COVID-19 may be playing the role of the Mouse King right now, but he's still no match for The Nutcracker.
Lafayette Ballet Theatre invites area dancers to audition for their 20th anniversary presentation of the holiday classic ballet.
"We're very excited, because we get an opportunity to return to the stage," said Shannon Heath of Lafayette Ballet Theatre. "And this is a very different year for everybody, but it's extra special for Lafayette Ballet Theatre, because it's our 20th anniversary of The Nutcracker."
Heath said she was so excited about the anniversary, because after 19 years she felt so confident in the production - and then COVID hit.
"This year has been so challenging, but it has brought an enormous amount of creativity," Heath said.
Dance requires discipline, and that has carried over into implementing COVID mitigation measures, Heath said.
"We're all getting used to "different," she said. "Different is not bad."
The auditions are set for Saturday, Sept. 12, and Sunday, Sept. 13, at LBT, 201 Petroleum Drive, Lafayette, 70508. However, due to Covid-19, Audition dates may be extended to accommodate smaller groups. Masks are required.
Options for online Zoom auditions may be available. Please email: Shannon@Lafayetteballettheatre.org, or call 337.262-0444.
To qualify, a dancer must be at least 8 years old by Dec. 2020; have completed at least one year of ballet study; and be studying ballet currently in an established dance program.
All registrations will be outside, and only dancers will enter the lobby. Temperatures will be taken as well. If your temperature is higher than allowed, you can audition via Zoom. If you're concerned about the virus at all, or you can't attend the scheduled auditions, you can contact Heath at Shannon@lafayetteballettheatre.org.
The auditions will be:
Saturday, September 12, ages 15 to professional
11:00am - Pointe variations.
1:30pm– Chinese (ballet flats) & Spanish (character shoes) variations only.
Sunday, September 13, 2020 for Ages 8 - 14 (NO pointe work)
1:00 – 1:45pm Ages 8 & 9
2:00 – 3:00pm Ages 10 & 11
3:30 – 5:0pm Ages 12 - 14
5:00 – 5:30pm ~ Tumblers only.
DRESS: Ballet attire.
Please arrive at least ½ hour prior to audition time. Registration form available on our website www.LafayetteBalletTheatre.org
COST: $35. Required of participants ages 8 to 17 at the time of audition. Checks payable to LBT, cash at audition, or credit card payment online: www.Lafayetteballettheatre.org, select “Theatre Payment”.
Lafayette Ballet Theatre, with Principal guest artists from the Pacific Northwest Ballet, and the entire dance community, plans to present the full-length Holiday classic, THE NUTCRACKER. Two performances are scheduled: Saturday, December 12, 2020 at 7:00 pm and Sunday, December 13 at 2:00 pm, in the Heymann Performing Arts Center.
Moving Forward: Due to Covid-19, 2020 performances may be live streamed/ virtual. For more information visit the web site at www.lafayetteballettheatre.org.
Heath said she's not disappointed that COVID put the kibash on a drama-free 20th anniversary.
"I don't think so. I wouldn't have asked for this for any year, but it's actually made us be so much more creative than we ever were before. I love our production. We do try to make changes every year so audiences get inspiration from something new. But there's also been a new level of creativity because we have to rethink almost every step. We've come up with wonderful ideas and ways of progressing this performance."
LBT is preparing now for a live-stream of the performance, just in case, but either way, "we're going to enjoy every moment of it," she said.
