Recent work for Ahwatukee Foothills Ballet:
Articles published in the Arizona Republic
Community Section, East Valley Tribune, and
The Ahwatukee Foothills News.
(AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS, AZ)- For many, the holidays just aren't complete without the annual viewing of the Ahwatukee Foothills Ballet's The Children's Nutcracker, the most sumptuous children's production of the beloved ballet anywhere.
Under the artistic direction of Phoenix Suns Dance Team creator Kimberly Lewis, Jill Hammond and Melissa Snow, the Ahwatukee Foothills Ballet 2003 production of The Child's Nutcracker will keep most of the traditional elements of the ballet but does drop in a surprise for the more contemporary-minded individuals. One unique choice was to add tap dancing toy soldiers to the Traditional Fight Scene between the Mouse King and the Nutcracker. "The idea of combining tap technique with traditional ballet was an idea I had in the back of my head from the time I was a ballet student myself," said Snow. "The rhythm mix of drums and marching feet can only be matched in the dancing world by tap shoes so it gives a very authentic sound to that part of the production," she added. Lewis promises that the
enthusiasm within the ballet cast members themselves will spill out to bring holiday excitement to all the audience members as well. "TheChildren's Nutcracker is an annual community event, so our reputation is solid, attracting more and more talented dancers from across the valley.
These seasoned dancers really add to the total quality of the production," she added.
This 4th year's production features elaborate professional costumes, wonderful music and spectacular special effects. The beautiful staging, complimented by the lavish sets, accompanies more than 100 valley youth dancers, who perform as Clara (Alanah Kaiser), Best Friends (Karen Haiber, Cassie Henderson), Clown (Courtney Fowler), and The Sugar Plum Fairy (Taylor Lewis) among others. These performers bring to life a fantasy that includes swirling snow, a giant Christmas tree that grows on-stage, and a fencing fight scene between the Mouse King and the Nutcracker. "I love dancing in the Nutcracker every year," said Tessa Grabowsky, 9, a March Girl, Toy Soldier and China Dancer in this year's production. It's so great that we can audition for so many dance parts, not just the easy ones like in the other ballets here in town", she added. Another dancer voiced his opinion as well. "I'm tired, but happy," said Jonathan Spurny this year's Prince and Mouse King. "It's a lot of work to learn all the footwork but in the end it's all worth it," said Spurny.
Founded in 2000, the Ahwatukee Foothills Nutcracker Ballet's yearly production of the full-length Nutcracker story ballet showcases the choreography talents Hammond, Snow, and Corrine Robinson and features participating dancers from across the valley, all under the age of 18. "The Ahwatukee Nutcracker Ballet is a pre-professional ballet company dedicated to promoting ballet in Arizona, and providing young dancers with the opportunity to perform in a professional-like setting." said Lewis. "Dancers are given very few opportunities to perform in large production numbers, especially outside of New York and LA. The backstage experiences of getting ready for the show, doing quick changes into other costumes and being prepared to go onstage are important things that many young dancers are not
taught in very small productions." Lewis added.
Performances begin December 19 and run through December 20 at The Mountain Pointe Fine Arts Theatre, 4201 Knox Road, Ahwatukee. For more information call (480) 706-6040.
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NUTCRACKER BALLET
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WHAT: Ahwatukee Foothills Ballet's 4th annual production of The Children's Nutcracker
WHEN: December 19-December 20, 2003 Dates and times for the Ahwatukee Foothills production are 7 p.m. Dec. 19 and 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 20.
WHERE: All performances at Mountain Pointe Fine Arts Theatre, 4201 Knox Road, Ahwatukee.
TICKETS: $10-$20. Ticket information available by phone at 480-706-6040 or in person at The Kimberly Lewis Box Office 3820 E. Ray Road in the Fry's Shopping Center.
(PHOENIX, AZ)- For many, the holidays just aren't complete without the annual viewing of the Ahwatukee Foothills Ballet's The Children's Nutcracker, the most sumptuous children's production of the beloved ballet anywhere. Performances begin December 19 and run through December 20 at The Mountain Pointe Fine Arts Theatre, 4201 Knox Road, Ahwatukee.
Under the artistic direction of Phoenix Suns Dance Team creator Kimberly Lewis, Jill Hammond and Melissa Snow, the Ahwatukee Foothills Ballet 2003 production of The Children's Nutcracker will keep most of the traditional
elements of the ballet but does drop in a surprise for the more contemporary-minded individuals. One unique choice was to add tap dancing toy soldiers to the Traditional Fight Scene between the Mouse King and the Nutcracker. "The idea of combining tap technique with traditional ballet was an idea I had in the back of my head from the time I was a ballet student myself," said Snow. "The rhythm mix of drums and marching feet can only be matched in the dancing world by tap shoes so it gives a very authentic sound to that part of the production," she added. Lewis promises that the
enthusiasm within the ballet cast members themselves will spill out to bring holiday excitement to all the audience members as well." The Children's Nutcracker is an annual community event, so our reputation is solid, attracting more and more talented dancers from across the valley. These seasoned dancers really add to the total quality of the production," she added.
This ballet production features elaborate professional costumes, wonderful music and spectacular special effects. The beautiful staging, complimented by the lavish sets, accompanies more than 100 valley youth dancers, who perform as Clara, Best Friends, Toy Soldiers, and The Sugar Plum Fairy among others. These performers bring to life a fantasy that includes swirling snow, a giant Christmas tree that grows on-stage, and a fencing fight scene between the Mouse King and the Nutcracker.
Founded in 2000, the Ahwatukee Foothills Nutcracker Ballet is one of the leading children's ballet troupes in Arizona. It's yearly production of the
full-length Nutcracker story ballet showcases the choreography talents of Jill Hammond, Melissa Snow, and Corrine Robinson and features participating dancers from
across the valley, all under the age of 18. The Ahwatukee Foothills Nutcracker Ballet is a pre-professional ballet company dedicated to promoting ballet in Arizona enriching the local community and providing young dancers with the opportunity to perform in a professional setting.
In addition to performances, AFNB continues Phoenix Suns Dance Team creator Kimberly Lewis's legacy of dance through dance education and community outreach programs.
Nutcracker Tea Party Wonderful Family Event
The magic of the holiday season comes alive when Club West Golf Club teams up with The Ahwatukee Foothills Ballet cast members to present the Nutcracker Ballet Children's Holiday Luncheon Tea Party, an event the entire family will enjoy.
On Saturday, December 13th, children's imagination will run wild when they come face to face with fairies, queens and other characters starring in this year's Ahwatukee Foothills Ballet production of The Child's Nutcracker set to be performed at The Mountain Pointe Fine Arts Theatre December 19-20.
This holiday event includes an italian tea lunch at Club West, special holiday "make and take crafts" for the children to create, and an opportunity to mingle with costumed "Nutcracker" characters that will delight guests and perform selections from the holiday classic. Special
appearances by Clara, The Prince, Sugar Plum Fairy, and Snow Queen. Photo opportunities are also available with Santa Claus.
The Ahwatukee Foothills Nutcracker Ballet Children's Holiday Luncheon Tea Party will be held on Saturday, December 13th from 11:00 am to 1:30 p.m at Club West, 16400 S. 14th Avenue Phoenix. Cost is $45.00 per adult, $35.00
for children ages 2 - 10.
Reservations must be made in person at Kimberly Lewis School of Dance,3820 E. Ray Road or by phone at 480-706-6040. For more information about The Ahwatukee Foothills Nutcracker Ballet, log onto http://www.kimberlylewis.com
About: Local Dancers Featured on Local TV Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ahwatukee Dancers Will Plie onto Local TV Program
Viewers of Channel 12's Arizona MidDay will be given a visual treat of sorts when selected dancers from the Ahwatukee Foothills Ballet perform the March Girl Dance, a piece from this year's Ahwatukee production of The Nutcracker on Thursday, December 17th at 11:00 am.
All dancers with a role during the party scene in the actual Nutcracker production had to "reaudition" to be selected to perform when the troupe dances on the local television program. "I expect our dancers to perform at the highest level possible", said Melissa Snow, co-choreographer of the ballet. "Even though this is a pre-professional youth company, dancers need to get used to doing professional auditions and sometimes not getting chosen," she added. Artistic Director Kimberly Lewis agrees. "Dancers who dance with the Ahwatukee Foothills Nutcracker Ballet perform at all types of events around the valley. Tryouts are a part of a dancer's life. They need to get used to it," she added. Dancers chosen to perform include: Alanah Kaiser (Clara), Karen Haiber and Cassie Henderson (Clara's Best Friends), and March Girls; Kayla Baker, Tessa Grabowsky, Jillian Mauntel, Diane Haiber, Morgan Bunton, Jaime Hackney, Lauren Streich, Elissa Kawamoto, Ellie Ann Abbadessa, Corina MacIssac, Megan Snow, Lauren DiCarlo, Jessica Fisher, Courtney Cox, Jacqueline Ramos, Haley Loll, Jordan Hill, Anabella DuFriend, Emily Farnsworth, Angela MacIssac, Sophia Pope, Ashlyn Weninger, Marissa Fisher, and Alexa Mooney.
Performances for The Children's Nutcracker begin December 19 and run through December 20 at The Mountain Pointe Fine Arts Theatre, 4201 Knox Road, Ahwatukee. For ticket information, call (480) 706-6040. |
