The Nutcracker

Ian J. Bethany is from Long Island, N.Y. He started dancing as a tap and jazz student at Robert Mann Dance Centre. He started ballet at the age of 12 at Tap to Pointe Dance Center. Ian then went on to train at the Frank Ohman School of Ballet, at the School of Ballet Chicago with Daniel Duell and Patricia Blair, at Ballet Academy East with Darla Hoover and Francis Patrelle, and then as a full scholarship student in the Professional Division of Pacific Northwest Ballet School with Peter Boal, Elaine Bauer, Marjorie Thompson, Bruce Wells, and Nicholas Ade. With Ballet Austin, Ian has enjoyed performing in George Balanchine’s Agon and Allegro Brillante, Nicolo Fonte’s Lasting Imprint, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Requiem for a Rose, Gabrielle Lamb’s Dovetail, Bradley Shelver’s The Last Just, Stephen Mills’ Carmina Burana, The Magic Flute, and The Nutcracker, and the Bluebird Pas de Deux in The Sleeping Beauty. Ian has performed with project-based company Performa/Dance, has sung with the Austin Opera, was seen as Dream Curly in Zilker Theatre Production’s presentation of Oklahoma!, and does numerous juggling gigs around Austin. He also teaches in the Ballet Austin Academy. Ian would like to thank Jesus Christ, his wife, Grace, and his family for the support they give him each day.

Hailing from Seattle, Paul Michael Bloodgood began his training with Don Snyder at the L'Acadamie de Danse, and then continued on full scholarship with the Pacific Northwest Ballet School, with summers under the Rock School of Pennsylvania Ballet. Now in his 19th and final professional season, Paul has performed with Pacific Northwest Ballet, Ballet Pacifica, Terpsicorps, The Suzanne Farrell Ballet, and Ballet Austin, with tour highlights to Europe, Israel, Puerto Rico, the Kennedy Center, The Joyce Theater, and most recently a 14-city tour of China. Professionally, he has had the privilege of dancing principal roles such as Hamlet in Hamlet, Romeo in Romeo & Juliet, Albrecht in Giselle, Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew, Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake, Prince Ivan in The Firebird, Prince Désiré in The Sleeping Beauty, Young Warrior in The Rite of Spring, James in La Sylphide, Franz in Coppelia, Prince Charming in Cinderella, Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Cavalier in The Nutcracker, Le Chevalier in Liaisons, as well as a principal in George Balanchine's Episodes, Allegro Brillante, and Agon, Antony Tudor's Sunflowers, and Choo-San Goh's Double Contrasts. Paul was one of two dancers to originate the role of The Beast in Stephen Mills' Belle REDUX / A Tale of Beauty & the Beast. Past repertoire includes works by Twyla Tharp, Lynne Taylor-Corbet, Marius Petipa, Peter Pucci, Nicolo Fonte, Septime Weber, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and over 50 original works including Dwight Rhoden, Kent Stowell, Anne Marie DeAngelo, Jacques Heim, Paul Vasterling, David Allan, Gina Patterson and Thaddeus Davis, among others. A 3-time Austin Critics Table Award recipient, Paul is a union member of SAG-AFTRA and AEA, appearing in film, music videos, and television; with work in director Michael Bay's Transformers, Forest Whitaker's First Daughter, Richard Linklater's Bernie, and over 25 independent films, some of which have toured the international film festival circuit. Paul holds a B.A. from SEU and holds the rank of pum dan in Tukong Moosul martial arts under Grand Master Yi (Sin City). He runs a photography and film production company, Bloodygood Pictures, with his wife and former dancer, Anne. His studio band, Floating Pockets, released an album entitled "Panacean Vacancy" available on iTunes/Amazon/Spotify/Pandora Radio among other distributors. Trenches of Rock, Paul's premier film as director, had its world premiere at the Atlanta Film Festival and has received 8 accolades throughout its current worldwide film festival circuit from London to Hollywood, including "Best Feature Documentary," "Best Director" and "Best Editor." Paul welcomed his son in September of 2015, and he would like to thank God, his wife, Anne, and his family. Instagram: bloodgood Twitter: @paulmbloodgood

Orlando Julius Canova began his ballet training in Southern California with Lawrence and Sarma Rosenberg at the Anaheim Ballet School. At age 16 he moved to New York City to train at the School of American Ballet. There, he received a full tuition merit scholarship and was sponsored by Debbie Allen. Orlando furthered his ballet training with Miami City Ballet School. In 2001, Orlando became an Arpino Apprentice with the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago and in 2003 he joined as a full company member. While at Joffrey, Orlando played the part of apprentice in Robert Altman's movie, The Company.

At Ballet Austin Orlando has danced lead roles in The Nutcracker, Cult of Color: Call to Color, Truth & Beauty: The Bach Project, Romeo & Juliet, Nine Sinatra Songs, silence within silence and The Magic Flute. He has worked with such choreographers as Stephen Mills, Twyla Tharp, KT Nelson, Dominic Walsh, Nicolo Fonte, Sonya Delwaide, Toni Bravo, Michelle Thompson, Reginald Harris, and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa. Orlando has also had the pleasure of dancing for Molly Lynch’s National Choreographers Initiative in 2012 and 2013. There he worked with Darrell Moultrie, Melissa Barak, Val Caniparoli, Frank Chavez, Kitty McNamee, and Susan McCullough. In addition, Orlando teaches dance at the Ballet Austin Academy, the Butler Center for Dance & Fitness, Saint Mary’s Hall, Austin City Ballet, and Alamo Heights High School.

Growing up in Pittsburgh, Penn., Edward received his first 12 years of ballet training at the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater School. After graduating high school, he continued his training at Canada’s National Ballet School in Toronto under the instruction of Lindsay Fischer. While there, Edward performed works by James Kudelka, Toer van Schayk, and Rudi van Dantzig. Since joining Ballet Austin, he has been featured in Twyla Tharp's Nine Sinatra Songs, Bradley Shelver’s The Last Just, Nicolo Fonte's Left Unsaid and Lasting Imprint, originated roles in Stephen Mills' Angel of My Nature, Though the Earth Gives Way, and Belle Redux / A Tale of Beauty & the Beast, and has portrayed Claudius in Mills' Hamlet and Tybalt in Mills’ Romeo & Juliet. He has appeared as Drosselmeyer in every performance of Mills’ The Nutcracker since 2009. When not dancing with Ballet Austin, Edward teaches in the Ballet Austin Academy and works with local choreographers such as Jennifer Hart. 

Born in Frankfurt, Germany, and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Constance trained until age 17 under Gigi Hyatt and Janusz Mazon. At 17, she was invited to study year-round at the School of American Ballet in New York City, where she was thrilled to complete her final years of training. She performed George Balanchine's Serenade, Western Symphony, and Valse Fantaisie during the school's Workshop performances, featured in a 2015 PBS "Live from Lincoln Center" national broadcast. She was repeatedly invited to dance in the annual New York Choreographic Institute and to participate as both dancer and choreographer in SAB's Student Choreographic Workshop. In 2015 she began her apprenticeship with Ballet Austin, and 2017 was invited to join the main company. At Ballet Austin, she has particularly enjoyed dancing the principal couple in Stephen Mill's Touch, George Balanchine's Allegro Brillante, and was honored to join the company in their month-long tour of China. She is thankful to her parents, whose love and sacrifices made her career possible, and she dances to glorify God and magnify His beauty.

Originally from Lafayette, La., Hailey began her ballet training at The Ballet Studio and later Lafayette Ballet Theatre. She has attended the summer programs of American Ballet Theatre (NYC), Houston Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Boston Ballet, The School of American Ballet (SAB) and Ballet Austin. At 15, Hailey was awarded full scholarship to study year round at SAB where she then trained for three years. While at SAB, she performed in the Student's Annual Workshop performances. She had the pleasure of performing Dance of the Little Swans in George Balanchine's Swan Lake, Danses Concertantes, The Four Temperaments and Jerome Robbins' Fanfare. She also participated in SAB's Student Choreographic Workshop and was selected to participate in lecture demonstration programs for New York public schools. Hailey joined Ballet Austin II in 2016 and was promoted to the main company in 2017. She would like to thank her parents for their continued support. 

James Fuller is from Irvine, Calif., and was trained at Ballet Pacifica Conservatory. In 2004, James received a Youth America Grand Prix scholarship to study at the Boston Ballet School, where he completed his final year of training. James apprenticed with Oregon Ballet Theatre for a year before enrolling at Harvard University. At Harvard, James performed works by choreographers such as Paul Taylor, Martha Graham, George Balanchine, and Alvin Ailey. In the summers, James studied modern dance with the Paul Taylor Dance Company, American Dance Festival, and Beijing LDTX. James directed the Harvard Ballet Company in 2009 and graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of the Arts in Philosophy, a secondary field in dramatic arts, and a language citation in Urdu-Hindi. Since joining Ballet Austin, James has performed in original works by Stephen Mills, including Luminaria and Though the Earth Gives Way, danced in Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante, performed with the National Choreographers Initiative, and choreographed for Houston City Dance.

Oliver Greene-Cramer is originally from Marlboro, Vt. He received his early training at the Brattleboro School of Dance and Burklyn Ballet Theatre. He graduated from SUNY Purchase College cum laude with a BFA in Dance - Ballet Concentration and was given the award for Outstanding Senior in Modern Dance. While at Purchase he danced works by George Balanchine, Merce Cunningham, Lar Lubovitch, Nicolo Fonte, John Heginbotham, and premiered works by Ori Flomin and Jonathan Riedel. In 2012 he was honored to join Purchase on a tour to Taipei to perform Dvorak Serenade by Lar Lubovitch. Immediately after graduation Oliver joined the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company. Since joining Ballet Austin he has performed works by Stephen Mills, Jimmy Orrante, Jennifer Hart, and Nelly van Bommel. Oliver also works with Performa/Dance, an Austin company directed by Jennifer Hart and Edward Carr.

Courtney Holland was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, and at the age of 11 began her professional training at Canada’s National Ballet School. During her time at NBS, Courtney attended various summer intensives through an exchange program that included École Supérieure de Danse Rosella Hightower in Cannes, France, San Francisco Ballet school, Houston Ballet and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. After graduating from NBS in 2010, Courtney moved to New York City to continue her training at the Dance Theatre of Harlem on full scholarship. In June 2012, she was a finalist at Valentina Kozlova International Ballet Competition. She was awarded a full scholarship to the Banff Centre’s Professional Dance Program where she appeared as a guest artist in the Arts Summer Festival performing George Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco and Christopher Wheeldon’s Souvenirs. In 2013, Courtney was invited to join Charlotte Ballet II where she performed works by George Balanchine, Dwight Rhoden, Sasha Janes, Mark Diamond and Jean- Pierre Bonnefoux. There she had the privilege to perform featured roles in The Nutcracker and the role of the Autumn Fairy in Cinderella, under the direction of Kennedy Center Honoree Patricia McBride. Courtney feels very blessed to have the love and support of her family and excited to be starting her first season with Ballet Austin.

Aara Krumpe is originally from Corpus Christi, Texas. She received her early training from Nancy Sulik and studied for three years at the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School under David Holladay. Since joining Ballet Austin, Aara has enjoyed dancing in many Stephen Mills ballets, including the title roles in Belle Redux / ATale of Beauty & The Beast, Romeo & Juliet, The Firebird, and The Taming of the Shrew, as well as Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute, Gertrude in Hamlet, Fairy Godmother in Cinderella, and The Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker. She has also danced the principal roles in the classics Swan Lake, Giselle, The Sleeping Beauty, Bournonville's La Sylphide as well as Dark Angel in Balanchine's Serenade. In 2007 and 2011, she was recognized with Outstanding Dancer awards by the Austin Critics' Table. Aara is most thankful for the opportunity to perform the role of the Survivor in Mills' Light / The Holocaust & Humanity Project. Aara and her husband, Ambrose, are the proud parents of two wonderful boys, Leo and Lucas.

Paul Martin began his ballet and dance training in West Des Moines, Iowa, under the tutelage of Hank and Beth Adams. With their guidance, Paul was able to earn scholarships to notable summer intensive programs to include the Kansas City Ballet School, Nutmeg Conservatory, San Francisco Ballet School and Ballet Austin. In 2014, Paul received a scholarship to study full time at the Kansas City Ballet School. This program enabled him to advance his training and culminated in a performance opportunity with Kansas City Ballet II. Since joining Ballet Austin II in 2015, he has been able to perform lead roles as The Judge in Nick Kepley’s Season of Innocence and The Prince in Nelly Van Bommel’s Snow White. Additionally, he has performed in Jennifer Hart’s Spaces and in Stephen Mills’ The Nutcracker and Touch. Paul has found artistic joy and growth working with Ballet Austin and looks forward to joining the main company for the 2017/18 season.

Grace Morton is from Seattle, Wash. She received her early training from Vivian Little and Mary Reardon, school directors of Dance Fremont. In 2010 she began training under the direction of Damara Bennett in Oregon Ballet Theater's professional division. She had the chance to tour to Korea and performed in company productions of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker and Nicolo Fonte's world premiere of Petrushka. As a member of Ballet Austin II, she enjoyed performing featured roles in Stephen Mills' Luminaria, Jennifer Hart's Wavemakers, and Nelly Van Bommel's Snow White. After joining the company, Grace has performed roles in classical ballets such as French in Stephen Mills' The Nutcracker, Puss 'n Boots in The Sleeping Beauty, and Four Little Swans in Swan Lake. She has also had the pleasure to appear in George Balanchine's Agon, Stephen Mills' One/the body’s grace, Gabriel Lamb's Dovetail, James Gregg's The Space Between, and Jennifer Hart's To Here. Grace has danced in project-based company Performa/Dance, and appeared in Zilker Theatre Production's presentation of Oklahoma! as Dream Laurie. She is also a teacher in the Ballet Austin Academy. 

Originally from Roseville, Calif., Kevin Murdock-Waters began his training at Hawkins School of Performing Arts. He then went on to train at the San Francisco Ballet School where he performed roles in multiple main company ballets, including John Cranko's Onegin, Rudolf Nureyev's Raymonda, Christopher Wheeldon's Cinderella and Helgi Tomasson's The Nutcracker and Romeo & Juliet. During the San Francisco Ballet student showcase, Kevin performed the second movement principal in George Balanchine's Western Symphony. With Ballet Austin II, he enjoyed performing as Hansel in Nelly van Bommel's Hansel and Gretel, the judge in Nick Kepley's Season of Innocence, and in Stephen Mills' Belle Redux / A Tale of Beauty & The Beast. 

Preston Andrew Patterson was born in Atlanta, Ga., and began his dance studies at the Ballethnic Academy of Dance. At age 17 he attended the School of American Ballet and later the National Ballet School of Canada. As a member of Ballet Austin, Preston Patterson has had the privilege of performing in Stephen Mills’ Wolftanzt, Light / The Holocaust & Humanity Project, Belle Redux / A Tale of Beauty & The Beast, George Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante, the Peasant Pas de Deux from Giselle, and the Blue Bird in Petipa’s The Sleeping Beauty.

Elise Pekarek is originally from the Chicago area and began her formative ballet training with the Judith Svalander School of Ballet under the direction of Judith Svalander and Greg Begley. Since joining the company in 2011, Elise has been honored to have been featured in several works by Stephen Mills' as well as Annabelle Lopez-Ochoa, Lar Lubovitch, George Balanchine, Pam Tanowitz, and Septime Webre. She participated in the National Choreographer's Initiative 2017 and enjoyed dancing works by Christopher Stuart and Suzanne Haag. Elise was nominated for the 2016 Austin Critic's Table award for "Outstanding Dancer" for her work in choreographer Michelle Thompson's Illusory Impressions. In 2017, she performed Thang Dao's award-winning choreography, We Circle The Night, for the Danz in Arte a Pietrasanta festival in Pietrasanta, Italy. Elise has completed her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration through Columbia College of Missouri and teaches classes for Ballet Austin's Pilates Center.

Oren Porterfield hails from Dallas, Texas, where she trained with Tanju and Patricia Tuzer of Tuzer Dancenter. She continued to study under revered master teacher Truman Finney as a trainee and an apprentice with Ballet Austin. Oren has danced with Ohio Ballet and Dayton Ballet where she had the pleasure of performing the featured roles of Blanche DuBois in Karen Russo Burke's A Streetcar Named Desire and as Lucy Westenra in Stewart Sebastian's Dracula. Oren has been a guest artist with Verb Ballets, Motion Dance Theatre, and Performa Dance. Since returning to Austin, she has been featured in works by Nicolo Fonte, Annabelle Lopez Achoa, Loni Landon, Jennifer Hart, and James Gregg as well as in director Stephen Mills’ Angel of my Nature, Luminaria, and One/the body’s grace. Oren has recently enjoyed the role of Princess Florine in The Sleeping Beauty, and the iconic pas de deux in George Balanchine's Agon.

Chelsea Marie Renner, originally from Bozeman, Mont., received her early training from Ann Bates of Montana Ballet and Campbell Midgley of Queen City Ballet. Since joining Ballet Austin's main company, Chelsea has enjoyed performing in Stephen Mills' Light / The Holocaust & Humanity Project, The Magic Flute, Kai, Hamlet, and as Flower Waltz soloist in The Nutcracker, along with George Balanchine's Agon, Nicolo Fonte's Lasting Imprint, and works by Nelly van Bommel, Gregory Dolbashian, Gabrielle Lamb and Jimmy Orrante. In June of 2013, Chelsea was honored to travel to Washington, D.C., to perform Stephen Mills' Hush for Ballet Across America III at The Kennedy Center, and in September of that year joined the company in Israel for a three-city tour of Light / The Holocaust & Humanity Project.  Chelsea was the first recipient of the Sarah and Ernest Butler Scholarship in 2006. When not in the studio Chelsea loves spending her time with her son, Landon, who turned 2 in April, and running her home-based skin care business with Rodan & Fields. Chelsea would like to thank her husband, Aaron, her parents, and her grandparents for their endless love and support.

Ashley Lynn Sherman returns to the stage for her 16th season after she and husband, Joshua welcomed their son, Theo, in October 2017. Originally from the Chicago area, she received her pre-professional training from Ms. Sherry Moray. She began her career with Alabama Ballet under the direction of Wes Chapman and Roger Van Fleteren. Since joining Ballet Austin, her personal highlights have been dancing the roles of Giselle, Odette/Odile, Juliet, and Ophelia in Mills’ Hamlet, receiving an Austin Critic’s Table Award for her performance. Ashley had the honor of originating the role of Pamina in Mills’ The Magic Flute, as well as premiering many of his contemporary works, and touring with the company to China, Israel, Italy, Slovenia, The Joyce Theater, and The Kennedy Center. She has also danced the principal pas de deux in Balanchine’s Agon, Lar Lubovich’s Dvořák Serenade, and Pontus Lidberg’s Stream. Ashley has made guest appearances with National Choreographer’s Initiative, Dominic Walsh Dance Theater, and Performa/Dance. She is an alumna of St. Edward's University, a member of the Ballet Austin Academy faculty, and a private yoga instructor with specialization in Restorative and Ayurveda.

Morgan Stillman is originally from Fort Wayne, Ind., and joins Ballet Austin for the 2017/18 season after dancing two years with Nevada Ballet Theater where he was featured in a variety of classical and contemporary roles. Morgan received most of his formal training at Indiana University Ballet Theater under the guidance of Michael Vernon, Violette Verdy, Jacques Cesbron, Guo Pin Wang, Victoria Lyras, and Shawn Stevens.

Brittany Strickland is originally from Winston-Salem, N.C. She attended the North Carolina School of the Arts (now the University of NCSA) from 2001-2007 where she trained under Melissa Hayden, Nina Danilova, and Kee-Juan Han. With NCSA, Brittany was privileged to perform George Balanchine’s Serenade at the Hollywood Bowl as well as performing featured roles in The Nutcracker, La Fille mal Gardee, La Sonnambula and Jardin Anime. Following graduation she continued her training with Ballet Austin under full scholarship. With Ballet Austin II she was privileged to perform featured roles in works such as Thang Dao’s Quiet Imprint and Stephen Mills’ Touch as well as performing with the company in Mills’ Coppelia and his world premiere of The Firebird. Since joining the company, she has enjoyed performing in works such as Mills' The Taming of the Shrew, The Nutcracker, Carmina Burana, and Light / The Holocaust & Humanity Project. In her free time, Brittany also teaches in the Butler Center for Dance & Fitness.

Christopher Swaim is originally from Bryant, AR, where he began his training with Kirt and Linda Hathaway at the Academy of Ballet Arkansas. He then went on to graduate with distinction from the University of Oklahoma with a B.F.A. in Ballet Pedagogy. Chirstopher has danced principal roles in The Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia, The Nutcracker and Valse Fantaisie, and has been featured in works by George Balanchine, Twyla Tharp, Stephen Mills, Thaddeus Davis, Amy Seiwert, James Clouser, Miguel Terekhov, Septime Webre, Nelly Van Bommel, Loni Landon, Bradley Shelver, Sidra Bell, Gina Patterson, Nicolo Fonte, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and Ben Stevenson. He has also performed at the 2010 San Francisco International Arts Festival as a guest with Amy Seiwert's company Imagery, at the Kennedy Center in 2008 with The Suzanne Farrell Ballet and again in 2013 with Ballet Across America III, with Ballet Arkansas as a guest in 2012, and at the 2011 Festival des Arts de Saint- Sauveur. Mr. Swaim teaches in the Butler Center for Dance & Fitness, Ballet Austin Academy, and has guest taught across the country.

Jaime Lynn Witts is originally from Bucks County, Penn., where she received most of her training from Maxim Ponomarenko, Oleg Briansky, and Mireille Briane. She attended summer programs at CPYB, Boston Ballet, and Ballet Austin. There, she continued her studies with Truman Finney in Ballet Austin's Trainee program before joining Ballet Austin II. Since joining the company, Witts has performed in works by numerous choreographers including Stephen Mills, Thaddeus Davis, KT Nelson, Nicolo Fonte, Sidra Bell, Viktor Kabaniaev, Nelly van Bommel, Loni Landon, Jennifer Hart, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Gabrielle Lamb and Gina Patterson. She has enjoyed performing principal roles in George Balanchine's Allegro Brillante and Agon,Swanhilda in Coppelia, Lilac Fairy in The Sleeping Beauty and Kate in The Taming of the Shrew, for which she earned her second Austin Critics Table Award. Most recently she has made her premier as the title role in Mills’ The Firebird. Witts has also had the honor of performing the role of The Survivor in Mills' Light / The Holocaust & Humanity Project in Austin and on tour in Miami and Israel. When she is not dancing, Witts enjoys spending her time off with her husband and daughter, Evaline.

Be in the know, before the show! 

Immerse yourself in the world of dance before every performance at the Long Center by checking out Ballet-o-mania!

Arrive early early and explore our interactive discovery lounge, featuring informational videos, costume and music samples, and behind-the-scenes info on the production, the choreographers, the dancers and musicians. You can "ask a dancer" anything you'd like to know about the art form, see and touch pointe shoes, and learn more about the dance works and the creative process. 

Ballet-o-mania! is located on Mezzannine Level in the Kodosky Lounge. The exhibits open 90 minutes before show time and remain open to guests during all intermissions. So take your time and explore our engaging exhibits at your leisure.

Free for all Ticket Holders

An hour before every show, join us for a look at the final preparations for the ballet during our Footlights pre-show information session. Enjoy the last-minute workings of dancers and production crew as you learn about the historical, choreographic, and artistic aspects of the production you are about to see. Footlights for Families offers the same preview with content tailored for families with children ages 12 and younger and is offered before designated matinee performances. This informal lecture takes place inside the theater on the Mezzanine Level one hour prior Ballet Austin performances at the Long Center.

Length of Program: Approximately 25 minutes

Free for all Ticket Holders

Join Ballet Austin dancers and staff, including Artistic Director / Choreographer Stephen Mills, for an informal post-performance conversation and Q&A.

Encore takes place inside the theater at the orchestra level immediately following all performances at The Long Center.

NOTE: Encore will not be offered following the Dec. 23, 2017, performance of The Nutcracker.

Length of Program: Approximately 15 minutes

Free for all Ticket holders