Christopher Pollak
(HERO BOY)
Christopher Pollak ( Hero Boy) is so excited to make his Axelrod debut! Previously seen performing in The Nutcracker, New York City Ballet and Earle Mosley’s Diversity of Dance. He would like to thank all his family, friends, and teachers who have believed in him and helped him along his journey.
Emma Lightbody-McAllan
(HERO GIRL)
Emma Lightbody-McAllan plays one of The Polar Express' HERO GIRLS.
JAKE
WARD
(HERO BOY)
Jake Ward (Hero Boy) is thrilled to be making his Axelrod debut in The Polar Express! Previous credits include The Who's Tommy (Young Tommy), A Christmas Story (Tap Dance Soloist/Classmate), and Peter Pan (Lost Boy). Jake was a 2023 title winner for his jazz solo at the Backstage Nationals dance competition. He is so grateful for this opportunity and would like to thank his family, friends and Dance For Joy for their constant love and encouragement on this exciting journey!
Julia
Westby
(HERO GIRL)
Julia Westby plays one of The Polar Express' HERO GIRLS.
Robert
Taylor Jr.
(THE CONDUCTOR)
Robert Taylor Jr. received a B.A. in Dance with a minor in Musical Theatre from Marymount Manhattan College. He was in the top 16 contestants of So You Think You Can Dance Season 8, Hairspray national tour (2008), CBS Network Rundown at Carnegie Hall for L.L. Cool J (choreographed by Geo Hubela), Sweden's Peace and Love festival with Rihanna (2012), Rihanna's Budweiser commercial (2015), and America's Got Talent (finalist, The Mothmen). Robert made his Broadway debut in SpongeBob SquarePants, Has appeared on "Law and Order: Organized Crime," and “And Just Like That," with his latest television appearance being with Queen Latifah for “The Equalizer” portraying the role of “Young Marlon”.
Oliviannah Cesario
(HERO GIRL)
Oliviannah Cesario is delighted to return to the Axelrod Stage with this amazing cast in The Polar Express! Oliviannah attends Monmouth Beach Elementary School where she is in 7th grade. Recent credits include The Addams Family, Nutcracker Rocks, The Descendants Musical, Sponge-Bob Musical, & Annie Jr.
PAST PRODUCTIONS
Dance (In) Haus
An interactive performance inspired by Bell Works' architectural environment
Nov 2022
An interdisciplinary work, what the Bauhaus school called “Total Art Work” connecting aesthetics/visual art with live art (dance-theater-live music) and real space. Performed on the grounds of the stunning Holmdel landmark, Bell Works, Dance (in) Haus is an interactive performance inspired by Bell Works' architectural environment, the paintings of Wassily Kandinsky, and the music of Bauhaus influential musicians Erik Satie, Kurt Weill and Arnold Schoenberg.
Join us for an interactive and immersive experience, where architecture meets dance!
LOST PRINCESS of OZ
Return to OZ with Dorothy and her new friends on an exciting adventure.
August 2022
From the creator of America’s favorite story THE WIZARD OF OZ comes this little-known sequel THE LOST PRINCESS OF OZ! L. Frank Baum continues the adventures of Dorothy from Kansas, Glinda the Good Witch and the Wizard himself as they search for Princess Ozma to recover the magic stolen from Oz. In this fantastical tale, Baum introduces new characters including the Frogman, the Patchwork Girl, the clock man Tik-Tok, and, of course, the talking (singing) hen, played by Reagan Richards of the popular country duo Williams Honor. Gordon Brown, also of Williams Honor, portrays Baum.
This multimedia dance musical from the Axelrod Contemporary Ballet Theater is directed by Gabriel Chajnik with a libretto based on Baum by Shannon Hill and an exciting original score by Chris Becker, whose Appalachian-inspired composition is infused with country fiddles and bluegrass banjoes!
Something's Coming
Iconic movie musicals brought to you live from Axelrod PAC!
April 2022
Featuring vocal artists Evy Ortiz (West Side Story National Tour) and David Smolokoff (The Juilliard School) and the professional dancers of AXCBT in excerpts from your favorite movie musicals like An American in Paris, Fiddler on the Roof, and more!
The Nutcracker Rocks
Bringing back an AXCBT favorite!
December 2021
Starring Broadway's Josh Canfield as Uncle Dross. Reimagined score by members of the Gaslight Anthem, Alex Levine and Alex Rosamilia.
Three's A Crowd
A series of solos, duos, and trios choreographed by world-renowned artists.
Premiered July 2021
Featuring works by Paul Taylor, Riccardo de Nigris, Blakeley White-McGuire, and more!
The Bard at Bell Works
Celebrating Shakespeare and his works through dance, song, and theater!
April 2021
A collaboration with The Shakespeare Theater of NJ, The Bard at Bell Works presents two weekends of Shakespeare-inspired works such as West Side Story, Kiss Me Kate, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and more!
The Nutcracker Rocks
Bringing back an AXCBT favorite!
December 2019
Set in modern day with a reimagined score by members of the Gaslight Anthem, Alex Levine and Alex Rosamilia.
Alice in Wonderland
An original take on the classic tale.
Premiered Aug 18th, 2019
Created by Gabriel Chajnik with and a world-premiere score by acclaimed composer David Winkler played by a live orchestra conducted by Jason Tramm.
The Jungle Book
A feast for the eyes and a collaboration of cultures.
Premiered Feb 2nd, 2019
Chajnik's take on Kipling's classic with Indian dance by Sudha Shekhar Devulapalli, dazzling visuals and costumes by acclaimed designer José Solis, and striking masks and headpieces designed by Tentacle Studios, whose clients include Lady Gaga, Kesha, and the Royal Ballet.
A Midsummer Night's Dream
A dream come to life on-stage!
Premiered Aug. 29, 2018
Shakespeare's beloved romantic romp as reimagined by Chajnik with a captivating score by Felix Mendelssohn, featuring a cast of 40 dancers and an orchestra conducted by Jason Tramm.
SCHEDULED 2023 PERFORMANCE DATES & TIMES:
December 1 (7PM), December 2 (2PM and 7PM), December 3 (1PM and 5PM), December 8 (7PM), December 9 (2PM and 7PM), December 10 (1PM and 5PM)
Are you ready to climb aboard?
Step inside the immersive World Premiere of The Polar Express, based on the beloved children's book by Chris Van Allsburg, and be transported through the snowy mountains to the North Pole.
Through exuberant, original choreography by Gabriel Chajnik and classic holiday music, a boy’s Christmas Eve adventure unfolds in a story of friendship, bravery, and the power of belief. Brought to spectacular life with mesmerizing visual effects, and featuring the talented dancers of the Axelrod Contemporary Ballet Theater and the apprentices and students of the Axelrod Academy, the show’s blend of live performance and cinematic magic will captivate the entire family.
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ONE PERFORMANCE ONLY!:
April 1 (8PM)
Axelrod Contemporary Ballet Theater will present a sensational evening of dance featuring four world premieres by internationally renowned dance artists Blakely White-McGuire, Andrea Weber, and Michael Trusnovec, formerly with the Martha Graham Dance Company, Merce Cunningham Dance Company, and Paul Taylor Dance Company respectively. This once-in-a-lifetime evening celebrates the very essence of modern dance and highlights the artistry, versatility and athleticism of AXCBT’s stunning dancers. The program will culminate with the world premiere of AXCBT’s Artistic Director Gabriel Chajnik’s "Komposition” inspired by the paintings of Kandinsky and set to music by Erik Satie.
Choreographers like architects, move people through a busy intersection or move bodies onstage with a determined purpose. We commissioned three renowned artists to combine the essence of modern dance with groundbreaking contemporary dance of the 21 century.
“Architects” engage the human senses and move the boundaries of our own perception about the physical body. Artists collaborate to create a new and groundbreaking movement platform, crossing disciplines, experiences and sharing practices.
SCHEDULED 2023 PERFORMANCES:
April 1 (3PM), April 2 (1PM and 5PM)
A totally radical 1980s dance party is coming to the Axelrod stage from the bodacious dancers of AXCBT. It's the era of Dirty Dancing, Flashdance, and Footloose! This awesome concert/dance event and celebration of 80s pop culture will feature live performances of songs by Whitney Houston, Freddie Mercury, Prince, Michael Jackson, Tina Turner and more, led by spectacular vocalists Leanne Antonio and Danny Drewes. A company of 25 professional performers and highly accomplished APAA apprentice dancers, clad in their neon, hip-hop and punk best, will return you to your favorite wildly decadent decade. Come join the party!