presented by

ENGAGE DANCE THEATRE and RAUE CENTER FOR THE ARTS

@ RAUE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
DECEMBER 20 – 22, 2024

Join Clara at her annual Christmas Eve party at the Staulbaum house enjoying a night full of celebration, dancing, and magic! As the party comes to a close Clara sneaks downstairs to find her precious new Nutcracker doll and falls asleep dreaming of her wonderful evening. Clara, startled awake by a group of mischievous mice, takes on an exciting journey with Drosselmeyer and her precious Nutcracker.

Battling a life-size mouse Queen, slipping & sliding with snowmen & dazzling Snow Queen, and then flying off on an enchanted crystal sleigh to meet the Queen of the Angels, Clara visits the Land of Sweets in an adventure not to be missed this holiday season! 

The Nutcracker is co-produced by Engage Dance Academy and Raue Center For The Arts.

This event is sponsored by

ENGAGE DANCE THEATRE’S

THE NUTCRACKER

ARTISTIC DIRECTORS & OWNERS

Courtney & Marc Petrocci

FACULTY

Kimberly Banner, Brielle Baumgart*, Jessica Bergmann, Ella Beers*, Amanda Gee, Olivia Georgy*, Alyssa Guzman, Ania Hildago, Gianna Junge*, Josie Kavan*, Charlee Morris, Erica Zafiriou

*dancer with EDT

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Michelle Baumgart, Ella Beers*, Marcy Chevalier, Tricia McCann, Charlee Morris

*dancer with EDT

WARDROBE

Michelle Baumgart

SEAMSTRESSES

Sara Hutchinson & Teri Vanlandingham

PROPS

Lauren Martin

A SPECIAL THANKS…

The Raue Center for the Arts personal & production staff for their tremendous partnership, our Engage staff, family volunteers & dancers whose continued above and beyond energy and commitment to this organization create all the magic you are about to witness.

ENGAGE DANCE ACADEMY

Engage Dance Academy is a triple-track dance studio, offering classes for ages 18 months-adult. Our three tracks include our pre-professional Engage Dance Theatre, ages 5-19 years, for the more serious dancer; our Competition Crew, ages 8-19 years, for dancers looking to compete regionally; and our Open Division, ages 18 months-adult, for the recreational dancer looking for weekly classes to introduce or continue one’s love of dance with a recital performance in June.

NUTCRACKER SYNOPSIS

We start our story on the eve of the Staulbaum Christmas party. Godmother Drosselmeyer is busy making last-minute adjustments on gifts for the party. She takes extra care to put the finishing touches on a special gift she has made for her cherished young niece, Clara.

As we enter the Staulbaum house, Clara is there with all her friends, enjoying a night full of dancing and delicious treats! Drosselmeyer arrives with her nephew, bringing a little bit of magic and an extra special gift for Clara, a beautiful handmade Nutcracker doll! After all the guests have left, Clara sneaks downstairs to find her precious Nutcracker and falls asleep dreaming of their special party. She is awoken from her sleep and led on an exciting journey with Drosselmeyer and her precious Nutcracker, battling a life size mouse Queen, slipping & sliding with real life Icicles, meeting a dazzling Snow Queen, then flying off on an enchanted crystal sleigh to meet Angelica and her herald of Angels at the gates of the Land of Sweets. Spanish Chocolate, Arabian Coffee, Chinese Tea, Russian Taffy, Marzipan Candy, Merry & her sweet Mini Mints, Dew Drop with her carousel of flowers, and the elegant Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier all dance for Clara and Drosselmeyer. At the end of all the dancing, Clara is back in her living room sleeping with her precious Nutcracker Doll. Drosselmeyer says her goodnight and reminds us that magic is all around, all we have to do is believe…

We know that this time of year is busy for many of you, and we

“Thank You” for choosing to spend this time with us during your holiday season!

COURTNEY PETROCCI – Co-Owner/Artistic Director for Engage Dance Academy

Ms. Petrocci, herself a native of Crystal Lake, is a happily spoiled wife to co-owner/Artistic Director for Engage Dance Academy, Marc Petrocci, and a devoted mother of 2 incredible kiddos, one spoiled dog and two overly pampered cats.

She performed for more than 10 years with the Milwaukee Ballet, where she was featured in many roles including Clara and the Snow Queen from Michael Pink’s The Nutcracker and Tiger Lily in Michael Pink’s world premiere production of Peter Pan, broadcasted nationally in 2014 on PBS. She has been privileged to be featured in works choreographed by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins’, Vincente Nebrada, Marius Petipa, Alejandro Cerrudo, and Trey McIntrye. She has had the unique pleasure of having original pieces choreographed on her by Nelly Van Bommel, Mauro de Candia, Val Caniparoli, Maurice Causey, Simone Ferro, Mark Godden, James Gregg, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Matthew Neenan, Timothy O’Donnell, and Lila York. Having worked with this very talented and diverse group of some of the world’s most prominent choreographers, Ms. Petrocci brings with her a very diverse and refined level of performance knowledge in both classical ballet and contemporary genres. Ms. Petrocci retired from Milwaukee Ballet in September 2015 after the birth of her and Marc Petrocci’s first child.

Ms. Petrocci has both her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Arizona and her Master of Fine Arts in Dance from UWM Milwaukee. During her time dancing at Milwaukee Ballet, she was a co-founder and the former Vice President of the Milwaukee Dancers Fund, a 501c3 non-profit whose mission is to aid Milwaukee Ballet Company dancers financially in their eventual career transition.

Ms. Petrocci is an officially licensed teacher of the world-renowned Progressing Ballet Technique, which only continues to aid in her teaching of the classical technique. With the Petrocci’s’ strong belief that everyone should have the opportunity to dance, Ms. Petrocci (along with Engage staff member, Ms. Amanda Gee) completed a certification process in 2023 for teaching adaptive dance through the Boston Ballet. This program specializes in the teaching of dance classes to students with Down syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and inclusive dance classes with students ranging in all abilities and needs.

Ms. Petrocci is beyond proud of all the students at Engage Dance Academy and loves her job as Owner/Artistic Director because there is something truly magical in watching young dancers and students learn and grow each day.

MARC PETROCCI – Co-Owner/Artistic Director for Engage Dance Academy

Mr. Petrocci, originally from Niagara on the Lake, Ontario, is a tremendously lucky husband to co-Owner/Artistic Director of Engage Dance Academy, Courtney Petrocci, a daddy climbing gym for two beautiful kiddos, and nationally acclaimed ballet artist and teacher.

Mr. Petrocci spent 13 years with the Milwaukee Ballet, including 10 years as one of the Leading Artists of the company, under Artistic Director Michael Pink. His favorite performance roles include Bugle Boy in Company B, Mercutio in Michael Pink’s Romeo & Juliet, and Puck in Bruce Wells’ A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In addition to these roles listed, Petrocci had the distinct privilege to have had the role of Peter Pan created on him by Michael Pink for its world premiere in 2010, which he then had the pleasure of reprising in 2012 and broadcast nationally on PBS. He has also been featured in works by Val Caniparoli, Maurice Causey, Alejandro Cerrudo, Brock Clawson, Mark Godden, Matthew Neenan, Lila York, John Utans, Trey McIntyre, and many others. In 2005, Petrocci had the pleasure of dancing with the Trey McIntyre Project’s inaugural season, performing at the Vail International Dance Festival, the Aspen Dance Festival, and Jacob’s Pillow, and he was featured in the world premiere of Trey McIntyre’s ballet Hymn at the 13th annual Fire Island Dance Festival in 2007. This diverse repertory and range of performance media serve to shape Mr. Petrocci’s approach to choreography and the inclusive approach to dance styles offered at Engage.

Mr. Petrocci is a strong proponent of lifelong learning and pushing himself and others to stretch themselves in multiple facets of life. Following this philosophy, Mr. Petrocci has earned a BA in Economics with a Minor in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He later became a certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, as well as a licensed teacher of the world-renowned Progressing Ballet Technique.

As an accomplished teacher, Mr. Petrocci draws on a combination of foundational dance training from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, in conjunction with his education, and a diverse group of choreographers, repetiteurs, and Master Teachers he has been exposed to over his career. These serve as the foundation for his teaching, bringing the breadth of his experience and interests to every class he teaches. This includes bringing former colleagues and current dancers from the Milwaukee Ballet down to partner with the students of Engage Dance Theatre for bi-weekly pas de deux classes, giving the dancers a leading edge in their comprehensive technical training.

Echoing his wife’s sentiments, Mr. Petrocci is beyond proud of all of the students at Engage Dance Academy, and loves his job as Owner/Artistic Director, because there is something truly magical watching young dancers and students learn and grow each day.

PROFESSIONAL GUEST PERFORMING ARTISTS

Annia Hidalgo (Sugar Plum Fairy) – EDT Ballet teacher & Professional Guest Artist

Annia Hidalgo began her training in the province of Holguín and continued at the Cuban National Ballet School in Havana under Professor Ramona de Saa. In 2004, she was awarded the Gold Medal in the International Ballet Competition. That same year, she joined the Cuban National Ballet as a soloist under Alicia Alonso. Her repertoire includes soloist and principal roles in La Fille Mal Gardée, Coppélia, Giselle, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Paquita, The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, La Bayadère, Scheherazade, and Prince Igor. Hidalgo has performed as a principal with Media City Ballet and a soloist at Los Angeles Ballet. During her career as a Principal Dancer with the Milwaukee Ballet, Hidalgo danced as Alice in Septime Webre’s ALICE (in wonderland) and nearly every featured role in Michael Pink’s ballets, including Musetta in La Bohème (created for Hidalgo), Odile in Swan Lake, both Lucy and Mina in Dracula, Snow White in Mirror Mirror, Clara, Marie, and the Snow Queen in The Nutcracker, Belle in Beauty and the Beast, and the title roles in Giselle and Cinderella. She also appeared in the winning pieces from Genesis 2013 (Gabrielle Lamb’s Manifold), 2015 (Garrett Smith’s Mortal Form), 2019 (Aleix Mañé’s Exilio), and 2022 (Price Suddarth’s Aftermath). Hidalgo has danced as a guest artist with Rockford Dance Company, Traverse City Dance Project, Madison Ballet, Engage Dance Academy, Ballet Juvenil Costarricense in Costa Rica, and was proud to appear in the premiere performance of Refuge Foundation for the Arts. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of classical ballet as a teacher in various summer programs and schools around the country. Annia is proud to be on the teaching faculty at Engage Dance Academy, teaching Ballet & Pointe for the top levels of Engage Dance Theatre.

Pedro Lapetra Miñana (Sugar Plum Cavalier) – Professional Guest Artist

Born in Zaragoza (Spain) began his training at Escuela Municipal de Danza in Zaragoza under the direction of Cristina Miñana. From 1997 to 2001, He enriched his training at Bartholin International Ballet Seminar in Copenhagen (Denmark) where He was awarded a scholarship to learn the Bournonville technique and work with Master teachers such as Vivi Flindt, Johnny Eliasen, Robert Denvers, Laura Alonso, Lloyd Riggins, Nicolaj Hubbe, David Howard aIn 2001 He joined European Ballet as a Principal dancer to perform Franz in Coppelia, He then went on to join the Norwegian National Ballet for the 2001/2002 season where He perform master pieces by Jiri Kylian, Paul Lightfoot, Michael Pink, and George Balanchine.
In 2003 He joined English National Ballet where he danced for 19 years and performed principal and soloist roles such as, Mercutio in Nureyev’s Romeo & Juliet, Bluebird in Macmillan’s Sleeping Beauty, Peasant Pas de Deux in Skeaping’s Giselle, Russian and Spanish Dance in Eagling’s Nutcracker, White Rabbit in Dean’s Alice in Wonderland, Ali in Le Corsaire Pas de Deux, Neapolitan Dance (Ashton) in Dean’s Swan Lake, Beggar Chief in Macmillan’s Manon, Solo Man in Pina Bauch’s Le Sacre du Printemps. He has also worked with major choreographers like Roland Petit, John Neumeire, Russell Maliphant, Akram Khan, Christopher Wheeldon and Tamara Rojo and performed at prestigious stages like Palais Garnier (Paris), Bolshoi Theatre (Moscow), Tokyo’s Bunka Kaikan, Odeon of Herodes Atticus (Athens).

Pedro appeared in several International Ballet Galas where he performed Don Quixote Pas de Deux, Flower Festival in Genzano, Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, Flames of Paris, Le Corsaire Pas de Deux, Coppelia Pas de Deux, Satanella Pas de Deux, Pas de Esclave from Le Corsaire, Diana & Acteon Pas de Deux, La Sylphide Act II Pas de Deux.

He graduated from the Royal Ballet Teaching Diploma in 2018 and has been a guest teacher with English National Ballet, Royal Swedish Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet II, Rambert School of Dance, English National Ballet School, Escuela de Francisca Tomas (Palma de Mallorca), Los Angeles Ballet Academy. In 2022, he was Assistant of Choreography for Tamara Rojo’s Cinderella at Royal Swedish Ballet.

ALYSSA GUZMAN (Frau Drosselmeyer)

Alyssa Guzman is a current student at Dominican University working towards her degree in Elementary Education, EL, and Special Education. She serves as the captain of the Dominican University Starlettes dance team and is a member of the Mazzuchelli Scholars Honors Program. Before attending college, Alyssa danced at Engage for fifteen years and continues to work at the studio as an instructor. She is so excited to be back on stage reprising her role of Ms. Drosselmeyer and hopes you enjoy the show!

ENGAGE DANCE THEATRE COMPANY

Ella Beers

Ella Beers has been dancing at Engage Dance Academy for 15 years and this will be her 11th and final Nutcracker with Engage. She has danced various roles such as Arabian, Mouse Queen, and Columbine Doll, and is super excited to be Snow Queen, Dew Drop, and Lead Spanish Lady this year. In other performances she has been casted as a Step Sister and Autumn Fairy in Cinderella, Kitri in Don Quixote, and a Cygnet in Swan Lake. Alongside all the wonderful performances she has been a part of, she also participates in the Études program which competes in various ballet competitions around the nation. She has been competing since 2020; this past year she placed Top 15 in Contemporary for the Senior Age Division. Ella is very thankful to her teachers at Engage, especially Ms. Courtney, Mr. Marc and Ms. Charlee for their support and guidance over the years. Ella is a senior at Barrington High School where she has been a 4-year member of the Orchesis dance program and a 2-year student artistic director. After her high school career, Ella plans on continuing dance in college, pursuing a BFA in dance. She hopes you enjoy the Nutcracker; it’s going to be a very magical show!

Gianna Junge

Gianna Junge is currently a sophomore at Crystal Lake Central High School. This is her eleventh year performing in Engage Dance Academy’s production of The Nutcracker. She is so excited to be performing as the Snow Queen, Lead Spanish, Lead Shepherdess, and a Snowflake. Gianna is a part of Engage’s Etudes program in addition to her involvement with Engage Dance Theater. She has also been assisting Level 2 ballet classes for 4 years and is thrilled to be beginning her teaching career coming up in January. Gianna has had amazing opportunities training with both Boston Ballet (2024) and Joffrey Ballet (2022) in their summer programs. She is very proud to represent Allegro Dance Boutique as a 2025 ambassador as well as Ballet in the City as a steward. Gianna would like to extend her gratitude to her coaches and her family for all of their support and encouragement throughout her dance career.

Josie Kavan

This will be Josie’s 13th and last season performing in the Nutcracker. She is excited to reprise her roles as Dew Drop, Arabian, and Snowflake. Josie is a senior in high school and has been dancing since she was two. Josie has been assisting and teaching classes at Engage Dance Academy for the past five seasons. This past summer, Josie attended Orlando Ballet’s Summer Intensive. She would like to thank her family, friends, and teachers for supporting her over the years.

APPRENTICES

Brielle Baumgart

Brielle Baumgart is a Freshman High Honor Roll student at Crystal Lake South H.S. She has been dancing at Engage Dance Academy, since before she could walk. This is her 8th year on the competition team, where she has been a soloist since she was 8 years old. She has won numerous awards, such as VIP Idol Soloist, Top 10 at Nuvo 2021 and 2023, Top 10 and Prodigy All Star with ADE, ASH Technical award in 2020 and 2022, 1st place overall at Legacy and Talent on Parade, just to name a few. This is also her 5th year being a part of the Etudes program, which competes at ballet competitions. She received a Top 12 award at YAGP in the Classical category in 2021. After several years of assisting, Brielle has started teaching dance classes at Engage and really enjoys spreading her love and knowledge of dance to others. Brielle was accepted to the Joffrey Academy of Dance Summer Intensive 2025. Some roles that she has really enjoyed performing over the years are Clara, Bestie, Russian from the Nutcracker, Cygnets in Swan Lake, Spring Fairy in Cinderella and Cupid in Don Quixote. She looks forward to performing Angelica and Merry Mint this year in her 10th Nutcracker. Brielle would like to thank all her teachers at Engage, especially Ms. Courtney and Mr. Marc. She would also like to thank her family for all their love and support.

Alexandra Georgiou

Lexi is a senior who started at Engage 3.5 years ago to further explore her passion for ballet. Next year, she hopes to study biology, which will enable her to become a physical therapist and give back to the dance community that has given her so much. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Lexi hopes to continue her ballet education, either by minoring in dance or through adult classes at a ballet school. Since she started at Engage in 2021, her favorite roles to perform have been Columbine, Gypsy Soloist, and now Arabian.

Olivia Georgy

Olivia is 14 years old and a Freshman at Prairie Ridge High School. She has been a part of the Engage Dance Theatre program since she was four. Some of her best memories have been performing on stage at The Raue Center for the Arts where her favorite roles have been: Clara, Fritz, Winter Fairy (in Cinderella), Queen of the Dryads (in Don Quixote), and a Cygnet (in Swan Lake). She has been an active member of Engage’s Comp Crew for seven years where she has competed as a soloist since the age of 8, she frequently places and last year achieved 1st place Teen Soloist at the Chicago regional ADE competition which led her to placing 9th at their Nationals competition In Orlando, Florida. Olivia is also a dancer in the Études program where she competes at various international classical ballet competitions. She has qualified and competed at both YAGP (Youth America Grand Prix) and ADC/IBC (American Dance Competition/International Dance Competition) finals. This past year she traveled to St. Petersburg, FL, and placed Top 12 in the junior category at ADC/IBC Finals. Through YAGP, Olivia attended The John Cranko School Summer Intensive in Connecticut on scholarship and was then selected to further her training with the school in Stuttgart, Germany. Olivia models for dancewear companies MSeam Apparel and Weissman and was selected to participate in the Pas de Deux Photo Conference in Chicago as a dance model helping train photographers from all across the US in the art of dance photography. Olivia would like to thank her instructors for getting her to achieve the accomplishments she has and all of the learning experiences so far. Hope you all enjoy the show!!!

Rebekah Patronik

Rebekah has been dancing with Engage Dance Academy for 11 years and is super excited for her 9th year of The Nutcracker! This year, you can find her on stage as a snowflake, shepherdess demi-soloist, Spanish demi-soloist, and flower. She is also seen in band concerts playing trombone and choir concerts at CLS high school, so I guess you could say Bekah loves performing. Bekah hopes you enjoy your time here as you enter the land of The Nutcracker!

Madeline Woodin

Madeline has been dancing at Engage for over 10 years. She’s a Sophomore at Prairie Ridge High School where she’s also a part of the dance team during football season. Madeline has had the pleasure of performing in numerous roles including Gingersnap, Snowman, Angel, Mouse, Lead Soldier, Flower, Marzipan, Snow Flake, Flower, and Shepherdess. Her favorite roles with Engage Dance Theater have been Friend, from Cinderella, and Russian, and she’s very excited for one of this year’s roles as Mouse Queen. In addition to EDT, this is her third year as an Etudes dancer, competing in classical and contemporary dance, and she’s been competing with Crew since she was 8 years old, where she’s a current ADE Prodigy All-Star and teen finalist for NUVO’s Breakout Artist. She’s also had the honor of participating in the Pas de Deux Photo conference in Chicago. Madeline would like to thank her teachers for helping her become the dancer she is today and for all the opportunities Engage has provided as she grows and pursues her dream of dancing professionally. She’d like to give a shout out to her grandparents, who have watched her perform in every Nutcracker.

OPEN DIVISION

Andrea Ramos Arguelles, Sophia Askar, Evelyn Audette, Everly Backe, Julia Bar, Bryar Brown, Riley Brown, Ariana Cardenas, Cecilia Carlson, Iris Carter, Charlotte Cook, Alessa DiFronzo, Braelyn Drew, Cameron Encarnado, Morrighan Escutia, Charlotte Haning, Kylie Imhoff, Nora Johnson, Emmie Lane, Bradley Leitzen, Bianca Botteri Lino, Madison Luckey, Britin McAllister, Mackenzie McDermott, Mila Park, Bentyn Petrocci, Isabella Phillips, Addison Rivera, Alyssa Rivera, Vayda Robertson, Sofie Sears, Avery Sebby, Kindan Steere, Madison Valentine, Kaitlyn Volling

PARTY PARENTS

Brittany Dowell, Kristin Georgy, Steve Georgy, Chris Golonka, Brittany Steiner, Allison Woodin

SENSORY-FRIENDLY PERFORMANCE CAST –
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 6:00 PM

ACT 1

Clara
Haydee Medari

Fritz
Morgan Pondel

Frau Drosselmeyer
Alyssa Guzman

Nephew/Nutcracker
Arthur Bodam

Mrs. Staulbaum
Kristin Georgy

Mr. Staulbaum
Steve Georgy

Party Parents
Chris Golonka, Brittany Steiner, Allison Woodin

Maids
Eleanor Bodam, Madison Shuman

Nanny
Ashley Seidel

Clara’s Best Friend
Alexandra Zaucha

Party Girls
Hannah Kosiba, Isabelle Kupa, Sheelin Steiner, Savanna Winkelman

Party Boys
Charlotte Buckler, Aria Huege, Jordyn Petrocci

Columbine Doll
Stella Blackney

Harlequin Doll
Aubrey Campbell

Pierrot Dolls
Gianna Ferrera, Ashlynn Flannigan, Paz Medari, Blair Pondel

Mouse Queen
Olivia Georgy

Lead Mouse
Natalie Kraft

Sargent Mice
Charlotte Buckler, Isabelle Kupa, Morgan Pondel

Mice
Adalee Kratenstein, Brooklyn Patronik, Haley Seidel

Lead Soldier
Jessica Moore

Soldiers
Sophia Markel, Mila Martin, Cece Tessmer, Sophie Tumblin, Brynn Watson, Elsie Woosley

Snow Queen
Gianna Junge

Snowflakes
Brielle Baumgart, Braelyn Berg, Stella Blackney, Darcie Emmert, Alexandra Georgiou, Emmaline Georgiou, Zofia Knezevic, Rebekah Patronik, Ashley Seidel, Madeline Woodin

Icicles
Aubrey Campbell, Lillian Nowakowski, Lexi Seidel, Madison Shuman

Reindeer
Bentyn Petrocci

ACT 2

Angelica
Brielle Baumgart

White Winged Angels
Adalee Kratenstein, Brooklyn Patronik, Haley Seidel, Leilana Watson

Gold Winged Angels
Ashlynn Flannigan, Blair Pondel, Cece Tessmer, Sophie Tumblin, Elsie Woosley

Spanish Lead Lady
Gianna Junge

Spanish Demi-Soloists
Rebekah Patronik, Ashley Seidel

Arabian Lady
Alexandra Georgiou

Arabian Gentleman
Marc Petrocci

Sand Snake
Lillian Nowakowski

Chinese Soloist
Ashley Seidel

Chinese Demi-Soloists
Aubrey Campbell, Alexandra Zaucha

Tea Leaves
Mila Keller, Adeline Piemontese, Bronwyn Steiner

Marzipan Shepherdess
Madeline Woodin

Marzipan Demi-Soloists
Stella Blackney, Emmaline Georgiou

Geese
Sophia Markel, Mila Martin, Brynn Watson

Russian Soloist
Zofia Knezevic

Russian Demi-Soloist
Eleanor Bodam

Merry Mint
Olivia Georgy

Mini Mints
Autumn Cordell, Kinley Watson

Waltz of the Flowers

Dew Drop Fairy
Ella Beers

Mauve Demi-Soloists
Braelyn Berg, Madeline Woodin

Violet
Stella Blackney, Zofia Knezevic, Darcie Emmert, Emmaline Georgiou, Lillian Nowakowski, Rebekah Patronik

Purple
Aubrey Campbell, Natalie Kraft, Jessica Moore, Lexi Seidel, Madison Shuman, Sheelin Steiner

Lilac
Charlotte Buckler, Aria Huege, Isabelle Kupa, Morgan Pondel

Butterflies
Jordyn Petrocci, Savanna Winkelman

Sugar Plum Fairy
Annia Hidalgo*

Cavalier Pedro
Lopetra*

*Professional Guest Artist

HOT CHOCOLATE CAST
SAT, DECEMBER 21, 1:00 PM | SUN, DECEMBER 22, 5:00 PM

ACT 1

Clara
Darcie Emmert

Fritz
Aria Huege

Frau Drosselmeyer
Alyssa Guzman

Nephew/Nutcracker
Arthur Bodam

Mrs. Staulbaum
Kristin Georgy

Mr. Staulbaum
Steve Georgy

Party Parents
Brittany Dowell, Chris Golonka, Brittany Steiner, Allison Woodin

Maid
Eleanor Bodam, Madison Shuman

Nanny
Adelaide Leitzen

Clara’s Best Friend
Alexandra Zaucha

Party Girls
Hannah Kosiba, Isabelle Kupa, Kate Lopresti, Anna Maguire, Sheelin Steiner, Savanna Winkelman

Party Boys
Florence DeMarco, Stella Lopresti, Mila Reibel, Jordyn Petrocci

Columbine Doll
Stella Blackney

Harlequin Doll
Aubrey Campbell

Pierrot Dolls
Sophia Markel, Paz Medari, Ruby Plott, Brynn Watson

Mouse Queen
Madeline Woodin

Lead Mouse
Natalie Kraft

Sargent Mice
Eleanor Bodam, Charlotte Buckler, Morgan Pondel

Mice
Adeline Eder, Nora Johnson, Brooklyn Patronik, Maddie Valentine

Lead Soldier
Lexi Seidel

Soldiers
Rachel Blair, Gianna Ferrera, Elle Horrigan, Bradley Leitzen, Addison Staggs, Sophie Tumblin, Elsie Woosley

Penguins
Julia Bar, Riley Brown, Charlotte Haning, Mila Parks, Sophie Sears

Snow Queen
Ella Beers

Snowflakes
Brielle Baumgart, Braelyn Berg, Alexandra Georgiou, Emmaline Georgiou, Olivia Georgy, Josie Kavan, Zofia Knezevic, Rebekah Patronik, Ashley Seidel

Castle Icicle
Britin McAllister

Icicles
Lucia DeMarco, Kathryn Golonka, Jessica Moore, Lillian Nowakowski

Snowmen
Ariana Cardenas, Autumn Cordell, Samrya Crisostomo Matos, Georgia Dodaro, Evangeline Georgiou, Mila Keller, Adeline Piemontese, Avery Sebby

Reindeer
Evelyn Audette, Alessa DiFronzo, Braelyn Drew, Madison Luckey, Mackenzie McDermott, Kaitlyn Volling

ACT 2

Angelica
Brielle Baumgart

Cotton Candy Angels
Gwendolyn Carter, Evangeline Georgiou, Mila Keller, Addison Rivera, Alyssa Rivera, Rylee Valentine

White Winged Angels
Adeline Eder, Adalee Kratenstein, Brooklyn Patronik, Bronwyn Steiner, Leilana Watson

Gold Winged Angels
Ashlynn Flannigan, Isabella Phillips, Blair Pondel, Addison Staggs, Cece Tessmer

Pages
Spanish Stella Lopresti
Arabian – Isabelle Kupa
Russian – Jordyn Petrocci
Shepherdess – Florence DeMarco
Chinese – Savanna Winkelman
Peppermint – Kate Lopresti
Mini Mint 1 – Sophia Queiroz
Mini Mint 2 – Lily Wietlispach
Flowers (Butterfly 1)Anna Maguire
Flowers (Butterfly 2) – Mila Reibel
Sugar Plum – Aria Huege

Spanish Lead Lady
Ella Beers

Spanish Demi-Soloists
Rebekah Patronik, Ashley Seidel

Arabian Lady
Alexandra Georgiou

Arabian Gentleman
Marc Petrocci

Sand Snake
Madison Shuman

Chinese Soloist
Ashley Seidel

Chinese Demi-Soloists
Aubrey Campbell, Kathryn Golonka

Tea Leaves
Adeline Piemontese, Haley Seidel, Leilana Watson

Marzipan Shepherdess
Gianna Junge

Marzipan Demi-Soloists
Brielle Baumgart, Emmaline Georgiou

Geese
Abbey Andrews, Gianna Ferrera, Mila Martin

Russian Soloist
Adelaide Leitzen

Russian Demi-Soloist
Kathryn Golonka

Merry Mint
Olivia Georgy

Mini Mints
Geneva Rogulic, Sofia Queiroz, Kinley Watson, Lily Wietlispach

Waltz of the Flowers

Dew Drop Fairy
Josie Kavan

Mauve Demi-Soloists
Braelyn Berg, Madeline Woodin

Violet
Stella Blackney, Zofia Knezevic, Haydee Medari, Lillian Nowakowski, Rebekah Patronik

Purple
Lucia DeMarco, Natalie Kraft, Jessica Moore, Lexi Seidel, Sheelin Steiner, Alexandra Zaucha

Lilac
Eleanor Bodam, Charlotte Buckler, Hannah Kosiba, Morgan Pondel

Butterflies
Anna Maguire, Mila Reibel

Sugar Pixies
Autumn Cordell, Samyra Crisostomo Matos, Georgia Dodaro

Sugar Plum Fairy
Annia Hidalgo*

Cavalier
Pedro Lopetra*

APPLE CIDER CAST
SAT, DECEMBER 21; 5:00 PM & SUN, DECEMBER 22, 1:00 PM

ACT 1

Clara
Haydee Medari

Fritz
Morgan Pondel

Frau Drosselmeyer
Alyssa Guzman

Nephew/Nutcracker
Arthur Bodam

Mrs. Staulbaum
Kristin Georgy

Mr. Staulbaum
Steve Georgy

Party Parents
Brittany Dowell, Chris Golonka, Brittany Steiner, Allison Woodin

Maids
Alexandra Georgiou, Hannah Kosiba

Nanny
Ashley Seidel

Clara’s Best Friend
Lucia DeMarco

Party Girls
Aria Huege, Stella Lopresti, Lillian Nowakowski, Jordyn Petrocci, Mila Reibel

Party Boys
Eleanor Bodam, Charlotte Buckler, Anna Maguire, Savanna Winkelman

Columbine Doll
Emmaline Georgiou

Harlequin Doll
Kathryn Golonka

Pierrot Dolls
Gianna Ferrera, Ashlynn Flannigan, Elle Horrigan, Blair Pondel

Mouse Queen
Olivia Georgy

Lead Mouse
Sheelin Steiner

Sargent Mice
Florence DeMarco, Isabelle Kupa, Kate Lopresti

Mice
Gwendolyn Carter, Kylie Imhoff, Adalee Kratenstein, Haley Seidel

Lead Soldier
Jessica Moore

Soldiers
Abbey Andrews, Sophia Markel, Mila Martin, Paz Medari, Ruby Plott, Cece Tessmer, Brynn Watson

Penguins
Sophia Askar, Charlotte Cook, Cameron Encarnado, Vayda Robertson

Snow Queen
Gianna Junge

Snowflakes
Brielle Baumgart, Ella Beers, Braelyn Berg, Stella Blackney, Alexandra Georgiou, Josie Kavan, Zofia Knezevic, Adelaide Leitzen, Rebekah Patronik, Madeline Woodin

Castle Icicle
Andrea Ramos Arguelles

Icicles
Aubrey Campbell, Natalie Kraft, Lexi Seidel, Madison Shuman

Snowmen
Adalee Kratenstein, Emmie Lane, Sofia Queiroz, Geneva Rogulic, Rylee Valentine, Kinley Watson, Leilana Watson, Lily Wietlispach

Reindeer
Bianca Botteri Lino, Bryar Brown, Iris Carter, Bentyn Petrocci, Kindan Steere

ACT 2

Angelica
Olivia Georgy

Cotton Candy Angels
Everly Backe, Cici Carlson, Adeline Eder, Adeline Piemontese, Kinley Watson, Leilana Watson

White Winged Angels
Gwendolyn Carter, Mila Keller, Brooklyn Patronik, Haley Seidel, Bronwyn Steiner

Gold Winged Angels
Rachel Blair, Morrighan Escutia, Addison Staggs, Sophie Tumblin, Elsie Woosley

Pages
Spanish – Mila Reibel
Arabian – Anna Maguire
Russian – Isabelle Kupa
Shepherdess – Charlotte Buckler
Chinese – Hannah Kosiba
Peppermint – Florence DeMarco
Mini Mint 1 – Autumn Cordell
Mini Mint 2 – Samyra Crisostomo Matos
Flowers (Butterfly 1) – Jordyn Petrocci
Flowers (Butterfly 2) – Savanna Winkelman
Sugar Plum – Morgan Pondel

Spanish – Lead Lady
Gianna Junge

Spanish – Demi-Soloist
Rebekah Patronik, Ashley Seidel

Arabian Lady
Josie Kavan

Arabian Gentleman
Marc Petrocci

Sand Snake
Lillian Nowakowski

Chinese Soloist
Braelyn Berg

Chinese Demi-Soloist
Lucia DeMarco, Alexandra Zaucha

Tea Leaves
Mila Keller, Bronwyn Steiner, Rylee Valentine

Marzipan Shepherdess
Madeline Woodin

Marzipan Demi-Soloists
Stella Blackney, Rebekah Patronik

Geese
Sophia Markel, Ruby Plott, Brynn Watson

Russian – Soloist
Zofia Knezevic

Russian – Demi-Soloist
Eleanor Bodam

Merry Mint
Brielle Baumgart

Mini Mints
Autumn Cordell, Samrya Crisostomo Matos, Georgia Dodaro, Evangeline Georgiou

Waltz of the Flowers

Dew Drop Fairy
Ella Beers

Mauve Demi-Soloist
Alexandra Georgiou, Madeline Woodin

Violet
Stella Blackney, Darcie Emmert, Emmaline Georgiou, Olivia Georgy, Adelaide Leitzen, Ashley Seidel

Purple
Aubrey Campbell, Kathryn Golonka, Natalie Kraft, Jessica Moore, Lexi Seidel, Madison Shuman

Lilac
Aria Huege, Isabelle Kupa, Kate Lopresti, Stella Lopresti

Butterflies
Jordyn Petrocci, Savanna Winkelman

Sugar Pixies
Sofia Queiroz, Geneva Rogulic, Lily Wietlispach

Sugar Plum Fairy
Annia Hidalgo*

Cavalier
Pedro Lopetra*

*Professional Guest Artist

Studio Calendar

December 22, 2024 – January 5, 2025 – Studio closed for Winter Break

· March 24, 2025 – March 30, 2025 – Spring Break

· April 6, 2025 – Pointes for a Purpose

· May 11, 2025 – Studio Closed for Mother’s Day

· May 26, 2025 – Studio Closed for Memorial Day

· June 7 & 8, 2025 – Progressions Performances

· June 9 – June 22, 2025 – “Beginning of Summer” Break

· June 23, 2025 – Summer Session Begins

· August 4 – August 10, 2025 – “End of Summer” Break

· August 11, 2025 – Fall Session Begins

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Tim Paul, board president

John Jacobsen, vice president

Chuck Stevens, treasurer

Luanne Flavin, secretary

John Green
Mike H. Johnson
Richard Kuranda
Jack Minsley
Rich Naponelli
Michelle Nowland
Sandra Pierce
Regan Shepley
Steven Szalaj
Jerry Trachsler

Stacey McInerney
Volunteer Liaison

RAUE CENTER STAFF

Richard Kuranda
Raue Center CEO & Founding Artistic Director of Williams Street Repertory

Justin Wellington
Managing Director

Jenna Klaproth
Operations Manager

Meredith Schaefer-Flowers
Director of Marketing &
Institutional Advancement

Michele V. Knight
Marketing Manager

James Knight
Economic Development Manager

Rob Scharlow
Raue Center School for the Arts
Director of Education

Maribeth Ling
Front of House Manager

Chris Tumblin
Raue Center Director of Production

Ryan Meadow
Raue Center Production Manager

Robin Hughes
Executive Producer / Production Manager

Box Office Staff
Dan Cosgray
Naomi Unverzagt

About Raue Center For The Arts

Raue Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts. For 20 years, they have provided quality programming – striving to make it pertinent, available, and affordable to all. As a painstakingly restored, 1920s regional showcase theatre named for its benefactor—Lucile Raue—Raue Center has attracted the finest stars, Broadway shows, musicians and artists. Named on the League of Historic American Theatres, Raue Center is one of the finest examples of restored art and decor in the nation. The 750-seat theatre, located in historic downtown Crystal Lake, Illinois, is a gathering place for our region’s citizens and has become a true destination. 

For additional information follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, or visit rauecenter.org.