GORHAM – Nathaniel Dombek, 17, a Gorham High School senior, has a major part in the Maine State Ballet production of “Swan Lake,” with two performances this weekend at Merrill Auditorium in Portland.

Dombek has performed on stage as an actor and dancer. His dance talents includes tap, jazz and ballet.

He has filled leading dance roles in numerous Maine State Ballet performances including “Sleeping Beauty,” “Hansel & Gretel” and the holiday classic, “The Nutcracker.”

His theater roles in shows produced by Gorham High School include “Elephant’s Graveyard,” “Is He Dead,” “Arsenic and Old Lace,” “As You Like It,” and the musical “West Side Story.” Dombek has also played in the musical “Oklahoma” at the School House Arts Center in Standish.

The show is an opportunity for Maine residents to see a large-scale version of Tchaikovsky’s first ballet, which premiered in Russia 135 years ago. “Swan Lake” tells the story of Princess Odette, who has been transformed into a swan by the sorcerer Count Von Rothbart (Dombek), and Prince Siegfried, who falls in love with Odette in a moment by the lake when she has temporarily regained her human form. A battle ensues between the prince and the evil magician.

Dombek took some time out from rehearsals to answer some questions from the American Journal:

Q: At what age did you begin acting, dancing?

A: I began acting as a toddler. My repertoire included Darth Vader impressions in a black cape and Vader helmet, and death scenes. I began dancing at the age of 11 when I took my first ballet class at Maine State Ballet with Ms. Juliette Lauzier.

Q: Why did you choose ballet?

A: A dancer’s body is a channel of physical expression for audible beauty. The reactions of movement must be instantaneous with the stimulation of music.

Q: What is your role in “Swan Lake” and what do you like about it?

A: I play the part of Count Von Rothbart, an evil sorcerer. I like the dark nature of the role.

Q: Male ballet dancers are somewhat rare. Have you gotten a hard time about it in school?

A: No.

Q: Who is your mentor?

A: In the theatrical world, my mentor has been Eileen Avery (director of high school theater productions). In the dance world my mentor has been Janet Davis (artistic assistant at Maine State Ballet), and less intimately but no less influentially Linda Miele (artistic director at Maine State Ballet).

Q: Dancing is physically demanding. How many hours per day do you practice?

A: Totals per week: two hours of weight lifting; nine hours of ballet class a week; one hour of jazz class; one hour of tap class; one hour of Pilates; two hours of partnering class; approximately six to eight hours of rehearsal during showtime; spare time spent choreographing, hours vary per week; and a grand total of approximately 25 hours of training a week dedicated to dance.

Q: What colleges would you like to attend? Why?

A: I have been accepted to the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts in New York City and Emerson College in Boston, and may attend either of those schools.

Q: What are your career goals?

A: I want to be Gene Kelly.

Q: Who is your favorite performer?

A: My favorite performers are Mikhail Baryshnikov, Gene Kelly, and Daniel Day Lewis.

Q: Favorite academic subject?

A: English.

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: Acting and dance, once hobbies, have now become my life.

Gorham dancer Nathaniel Dombek shows his abilities. He has a major part in the Maine State Ballet production of “Swan Lake” this weekend. (Courtesy photo)