Ballet Memphis selects local cast for Spokane Symphony’s new Nutcracker

Nov 11, 2009

For Immediate Release

Contact: Annie Matlow - 464-7071

More than 140 local dancers recently auditioned for 70 roles in the Spokane Symphony’s 2009 Nutcracker planned for Dec. 18-20. The nationally recognized Ballet Memphis was selected to present this year’s ballet when scheduling problems made it impossible to use the Alberta Ballet.

Performances at the INB Performing Arts Center are Friday, Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 20, 2 p.m.

“We looked at many ballet companies around the U.S. that met the high level of artistic excellence we require. We were happy to find that Ballet Memphis, a dynamic professional company named a national treasure of the cultural world by the Ford Foundation, had a schedule that worked with ours,” said Spokane Symphony Artistic Director Don Nelson.

Janet Parke, Director of the BalletMemphisSchool and one of the choreographers for the Nutcracker, was in Spokane recently to take a look at the Spokane area dancers,

“The quality of the dancers was outstanding – we were very impressed. There was beautiful ballet and obviously beautiful training,” Parke said.

She said the Ballet Memphis age and height restrictions are not as strict as those of the Alberta Ballet, which opened the door to a larger number of potential cast members. Peggy Goodner Tan and Doty Askegard of the Ballet Arts Studio are working with the young dancers who won the roles in the ballet. The dancers are from six ballet studios and 30 schools from Coeur d’Alene to Deer Park.

Local dancers in lead roles are Noah Huang, Fritz; Terry Grizzell, Grandfather; Renee Rahn, Grandmother; and Oona Timmons, Mother Ginger.

Party scene dancers are Chris Brown, Tucker Edwards, Chanel Grutta; Brian Morris, Taylor Oddino, Megan Meier, Lily Stephens, Megan Styborski, Cameron Angeleri, and Payton Graper.

Mice are LaRena Adams, Anneliese Guerin, Casey Hastings, Tori Matthias, and Alex Stauffacher.

Gingerbread are Jessica Basta, Emily Mick, Molly Ryan, and Courtney Wendt.

Soldiers are Sarakate Burgess, Emily Carlson-Ovens, Emily Fields, Alexandra Kraft, Abigail Le Clair, Hailey Lister, Brenna Mulvany, Vicklynn Massad, Heather Portue, Brenna Rey, Sydney Skinner, Rakel Tangvald, Kristen Wanke, Heidi Wiebers, Jemima Wynn, Emily Yeun,

Supernumeraries are Cena  Bean, Maddie Brown, Claire Davey, Caley Edwards, Rosemary Gentle, Macy Koppa, MacKenzie Martinz, Syndee McHaney, Elizabeth Mick, Mikala Pike, Nicole Senn, and Sarah Storey.

Angels are Adrienne Bot, Kathryn Lambert, Seneca Montgomery, Kelsey Piva, Jenni Smasne, Kate Smasne, Anna Swenson, and Nora Swoboda.

Lambs are Victoria Bybee, Sarah Fazendin, Jenna Reid, and Sarah Seeberger.

Polichinelle are Jackie Brown, Joy Davis, Victoria Duke, MacKenzie Fargras, Alexandria Hastings, Mariah Kroeze, Mary Maystrovich, Elaina Reid, Abby Schornick and Meghan Wells.

Tickets can be purchased from the Spokane Symphony by visiting the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox Box Office, by calling 509-624-1200, or at our website at www.spokanesymphony.org. Purchases may also be made through TicketsWest by calling 1-800-325-SEAT, or at any TicketsWest outlet.

Ticket prices range from $21 to $39 for adults, and $14 for children 12 and under.