The Boys Are Back: BalletNova Welcomes Back Former Students for 'Nutcracker' Performances

BalletNova welcomes back two familiar faces to the 2014 “Nutcracker” production. Simon Bull and Frank Spohn grew up taking class at BalletNova (then Arlington Center for Dance) and return to perform in two feature roles.

Simon Bull, a talented 20-year old, is currently a Psychology and Anthropology double-major at George Mason University. He started his dance studies at age 4, and then was accepted to the prestigious National Ballet School of Canada in Toronto. At NBS Simon studied with world renowned teachers such as Alexander Gorbatsevich and Sergiu Stefnaschi, and performed roles in the Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Scotch Symphony. Upon graduation, he decided to pursue an academic track and landed at GMU, where he is currently a junior. Simon performs the dual role of the Nutcracker Prince and the Cavalier.

Frank Spohn was a popular performer at BalletNova in such ballets as Firebird (Kostechai), the Nutcracker (Prince/Mouse King/Baker/Fritz), and A Bluegrass Portrait (Traveler). As a trainee with the Richmond Ballet, Frank toured with them and performed in their critically-acclaimed Nutcracker. After a year as a trainee Frank attended the College of William and Mary, graduating in 2014 with a degree in Public Policy. At the college Frank was a member of Orchesis Modern Dance Company under the direction of Denise Damon Wade, where he performed works by Donald McKayle and Paul Taylor. Frank reprises his role as the evil Mouse King.

BalletNova presents “The Nutcracker” on Dec. 4 – 7 at the Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre in Arlington. Tickets are available through www.BalletNova.org.

What: BalletNova’s The Nutcracker

When:

Thursday, Dec. 4 at 7:30 PM

Friday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 PM

Saturday, Dec. 6 at 1 PM and 5 PM

11 a.m. - Girl Scout “Behind the Scenes” Education Program

Sunday, Dec. 7 at 1 PM and 5 PM

11 a.m. - Girl Scout “Behind the Scenes” Education Program

Who: BalletNova Center for Dance

Where: Thomas Jefferson Community Theater, 125 South Old Glebe Road, Arlington

Tickets: Reserved seating - Adults: $15 - $35; Students/Seniors: $13 - $32. All tickets an additional $3 at the door day of performance. Advanced purchase highly recommended.

Information/Reservations:

Online at www.BalletNova.org; Email at [email protected]

Call 703-778-3008 or stop by the studio at 3443 Carlin Springs Road, Falls Church, VA 22041

BalletNova Center for Dance, founded in 1981, is dedicated to educating and mentoring dancers in a positive, nurturing environment and preserving the traditions of classical ballet through quality dance productions and education. Formerly Arlington Center for Dance/The Center Dance Company, the organization moved to a beautiful six-studio 20,800 square foot state-of-the-art facility in July 2008, and offers classes in ballet, modern, tap, jazz, and hip hop for children, teens and adult dancers. The award-winning pre-professional ballet program is recognized as one of the best in the Metro Washington DC area, and BalletNova also has an extensive Adult Dance Division with classes in several levels of Ballet, Contemporary, Tap, Jazz and Theater Dance. The new Fredgren Studio Theatre, a 150-seat black box theatre designed for dance, opened in September 2014.

BalletNova is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization supported in part by the Arts Council of Fairfax County, Arlington County through the Arlington Cultural Affairs Division of Arlington Economic Development, the Arlington Commission for the Arts, the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

PHOTO: BN Artistic Director Nancie Woods is flanked by Simon Bull (left) and Frank Spohn; photo courtesy of BalletNova