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For Immediate Release

Media contacts:
Jane Turnis
(719) 389-6138
JTurnis@ColoradoCollege.edu

Leslie Weddell
(719) 389-6038
Leslie.Weddell@ColoradoCollege.edu

WHAT HAPPENS AT THE END OF THE BARRE?
 DOCUMENTARY FILM FOCUSES ON AGING BALLERINAS

Filmmaker Becky Smith also discusses life as a reality TV director

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Oct. 8, 2008 – Physical strain, tight schedules, grueling practices and the pressure of younger dancers ready to step in at any moment – what happens when ballerinas reach the end of the line in their careers?

Colorado College will host the premiere of “The Daring Project,” a film by award-winning documentary filmmaker Becky Smith, at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 18, at the South Theatre of the Edith Kinney Gaylord Cornerstone Arts Center, 825 N. Cascade Ave. The documentary was filmed during the summer of 2000 at the Colorado College Summer Dance.

“The Daring Project” features company co-founder and choreographer Margo Sappington, former Bolshoi prima ballerina Valentina Koslova, New York City Ballet lead dancer Lindsay Fischer (a Colorado Springs native) and American Ballet Theatre prima ballerina Anne Adair. The filmmaker and some of the highlighted dancers will be at the premiere, which is free and open to the public.

The documentary chronicles the trials and tributes of ballerinas, from the risks of physical injury to the emotional turmoil, in an entertaining, artistic and emotionally touching documentary.

Additionally, Smith will give a lecture titled “The Reality of Reality TV” at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 17 at the Cornerstone Arts Center South Theatre. Smith, who has directed the acclaimed reality series "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," "How to Look Good Naked" and "Gay Weddings," will discuss her experiences behind the camera in developing and shooting reality television. This is an insightful, informative and often hilarious evening, providing behind-the-scenes anecdotes that only an insider would know.

For information, directions or disability accommodation at the events, members of the public may call (719) 389-6607.

About Colorado College
Colorado College is a nationally prominent, four-year liberal arts college that was founded in Colorado Springs in 1874. The college operates on the innovative Block Plan, in which its 1,985 undergraduate students study one course at a time in intensive 3½-week blocks. The college also offers a master of arts in teaching degree. For more information, visit www.ColoradoCollege.edu <http://www.ColoradoCollege.edu>