Area performers begin Nutcracker Ballet performances

The approaching holiday season means many extra hours of hard work for area ballet performers. But it's labor of love as they perfect their performances in The Nutcracker (Suite) Ballet presented by Placer Theatre Ballet.For two months the cast of 105 from the Sacramento region, mostly children, has gathered at the Conservatory of Dance on Pacific Street in Rocklin to ballon, cabriole and pirouette. More than 30 of them are from Rocklin. It also includes professional dancers Demetrius King of New York City and Tessa Earl, owner of Rocklin's Conservatory of Dance.For five years Whitley Locks, 13, of Rocklin has been a student at the Conservatory of Dance mastering tap, jazz, ballet and pointe. She has performed in the Nutcracker each year."This year I am in the roles of snowflakes, lead ?Waltz of the Flowers' and Chinese trio. I love to dance because you can express yourself through it and dancing comes naturally to me," she said. "Also, Pat Colgate is a wonderful director and choreographer. I enjoy every one of her productions and she encourages me to do my very best."Colgate established the non-profit Placer Theatre Ballet seven years ago. Her goal was to enhance the training of performers through theatre and ballet presentations. She also wants to motivate audiences to a higher appreciation of ballet through viewing live performances. "Our very first Nutcracker, then known as the Rocklin Theatre Ballet, had a cast of 33 dancers of all ages," Colgate said. "It has more than tripled. I think I will need more help with costumes next year. I have so much help behind the scenes. Publicity, programs, concessions, set director, music and lighting director are all jobs I had to do when I first began in 1998."The Nutcracker Ballet is based on the book "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King," written by E.T.A. Hoffman. Tchaikovsky wrote the musical score for the Nutcracker Ballet in 1891. The first American production of the ballet was performed in 1940.Ballet is a far cry from hip-hop, which is the type of dancing Rocklin High School student Amanda Grider, 15, was interested in. This is her third Nutcracker Ballet and Grider is glad she enrolled in ballet."I was told I had to take ballet as a technique because it's the foundation for all types of dance," she said. "It became my passion."Performing in the traditional Christmas ballet gives the teen extra experience on various levels since she has been cast in a variety of parts through the years. "I like the people and there's no hostility within the levels," she said. "If I had children I think it would be an aspiration for them. The performance brings (dancers) to a certain level (of skill) so they understand it at a younger age."As for the two ballerinas whose performing careers began with the local Nutcracker production n dance is definitely in their future."I'm shooting for American Ballet Theatre, that would be my ultimate goal," Grider said. "But any ballet program as a professional would be fine."Locks plans to continue with Placer Theatre Ballet and see "where it takes her." "Whether it be in a company or being a dance instructor n I just want to continue what I truly love," she said.Nutcracker performances are in the Placer High School auditorium on the corner of High and Agard streets in Auburn Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday-Sunday at 1 p.m., Dec. 3, 7 p.m. and Dec.4-5 at I p.m. For information call 630-7820 or visit www.placertheatreballet.org.Brenda Meadows can be reached at brendam@goldcountrymedia.com.