Maryland dancers bring classic fairytale to life
Ballet Chesapeake (formerly Harford Ballet Company) is proud to announce its spring production of Cinderella. Featuring local Harford County students, the performances will take place on Saturday, June 9 from 6-8:00 p.m. and Sunday, June 10 from 1-3:00 p.m. at Bel Air High School (100 Heighe Street, Bel Air, MD 21014).
Act One of the performance will open with Ballet Chesapeake, joined by an additional 250 students from the Dance Conservatory of Maryland, in a mixed bill featuring tap, hip-hop, jazz and modern dance.
Cinderella comes to life in Act Two of the program, a full-length ballet that follows the classic Disney fairytale, with a few modern twists and the addition of playful “seasonal” fairies interwoven throughout. This family (and kid-friendly) production of the timeless classic will be a delight to audience members complete with a fairy Godmother, handsome prince and magical ball inclusive of charming sets, elaborate costumes and beautiful staging.
This year’s Cinderella, Catherine Spratt, age 15 from Bel Air, is ecstatic to portray the fairytale character.
“[Cinderella] is my favorite role to embody thus far in my career, by far!” says Spratt. “The opportunity to transform into a classic princess, go to the ball and feel the magic in those moments – I wouldn’t trade that feeling for anything in the world!”
Accompanying Cinderella on stage is none other than her handsome prince charming, Noah Schwartz, age 20 from Baltimore, a 2017 graduate from the Baltimore School for the Arts with plans to join the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago as a trainee for the 2018-2019 season.
Leading up to the enchanting performance of Cinderella, Ballet Chesapeake has partnered with Harford County Public Libraries and the Bel Air Armory to continue spreading the joy of dance within the Harford County community.
Sponsored by the Bel Air Arts Council, on Saturday, May 12 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. the organization will be hosting an abridged performance and dance lessons at the Bel Air Armory for children of all ages.
Children can meet fairytale characters at the library, complete with story time led by Barclay Gibbs, artistic director of Ballet Chesapeake, as well as dance lessons provided by Cinderella and Prince Charming on:
- Saturday, April 28, 2018, at 10 a.m. at the Bel Air branch
- Saturday, May 5, 2018, at 10 a.m. at the Edgewood branch
Tickets for Cinderella are now on sale and can be purchased online at balletchesapeake.org or by calling 410-877-0777. Ticket prices range from $19-$25 in advance and $30 at the door. For more information on Ballet Chesapeake, or any of their spring dance offerings, please contact Kaitlin Weber, executive director at 410-877-0777 or [email protected].
About Ballet Chesapeake
Ballet Chesapeake is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization overseen by an advisory Board of Directors who work with the artistic director and the company manager to provide administrative support for the Company. The Company’s annual season features two programs of classic favorites and new works, including the holiday tradition, The Nutcracker.
Ballet Chesapeake receives state arts funding through a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, the Harford County Government Office of Economic Development and the Harford County Cultural Arts Board and constantly seeks financial backing for the valuable art of ballet through memberships, grants and personal and corporate donations.
