VALDOSTA – Brandi Roberts has 110,000 reasons and counting to keep presenting the annual Princess Ballet series.

Reasons that have helped dozens of Valdosta State University Theatre and Dance students through the years.

The annual ballet partnership between Roberts’ Valdosta School of Ballet and VSU Theatre & Dance has raised $110,000 in scholarship funds during the past 13 years, said Brooke Butler, assistant director of the ballet school. 

And is ready to earn more this weekend with “Sleeping Beauty,” the 14th Annual Princess Ballet.

Roberts has been committed for years to raising scholarship funds for VSU Theatre & Dance.

Years ago, Roberts led the annual production of “The Little Match Girl” to benefit VSU Theatre.

After several years hiatus, she returned with “Cinderella” to raise money for university scholarships in 2006. Roberts and her Valdosta School of Ballet keep none of the proceeds. All of the money goes to VSU Theatre & Dance.

The Princess Ballets will be tied after this weekend: Seven productions of “Sleeping Beauty” to match the seven of “Cinderella,” Butler said.

Roberts said there are no plans to introduce a third Princess to the list.

“We’re staying with ‘Sleeping Beauty,'” Roberts said, “it’s been very popular.”

Popularity is based on a mix of annual tradition and adding something new to make the show “sparkle” each year, she said.

For example, an “Arabian Nights” component has been added to “Sleeping Beauty” this year, Roberts said.

The 2019 production features professional dancer Fhilipe Teixeira. He dances as the Prince. He is from Dance Alive National Ballet in Gainesville, Fla., Butler said.

Olivia Kramer reprises the title role of Aurora, the Sleeping Beauty.  

“She has danced with the Valdosta School of Ballet since 3 and is now at VSU,” Butler said.

Kramer’s dance studies represent the dual nature of the “Sleeping Beauty” cast: a blend of Valdosta School of Ballet students and VSU Theatre & Dance students.

Jacque Wheeler with VSU Theatre and Dance said the Princess Ballets are “great for our students, great for the community and great for Brandi’s kids.”

THE CAST: Olivia Kramer, Fhilipe Teixeira, Lauren Lindsey Sirmans, Aaron Thomas Moore*, Brooke Butler, Meredith Reitz*, Brandon Chandler*, Mark Sheme, Evans George, Annie Eilders, Magaret Cosper, Emma Paulk, Drew Chunn, Daniel Lennox Jr.*, Trevor Poli, Terrance Searcy*, Jackson Whipple, Alexander Brown, Ashley Hartwig, Savannah Kern, Magda Roub, Stephanie Stanley*, Kate Zerbian*, Jacks Dean, Luke Tarpley, Marisa Lauer, Morgan Mackey, Madison Miller, Alaina Moon, Madison Ply, Olivia Rosenthal, Emma Singer, Ursula Trasorras, Anna Kathryn Gardner, Crystal Wang, Taylor Bennett, Adair Carter, Sarah Davis, Maggie Jo Hamilton, Thaisia Jones, Lillabeth Mason, Mia Meli, Baileigh Rowland, Elle Scruggs, Taunya Thompson, Nicole Zhao, Sammye Hamilton, Morgan Mackey, Daniel Lennox Jr.*, Terrance Searcy*, Olivia Rosenthal*, Marisa Lauer*, Edwin Nieves, Alaina Moon, Greta Carter, Jade Emerson, Ella Godwin, Amelia Grant, Ashlyn Matheson, Maggie Matheson, Josie Mayne, Ellie Panizzi, Haylee Wall, Hailey Foster, Paisley Glass, Hayden Griffin, Maggie Hathcock, Lyla Hughes, Angelica Hundley, Leiah Lee, Brynn Meraz, Corinne Robbins, Elizabeth Smith, Kameryn Washington, Ka’Niyah Washington, Maci Westberry, Caelynn Brown, Keegan Brown, Lilah Davis, Caitlyn Hudson, Abrey Hurley, Lexi Lowery, Lela Parker, Alyx, Robinson, Ivy Turner, Rylee Washington, Elizabeth Conger, Kynzie Dailey, Rosemary McGee, Emily Roberts, Shiloh Roberts, Aleena Safis, Emily Sims, Kaylee Smith, Anslee Tomlinson, Luna Vargas, Violet Wilder, Ava Justice, Isla Brown, Haley Carpenter, Abigail Chapman, Evelyn Cruz, Cathryn Daniel, Amar Darsuheil, Channing Edwards, Sophie O’Kane, Kathryn Conger, Kaelyn Dailey, Anna Lynn Hornbuckle, Karsyn Kiick, Carlee Mattos, Alysa Safis, Mayson Shadron, Alyssa Stephenson, Mikayla Stephenson, Abigail Assusant, Makenley Bennett, Kaylee Brasher, Eva Branch, Kaitlyn Butler, Ansley Howell, Annellisa Odell, Raeley Parker, Ella Paulk, Ava Slaven, Niyla Smith, Kathleen Spraggins, Annalee Studstill, Abigail Westberry, Riley Wright, Jade Zick, Lauren Bass, Morgan Bass, Madelyn Burnam, Kherington Malone, Aubrey Register, Charlie Wisenbaker, Christan Wright, Kinslee Bolton, Riley Futch, Claire Green, Kaitlin Hurst, Philela Jackson, Ginsey Lawlor, Kaitlyn McDonald, Harley McGee, Anna Pate, Claire Rothenhofer, Adison Burnham, Emily Kate Hiers, Emma Hornbuckle, Ambelina Hunt, Caitlin Johnson, Karli Malone, Sadie Mason, Ella Grace Neal, Mallory Rogers, Brooklyn Starr, Aldyn Stewart, Lauren Alden Studstill, Erin Weeks, Libby Wooten, Catherine Zakar, Laura Avila*, Erykah Finklea*, Maggie Jo Hamilton, Mia Meli, Madison Miller, Maggie Stewart, Taylor Bennett, Adair Carter, Sarah Davis, Thaisia Jones, Lillabeth Mason, Baileigh Rowland, Taylor Sanders*, Elle Scruggs, Rachel Tessin*, Taunya Thompson, Rebekah Ward*, Nicole Zhao, Kinslee Bolton, Ellie Doyle, Molly Eilders, Riley Futch, Claire Green, Kaitlin Hurst, Philela Jackson, Ginsey Lawlor, Kaitlyn McDonald, Harley McGee, Ava O’Brien, Anna Pate, Claire Rothenhofer, Anslee Staten, Sadie Tomlinson

* denotes VSU scholarship recipients

PRODUCTION: Brandi Roberts, Jacque Wheeler, Brooke Butler, Gaye George, Lauren Lindsey Sirmans, and Olivia Kramer, choreographer; Jacque Wheeler, stage direction; R. Keith Pugh, scenic art; Emma Marsico, stage manager; Shannon Hughley-McNair, assistant stage manager; Ruth Brandvik, light designer; Emma Marsico, sound engineer; Noah E. Dalton*, light board operator; Belinda Eilders, Jeanette Dukes, Doris Michel, Dorothy Barnes, Esther Iverson, Hanna Everitt, Joan Everitt, Michelle R. B. Everitt, Mary Lindsey, costume design; Bill Malone, logo design.

* denotes VSU scholarship recipients

SHOWTIME

SHOWTIME

Valdosta School of Ballet and Valdosta State University Theatre & Dance present “Sleeping Beauty.”

When: Run dates: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25; 3 p.m., Jan. 26.

Where: Mathis City Auditorium, 2300 N. Ashley St.

More information: Call (229) 333-5973 or visit www.valdosta.edu/comarts.