Think family entertainment is just a beach picnic or a big-screen excursion to "Transformers"? How about trying something different, like the ballet?

Even for those who have never ventured to a ballet performance, this weekend's "Cinderella," presented by Ballet Hawaii, can be an exciting alternative outing.

Alongside those dreadful stepsisters and their evil mother will be a beautiful Fairy Godmother, the handsome man in tights Prince Charming (played by real-life charmer Joaquin De Luz from the New York City Ballet) and of course, Cinderella (the lovely Janessa Touchet of the Cincinnati Ballet). What could be better summer entertainment for the family? "Cinderella" choreographer Victoria Morgan is hoping the public will agree.

Morgan, whose career has taken her from principal dancer with Ballet West and the San Francisco Ballet to San Francisco Opera choreographer, became artistic director of the Cincinnati Ballet in 1997. Over the years, the ballet veteran has seen dance-audience numbers diminish as entertainment has gone high-tech.

For her, the answer to falling attendance partially lies in exposure. In a recent phone interview, Morgan worried about ballet's future. "If people don't see it when they're young, if it's not part of their lives, it can't work."

She stages stories such as "Cinderella" to create a future audience. She did a rough version of the production in 1994 for the small San Francisco Bay Area company Peninsula Ballet.

"It was my first experience putting together a full-length ballet," said Morgan. Since then her company has produced numerous story ballets, including "Princess and the Pea" and the ballet's traditional "Nutcracker." The works, along with Cincinnati's production of "Peter Pan," attract families with younger children. The "Nutcracker" performances typically generate 50 percent of the company's earned income.

"People think of 'The Nutcracker' as a family outing," Morgan said.

Another project close to her heart is the Cincinnati Ballet's academy. "We have a really great academy. We are now getting students who can become trainees with our company. We have three locations and about 565 students."

One of the school's latest successes has been the inclusion of rhythm-and-motion dance in the curriculum.

"That class combines jazz with ballet and modern dance and is very high energy," Morgan said. "The format is based on popular workout styles and has attracted a growing number of participants."

Another of Morgan's efforts to attract new audiences and develop dancers has been the company's "CinciDance!" The project brings dance to six Title 1 schools (those ranked as needing academic improvement) in the city, offering students free classes and scholarships. "Students from some of the schools are near enough they can walk to our studio and take class and see dancers at work."

Students in Ballet Hawaii's summer session will dance alongside soloists. Pamela Taylor-Tongg, Ballet Hawaii's artistic director, agreed with Morgan that early introduction to dance is vital for building audiences. "When students are cast in productions," she said, "they have the opportunity to dance with professionals and set their sights higher."