Blackbird Academy of Arts to offer Peter Pan the Ballet
CONWAY — The Blackbird Academy of Arts in Conway will present Peter Pan the Ballet at 7 p.m. Jan. 27 and at 2 p.m. Jan. 28 in Reynolds Performance Hall at the University of Central Arkansas. The public is invited to attend. Tickets may be purchased at www. blackbirdacademy.org.
Following the performance on Jan 28, a Tinkerbell Tea Party will begin at approximately 4 p.m. in the upstairs lobby of Reynolds Performance Hall. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at www.blackbirdacademy.org. A free field trip is being offered to K-12 schools to attend a performance of the ballet on Jan. 26. Teaching tools will be provided to participating schools, including educational material about ballet and theater productions, as well as classroom activity guides that relate the stories to state literacy standards. While there is no charge, reservations must be made by contacting Ann Turney at (501) 4727303 or ann@blackbirdacademy.org.
In the production, the mischievous Peter Pan shows Wendy, Michael and John the wonderful world of Neverland. He also must keep them safe from the dangerous and deplorable Captain Hook. The adventure, elegance and fantasy of this classic story is told through this ballet, based on the novel by Scottish novelist and playwright J.M. Barrie.
Choreographers for this original production are Paul Tillman and Megan Hustel, who are on the faculty of Blackbird Academy. They are also members of the Ballet Arkansas Co. In addition, Tillman designed the sets for the production. Madison Wilson of the Blackbird Academy faculty is the performance director. The costume director is Hannah Bradshaw, and Lynsie Ogden will direct lights and sound. Bradshaw and Ogden are with the Ballet Arkansas Co.
The music was composed by Carmon DeLeone, music director of the Cincinnati Ballet, The Middletown (Ohio) Symphony and conductor Laureate of The Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra.
Roles of note are Peter Pan, played by Rebecca Dillon, a Blackbird Academy student; Captain Hook, portrayed by Toby Lewellen of the Arkansas Ballet Co.; and Blackbird Academy students Tinker Bell, played by Abby Woods; Wendy, portrayed by Maria Casavechia; Michael, played by Mary Caroline Grimes; and John, portrayed by Riley Cecil.