Nutcracker ReImagined
Music by Peter I. Tchaikovsky

This extraordinary year has been filled with change for everyone around the world. Reflecting back I can’t count how many times we all have had to pivot, change directions and plans. In the spirit of dance, the language of the soul, we have done it! When Covid-19 closed our doors in March I never dreamed we would still be out of the studios 9 months later. I took over the Artistic Directorship of Benicia Ballet Theatre in April with plans for in-person summer Intensives which ultimately weren’t able to come to fruition due to tightening Covid-19 restrictions and in mid August I assumed responsibility for the school. In July when the Arsenal informed me they would not renew our lease in September I again was left wondering what to do. With my husband’s support he encouraged me to move forward. His words of wisdom, “If you don’t you will always wonder.” We found a new location and moved the school that had been in the Arsenal since 1986. My husband built the Outdoor Studio when Covid-19 kept us from having classes indoors and he continues to modify the space to adapt to changing conditions. While we wait for the opportunity to enjoy our 2 beautiful studios indoors the dancers keep bundled up and dancing. My heart is warmed every time I step outside and hear the quiet chatter of the dancers and see them preparing for class. Each and everyone is amazing!
Nutcracker ReImagined is the culmination of a collaborative effort of the entire Benicia Ballet community. It has been a whirlwind of activity, planning, fast paced rehearsals, mask making to match costumes and more pivoting as Covid-19 took us back to the purple tier just the week before we were to film leaving us once again making last minute changes to our plans. In true Benicia Ballet flexibility we pulled together, made the necessary adjustments and danced with resilience through the filming on a single, chilly evening. The dancer’s sparkled as brightly as the stars. I want to make special mention of Jacquelyn Zilka our Associated Artistic Director who without her generous spirit, support and get-the-job-done attitude, this production would not have been possible. I would also like to thank Louie Dela Cruz of 7DC Studios for his videography and editing skills and moving seamlessly through all of the changes of direction. Finally, I would like to thank Jeanette Hunter for her costuming skills and boundless dedication that have our dancers costumed so beautifully. From all of us, the Benicia Ballet Community, we hope you enjoy the show as much as we enjoyed the process of making it!
From Teresa Taylor,
Benicia Ballet Theatre's Artistic Director:
Production Crew
Artistic Director
Assoc. Artistic Director
Cinematographer
Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Lighting Design
Photographer
Costume Director
Costume Design
Mask Making
Set Design
Music Editing
Program Photography
Poster Design
Website Design
Teresa Taylor
Jacquelyn Zilka
Louie Dela Cruz
John Metellus
Brannen Zilka
Craig Scharfen
Peter Lichty
Jeanette Hunter
Sally Babson
Christine Mitchell
Gary Brogan & Wes Muyco
Andrew Blackshear &
Teri Yumae
Peter Lichty
Jelissa Rippee
Amanda Toy
Choreographers and Faculty
Tina Zahner
Jacquelyn Zilka
Teresa Taylor
Alexis Risi
Benicia Ballet Theatre extends its sincere thanks to Mr. Peter Lichty for his continued support of BBT.
Photos of this production are available on prouddad.smugmug.com. Proceeds from all orders are donated back to BBT.
We would also like to thank Leslie Rowley from
for collaborating in our shared outdoor studio, being a good neighbor, and in her continued support of our program.

CAST
Act I, Scene 1 - Party
Storyteller
Granddaughter
Grandson
Dr. Stahlbaum
Frau Stahlbaum
Drosselmeyer
Toy Soldier
Ballerina Doll
Tarantella Doll
Governess
Fritz
Friend of Fritz
Nephew/Nutcracker Prince
Clara
Friend of Clara
Friend of Clara
Little Girl
Little Girl
Little Girl
Little Girl
Little Girl
Reggie Mitchell
Rosaleah Mitchell
Skylar Ford
Brannen Zilka
Jacquelyn Zilka
Collin Ziemer
Naomi Mittman
Gianna Zahner
Daphne Sama
Kayla Zilka
Liam McGee
Nathan Throne
Harry Sama
Alexa Belocura
Rosaleah Mitchell
Liliya Patterson
Jazmin Brewster
Kendall Dela Cruz
Audrey Eales
Aislynn Freels
Sienna Soulier
Act I, Scene 2 - The Battle
Royal Guard
Royal Guard
Royal Guard
Mouse Queen
Lead Mouse
Mouse
Mouse
Mouse
Mouse
Mouse
Mouse
Mouse
Luke Mittman
Ethan Throne
Noah Zilka
Natalie Coffman
Ella Throne
Aleena Brewster
Jamie Morris
Atheera Muniandy
Erin Seeley
Samantha Sigua
Yui Stewart
Jezelle Zahner
Act I, Scene 3 - The Land of Snow
Snow Queen
Snow Soloist
Snow Demi-Soloist
Snow Demi-Soloist
Snowflake
Snowflake
Snowflake
Snowflake
Snowflake
Snowflake
Snowflake
Snowflake
Gillian Mead
Ella Albrecht
Julia Rodgers
Grace Wymer
Samantha Hernandez
Ella Kohls
Kennedy Plummer
Riley Siruno
Nanami Stewart
Iwalani Toy-Vinano
Gianna Zahner
Cailin Ziemer

Act II, Scene 1 - The Kingdom of Sweets
Kayla Zilka
Jamie Morris
Eleanor Nizami
Danielle Rippee
Jezelle Zahner
Astrid Estenson
Julianna Perez
Jonah Morris
Ella Albrecht
Ella Kohls
Liliya Patterson
Aleena Brewster
Audrey Eales
Erin Seeley
Sienna Soulier
Ella Throne
Jazmin Brewster
Kendall Dela Cruz
Aislynn Freels
Atheera Muniandy
Yui Stewart
Iwalani Toy-Vinano
Nathan Throne
Noah Zilka
Kingdom Attendant
Angel
Angel
Angel
Angel
Sugar Plum Attendant
Sugar Plum Attendant
Kingdom Page
Sugar Plum Fairy
Twinkling Star
Lead Star
Gold Star
Gold Star
Gold Star
Gold Star
Gold Star
Silver Star
Silver Star
Silver Star
Silver Star
Silver Star
Harlequin Soloist
Harlequin Boy
Harlequin Boy
Act II, Scene 2 - The Divertissements
Spanish Chocolate
Spanish Demi-Soloist
Spanish Demi-Soloist
Chinese Tea
Chinese Demi-Soloist
Chinese Demi-Soloist
Chinese Demi-Soloist
Russian Soloist
Russian Boy
Russian Boy
Russian Boy
Russian Boy
Russian Boy
Russian Boy
Russian Boy
Marzipan Duet
Marzipan Duet
Black Lamb
White Lamb
White Lamb
White Lamb
White Lamb
Arabian Princess
Rose
Butterfly
Flower
Flower
Flower
Flower
Flower
Flower
Flower
Flower
Flower
Grace Thompson
Samantha Hernandez
Olivia Zmak
Riley Siruno
Astrid Estenson
Ella Kohls
Julianna Perez
Cailin Ziemer
Liam McGee
Luke Mittman
Jonah Morris
Harry Sama
Ethan Throne
Nathan Throne
Noah Zilka
Kennedy Plummer
Nanami Stewart
Ethan Throne
Eleanor Nizami
Danielle Rippee
Samantha Sigua
Jezelle Zahner
Maddie Alford
Grace Wymer
Grace Thompson
Maddie Alford
Natalie Coffman
Astrid Estenson
Gillian Mead
Naomi Mittman
Julianna Perez
Julia Rodgers
Daphne Sama
Oliva Zmak
Text adaptation from the book "Of Swans, Sugarplums and Satin Slippers" by Violette Verdy.
Mirlitons adapted from choreography by Robbie Nichols and Sally Street.
We could not have done it without the generous help of our sponsors:
Patron
Silver
Renee Albrecht
Karen S. Braun
Richard Bruns
April Reid
Tracy Rodgers
Kayoko Stewart
Grace Yumae
Teri Yumae
Diane Coffman
Alexandra Mead
Gold
Ashley Worsham
Leslie Rowley / Jazzercise
Diamond
Peter Lichty
Heather Ziemer
This performance was previously recorded on our outdoor stage with masked dancers, or within one's own socially isolated home. Benicia Ballet Theatre extends its sincere thanks to The Mitchell family for allowing us to safely film at their house.
Benicia Ballet Theatre's Holiday Wish List
Please donate items from BBT's wish list created on Amazon.com.
Please use Smile.Amazon.com any time you purchase items on Amazon, to help out your favorite non-profit.
There are also items specific to our needs that Amazon doesn't carry, listed below.
- Grey Marly Floor tape from Stage Step or Rosco - 10 Rolls
- Stage Step Floor Disinfectant - 5 gallons
- 3x5 Outdoor Rugs with Rubber backing - 3
- Money towards a sign - We have the sign board that has lighting. The estimate for a Benicia Ballet sign was about $1,200.
- More Floor tiles like the ones by the outdoor studio
- Collapsable Awning - 2 (we have been using Alexis's)
These items can be dropped off at the studio during class time, or call 707.746.6757 to arrange a time
A special thank you always to the 2020 Benicia Board of Directors, who helped catapult this event into existence.
Heather Ziemer Monica Estenson Jeanette Hunter Reggie Mitchell Amanda Toy Theresa Vohra