North Las Vegas ballet theater to welcome holidays with ‘The Nutcracker’

Nothing welcomes the holidays like gathering the family to watch the timeless tale of "The Nutcracker."

Instead of heading to another city, North Las Vegas residents can watch the performance in their neighborhood from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 4, 11 and 18 and from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 5, 12 and 19 at the North Las Vegas Ballet Theater's new studio at 205 W. Centennial Parkway No. 120.

Performances originally were planned for the amphitheater at Craig Ranch Regional Park but were moved to the ballet theater's studio after press time.

"No one has performed 'The Nutcracker' for our community here," said Bernadette Sanders, founder of the North Las Vegas Ballet Theater. "There are other areas around the Las Vegas Valley that host holiday-related events, but North Las Vegas doesn't have much. Our community is entitled to have wonderful, fun things, too."

To kick off the ballet performance, the school plans to host a Santa's Nutcracker Breakfast at 9 a.m. Dec. 5 inside its new home.

"It will give the community an opportunity to meet the dancers," Sanders said. "We are one of the only ballet theater schools in North Las Vegas."

"The Nutcracker" ballet is based on the story "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" by E.T.A. Hoffmann. It follows a young girl named Clara whose Christmas toy, the Nutcracker, comes to life to fight against the evil Mouse King eventually leading her to a magical kingdom.

"It's nice to know you're going to be a part of something that may inspire another little kid," said Sanders' daughter Chelsea Sanders, who is set to play The Russian. "It's a dream that every little girl has."

A cast of 13 performers, ranging from 3 years old to adult, is set to bring the classic holiday tale to life.

The show's main actors feature Somerset Academy students Zion Simpkins, 8, as the Nutcracker, and Trinity Caldwell, 6, as Clara.

Despite having young actors, Sanders said she is confident in their ability to produce an outstanding show.

"I'm accustomed to dealing with little children. For me, it's pretty easy," Sanders said. "They get tired faster than professional artists, but they're also a lot of fun."

Sisters Paola Datil, 13, and Kamelia Datil, 12, are also set to perform.

"When Ms. Bernadette told us about the performance, I got really excited," said Paola, who is set to play an Arabian princess. "It's like the classic show, and it's very seasonal. I never thought I'd be dancing in 'The Nutcracker.' Since I was a little girl, I always wanted to be a ballerina."

"I'll be a delicious candy cane, and I'll be doing some hula-hoop dancing," Kamelia said.

Since September, performers have been rehearsing for the amphitheater's first theatrical performance. The costumes are lively, colorful and traditional to the Nutcracker's festive and seasonal scene, said Sanders.

The school, which opened in August, has been sharing practice space with cage fighters at Uprising MMA Training Center, 6325 N. Commerce St.

"It's funny seeing these big cage fighters share a space with our young ballerinas," Sanders said. "I remember one time, we had a little one who was being a bit uncooperative, and a professional fighter just sat down to watch her, and he started cheering for her. That made her try harder. It's amazing because that's the community helping the child's self-esteem."

Although the school may be new, Sanders has been teaching dance professionally for more than 26 years. She was trained in classical ballet at Olympic Ballet Theatre and School in Edmonds, Wash.; the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and the Jones-Haywood School of Ballet, both in Washington, D.C.; the Maryland Youth Ballet in Silver Spring, Md.; and in New York City at Steps on Broadway, David Howard at Broadway Dance Center and the Dance Theatre of Harlem's pre-professional program.

She recently overcame a physical challenge after losing her eyesight last year due to lupus, an inflammatory disease caused when the immune system attacks its own tissues.

"My sight is improving, and I can see again, but I cannot always see the faces of the kids in detail," Sanders said. "Sometimes during rehearsals, I tell them to smile bigger or give their faces more expression, so that I can see them."

The school offers classes including Dancing with Mommy, Dance Me A Story, creative movement, pre-ballet, ballet, jazz/hip-hop, modern dance, tap and character dance classes.

"I hope people get into the holiday spirit and come out to support the children and all of their hard work," Sanders said. "Having a sense of community is important. One of our main goals is to reach out to the community, so they are able to participate, enjoy the art and have culture."

"This is an event that's fun for the whole family," Sanders said. "We look forward to starting the tradition of 'The Nutcracker' in the park in North Las Vegas."

Admission is $10 at the door. Visit nlvbt.com or call 702-965-2071.

— To reach North View reporter Sandy Lopez, email slopez@viewnews.com or call 702-383-4686. Find her on Twitter: @JournalismSandy.