|
34°F |
|
Press Releases
RELEASE: December 1, 2010
Media contact: Charles Leslie, Director,
970.247.7468 or leslie_c@fortlewis.edu\
For information regarding the local dancers, contact Judy Austin, 970.764.7142
State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara’s Traditional “Nutcracker”
to be staged Dec. 10-12 at the Community Concert Hall
DURANGO, Colo. – As has become tradition at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College, the magical holiday ballet, “Nutcracker,” performed by the highly-acclaimed State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara, will usher in the holidays with two matinee (2 p.m.) and two evening (7 p.m.) performances., Dec. 10-12.
Artistic Director Rodney Gustafson holds true to the original classical ballet in this Tchaikovsky masterpiece, creating a traditional “Nutcracker” set in Victorian times and suited for all ages.
The “Nutcracker” is based on the book “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” by E.T.A. Hoffman, and tells the story of a young German girl, Clara, whose godfather Drosselmeyer, a skilled clock and toy maker, presents her with a toy nutcracker during a holiday party. In Clara's holiday dream, the toy comes to life and escorts her on a journey to a magical land, where a cast of unusual characters entertains her.
In addition to the State Street Ballet traveling company, 41 young dancers, ages 5-13, from throughout southwest Colorado (listed with their hometowns following this release) will perform, including:
Bon-bons: Lynelle Bartz, Shaelin Bassett, Anna Cheesewright, Mia Ciotti, Téa Forrest, Kenzie Galloway, Grace Holst, Bailey Klusack, Talya Klusack, Lizabeth Likes, Rexanne Trautman, and Mya Walker. Brook Gauthier and Holly Tate will also perform as Bon-bon Big Sisters.
Mice: Nicole Bartz, Karoline Bassett, Haley Christianson, Emma Hallin, Lindsay Levine, Cameron Kelley, Madison Lemke, Silva Nesset, Alysandrya Potter, Jozlin Tanner, Caitlyn Tapperson, Gwendolyn Thompson, Kyla Tucker and Ava Wayland.
Soldiers: Aspen Cassady, Brook Gauthier, Emma Greene, Olivia Guerra, Kate Hallin, Jozlyn Klusack, Margo Leavitt, Shannin Mayberg and Olivia Walker.
Angels: Madison Anderson, Claire Fenton, Sierra Heller, Milá Snow, Holly Tate and Emily Waddell.
Senior dancers Tori Duhaime, Ellie Ellis, Claudia Marron and Brittany Tucker, are rehearsal assistants for the production, working with local professional instructor Judy Austin, who handles auditions and rehearsals for the local students.
State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara was founded in 1994 by Gustafson and his wife Allison and is known for its innovative choreography and unique style. Tackling at least three productions each season in Santa Barbara, the company has also toured throughout the United States, as well as internationally in Taiwan and China. Rodney Gustafson is formerly with Geneva Ballet, Cleveland Ballet and American Ballet Theatre.
View a sampling of the State Street Ballet’s “Nutcracker” performance at http://www.statestreetballet.com/touring_nutcracker.php.
Tickets for the State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara’s “Nutcracker” - $25 for Orchestra and Balcony, $35 for Plaza – are available on the web at www.durangoconcerts.com, by phone at 970.247.7657, or in person at the Ticket Office in Downtown Durango at 7th and Main Ave. All sales final.
The Community Concert Hall is a not-for-profit, multi-use performance venue located on the campus of Fort Lewis College. Its ability to bring a diverse spectrum of shows to Southwest Colorado is made possible through a partnership with the college, a state-supported, independent institution of higher education, and the city of Durango, as well as through financial and in-kind contributions from generous members of the community.
