Lynchburg’s Resident Dance Company is back to sweeten the holiday season! “The Nutcracker sold out two weeks before the curtain went up last year,” says Co-Director Emily Hartka, regarding the 2018 performances that were part of the grand opening at the Academy Center of the Arts.
This year, Charlottesville Ballet’s professional company dancers are preparing for three performances of The Nutcracker presented by CAPTRUST. “We’re adding another performance on Sunday for our audiences so hopefully everyone can experience the holiday magic,” says Hartka, a proud graduate of E.C. Glass High School and the Virginia School of the Arts, who has been passionate about bringing professional ballet back to Lynchburg.
The three performances will take place on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 2 PM and 7 PM and Sunday, Dec. 15 at 4 PM. VIP All-Inclusive Tickets include "Class with Clara" Children's event after the matinee performances OR "Meet the Ballet" pre-show cocktail reception before the 7:00 PM performance. You can order tickets in advance at https://bit.ly/2pu8Gpa
“We premiered our first Nutcracker production in 2015 at E. C. Glass High School, and this year marks our 5th anniversary of The Nutcracker in Lynchburg,” says Sara Clayborne, who serves as Co-Director alongside Emily Hartka. Charlottesville Ballet was founded in 2007 by this dynamic duo -- two young female leaders is something quite rare in the professional ballet world -- and they’ve been on a mission to elevate classical ballet with a unique focus on wellness and a company that celebrates dancers of all shades, shapes, and sizes.
“Our organization has grown so much in five years,” says Clayborne, “and being Resident Dance Company at the Academy [Center of the Arts] has really made our dreams and community collaborations possible.” The Ballet’s massive Nutcracker production includes community partnerships with key Lynchburg organizations.
The Nutcracker will feature live music played by Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra and young singers from Cantate Children’s and Youth Choir, who sing during the beloved “Land of Snowflakes” scene inspired by Massanutten Resort. Charlottesville Ballet also has a knack for engaging aspiring young dancers in their professional productions.
“This year we have more than 120 members of this community - ranging in age from 5 to 75 - performing alongside the professional dancers and musicians,” says Hartka. The young students hail from dance studios across Central Virginia and have been practicing since October with rehearsals in Lynchburg hosted by Central Virginia Ballet, one of the Ballet’s community partners.
From party guests to mischievous mice, silly sheep to dazzling angels, these student performers help inspire the Ballet’s youngest audience members and bring the show to life. “The collaboration of these arts organizations and our community participants creates not only a most captivating performance, but also serves as further inspiration for the renaissance of the performing arts in downtown Lynchburg,” says Hartka.
