CIRQUE NUTCRACKER
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Stuart Chafetz
Stuart Chafetz is the Principal Pops Conductor of the Columbus Symphony and Principal Pops Conductor of the Chautauqua and Marin Symphonies . Chafetz , a conductor celebrated for his dynamic and engaging podium presence , is increasingly in demand with orchestras across the continent , and this season Chafetz will be on the podium in Seattle , Naples , Milwaukee , Buffalo , and North Carolina . He enjoys a special relationship with The Phoenix Symphony where he leads multiple programs annually .
He previously held posts as resident conductor of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and associate conductor of the Louisville Orchestra . As principal timpanist of the Honolulu Symphony for 20 years , Chafetz would also conduct the annual Nutcracker performances with Ballet Hawaii and principals from the American Ballet Theatre . It was during that time that Chafetz led numerous concerts with the Maui Symphony and Pops . He ’ s led numerous Spring Ballet performances at the world-renowned Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University .
Chafetz makes his home near San Francisco , CA , with his wife Ann Krinitsky . Chafetz holds a bachelor ’ s degree in music performance from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati and a master ’ s from the Eastman School of Music .
Troupe Vertigo
Fusing together elements of cirque acrobatics , classical dance and contemporary theater , Troupe Vertigo brings audiences on a spellbinding journey through the world of artistic movement . Consisting of world-class aerial artists , contortionists , and ballet dancers , the Los Angeles based company was founded in 2009 by Artistic Director Aloysia Gavre , formerly of the internationally renowned Cirque du Soleil , and Technical Director Rex Camphuis , whose background is with the fabled Pickle Family Circus . Troupe Vertigo , whose “ dizzying acts defy gravity and leave its lucky audiences in awe ” ( Los Angeles Times ) has performed with major orchestras across North America .
Troupe Vertigo ’ s 2022 – 23 season includes performances at Grant Park Music Festival , Baltimore Symphony , North Carolina Symphony , Rochester Philharmonic , Springfield Symphony , Pensacola Symphony , Naples Philharmonic , Nashville Symphony , and Erie Philharmonic in the U . S . and Kitchener- Waterloo Symphony and Regina Symphony in Canada . Notable conductors that Troupe Vertigo has performed with include Jack Everly , Jeff Tyzik , Enrico Lopez-Yañez , Stuart Chafetz , Michelle Merrill , Sarah Hicks , Daniel Meyer , Nicholas Hersh , and Norman Huynh . Troupe Vertigo ’ s recent seasons have brought them to the Detroit Symphony , Dallas Symphony , Pittsburgh Symphony , San Diego Symphony , Oregon Symphony , Indianapolis Symphony , Tucson Symphony , Utah Symphony , Seattle Symphony , Phoenix Symphony , Fort Worth Symphony , and Vancouver Symphony and the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Canada . The company is known for their collaborative custom thematic programs with symphony orchestras from Cirque Goes to Broadway , Cirque Goes to Hollywood , Cirque Dances featuring The Firebird to complete cirque- ballet presentation of The Nutcracker , Swan Lake , and Cinderella .
Their unique perspective on the circus arts have led to a variety of speaking engagements including with The Center Theater Group Los Angeles , Directors Lab West , TEDx Talk , and The Chicago Contemporary Circus Festival . They have also been featured in publications for the cover story of Dance Teacher Magazine { August 2016 } and in the book Ordinary Acrobat .
The ensemble premiered its first offering , Big Top for a New Generation , in 2010 at the Ford Amphitheater and has gone on to present Nighthawks : A Film Noir Circus , inspired by American jazz , Edward Hopper paintings , and crime novels . In 2016 , they brought Tableaux , featuring five women grappling with the constrictions of society , to life at the Bootleg Theater in Los Angeles . Husband and wife team , Aloysia and Rex , frequently bring their gifts and knowledge to the film and television
Stuart Chafetz
Troupe Vertigo
industry , most notably with Rebel Wilson ’ s aerial performance in Pitch Perfect 2 and with Reese Witherspoon and Christoph Waltz in the film Water for Elephants .
Troupe Vertigo ’ s facility is also home to Cirque School Los Angeles , which inspires an appreciation for the circus arts for “ Anybody with Any Body .” Cirque School uses training , performance , and community outreach to foster passion for the circus arts in a supportive , non-competitive environment . Encompassing over 50 weekly classes to the public , student performances , team building workshops , pre-professional intensives and television and film projects , Cirque School thrives as the premiere cirque training program in Los Angeles .
NOV-DEC 2023 / OVERTURE 35