CARLISLE, PA (July 6, 2010) - Carlisle's nationally and internationally recognized Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (CPYB) proudly announces its 2010/2011 A Season of Celebration. 

The season recognizes the ballet school's 55 years in the central Pennsylvania region and Founding Artistic Director Marcia Dale Weary's 75th birthday.

Weary has created a season that encourages the public to want to know more about the institution and the art of classical ballet. "The season offers a wide range of ballets for a wide range of audiences," says CPYB chief executive officer and resident choreographer Alan Hineline.

The season kicks off in October with the world premiere of a production of "Hansel & Gretel," which is choreographed by Hineline. As part of CPYB's "Storybook Series," the show is a continuing repertory initiative that attracts and introduces children and their families to the world of classical ballet, classical music, and theatre.

"The idea of the ‘Storybook Series' is to look to familiar stories that everyone understands," says Hineline. "When they have an understanding of the story, the ballet isn't so foreign to them."

The season continues with CPYB's annual production of "George Balanchine's The Nutcracker^TM" in December. As the only pre-professional school in the country licensed to perform this Balanchine work, CPYB will present the ballet for two weekends, at Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts and at Hershey Theatre. A live orchestra will be featured during its performances at Hershey Theatre.

"It's a family tradition in central Pennsylvania," says Hineline.

In April 2011, CPYB will present "Swan Lake" for the first time on Whitaker Center stage. The performance, which is based on the original choreography created more than 130 years ago and features music by Peter Tchaikovsky, will be staged by former Boston Ballet principal dancer and current CPYB faculty member Laszlo Berdo.

The season continues in June 2011 with CPYB's "June Series." Both premieres and audience favorites will be performed, showcasing the talents of CPYB dancers in the final show of the academic year. 

"The ‘June Series' is a great way to end the season with a broad range of repertory," says Hineline.

Finally, the season wraps up with the "Stars of CPYB 2011." The show brings the school's illustrious alumni from companies around the world home to the Whitaker Center stage. The one-night-only performance is a star-studded salute to CPYB's Founding Artistic Director Marcia Dale Weary. Proceeds from the special event benefit CPYB's need-based scholarship program.