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Chicago Festival Ballet continues 'Nutcracker' auditions Aug. 21

Students and dancers are invited to audition for the opulent full-scale production of von Heidecke's "The Nutcracker." This production has been touring the U.S. since 1990 to rave reviews and sold-out theaters.

The cast is led by numerous internationally renowned dancers and features the Chicago area's best young students and gymnasts. Von Heidecke is a choreographer of international stature having choreographed productions at major opera houses around the world.

Selected dancers will be invited to participate in this professional production of the Chicago Festival Ballet's production of "The Nutcracker." The next audition will be held on Saturday, Aug. 21, at VH Dance Center, 4222 Meridian Pwy., Suite 100, Aurora.

Auditions will take place according to the following schedule:

• 12:30 to 12:45 p.m.: dancers ages 3-4;

• 12:45 to 1 p.m.: dancers ages 5-6;

• 1 to 1:30 p.m.: dancers ages 7-12;

• 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.: dancers ages 13 to professional level.

Dancers must arrive 30 minutes prior to their age group's start time to register.

Audition forms and information on the school are available at www.vhdancecenter.com.

Preregistration is encouraged due to capacity limits. Register online at www.vhdancecenter.com, call (630) 527-1052 or email vhcfb1@gmail.com.

The cast member participation fee (for those selected): $30 for Angel; $40 for Mouse & Angel; and $50 for Mouse & Flower. Other roles are $60 or $70 for Clara or being cast in three or more roles.

New students who audition and register for classes receive 50% off their first month's tuition installment.

The von Heidecke Chicago Festival Ballet will present "The Nutcracker," choreographed by Kenneth von Heidecke, at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 28, at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, at the Ritz Theater in Tiffin, Ohio. All chosen dancers will perform at the Rialto Square Theater, while select dancers will be chosen to perform in Tiffin, Ohio, with the professional dancers' tour.

This production is choreographed by Kenneth von Heidecke, who is the protégé of legendary Prima Ballerina Assoluta Maria Tallchief, and whose works are seen around the world. The school boasts internationally acclaimed principal dancers, spectacular scenery and costumes. President Obama's daughters appeared in this production of the Nutcracker, downtown at the Harris Theater in 2007 when President Obama was still a Senator of Illinois. President Obama approached von Heidecke and Maria Tallchief to say it was one of the best productions of "The Nutcracker" that he has ever seen.

The school also boasts an unbelievable number of more than 40 students going on to incredible professional careers. Among the most elite alumni are Gold medalist U.S. Olympic figure skater Evan Lysecek, as well as Victoria Born of the popular baller film "Center Stage" and Joffrey principal dancer Joanna Wozniak. Filmmaker Stuart Meyer recently completed a documentary on von Heidecke's life.

For more information, call (630) 527-1052, or email at vhcfb1@gmail.com. Visit our website at www.vhdancecenter.com for an audition form.

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