OPAS Education & Outreach


American Ballet Theatre's
ABT II

GC&SU Russell Auditorium
Milledgeville, GA

Friday, March 19, 2010

The Oconee Performing Arts Society (OPAS) expanded its
 
Education & Outreach programs to include students in Milledgeville
 
area with their presentation of American Ballet Theatre’s ABT II at
 
the GC&SU Russell Auditorium on March 19, 2010 at 1pm.


The program provided an opportunity for Baldwin county students to catch a glimpse of the
 
diverse style and talents of the 16-20 year old dancers who make up this small, elite, dance

company.  ABT II exists to prepare outstanding dancers from around the world for a career in dance, and a place within the

world renowned American Ballet Theatre, or other leading national and international professional companies.


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.  ABT II Artistic Director Wes Chapman, who studied with Mikhail
 
Baryshnikov, one of the greatest ballet dancers of the 20th century, provided those
 
present with information about the ballet company, the choreographers and styles, as well
 
as answering the many questions from the students.


Dances produced in the experience were Barbara, a contemporary ballet created for

ABT II by Azsure Barton, featuring music by French pop singer Monique Serf (known in
 
France as Barbara); Le Corsaire, (The Pirate) a classical ballet by Marius Petipa, believed
 
to be the most influential balletmaster and choreographer that has ever lived; and
 
Interplay, created for ABT II by Jerome Robbins, who later became famous for his work in
 
West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, and King and I.