Laurel Dance Company’s version of the classic holiday ballet, The Nutcracker, will be presented at Warwick High School Auditorium, 301 West Orange Street in Lititz on Jan. 3.
Performances are at 2 and 6 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at www.etix.com.
In the giving-spirit of the holidays, the 501c3 non-profit company is offering the following attendance opportunities: Discounts to both shows apply for senior citizens and students to age 17, and discounted tickets for non-profit organizations are available for the 2 PM show by emailing marshal4@ptd.net.
The Nutcracker is a fairy tale ballet in two acts composed in 1891-92 by the celebrated Russian composer, Peter Ilyich Tschaivovsky. While the work was first performed in St. Petersburg in 1892, it did not gain the popularity it enjoys today until the mid-1960s.
Cast members for Laurel Dance Company’s Nutcracker include performers from the tri-county area as well as from Harrisburg Ballet Theatre, with which Laurel Dance Company has collaborated over the last several years under the direction of Kristina Grant. Performing onstage in the production are:
Katherine Williams, David Hurst, Grace-Ann Acebo, Amy O’Connor, Josh Frank, Michael Grant, Elizabeth Dorsheimer, Tacey Sauder, GJ Hinkley, Paula Sauder, Mike Dorsheimer, Amber Dietrich. Marlena Dietrich, Kristin Hurdleston, Rebecca Pfau, Tony Hurst, Ashley Antkowiak, Katana Fester, Evie Gentile, Myranda Marshall, Cate Tershak, Saren Williams, Natalia Caridi, Malloree Marshall, Ava Morgan, Magnolia Muse, Brianna Sibbett, Craig Hinkley, Kira Weaver, Raeshell Thompson, Silja Hilton, Jaeda Hurst, Jenna Leschner, Gabbie Rinehart, Mollie Witmer, Matt Williams, Katana Fester, Grace-Ann Acebo, Marlena Dietrich, Craig Hinkley, Magnolia Muse, Brianna Sibbet, Kathryn Gingrich, Myranda Marshall, Tacey Sauder, Elizabeth Dorsheimer.
Katherine Williams had been dreaming of performing in the lead role of Clara since she started dance classes at age three. Seven years later, that dream came true when at the tender age of 10 she was given the part after auditions in September. Katherine is LDC’s youngest Clara. A special treat for her will be portraying Clara opposite her father, Matt Williams, who plays the part of the menacing Rat King. Katherine’s sister Saren will also perform in several scenes of the Nutcracker. Truly a family affair, their mom, Ann Williams, serves on the production crew.
Directing LDC’s Nutcracker is Kristina Grant, ballet instructor at Footprints Performing Arts Center, where Laurel Dance Company is now in residence. She began her ballet training in 1979 at the Ballet Society of San Diego (BSSD) under the direction of Jacqueline Hepner, eventually joining BSSD’s performing company. There she danced roles in the Nutcracker, Swan Lake, the Firebird, Serenade, Giselle, Les Sylphides and Sleeping Beauty, among others. Kristina spent the late 1980’s and early 1990’s choreographing and coaching for competitive figure skaters as well as high school and middle school show choirs while still continuing her professional dance career.
After starting a family, she spent the next decade in the sound and recording industry before relocating to Harrisburg, PA. In 2004 she joined the faculty at the Harrisburg Dance Conservatory as an instructor. She is also a guest artist for their affiliate company, The Harrisburg Dance Ensemble. Ms. Grant was named HDC’s Associate Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer in 2006. Two years later she was a founding member of the Harrisburg Ballet Theater and is currently their Artistic Director and Proprietor. For several years she has been a principal guest artist for the American Youth Ballet.
Ms. Grant has had the pleasure of teaching many talented dancers who have gone on to dance with the Kirov Academy in Washington, DC, the Connecticut Ballet and the Nashville Ballet among other professional ballet companies. Included in her expertise is teaching and choreographing for ballet companies, cultural events, teaching at ballet intensives and conducting master classes in ballet technique, pointe and ballet repertory.
Production Manager is Robin Antkowiak. Robin has also served a president of the Laurel Dance Company Board of Directors for the last three years.
