Executive Producer, Director, & Choreographer:
AJ Garcia-Rameau
Ventana Ballet Performers & Creative Collaborators:
AJ Garcia-Rameau, Navaji David Nava, Tikiri Shapiro, Veronica Boccardo, Jessica Siclari, Aidan DeWitt, Ripley Mayfield, Kirsten Kemp, Josh Martinez, Caitlin Elledge, Lillie Amdahl, Erin Ellis, Kayla Hoover
Lighting Design:
Liam Adriel
Team:
Priscilla Perales (Stage Manager & A/V Technician), Justin Thurman (Food & Beverage Manager), Ismail Ibrahim (Crew), Erin Brown (Bartender)
WELCOME,
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS!
Upon us is a strange and amazing day that comes ONLY ONCE every four years.
For the rest of the time, this EXTRA DAY does not exist, for today is an ephemeral ghost.
This day marks a "leap" in time, when the calendar is adjusted to make up for extra seconds accumulated over the last three years due to the earth’s rotation.
It’s a day of temporal tune up!
But! This day holds another secret—it’s a truly rare moment of delightful transience.
It’s a moment’s time that only exists on the razor edge of things, along a buzzing plane of quantum probability…
It’s an EXTRA DAY of unlocked potential.
Will you or won't you? Should you or shouldn't you?
Do something daring.
Do something extraordinary.
Do something shocking.
Do something spontaneous.
Be unlike yourself.
Imagine this:
What would happen if we were all brave enough to believe in our own ability, to be a little more ambitious? I think the world would change.
Distinguished guests, it is our distinct honor to welcome you to the whimsical realm of the leapfrogs.
Quirky and mischievous, we curious creatures only invite guests under our circusy big top to peek into our realm once every four years… on Leap Day!
Please join us for a glittering and wild ride that we promise will be no short of exhilarating as you ponder the answer to the question…
What will YOU do with your extra day?
ABOUT LEAP!
Quirky and mischievous, these curious creatures only invite guests under their circusy big top to peek into their realm once every four years on Leap Day. The zany cast of misfits celebrates eccentricity and friendship in this cabaret-meets-Mad-Hatter-tea-party extravaganza. In 2020, Michael Barnes of the Statesman called LEAP! "exhilarating." Join the leapfrogs of Ventana Ballet for a glittering and wild ride, as they provoke you with the question: what will you do with your extra day?
It’s a full-on leap year celebration, sharing stories and traditions unique to the occurrence. The performances take place at First Street Studio, an East Austin performing-arts-workspace-turned-white-box-theater and home to Ventana Ballet and several other local professional dance companies. Guests are invited and encouraged to arrive when the doors open 30 minutes before each showtime. The pre-show reception encourages guests to indulge in complimentary refreshments. Inside the main studio, guest seating is provided surrounding the performance area where Ventana Ballet will perform. There will be two shows per night, and the show run time is approx. 1 hour.
MEET THE ARTISTS
AJ Garcia-Rameau
DIRECTOR & FOUNDER OF VENTANA BALLET
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, DIRECTOR, CHOREOGRAPHER OF LEAP!
AJ Garcia-Rameau is a professional dancer, director of Ventana Ballet, partner of First Street Studio, and semiconductor engineer in Austin, Texas. AJ is the founder and director of Ventana Ballet, a professional contemporary ballet dance company based in Austin, TX whose mission is to bring more performance opportunities to local artists and to provide accessible performance opportunities to the community. AJ is also a partner owner of First Street Studio, an accessible performance, rehearsal, and education venue that is home to more than 75 Austin-based performing arts companies and individual professional artists. AJ’s formal training is in classical and contemporary ballet and modern dance. AJ was born in Houston, TX where she received her training at the Houston Academy of Dance and performed with the Exclamation Dance Company. AJ earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering and Minor in Dance from the University of Texas while training at the Austin School of Classical Ballet and performing as a company member of BHumn Dance Company and the Austin Classical Ballet. AJDances.com
Navaji David Nava
RESIDENT CHOREOGRAPHER OF VENTANA BALLET
Navaji David Nava is a founding member of Ventana Ballet, performing in his 6th year working with Ventana Ballet. As a multifaceted artist from the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas, Navaji's journey as an artist began in 2008 as a professional ballet dancer with the Sarasota Ballet Company, representing the USA at the Rudolph Nureyev International Ballet Competition in Budapest, Hungary. Navaji's dance career is a mosaic of diverse performances and leading roles, enriched by training under esteemed figures such as Gilbert Mayer of the Paris Opera Ballet, Margaret Barbieri of the The Royal Ballet, Dominic Walsh, and Desmond Richardson of Complexions. His repertoire spans works by renowned choreographers, and he is particularly celebrated for his leading performances in pieces such as Matthew Bourne’s ‘Boutique’ and George Balanchine’s ‘Divertimento No. 15’. Now living in Austin Navaji pursued a degree in Education and Art from the University of Texas at Austin, 2021 graduate, founded his profession as a visual artist, works as a full-time arts educator with Austin ISD, and most recently published "A Soul's Life", "a multi-media art work of reassurance and inspiration to the youngest of children and to poetry and art lovers of all generations." In 2023 Navaji became a resident choreographer with Ventana Ballet, his most recent evening-length work, KOMOREBI, was a sold out success that showcased Navaji's multifaceted talents as a producer, set-builder, costume designer, and choreographer. navaji.com.
Tikiri Shapiro
GUEST CHOREOGRAPHER OF VENTANA BALLET
Tikiri Shapiro hails from Knoxville, TN, and earned a BFA in dance from George Mason University. After graduating, she performed in Seattle with projects at Velocity Dance Center. Next, she headed to the East Coast to pursue her love for teaching as she opened Lighthouse Dance & Yoga, a studio in Selbyville, DE. During that time, choreography took flight and she founded Sea Legs Dance, a contemporary dance ensemble. She led the group on an international tour to Sri Lanka as well as performed closer to home in Delaware, Maryland, and NYC. She then landed in Austin, TX finding a home in the vibrant and welcoming dance community. Today, Tikiri contributes to Austin's dance scene by teaching and choreographing through Sea Legs Dance, managing the dance resource website austindancehub.com, and performing with Ventana Ballet and Red Nightfall Dance Theatre.
Veronica Boccardo
Veronica Boccardo graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a B.F.A. in Dance Studies with a Certification in Dance Education through the UTeach Dance Program. She has performed choreography by Alvin Rangel, Shen Jun, Charles Anderson, Andrea Beckham, and Mark Morris to name a few. She has attended and trained at summer intensive programs such as Joffrey Ballet, Mark Morris Dance Group, Ballet West, and American Ballet Theatre. Furthermore, Veronica has competed in the Youth American Grand Prix and has professionally performed nutcracker roles like Arabian, Snowflakes, Waltz of the Flowers, and Marzipan. As an educator, she is presently the dance director at Grisham Middle School - a world IB school where she continues to expand her dance curriculum. Currently, she frequently performs works with Ventana Ballet and Metamorphosis dance ensemble.
Jessica Siclari
Jessica Siclari was born in Florida where she received her BFA in Dance from the University of South Florida. She moved to New York City where she performed and travelled with several dance companies. In 2018, Jessica moved to Austin where she began Alt Project, a dance theater company with collaborator Laura Mobley. Today, Jessica is a personal trainer, dance teacher, and freelance performer!
Aidan DeWitt
Aidan DeWitt moved to Austin three years ago after finishing his degree in Dance and Musical Theatre. He is so grateful to have found a home with Ventana Ballet where dance brings the community together in an intimate, meaningful celebration of artistry. Enjoy the show, tap into something larger than yourself.
Ripley Mayfield
Ripley Mayfield started dancing at the age of three and never stopped! She grew up in Dallas, where she trained formally at the Ballet Academy of Texas until moving to Maine to attend Bowdoin College. Now back in her home state, she is honored to get the opportunity to perform with Ventana Ballet and share the joy of this beautiful art with her community.
Kirsten Kemp
Kirsten Kemp is a proud native Texan and classical ballet dancer, formerly having danced professionally with Oklahoma City Ballet after graduating from The University of Utah and training in the top levels of the Houston Ballet Academy. In addition to performing professionally, Kirsten is a mindset coach for dancers, international speaker, and founder of The Confident Dancer, specializing in helping high-level dancers overcome common mental challenges that many high-performers face so they can experience optimal performance and mental health. She is thrilled to join Ventana Ballet again in sharing this beautiful performance with the community!
Josh Martinez
Josh Martinez grew up in San Antonio, Texas where he found and fell in love with the art of ballet. After Attending UT Austin he has been incredibly excited to continue sharing his love of dance with Ventana Ballet.
Caitlin Elledge
Caitlin Elledge is a professional dancer, choreographer, visual artist, and dance educator from Hattiesburg, MS. In 2015, Caitlin moved to Nashville, TN to train in Nashville Ballet’s Professional Training Division, later earning a spot in the Second Company. After their time at Nashville Ballet, Caitlin joined Blue Moves Modern Dance, then founded and directed their own 501(c)(3) nonprofit company, X-Contemporary Dance, where they had 3 successful seasons before moving to Austin. Caitlin is now faculty at Central Texas Youth Ballet, and has choreographed and performed works for the 5x7 Dance Fest, Earth Night, and First Street Studio’s Barefoot Ball.
Lillie Amdahl
Internationally trained in ballet, modern, and contemporary, Lillie Amdahl has found a temporary home in Austin. She would miss sleep for a bowl of pasta and when not training she can be found country dancing.
Erin Ellis
Erin Ellis, an emerging dance artist from Austin, TX, blends inventive movement and theatrical storytelling with a process-based approach. She has performed works by renowned choreographers like Brian Brooks, Chelsea Ainsworth, and Jessica Smith of Duel Rivet, as well as toured with Francisco Graciano's solo piece "The Spinner" at various festivals. With an MFA in Dance from Sam Houston State University, Erin is deeply engaged in performing, choreographing, and teaching within the vibrant dance scene of Austin, TX.
PC: Francisco Graciano
Kayla Hoover
Kayla Hoover fell in love with dance early on, and has continued to find a way to incorporate it into her life ever since. When she's not attending ballet class or practicing yoga herself, you can find her teaching these movement expressions or drinking coffee somewhere outside. This is Kayla's debut performance with Ventana Ballet, and she is thrilled to be a part of such a talented cast!.
Liam Adriel
Liam Adriel is a Lighting Designer, Audio Engineer and AV Technician that lives and works in Austin, Texas. He holds a B.A. in Theater and Dance and a B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Texas at Austin. He has been performing and working in theater since a young age, and has done everything from acting to carpentry, directing, and more. Liam works mainly as a Lighting Designer and an Audio Engineer in the Austin area, and has helped set up, design, and operate lighting, audio, and video for the Austin Symphony, Austin Classical Guitar, local independent opera, Butler School of Music, large conventions, and Broadway tours. Liam particularly enjoys designing for dance and theatrical performance, and plans to continue to design and create in these fields.
MUSIC CREDITS
Strauss, Also Sprach Zarathustra
Elfman, Soaring Suite (from Dumbo)
Delibes, Pizzicato (from Sylvia)
Khachaturian, Sabre Dance (from Gayane)
The Birthday Song
Bach, VI. Gigue (from Bach Cello Suites, D Major Suite)
Dr. Dre, Forgot about Dre
Bizet, Habanera (from Carmen)
Mendelssohn, Wedding March
Rossini, William Tell Overture
Saint-Saens, Le Cygne (from Carnival of the Animals)
Saint-Saens, VII. Aquarium (from Carnival of the Animals)
Piper, Painted Daughter
Mozart, Alla Turca from Sonata No. 11 in A major
Desplat, Zigman, Your Friend (from Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium)
Barbatuques, Baião Destemperado
Dr. Dre, Still D.R.E.
Nickodemus, Cleopatra in New York
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration
Reese Witherspoon, Glamour's 2015 Women of the Year Awards Speech
Dr. Charles F. Glassman, CoachMD Quote
THANK YOU, VENTANA BALLET SPONSORS
VENTANA BALLET SEASON SPONSOR
Tito’s Handmade Vodka
VENTANA BALLET FISCAL SPONSOR
The Austin Creative Alliance
IN-KIND SPONSORS
Austin Eastciders (Cider Sponsorship)
Rene Amdahl (Wine Sponsorship)
SPECIAL SHOUT OUTS
THANKS TO OUR CREW & BARTENDERS!
Thank you Priscilla, Ish, Justin, and Erin! You create the space for us to focus on the art. Thanks for your hospitality to our guests!
THANKS TO OUR LIGHTING DESIGNER!
Thank you, Liam Adriel! Your expertise and creativity knows no bounds.
THANKS TO First Street Studio and East Side Performing Arts!
Thank you, for the space to create, perform, and invite!
THANKS TO OUR FROG COSTUME DESIGNER!
Thank you, Tikiri Shapiro, for creating the frog costumes and all other sewing last-minute needs!
THANKS TO OUR SET CONTRIBUTORS!
Thank you, Tikiri, Erin, Caitlin, Robert for the quirky set pieces!
THANKS TO OUR COSTUME CONTRIBUTORS!
Thank you, Tikiri, Navi, Cheri, John, Briana, Christian, Erica, Mel, Micaela, Chelsea, Mink, Amil, Lucia, Jessica, Genny, Bonnie, Viola, Katrina, Michelle
SUPPORT VENTANA BALLET
Ventana Ballet’s mission is to create fair-pay opportunities for performing artists and keep guest’s ticket prices as low as we can.
In order to do that, we rely heavily upon the support of our community. If you’re able, please consider a donation.
For credit card donations, please click the PayPal button below. Also, we accept Venmo!
Ventana Ballet is grateful to you and all of our supporters!
Save the Date!
KALEIDOSCOPE
May 22-25, 2024
Presented by Ventana Ballet & Austin Camerata
KMFA Draylen Mason Music Studio
KALEIDOSCOPE, an annual collaboration with Austin Camerata that highlights contemporary and living voices in musical composition and dance choreography. Every year is a different show!
There’s no one image of "contemporary" work now—it’s constantly changing, like a kaleidoscope! There are all different viewpoints and perspectives that make contemporary music and dance what it is today. KALEIDOSCOPE is a celebration of that.
This year, we will feature 2 new works by Ventana Ballet Director AJ Garcia-Rameau, 1 new work from Ventana Ballet Resident Choreographer, Navaji David Nava, and 2 new works from KALEIDOSCOPE Guest Choreographers, Tikiri Shapiro (Artistic Director of Sea Legs Dance) and Ty Graynor (Artistic Director of TY&CO).
ABOUT VENTANA BALLET
Ventana Ballet is a professional dance company based in Austin, TX, specializing in contemporary ballet dance performance. The word ventana, meaning window, embodies the company’s organizational mission and vision, seeking to provide artistically relevant, technically proficient, and publicly accessible dance performance and education opportunities to the community. Ventana Ballet’s mission is to inspire, entertain and educate audiences through disciplined and innovative approaches to presenting next-generation choreographic works.