Artistic Director

Choreographer

### Gala of the Stars - Segerstrom Center for the Arts

**Event:** 15th Annual Gala of the Stars  
**Date:** Wednesday, August 7, 2024  
**Time:** 6:00 PM - Inspired Young Protégés’ Performance (Optional)  
**Time:** 7:00 PM - Gala of the Stars Main Performance  
**Location:** Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Orange County

#### Event Description:
Experience an unforgettable night of dance at the 15th annual Gala of the Stars, a prestigious event celebrating the finest in international ballet. This unique gala features an incredible roster of world-renowned ballet artists from internationally acclaimed ballet companies, alongside select, inspired young ballet protégés. Current and future stars will share the stage in one spectacular performance, making it a night to remember.

#### Performances:
- **6:00 PM:** Inspired Young Protégés’ Performance (Optional)
  - A special demonstration by talented young dancers who have undergone two weeks of intensive ballet training. These protégés have been closely guided by esteemed artistic directors and ballet masters, including Christopher Powney (Royal Ballet School), Larissa Saveliev and Gennadi Saveliev (Youth America Grand Prix Founders), and Salwa Rizkalla (Southland Ballet Academy’s Artistic Director).

- **7:00 PM:** 15th Annual Gala of the Stars Main Performance
  - One act performance by world-renowned ballet stars.

#### Featured Guest Artists:
- **Timofej Andrijashenko** - Teatro Al La Scala
- **Liza Avsajanishvili** - Staatsballet Berlin
- **Adji Cissoko** - Alonzo King Lines Ballet
- **Brady Farrar** - American Ballet Theatre Studio Company
- **Matthew Golding** - International Ballet Star
- **Lucia Lacarra** - International Ballet Star
- **Julian MacKay** - Bayerisches Staatsballett
- **Vsevolod Maievskyi** - English National Ballet
- **Nicoletta Manni** - Teatro Al La Scala Etoile

*More guest artists and repertoire to be announced.*

#### Additional Information:
- **Dinner With The Stars:** Following the Gala performance at the Box Circle Lobby, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Tickets: $250 (available to Gala ticket holders only).
- **Welcome The Stars Dinner Cruise:** Tuesday, August 6th, Newport Harbor. Tickets: $175.

#### Tickets:
- Purchase tickets for the Gala of the Stars and associated events by calling 714-962-5440 or visiting the Segerstrom Center for the Arts website.

Join us for a night of extraordinary performances and celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Gala of the Stars, where the brilliance of ballet comes to life on stage.

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Gala of the Stars

Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Coppélia (sometimes referred to as The Girl with the Enamel Eyes) is a sentimental comic love story which will delight the whole family with its humor and charm.
Set in a small European village, this beloved ballet tells the story of an eccentric inventor, Doctor Coppélius. Franz, a young villager, becomes infatuated with the mysterious girl sitting on the balcony of Doctor Coppélius’s house. Franz doesn’t know that the mysterious girl is a doll whom the toymaker is trying to bring to life. Swanhilda, who is engaged to Franz, decides to sneak into Dr. Coppélius’s house with her friends where she discovers the mysterious girl is a doll. She decides to show Franz his folly by dressing as the doll and pretending to come to life. Love triumphs over all and the story ends with joyful celebration of the lovers’ wedding.

Coppélia

Irvine Barclay Theatre

Festival Ballet Theatre’s family-friendly, breathtaking production features superb, colorful scenery and dazzling costumes, which make this age-old tradition sparkle like new. Be swept away by Tchaikovsky’s iconic score as the Sugar Plum Fairy, our heroine, Clara, and a cast of hundreds take you on a magical journey to mystical lands. This full-length traditional production is choreographed and directed by Festival Ballet Theatre’s Artistic Director, Salwa Rizkalla, and features world-renowned guest artists, FBT’s professional company dancers, and exceptional young talent from across the Southland.

Festival Ballet Theatre: the Nutcracker

Festival Ballet Theatre’s family-friendly breathtaking production features superb colorful scenery and dazzling costumes, which make this age-old tradition sparkle like new. Be swept away by Tchaikovsky’s iconic score as the Sugar Plum Fairy, our heroine Clara, and a cast of hundreds take you on a magical journey to mystical lands. This full-length traditional production is choreographed and directed by Festival Ballet Theatre’s Artistic Director, Salwa Rizkalla, and features world-renowned guest artists, FBT’s professional company dancers, and exceptional young talent from across the Southland.

The Nutcracker

Visions of sugarplums will dance in your heads after seeing Tchaikovsky’s delightful Christmas ballet performed in a condensed version created just for kids! This favorite concert finishes with a visit from Santa and our annual holiday sing-along

Nutcracker for Kids

Visions of sugarplums will dance in your heads after seeing Tchaikovsky’s delightful Christmas ballet performed in a condensed version created just for kids! This favorite concert finishes with a visit from Santa and our annual holiday sing-along.

Nutcracker for Kids!

Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall

Set to Tchaikovsky’s elegantly moving score, Swan Lake is the story of young Prince Seigfried and Odette, the Swan Queen who is doomed to be a swan by day and a young woman by night. Swan Lake’s spectacular beauty, power and grace reminds us all of the transformative power of love. This beloved classical ballet is choreographed by Artistic Director Salwa Rizkalla, after Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, and features renowned guest artists Ana Sophia Scheller and Gareth Haw in the lead roles.

Swan Lake

Experience the fiery gypsy spirit and passion of FBT’s production of Don Quixote.  Join the gallant Don Quixote on his knightly quests across old-world Spain in Festival Ballet Theatre’s rendition of this beloved ballet, based on the novel by Miguel Cervantes.  Celebrate the spirit of adventure with the flavors and rhythms of 17th-century Spain, captured elegantly in Ludwig Minkus’ memorable score. This full-length, traditional production features world-renowned guest artists in the lead roles.

Festival Ballet Theatre: Don Quixote

### Event Description: The Nutcracker Ballet at Irvine Barclay Theatre

**Event:** The Nutcracker Ballet  
**Presented by:** Festival Ballet Theatre  
**Dates:** December 7-24, 2024  
**Location:** Irvine Barclay Theatre, University of California, Irvine campus

**Overview:**
Experience the magic of the holiday season with Festival Ballet Theatre’s enchanting production of "The Nutcracker." This cherished holiday classic is perfect for all ages and promises to transport audiences on a whimsical journey through young Clara’s fantastic dream. The heroic Nutcracker leads his Toy Soldiers into a fierce battle with the Mouse King, ultimately guiding Clara to the glittering Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets, where she meets the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier.

**Highlights:**
- **Lavish Sets and Costumes:** Enjoy life-size dancing dolls, falling snow, and waltzing flowers.
- **Exquisite Artistry:** Featuring a cast of over a hundred emerging artists and talented students from Southland Ballet Academy, along with special appearances by world-class artists performing as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier.
- **Iconic Score:** Be swept away by Tchaikovsky’s timeless music and captivating choreography by FBT’s Artistic Director, Salwa Rizkalla.
- **Intimate Venue:** The beautifully decorated lobby and unique Nutcracker boutique at the Irvine Barclay Theatre enhance the holiday experience.

**Performance Schedule:**
- **Saturday, December 7:** 2pm
- **Sunday, December 8:** 1pm
- **Saturday, December 14:** 1pm & 6pm
- **Sunday, December 15:** 1pm & 6pm
- **Friday, December 20:** 6pm
- **Saturday, December 21:** 1pm & 6pm
- **Sunday, December 22:** 1pm & 6pm
- **Monday, December 23:** 1pm & 6pm
- **Tuesday, December 24:** 11am

**Special Event:**
- **Nutcracker Tea Party:** Held in the Barclay’s Jade Room one hour prior to select performances. Guests will enjoy catered gourmet finger sandwiches, petit fours, scones with tea and lemonade, and a glass of champagne for adults. Characters from the Nutcracker ballet, including Clara, will join the party, offering photo opportunities and a party favor for each guest.

**Tickets:**
- **Purchase Tickets:** Limited number of tickets available. Secure your seats early to ensure a memorable holiday experience.

**Contact Information:**
- **Phone:** 714-962-5440
- **Website:** [Festival Ballet Theatre](#)

Join us for a magical holiday tradition and create lasting memories with your family and friends at Festival Ballet Theatre’s "The Nutcracker."

### Event Description: Sleeping Beauty by Festival Ballet Theatre

**Event:** Sleeping Beauty  
**Dates:** April 12-13, 2025  
**Venue:** Irvine Barclay Theatre

**Overview:**
Celebrate spring with Festival Ballet Theatre's enchanting full-length production of the beloved classical ballet, "The Sleeping Beauty." This timeless love story, set to the magnificent music of Peter Tchaikovsky, will feature renowned guest artists in the lead roles, bringing to life the fabled storybook characters Princess Aurora, Puss n Boots, Little Red Riding Hood, and the Big Bad Wolf. These characters remind us that good always triumphs over evil.

**Choreography:** 
The production is choreographed by Artistic Director Salwa Rizkalla, following the original choreography by Marius Petipa. "The Sleeping Beauty" was first performed by the Russian Imperial Ballet in January 1890.

**Performance Schedule:**
- **Saturday, April 12, 2025:** 7:00 p.m.
- **Sunday, April 13, 2025:** 2:00 p.m.

**Tickets:**
Tickets are available for purchase. This heart-warming production is enjoyable for the entire family.

**Contact Information:**
For more details and to buy tickets, call 714-962-5440.

Join us at the Irvine Barclay Theatre for a magical experience that celebrates the beauty and artistry of classical ballet.

Salwa Rizkalla

Artistic Director, Choreographer

Events

Upcoming events

Dec 9, 2023 - Jan 24, 3572

Festival Ballet Theatre: the Nutcracker · Festival Ballet Theatre

7 - 24 Dec, 2024

The Nutcracker · Festival Ballet Theatre

12 - 13 Apr, 2025

Sleeping Beauty · Festival Ballet Theatre

Past events

Aug 7, 2024

Gala of the Stars · Festival Ballet Theatre

27 - 28 Apr, 2024

Coppélia · Festival Ballet Theatre

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