WYE MILLS — The newest December edition of ArtScene | The Podcast takes listeners behind the curtain during a rare open rehearsal with Ailey II — recorded live on November 2 inside the Todd Performing Arts Center at Chesapeake College.
This collaborative event — hosted by the Carole Cascio Fund — welcomed more than 50 Eastern Shore student dancers to observe, participate, and experience professional rehearsal culture in real time. Here’s a special glimpse into the excitement of the day via the Carole Cascio Fund Instagram Reel.
This special edition hour-long podcast features exclusive conversations with:
- Francesca Harper, Artistic Director of Ailey II
- Ailey II Company dancers
- Peter Pucci, Executive Director, Carole Cascio Fund
- Student dancers who participated in the masterclass
- Q & A with Ailey II teaching artists
Ailey II, founded in 1974, is a two-year professional bridge for emerging dancers, launching talent into companies and stages across the world. It’s been described by Francesca Harper as “Legacy shaping the future.”
Fresh off the final show of their fall tour in Baltimore, the dancers closed their season in Wye Mills, using this open rehearsal to reflect, explore, and connect with student dancers and the community.
Peter Pucci, who organized this event in collaboration with Dr. Robert Thompson, Chesapeake College and Michael Bell, Supervisor of Fine Arts for QACPS and host of ArtScene, believe that dance doesn’t have to stay behind the velvet rope, and they are helping ensure dance reaches the people.
During the masterclass, student dancers shared insights on what it felt like to inhabit the same stage, side by side, with world-class professionals.
One student dancer shared, “You can feel yourself getting braver just trying.”
QACPS and ArtScene | The Podcast extends sincere appreciation to Ailey II, Peter Pucci and the Carole Cascio Fund for this opportunity, and Dr. Robert Thompson, Director of the Todd Performing Arts Center, for his continued partnership and support. His leadership in opening the doors of this performance space to young artists — not just as an audience, but as participants — is creating access, confidence, and pathways for Eastern Shore students to see themselves in this work, whether it be dance, theatre, or the visual arts.
Don’t miss the Carole Cascio Fund’s next FREE community offering: The Ballet Theatre of Maryland performs The Nutcracker on Friday, December 5 at the Chestertown YMCA in Kent County. Seating opens at 5pm. The event is free to the public, but you must register online to attend.
Tune in to this episode of ArtScene | the Podcast here on Spotify, at https://anchor.fm/artscene or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. Don’t forget to like and subscribe here!