Children Audition for Beloved Ballet, ‘The Nutcracker’
at the Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts, October 4
- Youngsters from community will join professional dancers
for holiday show, Dec. 18-20, at Long Island University -

The Nutcracker's "Clara's Dream," danced by Mandy Chan (l) and Brenda Neville. Photo by Robert Ciago

Brooklyn, N.Y. – Children and teens from the community are encouraged to audition for parts in the upcoming Neville Dance Theatre production of the holiday classic, “The Nutcracker.”

Open auditions for the ballet will take place at the Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts at Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus on Saturday, October 4. Auditions for youth between the ages of 13 and 17 will be held 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (ballet, pointe and partnering experience required). Children, ages 7 to 12, audition between 1:30 and 4 p.m.

The Kumble Theater is located at the corner of DeKalb and Flatbush avenues in downtown Brooklyn.

The young dancers selected for the show will learn ballet and world dances, attend company rehearsals and perform onstage alongside professional dancers and international artists.

The Neville Dance Theatre’s production of “The Nutcracker” premieres on December 18-20 at the Kumble Theater. This original production is infused with global dance styles. Set in present day New York, the production features traditional flamenco, Capoiera, Argentine Tango, Irish, Middle Eastern, Asian, Russian, Filipino and other styles for a fun and exciting holiday program for the whole family.

The Neville Dance Theatre, based in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, was founded in 2005 by Brenda R. Neville, a dancer, performer and teacher at The Ailey School and Covenant Ballet Theatre of Brooklyn. Community partnerships, collaborators and support for this one-of-a kind production include The Fulton Mall Association, Metro Tech BID, Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts, Covenant Ballet Theatre of Brooklyn, the Ailey School, The Doe Fund and Community Board 2.

For more information, call the Kumble Theater box office at (718) 488-1624 or visit www.kumbletheater.org.

Posted: September 22, 2008

Media contact: (718) 488-1015