American Ballet Theatre's
ABT II  

Friday, March 19, 2010
GC&SU Russell Auditorium
Milledgeville, GA

 

“One of the great dance success stories in recent years…”                                                                           The New York Times                                      “…just about as good as you can get."                                                                            New York Post

 

 

 

 

The presentation of American Ballet Theatre’s ABT II on Friday, March 19^th at the GC&SU Russell Auditorium was a landmark

production for The Oconee Performing Arts Society OPAS). This event marked the first ever performance presented by OPAS in

Baldwin County as well as our first Education & Outreach performance for the area students.

 

ABT II, under the direction of Wes Chapman, is a classical company of 13 young dancers of outstanding potential, handpicked
 
from around the world.  In its fifteenth season, ABT II prepares young dancers to enter American Ballet Theatre as well as other

professional ballet companies.  It also brings the excitement of close contact with a professional company to communities across
 
the country through public performances and educational outreach programs.

 

The dance company experienced true Southern Hospitality at the Welcome Dinner hosted

by OPAS supporters, Charles & Irene Miller, at their beautiful Milledgeville home. OPAS

Circles Members and dancers mingled in the magical gardens before enjoying a delicious
 
meal under the stars.

Friday was a busy day for the performers as they began their day at the theater with
 
a dance class and rehearsal after which the dancers quickly got into costume and began an Education & Outreach program for

area students. The audience of over 250 students from Baldwin County High School Early College Program, John Milledge

Academy, and Georgia Military College Prep School, enjoyed three full dances of varying styles.

 

The public performance Friday evening was preceded by a champagne reception held at the

historic home of Mr. Richard Sims, where OPAS supporters and guests enjoyed the beautiful

spring evening while sipping champagne and touring the beautifully restored home and

gardens. A highlight of the reception was Wes Chapman, ABT II Artistic Director,
 
stopping in for a meet and greet with guests.
 

The evening’s performance began with the full company in Barbara, a contemporary ballet

created for ABT II by Azsure Barton, featuring music by French pop singer Monique Serf
 
(known in France as Barbara). Next Meaghan Hinkis and Alberto Velazquez captivated

audience members with a Pas de Deux from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake followed by Brittany
 
DeGrofft and Brian Waldrep in an emotional performance of Pavlovsk. Skylar Brandt, Telmo

Moreira, Calvin Royal III delighted the audience in the Le Corsaire (The Pirate) pas de trios
 
a classical ballet by Marius Petipa, believed to be the most influential balletmaster and

choreographer that has ever lived. After a brief intermission, the full company performed

the final selection of the evening, Interplay, choreographed for ABT by Jerome Robbins
 
who later became famous for his work in West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, and King
 
and I.

 
Audience members declared the show a resounding success as many left the theater with
 
a skip in their step.

Special Thanks to the  Sponsors of ABT II   Miller-Brown Family Companies Charles & Irene Miller and Studio One School of Dance Christy McCabe.