Tri-Parish Ballet’s production features new choreography

• By JUDY BERGERON
• Advocate News Features staff
• Published: Nov 29, 2009

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DENHAM SPRINGS — “You’re that Spanish princess that thinks that you’re just all that and more,” Wendy Bibby said, trying to coax a little attitude from those rehearsing the Spanish dance from The Nutcracker.

It was a drizzly Sunday evening. Inside the Odyssey Academy of Dance, young ballet dancers were concentrating on remembering each turn, each jump, each step in their dances for the Tri-Parish Ballet’s upcoming production of The Nutcracker. 

And there’s a lot more to remember this year, as most of the choreography has changed from past years, director Bibby said.

“I wanted to challenge them a little bit,” Bibby said of the addition of parts and added complexity of the dances.

The costumes and garlands of red silk poinsettias the dancers carry in some numbers have also been reworked, and a puppy dog’s been added to the party scene.

 In its ninth year, the cast has grown to nearly 100 dancers, who will be joined on stage by guest artists Liao Xiang and Aaron Sharrat from the Houston Ballet II Company. They’ll be  performing the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier at the two performances.

“We sent videos of the girls performing (to the guest artists),” Bibby said. “We just have to put it together.”

After weeks of rehearsal, the guest artists and the rest of the young cast will rehearse together on Saturday morning before the first show that night. That performance, at Denham Springs High School at 6 p.m., is a mini-version of the show, with the only admission being a can of food for the Quad Area Food Bank. The full show takes the stage at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Suma Conference Center. Admission is $12. 

“When they dance with real professionals, it gives them that sense of accomplishment. It makes them strive to do better,” Bibby said.

GUEST ARTISTS: Liao Xiang and Aaron Sharratt, Houston Ballet II Company, Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier.

CAST: Brandi Weber and Amanda White, Maria; Caitlin O’Neal, understudy; Ian Edmonds, Maria’s mischievous little brother; Derrick Wray, the Nutcracker; Luther Pringle, the Rat King.

DANCERS: Maggie Silverman, Kate Weeks, Avery Felter, Meghan Shaffer, Hailee Davilia, Abigail Malbrough, Malorie Beth Gautreau, Ava Forrest, Olivia Richard, Taylor Bankston, Briana Olivia Hawkins, Alexa White, Kylie Nicole Milligan, Callie O’Neal, Sophie Weeks, Brooke Weber, Emma Ramsey, Clarice Cousin, Haylee Chollette, Sara Ellen Loze, Samantha Burgess, AnnMarie Brumley, Madison Elizabeth Smith, Carlie Bankston, Lauren Wheat, Billy White, Lisa White, Chris Edmonds, Penny Weber, Cristi Guerin, Frank Weber, Melisa Burgess, Ralph Burgess, Melissa Tarver, Leroy Tarver, Richard Pringle, Mindy Rose, Elisa Bankston, Amber Sintelles, Bailey Lemoine, Leann Wills, Anna Claire Brock, Madline Coffey, Sophia Weeks, Jada Alfred, Raegan Pace, Julia Coffey, Meg Walker, Katherine Rousseau, Kelsey Guerin, Victoria White, Ashley Nicole Petho, Alyson Slaughter, Misty Bibby, Meagan Weeks, Jerri Pringle, Noah Burgess, Michael Davila, Preston Edmonds, Jonathon Davis, Gabrielle McGee, Lucy Pace, Kaylee Blount, Kailynn Foreman, Aubree Neucere, Ryan Dixon, Krista Bankston, Lauren Edmonds, Emily McCandels, Livey Davila, Tia Carter, Mia Carter, Daria Carter, Claire Nettles, Faith Nettles, Caroline Schultz, Ashley Johnson, Lauren Ringo, Mallory Bourg, Carmen Davilia, Lacy Villarreal.

DIRECTOR: Wendy Bibby