Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Whether going to Florida to showcase their dancing skills or putting on a performance of “The Nutcracker,” Dancer’s Pointe – with its studio located at 150 Redwing Drive – has produced top-notch talent for the public to witness. 

This weekend, there will be additional opportunities. 

Productions of the play Coppelia will be taking place at the studio. 

The times are Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. 

“It’s a charming, light-hearted ballet that has actually been around for [over] 150 years,” said Danielle Bridgewater, the owner and school director at Dancer’s Pointe. “It has humor, mystery, [and] a little bit of romance, making it perfect for Valentine’s Day, but more importantly, the ballet is wonderful for all ages.” 

First choreographed with a libretto in 1870, Coppelia features a woman named Swanhilda and several friends – who become curious about a doll located at the workshop of the local Dr. Coppelius. 

However, mystery awaits. 

“What they discover is [that] she’s not a real person at all. She’s a lifelike doll,” Bridgewater said. “In…a playful twist, they sneak into the workshop….and then produce this story.” 

The play features 55 performers from a variety of eclectic backgrounds. 

While Dancer’s Pointe performers range from age 2 to 18, players from the George Rogers Clark High School football team will also be present. 

Daniel Prewitt, a professionally trained dancer who has taught classical ballet and other roles, will play the role of Franz, a central character. 

In training for the ballet, performers overcame adversity that occurred when some practices were delayed during inclement weather in early January. 

“They’ve actually worked to put this show together in just a few short weeks,” Bridgewater said. “It’s been amazing [to see] what they’ve accomplished.” 

Bridgewater added that she felt seeing a first-time production of Coppelia in Winchester would offer a new opportunity for the community and expressed hope for a large audience. 

“We’d love to see family and community members [and] first-time ballet [viewers] in the audience,” she said. “We feel it’s a production everyone would enjoy…and we really want students to experience that community support.” 

While the opportunity to perform in front of a live audience excites students, Bridgewater sees an even larger impact. 

“We’re so blessed to have the talent that we have, but beyond that, our students are just some of the best…girls ever. They just have the best little hearts and are so hardworking [and] so respectful,” she said. “We really feel that ballet helps cultivate that in young women, and that’s one of the biggest things we try to focus on here at Dancer’s Pointe.”