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Baca's 'Nutcracker' in West Hartford

Waterbury Republican-American

December 15, 2011

Excerpt:
Ballet Theatre Company of West Hartford celebrates its 10th annual performance of Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker," featuring a cast of more than 60 performers along with professional dancers from Connecticut and New York City, and choreography by Roman Baca of Waterbury.

Excerpt:
Here are some of Kokyat's images from the May 28th, 2011 performances of Roman Baca's HOMECOMING on board the USS Intrepid. The dancework was presented as part of the ship's Fleet Week activities over the Memorial Day weekend. Read about the event here.

Morning Edition: The Ballet Dancer Who Became A Marine
Morning Edition, WNPR
December 09, 2011

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Excerpt:
Ballet companies far and wide are deep into Nutcracker mode this time of year. The Ballet Theater Company of West Hartford is no exception, but it may be the only production of the Nutcracker being choreographed by a former Marine. Roman Baca served in Iraq, and he joins us now by phone.

Army Rangers battle the Mouse King in Baca's "The Nutcracker”
West Hartford News
By KATHLEEN SCHASSLER
December 11, 2011

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Excerpt:
The Ballet Theatre Company of West Hartford celebrates its 10th annual performance of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker,” featuring over 60 performers, professional dancers and choreography by Artistic Director Roman Baca.

The Company’s version has a unique military twist, which it comes by naturally - choreographer Roman Baca enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2005 and served a combat role after his deployment to Fallujah, Iraq.

Roman Baca's "Nutcracker" -- with Military Twist -- in West Hartford
Hartford Courant
By Frank Rizzo November 16, 2011

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Excerpt:
Ballet Theatre Company of West Hartford will present its "Nutcracker" Dec. 15 to 18 at St. Joseph's College in West Hartford, featuring a cast of more than 60 performers.
Roman Baca will choreograph and will present a military twist. (He is an Iraq War veteran). Baca will take the role of "Colonel Drosselmeyer."

Intrepid Deck Becomes Ballet Stage for Vets
The Takeaway, WNPR
May 27, 2011

Excerpt:
Memorial Day is coming up on Monday. Over the last few years, we’ve spoken with veterans to see who they’re remembering. Also with us is Roman Baca, an Iraq War veteran and the artistic director of Exit12 Dance Company which stages "The Homecoming," a ballet about the Iraq War, on the Intrepid military ship this weekend in honor of Memorial Day.

Home From Battle, An Iraq War Vet Teaches Ballet
The Takeaway, WNYC
December 29, 2011

Excerpt:
Roman Baca is an Iraq War veteran and the artistic director of Exit12 Dance Company. He has toured veterans hospitals and military bases around the world with his ballet "The Homecoming," which is about service members dealing with homesickness and the experiences of their loved ones waiting at home. He is heading back to Iraq, but this time as a dance teacher..

Returning To Iraq
Where We Live, WNPR
Mar 14, 2012

Excerpt:
Roman Baca entered the U.S. Marine Corps in 2000 and was eventually deployed to Iraq. He returned to Connecticut and struggled to readjust himself to civilian life. He finally found purpose in his life...in dance. Baca started the Exit12 Dance Company and is the artistic director there. He’s getting ready to embark on a trip back to Iraq later this month where he will teach dance to local children

A Soldier's Iraq Trek, From Bullets to Ballet
Wall Street Journal, NYC
March 6, 2012

Excerpt:
Mr. Baca's story is best described by the title of his blog: "From Ballet to Bullets and Back." Although he is now a choreographer and founder of Exit12 Dance Company, back in 2000 he was a free-lance dancer struggling between gigs and office jobs. At one point, he felt it was time for a change. "I wanted to do something different," he said. "And I wanted to serve my country."