Ballet Conservatory of Asheville presents “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” starring Addul Manzano, principal dancer with Charlotte Ballet, as Oberon, King of Fairies.
Manzano also danced with Ballet Nacional de Cuba and starred in Ballet Conservatory’s (BCA’s) “Swan Lake” and “LaFille mal Gardee.”
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” a frolicking ballet based on Shakespeare’s spriteful play, is choreographed by Ballet Conservatory director Angie Lynn, ballet master Wayne Burritt and faculty member Amanda Edge after Sir Frederick Ashton, whose ballet “The Dream” emphasizes the play’s forest fairy scenes. Felix Mendelssohn’s prolific score showcases it’s celebrated overture and famed “Wedding March.” Tender, fading melodies and playful rambling riffs capture the imagination of youthful romance.
Ballet Conservatory’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” runs May 29-30 at Diana Wortham Theatre, with performances Friday at 7pm & Saturday at 3pm & 7pm.
Joining Manzano in the “Midsummer” cast are Charlotte Ballet’s Ben Ingel as Lysander, and Tyler Sandborn, of Charlotte Ballet II, as Demetrius. Ingel and Sandborn both appeared in BCA’s recent “Sleeping Beauty” and “Swan Lake”. Sandborn, originally from Asheville, was hired at Charlotte Ballet last fall after he quickly replaced a sick dancer in a challenging role in BCA’s “Swan Lake”. Sandborn impressed Manzano, who recommended him to audition for a vacancy in Charlotte.
Ballet Conservatory’s Blair Chamberlain dances Hermia, along with pre-professional dancers Julia Fleming as Titania, and Rose Wuertz as Helena, plus Avery Sund and Caroline Roberts alternating as the mischievous fairy, Puck.
This fall, Ballet Conservatory welcomed two new faculty members: Amanda Edge, a New York City Ballet dancer of 15 years, in “Phantom of the Opera” Broadway company, and official repititeur of the George Balanchine Trust; and Billy Ward soloist in New York City Opera Ballet, and School of American Ballet alumnus.
Ballet Conservatory’s Sixth Performance Season includes: “Winter Works: Innovations and Variations”, a premiere production in March; “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, May 29-30; and “The Nutcracker”, December 16-18, 2015.
The Ballet Conservatory offers excellent classical training in its comprehensive pre-professional program and full schedule of open classes in ballet, modern, jazz & tap. This year, two BCA students were awarded full scholarships to the prestigious Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington DC, and students have been accepted into the School of American Ballet’s Summer Course and year-round program.
Visit www.dwtheatre.com for additional information.