Ballet Conservatory of South Texas
5200 Broadway
San Antonio, TX 78209

Ballet Conservatory of South Texas
5200 Broadway
San Antonio, TX 78209

Featuring San Antonio’s very own professional ballet company along with 50 children from across the city, Coppelia is based on a 19^th century story of mistaken identity that conveys enduring messages about self-esteem, dignity and resilience. Coppelia premiered in 1870 and was choreographed again by George Balanchine for the New York City Ballet in the 1970s.

Ballet San Antonio’s Coppelia is directed by Gabriel Zertuche, the company’s new Artistic Director, and staged by Susan Clark, Artistic Director of Midland Festival Ballet and former principal dancer of Atlanta Ballet and Milwaukee Ballet.  This version of Coppelia features new and dynamic choreography with principal dancers Sarah Aujon and Carlos Hopuy dancing the lead roles of Swanhilda & Franz.

“Swanhilda is a character that today’s woman can love,” Aujon said.  “She is a young spunky peasant girl in love whose mischievous curiosity leads to comic misadventure.  Coppelia is a thrilling, fast paced journey that anyone can relate to and enjoy.”

In 2010, the San Antonio Express-News raved about Ballet San Antonio’s production of this comedic ballet classic: “From start to finish, it’s a colorful, amusing and beautifully danced show that does justice to the story, Leo Delibes’ score and the classical tradition.”

Tickets for Coppelia are available via Ticketmaster  http://www.ticketmaster.com/Coppelia-tickets/artist/806784.  Performances will take place Friday, February 3, 7:30p.m. and Saturday February 4 at 2:00 p.m.  at the Lila Cockrell Theatre.

“Ballet San Antonio continues to grow artistically and is reaching a broader audience than ever, and we are building on this positive momentum,” said Mario Vazquez, Ballet San Antonio’s Board Interim Chairman. “As we prepare for our future role as resident ballet company of the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, we look forward to developing even deeper collaborations with other arts organizations, businesses and schools throughout our community.”

Mauro Barker was named Ballet San Antonio’s Executive Director in January 2011. In her new position, she is responsible for both the operational and artistic direction of the company.

Before his appointment as Artistic Director, Zertuche served as Ballet San Antonio’s Ballet Master and Resident Choreographer. In that role, he choreographed critically acclaimed pieces as part of Ballet San Antonio’s Off Center contemporary ballet performances, as well as the 2011 premiere of Dracula, an original Ballet San Antonio production. Dracula was recently described in the San Antonio Express-News Best of Dance 2011 compilation as “a meticulously staged, beautifully danced new story ballet choreographed by Zertuche…a big undertaking and a big accomplishment for Ballet San Antonio.”

Zertuche succeeds Mayra Worthen, who founded Ballet San Antonio 27 years ago. Worthen directed Ballet San Antonio’s annual The Nutcracker performances, a popular holiday staple for more than 20 years.

“We would like to express our gratitude to former Artistic and Founding Director, Mayra Worthen, for her dedication and leadership during her more than 25 years at the helm of this company,” Vazquez said.

As part of the company’s preparation to perform at the future Tobin Center, Ballet San Antonio is temporarily residing at Ballet Conservatory of South Texas, a non-profit pre-professional ballet school situated closer to the Tobin Center and other current performance venues.

Ballet San Antonio will bring back Coppelia – ballet’s all-time favorite comedy – to the Lila Cockrell Theater for two performances February 3 and 4.  Coppelia marks the third production in the company’s expanded 2011/2012 season.

The mission of Ballet San Antonio is to share the splendor of dance through diverse artistic performances and outreach programs that reflect, promote, and enrich the cultural heritage of our South Texas community.  We hold an uncompromising commitment to continually attract exceptional professional dancers, create distinctive performances, and make dance accessible to the widest possible audiences through partnerships with local organizations.

For more information about Ballet San Antonio and the 2011/2012 season, please visit www.balletsanantonio.org. Ballet San Antonio is a 501(c) 3 charitable organization.

Children ages 9+ with at least 3 years of ballet training and are currently enrolled in dance classes may audition for children’s roles. Children from dance studios across San Antonio & surrounding areas are encouraged to audition.

Children MUST attend all scheduled rehearsals and performances.

Rehearsals will be held on Friday evenings (youth cast) and Sunday afternoons (junior cast).

Performances will be at the Lila Cockrell Theatre on Friday, February 3, and Saturday, February 4, 2012.

Details:
Ballet Conservatory of South Texas
5200 Broadway
San Antonio, TX 78209

Please wear a black leotard, pink tights and ballet slippers. Children should be warmed up by the start of their audition.

For more information please email info@balletsanantonio.org.

Performance dates:
November 25 to 27 & December 2 to 4
Friday & Saturday evenings: 7 PM
Saturday & Sunday matinees: 2 PM
Friday, November 25 matinee: 2 PM

Rehearsal dates:
Saturday, November 12 (12:15 to 2 PM)
Sunday, November 13 (3:30 to 5 PM)
Saturday, November 19 (2 to 4 PM)
7 PM rehearsals on November 21 to November 23 and November 30 to December 1

Please call 404-9641 for more information.

It’s great being back in San Antonio, Being from New York it’s a great relief from the cold. Let it rain. I do hope you all come to Dracula so I can haunt your nightmares. Just kidding… or am I… Muahahahhhhhh!

Ian & Saki

Jason Cox, a native of San Antonio, began his ballet training at the age of 26. Despite this late beginning, he was able to pack five years full of wonderful experiences.  He learned from great teachers, danced great dances and made great friends with great people.  His most memorable ballet moment is his first class with Ms. Judith Gani, without which, there would be no other memorable ballet moments.

He is thrilled to be back at the barre for his first season with Ballet San Antonio and would like to thank Ballet San Antonio for allowing us to do what we love to do.