Press, Coverage, News, Current Dancers Toby Batley Press, Coverage, News, Current Dancers Toby Batley

Business Spotlight: Southern California Ballet to perform ‘Cinderella,’ host summer dance camps

From a ballet performance to camps for would-be young dancers, Southern California Ballet has a full roster of upcoming events.

The story of “Cinderella” will be performed April 1 and 2 by SCB for the first time since 2019.

Husband and wife team Toby Batley and Martha Leebolt , co-artistic directors of Southern California Ballet, first choreographed the ballet in 2018.

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Press, Coverage, News, Current Dancers Toby Batley Press, Coverage, News, Current Dancers Toby Batley

Southern California Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker” returns for 30th year

In a sign of how skilled its older students have become, three Southern California Ballet dancers have been cast in roles often performed by professionals in “The Nutcracker.”

Misha MacGowan and Emilia Wightlin are sharing the role of Snow Queen in seven shows from Dec. 15-18. Zachary Ong is partnering with both girls as the Snow Cavalier during the Christmastime ballet at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts.

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Press, Coverage, News, Current Dancers Toby Batley Press, Coverage, News, Current Dancers Toby Batley

SD Union Tribune: Southern California Ballet to present ‘Alice in Wonderland’ after two-year delay

For 18-year-old Lily Hofstetter, dancing the lead role in Southern California Ballet’s upcoming “Alice in Wonderland” is a dream come true.

“I didn’t expect it at all,” Hofstetter said. “I’m super excited to dance it. It is more hours in the studio learning choreography. I love it as it is so much fun.

“Alice stays on stage almost the entire ballet,” she explained. “There is not a lot of rest time.”

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Press, Coverage, News, Current Dancers Toby Batley Press, Coverage, News, Current Dancers Toby Batley

SD Union Tribune: ‘The Nutcracker’ is a Schultz family tradition

In what is likely the first time in Southern California Ballet’s more than 35 years, eight members of a family will perform together in its annual presentation of “The Nutcracker.”

The Schultz family of Poway said this is the first and likely only time all eight of them will be in the same show.

[…]

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Press, Coverage, News, Current Dancers Toby Batley Press, Coverage, News, Current Dancers Toby Batley

Southern California Ballet presents outdoor ‘Coppélia’ in June

The Poway Center for the Performing Arts will once again have patrons on its premises with two outdoor performances of “Coppélia on the Green” on Saturday, June 5.

Tickets are on sale now for the ballet, performed by the dancers of Southern California Ballet. This is a limited-capacity outdoor event with socially-distanced pod seating.

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Press, Coverage, News, Current Dancers Toby Batley Press, Coverage, News, Current Dancers Toby Batley

Southern California Ballet's 'The Nutcracker' goes virtual

Poway OnStage has teamed up with the Southern California Ballet to present “The Nutcracker” virtual field trip, available now through Dec. 18.

Southern California Ballet traditionally performs the classic Christmas ballet on the stage of the Poway Center for the Performing Arts every holiday season. With COVID-19 restrictions, the dance company and Poway OnStage have a found a way to bring the show to life in a safe manner for children.

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Press, Coverage, News, Current Dancers Toby Batley Press, Coverage, News, Current Dancers Toby Batley

SD Union Tribune: Creative versions of ‘The Nutcracker’ will keep holiday tradition alive

Those not quite ready to attend an in-person performance can catch unique twists on virtual productions, starting with Southern California Ballet.

The Carmel Mountain-based company and ballet school is partnering with Poway OnStage to create a virtual “Nutcracker” field trip for school groups, special needs groups and senior groups.

[…]

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Press, Coverage, News, Current Dancers Toby Batley Press, Coverage, News, Current Dancers Toby Batley

Article Features SCB: Dance studios and gym teach online due to COVID-19

“Dancers are making it work,” said Martha Leebolt, co-artistic director of Southern California Ballet. “They are finding ways ... and we are really proud of them.”

[…]

Immediately upon learning Poway Unified School District was suspending classes, SCB faculty started filming themselves doing components of their classes’ syllabuses on March 13. The videos were uploaded on a website so students could practice at home. On March 23, they added live classes via Zoom and now most teachers film from their homes, Leebolt said, with only she and her husband, Toby Batley, filming in the studio. As they got more became familiar with the technology’s capabilities, teachers offered corrections based on what they saw students doing during interactive sessions.

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Free dance program created for those with disabilities

“Having grown up with one of my closest friends (Claire Feth) being part of the community of individuals with disabilities, this is an extremely important program that is very close to my heart,” said Martha Leebolt, SCB artistic director. “Growing up with her was a formative part of my life, and seeing her transition into adulthood helped me understand the difficulties of this stage of both her and many others’ lives.

“This led us to create this program, which I hope will flourish to become something that can enrich everyone’s lives who want to be involved,” Leebolt said.

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For adults with disabilities, another form of creative expression — through dance

Martha Leebolt is the co-artistic director of Southern California Ballet, which was awarded a grant to start an adaptive dance program for adults with disabilities, beginning Oct. 9

It was around this time last year when Southern California Ballet was awarded a grant to start a six-week adaptive dance program for adults with disabilities, spearheaded by the dance company’s co-artistic director, Martha Leebolt.

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In ‘Cinderella,’ Southern California Ballet takes a classic and gives it a modern touch

It’s probably good that ballet dancer David Ward’s latest project is in San Diego. He kinda has a thing for fish tacos.

“I love them,” the 32-year-old confesses.

This week, he’s in town to play the role of The Prince in Southern California Ballet’s production of “Cinderella,” which premieres Saturday, April 6, and continues Sunday, April 7, at Poway Center for the Performing Arts.

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Southern California Ballet presents ‘Cinderella’

The Southern California Ballet is presenting a new production of “Cinderella” April 6 and 7 at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts.

Featuring the original score by Sergei Prokofiev, the show features entirely new choreography by SCB co-artistic directors Martha Leebolt and Toby Batley. The pair are former principal dancers for the Northern Ballet in Leeds, United Kingdom and are in their second year directing at SCB. Leebolt is also an alum of SCB.

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