Where's Clara Now: from Bristol Ballet to Entertainment Tonight

Bristol native, Elena Schiano has spent over twenty years dancing. Many will always remember Elena for her endearing performance as Clara in Bristol Ballet Company's production of the Nutcracker for an amazing five seasons. Her next role will be as a Production Intern in New York City for the television shows Entertainment Tonight and The Insider.

In a New York Minute
Elena will officially begin this exciting new chapter in her life in January, although she is doing some initial getting acquainted during the next few weeks. Elena is a communications major at Marymount Manhattan College in New York. Her goal is to work as a television producer there in the city, and this opportunity will surely help her reach her career goals.

Her Resume
Elena has amassed quite a resume since she graced the stage at Paramount Theater in Bristol, where she danced every role in the Nutcracker Suite! She attained the distinguished title of Ballet Mistress with Bristol Ballet, then went to work as Assistant Artistic Director at Studio One Dance Productions in Greensboro, North Carolina. She advanced to Artistic Director there while also still dancing with the Moving Poets Theater in Charlotte.

A Little Girl's Dreams

Donna Schiano, Elena's mother, recalls Elena's childhood dream of moving to New York City. Having already made that dream come true by living in the city for several years, she is ready to take the next step in her plan. She will approach this Internship in the same manner that she approaches everything in her life: with determination and hard work. Her duties at Entertainment Tonight hold some very exciting challenges for Elena. She describes the job responsibilities that she was presented in her interview with the producers:

They said that we get to be very involved in the making of the show and that it's a very hands-on experience. They said that when we arrive in the mornings, we start watching all the morning shows and check online about any current news story that might be breaking, and help to decide what's newsworthy. We are to assist the producers in all aspects of the show, from setting up interviews, running around the city to get info on breaking news stories, and sending the file tape to L.A. to put it on the air. I'm really excited because they said that they want us to have the opportunity to experience a bit of everything, including going to movie premieres and other celebrity events throughout New York City.

Bristol wishes Elena Schiano the very best of success in her Internship at Entertainment Tonight, and in her future career plans there in the city she loves and calls home. Be sure and see the attached slide show to see some photos from Elena's life, including the roof of her apartment where she can enjoy an afternoon or evening looking out over the city.