Sarasota Opera brings ‘Hansel and Gretel’ to life with help from young ballet dancers

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - A classic fairy tale is getting a magical makeover in Sarasota as two local arts organizations join forces to bring Hansel and Gretel to the stage.For the first time, Sarasota Opera is collaborating with the Sarasota Ballet School and Conservatory, giving 18 young dancers the opportunity to perform alongside professional opera singers.The production features 12 children ranging in age from approximately 8 to 12, along with six older dancers in their late teens.Christopher Hird, education director with the Sarasota Ballet, said the collaboration gives students a unique opportunity to experience a different side of the performing arts.“So for them getting to perform on the same stage as opera singers and learning how an opera production gets put together, how the opera singers rehearse and prepare for their performance, it’s just such an educational experience for everyone,” Hird said.For many of the dancers, it’s their first time performing in an opera rather tha