
A Message from the Artistic Director
FRANCESCO VENTRIGLIA | Artistic Director
Welcome to Once Upon A Time – A Thousand Tales
Welcome to Once Upon a Time – A Thousand Tales.
Alberta Ballet’s September presentation celebrates the Canadian premiere of Once Upon a Time, and I am immensely proud to share it with our Alberta audiences. Though I first imagined and crafted this story many years ago, its journey has continued to evolve with every rehearsal and staging.
In creating this ballet, I wanted to gather the threads of the stories many of us first loved—Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Aladdin—and stitch them into one new adventure guided by an unlikely hero: The White Rabbit. His search for Cinderella becomes a playful path through forests and palaces, a reminder that wonder doesn’t end when a book closes or a curtain falls. It evolves—just as we do.
The fairytale-inspired score by Alexey Shor first sparked the choreography back in 2022, and it has been a joy to respond to its melodies and rhythms in movement. Lighting Designer Valerio Tiberi shapes atmosphere and focus, revealing the story’s heartbeat in light and shadow, and award-winning Designer Roberta Guidi Di Bagno has conjured a world of luminous sets and costumes that invite the eye to keep discovering. At the heart of it all is Alberta Ballet’s extraordinary ensemble—artists whose musicality, daring, and generosity are, for me, the true magic of this production.
Earlier this year, we toured this work abroad to Dubai Opera—becoming the first Canadian ballet company to perform on that stage. Our dancers reflected to a sold-out theatre of international ballet lovers, the same stunning artistry that Albertans cherish here at home.
As we open The Greatest Season Ever Told, thank you for bringing your families, your curiosity, and your belief in what dance can do. Whether you are here with a child seeing their first ballet or returning as a long-time friend, I hope you feel the same delight we felt creating it.
May this performance remind you that stories—old and new—can carry us further than we imagine.
With gratitude,
FRANCESCO VENTRIGLIA
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

The Story
Once Upon A Time – A Thousand Tales takes place in a dream world, where each fairy tale is highlighted with choreography, sets, and costumes that create highly individual and relevant imagery, all set to the beautiful score by Alexey Shor.
PROLOGUE
The White Rabbit is awoken by the Prince, who instructs him to deliver invitations to every young woman across the Kingdom to attend a great ball at the palace. He realises the day is dawning and he has to get busy, for he has very important work to do. After all, being busy, being late and being a bit of a busybody are the defining characteristics that make up his personality.
He quickly gets himself ready for the day. The White Rabbit can never stay still for long. He dashes off.
SCENE 1
The scene dissolves into the village square where the people are beginning their morning tasks. The White Rabbit delivers the invitation, and all of the girls are excited to get ready for the ball.
SCENE 2
The scene dissolves. Cinderella is seen doing her chores. Her stepmother and half-sisters are proud and demanding, ordering Cinderella to do all sorts of things for them. Clean this, pick up that, brush some dirt from my dress, etc...etc...
The White Rabbit, arrives with an invitation to the Prince’s ball. The Stepmother and Stepsisters are extremely excited and get Cinderella to help them prepare. When they leave, Cinderella is despondent. She wishes she could go to the ball too, and then suddenly a Good Fairy appears who makes that wish come true. Cinderella’s dress is transformed and she hurries to the ball.
SCENE 3
The scene dissolves into one of great opulence. The Prince sees Cinderella and they fall in love. They dance together in the palace garden but the clock strikes midnight and Cinderella runs away, losing a shoe.
The Prince doesn’t know what to do, but the White Rabbit appears to lend a hand. He consoles the Prince and tells him not to worry. He will travel the world to find the woman who can fit the shoe!
SCENE 4
The scene dissolves to reveal Snow White eating a poisoned apple then falling asleep. Another Prince arrives and wakes Snow White. They dances rapturously amongst the snowflakes. The White Rabbit appears and sees that Snow White is not the woman he seeks as she already has her Prince, but he asks her if she can direct him onwards. She points him in the direction of Sleeping Beauty.
SCENE 5
In a multitude of roses, Aurora has been asked to choose between four suitors and dances with them all. The White Rabbit enters and thinks that she might be the one. He tries the shoe on Sleeping Beauty, but it does not fit and he realises that she is not who he seeks. His journey has to continue.
SCENE 6
The next scene features a lake, where we see Odette and her swans under the power of the wicked Von Rothbart. The White Rabbit arrives on the lake and asks Rothbart if he can try the shoe on Odette but Von Rothbart refuses to free the Swan Queen, so the White Rabbit misses this opportunity.
SCENE 7
Alice is in Wonderland with the Queen of Hearts. This is a lively, comic scene in which the Queen of Hearts takes offence at everything Alice does. The White Rabbit appears, and Alice recognises him. They frolic together and have fun trying on the shoe, even though the White Rabbit knows that she is not the right one either. The Queen of Hearts also tries on the shoe and mayhem ensues.
SCENE 8
In this very brief scene, the White Rabbit finds Cinderella’s Prince to report back. No luck yet, but he will keep trying. A virtuosic little dance for the White Rabbit and the Prince ends Act I.
INTERMISSION
SCENE 9
Very briefly we see Cinderella’s Prince bidding farewell to the White Rabbit, who starts his search again.
SCENE 10
Aladdin and Jasmine dance under a beautiful starry sky, and we see their flying carpet. The White Rabbit enters with the shoe, but it doesn’t fit Jasmine.
SCENE 11
The scene dissolves to the palace of the Beast. In the ballroom everyone is dancing waiting for Beauty and the Beast to arrive for their first dance together. In a beautiful pas de deux, Beauty tenderly dances with the Beast.
The White Rabbit attempts to fit the shoe, but again he has no luck. His journey continues.
SCENE 12
The White Rabbit comes across the cheeky, hyper-confident Puss in Boots. This is not good! Puss thinks that the White Rabbit might make a tasty meal. At the very least, he wants to toy with the White Rabbit and try to steal the glass slipper. Just when things are getting sticky, along comes D’Artagnan and his Musketeers. After much virtuoso swordfighting and dancing from the men, Puss escapes with the precious crystal shoe. D’Artagnan and the Musketeers chase him.
SCENE 13
The Prince arrives and finds out that the White Rabbit lost the shoe. He is heartbroken and dances a melancholic solo.
SCENE 14
D’Artagnan and his Musketeers are back. They retrieved the shoe from Puss in Boots and return it back to the Prince. The White Rabbit is now able to keep looking for Cinderella.
SCENE 15
The White Rabbit finds himself back at Cinderella’s house. He decides he might as well try his luck there. The Stepmother and Stepsisters try to cram their feet into the shoe, but it’s Cinderella who can wear it and also reveal the other shoe from the night of the ball.
FINALE
The Prince is summoned along with all the other fairy tale characters, and a great dance of celebration brings the ballet to a close with the wedding of the Prince to Cinderella.

Once Upon A Time – A Thousand Tales
Creative Team
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Francesco Ventriglia is an Italian ballet dancer, choreographer and Artistic Director. Having graduated from La Scala Ballet School, Ventriglia joined the ballet company of La Scala in 1997. He danced numerous soloist and principal roles with the company, including works by Roland Petit, Nureyev, Balanchine, Forsythe, Makarova, Ailey, Neumeier, Cranko, Preljocaj, Godani, Kylian, Guillem, and Bejart. Internationally, his performances with La Scala included Hilarion at the Metropolitan Opera in New York and at Covent Garden, opposite Sylvie Guillem in her creation of Giselle.
Ventriglia is a choreographer of classical and contemporary ballet, having works performed internationally by companies such as the La Scala Ballet, Arena di Verona, Bolshoi Theatre, The Mariinsky Theatre, Grand Theatre du Geneve, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Ballet Nacional Sodre, and at the Venice Biannale.
In 2010, he was appointed as Artistic Director and principal choreographer by the Florence Opera House for Maggio Danza until 2013. In 2014, he was named the Artistic Director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet.
Ventriglia’s tenure as Artistic Director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet concluded in June 2017, however he continued his artistic relationship with the company, creating a new full-length ballet, Romeo and Juliet which toured nationally.
From January 2018, Ventriglia was adjunct artistic director of the National Ballet of Uruguay, Ballet Nacional Sodre. From 2020 to 2024, Ventriglia established himself in Sydney and co-founded the Sydney Choreographic Centre and Ensemble. In January 2024, he was appointed Artistic Director of Alberta Ballet. For Alberta Ballet, Ventriglia has choreographed productions such as La Sylphide, The Wizard of Oz, and Don Quixote. In April 2025, Alberta Ballet toured to Dubai and presented his creation, A Thousand Tales at the Dubai Opera.
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Alexey Shor was born and raised in Ukraine. He left the Soviet Union to study mathematics in the United States. Currently, he spends most of his time in New York.
His compositions have been performed at some of the most prestigious concert halls, including Wiener Musikverein, Berlin Philharmonie, Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center (Washington DC), Great Hall of Moscow Conservatory, Mariinsky Theatre (St. Petersburg), Kremlin Palace (Moscow), The Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Gasteig (Munich), Wigmore Hall (London), Teatro Argentina (Rome) and many others. Concerts with his music have been broadcast on MediciTV, Mezzo and Euronews. Shor’s music has been showcased on Fox Business News and the websites of Bloomberg News, the New Yorker, Yahoo and the Huffington Post. The Overture to his ballet “Crystal Palace” was performed at the 40th Gramophone Classical Music Awards ceremony in London. In 2018, he was awarded an honorary professorship at the Komitas State Conservatory of Yerevan. In 2022/2023 season, Shor has served as Yehudi Menuhin School’s associate composer. Shor is the Composer-In-Residence for the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra. For the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 seasons he has also been appointed as the Composer-In-Residence for the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra.
Shor’s scores are published by Breitkopf & Hartel and Universal Edition. CDs with his compositions have been issued by Warner Classics, DECCA, SONY Classics, Naxos, and others. Many internationally acclaimed artists have performed Shor’s music, including (in alphabetical order) Behzod Abduraimov, Salvatore Accardo, Gautier Capuçon, Ray Chen, Steven Isserlis, Clara-Jumi Kang, Evgeny Kissin, Denis Kozukhin, Shlomo Mintz, Mikhail Pletnev, Gil Shaham, Yeol Eum Son, Yekwon Sunwoo, Maxim Vengerov, Nikolaj Znaider and many others.
Shor also holds a Ph.D. in mathematics.
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Born in Rome, Italy, Roberta Guidi di Bagno studied at the Accademia Libera del Nudo. She worked as an assistant to the late director and set designer for opera, theater and ballet, Pier Luigi Samaritani.
For the past 45 years, she has worked extensively with many of the major opera houses and ballet companies around the world including Houston Ballet, Teatro alla Scala Milano, Teatro dell’Opera Roma, Queensland Ballet, English National Ballet, Zagreb National Theatre, Spoleto Festival Italy and USA, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Semperoper Ballett Dresden, Royal Danish Ballet, Teatro San Carlo Napoli, Maggio Musicale Firenze, Teatro Massimo Palermo, English National Ballet, Teatro Filarmonico Verona, New National Theatre Tokyo, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Houston Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Tulsa Ballet, Hong Kong Ballet, Shanghai Ballet, and Staatsballet Berlin.
In January 2023, was Francesco Ventriglia’s World Premiere A Thousand Tales commissioned by CMDI Events and Samit Event Group, for the Dubai Opera House.
Guidi di Bagno has received a number of prestigious awards including the “Positano Massine Prize for Ballet” for her artistic accomplishments (1997), Premio Anita Bucchi, and Giornale della Danza’s “Best Costume Designer in 2012”.
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Valerio Tiberi was born in Spoleto, city of the “Festival of the Two Worlds” where he began his professional career and developed a passion for light in all forms and expressions. Today, Tiberi has multiple experiences from opera, theatre, ballet, fashion and architectural events to his credit, and a prolific resume of collaborations with musical productions in Italy and beyond.
In 2010, he made his debut at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, for the ballet Immemoria and in 2014, his broadway debut with the Italian production of Rugantino. He was also lighting designer for the musicals Dirty Dancing and Ghost in the West End and on the international tours. His numerous credits include:
Opera: Samson et Dalila, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, I Due Foscari, Ariadne auf Naxos, Hamlet, Fidelio, Il Farnace, Orfeo e Euridice, Fille du Reggiment, La Fanciulla del West, Elisir D’Amore, Cenerentola, Flauto Magico, Barbiere di Siviglia all for Kids, Don Carlo.
Musical: Dirty Dancing (West End, UK, and international tour), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Kinky Boots, Ghost, The Addams Family, Mary Poppins, West Side Story, The Bodyguard, La Divina Commedia, Newsies, American Idiot, Rent, NextToNormal, Frankenstein Jr., Priscilla, Gypsy, Cenerentola, Happy Days, Cats, The Producers, Grease, Cabaret.
Ballet: Waves, La Valse, Immemoria, Histoire de Manon, Beethoven Immortal Love, Alice in Wonderland, Serata Sacra, Il Lago dei Cigni.
Theatre: Van Gogh, Don Giovanni, Amleto, XII Notte, il Piacere dell’ onestà, Allegre Comari di Windsor, Constellations, Cyrano de Bergerac.
Award: Italian Oscar for Musical Theatre, Best Lighting Design 2015 (Frankenstein Jr.), 2016 (Cabaret).
He was Assistant Lighting Designer for Teatro alla Scala from 2013 to 2018. Since 2006, he has been teaching Lighting Design at Accademia Teatro alla Scala. Since 2014, he has been the technical supervisor and Lighting Designer of the Ballet Gala Roberto Bolle & Friends.
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Hayna Gutierrez was born in Havana, Cuba, and trained at the Cuban National Ballet School. She joined Ballet Nacional de Cuba in 1998, becoming Principal Dancer in 2004. From 2010 to 2019, Gutierrez was Principal Dancer with Alberta Ballet, performing leading roles including Giselle, Kitri (Don Quixote), Odette/Odile (Swan Lake), Juliet (Romeo and Juliet), and Cio Cio San (Madame Butterfly).
She has created roles in works by Jean Grand-Maître, Yukichi Hattori, and Wen Wei Wang, and has performed featured roles in Balanchine’s works. Gutierrez has danced across Europe and North America and has over 20 years of experience as a ballet educator. In 2013, she received the Miami Life Award for Best Hispanic Female Dancer and has performed internationally at the Incolballet Ballet Festival.
Now in her first season as Rehearsal Director with Alberta Ballet, Gutierrez brings her expertise, leadership, and passion to guide the company toward artistic excellence.
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After a distinguished 17-year career as a professional dancer, including eight seasons with Alberta Ballet, Yoshiya Sakurai has transitioned to the role of Rehearsal Director at Alberta Ballet. His extensive experience on stage and in rehearsal studios now enriches the company from a new perspective.
Originally from Niigata, Japan, Sakurai began his ballet training at Niigata Ballet School and age of 14, he won scholarships to Royal Ballet School and John Cranko Ballet School at Japan Grand Prix. He furthered his education at Canada’s National Ballet School in Toronto where he graduated and received the Peter Dwyer Scholarship. He has danced with American Repertory Ballet, Boston Ballet II, and Kansas City Ballet before joining Alberta Ballet in 2016. He also performed as guest artist and guest teacher internationally.
Throughout his career, he has captivated audiences with his remarkable interpretations of iconic roles. He has worked with internationally known choreographers and performed many principal roles such as Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Albrecht in Giselle, Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake, Prince Desire in The SleepingBeauty, and The Prince in Cinderella.
Now, as a Rehearsal Director, Sakurai brings his wealth of experience and insight to guide the next generation of dancers.

Once Upon A Time – A Thousand Tales
Casting
Subject to Change
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White Rabbit
Mirko MelandriCinderella
Alexandra Anker-HughesPrince Charming
Caleb DurbinSnow White
Luna SasakiPrince Florian
Aaron AnkerWhite Swan
Jolie Rose LombardoRothbart
Yaroslav KhudychJasmine
Jolie Rose LombardoAladdin
Yaroslav KhudychBelle
Luna SasakiThe Beast
Aaron AnkerMale Trio
Andrea Arbasino, Zachary Boresow, Dylan WestVillager Women
Victoria Bourassa, Bel Johnson-Darby, Chizuru Kikuchi, Hinata Takahara, Isabel TornqvistVillager Men
Patrice Bertrand, Rémy Gray, Rikuto Kubota, Yi-Min Tsung, Federico VitaliFairy God Mother
Bel Johnson-DarbyStepmother
Zoe HornStepsisters
Paloma Bonnin, Grace CampbellSnowflakes
Paloma Bonnin, Victoria Bourassa, Grace Campbell, Bel Johnson-Darby, Chizuru Kikuchi, Isabel TornqvistThe Witch
Yaroslav KhudcyhAurora
Paloma BonninSuitors
Patrice Bertrand, Rémy Gray, Yi-Min Tsung, Federico VitaliSwans
Victoria Bourassa, Grace Campbell, Zoe Horn, Bel Johnson-Darby, Chizuru Kikuchi, Hinata Takahara, Isabel Tornqvist, Kairi WatanabeAlice
Hinata TakaharaQueen of Hearts
Hotaru MaruyamaQueen’s Cavalier
Kurtis GrimaldiQueen’s Soldiers
Andrea Arbasino, Patrice Bertrand, Zachary Boresow, Rikuto Kubota, Federico Vitali, Dylan WestBeauty & Beast Women
Paloma Bonnin, Victoria Bourassa, Grace Campbell, Zoe Horn, Bel Johnson-Darby, Chizuru Kikuchi, Hinata Takahara, Isabel TornqvistBeauty & Beast Men
Andrea Arbasino, Patrice Bertrand, Zachary Boresow, Remy Gray, Rikuto Kubota, Yi-Min Tsung, Federico Vitali, Dylan WestPuss In Boots
Michael Scott-KahansD’Artagnan
Kurtis GrimaldiPorthos
Federico VitaliAramis
Dylan WestAthos
Rikuto KubotaAlberta Ballet Trainees
Ava Marie Arnold
Willa Clark
Danier Laganzo -
White Rabbit
Sean RollofsonCinderella
Alexandra Anker-HughesPrince Charming
Caleb DurbinSnow White
Luna SasakiPrince Florian
Aaron AnkerWhite Swan
Jolie Rose LombardoRothbart
Yaroslav KhudychJasmine
Jolie Rose LombardoAladdin
Yaroslav KhudychBelle
Luna SasakiThe Beast
Aaron AnkerMale Trio
Andrea Arbasino, Zachary Boresow, Dylan WestVillager Women
Victoria Bourassa, Bel Johnson-Darby, Chizuru Kikuchi, Hinata Takahara, Isabel TornqvistVillager Men
Patrice Bertrand, Rémy Gray, Rikuto Kubota, Yi-Min Tsung, Federico VitaliFairy God Mother
Bel Johnson-DarbyStepmother
Zoe HornStepsisters
Paloma Bonnin, Grace CampbellSnowflakes
Paloma Bonnin, Victoria Bourassa, Grace Campbell, Bel Johnson-Darby, Chizuru Kikuchi, Isabel TornqvistThe Witch
Yaroslav KhudcyhAurora
Paloma BonninSuitors
Patrice Bertrand, Rémy Gray, Yi-Min Tsung, Federico VitaliSwans
Victoria Bourassa, Grace Campbell, Zoe Horn, Bel Johnson-Darby, Chizuru Kikuchi, Hinata Takahara, Isabel Tornqvist, Kairi WatanabeAlice
Hinata TakaharaQueen of Hearts
Hotaru MaruyamaQueen’s Cavalier
Kurtis GrimaldiQueen’s Soldiers
Andrea Arbasino, Patrice Bertrand, Zachary Boresow, Rikuto Kubota, Federico Vitali, Dylan WestBeauty & Beast Women
Paloma Bonnin, Victoria Bourassa, Grace Campbell, Zoe Horn, Bel Johnson-Darby, Chizuru Kikuchi, Hinata Takahara, Isabel TornqvistBeauty & Beast Men
Andrea Arbasino, Patrice Bertrand, Zachary Boresow, Remy Gray, Rikuto Kubota, Yi-Min Tsung, Federico Vitali, Dylan WestPuss In Boots
Michael Scott-KahansD’Artagnan
Kurtis GrimaldiPorthos
Federico VitaliAramis
Dylan WestAthos
Rikuto KubotaAlberta Ballet Trainees
Ava Marie Arnold
Willa Clark
Danier Laganzo -
White Rabbit
Sean RollofsonCinderella
Alexandra Anker-HughesPrince Charming
Caleb DurbinSnow White
Luna SasakiPrince Florian
Aaron AnkerWhite Swan
Jolie Rose LombardoRothbart
Yaroslav KhudychJasmine
Jolie Rose LombardoAladdin
Yaroslav KhudychBelle
Luna SasakiThe Beast
Aaron AnkerMale Trio
Andrea Arbasino, Zachary Boresow, Dylan WestVillager Women
Victoria Bourassa, Bel Johnson-Darby, Chizuru Kikuchi, Hinata Takahara, Isabel TornqvistVillager Men
Patrice Bertrand, Rémy Gray, Rikuto Kubota, Yi-Min Tsung, Federico VitaliFairy God Mother
Bel Johnson-DarbyStepmother
Zoe HornStepsisters
Paloma Bonnin, Grace CampbellSnowflakes
Paloma Bonnin, Victoria Bourassa, Grace Campbell, Bel Johnson-Darby, Chizuru Kikuchi, Isabel TornqvistThe Witch
Yaroslav KhudcyhAurora
Paloma BonninSuitors
Patrice Bertrand, Rémy Gray, Yi-Min Tsung, Federico VitaliSwans
Victoria Bourassa, Grace Campbell, Zoe Horn, Bel Johnson-Darby, Chizuru Kikuchi, Hinata Takahara, Isabel Tornqvist, Kairi WatanabeAlice
Hinata TakaharaQueen of Hearts
Hotaru MaruyamaQueen’s Cavalier
Kurtis GrimaldiQueen’s Soldiers
Andrea Arbasino, Patrice Bertrand, Zachary Boresow, Rikuto Kubota, Federico Vitali, Dylan WestBeauty & Beast Women
Paloma Bonnin, Victoria Bourassa, Grace Campbell, Zoe Horn, Bel Johnson-Darby, Chizuru Kikuchi, Hinata Takahara, Isabel TornqvistBeauty & Beast Men
Andrea Arbasino, Patrice Bertrand, Zachary Boresow, Remy Gray, Rikuto Kubota, Yi-Min Tsung, Federico Vitali, Dylan WestPuss In Boots
Michael Scott-KahansD’Artagnan
Kurtis GrimaldiPorthos
Federico VitaliAramis
Dylan WestAthos
Rikuto KubotaAlberta Ballet Trainees
Ava Marie Arnold
Willa Clark
Danier Laganzo -
White Rabbit
Mirko MelandriCinderella
Alexandra Anker-HughesPrince Charming
Caleb DurbinSnow White
Luna SasakiPrince Florian
Aaron AnkerWhite Swan
Jolie Rose LombardoRothbart
Yaroslav KhudychJasmine
Jolie Rose LombardoAladdin
Yaroslav KhudychBelle
Luna SasakiThe Beast
Aaron AnkerMale Trio
Andrea Arbasino, Zachary Boresow, Dylan WestVillager Women
Victoria Bourassa, Bel Johnson-Darby, Chizuru Kikuchi, Hinata Takahara, Isabel TornqvistVillager Men
Patrice Bertrand, Rémy Gray, Rikuto Kubota, Yi-Min Tsung, Federico VitaliFairy God Mother
Bel Johnson-DarbyStepmother
Zoe HornStepsisters
Paloma Bonnin, Grace CampbellSnowflakes
Paloma Bonnin, Victoria Bourassa, Grace Campbell, Bel Johnson-Darby, Chizuru Kikuchi, Isabel TornqvistThe Witch
Yaroslav KhudcyhAurora
Paloma BonninSuitors
Patrice Bertrand, Rémy Gray, Yi-Min Tsung, Federico VitaliSwans
Victoria Bourassa, Grace Campbell, Zoe Horn, Bel Johnson-Darby, Chizuru Kikuchi, Hinata Takahara, Isabel Tornqvist, Kairi WatanabeAlice
Hinata TakaharaQueen of Hearts
Hotaru MaruyamaQueen’s Cavalier
Kurtis GrimaldiQueen’s Soldiers
Andrea Arbasino, Patrice Bertrand, Zachary Boresow, Rikuto Kubota, Federico Vitali, Dylan WestBeauty & Beast Women
Paloma Bonnin, Victoria Bourassa, Grace Campbell, Zoe Horn, Bel Johnson-Darby, Chizuru Kikuchi, Hinata Takahara, Isabel TornqvistBeauty & Beast Men
Andrea Arbasino, Patrice Bertrand, Zachary Boresow, Remy Gray, Rikuto Kubota, Yi-Min Tsung, Federico Vitali, Dylan WestPuss In Boots
Michael Scott-KahansD’Artagnan
Kurtis GrimaldiPorthos
Federico VitaliAramis
Dylan WestAthos
Rikuto KubotaAlberta Ballet Trainees
Ava Marie Arnold
Willa Clark
Danier Laganzo
Alberta Ballet Dancers


Alberta Ballet Artistic Team
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After her fourteen-year career as a dancer with Alberta Ballet, Reilley transitioned into the role of Artistic Coordinator and has now been promoted to Rehearsal Director. She is excited to help behind the scenes and share the knowledge that she has gained while working with our organization.
Originally born in Eatonville, WA, USA, Reilley trained at both Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle and at Canada’s National Ballet School in Toronto. She joined Alberta Ballet as a dancer in 2008, and has since made Canada her home, becoming a dual citizen in 2019. Some of her most memorable roles with Alberta Ballet have been as Madame de Tourvel in Jean Grand-Maître’s Dangerous Liaisons, and Queen Anne in David Nixon’s Three Musketeers.
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Raven has been working in the arts for 18 years as a stitcher, costume crafter, dresser, wardrobe assistant, head of wardrobe, production director and now as a part of the Alberta Ballet artistic team. Being a local Albertan, Ravens’ work has been concentrated in Calgary, but has also taken her around our great province, across Canada, to the US and Europe in theatre, film and dance. More than half of her career has been spent at Alberta Ballet and she is so excited to be a part of the artistic team, assisting in bringing ballet magic to our community and beyond.
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Originally, from Medicine Hat, Rebecca relocated to Calgary after completing a BFA in Theatre Studies from the University of Lethbridge to pursue her passion for the arts. She has worked for various arts organizations in the city in the last 7 years and is enjoying her time working with both the artistic and production teams at Alberta Ballet. She is looking forward to what this season brings and is grateful for the opportunity to work with such a talented group of people and artists.
Alberta Ballet Artistic Support
Stager | Gillian Whittingham
Company Teachers | Francesco Ventriglia, Yoshiya Sakurai, Hayna Gutierrez,
Class Pianists | Lorel Leal, Michael Li
Physiotherapy | Peak Health and Performance
Stage Technicians provided by IATSE Local 212
Production Team
Production Director | Andrew Tindal-Davies
Technical Director | Jason McLellan
Head Carpenter | Brian Chmielewski
Lead Fly | Kevin Green
Lead Props | Cassandra Thorbjornsen
Lead Lighting | Chris Axford
Second Lighting | Oliver Petti
Lead Sound and Multi-Media | Greg Monforton
Lead Wardrobe | Erin LeBaron
Second Wardrobe | Lori McMahon
Production Elements provided by CMDI Events LLC

The Alberta Ballet Foundation
is proud to support
Once Upon a Time the Alberta Ballet Foundation dreamed of nurturing the growth of dance in our province, to support Alberta Ballet and Alberta Ballet School in creating opportunities for young dancers to dream boldly and for professional artists to push the boundaries of their art.
We are grateful to our visionary donors who support these emerging and established artists, and the passion and courage of Alberta Ballet. The strong legacy of dance in Alberta thrives because of their belief in the wonder of creativity.
All donations to the Alberta Ballet Foundation are matched through the Canada Cultural Investment Fund. Please connect with us at PaulC@AlbertaBallet.com and be a part of keeping Alberta Ballet’s legacy alive.
Once Upon A Time – A Thousand Tales
Alfred Sorensen
Chair
Alberta Ballet Foundation
Paul Chambers
Executive Director
Alberta Ballet Foundation
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Barbara A. Palmer - Principal Donor
Alfred Sorensen - Principal Donor
Anonymous (4)
A. Joni Hughes
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Andal Family Fund at Calgary Foundation
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Chehade Family
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David Severson
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Estate of Joan Pitfield
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Galvin Family Fund
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ALBERTA BALLET DONORS 2023/24 & 2024/25
The Greatest Season Ever Told – The 2025/26’s Season launches with Once Upon A Time – A Thousand Tales. Let’s follow the White Rabbit as he leads us on an enchanting journey through the stories of childhood classics. Exquisite sets and costumes lend their magic to scenes of imagination in a fairytale world. We are deeply grateful for your support, dedicated attendance and continued contributions.
Dance Circle Membership $1,500
Patron Program
Tier I $5,000 to $9,999
Tier II $10,000 +
If you’re a passionate Alberta Ballet subscriber, consider taking part in our donor activities.
To learn more, please contact us at ElizabethR@AlbertaBallet.com.
Elizabeth Reade
Director, Campaigns and Partnerships
403-245-4222 ext 510
ElizabethR@AlbertaBallet.com
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Inclusive of all Donations from January 1 to August 21, 2025
$50,000+
Ann Falk
Calgary Foundation
Edmonton Community Foundation
Jana Neal$10,000 to $49,999
Anonymous
Chambers Family Legacy
Chehade Family
Diana Mulherin
Gail O’Brien
Heather Edwards Foundation
Joni Hughes
Peter Stapleton & Ethel Nakano
Sharon Martens$5,000 to $9,999
Andal Family Fund
Annette Milbradt
George & Colleen Bezaire
Patricia Strickland
Rod & Betty Wade
Dorothy Woolstencroft
Tom Plunkett & Sarah Palmer$1,500 to $4,999
Adrian Jones
Alfred Sorensen
Anne Marie Toutant
Anthony Anker
Brenda Nugent
Charlene O’Fee
Doug Myhre
Elizabeth A. Whitsitt
Fath Group/O’Hanlon Paving
Heather Bourne
Janice Heard & Bruce McFarlane
John & Barbara Feldberg
John & Susan Hokanson
Kerri & Sean Barr
Leona Gibb
Leslie Dort
Mitchell Family Fund
Nicole Andrea Yanke
Peter Johnson
Raymond James Foundation
Sarah Palmer
Sharon McNaughton
Strategic Charitable Giving Foundation - John &
Megan Grace Fund
Super Save Group
The Memphis Group$500 to $1,499
Betty Stein
Christopher & Ingrid Eggertson
Douglas & Laurie Strother
Elaine Gidluck
Frances Coward
Garry Ramsden-Wood
Heather Rae
Helen Otto
James & Allison Murphy
John & Sheilagh Langille
Lana Bistritz
Laura Graham
Leona Gibb
Linda K. Crawford
Maria Binnion
Martin & Theresa Trotter
Nancy Scrymgeour
Richard & Mary Shaw
Ronald & Carole Middleton
Sandra Clarkson
Shirine Lund
Shirley Mercer -
Anonymous
Alberta Ballet Foundation
Benevity
Calgary Foundation
CanadaHelps.org
Edmonton Community Foundation
Fabbrici Foundation for the Arts
GiftFunds Canada
Heather Bala Edwards Foundation
Shaw Birdies for Kids presented by Altalink
Shaw Family Foundation
Seaver Family Flow Through Fund and the Calgary Foundation
Viewpoint Foundation
Baker Tilly Catalyst
Palmer Family Foundation
Farrell Engineering Sales Inc.
Osten-Victor Fund
Callow & Associates Management Consultants Inc.
AltaLink, A Berkshire Hathaway Energy Company
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As of August 21, 2025
Adrian Jones
Aggie Mikulski
Alan & Geri Moon
Alfred Sorensen
Alfredo Martin
Alyssa Kim
Amber Denise Leeson
Andrew & Alison Love
Ann Calvert
Ann Falk
Ann McCaig
Anne Marie Toutant
Annie McKitrick
Arliss Miller
Bob Willows
Bradford Musgrove Family
Brenda Nugent
C. Giannoulis-Stuart
C. J. de Jong
Carol Larsen & John Masters
Charlene O’Fee
Cheri Diane Boyle
Christopher & Ingrid
Eggertson
CNL Resources Ltd.
Colleen Hartley
Corinne Bleakley & Lindsay
Williams
Craig & Valerie Johnstone
Crystal L. B. Willie
Darin H. Grisdale
Daryl Fridhandler
David & Violet Todd
David Andrew Howarth
David Haigh & Dawn Riley
Dianne Grant
Erica McBeth & Darwin Smith
Farrell Engineering
Focus Communications
Gail O’Reilly
Garry Ramsden-Wood
Geoffrey Mar
Gerald Giacomelli
Gerard McInnis
Gina Pylatuik
Gordon Sombrowski & Kevin
Allen
Gregory Stirling
Heather Bourne
Heather Klimchuk
Heather Rae
Helen Drebit
Hope Smith
Ingrid Vicas
Jack & Donna Newton
J’Adore Dance
James & Allison Murphy
James Silvius
Jana Neal
Jane McCaig & Richard Waller
Janice Heard & Bruce
McFarlane
Jennifer & Torval Mork
Jill A. Strueby
Joan Bedard
Joanne Graham & Ian Laxdal
Joanne Stalinski
Jocelyn Beckett
John & Sheilagh Langille
John & Susan Hokanson
John C. Bonnycastle
John Feldberg
Joni Hughes
Joni Rynsburger
Jose-Carlos Herrero & Nicole
Herrero-Langlais
Julia Boberg
Kathy J. McMillan
Katie A. Hayes
Keith & Cindy O’Neill
Kelly Bourassa
Kerri & Sean Barr
Kevin Stecyk
Kristine Eidsvik
Laura Connolly
Laurie Bayda
Leona Gibb
Leslie & Gerald Giacomelli
Leslie Dort
Leslie Pidcock
Lindsay Walsh & David
Maclean
Liz Anne Tonken
Margo L. LaValley
Marguerite Paulsen
Martin & Theresa Trotter
Melanie Houley
Melissa Cook
Melissa Padfield
Michael & Natasha Simaeys
Mike Grovue
Mitch & Susanne Williams
Mona & Scott Rose
Nadine Reynolds
Nicole Andrea Yanke
Noel Papadopoulos
Noel Xavier
Northern Timber Corp
Pamela FitzGerald
Patricia Culver
Patricia Seamans
Peggy Garritty
Penelope Weir
Richard & Aurora Musto
Robert & Jean Ann Rooney
Rod and Betty Wade
Roger Mapp
Ronald & Carole Middleton
Roxanne McCaig
Ruben & Heather Nelson
Sandy Evans
Sarah Palmer
Sharon Martens
Sharon McNaughton
Sheila Watson
Shelley Smith
Shep Secter
Susan E. Andrews
Terrie Faber
Valerie & Tony Barlott
Valerie Obligacion
Veronica Prokop & Peter
Andrekson
Victoria Johnston & Gregory
McLeod
Vivian Manasc
Walter & Irene DeBoni
Wendy Gnenz
Yolanda Van Wachem
A whole community is working behind-the-scenes,
helping us inspire you with dance!
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Chair
Heather Rae, HRJ Consulting (Calgary)Vice Chairs
Sarah Palmer, LL.B., ICD.D (Calgary)
Heather Klimchuk, MacEwan University (Edmonton)Corporate Secretary
Frank Molnar, Field Law (Calgary)Treasurer
Jana Neal, SFG Investments (Calgary) -
Denise Clarke, One Yellow Rabbit (Calgary)
Wendy Gnenz, MNP (Edmonton)
Alyssa Kim, Finning (Canada) (Edmonton)
Noël Papadopoulos, Papas Group (Edmonton)
Agnieszka (Aggie) Mikulski, TIPP Consulting (Edmonton)
Bob Willows, Willows Construction (2001) Ltd. (Winfield)
Noel Xavier, Edmonton Community Foundation (Edmonton)
Melissa Cook, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP (Calgary)
Peggy Garritty, PG Communications Ltd. (Edmonton)
Gregory Stirling, Alberta Court of Justice (Calgary)
Melissa Padfield, University of Alberta (Edmonton)
Jill Strubey, MNP Ltd. (Calgary)
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CHAIR/PRESIDENT
Alfred SorensenSECRETARY/TREASURER
Peter StapletonDIRECTOR
Heather RaeDIRECTOR
Jana NealDIRECTOR
Joni HughesDIRECTOR
Rita TripathyDIRECTOR
George Bezaire