“Stunning…” “Provocative…” “An extravaganza that guarantees a good time…”
Reviews from across the southeast praise the Columbia City Ballet’s production of "Dracula: Ballet with a Bite." Statesboro residents can see the ballet for themselves when Dracula comes to the Emma Kelly Theater for performances Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
The ballet was conceived and choreographed by William Starrett, the executive and artistic director of the Columbia City Ballet in Columbia, S.C. Starrett has been affiliated with Columbia City Ballet for 30 years.
Also, Saturday's production uses approximately 25 Statesboro Youth Ballet dancers, who auditioned for Starrett in August. Local rehearsals were conducted by Shay T. Morgan, Statesboro Youth Ballet director. Morgan has a long-standing professional relationship with Starrett, for whom she was a guest artist while working and teaching with Ballet South in Savannah.
Dracula uses many special effects to enhance the dancing, including surround sound music, strobe lights, flying bats, people walking through walls, coffins, gates that open and close on their own, and realistic looking blood. Starrett said that in that regard, “It's your typical Halloween fare, definitely not your stereotypical ballet with girls running around in fluffy tutu’s”
Starrett originally created the ballet in 1991 together with Thomas Semanski, music composer and arranger, and Robert Kemsley. When asked about his inspiration for the ballet, Starrett said that “Bram Stoker’s original "Dracula" was just a great story.”
In conjunction with Saturday's Dracula performances, the Averitt Center for the Arts will hold an American Red Cross Blood Drive from 12:30 — 6 p.m. Anyone who donates blood during the drive will receive a $5 off coupon to be used towards a Dracula ticket.
“We felt this was a fun and beneficial way to get the community involved in this production,” said Tim Chapman, Averitt Center Executive Director.
Other events over the weekend include a ballet master class on Friday evening, taught by a Columbia City Ballet professional. The class is $15 and open to anyone 12 and over who has some experience in ballet. Pre-registration is required, call (912) 212-2787 to register.
The Averitt Center is also will hold "Bites of the ‘Boro," a dessert tasting event showcasing local restaurants and caterers. There is a $5 entrance fee to Bites, located in the Averitt Center’s Main Gallery from 4-6 p.m.
Tickets for "Dracula: Ballet with a Bite" can be purchased by calling (912) 212-2787 or stopping by the Emma Kelly Theater Box Office Tues — Friday from 1 -5:30 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door – unless the performances sell out.
Reviews from across the southeast praise the Columbia City Ballet’s production of "Dracula: Ballet with a Bite." Statesboro residents can see the ballet for themselves when Dracula comes to the Emma Kelly Theater for performances Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
The ballet was conceived and choreographed by William Starrett, the executive and artistic director of the Columbia City Ballet in Columbia, S.C. Starrett has been affiliated with Columbia City Ballet for 30 years.
Also, Saturday's production uses approximately 25 Statesboro Youth Ballet dancers, who auditioned for Starrett in August. Local rehearsals were conducted by Shay T. Morgan, Statesboro Youth Ballet director. Morgan has a long-standing professional relationship with Starrett, for whom she was a guest artist while working and teaching with Ballet South in Savannah.
Dracula uses many special effects to enhance the dancing, including surround sound music, strobe lights, flying bats, people walking through walls, coffins, gates that open and close on their own, and realistic looking blood. Starrett said that in that regard, “It's your typical Halloween fare, definitely not your stereotypical ballet with girls running around in fluffy tutu’s”
Starrett originally created the ballet in 1991 together with Thomas Semanski, music composer and arranger, and Robert Kemsley. When asked about his inspiration for the ballet, Starrett said that “Bram Stoker’s original "Dracula" was just a great story.”
In conjunction with Saturday's Dracula performances, the Averitt Center for the Arts will hold an American Red Cross Blood Drive from 12:30 — 6 p.m. Anyone who donates blood during the drive will receive a $5 off coupon to be used towards a Dracula ticket.
“We felt this was a fun and beneficial way to get the community involved in this production,” said Tim Chapman, Averitt Center Executive Director.
Other events over the weekend include a ballet master class on Friday evening, taught by a Columbia City Ballet professional. The class is $15 and open to anyone 12 and over who has some experience in ballet. Pre-registration is required, call (912) 212-2787 to register.
The Averitt Center is also will hold "Bites of the ‘Boro," a dessert tasting event showcasing local restaurants and caterers. There is a $5 entrance fee to Bites, located in the Averitt Center’s Main Gallery from 4-6 p.m.
Tickets for "Dracula: Ballet with a Bite" can be purchased by calling (912) 212-2787 or stopping by the Emma Kelly Theater Box Office Tues — Friday from 1 -5:30 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door – unless the performances sell out.