Jenny Rhoads
The YMCA Creative Arts Center presents its production of “The Nutcracker” this weekend at Circleville High School.
With 121 dancers participating in this year’s production, Natasha Anderson, program coordinator, said she is pleased to be continuing the Winter Recital tradition.
“We may do the same winter recital each year, but we do try to mix it up and add our own touch,” Anderson said. “It’s not just the classical ballet anymore; we have our Tapping Maids, Tapping Toy Soldiers and Generals, our Flame Throwers (baton), and this year we added Hip Hop! We wanted to somehow incorporate their class as well, so we now have the Peppermintz hip-hopping to the Pentatonix rendition of ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.'”
Anderson said the dancers truly love the Nutcracker and look forward to certain roles as they get older.
“The Nutcracker became our annual tradition in 1999 when Kelly Marshall was director of our studio,” she said. “It’s been a tradition to have a Winter Recital since. It’s a classic!”
In addition to the performance, the art students will have their art on display in the auditorium hallway, showcasing some of their winter and Christmas creations.
The Creative Arts Center will be accepting new students after The Nutcracker, offering classes in art, theater and dance. Dance classes will begin preparing for the Spring Recital, titled “We are Family,” which will be held in April.
For art and theatre start dates, please contact the Creative Arts Center or visit the Pickaway County Family YMCA website.
The Nutcracker will be performed at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at Circleville High School. For tickets, call 740-477-6099 or email [email protected].
Tickets are $7 pre-ordered or $9 at the door. Pre-ordering is encouraged.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
