Shepherdstown School of Dance to Perform “The Nutcracker”

TENTH ANNUAL HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES TO TAKE PLACE DECEMBER 10-11 IN SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.VA.

Shepherdstown, W.Va. — The Shepherdstown School of Dance will take the stage at Shepherd University’s Frank Arts Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, Saturday, December 10, and Sunday, December 11, for its tenth full-length annual production of “The Nutcracker” ballet. With three performances scheduled, the curtain will rise at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. December 10 and at 2 p.m. December 11.

The show will feature vibrant dancing to complement the traditional Tchaikovsky score. Select school parents and other community members will join students from the Shepherdstown School of Dance during the party scene, making this annual holiday tradition a family affair. “Party parents” will include Mary Anne Hitt & Michael Santa Barbara as the Stahlbaum’s, Sandi Wilcox and Steve Cifala, Rachel Sumner and David Hammer, Katherine Ross and Homer Speaker, as well as, Stacey and Jack Shaw. Joe Yates will return to the stage as the mysterious Uncle Drosselmeyer.

Professional dancer Azamat Asangul will join the cast as the Cavalier to the Sugar Plum Fairy. Asangul trained from 2001 to 2009 at the Bishkek Choreographic School. In 2007 he was awarded a Presidential Scholar Personnel 21st Century for creative achievement in the performing skills. A few of Asangul’s career highlights have been touring with The Moscow City Ballet in the United Kingdom, Ireland, China, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Taiwan, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Cyprus, Russia and with The Russian National Ballet in the United States.

“It feels surreal that we are embarking on our tenth annual performance of this show,” said Emily Romine, Artistic Director. “I’ve loved being part of every minute of the production’s evolution over the years. We know this year’s show will be particularly special,” she continued.

Tickets are on sale now at www.shepherdstownschoolofdance.com and at Encore Apparel in Motion, located at 108 East Washington Street in Shepherdstown. Tickets are $15 for children 12 and under and $25 general admission. For more information, please call 304-886-8398, 304- 264-1832 or visit www.shepherdstownschoolofdance.com.

ABOUT THE SHEPHERDSTOWN SCHOOL OF DANCE

Founded in 2003, by Artistic Director Emily Wanger Romine and Managing Director Mercedes Prohaska, the Shepherdstown School of Dance is committed to keeping the art and discipline of classical dance alive in the community. Classes include ballet, tap, jazz/modern, and Rommett Floor-Barre. Learn more about the Shepherdstown School of Dance at www.shepherdstownschoolofdance.com or call 304-886-8398.