THE NUTCRACKER RETURNS FOR 12th YEAR!
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This year marks the twelfth year that Cadance Academy has staged its annual production of The Nutcracker at Wolfville’s Festival Theatre. With performances on December 9 and 10, this lively and colourful production is sure to get everyone in the Christmas spirit! Cadance Academy’s director, Gaea Jess, is looking forward to this year’s show: “I can’t believe this is our twelfth year doing this show! We all work so hard on this production, trying to make improvements that are sure to impress the audiences, but it’s also like a well-oiled machine. I say every year that the show just gets better and better – and it does! We have new choreography and costumes to keep it fresh and there are a few other changes but you’ll just have to come and see it for yourself!â€
This year’s cast includes the return of local dancer Izaak Oulton as The Nutcracker and the debut of Natalie Baker as Clara. Natalie is currently taking intermediate ballet at Cadance Academy. Natalie first danced in The Nutcracker three years ago as one of the lead angels and a lead Chinese dancer. “I fell in love with Cadance Academy’s *The Nutcracker* when I joined the cast and got my first glimpse of the show at age fourteen. I really looked up to those dancers in lead roles, and naturally, this meant I idolized Clara. That year Danika Irvin played her. She was so beautiful and had such a joy about her dancing. I remember taking every chance I could to watch her perform and it became an aspiration of mine to play Clara!â€
Izaak started dancing at Cadance Academy when he was four years old but only became serious about it six years ago when he saw The Nutcracker and aspired to become The Nutcracker and took up regular ballet training. “I’m happy to be playing The Nutcracker again this year. I’m more comfortable in the role now and I can improve on what I did last year.†This year there are more than ten young male dancers in The Nutcracker and the school hopes more boys will enroll in classes in the coming years. Cadance Academy offers full-year classes in ballet, jazz, modern and modern-acro as well as seasonal 8-week sessions throughout the year.
“Cadance Academy’s The Nutcracker has become one of my favourite ways to celebrate Christmas. I love how the school comes together as a family to put on this magical production and its profound ability to bring joy to all those who experience it!†Natalie says. There are just two performances of The Nutcracker: 7:00 pm on Saturday, December 9 and 2:00 pm on December 10 at the Festival Theatre in Wolfville. Both shows were near sell-outs last year so the public is encouraged to buy tickets well in advance. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students, seniors, and children. They are available from Cadance Academy (679-3616) as well as Wild Lily in Wolfville.
EVENT INFO
Cadance Academy’s The Nutcracker
Sat., Dec. 9, 7:00pm; Sun., Dec. 10, 2:00pm
Tickets: adults $20, students $15. Available at Cadance Academy, New Minas and Wild Lily, Wolfville
