Reading Eagle: Berks Ballet Theatre Adds Fourth Show for ‘The Nutcracker’ on Stage in Kutztown
This year’s production presented at new location at Schaeffer Auditorium
Berks Ballet Theatre has added a fourth show, giving audiences another chance to see the nostalgic classical ballet “The Nutcracker” on stage with a live orchestra at Kutztown University’s Schaeffer Auditorium on Dec. 17 and 18. The ballet company will perform the holiday classic in a new location in Kutztown with the accompaniment of the Reading Pops Orchestra on Dec. 17 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. and Dec. 18 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
“This year we’re excited to be in a new theater and to be presenting four performances. It’s giving our dancers more opportunities to rotate roles and giving our audience more options to see the ballet,”said Berks Ballet Theatre’s Artistic Director Kelly Barber in the release.
Berks Ballet Theatre’s “The Nutcracker” is co-choreographed by Barber and Nathan Bland, a ballet master and resident choreographer, with 20 company dancers and 30 students from the company’s namesake, Berks Ballet Theatre Conservatory of Dance.
Company soloists in this year’s “Nutcracker” include Wyomissing Area High School senior Ellie Folga and Reading High School junior Jessica Bealer who will share the role of Snow Queen; Exeter High School senior Christina Kopecky will dance the role of Dew Drop and Mouse Queen; Berks Catholic High School senior Kaia Kantner will dance the role of Trepak; and three young dancers, Colette Jordan, Maeve Keeler, and Hennessey Kehs-Rossi, will share the coveted role of Clara.
“We are also very excited to be able to bring in the guest artists that we have, who will beautifully complement our own polished dancers,” said Barber.
Aaron Smyth, a well-known dancer hailing from Los Angeles, will join the company in the ballet’s leading male position. Smyth is best known for his associations with American Ballet Theatre II In New York, The Royal Ballet in London and The Joffrey Ballet in Chicago as well as being an original cast member in London’s West End production of “An American in Paris.”
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