Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1162040
40 ONE BIG COVER-UP SHELBY HODGE GOES INCOGNITO. PHOTOGRAPHY JACOB POWER, DAVE ROSSMAN. T he French-inspired opulence that welcomed guests to the Alley Theatre Ball, La Grande Mascarade au Palais Royal, induced no small amount of posturing among the black-tie set as they posed for photos, their identities obscured by elaborate masks. Amid this merry throng at the Post Oak Hotel, none were better disguised than the Alley's recently anointed artistic director, Rob Melrose, who was incognito in his Venetian costume and mask. Between dinner courses, Dance House Fitness Dolls — magnificently costumed as members of an 18th-century royal court — presented two minuets. To the guests' delight, the second minuet broke into a hip-hop number. The evening, chaired by Heidi and Douglas Shanda, honored The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts, which guaranteed that a healthy number of multigenerational Cullens were in the house, including Cornelia and Meredith Long, Beth Robertson, Carroll Ray Robertson, and Rose and Robbie Nelson. WHO: Alley board president Butch Mach and wife Carmen, Alley managing director Dean Gladden and wife Jane, Sarahbeth and Pierce Bush, Steve Pearce, Linda and Willie Chang, Mady and Ken Kades, Helen and Jim Shaffer, Margaret Alkek Williams, Jim Daniel, Kathryn Ketelsen, Robert Sakowitz, Lori and Scott Wulfe, Valerie Jalufka, and Tracy and Glenn Vongolen. See more Shelby Hodge at papercitymag.com. THE ALLEY THEATRE COSTUMES UP FOR A MASKED BALL. Dancers perform the minuet Gabriel & Amber Juarez, Linda & Willie Chang Joel Glover, Carl Butzer, Chip Babcock Sarahbeth & Pierce Bush Danielle & Ryan Urech Sarah Morgan, Oscar Brown Ball chairs Heidi & Doug Shanda Cullen Geiselman, Beverly Barrett Beth Robertson Kathryn Ketelsen Robert Sakowitz Dean & Jane Gladden, Rob Melrose Carmen & Butch Mach Josephine John, Patty Hubbard Cornelia Long Robbie & Rose Nelson Carroll Robertson Ray Susana Brener de Stern & Dr. Juan Stern