To say that American Repertory Ballet’s Princeton Ballet School Summer Intensive Program is, well, intense, is somewhat of an understatement. For the past five weeks, 95 students ages 13 to 21, selected as a result of nationwide and international auditions, have been dancing 40 hours or more a week, developing their technique and their artistry.
On Friday at 4:30 and 7 p.m. on the Berlind Stage at McCarter Theatre, the youthful dancers will share the fruits of their labor with performances of classical and contemporary ballets, as well as new choreography created for the occasion.
Kathleen Moore Tovar of Princeton, former principal dancer with American Ballet Theater, is staging the divertissements from Act II of the demanding ballet "Paquita" to showcase the talents of some of the most senior students.
Other members of Princeton Ballet School’s faculty have also been working with the students, preparing works for the concert.
Mary Barton, long-time faculty member and former principal dancer with ARB, has created a new work to the music of Mozart, as has Bat Abbit, ARB’s ballet master. The program will also include a ballet choreographed by the students themselves, led by Mr. Abbit and Mr. Lustig. Douglas Martin and Maria Youskevitch complete the roster of teachers for the summer program.
Sean Mahoney is an alumnus of the Princeton Ballet School who currently dances with the Paul Taylor Dance Company. Mr. Taylor gave his permission for the Princeton students to learn an excerpt from his dance, "Cascade," and Mr. Mahoney has been setting the piece. Stephen Campanella of West Windsor, 20, is thrilled to be performing Mr. Taylor’s choreography. "It is a particular honor to dance ‘Cascade’ as this is the first time Paul Taylor has let any summer intensive outside of his own perform any of his pieces," Mr. Campanella said.
Tickets to Friday’s performances are $15 and can be purchased by calling (609) 921-7758.
