Gaillard Center Announces Principal Casting for American Ballet Theatre’s Giselle

Press Release

On April 21st and 22nd, 2023, the Charleston Gaillard Center will present American Ballet Theatre (ABT), a leading performing arts institution dedicated to the legacy of classical dancing. ABT will be accompanied by the Charleston Symphony to bring the classic ballet Giselle to the stage.

For Friday, April 21st, 2023, the principal cast includes Christine Schevchenko, Calvin Royal III, and Catherine Hurlin. For Saturday, April 22nd, 2023, the principal cast includes Devon Teuscher, Aran Bell, and Katherine Williams.

A tragic, romantic ballet set in the vineyard country bordering the Rhine in Western Germany, Giselle is a haunting story of a young peasant girl who falls for the flirtations of a deceitful nobleman. When the ruse is revealed, the fragile Giselle dies of heartbreak, and the nobleman must face the otherworldly consequences of his careless seduction.

Tickets on sale now at gaillardcenter.org. 

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Aran Bell

Principal Dancer

Born in Bethesda, Maryland, Aran Bell began studying ballet at age four, receiving the majority of his early training at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and with Denys Ganio in Rome, Italy. He spent several summers at the Royal Ballet School in London and at American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensive in New York City. Between the ages of 11 and 16, Bell received the Hope Award at the Youth America Grand Prix Finals in New York City, the Premio Positano, the Premio Amalfi Young Talent Award, a Gold Medal and Audience Choice Award at Rieti International Ballet Competition, and the Premio Capri Danza International Award, among other awards.

After joining ABT Studio Company in September 2014, Bell joined the main Company as an apprentice in May 2016 and became a member of the corps de ballet in March 2017. He was promoted to Soloist in September 2019 and appointed a Principal Dancer in September 2020.

Catherine Hurlin

Principal Dancer

Born in New York City, Catherine Hurlin began her dance training at Scarsdale Ballet Studio and Westchester Dance Academy. At the 2007 Youth America Grand Prix New York City Finals, she was awarded the Hope Award. The following year she received a full scholarship to the American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School under the direction of Franco De Vita. She received the first Angelina Ballerina Stars of Tomorrow Scholarship in 2010 and was a Northern Trust Scholar in 2011. She attended ABT’s Summer Intensive as a National Training Scholar from 2010–2012. As a student, Hurlin created the role of Young Clara in Alexei Ratmansky’s The Nutcracker. She also performed the role of “Clara” in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall for three years. Hurlin joined ABT as an apprentice in December 2013 and the corps de ballet in June 2014. She was promoted to Soloist in September 2018 and to Principal Dancer in September 2022.

Calvin Royal III

Principal Dancer

Calvin Royal III began his formal dance training under the direction of Suzanne Pomerantzeff and Patricia L. Paige at the Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg, Florida. He was a finalist at the Youth America Grand Prix Scholarship Competition in New York City in April 2006 and joined the American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School in September 2006. Royal joined ABT II (now ABT Studio Company) in December 2007, became an apprentice with the main Company in October 2010, and joined the corps de ballet in April 2011. He was appointed a Soloist in September 2017 and a Principal Dancer in September 2020.

Royal was named a finalist at the 2013 Clive Barnes Awards and, in 2014, was awarded the Leonore Annenberg Fellowship to further his artistic development. He was named the 2020-2021 Artist-in-Residence for the Vail Dance Festival in Vail, Colorado.

Christine Shevchenko

Principal Dancer

Christine Shevchenko was born in Odessa, Ukraine where she was chosen to train in rhythmic gymnastics and ballet at an Olympic School. At the age of eight, she moved to the United States and trained for nine years at Pennsylvania Ballet’s Rock School. In 2003, Shevchenko became the youngest recipient of the Princess Grace Award. Other awards include the Bronze Medal in the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi, 2005 Gold Medal and Title of Laureate at the Moscow International Ballet Competition, the George Zoritch of  Ballet Russe Award for Talent Recognition, and the 2010 Margaret Moore Dance Award. Shevchenko joined American Ballet Theatre Studio Company in August 2006, joined the main Company as an apprentice in December 2007 and the corps de ballet in June 2008. She became a Soloist in 2014 and a Principal Dancer in September 2017.

Devon Teuscher

Principal Dancer

Born in Pennsylvania, Devon Teuscher began her dance training at the age of nine under Deanna Doty at Champaign Urbana Ballet Academy in Champaign, Illinois, before studying at the Vermont Ballet Theatre School in Essex, Vermont under Alex and Kirsten Nagiba. Teuscher participated in summer intensives at The Kirov Ballet Academy and the Pacific Northwest Ballet, which she attended on full scholarship for two years. From 2002–2006, Teuscher attended American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensive and was a National Training Scholar from 2003–2006. In January 2005, she began training at the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School on full scholarship.

After joining ABT Studio Company in 2006, Teuscher became an apprentice with the main Company in December 2007. She joined the corps de ballet in June 2008, became a Soloist in August 2014 and a Principal Dancer in September 2017.

Katherine Williams

Soloist

Katherine Williams was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and began her early training with the Hawaii State Ballet. After moving to Maryland with her family, she studied at the Ballet Royale Academy under the direction of Donna Pidel. She was awarded the Youth Grand Prix at the 2003 Finals of the Youth America Grand Prix in New York and was a Top 12 Finalist at the 2005 Finals. In 2003, she was awarded a full scholarship to the Boston Ballet Summer Dance program. From 2004 to 2006, she attended American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensives as a National Training Scholar and, in 2006, she attended the Stiefel and Stars Summer Program. Williams joined the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School in the Fall of 2005 and remained there until joining ABT Studio Company in January 2007. Williams became an apprentice with American Ballet Theatre in December 2007 and joined the corps de ballet in June 2008. She was promoted to Soloist in September 2018.

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