Machaela Erdeljac
Remembering Ben Stevenson O.B.E.
Ben Stevenson, O.B.E., was a decorated and acclaimed ballet dancer, teacher, ballet director and choreographer who passed away in March 2026 at the age of 89. Stevenson’s profound impact on dance spanned decades and continents, shaping countless careers and elevating ballet companies to global prominence. Regarded as the Artistic Director of Houston Ballet, Texas Ballet Theater and Co-Director of the now defunct National Ballet, he choreographed more than 30 ballets, including Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella, Dracula and the beloved parody The Nutty Nutcracker. He was known as a master storyteller with the amazing ability to tell a
story onstage for audiences of all kinds.
For his lifetime of achievement, Stevenson was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.) by Queen Elizabeth II in 1999. He also received three gold medals at the International Ballet Competition (1972, 1982, 1986), the Dance Magazine Award in 2000 and the Texas Medal of Arts in 2005. In 2018, Mr. Stevenson was acknowledged by the Chinese government as one of the most influential Foreign Experts in the past 40 years since China initiated its policy on Reform and Opening Up.
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre is currently rehearsing Stevenson’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which will be performed with the PBT Orchestra and the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh from May 15through 17 at the Benedum Center. Some of the other works that PBT has performed from Stevenson’s choreography include:
– Alice in Wonderland (1999)
– Cinderella (1993, 1995, 2002)
– Cleopatra (2000, 2003)
– Dracula (1997, 1999, 2004, 2011, 2017)
– Four Songs (2003)
– Three Preludes (2026)
Read more about Ben Stevenson’s amazing life and artistry at the Ben Stevenson Trust.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream Casting Announced
Join PBT for the magical world of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the Pittsburgh premiere of Ben Stevenson OBE’s ethereal ballet retelling of Shakespeare’s comedic romp. PBT will perform the whimsical, family-friendly ballet May 15-17 at the Benedum Center as the closing production of its 2025-26 Dream Season.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream ballet, based on William Shakespeare’s iconic comedy, weaves a tale of quarrels and reconciliations between Oberon and Titania, the fairy king and queen and the romantic misadventures of two mortal couples—all under the spell of the mischievous fairy, Puck. The dreamy forest escapade will captivate audiences with its comedy, romance and playfulness. The ballet incorporates stunning costumes, lush scenery, exceptional choreography and a recognizable, vibrant Felix Mendelssohn score, brought to life by the PBT Orchestra and the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh.
Artists of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre | Photography: Justin Merriman
The World Premiere of Garrett Smith’s Meet You At Midnight
Acclaimed choreographer Garrett Smith will premiere his newest work, Meet You at Midnight, at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s Spring Mix mixed repertory program taking place April 10-12, 2026 at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center.
Smith was a professional dancer with Houston Ballet, where he became a two-time award recipient of the New York Choreographic Institute Fellowship. He was also named a Presidential Scholar in the Arts, choreographed for the Netflix television series Tiny Pretty Things and his creation Hypnotic Forces was selected by Pointe Magazine as one of the 12 standout performances of 2023.
Smith is known for creating captivating ballets by drawing inspiration from the artists in front of him, crafting tailor-made movements that play to each artist’s strengths and highlight the best in each individual. Themes in his works frequently include human identity and self-reflection.
We sat down with him recently to ask a few questions about his choreography.
Can you share a bit about your creative process?
Usually, starting with a piece of music that I can’t stop listening to is a good start and a good sign for me. I really like this music I found for this piece, and particularly the middle section of the 2nd movement. It is super fun, and it makes me want to dance! After landing on a music selection, I am immediately put into a creative headspace about what is happening on stage in terms of movement and the number of bodies. The music will dictate the mood, the vibe, the choreographic structure, and movement language that I begin to envision.
From there, I begin building a concept, envisioning a color palette, what the dancers are wearing, and what surrounds the space in a design context. I almost never prepare choreography in advance. Usually just a short phrase to get going on day 1. What is important to me is looking at who I have in front of me, because they are the tools and instruments that will execute the ideas. I try to custom-build ideas to the dancer’s strengths. When I partner people together, I try to consider chemistry and how their energy feels together as a pairing. It isn’t always perfect each time, but it is something I try to tap into.
Once we are all in the studio together, that is where the physical work begins. We build, we play, we create, we explore. It is a process of trial and error, listening to the ideas with the music over and over until something nice forms that feels organic and good. Musicality and detail are very important to me, in addition to helping the dancers unleash something artistic and personal of themselves into the work.
How and when do you title your works?
I think it depends on the concept. Sometimes the title comes right away, or very early on, and sometimes it only comes during the process of rehearsal with the dancers. There are times when I am in the studio using descriptive words for specific intentions, etc. I make jokes and play with those words and then tell the dancers, “oh that was actually a title option,” and then sometimes the spontaneity of that playfulness helps me find it. Or maybe I just did it for a laugh. I usually don’t want the title to be too literal. In this case, with this creation, it came during the process.
How do you select the music for your works?
I am ALWAYS listening to music. I have playlists of pieces I am saving that are probably ready to go for the next 5-10 years. Just sitting here cooking away…
What is your favorite part of choreographing?
There are so many things about choreographing that bring me joy. It is a gift to be able to travel the world, make relationships, and meet artists from all kinds of cultures and backgrounds. I really enjoy developing an artist in front of me in the studio and playing to their artistic strengths.
In general, I think I am creative at heart, and I very much enjoy working hands-on with people. I also find it rewarding to see an audience’s reaction to something I have dedicated my time to, and to see how it can move or touch people. It makes me feel like I am doing something worthwhile that matters.
What do you look for when you select dancers for your works?
I look for individuals who also want to explore, who have a sense of creativity and playfulness. The choreography can only become better when they help me generate ideas I offer them and bounce the creativity back and forth with me. What is also very important is attention to detail and that they are committed and invested. I feel very much that the dancers of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre are invested in this piece. I feel a hunger and excitement from them.
How would you describe your choreographic style?
Packed with movement, very detailed, very physical, a little sensual, exciting yet sensitive.
Where did you draw inspiration for your piece?
Honestly, it has purely been the music that has driven me. The music is BIG and fun. It really makes me want to dance. There are so many fun rhythms and layers within these pieces by Philip Glass.
What choreographers do you look up to?
Jiří Kylián will always be the one for me. He is the reason I moved to Europe. He showed me who I want to be in the room, and how I want to treat people in the space. I am also very inspired by Crystal Pite, Forsythe, David Dawson, Lightfoot Leon, Marcus Marou, Damien Jalet and Alexander Ekman.
Do you have a favorite ballet among all of the ones you choreographed?
If I can choose one, I take “Reveal.” It is very precious to me.
Get a sneak peek of the dancers in the studio
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Spring Mix Casting Announced
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre has announced casting for its upcoming performances of Spring Mix. The mixed repertory program features classical and contemporary works from visionary choreographers, including premieres and the return of beloved audience favorites. The works in Spring Mix include the Pittsburgh premiere of Mark Godden’s Angels in the Architecture, set to Aaron Copland’s Pulitzer Prize-wining Appalachian Spring, PBT Artistric Director Adam W. McKinney’s new staging of the Swan Lake Act II “ White Swan” Pas de deux, the return of Barak Marshall’s dynamic Monger and acclaimed choreographer Garrett Smith’s exciting world premiere of Meet You at Midnight. The family-friendly program will take place April 10-12 at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center.
Angels in the Architecture Casting
Swan Lake Act II “ White Swan” Pas de Deux Casting
Monger Casting
Meet You At Midnight Casting
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Artists of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre | Photography: Aviana Adams & Michael Henninger
Mark Godden’s Angels in the Architecture
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre will premiere Mark Godden’s Angels in the Architecture as part of its Spring Mix production, which will run April 10through 12 at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center in Pittsburgh. This work is a tribute to the dreams of Shaker communities, set to Aaron Copland’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Appalachian Spring. The simplicity in set, costumes and choreography reflects the ease, devotion and unity with which the Shakers lived. The work’s moving exploration of light and darkness and faith and doubt, creates an emotional and visually stunning ballet of spiritual and artistic reflection.
Angels in the Architecture
Creating the Ballet
- Mark Godden first learned about the Shakers through a coffee table book. He became captivated and began researching them further, becoming enthralled by the beauty and simplicity of their lives.
- Around the same time, Godden was frequently listening to composer Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring.
- As the resident choreographer of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Godden drew on these two inspirations to create the ballet Angels in the Architecture in 1992.
How Shakers are Woven into Angels in the Architecture
- The work is extremely musical and reflects strongly on the Copland score, with the music inspiring the choreography and emphasizing themes of community, simplicity and spirituality.
- Rather than have the dancers actually portray Shakers, Godden chose to embody the spirit of their beliefs through choreography, costumes and set design to visually and symbolically capture their essence.
- Godden also includes one of the Shaker’s famous inventions – the broom – as a symbol of their belief in cleanliness and practicality. The brooms are incorporated into the choreography, as the artists dance with the brooms for part of the ballet and use arm movements that depict the sweeping action of the brooms in another section.
- Included in Angels in the Architecture is the fascinating fact that ”a well-made Shaker broom can stand on its own.” This image inspired the opening of the work, where six brooms stand alone. It is a mesmerizing sight and a powerful way to start the ballet.
- There are many moves that the dancers make that represent Shaker life, including praying hands and choreography inspired by planting crops, cleaning and the movement of a rocking chair.
- The set, designed by Paul Daigle & Mark Godden, includes peg rails on three sides of the stage, upon which the brooms and famous Shaker chairs are hung.
- The costumes, designed by Paul Daigle, are designed to enhance the choreography and also embody the earthy tones of the countryside.
- The lighting, created by Jeff Hurd, is meant to reflect the shafts of clear light that are often cut into traditional Shaker-built meeting halls.
Aaron Copland and Appalachian Spring
About Aaron Copland
- Aaron Copland grew up in Brooklyn, NY, as the son of local department store owners. He always loved music and knew from a young age that he wanted to be a musician. He studied with experts in the field from New York to Paris.
- After a few years of studying music in France, Copland began to think about finding a distinctively American sound.
- Copland is known as a composer of extremely diverse works. He wrote music for a variety of genres, from concert music to collaborative works for radio, film, ballet and opera.
- Copland wrote over 200 compositions, won more than 33 awards and was bestowed with 38 honorary degrees. Some of the awards he received include a Pulitzer Prize, an Oscar, a Grammy, two Music Critics’ Circle Awards and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
About Aaron Copland’s Ballet Works
- Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring is the final work of his ballet series exploring American themes, helping shape a sense of pride and identity by evoking the vast landscape and pioneer spirit that define American culture. Other ballets in this series include Billy the Kid (Eugene Loring) and Rodeo (Agnes DeMille).
- In 1942, Aaron Copland was commissioned by the Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge Foundation to write a ballet score for a Martha Graham choreographed ballet.
- Graham’s Appalachian Spring ballet depicts a pioneer couple’s wedding in 19th-century Pennsylvania. It premiered during World War II and provided a vision of hope, peace and American identity.
- The premiere of the Appalachian Spring ballet took place on October 30, 1944, at the Coolidge Auditorium of the Library of Congress in Washington.
Appalachian Spring Music
- Appalachian Spring famously uses the Shaker folk hymn “Simple Gifts” as its main melodic theme, presenting it in a set of variations that have become iconic in American music. This piece represents themes of simplicity, optimism and rural life, making it a cornerstone of American cultural identity.
- Aaron Copland won the Pulitzer Prize for Music and the Music Critics’ Circle of New York’s award for best dramatic music for Appalachian Spring in 1945.
- Copland re-arranged the ballet music as a continuous suite for full orchestra, which the New York Philharmonic premiered in October 1945. That version, which preserves most of the original ballet’s music, is eight minutes shorter than the ballet version. It is the form in which we usually hear Appalachian Spring today, including in Angels in the Architecture.
- Today, Appalachian Spring is recognized as a pillar in American classical music.
Artists of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre | Photography: Justin Merriman
Adam W. McKinney and Barbara Bears Discuss Their Experiences Performing Three Preludes
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (PBT) will perform Three Preludes as part of America 250 with the PBT Orchestra, February 20-22, 2026, at the Benedum Center.
This internationally award-winning work was created by Ben Stevenson, O.B.E., in 1969 and is performed to selections of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s “Preludes.” This romantic pas de deux centers on two dancers who fall in love while dancing in a ballet studio. The three movements develop in both speed and intensity as the dancers’ emotions evolve into passion.
Both PBT’s artistic director, Adam W. McKinney, and rehearsal director, Barbara Bears, have performed this work as dancers. Adam performed it during his time at Milwaukee Ballet, and Barbara performed it while dancing with Houston Ballet. We asked them to discuss what it is like to perform this classic ballet.
When and where have you performed Three Preludes?
Adam: I performed Three Preludes with Tatiana Jouravel-Malinkine at Milwaukee Ballet.
Barbara: I performed Three Preludes with Mark Arvin when I was in the Corps de Ballet at Houston Ballet around 1990 or 1991. I performed it every few years after that until I retired and even staged it once.
What was the experience like?
Adam: Learning and performing Three Preludes left an impression on me. Ben so effortlessly crafted the choreography to fit the music, making the movement circulate through the body; every moment seemed to hang on Rachmaninoff’s every note. The learning process was not easy. I recall that, during the first week of learning the ballet, because my muscles were so sore, I started our daily barre with a heating pad plugged into the wall socket next to my barre spot. For the male character, the partnering work relies heavily on strength, ensuring that the female has the freedom to extend past the limits of what she can do herself. For me, that is the essence of partnering — how far can we push the boundaries together as a unit? How can we express, expand together?
What was the most challenging part of the ballet?
Adam: The most challenging part of the ballet for me was transitioning from the second movement to the third movement. I remember being in the wings and being disoriented by the energy we had amassed — the pianist and us together. The lights rose, and Tatiana and I whisked each other onstage. It was a beautiful (and funny!) moment.
Barbara: It’s 13 minutes long, with three pas de deux, so you just don’t stop dancing the entire work. It also feels very intimate, and you need to convey the emotions realistically as a person, not dramatically, so it takes a bit of an emotional toll.
Where does it rank on your list of favorite ballets you have performed?
Adam: Three Preludes, of all pas de deuxs that I have danced, definitely ranks high on my list. It is a ballet that stands on its own and can be excerpted as well (as we have done for PBT’s annual outdoor performance, “Ballet Under the Stars” at Hartwood Acres), which speaks to the genius of Ben’s choreography — simple, beautiful, not over-adorned, real.
Barbara: I love the simplicity of Three Preludes. I enjoy performing it, and it is a sentimental ballet for me, but I always have difficulty ranking my favorites.
What is it about Three Preludes that makes it special and memorable?
Barbara: The narrative of the experience of first love and falling in love across a room is so romantic. People can relate to it because almost everyone has fallen in love. The audience gets interested in the story and wants to see what happens. It is not flashy, but rather memorable and emotional.
Why did you select it as part of America 250 with the PBT Orchestra?
Adam: Three Preludes was Ben’s first ballet that he created in the U.S. The ballet, in many ways, speaks to the important work of non-U.S. residents in our country and their impact on our society through arts and culture. It was important for me to highlight Ben’s work to represent and honor the work of immigrants in this way.
Barbara: I recommended it to Adam because it is simple and PBT has not performed it before. Adam and I both enjoyed dancing it, so it seemed like a good fit.
Additional Photos of Barbara Bears performing Three Preludes with Houston Ballet
Paul Taylor’s Company B
PBT Brings the Excitement and Trepidation of the 1940s to the Benedum in Company B
Company B, a nostalgic and poignant tribute to the World War II era choreographed by the renowned Paul Taylor, will be performed by Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre as part of America 250 with the PBT Orchestra. This production will take place at the Benedum Center from February 20 through 22, 2026.
A few weeks ago, PBT was joined by Paul Taylor Company repetiteur, Patrick Corbin, who staged the dance with PBT artists. Corbin was a dancer with the Paul Taylor Dance Company beginning in 1989. Company B, one of Paul Taylor’s seminal works, was the first production in which he danced with them. He performed the solo role of Johnny in “Oh Johnny, Oh, Johnny, Oh!” Corbin sat down with us to discuss the ballet, its background and the meanings and inspirations behind it.
The original production of Company B, which premiered on June 21, 1991, was commissioned by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Houston Ballet. The ballet skillfully conveys not only the exuberance of the 1940s but also weaves the dances with images of soldiers leaving for World War II, many of whom would never return. Taylor seamlessly blends popular 1940s social dances—including the jitterbug, lindy and polka—with his signature modern dance style to create this emotional ballet.
According to Corbin, Paul Taylor typically created one “light” dance and one “dark” dance each year. This was the first work in which he combined light and dark elements. The ballet builds with a dynamic of rising action, peak and falling action, bookended by the same song, creating different emotions. Initially, Taylor wanted the choreography to be solely his trademark modern style, but as the piece developed, swing and jazz elements were naturally incorporated to fit the music. The overall work incorporates a variety of dances, including ensemble pieces featuring the entire cast, solos, pas de deux and smaller groups. The work consists of 10 sections, each set to a different Andrews Sisters song:
- Bei Mir Bist du Schön (opening)
- Taylor uses this ensemble dance as both the opening and closing numbers of Company B. They are both ensemble sections. The opening part builds slowly, introducing dancers in silhouette as memories from the mist come to life.
- Pennsylvania Polka
- This enthusiastic duet examines American exceptionalism and excitement at home during the 1940s, set against a backdrop of war and soldiers dying.
- Tico-Tico
- This is a fast-paced, high-energy solo that appears lighthearted, but has darker undertones about a soldier with PTSD and wartime stress trying to keep it together.
- Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny, Oh!
- This upbeat number features a male lead, Johnny, surrounded by adoring women. Johnny is a man who has avoided going to war (possibly by faking an injury, according to Corbin). He is sexy and fun and the women love him. He is also a bit of a womanizer and an overall not-so-great guy.
- I Can Dream, Can’t I?
- This is a solo about a woman longing for a soldier stationed overseas, while he finds comfort in the arms of another soldier. This look at intimacy during wartime pushed the limits of gay roles when Taylor created it more than 35 years ago. Taylor was inspired by a photo of Judy Garland looking lovingly at Clark Gable.
- Joseph! Joseph!
- This is a playful song with women chasing after men that ends more somberly with a woman grieving over a man’s body. Taylor’s formal choreographic prowess is especially evident in this piece. Corbin considers this the choreographic heart of Company B.
- Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (of Company B)
- This carefree solo features an all-American poster boy soldier who dances happily until he is suddenly and violently shot and killed at the end of the dance. It highlights the dangers and vulnerabilities soldiers face in wartime.
- Rum and Coca-Cola
- Inspired by the musical South Pacific, this dance features a sassy young Caribbean prostitute and a group of soldiers drawn to her.
- There Will Never Be Another You
- Taylor romanticizes loss in this haunting duet, featuring a woman dancing with the ghost of her partner, who died in the war. She dances with memories of what her life could have been, evoking deep reflection and nostalgia. Corbin considers this the moral center of Company B, emphasizing its emotional depth.
- Bei Mir Bist du Schön (finale)
- The closing number begins with an explosion onstage, representing the nuclear bombs dropped on Japan. It indicates that the world has forever changed. It has shifted from joyful idealism to a somber reflection on loss. The characters from the previous dances begin to leave the stage, showing that it is only a memory, until only the “bugle boy” remains.
About Paul Taylor
Paul Taylor (1930-2018) was one of the most accomplished artists this nation has ever produced. He established the Paul Taylor Dance Company in 1954, serving as both a virtuoso performer and a trailblazing choreographer until 1974, when he turned exclusively to choreography. During his 64-year career as a dancemaker, Mr. Taylor helped define and shape the art of American modern dance through a matchless repertoire of 147 works with an extraordinary range of subject matter. One of the world’s leading dance organizations, the Paul Taylor Dance Company is based in New York City and has vast international reach. Under the artistic direction of Michael Novak, who has taken the Company in bold new directions over the past seven years, it continues to innovate, create and transform.
Artists of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre | Photography: Justin Merriman
The Magic Behind The Might Casey Costumes
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre will perform The Mighty Casey from February 20-22, 2026, as part of America 250 with the PBT Orchestra. In 1990, PBT collaborated with Performing Arts for Children to create a new ballet based on the famous baseball poem, “Casey at the Bat.” Told in flashback, the story depicts Casey, who famously struck out in Mudville in 1888, redeeming himself 20 years later.
The Mighty Casey costumes are some of the many that former Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Costumier Janet Groom Campbell created in her 40 years in the role. In more than 200 productions, Campbell has brought to life the visions of countless costume designers and conceptualized and created her own designs for ballets such as The Mighty Casey.
Costumes must be designed to enhance choreography, accommodate movement and withstand constant body contact and quick changes. They must move with the choreography, but still flatter a dancer’s form; yield to partnering, but spring back to shape; appear rich and delicate, but withstand years of alterations and upkeep to be cost-effective for a ballet company.
We asked Janet Groom Campbell to discuss what it was like creating costumes for this iconic baseball ballet.
What was your inspiration for The Mighty Casey costumes?
My first inspiration when designing a ballet is the music the dancers will perform to. In The Mighty Casey, the score was being composed while the costumes were being built. I knew some of the music used in the production was by John Philip Sousa and Stephen Foster, so I listened to that.
I also need to go back in time to the ballet’s period to get a feel for the era. We had two time periods in The Mighty Casey – 1888, based on the poem “Casey at the Bat,” and 1908, based on the poem “Casey – 20 Years Later.” I visited the Carnegie Library and researched the periods and how baseball was addressed during those times. During those time periods, baseball games usually took place in the afternoon. Attending the games was a family affair, and people dressed up. I saw videos of men wearing topcoats and fedoras to the games, and women in dresses, hats and gloves. The catching mitts were more like padded gloves. We made them for the ballet even though they were props.
How did developing these costumes differ from other costumes you have created?
There was considerable excitement about creating The Mighty Casey for PBT in 1990. It was a brand-new ballet for the company. There was strong camaraderie across the PBT team. Every weekend, there was a softball game—a really wonderful time to be at the ballet.
We created separate costumes for the two time periods in the ballet: 1888 and 1908.
- Ladies: In 1888, typical attire included a petticoat, blouse, skirt, jacket, bustle and small hat. In 1908, during the Gibson Girl period, women removed their jackets and bustles and wore larger hats.
- Mudville & Bugville Baseball Teams: The Mudville team uniform consisted of a shirt, pants, collar, belt, bow tie, red socks, an M for Mudville, black jazz shoes and a striped hat. For the Bugville team in 1908, we removed the collar, bow tie and M, and changed the hats to solid red. We made the red hat so it would be period-correct. All hats available at the time had a half-moon in the back to indicate they were modern.
- Rival Baseball Teams: The other nine uniforms in 1888 featured a blue-striped hat and a shirt laced up the front; they also wore blue pants, a belt, blue socks, and black jazz shoes. For 1908, we changed their hats to solid blue and added a front placket to their shirts.
- Children: The little boys wore jackets (removed for 1908), shirts, pants, dark socks and jazz shoes. The little girls wore dresses, tights, hats and ballet slippers. In 1908, one little girl removed her pinafore, and another took off her hat.
- Betsy: Betsy wore a beautiful dress, a belt with a bow, a petticoat, bloomers, pink tights with white feet, white pointe shoes and a straw hat with pink satin trim, flowers and a pink satin bow in the back. In 1908, we removed the bow from her belt and put on a pink silk dupioni coat with trim down the front. We also changed her hat to a straw hat with ostrich feathers and a dove, and added a pink bow.
- Casey: Casey wore the striped uniform for Mudville in 1888, and in 1908, he wore a brown tweed suit, a cream shirt and his red socks. At first, I wanted to have him change his socks, but Lisa (de Ribere, choreographer) and I talked, and she decided to have him wear the socks because it looked like he never took them off, because he was so in love with the game of baseball.
Was one of the costumes your favorite?
I think that my favorite costume was Betsy’s. It was the most beautiful, embroidered organza, and I loved watching that pretty pink bow on the back of her hat dancing along. Betsy was loving, loyal, cute, supportive and she stood by Casey through all the ups and downs of his career.
When you build costumes, how closely do you typically work with the choreographer?
I have always respected choreographers and have done everything I could to deliver what they wanted. I always felt that they were hired to create a great ballet, and their wish was my command. Nothing was ever too hard, too expensive or too time-consuming. I always felt that the more I thought about a ballet, the better the costumes came out. Once I started a new ballet, it was all I thought about until opening night.
What aspects are important to include in costume designs for ballets?
Costumes for the ballet must always enhance every movement of the dancer. They have to fit better than any other costumes. Skirts have to be full circles. Sleeves must be fitted, but not restraining. Lines should be perfect and complementary to movement. Costumes must be comfortable and reliable, with no broken zippers, bent hooks or popped buttons. I always wanted the dancers to look perfect and not worry about anything onstage but their performance.
What is the process of creating a ballet costume?
I sketch and swatch the costume, then pattern, cut and stitch it. I then fit it onto the dancer and alter it as needed. I watch it in rehearsal to see how it moves, then modify it accordingly. After the performance, I clean it, determine the best storage method and inventory it, along with all accessories. I also create a costume “bible” for each production that details how to care for, wear, and alter the costume.
The Mighty Casey is underwritten by the David & Janet Campbell Family Foundation in honor of Janet Groom Campbell.
America 250 with the PBT Orchestra Casting Announced
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre has announced casting for its upcoming performances of America 250 with the PBT Orchestra. The program is an ode to America’s 250th anniversary, which includes four stunning classical and contemporary works. The family-friendly program featuring Americana-themed ballets will take place at the Benedum Center February 20-22, 2026. The ballets in the program include the fun-filled baseball ballet, The Mighty Casey; George Balanchine’s patriotic and jubilant classical ballet Stars and Stripes Pas de deux; Company B, Paul Taylor’s nostalgic and bittersweet ode to the American Dream with music by The Andrews Sisters; and Ben Stevenson’s romantic Three Preludes about two dancers who fall in love, featuring Rachmaninoff’s beautiful score. From big-band rhythms to star-spangled flair, this dynamic program will feature exhilarating, emotional music performed live by the PBT Orchestra.
The Mighty Casey Casting
Three Preludes Casting
Stars and Stripes Casting
Company B Casting
Artists of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre | Photography: Justin Merriman
What Makes George Balanchine’s Stars and Stripes Special?
As part of America 250 with the PBT Orchestra, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre will perform the Pas de Deux from George Balanchine’s opulent Stars and Stripes. Performances will run from February 20 through the 22 at the Benedum Center.
Balanchine, a Russian-born dancer/choreographer, is regarded as the most influential choreographer of classical ballet in the United States. He is often called the “Father of American Ballet” due to his influence in paving the way for ballet to flourish in America. He is credited with developing the neo-classical style distinct to the 20th century and is well known for his modern yet classical, clean aesthetic. His trademarks include lighter costumes, minimal decor, faster movements, challenging choreography and plotless ballets. Balanchine is credited with creating 465 ballets, which have been performed by nearly every ballet company worldwide.
10 Interesting Facts About Stars and Stripes:
- Stars and Stripes premiered on January 17, 1958, at the City Center of Music and Drama in New York City.
- George Balanchine choreographed this patriotic, classical ballet as a tribute to his beloved adopted country, the United States of America. Balanchine immigrated from Russia in 1934. He loved American culture and he was extremely proud to become an American citizen.
- Stars and Stripes contains as much pure dancing in 29 minutes as many full-length classical ballets include in 2-3 hours.
- The work is divided into five sections or “campaigns,” each of which uses music from different Sousa marches. The first two campaigns are danced by all women, followed by an all-male campaign as the third section. The fourth campaign is a pas de deux, followed by the elaborate grand finale, “Stars and Stripes Forever.”
- Each grouping of dancers is considered a separate “regiment,” with distinct Americana-based costumes to differentiate the sections.
- Stars and Stripes has played roles in political and cultural moments in history. It has been performed for many memorable occasions, including Nelson Rockefeller’s inauguration as governor of New York, tributes for Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, the opening ceremonies for the New York State Theater at Lincoln Center, the end of the Iranian Hostage Crisis and the closing ceremony of the Olympics in Los Angeles in 1984.
- The ballet is dedicated to the memory of Fiorello H. LaGuardia, former mayor of New York City and founder of the City Center of Music and Drama.
- There is speculation that the ballet was used as propaganda to cast a positive light on the U.S. during the Cold War. The U.S. State Department even assisted in arranging the ballet’s overseas tour.
- This ballet has an exceptionally large cast of 41, including 27 women and 14 men. With such a large cast, this ballet is not as frequently performed from start to finish. Often, the fourth campaign (the pas de deux) is performed as a showcase piece in mixed rep bills or special events.
- Even though short in length, the choreography in Stars and Stripes is challenging, and the cast must have solid stamina and significant experience to produce this strong work.
Artists: Tommie Lin Kesten & Colin McCaslin | Photography: Justin Merriman
Behind the Scenes: Constructing 2 New Nutcracker Heads
The Nutcracker is a holiday classic filled with dazzling scenes, characters, and music. Essential to sharing Marie’s journey to the Land of Enchantment, is Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s (PBT) Costume Director Kristin McLain. For her, typical Nutcracker preparations include checking items for repairs, fitting and altering pieces for the upcoming cast, and re-creating items that are beyond restoration, like Nutcracker jackets, Snowflake sleeves, Marie dresses, and headpieces. This year, however, such tasks were joined by the construction of two new Nutcracker heads.
Originally made out of thermoplastic, a malleable material often used in the medical field for splints, PBT’s former Nutcracker head was flexible and able to accommodate movement. Mesh was placed over this foundation to allow for the painting of facial characteristics. It also came in two different skin colors, McLain explains; depending on the artist, it could be attached or detached from the head’s base. After many performances, however, the thermoplastic began to crumble, tasking the mesh with holding its cracked surface together. In response, McLain created another temporary version, one which broke down even quicker. “So then I thought, we just have to make a new one.”
To get started, recognizing that the piece needed to be breathable, McLain first constructed the head shape: a foundation of foam covered by mesh. Underneath, she attached a construction helmet with a lock and understrap, allowing for both security and stability. In addition to referencing the original head, McLain utilized her knowledge of bridges to aid her process. “Bridges have to be built to be able to move, because if they are too rigid, then that force just breaks down,” she shares. Applying this concept, she made the new head quite flexible. There is one scene in The Nutcracker where the Nutcracker grows below a sheet; Drosselmeyer removes this silky cover quickly for a dramatic reveal of the character. The head’s ability to move with the sheet allows it to stay on the dancer’s head as well.
McLain notes that plastic is baked into the mesh string, so that even when the material cracks a little bit, entire sections will not fall off because of this string network. On top of the mesh, to depict vibrant facial features, she used a combination of fabric, acrylic, and airbrush paint. With the addition of rosy cheeks and colorful red lips, the head springs to life. Even its eyes are painted on, as dancers look through the head’s mouth, she reveals.
McLain says that it was important for her to create two Nutcracker heads with two different skin colors. As there are people of color in these roles, she explains, it only makes sense that the Nutcracker’s transition from human to toy maintains continuity. For example, “it shouldn’t be white toy turning into a non-white human.” But McLain also stresses the importance of representation, expressing that “if we’re going to cast someone in that role, that’s the first step. And then just to make sure that all of the costumes and accessories correspond to who’s wearing them, I think is important too.” In the future, she hopes to create a third Nutcracker head of another skin color.
Although constructed carefully to promote stability and security, the act of dancing with a large structure on top of one’s head remains unpredictable. Therefore, McLain had to finish the heads before a deadline, allowing enough time for the dancers to get accustomed to them in rehearsals. And she did. Embellished with makeup, gold accents on their collars, and flaunting extravagant hats, both Nutcracker heads are ready to be worn for upcoming rehearsals and performances.
The Nutcracker heads can be seen on stage at the Benedum Center until December 28th.
Announcing a Brand New Version of The Nutcracker
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre is excited to announce that it will debut an all-new production of The Nutcracker in December 2027. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for both PBT and for Pittsburgh audiences to experience an updated adaptation of this cherished holiday tradition.
With concept by PBT artistic director Adam W. McKinney and choreography by Trey McIntyre, PBT’s all-new The Nutcracker, set in early 20th-century Pittsburgh, will stay true to the beloved classic story and promises to be a unique and unforgettable experience. Susan Roemer will design costumes, sets will be designed by Beowulf Boritt and lighting by Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew.
PBT’s all-new The Nutcracker will feature new choreography, costumes, sets and Pittsburgh-inspired themes that celebrate the city’s rich and eclectic histories. While maintaining Tchaikovsky’s score and beloved characters, updates will also include an expanded storyline and a few new characters. The themes explored in this production are those of family, transformation, adventure, community and, of course, magic.
Productions of The Nutcracker typically have a 20-year lifespan due to the wear on costumes and sets. PBT’s revised The Nutcracker is an opportunity to move this classic ballet forward, blending cutting-edge design and technology with timeless storytelling. PBT will announce updates on characters, plotline, sets, and costumes over the next two years, so that audiences will feel included in this creative journey, building excitement for the new version and a sense of shared ownership in this Pittsburgh milestone.
About PBT’s Artistic Team for the 2027 Production of The Nutcracker
Concept Creator: Adam W. McKinney
Adam W. McKinney has been the artistic director at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre since 2023. He has a diverse and accomplished background in arts leadership across the globe, having served as an arts organization director, tenured professor, choreographer, dancer, educator and activist. McKinney was an Associate Professor of Dance in Ballet with tenure in the School for Classical & Contemporary Dance at Texas Christian University. There he taught courses in classical ballet, modern dance and choreography. He was the Co-Director/Co-Founder of DNAWORKS, an arts and service organization committed to healing through the arts and dialogue. Previously, he was the inaugural Dance Department Chair at New Mexico School for the Arts in Santa Fe.
He has danced with some of the world’s preeminent dance companies, including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Béjart Ballet Lausanne (Switzerland), Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet and Milwaukee Ballet Company. McKinney has led dance work with diverse populations worldwide. A leader who is committed to making ballet and dance accessible to all, he served as a U.S. Embassy Culture Connect Envoy to South Africa through the U.S. State Department. McKinney has created community social justice and awareness projects, including the interactive Fort Worth Lynching Tour: Honoring the Memory of Mr. Fred Rouse and “The Borders Project” at the Mexico/U.S. and Palestine/Israel borders. He was also honored with the NYU President’s Service Award for his dance work with populations who struggle with heroin addiction.
McKinney was named one of the most influential African Americans in Milwaukee by St. Vincent DePaul. He holds a BFA in Dance Performance with high honors with a focus on classical ballet from Butler University and an MA in Dance Studies with concentrations in Race and Trauma theories from the Gallatin School at New York University.
Choreographer: Trey McIntyre
Trey McIntyre trained at North Carolina School of the Arts and the Houston Ballet Academy. In 1989, Houston Ballet named him the company’s first choreographic apprentice, and in 1995, he was appointed choreographic associate. He has worked for more than 30 years as a freelance choreographer, producing more than 100 works to date for ballet companies around the world.
He has won numerous awards and honors, including the Choo San Goh Award for Choreography, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Society of Arts and Letters, two personal grants for choreography from the National Endowment for the Arts and is a United States Artists Fellow. In 2019, he won the Isadora Duncan Award for Outstanding Achievement in Choreography for his work, Your Flesh Shall be a Great Poem, created for San Francisco Ballet’s “Unbound” festival. He was named one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” in 2001. He has been praised by the New York Times for his “fertility of invention and a modernity of spirit.”
In 2005, he founded his dance company, Trey McIntyre Project, creating over 23 original works for the company as well as film projects, interactive site-specific works and photography collections. In September of 2024, he joined the Los Angeles-based company BODYTRAFFIC as Creative Partner. McIntyre is also known for his photography of the human body, having written several published essays, and completed the feature-length documentary, Gravity Hero, which premiered at the Dance on Camera Film Festival at Lincoln Center.
Costume Design: Susan Roemer
Susan Roemer is a costume designer and founder of S-Curve Apparel & Design, based in Sonoma County, California. A former professional dancer, she performed with several ballet companies before spending nine years with Smuin Ballet, where her interest in costume design began. She later studied design and construction at Apparel Arts in Oakland, California. Roemer has designed and constructed costumes for San Francisco Ballet, Smuin Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Amy Seiwert’s Imagery, Ballet West, Ballet Memphis, AXIS Dance Company, Tulsa Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, BalletMet, Ballet Austin, Eugene Ballet, Singapore Dance Theatre, and Red Panel Creative, among others. Roemer was awarded an Isadora Duncan Award for Visual Design of Amy Seiwert’s “Wandering” in 2017.
Set Design: Beowulf Boritt
Beowulf Boritt created 35 Broadway designs, including the Tony-winning sets for New York, New York and Act One, the Tony-nominated sets for The Scottsboro Boys, POTUS, Therese Raquin, and Flying Over Sunset. Also on Broadway, Come From Away, …Spelling Bee, Rock Of Ages. He created sets for 100 Off-Broadway shows and won an OBIE award for sustained excellence. He is the author of Transforming Space Over Time, about Broadway design. Beowulf is also the founder of the OBIE-winning The 1/52 Project, which provides grants to early-career designers from historically excluded groups.
Lighting Design: Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew
Jeanette is an award-winning multi-disciplinary designer for theater, dance, opera, musicals, music performances, art installations, digital productions and large-scale immersive experiences. Her designs were described by the New York Times as “clever” and “inventive.” She created the lighting designs for Kimberly Akimbo and The Thanksgiving Play on Broadway, as well as for numerous other regional productions seen across US cities and internationally. As a designer, Jeanette aims to create a visual environment that is organically integrated into the landscape and language of the production. Jeanette has won OBIE’s Sustained Achievement in Design, Henry Hewes Lighting Design Award, numerous Drama Desk, Lortel and Audelco nominations and was a NEA/TCG Career Development Program recipient. Jeanette is an Arts Professor with NYU Tisch Drama Production & Design Studio.
The History of The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker is one of the most well-known ballets of all time, and is based on German author E.T.A. Hoffman’s 1816 tale The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. The first ballet adaptation premiered in 1892 at the Imperial Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia. PBT has performed various versions of The Nutcracker annually since its inception in 1969. The current version, choreographed and conceived by former PBT artistic director Terrence S. Orr, has been staged at PBT for 23 years.
The Nutcracker 2025 Casting is Here!
Join PBT for Pittsburgh’s Favorite Holiday Tradition – The Nutcracker! Performances will take place Dec. 5-28, 2025 at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh.
Follow Marie, her Nutcracker prince and hundreds of colorful characters for an unforgettable adventure through the sparkling snow and into the Land of Enchantment as you are swept into the most magical time of the year. The talented artists of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School perform all of the roles in this beloved production. We hope you can join us!
Friday, 12/5 @ 11 am – Student Matinee
Friday, 12/5 @ 7 pm Saturday, 12/6 @ 7 pm Saturday, 12/13 @ 2 pm Sunday, 12/21 @ 4:30 pm Saturday, 12/27 @ 7 pm
Saturday, 12/6 @ 2 pm Friday, 12/12 @ 7 pm Sunday, 12/14 @ 4:30 pm Sunday, 12/21 @ 12 pm Saturday, 12/27 @ 2 pm
Sunday, 12/7 @ 12 pm
Sunday, 12/7 @ 4:30 pm – Sensory-Friendly Performance
Saturday, 12/13 @ 7 pm
Sunday, 12/14 @ 12 pm
Friday, 12/19 @ 7 pm
Saturday, 12/20 @ 2 pm Friday, 12/26 @ 7 pm
Saturday, 12/20 @ 7 pm
Tuesday, 12/23 @ 7 pm
Sunday, 12/28 @ 12 pm
Photos: Aviana Adams
PBT Welcomes 20 Pittsburgh Celebrity Guest Stars to The Nutcracker
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (PBT) is thrilled to be joined by 20 Pittsburgh celebrity guest stars during this year’s The Nutcracker. During 17 performances, the guest stars will have walk-on roles during the prologue and the “Party Scene” in Act I. They will appear in performances during the production, which runs December 5-28 at the Benedum Center.
Having celebrity guest stars in cameo appearances has become a tradition for PBT’s The Nutcracker production. This year, the local celebrities range from local government officials and television stars to news anchors, sports stars and social media influencers. The Pittsburgh celebrities participating in guest star roles in The Nutcracker this year include:
- Charlie Batch (Fri., Dec. 5 @ 7 pm), Pittsburgh Steelers and Founder of Best of the Batch Foundation
- Latasha Wilson-Batch (Fri., Dec. 5 @ 7 pm), Executive Director of Best of the Batch Foundation
- Megan Shinn (Sat., Dec. 6 @ 2 pm), KDKA-TV Anchor and Reporter
- Corey O’Connor (Sat., Dec. 6 @ 7 pm), Allegheny County Controller & Pittsburgh Mayor-Elect
- Bonny Diver (Sat., Dec. 6 @ 7 pm), iHeart Radio Host, & Founder of Hair Peace Charities
- Jeremy Reynolds (Sun., Dec. 7 @ 12 pm), Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Critic and Journalist
- Chandi Chapman (Fri., Dec. 12 @ 7 pm), WTAE-TV Anchor and Reporter
- Victoria Vespico (Sat., Dec. 13 @ 2 pm), Miss Pennsylvania 2025
- Brooke Hyland (Sat., Dec. 13 @ 7 pm), Dance Moms
- Amanda Neatrour (Sun., Dec. 14 @ 4:30 pm), Mrs. Pennsylvania 2024
- Arjun Manjunath (Fri., Dec. 19 @ 7 pm), Social Media Content Creator
- Daisy Jade (Sat., Dec. 20 @ 7 pm), KDKA-TV “Pittsburgh Today Live” Reporter
- Perry Ninness (Sat., Dec. 20 @ 7 pm), Administrative Officer at UBS
- Sara Innamaroto (Sun., Dec. 21 @ 12 pm), Allegheny County Executive
- Frzy (Sun., Dec. 21 @ 4:30 pm), Musician
- Chloe Lukasiak (Tues., Dec. 23 @ 7 pm), Dance Moms
- Kendall Vertes (Fri., Dec. 26 @ 7 pm), Dance Moms
- Mary Ours (Sat., Dec. 27 @ 2 pm), KDKA-TV Meteorologist
- Lindsay Ward (Sat., Dec. 27 @ 7 pm), Pittsburgh Reporter and Content Creator
- Dr. Holly Hatcher-Frazier (Sun., Dec. 28 @ 12 pm), Dance Moms
*Please note that guest star appearances may be subject to change
PBT’s current version of The Nutcracker, choreographed and created by former PBT artistic director Terrence S. Orr, is the perfect fit for local celebrity appearances due to its special Pittsburgh-centered vibe. The Nutcracker includes more than 13 Pittsburgh connections – from Kennywood, the Kaufmann’s Clock and Shadyside to the Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Penguins, Mount Washington, the Aviary and more. The distinctive Pittsburgh feel of this ballet makes it great fun to include Pittsburgh guest stars in walk-on roles – adding to the Pittsburgh flair!
Join PBT on this unforgettable adventure during the most magical time of the year.
Read more about The Nutcracker celebrity guests below:
Charlie Batch
Pittsburgh Steelers and Founder of Best of the Batch Foundation
Friday, December 5, 7:00 P.M.
Charlie Batch is an NFL quarterback, community advocate, author, media personality, entrepreneur, and professional speaker who takes his “Expect Your Best” message to audiences across the country. Charlie’s NFL career spanned 15 years, and in 2002, he joined the Pittsburgh Steelers as the backup quarterback and was instrumental in critical game wins that led the team to Super Bowl XL and XLIII. After his retirement, he has continued to be a respected strategist in the NFL, providing game commentary for national sports outlets, including CBS, FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, SiriusXM NFL Radio, and Yahoo! Sports.
In 1999, Charlie created the Best of the Batch Foundation, which gives Pittsburgh city kids a safe place to learn and grow. The Foundation offers numerous programs that teach kids life skills and help them succeed. He also serves on multiple non-profit boards to help improve the lives of others. A graduate of Steel Valley High School and a native of Homestead, PA, he has become widely known as a service leader who gives back to his hometown. Charlie resides in Pittsburgh with his wife, Latasha, and their five dogs.
Latasha Wilson-Batch
Executive Director of Best of the Batch Foundation
Friday, December 5, 7:00 P.M.
Latasha Wilson-Batch serves as the Executive Director of the Best of the Batch Foundation. Her leadership has helped spearhead the growth of the Batch Foundation, which reaches more than 3,300 boys and girls from financially challenged communities annually. She has also developed special programs for young girls and women with emphasis on education, sports, and fun. Latasha is a community advocate and motivational speaker. Honored by the National Association of Women Business Owners and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center for Engagement and Inclusion, Ms. Wilson-Batch serves on several boards, in the Pittsburgh area and is currently Vice President in the Off The Field Players Wives Association, which raises funds for local and national charitable organizations with a focus on supporting children’s health and charities that strengthen families.
Latasha and her husband, Charlie Batch, have five four-legged kids: Roxie, Bunz, Snoop, Nate, and Aysia. They reside in the Pittsburgh area. Ms. Wilson-Batch recently completed her MS degree in Professional Counseling at Carlow University and is now pursuing her doctorate in psychology.
Megan Shinn
KDKA-TV Anchor and Reporter
Saturday, December 6, 2:00 P.M.
Megan Shinn is the morning weekend anchor and a weekday reporter at KDKA-TV. Before moving to Pittsburgh, Megan anchored the morning newscasts in Indianapolis, and launched a new evening show focused on in-depth, community-based stories. She covered everything from breaking news, to military homecomings, and the Indy 500. This has earned her an Emmy and an Edward R. Murrow Award. Her passion for news took off in Southern California where she earned a BFA in Television Broadcast Journalism from Chapman University. During college, she interned at top markets including KNBC and KCBS/ KCAL in Los Angeles; she also worked for ESPN3. One of her favorite college experiences was having circumnavigated the globe on “Semester At Sea.”
Megan is invested in the Pittsburgh community, and she loves cooking, hiking, and exploring her forever home with her husband, Mike.
Corey O’Connor
Allegheny County Controller & Pittsburgh Mayor Elect
Saturday, December 6 at 7:00 p.m.
A lifelong Pittsburgher, Corey O’Connor grew up in Squirrel Hill, attended East Hills Elementary, and earned his degree in early childhood education from Duquesne University. He began his career working on community development for Congressman Mike Doyle before entering public service himself.
Elected to Pittsburgh City Council in 2011, Corey represented District 5 for more than a decade, focusing on community revitalization, public health, and equity. His legislative achievements include authoring the City’s Paid Sick Days Act, advancing affordable housing, passing common-sense gun reforms, and securing record investments in early childhood education and neighborhood infrastructure.
In 2022, Corey was elected Allegheny County Controller, where he prioritized transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility. He led audits and investigations that exposed inefficiencies, uncovered unused public funds, and strengthened ethics and pension protections.
In 2025, Corey O’Connor was elected the 62nd Mayor of Pittsburgh. As Mayor-Elect, he is preparing to lead a city government focused on service, equity, and results — strengthening neighborhoods, improving delivery of city services, and building a more resilient and inclusive Pittsburgh for all residents.
He lives in Point Breeze with his wife, Katie, their two children, Molly and Emmett, and their dogs, Tippy and Nova.
Bonny Diver
iHeart Radio
Saturday, December 6, 7:00 P.M.
A cancer survivor for 22 years, Bonny Diver hosts the iHeart Radio podcast, Everybody Dies, which features inspiring stories from those encountering end of life. Additionally, she is a Morning Drive Traffic Reporter for 6 iHeart Radio Stations in Pittsburgh and has a streaming show on Music from the 412 called Bonny With A WhY.
Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Bonny moved to Pittsburgh in 1993. She was featured in Family Circle magazine as a “Survivor Making A Difference”, received the Komen Survivor of the Year Award (2010), and won two trophies from the March of Dimes Air-Awards.
Bonny is the Founder and Executive Director of Hair Peace Charities, providing financial assistance for women and girls to purchase wigs. Every afternoon, when done reporting traffic, she talks to cancer survivors. In her free time, Bonny loves walking her dog, Diego, and aims to attend at least one concert every week.
Jeremy Reynolds
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Journalist
Sunday, December 7, 12:00 P.M.
Jeremy Reynolds is the classical music critic and cultural reporter at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
A trained clarinetist, Reynolds now covers the performing arts in Pittsburgh and beyond for a range of publications including Symphony Magazine, OPERA America Magazine, Opera Magazine, Early Music America and more.
Reynolds also trained as a radio announcer in Syracuse, New York, and Dallas, Texas, where he served as a weekend host for the classical station WRR and as the national host for the broadcasts of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.
Although he never studied ballet, Reynolds did earn a college scholarship from the Texas Square Dancing Academy. In his spare time, Reynolds is a fitness and performing arts enthusiast.
Chandi Chapman
WTAE-TV Anchor and Reporter
Friday, December 12, 7:00 P.M.
Chandi Chapman anchors Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 weekend evening newscasts and reports during the week. She is a New Castle native and University of Pittsburgh graduate who joined the WTAE team in 2017. Chandi has won several awards for her work, including multiple regional Emmys and two Edward R. Murrow awards. She has also been honored with two National Association of Black Journalist Salute to Excellence Awards and numerous Associated Press and state broadcast association awards, including Best TV Personality.
Chandi held positions in the industry that include anchoring, producing, editing, shooting, web producing and assignment desk duties. Chandi started her career at WTAE and has worked in various positions at stations in Ohio, South Carolina, Pennsylvania and Georgia before returning to Pittsburgh’s Action News 4. Outside of the newsroom, she enjoys cooking, traveling, volunteering in the community, watching mystery and comedy movies and having new adventures. She is active in the Junior Miss Program to help young girls shape their futures and loves practicing martial arts whenever she gets a chance. She resides in the Pittsburgh area with her family.
Victoria Vespico
Miss Pennsylvania 2025
Saturday, December 13, 2:00 P.M.
Victoria Vespico, 26, a native of Shavertown, was crowned Miss Pennsylvania 2025 on June 21st at the Appell Center in York. A proud graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communications, she is a sustainable development advocate and a three-time children’s book author. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Education at Wilkes University.
As Miss Pennsylvania, Victoria travels the state and Washington D.C. with her
community service initiative, “Sustainability Starts With You.” As the Founder and Executive Director of Sustainability Starts With You, she empowers people to embrace sustainability for future generations. Victoria encourages changing the world through #Simple Changes. Her mission is to inspire youth to lead with purpose and impact.
She is an author of three children’s books introducing young learners to sustainable
development concepts in an accessible way. The books are titled”Cows Are More
Than Milk”, “Bring a Bucket”, and “Sustainability Starts With You.”
She brings over 20 years of Girl Scouting experience to her mission of inspiring youth to be future leaders. She is currently part of the Communications team at America250PA, the Pennsylvania Commission for the celebration of the Semiquincentennial of the United States of America. Victoria was also named to Governor Shapiro’s Next Gen Advisory Committee. Victoria represented Pennsylvania in the Miss America Competition in September, where she brought her advocacy to a national stage.
Brooke Hyland
Dance Moms
Saturday, December 13, 7:00 P.M.
Brooke Hyland was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is best known for her appearance as part of the original cast of “Dance Moms” from Seasons 1–4, where she was a dancer. She later attended Ohio University, where she studied business and put those learnings into practice. Today, she continues to grow her online presence as a social media personality while pursuing opportunities in lifestyle, entertainment, and entrepreneurship. After moving back to Pittsburgh a few years ago, she has loved reconnecting with the city, contributing to its growth, and becoming more involved in the community. In Brooke’s free time, you’ll find her trying a new restaurant or experience, spending time with friends, family, and her dog Jack, planning her 2026 wedding, taking a workout class, or cooking something fun in the kitchen.
Amanda Neatrour
Mrs. Pennsylvania 2025
Sunday, December 14, 4:30 P.M.
On April 14, 2024, Amanda Neatrour was crowned Mrs. Pennsylvania American 2024, and proudly represented the Commonwealth at the Mrs. American competition. As a caregiver to a mom with Alzheimer’s, Amanda worked alongside the Alzheimer’s Association, being recognized as a Community Leader to support efforts to raise awareness of the needs of caregivers of those living with Alzheimer’s, and advocating for greater societal and government support. As Mrs. Pennsylvania, Amanda spoke with state lawmakers about the impact of Alzheimer’s and Dementia on caregivers, has been a moderator for important community discussions, and was a speaker and performed the US National Anthem for the Pittsburgh Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Amanda also partnered with Healthy Start Pittsburgh, supporting efforts to further education on the impact of healthy parents and caregivers on the health and wellbeing of our babies.
As a community leader, Amanda served as an inaugural member of Pittsburgh’s Gender Equity Commission and as its Chair, advocating for a more equitable city, with a particular focus on pay equity. This year Amanda completed a term as a member of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women where she served as the Chair of the Aging sub-committee, and Spring 2025 Amanda was sworn in as a member of the Governor’s Advisory Committee for the Office of Alzheimer’s Dementia, and Related Disorders.
An opera singer and producer, in 2022 Amanda co-produced and starred in an all-woman, new production of Missy Mazzoli’s opera “Song from the Uproar” which was a project aimed at raising awareness of gender disparities in the performing arts. Amanda performed the starring role of Isabel just 7 weeks after giving birth to her second child and is the first Black woman to perform the lead role.
Amanda is an ACC certified coach, certified 200 hour Raja yoga instructor, and owner of Lewis Neatrour Group, a firm which supports leaders and organizations to align their actions and intent, with creating positive outcomes for a sustainable future. Amanda is a graduate of Howard University, and Robert Morris University. She is wife to Russell, mom to two beautiful boys, and dog mom to their rescue Maltese, Tiberius.
Arjun Manjunath
Social Media Content Creator
Friday, December 19, 7:00 P.M.
Arjun Manjunath is a 22-year-old social media content creator and event producer, and a recent graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. He got his start in social media creating content about his time as a Pitt cheerleader, studying abroad in Florence, Italy, and living in New York City while interning at TikTok headquarters.
He is the founder of the viral series Romanticize Pittsburgh, where he hosts creative community events and shares a fresh perspective on the city through his storytelling and videos. Originally not from Pittsburgh, Arjun has made it his mission to explore and highlight everything the city has to offer.
Before his work in social media, Arjun was a proud theatre kid and performed in several stage productions, including Legally Blonde: The Musical, Evita, Seussical, Annie, Newsies, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, among others. He credits GVPAA, Garnet Valley High School’s theatre program, for sparking his lifelong love for the arts.
Daisy Jade & Perry Ninness
KDKA-TV “Pittsburgh Today Live” Reporter
& Administrative Officer at UBS
Saturday, December 20, 7:00 P.M.
Pittsburgh native Daisy Jade is a Film/TV Actress, TV Host and Producer. She is the Host and Co-Producer of Fan N’ATion, an award-winning and Emmy-nominated show on KDKA-TV/CBS Pittsburgh, highlighting Pittsburgh sports fans from all over the world. Daisy also reports for the city’s lifestyle and entertainment show, Pittsburgh Today Live. Fan N’ation won a Keystone Media Award for Best Regularly Scheduled News or Sports Talk Program in 2022 and has been nominated for a Mid-Atlantic Emmy.
She is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA and has appeared in numerous national and regional shows, commercials, and industrials since 1999. She is also involved with various film organizations in Pittsburgh, including Women in Film and Media Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Film Industry Association (PAFIA). Daisy graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater Arts and a Film Studies Certificate.
Perry Ninness is a Pittsburgh-based financial professional and community leader, currently serving as an Administrative Officer at UBS Financial Services. He also lends his expertise to neighborhood development as past President of the Board of the Mount Washington Community Development Corporation, helping guide projects that strengthen and uplift the community.
A graduate of Point Park University with a background in accounting, Perry is known for combining sharp financial insight with a genuine passion for civic engagement.
Sara Innamaroto
Allegheny County Executive
Sunday, December 21, 12:00 P.M.
Sara Innamorato was sworn in as the first woman to serve as the Allegheny County Executive on January 2, 2024. The Innamorato Administration’s guiding principle is to build a strong Allegheny County for All – one that serves all 1.3 million residents – built on a foundation of dignity and respect.
In June 2024, Innamorato announced ‘500 in 500,’ a signature initiative to move people from shelter into stable housing. On day 500 in October 2025, over 600 people had been housed, and more than 500 housing units had been identified.
Innamorato has also prioritized economic development initiatives by investing in business development, Mainstreet improvements, and leading the County’s comprehensive planning efforts.
Sara is a lifelong resident of Allegheny County, currently residing in Upper Lawrenceville. She is a graduate of North Hills High School and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh’s College of Business Administration.
Frzy
Musician
Sunday, December 21, 4:30 P.M.
Harvey “Frzy” Daniels is a 2018 Emmy Award winner for his collaboration with WQED on his hip-hop version of “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” and on November 1, 2023, simultaneously released his second and third albums titled Popularity and Success. Frzy is a member of the Recording Academy (which bestows the annual Grammy Awards) and is a Governor of the Board for the Philadelphia Chapter of the Recording Academy. The City of Pittsburgh was inspired to officially declare January 11, 2018, as “Frzy Day.’
Since then, Frzy has become a 2020 Guinness World Record holder for longest freestyle rap at 31 hours, the Smiley Face Cookie at Eat ‘N Park, and has had a mural created in his likeness by famous muralist, Jeremy Raymer. Frzy also serves on the Board of Directors of The Lindsay Theater, all this while being the face of Steve Madden’s “Self Made” Campaign. He has helped to raise more than one million dollars for charities and in May 2023 helped to increase diversity and inclusion awareness via the successful “Books to Bars” campaign with the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. He collaborated on a historic one-night concert with the Pittsburgh Symphony at Heinz Hall on November 8, 2023, which is the world premiere of an orchestration of the nationally known rapper’s new album, Success.
He was honored in City Paper’s People of the Year issue as Musician of the Year 2023 for “taking his craft to new audiences and new heights.” In Fall 2024 Frzy headlined at the epic America250PA national Convening of the States and Partners in Philadelphia, PA and was honored to lecture and perform at TEDxPittsburgh. Recently Frzyheadlined the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s First Night 2025 New Years Performance for 22,000 people. Frzy’s ( Got Milk ) Frzy Day campaign entitled “Milking It” teamed up with legendary Dairy Company “Turner’s Dairy” and The Pittsburgh Public School System to raise $2,500 for the Pittsburgh Community Food Bank to provide over 10,000 meals.
Chloe Lukasiak
Dance Moms
Tuesday, December 23, 7:00 P.M.
Chloe Lukasiak was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area and was an original cast member of the reality dance show “Dance Moms,” appearing in seasons 1-4 and the “Dance Moms Reunion Series” in 2024. Chloe is an award-winning dancer, actor, author, and activist who has inspired generations with her grace and charisma.
She is a best-selling author of “Girl on Pointe: Chloe’s Guide to Taking on the World” and has a strong social media following, with over 8.3 million followers on Instagram and 3.8 million on TikTok. Chloe has worked with top brands like Pantene, Cover Girl, and Victoria’s Secret Pink!, and continues to share her life with millions of followers online.
She has also served as a ‘Messenger of Peace’ for the United Nations. Chloe graduated from Pepperdine University last year and recently moved to New York City.
Kendall Vertes
Dance Moms
Friday, December 26, 7:00 P.M.
Kendall Vertes, one of the original Pittsburgh girls from the hit series DANCE MOMS is a talented dancer, singer, and creator. Kendall is known for her charismatic, relatable and down-to-earth personality on the show. As a competitive dancer she won the National Championship for JMU in 2024. She is launching her very own new show, “Not So Little” as an addition to Alex Cooper’s UNWELL Network.
Mary Ours
KDKA-TV Meteorologist
Saturday, December 27, 2:00 P.M.
Mary Ours is a KDKA-TV Meteorologist. Mary grew up about 45 minutes northwest of Pittsburgh in the small town of Beaver Falls, known as the hometown of Joe Namath. Mary went to high school there for three years before graduating from Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School in 2008 where she majored in musical theater.
She began her career in 2013 at WTOV9 in Steubenville, Ohio, where she was a reporter and weekend weather anchor then went to WJAC-TV as the weekday morning meteorologist in 2016.
Mary has always been interested in helping people ever since she was young, including starting her own event to help victims of 9/11 when she was 12 years old. In Mary’s spare time she loves to sing the national anthem at sporting events, binge watch TV shows, and most importantly spend time with her husband, children and her pomsky Jasper.
Lindsay Ward
Journalist
Saturday, December 27 at 7:00 p.m.
Lindsay Ward is an award-winning journalist, having worked as an anchor and reporter for almost 20 years. Her career has taken her to North Carolina, West Virginia, Central and Western Pennsylvania. Lindsay has been Emmy-nominated for her anchoring and
reporting multiple times and is the winner of two Keystone Media Awards for her “Feature Reporting.” She is also the recipient of Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s “2023 Young Alumni Achievement Award,” for her successful career in journalism. Lindsay is from Indiana County and graduated from IUP. She lives in Pittsburgh with her husband Tony and their two children, Sebastian and Aurora.
Dr. Holly Hatcher-Frazier
Dance Moms
Sunday, December 28 at 12:00 p.m.
Dr. Holly Hatcher-Frazier, best known as the “voice of reason” as an original cast member on the popular docuseries, Dance Moms. A doctoral graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education, Dr. Hatcher-Frazier worked in education for more than 20 years, in various roles, including as a teacher, administrator and principal before joining the show. Dr. Hatcher-Frazier served as a positive role model both on and off the reality television show. Dr. Hatcher-Frazier enjoys new challenges and inspires others through public speaking and sharing her reflections as a podcast co-host. An avid traveler with an adventurous spirit, Dr. Hatcher-Frazier also enjoys giving back to her community and is honored to serve on the boards of City Theater and the Pittsburgh Film Office. Dr. Hatcher-Frazier is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated where she enjoys working with other women who are passionate about service, leadership and scholarship. Her most fulfilling roles in life are those of wife and mother to three fabulous children.
Tommie Lin Kesten | Pointe Magazine Cover Star
Principal artist Tommie Lin Kesten was revealed today as the cover star of the November/December issue of Pointe Magazine.
“We are incredibly proud of Tommie Lin and the exceptional work she consistently produces,” said PBT artistic director Adam W. McKinney. “She has an incredible work ethic, superior dance skills and impeccable artistry. We are delighted to see her be acknowledged for her hard work and accomplishments.”
Tommie Lin Kesten’s Career at PBT
Kesten joined PBT as a member of the corps de ballet in 2018. She was promoted to soloist artist in 2020 and, in the spring of 2023, she was promoted to principal artist onstage by PBT artistic director Adam W. McKinney after her performance of “Aurora” in The Sleeping Beauty.
“Being on the cover of Pointe Magazine feels like something out of a dream,” said Tommie Lin Kesten. “I’m beyond grateful — for the art form that has shaped my life, and for the chance to dance, grow and share my heart every single day. It’s moments like this that make me stop and truly take it all in.”
Tommie Lin Kesten in The Nutcracker
Tommie Lin will portray the following roles on these dates and times.
– “Marie”: Dec. 7 @ 12 pm; Dec. 13 @ 7pm; Dec. 19 @ 7 pm; Dec. 23 @ 7pm
– “Sugar Plum Fairy”: Dec. 6 @ 2pm; Dec. 12 @ 7pm; Dec. 14 @ 4:30pm; Dec. 21 @ 12pm; Dec. 27 @ 2pm
– “Snow Queen”: Dec. 5 @ 7pm; Dec. 6 @ 7pm; Dec. 13 @ 2pm; Dec. 21 @ 4:30pm; Dec. 27 @ 7pm
Note: Casting is subject to change
Tommie Lin Kesten Pittsburgh Signing Events:
Tommie Lin Kesten will participate in Pointe Magazine cover signings in the Pittsburgh area over the next few weeks. Attendees are welcome to take photos with Tommie Lin and bring pointe shoes for her to sign. PBT will provide Pointe Magazine covers for her to sign. Follow our social media for updated details.
About Pointe Magazine
Pointe Magazine is the top ballet publication in the United States. Since 2000, Pointe Magazine has been an insider’s guide to all things ballet, with training and career advice, health and wellness tips and behind-the-scenes access to top companies and stars. The digital magazine has more than 56,000 monthly views, 69,000 newsletter subscribers and more than 557,000 social media followers.