Don Quixote Artistic Director Vanessa Haidar Copyright © Pennsylvania Ballet Conservatory, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Don QuixoteArtistic Director
Vanessa Haidar
Copyright © Pennsylvania Ballet Conservatory, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Presenting
DON QUIXOTE
PENNSYLVANIA BALLET CONSERVATORY
MAY 2021
© Pennsylvania Ballet Conservatory, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
A MESSAGE FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
It is a real joy for me to share with you and your family Pennsylvania Ballet Conservatory’s first ever production of Don Quixote. I have wanted to put on a production of this ballet for a long time, and it was originally our plan to do so in the Spring of last year. Then the world dramatically changed and we were left with no choice but to change our plan with it. Adaptability, hard work and continued dedication from everyone at the school, staff, teachers, students and families, have made this show possible. It is hard for me to find the right words to express the tremendous pride I feel for our students and the gratitude I have for their families. It is in working together that we are able to create such beauty under such difficult circumstances.
I love the story of Don Quixote and what the selfless chivalry of the character himself represents. This quirky adventurer and his altruistic acts stumbles onto the stage in this delightful ballet and I really hope you enjoy experiencing it as much as we have enjoyed creating it.
Thank you for experiencing this year’s presentation of Don Quixote and for supporting Pennsylvania Ballet Conservatory. We look forward to a wonderful summer and seeing you again this winter at our annual presentation of The Nutcracker!
ABOUT
PENNSYLVANIA BALLET CONSERVATORY
Pennsylvania Ballet Conservatory is a classical ballet school located in Peters Township. Founded in August 2018, our mission is to develop and inspire healthy dancers in a positive and inclusive environment, while providing professional ballet instruction and instilling an appreciation for and a lifelong love of dance.
We have classes for ages 3 and up, including adult classes. An early dismissal program is available to our high school students; created to train those who wish to pursue a career in dance, either in a professional company or college.
Instruction primarily focuses on classical ballet, but to help round out dancers’ skills, students also learn contemporary, jazz, flamenco and character.
For more information please stop by the studio, visit our website at pennballet.com, email [email protected] or call us at (724) 747-8943.
ABOUT
DON QUIXOTE
Don Quixote, the ballet, is based on episodes borrowed from the world famous novel, Don Quixote de la Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes. Originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and scored by Ludwig Minkus, this ballet was first presented by the Ballet of the Imperial Bolshoi Theatre of Moscow, Russia, in December 1869. Originally 3 acts, it was later expanded to a marathon 5 acts and 11 scenes!
Most modern productions of the ballet derive from a version staged by Alexander Gorsky for the Bolshoi Theatre of Moscow in the early 1900s.
DON QUIXOTE SYNOPSIS
ACT I
Scene I - Don Quixote’s House
After reading books on chivalry, Don Quixote falls asleep and dreams of being a knight. In his dream, he defends his ideal woman, Dulcinea. Once awake, Don Quixote is inspired to begin an adventure with his squire, Sancho Panza.
Scene II - Town Plaza
In the town plaza, a festival with dancing is taking place. Lorenzo’s daughter, Kitri, is in love with Basilio, the barber. However, Lorenzo has plans for her to marry a wealthy nobleman, Gamache. Don Quixote and Sancho Panza arrive in the plaza, causing a great commotion. He notices Kitri, and wonders if he has found his Dulcinea. In the middle of the festivities, Kitri and Basilio, aided by their friends, sneak off. They are followed by Don Quixote and Sancho Panza and are pursued later by Gamache and Lorenzo.
INTERMISSION
ACT II
Scene I - Gypsy Camp
Kitri and Basilio dance in a seemingly abandoned camp and are interrupted by friendly gypsies, curious about who they are. The Gypsies want to help the couple and try to protect them when Lorenzo and Gamache arrive. Lorzeno takes Kitri away, and in the confusion of the fight, Don Quixote gets stuck in a windmill. After his ordeal with the windmill, Don Quixote collapses into a deep sleep.
Scene II - The Dream
Falling asleep, Don Quixote has an enchanted dream of beautiful maidens, dryads and his Dulcinea.
INTERLUDE
ACT III
Scene I - The Wedding
Back in the plaza everyone is getting ready for the wedding of Kitri and Gamache. Basilio interrupts the ceremony and tries to stop the wedding by pretending he is dead. With the help of Don Quixote and their friends, they convince Lorenzo to support the love and marriage of Kitri and Basilio. The happy couple gets married with Don Quixote as the guest of honor. He congratulates the couple, bids them a warm farewell and resumes his everlasting adventures.
CAST
May 29, 1pm May 30, 1pm
Kitri Brooke McCarthy Alexa Pierce
Basilio
a barber Damien Martinez Damien Martinez
Don Quixote
an errant knight Hansel Correa Sr. Hansel Correa Sr.
Sancho Panza
his squire Peyton Erker Peyton Erker
Friends to Kitri
Juanita Sophia Belusko Ava Rieger
Piccila Anna Young Mia Semieraro
Gamache
a wealthy nobleman Hansel Correa Hansel Correa
Lorenzo
Kitri’s father Aleksandar Zankin Aleksandar Zankin
Espada Damien Martinez Damien Martinez
Mercedes Mia Semieraro Anna Young
CAST
May 29, 1pm May 30, 1pm
Majas Hannah Damon Hannah Damon
Nicole Dunlap Nicole Dunlap
Mariah Strnisha Mariah Strnisha
Adelina Belusko Adien Carmichael
Abby Thomas Abby Thomas
Keri Radonovich Keri Radonovich
Seguidilla Lead Caden Stover Emma Sias
Seguidilla Corps Sydney Duda Sydney Duda
Adien Carmichael Adelina Belusko
Elsa Medonyte Elsa Medonyte
Addison Shoub Addison Shoub
Wellesley Miracle Wellesley Miracle
Sydney Pensock Sydney Pensock
CAST
May 29, 1pm May 30, 1pm
Vendors Ayaka Hayashi Ayaka Hayashi
Grae Chalovich Grae Chalovich
Elliette Helms Elliette Helms
Murphy Henninger Murphy Henninger
Aubrie Eismont Aubrie Eismont
Ella Way Ella Way
Sophia Cerminara Sophia Cerminara
Ellie Thomas Ellie Thomas
Charlie Grace Charlie Grace
Town Girls Emerson Miracle Emerson Miracle
Grace Mychalishyn Grace Mychalishyn
Amelia Sias Amelia Sias
Addison Wolstoncroft Addison Wolstoncroft
Mia Salsi Mia Salsi
Breena Carmichael Breena Carmichael
CAST
May 29, 1pm May 30, 1pm
Town Children Ellianna Wolstoncroft Ellianna Wolstoncroft
Siena Cuneo Siena Cuneo
Verena Belldina Verena Belldina
Jessa Jeglinski Jessa Jeglinski
Karina Peck Karina Peck
Lena Welsch Lena Welsch
Mia Winovich Mia Winovich
Emelia Doerr Emelia Doerr
Caitlyn Seibert Caitlyn Seibert
Street Dancer Emma Sias Kaitlin Natili
Gypsy Lead Elsa Medonyte Elsa Medonyte
Two Young Gypsies Wellesley Miracle Sydney Pensock
Adelina Belusko Adien Carmichael
CAST
May 29, 1pm May 30, 1pm
Gypsy Girls Ayaka Hayashi Ayaka Hayashi
Grae Chalovich Grae Chalovich
Elliette Helms Elliette Helms
Murphy Henninger Murphy Henninger
Aubrie Eismont Aubrie Eismont
Ella Way Ella Way
Sophia Cerminara Sophia Cerminara
Ellie Thomas Ellie Thomas
Charlie Grace Charlie Grace
Gypsy Children Lyra Halloran Lyra Halloran
Emilia Tannyan Emilia Tannyan
Brye Chalovich Brye Chalovich
Sydney Heinen Sydney Heinen
Everly Helms Everly Helms
Mary Hospodar Mary Hospodar
Elizabeth Keller Elizabeth Keller
Greta Lasky Greta Lasky
CAST
May 29, 1pm May 30, 1pm
Gypsy Children Kassidy Ray Kassidy Ray
Tessa Salsi Tessa Salsi
Madison Norton Madison Norton
Savana Shearer Savana Shearer
Addison Ward Addison Ward
CAST
May 29, 1pm May 30, 1pm
Amour (Cupid) Emma Sias Adelina Belusko
Dulcinea Anna Young Brooke McCarthy
Queen of the Dryads Sophia Belusko Sophia Belusko
Dryads Kaitlin Natili Anna Young
Ava Rieger Abby Thomas
Caden Stover Elsa Medonyte
Adelina Belusko Adien Carmichael
Ella Way Ella Way
Sydney Pensock Sydney Pensock
Addison Shoub Addison Shoub
Wellesley Miracle Wellesley Miracle
Mariah Strnisha Mariah Strnisha
Sydney Duda Nicole Dunlap
Hannah Damon Hannah Damon
Mia Semieraro Keri Radonovich
CAST
May 29, 1pm May 30, 1pm
Baby Dryads Ellianna Wolstoncroft Ellianna Wolstoncroft
Siena Cuneo Siena Cuneo
Verena Belldina Verena Belldina
Jessa Jeglinski Jessa Jeglinski
Karina Peck Karina Peck
Lena Welsch Lena Welsch
Mia Winovich Mia Winovich
Emelia Doerr Emelia Doerr
Caitlyn Seibert Caitlyn Seibert
Amour (Cupid) Corps Emerson Miracle Emerson Miracle
Grace Mychalishyn Grace Mychalishyn
Amelia Sias Amelia Sias
Addison Wolstoncroft Addison Wolstoncroft
Mia Salsi Mia Salsi
Breena Carmichael Breena Carmichael
Bridesmaids
Classical Variation I Ava Rieger Mia Semieraro
Classical Variation II Kaitlin Natili Adien Carmichael
CAST
May 29, 1pm May 30, 1pm
Flower Girls Lyra Halloran Lyra Halloran
Emilia Tannyan Emilia Tannyan
Brye Chalovich Brye Chalovich
Sydney Heinen Sydney Heinen
Everly Helms Everly Helms
Mary Hospodar Mary Hospodar
Elizabeth Keller Elizabeth Keller
Greta Lasky Greta Lasky
Kassidy Ray Kassidy Ray
Tessa Salsi Tessa Salsi
Madison Norton Madison Norton
Savana Shearer Savana Shearer
Addison Ward Addison Ward
CAST
May 29, 1pm May 30, 1pm
Fandango Lead Ava Rieger Caden Stover
Fandango Corps Nicole Dunlap Nicole Dunlap
Sydney Duda Sydney Duda
Ella Way Ella Way
Hannah Damon Hannah Damon
Addison Shoub Addison Shoub
Mariah Strnisha Mariah Strnisha
Abby Thomas Abby Thomas
Keri Radonovich Keri Radonovich
Grand Pas Lead Adien Carmichael Adelina Belusko
Grand Pas Corps Wellesley Miracle Wellesley Miracle
Adelina Belusko Adien Carmichael
Sydney Pensock Sydney Pensock
Emma Sias Emma Sias
Mariah Strnisha Mariah Strnisha
Addison Shoub Addison Shoub
SPECIAL THANKS
WEST POINTE BALLET
We wish to extend a special thank you to West Pointe Ballet for supporting this production. Your assistance was invaluable.
PBC FAMILIES
To all the grandparents, parents, siblings, and to our own dancers, putting together a production of this size is a huge task. We could not have done this production without all your help sewing, steaming, creating headpieces, backstage support, and doing everything else you selflessly volunteered to do.
THANK YOU
Given the many challenges the world faces, we are so grateful for the opportunity to have shared our interpretation of Don Quixote with you. We hope you enjoyed it. We wish to thank The Palace Theatre for once again working with us to provide a world stage. We also extend our thanks to all the families who continue to entrust us with the health and safety of their young dancers. Last but not least, we are thankful for all of our patrons. Whether you streamed us or were in the theater with us, we thank you for making us a part of your Spring season. We remain hopeful for what the future holds and we look forward to sharing more enchanted productions with you soon.