Klisavage studies her art at the Ballet Academy of Pittsburgh, a pre-professional ballet school located in Castle Shannon. A typical day includes 2 1/2 to 3 hours of class followed by 2 hours of rehearsal 6 days a week all while maintaining a high GPA, serving as editor and chief of her high school newspaper and participating in Seton LaSalle's musicals, most recently in "Barnum."
"Ballet takes you to another world. You are able to fully embrace a character and express this not through words, but through movement," Klisavage said. "It's a completely different form of expression. It is a great stress reliever. Whenever things are stressful in school, I look forward to going to ballet to get away. "
Upon graduation, Klisavage will join the North Carolina Dance Theater in Charlotte North Carolina as a trainee. This prestigious company only takes a small percentage of dancers who try out each year.
This season's repertoire will consist of a mix of classical and contemporary ballet: the premiere of "American Jamboree," a tribute to Pittsburgh and Stephen Foster; excerpts from Tchaikovsky's "The Sleeping Beauty"; "Spring," set to the music of Alexander Glazunov; "True Colors"; and a nod to Broadway, including "Hairspray," "Footloose" and "The Sound of Music."
"American Jamboree," set to the music of Pittsburgh native Stephen Foster as recorded by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and choreographed by Robert Steele, weaves together folk art, culture, calico and gingham with this celebratory ballet. Music will include "Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair," "Oh! Susanna," "De Camptown Races" and "Beautiful Dreamer."
Caitlin Rogers, a senior at Trinity High School who will attend Mercyhurst College on a dance scholarship, is featured in the piece as the beautiful dreamer imagining her perfect mate.
Other area dancers who will perform in the Spring Celebration include Amanda Beck, Alyssa Critelli, Brenna Erzen, Sarah Underwood and Caroline Wilde of Bethel Park; Lacey Gigliotti and Jordan Spradli of Castle Shannon; Maura Bell, Emily Berringer, Winnie Bobbitt, Emily Carskadden, Emily Emamzadeh, Maggie Emamzadeh, Anna Grunewald, Elizabeth Jankowski, Margaret Jankowski, Maeve McEwen, Maire McEwen, Morrin McEwen, Mackenzie Milner, Mara Milner, Tristen Montesino, Samantha Postufka, Haley Sabol, Katie Smolenski and Ivy Tellin of Mt. Lebanon;
Madison Start, Britain Start and Maeve Sentner of Peters Township; Katie Knizner of Scott Township; Allison Evans, Talia Fontana, Mira Fontana, Becky Lange, Elia Kallick, Emily Kikta, Katie Kitner, Deanna Klimas, Kendall Robinson, Jillian Schepis, Hilary Quinn, Rebecca Quinn and Rachel Wehan of Upper St. Clair; and Celeste Rovito of Venetia.
Tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling 412-343-9333.