One whose worth lies far within, a diamond in the rough.
Patricio Di Stabile |
Bob Williams Photography
Ballet Fantastique would like to recognize that our ballet theatre production is being held on the traditional lands of the Kalapuya People. We offer respectful recognition to the Native communities in our region.
We honor their enduring connection to the land, and acknowledge the contributions Indigenous people have, and continue to make to our region and beyond.
Letter
from the
President
Following four sold-out performances of our jazz-infused, Parisian reimagining of Pride & Prejudice, it’s my pleasure—on behalf of Ballet Fantastique’s Board of Directors—to welcome you to the grand finale of our 2024–25 season: Aladdin: The Rock Opera. This encore production of our 2017 world premiere comes to life in a thrilling new way, with bold updates and stunning lighting by Philadelphia’s Alyssandra Docherty (BalletX).
Looking ahead, we’re thrilled to announce BFan’s 25th Anniversary 2025–26 Season, VENTURE:
Legend of Sleepy Hollow | Soreng Theater | Oct 23–26, 2025
Christmas in Toyland | Silva Concert Hall | Nov 29–30, 2025
Little Mermaid: The ’80s Pop Ballet (World Premiere) | Silva Concert Hall | Feb 28–Mar 1, 2026
As You Like It: A Wild West Ballet | Soreng Theater | May 7–10, 2026
Season tickets are on sale now, but act quickly to obtain the best rates and the best seats for all four productions!
Now, please enjoy this electrifying reimagining of Aladdin, where 1970s rock collides with timeless storytelling, and where love and grit shine brighter than any magic lamp.
PHILIP PIELE
BOARD PRESIDENT
YOUR NEW ART IS HERE
Dear BFans,
WELCOME to BFan’s 2024–25 CINEMATIC DANCE Season, where, from the world’s first interactive murder mystery ballet to the live stage return of our Emmy®-nominated American Christmas Carol, to a foray to 1920's Paris for a new spin on Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, to tonight’s performance of Aladdin as a rock opera set to the inimitable music of QUEEN, we’ve reimagined ballet—with you.
Thank you for supporting art you love, made right here in our community. We truly cannot do what we do without you.
We’ll see you next season!.
DONNA MARISA BONTRAGER
& HANNAH BONTRAGER
FOUNDING CHOREOGRAPHER-PRODUCERS
People
Donna Bontrager, Founding Artistic Director
Hannah Bontrager, Founding Executive Director
BOARD PRESIDENT
Philip Piele
SECRETARY
Dianna Pounder
BOARD MEMBERS
Brandy Rodtsbrooks
Nicole Roselio
Steve Webster
Donna Marisa Bontrager
Hannah Bontrager
Izzy Bloodgood,
Dancer representative
Board of Directors
Mary Spilde
Matthew King
Emily Dew
Thea Vandervoort
Amy Stoddart
Gina Bolles Sorenson
Steve Robinson
Advisory Board
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Donna Marisa Bontrager, Founding Artistic Director, Costume Design/Vision
Allison Ditson, Costume Design & Production
Debora Peña, Set Design & Construction, Custom Paintings
Sydney Elise Miller-Peterson, Stage Manager
Gustavo Ramirez, Hannah Bontrager, Production Managers
Lance Deal, Jeff Faust, Nancy Deal-Whitacre, Carl Peterson, Sets Design, Construction, Properties Masters
JP Durand, Music Director
Gerry Rempel, Resident Composer & Arranger
Elizabeth Roberts, Costume Construction, Wardrobe Support
Mitra Gruwell, Headpieces
Deborah Speer, Libretto, Historical, Music Research, Creative Team
Genevieve Speer, Artistic Associate; Libretto, Historical, Music Research Support
Rebecca Welch, Wardrobe Support -
Ashley Bontrager, Development Director
Rebecca Welch, Director of Community Engagement
Elizabeth Chapa, Academy Coordinator, Administration Support
Sara Stewart, Academy Relations Manager & Youth Backstage Coordinator
Lucy Pearce, Academy Program Director
Genevieve Speer, Finance Manager
Dianna Pounder, Academy Billing
Jeff Mecredy, Leadership & Growth -
Isabelle Bloodgood, Marketing Coordinator
Elizabeth Chapa, Brooke Geffrey-Bowler, Emily Knowles, Olivia Schwartz, Marketing Support
Jeremy Bronson, Film, Audio, Marketing
Gustavo Ramirez, Film, Audio, Marketing
Hannah Bontrager, Graphic Design, Program Magazine Design -
Isabelle Bloodgood, Teen/Adult Division
Ashley Bontrager, Professional Division, Company
Donna Marisa Bontrager, Professional Division, Company
Hannah Bontrager, Professional Division, Company
Brooke Geffrey-Bowler, Professional Division, Young Dancer Division
Tavari Groesbeck, Professional Division
Jenavieve Hernandez, Professional Division,Teen/Adult Division
Lucy Pearce, Academy Program Director
Gustavo Ramirez, Company Rehearsal Director
Hadassah Slater, Young Dancer Division, Professional Division, Adult/Teen Division -
Attic Media
Bronson Studios
Miki Markovitch
Chappel Miller
Gustavo Ramirez
Bob Williams -
Dianna Pounder, Angel
Jitendra Joshi, Web
Nancy Deal-Whitacre, Sets, Dancer PT
Lance Deal, Sets, Welding
Carl Peterson, Sets, Engineering
Tessa Richards, Theater PT
Barbara Mossberg, Resident Historian
Sara Stewart, Youth Cast Lead
Elizabeth Roberts, Costumes
Erin Whitaker, Costumes, Art
Halie Henderson, Costumes
Christie Rodewald, Costumes
Kate & Bill Eintenmiller, Angels
BFan’s Academy Families
BFan’s Board of Directors
& many, many more -
Philip & Sandra Piele
Sponsors of Alyssandra Docherty, Guest Lighting DesignerJudy Grubbs & Barry Polonsky
Sponsors of The Magic CarpetDonna and Hannah wish to express gratitude to the dancers of BFan for their incredible artistic voices, inspiration, and choreographic contributions to this project, especially the following original cast members (2017): Amanda Coleman (Jasmine), “Somebody to Love” solo and ensemble; Natanael Leal (Aladdin), “Somebody to Love” and “Champions”
BFan Events Calendar
MEET THE MAKERS
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Choreographer - Producer
Founding Artistic Director
Costume Design DirectorBallet Fantastique's Canadian-born Artistic Director, Donna, is a choreographer, designer, and expert master teacher in the Vaganova Syllabus. Ms. Bontrager's performance résumé embraces work with New York companies, including Empire State Ballet, Buffalo City Ballet, Royale Dance Theatre New York, and Festival Choir Ballet. She was one of ten dancers invited to perform as part of the international Feast of the Tabernacles in Jerusalem, Israel, and has been invited to join the World Congress on Dance. Ms. Bontrager has overseen Ballet Fantastique repertoire and productions involving partnerships with choirs, opera, and soloist vocalists, symphony and chamber orchestras, literary and visual artists, and composers. Ms. Bontrager has visioned, choreographed, produced, and staged the entire critically acclaimed all-original Ballet Fantastique repertoire of over 92 original works since 2000—including 26 full-length contemporary narrative ballets, and 25 consecutive productions with live music, including creating new work during the Covid-19 pandemic and shutdown. She has also led BFan commissions for Eugene Symphony, Oregon Mozart Players, and many others. Under Donna's leadership, Ballet Fantastique has toured across the NW. Donna also oversaw BFan's sold out, critically-acclaimed international debut at the Palariviera Theater as the first US dance company invited to perform in San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy. Donna's love of the arts also extends to her design work as an alumna of the University of Oregon's School of Architecture and in the design of BFan's critically-acclaimed costumes. Donna has also developed the complete Academy of Ballet Fantastique curriculum.
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Choreographer-Producer
Founding Executive DirectorHannah is Ballet Fantastique's Executive Director, Co-Choreographer Producer, and lead grant writer. Hannah graduated at the top of her class (summa cum laude and phi beta kappa) from the Robert D. Clark Honors College of the University of Oregon where, as a full scholarship student, she earned concurrent degrees in Dance and English Literature and a minor in Arts Administration, as well as the American Association of University Women Award, the Dance Achievement Award, and the Dean's Award for Service, and was the invited Honors College graduation speaker. Under Hannah’s leadership, Ballet Fantastique has earned touring invitations on behalf of Ballet Fantastique nationally and internationally; grant awards from major foundations; and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and in-kind corporate and individual support.
Hannah is listed among the international Who’s Who Among Executives and Professionals, is a Comcast Newsmaker, and Blue Chip "20 under 40" award recipient. Hannah also leads a number of educational initiatives for Ballet Fantastique, including Passport to Dance and The EXPERIENCE DANCE! Project, which have brought innovative dance experiences to thousands of schoolchildren across Oregon ever year for the past 20+ years.
Also a trained professional dancer and performer, Hannah studied Vaganova pedagogy with her mother, Donna Marisa Bontrager. She also trained at the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, DC. Hannah spent a season with Colorado Ballet Company and subsequently with Manassas Ballet Theatre in the Washington, DC metro area (where she performed leading roles including Sugar Plum Fairy, Nutcracker and the lead in Vivandière/ Markitenka). Donna and Hannah have collaborated to produce bold cross-disciplinary Ballet Fantastique contemporary ballet premieres and collaborations at home and on tour, including the entire body of Ballet Fantastique's work. As a founding principal dancer with Ballet Fantastique, Hannah has earned rave critical reviews in myriad soloist roles.
Hannah is proud mom to Finn (age three) and Liam (age one), and is thrilled to be back on stage with her BFan family.
Academy of Ballet Fantastique
CLASSES FOR YOUNG DANCERS
AGES 2-7
OPEN CLASSES FOR TEENS/ADULTS
AGES 13+
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING DIVISION
Ages 7+
CONTACT US TO AUDITION
Ballet Fantastique
Secret Society
We would like to recognize the incredible generosity of the individuals, foundations, and businesses who support Ballet Fantastique’s mission and programs. Pledges and contributions received between 7/1/23–4/15/25.
Anonymous Angel
Donna Marisa Bontrager
Juliet Bender
Stephanie & Ted Coopman
Kate & Bill Eitenmiller
Carla Hoeger
Matthew Johns
Philip & Sandra Piele
Helmut Plant (in memory of Carol Hamrick Plant)
Dianna & Todd Pounder
Brandy Rodtsbrooks
Nancy Deal-Whitacre & Lance Deal
2025 Director’s Circle
Join our Director’s Circle today by making a gift to Ballet Fantastique of $1,000 or more. Please denote “Director’s Circle” on your gift.
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A. L. Kingsley Fund of Oregon Community Foundation
Charles & Betti Saunders Foundation Fund of the Austin Community Fund
gratitude to Erin Walter, who contributed this in honor of Preston Andrew Patterson
Clement Family Charitable Fund
gratitude to Judy Clement, who contributed this in honor of McKenna Morrigan
Dorothea M. Lensch Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
Ellen Glendel Hyman Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation
Eugene Elks Lodge
Fidelity Charitable
Givinga Foundation
Herbert J. Merker Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
Hult Endowment Fund of the Western Oregon Community Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
James F. & Marion L. Miller Foundation
Mehlum Family Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts
Neil Chinn Fund of the Oregon
Community Foundation
Oregon Arts Commission
Oregon Community Foundation
Oregon Cultural Trust
Percent Impact Foundation
Renaissance Charitable Foundation
Ronald W. Naito Foundation
San Francisco Foundation
SHO — Support Hult Operations
Silva Endowment Fund of the Western Oregon Community Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation Tamolitch Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
Walker Charitable Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
Woodard Family Foundation -
Stephanie & Ted Coopman
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Alpha IT
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
Sandra Wright Piele & Philip K. Piele PHD
Dianna & Todd Pounder
Dr. Averno & Wendlyn Rempel -
Merritt Bennett
Tirzah & Ravi Brounstein
Stephanie & Ted Coopman
Downtown Athletic Club
Sherrie & David Kammerer
Vicky Mello
Staszak Physical Therapy -
Christine Cameron & Jeremy Zuidema
Nancy Deal-Whitacre & Lance Deal
Kate & Bill Eitenmiller
Judy Grubbs & Barry Polonsky
Andrea Kingsley
Summit Bank -
Martha & Ken Alderfer
Anonymous Angel
Ehlman Babayev (Oaktree Residential Living)
Cindy Bedell & Rich Blanton
Zack Blalack
Mary Bruskotter & John Thompson
Annette Briggs & Scott South (EmWest Powertrain Systems)
Polly & Brian Caughey
Sarah & Adam Burner
Charlcie Kaylor & Charles Crawford
Robert Cummings
Elaine DeMartin & Steven Webster
Jennifer & Mark Ensminger
Eugene Elks Lodge #357
Carla Hoeger
Shirley & Michael Hull
Jillyn & Graham Kaiser
Charlcie Kaylor & Charles Crawford
Andrea Kingsley
Eileen Loritsch & Irving Weiner
Aubrey Lyche & Carlos Real
Nancy Nathanson & Steve Robinson
Sue & Bob McClelland
Debra Peña
Debby & John Phillips
Brian Obie (Gordon Hotel)
Helmut Plant (in memory of Carol Hamrick Plant)
Brandy Rodtsbrooks
Nicole & Daniel Roselio
Mary & Mike Staszak
Margie & Bill Van Dorn (Solid Ground Foundation Repair) -
Patricia Ahlen
Irene & Kevin Alltucker
Juliet Bender
Sharlen Bennett
Donna Bontrager
Judy Clement
John Coit & Elizabeth Bates
Kay Crider & Patrick Phillips
Gayle & Jeff Faust
Margaret Hallock
Heather Harrison
Ben Hughes
Matthew Johns
Linda Lawrence & Robert Canaga
Laura Lee
Dena McCoy
Merissa & Charles Merritt
Susan & Arthur Palsbo
Michelle Reid
Eugene Symphony
Patricia Thomas & Russell Mecredy
Sara & Kristopher Stewart
Clare & Alex Vonderhaar
Barbara & James Walker -
Tara Aarnio
Gregory Ahlijian
Margie & Logan Anderson
Polly Ashworth & Robert Horner
Vicki Blackman
Sara Ferris
Summer & Travis Freeman
Joy & Mark Gall
Grace Godfrey
Danny Havel
Jill Hendrickson & Nathan Markowitz
Barbara Hoefener & Ernest Lessenger
Patricia & Dennis Hyatt
Laurie & Shaun Hyland
Matt Kendall
Cindy & Stephen Leonard
Becky & Garreth MacDonald
Sarah Maggio
Richard Maher, Handel's Homemade Ice Cream
Jeff Mecredy
Gerald Morgan
Barbara Morris
Linda and David Nelkin
Sally & Eric Overstreet
Tessa Richards
Natalie & Joe Sheild
Shield Catering
Mike Shrum
Sandra & Jerry South
Christine & Bruce Waugh
Bob & Rachel Williams
Katheryn & George Wood -
James Allen Johnson
Tara Aarnio
Peter Bahen
Rose Marie & Mike Barber
Olivia Batt
Zachary Batt
Charles Beaudet, Beaudet Jewelry Design
Sylvia Bender
Michael Blevins
Ed Breed
Sylvia Hartman
Heather & Gregory Fortner
Susanne Fountain
Elena Fracchia
Deborah Carver & John Pegg
Liz Cawood
Jennifer Clark
Marta Cuboni
Bill Cummings
Tabantha Davis
Nicole Desch
Alandra & Steven Duncan
Louise & James Earl
Slavka Eberhart-Garah
Pam & Robert Hess
Nancy Hershorin
Sheri & Mick Hoover
Peter Hollens
Diane Horvath-Pearson
Judith Horstmann & Howard Bonnett
Christina Hula
Elizabeth Hughes
Andrea & Cole Inman
Kelly Johnson
James Allen Johnson
Sarah & Jeffrey Jordan
Shelli Gramz
Michelle Graham
Melissa & Jeff Gunnarson
Bradley Garrigus
Patty Ferguson
Reida & Charles Kimmel
Gina & Al King
Michael King
Corinne & Greg Klein
Georgiana Kovell
Jason Krakow
Anna Lagattuta
Tom Lamoree
Tom Lawrence
John Li
Lindsey McCarthy & Brian Coombs
Kathy & William McGuire
Kathy Magnusson
Michelle Markovich
William Mazzoni
Linda & Fred Meyer
Jessica Mitchell
Barbara & Christer Mossberg
Dave & Kate Moss
Jeffrey Morey
Vicki Morgan & Mike Duran
Pamela Roman
Susan Ordonez
Susan & Bahram Tavakolian
Christine & Dave Nordenson
Colin Overstreet
Elizabeth Ovitt
Karina Olch
Wanda Patterson
Martha Reilly & Paul Brown
Michelle Reid
Kevin Riley
Leigh A. Rieder
Mary & Richard Rohl
Sharon & David Schuman
Bailee Seeley
Cynthia Secrest & Douglas Pierce
Catherine Simard
Jessica Stedman
Barbara & Brent Stone
David Stright
Andrew Sonabend
Josephine & Peter von Hippel
Sidney Voorhees
Jennifer Webster
Wendy Westcott
Kimberly Wilbur & Dennis Fisher
Barbara & James Walker
Tom Wright
Cynthia & Stephen Wright
Vanessa Toney
Jenny Ulum
THE CHARACTERS
Photos by Bob Williams, Eddie Bruning
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Patricio Di Stabile as
ALADDIN
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Isabelle Bloodgood as
PRINCESS JASMINE*
GENIE BABE***Saturday, 7:30PM
**Sunday, 2:30PM -
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Jenavieve Hernandez as
PRINCESS JASMINE*
GENIE BABE***Sunday, 2:30PM
**Saturday, 7:30PM -
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Gustavo Ramirez as
JAFAR, STREET RAT
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Ashley Bontrager as
IAGA, STREET GIRL
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Preston Andrew Patterson as
GENIE OF THE LAMP, NARRATOR
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Hannah Bontrager as
GENIE BABE
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Tavari Groesbeck as
THE SULTAN
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Jacob Amey as
STREET RAT, ALADDIN’S FRIEND
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Brooke Geffrey-Bowler as
PARROT, STREET GIRL
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Lucy Pearce as
STREET GIRL, JASMINE’S FRIEND, GOLDEN STATUE
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Hadassah Slater as
PARROT, STREET GIRL
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Emmaline Melton as
JASMINE’S FRIEND, GOLDEN STATUE
THE STORY
Photos by Bob Williams Photography
ALADDIN Choreographer’s Notes
Notes from Donna, Hannah,
& the BFan Creative Team
THE HISTORY OF ALADDIN
& HIS WONDERFUL LAMP
The story of Aladdin is one of the most familiar narratives in all of literature, a classic “rags to riches” tale, featuring a young hero who has to learn an important lesson, a good healthy dose of magic, a spunky, beautiful heroine, and an evil villain. But the Aladdin story is in fact an “orphan tale” (along with the famous “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves” and “Seven Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor,” as all of these stories have no direct connections to the Arabic versions of the 1001 Nights manuscripts. “Aladdin” was added much later to the collection by French translator Antoine Galland in the early eighteenth century. Galland claimed he heard the tale from a Syrian storyteller from Aleppo, but no Arabic source has been traced for the tale.
ARABIAN NIGHTS ORIGIN & SETTING
The history of the Nights is extremely complex, and modern scholars have made many attempts to untangle its origins. While mainly Indo-Persian in origin (the original core of stories was quite small), 1,001 Nights was collected over many centuries by various authors, translators, and scholars across West, Central, and South Asia and North Africa. The tales themselves trace their roots back to ancient and medieval Arabic, Persian, Mesopotamian, Indian, Jewish, and Egyptian folklore and literature. The names of 1,001 Nights chief characters are Persian, and the frame story is probably Indian, with the largest proportion of names being Arabic.
ALADDIN
Design Notes
Donna’s Aesthetic: Bollywood Disco
“I like themes and unique color palettes for each show; I sometimes use unusual color combinations and textures of fabric together. For choreography, I like blends of styles to tell stories with beautiful presentation and links to greater steps. Every detail matters and has something to say—even just holding a position matters.” —Donna, on her design vision for the Aladdin premiere
Academy Youth Cast
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Julieann Maylyn Campbell,
Beau Grimes,
Kayleigh Jordan,
Bella Preston,
Emelia Stewart,
Ruth Tanner,
Chloe Whitaker -
Aysia Merthyl,
Penelope Pappalardo,
Aijah Preston,
Juliette Rodewald,
Olivia Ramos,
Eva Singh -
Minna Eitenmiller,
Hazel Henderson,
Mirabel Poppy Lewis,
Aviana Rodewald,
Emelia Stewart,
Louisa Stewart -
Jora Bates,
Breana Broadbent,
Finley Bontrager-Mecredy,
Calliope Quinn Miller-Peterson,
Morrigan Smith,
Eleanor Traen,
Martha Rodes Wikander,
Petra Wren Wikander,
Liv Harper Zarraga -
Emelia Stewart,
Chloe Whitaker -
Beatrix Alldritt,
Madeline Aldritt,
Haven Amabisca,
Minna Eitenmiller,
Hazel Henderson,
Ada Hubbard,
Lorelei Jordan-Rice,
Mirabel Poppy Lewis,
Campbell Lyche,
Olivia Ramos,
Esper Ritch,
Aviana Rodewald,
Aubrey Rudolph,
Morrigan Smith,
Fiona Stacey,
Louisa Stewart,
Eloise Whitaker
SPECIAL THANKS
Philip & Sandra Piele
sponsors of Alyssandra Docherty, Guest Lighting Designer
Judy Grubbs & Barry Polonsky
Sponsors of The Magic Carpet
Donna and Hannah wish to express gratitude to the dancers of BFan for their incredible artistic voices, inspiration, and choreographic contributions to this project, especially original cast members (2017): Amanda Coleman (Jasmine), “Somebody to Love” solo and ensemble; Natanael Leal (Aladdin), “Somebody to Love” and “Champions”
ALADDIN
PRODUCTION TEAM
FOUNDING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, VISIONARY
Donna Marisa Bontrager
CHOREOGRAPHER-PRODUCERS
Donna Marisa Bontrager, Hannah Bontrager
REHEARSAL DIRECTOR
Gustavo Ramirez
ORIGINAL MUSICAL ARRANGEMENTS
JP Durand
FEATURING ADDITIONAL MUSIC FROM
Satin Love Orchestra, for their 2017 original arrangements for BFan: Jason Palmer, Matthew Larson, Shelley James, Rica Wright, Joe Weber, Owen Wright, Callan Coleman, Daren Kromarek
RESEARCH, LIBRETTO TEAM
Donna & Hannah Bontrager
with Deborah & Genevieve Speer
NARRATION
Hannah Bontrager, Donna Marisa Bontrager, Genevieve & Deborah Speer
ASSISTANT TO THE PRODUCERS
Elizabeth Chapa
COSTUME DESIGN/VISION
Donna Marisa Bontrager
COSTUME DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION TEAM
Allison Ditson/Allihalla, Lindsay Wagner & Elizabeth Roberts (Youth Costume Construction), Sara Stewart with Erin Whitaker, Halie Henderson, Kate Eitenmiller (Youth Costume Coordination)
HEADPIECE DESIGNS
Mitra Chester
SET/PROPERTIES MASTER
Debra Peña
SETS DESIGN & VISION & CONSTRUCTION
Debra Peña with
Lance Deal, Nancy Deal-Whitacre, Jeff Faust, Sydney Miller-Peterson, Carl Peterson
SETS SUPPORT
Kris Martes, Bill Eitenmiller, Julissa Favella
ORIGINAL CAVE OF WONDERS
Stephanie Lonergan
LIGHT DESIGNER
Alyssandra Docherty
sponsored by Philip & Sandra Piele
SPECIAL THANKS
Austrian Curtain Crew
Oregon Geneological Society
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Hannah Bontrager
STAGE MANAGER
Sydney-Elise Miller-Peterson
PROMO VIDEO
Jeremy Bronson
PROMO PHOTOGRAPHY
Bob Williams, Jeremy Bronson, Eddie Bruning
PERFORMANCE VIDEO
Jeremy Bronson
OUTREACH & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Rebecca Welch, Emily Knowles
MARKETING
Hannah Bontrager, Isabelle Bloodgood, Elizabeth Chapa, Emily Knowles
PROGRAM DESIGN
Elizabeth Chapa
Meet the Band
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GUITARIST, COMPOSER, PRODUCER
JP Durand is a guitarist, composer, and producer known for his humor and intelligence (though he has a quirky fear of freshly-cut grass). Raised in a Peruvian family, he started piano lessons at seven and joined the Paulist Choristers in 6th grade, where he received advanced ear training. His musical path took a turn in 7th grade after hearing Jimi Hendrix’s "Purple Haze."
At UC Berkeley, JP earned a degree in economics while performing in an R&B group and playing blues at local venues. In 1995, he began collaborating with his future wife, Liza Carbe, leading to work with Paramount Music on shows like Entertainment Tonight. Over the years, they’ve written music for American Idol, Ellen, Extreme Makeover, and more.
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GUITARIST
Liza Carbe began her musical journey at age five and started guitar at nine after moving to California. She created the Zil, a unique instrument with 32 piano strings, while studying at college, and performed on acclaimed albums by Jasun Martz. After graduating from Cal State Northridge, she toured with the 80s metal band Vixen and later with R&B artist Leon Patillo. Liza co-founded the eclectic group Red Van Go, toured Japan, and played with Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac during his solo tour.For the past 15 years, Liza has worked with her husband, JP Durand, composing music for TV shows like Entertainment Tonight, American Idol, and Extreme Makeover. They’ve also written for various library CDs and films. She’s also involved with City Hearts, which brings music to at-risk youth, and is endorsed by AMPEG, MTD Basses, Alvarez-Yairi Guitars, and others.
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PERCUSSIONIST
Tim’s musical journey began at age five in Newark, Ohio, with influences spanning Folk, Jazz, R&B, and the Ohio State Marching Band. After moving to Southern Oregon, he won multiple state solo awards and studied at the University of Oregon (BM) and USC (MM), where he trained with top percussionists and led the Oregon Marching Band Drumline.
Tim has performed globally as a percussionist with Grammy-nominated artist Josh Groban, and recorded with icons like Herbie Hancock, Elton John, and David Foster. His TV and film credits include NCIS, JAG, The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio, and appearances on The Tonight Show and Good Morning America. Tim currently teaches at the Los Angeles Music Academy.
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VOCALIST
Tita Hutchison is a versatile vocalist who has recorded and performed with iconic artists such as Paul Anka, Foreigner, Dolly Parton, Michael McDonald, Gloria Estefan, and Herbie Hancock, among others. She has also worked with top producers like Rick Rubin and Brian Malouf. Her voice can be heard in commercials, TV shows, and films for brands like Calvin Klein and networks like FOX and ABC Family, both in the U.S. and Japan.
A published author with Hal Leonard, Tita co-wrote Advanced Vocal Technique: Middle Voice, Placement, and Styles (2008). She is a featured instructor at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, where she has been voted Instructor of the Year twice. Tita teaches a variety of courses, including private vocal lessons, performance workshops, and vocal technique, drawing on her extensive performance and recording experience to bring real-world insights into the classroom.
Artists of Ballet Fantastique
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Ashley Bontrager
PRINCIPAL
sponsored by Dave & Sherrie Kammerer
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Hannah Bontrager
PRINCIPAL
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Isabelle Bloodgood
PRINCIPAL
sponsored by The Bennett-Hooper Family
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Gustavo Ramirez
PRINCIPAL
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Preston Andrew Patterson
PRINCIPAL
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Jenavieve Hernandez
SOLOIST
sponsored by Anonymous
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Brooke Geffrey-Bowler
SOLOIST
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Tavari Groesbeck
SOLOIST
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Lucy Pearce
ARTIST
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Hadassah Slater
CORPS DE BALLET
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Emmaline Melton
CORPS DE BALLET
Dancer Portraits by Bob Williams Photography
GUEST ARTISTS
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PATRICIO DI STABILE
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JACOB AMEY
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ALADDIN
EXPERIENCE: From Buenos Aires, Argentina, Patricio Di Stabile graduated as a ballet dancer from The School of Teatro Colón. He has performed in over 15 countries around the world.
He was a student at Ballet Academy East in New York City under the direction of Darla Hoover, attending on a full scholarship. While in NYC, his mentor and coach was the world-renowned Maestro William Burmann at Steps on Broadway. Patricio also participated in the Moscow International Ballet Competition at the Bolshoi Theater.
In 2022, he moved to the United States and has since danced with Wonderbound, Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami, and Canyon Concert Ballet. He has also performed as a guest artist with San Jose Dance Theatre, Sierra Nevada Ballet, and Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance.
As a choreographer and director, Patricio produced REPATRIADOS, a ballet gala performed at the largest arts center in Latin America, where he premiered two original ballets. Through his production company, sincasco.com, he also created Aislamiento Social, a documentary about the pandemic featuring Argentinian dancers, which premiered on the Allegro HD Channel in Latin America. Most recently, in February, he released Coreometrajes.
Patricio just completed an international tour of The Little Prince, a French production that had a Broadway run. With the show, he performed in France, Germany, India, Greece, Estonia, Poland, Serbia, Luxembourg, London, and other countries.
This is his first time performing in Eugene, Oregon, and he is thrilled to be taking on the role of Aladdin, a character he loves. -
STREET RAT, ALADDIN’S FRIEND
EXPERIENCE: Jacob Amey is originally from Portland, Oregon and started his dance journey at the age of 12 when he attended the Arts and Communications Magnet Academy (ACMA). At ACMA, he explored various forms of art before finding his passion for dance, soon joining their pre-professional program, Dance West. Jacob also performed with The Portland Ballet and spent his summers training with San Francisco Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Jacob then attended the University of Arizona, where he received technical training and developed his artistry in a variety of styles. He performed numerous works from faculty and renowned choreographers such as George Balanchine and Paul Taylor. In 2023, Jacob graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. Since graduating he has worked with dance companies Wonderbound and Zikr Dance Ensemble. Jacob is ecstatic about performing with Ballet Fantastique for the first time in their production Aladdin.
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