Central Mississippi Dance, located in Brandon, is bringing back its performance of The Nutcracker that features all dance genres in the well-known Christmas story. Central Mississippi Dance had such a success last year with this modern version, that directors have brought it back for a holiday tradition. The Nutcracker story is the same, but the performance includes hip-hop, tap, jazz, contemporary, and acrobatics in addition to classical ballet. Some modern music is also mixed-in with the original Tchaikovsky classical music.
“We are so excited to bring this type of performance to the Central Mississippi region. We have so many talented dancers in this area in all types of dance genres. We wanted to showcase all of them in this performance,” said Reagan Cooper, Artistic Director. “The choreographers also enjoy incorporating different types of dance into the story.”
The entire cast is made-up of local dancers, mostly from Rankin, Hinds, and Madison counties. The cast is a mixture of professional and amateur dancers. The age ranges from preschool to senior citizens. One dance features the studio’s rising adult tap stars.
“I have seen such growth in all the dancers from preschool age all the way to our most advanced dancers. Performing Nutcracker naturally forces each dancer to accomplish what they thought was impossible. And it’s incredible to see the outcome – strong, confident, and beautiful performers! I am so proud, and honored to have the privilege to dance and perform with this group of people who are beautiful inside and out,” said adult cast member Roxanne Fairchilds. “Seeing these dancers light up when performing their roles has been so joyful and refreshing. It’s why I do what I do!”
Mary-Travis Bowman has the lead role of Clara. Other lead roles include Maya Guice as the Snow Queen and Emerson Buison as the Dew Drop Fairy. Sugar Plum Fairy is Tiffanie Weckerly, formerly of Centennial Youth Ballet and Vanderbilt Dance Theater in Nashville who now resides in Jackson. Belhaven graduate Lewis Hines plays The Nutcracker.
Choreographers include Reagan Cooper, Leslie Johnson, Angela Evans, Brenna Robertson, Alonna Christian, and Natalie Clanton.
Central Mississippi Dance’s The Nutcracker will take place on Saturday, December 2nd at Cain-Cochran Hall on the Hinds Community College Campus in Raymond. It will have two performances at 2:00pm and 6:30pm. Tickets are $10 and available on the website centralmsdance.com.