Training And Apprentice Companies For PA Ballet And Philadanco Take The Stage Together
By Jan Carabeo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – It's a first for the Philly dance community.
The training and apprentice companies for the Pennsylvania Ballet and Philadanco take the stage together.
First and foremost, dancers in these two pre-professional groups have gone on to perform with world-renowned companies.
So, this really is a chance to see the rising stars of the dance world.
They had a similar show last year, but tonight's program will be the first time a special piece was choreographed for the two groups to perform as one.
It is ballet and contemporary at its finest.
Though their specialties may be slightly different, the passion behind their movement is very much the same- dance is life.
Mikaela Fenton says, "You can't live without it. It just kind of happens. It overtakes."
Devaughn McGann adds, "We come to the studio every day and work very hard. It gives me something to look forward to."
Now, after weeks of rehearsals, the second companies of the Pennsylvania Ballet and Philadanco are looking forward to their next big performance.
Frank Veyette, director of the Pennsylvania Ballet 2 says, "I absolutely love this program. It is one of my favorite programs that we do."
It is called 2gether We Dance.
In it, PB2 and Dance2, as they're known, will share the stage for one night only.
It will be the first time in both companies long history that they've performed a piece together.
Veyette says, "For a lot of years we were just waving at each other, but not having very much interaction."
PB2 and Danco 2 are apprentice groups for the Pennsylvania Ballet and Philadanco. The ultimate goal is developing the skills needed for a successful career in the business.
Donald Lunsford, artistic director of Philadanco 2, says, "You work, you rehearse, you do the same steps day in and day out in training."
In fact, the dancers represent the rising stars in the world of ballet and contemporary.
Sarah-Gabrielle Ryan is from Northeast Philly and was first inspired by a Pennsylvania Ballet dancer at five-years-old.
"I feel absolutely in love with her and thought that is what I want to do, and be just like her. And she is actually the director of the School of the PB."
Now, it's her turn.
"Inspire others and live my dream. This is what we love and I get to do what I love every day."
A lot of the dancers are locals.
Sarah is a Philly girl and did all her training there. She was inspired by the Pennsylvania Ballet and now she is a member of PB2.
Tickets for tonight's show cost $20 in advance and $25 at the door.
Last year, tickets sold out and they are reportedly going fast again.
The show starts at 7 p.m. at The Painted Bride Art Center.
Click here for more information.
