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Student dancers perform alongside Memphis’ rising stars in NutRemix
New Ballet’s Beloved holiday production features dancers of all ages
MEMPHIS, Tenn., Oct. 30, 2024 – New Ballet Ensemble & School’s NutRemix™, presented by Nike, returns to the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts Nov. 23-24. Set on Beale Street, this electrifying, uniquely Memphis retelling of Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” pushes artistic horizons and makes dance accessible to all. NutRemix features student dancers of all ages, New Ballet teaching artists and professional apprentices and a rising Memphis Jookin’ star.
Larray Curry makes his debut as the Memphis Angel, stepping into the role originated by his mentor, New Ballet alumnus and world-renowned dancer Charles “Lil Buck” Riley. Curry has toured with Lil Buck in “Memphis Jookin’ the Show Powered by Nike,” has worked with several rap artists, and made television appearances including MTV’s “TRL” and the “2023 BET Awards.” Encouraged by Lil Buck to visit New Ballet, Curry began his first formal studio technique training in summer 2024 and was featured in New Ballet’s SummerDance performance. In addition to training daily at the Midtown studios, Curry is now a Teaching Artist Apprentice who leads classes as part of New Ballet’s Pathways, a tuition-free in-school residency program at 10 Mid-South schools.
Casting from its classes, both in studio and at schools, the upcoming production of NutRemix will feature nearly 100 students, from age six to young adults. This includes Sunyah Fisher and Langston Scrugham, high school seniors who will share the role of Clara. Fisher, of Middle College High School, and Scrugham, a student at St. Mary’s Episcopal School, have trained together at New Ballet since they were young Creative Movement students. They have participated in NutRemix each year, dancing in the multicultural genres featured in the show as they worked toward the goal of becoming Clara. Sharing the role this year, they have supported each other in realizing that dream, deciding who will dance in each performance and making sure that they both have essential rehearsal information and training.
NutRemix includes dancers from many of New Ballet’s in-school Pathways programs, including Booker T. Washington Middle School, Dunbar, LaRose, Northaven elementary schools and Overton High School Creative and Performing Arts.
Fourteen of the New Ballet Teaching Artists and Professional Apprentices will perform alongside their students, including Jeremy Bowers as The Nutcracker, Rhaniyah Chism and Charyle Murrell as Rat Queen and Rat King, respectively, and Chloé Slade-Charles as the Snow Queen. Rickey Flagg II will dance as the Snow King in New Ballet’s first formal collaboration with Collage Dance Collective. A graduate of Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Professional Training Program, Rickey is in his tenth season with Collage Dance Collective.
Accompanying the dancers are the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Big Band and African drummers from New Ballet’s core group led by John Washington. For the third year in a row, Snowden School’s choir will perform during the Snow scene.
NutRemix takes place on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 24, at 2:30 p.m. at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, located at 255 N. Main St. in Downtown Memphis. Tickets are $34-63 and are available through Ticketmaster.
Families and friends wishing to see the production are welcome to purchase group sales tickets for $15 per ticket for groups of 10-49 people and $12.50 for groups of 50 or more. All group tickets are sat in the lower and upper balconies.
Nike, the presenting sponsor of NutRemix, has provided support to New Ballet Ensemble & School through several sponsorships and the Black Community Commitment Grant. Additional NutRemix support from AutoZone, Insight Global, the National Endowment for the Arts, ArtsMemphis, and the Tennessee Arts Commission.
About New Ballet Ensemble & School
New Ballet Ensemble & School brings children and youth together by providing a professional standard of dance training, regardless of the ability to pay. Learn more at newballet.org.
About Larray Curry
Larray Curry started dancing at the age of 13, training in hip-hop and Memphis Jookin in Memphis, Tenn., and has been dancing for eight years. He has worked with rap artists such as NLE Choppa, Lil Baby, Big Boogie and many more. His notable appearances include MTV’s “TRL,” the “2023 BET Awards”, Quibi’s “The Sauce” (executive produced by Usher Raymond), and touring with “Memphis Jookin’ the Show Powered by Nike”. As an up-and-coming artist, Larray strives to pursue a successful career in dance — not just to build an impressive portfolio, but to make a positive impact on the world by showing how street dance is a credible art form.
Media Contact:
Adriane Hall
901-647-1545
adriane@newballet.org
Posted by Claudia Towell at October 30, 2024