Troupe

Ballet Theatre of Maryland concluded its 35th season - and artistic director Dianna Cuatto's 10th full season - with an eclectic Director's Choice program showcasing the versatility and strengths of dancers. Four of the five works in the ensemble were choreographed by Cuatto. As staged by Amanda McKerrow, famed choreographer Antony Tudor's "Continuo" was a stunning outpouring of free movement, perfectly executed by the troupe. Cuatto's patriotic salute, "American Ballads," presented a spirited Red dance to "The Star-Spangled Banner," a White dance to the lyrical "America the Beautiful" and a Blue dance to the soulful "Were You There?"

Barefoot Puppets troupe offers two stories in one Heidi Rugg, founder of the Richmond, Va.-based troupe Barefoot Puppets, presents Little Red & the Gingerbread Man at two Baltimore County libraries Saturday. Two stories in one, the 30-minute puppet show (recommended for kids 4 to 8) features a curious little redhead chasing a runaway cookie through various fairy-tale adventures. Each puppet in the troupe was designed and crafted from all sorts of materials - including foam, fabric, cotton, wool, latex rubber and handmade paper - by Barefoot puppeteers, who also build all the scenery and staging for their shows.

The cash-strapped Baltimore Shakespeare Festival is closing its doors after 17 years in operation. The demise of the small troupe, effective immediately, reduces the number of the city's professional stage companies from three to just two: Center Stage and Everyman Theatre . "Everyone is devastated," Peter Toran, the president of the festival's board of directors, said Wednesday. "The decision to close was not made lightly by any means. I've known since I became board president almost two years ago that there were systemic budget issues that we needed to address.

The Velveteen Rabbit and his toy friends will come to life at the Eldersburg Branch Library this evening with help from a local drama troupe. The Drama Conservatory Theater Troupe features 11 actors, ages 10 to 14, who started rehearsing in September under the direction of drama teacher Valarie Mares. With support from the Freedom Area Recreation Council, the group has been performing The Velveteen Rabbit, adapted by James Still from the book, at libraries, schools and senior centers in Carroll County since February.

THE TREE OF Life Theatre Troupe, in its sixth year, will present the play Ramona Quimby this week and next at Faith Lutheran Church in Eldersburg. The play is based on a book, Ramona Quimby, Age 8, by Beverly Cleary, and tells the story of the lead character's life as a third-grader and the struggles and rewards of family life. The comedic play looks at real-life experiences, said Beverly Pierce, who is responsible for costumes. "In the play, the family experiences Dad losing his job, the family dealing with unemployment, and Mom working outside the home for the first time," she said.

The Lutherville-Timonium Recreation Council's ballet program presented its annual showcase on May 15, this year dubbed, "An Exquisite Cache of Jewels. " The show is an annual labor of love for AnnaMarie Scharbeck, 18-yearcoordinator of the ballet program. Sunday's event, held at Dulaney High School, included more than 90 dancers — from pre-ballet through intermediate, junior and senior troupes — and included an elaborate production choreographed by Louise Kurtz, who has worked with the troupe for some 46 years; and Sarah Smith, associate director.

Bull, shrimp feast April 9 to benefit March of Dimes A Bull and Shrimp Feast to benefit the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation will be held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. April 9 at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen. Tickets are $45 per person or $320 to reserve a table of eight. A total of $15 of the individual ticket price is tax-deductible. Information and tickets: Tammy Vass, 410-638-3213. Murder mystery troupe holds open auditions Open auditions are being held for Suspect Players, an interactive, improvisational murder mystery troupe.

A fast moving Middle Eastern beat plays on a portable stereo and six dancers on stage -- all bearing their bellies -- move to the music. As they practice, other dancers wander in. Some carry colorful costumes, others have cakes and desserts. The women are rehearsing (or preparing to rehearse for) Egyptian Sun Raqs, an annual belly dance recital. All 30 members of the Egyptian Sun troupe, plus a few high school students from Friends School of Baltimore, will perform tomorrow at Shriver Hall.

Tears of nostalgia pooled in Catherine Smith's eyes at the conclusion of Six Children and a Little Brother's production of Broadway tunes."I'm so glad I came," said Ms. Smith, 86. "I really enjoyed it."The show by a troupe of children that performs at various nursing homes and senior centers throughout the county "brings back happy times," explained Charlotte Kraemer, activity director of the Knollwood Convalescent Center in Millersville.The youngsters are "real energetic and showy," she said.

A visually stunning original work by Diablomundo, one of Argentina's leading theater companies, is premiering at the Maryland Arts Festival in residence at Towson State University.Playing through July 28, "Sachamanta Salamanca" is a technicamarvel featuring haunting original music, impressive sculptures and fantastic masks.As performed by the very talented members of this international troupe -- Miriam Gonzalez, Roberto Uriona, Marcello Frasca, Ibis Peria Logarzo and Carlos Uriona -- this piece is chock full of potent symbolism.