CCM DANCE SERIES PRESENTS

JUST DESSERTS

Selections from The Nutcracker and Faculty Works

Nov. 20-22, 2025
Corbett Auditorium

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  • Directors | Shauna Steele and Dierdre Carberry
  • Choreographers | Thomas Bell, Shauna Steele, Deirdre Carberry and Hee Ra Yoo
  • Scenic Designer | Ben Wright*
  • Lighting Designer | Charlie Raschke*
  • Dance Costume Coordinator and Designer| Erin Donnelly 
  • Dance Costume Shop Assistant| Jayna Fry
  • Sound Designer |Lacey Vailikit*
  • Production Stage Manager | Ali Fishbain*
  • Technical Director| Evan Reinhart*

*CCM Student

Estimated run time: 90 minutes, including a 15 minute-intermission

Director's Note

By Shauna Steele, Chair and Associate Professor of Dance

This year launches into a two-year plan towards creating a Nutcracker ballet. Not ‘the’ or ‘A’ but CCM ballet’s Nutcracker with a rotating twist.  This includes new and original set, lighting, scene, costume, and prop design. While we will fully realize choreography and design when next we stage our Nutcracker, you might notice a few bits of whimsy and connection.  Our Nutcracker prince proudly wears our Bearcat colors! Yes, I know…that one isn’t a big stretch so to have your aaahhh moment you’ll have to join us next time we stage it…you might notice that our Reigning Rat might just bear a passing color match to one of our rival schools…maybe. It is also designed to be a monarch of the rats with gender, styling, and strengths based on who is cast in the role.  Again, yes not a big stretch for those that know the original recipe for the Nutcracker.  Those in the know…know that the original story had a rat queen and a rat prince which in later years was just folded into ‘Rat King.’ 

Where did it all begin for us?  A few years ago, we decided to start building towards not only a fully realized Nutcracker but several other fully realized choreographed, designed, and built ballets that would be ours but also rental packages when we were not using them. Rental monies would then roll over into upkeep, maintenance, more designs, and creative ways to imagine several ballets but specifically, The Nutcracker. We have or are working on our Swan Lake, La Bayadere, Giselle, and (most recently in Spring 2025) our Coppelia! As we thought about who we are and how we both want to honor tradition but look towards our future I thought…What if we had two versions? One in a traditional yet appropriate style and presentation and one with a bit of contemporary flare but still playing with the classical approach…Where would we start? And why there? How could where we start be a flex point for two different, as yet unrealized versions?  Of course! Waltz of the Flowers! A few years ago, in meetings with one of our costume design faculty we decided on ‘An English Garden.’ The colors would be strong yet gradient, suiting many skin tones and choreographic choices and approaches. To me an English garden shows structure, stateliness, wildness and on the verge of erupting chaos. This suits the overall story of the Nutcracker…did Clara really observe a magical moment and visit a wonderland of sweet treats and Just Desserts? Or was it just a whimsical dream brought about by to many sweets and the excitement and exhaustion of attending a ‘grown up’ soiree? The first version we presented was a standalone work presented within our larger Dance Works concert that fall and created by an alumni of our program, Rae Vrbancic. 

This year we have new choreography for all of the sweet treats of act II by Deirdre Carberry and by our new faculty member Hee Ra Yoo, an original revisioning of Waltz of the Snowflakes. And since we were not doing the full Nutcracker, two new works by faculty members Thomas Bell and myself. Thomas’ piece, Respighi Transitions, and my work, every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree. This work started as a thought on what is strength and why and how is it sometimes potential and unrealized. What is its energy, its métier or vigor, its characteristic or joie de verve? Was it feminine? Something else,… or something much more kinetic and ordered chaos?  To me, that is our Autumnal fall season. It looks, sounds and feels like mass chaos yet there is an order to it, a comfort of loud, messy, organized, and enduring effervescent energy. The sound of nature’s pure fall is so layered, loud, and ever changing. It’s a entire concert orchestra that plays out for us every year in our own backyards!

As I consider who we are and where we want to go; I, along with Hee Ra and three students are jetting our way through a 15.5-hour flight (yes, you read that right), currently somewhere over Northwestern Canada on our way to Seoul, South Korea. There we will present an original work by Hee Ra at a festival, teach several master classes, collaborate on choreography with potential partner schools, and present our individual research at a conference on change. So, this is where we want to go! Everywhere and Nowhere at all levels and directions…creating pathways with elements of choose your adventure! Space to tell your story and let that story re-scape the landscape of dance. 

So, while this marks our second season concert, our season has many elements. We began with the Student Choreographers Showcase which, mentored by dance faculty,  featured 8 current dance majors, sharing their choreographic truths. We then quickly pivoted to finishing the preparation and work for both our trip to Korea and our fall concert (this concert of course!) Just Desserts! Selections from the Nutcracker and New Faculty Works. From here we start preparing for our spring and summer season works. These include both in-progress opportunities and confirmed ones. The next on campus concert will be DanceWorks in 2026, and our Festival Fringe Sneak Peak in April for those that can’t go all the way to Scotland with us this summer!

And now we come to the pitch point…if you would like to directly support any and all dancers being able to participate in all opportunities we encourage you to make a donation of any size and pass the link along to individuals, groups, organizations, businesses and corporations who might like to make a donation in support of educational artistic opportunities for students. The UC Foundation has been a big help in setting us up for a ‘crowd sourcing’ site. The link for dance will be available soon. There you can see images, videos and testimonials on the opportunity and value as the students see it.  Any monies this year will help with all of our off campus and on-campus endeavors. Not every experience has to be on-stage but its so amazing when it’s a choice!  This year donations help defray student specific costs for presenting and performing at the SBC Festival in Seoul, South Korea, The Ballet Alliance Festival in Reno, Nevada, the American College Dance Association regional festival, The Lets Dance International Festival in Leicester, England, and the Edinburgh International Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland. In future years its our hope that this faithful support can assist students wanting to explore a junior year study abroad experience or a senior year co-operative internship placement.

And as Clara wakes from her evening sleep wondering if it was dream or reality know that we already appreciate the support you are already providing by being our audience and letting us dream in reality.

Dance Selections

Act I

Respighi Transitions

  • Choreographer | Thomas Bell
  • Costumes | CCM Ballet
  • Music | Balletto Detto, Pas de Trio Italiana, Lentamente, Danza Rustica by Ottorino Respighi (1936)
  • Lighting Designer | Kassidy Schley
  • Trio  | Andrea Adams, Abigail Kolb, Katherine Kraal 
  • Duet  | Charlotte Van Dyke, AJ Gross (Thurs/Fri); Taegan Moran, Kyle Rabey (Sat)
  • Opening + Finale  | Andrea Adams, Ellamae Brodbeck, Abbey Crane, Charlotte Van Dyke, Julia Elliott, AJ Gross, Sophia Gruber, Kyla Hardesty, Abigail Kolb, Katherine Kraal, Taegan Moran, Caralena Ondre, Kyle Rabey, Caroline Row, Madeline Tinkler, Tonio White 

 

every leaf speak bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree

  • Choreographer | Shauna Steele
  • Costumes | CCM Ballet
  • Music | Winter 1, Winter 2, Winter 3 originally composed by Antonio Vivaldi (1741) 
  • Composer | Max Richter from his recomposed of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons
  • Lighting Designer | Kassidy Schley
  • Soloists | Chloe McFarland (Fri/Sat 8 p.m.), Livia Noorollah (Thurs/Sat 2 p.m.)  
  • Featured | Shaelyn Kuipers, Sylvia Quinio, Ashley Zimmer 
  • Corps de danse | Leighton Calfee, Katrien Feenstra, Mahala Flag, Ava Gustitus, Kielyn Minton, Isabella Moore, Dominic Vennemann, Summer Warfield

Program Note | The title comes from a poem by Emily Brontë, which felt a perfect match. What is its energy, its métier or vigor, its characteristic or joie de vevre? Does it have gender? Lightness? …or something much more kinetic and ordered chaos?  To me, that is our Autumnal fall season. It looks, sounds and feels like mass chaos yet there is an order to it, a comfort of loud excitement, messy, organized, and enduring effervescent energy. The sound of nature’s pure fall is so layered, loud, and ever changing. It’s an entire concert orchestra that plays out for us every year in our own backyards!

 

Waltz of the Snowflakes

  • Choreographer | Hee Ra Yoo
  • Costumes | CCM Ballet
  • Music | Waltz of the Snowflakes by Pyotr IlyichTchaikovsky (1893)
  • Artist | Richard Bonynge, National Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Lighting Designer | Charlie Raschke
  • Snowflakes  |  Hannah Altmiller, Sophia Black, Katherine Bracken, Bryn Cintrón, Alicia Davis, Maya Gordon, Soyars Green, Violet Hahn, Campbell Lee, Mary Lee, Addie McCarter, Aidan McKee-Bruns, Riya Mathur, Mia Neslanovic, Grace Ortega, Isabelle Pfleger, Rosemary Scarpelli, Lizzie Tanner, Isabella Thoroughman, Serena van der Hulst, Madeline Weber 
  • Frost Fairies  | Julia Elliot, Kyla Hardesty

 

INTERMISSION

 

Act II: The Nutcracker

  • Restaged with Choreography | Deirdre Carberry 
  • Le Petite Bon Bons restaged with Choreography | Kiersten Mae Edwards
  • Nutcracker Original Choreographer | Marius Petipa (1910)
  • Costume Design | Erin Donnelly
  • Draper | Jayna Fry
  • Music | The Nutcracker Ballet (1999)
  • Original Composer | Pyotr IlyichTchaikovsky (1893)
  • Artist | Richard Bonynge, National Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Lighting Designer | Charlie Raschke
  • Clara |  Sophia Black (Sat), Mia Neslanovic (Thurs, Fri) 
  • Prince  |  Kyle Rabey (Thurs, Fri), Tonio White (Sat) 
  • Sugar Plum Fairy |  Sophia Black (Thurs, Fri), Mia Neslanovic (Sat) 
  • Cavalier |  Kyle Rabey (Sat), AJ Gross (Thurs, Fri)
  • Macarons | Bryn Cintrón, Violet Hahn, Shaelyn Kuipers, Grace Ortega (Thurs./Sat. 2 p.m.); Alicia Davis, Soyars Green, Abby Kolb, Lizzie Tanner (Fri./Sat. 8 p.m.)
  • Toffee | Addie McCarter, Mahala Flagg, Aidan McKee-Bruns (Thurs./Sat. 2 p.m.); Addie McCarter, Hannah Altmiller, Rosemary Scarpelli (Fri./Sat. 8 p.m.)
  • Peppermints |  Isabelle Pfleger, Madeline Weber (Thurs./Sat. 2 p.m.); Leighton Calfee, Charlotte Van Dyke (Fri./Sat. 8 p.m.)
  • Marzipan | Katherine Bracken, Cambell Lee, Abby Kolb, Katherine Kraal (Thurs./Sat. 2 p.m.); Mary Lee, Taegan Moran, Sylvia Quinio, Serena van der Hulst (Fri./Sat. 8 p.m.)
  • Candy Canes | Julia Elliott, Katrien Feenstra, Dominic Vennemann (Thurs./Sat. 2 p.m.); Maya Gordon, Kyla Hardesty, Dominic Vennemann (Fri./Sat. 8 p.m.) 
  • Mother Ginger | Erin Donnelly (guest performer) 
  • Le Petit Bon Bons | Eryn Baek, Marie Cirillo, Eliza Demland, Sophia Grabell, Kani Hamoudi, Sadie Luckhaupt, Oya Mawusi, Nora Peterson, Olive Selander, Esme Tobler, Greta Tobler 
  • Dew Drop Fairy | Isabella Thoroughman (Thurs./Sat. 2 p.m.), Ashley Zimmer (Fri./Sat. 8 p.m.)
  • Flowers | Ellamae Brodbeck, Leighton Calfee (Thurs/ Sat. 2 p.m.); Abbey Crane, Ava Gustitus, Sophia Gruber, Chloe McFarland, Riya Mathur, Kielyn Minton, Isabella Moore, Livia Noorollah, Caralena Ondre, Isabelle Pfleger (Fri/ Sat. 8 p.m.); Caroline Row, Madeline Tinkler, Isabella Thoroughman (Fri/Sat. 8 p.m.); Charlotte Van Dyke (Thurs/ Sat. 2 p.m.); Summer Warfield, Madeline Weber (Fri/ Sat. 8 p.m.);  Ashley Zimmer (Thurs/ Sat. 2 p.m.)
  • Understudies | Bryn Cintrón, Isabelle Pfleger, Mary Lee

Student Bios

Dancer bios listed by first appearance in program order

Andrea Adams

Andrea Adams 
Freshman BFA Ballet student from Columbus, Ohio

At CCM: Corps de ballet in La Bayadère and “Stretto.” Elsewhere: Winter Fairy in Cinderella, and Dewdrop, Arabian Princess, Spanish Lead, and Mirliton Lead in The Nutcracker with New Albany Ballet Company (New Albany, Ohio).

Abigail Kolb

Abigail Kolb 
Sophomore BFA Ballet student from Canton, Michigan

At CCM: "The One You Feed" by Shauna Steele, "Stretto" by Mathew Farmer, Mazurka and Waltz of the Hours from Coppélia set by Tricia Sundbeck and Isabele Elefson and works in the Student Choreography Showcase.

Katherine Kraal

Katherine Kraal 
Junior BFA Ballet student from Grand Rapids, Michigan

At CCM: Esmeralda, The Littlest Mermaid, X (Joshua Stayton), Stretto (Matthew Farmer) and Coppelia (Tricia Sundbeck & Isabel Elifson), BOOM, Student Choreographers' Showcase, Choreographer for Pillars of Us.

Charlotte Van Dyke

Charlotte Van Dyke 
Sophomore BFA Ballet student from Carmel, Indiana

At CCM: "La Bayadere" and "X" by Joshua Stayton in Fall Dance Works. "Tyne," "Endless Motion," and "Entity One" In Student Choreographers' Showcase. Mazurka and Waltz of the Hours in Coppelia. Elsewhere: Central Indiana Dance Ensemble Alumni.

AJ Gross

AJ Gross 
Junior Ballet student from Dayton, Ohio

At CCM: Thomas Bell's "Mozart Mix," Rothbart in Sleeping Beauty, Shauna Steele's original works titled "Still Waters" and "Who We Are," Ihiaih Miller's "Jux D'pose," Jiang Qi's "Van Gogh, Iris and the Starry Night" and An American in Paris as the waiter.

Taegan Moran

Taegan Moran 
Sophomore BFA Ballet student from Barrington, Rhode Island

At CCM: Dancer in "Entity 1" in SCS 2025, "Bone Deep" in SCS 2025, "Coppelia" in 2025, "Who is she?" in SCS 2025, "The One You Feed" in Danceworks 2024. Elsewhere: Soloist dancer in "Coppelia" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream" with the pre-professional company of The State Ballet of Rhode Island (Lincoln, Rhode Island).

Kyle Rabey

Kyle Rabey 
Junior Ballet BFA student from Livonia, Michigan

Ellamae Brodbeck

Ellamae Brodbeck
Freshman BFA Ballet student from Cincinnati, Ohio

At CCM: “Phrases Unfold” in the Student Choreographers’ Showcase, Waltz of the Flowers in The Nutcracker.  Elsewhere: With the Cincinnati Ballet, performed various roles in The Nutcracker, Garland Waltz in The Sleeping Beauty, Fairy Godmother Attendant in Cinderella, Urchin in Aladdin.

Julia Elliott

Julia Elliott 
Freshman Ballet BA student from Louiville, Kentucky

At CCM: “X.”

UC-CCM logo

Kyla Hardesty 
Freshman BFA Ballet student from Costa Mesa, California

At CCM: “Ancient Music.” Elsewhere: Sugar Plum Fairy, Dew Drop Fairy, Spanish Soloist, Lead Candy Cane, Snow and Maid in The Nutcracker and Stepmother in Cinderella at Ballet Repertory Theater (Huntington Beach, California), Clara's Friend and Waltz of the Flowers in The Nutcracker and Boy on the Premises in Fairy Doll at V&T (Laguna Hills, California).

Caralena Ondre

Caralena Ondre 
Freshman BFA Ballet student from Atlanta, Georgia

At CCM: Waltz of the flower - corps in The Nutcracker

Chloe McFarland

Chloe McFarland 
Freshman BFA Ballet student from Lexington, Kentucky

Elsewhere: Sugar Plum Fairy, Snow Queen, and Marzipan in The Nutcracker with Lexington Dance Factory (Lexington); Miss Dance of the Bluegrass 2025 with Dance Masters of the Bluegrass (Lexington); Soloist in abridged Giselle ballet with Lexington Dance Factory (Lexington).

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Livia Noorollah 
Freshman BFA Ballet student from Overland Park, Kansas

Elsewhere: Choreographer for Open Stage at The White Theatre at The J.

Shaelyn Kuipers

Shaelyn Kuipers 
Junior BFA Ballet student from Midland, North Carolina

At CCM: Corps de ballet in “Waltz of the Flowers,” Cygnet in Swan Lake, Corps de ballet in Prologue from Sleeping Beauty, soloist in Esmerelda, Mer Sibling in The Little Mermaid. Elsewhere: Snow Queen, Lead Russian, Lead Chinese, Lead Marzipan, and Flowers Corps in The Nutcracker at Albemarle Academy of Dance (Albermarle, North Carolina).

Sylvia Quinio

Sylvia Quinio 
Junior BFA Ballet student from Lexington, Kentucky 

At CCM: Marzipan in Nutcracker, Alicia Davis’ Phrases Unfold, Spinners in Coppélia, Lead in Joshua’s Stayton’s X, Matthew Farmer’s Stretto, Corps de Ballet in La Bayadère, soloist in Shauna Steele’s Carmina Burana, soloist in Shauna Steele’s it’s not the breaths we take, Lise Understudy in Peter Davidson’s An American in Paris.

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Ashley Zimmer 
Sophomore BFA Ballet student from Springboro, Ohio

At CCM: Ensemble in “The One You Feed” by Shauna Steele and “X” by Joshua Stayton, Corps de Ballet in Coppélia.

Leighton Calfee

Leighton Calfee  
Sophomore BFA Ballet student from Columbus, Ohio

At CCM: “The One You Feed” by Shauna Steele, “Antique Music” by Thomas Bell, “Who Is She” (Caitlyn Wehner) Mazurka and Waltz of the Hours in “Coppelia”, “Entity 1” (Violet Hahn) SCS choreographer: “Beneath the Rain.” Elsewhere: BalletMet’s “The Nutcracker”, “ALICE”, “Giselle”, “Don Quixote”, and “Cinderella”

Katrien Feenstra

Katrien Feenstra 
Sophomore BFA Ballet student from Farmington, Michigan

At CCM: ‘Stretto’ by Matthew Farmer, ‘X’ by Joshua A. Stayton, ‘Pillars of Us’ by Katherine Kraal, Coppelia set by Trisha Bell and Isabele Elefson. Elsewhere: The Majestic Nutcracker set by Tina Bishop.

Mahala Flagg

Mahala Flagg 
Freshman BFA Ballet student Fort Smith, Arkansas

At CCM: Excerpts from La Bayadère. Elsewhere: Pre-professional company dancer in The Nutcracker, The Wizard of Oz, and The Sleeping Beauty at Western Arkansas Ballet (Fort Smith, Arkansas).

Kielyn Minton

Kielyn Minton 
Freshman BFA Ballet student from Meadowview, Virginia

Elsewhere: Snow Queen in Nutcracker and Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland (Bristol Ballet) and the Genie in Aladdin (Highlands Ballet Company).

Isabella Moore

Isabella Moore 
Freshman BFA Ballet student from Chattanooga, Tennessee

Elsewhere: Marzipan, Snow Demi Soloist, Tea Demi Soloist, and Flowers in The Nutcracker, Corps de Ballet in Curveball, Garland Waltz Demi-Soloist in Sleeping Beauty, Wedding and Mazurka Dancer in Coppélia, Star Fairy in Cinderella (with Chattanooga Ballet) 

Dominic Vennemann

Dominic Vennemann 
Sophomore BFA Ballet student from Taylor Mill, Kentucky

At CCM: Dance Works, Student Choreographer’s Showcase, Coppelia, “The One Who Feeds” “Antique Music”, “Beyond the Words”, corp for Mazurka, Czardas, Spinners. Elsewhere: Dancer at Studio Dee (Fort Wright, Kentucky).

Hannah Altmiller

Hannah Altmiller 
Sophomore Ballet student from Springfield, Oregon

At CCM: corps de ballet in Raymonda, Swan Lake Corps in Swan Lake Act 2, Soloist and corps member in "It's Not The Breaths We Take," and corps member in "Jux'd Posed." Elsewhere: Lady Winter and corps de statue in Adventures in Narnia at Dance Veritas (Eugene, Oregon), Dew Drop Fairy in The Nutcracker at SLC Ballet (Salt Lake City, Utah), Dulcinea, Spanish woman and Bridesmaid in Don Quixote.  

Sophia Black

Sophia Black 
Sophomore BFA Ballet student from Sylvania, Ohio

At CCM: Dancer in Violet Hahn's "Entity #1" and Maddie Weber's "Bone Deep" in SCS 2025. Waltz of the Hours and Mazurka in "Coppèlia" in Spring 2025. Corps de ballet in excerpts from "La Bayadère", and The One You Feed. Elsewhere: Pre-professional dancer in the Toledo Ballet’s "The Nutcracker", "Cinderella", and "Sleeping Beauty".

Katherine Bracken

Katherine Bracken 
Sophomore BFA Ballet student from Lexington, Kentucky

Elsewhere: Bluegrass Youth Ballet Pre-Professional alum (Lexington, Kentucky), Student Company member at Central Kentucky Dance Theatre (Lexington, Kentucky).

Bryn Cintrón

Bryn Cintron 
Sophomore BFA Ballet student from Tallahassee, Florida

At CCM: Choreographic Contributor for Carmina Burana, Ensemble in "Antique Music, Current Styles", Ensemble in "it's not the breaths we take..." Elsewhere: Snow Queen in The Nutcracker and "Spring Waters Pas" with Pas de vie Ballet (Tallahassee, Florida) and "Celebrating Bach" with Camerata South (Tallahassee, Florida).

Alicia Davis

Alicia Davis 
Senior BFA Ballet student from Covington, Kentucky

At CCM: Swanhildias Friend in Coppelia, The One You Feed by Shauna Steele (Dance Works '24). Elsewhere: Take Me Outside by Heather Britt (NKU Dance '24).

Maya Gordon

Maya Gordon 
Junior BFA Ballet student from Milwaukee, Winscosin

At CCM: A Temporary Existence by Sylvia Quinio, Waltz of the Hours & Czardas in Coppélia, Endless Motion by Cynthua Lutz, Lead in Flames of Paris, Corps de Ballet in La Bayadère, The Hands that Hold Us Back by Sylvia Quinio.

Soyars Green

Soyars Green 
Junior BFA Ballet student from Richmond, Virginia

At CCM: Dawn and Czardas Lead in Coppelia, Corps de Ballet in La Bayadere, X by Joshua Stayton and Esmeralda. Elsewhere: Snow and Flowers Corps de Ballet in "The Nutcracker", Corps de Ballet in “Serenade,” and Parisian in “An American in Paris" as a Richmond Ballet Trainee (Richmond, Virginia).

Violet Hahn

Violet Hahn 
Sophomore BFA Ballet student from Fort Wayne, Indiana

At CCM: Matt Farmer's Stretto for CCM's Fall Concert, Celeste Lau's Inhibitions, Sylvia Quinio's UnKNOWN, Mazurka and Waltz of the Hours in CCM’s Coppelia. Elsewhere: Arabian Soloist and Spanish Soloist in Project Ballet’s The Nutcracker, Chelsea Dumas’s Exurgency, the Walpurgisnacht solo variation, directed and produced Project Ballet’s 2024 Student Choreography Showcase.

Campbell Lee

Campbell Lee 
Junior BFA Ballet student from Atlanta, Georgia

At CCM: Corps de ballet in Jux D'Pose and La Esmeralda, Mersister in Little Mermaid, Corps de ballet in Antique Music Current Styles, Swanhilda's Friend in Coppelia, "How Deep is a Soul?", "The Cost of This World," "Pillars of Us," "Raison d'Etre."

Mary Lee

Mary Lee 
Junior BFA Ballet student from Grand Rapids, Michigan

At CCM: The Little Mermaid, Coppelia, Student Choreographer's showcase 24-25.

Adrianna McCarter

Adrianna McCarter 
Junior BFA Ballet Student from Orem, Utah

At CCM: Mazurka Lead, Spinner, and Unfinished Doll in Coppelia, Lead in The One You Feed by Shauna Steele, Corps de ballet in La Bayadere and Jux D’Pose. Elsewhere: Corps de ballet in Coppelia and Oceans and Pearls with Kansas City Ballet’s Youth Ballet Company. Corps de ballet in Coppelia and Raymonda with Ballet West Academy.

Aidan McKee-Bruns

Aidan McKee-Bruns 
Freshman BFA Ballet student from Ellensburg, Washington

At CCM: “Ancient Music.” Elsewhere: “Fortitude and Ascend” with Milwaukee Ballet Pre-Professional Program (Milwaukee, Wisconsin), Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz, Red Queen and Village Maiden in Alice in Wonderland, Sugar Plum Fairy and Snowflake in The Nutcracker with Central Washington Dance Academy (Ellensburg, Washington).  

Riya Mathur

Riya Mathur 
Freshman BFA Ballet student from Cleveland, Ohio

At CCM: “The One You Feed,” and “Ancient Music.” Elsewhere: Sugarplum Fairy, Snow Queen, Clara and Lead Marzipan in The Nutcracker with Cleveland Ballet Conservatory (Cleveland, Ohio).

Mia Neslanovic

Mia Neslanovic 
Junior BFA Ballet student from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

At CCM: Friends in Coppelia, Corp in Esmeralda, "Antique Music/Current Styles" (Thomas Bell), "it's not the breaths we take..." (Shauna Steele), Angelfish in Little Mermaid. 
Elsewhere: Dew Drop Fairy in The Nutcracker (Academy of International Ballet), Lilac Fairy in Excerpts from Sleeping Beauty (Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory).

Grace Ortega

Grace Ortega 
Senior BFA Ballet student from Columbus, Ohio

At CCM: Spinners in Coppelia, Soloist in X by Joshua Stayton, Ensemble in Stretto, by Matthew Farmer, Pas de Quatre in La Bayadere, Lise in An American in Paris, Cygnet in Swan Lake, Demi-soloist in Waltz of the Flowers, Still Waters, The One You Feed, and Carmina Burana, Corps de Ballet in Raymond. Elsewhere: Corps de Ballet in The Nutcracker, and Corps de Ballet understudy in Swan Lake at Dayton Ballet (Dayton, Ohio).  

Isabelle Pfleger

Isabelle Pfleger 
Junior BFA Ballet student from Cape Cod, Massachusetts

At CCM: Spinner in Coppelia, Antique Music, Current Styles, Ship Captain in Little Mermaid, Beyond the Words, Tyne. Elsewhere: Sugar in The Nutcracker, Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella in Cinderella (Harwich, Massachusetts)

Rosemary Scarpelli

Rosemary Scarpelli 
Sophomore BFA Ballet student from Libertyville, Illinois

At CCM: Choreographer for “Beyond the Words,” Dancer in “Inhibitions” (Student Choreographer’s Showcase), “The One You Feed,” “Antique Music/Current Styles,” “Stretto.” Waltz of the Hours and Mazurka in Coppelia.

Elizabeth Tanner

Elizabeth Tanner 
Junior BFA Ballet student from Glen Ellyn, Illinois 

At CCM: Corps de ballet in La Esmeralda, It’s not the breaths we take, How Deep Is a Soul?, The Hands That Hold Us Back, Carmina Burana, Corps de ballet in The Little Mermaid , “X”, Endless Motion, Mazurka Lead and Spinner in Coppélia. Elsewhere: Marzipan Lead and Corps de ballet in The Nutcracker, corps de ballet in Giselle with Hinsdale Ballet Theatre Company (Westmont, Illinois); Lead and Corps de ballet in The Nutcracker, Corps de ballet in Etudes and Don Quixote with Alma Dance School (Glen Ellyn, Illinois).

Isabella Thoroughman

Isabella Thoroughman 
Junior BFA Ballet student from Williamstown, Kentucky

At CCM: Friend in Coppelia, Sea Witch in Little Mermaid, pas de quatre in La Bayadere, Principal in Tarantella. Elsewhere: Principal in La Bayadere, Esmerelda in Esmeralda.

Serena van der Hulst

Serena van der Hulst 
Freshman BFA Ballet student from West Hartford, Connecticut

At CCM: “Who is She?,” “Beyond the Words,” “X,” “Who We Are.” Elsewhere: Dew Drop Fairy, Snow Queen and Spanish lead in The Nutcracker with the Hartt School Community Division (Hartford, Connecticut), Dancer in Awakening Festival with Ballet Hartford (Hartford, Connecticut).

Maddie Weber

Maddie Weber 
Junior Ballet student from Naperville, Illinois

At CCM: “Short Story Long,” Prologue of Sleeping Beauty, “Waltz of the Flowers,” Act Two of Swan Lake, “Esmeralda Suite,” “Vincent, Iris, and the Starry Night,” “it’s not the breaths you take…” Elsewhere: Cinderella in Cinderella with Chicago Festival Ballet (Naperville, Illinois).

Production Team

  • Assistant Stage Managers | Jordan Shaw, Natalia Aldana Pamplona
  • Assistant Production Managers | Bethany Untener, Ali Fishbain
  • Dance Department Graduate Administrative Assistant | Alison Wallace
  • CCM Prep Ballet Director | Tricia Sundbeck
  • CCM Prep Ballet Student Associate | Kiersten Mae Edwards 
  • CCM Prep Dance Supervisors | Chloe Hessling, Kait Naylor
  • Set/Props Running Crew | Alyssa Mccarty, Ben Pino, Ella Schrecker, Sophia Ciranni, Peyton Kirby
  • Associate Lighting Designer: Kassidy Schley
  • Assistant Lighting Designer | Julia Koch
  • Production Electrician | Laura Hanks
  • Assistant Production Electrician | Ella Hamlin
  • Lighting Programmer | Maddi Myer
  • Lighting Board Operator | Joe Wasserberg
  • Deck Electricians | Emily Spiering, Matilda Dalton
  • Follow Spot Operators | Jacob Pasiuk, Laila Gose
  • Dance Department Costume Assistant | Jayna Fry
  • Wardrobe Crew | Jackson Frazer, Adrian Kalish-Demaris, Annika Kallstrom
  • A1 | Juliette Bernheisel
Learn more about CCM Theatre Design and Production

Student Bios

Lighting Designer

Charlie Raschke

Charlie Raschke 
Senior BFA Lighting Design and Technology student from Raleigh, North Carolina 

Elsewhere: Cincinnati Opera, Seagle Festival, Theatre Raleigh, Carolina Ballet, North Carolina Opera, and Scapino Ballet. Some of his favorite credits include the world premiere of “Peace of Clay”, “Anima Obscura” at the Scapino Ballet, the world stage premiere of “Sanctuary Road” at the North Carolina Opera, as well as “Cold Mountain” and “Mayo” at The Seagle Festival.

Sound Designer

Lacey Vailikit

Lacey Vailikit 
Junior BFA Sound Design and Technology student from Fairfax, VA  

At CCM: The Lightning Thief (A1), Hair (A2), In the Green (Assistant Sound Designer), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Mic Crew), Student Choreographers’ Showcase 2024 (A1), Clue: On Stage (Scenic Crew), Sweet Charity (Wigs and Makeup Crew). Elsewhere: A1 for Singin' in the Rain, Little Women, Million Dollar Quartet (Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre); A1 for Seussical (The Carnegie); Audio and Projections Engineer at Berkshire Theatre Group (Pittsfield, Massachusetts).

Production Stage Manager

Ali Fishbain

Ali Fishbain 
Junior BFA Stage Management student from Madison, Wisconsin

At CCM: SM on CCM Freshman MT ‘28 Showcase, SM on CCM Senior MT/Acting ‘25 Showcase, Hänsel und Gretel, SM on CCM Moveable Feasts 2025, ASM on The Witch (CCM + The Carnegie), ASM on Le Nozze Di Figaro, PA on The Rape of Lucretia. Elsewhere: ASM on Hadestown (Children’s Theater of Madison), PSM on Beetlejuice Jr. (Children’s Theater of Madison), SM on CHMF (Rohs Cafe, Cinci).

Technical Director

Evan Reinhart

Evan Reinhart 
Senior BFA Technical Production student from Zionsville, Indiana

At CCM: Student Choreographers' Showcase, The Nutcracker, Dance Works, Assistant Technical Director for Hair, Rappaccini’s Daughter, J.S. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, Scenic Designer for Hänsel und Gretel, Head Carpenter for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Everybody. Elsewhere: Properties Carpenter Apprentice at The Santa Fe Opera. Technical Apprentice at Theatre Aspen, Carpenter at PCPA - Pacific Conservatory Theatre (Santa Maria, California).

Assistant Stage Manager

Jordan Shaw

Jordan Shaw 
Senior Stage Management student from Cleveland, Ohio

At CCM: Production Stage Manager for Pride and Prejudice, Production Stage Manager for Coppelia, Assistant Stage Manager for Once on This Island and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Elsewhere: Stage Management Intern for Lollapalooza 2025, Assistant Stage Manager for Annie, Jesus Christ Superstar for Porthouse Theatre (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio).

Assistant Production Manager

Bethany Untener

Bethany Untener 
Senior BFA Stage Management student from Cincinnati, Ohio

At CCM: Production Stage Manager for John Proctor is the Villain, Assistant Stage Manager for Seussical, Assistant Stage Manager for Rappaccini's Daughter, Assistant Stage Manager for Fall Dance 2023, Production Assistant for Cincinnati Dionysia. Elsewhere: Assistant Stage Manager for Unto These Hills, Production Assistant for SpongeBob the Musical at The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati

CCM Prep Dance Supervisors

UC-CCM logo

Chloe Hessling  
Junior BFA Stage Management student from Lebanon, Ohio

At CCM: PA on Everybody, ASM on Wonderful Town. Elsewhere: Stage Management Apprentice with Gretna Theatre in Pennsylvania: PSM on Elephant and Piggie, ASM on The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, ASM on Million Dollar Quartet, ASM on Hadestown: Teen Edition, PSM on The Enchanted Bookshop at Springboro Community Theatre.

Kait Naylor

Kait Naylor  
Junior Stage Management student from Loveland, Ohio

At CCM: Production Stage Manager for Dance Works 2024, Assistant Stage Manager for for Angles, Assistant Stage Manager for The Cunning Little Vixen, Assistant Event Manager for BOOM 2024, Assistant Stage Manager for The Rape of Lucretia, Production Assistant for Frankenstein. Elsewhere: Production Stage Manager for Annie Jr. at the Royal Theatre Company (Mason, Ohio), Production Stage Manager for The Magic Flute at Queen City Opera (Cincinnati), Production Assistant for Don Giovanni at Cincinnati Opera.

Set/Props Running Crew

Alyssa McCarty

Alyssa McCarty 
Freshman BFA Stage Management from San Clemente, California

At CCM: PA on The Lightning Thief

Ben Pino

Benjamin Pino 
Freshman BFA Technical Production student from Solon, Ohio 

At CCM: Costume Hand in The Lightning Thief

Ella Schrecker

Ella Schrecker 
Freshman BFA Stage Management from Charleston, South Carolina

At CCM: Production Assistant for Pride and Prejudice. Elsewhere: Assistant Stage Manager for Fiddler on the Roof and Diary of a Wimpy Kid the Musical with Charleston Stage (Charleston, South Carolina).

Sophia Ciranni

Sophia Ciranni
Freshman BFA Lighting Design and Technology student from Newark, Delaware

At CCM: Light Board Operator for Student Choreographer’s Showcase.

Peyton Kirby

Peyton Kirby 
Freshman BFA Acting student from Cincinnati, Ohio

Elsewhere: Molly in Peter and the Starcatcher, Velma Kelly in Chicago, Annie Twilloil in The Play That Goes Wrong, Ariel in The Little Mermaid, Cinderella in Into the Woods Jr at the School of Creative and Performing Arts. Peyton has also attended theater workshops at Chicago's Second City, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and Open Jar Institute in New York City.

Associate Lighting Designer

Kassidy Schley

Kassidy Schley 
Senior BFA Lighting Design and Technology student from North Richland Hills, Texas

At CCM: Lighting Designer for Antigone, Associate Lighting Designer for The Nutcracker and Student Choreo Showcase 2025, The Lightning Thief, Wonderful Town, Emilia, The Winter’s Tale, Sweet Charity. Elsewhere: Associate Lighting Designer for Rigoletto and Fiddler on the Roof at the Cincinnati Opera, Macbeth, Julius Caesar, The Tempest at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Little Women at Cincinnati Playhouse, Snow White at Cincinnati Ballet.

Assistant Lighting Designer

Julia Koch

Julia Koch
Sophomore BFA Lighting Design and Technology student from Cincinnati, Ohio

Production Electrician

Laura Hanks

Laura Hanks  
Junior BFA Lighting Design and Technology student from Hilliard, Ohio

At CCM: Production Electrician for La Finta Giardiniera, Production Electrician for Rappaccini's Daughter, Assistant Lighting Designer for The Cunning Little Vixen. Elsewhere: Programmer for Bourbon and Beyond and Louder than Life Festivals 2024, Deck Electrician for Illinois at Bard SummerScape (Red Hook, New York).

Assistant Production Electrician

Ella Hamlin

Ella Hamlin 
Sophomore BFA Lighting Design and Technology student from St. Louis, Missouri

At CCM: Spotlight Operator for Wonderful Town, Lighting Board Operator for Student Choreographer's Showcase Spring 2025. Elsewhere: Deck Electrician for Opera Theatre of St. Louis 2025 Festival Season, Deck Electrician for Aida, Projections Operator for Steel Magnolias, Spotlight Operator for Newsies at STAGES St. Louis (St. Louis, Missouri).

Lighting Programmer

Maddi Myer

Maddi Myer 
Senior Lighting Design and Technology student from Houston, Texas

At CCM: Assistant Lighting Designer for Hair, Associate Lighting Designer for Student Choreographer's Showcase 2025, Programmer for Wonderful Town, Assistant Lighting Designer for Rappaccini's Daughter, Assistant Media Designer for Sweet Charity.

Deck Electricians

Emily Spiering

Emily Spiering 
Freshman BFA Lighting Design and Technology student from Milford, Ohio

Matilda Dalton

Matilda Dalton  
Sophomore BFA Stage Management student from Perrysburg, Ohio

At CCM: PA in La Finta Giardiniera, ASM Hansel and Gretel UGOP, ASM Pride and Prejudice.

Follow Spot Operators

Jacob Pasiuk

Jacob Pasiuk 
Freshman BFA Lighting Design and Technology student from White Bear Lake, Minnesota

Elsewhere: Lighting Designer for Little Mermaid, Tuck Everlasting and Mary Poppins with Bunce Performing Arts (Maple Grove, Minnesota). Lighting Designer for Mamma Mia! with White Bear Lake Community Theater, The Shape of Things and Tiny Beautiful Things with Century Community College, The Larkin Dance Studio recitals, Urban Dance Company recitals, and White Bear Dance Studio recitals (White Bear Lake, Minnesota). Associate Lighting Designer for Jesus Christ Superstar with Century Community College (White Bear Lake, Minnesota).  

UC-CCM logo

Laila Gose 
Freshman Stage Management student from Canal Winchester, Ohio

Wardrobe Crew

Adrian Kalish-Demaris

Adrian Kalish-Demaris 
Freshman BFA Acting student from Newton, Massachusetts

Elsewhere: Fred in Present Laughter, Trent Oliver in The Prom, Judge Danforth in The Crucible, Orpheus in Eurydice, Billy Flynn in Chicago, Hugo in Tuck Everlasting.

Annika Kallstrom

Annika Kallstrom 
Freshman BFA Acting student from Knoxville, Tennessee

At CCM: Understudy in Pride and Prejudice.

A1

Juliette Bernheisel

Juliette Bernheisel 
Freshman BFA Technical Production student from Cincinnati, Ohio

Elsewhere: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat at Footlighters.

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Stay up to date on CCM news and events by subscribing to our Next OnStage email newsletter, which is published every other Wednesday. Visit ccm.uc.edu/subscribe to sign up for email updates.

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CCMpower

CCMpower is a volunteer group of fans, advocates and alumni dedicated to empowering students and fueling the future of the arts through scholarship opportunities and more.

The competitive scholarships CCMpower provides help attract and retain the best and brightest students, nurture professional development opportunities and – in turn – continue CCM’s tradition of excellence for the next generation of student-artists. Join or renew your CCMpower membership today to help provide critical scholarship funds.

Join or renew your CCMpower member today to help provide critical scholarship funds. Visit foundation.uc.edu/ccmpower to learn more.

 

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Save the date for Moveable Feast: Illuminate, presented by CCMpower on Jan. 23, 2026.

Supporters

Louise Dieterle Nippert Trust
Scholarship and Resident Artist Supporter
The Corbett Endowment at CCM
Dance Department Supporter
All-Steinway School Supporter
William L. Gasch Endowment Fund for Dance Excellence
CCM Dance Department Supporter
J. Brett Offenberger, MD and Mr. Douglas E. Duckett
Dr. & Mrs. Carl G. Fischer 
Greg Mathein 
Jim & Linda Miller 
George & Caroll Roden
Ken and Toni Kanter
Musical Theatre Department Supporters
GLP German Light Products
Upstaging, Inc.
Theater Design & Production Supporter
The Estate of Genevieve Smith
Opera Production Supporter
Rafael and Kimberly de Acha
Opera D’Arte Supporter
The Friedlander Family
Dr. Randolph L. Wadsworth
Judith Schonbach Landgren and Peter Landgren
Mr. & Mrs. Harry H. Santen
Elizabeth C.B. Sittenfeld
Elizabeth Stone
Mrs. Thomas E. Stegman
Mrs. Theodore W. Striker
Mrs. Harry M. Hoffheimer
Ariel Quartet Supporters
The Friedlander Family
Karl Zipser
Chamber Music at CCM
Jan Rogers
Willard and Jean Mulford Charitable Fund of the Cambridge Charitable Foundation
Choral Studies Supporters
Anonymous
Classical Guitar Supporter
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph W. Hirschhorn
Philharmonia Supporters
Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation
Starling Pre-Collegiate Supporter
Starling Strings Supporter
Dr. Timothy E. and Janet L. Johnson
Thom Miles and Roberta Gary
Strader Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Organ Department Supporters
Keyboard Club of Cincinnati
L. Ried Schott
Piano Department Supporters
Kevin and Nancy Rhein
Wind Studies Supporters
Willis Music/ Buddy Rogers Music
LINKS Instrument Donation Supporter

Sponsors listed as of August 15, 2025

General Information

Land Acknowledgment

The Cincinnati area and the land that the University of Cincinnati has been built on is the native homeland of the Indigenous Algonquian speaking tribes, including the Delaware, Miami, and Shawnee tribes.

Box Office

Located in the CCM Atrium, the Box Office is open Tuesday through Friday, 1-5 p.m.; and one hour prior to curtain for all ticketed performances. MasterCard, Visa and Discover cards are accepted.

  • Location: CCM Atrium Lobby next to Corbett Auditorium
  • Telephone: 513-556-4183
  • Email: boxoff@uc.edu
  • Mail: CCM Box Office, P.O. Box 210003, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0003
CCM Box Office Buy Tickets

Parking

Convenient parking is available in the CCM Garage at the base of Corry Boulevard off of Jefferson Avenue. Additional parking is available in garages throughout the UC campus. Any questions concerning on-campus parking should be directed to UC Parking Services at 513-556-2283.

Parking Services

Tax Credit

If you find that you cannot attend your performance, your tickets may be donated for tax credit as a charitable contribution. Simply notify the Box Office prior to the performance to release your seats, and give your name and address. A tax donation receipt will be mailed to you.

CCM Box Office Support CCM

Lost and Found

If you have lost an item, contact lost and found at 513-556-9413.

House Policies

The House Manager has been instructed to minimize the disturbance to patrons already seated when accommodating latecomers. The director and producer of each production select times that are least likely to interrupt the performance, and latecomers will be seated only during these times. Latecomers who miss these opportunities will not be admitted until intermission. Children under the age of 6 will not be admitted.

Cameras, Phones and Recording Devices

The video or audio recording of performances is prohibited.

The use of cameras, with or without flashes, recording devices, cellular phones and other electronic devices inside the theater is prohibited. Please leave them with the House Manager.

Smoking and Refreshments

Smoking and refreshments are not permitted in the theater. Effective May 1, 2017, smoking and tobacco use (including chewing tobacco and electronic cigarettes) shall be prohibited by students, staff, faculty, visitors, vendors and contractors at all times in or on University of Cincinnati properties, including events on university property during non-school hours. This includes all shelters, indoor and outdoor theaters and athletic facilities, bridges, walkways, sidewalks, residence halls, parking lots, and street parking and garages owned by the university.

Learn more about UC's "Tobacco Free Campus"

Hearing Enhancement

Telex listening devices are available for checkout during performances in both Patricia Corbett Theater and Corbett Auditorium. Please inquire at the Box Office.

Wheelchair Seating

Wheelchair seating is available in both Corbett Auditorium and Patricia Corbett Theater. Seating is limited, so reservations should be made with the Box Office when ordering tickets. These seats are subject to availability.

Group Sales

The Box Office can accommodate groups for major productions and concerts. Preview and benefit performances are also available for some productions. For more information, call the CCM Box Office at 513-556-4183.

CCM Box Office Buy Tickets

CCM Faculty and Staff

CCM's faculty and staff and its state-of-the-art facilities make possible the professional training and exceptional education on which CCM believes the future of the arts relies. The school's roster of eminent faculty regularly receives distinguished honors for creative and scholarly work, and its alumni have achieved notable success in the performing and media arts. More than 150 internationally recognized faculty members work with students from around the world, specializing in eight areas of study.

Faculty/Staff Directory

Know Your Exit

Corbett Auditorium emergency exits are located at the back left and right of the balcony level, the back left and right of the main floor level, and at the left and right at the front of the stage.

Performance dates and repertoire are subject to change. View CCM's current calendar of events.

The purpose of these performances is educational, and they are part of a University of Cincinnati academic program.