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The Rockbridge Ballet returns to the stage May 5-7 with a year-end recital show entitled “Our Favorite Things.”
All 181 dancers of The Rockbridge Ballet will perform during this schoolwide performance featuring over 55 dances that will be divided into two fantastic shows.
Members of the Rockbridge Ballet were thrilled to return to a full concert season for 2022-23, complete with guest artists, innovative choreography, and groundbreaking performances. The dancers, faculty, and staff are also delighted to perform at the Lenfest Center for the Arts at Washington and Lee University.
This year’s production will feature dancers aged 3 to adult performing short, choreographed pieces relating to this year’s theme, “Our Favorite Things.” The works were choreographed by the teachers of TheStudio and The Rockbridge Ballet: artistic director Jessica Pyatt Martin, assistant director Kitty Burke, Meagan Herald, Evelyn Branscome, Reilly Faith, Braigen Britt and Tom Boss.
Dancers will perform works such as “Dancing,” “Hanging Out With Friends,” “Chess” and “Love” in the varied dance styles taught at TheStudio, including ballet, tap, jazz, modern dance and acrobatics.
A highlight of the yearend recital is the chance to recognize the graduating seniors. The six graduating seniors for 2023 are Carter Cook, Anna Cunningham, Felicity Hart, Ava McCabe, Charlotte Smith and Anna Wilson.
The senior dancers, most of whom have danced with The Rockbridge Ballet since elementary school, reflect fondly on their experience as Rockbridge Ballet dancers.
“Dance has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember,” said Carter Cook. “I cannot thank The Rockbridge Ballet enough for giving me the best possible childhood I could’ve ever asked for.”
Anna Cunningham remembered the hard work and dedication that is required to be a successful company dancer but also treasured the human connections she formed throughout her dance years: “... a few of the things that will stick with me are the simple things, like the whispers of ‘good luck’ backstage, or the karaoke nights, or the family dinners.”
Anna Wilson stressed how the Ballet became a second home to the dancers: “When I’m in the studio, it’s an escape from everything else going on outside. The Rockbridge Ballet is my family; I am forever grateful for my time here.”
TheStudio for Dance & the Arts serves students from all over the Rockbridge County and surrounding areas and includes a pre-professional company. Advanced and intermediate students are eligible to audition for The Rockbridge Ballet.
The organization is accepting new dancers of all ages for summer classes, camps, and for classes starting in the fall.
The Rockbridge Ballet will perform “Our Favorite Things” four times over the weekend of May 5-7. Performances are scheduled for Friday, May 5, at 6:30 p.m..; Saturday, May 6, at 2 and 6:30 p.m.; and Sunday, May 7, at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $12 and are available at TheStudio at 126 Walker St. in Lexington or by calling (540) 463-3436.
More information about The Rockbridge Ballet can be found at www.rockbridgeballet. org.
