Students from Richland Academy of the Arts bringing 'The Nutcracker Ballet' to the Ren

Mark Caudill, Mansfield News Journal
·4 min read
Ella Walker and Justice Gardner rehearse for "The Nutcracker Ballet," which will be performed Dec. 10 and 11 at the Renaissance Theatre.
Ella Walker and Justice Gardner rehearse for "The Nutcracker Ballet," which will be performed Dec. 10 and 11 at the Renaissance Theatre.

As Sarah Horrigan-Ramos says, Christmas starts early at Richland Academy of the Arts.

Students there have been practicing "The Nutcracker Ballet" since the first week of October.

"It's a joy for us," Horrigan-Ramos said.

"The Nutcracker Ballet" is an annual joy at the academy, which will be performing it for the sixth year in a row.

Show times are 7 p.m. Dec. 10 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 11. The venue has changed from Shelby High School to the Renaissance Theatre.

"It's very special," Horrigan-Ramos said of the chance to perform at the Renaissance. "Shelby was beautiful, and they treated us very, very well."

"The Nutcracker Ballet" is based on the story "The Nutcracker and the King of Mice," written by E.T.A. Hoffman. Although what is seen on the stage today is different in detail from the original story, the basic plot remains the same: The story of a young German girl who dreams of a Nutcracker prince and a fierce battle against a Mouse King with seven heads.

Dancers from Richland Academy of the Arts rehearse for "The Nutcracker Ballet."
Dancers from Richland Academy of the Arts rehearse for "The Nutcracker Ballet."

Attendees will be enchanted by this traditional portrayal of "The Nutcracker" through beautiful classical dance, stunning fairytale scenery, vibrant theatrical staging and the captivating musical score of Tchaikovsky.

"This ballet is very dear to my heart," Horrigan-Ramos said. "I grew up performing 'The Nutcracker Ballet' annually, playing many roles."

Getting show ready has been massive undertaking

The show is a massive undertaking, featuring 85 performers, 132 costumes, 40 pairs of pointe shoes and one pair of stilts.

The highest-level dancers put in approximately 20 hours a week for dance classes and rehearsals. The cast has consumed 800 bottles of water.

Marianne Cooper, executive director of Richland Academy of the Arts, said the performances will be a perfect way to kick off the school's 30th anniversary.

Ella Walker, a sophomore at Madison Comprehensive High School, takes on the role of Clara. She has been dancing since age 5.

"Going on stage and having everyone watch you, the rush that you feel is very thrilling," Walker said.

Dancers rehearse for "The Nutcracker Ballet," a Richland Academy of the Arts production.
Dancers rehearse for "The Nutcracker Ballet," a Richland Academy of the Arts production.

She added she has appeared in "The Nutcracker Ballet" a number of times.

"It's new for me since I've never had a main role," Walker said.

She enjoys the role, in part because it offers her the chance to act. Walker said she also does jazz and tap dancing.

She wants to continue dancing when she gets to college.

"I might not major in it, but I would like to minor in it," Walker said.

Kassandra Sherman, a sixth grader at Ontario Middle School, plays the young Clara.

Sherman described her role.

"She gets this beautiful Nutcracker doll," she said. "Her little brother Fritz gets very jealous, as all little brothers do."

Fritz breaks the doll, but young Clara's dad fixes it.

Despite the rigorous rehearsal schedule, Sherman said she never tires of it.

"It makes me feel free when I'm dancing," she said.

Gardner playing Nutcracker prince for 3rd year in row

Justice Gardner is more than familiar with "The Nutcracker Ballet." The Madison junior has been the Nutcracker prince the last three years.

"Every year, we add a little something, and the audience feels more engaged," Gardner said.

Dancers rehearse for "The Nutcracker Ballet."
Dancers rehearse for "The Nutcracker Ballet."

Like many dancers at Richland Academy of the Arts, Gardner got an early start in dance.

"I watched my sisters dancing when I was 6, and I decided I wanted to be better than them," he said.

Gardner also is familiar with the Renaissance stage after performing many shows at the venerable theater.

Tickets are available now through the Renaissance Theatre website, rentickets.org. All seating is general admission and seating is limited. Tickets are $18. Veterans, seniors and students pay $12.

All attendees ages 12 and over are required to wear a facial mask and show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of attending a performance.

For more information, call Richland Academy at 419-522-8224 or visit richlandacademy.com. Richland Academy is at the corner of Fourth and Walnut streets. It was founded in 1991 and is supported by the Ohio Arts Council.

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

Twitter: @MNJCaudill

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Richland Academy of the Arts to present 'The Nutcracker Ballet'