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. 

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."

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. 

Rockballet with live music by Downstate

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.