Audience Gets Lift from Shreveport Ballet
Published Mar 07, 2008
Adult dancers are joined by about 90 children in performances of The Nutcracker at Shreveport Civic Theatre
For the past 24 years, Northwest Louisiana has eagerly awaited the three annual productions of the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet.
Every winter, the ballet gives matinee and evening performances of The Nutcracker. This past season about 90 children as young as age 5, along with the older company members, brought the magical holiday tale to life.
“We’ve just grown little by little every year,” says Susan Gross, development director. “People are starting to know more about us.”
That’s due in part to the company’s season opener every fall, Ballet Under Stars – a free outdoor performance in Shreveport’s Riverfront Park. Hundreds of people flock to the area to picnic and take in the show.
The ballet company also puts on a performance each spring, including in recent years The Wizard of Oz and Cinderella.
As the only organization in Northwest Louisiana that focuses on classical ballet, the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet holds open auditions each spring to choose dancers from age 10 on up to join the junior and senior companies.
The nonprofit group was founded in 1973, featuring local dancers with good training. Well-known guest artists are often brought in from groups such as the New York City Ballet to perform with the younger local dancers. Students who are accepted to the companies have a rigorous schedule of classes six days a week.
“There’s something special about watching young dancers,” Gross says. “Maybe they’re not as technically proficient as older dancers, but they make up for that with their vibrancy and energy.”
Tickets are available by calling the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet office at (318) 459-1457, or by calling the Shreveport Civic Theatre box office at (318) 673-5108 during a performance week.
Story by Sarah L. Courteau
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