Dancer, Acacia Dayton
Ballet Conservatory of Asheville (BCA) presents Nutcracker 2016, on Thursday and Friday, December 15–16, at Diana Wortham Theatre, with performances at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. each day. This year’s production will feature guest star Mark Gieringer of Ballet Hispanico as well as new choreography from BCA’s director, Angie Lynn, and BCA’s new ballet mistress, Nadia Iozzo.
“I know this ballet so well, but can always find something new and interesting to capture the audience’s attention,” says Lynn. “This year we have added new choreography and set pieces. Nadia has added a beautiful new Snow Queen and King pas de deux, plus many other enhancements throughout the ballet.”
Changes to the production, now in its 8th season, include a new Act I dolls dance with marionette puppets, new set pieces by designer Ander Schreiner and a Spanish duet choreographed by Nick Kepley of Motion Dance Theatre. The duet will be danced by Tyler Sandborn and Avery Sund. Amanda Evans and Ryland Mettee will alternate dancing the Dew Drop Fairy, and Gieringer dances as Snow King with Snow Queen Darcey Lynn and, as The Cavalier with Sugar Plum Fairy, Blair Chamberlain.
“The dancers are thrilled to be doing new roles and choreographic changes,” says Lynn. “It’s fresh and exciting for them. They love a challenge and Nadia has been so good at fine-tuning their technique and pushing them to achieve their goals.”
Originally from Toronto, Ontario, Iozzo received the prestigious Royal Acadamy of Dance Solo Seal Award before four years at Alberta Ballet, and seven at Kansas City Ballet. She fills a key spot in BCA’s faculty, anchoring the acclaimed pre-professional program and teaming to choreograph their performances.
“I grew up in a smaller school setting with an emphasis on good training and I take great pride in having a professional dance career despite not having trained through a big ballet school,” says Iozzo. “I wanted to give back to that same kind of tight-knit, community setting of a ballet school and develop close relationships with my students, as my teachers did with me.”
Diana Wortham Theatre is at 2 South Pack Square, Asheville. Orchestra tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for seniors. Balcony tickets are $22 for adults, $20 for seniors. All student tickets are $20 and all tickets for children 12 and under are $15. Purchase at dwtheatre.com or by calling 828.257.4530.
