Southeastern's Columbia Theatre to present holiday classic ballet
Contact: Tonya Lowentritt
12/2/11
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VISIONS OF SUGARPLUMS DANCED IN THEIR HEADS - Southeastern Louisiana University’s Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts will present Hammond Ballet Company’s “The Nutcracker” Dec. 9 and 10 at 7 p.m. Cast with mostly local children, the ballet will also feature two guest artists: Katia Garza as the Sugar Plum Fairy, kneeling, and Balazs Krajczar as the Nutcracker.
HAMMOND – For the ninth consecutive year, Southeastern Louisiana University’s Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts will present Hammond Ballet Company’s “The Nutcracker.” Due to the show’s popularity, the downtown Hammond theatre is offering two performances on Dec. 9 and 10 at 7 p.m.
“Watching this classic ballet come to life for new audiences each year is a wonderful way to start the season,” said Columbia Theatre Interim Director C. Roy Blackwood. “The music alone will take people through memories of Christmases past. Hammond Ballet, featuring professional dancers in the lead roles, does such an honorable job of bringing fresh energy to this holiday favorite. It will be a treat for all of us.”
The role of Clara will be performed by 12-year-old Teddi Elizabeth Rayborn of Ponchatoula. The daughter of Lori and Ted Rayborn, Teddi is a 7th grade student at Oaks Montessori School and a dance student at A Touch of Class in Ponchatoula. Last summer she spent five weeks at Central Pennsylvania Ballet’s summer program and was also accepted to the American Ballet Theatre’s summer intensive.
Cast with mostly local children, the ballet will also feature two guest artists: Katia Garza as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Balazs Krajczar as the Nutcracker.
Originally from Piedras Negras Coahuila, Mexico, Garza began her training in Monterrey, Mexico, at the Escuela Superior de Musica y Danza de Monterrey. Upon graduation, she joined the Ballet de Monterrey and became a soloist after six months. She was a finalist at the 2002 International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Miss., and in 2010 received the Outstanding Female in the Arts Award for Hispanic Women that make a difference in central Florida. This is her 10th year with the Orlando Ballet as a principal dancer.
Krajczar studied at the Hungarian Dance Academy and later danced with North Carolina Dance Theatre II, Columbia Classical Ballet and Tulsa Ballet. He was awarded the third prize at the 2004 International Ballet Competition in Vienna, Austria, and was a finalist at the 2010 USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Miss. He is currently in his third season with the Orlando Ballet.
Tickets for the Nutcracker, $26 Orchestra, $32 Loge, and $20 Balcony, are available at the Columbia Theatre box office, (985) 543-4371, or online at columbiatheatre.org. Box office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and one hour before performance times.
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