M’CHIGEENG—Over 400 audience members enjoyed this year’s Classic School of Dance ballet production of Sleeping Beauty, held Sunday, May 7 at Manitoulin Secondary School.
Choreographed and directed by ballet teacher Maja Mielonen, the production included over 40 dancers from across Manitoulin, ranging from 3 to 18 years of age, noted parent volunteer Yana Bauer in a note to The Expositor, adding that “the success of the show represents months of training, planning, and preparation by dancers, parents and volunteers.”
The production “brought the timeless fairy tale to life with enchanting music and majestic dance.”
The ballet performance interprets the classical story of a beautiful princess, a sleeping enchantment and a handsome prince. “In the struggle to find hope in dark times, Sleeping Beauty reminds us that kindness and love inevitably triumph over malice and hate, and in turn restore order and beauty,” noted Ms. Bauer.
She noted that “the costumes, prepared by parents and grandparents, added colour and flare to the familiar story, charming music, and skilled dancing.”
“Lighting, artwork and set design amplified the overall experience of the show thanks to the behind the scenes production team of Madonna Aeschlimann, Lisa Tuerk, Guy Nielen, Daena Arthurs, Sarah Van Horne, Blanche Campbell, Isaac Gosse, Hannah Woestenek, Seth Peltier, Kylie Cranston and Megan Sagle,” noted Ms. Bauer. “The packed house was wowed by the technical skill and expressiveness of the performers.”
The company also performed the show for Lakeview Public School, Central Manitoulin Public School, C.C. MacLean Public School and Assiginack Public School on Tuesday bringing the joy and beauty of ballet to younger audiences, continued Ms. Bauer. “The energy and commitment of everyone involved made the 22nd production by the Classic School of Dance a resounding artistic success for Manitoulin Island.”
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- Trying to cut through the vines and brambles to reach sleeping beauty are Princes Dylan Kuntsi, Ryan Kuntsi and Ben Nickolls.
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- Carabosse, played by Cassandra Kuntsi, is the Evil Fairy who cursed Sleeping Beauty, shown here surrounded by her minion rats Phoebe Aeschlimann, Aubrey Lloyd, Nyala O’Connor and Grace Tuerk.
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- The cleaners prepare the palace for a celebration: Evalena Mainprize, Avery Barnes, Violet Aelick, Sloan Tilston, Matuda Hamid Kabron, Lilly Tilston and Halima Kabron
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- Aurora growing up playing with the Animals Emma Chaytor, Layla Bell, Ayriss Noble-Stone and Charlie Orford.
