ASHLAND — Ashland Regional Ballet (ARB) and Opus II Dance Studio will once again collaborate to bring the 40th annual Spring Dance Concert to the stage at Archer Auditorium on May 20 and 21 at 7:30 pm.
Dancers ranging in ages from 5 years through adult and hailing primarily from the Ashland/Mansfield/Wooster area will perform in this traditional event. The performance showcases the entire student body of Opus II Dance Studio in a variety of dances designed to be great family entertainment at family friendly prices.
Each year Ashland Regional Ballet presents a special ballet production as part of this end of the school year celebration. This year’s featured ballet is The Bluebird, choreography by ARB Founder Hellie Schussler, and staged by ARB Artistic Director Sarah Cyders and School Director Ann Marie Benshoff-Todd. The students of Opus II Dance Studio will present the ballet “The Meadow.”
ARB dancers featured in The Bluebird are Allie Wentworth of Ashland who will portray the title role, with fellow Ashlander, Tara Tavalaee as Matilda; Other dancers from Ashland in leading roles are Anna Slade as Futura, Mira Bechtol as Solaris, Addilyn Bryant as Lunaris; Katrin Parker as Mildred, Eva Early as Enchantra with Megan Harrigan of Nova appearing as Luminara and Mikayla Jarvis of Wooster appearing as The Diva.
Appearing as other prominent roles in The Bluebird are ARB members Gisella Blake, Julia Brauner, Haylee Cromer, Skylynn Heichel, Adra Herod, Teagan Kime, Lilly Lehman, Samantha Metz, Lyla Metzger, Valerie Raubenolt, Elise Sabourin, Emma Schaefer and Audrey Smith. ARB Alumni Sydney Box will lead the Have nots, and Katherine Harrigan will be a maid. Also, of note is graduating senior Emma DaHinden of Ashland, who will appear in our contemporary pieces.
The first portion of the program presents a wide array of contemporary dance styles including Tap, Jazz & Modern Dance. Saturday’s show will also have a special performance by Ashland Regional Ballet alumni form the past 40 years. Benshoff-Todd mentions “One of the most exciting parts of this show is seeing alumni and current dancers dancing together.
It shows the past, present, and the promise of a bright long lasting future for the studio.” Choreography is by Schussler, and ARB Alumni Kimberly Cadley-Mach, and Kari Kulka, with stagings by Cyders and Benshoff-Todd. Schussler notes, “This has been a wonderful school year, full of good dancing and lessons well-learned.
“The Opus and ARB dancers are eager to show-off their accomplishments. It seems impossible that our school has been in dancing now for 40 years! We are very proud of everything our dancers have accomplished.”
Tara Tavalaee who portrays Matilda states, “The role of Matilda is a role that I will cherish forever, there is simply no character like her. Being part of Opus’ 40th Anniversary, a place that has influenced so many dancers inspires me, I have a lot to live up to.”
Allie Wentworth, The Bluebird adds, “One of my role models danced this role, and it’s such an honor to follow in her footsteps.”
Performances are open to the public and are reserved seating. Tickets are available at ashlandregionalballet.com/ticket-information. There will also be a special 40th anniversary Reception preceding the Saturday evening performance at 4 p.m. This event is open to all Opus II Dance Studio alumni and will be at Ashland High School.
For more information contact Ashland Regional Ballet at annmarieofopusarb@gmail.com, or visit www.AshlandRegionalBallet.org.
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