VALDOSTA – It’s been six years since “Cinderella” turned into a pumpkin.The Valdosta School of Ballet last staged “Cinderella” in 2017 as part of its Princess Series to raise scholarship funds for Valdosta State University Theatre & Dance students.“Cinderella” returns for two performances this weekend at the Performing Arts Center on Barack Obama Boulevard.Brandi Roberts, owner of Valdosta School of Ballet, started the Princess Series 18 years ago. Several years earlier, she had regularly staged productions of “The Little Matchstick Girl” as a scholarship fundraiser for VSU Theatre & Dance. For several years with the Princess Series, Roberts alternatively staged productions of “Cinderella” and “Sleeping Beauty.”She said she felt “Sleeping Beauty” was the stronger show in terms of choreography and popularity with audiences. “Sleeping Beauty” has been annually staged since 2017 … until now.“We’re excited to bring back ‘Cinderella’ as a new show,” Roberts said.Roberts and Joe Mason, a VSU Theatre & Dance instructor, have revived “Cinderella” with new choreography, including the stepmother and stepsister en pointe – standing/dancing on their toes in traditional ballet shoes, as well as new staging of the familiar fairy tale. Audiences also expect to see a carriage on stage, said Alexis Luke, Valdosta School of Ballet office manager.What hasn’t changed is the expectation that the latest Princess Series show will make wishes come true for VSU Theatre & Dance students.Roberts estimates the Princess Series has raised more than $175,000 in scholarship money during the past 18 years. Coupled with funds she raised with the “Matchstick Girl,” Valdosta School of Ballet has collected more than $200,000 for VSU students, she said.Mason said the scholarships benefit several VSU Theatre & Dance students annually.“Cinderella” rehearsals started in August, with School of Ballet and VSU dance and theatre students working together. Mason said he and VSU dance students have prepared for “Cinderella” while also rehearsing for VSU productions, such as “The Addams Family,” during the past few months.They will be joined by Tales Ribeiro, a professional dancer/choreographer with the Florida-based Dance Alive National Ballet. He plays the prince in “Cinderella” and performed last year in “Sleeping Beauty,” Luke said.Elle Scruggs plays Cinderella.She was 8 years old when she started with Valdosta School of Ballet. She is now a dancer and a teacher with the School of Ballet.When “Cinderella” last played in 2017, she said she was cast as an Hour.Now Scruggs’ hour has arrived and it’s her time to play Cinderella. CAST includes: Elle Scruggs, Carly Fults, Thaisia Jones, Lillabeth Mason, Joseph Mason, Grace Schaefer, Tara Cooper, Maya Tupek, Suzanna Gaston, Victoria Kanes, Harley McGee, Audrey Hardage, Riley Futch, Claire Rothenhofer, Sadie Mason, Shelby Sharpe, Skyler Martinez-Guzman, Kinslee Bolton, Ella Grace Neal, Emma McGuffey, Karli Malone, Emma Riley Hornbuckle, Ginsey Lawlor. Valdosta School of Ballet presents “Cinderella,” 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, and 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, Performing Arts Center, 3101 Barack Obama Boulevard. Admission: $14, adults; $12, children. All proceeds fund VSU Theatre & Dance scholarships.
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