Young local dancer performs with American Ballet Theatre

Youth Arts in Action announces that sponsored artist Julian MacKay from Bozeman had the thrill of dancing with American Ballet Theatre in their production of “The Nutcracker.” American Ballet Theatre is described as having “The most spectacular dancing in the world," by the New York Times and was recognized in May 2006 by the United States Congress as America's National Ballet Company.

MacKay traveled to Washington, D.C., in December to audition with over 200 other young dancers at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

MacKay, a private student of master teacher Sallyann Mulcahy of Helena, was selected to dance the part of a boy and first understudy to the role of “Fritz” in the opening party scene. Being chosen for first cast gave him the opportunity to dance on opening night and six other performances, sharing the opera house stage with ABT stars Ethan Stiefel, Paloma Herrera, Sascha Radetsky and David Hallberg. The Washington Post’s featured Nutcracker photo included MacKay on stage with ABT soloist Craig Salstein.

MacKay was coached in his roles by Victor Barbee, associate artistic director of ABT. Barbee performed the role of “Drosselmeyer,” the magical toymaker in ABT’s Nutcracker.

American Ballet Theatre has welcomed MacKay in the past, awarding him scholarships to their Young Dancers Workshop in New York City in 2006 and 2007. MacKay was also chosen to appear last year in ABT’s international “Dance” and “Pointe” magazine ads and is currently featured in the 2008 brochure for the ABT National Training Curriculum. Youth Arts in Action awarded him the Outstanding Young Artist Award in May 2007.

For more information on Youth Arts in Action scholarships and opportunities for young dancers and their upcoming third annual Fairy Tea for the Arts, in May, visit www.youthartsinaction.org or call 522-0404.

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