Southwest Virginia Ballet debuts at the Moss Arts Center with ‘Romeo and Juliet’
Southwest Virginia Ballet makes its Moss Arts Center debut with two performances based on the William Shakespeare classic tale “Romeo and Juliet” on April 1 at 7:30 p.m. and April 2 at 3 p.m.
The performances will be held in the Anne and Ellen Fife Theatre, located within the Moss Arts Center’s Street and Davis Performance Hall at 190 Alumni Mall.
Featuring a mesmerizing score by Serge Prokofiev and original choreography by Pedro Szalay, Southwest Virginia Ballet artistic director, this three-act ballet brings the feud between the houses of Capulet and Montague to life through the passionate story of star-crossed lovers who fight, linger, and love until the end.
Southwest Virginia Ballet’s production includes a set designed by Mina Albergo and Armando Zullo, costumes by A. Christina Giannini, lighting by Dirk Kuyk, and a cast of more than 60 dancers, which includes many dancers from area dance studios and adult extra cast members from the community.
Part of the Southwest Virginia community for 27 years, Southwest Virginia Ballet serves over 15,000 children and adults annually. The vision of Tess (Terri) Post, founding artistic director, was to create a regional ballet company that would provide pre-professional quality performances of varied repertoire, including classical ballet, contemporary, and modern works. The company quickly became part of the community’s artistic and cultural experience.
In 2006, Szalay joined Southwest Virginia Ballet as instructor and co-artistic director. This year marks Szalay’s 10th year as the full-time artistic director of the company.
Under Szalay’s direction, the company has doubled its membership to 50 dancers; gained regional, national, and international recognition; and performed an annual production of “The Nutcracker,” routinely bringing together the company with 150 community members of all ages. Szalay has also created full-length productions of “Cinderella,” “Romeo and Juliet,” and others.
Tickets
Tickets for the performance are $20-$45 for the general public and $10 for students and youth 18 and under. Tickets can be purchased online; at the Moss Arts Center's box office, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; or by calling 540-231-5300 during box office hours.
Parking is available in the North End Parking Garage on Turner Street. Virginia Tech faculty and staff possessing a valid Virginia Tech parking permit can enter and exit the garage free of charge. Limited street parking is also available. Parking on Alumni Mall is free on weekdays after 5 p.m. and on weekends.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Kacy McAllister at 540-231-5300 or email kmcallis@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to an event.
