Director Seeks Roots for 'Nutcracker' – Launches Partnership with Ballet Sibiu (of Romania)

This year the Central Florida Ballet will bring a “European touch” to its annual ‘Nutcracker’ production by partnering with the Ballet Sibiu (of Romania); dancers of both companies will be featured in the performances in Orlando and abroad. Vasile Petrutiu, Executive Director of the Central Florida Ballet says “Through our partnership with the Ballet Sibiu, our Central Florida audiences will be able to experience the American and European styles of ballet. It will bring an extra flair and excitement to the production available in no other production in the area.”

Dancer performs aerial acrobatics 

in the uniquely choreographed, Arabian dance, of the 

Central Florida Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”

The idea for the partnership came through the Executive Director’s familial ties to his homeland. Born in Transylvania, Petrutiu began his career with the Romanian Classical and Contemporary Ballet Company and made the gutsy decision to defect in 1982 while on tour in USA/ Canada. Fast forward to 2011, Petrutiu’s decision led to a star-studded dance career and he is now entering into the eleventh season with Central Florida Ballet; the company he founded in 2000. “Every couple of years, I return to Romania to visit family and see what is new. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to have been able to experience ballet all over the world, and am proud to be able to share my passion for the ballet and Romanian heritage with Orlando”.

For the past four years, the CEO of the Arts and Cultural Affairs in Sibiu, Mr. Ovidiu Dragoman, had followed Petrutiu’s accomplishments via the internet and the media. Petrutiu received several invitations from Mr. Dragoman to take part in various Romanian cultural events and in 2011 finally accepted to be a judge at the 2011 International Dance Competition Sibiu where a bigger deal immediately took place. During Petrutiu’s stay, Mr. Dragoman viewed one of Central Florida Ballet’s Nutcracker performances on DVD and the World Ballet Competition - All Stars of Dance. He was immensely impressed with the quality staging of all performances presented by Central Florida Ballet and insisted on creating a joint venture. This December will mark the first ever joint venture between the two companies. The premiere performances will be held in Orlando on December 9 – 11 with performances to follow in Sibiu later that month. “This is a tale that continually delights adults and children alike, and we're proud to offer audiences one of the best productions in the nation."

About the Production: Premiering in 2001, Central Florida Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” rises above the traditional crowd with its use of fiber optics, thrilling pyrotechnics, and unique aerial acrobatics. Just two years after its premiere, the production was featured by USA Today as the “pyrotechnic Nutcracker” and named “one of the top-five outstanding productions in the nation” by CNN Headline News! The Southeast Tourism Society recently named it “One of the Top 20” events in the southeast region.

For more information or tickets, Call 407-849-9948 or Visit the official web site at www.centralfloridaballet.com. The Central Florida Ballet is a not-for-profit organization.