Hyde Park School of Dance Adds Holiday Bazaar to Performances of THE NUTCRACKER
By: Tyler Peterson Oct. 23, 2015
Hyde Park School of Dance (HPSD) once again offers ballet fans its annual presentation of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker, featuring 175 dancers-from four-year-olds to grandparents-supported by more than 100 volunteers. Performances are December 11-13 at Mandel Hall on the University of Chicago campus, 1131 E. 57th Street, Chicago.
Staged by HPSD Founding Artistic Director August Tye, ballet mistress and choreographer at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the 90-minute narrated production follows Clara, Fritz and the mysterious Uncle Drosselmeyer from the family holiday party and the midnight battle with the Mouse Queen and her troops through the Land of Snow to the Kingdom of Sweets. Each year, HPSD casts one or more Chicago VIPs as the honorary Mother Ginger. This year, Hyde Park Herald editor Daschell Phillips will play the role December 12 at 1 p.m., and Hyde Park Bank President Mike McGarry is taking on the role for the December 12 6 p.m. performance. Past Mother Gingers have included 5th Ward Alderman Leslie Hairston, Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Wallace Goode, State Representative Kimberly DuBuclet, Ray Elementary School Principal Bernadette Butler and Court Theatre Artistic Director Charles Newell.Founded in 1993 as The Hyde Park School of Ballet, Hyde Park School of Dance provides opportunities for students of all ages and abilities to study, perform and create classical and contemporary dance at the highest levels of discipline and artistry. Through high quality training and performance, HPSD's goal is to cultivate a love of dance and strength of body, mind and character that will benefit students throughout their lives. Led by Founding Artistic Director August Tye, the faculty is committed to helping children experience the empowering rewards of self-discipline, hard work and collaboration in a supportive and nurturing environment that values healthy bodies.
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