Naperville man heads up auditions for Moscow Ballet
Dancer and choreographer Altin Naska of Naperville has created strong alliances and relationships in the international dance community during his more than 30 years of performing.
A well-respected choreographer and founder and artistic director of Chicago's Southport Performing Arts Conservatory (SPACE), Naska is in his sixth year of working with the Moscow Ballet to audition talented Chicago-area dancers to perform alongside esteemed dance professionals in the annual production of “The Great Russian Nutcracker.”
The Aug. 31 audition held at 3433-37 W. Peterson Ave., Chicago, is the only audition in the Chicago area.
Dancers must be ages 7-17, no more than 5 feet tall and have two years of ballet training.
Registration begins at 3:30 p.m. with auditions taking place at 4 p.m. for children 7-8 years of age; 5:30 p.m. for children 9-11 years of age; and 7 p.m. for children ages 12 and older.
There is a $5 audition fee. For more information on the audition, please contact SPACE at (773) 463-1220 or email anaska@southportarts.com.
“SPACE is excited to involve children from the greater Chicago area in this holiday tradition,” said SPACE artistic director and co-founder Altin Naska. "We are very proud of our 5-year relationship with the Moscow Ballet and the opportunity to provide talented young dancers the chance to dance with professionals. Performing in this classic ballet creates indelible memories for each dancer."
Children selected to perform alongside the Moscow Ballet professionals will participate as characters in both the first and second acts of “The Great Russian Nutcracker” before an audience of 4,200 at the Rosemont Theatre in a performance at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011.
Moscow Ballet's “The Great Russian Nutcracker” has toured America and Canada for 19 years as the largest Russian ballet tour in North America. The production features larger than life puppets, nine hand-painted backdrops with 3-D effect, and hundreds of exquisite costumes.
All children auditioning must be able to commit to a rehearsal and performance schedule. Dancers must attend rehearsals at the SPACE Peterson Avenue location every Sunday beginning Oct. 2 through Dec. 4, 2011.