DANCING TO THE TOP
Local kids try out for chance to share stage with New York City Ballet
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.>> Local kids spent their Sunday auditioning for a chance to share the stage with the New York City Ballet this summer.
Each year ahead of New York City Ballet’s summer residency at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, area children try out for a spot alongside the professionals.
This year, the opportunity was for 22 youths - 14 girls, two boys and six young men - to be a part of the famous ballet company’s production of choreographer George Balanchine’s Firebird.
Premiered in 1949, Firebird was one of Balanchine’s first creations for the young New York City Ballet. The story is based on the mythical Russian folk tale of the Fire-
bird and features lavish sets and costumes by Chagall. It is set to the music of Russian-born composer Igor Stravinsky.
Incorporating local dancers into New York City Ballet performances are part of Balanchine’s legacy, and a continued effort to strengthen the connection between the company and the community.
Sunday’s auditions were run by New York City Ballet’s Children’s Ballet master Dena Abergel at the National Museum of Dance. She has been leading these auditions for about seven years, but dancing at SPAC with the company since the early 1990s.
The children’s roles come in at the end of the ballet, during the wedding of the prince and princess, Abergel explained.
As part of the storyline, the girls are offering wedding cake and fruit to the party guests. The two small boys selected will be
asked to hold the princess’ dress and walk with her, while the older males chosen will serve as six flag bearers.
“It’s a beautiful, beautiful Chagall set. It’s stunning,” Abergel continued. “And the dancers really are part of the scenery. They make up the scene.”
While some of the audition criteria requested ballet training, all of the youth positions available in the ballet were non- dancing roles.
About 40 kids signed up to audition, which they did in groups throughout the afternoon.
Saratoga Springs brothers Sasha and Matthew Otto-Jones, who take ballet instruction at the museum, were chosen to be some of the flag bearers in the ballet.
“I’ve always wanted to dance with New York City Ballet,” said 16-year- old Sasha, who has been practicing ballet intensely for the past two years.
His younger brother Matthew, who is 12, started ballet dancing within the past year. Knowing that the part didn’t require much experience, “I thought this would be a good way to start,” he said.
After learning that they’ll be performing with the professionals on the SPAC stage this summer Sasha said he can’t wait.
Abergel is also eager for New York City Ballet’s annual summer residency to begin.
“I love Saratoga. I love coming up here,” she said, adding that her family does too. “We hope the ballet remains strong in Saratoga.”
This year, New York City Ballet performances will take place at SPAC from July 5 to 15.
Performances of Firebird at SPAC will take place at 8 p.m. on Friday, July 14 and Saturday, July 15.
Tickets and information are available at spac.org.