CAC Students to Perform in Ballet Arkansas’ Production of “The Nutcracker Spectacular”
All three CAC elementary campuses have students participating in Ballet Arkansas’ 46th annual production of The Nutcracker Spectacular. These dancers will take the stage December 13-15 at the Robinson Center.
The Nutcracker is Arkansas’ largest and longest-running holiday production, presented with live music by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. It features more than 300 dancers, singers and musicians from all across the state. Back in August, members of the community were invited to audition, and these five young Mustangs were selected to share the stage with the professional dancers of Ballet Arkansas.
- Violet Andrews – 1st grade at NLR
- Olive Chunn – 3rd grade at PV
- Kerrington Keller – 1st grade at MME
- Sophia Molnar – 3rd grade at PV
- Lillie-Jade Williams – 3rd grade at NLR
Kerrington, Lillie-Jade and Violet all dance together at Ms. Karen’s Dance Studio. However, participating in The Nutcracker has bonded all of these sweet friends together, even across the different campuses and grade levels. They’ve become fast friends, and some of them even enjoy hanging out together at CAC varsity football games.
Roles being performed by the students this year include mice, infantry and a cherub. Lillie-Jade told us that her favorite part of rehearsals so far has been the mouse battle scene where the soldiers roll out a cannon and KABOOM a little mouse down! She also said, “I look forward to hopefully being Clara one day.” Which, for those not familiar, is the lead role! She also told us that both her mom and grandfather have danced in The Nutcracker, so she is the third generation to perform. Her mom, Jourdan, hopes to join the dancers again within the next year or two when she can potentially share the stage with both her daughter and her dad!
All of our CAC dancers have been rehearsing since September and have committed to an intense practice schedule to prepare for their scenes. They would love for members of the CAC community to watch them perform in this beloved holiday tradition. They will all be performing in the Friday night and the Sunday matinee shows. Tickets can be purchased here for those who wish to come support our young Mustangs.
Pictured above with the girls is Ballet Arkansas company dancer Meredith Loy. Meredith is the aunt of CAC students Evie and Maverick Loy, both at the NLR Campus.