I attended the first act of this afternoon's production of The Nutcracker, and am unspeakably disappointed with what I witnessed. While I was not expecting a performance akin to the Colorado Ballet, I did at least anticipate to observe BALLET. What I saw was far, far from it. I am embarrassed for the performers and their families, and for Aurora Dance Arts to have put forth such a sham, at a whopping $16 a seat, is simply shameful. What, prey tell, are their students learning in their classes? I'll tell you what they are NOT learning, and that is how to point their toes, turn out their legs, and step into pique turns on a straight leg. I had to look away as the poor snow queen struggled through her solo upon bent knees, flopping feet donned with ill-fitting shoes, and astonishingly bad technique. Of course these students are young, of course one can not expect prima ballerina level skills, but one MUST expect the very foundations of ballet to be present! Those girls have no business being on pointe, when they so painfully lack the core muscle strength required. It is negligent of the artistic director to allow such atrocities to go uncorrected, and a scam to ask the audience not only to endure it, but to pay a premium for it.
I left at intermission, and requested that my ticket fee be returned.
Based upon this unbearable performance, I would highly recommend NEVER enrolling your aspiring dancer in this company. That is all. read more