Taking the stage for "Nutcracker" ballet

    Not only are five local young ladies attending their weekly dance classes at Micki’s Gotta Dance here in Ogden, they are taking extra classes in Ames training for their selected roles in the  38th Annual Nutcracker ballet. 
    The girls auditioned September 9, and were notified shortly thereafter by letter about being cast for a part.
    For Olivia Coleman and Greta Siler, this is not a new experience. Both were among the dancers in last year’s show. Greta will be making her third appearance. Are the girls nervous about performing before a large audience? The general consensus was “I couldn’t do it by myself, but in a group, I’m okay.”
    Practices are every weekend for three months leading up to the performance.
    “Dress rehearsal week can be a little hectic,” explained Olivia’s mother Jaime. “That’s when they rehearse nightly from 6 to 10 p.m.”
    But right now, the girls are just having fun.
    Greta says she’s excited to be dancing with Clara (the lead female character) in the opening party scene. She is playing the part of Clara’s Big Friend.    
    Olivia, a fourth grader, who is playing the role of an Angel this year, says her favorite part about being in the Nutcracker Ballet is gliding across the stage, “I feel pretty dressed as an Angel and I like how my dress flows.”
    Gwyneth Siler, Rylee Ferwerda and Audree Patenburg are experiencing the Nutcracker for the first time. Kindergartner Gwyneth likes that she gets to be silly and pop out from Mother Ginger’s dress. “And the dance is so much fun,” says Gwyneth, who is playing the role of Little Mother Ginger Kid.
    Rylee shared that her favorite thing about being part of the performance is getting to practice dancing with the Indian Boys and Drosselmeyer (the clock and toy maker). “It’s so fun to watch them dance.” She will be dressed as a Harlequin on stage.
    Then there is first grader Audree who says, “I just love dancing!”

    The classic holiday fairy tale comes alive on stage at Stephens Auditorium in Ames Saturday, Dec. 8 with two performances, one at 1:30 and the other at 7:30 p.m. Another performance takes place Sunday, Dec. 9 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets will be available at the Stephens Auditorium box office or online at ticketmaster.com.