LUFKIN, TX (KTRE) -
Sugar plum fairies, mice and toy soldiers
took center stage in the Academy of Gymnastics and Dance's annual performance
of The Nutcracker.
"It's a great celebration it's
such a tradition the nutcracker story, it's all based around the Christmas
holiday scene," said Darlene Atkinson, Owner, Academy of Gymnastics and
Dance.
For 13 years the studio's ballet
company has been capturing the spirit of the Christmas season.
Studio owner Darlene Atkinson says her
dancers are using their talent to spread holiday cheer throughout the
community.
"We had a competition dance team
and a competition cheer team so they were very interested in a ballet company
that didn't travel but were able to put on performances such as this," said
Atkinson.
The company is made up of 80 dancers
from kindergarten to high school seniors and they begin preparing for their
Christmas performance in June.
"My favorite part is when the
sugar plum fairy comes out," said Bella Chong, dancer.
17-year-old Elsi Hernandez has been
dancing since she was three-years-old and this is her 5th Nutcracker
performance.
"I still enjoy it every year,"
said Hernandez.
For her final performance the Lufkin
senior is starring in the show as Clara, a young girl who dreams of a
nutcracker prince in a battle against a mouse king.
"I just fell in love with it I
like dancing, I like expressing myself through it, it's definitely a privilege
I love dancing and I love entertaining people," said Hernandez.
In a performance that will take the audience
into a world outside their own just in time for the holidays.
"It's a great show put on by
children its just a great holiday beginning," said Atkinson.
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