Seasonal ballet sweeps into arts center

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November 10, 2005

By RUTH RICE The Tribune-Democrat Thu Nov 10, 2005, 04:03 PM EST

JOHNSTOWN — Each year, dancers from Johnstown Concert Ballet dream of being Clara in the ballet company’s annual production of “The Nutcracker.”

And each year, three who have proven themselves have their dreams come true.

This year, “The Nutcracker” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2 and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center in Richland Township.

The role of Clara will be danced by Allison Plowman of United High School, Cecilia Slifko of St. Andrew’s School and Julia Petak of Greater Johnstown Middle School.

Allison, 14, has been with the company for six years and will dance for the first performance on Dec. 2.

Allison said that Clara dances more during the first half of the program and watches as the dolls dance for her in the second half.

“It’s sad I’ll be the first one done, but good that I won’t be nervous afterward,” Allison said.

Her other single role in “The Nutcracker” was of a Harlequin doll.

Cecilia, 13, has been with Johnstown Concert Ballet for nine years.

Her other single role in “The Nutcracker” was the Columbine doll.

“It was harder work to learn the dances,” Cecilia said of her coveted Clara role. “We had separate auditions, so we had to really practice.”

Cecilia will dance at the Dec. 3 matinee performance.

“I’m already nervous,” she added.

Julia, 13, has been with the company for six years and also has danced as a Harlequin doll.

“It’s nerve-racking butfun,” Julia said. “We practice every day but Sunday. It’s fun with the kids. They learn with you.”

Julia will portray Clara in the final performance.

Four girls in the program’s finale, the Waltz of the Flowers, are previous Claras.

Eden Mishler and Kayla Esch shared the role in 2002, and Sarah Orletsky and Samantha Petak danced as Clara in 2003.

“I was nervous backstage, but once the curtain went up, I was fine,” Eden said of her time as Clara. “I knew what to do.”

Molly Stewart, 17, who has been with the company for three years, also will dance in the Waltz of the Flowers.

Three professional dancers will lend their talents to the production.

Kelsey Yates, a member of a ballet company in Ohio, will portray the Sugar Plum Fairy; Ernest Tolentino, director of the ballet department of Point Park College, will portray the prince; and Jay Kirk, an instructor at Point Park, will portray Drosselmyer.

Senior company dancers are Alexis Wiezcorek, Kaytee Helsel, Kayla Esch, Samantha Petak, Eden Mishler, Molly Stewart, Sarah Orletsky, Chelsey Tressler, Bethany Biesinger, Amanda Varner, Katie Golby, Marissa Mack, Ashlea Krupa, Lydia Adams, Leah Plowman, Siri Norlund, Melissa Chrisko, Jessica Burgo, Sarah Teich, Bethany Thomas, Olivia Ragno and Emily Koppenhofer.

Members of the junior company are Kandace Vizza, Sophia Vizza, Paige Hockycko, Daphne Valencia, Olivia Cordutsky, Lauren Morgan, Korryn Getz, Annalee Tokarsky, Ruby Whorl, Lily Whorl, Lily Bradley, Jaimie Bumbernick, Jordyn Pringle, Sadie Kaminsky, Christie Olek, Lauren Olek, Danielle Fahey, Esther Crouse, Andrea Seitz, Shiann Malcolm, Nicole Miller, Natalie Miller, Sierra Kosmac, Inez Panebianco, Mikella Buncich, Kennadi Slippy, Sarah Elston, Tristin Kresak, Caily Andrews, Madison Hrin, BriAnn Rager, Jaime Geiser, Lindsay Geiser, Rachael Morgart, Alexis Buncich, Danielle McLaughlin, Sarah Nichols, Hanna Lecrone, Cassidy Klein, Jenna Tokarsky, Adam Budzina, Veronica Kovach, Emily Stewart, Christy Stewart, Ashley Shriver, Laurel Steinly, Adeline Mishler, Anna Ye, Gianina Cordutsky, Lauryn Sanchez, Mikayla Duranko, Cassy Weakland, Danielle Boyer, Emma Ellsworth, Alexis Tavalsky, Erica Seitz, Cheyenne Mitchell, Hannah Boring, Alexandra D’Arrigo, Anna Mesko, Mary Contantino, Amy Stewart, Namita Gallo, Erin Casale, Elise Underwood, Isabel Fernado, Carlie Dillon, Julianna Yost, Zoee Springer, Madelynn Weir, Taylor George, Amelia Aiken, Susan Williams, Taya Kimmel and Alaina Popovich.

Other participants are Hunter Tresnicky, Carol Thomas, Dr. Alan Teich, Karen Soliday, J.D. Griffith, John Esch, Philip E. Petak, Philip M. Petak, Michael Shuman, Dr. James Stewart, William Varner, Sen. John Wozniak, Mark Seitz, Erika Petrus, Mary Ann Ackman and Andrew J. Shima.

Ruth Rice can be reached at 532-5052 or rrice@tribdem.com.

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