The last time we did The Christmas Gift was in 2009. So, as I have been preparing the posters and videos that you will be seeing throughout our journey to the stage at the L. Douglas Wilder Theater at Norfolk State in December, I get to dig through the deep archives of the ballet.
Did you know that The Christmas Gift was the first ballet at Academie de Ballet? At the time, it was called just The Gift. The story was primarily the same but took place during the girl’s birthday party instead of a Christmas party.
Academie then went on to perform it at least one more time before Andrei came on the scene and created the Masterworks Christmas version.
Now it has grown into what we know as The Christmas Gift with exceptional choreography by Andrei Yemelianov and Melissa Moore. Many of our best dancers have performed in it throughout the years. Here is a just a few…
Andrei Yemelianov – Donetsk Ballet
Natallia Yemelianov – Minsk Ballet Theater
Vika Kortze – Minsk Ballet Theater
Brooke Blackman
Jessica Hartsfield
Reigner Bethune – Carolina Ballet
Not pictured:
Steven Samotis – Pittsburgh Ballet
Angela (Avila) Samotis – Israel Ballet
The Christmas Gift has warmed people’s hearts for many years. Now it time to make it a tradition with your family. Get ready as we put on a new and very talented cast to warm your hearts this Christmas.
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