by Noella Noelophile®
(Photograph by George Simian, and used with permission of San Pedro City Ballet.)
How do you perform a beloved Christmas classic–yet make it your own?
San Pedro City Ballet has a sparkling answer to that question.
Their performances of The Nutcracker are happening the second week in December. And if a quick look at their highlights reel is any indication, they’ve found lots of ways to have fun, creatively, yet stay true to the story.
(Photo courtesy of George Simian, and used with permission of San Pedro City Ballet.)
I don’t want to give any spoilers here. All I’ll say is, expect the party scene to be a lot of fun. And to hear some “oohs” and “aahs” as the Mouse King and his troops battle the Nutcracker. And to feel the enchantment, as Clara is ushered into the Sugarplum Fairy’s kingdom.
But the real magic will have happened before the curtain rises.
According to their website, San Pedro City Ballet’s Nutcracker features a cast of 300 children and youth. 75% of the cast members come from low-income households. And the cast is highly diverse, with 50% Hispanic, 30% Caucasian, 10% African-American and 10% Asian dancers.
(Photo courtesy of George Simian, and used with permission of San Pedro City Ballet.)
Countless volunteers are involved in bringing the production to the stage. And by the time more than 5,000 attendees see the performances, SPCB will have donated hundreds of tickets to local schools, military families and nonprofits.
In other words, they’re spreading enchantment–as they teach children to dream.
Throughout the year, San Pedro City Ballet brings quality dance education to children and youth. Currently, they offer instruction at sixteen public schools in the Los Angeles area, according to their website. As they look to expand their outreach to local youth, they also offer free dance classes in partnership with Boys and Girls Clubs of Los Angeles Harbor.
Meanwhile, their ballet school trains students, both in the art of dance, and in lessons of life, during classes on ballet, jazz and hip hop.
SPCB is making creative inspiration and wonder widely available to children, regardless of income status. If you’d like to support them, they’d like to hear from you.
And if you’d like to experience some Christmas magic, this year’s Nutcracker performances happen the weekend of December 9th!