From Jennie Grimes, For Iron County Today
Four performances in December to celebrate the season with a cherished holiday tradition.
The Community of Iron County and Canyon View High School’s (CVHS) Dance Department proudly present the third annual Community Nutcracker Ballet, with performances on Dec. 12, 13, and 14 at 7:00 p.m. and a special matinee on Dec. 12 at 1:00 p.m., held at the CVHS auditorium. This cherished production features students, local studios, and community members in a magical retelling of the Nutcracker story. This year introduces a youth mentorship program and includes over 200 hours of collaborative preparation. The production is designed to ignite the spirit of the Christmas season and bring the magic of Christmas to life with its classic story of the Nutcracker and little Princess Clara.
“This production aims to enrich the learning experience of our students while fostering collaboration and mentorship within the community,” said Jennie Grimes, dance instructor at CVHS and artistic director, producer and choreographer for the Community Nutcracker Ballet. “This season, we hope you’ll take the opportunity to come and experience the story of Clara, a young girl gifted a nutcracker for Christmas, and all the other magical characters that make up the ballet.”
The production is a collaborative effort between CVHS dance students and community members, particularly those from the Iron County School District. The production involves a large cast and crew, rehearsal staff and a youth mentor program that is new this year. Students also fill key roles in dance, stage crew, choreography, artistic direction, and more.
The community is invited to attend the production and enjoy the dedication of local dancers featuring stunning choreography, vibrant costumes, and a cast of dancers who captivate the audience with their joyful energy. The Nutcracker will be played by Michael Nelson and Zoe James will play the part of Clara. There are several soloists and featured dancers throughout the ballet including Regan Hunsaker as Drosselmeyer, Keziah Chappell and Ava Knudsen as Harlequin and Columbine Toy Dolls, Maggie Smith and Lolly Wilson as Roses, Reagyn Reynolds as the Mouse Queen, Emma Armour as Snow Queen, Laura Nelson as Dewdrop, and Sabrina Gordon as the Sugar Plum Fairy.
The extensive preparation for this full-length ballet involves hundreds of hours organizing concepts, securing production crews and gathering donated supplies, props, costumes and materials. Local studios, including Ignite Dance Company, Dance Magic, The Point Dance Studio, Sunshine Dance and community dancers, join forces with CVHS dance department to contribute costumes and dancers for their assigned roles. The overwhelming support and commitment from everyone involved emphasize the belief in the project’s impact on students and the potential for growth in the coming years.
Grimes, reflecting on the project’s inception, said, “I had been wanting to do it for about 15 years. The theme for my dance company that year was ‘Don’t wait for the right opportunity, create it.’ What better time to teach than by example. Why not make it happen.” This commitment to action led to the successful inaugural Community Nutcracker Ballet the last two years and a continuation this year as a cherished tradition.
The CVHS Dance Department would like to express gratitude to all of the studios and community members that have continued to join us and support the production. The Community Nutcracker provides more ways to support our community during the production including concessions, silent audition, dancer grams, flowers, gifts, help the students of Iron County school district in need and help our dancers that were accepted into the Florence dance study abroad get to Italy. One way to help is to bring a pair of new gloves or hat to the ballet for a sweet treat at concessions. All of the hats and gloves will be donated to CV Christmas in hopes of helping all of the students in the Iron County School district during the holiday season. Tickets are now available for $10 for adults, and $6 for children ages two to 18, at communitynutcracker.com. Donations to support the production may also be made at the same web address.
Photographs provided by CVHS and taken by Parker Grimes.
