Mar 23
Gwinnett Ballet Theatre’s ‘Cinderella’ brings fairies and glass slippers to the Infinite Energy Theater
By: Holley Calmes
Published: March 22, 2018
Performing the role of Cinderella in Gwinnett Ballet Theatre’s production of the well-loved fairy tale can be considered a harbinger of good fortune. GBT ballerinas who have danced the role in the past all graduated to dance in professional companies.
The ballerina performing Cinderella at the Infinite Energy Theater this weekend hopes the trend continues. Brianna Mack, a senior at Shiloh High School, is setting her sights on a dance career.
This version of the ballet was choreographed by Thom Clower, an internationally recognized teacher, dancer and choreographer.
“This ‘Cinderella’ is fun, fun, fun,” Clower said. “What I like most about it are the characterizations. Prokofiev’s score features musical themes for the various roles. For example, there is musical disparity between Cinderella’s plight and her funny family.”
Humor is enhanced with the stepmother’s and stepsisters’ amusing names: “Superbia,” “Fabuloso” and “Marveloso.”
“This show is wonderful for all ages,” GBT spokesperson Darcy Farrington-Ryan said. “There is a little bit of something for everyone. There is beautiful ballet, of course, but there is also a lot of humor and the magical wonder that lends itself to fairy tales.”
“GBT’s shows are also unique in that little ones who come to our shows have the opportunity to see dancers that look just like them up on the stage doing incredible dancing,” Farrington-Ryan said. “We think it inspires them.”
“Cinderella” will be performed at 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 24 and 25. There is also a Saturday evening performance at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $14 and $22, and are available at www.gassouthdistrict.com.
The performances in March are not the end of the Cinderella theme at GBT. On April 14 and again on the 25, GBT’s studios in Lawrenceville will host a “Cinderella Experience.” Young dancers can take a class, meet Cinderella and see excerpts from the ballet up close in the studio.
June 4 through 8 will find GBT alumni Robert Dekkers returning to teach a week of summer intensives. Dekkers is the founder of “Post:Ballet” in San Francisco, a contemporary dance company that is experiencing great national recognition.
“Robert is doing exciting work all over the country, and we’re honored that he finds time every summer to visit his GBT home and share his knowledge and passion with our dancers,” Farrington-Ryan said.
GBT’s current Cinderella will have an exciting summer. Mack has been accepted into summer programming at Joffrey Ballet, Orlando Ballet, Charlotte Ballet, Nashville Ballet and Texas Ballet Theatre. She has also been offered a position in Richmond Ballet’s Trainee Division. She’s yet to decide which opportunity to choose.
Mack also has good advice for young dancers: “Always give it your all. Cherish your moments in the studio, and never let anyone tell you that you can’t.”
For information about GBT’s April Cinderella and summer events, visit www.gwinnettballet.org or call 770-237-0046. The GBT studios are located by 1800 Macloud Drive in Lawrenceville.