Performances Set For Career Transition's HALLOWEEN THRILLER

Rolex presents A HALLOWEEN THRILLER A Dance Celebration of Ghosts, Ghouls, Vampires & Wilis, - Career Transition For Dancers' 26th Anniversary Jubilee on Monday, October 31, 2011 at 7:00 pm at the newly renovated New York City Center, 131 West 55 Street (btwn. 6th and 7th Ave) NYC. Some of the dance numbers* to be performed are: "Hexentanz" (Witch Dance) based on the original by Mary Wigman;Houston Ballet - Giselle Pas De Deux Act II; Les Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo - "The Dying Swan"; Peter Pucci Plus Dancers -"Surfing"; "The Raven" choreographed by David Fernandez and starring Charles Askegard, Daniel Ulbricht and Savannah Lowery of New York City Ballet and the Tap City Youth Ensemble (a project of the American Tap Dance Foundation) - "Tap Dancing Skeletons".

Chita Rivera will host this one-night-only entertainment extravaganza for kids and adults of all ages! Regarded as an American National Treasure, Chita is one of Broadway's most accomplished and versatile dancer/actress/singers. This thrilling Show will astonish with fun and spine-tingling works in an array of styles from some of America's greatest dance companies and Broadway - woven together in a "spook-tacular" celebration of dance. There will also be performances by and from artists* from American Repertory Ballet, Carolina Ballet, Lynn Cohen, Mark Stuart Dance Theatre, MOMIX, National Dance Institute, The New York Song & Dance Company, and The Street Beats Group; as well as feature appearances* by Tony Award Winners Bebe Neuwirth, Donna McKechnie; and Carmen DeLavallade, Judith Jamison, Lypsinka and Noah Racey. Plus special invited guest NE-YO.

Rolex Watch USA President & CEO Stewart Wicht stated "Rolex is proud to present Career Transition For Dancers' Gala and to present the 2011 Rolex Dance Award to Mr. Nigel Lythgoe, co-creator/executive producer of "So You Think You Can Dance" and Executive Producer of "American Idol." We salute his extraordinary ability to successfully heighten the public's awareness of dance in America and throughout the world."Career Transition For Dancers Awards for Outstanding Contributions to the World of Dance will be presented to Victor Elmaleh; Nancy MacMillan; Michele Riggi; National Museum of Dance.

The 26th Anniversary Chairs are Michele Herbert, Anka K. Palitz and Stewart Wicht; Gala Chairs are: Victor Elmaleh, Darlene & Brian Heidtke, Nancy & Duncan MacMillian, Michele & Ronald Riggi. The Dinner Chair is Janice Becker; Auction Chair is Ann Van Ness; and the Journal Chair is Craig Dix. Vice Chairs are Alexander J. Dubé, Mercedes Ellington, Vicki & Christopher Kellogg, Christina Rose, Nicole Sexton and Irene Shen. Honorary Chairs are Robert Battle, Jacques d'Amboise, Marcelo Gomes, Cynthia Gregory, Gelsey Kirkland, Darci Kistler, Angela Lansbury, Natalia Markarova, Peter Martins, Donna McKechnie, Liza Minnelli, Jerry Mitchell, Bebe Neuwirth, Sono Osato, David Parsons, Ann Reinking, Chita Rivera, Desmond Richardson, Tommy Tune, Christopher Wheeldon & Karen Ziemba. The show is produced and directed by Ann Marie DeAngelo.
Career Transition For Dancers, with offices in New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago, has helped over 5,100 professional dancers in 47 states identify their unique talents in preparation for establishing new careers when dance is no longer an option. Since its founding in 1985, the organization has provided more than 51,000 hours (equivalent to over $5 million) of one-on-one career counseling and program services - at no cost - and has awarded millions of dollars in scholarships for education, entrepreneurial grants, and certification programs. The organization also provides dancers with specialized services including transition seminars and workshops, peer support groups, resource centers, a toll-free national career counseling hotline, a website, and the National Career Network. The Caroline & Theodore Newhouse Center for Dancers is located at 165 W 46 Street Suite 701 (at Broadway - the Actors' Equity Building) NYC 10036. The phone number is 212 764-0172 and the fax is 212 764-0343. In Los Angeles 5757 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 455, LA; 90036; 323 549-6660 and fax 323 549-6810. In Chicago at Hubbard Street Dance Center 1147 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607; 312 666-0234 and fax 312 455-8240. www.careertransition.org.