The Nutcracker Program
Tonight, we invite you to the Stahlbaum’s house, where the family is busily preparing for their annual Christmas Eve Party. This year, Clara is feeling nostalgic. She has received a nutcracker doll from her favorite Uncle Drosselmeyer every year on Christmas Eve since she was a child. Now that she is grown, this year may be the last doll she receives. Perhaps it will be the most magical.
Directed by:
Jenly Deiter & Kelsey Keller
Performed by:
Students & faculty of Iron City Circus Arts & Jason "Zero" Kirin of Pittsburgh Circus Arts Collaborative
Table of contents:
A Note from the Directors
Dear Friends,
Thank you for joining us for Pittsburgh’s very own circus Nutcracker! Growing up as dancers, we both loved the story of Clara as told through ballet. When I (Jenly) began my circus adventure in 2010, I dreamed of creating a circus version of the holiday classic, and thanks to the help of many wonderful people, we brought that vision to life! This year, the first circus Nutcracker since 2019, we’ve returned with even more acrobatics, aerial antics, and circus mischief. We hope our modernized and circus-ified version of this classic tale leaves you feeling inspired and full of Christmas joy.
Many thanks, first, to the talented aerialists, acrobats, choreographers, dancers, and jugglers who have devoted many hours and much energy to realizing this vision.
Thank you also to:
Our original costumers, Joanna Becker and Kristin McLain; our 2023 Seamstresses Shelby Szakelyhidi and Lexi Ferguson; Team tree, Janet Peters, Amrit Moore, Kellie McKillop, Lindsay Surmacz, Stephanie Marasti-Georg, Nicole Batestilli Angela Merlino, Ziggy Sheynin, and Terri Ferguson; Body witch, Lisa Papenbrock; Social media maven, Courtney Jerioski; Website & graphic design mistress, Liz Seip; Tech booth sharks, Katie Mack and Kellie McKillop; Master of Music, Jordan Kolar; and last but not least, our favorite lawyer, Brandon Keller.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays,
Jenly & Kelsey
Scenes and Music
The music is all from or inspired by the following soundtrack of Tchaikovsky’s originals: George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker – Music From the Original Soundtrack. Tchaikovsky/David Zinman – Conductor; New York City Ballet Orchestra. Released December 6, 2005, Label: Nonesuch/WBR, Copyright: 2005 Rhino Entertainment.
ACT I
Scene 1: The Stahlbaum Home
A CHRISTMAS EVE PARTY
🎊
Behind the Scenes
Choreographers:
Jenly Deiter, Kelsey Walls, Andy Hickly, Isabella Lybarger, and Janet Peters
Performers:
Kelsey Walls, Andy Hickly, Isabella Lybarger, Helenna Rivera, and Janet Peters
Music:
“Overture”
The Guests’ Arrival
Choreographers:
Jenly Deiter and Kelsey Keller with participation of the performers
Performers:
Kelsey Walls, Andy Hickly, Isabella Lybarger, Helenna Rivera, Janet Peters, Djuna Gulliver, Amrit Moore, Nikki Battestilli, Stephanie Marasti-Georg, and Lexi Ferguson
Music:
“Act I: Marie and Fritz Awake / Guests Arrive / Unveiling of the Christmas Tree”
Herr Drosselmeyer’s Arrival
Choreographer:
Performer:
Music:
“Act I: Gifts / Herr Drosselmeier’s Arrival with his Nephew / Toy Dolls / Toy Soldier”
The Gifts
The Toy Soldier and The Doll
Choreographers:
Thyo Kimberlin, Penelope Murphy, and Kelsey Keller
Performers:
Thyo Kimberlin and Penelope Murphy
Music:
“Act I: The March" and "Act I: Gifts / Herr Drosselmeier’s Arrival with his Nephew / Toy Dolls / Toy Soldier”
The Nutcracker
Choreographer:
Performer:
Music:
“Act I: Herr Drosselmeier’s Gifts: Hobby Hourse, The Nutcracker”
INTO THE NIGHT
🌙⭐️
Clara’s Dream
Choreographers:
Sarah Moslen, Emma Patarcity, Jenly Deiter, and Kelsey Keller
Performers:
Isabella Lybarger, Jason “Zero” Kirin, Sarah Moslen, Emma Patarcity, Angela Anderson, and Angela Merlino
Music:
“Act I: Marie’s Dream”
The Battle
Choreographers:
Sarah Moslen, Jenly Deiter, Shelby Shingle, Emma Patarcity, Elyse Kardos, Angela Anderson, and Angela Merlino
Performers:
Sarah Moslen, Shelby Shingle, Emma Patarcity, Elyse Kardos, Angela Anderson, and Angela Merlino
Music:
“Act I: The Battle”
Scene 2: A Pine Forest 🌳
JOURNEY TO THE NUTCRACKER KINGDOM
🧭
The Departure
Choreographer:
Jenly Deiter with participation of the performers
Performers:
Angela Merlino and Isabella Lybarger
Music:
“Act I: Nutcracker and Marie Depart for the Pine Forest”
Waltz of the Snowflakes
Choreographers:
Jenly Deiter and Kelsey Keller
Performers:
Ruthi Dede, Jenly Deiter, Kelsey Keller, Ziggy Sheynin, Meghan Strickhouser, and Memphis Szakelyhidi
Music:
“Act I: Waltz of the Snowflakes” with additions by Jordan Kolar
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
INTERMISSION
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
ACT II
Scene 1: The Nutcracker Kingdom 🏰
THE LAND OF SWEETS
🍭🍬
The Welcome
Choreographers:
Jenly Deiter, Kelsey Keller, and Kelsey Walls
Performers:
Isabella Lybarger, Kelsey Walls, Jenly Deiter, Sarah Moslen, Lena Fritsch, Memphis Szakelyhidi, Kelsey Keller, Ziggy Sheynin, Shelby Shingle, Meghan Strickhouser, Angela Merlino, Emma Patarcity, Elyse Kardos, Angela Anderson, Djuna Gulliver, Amrit Moore, and Shannon Pauley
Music:
“Clock” by Jordan Kolar and Reuel
Hot Chocolate
Choreographers:
Jenly Deiter and Sarah Moslen with participation of the performers
Performers:
Lena Fritsch and Memphis Szakelyhidi
Music:
“Act II: Hot Chocolate” re-imagined by Roscoe Wikki and TJ Harris (scheme god beats)
Coffee
Choreographers:
Kelsey Keller and Ziggy Sheynin
Performers:
Kelsey Keller and Ziggy Sheynin
Music:
“Act II: Coffee” re-imagined by Jordan Kolar
Tea
Choreographers:
Shelby Shingle and Meghan Strickhouser
Performers:
Shelby Shingle and Meghan Strickhouser
Music:
“Act II: Tea” re-imagined by Jordan Kolar
Candy Canes
Choreographers:
Angela Merlino, Emma Patarcity, and Elyse Kardos
Performers:
Angela Merlino, Emma Patarcity, and Elyse Kardos
Music:
“Act II: Candy Cane” re-imagined by Jordan Kolar
Marzipan
Choreographer:
Performer:
Music:
“Act II: Marzipan” re-imagined by Jordan Kolar
Mother Ginger & Her Bonbons
Choreographers:
Djuna Gulliver, Amrit Moore, and Shannon Pauley
Performers:
Jason “Zero” Kirin, Djuna Gulliver, Amrit Moore, and Shannon Pauley
Music:
“Act II: Mother Ginger and her Polichinelles“ re-imagined by Roscoe Wikki and TJ Harris (scheme god beats)
Sugar Plum Fairies
Choreographers:
Performers:
Music:
“Act II: Sugarplum Fairy and Cavalier Pas de Deux” re-imagined by Roscoe Wikki and TJ Harris (scheme god beats)
Apotheosis/Finale
Choreographers:
Jenly Deiter and Kelsey Keller with participation from the cast
Performers:
Act II Cast
Music:
“Act II: Waltz of the Flowers” re-imagined by Jordan Kolar
Cast and Crew
(in alphabetical order)
Angela Anderson
Rat Queen, Candy Cane Aerialist
Angela, a Pittsburgh native, has trained aerial arts with ICCA since 2013. She began dancing at a young age, and while pursuing a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh, she tried an aerial silks class and fell in love. Angela currently teaches classes and performs at events with the Iron City Aerialists. She has traveled internationally to study circus in France, Brazil, and New Zealand. Most recently, she brought aerial silks to the stage in Quantum Theater's production of IDASPE.
Nikki Battestilli
Party Guest, Sweet Attendant
Arts Marketer. RYT200 Yoga Instructor. Circus Student. Acrobatics Instructor. Goat Herder. Author Yes, This is About You. Nicole has been at ICCA for five years and is thrilled to be on the tech team for The Nutcracker. Much love to Jenly and Kelsey for building our home.
Ruthi Dede
Snowflake
Ruthi developed a love for expressive movement through rhythmic gymnastics as a young teen. She discovered circus arts as a new mother 8 years ago and wishes there were more hours in a week to perform, teach, and take circus classes outside of her other jobs as a mother of two girls, wife, and pharmacist.
Jenly Deiter
Snowflake, Sugar Plum Fairy
Jenly is an Eastern Pennsylvania native who has always been a mover. She began dancing at age three and teaching dance at age fifteen. She initially came to Pittsburgh as a college student and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh's School of Social Work in 2007. She found her passion for circus arts while attending graduate school in Philadelphia at the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts in 2009. After completing graduate school in 2012, she relocated back to Pittsburgh as a hospital social worker. She is now living the circus life full-time. In addition to teaching at ICCA, she is also the Co-Artistic Director of the performance company Iron City Aerial.
Lexi Ferguson
Party Guest, Sweet Attendant
Lexi is an artist/designer, explorer, antique collector, and lover of all things sparkly. She has been at ICCA for 4 years and currently trains in Silks, Hoop, and Trapeze. When not training at the ICCA studio, Lexi is taking burlesque dance lessons or is busy renovating her historic 1875 Victorian house in West Virginia.
Lena Fritsch
Hot Chocolate Aerialist
Lena started aerial silks during the pandemic when she was eleven. Soon after, she discovered hoop and static trapeze at Iron City Circus Arts and fell in love with them. Now, a freshman in high school, Lena spends most of her time practicing aerial or spending time with her cats.
Djuna Gulliver
Party Guest, Mother Ginger’s Bonbon
Djuna was born in Minneapolis, MN, and moved to Pittsburgh in 2009 to get her doctorate in Environmental Engineering. In 2013, she started training with Kelsey and Jenly, and in 2016 she started training to be an aerial instructor. Outside the studio, she is a research engineer and science enthusiast.
Andy Hickly
Herr Stahlbaum
Andy Hickly is a Pittsburgh-based actor, director, and stage combatant who is thrilled to be working with Iron City Circus Arts on The Nutcracker. His previous onstage credits include Pittsburgh Opera’s Il Trovatore (Fighting Supernumerary), the Pittsburgh Savoyards’ The Pirates of Penzance (Major General Stanley), Poor Yorick Players’ Romeo & Juliet (Mercutio), and Shadows & Flames Productions’ A Pirate's Tale (Jonah). Andy would like to thank his wife, friends, family, and God, through whom all things are possible.
Shannon Pauley
Mother Ginger’s Bonbon
Shannon has been performing and doing circus arts for almost 9 years. When you don’t find her working at the salon, you’ll find her cuddling with her dog and going on hikes.
Elyse Kardos
Soldier, Candy Cane Aerialist
As any bored office worker would do, Elyse passed up the gym for something a little more extreme – joining the circus! Her circus career began in 2017 under the high, post-industrial ceilings of Iron City Circus Arts. Between training and learning new circus skills, she teaches aerial lyra (hoop), silks, and static trapeze to students of all ages. A passionate artist, Elyse uses her background in theater as inspiration during aerial and flow art performances. When not in the studio, she can be spotted with silk fans, rope darts, slack lines, and (very occasionally) eating fire. She loves adventuring and being outdoors.
Kelsey Keller
Snowflake, Coffee Aerialist
Kelsey has been in the circus business for over 10 years now. She has trained and taught at studios and festivals across the country. In 2015 she was recognized as a top ten finalist in the U.S. Aerial Championships in New York City and in 2016 she was hired by Cirque du Soleil to teach and perform for their cirque experience, Club Med CREACTIVE in Punta Cana. Kelsey is also the Co-Artistic Director of Iron City Aerial, a circus arts performance troupe that calls ICCA home.
Isabella Lybarger
Clara Stahlbaum
Izzy, a junior at Bethel Park High School, has been training with Iron City Circus Arts since 2016. She had been participating in competitive dance when a move to the south hills had her seeking a new challenge. Enter ICCA, and the rest is history! Her love of performance began with gymnastics and dance at the age of three, as she always wanted to be in motion. In addition to all things circus, Izzy is a squad leader of her high school drill team and a dancer in the high school musicals. When not training or performing, she can be found re-watching her favorite movies, hanging out with her friends and family, and enjoying an iced coffee.
Thyo Kimberlin
Toy Soldier
Thyo is thrilled to kick off the holidays performing in this year’s Nutcracker. A voice major at Westinghouse Arts Academy, Thyo spends their free time making music, creating digital art, reading, and flying through the air at ICCA.
Kellie McKillop
Lighting
Kellie has been studying aerial arts at ICCA on and off since 2015. Outside of circus she spends her time hanging out under bridges as Civil Engineer and has previously had the pleasure of working with local amateur theater companies, including The Fox Chapel Follies and Stage Right (of O'Hara), as a lighting technician. She is also an avid crocheter and knitter when her cats aren't destroying her materials.
Katie Mack
Sound
Originally from a small northwestern PA town, Katie accidentally stumbled into the Aerial Arts world. In 2011, she was recruited off a film set to work in Props for Cirque Berzerk at L.A. Live Theater in Los Angeles. It wasn't until moving to Pittsburgh in 2015 that she found an aerial home at ICCA and fell in love with Silks, Sling, and Dance Trapeze classes.
Stephanie Marasti-Georg
Party Guest, Sweet Attendant
Stephanie was born and raised in southwestern PA. She took her first aerial silks class in Cleveland, OH, while finishing the requirements for her doctoral degree. She found her way to ICCA upon moving back to Pittsburgh and has been in love ever since. Stephanie trains in trapeze, hoop, sling, and pole. She received her certification in pole fitness in 2022 and teaches classes at ICCA. Outside of the studio, Stephanie is a music fan and cat lover.
Angela Merlino
The Nutcracker (Act I), Tea Aerialist
Angela was born and raised here in southwestern Pennsylvania. She took her first aerial class at ICCA in 2018 and was immediately captivated by the movement and community. She was never a dancer, performer, or gymnast, but has learned so much in these recent years about what her body can do. When she's not learning aerial arts, you'll find her enjoying life with her husband and two children. They love to spend their time camping, hiking, and traveling.
Amrit Moore
Party Guest, Mother Ginger’s Bonbon
Amrit grew up in Virginia dancing and joined the Rockbridge Ballet Company at 12. In college, she captained the dance team, the Earthquakers, and was co-clerk of the student-led dance production Dance Alloy. After college, having danced nearly her whole life, she didn't know what to do next. She stumbled upon Philadelphia School of Circus Arts. Since that fateful day in 2012, she has been on a journey of aerial and acro. When not in the air, she's laser cutting, sewing, 3d printing, hammering, or writing code with her students in the Provident Charter School Makerspace.
Sarah Moslen
Mouse, Snow Queen, Sugar Plum Fairy
Sarah began her aerial career in 2014 when an online video opened her eyes to the world of circus. She graduated from The Actors Gymnasium’s Professional Circus Training Program in 2017 with a major in Dance Trapeze and a minor in Juggling. When she returned to her ICCA family, she was welcomed into Iron City Aerial and began her teaching career. She is a jack of all trades, performing most aerial apparatuses as well as ground disciplines such as silk fans, juggling, and spirals. When Sarah is not training aerial, she can be found at her second home — the ice rink in the RMU Island Sports Center. Sarah has been a member of the Pittsburgh Figure Skate Club since 2020 and proudly competes as one of their Adult Bronze Ladies.
Penelope Murphy
Toy Doll
Penelope started doing circus arts here at ICCA when she was 7-years-old. She has done six showcases, and this will be her second Nutcracker performance. When she is not doing circus arts, she is either playing football, volleyball, or writing. Penelope is a self-published author and loves poetry and her cat, Midnight. Penelope is very excited to have the role of toy doll this year and wants to thank Kelsey, Jenly, and her family for their continued support of her love for circus!
Emma Patarcity
Mouse, Candy Cane Aerialist
Emma is a life-long lover of dance and has practiced aerial arts and acrobatics with ICCA since 2019. She began performing professionally with Iron City Aerial in 2022. Outside of her circus life, Emma is a Human-Centered Designer and Strategist who loves solving problems through creativity. When not at the studio, she spends time with her partner Stephen, their 2 cats Audrey and Mowgli, and their dog Ginny.
Janet Peters
The Stahlbaum House Staff, Sweet Attendant
Janet first discovered the joys of circus life back in 2018, and the rest is history! While hoop and trapeze have been her loves from the beginning, she can't stop herself from trying any new apparatus. She takes classes in sling and silks (with past dabbling in straps and her latest discovery, lollipop!). She has also started Teacher Training for both Tots Circus and Adult Intro to Aerial Arts, which allows her to pass along her love of circus to new students. When not up in the air, she enjoys exploring acro and other ground skills, including contact staff and fairy wing flags. If she can infuse a performance with comedy, she couldn't be happier!
Helenna Rivera
Fritz Stahlbaum
Helenna is a second grader who loves to play soccer, draw, get piggyback rides, photography, and her aerial classes. She is very dramatic (according to her family) and loves to be on stage. Earlier this year she performed in the Children's Crusade in the musical "Newsies" in her school district's High School musical.
Ziggy Sheynin
Snowflake, Coffee Aerialist
Ziggy grew up in California where she left gymnastics to join the circus, and since her first class in 2015, she has not stopped. In 2017, she joined and performed with the pre-professional youth troupe Circus Spire located in Oakland, California until 2020. After moving to Pittsburgh for school, she found and fell in love with Iron City Circus.
Shelby Shingle
Soldier, Tea Aerialist
Shelby grew up just south of Pittsburgh and currently resides in Monongahela with her husband, Jacob, and two daughters, Kira and Ember. After a conversation about "circus curtain performing" during yoga in 2013, Shelby took her first class with ICCA and quickly fell in love. She has been training and performing in circus arts since. She began her journey as a circus arts instructor in 2015 teaching multiple apparatuses, but ultimately specializing in Sling.
Meghan Strickhouser
Snowflake, Tea Aerialist
Meghan was born and raised in northeastern Ohio and has been living in Pennsylvania since 2012. In 2015 she discovered aerial through Instagram and spent 3.5 years traveling 2 hours each way to train in aerial silks, hoop, and trapeze with Jenly and Kelsey. She finally made the move to Pittsburgh in 2019 and has since begun teaching both youth and adult classes at ICCA.
Lindsay Surmacz
Party Guest
Lindsay has worked both on and offstage since she was old enough to hold a paintbrush. As a teenager, she dreamed of playing drums for Cirque du Soleil, and in 2017, she finally walked her inner clown/daredevil through the doors of Iron City Circus Arts where she has studied ever since. When she's not juggling props, she's juggling projects. In 2019, she launched The Starry Messenger, an educational outreach initiative through which she teaches young learners science and literacy through circus arts. The following year, she created Punk & Pie Circus for which she performs and creates content as a juggling percussionist. And during the day, she spins, flies, and balances her way through the world of digital marketing, writing and coordinating campaigns for clients across the country.
Memphis Szakelyhidi
Snowflake, Hot Chocolate Aerialist
Memphis Szakelyhidi started her aerial career at ICCA when she was in 6th grade and is now in her senior year. She was in the 2018 Nutcracker as a party guest, and is so excited to be a part of this cast as both a Snowflake and Hot Chocolate. Outside of aerial Memphis is also her high school's Varsity cheerleading captain, Student Council Secretary, and a member of National Honors Society.
Kelsey Walls
Frau Stahlbaum, The Nutcracker (Act II)
Born and raised in Windber, PA, Kelsey moved to Pittsburgh where she graduated from Point Park University in 2015. After graduating, she performed with several theaters in the city as a skilled actor, dancer, and actor combatant. After being cast as a jester, Kelsey began training acrobatics at Iron City Circus Arts in 2019 and found her home. In 2020, Kelsey started training aerial silks, hoop, and trapeze where she took her love of performing to the sky.
Jason “Zero” Kirin
Herr Drosselmeyer, Mother Ginger
Inscrutable, intractable, and arcane, Zero is effervescently meaningless. A juggler of 21 years, Zero plays Herr Drosselmeyer, incorporating a special twist into his long-imagined routine. Zero cohabits his earthly shell with one Jason Kirin, an educational ASL interpreter who shares in Zero’s intricacies of hand. Zero is a contact juggler, a mime and entertainer who juggles fireballs with his bare hands, and he is the Artistic Director of the Pittsburgh Circus Arts Collaborative.
Additional crew
Original costumers: Joanna Becker and Kristin McLain
2023 Seamstresses: Shelby Szakelyhidi and Lexi Ferguson
Team tree: Janet Peters, Amrit Moore, Kellie McKillop, Lindsay Surmacz, Stephanie Marasti-Georg, Nicole Batestilli Angela Merlino, Ziggy Sheynin, and Terri Ferguson
Body witch: Lisa Papenbrock
Social media maven: Courtney Jerioski
Website & graphic design mistress: Liz Seip
Tech booth sharks: Katie Mack and Kellie McKillop
Master of Music: Jordan Kolar
Favorite lawyer: Brandon Keller
Numerous showtime volunteers!
About ICCA and ICA
About Iron City Circus Arts
Iron City Circus Arts (ICCA) is a small, women-owned business in the heart of Pittsburgh’s South Side. They are a school that teaches circus arts as a movement that fosters community, artistry, fitness, and joy in anyone adventurous enough to give it a try. In the former brewhouse facility, ICCA offers classes for all ages and levels as well as student showcases and in-house productions. Their space is also available as an event venue.
Visit www.ironcitycircusarts.com or check us out on IG @ironcitycircusarts to learn more. Check out our Classes page to sign-up for a class!
About Iron City Aerialists
ICCA is also home to Iron City Aerial (ICA), a professional performance troupe based out of Pittsburgh. Under the direction of local aerial artists and Iron City Circus Arts owners Kelsey Keller and Jenly Deiter, ICA offers breathtaking performances on aerial silks, hoop, lollipop, and more for any event or venue. Contact ICA at info@ironcityaerial.com or @iron.city.aerial on IG to customize the perfect entertainment for your event and venue.
