The 4th Annual Nutcracker Ballet Returns to SEASIDE®
Saturday, Nov. 21, 5 p.m., Seaside Amphitheater
Ballet Pensacola and Northwest Florida Area Dancers
Perform Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker in SEASIDE®
SEASIDE®, Fla. (Nov. 12, 2015) – The Merchants of Seaside will host the 4th annual Nutcracker ballet to be performed by Northwest Florida area dancers and, for the first time, Ballet Pensacola. Now established as a Seaside holiday tradition, the one-time performance is free and open to the public Saturday, Nov. 21 at 5 p.m. in the Seaside Amphitheater.
The Nutcracker in Seaside is under the direction of Ballet Pensacola Artistic Director and General Manager Richard Steinert. Known for his innovative and collaborative style of theatre and dance, Steinert has worked in repertory companies throughout the United States. Since his inaugural season as artistic director in 2007, he has held the attention of the ballet and arts community through a series of critically acclaimed performances and projects directed at broadening the experience of the dance enthusiast. “From dancing candy canes to sparkling fairies and snow, the whimsy of the Nutcracker performance in Seaside will create wonderful memories for every member of the family,” said Steinert. “With more than 25 years of experience presenting ‘The Nutcracker,’ Ballet Pensacola is excited to bring this new experience to the artists and patrons of Seaside.”
Featuring Acts I and II, the Nutcracker in Seaside will last approximately an hour. Set to a score by Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky, the performance will feature approximately 30 Ballet Pensacola ballerinas and 10 local dancers, ages 8 to 18.
The first Nutcracker in Seaside was performed in 2012 when Seaside co-founder and patron of the Arts Daryl Davis invited Alpharetta Dance Theatre dancers to perform the Nutcracker with the Dance Academy of Seaside Neighborhood School. There was standing room only for that first performance which ignited the holiday spirit in the hearts of those who now view the event as an area tradition. In September, auditions were held for Northwest Florida dancers, ages 8 to 18, from Pensacola to Panama City who wanted to dance in this year’s performance.
Seleta Hayes Howard, Nutcracker Ballet Mistress and Special Projects Director has been rehearsing the Northwest Florida area dancers since September. “We are grateful for the support of Daryl Davis, who is dedicated to bringing the Arts into our community. Participating in the Nutcracker ballet in Seaside provides area dancers with a platform in which to improve their confidence, discipline, and dance skills for both presenting material and working toward a goal. This gives them a great sense of achievement as well as skills they will use in all life situations. It is an honor to share in this magical, cultural experience with our community and region.”
“Seaside’s Nutcracker has become a beloved holiday tradition for this community, and Ballet Pensacola is honored to be part of this classic production for the first time,” said Ballet Pensacola Director of Development and Marketing Courtney Dell. “Featuring talented dancers from Northwest Florida and professionals from around the globe, this year’s production is sure to surprise and delight the audience.”
In case of inclement weather, the performance will be held on Sunday, Nov. 22 at 5 p.m. at the Lyceum Lawn next to the Seaside Neighborhood School.
For more information, visit www.seasidefl.com or call (850) 714-3166.
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About SEASIDE®
Seaside, built on 80 acres on Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, is located on South Walton County’s Hwy. 30-A. Acclaimed world-wide as one of the iconic examples of New Urbanism, Seaside offers a thriving town center with shopping and dining, all within walkable distance to homes, cottages and offices. Consisting of more than 400 homes, many of them vacation rentals, the community offers 17 restaurants and eateries, and 37 shops, galleries and services.
Seaside is currently being featured on the Cooking Channel’s Emeril’s Florida, was just named “2015 Best Family Beach” from the Travel Channel, was recently named the “Best Beach on Earth” for families by Travel + Leisure magazine and included in USA Today’s “Top 10 Best Beach Towns in Florida (2013) by “Dr. Beach.” The holiday town was also the primary filming location of the classic movie “The Truman Show.”
Seaside is a prominent topic in architectural schools and housing-industry magazines, is visited by design professionals from throughout the United States, and is included in the American Institute of Architects (Florida chapter) list of Florida Architecture: 100 Years 100 Places.
For more information, visit www.seasidefl.com or call (850) 231-6179.
About Ballet Pensacola:
Steinert has opened the door for tomorrow’s dancers through the Ballet Pensacola Academy where hundreds of young dancers are able to experience the joy of dance for themselves. Many of the dancers in Ballet Pensacola have received their training at the Ballet Pensacola Academy and many more find additional opportunities at other distinguished dance companies and training facilities and universities. As a guest instructor at many professional programs, Steinert is a sought after master teacher throughout the United States. He is currently an adjunct faculty member at the University of West Florida and sits as a Scholar-In-Residence at The Bishops School in La Jolla, California. Steinert is also actively involved in teaching master classes and coaching young performers at his alma mater, Catawba College, in Salisbury, North Carolina
Ballet Pensacola is Pensacola’s only resident professional ballet company. The addition of full-time professional dancers to the ranks has enabled Ballet Pensacola to develop into a cultural cornerstone of the community. Not only do professional dancers enable important outreach programming, but they also serve as inspiration to the many student dancers who share the stage.
Ballet Pensacola presents several major performances each season including a fall performance, the Nutcracker and a critically acclaimed spring repertory concert. In addition, outreach performances are presented to more than 10 local schools each season, reaching more than 10,000 students.
The Ballet Pensacola Company is comprised of the aforementioned professional dancers along with talented student dancers selected through an audition. Youth Ensemble members are also selected from an audition. The Youth Ensemble provides an excellent opportunity for Company bound young dancers to develop their technique and stagecraft prior to encountering the rigors of full Company responsibility. Dancers, in Tech 5 and above, who are fully registered students, may audition to join the Ballet Pensacola Company and Youth Ensemble. Participation in Ballet Pensacola Company activities, rehearsals and performances is extracurricular to the student’s training.
Company members may appear in performances, as well as outreach activities and other events. Through participation in Ballet Pensacola Company, dancers learn the artistic qualities and stagecraft that are necessary to the development of the dance artist.
Featuring Acts I and II, the Nutcracker in Seaside will last approximately an hour. Set to a score by Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky, the performance will feature approximately 30 Ballet Pensacola ballerinas and 10 local dancers, ages 8 to 18.
The first Nutcracker in Seaside was performed in 2012 when Seaside co-founder and patron of the Arts Daryl Davis invited Alpharetta Dance Theatre dancers to perform the Nutcracker with the Dance Academy of Seaside Neighborhood School. There was standing room only for that first performance which ignited the holiday spirit in the hearts of those who now view the event as an area tradition. In September, auditions were held for Northwest Florida dancers, ages 8 to 18, from Pensacola to Panama City who wanted to dance in this year’s performance.
Seleta Hayes Howard, Nutcracker Ballet Mistress and Special Projects Director has been rehearsing the Northwest Florida area dancers since September. “We are grateful for the support of Daryl Davis, who is dedicated to bringing the Arts into our community. Participating in the Nutcracker ballet in Seaside provides area dancers with a platform in which to improve their confidence, discipline, and dance skills for both presenting material and working toward a goal. This gives them a great sense of achievement as well as skills they will use in all life situations. It is an honor to share in this magical, cultural experience with our community and region.”
“Seaside’s Nutcracker has become a beloved holiday tradition for this community, and Ballet Pensacola is honored to be part of this classic production for the first time,” said Ballet Pensacola Director of Development and Marketing Courtney Dell. “Featuring talented dancers from Northwest Florida and professionals from around the globe, this year’s production is sure to surprise and delight the audience.”
In case of inclement weather, the performance will be held on Sunday, Nov. 22 at 5 p.m. at the Lyceum Lawn next to the Seaside Neighborhood School.
For more information, visit www.seasidefl.com or call (850) 714-3166.
###
About SEASIDE®
Seaside, built on 80 acres on Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, is located on South Walton County’s Hwy. 30-A. Acclaimed world-wide as one of the iconic examples of New Urbanism, Seaside offers a thriving town center with shopping and dining, all within walkable distance to homes, cottages and offices. Consisting of more than 400 homes, many of them vacation rentals, the community offers 17 restaurants and eateries, and 37 shops, galleries and services.
Seaside is currently being featured on the Cooking Channel’s Emeril’s Florida, was just named “2015 Best Family Beach” from the Travel Channel, was recently named the “Best Beach on Earth” for families by Travel + Leisure magazine and included in USA Today’s “Top 10 Best Beach Towns in Florida (2013) by “Dr. Beach.” The holiday town was also the primary filming location of the classic movie “The Truman Show.”
Seaside is a prominent topic in architectural schools and housing-industry magazines, is visited by design professionals from throughout the United States, and is included in the American Institute of Architects (Florida chapter) list of Florida Architecture: 100 Years 100 Places.
For more information, visit www.seasidefl.com or call (850) 231-6179.
About Ballet Pensacola:
Steinert has opened the door for tomorrow’s dancers through the Ballet Pensacola Academy where hundreds of young dancers are able to experience the joy of dance for themselves. Many of the dancers in Ballet Pensacola have received their training at the Ballet Pensacola Academy and many more find additional opportunities at other distinguished dance companies and training facilities and universities. As a guest instructor at many professional programs, Steinert is a sought after master teacher throughout the United States. He is currently an adjunct faculty member at the University of West Florida and sits as a Scholar-In-Residence at The Bishops School in La Jolla, California. Steinert is also actively involved in teaching master classes and coaching young performers at his alma mater, Catawba College, in Salisbury, North Carolina
Ballet Pensacola is Pensacola’s only resident professional ballet company. The addition of full-time professional dancers to the ranks has enabled Ballet Pensacola to develop into a cultural cornerstone of the community. Not only do professional dancers enable important outreach programming, but they also serve as inspiration to the many student dancers who share the stage.
Ballet Pensacola presents several major performances each season including a fall performance, the Nutcracker and a critically acclaimed spring repertory concert. In addition, outreach performances are presented to more than 10 local schools each season, reaching more than 10,000 students.
The Ballet Pensacola Company is comprised of the aforementioned professional dancers along with talented student dancers selected through an audition. Youth Ensemble members are also selected from an audition. The Youth Ensemble provides an excellent opportunity for Company bound young dancers to develop their technique and stagecraft prior to encountering the rigors of full Company responsibility. Dancers, in Tech 5 and above, who are fully registered students, may audition to join the Ballet Pensacola Company and Youth Ensemble. Participation in Ballet Pensacola Company activities, rehearsals and performances is extracurricular to the student’s training.
Company members may appear in performances, as well as outreach activities and other events. Through participation in Ballet Pensacola Company, dancers learn the artistic qualities and stagecraft that are necessary to the development of the dance artist.
