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WEST VALLEY VIEW NEWS | AUGUST 18, 2021
Auditions open for Nutcracker Fantasy OBITUARIES BY ALLISON BROWN
West Valley View Staff Writer
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riad Performing Arts of Arizona is hosting auditions on various dates in August for the West Valley’s first live production of the classic “Nutcracker” ballet with a twist, with all ages and skill levels welcome. Kat Honsberger, founder of Triad Performing Arts and owner of Kat’s Artist Tree, said that while everyone loves the ballet in the “Nutcracker,” she wanted to produce something that everyone could be a part of. “I really wanted to bring classical ballet together with singing and acting. I wanted to do something for everybody,” she said. “So, it has a little twist, because our Nutcracker Fantasy includes the main, classical part of the ballet that the Nutcracker does and that everyone is familiar with, but we have some surprises. We have some singers that will be a part of the show, and musicians and actors.” Honsberger said she wanted to add more roles to the classic “Nutcracker” to spread joy during the holiday season. She created Triad Performing Arts of Arizona in 2020 after seeing kids become depressed about the lack of live interactions due to COVID-19. The organization produced a virtual rendition last December, and Honsberger said it gave kids and parents the excitement, happiness and motivation that they had been missing. Karen Jaquez said her 8-year-old daughter Aaliyah was a dancer in last year’s production and that it was something to look forward to and boost spirits during the holidays. “Bringing the singing and acting
together and seeing all the kids come together and do that, I think it just really motivated the kids to work toward something again, even during all this COVID craziness, to be able to have that performance again,” Jaquez said. “Even though they didn’t have a live audience, they were able to record it and they were just as excited for it as if it was a performance.” She also said Aaliyah has been performing in “The Nutcracker” yearly since she was 3 years old, and before Triad Performing Arts opened, they drove to North Phoenix to be involved, because there wasn’t a production in the West Valley. Honsberger saw this issue and wanted to make sure kids had an equal opportunity to be involved in high-quality performing arts, regardless of where they lived or their socioeconomic status. “From our research, this is the very first nonprofit organization (in the West Valley) that includes music, dance and art,” she said. “I know lots of families, in order for them to see a classic ballet production, they have to travel all the way to Phoenix, so we really wanted to do something for the community and create a high level of performance here in the Valley and also to provide for children. So, they don’t have to drive to Downtown Phoenix, but they can have something right here in their own neighborhood. That was really important for us.” While Triad Performing Arts prides itself on being a high-quality program, Honsberger said everyone is welcome, and anyone who auditions will have some kind of role. Last year’s production had a cast
of 55 actors, singers and dancers, and if they have 100 this year, then “we will make all of them a special part of this incredible production,” Honsberger said. To host such a large cast as a nonprofit, Honsberger said the organization relies heavily on donations and sponsors. Even if a monetary donation cannot be made, she said they always welcome production assistants. Weekly rehearsals start in September, with more frequent rehearsals closer to the event. The show dates have not been finalized but will be sometime in mid-December. Parents are required to attend an informational meeting Saturday, Aug. 28, to go over time commitments and show dates and answer any questions parents may have. Auditions will be held on various dates at Kat’s Artist Tree, located at 13770 W. Van Buren Street, Goodyear. For more information, visit triadaz.org or email info@triadaz.org. Singers and Actors: 6 to 7 p.m. Thursdays Aug. 19 and Aug. 26 (Dress Code: Dress your best, neat and clean with proper close toed shoes). Pre-professional ballet dancers with at least three years of experience: Group auditions 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., selected students from group 6:45 to 7:15 p.m. Fridays Aug. 20 and Aug. 27 (Dress Code: black leotard and skirt, pink tights, ballet/ pointe shoes). Dancers 4 to 9 years old: 12 to 12:45 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21 (Dress Code: leotard and skirt, tights and ballet shoes). Required Parent Meeting: 12 to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28.
Avondale Youth Advisory Commission seeks members BY WEST VALLEY VIEW STAFF
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eens and young adults are invited to the Avondale Youth Advisory Commission’s open house on Monday, Aug. 30. Through the commission, teens and young adults grow their leadership skills in civic engagement, get
involved in community service, and have their voice heard. Prospective members can ask questions and learn more about what AYAC members do for the community. The event is open to Avondale residents ages 13 to 20 who have an interest in joining. The group meets
the second and fourth Monday of each month from September to May. The open house will take place at the AZ Complete Health Avondale Resource Center (995 E. Riley Drive, Avondale). Email Erin at efurnish@avondaleaz.gov to learn more and reserve a spot.
Robert Stephens
Mr. Robert “Buh” Stephens, 84, of Litchfield Park, Arizona died August 4, 2021 in Litchfield Park, Arizona. He was born April 27, 1937 in Tucson, Arizona to Alonzo and Maurine Stephens. A Service will be held at the Church of Later Day Saints (19322 W Indian School Rd. Litchfield Park, AZ 85340) on Friday, August 20, 2021 at 7pm. You can view the full obituary at https://www.thompsonfuneralchapel.com/ obituary/robert-buh-stephens/
Doris Jean Giocomo Doris Jean Giocomo, 87, of Goodyear, Arizona, passed away peacefully at home, August 6, 2021 following an extended illness. Doris was born September 22, 1933 in Chicago, Illinois to Gladys and Milton Cleek. When Doris was sixteen, she met the love of her life, Frank Giocomo, at the dime store where they both worked. They married December 1, 1950. They raised their three children in Chicago until 1967, when Frank was transferred by Honeywell to Denver, Colorado. They moved to PebbleCreek in Goodyear in 1996 to enjoy their retirement. Doris loved spending time with her family, crocheting, sewing, going to a Diamondbacks game, cruises, and playing cards with her friends. Doris is survived by her loving husband of 70 years, Frank; daughter Donna, sons Bob (Carol), Dave (Beth), five grandchildren, and four (soon to be six) great-grandchildren. She will be missed. No services are planned at this time.
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