Most people know him as Dr. Quentin Van Meter, but Sunday, June 13 at 3 p.m. this local pediatrician will be transformed into “Anastasia,” one of Cinderella's ugly stepsisters.

The transformation will take place at the Starr's Mill High School auditorium, when the Georgia Academy of Dance presents its enchanting ballet version of the timeless fairy tale, “Cinderella.”

You may find yourself wondering why Van Meter, a pediatric endocrinologist at Fayette Medical Clinic, is playing this part in the ballet. Although it may seem odd, in present day ballet it is actually a normal occurrence for men to play comic women's roles. It is a practice extended from the time of William Shakespeare when men almost always played the roles of women on stage.

Van Meter is no stranger to the theater either. While attending the college of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va., he obtained a minor in theater along with his bachelor's degree in pre-med chemistry. After acquiring his degree from the Medical College of Virginia, he served 20 years as an officer in the United States Navy.

In 1991, he retired as a captain and chairman of the Pediatric Department and Pediatric Residency Program director at Naval Hospital in Oakland, Calif. It was then that Van Meter moved his family to Fayette County where he opened his practice at Fayette Medical Clinic and began his association with the Georgia Academy of Dance.

Van Meter's local experiences on stage include performances with Georgia Academy of Dance's production of “Giselle” and Georgia Dance Theatre's “Nutcracker.” In the group's 1998 celebration concert, “Peter Pan,” he was the backstage technical assistant.

As an active member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Peachtree City, he serves as a cantor, is an active choir member, and was a soloist in Handel's “Messiah” and Faure's “Requiem.” Van Meter also produced and directed the Cafe Loreto Musical Review, a church-sponsored musical variety show.

His talent and love for the arts, as well as his association with Georgia Academy of Dance, is shared by his family. His eldest daughter, Katie, is an alumna of Georgia Academy of Dance and its non-profit performing company, Georgia Dance Theatre. She is a 24-year-old College of William and Mary graduate and is currently a professional actress in the Washington, D.C. area.

His 14-year-old daughter, Mary, is a senior company member of Georgia Dance Theatre, as well as an active and involved member of GAD. His son, James, is 11 years old and will perform in Cinderella as a Spirit of the Clock. Kathy, Van Meter's wife, is an enthusiastic supporter of the arts, volunteering many hours to the Georgia Dance Theatre and other community functions.

Appearing along with Van Meter as the other ugly stepsister, “Drusilla,” is GAD's assistant artistic director, Wade Smith. Dancing in the leading role of Cinderella is McIntosh High School senior Amber Molleson, and Edward Bauer has been cast in the role of Prince Charming.

Tickets may be purchased at the Georgia Academy of Dance or at the box office on the day of the show. Call 770-631-3128.

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