St. Augustine Ballet and Zoika Dance will bring their best talent to Flagler College’s Lewis Auditorium with back-to-back ballet productions of two beloved stories and a whole lot of local artistry worth seeing live.
St. Augustine Ballet: Rapunzel, May 15th & 16th
St. Augustine Ballet is bringing the timeless fairy tale Rapunzel to Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College, with performances on May 15th at 7:00pm and May 16th at both 1:30pm and 7:00pm.
If you know the story, you already know it’s a good one. Rapunzel is a young girl with extraordinarily long magical hair who has spent her entire life locked away in a tower by a controlling witch who raised her as her own. Isolated from the outside world, she’s never known freedom — until a charming prince discovers her tower and the two begin a secret friendship that blossoms into something more. What follows is a story of courage, longing, and the kind of love that changes everything. It’s a tale that resonates with young audiences and adults alike, and seeing it told through the beauty of ballet makes it all the more magical.
Tickets for guests under 18 are discounted across all sections. St. Augustine Ballets students get in free. St. Johns County teachers can attend at no cost, just walk up at the door, or email info@saintaugustineballet.com with your teacher ID to reserve ahead of time.
Tickets are available now at www.saintaugustineballet.org/rapunzel
Zoika Dance: The Wizard of Oz, May 23rd & 24th
Zoika Dance will present The Wizard of Oz with performances on Saturday, May 23rd at 7:00pm and Sunday, May 24th at 1:00pm. Over 75 young, local dancers will fill the Emerald City with ballet, tap, hip hop, jazz, acro, and contemporary dance, making this one of the most dynamic shows the studio has ever staged.
St. Augustine’s own Sophia Budd dances the role of Dorothy, joined by professional dancers Jenne Vermes and Alex Rubio of Noise Complaint Tap Dance Theatre as the Tin Man and the Lion, respectively. Jose Fuentes brings the Scarecrow to life, Katherine DeAcutis plays the Wicked Witch of the West, and Emmaline Young graces the stage as Glinda. Local professional artist David Buchman takes on the role of the Wizard himself, with Noise Complaint’s Sean Mansfield and Christie Woodson rounding out the cast as Uncle Henry and Aunt Em.
“Watching the dancers embrace their roles on stage brings back a nostalgic sense of wonder,” said director Zoika Garcia. “Audience members will be transported right into Emerald City where Dorothy and her friends will teach us that true friendship and teamwork help overcome any obstacle life may present.”
Zoika and the show’s sponsors are also working to make sure local children who might not otherwise be able to attend get to experience the magic. Sponsorships of $250 and up provide free tickets to kids through nonprofit partners including St. Augustine Youth Services, Fostering Connections, the Betty Griffin House, and Alpha-Omega Miracle Home. To become a sponsor, visit *www.zoikasdance.com/sponsors* or call (904) 342-5920.
Tickets are available now at www.zoikasdance.com.
