Hamilton, Ohio – The Cincinnati Ballet moves north to Hamilton for the weekend.
Two different performance companies and a team of instructors set up shop at the Fitton Center for Creative Arts starting Thursday, March 16.
“We are thrilled to host such a prestigious company at the Fitton,” said executive director Ian McKenzie-Thurley. “We have had the ballet here before for our Fitton Family Friday shows – and they’ve been amazing - but making an entire weekend of it is a first for this area.
“This is a remarkable opportunity for the people in our community to see some of the best dancers on the planet up close, not only as performers, but also as instructors.”
On Thursday, March 16, the ballet crew loads in and teams with the Fitton Center technical staff to set up both the stage and the studio space where dancers warm up before performances and teach classes. Dancers from both the Otto M. Budig Professional Training Division and Second Company (aka CB2) conduct technical rehearsals on stage to get a feel for the space and how lights will be set.
At 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 17, the Cincinnati Ballet Otto M. Budig Academy's Professional Training Division dances through dramatic rivalries from The Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan, Swan Lake and Alice in Wonderland for a sold-out Fitton Family Friday audience in “Heroes and Villains.” The program offers exciting storytelling, fun choreography and interactive components for the whole family.
At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 18, CB2 takes the stage for “Classical & Contemporary.” Experience a stunning mixed repertory performance given by the young and talented dancers from around the country. These dancers perform alongside the main company and headline community performances throughout the region. These future stars perform a variety of ballet pieces for a powerful, exciting evening of dance. Tickets are $32 for Fitton Center members, $39 for non-members, and are available here.
In between performances, the Cincinnati Ballet Dance Discovery team offers four different Saturday classes for young dancers – whether they be new and curious or experienced and looking to refine their skills - for just $5 each. (Participants in the classes also have a chance to purchase $20 tickets to the Saturday night show for themselves, family and friends, a savings of nearly half off the regular $39 price.)
March 18 classes include Dance Discovery for ages 4-7 from 10 to 11 a.m.; Dance Discovery for ages 8 and up from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Advanced Ballet for ages 12 and up from 1 to 2:30 p.m.; and Contemporary Ballet for ages 12 and up from 2:45 to 4:15 p.m. Course descriptions and registration is available here.
The Fitton Center for Creative Arts is located at 101 S. Monument Avenue on the Riverfront in downtown Hamilton, Ohio.
Building Community Excellence through the Arts and Culture
