National Talent Headlines Ballet Chesapeake’s “The Nutcracker”

Nardia Boodoo, Ballet Chesapeake’s guest “Sugarplum Fairy” and apprentice of the Washington Ballet

Ballet Chesapeake proudly announces its upcoming annual holiday classic, “The Nutcracker,” which will feature iconic talent from Washington, D.C. and New York City this year. Performances take place at Towson University’s Stephens Hall Theatre (7900 Stephens Avenue, Towson, MD 21204) on Saturday, December 14 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. and Sunday, December 15 at 1 p.m.

Heralded in 2018 as “a beautifully traditional, thoroughly charming version of the classic ballet” by Maryland Theatre Guide, Ballet Chesapeake’s annual production of “The Nutcracker” delights guests of all ages through its grand-scale backdrops and fanciful costumes, and features guest dancers from renowned professional dance companies. This year, guests are invited to see talent from The Washington Ballet and the Dance Theatre of Harlem at a fraction of the cost they would pay to see them in their home theatres.

Dancing this year’s “Sugarplum Fairy” is The Washington Ballet apprentice, Nardia Boodoo. As a child, Boodoo began studying ballet to add to her talent portion at beauty pageants. After realizing her talent and passion for dance, she started taking classes at Towson University’s Children dance division under former ABT dancer Patricia Enoch. After a brief hiatus from dance to explore other forms of art, Boodoo returned to the stage at age 14 at The Baltimore School for the Arts. Through her hard work and dedication, Boodoo went on to earn scholarships to attend prestigious ballet schools such as Dance Theatre of Harlem, North Carolina School for The Arts, Joffrey Ballet (Chicago, IL) and Jacob’s Pillow (Becket, MA). Boodoo was a member of The Washington Ballet’s Studio Company from 2014-2016. She then joined The Pennsylvania Ballet as an Apprentice for the 2016-2017 season and returned to The Washington Ballet as an apprentice in 2017.

Da’ Von Doane, Ballet Chesapeake’s guest “Cavalier” visiting from the Dance Theatre of Harlem

Dancing Boodoo’s “Cavalier” counterpart is Da’ Von Doane, of the Dance Theatre of Harlem. Doane began his training at the Salisbury Studio of Dance (now Salisbury Dance Academy) where he trained with Betty Webster, Tatiana Akinfieva-Smith and Elena Manakhova. As a member of the schools’ regional dance company, the Eastern Shore Ballet Theatre, he performed various roles in annual productions of The Nutcracker, Coppélia, Scheherazade and the Polovtsian Dances¸ among others. In 2008, Mr. Doane moved to New York City to join the Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble and performed at the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival that summer. In 2009, Mr. Doane performed with Ballet Noir at East River Park as part of SummerStage and with Jacob’s Pillow once again. In the fall of 2009, he danced as part of the Dance Theatre of Harlem with roles in the Joplin Dances, New Bach, the excerpt “Mother Popcorn,” Concerto In F, Fete Noir and South African Suite. In the winter of 2009, he began touring with the Dance Theatre of Harlem as a part of its Dance for America Tour. As a guest artist, Mr. Doane has performed with the Classical Contemporary Ballet Theatre and with choreographer Ja’ Malik in 2009’s E-moves Emerging Choreographers Showcase. In the summer of 2010, Mr. Doane performed once again with Ballet Noir in the 200th Anniversary Chopin Celebration and the 2010 World Dance Gala in Kielce, Poland. In 2014, Da’ Von was named one of the “Top 25 to watch” by Dance Magazine. Most recently, he can be seen in a music video by artist Estelle video 'Conqueror' and a new Web series called 'For the Love of Dance.'

"The dancing, the atmosphere – it all comes together to create an unforgettable outing to the theater and truly helps anyone get in the holiday spirit," says Ballet Chesapeake’s artistic director, Barclay Gibbs. "The Nutcracker is such a magical journey, and Ballet Chesapeake is delighted in continuing to bring the production to Maryland."

Guests of Ballet Chesapeake’s performances are invited to help spread holiday cheer by bringing new, unwrapped gifts to support Toys for Tots. Ticket prices range from $21 - $28 in advance; $30.00 at the door. To purchase, visit www.balletchesapeake.org or call 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 and seeks financial backing for the valuable art of ballet through memberships, grants and personal and corporate donations.