Wellesley Locals to be Featured in Walnut Hill’s Production of The Nutcracker

Natick, MA – Twenty-nine local youth from Wellesley, MA will take the stage in Walnut Hill School for the Arts’ winter production of The Nutcracker later this month.

Set on a cozy Christmas Eve, this beloved, classic tale relives the Stahlbaum’s annual Christmas party centering around a prized toy nutcracker and the whimsical fairytale that it prompts. The popular holiday favorite will once again be performed by Walnut Hill high school dance students and Walnut Hill Community Dance Academy students—this time with a new twist. This year’s production will feature an array of updated set pieces and costumes and several new dance sequences. Performances will take place on December 10-14, 19 & 20 at 7:00pm and December 14, 15 & 21 at 2:00pm at Walnut Hill’s Keiter Center for the Performing Arts in Natick, MA.

Walnut Hill senior dance major Emily Place '14 will play the roles of Snowflake, Chocolate-Spanish, and Guest, while her sister Hayley Place '17 will play the roles of Soldier Doll, Demi-soloist, and Merliton, while also understudying the role of Snowflake.

The following Walnut Hill Community Dance Academy students will also be featured in the production, performed by multiple casts: Lucy Allred (Soldier), Maree Allred (Mouse), Alaina Cai (Clara’s Doll), Kaitlyn Celi (Mouse/Angel), Julia Colone (Party Girl), Alice Cook (Soldier), Sebastian Diesl (Littlest Brother), Caroline Friendly (Clara’s Doll), Catherine Friendly (Party Boy), Greta Goldberg (Angel), Sophie Hall O’Sullivan (Baby Mouse), Emma Hudler (Mouse), Fiona Jobson (Arabian Child), Genevieve Jobson (Soldier/Arabian Child), Genevieve Juriansz (Arabian Child), Alexandra Juriansz (Soldier /Clara’s Doll), Eden Levkov (Cherub), Jonathan Liu (Fritz), Katherine Liu (Soldier/Clara’s Doll), Isabella MacKinnon (Mouse), Claire Mitchell (Soldier/Clara’s Doll), Annabelle Nolan (Arabian Child), Olivia Nolan (Soldier/Clara’s Doll), Caroline Rogers (Angel), Layla Tarawneh (Mouse/Angel), Iris Ventimiglia (Little Sister), and Sophia Weene (Cherub).

This year, Walnut Hill is dedicating its entire production run of The Nutcracker to beloved former dance faculty member and prolific American choreographer Samuel Kurkjian (1937-2013). Kurkjian was not only a brilliant choreographer, but also a dedicated and caring educator who shaped and inspired countless students.

To purchase tickets for The Nutcracker featuring these Wellesley locals and other Walnut Hill students, please visit: http://ticketstage.com/walnuthill.