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The Joffrey Ballet 2019-2020 Impact Report

Page 1


Cover: Joffrey Company Artist Jeraldine Mendoza and Ensemble. Photo by Cheryl Mann.
Joffrey Company Artist Aaron Renteria. Photo by Matt de la Peña.
Joffrey Company Artist Stefan Goncalvez. Photo by Matt de la Peña.
Joffrey Company Artist Dara Holmes. Photo by Matt de la Peña.

AN EXTRAORDINARY YEAR

The arrival of COVID-19 has changed the world.

We acknowledge the memories of those who lost their battle to COVID-19 and send immense gratitude to those who continue to fight for our health and safety — doctors, nurses, and public officials.

Nearly every aspect of The Joffrey Ballet has been impacted in unprecedented ways. To begin, the pandemic has resulted in the loss of more than $12 million in revenue, with our artists, students, and staff forced to work and study from home indefinitely.

Instead of opening our inaugural season at Lyric Opera House, we went into relative isolation. It soon became clear that in-person performances would be detrimental to the safety of our artists and staff, which led to the cancellation of all performances for the 2020–2021 season, including our annual production of The Nutcracker, which accounts for nearly half the Joffrey’s earned revenue. As the coronavirus raged, we connected with dance companies across the nation as well as Chicago’s arts and cultural community to share ideas, address unique problems, and create strategies to ensure the vitality of our artists, students, teachers, and administrative teams.

Facing the worst financial challenge in its history, the Joffrey cut its fulltime staff — trusted friends and colleagues — by 12% to account for the organization’s financial losses.

2020 has been a year unlike any other.

The Joffrey Ballet remains optimistic and hopeful due to those who revive us — our brilliant artists; to those who dream with us — our students and community partners; and to those who sustain us — our loyal friends and donors.

Left mural: Dana Todd Pope | Right mural: Barrett Keithely. Photo courtesy of The Joffrey Ballet.

Dear Friends,

For everyone around the world, this past year has tested our mettle.

The toll of COVID-19 has been stark. In a year that none of us could have anticipated, it is hard to overstate the hundreds of thousands of lives that have been lost or the social and racial inequities that were already in deep crisis long before the arrival of a devastating virus. We have also witnessed the realities of a fragile system, including the tenuous financial state of not-for-profits and small businesses.

But in matters of crisis there is also time for reflection. There is a chance to look inward and ask, “How do we move forward? How can we rebuild better than before?”

For the Joffrey’s part, the pandemic has opened our eyes to unexpected and often painful challenges, yet we find ourselves thinking about the overwhelming emotions that will no doubt touch all of us when we take the stage once again.

That day will come. In the meantime, in the pages that follow, you will read about a season that began optimistically and ended with the Joffrey team reaffirming its commitment to our mission, vision, and values. With a leap of inspiration, every corner of the organization is working to create a stronger, more equitable Joffrey Ballet, a reminder that our greatest achievements are yet to come.

The Joffrey was founded on the principle of hope and innovation. We carry on that legacy now and forever.

Sincerely,

THE JOFFREY BALLET

LEADERSHIP

Joffrey Company Artist Xavier Núñez. Photo by Matt de la Peña.

Board of Directors

OFFICERS

Anne L. Kaplan

Board Chair

Lorna Ferguson

Sonia Florian

Daniel L. (DL) Morriss

Vice Chairs

Guy Lakonishok

Treasurer

Ronald J. Allen

Secretary

Ashley Wheater MBE

The Mary B. Galvin

Artistic Director

Greg Cameron

President and CEO

Shari Massey

Assistant Treasurer

DIRECTORS

Kathleen Abbott

Patty Perkins Andringa

Mary Jo Basler

Marc Berman

Luann Blowers

Roger Deromedi

Pamella Roland DeVos

Adam DeWitt

Patti S. Eylar

Shelley MacArthur Farley

Jamie-Clare Flaherty

Emily Follas

Patrick M. Gallagher Jr.

Jill Garling

Dana Hokin Garvey

Mark Giragosian

Larry Goodman

Sabrina Gracias

Linda Chaplik Harris

Jerrilyn M. Hoffmann

Richard S. Holson III

Greg Jenkins

Myrna Kaplan

Donna M. LaPietra

Michael Larsen

Zachary D. Lazar Jr.

Barry Litwin

James McDonough

Coco Meers

Jess Merten

Susan G. Oleari

Diane Patience

Steve Reiss

Jeffrey C. Rubenstein

Elva Rubio

Bruce Sagan

Eric C. Schieber, MD

Liz Sharp

Courtney Shea

Ildefonso Alvim de

Abreu e Silva

Chuck Smith

Maureen Dwyer Smith

Rita Spitz

Lauren F. Streicher, MD

Ben Strobel

MarrGwen Townsend

Jason J. Tyler

Noren Ungaretti

Ronald V. Waters III

Amanda Williamson

Joel V. Williamson

LIFE DIRECTORS

Grace Barry

Fred Eychaner

Mrs. Robert W. Galvin

Patricia H. Gerber†

Pamela B. Strobel

Joseph H. Wender

PAST CHAIRPERSONS

William M. Daley

Fred Eychaner

Gary E. Holdren

Dr. David A. Kipper†

Zachary D. Lazar Jr.

C. Steve McMillian

Bruce Sagan

Maureen Dwyer Smith

Pamela B. Strobel

Jason J. Tyler

Ronald V. Waters III

As of July 1, 2019 † Deceased

Anne L. Kaplan. Photo by Erik Unger.
Anne Lazar, Zach Lazar, and Shelley MacArthur Farley. Photo by Dan Rest.

Women’s Board of The Joffrey Ballet

Noren Ungaretti

President

Sandi Hartstein

1st Vice President

Merritt DeWitt

Julianne Migely

2nd Vice Presidents

Jenelle M. Chalmers

Secretary

Susan G. Oleari

Treasurer

Melissa Trandel

Jamie-Clare Flaherty

Members-at-Large

MEMBERS

Elisabeth Adams

Mrs. Keene Harwood

Addington III

Julie O’Donnell Allen

Dr. Emily L. Arch

Annie Atzeff

Melissa M. Babcock*

Grace Barry*

Nancy Gottlieb Bauer

Heidy Best

Jetta Boschen

Sophie Bross

Marisa Bryce

Mary Kay Mudd Bushonville

Rachel M. Cannon

Lynn Cohen

Joan Colmar

Kelly Demers

Sandra Deromedi

Ellen Distelheim

Dr. Jill S. Dodds

Beth Engel

Patti S. Eylar

Jennifer Rubin Fabian

Shelley MacArthur Farley

Johanna Ferguson

Ellie Forman

Katherine E. Freiburger

Dana Hokin Garvey

Susan Geiselhart

Darcy Goldfarb, MD

Shana Bear Guthman

Diana E. Harris

Elisa D. Harris

Julie Harron

Stacie R. Hartman

Martha Higgins

Arica Hilton

Courtney A. Hoffmann

Jerrilyn M. Hoffmann

Sherry Lea Holson

Brooke Hubbuch

Melinda Jakovich-Lagrange

Jessica Jecmen

Anne L. Kaplan

Jackelyn Kastanis

Elizabeth Ann Kasten

Kathleen Klaeser

Farissa Knox

Laura Kofoid

Mrs. Frederick A. Krehbiel*

Kelly Rosen Lagrange

Whitney Lasky

Wende Fox Lawson

Anne Lazar

Dania Leemputte

Kathryn Meneely Leister

Laurie Mahler

Joan Malliband

Elizabeth Marcus, MD

Heather Martin

Kristina McGrath

Helen Hall Melchior*

Amanda Merten

Lori Mertz

Patricia Miller

Lucy Minor

Linda Curtis O’Bannon, MD

Gigi Owens

Mrs. John R. Pacholick

Daniela Pagani

Cynthia S. Passalino

Mary Ellen Pavone, MD

Judith Pierpont

Cindy Pinsky

Ibby Pinsky

Victoria Poindexter

D. Elizabeth Price

Christine Rahill*

Hallie Blanchard Rehwaldt

Emily Rubenstein

Camille Kearns Rudy

Kathleen (Henson) Sarpy

Maggie Scheyer

Sarah Schrup

Andréa J. Schwartz

Liz Sharp

Courtney Shea

Veronica Siegel

Amelia Silva

Marilyn Slattery

Maureen Dwyer Smith*

Kathy Kalesperis Smith

Maria Smithburg

Rita Spitz

Liz Stiffel

Carol J. Stone

Nancy Sussman

Cheryl Tama Oblander

Lauren D.W. Tatar

Marina D.W. Tatar

Jennifer Tscherney

Yolanda Tyler

Andria van der Merwe

Jen VanEekeren

Laura Larsen Venkus

Annabelle Volgman

Chrissie Walker

Magnes Welsh

Susan L. Welsh

Diana Weiss Widman

Elizabeth Wippman

Joyce M. Wippman

Marcie L. Wright

Leslie Zentner

Julie Zuckerman

SUPPORTING AND NON-RESIDENT

Dora Aalbregtse

Melissa Anton

Mary Jo Basler

Mrs. John E. Burke

Kelly Dettmann

Pamella Roland DeVos

Deborah Gordon Engle

Lydia Fisher

Astra Gamsjaeger

Sue-Gray Goller

Stephanie M. Grinage

Marjorie E. Habermann

Sharon King Hoge

Marci Holzer

Candace Collins Jordan

Donna M. LaPietra

Leslie Logsdon

Astrid A. McKinnon

Anne Simon Moffat

Shauna Montgomery

Brooks Morgan

Mrs. Jay L. Owen, Jr.

Anne Shea

Kathleen A. Swien

Victoria Verity

Carol A. Walter

Ann Waters

Mrs. Thomas E. Wells IV

Pam Phillips Weston

As of March 6, 2020

*Honorary Member

The Generation J Leadership Council

COUNCIL CO-CHAIRS

Carolyn Blessing

Lauren Huefner

COUNCIL MEMBERS

Rachel Bartunek

Jacqueline Lentz

Natalie Matwijiszyn

Sarah Shu

CHAIR EMERITUS

Emily Strobel Amiet

John Walcher

Sarah Shu, Lauren Huefner, Rachel Bartunek, and Carolyn Blessing.
Photo by Matt de la Peña.
Camille Rudy and Colleen Flanagan. Photo by Sean Su.
Noren Ungaretti, Rachel Cannon, Sandi Hartstein, Janet Ruchim, and Ellie Forman. Photo by Sean Su.
Diana Harris, Linda O’Bannon, and Deana Haynes.
Photo by Purple Photo Co.

2019–2020 Revenue

$6,454,125 TICKET SALES & TOURING

$9,402,390 CONTRIBUTIONS

$2,194,745 JOFFREY ACADEMY OF DANCE

$173,188 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

$446,788 OTHER SOURCES OF INCOME

2019–2020 Expenses

$12,759,070 ARTISTIC PRODUCTION

$1,990,111 JOFFREY ACADEMY OF DANCE

$757,264 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

$1,295,445 FUNDRAISING

$1,561,147 SUPPORTING

$18,671,236

$18,363,037

TOTAL EXPENSES

The Joffrey Ballet ended the fiscal year with a $308 thousand surplus before depreciation and transfers. The support of donors and subscribers making annual contributions, as well as converting project support and ticket purchases to unrestricted gifts towards the Crisis Stabilization Fund, resulted in total contributions of $9.4 million for the fiscal year ending June 30. This offset the $2.2 million loss in ticket revenue due to the cancellation of the spring production of Don Quixote and the $1.48 million loss in special events income due to the cancellation of our annual spring fundraising event. The Academy was able to maintain most of their tuition revenue for the spring semester by transitioning to online classes, however the cancellation of the summer intensive program lowered overall tuition

revenue by $293 thousand. Overall, total revenue ended at $18.6 million, down by $2.9 million against the original plan of $21.6 million.

As a result of the cancellations, expenses directly related to these events were also lower than budgeted by $3.18 million to $18.3 million. Savings came from the production department of $1.5 million as well as marketing in the amount of $500 thousand. Special events eliminated spending by $456 thousand. In addition, the Academy saw reductions in expenses with the cancellation of the Winning Works program as well as using full-time faculty to teach summer classes instead of hourly instructors.

Statement of Financial Position

2019–2020 ASSETS Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 4,355,836

2019–2020 LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS

The Joffrey’s assets increased by almost $7 million to $37.7 million in the fiscal year, ending June 30. Key drivers of this increase include gifts to the endowment, increasing net assets to the endowment by $4 million as well an increase in temporarily restricted net assets of over $1.3 million. The temporarily restricted balance reflects funds raised for future fiscal years, primarily the commitments from donors to the Crisis Stabilization Fund. Also included is the $2 million PPP loan, which increased cash by $2 million as well as liabilities. The Joffrey will be requesting the loan be transferred to a grant in fiscal year 2021 and will be reflected on this year’s income statement as a grant when it is approved.

Joffrey Company Artist Olivia Duryea. Photo by Matt de la Peña.

CRISIS STABILIZATION FUND

Joffrey Company Artists Edson Barbosa and Ensemble. Photo by Cheryl Mann.

The Launch of the Crisis Stabilization Fund

CRISIS STABILIZATION fund

The Board demonstrated their unified commitment by achieving 100% PARTICIPATION in supporting the Crisis Stabilization Fund with gifts totaling over $4 MILLION

When the 2019–2020 season was brought to an abrupt end in March, and all 2020–2021 season performances were cancelled, it became apparent that our future was 100% dependent on philanthropic contributions. Based on financial projections created by a task force of Board Executive Committee members and Joffrey leadership, the Board approved the launch of a $12 million Crisis Stabilization Fund to cover our most basic needs through the beginning of the 2021–2022 season.

The Board demonstrated their unified commitment by achieving 100% participation in supporting the Crisis Stabilization Fund with gifts totaling over $4 million. Our fundraising was launched by two leadership gifts from Board Chair Anne L. Kaplan, and a generous grant from Alphawood Foundation, stewarded by Director Jim McDonough. The Joffrey Women’s Board quickly followed the Board’s lead and secured 100% participation from its members.

The Chicago community has responded swiftly to protect the future of the Joffrey with gifts at every level. The Searle Funds at the Chicago Community Trust have again demonstrated their steadfast commitment to dance in Chicago. After investing $1 million towards the creation of Christopher Wheeldon’s The Nutcracker, the Searle Family again rose to meet the needs of the moment with a $1 million relief grant, ensuring the company stayed financially solvent and able to continue delivering our mission.

Equally inspiring is the outpouring of support from donors at every level who have supported the Crisis Stabilization Fund. The facts and figures on the following pages demonstrate how every dollar donated has helped us reach our current fundraising of $9.4 million towards our $12 million goal.

Photo by Michael Smith.

TICKET TURNBACK REVENUE

To date, our supporters have donated back $451,654 in contributed revenue from their ticket purchases  FY20  FY21

$307,130 $144,524 REVENUE

TICKET TURNBACK UNIQUE HOUSEHOLDS

To date, 1,602 unique households have chosen to donate back their tickets to the Joffrey  FY20  FY21

903

NUMBER OF UNIQUE HOUSEHOLDS

NUMBER OF GIFTS

In FY20, the Joffrey saw a 34% increase in total # of gifts brought in.

(The total # of gifts brought in during FY18 and FY19 remained relatively flat.)

699

FISCAL YEAR CONTRIBUTED REVENUE DISTRIBUTION

In FY20, the Joffrey had 43% of its contributed revenue come in after March 15 — a 14% increase in the percentage of revenue brought in after March 15 in FY19.

FY18:  Before March 15  After March 15

FY19:  Before March 15  After March 15

FY20:  Before March 15  After March 15

Does not include Endowment, In-Kind, or WB Dues

NUMBER OF NEW GIFTS

In FY20, the Joffrey received 1,697 new gifts — 802 more than in FY19

$9M

$8M

$7M

$6M

$5M

$4M

$3M

$2M

$1M

$0

These numbers reflect gifts to the Joffrey’s annual campaign, from individuals, that were less than $25,000 / ‘New Gifts’ are defined as a gift from a donor who hasn’t given to the Joffrey for at least 2 fiscal years

GOAL: $12 MILLION DOLLARS RAISED OVER 18 MONTHS

$9.4 MILLION DOLLARS RAISED

1,697

As of January 11, 2021

$2.6 MILLION DOLLARS TO REACH GOAL

ARTISTS

Those who revive us

Joffrey Artist Roster

Nicole Ciapponi Vancouver, Canada
Lucia Connolly Los Angeles, CA
April Daly Rockford, IL
José Pablo Castro Cuevas* Queretaro, Mexico
Jonathan Dole* Sacramento, California
Dylan Gutierrez Los Angeles, CA
Dara Holmes* Wilmington, NC
Yuka Iwai* Iwate, Japan
Anna Gerberich Dillsburg, PA
Stefan Goncalvez São Paulo, Brazil
Graham Maverick San Francisco, CA
Jeraldine Mendoza San Francisco, CA
Hyuma Kiyosawa Nagano, Japan
Brooke Linford* Alpine, UT
Greig Matthews Aberdeen, Great Britain
Olivia Tang-Mifsud Los Angeles, CA
Miu Tanaka* Chiba, Japan
Temur Suluashvili Tbilisi, Rep. of Georgia
Julia Rust Noblesville, IN
Chloé Sherman New York, NY
Derrick Agnoletti San Jose, CA
Yoshihisa Arai Hiroshima, Japan
Amanda Assucena* Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Edson Barbosa Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Miguel Angel Blanco Havana, Cuba
Photos by Cheryl Mann.
Derek Drilon* Vancouver, WA
Fernando Duarte* Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Olivia Duryea* Haslett, MI
Cara Marie Gary Belton, SC
Victoria Jaiani Tbilisi, Rep. of Georgia
Yumi Kanazawa Los Angeles, CA
Gayeon Jung Seoul, Korea
Hansol Jeong Namyangju, South Korea
Xavier Núñez Caguas, Puerto Rico
Aaron Renteria Corona, CA
Princess Reid Jacksonville, FL
Christine Rocas Manila, Philippines
NEW JOFFREY ARTISTS | *JOFFREY ACADEMY OF DANCE ALUMNI
Joanna Wozniak Rolling Meadows, IL
Alonso Tepetzi* Orizaba, Mexico
Alberto Velazquez Havana, Cuba
Valentino Moneglia Zamora* Murcia, Spain
Valeria Chaykina St. Petersburg, Russia
Evan Boersma* Chicago, IL
Anais Bueno Córdoba, Mexico
Fabrice Calmels Paris, France

STUDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY

Those who dream with us
JOFFREY ACADEMY

Education is a lifelong pursuit.

The COVID-19 crisis has been a time of unparalleled challenge for arts organizations, but through the extraordinary teamwork and visionary spirit of the Joffrey Academy staff and artistic team, we have adapted by thinking boldly and creatively.

This past spring, the Joffrey Academy moved 85 classes to virtual formats across all divisions over the course of one week. We successfully adapted classes for students that were forced to return to their home countries, navigating various time zones in the process. We provided marley flooring to all our teachers to keep instruction holistic and complete. Following the cancellation of our regularly scheduled Summer Intensive programs and Summer Camps, we established five virtual intensives and six virtual camps — including valuable and unique online seminars such as The History of The Joffrey Ballet, The Recreation of Historical Works and interviews with choreographers Christopher Wheeldon and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa — that reached over 200 students.

This is innovation at work. This is education. We will continue to move forward.
Joffrey Academy Studio Company Class. Photo by Bridget Holmes.

Community Engagement

Adversity begets creativity. In the COVID-19 era, Joffrey Community Engagement has embraced new approaches to broaden our impact.

Today, Joffrey Community Engagement (CE) services roughly 400 students with our e-learning arts enrichment programs; our partnership with After School Matters continues to thrive, with 60 students participating in a dance enrichment program; and five industry-leading choreographers created works for our students, culminating in a virtual final presentation.

There’s more. The signature Exelon Strobel Dancer program, now with 20 students, also successfully transitioned to a virtual platform, with Joffrey Company artists teaching our Exelon Strobel and Extensions programs, allowing students to receive dance education uninterrupted.

Over the summer, CE celebrated a new initiative with Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). We welcomed 12 high school students for a paid internship. They attended classes with CTA in the morning and dance enrichment classes at Joffrey in the afternoon — all conducted virtually. The partnership with CTA was so successful that it will resume in the summer of 2021.

Pandemic or not, our work continues.

Joffrey Community Virtual Seminar
Joffrey Community Engagement Student.
Photo by Michael Smith.

LOYAL FRIENDS AND DONORS

Those who sustain us

JANE EYRE LUNCHEON

Joffrey Company Artist Amanda Assucena. Photo by Cheryl Mann.

Jane Eyre Luncheon

In celebration of The Joffrey Ballet’s 2019–2020 season, The Joffrey Ballet Women’s Board hosted its annual luncheon on October 8, 2019 at the Chicago Hilton. The afternoon celebrated women in the arts and the Chicago premiere of Jane Eyre. During a conversation with Linda Murray, Curator of the Jerome Robbins Dance Division of The New York Public Library, Jane Eyre Choreographer Cathy Marston, Company Artist Amanda Assucena, and Joffrey’s Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director Ashley Wheater MBE, 300 guests enjoyed a behind-the-scenes look into Jane Eyre.

Co-chaired by members of The Joffrey Ballet Women’s Board Chrissie Walker and Marcie Wright, the event raised $130,000 for the Joffrey’s performances, programs, and projects.

Presenting Sponsor

Adagio Sponsor Anne L. Kaplan

Arabesque Sponsors

Accenture, CA Ventures, Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue, and William Blair

Allegro Sponsors

Academic Achievement Institute Corp., Baird with Jim Meixner and Rachel Cannon, Greg Cameron and Greg Thompson, Compass and Compass Development, RSM, and Maggie and Eric Scheyer

Linda Murray, Anne L. Kaplan, Amanda Assucena, Marcie Wright, Chrissie Walker, Ashley Wheater, and Cathy Marston. Photo by Purple Photo Co.
Joffrey Women’s Board members Kathy Smith and Darcy Goldfarb with guests. Photo by Purple Photo Co.
Academy Director Raymond Rodriguez with Joffrey Academy Students. Photo by Cheryl Mann.

Donors

CORPORATE, FOUNDATION, AND GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

The Joffrey Ballet is grateful to our donors for providing funding that ensures quality and engaging experiences for a variety of audiences. The following is a list of donors who made gifts and pledges in support of the Joffrey’s 2019–2020 season projects and programs and the Joffrey’s endowment fund.

$1,000,000+

Abbott Fund

The Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust

$250,000–$999,999

Alphawood Foundation Chicago

The Hearst Foundations

$100,000–$249,999

The Allstate Insurance Company

Chicago Athletic Clubs

The Grainger Foundation

Prince Charitable Trusts

Sage Foundation

$50,000–$99,999

Athletico Physical Therapy

The Bill Bass Foundation

Better

BMO Wealth Management

The Julius N. Frankel Foundation

Guarantee Trust Life Insurance Company

The Walter E. Heller Foundation

Illinois Arts Council Agency

ITW

Jewell Events Catering

JW Marriott

The John D. & Catherine T.

MacArthur Foundation

The Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust

The Poetry Foundation

Polk Bros Foundation

Pritzker Foundation

The Shubert Foundation

Sidley Austin, LLP

$25,000–$49,999

AARP Illinois

Abbott Laboratories

The Brinson Foundation

Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation

Citi

Conagra Brands Foundation

Exelon

Lloyd A. Fry Foundation

GrubHub, Inc.

Macy’s

MasterCard

Masuda, Funai, Eifert & Mitchell, Ltd.

Mayer Brown LLP

Northern Trust

The Chicago Community Foundation

$10,000–$24,999

Anonymous

Capital Group Private Client Services

Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

Dr. Scholl Foundation

Fifth Third Bank

John R. Halligan Charitable Fund

Kryolan Professional Make-Up

Mazza Foundation

National Endowment for the Arts

Jerome Robbins Foundation and Trust

The Siragusa Family Foundation

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

U.S. Bank Foundation

William Blair

$5,000–$9,999

Accenture

CA Ventures

Chirp Design, Inc.

Dunham Fund

The Irving Harris Foundation

Luminarts Cultural Foundation

Fellowship by Myrna Kaplan

Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue

Nordstrom, Inc.

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.

The Sidley Austin Foundation

$2,500–$4,999

Anonymous (2)

Academic Achievement Institute Corp.

Philip M. Friedmann Family

Charitable Trust

RSM LLP

Vanille Patisseries

$1,500–$2,499

Baird

Franklin Philanthropic Foundation

Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc.

Sahara Enterprises, Inc.

$1,000–$1,499

Kemper Foundation

RPM Events

DONORS

Individual Donors

INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT

The Joffrey Ballet is grateful to our donors for providing funding that ensures quality and engaging experiences for a variety of audiences. The following is a list of those who made gifts and pledges in support of the Joffrey’s 2019–2020 season projects and programs, and the Joffrey’s endowment fund.

$1,000,000+

Anonymous

Paul Galvin Memorial Foundation Trust

$500,000–$999,999

Margot and Josef Lakonishok

$250,000–$499,999

Daniel and Pamella DeVos Foundation

The Florian Fund

Anne L. Kaplan

Denise Littlefield Sobel

$100,000–$249,999

Mary Jo and Doug Basler

Sandy and Roger Deromedi

Estate of Georgia Lee Funsten

Cindy Galvin and Christopher Galvin

George L. Jewell

Nancy and Sanfred Koltun

The Satter Foundation

Dr. and Mrs. Arnold Tatar

Mr. and Mrs. Joel V. Williamson

Wilson Garling Foundation

$50,000–$99,999

Dan J. Epstein Family Foundation

Lorna Ferguson and Terry Clark

Sabrina Gracias

Sherry Lea and Richard Holson III

Kiphart Family Foundation

Lucy Minor

Jane Ellen Murray Foundation

Susan and Nicholas Noyes in memory of Clara Rideout Noyes and her love of ballet

Mr. and Mrs. John Patience

Bruce Sagan and Bette Cerf Hill

Bill and Orli Staley

Mr. and Mrs. Ronald V. Waters III

$25,000–$49,999

Anonymous

Edward B. Beam Jr. in Loving Memory of John Palatinus and Jack Alexander

Greg Cameron and Greg Thompson

The Crown Family

Pamela Crutchfield

Mr. and Mrs. Adam DeWitt

Patti S. Eylar and Charles R. Gardner

Michelle Goodman and Larry J. Goodman, MD

Miriam Hoover Foundation

Myrna W. Kaplan

Kovler Family Foundation

Julie and Guy Lakonishok

Madden Family Fund

Coco B. Meers and Ethan Meers

Negaunee Foundation

Alexandra Nichols and John Nichols

Penny Pritzker and Bryan Traubert

Jeffrey C. Rubenstein

Eric C. Schieber, MD

Shea Family Foundation

Ms. Courtney C. Shea

Chuck Smith

Rita Spitz and David Blears

Dr. Lauren Streicher and Mr. Jason Brett

Pamela and Russ Strobel

Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Townsend

Dia Weil and Edward Weil

Mr. Miles D. White

$10,000–$24,999

Anonymous

Mr. and Mrs. Ronald J. Allen

Annie Atzeff and Kristopher Atzeff

Luann and David Blowers

Mr. and Mrs. Dean L. Buntrock

Suzanne Cameron and Stephen Cameron

Catherine Carter and John Palfrey

Paul Chasnoff and Joe Hopper

Lawrence Corry

Mr. and Mrs. William Farley

Marilyn Fields and Larry Fields

Jennifer Gallagher and Patrick Gallagher

Estate Of Robert D Gray

Karen Gray-Krehbiel and John Krehbiel, Jr.

Julius Carter and Jim McDonough.
Photo by Jaclyn Simpson.
John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation President John Palfrey and Joffrey Director Dana Rice. Photo by Jaclyn Simpson.

Sherry and Michael Guthrie

Joan Hall

Harris Family Foundation

Sandi and Barry Hartstein

Kathleen Ihrig and Glenn Ihrig

Geralyn Kendall and David Kendall

Michael and Jennifer Larsen

Mr. and Mrs. Zachary D. Lazar, Jr.

Jay Byron Leibovitz in loving memory of

Eric B. Eatherly

Susan Lichtenstein and John Rokacz

Elizabeth Liebman

Jessica Lundevall and Torjus Lundevall

Margaret MacLean

Katherine Malkin and Judd Malkin

James D. McDonough

Richard & Martha Melman Foundation

Peggy Morrow

Mrs. Abby McCormick O’Neil and Mr. Carroll Joynes

Virginia Owens and James Owens

D. Elizabeth Price and Lou Yecies

Stephen Reiss and Rena Hozore Reiss

Elva Rubio, Rubiostudio

Cari and Michael J. Sacks

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey S. Sharp

Amelia Silva and Alejandro Silva

Melissa de Abreu e Silva and Ildefonso Silva

Mr. and Mrs. Edward B. Smith, Jr.

Jeanette Stevens

Liz Stiffel

Hadas Teuscher and Philip Teuscher

The Patrick G. and

Shirley W. Ryan Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Jason J. Tyler

Richard and Diane Weinberg

Hilary and Barry Weinstein

Ashley Wheater and Brian Johnson

Amanda Williamson and Matthew Johnson

Richard Yulman

Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue VP and General Manager Wendy Krimins with Tina Koegel and guests. Photo by Purple Photo Co.
Joffrey Company Artist Lucia Connolly. Photo by Matt de la Peña.
Ashley Wheater, Julie Lakonishok, and Guy Lakonishok. Photo by Dan Rest.

DONORS

Remembering

Christine Du Boulay Ellis

Christine was a dedicated supporter of The Joffrey Ballet since its humble beginnings, and a lifelong advocate for the organization ever since.

Christine was an artist who personified grace and integrity. First as a dancer with Sadler’s Wells Ballet in England, then as a teacher with her late husband Richard Ellis at the Ellis-Du Boulay School of Ballet, she believed in the power of dance to enrich our spirits, and touched so many lives in the process.

We will forever be grateful for her many contributions to our Company and our art form. Her example will live on in our hearts forever. She made the world a more joyful place.

$5,000–$9,999

Anonymous

Emily Strobel Amiet and Michael Amiet

Robert and Isabelle Bass Foundation

Nancy Gottlieb Bauer

Jean Cameron and Carlyle Cameron

Mrs. Joyce Chelberg

Juliana Chyu and David Whitney

Patricia O’Neill Cox

Leah Day

Dr. Jill S. Dodds and Dr. Guriqbal Nandra

Lois Eisen and Stephen Eisen

Joseph & Bessie Feinberg Foundation

Emily Follas and Timothy Jacob

Elisabeth Geraghty and Robert Geraghty

Ethel and William Gofen

Dr. and Mrs. Alan G. Harris

Mr. and Mrs. David H. Hoffmann

Marilyn Katz and Scott Chambers

Robert Kohl and Clark Pellett

Lannan Foundation

Linda Levie and Glenn Levie

Colleen Loughlin and John Sirek

Elizabeth Marcus, MD and Ira Belcove

Dr. Elaine Moor

David Moscow

Susan G. Oleari

Michael Payette

Carol Pollock

Carol and Robert Rasmus

Dana Rice

John W. and Jeanne M. Rowe

Joan Rubschlager and Paul Rubschlager

Susan Ruder

The Richard and Ellen Sandor Family Foundation

Judy A. Saslow Gallery

Mr. and Mrs. Eric Scheyer

Mr. and Mrs. David Sensibar

Rebecca Sherrick

Louis and Nellie Sieg Fund

Maria Smithburg and William D. Smithburg

Marjorie Staples

Penelope Steiner

Jill Svoboda and John Svoboda

Lorraine Trachtenberg

Richard and Noren Ungaretti

Magnes Welsh

Diana and Stuart Widman

Marcie Wright

$2,500–$4,999

Evelyn Alter

Patty Perkins Andringa

Dr. Emily and Mr. Justin Arch

Carey August and Brett August

Mr. and Mrs. Francis Beidler III

Meta S. and Ronald Berger

Family Foundation

Marc and Sharen Berman

Sondra Berman Epstein†

Jennifer Birmingham

Mr. and Mrs. Ralph A. L. Bogan, Jr.

Halie Braden and Russell Braden

John Brazzale

Anthony Bruck

Tamara and Robert Buday

Katharine Burns and Nicholas Burjek

Rachel Cannon and James Meixner

Lynn Cohen and Edward Cohen

Elliott Crigger

Danielle Deutsch

Amina Dickerson and Julian Roberts

Julia and Matt Doherty

Shawn M. Donnelley and Christopher M. Kelly

Deborah and Cody Engle

Johanna Ferguson

Dr. and Mrs. Anthony G. Finder

Karen Fletcher

Jamie-Clare Flaherty

Nancy Follis

Arthur Frank

Greg and Christine Gallagher

Dana Hokin Garvey and Robert Garvey

Anthony and Susan Grosch

Shapiro Grynsztejn Family Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation

Heather Gustafson

Shana Guthman and David Guthman

Diana Harris

Stacie R. Hartman

Roberta Killeen and Timothy Killeen

Avril Klaff and Hersch Klaff

Laura Kofoid and David Ricci

Dr. Jennifer Kurth and Mr. Brian Van Klompenberg

Sarah Ladgenski and Derek Ladgenski

Kelly Rosen Lagrange

The Lane Trust: Dr. Lynda Lane, Adele Lane† and Ben Lane-Korn†

Ms. Donna M. LaPietra and Mr. William Kurtis

Wende and Jim Lawson

Dania Leemputte and Patrick Leemputte

Mia Levy and Paul Levy

Kathy Lidbury

The Lubin Family Foundation

Philip Lumpkin

Joan Malliband and David Malliband

Lynne McNown

John R. Menninger

Pamela G. Meyer

Mrs. Julianne Migely

Barbara and Jonathan Moss

Thomas O’Keefe

Katherine Patch and Jason Patch

Nicole Pirani

Victoria Poindexter and Joseph P. Gaynor III

Bonnie Price and Jack Hirsch

Carol Prins and John Hart

Anne E. Rea

Hallie Blanchard Rehwaldt and Thomas Rehwaldt

Chiara Rolfini and Sergio Finesso

Marilyn Slattery

Ms. Kathy Kalesperis Smith and Mr. Dion Grimes Smith

Mr. and Mrs. Neele E. Stearns, Jr.

Edwin Stebbins and Richard Stebbins

Ben Strobel

Nancy and Ira Sussman

Peggy Swartchild and James Swartchild

Sara Szold

Lindsay Tako and Anthony Tako

Nathan Tannenbaum Foundation Inc.

Alan Tinsmon

Torri & Swinand Family

Dana Shepard Treister and Dr. Michael Roy Treister

Leslie J. Warner and Stephen B. Warner

Elizabeth Wippman and Tom Wippman

Julia Yao and Kevin Chin

Julie Zuckerman and Daniel Zuckerman

$1,500–$2,499

Anonymous (3)

Dora Aalbregtse and R. John Aalbregtse

Kathleen and Jeff Abbott

Mr. and Mrs. William Adams IV

Greg Albiero and Mark Zampardo

Mr. and Mrs. Brian W. Babcock, Sr.

Ms. Carolyn A. Blessing

Derek Blin

Christine Gay and Cyrille Blum

Lisa Bonner and Mark Bonner

Adrianne Boylen

Anne Brody and Michael Brody

Leslie Buchbinder

Carolyn Bucksbaum

Marion Cameron

Dr. John Dainauskas

Nancy Dehmlow

Kelly Demers

Wendy Eager

Dondria Enberg

Mimi Frankel and Bud Frankel

Christine Geiger

Mr. Mark Giragosian and Mrs. Alexis Polito Giragosian

Bruce A. Gober, M.D.

Darcy Goldfarb, MD

Sue-Gray Goller

Ann Gootee and James Gootee

Marc and Carol Gordon

Barbara Greis and Howard Gottlieb

Deborah Graham

Elisa Harris and Ivo Daalder

Kathleen and Mark Hechinger

The Heestand Foundation

Sarai Hoffman and Stephen Pratt

Julie Holland

Lauren Huefner

Melinda Lagrange and Lucien Lagrange

Jessica Jecmen

Janet Jentes and William Jentes

Jocelyn Kress Family Foundation Trust

Denise Stefan Ginascol and Julie Allen. Photo by Jaclyn Simpson.

$1,500–$2,499 (continued)

Mary Kamraczewski and Kevin Kamraczewski

Sherry Kaplan and Barry Kaplan

Masahiro Kasai and William Myers

Gloria Kearney

Jeffrey Kerr

Wendy Kilcollin and T. Eric Kilcollin

Sandiya Killion and Andrew Killion

Polly Kintzel

Dennis and Kathleen Klaeser

Erica Kuhlmann and Frank Kuhlmann

Robin and Jack Lavin

Deej and Hunter Leggitt

Kathryn Leister and Douglas Leister

Dr. Richard E. Leithiser

Anne Lerner and Alan Lerner

Krista Linn

Mr. and Mrs. Barry Litwin

Beth Loeb

Laurie Mahler

Lisa Klimley Malkin and Cary J. Malkin

Shari Massey and Bill Massey

Sharon McGee

Kevin McGirr

Lori Mertz

Karen Migaldi and Scott Migaldi

Patricia Miller and Christopher Miller

Lois and Robert Moeller

Prof. Keith and Anne Moffat

Julie Moller and Scott Moller

Sarah Moore and David Moore

Jazelle Morriss and Daniel L. (DL) Morriss

Michael Brown and Geeta Nagpal

Janis Notz and John Notz

Linda Curtis O’Bannon, MD

Lee and Sharon Oberlander

Mary Jane O’Connor

Marjory Oliker

Sharon Olson and Fred Fleischbein

Mark Overholser

Nina Owen and Michael Belsley

Mr. and Mrs. John R. Pacholick

Daniela Pagani

Robert Parris and Bradley Renner

Kristie Paskvan

Mary Ellen Pavone, MD and Christopher Novak

Timothy Payne

Marilyn Pearson

Christine Rahill

Camille Kearns Rudy and Robert M. Rudy

Barbara Atkins Ruhman

Judith Sawyier and Michael Sawyier

Patricia Schmalzl and William Schmalzl

Lewis and Barbara Schneider

Sarah Schrup

Andréa J. Schwartz and Dr. Steve Stryker

Illeane Schwartz and Sheldon Schwartz

Anne Shonk

Stephanie Sick and William Sick

Veronica Siegel

Thomas G. Sinkovic

Craig Sirles

Carol and George Sladek

Beth Smetana and Gerard Smetana

Brian Smith and Geyer Morford

Patricia Smith

Dawn Stanislaw

Shirley Stanley and Paul Stanley

Patricia Sternberg

Carol Stone and David Stone

Rona Talcott and Owen Deutsch

Cheryl Tama Oblander and Scott Oblander

Irene Tang

Robert and Etti Van Etten

Chrissie Walker and Joe Walker

Debbie Wang and David Hoyt

Natalie Wayne

Olga Weiss and George Honig

Sherrie Weiss and Albert Weiss

Amy Williams and Chad Williams

Russ Zajtchuk and Joan Zajtchuk

Mr. and Mrs. Robert K. Zentner

William Ziemann

Ms. Helen L. Dunbeck and Dr. John Zimmermann

$1,000–$1,499

Anonymous (4)

Mr. and Mrs. James M. Amend

Mina Amir-Mokri

Janet Anixter

Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Arensman

Anne and Mark Bagan

Marcia Baylin

Shaun Block and Andrew Block

Elizabeth Brint and David Brint

Myrna Bromley and Lauran Bromley

Burke-Brunger Fund of Horizons Foundation

The Carmi Family Charitable Fund

Jenelle Chalmers and Stephen Chalmers

Prince Charitable Trusts Program Director for Arts and Culture Benna Wilde. Photo by Purple Photo Co.

Mrs. John C. Colman

Earle Cromer David Fox

Susan Geiselhart and David Geiselhart

Ann Heide and Charles Heide

Don and Ky Hilliker Douglas Hogarth

Mary Ittelson

Thayer Jabin and Christopher Jabin

Maryl R. Johnson, MD

Nancy Karger and Frank Karger

Drs. Kristi Kirschner and Raymond Curry

Farissa Knox and Lerry Knox

Natalie Kohler and Herbert Kohler

Susan Koltun and Thomas Koltun

Brandt Kucharski

Ms. Dana Levinson and Mrs. Barbara Levinson

Dr. and Mrs. Andrew O. Lewicky

Robert Marks

Leticia Marsico

Heather Martin and Sean Martin

Jess and Amanda Merten

Dr. and Mrs. David D. Morimoto

Bethany Mudd

Maggie and Michael Murzanski

Phoebe Nixon and Jamin Nixon

Mr. Jonathan F. Orser

Martha Patterson

Jean Perkins and Leland Hutchinson

Madeleine and Harvey Plonsker

Boyd Rice

Ian Robertson

James Rocks

Emily Rubenstein and Angel Rivera

Jennifer Rubin Fabian

Sue Samuels

Betty Seid and Richard Seid

Victoria Severson

Lindsey Shaw

Claude Sherman

Marcey Siegel and Kenneth Siegel

Diana and Robert Simon

Shari Slavin and Shari Slavin

Jane Smith and Michael Smith

Janet Carl Smith and Mel Smith

Cameron Soelberg

Bradley Sterrenberg

Holly Stevens and Randy Stevens

Joanne Storm

Dr. Audrey Tatar and Dr. Michael Bresler

Melissa Trandel

Nancy Traylor and Glen Traylor

Jennifer Tscherney

Susan and Bob Underwood

Jen and Luke VanEekeren

David Varnerin

Todd and Cari Vieregg

Annabelle Volgman and Keith Volgman

Joyce M. Wippman

Susan Wislow and Robert Wislow

Remembering Richard Covello

Richard was a long-time friend of the Joffrey and a reviewer of opera for the Chicago Tribune and other publications. He was a wonderfully genuine man with a passion for the arts and a love of culture. A fixture at Joffrey Circle Salons, Richard attended every program with friend and Joffrey Director Sonia Florian. He had encyclopedic knowledge of classical music, ballet, opera, and film which he shared with those around him generously. We consider ourselves so very lucky to have known and experienced art with him, and we celebrate his beautiful spirit.

Katie Finley, Archana Kumar, and Alison Mast. Photo by Jaclyn Simpson.
Richard Covello and Greg Cameron. Photo by Erik Unger.

Joffrey Academy of Dance Scholarship Sponsors

Edward B. Beam, Jr. in Loving Memory of John Palatinus and Jack Alexander

Lawrence Corry

Dan J. Epstein Family Foundation

Lorna Ferguson and Terry Clark

The Grainger Foundation

Guarantee Trust Life Insurance Company

Nancy and Sanfred Koltun

Jay Byron Leibovitz in loving memory of Eric B. Eatherly

Luminarts Cultural Foundation Fellowship by Myrna Kaplan

Lucy Minor

D. Elizabeth Price and Lou Yecies

Rose L. Shure Trust

Amelia and Alejandro Silva

Jeanette Stevens

Mr. and Mrs. Ronald V. Waters III

Richard and Diane Weinberg

Ashley Wheater and Brian Johnson in Loving Memory of Christine Du Boulay Ellis

Star Society

JOFFREY ACADEMY OF DANCE SCHOLARSHIP FUND SUPPORTERS

Halie and Russell Braden

John Brazzale

Dunham Fund

Nancy Follis

Betty Seid and Richard Seid

Thomas G. Sinkovic

Lorraine Trachtenberg

The following individuals have included The Joffrey Ballet in their estate plans and are members of the Star Society. The Joffrey thanks them for their outstanding commitment.

Anonymous (7)

Mr. and Mrs.

Brian W. Babcock, Sr.

Pamela Jo Block

D. Jeffrey and Joan H. Blumenthal

Greg Cameron and Greg Thompson

Mr. Paul Chasnoff and Mr. Joe Hopper

The Cox Trust

Deborah and Cody Engle

Patti S. Eylar and Charles R. Gardner

Ms. Christine B. Fisher

Mr. Michael Goldberger

Sue-Gray Goller

Sandi and Barry Hartstein

Dale Heiking

Barbara Henigbaum

Marci and Ronald Holzer

Ms. Jessica Jagielnik

Ms. Darlene Johnson

Anne L. Kaplan

Myrna W. Kaplan

Paul Kobasa

Dr. Lynda Lane

Henrietta Leary

Ms. Linda Levey

Philip Lumpkin

Mr. John McAllister

Mr. Kevin McGirr

Prof. Keith and Anne Moffat

Dr. Elaine Moor

Ms. Jane Ellen Murray and Mr. Edwin Wentz

Mr. Jonathan F. Orser

D. Elizabeth Price

Christine and Daniel Rahill

Eric C. Schieber, MD and Anthony Priore

Mr. Doug Schmidt

Terry A. Schwartz

Thomas G. Sinkovic

Craig Sirles

Marilyn Slattery

Constance Steinhaus

Jeanette Stevens

Elisabeth Wilcox Szegho

Mr. and Mrs.

Ronald V. Waters III

Mary Agnes Welsh

Diana and Stuart Widman

Andrea and Rich Winship

Mrs. Anna Mary Zarrelli

Joel Williamson, Lorna Ferguson, and Diego Hoyos del Rey. Photo by Jaclyn Simpson.
Ann and Ron Waters. Photo by Erik Unger.

Tribute Gifts — In Honor Of

Julie O’Donnell Allen

Annie Atzeff

Mary Jo Basler

Miguel Blanco

Lauren Streicher and Jason Brett

Cece Buday

Fabrice Calmels

Greg Cameron

Raúl Casasola

Jenelle Chalmers

Joan Colmar

April Daly

Adam DeWitt

Karin Ellis-Wentz

Jennifer Rubin Fabian

Shelley MacArthur Farley

Arturo Fernandez

Fernando Fernandez

Bill and Carole Fishman

Jamie-Clare Flaherty

Keri Friedman

Patti Eylar and Charlie Gardner

Julie Harron

Sandi Hartstein

Richard C. Higginbotham

Sherry Lea Holson

Victoria Jaiani

Melinda Jakovich-LaGrange

Bob Jankowski

Greg Jenkins

Anne Kaplan

Farissa Knox

Laura Kofoid

Annie Lyonswright

In Memory Of

Edith Allard

Gerald Arpino

Frederick Ashton

Rochelle Distelheim

Delia Duarte

Christine Du Boulay Ellis

Lucius P. Gregg

Marie Gunther

Robert Joffrey

Virginia Jones

Adele Lane

Henry Levey

Kathleen and Joseph Madden

Dr. John Paul McGee II

Heather Martin

Shari Massey

Julianne Migely

DL and Jazelle Morriss

Mary Kay Mudd

Pixie Newman and Lee Brown

Sue Oleari

Martina Marie Piotti

Nerissa Pryba

Natalie Rasr

Kirsten Recknagel

Dana Rice

Raymond Rodriguez

Chiara Rolfini

Camille Rudy

Brent and Hillary Sandrock

Kathleen Sarpy

Jaime Schachtel

Eric Schieber

Kyle Seguin

Eric Schieber and Tony Priore

Liz Sharp

Courtney Shea

Chloe Sherman

Amelia Silva

Michael Smith

Brian Smith

Liz Sharp

Carol Stone

Olivia Tang-Mifsud

Melissa Trandel

Noren Ungaretti

Chrissie Walker

Ashley Wheater

Marcie Wright

Dr. Anthony Montag

Guilliume “Bill” Moor

Karen Nelson

Dianne M Nishimura

Jaime B Perez

Muriel Rogers

Larry Rosenbusch

Judith Roth

Candy Schumacher

Irene Serata

Lou Stenba

Karin Elizabeth Wagner

Kim White

Sponsors

2019–2020 SEASON SPONSORS

THE NUTCRACKER

Production Sponsor

Sponsor

THE FLORIAN FUND

LIVE MUSIC SPONSORS

Sandy and Roger Deromedi

Sage Foundation

The Marina and Arnold Tatar Fund for Live Music

PRODUCTION SPONSORS

JANE EYRE

Presenting Sponsor

George L. Jewell

Producing Sponsors

Anne L. Kaplan

Nancy and Sanfred Koltun

Major Sponsors

Walter E. Heller Foundation

Rudolf Nureyev Fund at The Joffrey Ballet

Sponsors

Mary Jo and Doug Basler

Kovler Family Foundation

Lucy Minor

Denise Littlefield Sobel

Bill and Orli Staley Foundation

Community Engagement Access Sponsor

The Allstate Insurance Company

With gratitude to The Nutcracker commissioning sponsors

Margot and Josef Lakonishok

Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust

Hancher Auditorium, University of Iowa

And the many “Believers”

THE TIMES ARE RACING

Bliss! Production Sponsors

Shea Family Foundation in loving memory of Joanne Sevcik Shea

This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts

The Times Are Racing Production Sponsor

Jane Ellen Murray Foundation

Additional support for Bliss! provided by Elizabeth Yntema in honor of women in leadership in dance.

DON QUIXOTE

Presenting Sponsors

Margot and Josef Lakonishok

Major Sponsor

Sponsors

Lorna Ferguson and Terry Clark

Arnold and Marina Tatar.
Photo by Dan Rest.
Margot and Josef Lakonishok.
Photo by Dan Rest.

The Joffrey Ballet

2019–2020 Season

Jane

Eyre

O CTOBER 16–27, 2019

Choreographer: Cathy Marston

Music: Philip Feeney

Joffrey Premiere

The Nutcracker

NOVEMBER 30–DECEMBER 29, 2019

Choreographer:

© Christopher Wheeldon

Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

The Times Are Racing

FEBRUARY 12–23, 2020

Bliss!

Choreographer: Stephanie Martinez

Music: Igor Stravinsky

Commedia

Choreographer: Christopher Wheeldon

Music: Igor Stravinsky

Joffrey Premiere

Mono Lisa

Choreographer: Itzik Galili

Music: Thomas Höfs

Joffrey Premiere

The Sofa

Choreography: Itzik Galili

Music: Tom Waits

Joffrey Premiere

The Times Are Racing

Choreographer: Justin Peck

Music: Dan Deacon

Joffrey Premiere

Joffrey Company Artists Victoria Jaiani and Stefan Goncalvez. Photo by Cheryl Mann.

JANE EYRE PREMIERE AND SPONSORS

Joffrey Company Artists Amanda Assucena and Greig Matthews in Jane Eyre. Photo by Cheryl Mann.

SEASON JANE EYRE PREMIERE

Jane Eyre Premiere and Sponsors

In October 2019, The Joffrey Ballet presented the Chicago Premiere of Cathy Marston’s Jane Eyre. Marston is world-renown for her mastery of literature, and her unique approach to bringing texts to life through movement. Her talent for adapting the classics shone in this production, and audiences discovered a newfound love for Charlotte Brontë’s iconic heroine, Jane.

The production featured a stunning Victorian design, and avant-garde choreography that establishes its own language within the context of the story. Bringing the character of Jane Eyre to life on stage provides the opportunity to create a new kind of ballet story with an independent and strong-willed female lead. The character of Jane is complex, vulnerable yet strong, and uniquely autonomous. The ballet, like the novel, is revolutionary. As Marston shared in an interview with WFMT, “When [Brontë] wrote Jane Eyre, it truly was groundbreaking for a woman to write about her emotions and station in life with such honesty.” The Joffrey was proud to celebrate the excellence of women in dance by a leading female choreographer presenting the story of a courageous female character at the helm.

Premieres like Jane Eyre require significant investment for new sets, costumes, lighting and sound design, and much more. This production would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors at every level — we thank them for their commitment to innovation, excellence, and new work.

Presenting Sponsor

George L. Jewell

Producing Sponsors

Anne L. Kaplan

Nancy and Sanfred Koltun

Major Sponsors

Walter E. Heller Foundation

Rudolf Nureyev Fund at The Joffrey Ballet

Sponsors

Mary Jo and Doug Basler

Kovler Family Foundation

Lucy Minor

Denise Littlefield Sobel

Bill and Orli Staley Foundation

Supporters

Mary Ittelson

Jessica and Torjus Lundevall

The Chauncey and Marion D. McCormick Family Foundation with Abby O’Neil and Carroll Joynes

Marjorie Staples

Joffrey Company Artists Anais Bueno and Dylan Gutierrez in Jane Eyre. Photo by Cheryl Mann.

JOFFREY STAFF

Staff

Ashley Wheater MBE

The Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director

Greg Cameron President and CEO

ARTISTIC

Nicolas Blanc

Adam Blyde

Suzanne Lopez Rehearsal Directors/Coaches

ACADEMY

Raymond Rodriguez Academy Director

Stephanie Archambeau Student Services Administrator

Keesha Beckford Youth Division Liaison

José Carayol Head of Studio Company & Trainee Program

Raúl Casasola Academy Ballet Master

Allie Deaver-Petchenik Administrative Assistant

Karin Ellis-Wentz Head of Pre-Professional Program

Bridget Holmes Operations and Communications Manager

Grace Kowalski Academy and Summer Intensive Coordinator

Kyle Seguin Academy Ballet Master

Trish Strong Children’s Division Liaison

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Linda Swayze Director of

Community Engagement

Keila Hamed-Ramos

Community Engagement

Business Administrator

Julianna Jarik

Community Engagement Manager

Caitlyn Huynh

Evelyn Sanchez

Michael Smith

Community Engagement Program Coordinators

COMPANY ADMINISTRATION & PRODUCTION

Bradley Renner General Manager

Blair Baldwin Company Manager

Cody Chen Production Manager

Katherine Selig

Principal Stage Manager

Amanda Heuermann

Stage Manager

Erin Brown

Artistic & Production

Administrative Assistant

Ellie Cotey Head of Wardrobe

Gregg Benkovich Shoe Manager Wardrobe First Assistant

Kate Shattock

Wardrobe Second Assistant

Barbara Luchsinger

Lead Stitcher

Jerica Hucke Stitcher

Daria Wright Head of Hair & Makeup

Jim E. Walsh

Interim Head Carpenter

Erin Tinsley

Head Electrician

Gregg Moeller Head of Properties

George Paulin Sound Engineer

Matthew Carney Assistant Electrician

Matthew Black Flyperson

David Klein

Shop Carpenter

Steve Lange

Head Carpenter Emeritus

DEVELOPMENT

Chris Jabin

Interim Director of Development

Mimi de Castro Director of Corporate Partnerships

Julia Doherty Director of Principal Gifts

Chelsea Dvorchak

Development Operations and Data Specialist

Lauren Gardier

Associate Director of Major Gifts

Alex Goodman

Assistant Director of Development & Events

Sara Leginsky

Assistant Director of Grants and Partnerships

Annie Lyonswright

Associate Director of Individual Giving

Alicia Petrone Major Gifts Coordinator

Chelsea Robinson Director of Events

Elisabeth Sladek Development Assistant

FINANCE & OPERATIONS

Shari Massey

Deputy Director &

Chief Development Officer

Vicki Garza

Controller

Sheryl Guyer

Staff Accountant

Paul Key

Director of Technology

John Kurtz

Director of Facility Operations

Lauren Martin

Executive Assistant

Dena Shadlow

Payroll & Accounts

Payable Coordinator

Abby Smith

Administrative Assistant

Jeremy Theel

Database & Systems Analyst

Sarah Venuti Yates

Director of Human Resources

MARKETING

Brian Smith

Chief Marketing Officer

Colene Byrd

Director of Sales &

Patron Services

Vicki Crain

Marketing Manager

Matt de la Peña

Director of Communications

Sam Fain

Group Sales Manager

Sarah Fiala

Marketing Director

Casey Peek

Patron Services Manager

Kellie Buffington

Fernando Fernandez

Jake Ganzer

Patron Services Associates

MUSIC

Scott Speck

Music Director

Grace Kim

Michael Moricz

Company Pianists

Joffrey Company Artists Fernando Duarte, Greig Matthews, Stefan Goncalvez, and Evan Boersma. Photo by Cheryl Mann.
Joffrey Company Artists Xavier Núñez and Anna Gerberich. Photo by Cheryl Mann. Joffrey Company Artist Dylan Gutierrez. Photo by Matt de la Peña.
Joffrey Company Artists Anais Bueno and Edson Barbosa. Photo by Cheryl Mann.
Joffrey Company Artist Chloé Sherman. Photo by Matt de la Peña.
Joffrey Company Artist Princess Reid. Photo by Matt de la Peña.

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