Scripps Performing Arts Academy Alum, Stephanie Cotton, Invited To Join Nevada Ballet Theatre

Nov. 6, 2014 - PRLog -- November 6, 2014

Contact: Marnie Fay

858-509-2624

marnie@scrippsperformingarts.com

SCRIPPS PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY ALUM, STEPHANIE COTTON, INVITED TO JOIN NEVADA BALLET THEATRE

COTTON OVERCOMES CHILDHOOD RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS TO LIVE HER DREAM OF BECOMING A PROFESSIONAL DANCER

Scripps Performing Arts Academy announced today with extreme pride that one of its own, student and instructor Stephanie Cotton has been contracted as a Trainee to Nevada Ballet Theatre. NBT, founded in 1972 and located in Las Vegas, is the largest professional ballet company in the state of Nevada.

Miss Cotton, who graduated this year from Keystone International High School, is thrilled to have been invited to join such a prestigious company at the tender age. “Getting to wake up every morning and to live out my dream of dancing professionally is such an amazing experience. It still is hard to believe after all the blood, sweat, tears, time, and resources that have gone into this dream that I achieved it and at the age of 17,” says Cotton.

Having the talent and skill required to join a professional ballet company were not all that were required of Miss Cotton. She has overcome extreme odds to arrive at NBT, having struggled with the symptoms of Juvenile Spondyloarthropathy, a form of rheumatoid arthritis, since the age of 8 and the high doses of steroids and anti-inflammatories that were prescribed to her to control it. By the age of 8, Miss Cotton was already attending ballet classes at Scripps Performing Arts Academy 3 to 4 times per week, so she learned early about “pain management, pharmaceuticals, and being in tune with my body just to be able to go about my daily routine”.

Having danced with Angela Amoroso and Miah Nwosu at the Scripps Performing Arts Academy since the age of three, Stephanie was well equipped to stay in tune with her body. The phrase “I know I can” was instilled in her by Miss Angela from the very beginning and helped to carry her through some painful times. Bolstered by her desire to share her gift with the world and constant encouragement from her family and Scripps Performing Arts Academy teachers, Stephanie kept dancing. In 2008, while rehearsing for Scripps Performing Arts Academy’s annual holiday favorite, The Nutcracker, she declared to Miss Angela, “I want to go pro!”

Ms. Cotton has now come full circle and is once again in rehearsals for an upcoming NBT production of The Nutcracker to take place is December 13^th through the 21^st at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas.  She is also currently cast in a unique collaboration between NBT and Cirque du Soleil, the 7th annual A Choreographers’ Showcase, featuring over 60 local artists from NBT and Cirque du Soleil. In attendance on her opening night was her first mentor, Angela Amoroso. “Each time one of my students is launched into the professional world, the thrill of seeing them perform just cannot be described in words. For Stephanie and I, the last 15 years have been filled with what are now some of my fondest memories. And to think, I was there again for the beginning of the next exciting chapter!” says Amoroso.

For now, Miss Cotton is enjoying every moment of living out her dream of being a professional ballerina on her good days and her bad days. She says, “I can dance out my feelings whatever they may be right now, however my arthritis may try to limit me.” As for the future, she would like to come back to her roots. According to Miss Cotton, “Of course I want to come back to Scripps Performing Arts Academy one day to give back to the community I have been a part of for 15 years and to share my experiences through more teaching and choreographing.”

About Scripps Performing Arts Academy: Founded in 1987 under the artistic direction of Angela Amoroso, SPAA endeavors to inspire children to discover their full potential through creativity and performance, to build discipline and self-esteem, and to develop a lifelong love of the arts. SPAA is proud to offer expert instruction for all ages and skill levels in a wide variety of performing arts genres such as ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, musical theater, acting, vocal instruction, piano and art. SPAA has two performing arts studios: one located in Scripps Ranch and another in Torrey Hills. For more information and tickets to this year’s Nutcracker, visit http://www.scrippsperformingarts.com .