Dance students to perform ‘The Nutcracker’
This “Nutcracker” blanket will be raffled off at the last performance of the ballet on Dec. 8.
Pictured are Kaylyn Marlatt, top left, and Jameson Marlatt; standing, Lydia Dummermuth, Alyvia McGraw, Laney Lanzer and Sydney Hilton; and sitting, Lydia Warfield and Sierra Minard.
With many of the dancers from last year’s performance graduating last spring, almost every main character in the Tuscarawas Dance Arts Center performance of “The Nutcracker” is new to his/her role.
“The lead characters are in the main company, and some of them started in August before school started, just because once they go to school, they’re busy with everything,” said Shelly Beitzel, who directs the production. “All the leads then start in September, and all the younger kids usually don’t start until October.”
The differing ages of the dancers make for a more entertaining ballet and allow the dancers to begin performing in the production at a young age and work their way up to other roles. Dancers must be at least age 5 to join the cast.
“It’s just nice to have some of the younger kids be a mouse. It gives it different dynamics, and you get to see the different levels of the dancers,” Beitzel said. “You can be a mouse or an elf your first year, and then maybe one day, you are Clara or the Sugar Plum Fairy or the Dew Drop.”
The TDAC version of “The Nutcracker” is now in its 32nd year with a total of about 65 students and volunteers from the community involved in the production. “The Nutcracker” will be performed at the Kent State Tuscarawas Performing Arts Center in New Philadelphia Dec. 6-8.
There will be four shows: Dec. 6 at 7 p.m., Dec. 7 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. The show is suitable for all ages. The production has been adapted to fit the company and is about a half-hour shorter than a full production. The show will last about one hour and 40 minutes including intermission.
The major roles of the ballet are shared. Each dancer will perform a lead role in two shows. The Sugar Plum Fairy will be danced by Sydney Hilton and Laney Lanzer, both seniors at Dover High School. Sharing the role of Clara are Elle Baughman, a sophomore at DHS, and Emma Jeffery, a freshman at Tusky Valley High School.
The role of the Dew Drop will be danced by Alyvia McGraw, a senior at DHS, and Lydia Dummermuth, a senior at New Philadelphia High School. Also featured are Sierra Minard, a Strasburg High School senior, and Ellen Smith, a DHS sophomore, as the Snow Queen. Lydia Warfield, a senior at DHS, and Kwynn Tristano, a sophomore at NPHS, will share the role of The Arabian.
Jameson Marlatt, a senior at DHS, will perform the role of The Cavalier. Rylan Pettay, a senior at DHS, will perform the role of The Prince.
Raffle tickets for a “Nutcracker” blanket are $1. They are available at the Tuscarawas Dance Arts Center Monday through Thursday from 4-7 p.m. They also will be available in the lobby before each performance. The winner will be announced Dec. 8. The winner need not be present.
There will be live music in the lobby before each performance. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at Kent State’s box office or at www.tuscarawasdanceartscenter.com.
Beitzel said she is pleased with the amount of community support the show receives.
“It’s nice to know that some people have just made it their tradition too, whether they know someone in the show or not,” Beitzel said.
The company is dedicated to performing a professional show, and having it at the Performing Arts Center gives it a professional look. For those who have never seen a ballet performance, there is no talking during the shows.
“It’s just movement and music. If you are doing a ballet with a storyline, you hope that you’re conveying what that means, and a little acting is involved too. They have to project,” Beitzel said.
Being involved in dancing is beneficial for girls and boys of all ages.
“There is a lot of camaraderie, but they are learning discipline, flexibility, strength, self-confidence and appreciation for the arts,” Beitzel said.
Kent State Tuscarawas Performing Arts Center is located at 330 University Drive NE in New Philadelphia.