Submitted Photo Advanced dancers with Rinat Mouzafarov’s Institute of Dance & Ballet Theatre who will be performing in “Die “Fledermaus” next weekend are shown with Rolf Stang, who is making a guest appearance in the production. Shown in this photo by Ronald Rouse are (front row, left to right) Kaydence Klein, Kaitlyn Klein, Ashley Carr, Addison Pringle, Jacey Leifson, Tayler Christianson, (back row, left to right) Carter Klein, Branden Alvarez, Collin Robson, Stang, Ruby Lormejuste, Haleigh Carr, Olivia Christianson and Madalyn Meagher. Not pictured is Sophia Huus.

Advanced dancers with Rinat Mouzafarov’s Institute of Dance & Ballet Theatre will be performing in the Western Plains Opera Company’s production of “Die Fledermaus” Sept. 9 and 10.

Ages 14 and older, the dancers include current institute students, including four male dancers, and two graduates. They will perform four dances featuring new, original choreography by Mouzafarov.

“I am very honored and my kids are very excited,” Mouzafarov said. “This is a very good experience for my students.” The chance to perform with a live orchestra and engage in theater acting as dancers  is a great opportunity, he said.

Mouzafarov said ballet itself is opera and provides a complementary art form to the musical opera. In one “Die Fledermaus” scene, dancers perform as a vocalist sings about dancing. 

Mouzafarov has worked with the Western Plains Opera since 1994 to bring dance to the productions. He also has worked with the latest show’s lead guest performers in the past. He noted “Die Fledermaus” stage director Julie Wright Costa, who has a dance background, has welcomed Minot’s ballet as a quality contribution that’s not readily available to opera productions, even in larger communities.

The dancers’ beautiful costuming was selected by Tonya Lewis, costume designer for the dance institute, who worked with DeVera Bowles, costume designer with Western Plains Opera. 

The production will take place in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall at 7 p.m. each night.