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Stars On The Riverfront

“Alabama Dance Theatre presents Stars on the Riverfront”

Montgomery, AL …The Alabama Dance Theatre will open its 24th Season with two free spectacular performances of “Stars on the Riverfront.” Bring the entire family and join the Alabama Dance Theatre as the sun sets on one of Montgomery’s most beautiful venues. These eclectic performances are the culmination of ADT’s two week Summer Dance Seminar and will be held Friday, August 6th and Saturday, August 7th at 7:30 p.m. at the Riverwalk Amphitheater. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. on August 6th and 7th for picnicking. The Riverwalk Amphitheater is located downtown, north of the Union Station train shed. Audiences should enter through the tunnel which is handicap accessible.
Guest teachers for the two week seminar which will be held July 25th-August 7th will include former Soloist with American Ballet Theatre, Shawn Black, and former Alvin Ailey dancer, native of Montgomery and current Complexions dancer, Wendy White Sasser. The performances will feature classical works staged by Shawn Black as well as contemporary works by Resident Choreographer Sara Sanford and Ballet Master Foye DuBose. Emerging Choreographer Ashley McQueen will present her new work Elijah Rock, which won runner-up to the coveted Monticello Award given at a recent SERBA festival. Professional guest artists from around the southeast will collaborate and perform with the dancers from the Alabama Dance Theatre’s seminar.
The performance will also feature the up and coming talent of the company in “Etudes” under the direction of Artistic Director Kitty Seale. This is an audience favorite as young and talented dancers exhibit their expert training.
“Stars on the Riverfront” performances are sponsored by Alabama Artificial Limb, Slawson Family, Montgomery Advertiser, the City of Montgomery, the Alabama State Council on the Arts, with additional support from the Alabama Power Foundation. Performances are free. Call 334-241-2590 or visit www.alabamadancetheatre.com for more information on the performances or to register for the two week seminar.

Video below courtesy of Sara’s Dad Video.

Alabama Dance Theatre to perform at International Ballet Competition

When: 24th, June 2010
Where: Jackson, Mississippi

The Alabama Dance Theatre will perform Janie Alford’s “Dances of Faith” at the International Ballet Competition in Jackson, MS on June 24, 2010. The Alabama Dance Theatre has the distinct honor of representing the Southeastern Regional Ballet Association Festival at the Regional Dance America Performance at IBC 2010.
The International Ballet competition is “one of the world’s most prestigious dance events. The USA International Ballet Competition is a two-week ‘olympic-style’ competition where tomorrow’s ballet stars vie for gold, silver, and bronze medals; cash awards and scholarships. Designated as the official USA Competition by a 1982 Joint Resolution of Congress, the USA IBC is held every four years, in the tradition of sister competitions in Varna, Bulgaria and Moscow, Russia.” Dancers that will be performing in “Dances of Faith” include Alabama Dance Theatre company members Taylor Calloway, Stephanie Fox, Sarah Fuller, Sarah Hitchner, McKenzie Middlebrooks, Savanna Moore, Elisha Rambin, Claire Slawson, Anne Caroline Thompson, and Catherine Gayle Thrash. Beth Nielsen Chapman and her band will perform live with ADT. “Dances of Faith” includes music from Beth’s Hymn’s and Prism albums. Musicians Ernest Chapman, Jessie Friedman, and John Ragusa will also travel to perform with the Alabama Dance Theatre.
This has been made possible thanks to the generous support of The Daniel Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Snow, Mr. and Mrs. Barrie Harmon, and Jim Alford with additional support by Dr. and Mrs. John Ashurst, Jay Ashurst, Bobby Bear, and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Litchfield.
ADT is based at the Armory Learning Arts Center which is located at 1018 Madison Avenue. Classes are offered from age 3 to the professional level. The Alabama Dance Theatre is under the direction of Kitty Seale. For more information, call 241-2590.

Peter Pan, and more!

“Alabama Dance Theatre presents Peter Pan and More”

Montgomery, AL … Back by popular demand, the Alabama Dance Theatre, celebrating its 23rd Season of Enchantment, will present its annual spring concert featuring the storybook classic “Peter Pan” on Friday, March 5th, Saturday March 6th, and Sunday, March 7th at the Davis Theatre for the Performing Arts.

Choreographed by ADT’s own Sara Sanford, “Peter Pan” is certain to delight children of all ages and the young at heart. Written by Sir J M Barrie, the play was first performed in England in 1940. Ms. Sanford has translated Peter Pan, with music by Carmen Deleone, into a two act ballet complete with flying characters and fantastic sets and costumes.

The story begins in the Darlings’ nursery. Once Wendy, John, and Michael have been put to bed, we see the first sign of Peter Pan and his tiny friend, Tinkerbell. Peter Pan flies through the nursery window and is quickly met by the children. Peter takes them away to Neverland (where all you need is happy thoughts and a dash of fairy dust!). Neverland itself is a magical place; it’s the home of the boy who never grew up and his loyal band of Lost Boys. It’s also the home of the notorious villain, Captain Hook, and his unruly band of pirates.

Rounding out the program will be new neoclassical and contemporary works by ballet master Foye DuBose, resident choreographer, Sara Sanford, and the popular “Invitation to the Dance” choreographed by Artistic Director Kitty Seale will round out ADT’s spring program.

ADT’s spring concert is sponsored by Regions Bank, Aronov Realty, and Montgomery Advertiser and funded in part by Sabel Steel and the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. Performances are Friday, March 5th at 7:30 p.m., a special children’s matinee on Saturday, March 6th at 2:30 p.m. (“Peter Pan” only)*, and Sunday, March 7th at 2:30 p.m. at the Davis Theatre. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, February 16 and range in price from $10-$25, and can be purchased by calling the Alabama Dance Theatre ticket line at 334-241-2800. For more information visit www.alabamadancetheatre.com. *After the shortened matinee performance on Saturday, March 6th, children are invited onstage to meet Peter Pan and other Neverland characters at an additional charge of $5.

Dracula and Mistletoe - Last bite of Halloween…first taste of Christmas

Montgomery, AL – Sink your teeth into the vampire obsession that’s sweeping the nation and come see Alabama Dance Theatre’s “Dracula” a ballet to die for Saturday, November 7th at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, November 8th at 2:30 p.m. at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. A special performance of “Mistletoe” featuring “Favorite Dances” will be performed Saturday, November 7th at 2:30 p.m. for Children.* Performance tickets are $15-$30. For information call 334-241-2800 or visit alabamadancetheatre.com. Tickets go on sale October 8 and may be purchased at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival box office (334.271.5353) or at asf.net. (*Following the Saturday matinee performance children can meet Santa Claus and characters onstage for an additional $5 charge.)

Alabama Dance Theatre Presents: Dracula

Montgomery, AL – Audiences across the country are sinking their teeth into thrilling vampire dramas. Don’t miss this opportunity to see vampires come to the stage as Alabama Dance Theatre presents the classic vampire story “Dracula” a ballet to die for. The Alabama Dance Theatre celebrating its 23rd season of En chantment, bids you welcome and cordially invites you to witness the sweeping dramatic epic tale of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula.” Choreographed by ADT’s own award winning Sara Sanford, “Dracula” is a must see and is sure to entertain the audience as one of our cultures most familiar stories. Performances will be held Saturday, November 7 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, November 8 at 2:30 p.m.

This masterpiece production, staged at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival on the Festival Stage will thrill audiences with special effects, lavish costumes, and breathtaking scenery. Philip Feeney’s score illuminates Bram Stoker’s classic novel with incredible clarity and breathes new life into this timeless story.

The ballet opens in Castle Dracula with one of the alluring Brides of Dracula escorting an already eccentric Renfield to his fate. Thousands of miles away there is a tearful goodbye between Jonathan Harker and his soon to be wife, Mina Murray. Jonathan Harker, a newly qualified English solicitor, is journeying by train from England to Count Dracula’s crumbling, remote castle situated in the Carpathian Mountains on the border of Transylvania. The purpose of his mission is to provide legal support to Dracula for a real estate transaction. Once there he quickly discovers that he has become a prisoner in the castle.

Lucy Westenra, Mina‘s best friend, is the subject of much gossip at a winter garden party. She is a vivacious character who receives several proposals from hopeful suitors. The party does not last long as an unusual storm rolls in bringing with it Dracula himself. He finds Lucy to be full of life and is instantly drawn to her. He places his claim and here is where all fates converge.

The story does not end here, but intrigue and surprises are better left unsaid. Dracula is full of beauty and magic even in its darkest moments. Let us put a spell on you. Witness the drama and horror that is sure to unfold in Dracula, a ballet to die for.

For those too fainthearted for Dracula, ADT will present a special children’s matinee of “Mistletoe”, which will feature the “Favorite Dances of Christmas” Saturday, November 7th at 2:30 p.m. All children will be invited to a party on stage with Santa Claus and dancers after the performance for an additional $5. ADT’s “Dracula” and “Mistletoe” concerts are sponsored by Alabama State Council on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

“Dracula” performances are Saturday, November 7th at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, November 8th at 7:30 pm. at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival on the Festival Stage. Tickets go on sale Thursday, October 8 and range in price from $15-$30. Tickets can be purchased online at at ASF.net or through the Shakespeare Festival box office (334.271.5353). For more information on classes, performances, or tickets visit www.alabamadancetheatre.com or call 334.241.2590.

** The Alabama Dance Theatre will host a special performance in honor of our Military Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. All active duty, retirees, reserve and National Guard military personnel and their families who present valid government military ID cards may pick up their tickets at Maxwell/Gunter ITT. You are encouraged to get these $6 tickets early!
Alabama Dance Theatre Presents: Stars on the Riverfront

The Alabama Dance Theatre will host its annual Summer Dance Seminar from July 20-August 3, 2009. Intermediate and Advanced dancers are eligible for this two week intensive seminar which features classical ballet, modern, and jazz classes taught by a nationally recognized guest faculty featuring former American Ballet Theatre Soloist, Shawn Black, and Complexions dancer and Ballet Academy East instructor, Sabra Perry, along with Alabama Dance Theatre faculty.

The Summer Dance Seminar which culminates with two free performances of “Stars on the Riverfront” that features a unique array of classical and contemporary works. Performances are Sunday, August 2 at 2:30 p.m. at the Armory Learning Arts Center and Monday, August 3 at 7:30 p.m. at the Riverwalk Amphitheater. For more information call 334-241-2590 or visit at www.alabamadancetheatre.com.

Alabama Dance Theatre Presents: Cinderella and More

Alabama Dance Theatre presents its 21st annual spring concert featuring the storybook classic “Cinderella and More” on Friday, February 29th at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 1st at 2:30 p.m.* and Sunday, March 3rd at 2:30 p.m. at The Davis Theatre for the Performing Arts. Performance tickets are $15-$30. Performance sponsors are Regions Bank, Aronov Realty, Montgomery Advertiser, and Hilton Garden Inn. For tickets, call (334) 241-2800 or visit Alabama Dance Theatre. (*Shortened children’s matinee with “Cinderella”; only. Following the Saturday Matinee children can meet Cinderella and characters onstage for an additional $5 charge.)

Alabama Dance Theatre Presents: Annual Spring Recital

Alabama Dance Theatre’s annual spring recital is a culmination of what ADT students have learned throughout the year. (Three year olds have a private showing for relatives at the Armory Learning Arts Center). The youngest students age 4 to 7 present a short story ballet at the beginning of the program. The various levels of Ballet (I-VI), Jazz (I-IV), Hip-Hop (I&II), Tap (I&II-III), and modern and each perform a short dance, beginning with the lower levels. Thus you see the progression of the students’ training in the 1 ½ hour long performance. The performance is free of charge and held at 7:00 p.m. at the Davis Theatre for the Performing Arts. For more information please call 334-241-2590.