Showing posts with label PBT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PBT. Show all posts

Monday, January 14, 2013

PBT Student to Compete in Switzerland



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                      
CONTACT:  Meghan McNamara
412-454-9117
mmcnamara@pittsburghballet.org  


                           
PBT School Student Selected to Compete in Switzerland’s Prix de Lausanne
Morris is One of Only 6 U.S. Dancers to Receive Invitation to International Ballet Competition

PITTSBURGH, PA (January 2013) – This month, PBT School student Elenora Morris, 17, joins a select number of candidates from around the world, including only five other females from the United States, to compete in Switzerland’s 41st Annual Prix de Lausanne international ballet competition Jan. 27, to Feb. 2, 2013.

Founded in 1973 to discover, promote and support the world’s finest young talents, the Prix de Lausanne is an international competition and educational workshop for young pre-professional dancers, ages 15 to 18, of all nationalities. This year, from a total of 250 dancers who auditioned by video, 81 candidates (41 females and 40 males) representing 20 different nationalities, were selected to participate in the competition in Lausanne from Jan. 27, to Feb. 2, 2013. In addition to the 81 candidates chosen through video auditions, an additional three candidates were selected in the pre-selection session at Danza America in Argentina.


“Elenora has grown up training with PBT School, and it is very exciting to see her hard work and dedication gain her a place among a very select group of young dancers from around the world,” said PBT School Director Marjorie Grundvig. “We are extremely proud to have her represent Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School to the international ballet community.”

Morris started her dance education at the age of eight and has trained exclusively with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School, including seven years under the direction of School Directors Marjorie Grundvig and Dennis Marshall. Since beginning in Level I of the Student Division, Morris now trains as a full-time high school student in PBT School’s Pre-Professional Division. In addition to PBT School performances, Morris has had the opportunity to perform onstage with the PBT company in various season productions, including Coppélia and Terrence S. Orr’s The Nutcracker.

Morris will be the third female PBT School student to compete in the prestigious competition in the last two years, following PBT School Pre-Professional student Aviana Adams and former student Anwen David, who competed in the 2012 Prix de Lausanne.

Throughout the five-day selection process in Lausanne, candidates participate in daily classical and contemporary ballet classes with leading dance professionals and perform a classical and contemporary variation for the Prix’s nine-member judging panel. At the close of the selection period, a select number of candidates will receive invitations to compete in the finals on Feb. 3.

Through scholarships, exposure to the world’s leading dance personalities, schools and companies, the Prix de Lausanne was created to discover the best young talents in the world and open the doors of the most prestigious dance schools and companies to help them realize their potential and become high-level professional dancers. The Prix has launched the careers of some of ballet’s leading performers, such as Carlos Acosta, Julie Kent, Darcey Bussell and Christopher Wheeldon. For more information, please visitwww.prixdelausanne.org.

Media Note: Photos are available upon request. For interviews or photos, please contact Meghan McNamara, marketing coordinator, at 412-454-9117 or mmcnamara@pittsburghballet.org.

About Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School
 Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School is the official training institution of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and has an enrollment of more than 900 students, including the Children’s, Student, Pre-Professional and Open Divisions. The Children’s Division gives young students an introduction to ballet and prepares them for advancement to the Student Division. Dancers in the Student Division work to refine their technique and dancers in the Pre- Professional Program prepare for professional ballet careers. Many students perform in an annual School Spring Performance at the Byham Theater, and some students are chosen by Artistic Director Terrence S. Orr to perform with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre at the Benedum Center.
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Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Celebrate Holiday Traditions with The Nutcracker



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                             Nov. 9, 2012

Contact: Meghan McNamara
Marketing Coordinator
412-454-9117
mmcnamara@pittsburghballet.org


IT’S TRADITION: PITTSBURGH BALLET THEATRE CELEBRATES THE SEASON WITH THE HOLIDAY CLASSIC THE NUTCRACKER


PBT Kicks Off Nutcracker Season with A Free Family Open House on Nov. 18


PITTSBURGH, PA –  Onstage Dec. 7-30, at the Benedum Center, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre brings the  magic of The Nutcrackerhome for the holidays with a Pittsburgh-inspired production featuring more than 210 costumes, 190 performers and turn-of-the-century Pittsburgh set design.

Recognized as one of the most popular ballets of all time, The Nutcracker is a timeless holiday classic
based on the German tale written by E.T.A. Hoffmann. PBT has performed The Nutcracker since the company’s founding in 1969. Beginning in 2002, PBT Artistic Director Terrence S. Orr created an entirely new production with an enhanced storyline, new choreography and a unique Pittsburgh theme.

“It’s a joy to bring this timeless story to Pittsburgh year after year: a story of a young girl’s coming of age, a story that’s full of enchantment, romance, adventure and the comforts of home,” Orr said. “Each year, we honor the tradition of The Nutcrackerwhile constantly advancing its sense of adventure with new surprises.”


Throughout The Nutcracker’s 20-performance run, Orr encourages creativity by challenging company members to dance and develop a range of character roles. Casting is unique for every performance; one dancer can perform as many as eight roles during one season of The Nutcracker. More than 150 students, ages 7 and up, also will join PBT company dancers on the Benedum Center stage performing a  variety of whimsical roles ranging from bumblebees and mice to flowers and toy soldiers.

Set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, PBT’s The Nutcracker  stays true to many of the original elements of Hoffmann’s tale while lacing the production with the rich traditions and culture of early 20th century Pittsburgh.

With the help of theatrical designer Zack Brown, the set design pays tribute to relics from Pittsburgh’s past. Act I is set in Shadyside at the Stahlbaum house, rendered after F.W. McKee’s mansion on Fifth Avenue. Although the Stahlbaum family of the Hoffmann tale hosts the party, a number of historic Pittsburgh families are on the guest list, including Mr. and Mrs. Kaufmann, Mr. and Mrs. Heinz, and Mr. and Mrs. Grandview. Other Act I Pittsburgh imagery includes a Heinz delivery truck; a proscenium clock inspired by the famous Kaufmann’s Department Store clock; Kaufmann’s Christmas Stories for Boys and Girls; and an artistic rendering of the stunning Mount Washington View as the backdrop to the famous Snow Scene. The Pittsburgh theme continues into Act II by way of the Land of Enchantment Carousel, representing the elaborate carousels at several famous amusement parks in the Pittsburgh region.

Act II also features unique alterations to the original second act of The Nutcracker, as Terrence S. Orr
has added a variety of energetic characters to make the Land of Enchantment evoke the wonders of childhood. The second act is full of virtuoso performances including the exuberant Russian trepak, the exotic Arabian dance and culminating in the beautiful and elegant Grand Pas de Deux danced by the Sugarplum Fairy and her Cavalier.

Tickets
Tickets start at $25.75, and are available online at www.pbt.org, by calling 412-456-6666 or visiting The Box Office at Theater Square.

A NUTCRACKER HOLIDAY PARTY — FREE FAMILY OPEN HOUSE
Sunday, November 18, 2012 from 12-3 p.m.
PBT Studios 2900 Liberty Ave.

Unleash the magic of the holidays with a festive, family-friendly open house at the PBT Studios. Dance The Nutcracker with PBT School instructors, view performances from the production, enjoy Nutcracker sweets and bring along your camera for a photo with characters from this beloved holiday tradition. Bring to life your own visions of Sugarplum Fairies, Nutcracker Princes, and other colorful characters with crafts courtesy of the Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse. Special guest Radio Disney will kick off the event with holiday hits, prizes and games. In the spirit of the holidays, PBT encourages attendees to bring a food item to donate to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. All who donate will be entered into a drawing for a Nutcracker gift basket. This event is free and open to the public.
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Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh

Friday, April 13, 2012

PBT to Host En Pointe Cast Party




Thursday, April 12, 2012

Contact: Meghan McNamara
Marketing Coordinator
Office: 412-454-9117
Cell: 412-527-8953
Email:  mmcnamara@pittsburghballet.org


SPECIAL EVENT: Sunday, April 15, 2012 – Peirce Studio, Downtown Pittsburgh

PBT to Host En Pointe Cast Party on Sunday, April 15

WHO: Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre

WHAT: Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre will host its final bash of the season at En Pointe, Sunday, April 15, at
4:30 p.m. Join the PBT company of dancers in celebrating the upcoming 2012-2013 season with an evening of tapas, dessert, cocktails and dancing at the Peirce Studio. The event will be held immediately following the 2 p.m. April 15, performance of Coppélia at the Benedum Center.

WHERE: The Peirce Studio
805-807 Liberty Ave. (Just around the corner from the Benedum Center)
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

WHEN: En Pointe
Sunday, April 15, 2012
4:30 p.m.

TICKETS: Click: www.pbt.org/support/events
Call: 412-454-9137
Prices: $35-75


*Media representatives can ask for Meghan McNamara or call her cell phone at 412-527-8953. If possible, please call or email Meghan in advance to make arrangements.

Posted on behalf of Dreamweaver Marketing Associates.  Joyce Kane is the owner of Cybertary Pittsburgh, a Virtual Administrative support company, providing virtual office support, personal and executive assistance, creative design services and light bookkeeping.  Cybertary works with businesses and busy individuals to help them work 'on' their business rather than 'in' their business.  www.Cybertary.com/Pittsburgh