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Educating Our Dancers
On Sunday, July 26, 2015, Springfield Ballet Company dancers and Trainees had a master workshop in stage makeup with David Mounce, who is a "Purefessional Mentor" for Aveda and Hairstylist/Makeup Artist at Salon V Chicago.
 This excellent experience led right into our SBC Summer Intensive Workshop Week Two, with Elizabeth Chapman and Hernan Justo, who taught ballet, pointe and variations.
Guest dancer
Samuel Chester
also attended the workshop in preparation for performing in
Rockballet
. Samuel will be performing a pas de deux with Company dancer Allison Rainford, choreographed by
SBC Artistic Director Julie Ratz
; and will also perform in a small group piece to
Stairway to Heaven
, choreographed by
Hernan Justo.
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SBC Ballet Mistress attends Finis Jhung Ballet Teacher Workshop in NYC
 SBC Ballet Mistress Gina DeCroix Russell recently attended Finis Jhung's 2015 Teacher Workshop "Teach What Matters" in New York City --
two-day immersive workshop that focused on preparations for balances, turns and jumps in classical ballet.
 Gina says, "Finis really challenged some of the older methodologies of teaching these key concepts and gave me insightful and thoughtful feedback and corrections. It was an amazing experience - one I will cherish for a lifetime."
"Many of the concepts covered in class simply reinforced my current approaches to teaching, but some of his ideas directly challenged what I've been doing for years. Student placement at the barre, analogies and metaphors to help students understand major concepts in weight shifting and body alignment, visual aids to reinforce key concepts in balancing and turning -- these are just a FEW of the many things I learned at the workshop. I also quietly observed "how" he taught us. He was so kind and engaging, with such a humble disposition."
"I've learned so many insightful things and I can't wait to share my new knowledge with the dancers at SBC! I am inspired by this opportunity and very grateful to SBC for investing in my growth as a ballet teacher."
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SBC dancers featured in Muni's West Side Story
Springfield Ballet Company dancers were recently featured in the Springfield Municipal Opera's production of
West Side Story, directed and choreographed by Anna Bussing (who also choreographed for SBC's upcoming production of
Rockballet), with SBC Artistic Director Julie Ratz serving as assistant director and choreographer.
SBC dancer Bailee Brinkman portrayed the leading role of Maria, with Olivia Pennell as young Maria; Anna Benoit, Kendall Heuman, Madison Hutmacher, Taylor Krech, Allison Rainford and Tiffany Riech as Jet girls; and Jocelyn Holmes, Abby Milhiser and Alina Sinha as Shark girls.
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Rockballet with live music by Downstate
Saturday, September 12, 2015
8:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 13, 2015
2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $18 (students) to $30 (adults)
University of Illinois at Springfield
Sangamon Auditorium
One University Plaza, MS PAC 292
Springfield, IL 62703-5407
217-206-6160
Sponsors: BUNN, US Bank and WYMG
Tickets are on sale now! Call 217-206-6160 or click
HERE to visit Sangamon Auditorium's website.
BUNN and US Bank proudly present the Springfield Ballet Company's 22nd annual production of
Rockballet featuring live music by Downstate. This year's media sponsor is WYMG.
Rockballet is going to be an unforgettable performance!
Choreographers who set new works for this production include SBC Artistic Director Julie Ratz and SBC Ballet Mistress Gina DeCroix Russell, as well as guest choreographers Hernan Justo (Artistic Director, Carolina Ballet Theatre), Elizabeth Chapman (Principal Dancer, Georgia Ballet), Todd Kiech (Chicago-based actor and choreographer), William Gill (Chicago-based dancer, teacher and choreographer), Ashley Rockwood (Chicago-based dancer, formerly with Giordano Dance Chicago), Elizabeth Cheney (SBC alum and local choreographer), and Anna Bussing (local actor, director and choreographer).
Downstate band members include Damien Kaplan (keyboard/vocals), Mary Kate Smith (vocals), Brock Bennett (keyboard/reeds/vocals), Tim Niemeyer (guitar/vocals), Brian Earleywine (guitar/vocals), Robb Stark (bass) and Brandt Sitze (drums).
Since its 1994 debut, SBC's annual production of
Rockballet continues to be daringly different. The brainchild of SBC Artistic Director, Julie Ratz,
Rockballet is a vivid and exciting mix of adventurous choreography, memorable music and high-intensity dancing. A multimedia celebration of dance and rock music,
Rockballet has had a stunning impact on the way central Illinois views classical dance.
It is music visualized.
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Open Auditions for The Nutcracker
Sunday, September 20, 2015
11:00 a.m. - Boys, ages 7 and up
12:00 p.m. - Girls, ages 9 and up
Audition fee: $5.00 for Boys, $20.00 for Girls
(Cost for Girls includes a ballet class.)
Springfield Ballet Company
Hoogland Center for the Arts, Theatre II
420 S. Sixth Street, Springfield, IL 62701
217-544-1967
Dancers should arrive 30 minutes early to register. An audition profile form will be posted on our website soon and will also be available the day of auditions.
Girls should have their hair secured in a tight bun and must wear black leotard, pink tights and pink ballet shoes and/or pointe shoes. No skirts will be allowed. Boys should wear black pants, a white T-shirt and black ballet or jazz shoes.
This year's production promises to be spectacular for all. Dates and times are 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 12, 2015, and at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 13, 2015.
Rehearsals for
The Nutcracker will be held on the weekends. Each cast member will spend approximately one hour in rehearsal on Saturdays OR Sundays at the Hoogland Center for the Arts. Tech week rehearsals are MANDATORY and are scheduled for December 9 to 11 (Wednesday to Friday) at 5:00 p.m. at Sangamon Auditorium.
Should you receive a role in the production, a detailed schedule and additional cast information will be posted to our website under "
The Nutcracker Cast." There is also a $35 costume maintenance fee for all non-Company cast members. This fee IS applicable to Trainees as well.
For more information, please contact Artistic Director Julie Ratz, Ballet Mistress Gina DeCroix Russell or Administrative Director Sally Hamilton at (217) 544-1967.
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To the POINTE...
To the POINTE, the Springfield Ballet Company's e-newsletter, highlights what's happening throughout our season -- whether it be performances, dancer spotlights, community events, workshops, giving opportunities, special discounts or general announcements! We hope you enjoy receiving these updates.
And, if you love the information you are receiving, please forward our e-newsletter to a friend!
All the best,
Julie Ratz, SBC Artistic Director
Sally Hamilton, SBC Administrative Director
Gina DeCroix Russell, SBC Ballet Mistress
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Our Mission
The Springfield Ballet Company provides dance education and performances to enrich our community through the beauty, energy and diversity of dance.
Springfield Ballet Company
Hoogland Center for the Arts
420 S. Sixth Street
Springfield, IL 62701
217-544-1967
217-544-1968 (fax)
www.springfieldballetco.org
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Upcoming Events:
Rockballet with live music by Downstate:
September 12 & 13, 2015
Auditions for The Nutcracker:
September 20, 2015
Boys & Girls Clubs Ballet Outreach Program:
Fridays, ongoing through fall and spring
SBC Trivia Night:
November 14, 2015
SBC performs for Illinois Symphony Orchestra's Holiday Pops in the Heartland:
November 21, 2015
Festival of Trees Performance:
November 28, 2015
The Nutcracker
:
December 12 & 13, 2015
SBC performs for Dual Piano Christmas!:
December 18, 19 & 20, 2015
First Night Springfield Performance:
December 31, 2015
Leap into Lincoln at ALPLM:
February 16, 2016
Rhapsody in Gershwin:
March 11, 12 & 13, 2016
Trainee and Boys & Girls Clubs Recital:
March 18, 2016
Men in Tights
:
April 1, 2016
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Photos:
Donna Lounsberry
John Muchow
Gina DeCroix Russell
Patrick Russell
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