Brandon Ballet to Offer Behind-the-Scenes Tour

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of a ballet?

Residents will get a chance to find out Nov. 19 from 1 to 3 p.m., when the regional ballet company, the Brandon Ballet, holds a free educational backstage tour.

Residents are invited to visit the Brandon Ballet and view a rehearsal for the upcoming holiday ballet, "The Nutcracker," as well as a company ballet class. Participants will participate in a question-and-answer session with the dancers of the Brandon Ballet, as well as learn about the costumes used in "The Nutcracker."

The event will take place at the Brandon Ballet's home, the
Dance Centre, 161 E. Bloomingdale Ave., Brandon, in the Bloomingdale Plaza.

The Brandon Ballet is extending a special invitation to large groups and home-schooled students.

Those interested in the tour should contact the Brandon Ballet at 813-684-4282 or dance@brandonballet.org.

While there, residents can reserve tickets for "The Nutcracker" Dec. 10-11. The Brandon Ballet will present four performances of the favorite seasonal ballet by Tchaikovsky.

The ballet tells the story of a little girl named Clara who, on the eve of Christmas, receives a wonderful gift, a wooden toy nutcracker from her mysterious Uncle Drosselmeyer. The toy leads Clara on a magical journey through an enchanted winter wonderland with wondrous dancing snowflakes and the elegant Snow Queen, then onto the land of the sweets where Clara meets the regal and majestic Sugar Plum Fairy.

Performances will take place at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 and 2 and 5:30 p.m. at Spoto High School's auditorium, 8538 Eagle Palm Dr., Riverview.

Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for children 18 and under and $20 for seniors 55 and up.

For assisted living communities where chaperones are required, the ballet offers two free chaperone tickets for every 10 seats purchased.

Tickets are available at www.shop.brandonballet.org or by calling 813-684-4282.

Founded in 1993, the Brandon Ballet is a nonprofit regional ballet company that develops and promotes opportunities for aspiring young dancers. By offering a training program and two major performances each year, the Brandon Ballet helps serious dancers broaden their dance experiences.

From its humble beginnings, the company has grown to include 38 dancers of varying levels. Professional dancers and training dancers call the Brandon Ballet home. The Brandon Ballet provides Brandon and the surrounding communities with an education in the art of dance and serves the community through performances held at public facilities.

All company dancers receive professional training on a weekly basis and are provided the opportunity to learn standard classical repertoire.