Ballet at the Bishop

Ah, Prince Charming.

The classical story of Cinderella, performed by the Eugene Ballet, with 18 local dancers, comes to Grays Harbor for one night only this Saturday, Oct 18. At the Bishop Center located on the campus of Grays Harbor College.

Lori Oestreich who has been the choreographer at the Bishop Center for the past 13 years has been working with 18 local dancers. Ten dancers will be little gnomes, six will be sprites and two will be pages.

The Eugene Ballet provides the costumes and the choregraphy, said Oestreich who, after a eight year hiatus, closed her studio and reopened “Turning Pointe Classical School of Dance” six days before the Eugene Ballet contacted her, asking if she would train the dancers again. Since Oestreich did not have many students of her own, she held auditions and formed the troupe. “They brought their friends and cousins,” said Oestreich, “All of them had some dance experience. Some more than others, depending on who their teachers were.”

Seven years ago Oestreich worked with the Eugene Ballet training local dancers for the Nutcracker. “The Eugene Ballet is so good working with local teachers. They sent me detailed choregraphy notes with a DVD and the students were able to watch it and then I broke it down in steps.”

The local dancers will practice one time before the performance.

Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $24 for adults, $22 for seniors and $8 for kids 18 and younger.