Fall2 2025 EC Program DIGITALfile v3 - Flipbook - Page 2
Dear Friends,
When Smuin Ballets/SF began in 1994,
the company was a vehicle for Michael
Smuin’s vision. Michael was a creative
powerhouse, most vibrant when exploring
and building ballets from the ground up.
Artistic Director Emerita Celia Fushille
established her own legacy. A skilled and
insightful curator, she expanded the range
and breadth of what it means to embody
the Smuin style.
Today, the legacies of Michael and Celia
continue to evolve and inspire. Extremely
Close brings our 32 years of evolution to a
pivotal point, presenting three ballets never
before seen in the Bay Area. Each sheds
unique light on the ways contemporary
ballet continues to grow.
Justin Peck, a three-time Tony Awardwinning choreographer, is among the most
sought-after creators today. His work in
concert dance, film, and on Broadway
reflects a similar path to that of Michael
a generation ago. Like Michael’s, Justin’s
work celebrates a dance style uniquely
American in its influence.
Alejandro Cerrudo’s contemporary
masterpiece is an intensely musical and
theatrical piece that captivates with its air
of mystery. This critically accalimed work,
originally created for Hubbard Street
Dance, has been performed around the
globe.
My own ballet, A Long Night, premiered
at BalletX in Philadelphia in 2023. It
challenged me to explore storytelling
in a new way. A loose interpretation of
the Lovers and Puck from Shakespeare’s
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the ballet
explores these characters through
contemporary songs.
Welcome to Season 32, “Standing Out
from the Crowd.” On behalf of the entire
Smuin team, both onstage and off, thank
you for being here.
Sincerely,
ARTISTIC
2 • Amy
FALL |Seiwert,
EX TREMELY
CLOSE DIRECTOR
• 2025
STAFF
Amy Seiwert Artistic Director
Lori Laqua Managing Director
Amy London Principal Rehearsal Director
Benjamin Warner Rehearsal Director
Annika Presley Operations Manager
Alicia Tos Development Director
Mariana Carrillo Senior Development Manager
Coral Bell Development Operations Manager
Ellen Gaintner Marketing Director
Jason Hertenstein Patron Services Manager
Sonja Dale Digital Content Manager
Ben Estabrook Creative Media Director
Maggie Carey Digital Marketing Associate
Erin McMahon Education Manager
Helene Chatterjee Rentals Program Coordinator
& Facilities Manager
Kathryn T Graham Production Director
David Justin Production Stage Manager
Michael Oesch Lighting Director
Kay Park Technical Director
Dietrich Torres Assistant Technical Director
Erin Yarbrough Powell Wardrobe Supervisor
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BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Madeleine Boshart President
Trisha Mount Vice President
Celia Fushille Artistic Director Emerita, Secretary
Hal Louchheim Treasurer
Bahar Aghighi, M.D.
Lee D. Baxter
Steff Chisholm
Adrienne Foley
John Konstin
Liz Malay
Linda Membreño, M.D.
Mark Palmer
John Schlag
Randy Soso
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EMERITI
Patti Hume Founding President
Robert Challey
Vicki Fleishhacker
Robert Greenwood
Edie Kirkwood
John Murphy
Sue Steinberg
Susie Stitt
Allie Weissman (In Memoriam)
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Front: Cassidy Isaacson l Photo by Keith Sutter
