NEVADA BALLET THEATRE

NEVADA BALLET THEATRE APPOINTS DODIE ASKEGARD AS

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF ITS AFFILLIATED ACADEMY

Fall Registration open; auditions for NBT’s all-new production of

The Nutcracker will be held on September 15

LAS VEGAS, NV (Tuesday, September 4, 2012) - Nevada Ballet Theatre (NBT) announced today the appointment of Dodie Askegard as Assistant Principal of its affiliated school, the Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre (ANBT). Askegard will work under NBT Academy Principal Anna Lantz to oversee the Las Vegas-based ballet Academy ’s student body and faculty. Askegard’s duties include teaching, aiding with the development of class schedules, choreographing for the annual spring concert in June and interfacing with parents, students and administrative staff.

Askegard began her training with Minnesota Dance Theatre, San Francisco Ballet and in New York with lauded teacher Maggie Black. Following a career dancing as a soloist with Minnesota Dance Theatre and as a principal dancer for Spokane Ballet, Dodie served as the director of Ballet Arts Academy and in 2004, was named the Artistic Director of Theatre Ballet of Spokane, where she produced and directed close to 20 productions.

"We are thrilled that Dodie will be joining the artistic staff as our new assistant principal,” said NBT Academy Principal, Anna Lantz. “Her experience as a former professional dancer, coupled with her extensive teaching experience, will be an asset to our students and organization.”

A certified American Ballet Theatre (ABT) National Training Curriculum (NTC) instructor, Askegard has over 25 years experience teaching ballet and modern. She has served as a Nutcracker rehearsal mistress for State Street Ballet and Assistant to the Nutcracker rehearsal mistress for Alberta Ballet and Ballet Memphis.

THE ACADEMY OF NEVADA BALLET THEATRE ANNOUNCES ITS FALL CLASS SCHEDULE

The Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre is accepting students now for its 2012 fall session of classes. Serving students ages 18 months of age through adult, classes include: Ballet, Character, Modern, Jazz, Tap and Hip-Hop as part of four programs: the Pre-Professional Program, Children’s Program, Dance Program, Open Program and Adult Program. Adult Ballet classes include Beginner Ballet and Intermediate/Advanced as well as Pilates. Call 243-2623 for more information.

AUDITIONS FOR NBT’S ALL-NEW PRODUCTION OF THE NUTCRACKER TO BE HELD ON SEPT. 15

On Sat., Sept. 15, NBT will hold student auditions for its all-new production of The Nutcracker, choreographed by Artistic Director James Canfield . Featuring new sets, costumes and choreography, Canfield’s rendition is designed specifically for The Smith Center and will be presented with full orchestra.

The Nutcracker will be presented on December 15 – 23 at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. Auditions will take place at the company’s Summerlin facility, 1651 Inner Circle . There is a $35 non-refundable audition fee for non-Academy students. Students must register by September 14.

Audition schedule:

11 am – 12 pm: All boys ages 5 and up

12 pm – 1:30 pm: Girls ages 9 – 11

1:45 pm – 3 pm: Girls ages 12 – 14

3:15 – 5 pm: Girls ages 15 – 18

For more information, call the Academy at (702) 243-2623.

ABOUT THE ACADEMY OF NEVADA BALLET THEATRE

The Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre is the official school of Nevada Ballet Theatre and the premiere ballet and dance training center of Southern Nevada . Founded in 1979, the Academy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization guided by a philosophy of commitment to classical ballet tradition. Offering training in all forms of dance with classes for students 18 months of age through adult, the Academy is housed in a 36,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility, offering the highest standard of artistic education taught by distinguished and world-renowned instructors.