Nutcracker Ballet - Wheeling (WV)

Experience Moscow Ballet’s Dove of Peace Tour  presenting world class ballerinas and danseurs in over 100 cities across North America this holiday season. CNNspoke with Producer Akiva Talmi about the ballet’s unique Dove of Peace character which was inspired by Bolshoi Principal Artists’ performance in NYC in 1957, and first presented by Moscow Ballet as a single ballerina costumed in 2 lightly feathered wings. Talmisays, “Masha flies on the wings of the Dove of Peace around the world seeking peace and harmony. She goes to France, Italy, Africa -- all around the world, and she finds peace and harmony through love.” In Act II Masha and her Nutcracker Prince arrive in the “Land of Peace and Harmony” (traditionally called the Land of Sweets) and celebrate the great heritages of the world including African, Asian, European, Hispanic and Slavic.

Moscow Ballet’s community engagement program “Dance-with-Us ” brings the historic Russian Vaganova ballet pedagogy to American children in each city on the N American Tour.  Moscow Ballet Audition Director Yuriy Kuzo arrives in Wheeling on Tuesday, October 16 at 6:30pm to audition local dance students for roles in the Great Russian Nutcracker!

Yuriy Kuzo will audition and rehearse children ages 6 to 17 years with at least 1 year of ballet training. Local children will meet and work one-on-one with talented Moscow Ballet Soloist/Audition Directors who have toured the world; have degrees in Masters of Choreography, Economics and Journalism; won awards at International Ballet Competitions, and performed with super stars including Svetlana Zakharova, Diana Vyshneva and Vladimir Vasiliev! Children’s roles are as Party Children, Mice, Snowflakes, Snow Maidens, and more. Auditions are free, there may be a casting fee. Dress rehearsal is on stage with the Russian company and children’s costumes are provided by Moscow Ballet. Rehearsals run through the fall and take place at Moscow Ballet Host Studio Oglebay Institute School of Dance 1330 National Road, Wheeling, WV 26003. Sign up to audition today at www.nutcracker.com/auditions

The selected children will perform in the Great Russian Nutcracker Monday, November 19, 2018 at 7:00 pm, at Capitol Theatre.  Buy Tickets.

Oglebay Institute’s School of Dance provides students of all ages the opportunity to experience the highest quality of education in the tri-state area. Students learn in a non-competitive environment where the focus is on dance as an art form. Their goal is to promote the personal development of each student physically, intellectually and creatively.

The Oglebay School of Dance offers more classes than any other studio in the area, including traditional dance such as ballet, jazz and pointe – as well as a variety of recreational dance and fitness classes. Workshops and intensives with regionally and nationally acclaimed dancers and choreographers are also offered regularly.

In December of 2005, a large consortium of Wheeling non-profits and municipal organizations began meeting to consider undertaking the ownership and operation of the Capitol Theatre that was originally opened in 1929 and had closed its doors 2003. This group recognized that the Capitol Theatre must once again be an important cultural venue and economic engine for the growth of our community. Since that time, the financial and personnel resources of these organizations have been put to use in understanding the architectural and economic feasibility of re-opening the theatre under a local management entity.

On April 3,2009 the Wheeling Convention and Visitors Bureau purchased the theater. Phase I renovations commenced in May 2009 and the theatre re-opened in September of that same year.  Additional phased restorations have continued over the years that have brought new seats, new carpeting, renovated concessions and a renovated ballroom. The revitalization of the Capitol Theatre is a community-wide effort. The Wheeling Convention and Visitors Bureau will own the theatre. The Wheeling National Heritage Area Corporation has been a catalyst for the renovations.  The Greater Wheeling Sports & Entertainment, which oversees WesBanco Arena and Heritage Port, operates and programs the revitalized Capitol Theatre, providing high-caliber entertainment for local and regional audiences.