ABT Dancers Perform Nutcracker in Transformed Theater Space

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The 2013 Nutcracker Suite at Albemarle Ballet Theatre in Crozet.
The 2013 Nutcracker Suite at Albemarle Ballet Theatre in Crozet.

Two dozen local dance students brightened the holidays with their performance of “The Nutcracker” to eight sold-out audiences at Albemarle Ballet Theatre in downtown Crozet. The performances highlighted the new lighting, projection and stage improvements to ABT’s studio, effectively turning it into an intimate theater.

The show included the well-known roles of Clara, Sugar Plum and dancers from many countries. Two casts arrayed in handmade costumes included Eileen Boyle & Amia Salisbury as Arabian, Sophia Greenhoe & Chloe Hannah as Ballerina Doll, Alissa Bush & Kari Keyser as Chinese, Noa Kipnis & Camden Luck as Clara, Olivia DeLaura & Kelsey Tarleton as Mirliton, Zaynab Manaaki, Hannah Peterson, Maddie Thiess and Isobel Williamson as Raggedy Ann Dolls, Ivy Allen & Michal Kipnis as Russian, Emma Gilbert & Maeve Winter as Snow Queen, Kyra Ventura & Claire Zwadlo as Soldier Doll, Amanda & Anna DeLaura as Spanish. Mother was played by the school’s director Sally Hart and instructors Ashley Geisler and Veronica Hart.

ABT’s Gary Hart said that a raised seating area for audiences is next on the agenda for the space.