Ashland Regional Ballet’s 42nd Annual Spring Dance Concert
Joe Lyons •
May 13, 2024
Ashland Regional Ballet (ARB) and Opus II Dance Studio will once again collaborate to bring the 42nd Annual Spring Dance Concert to the stage at Archer Auditorium on Saturday May 18th at 7:00 pm and Sunday May 19th at 2:00p.m. Dancers ranging in ages from 5 years through adult and hailing primarily from the Ashland/Mansfield/Wooster area will perform in this traditional event. The performance showcases the entire student body of Opus II Dance Studio in a variety of dances designed to be great family entertainment at family friendly prices.
Each year Ashland Regional Ballet presents a special ballet production as part of this end of the school year celebration. This year’s featured ballet is “Stars”, choreography re-setting by ARB Artistic Director Sarah Cyders. The students of Opus II Dance Studio will present the ballet “Country Mouse & City Mouse”.
ARB Senior dancers featured in “Stars” are Adley Grabowski who will portray leader of the “no-stars,” Lily Lehman who will portray the lead “McBean” and Skylynn Heichel who will portray a “McBean.” Also featured in a prominent role is Tara Tavalaee as leader of the “Stars.” The “Stars” will be portrayed by Megan Harrigan, Adra Herod, Valerie Raubenolt, Mikayla Jarvis and Lucy Ronk. The “No Stars” will be portrayed by Teagan Kime, Samantha Metz, Lyla Metzger, and Audrey Smith. The “McBeans” will be played by Asher Robbins, Sami Crist, Addi Bonfiglio, Jordyn Thomas, Mary Hamilton, and Maddelyn Shenberger.
The first portion of the program presents a wide array of contemporary dance styles including Tap, Jazz & Modern Dance. Benshoff-Todd mentions “One of the most exciting parts of this show is seeing how much our dancers have grown this year. It shows the promise of a bright long lasting future for the studio.” Choreography is by Schussler, Cyders and Benshoff-Todd. Schussler notes, “This has been a wonderful school year, full of good dancing and lessons well-learned. The Opus and ARB dancers are eager to show-off their accomplishments. It seems impossible that our school has been dancing now for 42 years! We are very proud of everything our dancers have accomplished.”
Performances are open to the public and are reserved seating. Tickets are available at ashlandregionalballet.com/ticket-information. Virtual viewing options are also available. For more information contact Ashland Regional Ballet at annmarieofopusarb@gmail.com, or visit www.AshlandRegionalBallet.com
Who:Ashland Regional Ballet & Opus II Dance Studio
What: 42nd Annual Spring Dance Concert
When/where: Sat. May 18th at 7:00 & Sun. May 19th at 2:00 pm Archer Auditorium
Tickets at: Ashlandregionalballet.com/ticket-information
Contact: Ann Marie Benshoff-Todd, School Director – annmarieofopusarb@gmail.com
