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FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA (September 25, 2017) – The Open World Dance Foundation will present the ballet production of Cinderella with local youth and stars of American Ballet Theatre, Devon Teuscher and Cory Stearns, on Saturday, November 25 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, November 26 at 2 p.m. at Parker Playhouse, 707 NE 8th Street in Fort Lauderdale. With this production we would like to support those who suffered from both, Hurricane Irma & Harvey. This past year marked the 125th anniversary of composer, Sergei Prokofiev, who’s noted works include the music for the ballets Romeo and Juliet and Cinderella. The Open World Dance Foundation celebrated the life of this remarkable composer with the production of Cinderella, which premiered in Houston, TX, November 10th & 11th, 2016 starring Misty Copeland. As a follow up to this successful run, the Open World Dance Foundation will share this unique opportunity with local children, youth and the community in South Florida. The vision of Open World Dance Foundation’s founder and president, Ekaterina Shchelkanova, is to create a special experience for children to collaborate in the creation of the production and rehearse and dance alongside accomplished dancers and other guest artists from around the world in their culminating performance. Open World Dance Foundation promotes the preservation and development of the traditions of professional ballet education. Shchelkanova, its founder, was trained at the well-known Vaganova Ballet Academy and danced with the world famous Kirov Ballet, now known as the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia, and later on with American Ballet Theater in New York City. She then proceeded on to starring in the movie Chicago, where she received a prestigious Screen Actors Guild Award. Under the foundation’s motto, “United by Dance,” the foundation strives to create opportunities to unite dancers of all ages and backgrounds from around the world through a common love of ballet and dance education. This includes festivals and exchange programs, promoting and preserving dance education, and sharing and following the traditions of ballet, particularly the teachings of Professor Agrippina Vaganova. In addition, they provide access to ballet training for orphans and underprivileged children. “Open World Dance Foundation is excited to present this production and share this incredible opportunity with local children, youth, and the community while celebrating the traditions of classical ballet,” said Shchelkanova, “Open World Dance Foundation, together with local youth, will create a beautiful production to honor the world’s history, music, ballet, and arts and will open the door to the amazing world of creativity that unites us all in a task to create something special, passionate, beautiful and full of joy.” Tickets range from $35 - $175. A dollar from every ticket sold will go to the funds for Hurricane Harvey & Irma. For tickets and more information, visit www.OpenWorldDanceFoundation.com. # # About Devon Teuscher: Devon Teuscher joined the Studio Company in 2006 where she danced leading roles in Raymonda, Les Sylphides, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and various works by Jessica Lang. She joined American Ballet Theatre as an apprentice in December 2007 and the corps de ballet in June 2008. She became a Soloist in August 2014 and a Principal Dancer in July 2017. Teuscher created the Fairy Candide (Sincerity) in Alexei Ratmansky's The Sleeping Beauty, leading roles in Her Notes and Serenade after Plato's Symposium and a role in After You. About Cory Stearns: Cory Stearns began his classical training at Seiskaya Ballet with Mme. Valia Seiskaya. His principal roles included principal roles in Mark Annear's Mendelssohn Concerto, Kenneth Macmillan's Concerto, Kirk Peterson's Eyes That Gently Touch, Robert Hill's Piano Concerto #2, and Barry Moreland's Fearful Symmetries. In March 2004, Stearns appeared with Kylie Minogue in her music video Chocolate. Upon graduating from the Royal Ballet School with honors, he received, for the second year, the Dame Ruth Railton Award for excellence in dance. Stearns joined American Ballet Theatre's Studio Company in September 2004, the main Company as an apprentice in January 2005 and as a member of the corps de ballet in January 2006. He was appointed a Soloist in January 2009 and a Principal Dancer in January 2011. # #