The presentation of scenes from the Maine State Ballet's (MSB) upcoming production of “Cinderella” was a rare treat for the students and administrators of the Boothbay region schools.

A partial cast, 10 of the 40 in the full two-hour production, choreographer Linda MacArthur Miele, and a stage manager arrived at Boothbay Region Elementary School around 8:15 a.m. on March 5.

The first of two performances was to begin in 45 minutes. Fortunately all that needed to be done was to lay down the dance floor in the center of the Boothbay Region Elementary School's gym, bring in all the costumes and set up the sound equipment.

The ballet, which opens at MSB on March 28, was composed by Sergei Prokifiev. The dancers, native Mainers all, were on pointe, literally (some of the time) and figuratively, all of the time.

“Cinderella” portrayed by Elizabeth Dragoni, was joined by her stepmother, wicked stepsisters, the Prince, a Jester, the Fairy Godmother and four fairies (representing each of the four seasons) dazzled student audiences from not only the Boothbay schools, but Southport and Edgecomb students as well.

Quick intakes of breath and exclamations of delight, could be overheard by some of the elementary school students (particularly little girls) during the first performance.

Following the dancers' final bows, Miele held a question and answer session with students.

Fun dance facts resulted.

Miele had previously told the audience that all of the company's costumes are made by volunteers. One high school student asked how long it took to make one.

Using the classic tutu worn by the fairies as an example, Miele said it took 100 hours to complete one. This skirt is composed of 30 to 40 layers of net, covered by a layer of material that is then painted over.

The actual Cinderella ballet is two hours long, comprised of three 35-minute acts.

To achieve the level of talent the dancers of this performance possess requires 10 years of training. MSB has produced the “Cinderella” ballet many times since the first show in 1993. Miele said the cast of the 2014 production had been rehearsing two to three times a week for six weeks.

The best question came from an elementary school girl who asked Miele, why the stepsisters held their dresses up most of the time (so high you could almost see the very top of their petticoats)?

After the laughter, Miele answered, “They must not have been taught very well by their mother!”

During the BRES students' dismissal for lunch, student response to the show was “It was great” and “I really liked it,” even some of the boys.

Brianna Field said she “loved the whole thing.” Magen Burge said her favorite was Cinderella. “I loved Cinderella.” Brianna chimed in, saying Cinderella was her favorite, too.

As their first audience hurried off for lunch, the dancers returned to the music room to change costumes and relax, before the second show at 11 a.m. That audience would comprise the afternoon pre-K, children from Southport and Edgecomb scools, Y-Arts ballerinas, grades five through eight and Mrs. LeConte's class.

Miele informed the audiences of the many other positions behind the scenes one could do that did not involve dancing, such as sewing costumes, set work, or non-dancing roles, like the stepmother in “Cinderella.”

The Maine State Ballet is a dance company and a school for dancers as young as age three. For more information on performances or classes, visit www.mainestateballet.org.