West Point Ballet Proudly Presents

Hansel and Gretel

May 22-23, 2026

Production Acknowledgements

Owner and Artistic Director:

Juliana Vorkink Martin

Associate Director of Performances: Hannah Hurd

Music: Edvard Grieg, Johann Strauss, Kronos Quartet, Igor Stravinsky, Phillip Glass, Anatoly Lyadov, Claire Cowan

Choreography: Staged by Juliana Vorkink Martin, Hannah Hurd, and West Point Ballet Faculty

Special thanks to...

*Our incredible faculty: Juliana Vorkink Martin, Hannah Hurd, Sharlee Peay, Lisa Vorkink, Kalise Child, Faith Hortin, Addy Boll, Mercedes Stout, Meleah Paishon, Julianna Velling, Jessie Salter, April Paul, Mikayla Milligan

*Our amazing admin team: Carole Bingham, Ashley Chappell, Rocio Holker, Jenni Sperry

*All of our parents, parent volunteers, chaperones, and backstage helpers

*Guest artist: Christian Tippetts
*Lighting Designer: Riley Merrill
*Sound Engineer: Daniel Bunker

*Coordinator: Carole Bingham
*Costume Coordinator: Rocio Holker
*Seamstress: Rebecca Burton
*Stage and Production Manager: Lisa Vorkink
*Hallway Manager: GeriLynn Vorkink
*Volunteer Manager: Carolyn Nottingham
*Volunteer Coordinator: Ashley Chappell
*Floor installation: Mike Martin, Ben Chappell
*Videographer: Matt Hepworth
*Photographers: Sharlee Peay Photography, Pro Pointe Photography

*Props: Sydnye and Jason McCain, Jenni Sperry
*Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center Event Manager: Stacey Phillips
*Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center Technical Director: Ryan Smythe
*Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center staff
*ArtTix staff

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From the Artistic Director:

Dear Family, Friends, and Supporters,

Welcome to our performances of Hansel and Gretel! We are so excited to share this production with you and grateful for your support of our dancers and program.

Story ballets are always a special challenge and opportunity for our students. Beyond learning choreography and technique, our dancers have worked hard to bring these characters and this story to life through acting, artistry, and teamwork. Watching them grow not only as dancers, but also as performers and storytellers, has been incredibly rewarding. We first debuted our version of Hansel and Gretel in 2022. This year’s production has been revamped, reimagined and reinvigorated giving this story a fresh look. (And a fresh sound with lots of new music!)

Productions like this would never be possible without the dedication of so many people behind the scenes. I am deeply grateful to our outstanding faculty, volunteers, families, and guest artists for the countless hours, creativity, and energy they have poured into making this show possible. Your support means more than words can express. It is an honor and a privilege to be the face of this organization comprised of so many incredible students, parents, and professionals.

A special thank you to my Associate Director, Hannah, for her imagination, dedication, and unwavering commitment to excellence in storytelling and artistry. Thank you as well to my husband, Mike, whose support and hard work have helped West Point Ballet grow from the very beginning.

And finally, thank you to our WPB families for your trust, encouragement, and belief in this program. It is an honor to work with your children and watch them grow each season.

We are so proud of our dancers and cannot wait to share their hard work with you.

Enjoy the show!

Warmly,

Juliana Vorkink Martin
Owner & Artistic Director
West Point Ballet

Story Synopsis:

~ Act 1 ~

The story begins outside Hansel and Gretel’s home, where the children encounter three magical fairies: the Faye Fairy, Ivy Fairy, and Dusk Fairy. Nearby, the Marigolds and Blossoms dance joyfully as a beautiful Butterfly appears with the Little Butterflies. Hansel playfully tries to catch the Butterfly, but accidentally catches Gretel instead!

Father and Mother take Hansel and Gretel on a picnic, but the children greedily eat all of the family’s food. Overcome with worry about their growing financial struggles and lack of food, Mother tries to convince Father to send the children away into the forest. When he disagrees, Mother tricks him and sends the children away.

Lost and frightened, Hansel and Gretel wander through the woods where mischievous creatures, including a fox, birds, and glowing fireflies, tease and confuse them. Eventually, the Butterfly returns and helps guide them home. Gretel cleverly decides to leave a trail of breadcrumbs so they can find their way back again, but the birds quickly eat every crumb!

As night falls, Hansel and Gretel grow tired. After catching fireflies, they meet the Sandman, who casts a magical spell with the help of the Dew Fairies, sending the children into a peaceful sleep. The Sandman and the three Fairies dance as Hansel and Gretel dream beneath shimmering blue moonbeams. The Faye Fairy awakens the children and gently points them onward through the forest.

~ Act 2 ~

Hansel and Gretel soon find themselves lost once more when a swarm of bats sends them running deeper into the woods. Disoriented and afraid, they stumble upon a strange cottage belonging to a mysterious Witch.

At first, the Witch appears kind, welcoming the children with endless sweets and treats. Bakers busily work at her command, preparing magical recipes with sugars and spices, while lively Gingerbread characters delight Hansel and Gretel. But beneath the sugary charm lies danger.

As the feast continues, Gretel nearly falls victim to the Witch’s terrible plan and is almost thrown into the cauldron! Just as the Witch attempts to capture the children, the Bakers finally turn against her. Together, they destroy the Witch in the fire and free Hansel and Gretel from her grasp.

With the help of the Fairies and the Sandman, Hansel and Gretel safely escape the forest and are joyfully reunited with their Father.

CASTING

Hansel: Madi Earhart

Understudy: Isabella Williams

Gretel: Hallie Dixon

Understudy: Abby Walker

Dusk Fairy: Alyssa Bingham

Understudy: Carson McIntosh

Ivy Fairy: Andrea Holker

Understudy: Clara Mitchell

Faye Fairy: Leah Frandsen

Understudy: Andrea Holker

Marigolds: Garnet Academy: Oakley Brown, Emma Burton, Audrey Glad, Jillian Hinckley, Dilainey Hinojos, Ahna Li, Julia Michaelis, McKenzie Nielson, Kate Wadsworth, Eunika Wang

Blossoms: Ivy van Rij, Savannah Kern, Scarlett Shamy, Melody Tuitupou, Izzy Dixon

Lead Butterfly: Clara Mitchell

Understudy: Lila Gardner

Butterflies: Bella Michaelis, Tatiana Dorofeeva, Chloe Shamy, Catalina Eddings, Isla Morrissey, Macie Wasden

Mother: Kali Kirton

Understudy: Alyssa Bingham

Father: Levi Allen

Lead Bird: Heidi Davidson

Understudy: Elise Daw

Birds: Mckenzie Nielson, Eunika Wang, Oakley Brown, Dilainey Hinojos

Lead Fireflies: Lola Firpo, Liv Hanson

Fireflies: Julia Michaelis, Jillian Hinckley, Ahna Li, Kate Wadsworth, Audrey Glad, Emma Burton

Sandman: Christian Tippetts

Understudy: Levi Allen

Dew Fairies: Abby Walker, Ella Morrell, Isabella Williams

Fawns: Eden Dunn, Baylor Higgs

Lead Fox: Carson McIntosh

Understudy: Lola Firpo

Foxes: Faye Hurd, Hazel Dunn

Ivy: Rosie Shamy, Naomi Day, Amillya McCain

Moonbeams Prelude: Levi Allen, Millie Katherine Atkinson, Mahayla Chappell, Heidi Davidson, Elise Daw, Lola Firpo, Lila Gardner, Tayli Greenhalgh, Addison Hunter, Brooklyn LaMela, Carson McIntosh, Clara Mitchell, Olivia Hanson

Moonbeams: All Academy Dancers

10 Minute Intermission

Bats: Rose Academy:Naomi Day, Hallie Dixon, Eden Dunn, Madi Earhart, Baylor Higgs, Amillya McCain, Ella Morrell, Rosie Shamy, Abigail Walker, Isabella Williams

Witch: Kali Kirton

Understudy: Alyssa Bingham

Lead Baker: Elise Daw

Bakers: Brooklyn LaMela, Millie Katherine Atkinson, Tayli Greenhalgh, Addison Hunter

Spices: Jade Academy: Isabelle Dixon, Hazel Dunn, Faye Hurd, Savannah Kern, Scarlett Shamy, Melody Tuitupou, Ivy van Rij

Lead Sugars: Rose Wright, Ashtyn Snow

Sugars: Quartz Academy: Sophia Andoh, Ellie Baird, Charlie Doane, Maggie Glad, Bronte Perez, Scout Salter, Ashtyn Snow, Rose Wright, Chloe Reynolds

Ginger and Ginny: Mahayla Chappell and Lila Gardner

Gingersnaps: Sapphire and Violet Academies: Savanna Bean, Margot Roeller, Tatiana Dorofeeva, Catalina Eddings, Hattie Hurd, Rosalie Cheryl Lamping, Isabella Michaelis, Isabella Preusz, Isla Morrissey, Chloe Shamy, Kate Sperry, Brighton Sutton, Macie Wasden

PERFORMERS

Guest Performer

Christian Tippetts

Christian Tippetts is a dance artist, teacher and choreographer who was born and raised in Utah. He began formal dance training at Alta High School where he was a member of the school’s ballroom team. After graduation he pursued a BFA in dance from Utah Valley University which he completed in 2017. While at UVU, Christian was privileged to be a member of the university’s Repertory Ballet Ensemble for four seasons. His guest artist credits include work with Utah Regional Ballet, Cache Valley Civic Ballet, and SLC Ballet among others. Christian is currently a company member of Chrysalis Ballet where he has danced since 2023.

When he’s not dancing on stage, he’s probably telling jokes. His standup routine has most recently been featured at Wiseguys Comedy Club. He is beyond thrilled to be dancing in West Pointe Ballet’s production of Hansel and Gretel.