(Chelsea Update would like to thank Bob Milbrodt for the information in this story.)
Last Monday, Chelsea Kiwanis heard from Ballet Chelsea Vice President Jane Thompson, Artistic Faculty Member Macks Kreps, and Student Representative Abby Plavnick.
Ballet Chelsea offers students age 3 to adult a complete dance education. Classes are scheduled Monday through Saturday, and weekends saved for rehearsals for performances. Classes feature a variety of dance styles, tailored to each student’s skill level.
As longtime Artistic Director Wendy DuBois is retiring, a nation-wide search yielded Novi, Michigan native Michelle Quenon to become the new artistic director.
On Dec. 15-17, she will direct the company in a new production of “The Nutcracker” with the Jackson Symphony Orchestra at the Potter Center.
On April 20-21, 2024, “Cinderella” will be performed in Chelsea.
Student Representative Abby Plavnick has been dancing with Ballet Chelsea for 10 years, and has taken on the responsibility of welcoming the young students and working on fundraising for the student scholarship fund. She shared that her time at the company has been very enriching for her life.
Faculty Member Macks Kreps teaches the Adaptive Dance Program, which works with disabled folks at St. Louis Center and other locations around Washtenaw County to add movement and music at no charge to those who cannot attend classes. She also displayed costumes used by the company in performances. They are constructed by a large group of tailors who craft the costume to fit each dancer, which surpasses the habit of some ballet company’s picking the dancers to fit existing costumes.
Ballet Chelsea is currently looking for volunteers skilled in construction of sets and costumes. Another feature not found in other companies is narration included in all performances, which gives the audiences a richer experience.
The club is pleased to offer our club’s support for their program.
