtis Grimaldi, Scotto Hamed-Ramos, Seira Iwamoto, Emmanuel López, Kate McDonald, Allison Perhach, Hinata Takahara

    Emerald City Women
    Paloma Bonnin, Seira Iwamoto, Hinata Takahara, Isabel Tornqvist

    Emerald City Men
    Kurtis Grimaldi, Matthew Maxwell, Leona Takada, Dylan West

    Washerwomen
    Paloma Bonnin, Seira Iwamoto, Chizuru Kikuchi, Isabel Tornqvist

    Lead Flying Monkey
    Caleb Durbin

    Flying Monkeys
    Rhys Hudson & Emmanuel López

    Poppies
    Seira Iwamoto, Jolie Rose Lombardo, Kate McDonald

    Teacups
    Seira Iwamoto, Jasmine Kang*, Kate McDonald, Allison Perhach

    Coffee Cups
    Chizuru Kikuchi, Hotaru Maruyama, Hinata Takahara, Kairi Watanabe*

    Chocolate Cups
    Zara Bailey, Victoria Bourassa, Anri Hashimoto*, Isabel Tornqvist

    Children’s Cast
    Remy McKinlay, Jules McKinlay

    * From the Alberta Ballet Trainee Program or Alberta Ballet School Post-Graduate Program

  • Dorothy
    Hotaru Maruyama

    Uncle Henry
    Zachary Boresow

    The Scarecrow
    Rikuto Kubota

    The Tin Man
    Michael Scott-Kahans

    The Lion
    Mirko Melandri

    Glinda
    Alexandra Hughes

    The Wicked Witch of the West
    Allison Perhach

    The Wizard
    Scotto Hamed-Ramos

    Guardian of the Emerald City
    Zachary Boresow

    The Yellow Cat
    Dylan West

    Pin Up Mice
    Paloma Bonnin
    Hinata Takahara

    The Princess of Porcelain
    Mariko Kondo

    The Prince of Porcelain
    Caleb Durbin

    Mr. Wolf
    Kurtis Grimaldi

    Mrs. Wolf
    Isabel Tornqvist

    Emerald City Principal Woman
    Hinata Takahara

    Emerald City Principal Man
    Matthew Maxwell

    Munchkins
    Victoria Bourassa, Caleb Durbin, Kurtis Grimaldi, Rhys Hudson, Seira Iwamoto, Emmanuel López, Kate McDonald, Hinata Takahara

    Emerald City Women
    Paloma Bonnin, Seira Iwamoto, Chizuru Kikuchi, Isabel Tornqvist

    Emerald City Men
    Kurtis Grimaldi, Emmanuel López, Leona Takada, Dylan West

    Washerwomen
    Paloma Bonnin, Seira Iwamoto, Chizuru Kikuchi, Isabel Tornqvist

    Lead Flying Monkey
    Caleb Durbin

    Flying Monkeys
    Rhys Hudson & Danier Laganzo*

    Poppies
    Seira Iwamoto, Jolie Rose Lombardo, Kate McDonald

    Teacups
    Seira Iwamoto, Jasmine Kang*, Jolie Rose Lombardo, Kate McDonald

    Coffee Cups
    Paloma Bonnin, Chizuru Kikuchi, Hinata Takahara, Kairi Watanabe*

    Chocolate Cups
    Zara Bailey, Victoria Bourassa, Anri Hashimoto*, Camryn Visser*

    Children’s Cast
    Remy McKinlay, Jules McKinlay

    * From the Alberta Ballet Trainee Program or Alberta Ballet School Post-Graduate Program

  • Dorothy
    Luna Sasaki

    Uncle Henry
    Zachary Boresow

    The Scarecrow
    Rikuto Kubota

    The Tin Man
    Michael Scott-Kahans

    The Lion
    Mirko Melandri

    Glinda
    Mariko Kondo

    The Wicked Witch of the West
    Alexandra Hughes

    The Wizard
    Aaron Anker

    Guardian of the Emerald City
    Zachary Boresow

    The Yellow Cat
    Dylan West

    Pin Up Mice
    Hotaru Maruyama
    Hinata Takahara

    The Princess of Porcelain
    Jolie Rose Lombardo

    The Prince of Porcelain
    Remy D’Ornay

    Mr. Wolf
    Kurtis Grimaldi

    Mrs. Wolf
    Paloma Bonnin

    Emerald City Principal Woman
    Allison Perhach

    Emerald City Principal Man
    Scotto Hamed-Ramos

    Munchkins
    Caleb Durbin, Kurtis Grimaldi, Scotto Hamed-Ramos, Seira Iwamoto, Emmanuel López, Kate McDonald, Allison Perhach, Hinata Takahara

    Emerald City Women
    Paloma Bonnin, Seira Iwamoto, Hinata Takahara, Isabel Tornqvist

    Emerald City Men
    Kurtis Grimaldi, Matthew Maxwell, Leona Takada, Dylan West

    Washerwomen
    Paloma Bonnin, Seira Iwamoto, Chizuru Kikuchi, Isabel Tornqvist

    Lead Flying Monkey
    Caleb Durbin

    Flying Monkeys
    Rhys Hudson & Emmanuel López

    Poppies
    Seira Iwamoto, Jolie Rose Lombardo, Kate McDonald

    Teacups
    Seira Iwamoto, Jasmine Kang*, Kate McDonald, Allison Perhach

    Coffee Cups
    Chizuru Kikuchi, Hotaru Maruyama, Hinata Takahara, Kairi Watanabe*

    Chocolate Cups
    Zara Bailey, Victoria Bourassa, Anri Hashimoto*, Isabel Tornqvist

    Children’s Cast
    Remy McKinlay, Jules McKinlay

    * From the Alberta Ballet Trainee Program or Alberta Ballet School Post-Graduate Program

Alberta Ballet Dancers

Alberta Ballet Artistic Team

  • After her fourteen-year career as a dancer with Alberta Ballet, Reilley transitioned into the role of Artistic Coordinator and has now been promoted to Rehearsal Director. She is excited to help behind the scenes and share the knowledge that she has gained while working with our organization.

    Originally born in Eatonville, WA, USA, Reilley trained at both Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle and at Canada’s National Ballet School in Toronto. She joined Alberta Ballet as a dancer in 2008, and has since made Canada her home, becoming a dual citizen in 2019. Some of her most memorable roles with Alberta Ballet have been as Madame de Tourvel in Jean Grand-Maître’s Dangerous Liaisons, and Queen Anne in David Nixon’s Three Musketeers.

  • Raven has been working in the arts for 18 years as a stitcher, costume crafter, dresser, wardrobe assistant, head of wardrobe, production director and now as a part of the Alberta Ballet artistic team. Being a local Albertan, Ravens’ work has been concentrated in Calgary, but has also taken her around our great province, across Canada, to the US and Europe in theatre, film and dance. More than half of her career has been spent at Alberta Ballet and she is so excited to be a part of the artistic team, assisting in bringing ballet magic to our community and beyond.  

  • Originally, from Medicine Hat, Rebecca relocated to Calgary after completing a BFA in Theatre Studies from the University of Lethbridge to pursue her passion for the arts. She has worked for various arts organizations in the city in the last 7 years and is enjoying her time working with both the artistic and production teams at Alberta Ballet. She is looking forward to what this season brings and is grateful for the opportunity to work with such a talented group of people and artists. 

Alberta Ballet Artistic Support

Stage Manager | Marisa Mireau
Company Teachers | Francesco Ventriglia, Yoshiya Sakurai, Brian Waldrep, Hayna Gutierrez, Shino Sakurai
Company Pianists | Marina Federov, Michael Levin, Juanita Faas, Lorel Leal, Helena Barker
Stager | Lorena Fernández Sáez

Production Team

Stage Technicians provided by IATSE Local 212
Flying FV provided by Gaslamp FX INC

Technical Director | Jason McLellan
Head Carpenter | Brian Chmielewski
Lead Fly | Kevin Green
Lead Props | Cassandra Thorbjornsen
Lead Lighting | Chris Axford
Second Lighting | Oliver Petti
Lead Sound and Multi-Media | Dan Plumtree
Head of Wardrobe | Michele Merrells
Second Wardrobe | Lori McMahon
Second Wardrobe/Stitcher | Erin LeBaron
Cutter | Anne Nguyen

Up Next…

The Alberta Ballet Foundation
is proud to support

The Wizard of Oz

Welcome to the Canadian Premiere of Francesco Ventriglia’s The Wizard of Oz. The Alberta Ballet Foundation supports the enrichment of our Province through new productions such as this, which showcase the magic of storytelling through dance.

Donor contributions to our Endowment are matched through the Canada Cultural Investment Fund. With a goal to grow the Endowment to $20 million to ensure an annual disbursement of $1 million, the Alberta Ballet Foundation aims to provide financial stability to Alberta Ballet and Alberta Ballet School.

We are grateful to the donors of the Alberta Ballet Foundation who believe in the power of the arts to unite us all. Thank you for being part of this unforgettable journey down the Yellow Brick Road.

To learn more or make a donation, please connect with us at
PaulC@AlbertaBallet.com and be a part of keeping Alberta Ballet’s legacy live.

Paul Chambers
Executive Director
Alberta Ballet Foundation

Alfred Sorensen
Chair
Alberta Ballet Foundation

  • Barbara A. Palmer - Principal Donor

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ALBERTA BALLET DONORS 2023/24 & 2024/25

We would like to extend a warm welcome to all of our guests this evening as we take a magical journey to the Land of Oz. As always, we extend our deepest gratitude to all of our donors who support Alberta Ballet and sincerely thank you for your contributions, support and dedication. If you notice an error or omission, please accept our apologies and kindly inform us at ElizabethR@AlbertaBallet.com.

Dance Circle Membership $1,500

Patron Program

Tier I $5,000 to $9,999

Tier II $10,000 +

We’ve prepared a full calendar of inspiring activity for our donors in the 2024/25 season!

If you’re a passionate Alberta Ballet subscriber, consider taking part in our donor activities.

To learn more, please contact us at ElizabethR@AlbertaBallet.com.

Elizabeth Reade
Director, Campaigns and Partnerships
403-245-4222 ext 510
ElizabethR@AlbertaBallet.com

  • * Donor to the Alberta Ballet’s Endowment Fund.
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    Darcia Rolland +
    Darin H. Grisdale +
    David & Violet Todd +
    David Haigh & Dawn Riley +
    Davin & Alexis MacIntosh +
    Diana & Laurence Andriashek +
    Dianne Grant +
    Doug Brandenburg
    Doug Myhre
    Eileen Jones +
    Elena Hernandez-Kucey +
    Focus Communications +
    Frank Molnar & Anna Maria Marrocco +*
    Gail O’Reilly +
    Geoffrey Mar +
    Georgina Clark +
    Gerard Mcinnis +*
    Gina Pylatuik +*
    Gordon Sombrowski & Kevin Allen +
    Gregory Stirling
    Heather Klimchuk +
    Ian Young & Catherine Barrett +*
    Ingrid Vicas +
    Jack & Donna Newton +
    J’Adore Dance +
    James & Allison Murphy +
    James Silvius +
    Jane McCaig & Richard Waller
    Jenna Brenan
    Jennifer & Torval Mork +
    Jessica Ratushniak
    Jill Strueby +
    Jillian Murdoch +
    Joan Bedard +
    Joanne Graham & Ian Laxdal +
    Joanne S. Stalinski +
    Jocelyn Beckett +
    John & Susan Hokanson +
    John C. Bonnycastle +
    Jonathan M Reid
    Joni Rynsburger +
    Jose-Carlos Herrero & Nicole Herrero-Langlais +
    Judy Cosco +
    Julie Moylan +
    Katherine Bilson +
    Kathy Campbell +
    Kathy J. McMillan +
    Kathy Ruth Morgan +
    Katie A. Hayes +
    Keith & Cindy O’Neill +
    Kelly Bourassa +
    Kevin Stecyk +
    Kristine Eidsvik
    Laura Cillis & Leonard Arcovio +
    Laurie Bayda +
    Leigh Garvie +
    Leona Gibb
    Leslie & Gerald Giacomelli +
    Leslie Ann O’Leary +
    Leslie Dort +
    Leslie Pidcock +
    Liz Anne Tonken +
    Lockwood Family Fund *
    Lucie Thirnbeck +
    Marco Simonelli +
    Marguerite Paulsen +
    Martin & Theresa Trotter +
    Maureen G. Mannix
    Melanie Houley +
    Melissa Padfield +
    Melissa Simon +
    Mitch & Susanne Williams +
    Mitchell Family
    Mona & Scott Rose +
    Monique Courcelles +
    Nicole & Lance Yanke +
    Noel Papadopoulos & Darin LaBonte +
    Noel Xavier +
    Northern Timber Corp +
    O’Hanlon Paving +
    Pamela FitzGerald & Robert Arts +
    Patricia & Robert Peabody +
    Patricia Moore +*
    Patricia Seamans +
    Peggy Garritty +
    Renate Palmer *
    Richard & Aurora Musto +
    Robert & Jean Ann Rooney +
    Robert Rosen
    Roderick & Jean McKay +
    Roger Mapp +
    Ronald & Carole Middleton +
    Roxanne McCaig +
    Ruben & Heather Nelson +
    Russell Ian Varnam
    Sandy Evans +
    Sarah Palmer & Tom Plunkett +*
    Sheila Watson +
    Shelley Smith +
    Strathcona Resources
    Susan & Dean Heuman +
    Susan E. Andrews +
    Tara Mathison +
    Tatiana A. Willumsen
    Terrie Faber +
    Thomas Fath & Jo-Ann +
    Valerie & Tony Barlott +
    Valerie MacLeod +
    Valerie Seaman *
    Veronica Prokop & Peter Andrekson +
    Victoria Johnston & Gregory McLeod +
    Vivian Manasc +
    Wendy Gnenz +
    Yolanda Van Wachem +

  • Anonymous

    Alberta Ballet Foundation

    Benevity

    Calgary Foundation

    CanadaHelps.org

    Edmonton Community Foundation

    Fabbrici Foundation for the Arts

    GiftFunds Canada

    Heather Bala Edwards Foundation

    Shaw Birdies for Kids presented by Altalink

    Shaw Family Foundation

    Seaver Family Flow Through Fund and the Calgary Foundation

    Viewpoint Foundation

    Baker Tilly Catalyst

    Palmer Family Foundation

    Farrell Engineering Sales Inc.

    Osten-Victor Fund

    Callow & Associates Management Consultants Inc.

    AltaLink, A Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company

A whole community is working behind-the-scenes,
helping us inspire you with dance!

  • Chair
    Heather Rae, HRJ Consulting (Calgary)

    Vice Chairs
    Sarah Palmer, LL.B., ICD.D (Calgary)
    Heather Klimchuk, MacEwan University (Edmonton)

    Corporate Secretary
    Frank Molnar, Field Law (Calgary)

    Treasurer
    Jana Neal, SFG Investments (Calgary)

  • Denise Clarke, One Yellow Rabbit (Calgary)

    Wendy Gnenz, MNP (Edmonton)

    Alyssa Kim, Bennett Jones (Edmonton)

    Noël Papadopoulos, Papas Group (Edmonton)

    Agnieszka (Aggie) Mikulski, TIPP Consulting (Edmonton)

    Bob Willows, Willows Construction (2001) Ltd. (Winfield)

    Noel Xavier, Edmonton Community Foundation (Edmonton)

    Melissa Cook, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP (Calgary)

    Peggy Garritty, PG Communications Ltd. (Edmonton)

    Gregory Stirling, Alberta Court of Justice (Calgary)

    Melissa Padfield, University of Alberta (Edmonton)

  • CHAIR/PRESIDENT
    Alfred Sorensen

    SECRETARY/TREASURER
    Peter Stapleton

    DIRECTOR
    Heather Rae

    DIRECTOR
    Jana Neal

    DIRECTOR
    Joni Hughes

    DIRECTOR
    Rita Tripathy

    DIRECTOR
    George Bezaire

 BOARD OF DIRECTORS (2024)

2024/25 GOVERNMENT FUNDERS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS