Adirondack Ballet Theater to present Swan Lake
GLENS FALLS, N.Y. >> The Adirondack Ballet Theater is presenting its adaption of the renown famous classical ballet Swan Lake this weekend in Glens Falls.
Three full performances are scheduled: at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 23 and 1 p.m on Sunday, March 24, all at the Charles R. Wood Theater, located at 207 Glen St.
The Adirondack Ballet Theater, formerly known as the Adirondack Ballet Company, was formed in 1992 and performed its first Nutcracker Ballet. In 2000, the company became incorporated as a not-for-profit organization and re-named the Adirondack Ballet Theater or “ABT”. ABT is under the direction of Diane LaBruzzo and the ABT Board of Directors.
With the distinction of being the first dance company to perform the Nutcracker Ballet at the Charles R. Wood Theater in 2004, the organization is now in its 15th year partnering with the local venue in bringing the performing arts to the Glens Falls region.
“The company consists of over 55 dancers, children from the Adirondack Region,” said Diane LaBruzzo of Adirondack Ballet Theater. “The organization provides children the unique opportunity to perform aside and learn from professional dancers in community setting.
“The organization is founded on the belief that a child’s exposure to dance at a young age: nurtures the spirit, builds confidence and provides opportunities for growth and lifelong learning.”
In addition to ABT’s annual production of the Nutcracker, the company performs a rotating traditional ballet each spring, as part of its mission to bring revered dance culture to the
local community and to foster the continued learning of important ballet classics for its students.
For Swan Lake, a total of 60 students ages four through 18, along with professional guest artists will take the stage and delight audiences in their vision of this classical ballet.
These youth dancers, moving to the music of Tchaikovsky, aim to take viewers through Princess Odette’s adventures with ducklings, rabbits, flowers and feathered friends.
Set deep in the forest on a magical lake the Swan Lake story is about good versus evil. Starring Odette, a white swan by day and a beautiful princess at night, and her sister Odile, the black swan, Swan Lake is a tale of love, betrayal and the triumph of good over evil.
The ballet will feature local star performers including grad-
uating seniors Allison Harris, age 17, of Queensbury, as Princess Odile, the Black Swan; 18-year old Audrey Burkhardt of Warrensburg as Princess Odette; and Rachel Deck, age 17, of Queensbury as the Raven, Beauty of the Forest. Alumni Kasey Manning will join in as the Evil Sorcerer along with Victoria Wood as the Queen and Enchanted Swan.
Guest artist Leonel Linares will perform the role of Prince Siegfried in the pas de deux with Burkhardt, complimented with all new scenery through projections. Choreographers include Diane LaBruzzo, Alexandra Bullard, Audrey Burkhardt, Melissa DerGurahian, Allison Harris and Leonel Linares.
Children are invited to participate in an interactive dance activity during intermission, take photos in the photo spot and enjoy the performance.
Since its inception, ABT has performed Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast, The Sleeping Beauty, Peter & the Wolf, Alice in Wonderland, Coppelia, Firebird, Cinderella and more for its spring repertory performances.
The upcoming production is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and administered by Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council.
More information about The Adirondack Ballet Theater is available online at www.dcqdance.org.
Tickets to Swan Lake are $12 each, available online.