Ballet Chesapeake Presents “Swan Lake” at Towson University

Ballet Chesapeake proudly announces its upcoming performances of “Swan Lake” at Towson University’s Stephens Hall Theatre (7900 Stephens Ave.) on Saturday, April 4 at 6 p.m. and Sunday, April 5 at 1 p.m.

“Swan Lake” is a mesmerizing classical ballet dating back to 1877 that tells a timeless love story between the dashing Prince Siegfried and a lovely “white swan” princess named Odette. Under the spell of a sorcerer, Odette is condemned to spending her days as a swan swimming on a lake of tears and her nights in a beautiful human form. The couple, after quickly falling in love, must fight for their relationship against the sorcerer and his daughter, Odile, juxtaposed as the “black swan” throughout the performance.

Traditionally, the roles of Odette and Odile are danced by the same performer. Ballet Chesapeake’s rendition of the magical classic, however, splits the role to highlight the individual talents of two Harford County dancers: Margaux Miller and Emily Loane. Miller, 18, a senior at Roland Park Country School will dance the role of Odette, and Loane, also 18, a senior at Patterson Mill High School, will perform as Odile.

The pair have danced alongside one another as Ballet Chesapeake company members since they auditioned in 2014, a commitment that requires multiple rehearsals a week and enrollment in a variety of challenging classes each year -- from ballet to jazz and pas de deux (a dance duet in which two dancers, typically a male and a female, perform steps together) and more.

Margaux Miller, 18, of Bel Air in a past Ballet Chesapeake Performance of “The Nutcracker”

Emily Loane, 18, of Bel Air in a past Ballet Chesapeake Production of “Paquita”

Joining Ballet Chesapeake on stage will be 55 local children, all of whom auditioned and were cast in various roles, as well as guest performer, Stephaen Hood, who will play the role of Prince Siegfried.

Stephaen Hood, Ballet Chesapeake’s guest “Prince Siegfried”

A native of Baltimore, Hood began his formal classical dance training with the Mid-Atlantic Youth Ballet. He later went on to study at the Rock School for Dance Education as a full scholarship recipient. In 2013, he graduated from the University of the Arts receiving bachelor’s of fine arts degree classical ballet; he went on to perform and study under Christopher Fleming with Ballet-Fleming, and was recently a member of Ohio’s Verb Ballets for three seasons. Currently, Hood dances with the Ballet Theatre of Maryland.

"We are looking forward to the challenge of bringing this classic ballet to life,” says Barclay Gibbs, Ballet Chesapeake’s artistic director. “The young dancers of Ballet Chesapeake have been working extremely hard to bring artistry and technique to choreography that is challenging even for seasoned professionals. What they have been able to accomplish is noteworthy and they will bring our audience into the beautiful and tragic story of Swan Lake!"

Swan Lake tickets can be purchased online at www.balletchesapeake.org for $22-28 in advance, or $30 at the door, if available. Group sales packages are available for parties of 10 or more at $20/ticket. Area businesses interested in supporting Ballet Chesapeake are invited to place an ad in the event program. To learn more about the performances, or place an ad, contact Kaitlin Weber, Ballet Chesapeake’s executive director, at Kaitlin@balletchesapeake.org or 410-877-0777.

Ballet Chesapeake is supported in part by state arts funding through a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council and the Harford County Cultural Arts Board. The company seeks additional financial backing for the valuable art of ballet through memberships, grants and personal and corporate donations.