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Sarah Barnes
Snow Queen, Nutcracker 2011
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Kelsey Clausing
Rose, Nutcracker 2011
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Allegra Mangione
Rose, Nutcracker 2011
For as long as I can remember the Ballet America Nutcracker has been a part of my life and has held a place in my heart. When I was three years old, my dream role was a lamb in the shepherdess dance. That dream was fulfilled before I turned six, but I would always look up to the variations, wondering if that could ever be me. For the past nine years I have strived to improve my technique and performance, reaching for a part like Chinese in the Nutcracker. Somewhere in those nine years I’ve found a love for ballet that means more to me than any Nutcracker role could. The fact that I get to dance Chinese this year merely shows me that on the way to success far more precious things can be found.
Editor: This is Allegra's 12th Nutcracker Season with Ballet America. Congratulations!
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Chloe M
Sheperdess, Nutcracker 2011
I think that dancing in the Nutcracker as Fritz and a soldier gives me the chance to learn something new while doing something old. It means a lot to me that I got chosen to be these parts because it shows that Tanya and Julia think I am a good dancer and I deserve these parts and it makes me feel happy. I love performing in front of audiences and now I can perform four times in the parts that I have (for most of my life) wanted to be (besides Clara).
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Ann Renschler
Queen of Sweets, Nutcracker 2011 |
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Anika Patel
Chinese Lead, Nutcracker 2011
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Sarah Persau
Arabian Woman, Nutcracker 2011
I have been in the Nutcracker since I was 6 years old. Being fourteen now I can safely say that I do not regret one minute of all the rehearsals and practices trying to prepare for the big day. I have learned teamwork, friendship, and I had fun, which is all that really counts in the long run.
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Katie Wolfe
Spanish, Nutcracker 2011
Ballet has and forever will be a part of who I am, and, The Academy of American Ballet, the official school of Ballet America, has helped me grow so much as a dancer, and as a person. Ever since I was a little strawberry in the Gingerbread Scene, I dreamed and dreamed of becoming the sweet and innocent solo dancer of Clara, wearing shiny pink pointe shoes. Every ballet class after that, for years and years, I worked as hard as my muscles would work to achieve this goal. I finally achieved this goal last year, when I danced the role of Clara in the Nutcracker 2010. That was definitely a dream come true! My favorite variation in the Nutcracker had always been the feisty role of Spanish, and I was ecstatic to learn that I was awarded the role this year. Ballet is exciting, and it may seem effortless but it is one of the most competitive activities out there. That is what I love about it. The endless quest for perfection will never leave me bored with dance, and I love being able to express who I am through such a beautiful art.
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| Cast Members |
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Natalie Finander
When I heard that I'm going to be a Party Girl I was so excited that I wanted to dance around!! I've been in the Gingerbread Dance for the last three years and although that was super fun the first time, I was really looking forward to doing something else. Also, being a Party Girl is cool because the Party Girls are real and everything in the Second Act is just part of a dream. I think that the Party Scene is important because it's the first thing the audience sees after the curtain goes up. The dancing in the Party Scene is also more complex than what I've done before. But I hope I don't have to have my brother for a partner.
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Ellis S
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Pearl Zhou
"Being in The Nutcracker is so great that I can't describe it! Last year, I was thrilled to be a Strawberry and a Snow Crystal. This year, I get to be the Fairy of Light in the opening of Act 2 and the Head Confectioner in the Gingerbread scene. Fairy of Light is my first solo, which means I'll be alone and on my own on stage. Isn't that awesome? Teacher Laura gives me a lot to dance as the Fairy of Light. Many thanks to her for teaching them to me. I appreciate her a lot. Oh, I forgot to mention, I am happy that the Fairy of Light will come out again and dance with the mini-variations. I am so lucky and grateful to get these parts. I think The Nutcracker is the best show I could ever be in!"
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Photo Credits: Lisa Frey, Jim Wampler, Hilary Spickerman, Vida John, Rebecca Flynn
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