Johnstown Native Named as One of the Top 25 Dancers to Watch in 2023
Nationally recognized Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (PBT) company member Erin Casale has been chosen as one of the 25 Dancers to Watch in 2023 by Dance Magazine. Casale has been an artist in PBT’s Corps de Ballet since 2019.
“Being named in Dance Magazine’s ’25 to Watch’ is such a wonderful honor,” said Casale. “I am humbled to be included in this amazing group of dancers.”
Casale grew up in Johnstown, PA, where she trained with Johnstown Concert Ballet and the Academy of Russian Ballet in Manassas, VA. She attended PBT’s full-time high school, Graduate Program, and Intensive Summer Programs and has performed in PBT productions of The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, and The Great Gatsby. Her repertoire includes George Balanchine’s Rubies, Divertimento No.15, and Western Symphony.
Casale has multiple roles in PBT’s current production of The Nutcracker, including the Columbina doll, Jubilation (Spanish), Harmony (Shepherdesses), Joy (Chinese), and Mrs. Stahlbaum, among others.
“We are so proud of Erin and her inclusion on this list of incredible artists,” said Kathryn Gigler, Acting Executive Director of PBT. “All our artists are top-notch dancers, and it is always a pleasure to see them acknowledged for their hard work and performance ability.”
Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” has run in its January issue annually since 2001. Every year it features 25 early career dancers, choreographers, and companies that the editors and contributors believe are on the verge of a breakout year.
The link to the January issue with the “25 to Watch” list is here.
Other PBT artists who have been bestowed the honor of being included in Dance Magazine’s 25 to Watch include Amanda Chochrane (2013), Yoshiaki Nakano (2014) and Tommie Lin O’Hanlon (2020).
Categories: Feature Stories
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