Every December, the Vermont Ballet Theater School puts on four shows of The Nutcracker. Dancers spend months rehearsing and preparing for the exciting weekend.
The majority of the lead roles in the show are performed by members of the VBT Company made up of the school’s highest-level dancers. This year the shows will take place December 20 and 21, at The Flynn Theater in Burlington.
EHS junior and VBT Company member, Kat Lacourciere, has performed in The Nutcracker since she was in kindergarten. She said the dancers have been working hard to get ready for the performances.
“We have rehearsals pretty much every day of the week and we also have rehearsals on Saturdays for eight hours, so that’s lots of fun,” Lacourciere said.
EHS freshman and VBT Company member, Eloise Knox, has been dancing in The Nutcracker for eight years and will perform the lead role of Clara.
“I did a lot of rehearsals, and I worked out so I could cross train and stay strong,” Knox said.
Lacourciere also likes to continue her training during the busy season outside of the studio.
“Sometimes I’ll do cross training on my Peloton, and sometimes ab workouts,” Lacourciere said.
EHS senior and VBT Company member, Kate Peake, loves The Nutcracker weekend.
“I love just hanging out with everyone in the dressing room and making lots of fun memories, and I just love performing for all of my friends,” Peake said.
The friendships formed between the dancers are a highlight, standing out as some of the company members favorite parts of the weekend.
“I really enjoy being in a theater and really connecting with everyone and being with everyone for long periods of time,” Lacourciere said. “Even though I see people during the school year, we never really get time to talk, and I feel like The Nutcracker provides a great opportunity.”
Knox agrees, saying that her favorite thing is the support she feels from everyone.
“I just like the energy backstage,” Knox said. “It makes me feel really excited.”
The dancers hope people will go see The Nutcracker this weekend to really get into the holiday spirit and kick off the week of Christmas.
“It’s just such a good experience, and we work so hard, and we love to see a full audience,” Knox said.
For many families, going to see The Nutcracker is already a special holiday tradition.
“It’s so beautiful, and it’s just a really fun experience,” Peake said. It’s the holiday spirit, and it’s just so magical and special.
There are still some tickets available. For more info please visit: https://www.flynnvt.org/Events.
