Provided by Ordway Conservatory of Classical Ballet
On Saturday, Feb. 28, Ordway Conservatory of Classical Ballet will present its third annual Modern Showcase at the prestigious Hylton Performing Arts Center — this year bringing C.S. Lewis’s beloved classic The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe to life through an original, one-act modern dance production.
The performance will be held at 3 and 5 p.m., with tickets priced at $30 to $35 (plus fees). With limited seats available and tickets already selling quickly, the production is expected to sell out.
The show features 50 performers ages 5 to 18, all students of Ordway Conservatory’s Modern Department, under the direction and original choreography of Modern Department Head Tori Unterberger.
Unlike traditional recitals, this is a fully theatrical experience staged in a professional performing arts venue — with 100% of the cast made up of young local dancers.
“This showcase is where our modern dancers truly shine,” said Founder and CEO Sara Ordway.
A Gateway into Live Theater
The one-act format makes the production especially accessible for families with younger children, while the familiar story of Narnia offers an inviting entry point for audiences who may be new to modern dance.
“We chose this story because families already love it,” said Ordway. “It allows audiences to experience something new — modern dance — through a narrative they already understand. It’s a fresh perspective on a classic tale.”
The production aims to introduce children and families to the magic of live performance — not just dance, but theater as a whole.
“At Ordway Conservatory, we’re not just training dancers. We’re developing leaders, confident communicators, and young people who are comfortable expressing themselves onstage and off. This show is a celebration of that growth.”
A Signature Annual Event
Now in its third year, the Modern Showcase has become the premier performance for the conservatory’s modern department — an opportunity for students to explore a different movement vocabulary and storytelling style within the structure of a classical ballet conservatory.
Under Tori Unterberger’s original choreography, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe blends emotion, athleticism, and theatricality into a cohesive one-act production designed to captivate audiences of all ages.
Event Details
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Saturday, Feb. 28
3 and 5 p.m.
Hylton Performing Arts Center
Tickets: $30 to $35 (fees apply)
Tickets are available online and are expected to sell out.
About Ordway Conservatory of Classical Ballet
Founded in Manassas, Virginia, Ordway Conservatory of Classical Ballet is a woman-owned performing arts organization dedicated to developing excellence in dance while cultivating leadership, confidence, and character in young people. The conservatory produces multiple full-scale theatrical performances each year and is known for presenting professional-level productions featuring 100% youth casts.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit ordwayballet.com/tickets.
