Some of the youngest performers from the San Benito Dance Academy’s production of “The Nutcracker” took their first steps in front of an audience Saturday when they performed a few numbers from the ballet at the 12 Days of Giving finale at Tiffany Ford in Hollister.
At noon, the Snow Queen Marlee Litzinger, the Mouse Queen Kassandra Torres, the Nutcracker Tiana Vlaovich as well as a clutch of Angels played by 3-year-old dancers and some Snowflakes performed for the crowd.
Choreographers worked closely with the dancers Saturday afternoon, after the 12 Days of Giving performance at San Benito Dance Academy’s local studio to prepare the cast for this weekend’s show. The students have been rehearsing weekdays from 2 to 9 p.m., in small groups. They started dress rehearsals this week to get used to moving in costumes that are as varied as mice, cookies, angels and snowflakes.
The show will again feature professional dancers, including Laura Alexich and Jekyns Palaez.
San Benito Dance Academy will perform the Nutcracker at Sherwood Hall, in Salinas, Dec. 15 and 16 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tickets are $12 for children 4-11 and $15 for those 12 and up.
Tickets are available online at San Benito Dance Academy’s website.
