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

Natick, MA – Nine local youth from Wayland, 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.

Jaime Vanderburgh '14, senior dance major at Walnut Hill, will star in the leading role of Snow Queen in this year’s rendition of the popular holiday production. As a former Walnut Hill Community Dance Academy student, this will be Vanderburgh’s 11th year participating in the school’s production of The Nutcracker in which she has performed nearly every role. The talented young student has also been cast as Pas De Trois from Coppelia in Walnut Hill’s Spring Repertory. Vanderburgh has received formal training at the American Repertory Ballet as well as the Orlando Ballet.    

The following Walnut Hill Community Dance Academy students will be also featured in the school’s interpretation of The Nutcracker, performed by multiple casts: Eleanor Flacke (Party Boy), Samantha Janoff (Little Sister), Elizabeth Micolisin (Soldier), Valentina Micolisin (Soldier), Jordan Rubin (Mouse/Angel), Madison Schofield (Clara’s Doll), Anna Wright (Clara’s Doll/Soldier), and Sabrina Xie (Soldier).

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 Wayland locals and other Walnut Hill students, please visit: http://ticketstage.com/walnuthill.