Josiah Gundersen 2nd season with Ballet 314 Josiah Gundersen began his dance training at Studio West Dance Academy in Olympia, Washington when he was 15, though he's been dancing his entire life. In 2015 he relocated to St. Louis to attend Webster University where he graduated with a BFA in Modern Dance (2019). Since graduating, Josiah became a founding member of Resilience Dance Company and has collaborated extensively with independent choreographers Emily Duggins and Jacob Henss. Josiah is an active choreographer, most recently creating a work for Webster University which was chosen to be performed at the ACDA Gala. He is also a contributing dance writer for St. Louis Dance HQ. When he is not dancing, you can find Josiah exploring different neighborhoods of St. Louis and giving walking history tours for the Missouri History Museum. Return

NUTCRACKER COMMUNITY CAST Dance alongside Ballet 314’s professional dancers in “The Nutcracker & The World’s Fair”. Auditions are open to youth and adult dancers with any dance experience. There’s a role for everyone! Experience this incredible opportunity to perform this re-imagined holiday classic. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS CONTACT US What makes this Nutcracker different? "The Nutcracker & the World’s Fair" is an original Ballet 314 production! You will join Clara and her sisters on an adventure through the unique sights, sounds, and sweets of the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. What is the cost to audition? Open audition fees are $20 You can pay this fee online or bring cash/check made payable to Ballet 314. When is the performance and where? December 11-13, 2026 | Edison Theatre When do the students rehearse? All rehearsals will take place on Sunday afternoons and begin in September 6th, 2026 They will take place in two locations: Central Studio in the Central West End with Mr. Robert and Ms. Marcela or at Devine Performing Arts in Wildwood with Mrs. Rachel and Ms. Ashley Parents/Dancers can pick their preferred location during registration. Please be aware that different roles rehearse in different locations. What is the cost to participate in this Nutcracker? Youth and adult cast have a $225 participation fee. Families with two or more participants will receive a discount of 15% off the final total. What is included in this fee? $225 participation fee for Youth and Adult Cast Members Includes: 10 Weeks of Coaching: Receive personalized coaching from our expert directors and rehearsal assistants, designed to elevate your performance skills. Costumes* : All performers' costumes will be provided and tailored to fit by our wardrobe team. *Does not include performance undergarments and required shoes.* Exclusive Class with the Company: Participants 18+ are invited to take ballet class alongside Ballet 314's professional dancers during dress rehearsals and performances. Participants under the age of 18+ will take class from a Ballet 314 company member. Youth Performance Mentorship Workshop: Young performers will benefit from an intimate workshop experience with Ballet 314's own professional company members regarding backstage etiquette, stage makeup and hair, etc. Cast T-Shirt: Cast members can look forward to getting their t-shirts signed by fellow performers and members of the professional company! Individual Professional Photograph in Costume: All participants will have a professional photo taken in costume to encapsulate their Nutcracker experience. Performance Streaming Link*: Unlimited access to video streams of both casts following the Nutcracker performance. Relieve the magic anytime you wish with this exclusive benefit! *Video links will be sold at $35/cast following the production. Do you have scholarships? Yes, every year we have need-based scholarships! Once you register for an audition, we will send you the application.

Robert Poe Artistic Director robert@ballet314.org Biography A native of Aiken, South Carolina, Robert Poe has enjoyed a professional dancing career since 2004. For almost 17 years, he has performed with Columbia City Ballet, Cedar Lake II, Nashville Ballet, and the Nashville Opera before coming to St. Louis to dance with Missouri Ballet Theatre. In 2011, he became a founding member of The Big Muddy Dance Company and spent 9 seasons rehearsing, performing and choreographing with the company before leaving to flourish his own non-profit dance organization, Ballet 314. Since coming to St. Louis, Robert has also appeared with local organizations like the St. Louis Ballet and performed for two summers with the Opera Theatre of St. Louis, where he was part of the original cast of the world premiere opera, "Fire Shut Up In My Bones". He has taught for numerous dance studios and Universities across St. Louis and Illinois as well as throughout the South East and his choreography has been seen on several dance companies throughout the years; Nashville Ballet, Nashville Ballet II, Missouri Ballet Theatre, The Big Muddy Dance Company, La Voute, Leverage, Missouri Baptist University and most recently he has created a collaborative, dance centric work on La Voute inspired by "The 63106 Project" in partnership with Before Ferguson, Beyond Ferguson. In February of 2019, Robert co founded Ballet 314, St. Louis' newest ballet company, and serves as Co-Artistic Director with Rachel Bodi. Through this company, he has co-published a children's book, "The Nutcracker and the 1904 World's Fair", based off of the ballet he co-created and premiered in December of 2019, spearheaded a community initiative entitled Project Change which encompassed the premiere of his first full length ballet entitled "Ragtime, the American Experience" in July 2021. Ballet 314's mission is to celebrate local talent in the community and to start showcasing diversity and equity in the classical dance arts. Back to Leardership

Ashley Stettes Founding Company Member Ashley Stettes is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Southeast Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a Minor in Fine Arts Entrepreneurship. Born and raised in St. Louis, Ashley returned to the area after college and is excited to be in her sixth season with Ballet 314! Aside from dancing with Ballet 314, Ashley also serves as a Rehearsal Assistant for Ballet 314's nutcracker community cast, an Adjunct Professor of Dance at Missouri Baptist University, and the Assistant Director of Devine Performing Arts. She has also formerly performed with Common Thread Contemporary Ballet (2018) and Leverage Dance Theater (2018-2019). Ashley is thrilled to be able to share her passion for dance with so many throughout the St. Louis region. Return

Learn More About Our Upcoming 2025/2026 Season Performances. October 17, 2026 | Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center Lee Theatre Fall Fête Featuring an expanded version of Rachel Bodi’s classical work “Astra Planeta,” set to The Planets by Gustav Holt. And brand new works by Resident Choreographers, Robert Poe and Marcela Gómez Lugo. VIP ticket holders will have exclusive access to preshow cocktail hour, open bar, appetizers, raffles and a post-show afterparty with the company. Single Tickets On Sale In 2026 December 11-13, 2026 | Edison Theatre The Nutcracker & The World's Fair Experience everyone’s favorite holiday classic, reimagined to take place right here, at the St. Louis 1904 World’s Fair! Community performers from across the Gateway City join Ballet 314’s professional company in this narrated story ballet, set to the familiar Tchaikovsky score. Single Tickets On Sale In 2026 June 4-5, 2027 Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center Anheuser-Busch Performance Hall Midsummer A world-premiere reimagining of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, featuring Ballet 314 professional dancers and local community cast. Single Tickets On Sale In 2026 SEASON SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscribe for Exclusive Savings, Premium Seating and VIP Experiences. Renew your subscription or become a new Season Subscriber and revive your dance experience with Ballet 314's performances. SUBSCRIPTIONS NOW ON SALE WHY SUBSCRIBE? Discounted Tickets Plus, enjoy 0 ticketing fees, f ree exchanges and 10% off additional tickets! Priority Seating Guaranteed best seats at every performance. Includes 1-1 patron services. Exclusive Invites Fall Fête Cocktail Hour & After-Party Nutcracker Reception or Clara's Picnic 314 Day Open Rehearsal Midsummer Reception or Fairy Tea Party and more! TYPES OF SUBSCRIPTIONS Full Season Subscription Reserve your seats for every Ballet 314 Mainstage Performance! Includes: Fall Fête (Live Performance, Pre-Show Cocktail Hour, VIP Table Seating with Appetizers/Open Bar and After-Party) The Nutcracker & The World's Fair (Live Performance & Post-Show Reception) Midsummer (Live Performance & Post-Show Reception) Story Ballet Subscription Perfect for families! Includes: The Nutcracker & The World's Fair (Live Matinee Performance) Clara's Picnic Event (Post-Show Experience complete with character meet greets and delightful sweets and treats) Midsummer (Live Matinee Performance) Fairy Tea Party (Post-Show Experience complete with character meet greets and delightful sweets and treats)

Marcela Gómez Lugo 5th season with Ballet 314 Marcela Gómez Lugo, born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is a dancer, choreographer, educator, and arts administrator based in St. Louis, Missouri. She began her pre-professional ballet training at age fourteen at Andanza School of Dance, studying under the Cuban Methodology. She furthered her training through summer intensives with American Ballet Theatre, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Bossov Ballet Theatre, Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico, Ballet Teatro de Puerto Rico, and Ballets de San Juan. Marcela is a 2019 graduate of Mercyhurst University, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance with minors in Dance Pedagogy and Psychology. She began her professional career as a trainee with The Big Muddy Dance Company in 2019 and is currently a Resident Artist and Executive Assistant with Ballet 314. In addition to performing, Marcela is a frequent guest choreographer for Ballet 314, creating original works that span community-centered children’s ballets-such as Chocolat-to contemporary ballet repertoire. Her choreographic voice reflects a commitment to dynamic storytelling. Marcela also teaches at Central Studio and Belleville School of Ballet. Her passion for performance, education, and writing has led her to design dance curricula and serve as an educational consultant for studios. Through her work onstage, in the studio, and behind the scenes, Marcela strives to be an accessible and welcoming guide to the world of ballet. Return

Nicolette Kolesnikova 3rd season with Ballet 314 Nicolette Kolesnikova was born in St. Petersburg, Russia and was raised in New Orleans, LA. She began studying dance at the age of two and then attended the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) training in Ballet, Modern, Jazz and Tap. In addition to NOCCA, she trained with Gregory and Margorie Hardwick Shramel at Shramel Conservatory of Dance and her mother’s studio where she was a competitive, award winning dancer. She attended Joffrey New York (2012), Atlanta Ballet (2013, 2014) and Milwaukee Ballet (2015) summer intensives on scholarships while in high school. In her junior year in high school she was a member of Gulf Coast Theatre on Tap before she concentrated solely on ballet. After high school graduation, she accepted a position in The Tallahassee Ballet, where she danced in the Nutcracker, Kingdom of Shades from La Bayadere, and Chaos by Christopher Huggins. In 2016 she joined NWA Ballet Theatre in Bentonville, Arkansas where she spent two seasons dancing multiple roles in the Nutcracker and Carnival of the Animal. She joined The Springfield Ballet Company in 2022 as a company artist under the direction of Adam Sage where she performed The Little Mermaid and The Nutcracker. Return

MAIN STAGE REPERTOIRE Presented Annually in October Fall Fête Annual fundraiser that highlights Ballet 314’s professional company through contemporary ballet choreography and storytelling – all with an autumn twist. Read Review Stream Presented annually in December The Nutcracker & The World's Fair Ballet 314 unites St. Louis’ favorite historical event with the treasured holiday classic in this narrated, unique re-telling of "The Nutcracker". Enjoy the classical Tchaikovsky score with a reimagined storyline and characters. Read Review View Trailer Stream Presented on May 30 & 31, 2025 Skip Viragh Center for the Arts The Accused Experience the world premiere of The Accused. This harrowing ballet unveils the gripping story of Tituba, the first woman accused in the Salem Witch Trials. Inspired by "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller and "I, Tituba" by Maryse Condé. Read Review Stream Presented on May 14, 2023 Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center Ragtime A unique re-telling of E.L Doctorow’s epic American novel. Three families from different racial and cultural backgrounds navigate the social change during the turn of the century in New York. Read Review Stream

NUTCRACKER COMMUNITY CAST Dance alongside Ballet 314’s professional dancers in “The Nutcracker & The World’s Fair”. Auditions are open to youth and adult dancers with any dance experience. There’s a role for everyone! Experience this incredible opportunity to perform this re-imagined holiday classic. LINKS FOR COMMUNITY CAST VIEW REHEARSAL SCHEDULE CLICK TO PAY CAST FEES VIEW COSTUME GUIDE SIGN LIABILITY WAIVER INFORMATIONAL CAST PACKET FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS CONTACT US What makes this Nutcracker different? "The Nutcracker & the World’s Fair" is an original Ballet 314 production! You will join Clara and her sisters on an adventure through the unique sights, sounds, and sweets of the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. What is the cost to audition? Open audition fees are $20 You can pay this fee online or bring cash/check made payable to Ballet 314. When is the performance and where? December 12-14, 2025 | Edison Theatre When do the students rehearse? All rehearsals will take place on Sunday afternoons and begin in September 7th, 2025 They will take place in two locations: Central Studio in the Central West End with Mr. Robert and Ms. Marcela or at Devine Performing Arts in Wildwood with Mrs. Rachel and Ms. Ashley Parents/Dancers can pick their preferred location during registration. Please be aware that different roles rehearse in different locations. What is the cost to participate in this Nutcracker? Youth and adult cast have a $225 participation fee. Families with two or more participants will receive a discount of 15% off the final total. What is included in this fee? $225 participation fee for Youth and Adult Cast Members Includes: 10 Weeks of Coaching: Receive personalized coaching from our expert directors and rehearsal assistants, designed to elevate your performance skills. Costumes* : All performers' costumes will be provided and tailored to fit by our wardrobe team. *Does not include performance undergarments and required shoes.* Exclusive Class with the Company: Participants 18+ are invited to take ballet class alongside Ballet 314's professional dancers during dress rehearsals and performances. Participants under the age of 18+ will take class from a Ballet 314 company member. Youth Performance Mentorship Workshop: Young performers will benefit from an intimate workshop experience with Ballet 314's own professional company members regarding backstage etiquette, stage makeup and hair, etc. Cast T-Shirt: Cast members can look forward to getting their t-shirts signed by fellow performers and members of the professional company! Individual Professional Photograph in Costume: All participants will have a professional photo taken in costume to encapsulate their Nutcracker experience. Performance Streaming Link*: Unlimited access to video streams of both casts following the Nutcracker performance. Relieve the magic anytime you wish with this exclusive benefit! *Video links will be sold at $35/cast following the production. Do you have scholarships? Yes, every year we have need-based scholarships! Once you register for an audition, we will send you the application.

Welcome to Ballet 314's Portal Open Class Company

OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT Ballet 314 Boutique OPEN DURING PERFORMANCES Volunteer Sign up Follow Our Social Media Become A Donor Donate Questions? Email us at support@ballet314.org

Meet Ballet 314's Dancers MEET OUR DANCERS Resident Artists Rachel Bodi (she/her) Read Bio Marcela Gómez Lugo (she/her) Read Bio Nicolette Kolesnikova (she/her) Read Bio Bella Schmitt (she/her) Read Bio Bianca Wajack (she/her) Read Bio Rachel Colombe (she/her) Read Bio Abbie Hinrichs (she/her) Read Bio Abigail Kresno (she/her) Read Bio Robert Poe (he/him) Read Bio Kendall Dietrich (she/her) Read Bio Wren Hood (she/her) Read Bio Emily Low (she/her) Read Bio Ashley Stettes (she/her) Read Bio Collaborating Artists Megan Buckley (she/her) Read Bio Jamila Scales (she/her) Read Bio Eugenia Jones (she/her) Read Bio Laura Roth (she/her) Read Bio Guest Artists Josiah Gundersen (he/him) Read Bio Aubrey Vaughan (she/her) Read Bio Nathan Krueger (he/him) Read Bio Thomas Proctor (he/him) Read Bio Samuel Lawson (he/him) Read Bio