Amber Corrigan, a Patchogue native, was recently cast to play the prominent role of the first soloist in Seiskaya Ballet’s The Nutcracker at The Staller Center in Stony Brook on Sunday, December 18 at 8:00 p.m. She will be starring as Snow Queen and Doll.
Corrigan is a first-year student at The Institute for American Musical Theatre and a trainee with the prestigious Dance Theatre of Harlem, both in New York City.
“I started ballet at around 12,” Corrigan reflected.
While starting “a little later” than most of her peers, she has been awarded merit-based scholarships to both institutions.
It’s quite uncommon for someone who has only been dancing for six years to attain such a coveted role with such a strong pool of auditioners.
What’s more: this is only the beginning for Corrigan, who plans to become a principal ballerina at a top ballet company in the United States and also aspires to perform internationally. She hopes to one day perform in Giselle, a ballet by Adolphe Adam and Jean Coralli.
“I think being able to express yourself without words and speaking [draws me to ballet],” said Corrigan. “Dance is really medicine for the soul,” Corrigan added, describing how she feels while dancing. “Everything for me goes away.”
The Seiskaya Ballet’s Nutcracker has become a perennial holiday favorite on Long Island. The upcoming performance is scheduled for five performances in total.
This rendition has routinely received praise from audiences and critics alike.
Newsday called the production “ENCHANTING,” “Polished,” “…child friendly – a storyteller’s Nutcracker…” In another Newsday article, the reviewer gushed: “…lavish… and …sumptuous…”
Other reviewers proclaimed it: “…glorious… Dazzling ….extraordinary…” The cast will be led by the leading dancer of Orlando’s United Ballet Theatre and Butler University graduate standout, guest artist Max Lippman (Cavalier) and Seiskaya Ballet’s award-winning principal dancers Maya Butkevich, Vivian Ye and Madeleine Martufi; plus returning principal dancers Brianna Jimenez, Diana Atoian and Eva Pyrros.
Seiskaya Ballet’s Nutcracker is truly an international collaboration beginning with Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s most famous score. Sets and several costumes were designed by Poland’s Margaret Piotrowska, whose highly respected work in Polish TV and stage productions has garnered wide praise. Directed by founder Joseph Forbes, the scenery was executed by Scenic Art Studios, credited with painting over 300 Broadway shows. The imaginative and unusual sculptures utilized in the Seiskaya Ballet’s production were the brainchild of creative artist Matt Targon. Choreographed by celebrated Russian-born Valia Seiskaya, this acclaimed production is imbued with bravura dancing, energy and endearing charisma.
