Nearly 100 local dancers are set to dazzle audiences in March for the full-length ballet “Frozen Heart.” presented by the Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet, under the direction of Jennifer Beasley.
Based on “The Snow Queen” fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen and set to a classic score by Hugo Alfven, the ballet will include guest artists from Birmingham and New Orleans.
Commissioned by Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet in 2015 and premiered to sold-out audiences in 2016, “Frozen Heart '' was choreographed by Kristy Nilsson. Houston-based Nilsson is a former professional dancer with the Atlanta Ballet, and her choreography has earned awards from Regional Dance America, the Southeast Regional Ballet Association, and Dance Canvas.
Nilsson’s version of the classic fairytale follows Snow Queen Elsandra as her heart is frozen by the evil Troll King. Her younger sister, Princess Gerda, and the sister’s handsome new love, Kai, venture into the frozen kingdom to melt the Snow Queen’s heart and free her from her icy prison. “Kristy’s own concepts are melded with Andersen’s original tale to tell a unique story through innovative choreography. Audiences may recognize a few elements from the animated movie “Frozen” as well,” says artistic director Beasley. “The intricate and sophisticated choreography is sure to please both young fairytale fans and serious ballet-goers alike.”
Filled with captivating images of the ice palace, the ballet has roles for sleigh-drawing reindeer, ice skaters on the frozen pond, and the Snow Queen’s stoic ice maidens. Dancing the role of the Snow Queen Elsandra is eighteen-year-old Ridgeland resident Mae Correro. Correro, a senior at Madison- Ridgeland Academy, is a principal dancer with Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet. Correro has trained with Mississippi Metropolitan Dance Academy, the official school of the ballet company, since she was three years old. Mae’s training at Mississippi Metropolitan has been enhanced by the company’s participation in Regional Dance America/Southeast and summer study at dance intensives including the Charleston Ballet Center Intensive. At Regional Dance America/SE Festival, Mae has performed in two award-winning ballets and received scholarships to the National Choreography Intensive. Most recently, she attended the Commercial Dance Intensive in Santa Barbara on scholarship.
“Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet provides amazing ballet training that will prepare you to perform in any facet of the dance world you can imagine,” says Correro. “I am excited to perform the beautiful choreography for Queen Elsandra in ‘Frozen Heart.’”
Abby McCaughan, also a principal dancer with the company, will dance the role of the queen’s younger sister, Princess Gerda. McCaughan is a resident of Ridgeland and a senior at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School. Having trained with Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet for over 10 years, McCaughan is an award-winning choreographer. Her five-minute contemporary ballet “Chaotic Patience” won the Monticello Award for emerging choreography at the 2019 Regional Dance America/Southeast Festival.
“I think my exposure to many different styles of dance and exploring my love for contemporary has allowed me to be able to move in a way that I feel confident,” says McCaughan. “I couldn’t have asked for a better company to have grown up in and train with. Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet has given me many opportunities that have made me the dancer that I am today.”
John Arthur Mingle IV, in his fifth season with Alabama Ballet in Birmingham, will dance the role of Prince Kai. Mingle trained on scholarship with San Francisco Ballet School, Pacific Northwest Ballet School and American Ballet Theatre. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance from Southern Methodist University and has danced professionally with Cincinnati Ballet and Dayton Ballet. Since joining Alabama Ballet, Mingle has been seen in principal and soloist roles such as Prince Désiré in “The Sleeping Beauty,” Cavalier in George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker” and Von Rothbart in “Swan Lake.”
The Troll King will be danced by guest artist Christian Delery of New Orleans. Delery is a choreographer and instructor who trained on scholarship with Virginia School of the Arts, Joffrey Ballet School and School of American Ballet. He has danced with Dayton Ballet, Atlantic City Ballet, Marigny Ballet and Delta Festival Ballet appearing in a variety of roles in ballets like “The Nutcracker,” “Dracula,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and “Swan Lake.”
A Frozen Heart Princess Parade will follow each performance. Young royalty will be presented to Queen Elsandra, Princess Gerda, Kai and other favorite “Frozen Heart” characters for on-stage photo ops and autographs. Each prince or princess will receive a custom autograph booklet with pen and light refreshments from Whimsy Cookie Company.
The Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet is a non-profit regional ballet company that has made its home in Madison for over 20 years. The company annually presents “The Nutcracker” at Jackson Academy PAC and also a spring production from its repertoire including “Cinderella,” “Alice in Wonderland,” Nilsson’s“The Little Mermaid” and other full-length ballets. The Mississippi Arts Commission, the Gertrude C. Ford Foundation, Ergon, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, BankPlus, Internal Medicine and Pediatric Associates and Waxing the City are among the generous sponsors of the Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet 2019-2020 season.
“Frozen Heart” will be performed on March 28 and 29 at 2 p.m. at Jackson Academy Performing Arts Center.
Performance tickets are $20-$25. Princess Parade tickets are $15 and are sold separately. Accompanying adults receive complimentary admission to the Princess Parade. For tickets and more information, visit www.msmetroballet.com or call 601-853-4508.
