THE LOUDOUN BALLET PERFORMING ARTS COMPANY IN THE NEWS… WASHINGTONIAN MAGAZINE NEWS Here’s The Redskins’ Josh Norman Dancing “The Nutcracker” We went to practice with the NFL's highest-paid cornerback as he prepped for his starring role in a local ballet production. WRITTEN BY ELLIOT WILLIAMS | PHOTOGRAPHED BY EVY MAGES | PUBLISHED ON JANUARY 9, 2019 Josh Norman and Lauren Bacchus. TWEET SHARE The NFL’s highest-paid cornerback stood shirtless and ripped, wearing a pair of electric-blue harem pants. It was a Tuesday evening, and Josh Norman was taking a break from his duties as one of DC’s biggest sports stars to spend an hour in a Leesburg dance studio, where he was rehearsing for his role as the Arabian Prince in the Loudoun Ballet Performing Arts Company’s production of The Nutcracker (Norman performed in support of his Starz24 youth foundation). He looked surprisingly at ease as he ran through the routine. Part of the credit surely went to Norman’s dance partner, a Wakefield School junior named Lauren Bacchus, who has studied ballet for 12 years and practices 25 hours a week. The football star’s only previous experience came as a contestant on Dancing With the Stars; still, he basically aced it. “Teamwork makes the dreamwork,” he said after effortlessly hoisting Bacchus over his shoulder. Artistic director Lisa Startsman, who was guiding them through the sequence, seemed impressed. “We’re used to guys who aren’t as strong,” she said. Not that it was easy. “When you think of ballet, you think of soft melodies, the grace and balance,” Norman said after he finished the evening’s stretching and twirling. “This is hard work, man.” He then mentioned his infamous feud with flamboyant New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr.: “I made fun of him for doing all those spins and celebration dances. Now look at me.” That tiff is ancient news, of course. Lately, a different controversy has had Norman in the headlines: his ill-advised trashing of Washington football fans for not, in his view, being supportive enough at home games. So given all the drama surrounding his football gig, perhaps Norman is considering a new career onstage? Well, no. After all, even if he were willing to ditch that $75-million contract, fans would be just as mad about his quitting the NFL as anything else he does. “I’d be having all kinds of mail,” he said. “Just as much as I got now.” This article appears in the January 2019 issue of Washingtonian. https://www.washingtonian.com/2019/01/09/heres-the-redskins-josh-norman- dancing-the-nutcracker/ NBC SPORTS Josh Norman to dance in local performance of 'The Nutcracker' By Caroline Brandt November 09, 2018 6:16 PM 341 341 TRENDING NOW Adam Eaton is ready for Bryce Harper to sign with a team Yes, you read that correctly. Josh Norman will be playing the role of the 'Arabian Prince' in a guest appearance with the Loudoun Ballet Performing Arts Company in its rendition of the 'The Nutcracker.' 'The Nutcracker' will be put on at local Loudoun County high school, Loudoun Valley, located in Purcellville, Va. Starting Dec. 14, the Company will put on five different shows, with Norman's guest appearance on Opening Night, Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. Norman is no stranger to dancing. In fact, he was a finalist on ABC's 'Dancing with the Stars' last season. If Norman dancing in 'The Nutcracker' isn't enough to convince you to come out and see the performance, some of the proceeds from Norman's performance will benefit Starz24, the cornerback's charitable foundation which provides opportunities for youth to get involved in the community through fitness and team-building activities. In a prepared statement published in The Loudoun Times-Mirror, Norman said: “I met these talented ballet dancers at the Loudoun School of Ballet when I was rehearsing for 'Dancing with the Stars.' I have tremendous respect for their stamina, strength and commitment to the demanding sport of dance. Yes, sport. I am honored to be invited to join them on stage and to have another opportunity to dance in support of Starz24." What better way to get into the holiday spirit than watching Josh Norman dance in 'The Nutcracker'? https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/redskins/josh-norman-dance-local- performance-nutcracker LOUDOUN TIMES MIRROR FEATURED Redskins cornerback Josh Norman to guest star in Loudoun Ballet’s 'The Nutcracker' • By Times-Mirror Staff • Nov 24, 2018 Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman was a recent finalist on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars." He will be dancing in Loudoun Ballet Performing Arts Company's "The Nutcracker" at Loudoun Valley High School in Purcellville on Dec. 14. Courtesy Photo/"Dancing with the Stars" Washington Redskins star cornerback Josh Norman recently took his talents to the dance floor and was a finalist on "Dancing with the Stars" on ABC. Now he will be showing off his dancing skills in a local performance of “The Nutcracker” with a guest role as the Arabian Prince. Norman will dance in Loudoun Ballet Performing Arts Company's (LBPAC) show Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Loudoun Valley High School in Purcellville. A portion of the proceeds from the evening’s performance will benefit Norman’s Starz24 Foundation. Through community events and youth programs, Starz24 challenges youth to participate and excel in areas that develop strong interpersonal skills and awareness of the world around them. Norman said he is honored to be in invited to be a part of LBPAC's show. “I met these talented ballet dancers at the Loudoun School of Ballet when I was rehearsing for 'Dancing with the Stars.' I have tremendous respect for their stamina, strength and commitment to the demanding sport of dance. Yes, sport. I am honored to be invited to join them on stage and to have another opportunity to dance in support of Starz24,” Norman said in a prepared statement. Loudoun School of Ballet Executive Director Cherie Maroni said her dancers are thrilled to have him in their show. “Josh’s energy and joy of dance are contagious. Josh will undoubtedly bring the magic of 'The Nutcracker' to life in his rendition of the Arabian Prince," Maroni said. The local ballet company will present five "The Nutcracker" performances over three days: Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 15 and 16 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Norman will be the special guest artist in the Friday evening performance. Tickets for "The Nutcracker," including Norman’s performance, can be purchased at www.lbpac.org or by [email protected]. -Karen Grahamhttps://www.loudountimes.com/entertainment/arts/redskins-cornerback-josh-norman-to- guest-star-in-loudoun-ballet/article_fff12e2c-e43a-11e8-aba8-e736dde5aebe.html Bleacher Report Josh Norman to Dance in Loudoun Ballet's Version of 'The Nutcracker' TIM DANIELSNOVEMBER 9, 2018 Nick Wass/Associated Press Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman will be making a special appearance in The Nutcracker. The ballet will be performed by the Loudoun Ballet Performing Arts Company at Loudoun Valley High School in Purcellville, Virginia, on Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Norman, who will play the part of the Arabian Prince, said Friday he's looking forward to the show, which will give a portion of the proceeds to his Starz24 Foundation, according to the Loudoun Times-Mirror: "I met these talented ballet dancers at the Loudoun School of Ballet when I was rehearsing for 'Dancing with the Stars.' I have tremendous respect for their stamina, strength and commitment to the demanding sport of dance. Yes, sport. I am honored to be invited to join them on stage and to have another opportunity to dance in support of Starz24." Loudoun School of Ballet executive director Cherie Maroni added the dancers are looking forward to Norman's guest appearance. "Josh's energy and joy of dance are contagious," she said. "Josh will undoubtedly bring the magic of The Nutcracker to life in his rendition of the Arabian Prince." Norman reached the finals during the 26th season of Dancing with the Stars earlier this year before finishing as the runner-up to Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon. The 30-year-old South Carolina native's Starz24 Foundation lists its mission statement as providing "enrichment to children through community events and youth programs." https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2805312-josh-norman-to-dance-in- loudoun-ballets-version-of-the-nutcracker ESPN 'Nutcracker' and helping homeless give Josh Norman a mental break From "Dancing With The Stars" to dancing in "The Nutcracker," Josh Norman has found a positive distraction from a tough season. Courtesy Sumser Photography Dec 14, 2018 • • ASHBURN, Va. -- He won’t be dancing with any stars, but he will continue to dance. Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman will make a cameo appearance in a local production of "The Nutcracker" on Friday night. It’s a way for Norman to raise a little money for his foundation; it’s also a way for him to stay mentally fresh during a turbulent time for the Redskins, losers of four games in a row. ADVERTISEMENT That’s also why he spent Wednesday night handing out clothing items at several homeless shelters in Washington. He called that an early birthday gift. Norman said he decided to do this the previous night while sitting at home on his couch. Norman, who turns 31 Saturday, said he wanted to do this in lieu of doing something else for his birthday. “What else is there for me to get?” he said.