Dancers from around New York state, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Vermont, all with at least three years of ballet studies behind them, demonstrated their skills and abilities to take directions quickly. The finalists will dance the roles of fireflies and other forest creatures in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' or will appear as miniature commedia dell' arte characters in 'Harlequinade.'
NYCB's 40th season, from July 5-23, opens with George Balanchine's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' (1962), the first full-length story ballet created in the United States. It is the dance that inaugurated the newly-built Saratoga Performing Arts Center in July 1966.
'Harlequinade,' a two-act story ballet of the adventures of Harlequin and Columbine, Pierrot and Pierette, premiered in 1965 and has not been danced at SPAC since the early 1980s. It will be performed at 8 p.m. July 20 and 2 p.m. July 21 and 23.
The student dancers, directed by Whittle, will begin rehearsals in June at Ballet Regent School in Saratoga Springs. Here are their names, their home towns, their ballet schools and their roles:
- Michaelee Scarincio, Fort Edward. Ballet Regent School: Big Bug (MSD) and Harlequin (Harlequinade).
- Danna Clear, Fort Edward. Adirondack Repertory Dance Theater. Understudy (MSD) and Pierrot (Harlequinade).
- Nora Carr, Burnt Hills. Myers Ballet. Understudy (MSD) and Polichinelle (Harlequinade).
- Caitlin Richter, Saratoga Springs. Saratoga City Ballet and Ballet Regent School. Understudy (MSD) and Scaramouche (Harlequinade).
- Natalie Zeunges, Queensbury, ARDT. Understudy (Harlequinade).
- Gabrielle Estep, Mechanicville. Ballet Regent and Malta Ballet. Understudy (MSD and Harlequinade).
- Felicity Jaeger, Saugerties. Saugerties Ballet Center. Changeling child (MSD).
- Taylor Grace, Queensbury. Dance Center of Queensbury. Understudy (MSD) and understudy Polichinelle (Harlequinade).
- Catherine Fraser, Gansevoort, Saratoga City Ballet. Scaramouche (Harlequinade).
- Anna Ralston, Saratoga Springs. Saratoga City Ballet. Understudy (MSD).
- Catherine Peck, Glens Falls. ARDT. Understudy (MSD).
- Calie Robin Hubert, Queensbury. Glens Falls Ballet and Dance Center. Understudy (MSD).