Children selected to perform in the ballet work with the ballet’s Gabrielle Sharp and Megan Forney. Forney said the women set and rehearse all the children’s roles — Clara, Fritz, rats, soldiers, party kids, attendants, lambs and mother gingers.
“The most challenging part is getting performances ready in a short amount of time. We start the first weekend of November with the rehearsal process,” Forney said. “The most enjoyable part is seeing the kids be successful and have fun on such a big beautiful stage.”
This year’s performances began Dec. 16 and continue through Dec. 23 at the Schuster Center in downtown Dayton. The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra accompanies the ballet. Other cast members include 16 dancers from Dayton Ballet II Senior Company and 19 professional dancers from Dayton Ballet.
This year is Hannah’s fifth performing in “The Nutcracker.” Her favorite role was as a black sheep in 2012.
“It is just a really fun experience,” Hannah said.
She tells other young people who might be interested in auditioning that the ballet requires performers “to be a hard worker. You have to be committed.”
This is the second year in “The Nutcracker” for AJ, who has been cast as Fritz both times.
“I like how you get to express yourself,” he said. He tells others possibly interested in a role that “you have to stay committed and try it, to get out of your comfort zone.”
Other Tipp City youth in this year’s production include Matthew Coty, 10, at student at L.T. Ball Intermediate; Kayla Williams, 11, a student at Tipp City Middle School; and Molly Dunn, 10, also a student at L.T. Ball Intermediate School. Molly is performing as a soldier; Matthew Coty as a soldier; and Kayla as a parlor maid.
Forney said “The Nutcracker” is a favorite because it “really brings magic to both the audience members and the performers.”
Learn more
For more information: About "The Nutcracker," visit www.daytonperformingarts.org.
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