CELEBRATE DANCE WITH
AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE AND
AMERICAN GIRL


“BALLET BASICS” AT CHICAGO’S
AMERICAN GIRL PLACE
SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 2012, 11a - 1p

American Ballet Theatre Certified Teaching Artist Anna Spelman
Teaches Young Girls Movement Inspired by ABT’s Upcoming Performances of Giselle at The Auditorium Theatre

The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University (ATRU) and American Ballet Theatre (ABT) will host a special dance class for girls ages 8 and older at American Girl Place (835 N. Michigan Ave) Saturday, March 10, 11 a.m. – 1p.m. Visiting ABT teaching artist and former ABT dancer Anna Spelman will lead four 20-minute sessions featuring an introduction to the basics of ballet and movement from ABT’s upcoming performance of Giselle at ATRU (March 22 – 25).

This event is free and open to the public but space is limited. Spots are available on a first come first served basis. No dance experience necessary. 

About ABT Teaching Artist Anna Spelman

Visiting Teaching Artist Anna Spelman began training in ballet at the age of nine at the San Diego Ballet School.  There, and later at the Alabama School of Fine Arts in Birmingham, Anna trained with Thor Sutowski and Dame Sonia Arova.  Anna received scholarships to the School of American Ballet in New York, where she started studying as early as age eleven under George Balanchine.  She attended Centre Dance International at age 12 under Rosella Hightower in Cannes, France and entered the Eighth International Ballet Competition at Varna, Bulgaria as a junior contender.  She began her performing career at the age of nine with the San Diego Ballet Company. At the Alabama School of Fine Arts in Birmingham, Anna performed in August Bournonville’s The Flower Festival in Genzano pas de deux and a leading role in Michel Fokine’s Les Sylphides which prompted her to win an obelisk award for best female dancer.  Later, while on scholarship at American Ballet Theatre School, Anna had the opportunity to perform Richard England’s Vivaldi pas de deux behind another couple on the Metropolitan Opera House stage and was asked to join American Ballet Theatre to perform as a snowflake in the The Nutcracker which marked the beginning of her career with ABT. During her nine-year professional career withABT, Anna toured the major cities of France, Italy, Japan, and Israel.  Anna danced and acted in the films Hair, directed by Milos Forman and choreographed by Twyla Tharp, and Dancers, directed by Herbert Ross and filmed in Livorno, Italy. Her television credits include: Live from Lincoln Center, PBS special Twyla Tharp with ABT, and American Ballet Theatre in San Francisco and the David Gordon television special Dance in America. She has worked closely with choreographers in both ballet and modern dance including George Balanchine, Kenneth MacMillan, Jerome Robbins, Antony Tudor, Frederick Ashton, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Merce Cunningham, David Gordon, Paul Taylor, and Twyla Tharp. Anna continues to fuel her passion for dance by teaching her craft.  She resides in Naperville with her husband and their four children.

About the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University

The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, located at 50 E. Congress Parkway, is an independent, not-for-profit organization committed to presenting the finest in international, cultural and community programming to Chicago, and to the continued restoration and preservation of the National Historic Landmark Auditorium Theatre. The Auditorium Theatre is generously supported by the Illinois Arts Council, CityArts, American Airlines and the Palmer House Hilton. For more information about programming, volunteer and donor opportunities or theater tours,
call (312) 922-2110 or visit auditoriumtheatre.org.

Giselle Schedule and Ticket Information at ATRU

The performance schedule for American Ballet Theatre in Giselle is as follows:

Thursday, March 22, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 24 at 2 and 8 p.m.
Sunday, March 25 at 2 p.m.

Tickets, which range in price from $32 to $127, are currently on sale and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com/auditorium, by calling (800) 982-2787 or in-person at ATRU’s box office.