Have you a ballerina on your hands? If so, now is their chance to dance with some of the best in the state. Rhode Island ballet theatre (Ribt), a pre-professional training company for the region’s 9- to 18-year-old ballet dancers, will be holding open auditions on May 9 at Rhode Island Ballet Arts Academy, 7728 Post Rd., North Kingstown. The audition is scheduled to begin at 4:15 p.m. Audition fee is $10. The company holds class and rehearsals on Thursday evenings. Admission to be a member of RIbt is through audition only, held twice a year. Call 847-5301 for more information or visit RIbt’s Web site at www.riballet.org. RIIFF gets Emmy nod The Rhode Island International Film Festival has once again received a nomination for a New England Emmy Award. RIIFF was notified by The Board of Governors of the Boston-New England Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences about the nomination in the category of Public Service. The campaign featured two spots. Entitled "Canisters," the public service announcements (PSA) were written by Duncan Putney; produced by Demetria Carr; directed by William Smyth; and featured original music composition by Miraj Berry. George T. Marshall was the Executive Producer. The spots featured Richard Donnelly and Phyllis Kay of Trinity Repertory Company and cameos by Peter Manfredo Jr., Michael Corrente, Monique Barker, Simon Liu, Francesca Simone, Mayor David Cicilline, Dr. Stephen Carr, Ellen Tedeschi-Moran and Olivia Carr. They aired in July and August 2008 on WJAR TV. This marks the fourth time PSA's produced by RIIFF have gone on to be nominated. There have been two wins. William Smyth directed all the spots. The 32nd Boston-New England Emmy Awards will take place on Saturday, May 30, at the Boston Marriott Hotel, Copley Place, Grand Ballroom, 110 Huntington Avenue, Boston. Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) discovers and empowers filmmakers. Held in Providence, and locations throughout the state of Rhode Island, RIIFF is one of only a handful of festivals worldwide that is a qualifying event for the Academy Awards. RIIFF incorporates galas, premiere screenings, VIP guests, industry seminars, educational programs and award ceremonies into a weeklong event. Called as one of the "Best International and Short Film Festivals in the United States," RIIFF is New England’s largest film festival and screened a record 200 films.

The Rhode Island International Film Festival is sponsored in part by the city of Providence with the Providence Tourism Council; SONY, HB Communications, The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, Rule Broadcast Systems, Clear Channel Communications, Avid, Final Draft and CW28, has gained a widespread reputation for its dedication to the interaction between the filmmakers and the audience.

For more information, contact the New England Student Film Festival, c/o Rhode Island International Film Festival, P.O. Box 162 Newport, RI 02840. Phone: 401-861-4445 Fax: 401- 490-6735.

Consumer choice compact task force underway

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the directors of the agencies, has established a task force to assure public input on the planning and reforms to the Medicaid program. The reforms will be pursued under the Rhode Island Global Consumer Choice Compact Waiver.

The task force is comprised of consumers; members of advocacy or policy organizations; representatives from organizations that provide services to Medicaid beneficiaries, including health plans, hospitals, community health centers, mental health organizations, substance abuse treatment providers, practitioners, nursing facilities and home-based service providers and clinicians; and some just plain folks. Gary D. Alexander, acting secretary of EOHHS and the directors of the services agencies, appointed the task force. The members represent the people and communities we serve; children and youth with special needs, people with developmental disabilities, serious mental illness and emotional disturbances. The task force will work closely with EOHHS and the Health and Human Services agencies to ensure reforms to the Medicaid program meet the goals and ensure quality. The Waiver is a first in the nation. The waiver is effective from now through December of 2013. The first meeting will be held on May 12 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Arnold Conference Center, Regan Building, Eleanor Slater Hospital, John O. Pastore Center, 111 Howard Avenue, Cranston. Meetings will be held on a monthly basis and will be open to the public. Schedules and minutes as well as other Medicaid and Human Services initiatives will be posted on www.dhs.ri.gov and www.ohhs.ri.gov.