Sat Nov 07 2009
By Cecil Giltz
Lifetimes staff writer
Meghan Dietz of Kent may only be a junior at Theodore Roosevelt High School in Kent, but as a pre-professional ballerina with the Ballet Theatre of Ohio, which is making its professional debut on Feb. 3 and 4, she will be dancing with the professionals at "Ballet Under the Stars."
Dietz will perform in "Summer Night" by Chopin, choreographed by the late Heinz Poll; and in the world premiere ballets of "Beyond the Stars" and "Rosso," both choreographed by Christine Meneer, artistic director.
The program performances at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Akron Civic Theatre also will include "World Premiere" by Prokofiev, choreographed by Meneer; "Adagio for Two Dancers" by Albinoni, choreographed by Poll, restaged with permission from Jane Startzman.
Ballet Theatre of Ohio was originally a pre-professional ballet company, Children's Ballet Theatre, which was founded in 1993 by Meneer. For the past 14 years, CBT has presented professional quality full-length classical ballet productions at the historic Akron Civic Theatre. "The Nutcracker," performed every holiday season, and other full-length ballets including "Cinderella," "Copellia" and "Sleeping Beauty," presented each spring, attract the largest ballet audience in Northeastern Ohio.
Collaborations with other area organizations such as the Akron Public Schools, the Akron Symphony Orchestra and Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens have enabled the company to educate, enrich and entertain the Akron community.
The decline of professional ballet in Northeastern Ohio inspired Meneer to carry on the ballet tradition that her mentor, the late Heinz Poll, started in Akron nearly 40 years ago.
Building upon its past success, CBT has hired professional dancers, changed its name and become a professional ballet company, Ballet Theatre of Ohio.
The annual "Nutcracker" and full-length classical spring productions will be a part of the new company, which also will present repertory performances and extensive educational outreach programs for the youth and the Akron area community.
Ticket prices are $30, $25 and $20 through TicketMaster. Discount ticket prices are available through the Web site at www.BalletTheatreOhio.org, or by mentioning code BTO when ordering through the Akron Civic Theatre box office at (330) 253-2488 or (330) 972-7570.
Comments
By Posting to this site, you agree to our Terms of Service Be polite.
Inappropriate posts may be removed.
Recordpub.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post.
Login above or Register to comment.
0 Total Comments Home | Back
Copyright Record Publishing Co, LLC. 1995-2009. All Rights Reserved.
Content may not be republished without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
Content may not be republished without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
Dix Communications