Local dancers will take stage with professionals in 'The Nutcracker'
The Nutcracker — A Canadian Tradition is a staple of the holiday season.
Once again, 13 young dancers from seven different studios in London, Ont. will get the opportunity to dance on stage with professionals later this month.
“I'm excited because I get to perform in front of a bunch of people,” said Claire Gustavson, 13, from St. Thomas, Ont.
Gustavson can’t wait to take the stage at Centennial Hall. She’s danced there competitively but never in front of upwards of 2,000 people.
Each year, Dance Steps Studio selects young ballet dancers to fill the youth roles in the Ballet Jorgen performance.
“In a lot of ways, I'm actually quite embarrassed to say I have tears,” said Donna Bayley, the owner of Dance Steps. “I guess it’s because we see them the first day that they're rehearsing here at the studio and to see the development and see the joy is just really rewarding.”
Claire Gustavson (left) and her twin sisters Madelyn and Cameryn are all performing in the 'Nutcracker – A Canadian Tradition' by Jorgen Dance in December 2023. (Brent Lale/CTV News London)
The dancers auditioned in September, and have been rehearsing every other Sunday in preparation.
“I started ballet like two years ago,” said Thea Webb-Nicholls, 13 of London. “When I heard like they were doing The Nutcracker I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is something I really want to do because it seems like so much fun.’ So I auditioned and then I got it.”
There are a number of roles that include a frog, beaver, chipmunk, squirrel, dragonfly, bear cub and deer.
“I'm a beaver and a chipmunk,” said Gustavson. “There are four chipmunks and I dance with Mother Spruce. For the beaver part, I am rowing a boat at the beginning of our section.”
The quintessentially Canadian Nutcracker is celebrating its 15th anniversary.
Ballet dancers practice for their role in the Jorgen Dance version of 'Nutcracker - A Canadian Tradition' on Dec 3, 2023 in London, Ont. (Brent Lale/CTV News London)For years, the youth program has given many young dancers a look behind the curtain of a professional ballet company.
“I cannot believe how many local dancers have become professional dancers from this show,” said Bayley. “I'm not sure if it's the show, or the fact when they're younger they're getting to work with the professional dancers. It's inspiring and it is just a peek into a life of what a dancer is for these dancers.”
The dancers will rehearse once more at the studio, then get to practice once on the stage at Centennial Hall before the performance on Dec. 23, 2023.
In the spirit of seasonal giving, the community is invited to support the Children’s Aid Society of London and Middlesex. Pledging a ticket at a discounted price of $25 can give a seat to a child or family who may not otherwise be able to take in the show.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Blaine Higgs 'furious' over sexual education presentation
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has shared his anger on social media over a presentation in at least four high schools.
Grayson Murray's parents say the two-time PGA Tour winner died of suicide
Grayson Murray's parents said Sunday their 30-year-old son took his own life, just one day after he withdrew from a PGA Tour event.
The dreams of a 60-year-old beauty contestant come to an abrupt end in Argentina
A 60-year-old woman saw her dreams of becoming the oldest Miss Universe contestant in history melt away in a haze of sequins and selfies Saturday at Argentina’s annual beauty pageant.
At least 15 dead after severe weather carves path of ruin across multiple U.S. states in the South
Powerful storms killed at least 15 people and left a wide trail of destruction Sunday across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas during the latest deadly weather to strike the central U.S.
2 died in plane crash near Squamish, B.C., police confirm
Two people died after a plane went down in a remote area near Squamish, B.C. on Friday, authorities have confirmed.
Driver, 18, gets $3,000 ticket, 32 demerit points after speeding on Laval boulevard
A young driver received a hefty fine from Laval police after they say he was driving nearly 100 km/h over the posted speed limit.
After more than 100 years, Newfoundland's unknown soldier returns home
An unknown Newfoundland soldier, who fought and died on the battlefields in northeastern France during the First World War, is back home this weekend for the first time in more than a hundred years.
Some birds may use 'mental time travel,' study finds
Real quick — what did you have for lunch yesterday? Were you with anyone? Where were you? Can you picture the scene? The ability to remember things that happened to you in the past, especially to go back and recall little incidental details, is a hallmark of what psychologists call episodic memory — and new research indicates that it’s an ability humans may share with birds called Eurasian jays.
Trump confronts repeated boos during raucous Libertarian convention speech
Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while addressing Saturday night’s Libertarian Party National Convention.