CincinnatiArts.com

Ballet tech cincinnati invites dancers, tumblers and gymnasts of all ages and dance genres to audition for its Leaping for Literacy Production, Rikki Tikki Tavi, based on the popular Rudyard Kipling children's book . Auditions will be on Saturday, October 20th , 4-5:30 PM for dancers, tumblers and gymnasts age 5-10 and 5:30-7PM for age 11 and up and on Saturday, October 27th, 4-5:30 PM for dancers, tumblers and gymnasts age 5-10 and 5:30-7PM for age 11 and up. All auditions will be held at the new ballet tech cincinnati world headquarters in Kennedy Heights, 6543 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, OH 45213. Dancers should bring ballet, tap or pointe shoes, if qualified.

ballet tech cincinnati will present the World Premier of Rikki Tikki Tavi at the Aronoff Center at 8PM on May 2-3, 2008 and 2PM on May 3, 2008. A collaboration with the Cultural Centre of India, Rikki Tikki Tavi will feature original choreography by award winning dancer and teacher Padma Chebrolu. This production will take the audience into the magical world of Rudyard Kipling with amazing costumes, colorful sets, and a variety of dance styles including Traditional Indian Dance, African Dance, Chinese Dance, Ballet, and more. Rikki Tikki Tavi will feature the talents of pre-professional dance students and seasoned community and professional dancers. Leaping for Literacy project activities will surround Rikki Tikki Tavi including: a free, downloadable Study Guide in English and Spanish; a poster and poetry contest open to all school aged children in Greater Cincinnati; free performances featuring excepts of Rikki Tikki Tavi at area libraries, bookstores, malls, and other public venues; and a book giveaway. Choreographer Padma Chebrolu explains, "As the Artistic Director of Cultural Centre of India, I am truly honored to be given the opportunity to choreograph the story by Kipling, Rikki Tikki Tavi. In this show, we will include all the major genres of dance including a variety of dance styles from India, Africa and China. Families will be thoroughly entertained with the innovative, fun and energetic choreography. Costuming and set design will bring the mystique and glamour of the Maharajas time period. My focus group for this show is my four year old son who is a tough audience. If the show makes him laugh with all the animal characters and keeps his attention, it will be a definite winner with the general audience.

For more information, call ballet tech cincinnati at (513)841.2822, email
info@ballettechcincinnati.org or visit our website at www.ballettechcincinnati.org