Wednesday, May 26, 2004

Georgia Academy of Dance presents: A Celebration of Dance

Experience the excitement of swashbuckling pirates, harem beauties, a conniving merchant, and a silly pasha (king) as Georgia Academy of Dance presents the comical ballet, “Le Corsaire.” The ballet is based on a poem, The Corsair, written in 1814 by Lord Byron. The comical ballet promises to entertain the entire family with its multitude of characters, beautiful costumes and colorful backdrops.

Leading the ballet will be guest artist, Christian Clark, of the Atlanta Ballet. He will portray Conrad, the boyishly charming pirate that falls in love with Medora, the merchant's most beautiful slave girl. Morgan Tuggle, a junior at Starrs Mill High School, will dance the lead role of Medora.

Morgan Tuggle has been with Georgia Academy of Dance since the age of 4 and with the non profit performing company, Georgia Dance Theatre, for the past 7 years. Morgan has auditioned with hundreds of dancers and been selected to study with some of the top ranked dance schools in the United States. She has studied with American Ballet Theatre of New York and been accepted to study with The Pennsylvania Ballet and the Atlanta Ballet. "One would think that a dancer of this caliber would never have time to do any thing other than dance but Ms. Tuggle has been gifted in academics as well.", states Ms. Sherri Davis, director of Georgia Academy of Dance. Morgan is currently ranked second academically in her class at Starrs Mill High School.

Morgan will be joined on stage by her childhood dance partner, Josh Reynolds. Josh will portray the part of Conrad's faithful servant, Ali. Mr. Reynolds also received his dance training from Georgia Academy of Dance. Last year, Mr. Reynolds was signed with the Atlanta Ballet in its professional company at the young age of 17.

With the cultivated tale of pirates and harem girls, the ballet is energized by the many other intriguing characters that will be presented by the ballet students of Georgia Academy of Dance.

The weekend will not only be filled with the sounds of classical composers and the merriment of classical dancers, but Georgia Academy of Dance will also present the “Sounds of Motown” June 5 at 7 p.m. at Starrs Mill High School. If a funky beat and hip hop dancing is more to your liking, this production will have you stomping your feet before the night ends.

Georgia Academy of Dance also invites all aspiring little dancers to share in the wonderment of the production of “Mother Goose - Tales With a Twist” to be presented June 5 at 11 a.m.. Walk back in time to the memories of favorite nursery rhymes as the Early Childhood Program of Georgia Academy of Dance dances to the background of tales from the past.

Whatever the musical tastes, the entire family will be entertained as Georgia Academy of Dance presents its celebrations of dance!

All performances will be presented at Starrs Mill High School Auditorium.

Tickets are $10 general admission and are available at the box office at Starrs Mill High School or Georgia Academy of Dance. For further information call Georgia Academy of Dance at (770) 631-3128 or visit the website at www.gadance.com.