A New 'Snow' is in the Forecast for The Theatre of Ballet Arts
 
The Theatre of Ballet Arts, directed by Jo Rosser, will soon present its fifth annual production of 'The Nutcracker' sponsored by Frizzell Construction.   "I'm thrilled that we have been able to successfully bring 'The Nutcracker' to the Paramount stage for half of a decade.  We consider it our gift to the community for supporting us throughout the year," says Mrs. Rosser.  "Our benefit performance on Saturday afternoon gives us an opportunity to give back to Bristol and the surrounding area.  We want everyone to have the opportunity to start the Christmas season with us." Jo continues.   The 2008 production will be extra special for the Frizzell and Owens families as Clara will be portrayed by Amy Gross and Courtney Owens.  John David Raymond will take the stage for the second year as the Nutcracker.
 
This year, audiences will be enchanted by a different snowy look at the end of Act I.  An instructor at Ballet Arts Academy, Cindy Bernshausen, has created new choreography to one of the most famous sections of Tchaikovsky's winter masterpiece.  Ms. Bernshausen is originally from Elizabethton and has worked professionally with the Colorado Ballet, Ballet Met, Tampa Ballet, and Maryland Ballet among others.  She has performed principle roles in such ballets as Coppelia, Cinderella, Nutcracker, and Les Sylphides.  As director of dance of Performing Arts School of Worcester in Massachusetts, the dancers participated in the Regional Dance America Association and foreign exchange programs with Russia.  In 1999, Ms. Bernshausen joined the faculty of the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet known internationally for the outstanding training of dancers and continues to teach there during the summer months.   "The dance integrates poise, strength, and grace in patterns designed to interpret an artful snowstorm," commented Leah Rosser, of TTBA.  Ms. Bernshausen has brought an incredible precision of movement to the natural grace of the art of ballet in the new variation of 'The Waltz of the Snowflakes.'  The Theatre of Ballet Arts Senior Company members are anxious to present this work for their audiences.  When asked to comment about the new choreography, the girls were quick to share their thoughts.  Camille Clark says, "It is an intense, exhausting dance, but that last note makes me feel like I have accomplished something big."  Another dancer, Kelsea Nickels, adds " I really like it because it is different and has a wider variety of steps." 
 
The Theatre of Ballet Arts will also be welcoming guest artist Matt Sparks to the stage.  He will portray the Prince opposite the company's own Sugar Plum Fairy, Leah Rosser.  Sparks is a native Louisville, Kentucky, He has performed in a variety of summer stock and regional theater productions. He is a graduate of Butler University with a BFA in Dance Performance.  He is also performing the Prince in Clara's Dream with the University of Louisville's Dance Theatre.  Sparks, currently a freelance performer, has taken the stage with groups such as Dance Kaleidoscope.
 
The Theatre of Ballet Arts will be offering school performances on December 10th and 11th at 9:30 am.  To make school reservations call (276) 644-9465 or email balletarts@bvunet.net.  Public performances will be December 12th and 13th at 7:30 pm and December 13th and 14th at 2:30 p.m.  Public performance ticket reservations can be made by calling (423) 274-8920.