Five students from Miss Olivia’s British School of Ballet in Hoosick Falls auditioned for parts in the Christmas Ballet “The Nutcracker” All five girls received parts. Over 200 students from different ballet schools auditioned, and about 35 were chosen.
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Elizabeth Lauver, 9 years old from Cambridge will be a party child. Ella Hunt, 10 years old from Eagle Bridge, will be an angel. Chloe Bruno, 8 years old, from Cambridge, will be an angel. Catherine Bitteker, 10 years old, from Bennington, VT, will also be an angel. Greta Bitteker, 8 years old, will be a Polichinello.
Photo courtesy of Olivia Sumerlin.
Elizabeth, Ella, Catherine and Greta have all danced in the “The Nutcracker” before.
This production is put on by the Albany Berkshire Ballet Company. Madeline Culpo Cantarella is the Artistic Director and owner of the Cantarella Dance Schools.
Miss Olivia said, The scenery and the costumes in this production are so beautiful, as is the tree, that grows like magic. The children dance like little professionals. They get very excited when the time comes for dress rehearsals and performances.”
Miss Olivia has had students dancing in “The Nutcracker” for the last 39 years. Every student from her school who auditioned has been given a part.
Miss Olivia’s students are dancing in performances in Pittsfield, MA in the elegantly restored Colonial Theatre.
Performances are Saturday, December 3 at 2:30 and 6:30 pm, and Sunday December 4 at 4:30 pm.
Elizabeth also danced in Sheffield, MA on Saturday November 19 and Sunday November 20. The Ballet Company will also be performing in several other cities and states.
Chloe also auditioned and will be dancing in Saratoga in the National Museum of Dance production of “The Nutcracker” on December 10. If you would like more information on performances or dance classes (ballet, tap, and gymnastics), please call 518-686-9440.[/private]