Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts in Peachtree City will present its 16th annual Celebration of Dance series featuring the ballet “Romeo and Juliet” on Sunday, June 11 at 2 p.m., “A Little Patch of Heaven” with students from the Early Childhood Program on Saturday, June 10 at 11 a.m. and a contemporary dance production of “Dancing Through Time” on Saturday, June 10 at 7 p.m. The performances will take place at the Coweta County Centre for Performing Arts located at 1523 Lower Fayetteville Road in Newnan.

Although originally a Shakespearean play of romance and conflict, “Romeo and Juliet” is also well known to the ballet world. Directed by Sherri Davis, owner and Artistic Director of Georgia Academy of Dance & the Performing Arts, this production of “Romeo and Juliet” emphasizes the tragic story of two teens searching for acceptance, love, peace, and a voice. Davis portrays the unnecessary ending of “Romeo and Juliet” through the beauty of dance in hopes to portray the underlying lessons involved with the story’s tragic ending—the same underlying lessons relevant to today’s youth. “Dancing Through Time” will combine many different dance styles including jazz, tap, hip hop, modern, and Latin dancing with music from early Broadway shows to recent, urban compilations.

Sherri Davis presents her passion for dance with over 25 years of specialized dance training. She has performed and promoted the arts while providing a fun and positive environment for students of all ages. With her professional career and years of experiences, Davis founded Georgia Dance Theatre, a civic, nonprofit organization, in 1990. GDT provides more than 30 scholarship members the opportunity to train with educators in the fine arts and perform around the Atlanta area.

Megan Rourke, a senior at Starr’s Mill High School, has been dancing with GAD for 15 years, and will dance the lead of Juliet in the ballet. Additionally, Josh Reynolds, a GDT alumnus and current professional dancer with the Atlanta Ballet, will dance the lead of Romeo. Rourke captivated the stage as the Sugar Plum Fairy in GDT’s 2005 production of “The Nutcracker” and has recently been accepted into the Pre-Professional Division of the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education. Reynolds finishes his third season as a professional member with the Atlanta Ballet and just recently enchanted audiences as the Prince in the Atlanta Ballet’s production of “Beauty and the Beast.” Both Megan and Josh have described GAD as “supportive, a blessing, and their family.”

The Celebration of Dance series will be presented at the Coweta County Centre for Performing Arts in Newnan. “A Little Patch of Heaven” will be Saturday, June 10 at 11 a.m., “Dancing Through Time” will be Saturday, June 10 at 7 p.m. and “Romeo and Juliet” will be Sunday June 11 at 2 p.m. Tickets for both performances are on sale at Georgia Academy of Dance and at the auditorium box office for $12-15. Tickets are reserved seating, and special group discounts are available. For ticket or performance information call 770-631-3128 or visit www.gadance.com.

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