The Christmas Ballet Program 24-25 FINAL - WEB - Flipbook - Page 16
CHOREOGRAPHER AND DESIGNER PROFILES
BRENNAN WALL | CHOREOGRAPHER
Brennan Wall found a love of choreography early on, while a student at Los Angeles
Ballet Academy. She choreographed on schools throughout her training and received
her first opportunity to set work on a professional company in 2019, for Smuin’s
Choreography Showcase. During their time in Covid pods, Wall choreographed
multiple works on her coworkers, one of which, Untwine, was commissioned by Celia
Fushille to be expanded for the main stage in 2022. Untwine recently returned for
the conclusion of Smuin’s 30th Anniversary season last spring. Wall is thrilled to have
a piece in The Christmas Ballet and looks forward to further opportunities with the
Company’s upcoming Choreography Showcase in February 2025.
REX WHEELER | CHOREOGRAPHER
Rex Wheeler, AKA Lady Camden, is originally from Camden Town in London, England.
Having trained at the Royal Ballet School and Elmhurst Ballet School, Rex’s career
in dance spanned a decade with companies such as Birmingham Royal Ballet as a
student, Slovak National Ballet, Sacramento Ballet and eventually Smuin Ballet. As a
San Francisco-based choreographer and a founding member of Capital Dance Project,
Wheeler has created new works for companies across the country. After becoming
the runner-up of season 14 of RuPaul’s drag race, Rex (as Lady Camden) has gone on
to perform all over the world, write and produce solo shows, write music and star in a
documentary following their life titled “Lady Like.” Rex continues to perform globally,
choreograph new works and produce shows in his now hometown of San Francisco.
MICHAEL OESCH | LIGHTING DESIGNER
Michael is a professional lighting designer for dance, theatre, operas, and musicals.
Since joining Smuin Ballet in 2004, he has designed the lighting for The Christmas
Ballet, Salsa Til Dawn, The Turntable, Be Here Now, If I Were a Sushi Roll, Tutto Ecceto
il Lavandino, Oh, Inverted World, and Fly Me to the Moon, as well as many other
Smuin productions. He also designs lighting for many other companies throughout
the Bay area, where his designs have won a Theatre Bay Area award and a Shelly
Award, and have been nominated for an Isadora Duncan Award and BATCC
Awards. Michael also serves on the board of United Scenic Artists Union, local 829.
www.Michaeloesch.com
DOUGLAS SCHMIDT | SCENIC DESIGNER
For the past 50 years, Schmidt has designed for film, television, arena, and theme park
presentations, as well as more than 200 productions for Broadway, Off Broadway,
regional theaters, and major opera companies in the U.S. and Europe. His Broadway
credits include the original productions of Grease and Frankenstein. In 2015, he
received the United States Institute for Theatre Technology Award for Distinguished
Achievement in Scene Design and The Robert L.B. Tobin Award for Sustained
Excellence in Theatrical Design.
16 • THE CHRISTM A S BALLET • 2024
