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Richmond Ballet Celebrates 25th Anniversary
12/19/2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 2009
Media Contact:
Aaron Sutten
(804) 344-0906 x244
asutten@richmondballet.com
RICHMOND BALLET CELEBRATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY
Richmond Ballet marked the 25th Anniversary of its
professional company on Friday, December 12, coinciding with opening night of
its annual production of The Nutcracker.
The festivities included former Richmond Ballet company members making a
brief appearance onstage and a post-performance “birthday party” featuring a
cake contest, with seven entries designed especially for the occasion by local
bakeries and caterers.
The evening also featured former company dancers Malcolm
Burn and Katherine Douglas Smothers stepping into the roles of Dr. and Mrs.
Silberhaus for the special anniversary performance. Burn now serves as Ballet Master for Richmond
Ballet, and Smothers is on the faculty for both the School of Richmond Ballet
and the Ballet’s Minds In Motion education and outreach programs.
Following the performance, all of the returning dancers were
introduced by Artistic Director Stoner Winslett and took individual curtain
calls at center stage. The former company
members traveled to Richmond from as far away as
Birmingham, England, for the celebration. Five of the 12 original dancers from the
inaugural season were among those present at the event: Anne-Marie Hartley, Kathy Kairns, Norvell
Robinson, Michael Rosenberg and Donald Tolj. Former dancers Brett Bonda, Anne
Sidney Davenport, Kristen Gallagher, Katherine Gansman, Jason Henschen, Jon
Konetski, Katherine Lynch, Tristi Ann McMaster, Chris Smidt, Tiffanie Smith and
Susanna Spear were also in attendance.
“I can’t believe it’s really been twenty-five years!”
exclaimed Hartley, who, after leaving Richmond Ballet, went on to dance with
Ballet Austin and Indianapolis Ballet Theatre.
Hartley, who has taught extensively since retiring, currently resides in
Taylor, Texas
with her husband and children and continues to teach dance in the Austin area.
The cakes for the contest, which all featured a Richmond
Ballet-Nutcracker theme, were created by Kara Buntin (A Cake to Remember), Jim
Goodman (Ukrop’s Bakery), Erinn LeClair (The Jefferson Hotel), Christina Lee
(Whole Foods Market), Favienne Roop (Cakes by Favienne), Mallory Schindler
(Gateau Divine) and Barbara Slaughter (Cakes by Barbara). The winner for best taste was Favienne Roop,
with Barbara Slaughter receiving honorable mention. Erinn LeClair received top
honors for design, with honorable mention going to Kara Buntin. Brandon Fox of Style Weekly and Dana Craig of
the Richmond Times Dispatch served as judges for the contest.
The official “birthday cake” enjoyed by the party-goers was
Kuba Kuba’s Tres Leche Cake. Wines
featured at the event were Da Vinci Chianti and Maso Canali Pinot Grigio, and
featured beers were Legend Brewing Company’s Lager and Brown Ale. Savor… SMG Catering catered the event.
Additional photos of
the 25th Anniversary celebration,
former and current
dancers and the cakes availible upon request.