Smyrna studio presents 'Giselle'

When just-turned-16-year-old Katie Stevens takes the stage next month in “Giselle,” she may feel as if the weight of the entire full-length ballet rests on her sculpted shoulders.

She’ll not only have to dance on an exceptionally high level. But she will also have to act the part of the beautiful, sweet but weak-hearted Giselle, who falls in love with a prince and experiences great tragedy as a result.

“I’ve studied dance for 12 years, and dancing this principal role is a dream for me,” Stevens says. “It’s given me a chance to grow as an artist and is another step toward my career.”

Most schools wouldn’t undertake a full ballet, especially a small school like Cobb County’s International City School of Ballet. But Artistic Director Georne Aucoin knew that her students were equal to the task.

“Don’t let their young ages fool you,” Aucoin says. “These kids show remarkable depth of character and dancing ability.”

Aucoin enlisted the help of Vadim Fedotov, an internationally recognized choreographer, for staging her students. There will also be guest male dancers Christopher Miro and Reinaldo Soto from the Columbia City Ballet.

“When the male dancers arrived to start rehearsing with my students, they were astonished by their ages. They dance like professionals,” Aucoin says.

That’s why Aucoin and ICSB Executive Director Musashi Alvarez decided to tackle the ambitious challenge of a full-length ballet.

“Our job is to get these students ready to join professional companies,” Alvarez says. “They need to have the artistry, musicality and stamina that professional companies are looking for. What better way to demonstrate this than a complete show rather than the more typical excerpts?”

Madison Braaksma, 18, of Acworth is dancing the dark role of Myrtha, the queen of the Willis, a group of vengeful brides who died before they could be married.

“Playing the role of Myrtha is truly an exquisite opportunity,” Braaksma says, since the role is demanding technically and emotionally. “Her character is cold, angry and heartless. I am normally a very positive, upbeat person, so playing such a cold, challenging role has given me a great opportunity to grow as a dancer.”

The International City School of Ballet’s production of “Giselle” will premiere on Saturday, May 7, at 7 p.m. at the Cobb County Civic Center. Tickets are $15 and $20 and can be purchased online at www.icsballet.ticketleap.com/giselle.

For the past two years, the International City School of Ballet has been chosen Outstanding School in the Atlanta region by the Youth America Grand Prix.

Two ensembles and three soloists from ICSB – Madison Braaksma, Anna Slade and Jolie Lombardo – will compete at the international finals in New York City this month. About 10,000 students compete in regional YAGP events. Only a few hundred make it to the world finals.

YAGP is the largest, most prestigious and most challenging ballet competition for young people in the United States today. The international organization also hosts events in Belgium, France, Italy, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Japan and China.