Press

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AMA Dance Theatre (ADT) of Mystic presents Marius Petipa’s classical ballet adaptation of Sleeping Beauty at the Garde Arts Center March 31 and April 1.

MARCH 15, 2023 - Mystic, Connecticut – AMA Dance Theatre (ADT) announces their professional company's inaugural classical ballet production of "Sleeping Beauty" on stage at the Garde Arts Center Friday March 31 and Saturday April 1 at 7:30PM. Experience a timeless tale of enchantment and love expressed through the art of DANCE. Deep in a century-long slumber, Aurora, the beautiful princess, and her kingdom await the power of true love’s kiss.

Our enchanting Cast includes our professional Company which includes Isabel Cary (AMA Dance Theatre teacher formerly with Washington Ballet) and Company trainees (two of whom were "Clara" in Festival Ballet Providence's Nutcracker this past December). Professional Company guests include McGee Maddox (Former Principal Dancer with National Ballet of Canada and Broadway Star), George Sanders (NYC City Center Dance, Broadway) and Victoria Jaenson (former dancer at Charlotte Ballet & BTC). Dancers from Hartt Dance Division and the New London High School Multi-Magnet Campus join us through our community program.

In support of the inaugural production at The Garde Arts Center:

AMA Dance Theatre is a leading pre-professional training school with a professional company which is unique to New London County and southern Rhode Island. Excellence in teaching includes the American Ballet Theatre® National Training Curriculum and the Nan Giordano Certificate Program® in jazz technique.

Committed to equity, AMA Dance Theatre's mission is to make dance accessible to our communities, aiming to bring world-class dance to audiences of all ages and backgrounds through programs affiliated with the AMA Dance Theatre Foundation (charitable 501c3 org).

Founded in 2018 by Artistic Director Felipe Puletini (native Brazilian professional dancer, coach and choreographer) and Tim Rooney.

Visit https://www.amadancetheatre.com for more information on the School, Company and Foundation.

Visit https://gardearts.org for information and ticketing or call the Box Office at (860) 444-7373. Group rates available.

Support for Sleeping Beauty has been provided from CT Humanities (CTH).

Press inquiries please contact Tim Rooney at 917.609.2955.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AMA Dance Theatre of Mystic holds Fundraising Gala “Pizza and Pirouettes” at the historic Stonington Velvet Mill

AUGUST 22, 2023 - Mystic, Connecticut – On Sunday, August 7th, AMA Dance Theatre “ADT”, a local dance school and professional company in Mystic founded by Felipe Costa Puletini, held their first fundraising gala at the Stonington Velvet Mill. The event, “Pizza and Pirouettes”, attracted 100 guests, showcased and celebrated the talent of ADT dancers, premiered the professional company, and supported a lively yet silent auction thanks to the generosity of over 20 donors from Madison, CT to Watch Hill, RI. The evening, despite the heat of the day, was a success, with rounds of applause, standing ovations, and cheers heard throughout the Mill during the 3-hour event.

The evening started with an introduction from ADT’s co-Founder, Tim Rooney (Electric Boat specialist and local performing arts executive supporter) who asked the audience “Do you know what “AMA” stands for?” Mr. Tim, as the kids call him, shared ADT’s definition includes “love” in Portuguese and symbolizes the initials of “Mr. Felipe’s” Brazilian godmother who introduced dance to the founding artist. Such love remains core to ADT’s mission, and lives through the dedicated energies of ADT teachers & students, and the company’s community outreach & collaborations with the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce, and Mystic Outdoor Art Festival Performing Arts.

The evening included guest speaker Professor Emerita Catherine J. Fellows, from Central Connecticut State University, a friend and mentor of Mr. Puletini’s who hired Felipe as a guest dancer, coach and choreographer in past CCSU dance productions. Professor Fellows spoke of their friendship, her own Portuguese heritage and family history with the Stonington Velvet Mill, and emphasized the cultural & personal enrichment we all gain through dance instruction and dance education.

One of the dance selections during the evening was a world premiere by Brazilian choreographer Ana Lucia Ferraz in collaboration with Mr. Puletini. “Nós, Vós, Eles”  (translated as “Us, You, Them”) was a poetic 4 movement piece about life pathways, representing moments of being alone, building relationships, and learning how to observe, admire, and through compassion, discover one’s self.

Co-Founder Mr. Tim, roused enthusiasm with the attendees when he shared news that ADT recently established The AMA Dance Theatre Foundation as a 501c(3) public charity to help ADT expand its mission and community outreach, as well as help the school meet the practical needs of its students who will benefit learning in a larger studio space.  “It’s amazing to watch and experience Felipe’s talent grow along with our dance families and community of supporters east and west of the Pawcatuck River. I remember when Felipe was interviewed by a visiting contributor from The Huffington Post back in 2017. The title of Horacio Fabiano’s interview still is as promising and as genuine, today:  “The Power of Dance is Revealed Through Felipe Puletini…”  I’m proud of him, our Board, and our growing community who share the vision, and the love, for dance”.

Mr. Felipe thanked the attendees and donors, and concluded the evening “because of you, we enable art-in-progress and enable our dreams to come true!”

Yesterday, Saturday, August 13th, as part of the company’s community outreach, ADT collaborated with The Mystic Outdoor Art Festival Performing Arts, in celebration of the Festival’s second year on the green at Mystic Seaport, and a second chance for audiences to enjoy, “Nós, Vós, Eles”.

ADT’s excellence in pre-professional dance education includes the American Ballet Theatre national Training Curriculum, the Nan Giordano Certificate Program in jazz technique, and the International Dance Council’s CID/UNESCO’s Certification of Dance Studies, a validation of teaching applicable all over the world. Additionally, ADT’s teacher-student ratio enables the company to focus on the student’s development and mastery of techniques.  For more information on this local dance school, please visit www.amadancetheatre.com

Press inquiries please contact Tim Rooney at 917.609.2955.