The Nutcracker

The Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation and the Friends of Westchester Ballet Company are excited to present this year’s performance of The Nutcracker December 18, 19 and 20.

Westchester Ballet Company’s production of this magical family holiday classic with spectacular scenery and costumes, classic choreography and special stage effects is a gem of a production, at family affordable prices.

The performance features American Ballet Theatre’s Mikhail Ilyin as the Cavalier,  Renata Pavam as the Sugar Plum Fairy, and talented pre-professional dancers from our area.

Conveniently located at the Westchester County Center.

Advance purchased tickets are ONLY $18 for adults, $12 for children (ages 2-10) and seniors (ages 60 and up).  All tickets $22 day of the performance. Group rates as low as $10 are available through November 30^th.

Click on tickets and performances for more details.

We look forward to seeing you in December!

Nutcracker Schools Performace

On Friday, December 18^th at 10 a.m., students can enjoy the thrill of a professional quality ballet production of the timeless holiday classic The Nutcracker – at a very affordable price!  Tickets JUST $7 per student and $18 per adult with one complimentary adult ticket for every 15 student tickets.  Return to your school by 12:45 p.m.

Click on Nutcracker School Performance for a flyer with additional details and Nutcracker School Performance Order Form to order tickets. Call (914) 864-7077 for more information.

Nutcracker Gift Program available for disadvantaged children and people with special needs (maximum of 20 gift tickets per school).

We look forward to seeing you in December!

Fall Cocktail Party & Puzzle Fundraiser

Please join us at our 2^nd Annual Fall Cocktail Party, October 24, from 7:00 until 10 pm, at Knollwood Country Club, Elmsford NY.  The evening features an open bar, heavy hors d’ouvres, carving station, dessert and coffee.  Tickets are $75 per person.  This event is for those 21 & older.

The evening also marks the launch of Westchester Ballet Company’s efforts to raise funds to assemble a full-length ballet for Spring 2011, to celebrate 25 years under the artistic direction of Beth Fritz-Logrea and Jean Logrea, and the 60^th anniversary of the Westchester Ballet Company.  We have 1000 puzzle pieces to sell, with prices ranging from $25 to $500.

Our Fall Cocktail Party Invitation provides more details about this lovely evening and how you can contribute to our “puzzle fundraiser.”  Your support is vital.  Help us by purchasing one or many pieces of our “puzzle” pieces to complete this work of art.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you on October 24.

Company Membership and Nutcracker Auditions September 12 & 13

Auditions for membership in the Westchester Ballet Company and roles in the company’s 2009 production of The Nutcracker, to be performed at the Westchester County Center December 18 – 20, will be held on Saturday, September 12 and on Sunday, September 13.  Audition times vary depending on the dancer’s level of experience. Children who are 7 years old, entering second grade, and have previous dance experience may audition to become student dancers in The Nutcracker. Boys and girls at least 8 years old may audition for membership in the ballet company, as well as for roles in The Nutcracker. Adults may also try out for the Party Scene and do not need previous dance experience.

Our 2009 Nutcracker Audition Flyer provides more specific information about the audition schedule and how to prepare for the audition. All auditions will be held at the Logrea Dance Academy studios at 2 Dale Avenue in Ossining.  All attending should arrive at least one-half hour earlier than their scheduled audition time for registration.

The benefits of performing in a professional-caliber production are innumerable – far more than the fun of putting on a costume and executing steps before an audience.  The additional training, the musicality, the discipline and responsibility, the camaraderie, the backstage exposure to professional dancers and a union stage crew, not to mention the exhilaration of the lights and the applause, are just some of the rewards of this undertaking.  However, participation also involves a substantial commitment of time and energy from dancers and parents – at a very busy time of year.  Please read the 2009 Nutcracker Audition Guide carefully and consider the commitments that are described within seriously – we must adhere to them to make a production of this quality possible.

Membership in the Westchester Ballet Company is based on a number of factors, and dancers are cast in roles suitable to their ages, levels, abilities and sizes.  All casting decisions by the Artistic Directors are final. Dancers cast in Westchester Ballet Company productions must take at least one class per week with the company’s Artistic Directors, Beth Fritz-Logrea and Jean Logrea.

Questions … leave us a message at (914) 941-4532 or email us at info@westchesterballet.org and we’ll get back to you.

Twenty-First Annual Scholarship Auditions To Be Held September 10

On Thursday, September 10, 2009, the Westchester Ballet Company will hold its twenty-first annual scholarship auditions for boys and girls ages 8 to 18 at the Logrea Dance Academy at 2 Dale Avenue in Ossining.  All applicants are asked to arrive one-half hour before their audition time to register.  Scholarships are awarded primarily for instruction in ballet at Logrea Dance Academy.  Awards are made on the basis of a student’s talent, motivation and financial need.  All decisions are final.

The audition for students ages 8 to 12 without previous dance experience will be held from 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM; for intermediate/beginner students ages 8-11 with dance experience (ballet levels III and IV) from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM; for advanced beginner/ intermediate students ages 10 to 12 (ballet levels V and VI) from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM; for intermediate students – girls on pointe (ballet levels A and B) ages 13-17 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM; for intermediate/advanced students – girls on pointe (ballet levels C and D) ages 14-18 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM.  Note that the dancers level of experience overrides ages.

To be considered for a financial need scholarship, a parent or guardian will be required to complete a questionnaire before the audition.  Completed questionnaires can be mailed in advance of the audition or submitted during registration.  Information will be kept confidential.

Our 2009 Scholarship Audition flyer provides further details about the audition.

Since its inception in 1988, the Westchester Ballet Company’s scholarship program has awarded nearly $140,000 to young dancers.  “We are delighted that our scholarship program has allowed so many young people to learn the fundamentals of ballet and other dance styles, as well as to experience the thrill of performance,” says Kristina Lindbergh, of the Westchester Ballet Company.  “While not all ballet students will pursue careers in dance, the coordination, discipline, alignment and poise they gain from this exceptional training will benefit them no matter what they do later on.”  “The primary goal of the Westchester Ballet Company is to bring ballet of the highest quality to the community,” says Artistic Director, Beth Fritz-Logrea.  “For the past twenty years our scholarship program has helped us achieve this by enabling many talented and motivated young dancers to participate in our productions.” To learn more about Westchester Ballet Company’s scholarship program visit our Scholarship page.

Questions … leave us a message at (914) 941-4532 or email us at info@westchesterballet.org and we’ll get back to you.

Introducing Diversity in Dance: Performance and Dialogue

You may have seen Westchester Ballet Company’s superb performance of An Evening of Dance - now come experience Diversity in Dance: Performance and Dialogue.  Performances are Saturday May 30th at 7:00 PM and Sunday May 31st at 1:00 PM at the Logrea Dance Academy 2 Dale Avenue, Ossining NY. 

 
Diversity In Dance is an intimate full-length performance reflecting a wide variety of dance styles ranging from traditional folk, classical ballet, theatrical, modern and jazz.  This production will allow the audience the unique opportunity to experience dance in an intimate setting at the Logrea Dance Academy Studio. Each piece will be introduced by one of our six resident choreographers. You will be able to experience the creative process of the choreographer, from inspiration to the realization of the dance.  Each of the choreographers will demonstrate how an artist successfully channels life experience, cultural traditions and diversity into their work.  This performance will reflect the vision, artistry and uncompromising standards of Artistic Directors Beth Fritz-Logrea and Jean Logrea.  

Tickets are $17 general admission.  To purchase tickets:

Go online through our secure ticket site (https://www.showtix4u.com)  or via our direct link .

Leave us a message at (914) 941-4532 or email us at  info@westchesterballet.org and we’ll get back to you.

Stop by the studio and complete a ticket order form.
 
Help us get the word out about this exciting event. Pick up flyers from the LDA studio to post in your neighborhood stores, libraries or community groups.  

 

This project was made possible by the Arts Alive program of the Westchester Arts Council, with funding from the Decentralization Program of the New York State Council on the Arts.

Beth Fritz-Logrea and Jean Logrea, 2009 recipients of The Cab Calloway Lifetime Achievement Award

The Westchester Ballet Company is so very pleased to congratulate Beth Fritz-Logrea and Jean Logrea, 2009 recipients of The Cab Calloway Lifetime Achievement Award, given to honor their significant contribution to the performing arts in Westchester as Co-Artistic Directors of the Westchester Ballet Company since 1989 and Co-Directors of the Logrea Dance Academy. 

In an age when instant gratification and effortless enjoyment comprise so much of the lives of our youth, Beth Fritz-Logrea and Jean Logrea have instilled old-fashioned values and an immeasurable degree of physical, emotional and aesthetic strength and character in several generations of Westchester students from all walks of life.

Beth and Jean will be presented with this award at the Westchester Broadway Theater on Monday evening May 4, which will also feature a performance of Ziguenerweisen.  Passionate, dramatic and theatrical in both music and choreography, the piece epitomizes the very essence of character dance, and the artistry of Beth and Jean.  Once performers of this dance, they have taught a new generation to dance this piece with their same uncompromising excellence.

Visit our fliers and forms page for more information including the awards dinner and presentation at the Westchester Broadway Theater, Elmsford NY.  We hope you can be there.