Cedar City Junior Ballet hold auditions for ‘Secret Garden’

CEDAR CITY — The season ahead is an exciting one for Cedar City Junior Ballet. Not only have ballet classes for all ages and abilities begun and are open for enrollment, but auditions for their spring production of “The Secret Garden” are rapidly approaching. This brand-new ballet will hold auditions on Saturday, Sept. 9, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the studio, located at 173 N. 100 West in Cedar City, and the community is invited to participate.

“The Secret Garden has always been one of my favorite stories,” said Christine Mills, Cedar City Junior Ballet founder. “Years ago, I told myself it needs to be a ballet, and we’re finally making it happen.”

The choreography is completely new, based on the novel, as well as film and stage adaptations. It will be set to music with an old English feel.

The casting call is for dancers, non-dancers, gymnasts, and actors, ages four and above. Roles that will require intermediate to advanced ballet training include Mary Lennox, Dicken, Colin, Martha, Lily, and Archie. Other roles include animals and flowers of the garden, maids and variations of the seasons. There are also many opportunities for non-dancers of all ages too, including butterflies, grasshoppers, ladybugs, and gardeners.

“I can envision a local cub scout troop, with no dance training required, as a little army of shovel-toting gardeners,” Christine Mills said. “Reach out to me if you have a troop that would be interested!”

Auditions times on Saturday, Sept. 9, are as follows:

  • 10 a.m. – children ages 4-7.
  • 11 a.m. – children ages 8 to 12.
  • 1-2:30 p.m. – youth 13 years and older.

Rehearsals start September 23, with performances on March 16 and 17, 2018, at the Heritage Center Theatre in Cedar City. Performance fees are required to participate.

There are many volunteer opportunities for community members too., Lise Mills, CCJB Artistic Director says.

“We will need lots of help from volunteers with such things as costume and set construction. It’s going to take an army to put this together,” said  Lise Mills, artistic director.

Cedar City Junior Ballet is Cedar City’s only classical ballet company designed to involve community talent of all ages. Past full-length productions include “The Sleeping Beauty,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Coppelia,” and “Cinderella.” It is funded, in part, by Cedar City RAP tax and generous donations.

For more information, visit facebook.com/cedarcityjuniorballet, email cedarcityjuniorballet@gmail.com, or call 435-867-4719.

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