OCB opens season with 'The Nutcracker'
Thursday, November 13, 2008The 2008-2009 season of the Orangeburg Civic Ballet will open with the 16th annual production of "The Nutcracker" ballet at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at the Martin Luther King Jr. Auditorium on the campus of South Carolina State University.
Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and are available at the Piggly Wiggly on Russell Street, the Piggly Wiggly on Columbia Road, Tamalyn's Dance Centre or at the door.
The Orangeburg Civic Ballet's recent auditions are complete, and company positions have been assigned. Dancers are drawn from throughout Orangeburg and the surrounding area, with some dancers coming from Branchville, Holly Hill and Summerville. Dancers range in age from 8 to 18 years old.
Principle dancers -- those who have reached the highest level within the company -- carry the primary roles of the production. Principle I dancers for the 2008-2009 season are Jennifer Coffey, Katherine Ford, Erica Walters, Matthew Waters, Samantha Whitman, Mattie Ann Wilkinson and Shannon Williams. Principle II dancers are Amy Funderburk and Shekinah Thompson.
Soloist dancers are those who often get to dance featured roles and take part in group scenes, as well. Soloist I dancers are Samantha Carr, Christie Gonzalez, Carly Harward, Candace Martin, Marissa Southerland and Emily Thompson. Soloist II dancers are Taylor Batie, Brianna Hill, Raven Middleton, Kaitlyn Ulmer, Mary Joe Walters and Sarah Waters. Soloist III dancers are Morgan Clark, Caitlyn Cleckly, Sharonda Jackson, Kayla Jamison, Chelsea Jennings, Mary Frances Watford and Victoria Williams.
The corps de ballet is the body of the ballet company, and these dancers provide depth and character to every production. The OCB's corps de ballet dancers are Dylan Brandenmuehl, Kensley Brandenmuehl, Kaelin Britt, Carlen Chapman, Lainie Craft, Meghan Fields, Will Hardison, Kayla Harmon, Alyssa Smith and Madison Whetstone.
Apprentices are those young dancers who are just beginning their dancing careers. This year, they include Amelia Bilton, Vacarie Burgess, Gabrielle Govan, Alexis Nimmons, Charlotte Palmer, Ashay Sanders, Kadijah Spell and Sarah Watford.
For more information on "The Nutcracker" or the Orangeburg Civic Ballet, call Tamalyn's Dance Centre at 803-533-0017.
Special to The T&D
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