Who says that my dreams have to stay just my dreams?
Artists of Ballet Fantastique |
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
On behalf of the Ballet Fantastique (BFan) Board of Directors, I want to welcome you to our 25th Anniversary season — and the long-awaited world premiere performance of BFan’s Little Mermaid — as a 1980's Pop Ballet. We are thrilled to have you join us in this reimagined journey beneath the waves, brought to life through the artistry of the local and international team of artists, dancers, choreographers, designers, makers, composer-arrangers who have come together to imagine and create this NEW art.
This is the third production of our unforgettable 25th season, a season that began as a small dance school in 2000 in downtown Eugene, just a few blocks from this magnificent performing arts hall. With courage, foresight, imagination, and persistence, Ballet Fantastique — with Donna and Hannah’s leadership and drive and the support and partnership of so many artists and supporters like you — has emerged as one of the uniquely original theatrical ballet companies in this country.
Tonight, we step away from the surface world to explore timeless themes of bravery, community, love, and the quest for a destiny-defying dream. Although many are familiar with Hans Christian Andersen’s original or the Disney adaptations, you’re here to experience a performance and telling that’s quintessentially new — and totally BFan. This is ballet like you’ve never seen before: An evocative story, reimagined with joy, poignancy, laughs, and of course...a great soundtrack. In true BFan style, this is an immersive theatrical experience, dynamic and vital.
As our hero, “Ariel Eileen,” traverses the boundaries between her underwater kingdom and the world above, her story belongs to all of us. Her resilience and quest for autonomy reflect the spirit that inspires us to imagine a different and better future, even (and especially) when the world says it’s impossible.
Whether you are a loyal patron or attending a Ballet Fantastique show for the first time, WELCOME! We hope that this performance resonates long after the final bow. THANK YOU for supporting live performing arts, for being a “BFan,” and for supporting art you love. This art exists because of you.
Now take a deep breath, and let the artistic tide of tonight’s performance sweep you away.
PHILIP PIELE
BOARD PRESIDENT
Dear BFans,
Welcome to the magic of Ballet Fantastique’s 2025–26 VENTURE 25th Anniversary Season!
This year, we’re diving headfirst into the unexpected. From haunted forests and toyshop magic, to deep-sea kingdoms and the Wild West frontier, each ballet in this season dares to push storytelling further bringing iconic tales to life with the imagination, live music, and daring that defines BFan.
We’re so excited to kickstart the holiday season with Christmas in Toyland, set to the swinging holiday beat of Duke Ellington’s epic jazz Nutcracker and other holiday jazz classics, this original production is playful, heartwarming, visually enchanting, nostalgic and new.
Thank you for being here!
YOUR NEW ART IS HERE
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
Kate Eitenmiller
Stephen Webster
Brandy Rodtsbrooks
Darby Giannone
Isabelle 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
Sara Stewart, Academy Costumes -
Ashley Bontrager, Development Director
Emily Knowles, Administrative Support
Rebecca Welch, Director of Community Engagement
Elizabeth Chapa, Academy Coordinator, Administration Support
Sara Stewart, Academy Relations Manager & Youth Backstage Coordinator, Academy Costumes
Lucy Pearce, Academy Program Director
Genevieve Speer, Finance Manager
Dianna Pounder, Academy Billing
Jeff Mecredy, Leadership & Growth -
Isabelle Overstreet, Marketing Coordinator
Elizabeth Chapa, Brooke Geffrey-Bowler, Emily Knowles, Marketing Support
Jeremy Bronson, Film, Audio, Marketing
Gustavo Ramirez, Film, Audio, Marketing
Hannah Bontrager, Graphic Design, Program Magazine Design -
Lucy Pearce, Academy Program Director, Youth Cast Lead
Amanda Kay Arens, Young Dancer Division, Youth Cast Lead
Sara Stewart, Youth Cast Costumes, Academy Manager
Ashley Bontrager, Professional Division, Company
Donna Marisa Bontrager, Professional Division, Company
Hannah Bontrager, Professional Division, Company
Brianne Falanga, Professional Division, Young Dancer Division
Brooke Geffrey-Bowler, Professional Division
Tavari Groesbeck, Professional Division
Jenavieve Hernandez, Professional Division,Teen/Adult Division
Preston Andrew Patterson, Teen/Adult Divison
Gustavo Ramirez, Company Rehearsal Director
Hadassah Slater, Young Dancer Division, Professional Division, Adult/Teen Division -
Attic Media
Bronson Studios
Eddie Bruning
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
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 -
Nils & Jewel Hult Endowment Fund
of the Oregon Community FoundationPhilip and Sandra Piele (Light Design Sponsors)
Vicky Mello (Music Sponsor)
Debra Peña, Jeff Faust, Lance Deal, for their incredible set work
Our amazing Academy of Ballet Fantastique Families
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.
This season is made possible thanks to the generosity of our 2025–2026 season title sponsor
Season 25-26 Sponsors:
25–26 LADIES’ NIGHT SERIES SPONSOR
Summit Bank
LIGHTING DESIGN SPONSORS
Philip & Sandra Piele
OFFICIAL WINERY OF BALLET FANTASTIQUE
Silvan Ridge Winery
OFFICIAL PHYSICAL THERAPISTS & TRAINERS OF BALLET FANTASTIQUE
Staszak Physical Therapy
Recharge Therapeutics
OFFICIAL WORKOUT CLUB OF THE
BALLET FANTASTIQUE COMPANY
The Downtown Athletic Club
25-26 GUEST ARTIST SPONSORS
John Tamulinis & Deborah Basler
OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER
Bicoastal Media
25-26 POINTE SHOE SPONSOR FOR
THE WOMEN OF BALLET FANTASTIQUE
Dianna Pounder
OTHER MAJOR SUPPORT
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 7/1/24–PRESENT
Juliet Bender
Stephanie & Ted Coopman
Kate & Bill Eitenmiller
Carla Hoeger
Matthew Johns
Darby Giannone & Marvin Re'Voal
Jillyn & Graham Kaiser
Dave & Sherrie Kammerer
Andrea Kingsley
Nancy Nathanson & Steve Robinson
Brandy Rodtsbrooks
Susan & Arthur Palsbo
Debra Peña
Philip & Sandra Piele
Helmut Plant (in memory of Carol Hamrick Plant)
Dianna Pounder
Nancy Deal-Whitacre & Lance Deal
Steven Webster
2025-26 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 the Oregon Community Foundation
Clement Family Charitable Fund gratitude to Judy Clement, who contributed in honor of McKenna Morrigan
Dorothea M. Lensch Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
Ellen Glendel Hyman Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
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
Marie Lamfrom 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
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
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Stephanie & Ted Coopman
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Alpha IT
Bicoastal Media
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Anonymous Angel
Dr. Averno & Wendlyn Rempel
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Sandra Wright Piele & Philip K. Piele PhD
Dianna Pounder
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Oaktree Residential Living, Elman Babayev
Stephanie & Ted Coopman
Nancy Deal-Whitacre & Lance Deal
Summit Funding, Sherrie & David Kammerer
Judy Grubbs & Barry Polonsky
Andrea Kingsley
Vicky Mello
Debra Peña
Volt Strategies, Brandy Rodtsbrooks
Downtown Athletic Club
Staszak Physical Therapy
Summit Bank
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Deborah Basler & John Tamulonis
Merritt Bennett
Kate & Bill Eitenmiller
Darby Giannone & Marvin Re'Voal
Matthew Johns
Attic Media
Steven Webster
Silvan Ridge Winery
Bob Williams Photography
Steven Yett
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Martha & Ken Alderfer
Sharlen Bennett
Zack Blalack
Tirzah & Ravi Brounstein
Jackie & Gregory Chase
Charlcie Kaylor & Charles Crawford
Kay Crider & Patrick Phillips
Robert Cummings
Recharge Therapeutics, Shelli Gramz
Carla Hoeger
Shirley & Michael Hull
Eileen Loritsch & Irving Weiner
Aubrey Lyche & Carlos Real
Sue McClelland
Nancy Nathanson & Steve Robinson
Gordon Tavern
Marcy Hammock & Herbert Merker
Gordon Hotel, Brian Obie
Susan & Arthur Palsbo
Nicole & Daniel Roselio
Sara Stewart
Kristopher Stewart
Mary & Mike Staszak
Susan & Bahram Tavakolian
Converted Kitchen
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Patricia Ahlen
Gregory Ahlijian
Irene & Kevin Alltucker
Polly & Brian Caughey
Elizabeth Bates & John Coit
Juliet Bender
Cindy Bedell & Rich Blanton
Mary Bruskotter & John Thompson
Judy Clement
Robert Cummings
Heritage Distillery
Margaret Hallock
Jillyn & Graham Kaiser
Linda Lawrence & Robert Canaga
Laura Lee
Ernest Lessenger
Leslie Lessenger
Steven Milosevich
Helmut Plant
Patricia Thomas & Russell Mecredy
Sarah Sweet
Gayle Truax
Clare & Alex Vonderhaar
Barbara & James Walker
Solid Ground Foundation, Margie & Bill Van Dorn
Eugene Symphony
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Margie & Logan Anderson
Tara Aarnio
Polly Ashworth & Robert Horner
Zach Batt
Sylvia Bender
Annette Briggs & Scott South
Gayle & Jeff Faust
Christina & John Gilbert
Danny Havel
Jill Hendrickson & Nathan Markowitz
Patricia & Dennis Hyatt
Sarah Maggio
Barbara Morris
Linda & David Nelkin
Susan Ordonez
Sally & Eric Overstreet
Diane Horvath-Pearson
Jennifer Pfeifer
Debby & John Phillips
Michelle Reid
Tessa Richards
Mike Shrum
Wallpaper Northwest
Jennifer Webster
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Erika Backstrom
Elizabeth Bates & John Hughes
Olivia Batt
Rose Marie & Mike Barber
Beaudet Jewelry, Charles Beaudet
Louise & James Earl Bishop
Vicki Blackman
Mike Blevins
Anton Bommersbach
Margaret Bostrom
Melva Bowler
Alice Burke & George Recker
Rachel & Piotrek Buciarski
Deborah Carver & John Pegg
Jennifer Clark
Arty Coppes
Coastline Housekeeping
Alandra & Steven Duncan
Mike Floretta
Peggy Frandsen
Patty Ferguson
John Friess
Bradley Garrigus
Erin Geiser
Michelle Graham
Sylvia Hartman
Nicholas Hedden
Mark Heerema
Susan Hekimoglu
Michele Henney
Peter Hollens
Judith Horstmann & Howard Bonnett
Elizabeth Hughes
James Johnson
Shelly Kane
Reida & Charles Kimmel
Corinne & Greg Klein
Jason Krakow
Anna Lagattuta
Lynn & Tom Lamoree
John Li, Spice N Steam
Lighten Up with Jill
Tim MacBean
Kathy Magnusson
James Meadows
Jeff Mecredy
Charles & Merissa Merritt
Julie Moffenbier
Vicki Morgan and Mike Duran
Gerald Morgan
David Nordenson
Kate & Dave Moss
New Twist
Kimberly O'Brien & Steven Hecker
Colin Overstreet
Elizabeth Ovitt
Carolyn Rasche
Leigh Rieder
Kevin Riley
Jeanette & Judson Roberts
Cynthia Secrest & Douglas Pierce
Bailee Seeley
Jaimi & Ben Shirk
Sandra & Jerry South
Shauna Stec & Corey Harmon
David Stright
Andrew Sonabend
Barbara & Brent Stone
Vanessa Toney
Jennifer Ulum & Tim Gleason
Shirley Vinson
Josephine & Peter von Hippel
Adele Walter
Wendy Westcott
Kimberly Wilbur & Dennis Fisher
Rachel & Bob Williams
Katheryn & George Wood
Cynthia & Stephen Wright
Kim Young
THE CHARACTERS
Photos by Bob Williams,
Eddie Bruning
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Brooke Geffrey-Bowler as
Ariel Eileen
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Gustavo Ramirez as
The (Artist Currently Known as) Prince
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Preston Andrew Patterson as
Poseidon, Chef
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Jacob Amey as
Sebastian - The Lobster
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Jasmine Gilbert as
Flounder - Ariel’s Bestie
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Hannah Bontrager as
Roxanne - The Sea Witch
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Ashley Bontrager as
The Queen, Roxanne’s Alter Ego: Vanessa
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Isabelle Overstreet as
Seahorse, Electric Eel, Party Crasher
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Jenavieve Hernandez as
Seahorse, Electric Eel, Party Crasher
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Hadassah Slater as
Jellyfish, Eligible Princess
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Lucy Pearce as
Jellyfish, Eligible Princess
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Brianne Falanga as
Sea Anemone, Eligible Princess
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Aliyah Casper as
Sea Anemone, Eligible Princess
THE STORY
Photos by Bob Williams Photography & Eddie Bruning
Academy Youth Cast
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Beauregard Grimes
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Emelia Stewart
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Penelope Chase
Meridian Hula
Kayleigh Jordan
Bella Preston
Emelia Stewart
Ruth Tanner
Chloe Whitaker -
Penelope Chase
Annabelle DeHart
Meridian Hula
Olivia Ingram
Kayleigh Jordan
Aysia Merthyl
Penelope Pappalardo
Aijah Preston
Bella Preston
Esper Ritch
Emelia Stewart
Ruth Tanner
Chloe Whitaker -
LEADS:
Beatrix Alldritt
Minna Eitenmiller
Hazel Henderson
Mirabel Poppy Lewis
Aviana Marie Rodewald
Louisa Stewart
Madeline Alldritt
Haven Amabisca
Ada Hubbard
Morrigan Smith
Fiona Stacey
Eloise Whitaker
Maddison Zundel -
LEADS:
Beatrix Alldritt
Minna Eitenmiller
Hazel Henderson
Mirabel Poppy Lewis
Aviana Marie Rodewald
Louisa Stewart
Jora Bates
Finley Bontrager Mecredy
Lydia Clemens-Stephens
Jocelyn Jimenez
Sam Johnson
Noah Orr
Frances Robinson
Rome Snyder
Eleanor Traen
Martha Rodes Wikander
Petra Wren Wikander -
LEADS:
Beatrix Alldritt
Minna Eitenmiller
Hazel Henderson
Mirabel Poppy Lewis
Aviana Marie Rodewald
Louisa Stewart
Audrey Rose Angeletti
June Dawson
Mila Doperalski
Maya Elliott
Vera Hayden
Emily Holloway
Genevieve Ingham
Johanna Jamison
Clementine Janke
Zaya Lundquist
Calliope Miller-Peterson
Ameliana Pearls
Brigid Saulgrove
Jema Seeley
Maaike Snieder
Juniper Sturdivan
Scarlett Wallace
SPECIAL THANKS
Nils & Jewel Hult Endowment Fund
of the Oregon Community Foundation
Philip and Sandra Piele (Light Design Sponsors)
Vicky Mello (Music Sponsor)
Debra Peña, Jeff Faust, Lance Deal, for their incredible set work
Our amazing Academy of Ballet Fantastique Families
LITTLE MERMAID
PRODUCTION TEAM
FOUNDING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, VISIONARY
Donna Marisa Bontrager
CHOREOGRAPHER-PRODUCERS
Donna Marisa Bontrager, Hannah Bontrager
with Gustavo Ramirez
REHEARSAL DIRECTOR
Gustavo Ramirez
MUSIC
Neon Revival (LA), Bettreena Jaeger and Amy LeSage
LIVE playing 80’s pop hits
MUSIC SPONSOR
Vicky Mello
NARRATION
written by Hannah Bontrager
performed by Anderson Carr
SOUND ENGINEERING
Jameson Tabor
RESEARCH, LIBRETTO TEAM
Donna & Hannah Bontrager,
Deborah & Genevieve Speer
ASSISTANT TO THE PRODUCERS
Emily Knowles, Elizabeth Chapa
COSTUME DESIGN/VISION
Donna Marisa Bontrager
COSTUME DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION TEAM
Allison Ditson - Design, Construction (Portland)
Elizabeth Roberts - Design, Construction (Eugene)
Primadonna Tutus - Design, Construction (LA)
WARDROBE SUPPORT
Julissa Favela, Erin Whitaker, Jasmine Gilbert,
Jenavieve Hernandez
HEADPIECES
Mitra Gruwell with Rebecca Welch
YOUTH CAST COSTUMES
Sara Stewart
with Kate Eitenmiller, Erin Whitaker
SET/PROPERTIES MASTER
Debra Peña
SETS DESIGN & VISION & CONSTRUCTION
Debra Peña
with Lance Deal Whitacre, Jeff Faust
SETS SUPPORT
Lance Deal, Nancy Deal-Whitacre, Jeff Faust,
Sydney Miller-Peterson, Carl Peterson
LIGHT DESIGNER
Alyssandra Docherty (Philadelphia)
LIGHT DESIGN SPONSORS
Philip & Sandra Piele
PROJECTION DESIGN
Gustavo Ramirez
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Hannah Bontrager, Gustavo Ramirez
STAGE MANAGER
Sydney-Elise Miller-Peterson
SPECIAL EFFECTS/ENGINEERING
Carl Peterson
ACADEMY PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Lucy Pearce
YOUTH CAST LEADS/CHOREOGRAPHY
Lucy Pearce, Amanda Kay Arens,
Hadassah Slater
YOUTH CAST COACHES
Amanda Kay Arens, Ashley Bontrager,
Brianne Falanga, Brooke Geffrey-Bowler,
Lucy Pearce, Hadassah Slater
YOUTH CAST COORDINATOR
Sara Stewart
with Heather Amabisca, Kate Eitenmiller,
Julissa Favela, Halie Henderson, Kendra Orr,
Jenn Pfeifer, Sarah Preston, Christie Rodewald,
Genie Snyder, Katie Stacey, Erin Whitaker
and our Academy of Ballet Fantastique Families
PROMO VIDEO
Jeremy Bronson
PROMO PHOTOGRAPHY
Bob Williams, Jeremy Bronson, Eddie Bruning,
Erin Whitaker
PERFORMANCE VIDEO
Jeremy Bronson
OUTREACH & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Rebecca Welch, Emily Knowles
MARKETING
Hannah Bontrager, Isabelle Overstreet,
Elizabeth Chapa, Emily Knowles
DIGITAL PROGRAM DESIGN
Elizabeth Chapa
FRONT OF HOUSE
Emily Knowles with Rebecca Welch
Meet the Musicians
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Guitar
Liza Carbé 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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Vocals
Amy LeSage is a Portland, Oregon based vocalist with a background in gospel music from the University of Oregon. LeSage sings with LaRhonda Steele and the Portland Interfaith Gospel Choir and has provided background vocals for various Portland based artists. Amy also toured China with the U of O Gospel Choir in 2013. In previous years, Amy sang for Ballet Fantastique's show, Esther, and their first run of Pride and Prejudice. She is honored to return for another wonderful show with such talented creators, dancers and musicians.
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Vocals
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.
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Vocals
Betty is a self taught vocalist and seasoned performance artist who has transplanted from Kalispell, Montana. Known for her vocal versatility, Jaeger's artistic history spans over two decades of singing and touring for wide ranges of project genres, yet she finds herself closest to home within the organic minimalism and swooping orchestral ballads with her Eugene local string quartet, Baroque Betty. Adding to her artistic versatility, she also graces stages across the Pacific Northwest as a burlesque performer, and produces The Wax Poetry Revue burlesque and variety show.
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Percussion
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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GUITAR
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.
Artists of Ballet Fantastique
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Ashley Bontrager
PRINCIPAL
sponsored by Dave & Sherrie Kammerer
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Hannah Bontrager
PRINCIPAL
sponsored by Andrea Kingsley Foundation
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Isabelle Overstreet
PRINCIPAL
sponsored by The Bennett-Hooper Family
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Gustavo Ramirez
PRINCIPAL
sponsored by Philip & Sandra Piele
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Preston Andrew Patterson
PRINCIPAL
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Jacob Amey
ARTIST
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Jenavieve Hernandez
SOLOIST
sponsored by Dianna Pounder
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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
ARTIST
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Jasmine Gilbert
ARTIST CORPS
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Brianne Falanga
ARTIST CORPS
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Aliyah Casper
CORPS DE BALLET
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Meridian Hula
FELLOWSHIP APPRENTICE
Dancer Portraits by Bob Williams Photography
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