Gwinnett Ballet to Hold Auditions

Gwinnett Ballet Theatre will hold for its performing arts school on August 1 at the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center Theater in Duluth.

Students ages 7 to 18 who are interested in a professional training program are asked to come out, according to a press release from the company.

"The purpose of the audition is to identify young dancers who are seeking serious ballet training," said Wade Walthall, artistic director. "Having this audition on a large stage will allow our teaching staff to see each student individually and envision them in a performance environment."

He added: "It is also an opportunity to evaluate and place each dancer in the level which will best serve each individual."

The school is especially seeking male students.

"We are also very committed to finding and encouraging young male dancers," Walthall said in the press release. "We will be offering tuition scholarships to young men, and some paid positions are possible."

Besides admission into the school, teachers will also be identifying all candidates for scholarships or financial aid. Existing students will also be there, performing for placement pruposes.

The August 1 audition schedule is:

Noon - 1 p.m. for students ages 7 to 10

1:30 p.m. - 3 p.m. for students ages 11 to 14

3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. for students ages 15 to 18

Dancers are asked to come 30 minutes early. Auditions will be conducted to live piano accompaniment, for which there is no charge. Dancers do not need to prepare a variation or other piece.

According to the ballet company, parents must stay in the auditorium until their child is finished but can watch the class from the theatre.

For more information, see http://www.gwinnettballet.org/our-company/company-auditions, or contact the school's director, Lee Olsen, at 770-978-0188 or gbt78@bellsouth.net.

(Editor's Note: This article was taken from a press release from Gwinnett Ballet Theatre.)