February 1, 2018
CONTACT: Lindsey Wiles
Communications Manager
lwiles@mariettaga.gov
770.794.5509
MARIETTA, GA February 1, 2018 – From hip hop to swing and everything in between, ten of Marietta’s “celebrities” danced the night away on January 27th for GA Metro Dance Theatre’s biggest fundraiser of the year, GMDT’S Dancing With The Stars of Marietta. After rehearsing for weeks with choreographers from GMDT, the dancers performed to a sold-out crowd at the Earl & Rachel Smith Strand Theatre on the Historic Marietta Square to compete for the coveted People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice awards. Ross Cavitt, esteemed TV news reporter and Cobb County Communications Director emceed the fourth annual event, entertaining the audience throughout the evening.
Teams Competed to Raise Funds for GMDT… And To Win
To benefit GMDT, supporters voted for their favorite team by making a donation to the dance company, which is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization on the Marietta Square. The People’s Choice award was decided by total funds raised by each dance team via votes cast by audience attendees and online voting leading up to the show. Winners of the 2018 People’s Choice mirror ball trophy were Team 6, Kristin Moffett (Lower School Counselor at The Walker School) and Elizabeth Nesmith (Physician at The Kaufmann Clinic), who performed a high-energy hip hop number choreographed by BJ Toups to a mix of songs from Beyonce, Macklemore, Missy Elliott and Rob Base.
The Judge’s Choice award is decided by a panel of esteemed judges who rate the dance teams during the performance. The winning team was Cassie Mazloom (Director of Cobb Emergency Management Agency) and Ken Johnson (Clinical Director and Licensed Professional Counselor for East-West Psychotherapy). Dressed in dapper red and black, Team 4 performed a graceful and dazzling dance choreographed by Ashleigh Whitworth to “Hiphip Chinchin” by Club des Belugas. The judges’ comments noted, “Their dance turns were very smooth, graceful, and fluid, their moves were well timed and well they were well connected." The Judge’s Choice winners each received a mirror trophy to commemorate the victory.
Judges for the 2018 performance were:
Joanne Feldman (FOX 5 Storm Team Meteorologist, Good Day Atlanta - FOX 5 Atlanta)
- Victoria Hill (Miss Cobb County 2018)
- Earl Reece (Former Director of The Strand and the Cobb County Center for Excellence in Performing Arts)
GMDT’s Dancing with the Stars of Marietta 2018 celebrity dancers were:
Amber Byrd (Owner of MarKay Gallery)
George Warren (Realtor with Sotheby’s)
Jan Galt (Director of Operations at Marietta History Museum)
Joseph Goldstein (Incoming Councilman/Ward 7 for Marietta City)
***Our third team did not perform this year due to unforeseen work circumstances, but supporters were still able to cast votes in support of Team #3.**
Katelyn DeRuyter (Assistant Solicitor General for Cobb County)
Allen Aschwege (Cobb County Firefighter)
Cassie Mazloom (Director of Cobb Emergency Management Agency)
Ken Johnson (Clinical Director and Licensed Professional Counselor for East-West Psychotherapy)
Paula McVicker (Administrator for Marietta High School)
Thomas Sherrer (Pharmacist/Owner of Poole Pharmacy)
Kristin Moffett (Lower School Counselor at The Walker School)
Elizabeth Nesmith (Physician at The Kaufmann Clinic)
GMDT Thanks Marietta for The Support
GMDT created Dancing With The Stars of Marietta to engage with the community that supports the dance company and to foster the arts locally, while helping GMDT continue to provide quality dance performances, such as Dracula, The Nutcracker, and The Wolf, The Swan, and The Princess, to the community throughout the year. Community support via ticket sales to performances and ongoing donations are vital to foster quality dance education and performance for this Marietta-based dance company. The enthusiastic support of Marietta, resulting in a sell-out performance and funds raised, is deeply appreciated by GMDT leadership and dancers.
The company has begun rehearsals for the Spring performance, The Wolf, The Swan, and The Princess, taking place March 16th-18th. Tickets can be purchased at georgiametrodance.org.
About GMDT
GA Metro Dance Theatre (GMDT) is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, student-based dance company housed in the studios of Georgia Dance Conservatory on the Marietta Square. Founded in 1956, the company was formerly known as Ruth Mitchell Dance Theatre. Now under the artistic direction of Ashleigh Whitworth, GMDT educates, cultivates, and inspires young dancers to become the next generation of artists and leaders through rigorous dance training and performance opportunities in a challenging and professional environment. GMDT strives to be a positive contributor to the community via diverse performances and engaging experiences that celebrate life through the power of the arts. For more information, please visit GMDT’s Website at georgiametrodance.org or our official Facebook page at Georgia Metropolitan Dance Theatre. For tickets to GMDT performances, please visit georgiametrodance.tix.com.