Program for Smuin's The Christmas Ballet - Flipbook - Page 2
STAFF
Greetings of the season!
Amy Seiwert Artistic Director
Lori Laqua Managing Director
Amy London Principal Rehearsal Director
Benjamin Warner Rehearsal Director
Annika Presley Operations Manager
Bonnie Fisk Development Director
Mariana Michaels 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 & Facilities
Coordinator
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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I grew up in a household filled with
holiday music. My mother taught junior
high chorus, and her holiday concerts would
end with alumni joining the choir to sing the
“Hallelujah” chorus. I could sing the second
soprano part at an early age and have been
known to break it out during wine-fueled
holiday sing-alongs.
My father’s father played the church
organ, which connected us to the Western
Hills Studio chorus in Cincinnati. Every
December, that choir would come to my
grandparents’ home for a concert and epic
cookie party. My ten cousins and I still talk
about it. Western Hills Studio Choir made a
record in the 1970s, and my brother digitized
it years ago. It is the first holiday album I play
each year.
Holiday music is in my blood.
This year, my offering, “Ma Navu,” is the
18th piece I have created for the production.
It is also my holiday gift to my uncle, Greg
Kayne, who recently celebrated his 97th
birthday. Broadway veterans, my Aunt
Karin and Uncle Greg taught me that the
performing arts can be a way of life. They
were also my first exposure to winter holidays
that encompass different traditions.
Through space and time, humans have
found ways to celebrate the light when the
nights are long. We come together with food,
music, cozy things, and family—both the one
we were born into and the one we find along
the way. When the days are dark, here’s to
the light we find, protect, and honor.
From our Smuin Family to you,
Happy Holidays.
2Amy
• THESeiwert
CHRISTM| AARTISTIC
S BALLET DIRECTOR
• 2025
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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
Bruce Braden
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 Maximillian Tortortiello
