Starting on December 5th, at our very own West Potomac auditorium, the Alexandria Community’s Nutcracker begins. This holiday tradition that happens every December is full of West Potomac’s very own students, as well as students from neighboring middle and elementary schools. Nearly 200 dancers from Alexandria make up the cast this year, and this year is the 16th anniversary of the Alexandria community’s annual production of the Nutcracker. Shows begin on the 5th at 5:30, and continue through the 7th where they can be watched at the West Potomac auditorium.
Every year selected students get to showcase their talent and their hard work through these few community favorite shows. Dancers have practiced every day, and spent countless hours in the studio to keep this treasured tradition alive. The Alexandria dance company ran under the non-profit organization ArtSpire, help uplift the community of dance in our area through the annual Nutcracker and their [The Alexandria Dance Company’s] other productions.
This year the iconic role of Clara will be danced by Grace Kidwell. Other lead roles danced by West Po’s very own include: Emma Sowers, Jaden Miller, Piper Dively, Adelae Harden, Hartley Hayden, Rachel Jurta and Julia Marchese. These talented dancers’ hard work will continue to be displayed in each of their performances, showcasing all their hard work and practice since the start of the show’s preparation in August.
“It was a very fun experience especially because we were working with kids from other schools and it’s nice to see them [dance],” Adelae Harden, this year’s Dew Drop Fairy says, sharing her experience about working in the Nutcracker.
Adelae also talks about how the first dress rehearsal went, “It made me very excited for Christmas and the Nutcracker season and to dance on stage.”
Traditionally, kids from neighboring local elementary and middle schools are a vital addition to the show. Although they don’t play large roles they continue to be a fan favorite year after year. They make up roles like the little mice and younger roles like the children. These aspiring dancers will soon begin to make up lead roles as they enter their final years in the company and begin high school.
“It’s really gratifying to see my hard work pay off, and people that I went to kindergarten with leading these amazing roles. It’s very personal to me,” Harden gushed.
Whether you’re going to see your friends, family, or supporting local dance, this show is a reflection of hours of work and dedication from dancers that make up the production.
Purchase tickets for this years production here.
