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Ukrainian soloists to teach choreography, ballet to Charlottesville youth

Crystal Graham
ballet shoes
(© highwaystarz – stock.adobe.com)

Local youth are invited to audition and perform in children’s roles in the “Nutcracker! Magic of Christmas Ballet” alongside an international cast of world class artists from Ukraine, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan and more.

The ballet will be presented in Charlottesville on Nov. 20 at the Paramount Theater at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Local ballet students will fill children’s roles in the performance.

In this opportunity of a lifetime, the students will be coached by the classically trained Ukrainian soloists who teach them not only the choreography but the beautiful artistry of ballet in a bold and unique rendition of Tchaikovksy’s holiday masterpiece. In this moment of international conflict, these soloists from leading opera houses in Ukraine bring a timely message of peace and harmony to American students.

Local youth ages six to 17 may audition for the roles of party children, mice, snowflakes, snow maidens, and variations. Auditions for the children’s roles will be held on Aug. 20 at the Wilson School of Dance on 3114 Proffit Road in Charlottesville, and on Aug. 27, at Ballet School, located at 2409 Ivy Road, in Charlottesville, at 1:30 p.m.

Ukrainian audition director Anna Trafimova will lead the selection process.

Children selected for the cast will rehearse for weeks at the local studio preparing for the performances that will take place under the bright lights at the Paramount Theater.

The youth cast will have costume fittings with hand-sewn costumes designed by Arthur Oliver. A dress rehearsal will be held on stage with the professional company led by Ukrainian artistic director Nobuhiro Terada of the National School in Kyiv.

Tickets to the performance are available at www.nutcracker.com

For more information on auditions, visit www.nutcracker.com/dance

Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is the regional editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she has worked for nearly 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of Virginia Tonight, a nightly TV news show. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television.