Dancers Prepare for Wonderland
The Facts April 4, 2004
The Academy of Ballet & Dance Arts has been very busy this new year. Since last August they have brought to the stage Tchaikovsky's “The Nutcracker” ballet and Academy students are now preparing for “Alice in Wonderland in May. Festival Ballet’s version of the ballet will be staged by artistic director Deborah Rayburn. Festival Ballet is the in residence company at the Academy of Ballet & Dance Arts in Lake Jackson and in The Woodlands.
The company and school take the stage on May 22 at 2:00 p.m. in the Brazoswood High School Theater. Joining the school and company are Guest Artist Benjamin Lester of New York City Ballet. Mr. Lester will bring to life the role of the “White Rabbit” as he partners with Brittany Zink of Festival Ballet.
The Academy of Ballet & Dance arts encourages students to audition for national workshops. This year six students from the school successfully audition and earned placement with America Ballet Theater, Boston Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, City Ballet of San Diego, and Orlando Ballet. Dancers Brittany Zink, Manuel Santos, Angela Neal, Nicole Barrera, Stephanie Allen, and Ashleigh Frank are now deciding where they will dance this summer. “We are exceptionally proud of these fine dancers and their accomplishments, although the heroes behind the scenes are their parents who have been so supportive in each dancers training” states teacher Rayburn. “I would personally hope that our community would further encourage these dancers by seeing them perform in Alice in Wonderland this May 22.
The Academy of Ballet & Dance Arts and Festival Ballet will offer its own Summer Intensive Workshop in Lake Jackson for all dancers interested in Ballet, Jazz, and Musical Theater. New this year is the “Enrichment Division”, especially designed for drill team and cheerleaders. Workshop dates are August 2 through 7. Also offered this July is “Dance camp for Kids” for ages 5 through 9 years. Each week Dance camp will feature a different theme such as “Cinderella Camp”, “Swan Lake Camp”, and “Sleeping Beauty Camp”.
For more information about The Academy of Ballet & Dance Arts or Festival Ballet please call visit the website at www.festivalballet.info or call 979-292-0117.