Juneau Dance Theatre will present “The Nutcracker” on Dec. 2-4 at the Juneau-Douglas High School auditorium. This holiday production will feature guest artists Lauren Fadeley and Francis Veyette, a husband and wife team of profes=sional dancers currently affiliated with Miami City Ballet.
JDT will also reveal a new backdrop for Act II’s “Land of Sweets” created by MK MacNaughton and the “Candy Team” of Elsie Coppens, Lindsay McTague, and Erin MacDonald. About 30 students, ages 7-16, contributed ideas for the set design.
“Watching the kids create magical worlds was the best part,” MacNaughton said, adding “another fantastic part of the project was drawing the design with charcoal onto the final large 15’x36’ canvas. Zipping back and forth on a hydraulic lift was a blast!”
“The Nutcracker” features 95 students and adult volunteers, ranging from ages 5-71. The four-performance run will feature two casts to showcase the school’s talent.
The performances will be held at 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 2; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3; and 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 4. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $15 for students. Group discounts are available. Tickets can be purchased at juneaudance.org, the JACC, Hearthside Books and at the door.
On Dec. 2, JDT will also do a free outreach performance for over 900 students in the Juneau School District.
There will also be a “Land of Sweets, Tea and Tour” special event at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3. for an additional $15 for audience members who purchase tickets to the 2 p.m. or 7 p.m. performances.
Attendees will enjoy a VIP line upon admission and priority seating for the performance. There will be festive crafts, tea and treats as they listen to the story of “The Nutcracker,” and even step onstage for a photo opportunity. Cast members will be there to greet, pose for pictures, and answer questions.
For more information about “The Nutcracker,” visit www.juneaudance.org or call 463-5327.
