News & Events Archive

November 2007

The Nutcracker

The Eastern Shore Ballet Theater, Inc. will present their 17th annual performance of the Nutcracker on Saturday, December 1st at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 2nd at 2:00 p.m. in the Wicomico High School Auditorium in Salisbury, Maryland. Approximately 55 local dancers will be in this year's production.

A beloved holiday classic, “The Nutcracker” has become a Christmas tradition for children and adults of all ages, and is performed thousands of times all over the world every year. The story follows the adventures of Clara, a young girl who is given a Nutcracker as a special Christmas gift from her mysterious Uncle Drosselmeyer. During a fight with her envious brother, the Nutcracker is broken and a heart-broken Clara tries to repair it. After falling asleep on Christmas Eve, Clara is awoken by a now-human Nutcracker. Along with the Toy Soldiers, they do battle with the terrible Mouse King and his Mouse Army. The Clara goes on a magical adventure through the Land of Snow to the Kingdom of the Sweets, where chocolates, candy canes, and gingerbread cookies dance in her honor. Set to the gorgeous music of Tchaikovsky, this ballet never fails to delight everyone who sees it.

Guest artist, Anya Ivanova, formerly with the Russian Ballet Theater of Delaware, will dance the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Ms. Ivanova began her dance studies at the prestigious Perm Ballet Academy in Russia and graduated from the Frunze Ballet Academy. Ms. Ivanova was a finalist in the 1998 International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi and she is a guest dancer to many companies throughout the United States.

Our second guest artist, Alexei Borovik, was a principal dancer with the Pennsylvania Ballet until his retirement in 2006. Born in Russia, Mr. Borovik began his ballet training at age 10 at the Perm Ballet Academy and subsequently won international awards for his highly recognizable style and artistic ability. In June 1997, Mr. Borovik had the prestigious honor of being invited to return to his homeland of Russia to appear as Principal Guest Artist in The Perm Ballet Theatre's productions of Don Quixote and Giselle in celebration of their 125th Jubilee.

Our final guest artist, Alexander Bojko, formerly with the Russian Ballet Theater of Delaware, will dance the role of the Snow Prince. Mr. Bojko graduated from the Kiev Ballet Academy in the Ukraine.

The Artistic director of The Eastern Shore Ballet Theater, Inc. is Elena Manakhova-Amy, who graduated in 1987 from the Kirov Ballet School and the Vaganova Academy in Russia. This is Ms. Manakhova-Amy's sixth year as the company's Artistic Director.

Ticket prices are $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for students and seniors. Tickets are on sale at all Peninsula Bank and Bank of Delmarva locations, the Salisbury Wicomico Arts Council in downtown Salisbury, the Salisbury Studio of Dance in Fruitland, MD and Dance Wear, Etc. in the Court Plaza shopping center.

September 2007

2007-08 Company Auditions

Dancers from across the Eastern Shore are invited to audition for the Eastern Shore Ballet Theatre 2007-08 Company on Sunday, September 16, at Salisbury University, in the dance studio at Maggs Physical Activities Center, from 1:00-5:00 p.m.

Dancers must be 9 years or older and have at least two years of ballet study for the junior level membership; apprentice members must meet the requirements for junior level dancers and have some pointe experience; dancers must be 12 years or older and have danced at least two years on pointe to audition for the senior level membership. Audition fee of $10.00 per dancer is required.

Female dancers should wear a black leotard, pink tights, hair in bun and bring ballet slippers and pointe shoes, if applicable. Male dancers should wear black tights, white shirt, black ballet slippers.

Junior level dancers audition at 1:00 p.m.; apprentice level dancers audition at 2:00 p.m. and senior level dancers audition at 3:00 p.m. Please plan to arrive 20 minutes prior to audition time for sign in, photos, and measurement. A mandatory meeting for parents of those auditioning will be held at 1 pm. and 3 pm. in room 204 of Maggs Physical Activities Center.

May 2007

Scholarships Awarded

The Salisbury Wicomico Arts Council has announced the recipients of the Herbert D. Brent and Paul S. Hyde scholarships. These two endowed funds were established to assist talented students who were pursuing academic degrees in the arts. ESBT is happy to announce that member Sarah Taylor will receive $1000 on behalf of the Paul S. Hyde scholarship fund. Sarah has been dancing for 15 years and been a member of ESBT for 8. She will attend Butler University in Fall 2007 where she will major in dance performance with a minor in physical therapy.

Former ESBT member April Blem has also received awards from both the Brent and Hyde scholarship funds for 2007.