A.V.A. Ballet Theatre's Cinderella

A.V.A. Ballet Theatre Presents
Cinderella at the Pioneer Center

Featuring the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra


The spring gala season for the A.V.A. Ballet Theatre opens with the classic fairytale Cinderella on March 29th and 30th, 2008 at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts. The Reno Philharmonic Orchestra will perform the magnificent score to this wonderful ballet. Re-staged and re-choreographed by Alexander Van Alstyne, Cinderella is the captivating story of the hopes of a lowly maid, the love of a prince and the magic of a simple wand set to Prokosiev’s enchanting score. This classic fairytale is filled with mesmerizing dance, romance, and comedy and is fun for the entire family.

Kate Crews from Salt Lake City’s Ballet West will star as Cinderella and the large cast includes many talented dancers from four different ballet studios in the Reno area.

The Saturday March 29th performance will be held at 8pm and the Sunday March 30th performance will be at 2pm. Ticket prices for adults are from $26 to $51. Ticket prices for children 12 and under and seniors 65 and older are from $21 to $41. For tickets call the Pioneer Center at 877-840-0457 or on-line at pioneercenter.com. Box office hours are Monday through Friday 11am to 6pm.

A.V.A. Ballet Theatre is the resident ballet company of the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts. They are northern Nevada's largest company under the instruction of a professional faculty with years of performing experience in renowned metropolitan ballet and production companies across the United States and Europe.

Jack Neal's Review of A.V.A. Ballet Theatre's Nutcracker

Dance Reviews
Dec 15, 2007 - The A.V.A Ballet Theatre and the Reno Philharmonic's "Nutcracker" delights
By Jack Neal

It’s Christmas time. In a world filled with Tchaikovsky’s magical “The Nutcracker Ballet,” it’s wonderful to have a hometown “Nutcracker” as enchanting as the one being presented by the A.V.A. Ballet Theatre in collaboration with the Reno Philharmonic. A large, near capacity audience cheered this year’s “Nutcracker,” when it opened Friday night (12/14/07) at Reno’s Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts. Credit must go to choreographer and A.V.A. artistic director Alexander Van Alstyne and co-director Miriam Allen for gluing together a lavish production that has all the elements of the classic “Nutcracker” presentations found in America’s larger metropolitan centers. Only a grinch would point out a few choices that would make this seasonal show even better. Money and time are not in abundance for most ballet companies, and that is certainly true for a company in Northern Nevada. Resources make a difference in what artistic directors can produce.That having been said, “The Nutcracker” works best when Clara looks like a pre-teen girl and her Nutcracker Prince no more than an early-teen boy, not a young woman and young man - even good looking ones. At 17, Jessica Evans is a lovely Clara and an exceptional dancing talent. If Judy Garland can play Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz” at 17, why not Evans as Clara? She’s here and she’s excellent, so why not? Excellent, too, is Peter Brandenhoff, who’s a dashing Nutcracker Prince. There comes a time when child stars, no matter how gifted, must move up to ingénue and matinee idol roles. Precision, if one demands a more absolute precision, comes with time and only money buys time. From principals to the corps de ballet the production is in fine fettle and so close to an absolute-in-precision bar, it’s nitpicking to ask for more. It’s a compliment to this year’s A.V.A. “Nutcracker” that it’s so good, the very best is within grasp. The Reno Philharmonic’s 41-piece ballet orchestra is in grand shape. Barry Jekowsky conducts. He knows how to elicit a full-bodied sound from a smallish ensemble crammed into the smallish Pioneer Center orchestra pit. Conducting ballet is an art unto itself and for the most part Jekowsky is good at it. Dancers need to see a conductor’s eyes for the assurance and communication that leads to transcendent performances. In ballet, maestros (including Jekowsky), need to be more in sync with the needs of dancers and less involved with prompting from the score. Snow Queen and King, Mayo Sugano and David Fonnegra are an elegant pair. Sugar Plumb Fairy Lauren Main de Lucia and Sugar Plum Cavalier Jekyns Pelaez are solid dancers who bring a virtuosity to “Nutcracker’s” grand pas de deux that dazzles as it must, when it must. William Pizzuto is a Dosselmeyer of warmth, who – thankfully – doesn’t chew scenery holding his own doing magic with a bunch of cute kids. (Thank God, there are no dogs!) Kelly McCafferty-Rubero and Michael Heredia are standouts as Mechanical Doll and Mechanical Toy Soldier. Standouts, too, are the company’s Snowflakes corps de ballet and a host of dancers dancing Tchaikovsky’s exotic vignettes as Spanish, Arabian (a lithe Nicole Shutt), Merlitons, Chinese, Russian (a terrific use of athletic young male tumblers who come close to stealing the show), crowd-pleaser Mother Ginger, and Flowers who waltz. Next in-the-stroke-of-genius department is the brilliant management of children: delightful party girls, fun-loving boys, charming mice, daring riflemen, darling Ginger Girls, and a bevy of angelic angels. Designing the costumes, sets, and lighting, jack-of-all-trades Van Alstyne is the host with the most for this delightful “Nutcracker.” Bravo to all involved for this exciting adventure into Yuletide dance and music. Other than an opening evening curtain at 7 p.m., rather than 8 p.m., to accommodate families with youngsters, who could ask for more? The A.V.A. Ballet Theatre and Reno Philharmonic’s “The Nutcracker Ballet” can be seen Friday, December 14 and Saturday, December 15 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, December 16 (2007) at 2 p.m. For information about tickets and other A.V.A., Ballet Theatre events call 775-686-6600 or 775-762-5165.

A.V.A. Ballet Theatre's Nutcracker

The stage at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts will be alive with a sugar plum fairy and dancing mice as A.V.A. Ballet Theatre presents its 13th annual Nutcracker Ballet on December 14, 15, 16, 2007. A.V.A. Ballet Theatre’s artistic director Alexander Van Alstyne has choreographed an exciting rendition of the popular holiday ballet and the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra will perform Tchaikovsky’s moving score.

Principal dancers from professional ballet companies such as the San Francisco Ballet, Ballet West, Miami City Ballet and the Diablo Ballet will perform the leading roles along side a large cast of local talent.

Nutcracker performances will be held Friday December 14th at 8pm, December 15th at 8pm and Sunday December 16th at 2pm at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Reno. Ticket prices for adults are from $26 to $51. Ticket prices for children 12 and under and seniors 65 and older are from $21 to $41.

A special Sugar Plum party will be held after the Sunday afternoon performance where children can meet the Nutcracker characters.

A.V.A. Ballet Theatre is the resident ballet company of the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts. They are northern Nevada's largest company under the instruction of a professional faculty with years of performing experience in renowned metropolitan ballet and production companies across the United States and Europe.

Mark your calendars now for this spectacular holiday tradition. For tickets call the Pioneer Center box office at 877-840-0457 or on-line at pioneercenter.com. Box office hours are Monday through Friday 11am to 6pm.

For more information call A.V.A. Ballet Theatre at 775-762-5165 or on-line at avaballet.com or call the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts at 775-686-6600.

A.V.A. Ballet Theatre Nutcracker Auditions

A.V.A. Ballet Theatre will hold open auditions for its upcoming production of the Nutcracker Ballet, a holiday favorite choreographed by artistic director Alexander Van Alstyne.

Auditions will be held Sunday, September 16, 2007 at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 South Virginia Street Reno, Nevada. Auditions will be held at the following times:

2:00 pm 6 – 8 year olds (Boys and girls)
3:00 pm 9-14 year olds (Boys and girls)
4:30 pm Corps de Ballet & Soloists (Girls en Pointe)
5:30 pm Walk on Roles (i.e. Parents, Ladies in Waiting, Males Dancing rolls)

There will be parts for male and female dancers and gymnasts.

The Nutcracker Ballet will be performed at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts December 14-16, 2007 with the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra.

For more information please contact (775) 762-5165.

A.V.A. Ballet Theatre is northern Nevada’s largest company under the instruction of a professional faculty with years of experience in renowned metropolitan ballet and production companies across the United States and Europe.

A.V.A. Ballet Theatre's Vortex Rock Ballet

A.V.A. Ballet Theatre's rock ballet Vortex was a big hit with the audiences at Hawkins Amphitheater at Bartley Ranch. The Reno Gazette Journal has a slide show the the dress rehearsal on their RGJ.com web site. Follow this link to the slide show:

http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070713/SPECIAL03/70713042

A.V.A. Ballet Theatre's Rock Ballet Vortex

A.V.A. Ballet Theatre Presents the Rock Ballet VortexThe Hawkins Amphitheater at Bartley Ranch will come alive with ballet grace and passionate rock, dance, Broadway and alternative music as A.V.A. Ballet Theatre presents the rock ballet Vortex July 13th and 14th as part of the Artown celebration. Artistic director Alexander Van Alstyne has choreographed an exciting contemporary ballet that will be like no other you have ever seen. Imagine ballerinas performing grande jetés to music by popular rock artists. The stage will feature scaffolding and exciting props and sets that will create a visual spectacle that can not be missed.Featuring a cast of extremely talented performers from Reno and starring guest artists from Ballet West, the rock ballet Vortex will feature demanding and passionate movement inspired by the dynamic of the music. The performances of Vortex are at 8:30pm July 13th and 14th at the beautiful Bartley Ranch Hawkins Amphitheater. Ticket prices are $20 for adults. Seniors, students with I.D and children 12 and under can purchase tickets for only $15. Special VIP tickets that include wine and hors d’oevres are available for $40. The gates open at 7:30pm for picnicking and the VIP party. Tickets can be purchased online at avaballet.com, by calling 775-326-8405 or at the Bartley Ranch box office the nights of the shows. A.V.A. Ballet Theatre is northern Nevada's largest company under the instruction of a professional faculty with years of performing experience in renowned metropolitan ballet and production companies across the United States and Europe.Mark you calendars now for this spectacular production. For more information call A.V.A. Ballet Theatre at 775-762-5165.

A.V.A. Ballet Theatre Summer Dance Camp

A.V.A. Ballet Theatre will be holding its annual summer dance camp June 18– June 29, 2007. This summer camp is designed for students age 8 years of age and older who have had previous ballet training. The dance camp includes instruction in ballet, modern, jazz, pointe and variations.

Classes are held Monday through Friday at the Conservatory of Movement, 73 West Plumb Lane, Reno, Nevada. The morning session is for students 8-11 years of age and includes ballet technique, jazz and modern instruction. The afternoon session is for students 12 years of age and older and includes ballet technique, pointe/variations and jazz. The dance camp includes guest instructors from Utah’s Ballet West.

“Our summer camp provides an intense level of training,” says A.V.A Ballet Theatre artistic director Alexander Van Alstyne. “For those students who want to greatly improve their dance skills this summer camp will provide the instruction and technical expertise that they are seeking.”

For more information on the A.V.A. Ballet Theatre summer camp call 775-786-1221.

A.V.A. Ballet Theatre is northern Nevada’s largest company under the instruction of a professional faculty with years of experience in renowned metropolitan ballet and production companies across the United States and Europe.

Sleeping Beauty Rehearsal Pictures

Any Baron from the Reno Gazette Journal Took pictues at last week's dress rehearsal. Follow the link:

http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=J7&Date=20070323&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=703230802&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=1&rgj_description=Sleeping%20beauty&rgj_date=March%2023.%202007

A.V.A. Ballet Theatre's Nutcracker Dates for 2007

Mark your calendars now for this year's Nutcracker. The 2007 Nutcracker will be December 14, 15 and 16 at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts. Once again this year's performances will be with the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra and principal dances from throughout the country.

The Rock Ballet Vortex

A.V.A. Ballet Theatre Presents the Rock Ballet Vortex

The Hawkins Amphitheater at Bartley Ranch will come alive with ballet grace and passionate rock, dance, Broadway and alternative music as A.V.A. Ballet Theatre presents the rock ballet Vortex July 13th and 14th as part of the Artown celebration.

Artistic director Alexander Van Alstyne has choreographed an exciting contemporary ballet that will be like no other you have ever seen. Imagine ballerinas performing grande jetés to music by popular rock artists. The stage will feature scaffolding and exciting props and sets that will create a visual spectacle that can not be missed.

Featuring a cast of extremely talented performers from Reno and starring guest artists from Ballet West, the rock ballet Vortex will feature demanding and passionate movement inspired by the dynamic of the music.

The performances of Vortex are at 8:30pm July 13th and 14th at the beautiful Bartley Ranch Hawkins Amphitheater. Ticket prices are $20 for adults. Seniors, students with I.D and children 12 and under can purchase tickets for only $15. Special VIP tickets that include wine and hors d’oevres are available for $40. The gates open at 7:30pm for picnicking and the VIP party. Tickets can be purchased online at avaballet.com, by calling 775-326-8405 or at the Bartley Ranch box office the nights of the shows.

A.V.A. Ballet Theatre is northern Nevada's largest company under the instruction of a professional faculty with years of performing experience in renowned metropolitan ballet and production companies across the United States and Europe.
Mark you calendars now for this spectacular production. For more information call A.V.A. Ballet Theatre at 775-762-5165.

Rock Ballet Auditions

A.V.A. Ballet Theatre will hold open auditions for its upcoming production of Vortex a contemporary rock ballet choreographed by artistic director Alexander Van Alstyne. Principal, Soloist and Corps De Ballet roles will be cast for up to 25 dancers with at least 4-years experience en pointe. All dancers must be prepared to audition en pointe. Auditions will be held Saturday April 14, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at the Conservatory of Movement, 73 West Plumb Lane (Lakeside Shopping Center).

The rock ballet Vortex will be part of the annual Artown celebration and will be performed at the Bartley Ranch Hawkins Amphitheatre July 13th and 14th. Powerful and passionate, Vortex fuses contemporary ballet and dance movement with pulsing, grinding beats of modern rock and alternative music.

For more information please contact us at 775 762-5165.

Sleeping Beauty

A.V.A. Ballet Theatre Presents
Sleeping Beauty at the Pioneer Center

Featuring the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra



The spring gala season for the A.V.A. Ballet Theatre opens with the classic Sleeping Beauty on March 23rd, 24th and 25th at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts. The Reno Philharmonic Orchestra will perform the haunting score to this wonderful ballet. Re-staged and re-choreographed by Alexander Van Alstyne, Sleeping Beauty is the story of a beautiful princess who is cursed by the evil Carrabosse. Professional dancers from throughout the west coast will star in the lead rolls. The large cast includes many talented dancers from four different ballet studios in the Reno area.

The Friday March 23rd and Saturday March 24th performances will be held at 8pm and the Sunday March 25th performance will be at 2pm. Ticket prices for adults are from $26 to $51. Ticket prices for children 12 and under and seniors 65 and older are from $21 to $41. For tickets call the Pioneer Center at 877-840-0457 or on-line at pioneercenter.com. Box office hours are Monday through Friday 11am to 6pm.

A.V.A. Ballet Theatre is northern Nevada’s largest ballet company under the instruction of a professional faculty with years of experience in renowned metropolitan ballet and production companies across the United States and Europe.