In The News

If his big sister could learn to dance, Michael Bearden figured he could, too. And smarting off about it led him to a lifelong career. "What got me into dance was my sister's ballet class," Bearden said. "I just thought that it looked really easy, and I was saying so to my mom. "The teacher heard me and said, let's see you try," he continued. "I've always joked that I've been trying to prove her wrong since.".........

Clara will feel the romance of the season more than ever in this year's Lone Star Ballet production of "The Nutcracker." The holiday tradition opens Dec. 13 for its five public performances in the Amarillo Civic Center Auditorium, 401 S. Buchanan St. Performances continue at 3 and 8 p.m. Dec. 14, and 2 and 6 p.m. Dec. 15. The ballet's two Claras for the production - Emma Green and Alexis Stroud - have each danced the role at least three times and now are both nearing 20..........

Lone Star Ballet once again will present its special Christmas gift to the community with its production of "The Nutcracker." This year marks 41 years of public performances at the Amarillo Civic Center and 22 consecutive years performing for more than 3,600 students from Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Colorado..........

Amarillo area residents packed into the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts to get a glimpse into the upcoming local arts season got an unexpected surprise Tuesday with the announcement that a former television star and a group of American pop culture personalities will grace the Amarillo stage in the coming year..........

One was remembered for his bounding energy and huge smile. Another for a powerful singing voice that carried across the street from his Canyon apartment. All were remembered for their passion for theater and dance. And all will be mourned by the Amarillo-area arts community following a fatal Monday night accident. The crash claimed the lives of five members of the "Texas" musical drama company - Clint Diaz, Andrew Duncan, Amanda Starz, Julian Arredondo IV and Eric Harrison - and seriously injured a sixth, Timothy Johnson.........

The 17th annual Center City Electric Light Parade, sponsored by Xcel Energy, will be at 6 p.m. Nov. 30. "The parade is a great way to start the holiday season with an event for the entire family," Center City of Amarillo Executive Director Beth Duke said. The theme for the parade is The Nutcracker. Lone Star Ballet will have a special float to promote its upcoming performances of "The Nutcracker," scheduled Dec. 6 to 9 at Amarillo Civic Center Auditorium........

For two nights only, the Lone Star Ballet is presenting the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. A story of a love triangle between the beautiful Katrina van Tassel, the superstitious, ghost-story loving, Icabod Crane, and the menacing, Brom Bones. ......

This is a shared conviction among Amarillo's multiple arts organizations that strive to cultivate a passion for the arts in youth who embody a perpetual spirit, orectic soul and an enduring dedication beyond their years.....

A ballet company familiar to Amarillo dance aficionados is in the spotlight on The CW's new reality show "Breaking Pointe" (7 p.m., cable channel 11). Salt Lake City's Ballet West gave the show's camera broad access over six weeks to turn out a show that's supposed to offer an unvarnished look inside the frequently grueling life of a professional dancer. Instead - based on the first episode, at least - it's as concerned with backstage gossip as it is with any grand battements....

Berkley Henderson is the envy of all her young student ballerinas. "I get to wear a tiara for a living," Henderson said. "They love that." Henderson doesn't don the crown for the heck of it. (Well, probably.) She's dancing the lead role in Lone Star Ballet's production of "Sleeping Beauty," opening Friday for three performances in the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St ....

Ten dancers, both seasoned and new to Lone Star Ballet, complete the Circle of Excellence Professional Company. Founded in 2010 by Arlene Pool, Marlies Ballengee, Kathy Dryden and Lorene Lacer, LSB's first professional troupe officially formed this past September. Although LSB already supported a senior and junior company as well as company artists and apprentices, the staff wished to address the absence of a professional ballet company in the area....

It's time once again for sugar plum fairies to dance in your head, because this year's holiday production of The Nutcracker kicked off Friday night. This is the 36th year The Lone Star Ballet is presenting The Nutcracker. It's a great holiday tradition of a young girl's dreams at Christmastime. No matt how old you are, The Nutcracker takes it's guests into a magical place of sugar plum fairies, orange slice and gumdrop princesses .....

You're preparing for your deadline at work, running around completing last-minute tasks, wondering how you're going to succeed. What are you forgetting? Is it the best it can be? What can you change? The anticipation and excitement cloud your thoughts, making you scattered, nervous. All of these feelings and flurry of activity are similar to what I witnessed October 6 as the cast of Lone Star Ballet's "Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde" prepared for its debut of the original production based on Robert Louis Stevenson's gothic novella.....