Late Winter Hopes for Midsummer Dreams

NYCB Members Audition Young Local Ballerinas for Summer Performances on SPAC Stage

SARATOGA SPRINGS – On Sunday, March 13, members of the New York City Ballet (NYCB) auditioned hopeful area children to perform in the company’s full-length production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream during its summer residency at SPAC. The casting was for roles for 24 girls from 9-12 years’ old who are no taller than five feet, plus understudies.

Correspondent Jill Perkins brought more than just her camera to this assignment: “I remember it like it was yesterday. In 1982, as a 7 yr. old, I auditioned just like these girls today, made all the cuts and was chosen to be a child dancer in Igor Stravinsky’s Circus Polka with the NYCB on the SPAC stage.”

Performances will be held at 7:30 pm on July 15 and at 2 pm on July 16. Balanchine’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream was performed by NYCB as part of their first season at SPAC in 1966. The full-length story ballet is based on Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, one of his happiest and most loved comedies. It is called a “Dream” because of the unrealistic events the characters’ experience in the play — real, yet unreal, such as crossed lovers, meaningless quarrels, forest chases leading to more confusion, and magic spells woven by the infamous Puck. Visit spac,org for ticketing and other information.

Enjoy the gallery.